April 1883
Cannon, George Q. "Discourse." The Deseret News, May 16, 1883: pg. 258.
Richards, Franklin D. "Causes of Gratitude—The Church Illustrated By a Vine—Priesthood Represented By the Branches—Independence—Case of Lyman Wight—Priesthood on the Earth and in the Spirit World." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 7, 1883: pg. 117-123.
Smith, Joseph F. "Prosperity of the Saints—Danger to Be Avoided—How Blessings Are to Be Obtained—Free Agency—Triumph of the Work of God Testified of—“Mormonism” not Easily Destroyed—Prophecies to Be Fulfilled—Self-Denial Required of the Saints." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 8, 1883: pg. 173-178.
Snow, Erastus. "The Past and Future of the American Continent—The Law of the Lord and the Law of the Land—The Efforts of Our Enemies Turned to Our Advantage—Light and Liberty of the Latter-Day Saints—The Work of the Lord Among the Nations—Judicial Folly and Injustice—Faith Inseparable from Works—Parable of the Talents Exemplified." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 6, 1883: pg. 64-75.
Taylor, John. "The Gospel Like Leaven—Labor Required of the Elders—Promises to Abraham—Honorable Men in the American Nation Formerly and Now—Liberty in Religion and the Elective Franchise Claimed As Rights—The Saints Cannot Afford to Do Wrong—Relationship to God—Exhortation." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 8, 1883: pg. 123-129.
Thatcher, Moses. "A Comparison—Wrath of Man Made to Praise God—Fall of Senator Edmunds—Fate of Those Who Oppose God's Work—Persecution for Religion Unavailing—Case of the Huguenots—Intemperance—Startling Statistics—Drink, the Cause of Other Evils—Appeal to the Saints." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 7, 1883: pg. 110-116.
The Deseret News. "Fifty-Third Annual Conference." April 11, 1883: pg. 184-185, 188-189.
FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
President Wilford Woodruff
Elder Jacob Gates
President Henry Herriman
Friday, 2 p. m.
Elder Erastus Snow
The Law of the Lord and the Law of the Land
Saturday, April 7
Reports of Auxiliaries
President John Taylor
Elder Franklin D. Richards
Causes of Gratitude
Elder Albert Carrington
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Elder Moses Thatcher
Fate of Those Who Oppose God's Work
Mission Calls
Elder George Teasdale
Sunday, April 8th, 1883, 10 o’clock a. m.
Prest. Jos. F. Smith
Prosperity of the Saints
President George Q. Cannon
Discourse
Elder F. M. Lyman
Sunday, 2 p.m.
Sustaining of the General Authorities
President John Taylor
Elder John W. Young
Sustainings, Continued
Explanation on Change in Calling
Auditing Report
Mission Calls
President John Taylor
The Gospel Like Leaven—Labor Required of the Elders
Richards, Franklin D. "Causes of Gratitude—The Church Illustrated By a Vine—Priesthood Represented By the Branches—Independence—Case of Lyman Wight—Priesthood on the Earth and in the Spirit World." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 7, 1883: pg. 117-123.
Smith, Joseph F. "Prosperity of the Saints—Danger to Be Avoided—How Blessings Are to Be Obtained—Free Agency—Triumph of the Work of God Testified of—“Mormonism” not Easily Destroyed—Prophecies to Be Fulfilled—Self-Denial Required of the Saints." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 8, 1883: pg. 173-178.
Snow, Erastus. "The Past and Future of the American Continent—The Law of the Lord and the Law of the Land—The Efforts of Our Enemies Turned to Our Advantage—Light and Liberty of the Latter-Day Saints—The Work of the Lord Among the Nations—Judicial Folly and Injustice—Faith Inseparable from Works—Parable of the Talents Exemplified." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 6, 1883: pg. 64-75.
Taylor, John. "The Gospel Like Leaven—Labor Required of the Elders—Promises to Abraham—Honorable Men in the American Nation Formerly and Now—Liberty in Religion and the Elective Franchise Claimed As Rights—The Saints Cannot Afford to Do Wrong—Relationship to God—Exhortation." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 8, 1883: pg. 123-129.
Thatcher, Moses. "A Comparison—Wrath of Man Made to Praise God—Fall of Senator Edmunds—Fate of Those Who Oppose God's Work—Persecution for Religion Unavailing—Case of the Huguenots—Intemperance—Startling Statistics—Drink, the Cause of Other Evils—Appeal to the Saints." Journal of Discourses. Volume 24. April 7, 1883: pg. 110-116.
The Deseret News. "Fifty-Third Annual Conference." April 11, 1883: pg. 184-185, 188-189.
FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
President Wilford Woodruff
Elder Jacob Gates
President Henry Herriman
Friday, 2 p. m.
Elder Erastus Snow
The Law of the Lord and the Law of the Land
Saturday, April 7
Reports of Auxiliaries
President John Taylor
Elder Franklin D. Richards
Causes of Gratitude
Elder Albert Carrington
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Elder Moses Thatcher
Fate of Those Who Oppose God's Work
Mission Calls
Elder George Teasdale
Sunday, April 8th, 1883, 10 o’clock a. m.
Prest. Jos. F. Smith
Prosperity of the Saints
President George Q. Cannon
Discourse
Elder F. M. Lyman
Sunday, 2 p.m.
Sustaining of the General Authorities
President John Taylor
Elder John W. Young
Sustainings, Continued
Explanation on Change in Calling
Auditing Report
Mission Calls
President John Taylor
The Gospel Like Leaven—Labor Required of the Elders
FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Fifty-third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met in the Assembly Hall on Friday, April 6, 1883, at 10 o’clock a.m., as per adjournment.
Present on the stand, of the First Presidency: John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, F. D. Richards, Albert Carrington, F. M. Lyman, Moses Thatcher and George Teasdale; Counselors: Daniel H. Wells and John W. Young; Patriarch John Smith; of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, W. W. Taylor, Seymour B. Young and Abraham H. Cannon; of the Presiding Bishopric: Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides a large representation of the leading members of the Church from the distant Stakes of Zion.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: The great and glorious Gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder F. M. Lyman,
The choir sang: Come listen to a Prophet’s voice And hear the word of God.
The Fifty-third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met in the Assembly Hall on Friday, April 6, 1883, at 10 o’clock a.m., as per adjournment.
Present on the stand, of the First Presidency: John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, F. D. Richards, Albert Carrington, F. M. Lyman, Moses Thatcher and George Teasdale; Counselors: Daniel H. Wells and John W. Young; Patriarch John Smith; of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, W. W. Taylor, Seymour B. Young and Abraham H. Cannon; of the Presiding Bishopric: Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides a large representation of the leading members of the Church from the distant Stakes of Zion.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: The great and glorious Gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder F. M. Lyman,
The choir sang: Come listen to a Prophet’s voice And hear the word of God.
President John Taylor
said that although we might be crowded in this Assembly Hall, owing to the dampness of the Tabernacle it was deemed advisable to hold the morning’s meeting in this building.
said that although we might be crowded in this Assembly Hall, owing to the dampness of the Tabernacle it was deemed advisable to hold the morning’s meeting in this building.
President Wilford Woodruff
said we need the spirit of the Lord in every capacity we are called to act in, whether in preaching or administering in the ordinances of the Gospel. Governments which are a benefit to mankind, acknowledged and protected the rights of their citizens. Men are recognized in their lauded possessions. Why should not the rights of God who is the Creator of all be acknowledged? There have been some of His children who have been willing to acknowledge the rule of God, but such cases have been comparatively few. Many wars were fought prior to the supremacy of Rome, for the political power, but since that time rivers of blood have been shed in the name of religion. The Lord has raised up many men to accomplish His purposes, though they themselves might not have been aware of this. Even the warriors of the ages have been raised up by Him. When a people became wicked and corrupt, the Lord chastised them. This has been particularly illustrated in the people whom the Lord has chosen as His own, kingdoms having been raised up to chastise His people for their transgressions. Then the Lord smote those who had afflicted His people in their turn. There never have been as many important revelations given at any previous time as in our day; all the keys and blessings of every dispensation have been restored through the Prophet Joseph, who was a literal descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt. Many of the Saints now living were personally acquainted with Joseph Smith and can testify to the truth of his testimony and the validity of his calling. The setting up of this kingdom and its ultimate triumph were shown in a dream to Nebuchadnezzar, and the interpretation was given to Daniel. We are living in the time referred to, and there never was a kingdom of as great importance as the one we are now laboring to establish. Joseph Smith labored in the ministry fourteen years, and received during that time all the keys, ordinances and Priesthood that have ever been upon the earth, and then, after passing faithfully through a life of trial and persecution for the Gospel’s sake, he sealed his testimony with his blood, but he left the Church, the Kingdom, the Zion of God and the authority to continue the work he began. The principles of good and evil are placed before us that we may choose which we prefer. But we should realize that God and His power are greater than Satan and the power of evil. God will establish all that has been predicted by the holy prophets. God did not create this earth and people it for the Devil to possess and rule over, He will build up His own kingdom and redeem Israel, the Jews, and His Saints. It requires a great deal of faith and labor on the part of those whom the Lord has raised up and gathered here to accomplish this, but God has raised up and will raise up men and people to accomplish His work. Men were known and called to positions of prominence. The Saints are of Ephraim and are called to build up the latter-day Zion. Though there seemed to be a scarcity of those who were on the Lord’s side, yet when the Gospel was sent forth it attracted the honest from all nations. From the beginning this work has continued to grow and it becomes more and more difficult for the wicked to prevail as time passes. Brother Joseph F. Smith has remarked, the only time Satan had any chance to overturn this work was on the day it was organized. This kingdom had been set up never more to be thrown down, but will continue to progress until Zion shall be built up and become the glory and beauty of the whole earth. The Saints have been tried and proven even unto death, and if they are not willing to do this they will not be worthy to associate with those who made these sacrifices anciently. Jesus laid down His life for the truth, His Apostles with one exception died violent deaths. Many of this people have lost their lives in this cause. He is satisfied with their integrity in this regard. Nor do I believe that this people will be required to shed the blood of the wicked, but the Lord will fight our battles and cause the wicked to slay the wicked, that the hand of this people may not be stained with the blood of their fellowmen, but the saints will go forth and labor in the Temples. Ever since the principle of patriarchal marriage has been published to the world this people have continued to prevail, and if we will keep the commandments of God He will take care of us. All of the laws and ordinances of the Gospel are eternal in their nature and all the righteous acts of the Gospel are eternal in their nature and all the righteous acts of the Holy Priesthood are recognized in heaven. We should be careful how we use our positions. We should not complain of a man called to preside over us. While God sustains him I am willing to do so. I can assure the Saints of one thing—that the Lord will not allow any man who presides over this Church to lead this people astray. I know that God is with President Taylor and his Counselors, and is leading them right I would sustain a man in any position no matter what his youth or age just as long as the Lord sustains him. There is more union among the leading authorities now than there was in our early history and this principle is spreading abroad. We should sustain those over us in every position, and all be careful to sustain each other. The powers of the Priesthood can only be exercised in righteousness and cannot be used to pull down or oppress our brethren. This has been illustrated among this people in times that are past. We must beware of jealously and prejudice. We should be careful to observe the laws and commandments of God. Let us labor in the temples for the redemption of the living and dead, let us avoid bickerings and fault finding. Let us keep God’s commandments, pay our tithing and preform all our duties. Let us remember our prayers, for they ascend into the ears of the Lord, and he will be with this people and they will accomplish all that has been prophesied concerning them. Those who were the pioneers in this cause are passing away, but others are being raised up to fill their places. I feel to warn all people to beware of the way they deal with this people; for those who rise up against them shall not prevail, but will broken and scattered, while Zion will roll forth and fill the whole earth. It therefore behooves us to observe all the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and the Lord will not forget His promises. We will build these temples and complete them and attend to the work to be done therein, fill up these vallies of the mountains and attend to the duties required of us. We are making a record and will have to meet it, when we go to the other side of the veil. May God help us to be faithful and true to the end.
said we need the spirit of the Lord in every capacity we are called to act in, whether in preaching or administering in the ordinances of the Gospel. Governments which are a benefit to mankind, acknowledged and protected the rights of their citizens. Men are recognized in their lauded possessions. Why should not the rights of God who is the Creator of all be acknowledged? There have been some of His children who have been willing to acknowledge the rule of God, but such cases have been comparatively few. Many wars were fought prior to the supremacy of Rome, for the political power, but since that time rivers of blood have been shed in the name of religion. The Lord has raised up many men to accomplish His purposes, though they themselves might not have been aware of this. Even the warriors of the ages have been raised up by Him. When a people became wicked and corrupt, the Lord chastised them. This has been particularly illustrated in the people whom the Lord has chosen as His own, kingdoms having been raised up to chastise His people for their transgressions. Then the Lord smote those who had afflicted His people in their turn. There never have been as many important revelations given at any previous time as in our day; all the keys and blessings of every dispensation have been restored through the Prophet Joseph, who was a literal descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt. Many of the Saints now living were personally acquainted with Joseph Smith and can testify to the truth of his testimony and the validity of his calling. The setting up of this kingdom and its ultimate triumph were shown in a dream to Nebuchadnezzar, and the interpretation was given to Daniel. We are living in the time referred to, and there never was a kingdom of as great importance as the one we are now laboring to establish. Joseph Smith labored in the ministry fourteen years, and received during that time all the keys, ordinances and Priesthood that have ever been upon the earth, and then, after passing faithfully through a life of trial and persecution for the Gospel’s sake, he sealed his testimony with his blood, but he left the Church, the Kingdom, the Zion of God and the authority to continue the work he began. The principles of good and evil are placed before us that we may choose which we prefer. But we should realize that God and His power are greater than Satan and the power of evil. God will establish all that has been predicted by the holy prophets. God did not create this earth and people it for the Devil to possess and rule over, He will build up His own kingdom and redeem Israel, the Jews, and His Saints. It requires a great deal of faith and labor on the part of those whom the Lord has raised up and gathered here to accomplish this, but God has raised up and will raise up men and people to accomplish His work. Men were known and called to positions of prominence. The Saints are of Ephraim and are called to build up the latter-day Zion. Though there seemed to be a scarcity of those who were on the Lord’s side, yet when the Gospel was sent forth it attracted the honest from all nations. From the beginning this work has continued to grow and it becomes more and more difficult for the wicked to prevail as time passes. Brother Joseph F. Smith has remarked, the only time Satan had any chance to overturn this work was on the day it was organized. This kingdom had been set up never more to be thrown down, but will continue to progress until Zion shall be built up and become the glory and beauty of the whole earth. The Saints have been tried and proven even unto death, and if they are not willing to do this they will not be worthy to associate with those who made these sacrifices anciently. Jesus laid down His life for the truth, His Apostles with one exception died violent deaths. Many of this people have lost their lives in this cause. He is satisfied with their integrity in this regard. Nor do I believe that this people will be required to shed the blood of the wicked, but the Lord will fight our battles and cause the wicked to slay the wicked, that the hand of this people may not be stained with the blood of their fellowmen, but the saints will go forth and labor in the Temples. Ever since the principle of patriarchal marriage has been published to the world this people have continued to prevail, and if we will keep the commandments of God He will take care of us. All of the laws and ordinances of the Gospel are eternal in their nature and all the righteous acts of the Gospel are eternal in their nature and all the righteous acts of the Holy Priesthood are recognized in heaven. We should be careful how we use our positions. We should not complain of a man called to preside over us. While God sustains him I am willing to do so. I can assure the Saints of one thing—that the Lord will not allow any man who presides over this Church to lead this people astray. I know that God is with President Taylor and his Counselors, and is leading them right I would sustain a man in any position no matter what his youth or age just as long as the Lord sustains him. There is more union among the leading authorities now than there was in our early history and this principle is spreading abroad. We should sustain those over us in every position, and all be careful to sustain each other. The powers of the Priesthood can only be exercised in righteousness and cannot be used to pull down or oppress our brethren. This has been illustrated among this people in times that are past. We must beware of jealously and prejudice. We should be careful to observe the laws and commandments of God. Let us labor in the temples for the redemption of the living and dead, let us avoid bickerings and fault finding. Let us keep God’s commandments, pay our tithing and preform all our duties. Let us remember our prayers, for they ascend into the ears of the Lord, and he will be with this people and they will accomplish all that has been prophesied concerning them. Those who were the pioneers in this cause are passing away, but others are being raised up to fill their places. I feel to warn all people to beware of the way they deal with this people; for those who rise up against them shall not prevail, but will broken and scattered, while Zion will roll forth and fill the whole earth. It therefore behooves us to observe all the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and the Lord will not forget His promises. We will build these temples and complete them and attend to the work to be done therein, fill up these vallies of the mountains and attend to the duties required of us. We are making a record and will have to meet it, when we go to the other side of the veil. May God help us to be faithful and true to the end.
Elder Jacob Gates.
It is privilege and a blessing to attend assemblies of this kind. I have been in the Church for nearly fifty years, have been acquainted with the leading authorities of the Church, have passed through the many vicissitudes that they have endured, and I never have seen anything to change the testimony that I received when I embraced the Gospel. I desire to so live that I may be one with them in time and eternity. I ask nothing better. I have prayed that I might be preserved from shedding human blood, and I am glad that God has decreed that the wicked shall slay the wicked. I don’t care how mean they are who do this, but it is not a work for Saints. The Priesthood is that power by which the Gods work, and by this power the purposes of our Father will be accomplished. The wicked will be removed just as fast as the righteous grow, as the Book of Mormon says, the bitter branches will be taken away as the good ones increase. According to the revelation we must become very numerous and very terrible, and the world will fear this people because of the power of God which will be with them, as was the case with Enoch and his city. What need have we to fear when we consider the promises that God has made concerning His Kingdom and coming. Many great and important events are crowding upon us. The Saints have passed through many privations, but God has been with us and has marvelously preserved and blessed us, overruling those things that have been designed for evil for our good. So it will be in the future, if we are faithful. Israel was always prospered when they served the Lord, but they have been scattered and smitten by their enemies when they forgot Him. But as Israel has been scattered so will Israel be gathered again, and as fast as the good grow the wicked will be removed. God has decreed that Zion shall be built up according to the prophecies of ancient and modern times. Elder Gates bore a strong testimony and exhorted all present to steadfastness and integrity in the Gospel.
It is privilege and a blessing to attend assemblies of this kind. I have been in the Church for nearly fifty years, have been acquainted with the leading authorities of the Church, have passed through the many vicissitudes that they have endured, and I never have seen anything to change the testimony that I received when I embraced the Gospel. I desire to so live that I may be one with them in time and eternity. I ask nothing better. I have prayed that I might be preserved from shedding human blood, and I am glad that God has decreed that the wicked shall slay the wicked. I don’t care how mean they are who do this, but it is not a work for Saints. The Priesthood is that power by which the Gods work, and by this power the purposes of our Father will be accomplished. The wicked will be removed just as fast as the righteous grow, as the Book of Mormon says, the bitter branches will be taken away as the good ones increase. According to the revelation we must become very numerous and very terrible, and the world will fear this people because of the power of God which will be with them, as was the case with Enoch and his city. What need have we to fear when we consider the promises that God has made concerning His Kingdom and coming. Many great and important events are crowding upon us. The Saints have passed through many privations, but God has been with us and has marvelously preserved and blessed us, overruling those things that have been designed for evil for our good. So it will be in the future, if we are faithful. Israel was always prospered when they served the Lord, but they have been scattered and smitten by their enemies when they forgot Him. But as Israel has been scattered so will Israel be gathered again, and as fast as the good grow the wicked will be removed. God has decreed that Zion shall be built up according to the prophecies of ancient and modern times. Elder Gates bore a strong testimony and exhorted all present to steadfastness and integrity in the Gospel.
President Henry Herriman
I was very anxious to come to this Conference, and feel to thank God for this privilege and opportunity. I know that the words which have been spoken during this Conference are the words of life, and I know by my natural senses and by the revelations of God to me that this is the work of God, and that it will spread and grow until it shall prevail over the whole earth, preparatory to the coming of our Lord. Let us seek then to enjoy the spirit of the Lord that we may understand the will of the Lord, and have strength to perform it. The Lord is pleased with the unity and faith of this people. I knew before I left my home in the south that through the faith and humility of this people the Lord was battling their enemies, and I know that He will continue to do so if we will keep His commandments.
Meeting was adjourned till 2 p.m. in the Large Tabernacle.
The choir sang the anthem—Sing ye Jehovah’s praise.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
I was very anxious to come to this Conference, and feel to thank God for this privilege and opportunity. I know that the words which have been spoken during this Conference are the words of life, and I know by my natural senses and by the revelations of God to me that this is the work of God, and that it will spread and grow until it shall prevail over the whole earth, preparatory to the coming of our Lord. Let us seek then to enjoy the spirit of the Lord that we may understand the will of the Lord, and have strength to perform it. The Lord is pleased with the unity and faith of this people. I knew before I left my home in the south that through the faith and humility of this people the Lord was battling their enemies, and I know that He will continue to do so if we will keep His commandments.
Meeting was adjourned till 2 p.m. in the Large Tabernacle.
The choir sang the anthem—Sing ye Jehovah’s praise.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
Friday, 2 p. m.
The Conference assembled in the large Tabernacle as per adjournment.
The Choir sang: O, Jesus, the giver of all we enjoy, Our lives to thy honor we wish to employ.
Prayer by President George Q. Cannon.
The Choir sang: Zion stands with hills surrounded: Zion, kept by power divine.
The Conference assembled in the large Tabernacle as per adjournment.
The Choir sang: O, Jesus, the giver of all we enjoy, Our lives to thy honor we wish to employ.
Prayer by President George Q. Cannon.
The Choir sang: Zion stands with hills surrounded: Zion, kept by power divine.
Elder Erastus Snow
said, I desire to express my gratitude for the prayer offered up in my behalf that I may be able to continue my labors among the people of God. For some time my health has not been of the best and I realize the truth of the remarks of Elder Woodruff in reference to the passing away of the more aged of the Elders. From my youth upward I have witnessed the progress of this work and the fulfillment of the word of the Lord to His servants. The Lord has had his eye upon this American continent as the place where He would perform His greatest work. On this land He established the city of Enoch; here Noah preached to his generation; and here the Lord will build again His Zion and appear in His glory. In His own marvelous manner He has been working among the nations to bring to pass His, purposes, moving among the oppressed of many lands whose minds were reaching out after more light, truth and liberty, to gather upon this continent and struggle for human freedom. They suffered greatly until they learned to appreciate liberty and detest misrule and tyranny. They burst the shackles that bound the human soul and broke the yoke from their necks. The Lord guided them to a successful issue and directed the wise and patriotic fathers of our country, until they framed the grand system of Government under which we live, the best form existing or that ever has existed among men, save it may be that which God directly revealed to the patriarchs. It is best calculated to promote religious and political freedom and maintain the rights of men than any other on earth. But it contains its own imperfections and therefore cannot endure for ever. In a revelation given to the whole people in the early days of the Church, they were instructed to maintain the Constitution and seek for wise men and good men to promote its principles (Read from Doctrine and Covenants page 342). I deem it of much importance that these principles should be impressed upon the minds of all the Latter-day Saints and especially those within the pale of this Government; to implant in the hearts of our children a veneration for human rights and a desire to become acquainted with the constitutional laws of the land that they may apply them for the benefit of all who come under their influence. Also for the putting down of oppression and the evils that afflict mankind. God has designed this government to aid in the establishment of His Church and Kingdom on the earth and the furtherance of His great purposes. As long as the people maintain virtue and integrity He will sustain it, and at no time will the latter-day Saints stand justified before God in opposing these principles or ceasing to defend them. Whatever some may have thought of the evils of maladministration and the endeavors to war against us by factions in this country, we must never charge any of these things to the system of government embodied in the Constitution. We must attribute it to the ignorance or corruption of vile politicians. God has promised to defend our cause, and that the wicked shall not have power over us. Last October we had the blessing of the word of the Lord to this effect through President John Taylor; at a time, too, when the demagogues and political quacks were forging fetters for our feet, making yokes for our necks, and seizing the whip to lash us, while they rejoiced over our expected discomfiture. We have waited calmly and prayerfully for the fulfilment of this word and how signally has it come to pass? The means devised for our enslavement have become as a broken yoke to build the fire to warm the cause of liberty. Statesmen have been urged to violate the foundation principles of human liberty, and some of those who have hearkened to these temptings, have lost the sceptre of power, while all of them will go down, for the Lord has decreed it. Our young people—our daughters as well as our sons—by this means have been induced to study the principles of human liberty and determine to sustain them. I rejoice that our Legislature has been led to extend the franchise to women and those political rights which of right belong to all. This is in consonance with the spirit and custom of the Church, placing before the people at Conference for their approval or condemnation the policy of the leaders, for all things are to be done “by common consent.” We have received the light of truth by which we know that every soul, male and female, has come from God and are entitled to their agency, which is not trammeled by the Lord nor permitted to be trammeled by any of His creatures by his permission. Intelligent, independent use of this agency is decreed, so that all may be justly judged for their acts done in the body. Kings and Emperors, Presidents, Judges and Officers of every kind, will be held responsible before God for the exercise of the authority vested in them; and if ... guilty of any kind of mal...tration, or trespass upon the rights of their fellows, they will be held accountable before God and should be held accountable to the people who placed them in power. The constitutional laws of the land ... to be sustained by the people of the Church, and if any transgress them they are to be delivered up to be dealt with thereby. The laws of the government of the Church are to be treated as such, and those who violate them are to be dealt with according to the disciples of the Church, be though they take a course to satisfy the ... the Church, if they have broken the law of the land they must suffer the penalty thereof; then they may begin again to serve God and prove to their brethren that their repentance is genuine. We are required of the Lord, as Saints, to forgive all men their trespasses, but we cannot afford to override the laws of God to wink at those who venture to do so. We must observe correct principles ourselves and seek to extend them to others, and as servants of God, ... our respective callings, to see that no iniquity prevails in the Church and that all the various officers and members of the Church perform their several duties, which none can be justified in neglecting. “Blessed are they,” saith the Lord, “who hears my sayings to do them all, for he shall be great in the kingdom of heaven; but whoso breaketh the least of them and shall teach me so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” God cannot look upon sin “with the least degree of allowance.” As a whole, this is the best people the Lord can find in the earth, who have been moved upon by the Holy Ghost and the preaching of the Gospel to gather from all lands. They have not come here for worldly consideration—those who have are exceptions, and cannot stand unless they repent—but for the light of truth and the blessings of the Kingdom. And the servants of God must be wise in helping to separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tares, that in plucking up a tare no blade of wheat shall be destroyed. I testify to all the world that this is the work of God and not of man, and the institutions of our country are the institutions of heaven, established by the hands of wise men whom He raised up, and are as much a part of His work as the revelation to Joseph the Prophet of the keys of the Priesthood and it is His will that all men should protect each other in their liberties but not in wickedness. The doctrine announced by the Supreme Court of the United States this freedom of religion only extends to thought and not to action was a wonderful strain of liberty. Who can chain a thought or restrain faith? When they stop the mist from rising or the rains from descending, they may seek to imprison thought and bind belief. The fathers who framed the Constitution were not so foolish as to intimate that this could be done, but formulate a restriction against prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Faith in anything can only be determined by action. If God commands men to “increase and multiply and replenish the earth,” it is their right to obey. And those who enter into unholy wedlock for the mere gratification of fleshly lust refusing to bear fruit, are not worthy of marriage nor to be numbered among the worthy of the earth. And if God reveals that the parable of the talents shall be carried out in reference to his it will be done, and who can prevent it? That God may help us to sustain civil and religious freedom, obey every law and fulfil every duty is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
said, I desire to express my gratitude for the prayer offered up in my behalf that I may be able to continue my labors among the people of God. For some time my health has not been of the best and I realize the truth of the remarks of Elder Woodruff in reference to the passing away of the more aged of the Elders. From my youth upward I have witnessed the progress of this work and the fulfillment of the word of the Lord to His servants. The Lord has had his eye upon this American continent as the place where He would perform His greatest work. On this land He established the city of Enoch; here Noah preached to his generation; and here the Lord will build again His Zion and appear in His glory. In His own marvelous manner He has been working among the nations to bring to pass His, purposes, moving among the oppressed of many lands whose minds were reaching out after more light, truth and liberty, to gather upon this continent and struggle for human freedom. They suffered greatly until they learned to appreciate liberty and detest misrule and tyranny. They burst the shackles that bound the human soul and broke the yoke from their necks. The Lord guided them to a successful issue and directed the wise and patriotic fathers of our country, until they framed the grand system of Government under which we live, the best form existing or that ever has existed among men, save it may be that which God directly revealed to the patriarchs. It is best calculated to promote religious and political freedom and maintain the rights of men than any other on earth. But it contains its own imperfections and therefore cannot endure for ever. In a revelation given to the whole people in the early days of the Church, they were instructed to maintain the Constitution and seek for wise men and good men to promote its principles (Read from Doctrine and Covenants page 342). I deem it of much importance that these principles should be impressed upon the minds of all the Latter-day Saints and especially those within the pale of this Government; to implant in the hearts of our children a veneration for human rights and a desire to become acquainted with the constitutional laws of the land that they may apply them for the benefit of all who come under their influence. Also for the putting down of oppression and the evils that afflict mankind. God has designed this government to aid in the establishment of His Church and Kingdom on the earth and the furtherance of His great purposes. As long as the people maintain virtue and integrity He will sustain it, and at no time will the latter-day Saints stand justified before God in opposing these principles or ceasing to defend them. Whatever some may have thought of the evils of maladministration and the endeavors to war against us by factions in this country, we must never charge any of these things to the system of government embodied in the Constitution. We must attribute it to the ignorance or corruption of vile politicians. God has promised to defend our cause, and that the wicked shall not have power over us. Last October we had the blessing of the word of the Lord to this effect through President John Taylor; at a time, too, when the demagogues and political quacks were forging fetters for our feet, making yokes for our necks, and seizing the whip to lash us, while they rejoiced over our expected discomfiture. We have waited calmly and prayerfully for the fulfilment of this word and how signally has it come to pass? The means devised for our enslavement have become as a broken yoke to build the fire to warm the cause of liberty. Statesmen have been urged to violate the foundation principles of human liberty, and some of those who have hearkened to these temptings, have lost the sceptre of power, while all of them will go down, for the Lord has decreed it. Our young people—our daughters as well as our sons—by this means have been induced to study the principles of human liberty and determine to sustain them. I rejoice that our Legislature has been led to extend the franchise to women and those political rights which of right belong to all. This is in consonance with the spirit and custom of the Church, placing before the people at Conference for their approval or condemnation the policy of the leaders, for all things are to be done “by common consent.” We have received the light of truth by which we know that every soul, male and female, has come from God and are entitled to their agency, which is not trammeled by the Lord nor permitted to be trammeled by any of His creatures by his permission. Intelligent, independent use of this agency is decreed, so that all may be justly judged for their acts done in the body. Kings and Emperors, Presidents, Judges and Officers of every kind, will be held responsible before God for the exercise of the authority vested in them; and if ... guilty of any kind of mal...tration, or trespass upon the rights of their fellows, they will be held accountable before God and should be held accountable to the people who placed them in power. The constitutional laws of the land ... to be sustained by the people of the Church, and if any transgress them they are to be delivered up to be dealt with thereby. The laws of the government of the Church are to be treated as such, and those who violate them are to be dealt with according to the disciples of the Church, be though they take a course to satisfy the ... the Church, if they have broken the law of the land they must suffer the penalty thereof; then they may begin again to serve God and prove to their brethren that their repentance is genuine. We are required of the Lord, as Saints, to forgive all men their trespasses, but we cannot afford to override the laws of God to wink at those who venture to do so. We must observe correct principles ourselves and seek to extend them to others, and as servants of God, ... our respective callings, to see that no iniquity prevails in the Church and that all the various officers and members of the Church perform their several duties, which none can be justified in neglecting. “Blessed are they,” saith the Lord, “who hears my sayings to do them all, for he shall be great in the kingdom of heaven; but whoso breaketh the least of them and shall teach me so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” God cannot look upon sin “with the least degree of allowance.” As a whole, this is the best people the Lord can find in the earth, who have been moved upon by the Holy Ghost and the preaching of the Gospel to gather from all lands. They have not come here for worldly consideration—those who have are exceptions, and cannot stand unless they repent—but for the light of truth and the blessings of the Kingdom. And the servants of God must be wise in helping to separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tares, that in plucking up a tare no blade of wheat shall be destroyed. I testify to all the world that this is the work of God and not of man, and the institutions of our country are the institutions of heaven, established by the hands of wise men whom He raised up, and are as much a part of His work as the revelation to Joseph the Prophet of the keys of the Priesthood and it is His will that all men should protect each other in their liberties but not in wickedness. The doctrine announced by the Supreme Court of the United States this freedom of religion only extends to thought and not to action was a wonderful strain of liberty. Who can chain a thought or restrain faith? When they stop the mist from rising or the rains from descending, they may seek to imprison thought and bind belief. The fathers who framed the Constitution were not so foolish as to intimate that this could be done, but formulate a restriction against prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Faith in anything can only be determined by action. If God commands men to “increase and multiply and replenish the earth,” it is their right to obey. And those who enter into unholy wedlock for the mere gratification of fleshly lust refusing to bear fruit, are not worthy of marriage nor to be numbered among the worthy of the earth. And if God reveals that the parable of the talents shall be carried out in reference to his it will be done, and who can prevent it? That God may help us to sustain civil and religious freedom, obey every law and fulfil every duty is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Past and Future of the American Continent—The Law of the Lord and the Law of the Land—The Efforts of Our Enemies Turned to Our Advantage—Light and Liberty of the Latter-Day Saints—The Work of the Lord Among the Nations—Judicial Folly and Injustice—Faith Inseparable from Works—Parable of the Talents Exemplified
Discourse by Apostle Erastus Snow, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Friday Afternoon (Annual Conference), April 6, 1883.
Reported by Gibbs and Irvine.
If the Lord gives me strength to make myself heard, I shall feel it a pleasure to occupy a little time this afternoon, accorded to me by my brethren.
I feel to express unto my heavenly Father, and to my brethren and the people, my gratitude for their prayers and faith for the blessings of God to me in permitting me to appear before you on this occasion, and to feel the degree of health and strength which is vouchsafed to me, thus enabling me to continue my efforts and labors with my brethren and the people of God. For some two or three months my health has not been of such a nature that I could labor with the satisfaction which has attended me heretofore; and I fully realize what Elder Woodruff said this morning concerning the aged Elders of Israel passing away, and that the responsibility and labor of bearing off this kingdom will soon rest upon the generation which is growing up in our midst, upon which will devolve the work of carrying the Gospel to those who have not heard it among the nations of the earth, and gathering Israel and establishing Zion and building up and maintaining the Kingdom of our God upon the earth, which must be done through faith, by righteousness, and by defending and maintaining the rights of man and the liberty and freedom which God has ordained for the welfare of all flesh, for the protection and blessing of the human family, and which it has been His purpose to establish and maintain upon this American continent. Latter-day Saints, especially those who have grown up with this people, as I have done from my childhood, and witnessed the manifestations of the overruling providence of God in guiding the destinies of this people, inspiring His servants who have led and directed the movements of this great people, and in defending them and fighting their battles by the sword of His Spirit, and the invisible powers that have labored with us and for us—I say to those who are able to see and comprehend these things, it is clear and plain that God has had His eye upon this American continent as the place where He first commenced His great work on the earth, where the greatest manifestations of His power were exhibited in the days of the fathers before the flood, when the fathers were gathered in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman and received their last instructions and blessings from Father Adam, the Patriarch of this earth, and where Enoch gathered his people and established Zion, and where Noah preached righteousness to the people and prepared the ark of safety, and where He has determined ultimately to establish His Zion and gather together His people, establish, maintain and defend His government and the Priesthood which he has revealed for the salvation of the human family, where He will bring again Zion that He has taken away, even the Zion of Enoch; for when He shall bring again Zion, says the Prophet, the Lord will appear in His glory. And He has long been laboring in His own marvelous manner among the nations of the earth, turning and overturning, to bring to pass His purposes and to gather together His elect; and He has moved upon the oppressed of many lands and climes—those who sought for enlarged freedom and liberty and whose minds reached out for more light and more truth, and whose understandings were expanded—to gather upon this American continent, and implanted in the hearts of our fathers a love of freedom and liberty and equal rights. He led them through schools of oppression. They passed through many difficulties, and endured the rule of tyrants. They bore oppression and suffered until they learned how to appreciate freedom and liberty, and how to detest misrule, tyranny and oppression; they struggled to burst the shackles that bound the human soul; they struggled for freedom of thought, of speech, of action; they struggled unitedly to burst the bonds, to break the yoke, from off their necks; they vied with each other in this labor of love from north to south, from east to west, in all the colonies which were early planted upon this continent. The Lord guided their labors to a successful issue, resulting in freedom from the tyranny of the effete governments of the old world; He directed the combined efforts and labors of those men in consolidating the result of their labors and framing the system of government under which we are now permitted to live.
[At this point part of the congregation moved from the body of the Tabernacle to the gallery causing a stay in the proceedings. Quietness having been obtained the speaker continued.]
I was saying that God our heavenly Father had moved upon the nations and sent out from the nations of the old world streams of emigration to the new world, who were panting for freedom and liberty, and who struggled to burst the bands with which they were bound, and the yoke from off their necks, and were striving to learn how to be free. And in penetrating the new world and its wilds, and in grappling with and overcoming the difficulties attending the forming of new settlements and planting colonies in the new world, they learned the value of freedom, and therefore studied to preserve it; and they labored to establish a form of government under which it might be maintained. In all these works and labors we discern an overruling providence, and manifestations of the mercy and loving kindness of God to His people, and the revelations of His Spirit imparted, to a greater or less degree, unto the wise and patriotic fathers of our country, who were thus enabled to unite upon the best form of government existing among men, or which, perhaps, ever has existed, unless it has been those which God himself directly revealed through the Patriarchs and Prophets of older times. But so far as any political organizations of government upon this earth, the Republican or Democratic form of government established in these United States—(the foundations of which were laid by our fathers over a hundred years ago), is the best calculated to promote the objects sought, and to maintain the rights of man, and the guarantees of religious and political freedom, of any form of government known to mankind. But that it or any other form, in this imperfect and sinful world, is altogether perfect is not to be expected, and therefore cannot endure forever. But we regard the present form of government of this nation as embodying the greatest amount of virtue and principles best calculated to maintain and preserve the rights of man.
In the early history of this Church a revelation was given through the Prophet Joseph in which the people are commanded to observe the Constitutional laws of the land, and to uphold by their votes and sustain upright and honorable men to administer them; which also stated that He had inspired the fathers to establish this form of government for the good and benefit of man. I will read a few paragraphs found on the 342nd page of the Doctrine and Covenants, new edition:
“And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
“And that the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
“Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
“And as pertaining to the law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
“I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
“Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
“Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.”
I deem it of much importance that these principles should be well understood and thoroughly impressed upon the minds of the Latter-day Saints throughout the world, and especially those dwelling upon this American continent and within the pale of this government, that they may implant in the hearts of our children a love of freedom and human rights, and a desire to preserve them, and to aid in maintaining and defending them in all lawful and proper ways; and to study the constitutional laws of the land, and make others acquainted with them; knowing the principles contained therein, and of learning how to apply them to ourselves, to our children, and to our fellow men who are willing to be governed thereby; study them that we may also learn how to use them in suppressing tyranny, misrule and other evils that affect mankind; for God has ordained this form of government in this age of the world, and has chosen His own instruments to further His great purposes on the earth—the organization of his Church, the proclamation of the everlasting Gospel, the establishment of His Zion, and bringing to pass His wonderful works which He predicted by the mouths of the ancient Prophets. And this political system and order of government is a power in His hands established, preserved and defended thus far by Him, which He will continue to use as long as the people are worthy of it, as long as they will maintain their integrity, uprightness and virtue; and at no time will the Latter-day Saints, as a people, ever stand approved before God in violating those principles or slackening their efforts to maintain and defend them. They are closely allied to the teachings of the ancient Prophets and Apostles, to the doctrines, practices and teachings of the Savior and His disciples, and they are the best means and aids of extending and promoting those principles on the earth. Whatever some may have thought of the maladministration in our government and of the efforts of individuals and sometimes of large factions, to abridge the rights of the people, and of their blind zeal and efforts to reach the Latter-day Saints, and to stamp out the religion we profess—whatever may have been thought of the efforts of such individuals, cliques, or factions, and of their warfare against us; and who in that warfare trample under foot constitutional provisions of our Government—undermine the foundations upon which it rests—we must never in our feelings charge any of these things to this system of government, or to the principles enunciated is the Constitution, which we are commanded to observe and keep. We must charge it always where it belongs—to the bigotry, the ignorance, the selfishness, ambition and blind zeal of ignorant and corrupt politicians, their aiders and abettors, and all this should only serve to make us try more earnestly, anxiously and faithfully to combat such efforts upon constitutional grounds, calling upon God to help us therein.
We were told this morning by Brother Woodruff—quoting the word of the Lord given through the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning the promises He has made to His people—that inasmuch as we will be true to ourselves, true to God, true to our covenants and to our holy religion, that He will fight our battles, defend and maintain our cause, make it triumph and flourish, so that the wicked shall have no power to prevail against us. These promises have often been repeated to us, and last October we had a renewal of this assurance and this promise in the word of the Lord given unto us through His servant President John Taylor, and at a time and period, too, when many in our midst were weakening and their knees were beginning to tremble a little, and there were others who were inclined to falter and doubt, and fear was upon some. Our enemies—especially the bigot, the hypocrite, the demagogue, the political quacks of the country—rejoiced, thinking that they were succeeding in their efforts to weave webs around us, to forge fetters for our feet and yokes to place upon our necks, and to lash us into obedience to them. But the great majority of the Latter-day Saints were calm in their feelings as a summer's morning, trusting as they have ever done in the promises of God, inspired with faith and hope in his overruling providence; and while we were doing what we might do properly under the Constitution and institutions of our country for the maintenance of our freedom and liberty, leaving the rest with God, exercising faith in His promises, continuing to pray for His blessing to attend our efforts and to hedge up the ways of our enemies; yet we have waited calmly for the result of the promises of God, and the answer to our prayers and the fulfillment of those things that have been spoken to us; and how signally have we seen them fulfilled. We have seen the very means which the enemies of this people have devised, and intended for their enslavement become before us as chaff, as thorns crackling under the pot, as a broken yoke to be used to kindle the fires of freedom and liberty. In former times the efforts that have been made in Congress and out of Congress to press the representatives of the people to hostile and unconstitutional legislation as a means to help religious bigots to suppress the doctrines of Christ, the ordinances of life and salvation, the rule and reign of righteousness among the people of God—I say, in their efforts to reach our religious principles and faith, and the exercise of those principles under that faith, and to crush it out from the earth—in their efforts to do so, they have moved upon statesmen to violate the Constitution of our country and the principles of human freedom on which our government has been founded in order to accomplish this purpose. But all those who have thus stultified themselves before the world, and before the heavens, and have done violence to their oath of office and to the Constitution, to the rights of man, and to the principles of freedom and liberty, have weakened, have gone down, the scepter of their power has fallen from their grasp, they have been dishonored before the heavens and before their people as a rule, and sooner or later we will witness others going down into the pit of forgetfulness as their predecessors have done. For the Lord has decreed it. And today the young men of Israel who are assembling in their Improvement Associations in all the Stakes of Zion, in all the Wards and settlements of the people throughout the land, and in their quorum meetings, and in their political assemblies, are all learning and cultivating these principles of liberty in their minds, introducing and extending them among the rising generation, the sons of Zion, and not only the sons, but the daughters that are coupled with the sons, the wives that are coupled with the husbands, in this labor of love, the struggle for the maintenance of freedom and liberty. It is a source of satisfaction to me that the Lord has moved upon His servants and the Legislature of our Territory to be among the first to lead the van of human progress in the extension of the elective franchise to women as well as men, and to recognize the freedom and liberty which belongs to the fairer sex as well as the sterner; for the Gospel teaches that all things are to be done among us by common consent, and the Prophet Joseph commanded and introduced in our midst the custom we are following today, that of presenting to all the congregations of Israel, at our General Conferences, and our local or Stake Conferences, the General Authorities of the Church, to be justified or condemned by the voice of the people, to be upheld and sustained by the confidence, faith and prayers of the people; or otherwise to be reproved by the votes of the people for their misdeeds or maladministration. These are things continually before the people, as well as the revelations which God has given unto us, and which are written and taught in our Sabbath schools and public gatherings, and to all who come within the scope of these instructions, viz., a love of freedom and liberty.
The leaders of this people are charged with being blind, leaders of the blind; and the people are charged with being blind, led by the blind. I deny the charge and brand it false. We know and understand perfectly that our leaders are neither blind nor are the people blind. On the contrary, we have received the light, the light of truth, the light of God.
We have come to the understanding that every soul of man, both male and female, high and low, is the offspring of God, that their spirits are immortal, eternal, intelligent beings, and that their entity depends upon their agency and independent action, which is neither trammeled by God himself nor allowed to be restrained by any of His creatures with His sanction and approval; that the whole theory of God's rule and government in heaven and on earth is founded upon this principle of agency—self, independent action. And it is upon the free and independent exercise of this agency that the decree of God is founded, that all men shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body, none having it in his power to say that he was not at liberty to exercise this agency untrammeled.
So far as relates to the administration of government and the exercise of political power, or the exercise of any manner of influence—political, religious or social—every man and every woman will be held accountable to God for the manner in which they exercise it. Kings and emperors, presidents and statesmen, judges and all officers of the law, will be held responsible for the administration of the power reposed in them. And if, while acting officially, they disregard their oath of office and violate the principles that should govern them, they become guilty of maladministration, and will be held accountable unto God, and should be strictly accountable to the people who place them in power. But every individual, in an individual capacity, will be held answerable to God for all his acts of whatsoever character, and so far as, in the exercise of that agency, men trespass upon the rights of their fellow men they must be held answerable to their fellow men for such trespass and wrong. And for this purpose human government is instituted, approved by the people, to hold each other responsible unto each other or unto the community, for the abuse of their freedom and liberty, and for this purpose laws are enacted and judges provided to judge according to the law, and to administer the law when it becomes necessary to punish transgressors. And God has commanded us in the revelation which He gave to us, that in case Church members violate a law of the land, they shall be delivered up to be dealt with according to the law of the land; that if they shall murder, rob or steal, or commit perjury or any other crime of which the law of the land takes cognizance, they shall be delivered up to be dealt with for their offense. But that for all manner of iniquity they shall be delivered up to the law of God to be dealt with according to the law of God; and those laws which are given unto you, as the laws of God, for your government in the Church must be treated as such. And it becomes our duty as good Saints, as those that are bound together by the ties and in the fellowship of the Gospel, as those that have covenanted to serve God and to keep his commandments, to work righteously and to deal justly one with another, that if we violate the principles of the Gospel and the laws which God has given unto us, that we shall be delivered up to the judges in Israel, and the Teachers shall labor with such, and their labors of love shall be directed earnestly to the reformation and repentance of all persons that have done wrong and done violence to the feelings, faith and fellowship of their brethren and sisters. And for every manner of sin shall they be held accountable unto the Councils of the Church, to the Bishops who are common judges in Israel; and to the High Councils. And though we may succeed in winning them to repentance, and they turn away from evil and will do so no more, and succeed in eliciting the sympathy and forgiveness of their brethren, still, if they have violated a law of the land, they must be made subject to that law, and to endure the penalty. And if they pay the penalty with patience, which is but the legitimate fruits and testimony of genuine repentance, satisfying all that they appreciate their wrong and determine to do so no more, when the penalty is paid, they may with renewed determination begin to serve their God, and prove to their brethren that their repentance was genuine and sincere. And although we are required to forgive all men, God says that He reserves to Himself the right to forgive whomsoever He will, because he searches all hearts and knows, as we cannot know, how far their repentance is genuine, and how far they ought to be forgiven. It is important that we as Latter-day Saints, understand what God requires of us towards each other in the Church of Christ, and also what He requires of us towards the State. For the constitutional laws of the land are for the protection of the rights of all flesh; the liberties of Saints as well as those of sinners. And if sinners can afford to dishonor the law, surely Saints cannot, neither can they justify others in so doing; neither can Saints afford to override the laws of God, or to wink at others who may do so.
God will not hold us faultless if we do. He requires us as Elders, as Apostles, as Presidents, as Bishops, as Seventies, as parents, to teach (wherever it is our prerogative and duty), correct principles, and observe them ourselves and seek to enforce them upon others. And it is not alone the duty of High Councils and Presidents of Stakes, and of Bishops and their Counselors to labor to correct the errors of the people, but it is the duty of every Elder, High Priest and Seventy—and especially the Priests, Teachers and Deacons that are appointed and called to be standing ministers in the Church, to visit the house of each member and become familiar with every family, and every individual member of the family, and their daily walk and life and conversation; and ascertain whether they are living as Saints should live; whether the heads of families preside in righteousness in their houses; whether their houses are set in order; whether they have an altar erected whereon are offered up their daily, morning and evening devotions; whether every member is taught to reverence and respect that altar; whether each individual prays in secret as well as responds to the calls made upon him to pray in the family circle and in public; whether each one that has enrolled himself in a quorum attends his quorum meetings and is obedient to the President of his quorum, his counsels and instructions; and if they are enrolled in the Mutual Improvement Associations, whether they sustain that institution and the leaders thereof, and are performing well their part; whether the parents are faithful in sending their children to Sunday school and to other institutions of learning; whether they teach their children to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, etc. These are duties and obligations that we cannot ignore, that God will not justify us in neglecting, and those who are called to bear a part of the holy Priesthood cannot be justified if they neglect all these duties, or any portion of them; for the Lord has said, “blessed are they who hear my sayings and shall keep them all, for the same shall be great in the kingdom of heaven; but if anyone shall fail or neglect to observe and keep the least of these my sayings and teach others to do so, the same shall be least in the kingdom of heaven.” For the Lord is not to be mocked; and though we may excuse ourselves in many ways for carelessness and neglect, and we may supplicate for forgiveness, as we are in duty bound to do for all our transgressions and shortcomings, yet we cannot in any wise plead justification, or suppose that God will justify us, for He has said He cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, and yet He showeth mercy and kindness unto thousands of those who repent and seek to turn away from their follies.
Over fifty years have passed away since the light of the glorious Gospel in its fullness began to dawn upon us, and still we are measurably walking in darkness. Yet the Lord has said that we are the only people and the only church—speaking as a whole—upon the face of the earth with which He is well pleased. As a whole we are the best people He can find. He has sent out His word throughout the earth. He has sent His servants abroad carrying, as it were, a torch in their hand—the light of the Gospel, inviting all to come to it, that as many as love the light may see it and follow it as one would follow a light in a dark place, or until the dawn of day. The Holy Spirit has been upon His servants and in the gathering together of this people. It is the Holy Ghost that has moved upon the people in the islands of the sea, in all the different nations of Europe, in the various parts of America, and in all lands where the light of the Gospel has been carried and the testimony of Jesus has been sounded. It is the testimony of the Spirit from on high bearing witness to and moving upon the hearts of the people that has drawn them into the light of truth and that has gathered them together with the Church of Jesus Christ. It was not worldly prospects held out before them that induced them to gather. I speak now of the people as a whole and not individually; for there may be individuals who have been influenced by worldly considerations, by personal, selfish motives. But all such, sooner or later, get their eyes open and see their folly and sin and wickedness, and repent, or they are purged out from among the Latter-day Saints. They apostatize, they turn away from us; they go back into Babylon, and they strike hands with our enemies and fight against God, and go down into perdition; for none can remain and continue to stand among the Saints of God, and hold fast to the principles of the Gospel, and enter into life only on the pure principles of virtue, integrity and righteousness, as we heard this morning, and as we are told by the Lord in certain revelations to the Church, namely, that the powers of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven can in no wise be used except on the principles of righteousness. And no man or woman can continue long in sin in the midst of the Saints, where the Gospel is preached in power, and where those who minister, do so in the power of their Priesthood and by the Holy Ghost, without being purged out from their midst. For that spirit will reveal and make manifest what sort they are. If the law of the Lord is properly administered among them and they are found violating it they will be judged according to the law of the Lord, and be separated from the Saints. And although we do not look for entire separation of the sheep from the goats, of the tares from the wheat, until the Great Judge Himself shall come to complete the separation, it is nevertheless expected that all men who act as judges in Israel should be helps in separating the sheep from the goats, the tares from the wheat, as fast as they are made manifest, and the tares may be plucked up without destroying the wheat; and it becomes our duty to do it. But He enjoins us to be wise lest we in our zeal and anxiety destroy or pluck up some of the wheat that may be growing under the shade of the tare, whose roots may be intermingled with it. We must therefore be prudent. It is better in some instances to allow the tare to remain until its character be more fully developed and made manifest, until it can be plucked up without endangering the wheat.
I testify unto all Israel, and unto all the world, that God has called us, and required us to observe and practice these things; and that it is not the work of man, and that the institutions of this Church are not the institutions of man. And when we speak of the institutions of our common country, we say in the main, though God has used man in instituting this form of government, and in establishing its institutions and maintaining freedom upon this land, they are nevertheless the institutions of heaven; and God has revealed unto us that He did establish them by the hands of wise men, whom He raised up for that special purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. It is therefore part of His great work, as much so as the part of revealing the keys of the Priesthood to Joseph, and the ordinances thereof, for the salvation of His people. For the political organization upon the land was designed by heaven to be a protection to the righteous. “But,” says one, “is it not designed to protect the wicked?” No, not in wicked acts, but in their freedom and liberty, to think and to speak and to act, and to choose for themselves; for in those rights all must be protected. God has always protected them, both in heaven and on earth. And he designed that all men should protect one another, and if necessary be united for the protection and welfare of all flesh. Not that the laws of the land or the laws of God will protect the wicked in doing wickedly, but on the contrary, will condemn and judge them. They are left to choose for themselves their course of life in exercising their agency in all things pertaining to themselves and the service of their God, and to use freedom and liberty in doing good, that which is right; but there is no such thing as liberty to do wrong and be justified in that wrong, neither on earth nor in heaven, neither by the laws of God, nor the just laws of man.
Now, the Supreme Court of the United States, in its great zeal to establish and maintain monogamy upon this American continent, and to strike a blow at the patriarchal order of marriage, believed in by the Latter-day Saints, in its decision in the Reynolds' case announced the doctrine that religion consists in thought and matters of faith and concerning matters of faith, and not actions, and the government is restrained by the terms of the Constitution from any efforts to curtail this freedom and liberty. Wonderful doctrine! A wonderful strain of judicial thought to announce to the world, this wonderful doctrine that the government should not attempt to restrain the exercise of thought, or the exercise of faith! I would like somebody, that knows how to defend this doctrine, to tell me how any one man, or any set of men on the earth could go to work and catch a thought and chain it up and imprison it, or stop its flight, or root it out of the heart, or restrain it, or do away with it. Let them go to and try to chain the lightning, stop the sun from shining, stop the rains from descending and the mist from arising from the ocean, and when they have done this, they may talk about restraining men's faith, and exercising control over the thoughts and faith of the people. The fathers who framed our Constitution were not such dunces, I am happy to say, as Attorney General Devens, who put that nonsensical language and doctrine into the mouths of the chief justices of the Supreme Court of the United States—the fathers who framed our Constitution, I say, were not such dunces, they did not attempt to place constitutional restrictions upon the lawmaking power, to restrain them from interference with faith and thought and the exercise of religious opinion; but they did attempt, and they did it in plain language, to restrain the lawmaking power from any effort at making law for the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. And the exercise of religion implies something more than mere faith and thought. I may think about being baptized for the remission of my sins, I may believe it is right I should do it, I may be convinced that God has required it of me, and I may think I ought to do it, and think I will; but all this faith and all this thought don't amount to as much as you can put in your eye, until I arise and go forth to be baptized, and when I do this, then I exercise the faith which is in me, and it produces the works. This principle may be equally true of everything else pertaining to the exercise of religion. I may believe it is right for me to be enrolled with a religious community that meets to worship, and I may believe it is right and a religious duty to meet with them from time to time to celebrate the supper of the Lord and partake of bread and wine, and when I partake of the bread and of the wine in commemoration of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, it is but the exercise of that faith which is in me. I may believe that God meant what he said when He gave that general commandments to His children to multiply and replenish the earth, and I may think about it; but it is my duty, if I want to raise potatoes, to plant the seed; if I desire to raise fruit I must go to and plant the fruit trees; if I desire to cultivate the earth I must use the proper means necessary to cultivate and improve it before I can gather the fruits of it. And then to do the other thing, to form a union as God has enjoined in the holy bond of matrimony, we must enter into that bond for the purpose of multiplying our species and thus bring forth the fruits of our bodies. I may believe this doctrine, as contained in the revelations of God; but what will this amount to unless I exercise myself in it. I shall remain a bachelor, worse than a hermit—a parasite in the commonwealth—unless I rise up and put my faith in practice and exercise myself in my religious belief.
I say also, when the time comes that God sees in the midst of His people an increase of the female element, and the wicked ready to devour that element and appropriate it not in the way to “multiply and replenish the earth,” but for the gratification of fleshly lust, and will actually take and employ hellish means to prevent the increase of their species, and show that they are not only beneath the brute, but beneath the vegetable creation, by refusing to bear fruit, thereby placing themselves in the category of the trees that are dried up, fit only to be cast into the fire, he can take measures to counteract this evil. And I say before God, angels and men, that every man and woman who joins in unholy wedlock for the gratification of fleshly lust, and studiously plan to frustrate the command of God in the multiplication of their species, show that they are unworthy—what shall I say?—unworthy to be classed among the honorable of the earth. And we have reason to believe that many have done, and are today, in the great cities of Babylon, taking steps to destroy their own offspring, committing infanticide and feticide, all of whom, and their aiders and abettors, are but ripening for the damnation of hell. And when God sees this damnable doctrine taught, and taught by such men as Mr. Henry Ward Beecher and other modern divines falsely so-called, who teach the world that it is a positive evil to multiply and increase so greatly in the land—when such doctrine is taught by leading lights, and so readily accepted by the masses, the Lord says, the time has come for Him to take measures to counteract this great evil, by introducing laws in the midst of those who fear Him and work righteousness and live according to the principles of life; men who are upright, honest and faithful, men who are willing to assume the responsibility; to take the daughters of Eve to wife and multiply and replenish the earth, for those men are unworthy of them. It is as Jesus said concerning the man who hid it in a napkin; he laid it carefully away, and by and by brought it out, saying, here it is as I received it, not having increased at all; in other words, we are just where we were when we started. Another one says I received two talents; and have increased to four, another says I received five talents, and now have ten: the master says to the one who hid his talent, who perhaps laid it carefully away and kept it nice, watching over it with the greatest care; or in other words, to him who did not multiply and increase, but on the contrary took pains to avoid doing so, “Take from him that which he seems to have and give to him that has ten; for he that has and improves upon that which he receives, shall receive more abundantly.”
May God bless and keep us in the way in which He can sustain and defend us, and lead us onward, as He has done hitherto, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Choir sang the anthem: Great and glorious is the name, O, Lord.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 o’clock a. m.
Benediction by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
Discourse by Apostle Erastus Snow, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Friday Afternoon (Annual Conference), April 6, 1883.
Reported by Gibbs and Irvine.
If the Lord gives me strength to make myself heard, I shall feel it a pleasure to occupy a little time this afternoon, accorded to me by my brethren.
I feel to express unto my heavenly Father, and to my brethren and the people, my gratitude for their prayers and faith for the blessings of God to me in permitting me to appear before you on this occasion, and to feel the degree of health and strength which is vouchsafed to me, thus enabling me to continue my efforts and labors with my brethren and the people of God. For some two or three months my health has not been of such a nature that I could labor with the satisfaction which has attended me heretofore; and I fully realize what Elder Woodruff said this morning concerning the aged Elders of Israel passing away, and that the responsibility and labor of bearing off this kingdom will soon rest upon the generation which is growing up in our midst, upon which will devolve the work of carrying the Gospel to those who have not heard it among the nations of the earth, and gathering Israel and establishing Zion and building up and maintaining the Kingdom of our God upon the earth, which must be done through faith, by righteousness, and by defending and maintaining the rights of man and the liberty and freedom which God has ordained for the welfare of all flesh, for the protection and blessing of the human family, and which it has been His purpose to establish and maintain upon this American continent. Latter-day Saints, especially those who have grown up with this people, as I have done from my childhood, and witnessed the manifestations of the overruling providence of God in guiding the destinies of this people, inspiring His servants who have led and directed the movements of this great people, and in defending them and fighting their battles by the sword of His Spirit, and the invisible powers that have labored with us and for us—I say to those who are able to see and comprehend these things, it is clear and plain that God has had His eye upon this American continent as the place where He first commenced His great work on the earth, where the greatest manifestations of His power were exhibited in the days of the fathers before the flood, when the fathers were gathered in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman and received their last instructions and blessings from Father Adam, the Patriarch of this earth, and where Enoch gathered his people and established Zion, and where Noah preached righteousness to the people and prepared the ark of safety, and where He has determined ultimately to establish His Zion and gather together His people, establish, maintain and defend His government and the Priesthood which he has revealed for the salvation of the human family, where He will bring again Zion that He has taken away, even the Zion of Enoch; for when He shall bring again Zion, says the Prophet, the Lord will appear in His glory. And He has long been laboring in His own marvelous manner among the nations of the earth, turning and overturning, to bring to pass His purposes and to gather together His elect; and He has moved upon the oppressed of many lands and climes—those who sought for enlarged freedom and liberty and whose minds reached out for more light and more truth, and whose understandings were expanded—to gather upon this American continent, and implanted in the hearts of our fathers a love of freedom and liberty and equal rights. He led them through schools of oppression. They passed through many difficulties, and endured the rule of tyrants. They bore oppression and suffered until they learned how to appreciate freedom and liberty, and how to detest misrule, tyranny and oppression; they struggled to burst the shackles that bound the human soul; they struggled for freedom of thought, of speech, of action; they struggled unitedly to burst the bonds, to break the yoke, from off their necks; they vied with each other in this labor of love from north to south, from east to west, in all the colonies which were early planted upon this continent. The Lord guided their labors to a successful issue, resulting in freedom from the tyranny of the effete governments of the old world; He directed the combined efforts and labors of those men in consolidating the result of their labors and framing the system of government under which we are now permitted to live.
[At this point part of the congregation moved from the body of the Tabernacle to the gallery causing a stay in the proceedings. Quietness having been obtained the speaker continued.]
I was saying that God our heavenly Father had moved upon the nations and sent out from the nations of the old world streams of emigration to the new world, who were panting for freedom and liberty, and who struggled to burst the bands with which they were bound, and the yoke from off their necks, and were striving to learn how to be free. And in penetrating the new world and its wilds, and in grappling with and overcoming the difficulties attending the forming of new settlements and planting colonies in the new world, they learned the value of freedom, and therefore studied to preserve it; and they labored to establish a form of government under which it might be maintained. In all these works and labors we discern an overruling providence, and manifestations of the mercy and loving kindness of God to His people, and the revelations of His Spirit imparted, to a greater or less degree, unto the wise and patriotic fathers of our country, who were thus enabled to unite upon the best form of government existing among men, or which, perhaps, ever has existed, unless it has been those which God himself directly revealed through the Patriarchs and Prophets of older times. But so far as any political organizations of government upon this earth, the Republican or Democratic form of government established in these United States—(the foundations of which were laid by our fathers over a hundred years ago), is the best calculated to promote the objects sought, and to maintain the rights of man, and the guarantees of religious and political freedom, of any form of government known to mankind. But that it or any other form, in this imperfect and sinful world, is altogether perfect is not to be expected, and therefore cannot endure forever. But we regard the present form of government of this nation as embodying the greatest amount of virtue and principles best calculated to maintain and preserve the rights of man.
In the early history of this Church a revelation was given through the Prophet Joseph in which the people are commanded to observe the Constitutional laws of the land, and to uphold by their votes and sustain upright and honorable men to administer them; which also stated that He had inspired the fathers to establish this form of government for the good and benefit of man. I will read a few paragraphs found on the 342nd page of the Doctrine and Covenants, new edition:
“And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
“And that the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
“Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
“And as pertaining to the law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
“I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
“Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
“Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.”
I deem it of much importance that these principles should be well understood and thoroughly impressed upon the minds of the Latter-day Saints throughout the world, and especially those dwelling upon this American continent and within the pale of this government, that they may implant in the hearts of our children a love of freedom and human rights, and a desire to preserve them, and to aid in maintaining and defending them in all lawful and proper ways; and to study the constitutional laws of the land, and make others acquainted with them; knowing the principles contained therein, and of learning how to apply them to ourselves, to our children, and to our fellow men who are willing to be governed thereby; study them that we may also learn how to use them in suppressing tyranny, misrule and other evils that affect mankind; for God has ordained this form of government in this age of the world, and has chosen His own instruments to further His great purposes on the earth—the organization of his Church, the proclamation of the everlasting Gospel, the establishment of His Zion, and bringing to pass His wonderful works which He predicted by the mouths of the ancient Prophets. And this political system and order of government is a power in His hands established, preserved and defended thus far by Him, which He will continue to use as long as the people are worthy of it, as long as they will maintain their integrity, uprightness and virtue; and at no time will the Latter-day Saints, as a people, ever stand approved before God in violating those principles or slackening their efforts to maintain and defend them. They are closely allied to the teachings of the ancient Prophets and Apostles, to the doctrines, practices and teachings of the Savior and His disciples, and they are the best means and aids of extending and promoting those principles on the earth. Whatever some may have thought of the maladministration in our government and of the efforts of individuals and sometimes of large factions, to abridge the rights of the people, and of their blind zeal and efforts to reach the Latter-day Saints, and to stamp out the religion we profess—whatever may have been thought of the efforts of such individuals, cliques, or factions, and of their warfare against us; and who in that warfare trample under foot constitutional provisions of our Government—undermine the foundations upon which it rests—we must never in our feelings charge any of these things to this system of government, or to the principles enunciated is the Constitution, which we are commanded to observe and keep. We must charge it always where it belongs—to the bigotry, the ignorance, the selfishness, ambition and blind zeal of ignorant and corrupt politicians, their aiders and abettors, and all this should only serve to make us try more earnestly, anxiously and faithfully to combat such efforts upon constitutional grounds, calling upon God to help us therein.
We were told this morning by Brother Woodruff—quoting the word of the Lord given through the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning the promises He has made to His people—that inasmuch as we will be true to ourselves, true to God, true to our covenants and to our holy religion, that He will fight our battles, defend and maintain our cause, make it triumph and flourish, so that the wicked shall have no power to prevail against us. These promises have often been repeated to us, and last October we had a renewal of this assurance and this promise in the word of the Lord given unto us through His servant President John Taylor, and at a time and period, too, when many in our midst were weakening and their knees were beginning to tremble a little, and there were others who were inclined to falter and doubt, and fear was upon some. Our enemies—especially the bigot, the hypocrite, the demagogue, the political quacks of the country—rejoiced, thinking that they were succeeding in their efforts to weave webs around us, to forge fetters for our feet and yokes to place upon our necks, and to lash us into obedience to them. But the great majority of the Latter-day Saints were calm in their feelings as a summer's morning, trusting as they have ever done in the promises of God, inspired with faith and hope in his overruling providence; and while we were doing what we might do properly under the Constitution and institutions of our country for the maintenance of our freedom and liberty, leaving the rest with God, exercising faith in His promises, continuing to pray for His blessing to attend our efforts and to hedge up the ways of our enemies; yet we have waited calmly for the result of the promises of God, and the answer to our prayers and the fulfillment of those things that have been spoken to us; and how signally have we seen them fulfilled. We have seen the very means which the enemies of this people have devised, and intended for their enslavement become before us as chaff, as thorns crackling under the pot, as a broken yoke to be used to kindle the fires of freedom and liberty. In former times the efforts that have been made in Congress and out of Congress to press the representatives of the people to hostile and unconstitutional legislation as a means to help religious bigots to suppress the doctrines of Christ, the ordinances of life and salvation, the rule and reign of righteousness among the people of God—I say, in their efforts to reach our religious principles and faith, and the exercise of those principles under that faith, and to crush it out from the earth—in their efforts to do so, they have moved upon statesmen to violate the Constitution of our country and the principles of human freedom on which our government has been founded in order to accomplish this purpose. But all those who have thus stultified themselves before the world, and before the heavens, and have done violence to their oath of office and to the Constitution, to the rights of man, and to the principles of freedom and liberty, have weakened, have gone down, the scepter of their power has fallen from their grasp, they have been dishonored before the heavens and before their people as a rule, and sooner or later we will witness others going down into the pit of forgetfulness as their predecessors have done. For the Lord has decreed it. And today the young men of Israel who are assembling in their Improvement Associations in all the Stakes of Zion, in all the Wards and settlements of the people throughout the land, and in their quorum meetings, and in their political assemblies, are all learning and cultivating these principles of liberty in their minds, introducing and extending them among the rising generation, the sons of Zion, and not only the sons, but the daughters that are coupled with the sons, the wives that are coupled with the husbands, in this labor of love, the struggle for the maintenance of freedom and liberty. It is a source of satisfaction to me that the Lord has moved upon His servants and the Legislature of our Territory to be among the first to lead the van of human progress in the extension of the elective franchise to women as well as men, and to recognize the freedom and liberty which belongs to the fairer sex as well as the sterner; for the Gospel teaches that all things are to be done among us by common consent, and the Prophet Joseph commanded and introduced in our midst the custom we are following today, that of presenting to all the congregations of Israel, at our General Conferences, and our local or Stake Conferences, the General Authorities of the Church, to be justified or condemned by the voice of the people, to be upheld and sustained by the confidence, faith and prayers of the people; or otherwise to be reproved by the votes of the people for their misdeeds or maladministration. These are things continually before the people, as well as the revelations which God has given unto us, and which are written and taught in our Sabbath schools and public gatherings, and to all who come within the scope of these instructions, viz., a love of freedom and liberty.
The leaders of this people are charged with being blind, leaders of the blind; and the people are charged with being blind, led by the blind. I deny the charge and brand it false. We know and understand perfectly that our leaders are neither blind nor are the people blind. On the contrary, we have received the light, the light of truth, the light of God.
We have come to the understanding that every soul of man, both male and female, high and low, is the offspring of God, that their spirits are immortal, eternal, intelligent beings, and that their entity depends upon their agency and independent action, which is neither trammeled by God himself nor allowed to be restrained by any of His creatures with His sanction and approval; that the whole theory of God's rule and government in heaven and on earth is founded upon this principle of agency—self, independent action. And it is upon the free and independent exercise of this agency that the decree of God is founded, that all men shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body, none having it in his power to say that he was not at liberty to exercise this agency untrammeled.
So far as relates to the administration of government and the exercise of political power, or the exercise of any manner of influence—political, religious or social—every man and every woman will be held accountable to God for the manner in which they exercise it. Kings and emperors, presidents and statesmen, judges and all officers of the law, will be held responsible for the administration of the power reposed in them. And if, while acting officially, they disregard their oath of office and violate the principles that should govern them, they become guilty of maladministration, and will be held accountable unto God, and should be strictly accountable to the people who place them in power. But every individual, in an individual capacity, will be held answerable to God for all his acts of whatsoever character, and so far as, in the exercise of that agency, men trespass upon the rights of their fellow men they must be held answerable to their fellow men for such trespass and wrong. And for this purpose human government is instituted, approved by the people, to hold each other responsible unto each other or unto the community, for the abuse of their freedom and liberty, and for this purpose laws are enacted and judges provided to judge according to the law, and to administer the law when it becomes necessary to punish transgressors. And God has commanded us in the revelation which He gave to us, that in case Church members violate a law of the land, they shall be delivered up to be dealt with according to the law of the land; that if they shall murder, rob or steal, or commit perjury or any other crime of which the law of the land takes cognizance, they shall be delivered up to be dealt with for their offense. But that for all manner of iniquity they shall be delivered up to the law of God to be dealt with according to the law of God; and those laws which are given unto you, as the laws of God, for your government in the Church must be treated as such. And it becomes our duty as good Saints, as those that are bound together by the ties and in the fellowship of the Gospel, as those that have covenanted to serve God and to keep his commandments, to work righteously and to deal justly one with another, that if we violate the principles of the Gospel and the laws which God has given unto us, that we shall be delivered up to the judges in Israel, and the Teachers shall labor with such, and their labors of love shall be directed earnestly to the reformation and repentance of all persons that have done wrong and done violence to the feelings, faith and fellowship of their brethren and sisters. And for every manner of sin shall they be held accountable unto the Councils of the Church, to the Bishops who are common judges in Israel; and to the High Councils. And though we may succeed in winning them to repentance, and they turn away from evil and will do so no more, and succeed in eliciting the sympathy and forgiveness of their brethren, still, if they have violated a law of the land, they must be made subject to that law, and to endure the penalty. And if they pay the penalty with patience, which is but the legitimate fruits and testimony of genuine repentance, satisfying all that they appreciate their wrong and determine to do so no more, when the penalty is paid, they may with renewed determination begin to serve their God, and prove to their brethren that their repentance was genuine and sincere. And although we are required to forgive all men, God says that He reserves to Himself the right to forgive whomsoever He will, because he searches all hearts and knows, as we cannot know, how far their repentance is genuine, and how far they ought to be forgiven. It is important that we as Latter-day Saints, understand what God requires of us towards each other in the Church of Christ, and also what He requires of us towards the State. For the constitutional laws of the land are for the protection of the rights of all flesh; the liberties of Saints as well as those of sinners. And if sinners can afford to dishonor the law, surely Saints cannot, neither can they justify others in so doing; neither can Saints afford to override the laws of God, or to wink at others who may do so.
God will not hold us faultless if we do. He requires us as Elders, as Apostles, as Presidents, as Bishops, as Seventies, as parents, to teach (wherever it is our prerogative and duty), correct principles, and observe them ourselves and seek to enforce them upon others. And it is not alone the duty of High Councils and Presidents of Stakes, and of Bishops and their Counselors to labor to correct the errors of the people, but it is the duty of every Elder, High Priest and Seventy—and especially the Priests, Teachers and Deacons that are appointed and called to be standing ministers in the Church, to visit the house of each member and become familiar with every family, and every individual member of the family, and their daily walk and life and conversation; and ascertain whether they are living as Saints should live; whether the heads of families preside in righteousness in their houses; whether their houses are set in order; whether they have an altar erected whereon are offered up their daily, morning and evening devotions; whether every member is taught to reverence and respect that altar; whether each individual prays in secret as well as responds to the calls made upon him to pray in the family circle and in public; whether each one that has enrolled himself in a quorum attends his quorum meetings and is obedient to the President of his quorum, his counsels and instructions; and if they are enrolled in the Mutual Improvement Associations, whether they sustain that institution and the leaders thereof, and are performing well their part; whether the parents are faithful in sending their children to Sunday school and to other institutions of learning; whether they teach their children to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, etc. These are duties and obligations that we cannot ignore, that God will not justify us in neglecting, and those who are called to bear a part of the holy Priesthood cannot be justified if they neglect all these duties, or any portion of them; for the Lord has said, “blessed are they who hear my sayings and shall keep them all, for the same shall be great in the kingdom of heaven; but if anyone shall fail or neglect to observe and keep the least of these my sayings and teach others to do so, the same shall be least in the kingdom of heaven.” For the Lord is not to be mocked; and though we may excuse ourselves in many ways for carelessness and neglect, and we may supplicate for forgiveness, as we are in duty bound to do for all our transgressions and shortcomings, yet we cannot in any wise plead justification, or suppose that God will justify us, for He has said He cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, and yet He showeth mercy and kindness unto thousands of those who repent and seek to turn away from their follies.
Over fifty years have passed away since the light of the glorious Gospel in its fullness began to dawn upon us, and still we are measurably walking in darkness. Yet the Lord has said that we are the only people and the only church—speaking as a whole—upon the face of the earth with which He is well pleased. As a whole we are the best people He can find. He has sent out His word throughout the earth. He has sent His servants abroad carrying, as it were, a torch in their hand—the light of the Gospel, inviting all to come to it, that as many as love the light may see it and follow it as one would follow a light in a dark place, or until the dawn of day. The Holy Spirit has been upon His servants and in the gathering together of this people. It is the Holy Ghost that has moved upon the people in the islands of the sea, in all the different nations of Europe, in the various parts of America, and in all lands where the light of the Gospel has been carried and the testimony of Jesus has been sounded. It is the testimony of the Spirit from on high bearing witness to and moving upon the hearts of the people that has drawn them into the light of truth and that has gathered them together with the Church of Jesus Christ. It was not worldly prospects held out before them that induced them to gather. I speak now of the people as a whole and not individually; for there may be individuals who have been influenced by worldly considerations, by personal, selfish motives. But all such, sooner or later, get their eyes open and see their folly and sin and wickedness, and repent, or they are purged out from among the Latter-day Saints. They apostatize, they turn away from us; they go back into Babylon, and they strike hands with our enemies and fight against God, and go down into perdition; for none can remain and continue to stand among the Saints of God, and hold fast to the principles of the Gospel, and enter into life only on the pure principles of virtue, integrity and righteousness, as we heard this morning, and as we are told by the Lord in certain revelations to the Church, namely, that the powers of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven can in no wise be used except on the principles of righteousness. And no man or woman can continue long in sin in the midst of the Saints, where the Gospel is preached in power, and where those who minister, do so in the power of their Priesthood and by the Holy Ghost, without being purged out from their midst. For that spirit will reveal and make manifest what sort they are. If the law of the Lord is properly administered among them and they are found violating it they will be judged according to the law of the Lord, and be separated from the Saints. And although we do not look for entire separation of the sheep from the goats, of the tares from the wheat, until the Great Judge Himself shall come to complete the separation, it is nevertheless expected that all men who act as judges in Israel should be helps in separating the sheep from the goats, the tares from the wheat, as fast as they are made manifest, and the tares may be plucked up without destroying the wheat; and it becomes our duty to do it. But He enjoins us to be wise lest we in our zeal and anxiety destroy or pluck up some of the wheat that may be growing under the shade of the tare, whose roots may be intermingled with it. We must therefore be prudent. It is better in some instances to allow the tare to remain until its character be more fully developed and made manifest, until it can be plucked up without endangering the wheat.
I testify unto all Israel, and unto all the world, that God has called us, and required us to observe and practice these things; and that it is not the work of man, and that the institutions of this Church are not the institutions of man. And when we speak of the institutions of our common country, we say in the main, though God has used man in instituting this form of government, and in establishing its institutions and maintaining freedom upon this land, they are nevertheless the institutions of heaven; and God has revealed unto us that He did establish them by the hands of wise men, whom He raised up for that special purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. It is therefore part of His great work, as much so as the part of revealing the keys of the Priesthood to Joseph, and the ordinances thereof, for the salvation of His people. For the political organization upon the land was designed by heaven to be a protection to the righteous. “But,” says one, “is it not designed to protect the wicked?” No, not in wicked acts, but in their freedom and liberty, to think and to speak and to act, and to choose for themselves; for in those rights all must be protected. God has always protected them, both in heaven and on earth. And he designed that all men should protect one another, and if necessary be united for the protection and welfare of all flesh. Not that the laws of the land or the laws of God will protect the wicked in doing wickedly, but on the contrary, will condemn and judge them. They are left to choose for themselves their course of life in exercising their agency in all things pertaining to themselves and the service of their God, and to use freedom and liberty in doing good, that which is right; but there is no such thing as liberty to do wrong and be justified in that wrong, neither on earth nor in heaven, neither by the laws of God, nor the just laws of man.
Now, the Supreme Court of the United States, in its great zeal to establish and maintain monogamy upon this American continent, and to strike a blow at the patriarchal order of marriage, believed in by the Latter-day Saints, in its decision in the Reynolds' case announced the doctrine that religion consists in thought and matters of faith and concerning matters of faith, and not actions, and the government is restrained by the terms of the Constitution from any efforts to curtail this freedom and liberty. Wonderful doctrine! A wonderful strain of judicial thought to announce to the world, this wonderful doctrine that the government should not attempt to restrain the exercise of thought, or the exercise of faith! I would like somebody, that knows how to defend this doctrine, to tell me how any one man, or any set of men on the earth could go to work and catch a thought and chain it up and imprison it, or stop its flight, or root it out of the heart, or restrain it, or do away with it. Let them go to and try to chain the lightning, stop the sun from shining, stop the rains from descending and the mist from arising from the ocean, and when they have done this, they may talk about restraining men's faith, and exercising control over the thoughts and faith of the people. The fathers who framed our Constitution were not such dunces, I am happy to say, as Attorney General Devens, who put that nonsensical language and doctrine into the mouths of the chief justices of the Supreme Court of the United States—the fathers who framed our Constitution, I say, were not such dunces, they did not attempt to place constitutional restrictions upon the lawmaking power, to restrain them from interference with faith and thought and the exercise of religious opinion; but they did attempt, and they did it in plain language, to restrain the lawmaking power from any effort at making law for the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. And the exercise of religion implies something more than mere faith and thought. I may think about being baptized for the remission of my sins, I may believe it is right I should do it, I may be convinced that God has required it of me, and I may think I ought to do it, and think I will; but all this faith and all this thought don't amount to as much as you can put in your eye, until I arise and go forth to be baptized, and when I do this, then I exercise the faith which is in me, and it produces the works. This principle may be equally true of everything else pertaining to the exercise of religion. I may believe it is right for me to be enrolled with a religious community that meets to worship, and I may believe it is right and a religious duty to meet with them from time to time to celebrate the supper of the Lord and partake of bread and wine, and when I partake of the bread and of the wine in commemoration of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, it is but the exercise of that faith which is in me. I may believe that God meant what he said when He gave that general commandments to His children to multiply and replenish the earth, and I may think about it; but it is my duty, if I want to raise potatoes, to plant the seed; if I desire to raise fruit I must go to and plant the fruit trees; if I desire to cultivate the earth I must use the proper means necessary to cultivate and improve it before I can gather the fruits of it. And then to do the other thing, to form a union as God has enjoined in the holy bond of matrimony, we must enter into that bond for the purpose of multiplying our species and thus bring forth the fruits of our bodies. I may believe this doctrine, as contained in the revelations of God; but what will this amount to unless I exercise myself in it. I shall remain a bachelor, worse than a hermit—a parasite in the commonwealth—unless I rise up and put my faith in practice and exercise myself in my religious belief.
I say also, when the time comes that God sees in the midst of His people an increase of the female element, and the wicked ready to devour that element and appropriate it not in the way to “multiply and replenish the earth,” but for the gratification of fleshly lust, and will actually take and employ hellish means to prevent the increase of their species, and show that they are not only beneath the brute, but beneath the vegetable creation, by refusing to bear fruit, thereby placing themselves in the category of the trees that are dried up, fit only to be cast into the fire, he can take measures to counteract this evil. And I say before God, angels and men, that every man and woman who joins in unholy wedlock for the gratification of fleshly lust, and studiously plan to frustrate the command of God in the multiplication of their species, show that they are unworthy—what shall I say?—unworthy to be classed among the honorable of the earth. And we have reason to believe that many have done, and are today, in the great cities of Babylon, taking steps to destroy their own offspring, committing infanticide and feticide, all of whom, and their aiders and abettors, are but ripening for the damnation of hell. And when God sees this damnable doctrine taught, and taught by such men as Mr. Henry Ward Beecher and other modern divines falsely so-called, who teach the world that it is a positive evil to multiply and increase so greatly in the land—when such doctrine is taught by leading lights, and so readily accepted by the masses, the Lord says, the time has come for Him to take measures to counteract this great evil, by introducing laws in the midst of those who fear Him and work righteousness and live according to the principles of life; men who are upright, honest and faithful, men who are willing to assume the responsibility; to take the daughters of Eve to wife and multiply and replenish the earth, for those men are unworthy of them. It is as Jesus said concerning the man who hid it in a napkin; he laid it carefully away, and by and by brought it out, saying, here it is as I received it, not having increased at all; in other words, we are just where we were when we started. Another one says I received two talents; and have increased to four, another says I received five talents, and now have ten: the master says to the one who hid his talent, who perhaps laid it carefully away and kept it nice, watching over it with the greatest care; or in other words, to him who did not multiply and increase, but on the contrary took pains to avoid doing so, “Take from him that which he seems to have and give to him that has ten; for he that has and improves upon that which he receives, shall receive more abundantly.”
May God bless and keep us in the way in which He can sustain and defend us, and lead us onward, as He has done hitherto, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Choir sang the anthem: Great and glorious is the name, O, Lord.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 o’clock a. m.
Benediction by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
SECOND DAY.
Saturday, April 7.
Conference met in the Tabernacle.
The Choir sang: Let Zion in her beauty rise, Her light begin to shine.
Prayer by Apostle Moses Thatcher.
The Choir sang: Ere long the veil will rend in twain, The King descend with all his train.
Saturday, April 7.
Conference met in the Tabernacle.
The Choir sang: Let Zion in her beauty rise, Her light begin to shine.
Prayer by Apostle Moses Thatcher.
The Choir sang: Ere long the veil will rend in twain, The King descend with all his train.
President George Q. Cannon
read reports of the Relief Societies, Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Societies, Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, which were received by vote and placed on file.
There are 322 Sunday schools; 35,178 scholars; 5,977 officers and teachers; 41,155 total officers, teachers and scholars; making an increase of 1,400 over the previous year.
The officers of the Sunday School Union are: George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent; George Goddard, Assistant; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
read reports of the Relief Societies, Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Societies, Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, which were received by vote and placed on file.
There are 322 Sunday schools; 35,178 scholars; 5,977 officers and teachers; 41,155 total officers, teachers and scholars; making an increase of 1,400 over the previous year.
The officers of the Sunday School Union are: George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent; George Goddard, Assistant; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
President John Taylor
said we have voted to receive these reports though some of them are very imperfect in consequence of the failure of some of the Stakes to report, and under these circumstances they will not be published. In future those who have charge of these matters will be expected to faithfully represent the organizations to which they belong. And the Presidents of Stakes should overlook these matters and see that the reports are furnished that every thing may be conducted properly.
said we have voted to receive these reports though some of them are very imperfect in consequence of the failure of some of the Stakes to report, and under these circumstances they will not be published. In future those who have charge of these matters will be expected to faithfully represent the organizations to which they belong. And the Presidents of Stakes should overlook these matters and see that the reports are furnished that every thing may be conducted properly.
Elder Franklin D. Richards.
We have extreme occasion for thankfulness to our Heavenly Father for our prosperity financially as well as our deliverance from the machinations of the wicked; this has been so manifest that none could fail to see the hand of God in our deliverance. The Savior said, “I am the vine ye are the branches.” At another time, “I am the vine and my Father is the husbandman.” Jeremiah in speaking of the vine said it was the greatest of all the trees of the forest, which was probably the reason why it was referred to in this way by the Savior. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Lord going forth to prune His vineyard for the last time, and I wish to say to the Elders of Israel that we are engaged in that labor. We are not laboring for ourselves alone, but for those who have gone before, those who now live and future generations, and will be held to account for the way we magnify the positions we hold. If we adhere to the vine we will bear good fruit. Jesus said every branch in me beareth fruit, and that which beareth not fruit shall be taken away and they are cast into the fire. The vine has many branches. First, and next to the trunk are three branches—the First Presidency; growing out and receiving sap and nourishment from them are twelve branches—the Twelve Apostles, and so on throughout the various branches of the vine. Where there is any abrasure or disease it affects adversely the whole vine. It is therefore important that all the branches should avail themselves of every opportunity of receiving nourishment. Every Stake should be represented at these Conferences that any items of instructions given may be distributed to the Saints over whom these officers are called to preside. The Presidents of the Stakes should be here and if this is not possible some one should represent them who will properly report the teachings and business of the Conference. We should feel dependent upon God, listening to and obeying the counsel of those over us, a contrary course has led to the apostacy and destruction of many. There is no other way of keeping alive but by abiding in the vine and receiving therefrom our due portion of nourishment and conveying the same on until it reaches the remotest twig. When a vine is taken up it will be found that the roots are nearly alike in form with the branches above, so also is the organization of the Church below to the Church above, and some should be in spirit at life living so as to enjoy the same spirit that exists above. The fruit of this tree is to be a nation of kings and priests unto God, and the Saviour when he comes wants to find men qualified to preside and minister in the different departments of the Lord’s vineyard. Then let every man learn his duty and stand fast in the trust to which the Lord has called him to act, or he will be moved out of his place. May God help us to live so as to bear fruit to His glory and be worthy of His great salvation.
We have extreme occasion for thankfulness to our Heavenly Father for our prosperity financially as well as our deliverance from the machinations of the wicked; this has been so manifest that none could fail to see the hand of God in our deliverance. The Savior said, “I am the vine ye are the branches.” At another time, “I am the vine and my Father is the husbandman.” Jeremiah in speaking of the vine said it was the greatest of all the trees of the forest, which was probably the reason why it was referred to in this way by the Savior. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Lord going forth to prune His vineyard for the last time, and I wish to say to the Elders of Israel that we are engaged in that labor. We are not laboring for ourselves alone, but for those who have gone before, those who now live and future generations, and will be held to account for the way we magnify the positions we hold. If we adhere to the vine we will bear good fruit. Jesus said every branch in me beareth fruit, and that which beareth not fruit shall be taken away and they are cast into the fire. The vine has many branches. First, and next to the trunk are three branches—the First Presidency; growing out and receiving sap and nourishment from them are twelve branches—the Twelve Apostles, and so on throughout the various branches of the vine. Where there is any abrasure or disease it affects adversely the whole vine. It is therefore important that all the branches should avail themselves of every opportunity of receiving nourishment. Every Stake should be represented at these Conferences that any items of instructions given may be distributed to the Saints over whom these officers are called to preside. The Presidents of the Stakes should be here and if this is not possible some one should represent them who will properly report the teachings and business of the Conference. We should feel dependent upon God, listening to and obeying the counsel of those over us, a contrary course has led to the apostacy and destruction of many. There is no other way of keeping alive but by abiding in the vine and receiving therefrom our due portion of nourishment and conveying the same on until it reaches the remotest twig. When a vine is taken up it will be found that the roots are nearly alike in form with the branches above, so also is the organization of the Church below to the Church above, and some should be in spirit at life living so as to enjoy the same spirit that exists above. The fruit of this tree is to be a nation of kings and priests unto God, and the Saviour when he comes wants to find men qualified to preside and minister in the different departments of the Lord’s vineyard. Then let every man learn his duty and stand fast in the trust to which the Lord has called him to act, or he will be moved out of his place. May God help us to live so as to bear fruit to His glory and be worthy of His great salvation.
Causes of Gratitude—The Church Illustrated By a Vine—Priesthood Represented By the Branches—Independence—Case of Lyman Wight—Priesthood on the Earth and in the Spirit World
Discourse by Apostle F. D. Richards, delivered at the General Conference, Saturday Morning, April 7, 1883.
Reported by John Irvine.
It is a very pleasing privilege that we have of meeting together in Conference assembled in this manner. I have been very much gratified, interested and instructed, as I am sure all the faithful have been, who have been present and shared or partaken of the spirit of this Conference. I hope and pray that while we shall remain together we may feel the spirit of inspiration resting upon us to guide our minds in our reflections and our speech into those channels of communication that shall be most profitable to the people.
We have this day extraordinary reason for gratitude and praise to God our Heavenly Father for the peculiar manifestation of His kindness and mercy to us during the past year; not only in granting that the earth should be fruitful in yielding abundantly for the returning wants of His people both for man and beast, but for the protection and deliverance of His people from the machinations and devices and the subtle plans of men high in authority, who have set themselves to ensnare us, and if it were possible, to hinder the work of God—men who have thought to destroy or cripple the great cause which God has established in the earth for the redemption and exaltation of the human family, from degradation and sin to the realms of intelligence and glory in His kingdom. Surely all Saints who have been making “first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” their aim and study, cannot fail to have both seen and felt this. It is but another assurance from on high of his good pleasure in not only having given unto us the kingdom, but in preserving the rights, the powers and blessings thereof from encroachment or invasion and from injury by the hands of the wicked and ungodly.
I am reminded that the time at my disposal this morning is short, there being several yet to address the Conference. I will, therefore, proceed directly to call your attention to a passage of Scripture found in the 15th chapter of John:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in me.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
One of the Prophets, I think it was Jeremiah, said that the vine was the noblest or choicest of all the trees of the forest. The Savior, no doubt, in view of this general understanding, adopted the vine to figuratively represent the precious principles which He undertook to illustrate in the foregoing passages of Scripture, and which I wish to make some allusion to, in illustration of the importance of our being in a proper position to attend to our duties faithfully, which is necessary for the complete growth and progress of the vine, to which we are attached in all its branches, leaves, flowers and fruits.
Christ's Church is frequently spoken of as a vine of the Lord's planting in the earth. Our Savior and the ancient Prophets Nephi, Jacob, Zenos, and others, spoke of the husbandman going forth in the morning to employ workmen to labor in his vineyard, during the heat and burden of the day; and also about the eleventh hour, of his employing laborers to go into the vineyard and prune it for the last time. I wish to remind you my brethren of the Priesthood, especially those who are called to occupy important leading positions in the Wards, the Stakes and councils of Zion, that you are the men who were spoken of and written about in their parables.
The Prophets of those early days were so filled with the spirit and power of the Gospel and of revelation, that they looked into the future and saw in vision the birth of Christ and the work that he was to perform. They also beheld our day, and the work in which we are engaged. It must be borne in mind that we are not working alone for our dear selves, but for those coming after us; and that our work bears a strict relation to those that have been here and gone before us to the spirit world, to whom we are as closely related; and without whom we cannot be made perfect, any more than they without us.
Therefore, every Elder clothed with the Priesthood has a right to officiate in ordinances affecting the happiness of those who have gone before, as well as of being the means of bestowing blessings upon those who follow him; and for the use of this power he will be held accountable.
Now let it be understood, Jesus said, “I am the true vine.” Everybody acquainted with the art of pruning knows that to make a tree bear the greatest amount of fruit he must trim it so that there will be no small branches springing up around the roots, but that there be one vine with all the sap running through it. He has not only said, “I am the true vine;” but also “ye are the branches.” If the tree be properly trimmed the sap, which is the life of it, will go from the roots through the vine to all the branches thereof. Jesus said in connection with this “every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Let it be understood that the healthy, thrifty growth of the limbs, the leaves, the bloom and the fruit, all depends upon the close adherence of the “branches” to the “vine”—the body of Christ. And every man bearing the Holy Priesthood must be made conscious of this in his experience and observations at one time or another if he is of any use as a living branch in this Church.
To this vine, in our dispensation there are three branches—the First Presidency—who are closely allied to the powers behind the veil; and they are the first to receive the mind and will of God, and communicate the same to the Church. This is that Spirit of revelation, the sap that comes from the vine, that goes to all the branches. And not only do we see these three main branches next the trunk, but a little further along are twelve other branches, spreading out and each of them, shooting forth other branches, twigs, tendrils, leaves and fruit, if they abide in the vine.
Now if those branches by any means become injured, or are not in a healthful condition from any course—no matter what—so that the free flow of the sap from the trunk and main branches is arrested, or retarded, the consequence is that the lesser branches, the twigs, leaves and fruit depending for nourishment and life upon the injured or deadened limb, are more or less affected, hindered in their growth, dwarfed in their development, and must suffer death unless relieved by a healthy pruning.
I wish now to call the attention of the Presidents of Stakes to the consideration of this fact.
It is the duty of every President of a Stake to attend the annual and semi-annual Conferences, which are held in this place so far as practicable, but if it should so happen that a President himself could not be present, then he should see that one or both of his Counselors come, or some faithful man of an excellent spirit from his Stake who shall be capable of receiving the instructions given, and who is able to communicate the same to his President and to the people. And such a person or persons should be men whose duty it shall be to stay until the Conference is over, attending every meeting, and paying the strictest attention to all instructions given and to all Church business transacted.
They should not come here in a hurry to get away before the business of the Conference is attended to; they should not feel as though they could leave before receiving all that the Presidency have to say to them; so that when they do return to their homes they may go laden with counsel and filled with the spirit of the Conference, ready to impart the same to the people of their several Stakes. The President who does this keeps alive the fire, the Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of his people. By attending such conferences he goes home with more efficient instructions to convey to the people at home, and at the half yearly or quarterly conference over which he presides, he is enabled to impart to all who were unable to attend, the spirit of this general conference.
I hold it, then, to be of the utmost importance that the Presidents of Stakes do make it their business to see that they as branches abide more carefully and more strictly in the vine, and that they receive the sap and nourishment of these conferences to the utmost capacity and carry it home to support every twig, every leaf, and every particle of fruit on the vine, for their proper, healthy growth and maturity. This principle is not only applicable to the Presidents of Stakes, but it is applicable in like manner in your quarterly conferences to every Bishop.
In those conferences every Ward should be represented by the Bishop and his Counselors, and as many of the people as possible should be present to receive the counsels there given. What is the result sometimes when instructions have been given by President Taylor through the Presidents of Stakes, and only a part of them were present? Why, it is found, when some important matter comes up, that this counsel has been neglected, and those who ought to have been well informed are heard to say, “Why, we never heard of this before.” Why did you not hear of it? Why were you not there in your place to hear of it, and thus be prepared to carry out the instruction given?
In like manner every branch in all the missions abroad should observe and secure a correct and proper representation in all the conferences that are held in the various missions wherever the Gospel is preached and branches are raised up. This is an absolute requirement. (See Doctrine and Covenants, section 20, verse 81 and on). By this means, and in no other way, can the law of the Lord go forth from Zion, and the spirit of Zion extend to the most remote branch or member of the Church on the face of the whole earth.
This is the principle. You brethren of the Priesthood, as branches of this vine, are expected to abide in it, to have the fullest connection with it, and be prepared to convey the sap, which has been conveyed to you, through the trunk to the extreme branches, the tendrils, the leaves and the fruit that are under your care. But unless you do this your people will suffer for want of intelligence; they will have to go short of that spiritual food which you are made the dispenser of and which you are expected to impart for nourishment and support, not only in spiritual matters, but in temporal things as well.
Now, there is a feeling among mankind—it is a feeling that is common in the world, and it is not strange that some who have been brought up in the world should retain it—a feeling of independence, a feeling of self-sufficiency, a feeling that we are capable of doing without counsel, and that we can do this and that as we think best. My brethren, the less of this feeling we carry with us, the safer and better for us and for the people we have to instruct. We should understand our dependence on God and on our brethren who are placed over us in the Priesthood for that counsel necessary to sustain us and that will enable us to bear off the Kingdom of God in righteousness.
Let me cite you to an instance of a man in the early days of the Church—Lyman Wight showed this kind of spirit when Joseph lived. It was all Joseph could do to keep him in subjection to the counsels of the Priesthood, but he did conform when brought to a consideration of his position in the Church so long as Joseph lived. But when the Prophet Joseph died he did not recognize the right of Apostle Brigham or his brethren of the Council to preside over him. And where did he go? He started an offshoot of the Church by himself, and both he and those who followed him went out into the world to destruction and to the devil together. This is the fate of those who think they can “run” themselves and can “run” the affairs of the Church and Kingdom of God separately and independent of their brethren. If he had continued and abode in the vine and made himself one with Brigham Young and the Apostles, he would have gathered with us to these valleys of the mountains, rejoiced with us, and laid down his bones here, and been one with the people of God. But, no; he went off by himself, feeling totally independent of his brethren. He abode not in the vine, and brought forth no fruit.
If there be any among us who say in their hearts I received my blessings from President Young, he bestowed upon me all blessings, authority, Priesthood, and keys of power that anyone else has received, not excepting President Taylor or any of the Apostles, and I have just as much right to advise and build up according to my own direction as he or they have—let such take warning by the course of Lyman Wight, Geo. Miller, and others, who have struck out independently and see the end which their course has led them to. As the Savior said, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
There is no other way for the brethren of the Apostles, the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops of Wards and for all those who stand in authority in the Church—there is no other way for men to have the love of Christ in them, to have the power of the Priesthood, to grow with God's Kingdom, but that they abide in the vine, be one with their brethren, keep fast to the truth, and derive their full share of the sap that comes from the roots through the body of the vine.
This is the principle I wish the brethren would consider. It is a beautiful figure which the Savior draws, and beautifully represents the great truth that should be fastened upon our minds, as He tried to fasten it upon the Apostles and Priesthood of His time. “Every branch in me that bringeth not forth fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Then, we must look out and see that nothing offends us; that we live in harmony with all the instructions and counsels of the Church; we want to see the spirit of love and power flowing not only through the body, but through all the branches, until it reaches the utmost extremity of the vine. Not only the Apostles, Seventies and High Priests, but the Deacons and members, all who have been baptized into Christ and who abide in Him.
Some of you may have noticed and seen that there are vines whose branches extend quite to the tops of the tallest trees, and that it was difficult to fell such trees because of the sustaining power of the vine. The vine bears the choicest of all fruits. This vine which God has planted in these last days is the choicest and greatest of all, and it will make itself manifest as such. And we wish all those brethren who are called to labor in the vineyard, to be in a position to attend these conferences, especially our annual conference, so that they may hear—and if they have not minds sufficiently strong to remember everything, to bring pencil and paper and take notes of all matters that need to be remembered and carried home and imparted to the people who reside in their various Stakes and Wards, Conferences and Branches.
There is another beautiful illustration that might be made with regard to the vine, but I have not time save to refer to it this morning. It is this: If you take a vine that has had growth for awhile and you go carefully and dig it up from the earth, you will find that there is a very striking similarity in the roots to the appearance and character of the branches above. Did you ever notice this? Did you ever think of it? Well, this is a beautiful illustration of the order of the Priesthood in the eternal world. The Apostle in speaking concerning these matters, refers to a “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” The Priesthood behind the veil are all interested in us, all anxious for us, all ready to minister to us as far and as fast as occasion permits or requires, as the roots continually generate nourishment and minister to the branches or top of the tree; so that we may be found efficient in our spheres and in our fields of labor. We ought never to feel that we are alone. We cannot be alone. We ought to know we cannot live without them, nor they live and be glorified without us. And while this responsibility is extended to us, we should sense that we and they are parts of the great whole of father Adam's family, and that there is a responsibility resting upon us that is great and that is general. This vine has yet to yield great and glorious fruits, while its branches must fill the earth and the fowls of heaven, the angels, will lodge in them. What are we doing to bring forth these fruits? What to promote the growth of this vine in the earth? What are you Presidents of Stakes doing? Do you realize that you are raising up and professedly educating in the name of the Lord a nation of Kings and Priests to God? Do you impress upon the hearts of the Saints that this is our work? Do you instruct the Teachers, and those of the lesser Priesthood how to deal with the people, and to see that there is no iniquity permitted in their midst? This is the kind of fruit that grows on this vine, brethren, and this is the kind of fruit that you are called upon to nourish, strengthen and protect. And don't you know the grape must not only grow but it must gain color. The fruit must be fully ripened. It is a fruit that needs a good deal of warm sunny weather, the sunshine of the Holy Spirit. It can only ripen in that right kind of climate, and that climate is right here—the shining of the sun of the Holy Spirit and the understanding thereof. This nation of “kings and priests” must be so reared that when the Savior comes He will find a people ready to receive Him; a people who shall be full of the faith and the power of the Gospel; a people whose lives shall in all respects comport with the character of Saints of God; in fact, who shall be the people that the Apostle John speaks of when he says: “They sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” This was their song of joy and rejoicing, which was expressive of the glory and power, exaltation and gladness that filled their souls.
There are other interesting and important phases of our great work which bear a striking analogy to the vine and its branches, but I cannot take time to dwell upon them now, lest I wrong those who have yet to address you. I think perhaps I have said enough to call your attention to the subject and the Spirit will aid you to pursue it. My earnest desire is that we may master this and all principles of the Gospel, and make them our own eternal riches, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Discourse by Apostle F. D. Richards, delivered at the General Conference, Saturday Morning, April 7, 1883.
Reported by John Irvine.
It is a very pleasing privilege that we have of meeting together in Conference assembled in this manner. I have been very much gratified, interested and instructed, as I am sure all the faithful have been, who have been present and shared or partaken of the spirit of this Conference. I hope and pray that while we shall remain together we may feel the spirit of inspiration resting upon us to guide our minds in our reflections and our speech into those channels of communication that shall be most profitable to the people.
We have this day extraordinary reason for gratitude and praise to God our Heavenly Father for the peculiar manifestation of His kindness and mercy to us during the past year; not only in granting that the earth should be fruitful in yielding abundantly for the returning wants of His people both for man and beast, but for the protection and deliverance of His people from the machinations and devices and the subtle plans of men high in authority, who have set themselves to ensnare us, and if it were possible, to hinder the work of God—men who have thought to destroy or cripple the great cause which God has established in the earth for the redemption and exaltation of the human family, from degradation and sin to the realms of intelligence and glory in His kingdom. Surely all Saints who have been making “first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” their aim and study, cannot fail to have both seen and felt this. It is but another assurance from on high of his good pleasure in not only having given unto us the kingdom, but in preserving the rights, the powers and blessings thereof from encroachment or invasion and from injury by the hands of the wicked and ungodly.
I am reminded that the time at my disposal this morning is short, there being several yet to address the Conference. I will, therefore, proceed directly to call your attention to a passage of Scripture found in the 15th chapter of John:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in me.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
One of the Prophets, I think it was Jeremiah, said that the vine was the noblest or choicest of all the trees of the forest. The Savior, no doubt, in view of this general understanding, adopted the vine to figuratively represent the precious principles which He undertook to illustrate in the foregoing passages of Scripture, and which I wish to make some allusion to, in illustration of the importance of our being in a proper position to attend to our duties faithfully, which is necessary for the complete growth and progress of the vine, to which we are attached in all its branches, leaves, flowers and fruits.
Christ's Church is frequently spoken of as a vine of the Lord's planting in the earth. Our Savior and the ancient Prophets Nephi, Jacob, Zenos, and others, spoke of the husbandman going forth in the morning to employ workmen to labor in his vineyard, during the heat and burden of the day; and also about the eleventh hour, of his employing laborers to go into the vineyard and prune it for the last time. I wish to remind you my brethren of the Priesthood, especially those who are called to occupy important leading positions in the Wards, the Stakes and councils of Zion, that you are the men who were spoken of and written about in their parables.
The Prophets of those early days were so filled with the spirit and power of the Gospel and of revelation, that they looked into the future and saw in vision the birth of Christ and the work that he was to perform. They also beheld our day, and the work in which we are engaged. It must be borne in mind that we are not working alone for our dear selves, but for those coming after us; and that our work bears a strict relation to those that have been here and gone before us to the spirit world, to whom we are as closely related; and without whom we cannot be made perfect, any more than they without us.
Therefore, every Elder clothed with the Priesthood has a right to officiate in ordinances affecting the happiness of those who have gone before, as well as of being the means of bestowing blessings upon those who follow him; and for the use of this power he will be held accountable.
Now let it be understood, Jesus said, “I am the true vine.” Everybody acquainted with the art of pruning knows that to make a tree bear the greatest amount of fruit he must trim it so that there will be no small branches springing up around the roots, but that there be one vine with all the sap running through it. He has not only said, “I am the true vine;” but also “ye are the branches.” If the tree be properly trimmed the sap, which is the life of it, will go from the roots through the vine to all the branches thereof. Jesus said in connection with this “every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Let it be understood that the healthy, thrifty growth of the limbs, the leaves, the bloom and the fruit, all depends upon the close adherence of the “branches” to the “vine”—the body of Christ. And every man bearing the Holy Priesthood must be made conscious of this in his experience and observations at one time or another if he is of any use as a living branch in this Church.
To this vine, in our dispensation there are three branches—the First Presidency—who are closely allied to the powers behind the veil; and they are the first to receive the mind and will of God, and communicate the same to the Church. This is that Spirit of revelation, the sap that comes from the vine, that goes to all the branches. And not only do we see these three main branches next the trunk, but a little further along are twelve other branches, spreading out and each of them, shooting forth other branches, twigs, tendrils, leaves and fruit, if they abide in the vine.
Now if those branches by any means become injured, or are not in a healthful condition from any course—no matter what—so that the free flow of the sap from the trunk and main branches is arrested, or retarded, the consequence is that the lesser branches, the twigs, leaves and fruit depending for nourishment and life upon the injured or deadened limb, are more or less affected, hindered in their growth, dwarfed in their development, and must suffer death unless relieved by a healthy pruning.
I wish now to call the attention of the Presidents of Stakes to the consideration of this fact.
It is the duty of every President of a Stake to attend the annual and semi-annual Conferences, which are held in this place so far as practicable, but if it should so happen that a President himself could not be present, then he should see that one or both of his Counselors come, or some faithful man of an excellent spirit from his Stake who shall be capable of receiving the instructions given, and who is able to communicate the same to his President and to the people. And such a person or persons should be men whose duty it shall be to stay until the Conference is over, attending every meeting, and paying the strictest attention to all instructions given and to all Church business transacted.
They should not come here in a hurry to get away before the business of the Conference is attended to; they should not feel as though they could leave before receiving all that the Presidency have to say to them; so that when they do return to their homes they may go laden with counsel and filled with the spirit of the Conference, ready to impart the same to the people of their several Stakes. The President who does this keeps alive the fire, the Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of his people. By attending such conferences he goes home with more efficient instructions to convey to the people at home, and at the half yearly or quarterly conference over which he presides, he is enabled to impart to all who were unable to attend, the spirit of this general conference.
I hold it, then, to be of the utmost importance that the Presidents of Stakes do make it their business to see that they as branches abide more carefully and more strictly in the vine, and that they receive the sap and nourishment of these conferences to the utmost capacity and carry it home to support every twig, every leaf, and every particle of fruit on the vine, for their proper, healthy growth and maturity. This principle is not only applicable to the Presidents of Stakes, but it is applicable in like manner in your quarterly conferences to every Bishop.
In those conferences every Ward should be represented by the Bishop and his Counselors, and as many of the people as possible should be present to receive the counsels there given. What is the result sometimes when instructions have been given by President Taylor through the Presidents of Stakes, and only a part of them were present? Why, it is found, when some important matter comes up, that this counsel has been neglected, and those who ought to have been well informed are heard to say, “Why, we never heard of this before.” Why did you not hear of it? Why were you not there in your place to hear of it, and thus be prepared to carry out the instruction given?
In like manner every branch in all the missions abroad should observe and secure a correct and proper representation in all the conferences that are held in the various missions wherever the Gospel is preached and branches are raised up. This is an absolute requirement. (See Doctrine and Covenants, section 20, verse 81 and on). By this means, and in no other way, can the law of the Lord go forth from Zion, and the spirit of Zion extend to the most remote branch or member of the Church on the face of the whole earth.
This is the principle. You brethren of the Priesthood, as branches of this vine, are expected to abide in it, to have the fullest connection with it, and be prepared to convey the sap, which has been conveyed to you, through the trunk to the extreme branches, the tendrils, the leaves and the fruit that are under your care. But unless you do this your people will suffer for want of intelligence; they will have to go short of that spiritual food which you are made the dispenser of and which you are expected to impart for nourishment and support, not only in spiritual matters, but in temporal things as well.
Now, there is a feeling among mankind—it is a feeling that is common in the world, and it is not strange that some who have been brought up in the world should retain it—a feeling of independence, a feeling of self-sufficiency, a feeling that we are capable of doing without counsel, and that we can do this and that as we think best. My brethren, the less of this feeling we carry with us, the safer and better for us and for the people we have to instruct. We should understand our dependence on God and on our brethren who are placed over us in the Priesthood for that counsel necessary to sustain us and that will enable us to bear off the Kingdom of God in righteousness.
Let me cite you to an instance of a man in the early days of the Church—Lyman Wight showed this kind of spirit when Joseph lived. It was all Joseph could do to keep him in subjection to the counsels of the Priesthood, but he did conform when brought to a consideration of his position in the Church so long as Joseph lived. But when the Prophet Joseph died he did not recognize the right of Apostle Brigham or his brethren of the Council to preside over him. And where did he go? He started an offshoot of the Church by himself, and both he and those who followed him went out into the world to destruction and to the devil together. This is the fate of those who think they can “run” themselves and can “run” the affairs of the Church and Kingdom of God separately and independent of their brethren. If he had continued and abode in the vine and made himself one with Brigham Young and the Apostles, he would have gathered with us to these valleys of the mountains, rejoiced with us, and laid down his bones here, and been one with the people of God. But, no; he went off by himself, feeling totally independent of his brethren. He abode not in the vine, and brought forth no fruit.
If there be any among us who say in their hearts I received my blessings from President Young, he bestowed upon me all blessings, authority, Priesthood, and keys of power that anyone else has received, not excepting President Taylor or any of the Apostles, and I have just as much right to advise and build up according to my own direction as he or they have—let such take warning by the course of Lyman Wight, Geo. Miller, and others, who have struck out independently and see the end which their course has led them to. As the Savior said, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
There is no other way for the brethren of the Apostles, the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops of Wards and for all those who stand in authority in the Church—there is no other way for men to have the love of Christ in them, to have the power of the Priesthood, to grow with God's Kingdom, but that they abide in the vine, be one with their brethren, keep fast to the truth, and derive their full share of the sap that comes from the roots through the body of the vine.
This is the principle I wish the brethren would consider. It is a beautiful figure which the Savior draws, and beautifully represents the great truth that should be fastened upon our minds, as He tried to fasten it upon the Apostles and Priesthood of His time. “Every branch in me that bringeth not forth fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Then, we must look out and see that nothing offends us; that we live in harmony with all the instructions and counsels of the Church; we want to see the spirit of love and power flowing not only through the body, but through all the branches, until it reaches the utmost extremity of the vine. Not only the Apostles, Seventies and High Priests, but the Deacons and members, all who have been baptized into Christ and who abide in Him.
Some of you may have noticed and seen that there are vines whose branches extend quite to the tops of the tallest trees, and that it was difficult to fell such trees because of the sustaining power of the vine. The vine bears the choicest of all fruits. This vine which God has planted in these last days is the choicest and greatest of all, and it will make itself manifest as such. And we wish all those brethren who are called to labor in the vineyard, to be in a position to attend these conferences, especially our annual conference, so that they may hear—and if they have not minds sufficiently strong to remember everything, to bring pencil and paper and take notes of all matters that need to be remembered and carried home and imparted to the people who reside in their various Stakes and Wards, Conferences and Branches.
There is another beautiful illustration that might be made with regard to the vine, but I have not time save to refer to it this morning. It is this: If you take a vine that has had growth for awhile and you go carefully and dig it up from the earth, you will find that there is a very striking similarity in the roots to the appearance and character of the branches above. Did you ever notice this? Did you ever think of it? Well, this is a beautiful illustration of the order of the Priesthood in the eternal world. The Apostle in speaking concerning these matters, refers to a “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” The Priesthood behind the veil are all interested in us, all anxious for us, all ready to minister to us as far and as fast as occasion permits or requires, as the roots continually generate nourishment and minister to the branches or top of the tree; so that we may be found efficient in our spheres and in our fields of labor. We ought never to feel that we are alone. We cannot be alone. We ought to know we cannot live without them, nor they live and be glorified without us. And while this responsibility is extended to us, we should sense that we and they are parts of the great whole of father Adam's family, and that there is a responsibility resting upon us that is great and that is general. This vine has yet to yield great and glorious fruits, while its branches must fill the earth and the fowls of heaven, the angels, will lodge in them. What are we doing to bring forth these fruits? What to promote the growth of this vine in the earth? What are you Presidents of Stakes doing? Do you realize that you are raising up and professedly educating in the name of the Lord a nation of Kings and Priests to God? Do you impress upon the hearts of the Saints that this is our work? Do you instruct the Teachers, and those of the lesser Priesthood how to deal with the people, and to see that there is no iniquity permitted in their midst? This is the kind of fruit that grows on this vine, brethren, and this is the kind of fruit that you are called upon to nourish, strengthen and protect. And don't you know the grape must not only grow but it must gain color. The fruit must be fully ripened. It is a fruit that needs a good deal of warm sunny weather, the sunshine of the Holy Spirit. It can only ripen in that right kind of climate, and that climate is right here—the shining of the sun of the Holy Spirit and the understanding thereof. This nation of “kings and priests” must be so reared that when the Savior comes He will find a people ready to receive Him; a people who shall be full of the faith and the power of the Gospel; a people whose lives shall in all respects comport with the character of Saints of God; in fact, who shall be the people that the Apostle John speaks of when he says: “They sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” This was their song of joy and rejoicing, which was expressive of the glory and power, exaltation and gladness that filled their souls.
There are other interesting and important phases of our great work which bear a striking analogy to the vine and its branches, but I cannot take time to dwell upon them now, lest I wrong those who have yet to address you. I think perhaps I have said enough to call your attention to the subject and the Spirit will aid you to pursue it. My earnest desire is that we may master this and all principles of the Gospel, and make them our own eternal riches, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Albert Carrington.
We have no business here but to learn and do the will of God. Yet though man is placed at the head of all the creations of our Father upon the earth, mankind are the only beings upon the earth who do not keep the law of their creation, and hence, instead of feeling proud and boastful, we should be humble and teachable. We have great occasion for thankfulness to our kind, wise Father in the heavens, that of all the children of God upon the earth we have received the principles of life, and we should be careful to be faithful, that we may avail ourselves of all the blessings the Gospel promises. There are only two powers upon the earth; the powers of light and darkness, and though we have our agency, we can but choose between the two; good or evil. Intelligent beings it would seem must know intuitively that the practice of good a one can lead to happiness. Knowing that God desires our welfare and to promote our happiness. Knowing that God desires our welfare and to promote our happiness. How long then will it be before we learn to know His will and devote all our energy to do it? There is no slavery but in sin, and no freedom save in doing that which is right, so there is no happiness but in doing the will of God. While it is not expected that we shall be alike in property anymore than we are in countenances it is expected that we shall be one in all things even as the Father and Son, holding all things subject to the direction of our Father in the heavens. We are far from that at the present day. There are pride and vanity and a greed of gain here. Yet I do not feel discouraged though I am aware these things are growing among us, for I realize that our children must pass through trials the same as their parents. Yet it is obligatory upon us to the extent of our ability to give good instruction and to set good examples. I tried once, for a very brief period to obtain the spirit of greed of gain, but at the end of that time was so disgusted and exhausted that I gladly gave it up. I feel to pity my brethren who are giving way to this spirit. I never have feared the days of poverty so much as those of prosperity. Kindness is more seductive than persecution, and when from an evil source is much more dangerous. In the fable of the sun and the wind who laid a wager as to which should make a man take off his cloak, the more the wind blew the closer he drew his cloak around him, but when the sun shone out he soon took it off. Yet I do not fear the welfare of God’s work, but am anxious to do all that I can to induce my fellowmen to take a course that leads to life, and hence I grieve when I see them take a contrary course. If we use all that we have as our kind, wise Father who gave us all, requires, will we not become one in all things? We can be one, and become perfect in our sphere as God is in His or we would not have been so commanded. Let us therefore go on improving upon our talents that they may be increased until we obtain a full and complete Salvation.
The Choir sang an anthem: Rejoice in the Lord.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock p. m.
Benediction by Elder Erastus Snow.
We have no business here but to learn and do the will of God. Yet though man is placed at the head of all the creations of our Father upon the earth, mankind are the only beings upon the earth who do not keep the law of their creation, and hence, instead of feeling proud and boastful, we should be humble and teachable. We have great occasion for thankfulness to our kind, wise Father in the heavens, that of all the children of God upon the earth we have received the principles of life, and we should be careful to be faithful, that we may avail ourselves of all the blessings the Gospel promises. There are only two powers upon the earth; the powers of light and darkness, and though we have our agency, we can but choose between the two; good or evil. Intelligent beings it would seem must know intuitively that the practice of good a one can lead to happiness. Knowing that God desires our welfare and to promote our happiness. Knowing that God desires our welfare and to promote our happiness. How long then will it be before we learn to know His will and devote all our energy to do it? There is no slavery but in sin, and no freedom save in doing that which is right, so there is no happiness but in doing the will of God. While it is not expected that we shall be alike in property anymore than we are in countenances it is expected that we shall be one in all things even as the Father and Son, holding all things subject to the direction of our Father in the heavens. We are far from that at the present day. There are pride and vanity and a greed of gain here. Yet I do not feel discouraged though I am aware these things are growing among us, for I realize that our children must pass through trials the same as their parents. Yet it is obligatory upon us to the extent of our ability to give good instruction and to set good examples. I tried once, for a very brief period to obtain the spirit of greed of gain, but at the end of that time was so disgusted and exhausted that I gladly gave it up. I feel to pity my brethren who are giving way to this spirit. I never have feared the days of poverty so much as those of prosperity. Kindness is more seductive than persecution, and when from an evil source is much more dangerous. In the fable of the sun and the wind who laid a wager as to which should make a man take off his cloak, the more the wind blew the closer he drew his cloak around him, but when the sun shone out he soon took it off. Yet I do not fear the welfare of God’s work, but am anxious to do all that I can to induce my fellowmen to take a course that leads to life, and hence I grieve when I see them take a contrary course. If we use all that we have as our kind, wise Father who gave us all, requires, will we not become one in all things? We can be one, and become perfect in our sphere as God is in His or we would not have been so commanded. Let us therefore go on improving upon our talents that they may be increased until we obtain a full and complete Salvation.
The Choir sang an anthem: Rejoice in the Lord.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock p. m.
Benediction by Elder Erastus Snow.
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Choir sung: Ye Gentile nations cease your strife, And listen to the words of life.
Prayer by Elder John T. Caine.
The choir sung: Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread.
Choir sung: Ye Gentile nations cease your strife, And listen to the words of life.
Prayer by Elder John T. Caine.
The choir sung: Come follow me the Savior said Then let us in his footsteps tread.
Elder Moses Thatcher.
I feel happy and peaceful at the pleasurable circumstances that surround us here to-day, the contrast being very great to those a year ago. When men make it a special mission of their life to persecute and plot mischief against the people of God, they do not understand how and by whom their plots and schemes are brought to naught. We came here to serve God and maintain our rights and liberties, and not to submit to a compromise with those who seek to destroy. There will always be a superior power than that of man and this people have the key to that power, which will overrule all the efforts of our adversaries. In the change that came over the power of Senator Edmunds in urging measures against this people in the Senate of the United States, we acknowledge the hand of God who marks the course of those that plot against the liberties of His Saints, and their course is not upward. The argument of Congressmen that unless they passed laws against the “Mormons” they could not satisfy their constituents, reminds us of the course taken by the Jews in relation to the Savior and the results upon them. Over fifty per cent of the men who put aside principle to satisfy popular clamor lost their positions in the ensuing election. Look at those who gallantly stood up for the principle and the rights of this people, and see how different it was with them! God was in the political wave that swept over the country, and even the Democrats could not account for the tide in their favor. Joseph Smith came to stem the stream of infidelity which had set in and promote true faith in God. This is God’s Kingdom, His theocracy. Who can stand against it? There is nothing that can injure this people but their own wrongdoings. I desire to speak a few works in regard to the evils coming in amongst the Saints, calculated to destroy their faith in God. Intemperance, the use of intoxicants is one. Look at the 200,000 in the insane asylums of England, 75 per cent brought there through alcohol. According to reliable statistics the money spent in England during seven given consecutive years was enough to have paid off the national debt and leave over a billion dollars to spare. While the revenue from liquor traffic in that country is $150,000,000 a year it is insufficient to meet the expenses that grow out of its use. There is enough liquor drunk in the United States in sixty days to buy all the libraries of the country at an average rate of $2 per volume. Enough is drank in seven months to pay for all the property of the Churches in the country. About $320,000,000 more is paid out every year for liquor than for national, state, county, school and municipal taxes. And the regulating enactments of the county have been a failure. We see it on every hand. More money is spent in Utah for liquor than is paid for education or for the sustaining of the Kingdom of God. It is paid out for infamy. Harlotry and licentiousness go hand in hand with intemperance. Liquor weakens not strengthens men. And any man who weakens his judgment by the habitual use of intoxicants is a dangerous element in society. It has separated husband and wife, dragged down innocence and virtue, and can we not see the terrible results of these things? No man can be a true servant of God and taint his heritage with the desire for liquor. Those who live according to the laws of God will have stronger bodies and stronger minds than others, and will yet rule the world, on natural principles. Let us come up on the higher plane of the celestial law and perpetuate our species according thereto. Men say we shall not, but I say we will! Let men and women be pure in heart and life, and bring forth children of promise like unto Samuel of old, serve the Lord and build up Zion and God will be with them unto victory and salvation.
I feel happy and peaceful at the pleasurable circumstances that surround us here to-day, the contrast being very great to those a year ago. When men make it a special mission of their life to persecute and plot mischief against the people of God, they do not understand how and by whom their plots and schemes are brought to naught. We came here to serve God and maintain our rights and liberties, and not to submit to a compromise with those who seek to destroy. There will always be a superior power than that of man and this people have the key to that power, which will overrule all the efforts of our adversaries. In the change that came over the power of Senator Edmunds in urging measures against this people in the Senate of the United States, we acknowledge the hand of God who marks the course of those that plot against the liberties of His Saints, and their course is not upward. The argument of Congressmen that unless they passed laws against the “Mormons” they could not satisfy their constituents, reminds us of the course taken by the Jews in relation to the Savior and the results upon them. Over fifty per cent of the men who put aside principle to satisfy popular clamor lost their positions in the ensuing election. Look at those who gallantly stood up for the principle and the rights of this people, and see how different it was with them! God was in the political wave that swept over the country, and even the Democrats could not account for the tide in their favor. Joseph Smith came to stem the stream of infidelity which had set in and promote true faith in God. This is God’s Kingdom, His theocracy. Who can stand against it? There is nothing that can injure this people but their own wrongdoings. I desire to speak a few works in regard to the evils coming in amongst the Saints, calculated to destroy their faith in God. Intemperance, the use of intoxicants is one. Look at the 200,000 in the insane asylums of England, 75 per cent brought there through alcohol. According to reliable statistics the money spent in England during seven given consecutive years was enough to have paid off the national debt and leave over a billion dollars to spare. While the revenue from liquor traffic in that country is $150,000,000 a year it is insufficient to meet the expenses that grow out of its use. There is enough liquor drunk in the United States in sixty days to buy all the libraries of the country at an average rate of $2 per volume. Enough is drank in seven months to pay for all the property of the Churches in the country. About $320,000,000 more is paid out every year for liquor than for national, state, county, school and municipal taxes. And the regulating enactments of the county have been a failure. We see it on every hand. More money is spent in Utah for liquor than is paid for education or for the sustaining of the Kingdom of God. It is paid out for infamy. Harlotry and licentiousness go hand in hand with intemperance. Liquor weakens not strengthens men. And any man who weakens his judgment by the habitual use of intoxicants is a dangerous element in society. It has separated husband and wife, dragged down innocence and virtue, and can we not see the terrible results of these things? No man can be a true servant of God and taint his heritage with the desire for liquor. Those who live according to the laws of God will have stronger bodies and stronger minds than others, and will yet rule the world, on natural principles. Let us come up on the higher plane of the celestial law and perpetuate our species according thereto. Men say we shall not, but I say we will! Let men and women be pure in heart and life, and bring forth children of promise like unto Samuel of old, serve the Lord and build up Zion and God will be with them unto victory and salvation.
A Comparison—Wrath of Man Made to Praise God—Fall of Senator Edmunds—Fate of Those Who Oppose God's Work—Persecution for Religion Unavailing—Case of the Huguenots—Intemperance—Startling Statistics—Drink, the Cause of Other Evils—Appeal to the Saints
Discourse by Elder Moses Thatcher, delivered in the Large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, at the Annual Conference, April 7th, 1883.
Reported by Unknown.
I feel very grateful indeed for the happy and peaceful circumstances with which we are surrounded this day, and I cannot help realizing how different they are to those which surrounded us a year ago. The pressure from the outside world at that time was very great, and the power of him who has been an oppressor from the beginning was exercised throughout this nation for the hurt of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But when perils have threatened we have learned to appeal to the invisible forces of heaven against the visible forces of earth, and in no age of the world with which I am acquainted has the right ever failed to succeed if those who maintained it were directed, sustained and upheld by the power of God our eternal Father. When men make it their special mission to contend against this great work, they do not realize that God is a power, they cannot comprehend that exercise of faith that turns aside the shafts of our enemies and delivers us from the snares which shrewd politicians and wicked and ungodly priests lay to entrap the people. How well I recollect a conversation I had about a year ago, with a very thoughtful man, a man connected with the Church, but who at times is given to view things from the natural standpoint. It was shortly after the arrival of the Commissioners who came to Utah to administer the provisions of the Edmunds' law. This brother was not ignorant of the exertions which has been made throughout the Union to secure the enactment of that and other proscriptive measures, nor was he ignorant of the intent of leading politicians in the Republican party to forge chains with which to bind us, while depriving us of our liberties. He understood full well the means which had been used; he was not ignorant of the tearful waves of prejudice which had swept every State in the Union. Realizing what the intentions of the wicked were, and understanding the mighty power of a mighty nation, he felt exercised and desired to know if something could not be done to compromise the question; in other words; if it was not possible to submit to the President and Cabinet certain propositions by which the people might be enabled to maintain their rights and liberties. I have not forgotten what my reflections were while listening to his remarks, and I remember the reply which I was led to make. It was this: We had been gathered from the nations of the earth. We came to these mountains to serve God without respect to the thoughts or suffrages of other people. We came here to maintain liberty of conscience and freedom of worship, the provisions of the Constitution of our common country, and not to compromise them upon any terms whatever; that I knew of no earthly wisdom upon which we could safely rely in maintaining those rights; that if the religious, political and social affairs of the people were given over to the management of a hundred of the wisest uninspired men to be found in Zion, they would utterly fail to accomplish the purposes of God, though they might in their efforts to please man, sacrifice liberty and the freedom of conscience, violate the sacred provisions of the Constitution, and make those whom they sought to serve pliant slaves, unworthy of the blessings which of right belong to a free people; that the adoption of such a policy would, within six months, place us in such a condition of confusion and misery that God alone could relieve our distress; that if, on the other hand, we would exercise faith in Him, live our religion, be prayerful and humble, He would bring us off, as He has done many times before, victorious. Can we not see how the Lord has stayed the passions of men and made their wrath to praise Him? Let us reflect upon the difference between the power exercised by the great leading light of the Republican party during the passage of the Edmunds' bill in the Senate of the United States a little over a year ago, and the exercise of the influence of the same man a year later.
Senator Edmunds, when he first called up his bill was, in the Senate, almost supreme. By the power of his intellect and the fierce invective of his tongue, he ruled, as it were, absolute master, and his bill, unconstitutional and unjust, passed the Senate with but little opposition. Few statesmen cared then to measure arms with him, but mark the results when God did so a year later.
Had the faith of this people changed? Did we believe more in the laws of God in March, 1882, than we did in March 1883? Certainly not. Why then was Senator Edmunds unable to carry out his views and measures regarding this people in the latter as he had succeeded in doing in the former year? Because God is a force in the world and its affairs, whether men acknowledge it or not. His power always has been, and always will be greater than man's power.
Men may think what they please and sneer at what they may be pleased to call fanaticism, but this I know, shame and confusion was the part of Senator Edmunds when, after six hours vain endeavor to force the passage of another infamous measure against us, he stood up in the Senate and confessed that he could see by the ruling of the presiding officer, and by the votes of his opponents, that it was impossible to carry the measure which he had in hand, and therefore moved for an adjournment. Was his defeat, chagrin and shame accomplished by the wisdom of man? We think not. We at least are willing, as we always have been, to acknowledge the hand of God in these things. God not only holds the destinies of nations in His hands, but He holds also the destiny of individual man. He can humble those who measure arms with Him, as He has done many times in the past. We fear not the power, nor do we gloat over the fall of man, public or private, but we have learned by experience that when they rise up and contend against this people and the principles of liberty and right, God marks them, and their course thenceforth is not upward but downward. In March, 1882, when in Washington, D.C., in company with other brethren, visiting Brother George Q. Cannon, then our honored delegate, I remember the sentiments expressed by some members of the Republican party. They would come privately and say: “We view this bill—referring to the Edmunds' bill—as infamous in its measures; we can see that it is unconstitutional, that it seeks to rob a whole people of their political rights. But our profession is that of politics; we have no other business, and numerous petitions are coming here daily from our constituents, praying us, commanding us, to pass some law for the suppression of “Mormonism.” Now what shall we do? If we comply not with their demands our constituents will, at future elections, reject us at the polls.” Was not a similar argument used by the Jews, when they said, “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe in him, and the Romans shall come and take away our place and nation?” Fearing that, they crucified him, and what was the result? The very thing they sought to save was that which was speedily lost. When weighed in the balance they were found corrupt, cruel, vindictive, murderous; unable to maintain principle, defend justice, or do what they knew to be right. A disposition to oppress swayed their hearts and tyranny marked their actions to such an extent, that God rejected them as a people, scattered to the four winds and made of them, in the midst of nations, a hiss and a byword.
In this connection let anyone who feels disposed, take the pains and trouble to look over the Congressional Record and see how those who were willing to sacrifice principle at the shrine of everything that was wrong, willing to sacrifice the liberties of a people poor and oppressed, examine and see how many of that character have been returned. Have not more than fifty percent of them been rejected at the polls? Ask the democrats how this has come about, and why it has come about, and they cannot tell you. Ask the Republicans and they cannot tell you. But ask God, who holds the destinies of nations and peoples in His hand, and He can tell you. On the other hand examine the record of those who fearlessly stood up in defense of Constitutional liberty, maintained inviolate their oath of office, sustained the right, and were true to themselves. They too felt the pressure of priestly inflamed public sentiment, but bowed not to its tyrannical demands. They too realized the dangers and perils that might beset their efforts for future recognition at the polls, but having moral courage they planted themselves on principle, not prejudice, and their constituents, in a great measure, have endorsed their policy and sustained their heroic conduct. If I have been correctly informed, a much greater percentage of those who sustained right on the “Mormon” question in the 47th, have been returned to the 48th Congress, than of those who pursued the opposite policy. We should entertain no fear of men or nations, for they cannot prevent the Almighty from accomplishing His purposes, or bringing to pass His decrees. History, so far as I have been able to trace, no where records success gained by hatred and persecution over men pledged to principle, justice and truth.
Mens' convictions, religious beliefs and just religious practices cannot be persecuted out of them. The nearest approach to success in this direction was, perhaps, the massacre of St. Bartholomew in France, wherein seventy thousand defenseless Huguenots perished miserably, victims of the malice and cruelty of Roman Catholicism.
That shocking butchery of men, women and children was acquiesced in by Charles IX, then King of France, and when his ally Philip III, of Spain heard of it he laughed, the only time he was known to laugh in his life. The Pope of Rome illuminated the eternal city, caused medals to be struck off, mass to be performed, and named Charles “the defender of the faith,” in commemoration of those horrid deeds of blood and misery.
Notwithstanding the Pontifical approval bestowed upon the king for that seventy thousandfold murder, he was till his death daily and nightly haunted by the thought of his victims until his misery and remorse caused, it is said, drops of blood to ooze through the pores of his skin. Through these cruelties the Huguenots received a fearful shock, but the consciousness of men continued to assert independence and the right to worship God untrammeled continued to grow. The freedom we now enjoy is but the fruit of the struggle for right, which persecution ultimately solidified, united and made strong in the broad, deep foundations of the freest nation on earth; thereby preparing the way for the mission of Joseph the Prophet. Much improvement had been made, but in religious matters Joseph found the people insincere, and the practices of the Christian world inconsistent and unsound. Guided by the light of heaven he struck a death blow at the idolatrous worship of a bodiless, passionless God, which the teachings of false priests had erected in the imagination of the people. In doing so he disturbed a sea of malice which since has known no rest. But though that angry sea may roll fierce billows of persecution, skepticism, infidelity and priestly hypocrisy must yield, for Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Almighty came as a forerunner and teacher of true faith in God that cannot be conquered; it will prevail. God's kingdom will rise and shine. They say we are endeavoring to establish a theocratic government. What is theocracy? The kingdom and government of God. Who will contend against it—will the Latter-day Saints? No. It is our duty to contend for it, and to assist to build it up. It is a government of purity. It is a government of the people, and for the people; it maintains liberty and right, and is always opposed to oppression and misrule. I would like to dwell upon the subject, but time will not permit, as I desire to touch upon another at present, of deep interest to us.
We have been called out from the nations of the earth to serve the Lord. “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” In this connection I desire to touch upon a few practices existing among us that are not pleasing in the sight of God. Intemperance is one of them; the use of alcohol, the use of intoxicating drinks that fevers the blood and maddens the brain, incites to sin, debases man, destroys his better judgment, drives the Spirit of God from his heart, and renders the daughters of Zion unsafe in his company. What is the condition of the Christian nations in this respect today? Two hundred thousand men and women crowd the poorhouses, prisons and asylums of Great Britain alone. Seventy-five percent of them the wretched victims of alcoholism. Can we think a business legitimate and honorable that deprives a hundred and fifty thousand men and women of comfortable homes, drives them wild, and sends them as driveling idiots and paupers to the asylums and jails of a Christian nation, which derives a revenue from the liquor traffic of $150,000,000 per annum, and finds even that enormous sum inadequate to meet the expenses entailed by reason of its use? We cannot consistently so consider it.
Aside from the debauchery, misery, ruin and death caused by the use of intoxicants, the waste in Great Britain is simply startling. Seventy-five million bushels of grain—equal at our present rate of production to what Utah would yield in forty years—is annually consumed in the manufacture of liquors there. The inhabitants of Britain expend yearly for intoxicating drinks over $640,000,000. During the past seven years they have expended for the same purpose more than sufficient to cancel their national debt, or build a new house for every family in the kingdom, and schoolhouses in which to educate all their children.
Had the money expended there for liquor during the past half century been invested in five percent interest bearing securities, it would now be equal to the entire capitalized wealth of the nation, including her cities, railroads, ships, factories, mines, farms, fields and gardens. And yet in view of these figures, taken from parliamentary returns, we hear of the cry of want and complaints of oppression. Do the people not oppress themselves in the use—excessive use of things that weaken and corrupt their bodies and darken their minds?
Is the condition of our own nation in this regard much better? But little if any. In 1882, according to official reports, the people of the United States paid nearly twice as much for liquor as they did for bread. More than the entire value of the products of all our woolen, cotton, boot and shoe factories. An amount equal to seventy percent of the wages earned in all the manufacturing institutions of the country, during the same period. Three hundred millions of dollars, more than was paid for Governmental, state, territorial, county, city and school taxes combined. Enough to school the children of a nation numbering 300,000,000, or six times as numerous as ours for the same year.
The nation consumes in liquor the value of all the public and private libraries of the country every sixty days, and spends annually nine times as much for drink as for printing and publishing.
Now what can we say for the people of Utah? In the main they are temperate, but there is room for much improvement. Here, I have no means for acquiring exact knowledge from statistics, but I venture the assertion that more money is spent even in Utah for alcohol than is expended for the education of our children, or the support of the Territorial government. Do we not expend more means in the purchase of stimulants than we pay to sustain the Church and Kingdom of God on earth? And in doing so are we not, though perhaps thoughtlessly, undermining the virtue of our boys, and the chastity of our girls? Do not inebriates and harlots usually go hand in hand, and saloons and houses of ill repute grow up side by side?
Had we the means of ascertaining the facts I am satisfied we should find that nine out of every ten cases of the lapse of virtue among us, could be traced to the use and influence of liquor of some kind. I am led to this conclusion by positive knowledge in a few sad cases that have come under my personal observation. Again, the love of liquor is transmissible. No man, therefore, can be a true servant of God while entailing misfortune and misery—perhaps decrepitude and idiocy upon his posterity. If any among us cannot control their appetite for drink, at least let them not transmit their thirst as a heritage to their children, who should be begotten in purity and brought forth untrammeled by unnatural and debasing appetites that tend to the lust of the flesh. A man addicted to intemperance cannot subject himself to the will of God, nor can he govern his passions to the sanctification of his body, failing in which he cannot reasonably expect to govern others in righteousness for their salvation. How then, are such worthy to stand at the head of families in Zion? To me few sights are more painful than to see a sorrow stricken wife bending over the wash tub and working like a slave to support herself and children; and perhaps her drunken husband, who warms his miserable, useless body on the sunny side of walls frequented by others of his kind. If we could gaze through the sorrowful eyes down into the pain-stricken hearts of such wives—and there are some even in Zion of that kind—we should hardly find a blessing there for those who lift the tempting cup to the lips of their fallen husbands. It is true the liquor traffic, among Christians, is regulated by law and disposed of generally under license, but that does not make it an honorable business, nor does it in any way, so far as I can see, restrict the evils that follow its use. To regulate and license the manufacture and indiscriminate sale of whiskey may, in some places, be a necessary and unavoidable evil, but such laws as moral and reformatory agencies have certainly proven failures. The poor, half-starved children, depraved men, and ruined women that nightly visit the gin palaces of London, Liverpool, New York, Chicago, and other great cities, speak unmistakably of failure. The crowded prisons, poorhouses, insane asylums, testify of failure. The gambler who resorts to forgery as a means with which to retrieve his fortune, the sot that wallows in the gutter and blasphemes the name of God, the raving maniac whose reason drink has dethroned, the murderer who took the life of his brother while intoxicated and dies with a curse upon his lips as he falls through the trap of the gallows, all testify of the woe, utter failure and irreparable ruin wrought by the use of alcohol, made easy of access by the regulations of law.
Let me, in the name of the Lord, urge the Saints to abstain from its use. It weakens the body and impairs the mind. When the highest order of physical excellence is required, science interdicts its use. Men trained for great bodily effort and long endurance are forced to be temperate or be defeated. Those who compete for collegiate or literary honors understand the value of temperance. In view of these facts, the Elder, High Priest or Seventy who is addicted to the use of liquor, is unfit to perform the labors which God requires of him. Is it possible that we as Elders of Israel, at home and abroad, cannot see the results of these things? Do we not know that like begets like? Do we not know that men whose blood is fevered and whose judgment is blinded are not fit to multiply and replenish, not fit to be in that holy law of matrimony ordained and made sacred by the Almighty? Let the world talk about and deride the institution of celestial marriage. What concerns us more in Utah is the fact that there are not men enough who understand the laws of life, and who stand pure and holy, upon the higher basis of that sacred law, to become the husbands of all the pure and today marriageable women in Zion. God foresaw what the nations would do. We were told yesterday by Elder Erastus Snow that men of great influence in the world were preaching the doctrine of human limitation, which leads to murder. And yet these very men will preach morality to you and me. While killing their own offspring, and urging others to do it, they tell us we shall not obey the laws of God pertaining to increase. I say we will. And upon natural principles, upon scientific principles. The boys and girls who live according to the law of the Lord will become the head and not the foot. They will have stronger bodies, stronger minds, and by the force of the “survival of the fittest,” will, eventually, under the direction of divine revelation, govern the affairs of the world. It has been so predicted; God has decreed it, who will prevent it?
Let us therefore unite in turning our faces against the evil practices so prevalent in the world. Let us begin to understand and live according to the laws of nature, realizing that violations thereof bring penalties which sometimes are transmitted to the third or fourth generation. In the transmission of life God has devolved upon His creations the highest and most delicate functions, and which, if abused, entail misery and often premature death. God has His glory in the perpetuation of life. With wonder and admiration, we behold life everywhere. We see it struggling in the vegetable kingdom and breathing in the animal creations. Cut down and trample under foot the noxious weed, and yet by the law that governs its increase it struggles upwards, and unless utterly destroyed matures seed for new life, and thereby perpetuates itself. All nature responds to the eternal law of increase. Man, being prompted by him who rebelled in heaven, alone seeks to defeat life, and bring confusion and death. While he and his emissaries strive through the commission of horrid crimes, even murder, to limit human increase, let us as Saints sanctify body and soul being pure in heart and mind, a fit lineage through which noble spirits may possess tabernacles unto the glory of God the Father of spirits. Let fathers and mothers in Zion beget children, as Samuel the ancient prophet was begotten, and I tell you there is no power on earth or in hell that can stop the progress of this people. We will increase and spread abroad until Zion shall arise and shine, and the Kingdom of God shall have supremacy and sway forever. Amen.
Discourse by Elder Moses Thatcher, delivered in the Large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, at the Annual Conference, April 7th, 1883.
Reported by Unknown.
I feel very grateful indeed for the happy and peaceful circumstances with which we are surrounded this day, and I cannot help realizing how different they are to those which surrounded us a year ago. The pressure from the outside world at that time was very great, and the power of him who has been an oppressor from the beginning was exercised throughout this nation for the hurt of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But when perils have threatened we have learned to appeal to the invisible forces of heaven against the visible forces of earth, and in no age of the world with which I am acquainted has the right ever failed to succeed if those who maintained it were directed, sustained and upheld by the power of God our eternal Father. When men make it their special mission to contend against this great work, they do not realize that God is a power, they cannot comprehend that exercise of faith that turns aside the shafts of our enemies and delivers us from the snares which shrewd politicians and wicked and ungodly priests lay to entrap the people. How well I recollect a conversation I had about a year ago, with a very thoughtful man, a man connected with the Church, but who at times is given to view things from the natural standpoint. It was shortly after the arrival of the Commissioners who came to Utah to administer the provisions of the Edmunds' law. This brother was not ignorant of the exertions which has been made throughout the Union to secure the enactment of that and other proscriptive measures, nor was he ignorant of the intent of leading politicians in the Republican party to forge chains with which to bind us, while depriving us of our liberties. He understood full well the means which had been used; he was not ignorant of the tearful waves of prejudice which had swept every State in the Union. Realizing what the intentions of the wicked were, and understanding the mighty power of a mighty nation, he felt exercised and desired to know if something could not be done to compromise the question; in other words; if it was not possible to submit to the President and Cabinet certain propositions by which the people might be enabled to maintain their rights and liberties. I have not forgotten what my reflections were while listening to his remarks, and I remember the reply which I was led to make. It was this: We had been gathered from the nations of the earth. We came to these mountains to serve God without respect to the thoughts or suffrages of other people. We came here to maintain liberty of conscience and freedom of worship, the provisions of the Constitution of our common country, and not to compromise them upon any terms whatever; that I knew of no earthly wisdom upon which we could safely rely in maintaining those rights; that if the religious, political and social affairs of the people were given over to the management of a hundred of the wisest uninspired men to be found in Zion, they would utterly fail to accomplish the purposes of God, though they might in their efforts to please man, sacrifice liberty and the freedom of conscience, violate the sacred provisions of the Constitution, and make those whom they sought to serve pliant slaves, unworthy of the blessings which of right belong to a free people; that the adoption of such a policy would, within six months, place us in such a condition of confusion and misery that God alone could relieve our distress; that if, on the other hand, we would exercise faith in Him, live our religion, be prayerful and humble, He would bring us off, as He has done many times before, victorious. Can we not see how the Lord has stayed the passions of men and made their wrath to praise Him? Let us reflect upon the difference between the power exercised by the great leading light of the Republican party during the passage of the Edmunds' bill in the Senate of the United States a little over a year ago, and the exercise of the influence of the same man a year later.
Senator Edmunds, when he first called up his bill was, in the Senate, almost supreme. By the power of his intellect and the fierce invective of his tongue, he ruled, as it were, absolute master, and his bill, unconstitutional and unjust, passed the Senate with but little opposition. Few statesmen cared then to measure arms with him, but mark the results when God did so a year later.
Had the faith of this people changed? Did we believe more in the laws of God in March, 1882, than we did in March 1883? Certainly not. Why then was Senator Edmunds unable to carry out his views and measures regarding this people in the latter as he had succeeded in doing in the former year? Because God is a force in the world and its affairs, whether men acknowledge it or not. His power always has been, and always will be greater than man's power.
Men may think what they please and sneer at what they may be pleased to call fanaticism, but this I know, shame and confusion was the part of Senator Edmunds when, after six hours vain endeavor to force the passage of another infamous measure against us, he stood up in the Senate and confessed that he could see by the ruling of the presiding officer, and by the votes of his opponents, that it was impossible to carry the measure which he had in hand, and therefore moved for an adjournment. Was his defeat, chagrin and shame accomplished by the wisdom of man? We think not. We at least are willing, as we always have been, to acknowledge the hand of God in these things. God not only holds the destinies of nations in His hands, but He holds also the destiny of individual man. He can humble those who measure arms with Him, as He has done many times in the past. We fear not the power, nor do we gloat over the fall of man, public or private, but we have learned by experience that when they rise up and contend against this people and the principles of liberty and right, God marks them, and their course thenceforth is not upward but downward. In March, 1882, when in Washington, D.C., in company with other brethren, visiting Brother George Q. Cannon, then our honored delegate, I remember the sentiments expressed by some members of the Republican party. They would come privately and say: “We view this bill—referring to the Edmunds' bill—as infamous in its measures; we can see that it is unconstitutional, that it seeks to rob a whole people of their political rights. But our profession is that of politics; we have no other business, and numerous petitions are coming here daily from our constituents, praying us, commanding us, to pass some law for the suppression of “Mormonism.” Now what shall we do? If we comply not with their demands our constituents will, at future elections, reject us at the polls.” Was not a similar argument used by the Jews, when they said, “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe in him, and the Romans shall come and take away our place and nation?” Fearing that, they crucified him, and what was the result? The very thing they sought to save was that which was speedily lost. When weighed in the balance they were found corrupt, cruel, vindictive, murderous; unable to maintain principle, defend justice, or do what they knew to be right. A disposition to oppress swayed their hearts and tyranny marked their actions to such an extent, that God rejected them as a people, scattered to the four winds and made of them, in the midst of nations, a hiss and a byword.
In this connection let anyone who feels disposed, take the pains and trouble to look over the Congressional Record and see how those who were willing to sacrifice principle at the shrine of everything that was wrong, willing to sacrifice the liberties of a people poor and oppressed, examine and see how many of that character have been returned. Have not more than fifty percent of them been rejected at the polls? Ask the democrats how this has come about, and why it has come about, and they cannot tell you. Ask the Republicans and they cannot tell you. But ask God, who holds the destinies of nations and peoples in His hand, and He can tell you. On the other hand examine the record of those who fearlessly stood up in defense of Constitutional liberty, maintained inviolate their oath of office, sustained the right, and were true to themselves. They too felt the pressure of priestly inflamed public sentiment, but bowed not to its tyrannical demands. They too realized the dangers and perils that might beset their efforts for future recognition at the polls, but having moral courage they planted themselves on principle, not prejudice, and their constituents, in a great measure, have endorsed their policy and sustained their heroic conduct. If I have been correctly informed, a much greater percentage of those who sustained right on the “Mormon” question in the 47th, have been returned to the 48th Congress, than of those who pursued the opposite policy. We should entertain no fear of men or nations, for they cannot prevent the Almighty from accomplishing His purposes, or bringing to pass His decrees. History, so far as I have been able to trace, no where records success gained by hatred and persecution over men pledged to principle, justice and truth.
Mens' convictions, religious beliefs and just religious practices cannot be persecuted out of them. The nearest approach to success in this direction was, perhaps, the massacre of St. Bartholomew in France, wherein seventy thousand defenseless Huguenots perished miserably, victims of the malice and cruelty of Roman Catholicism.
That shocking butchery of men, women and children was acquiesced in by Charles IX, then King of France, and when his ally Philip III, of Spain heard of it he laughed, the only time he was known to laugh in his life. The Pope of Rome illuminated the eternal city, caused medals to be struck off, mass to be performed, and named Charles “the defender of the faith,” in commemoration of those horrid deeds of blood and misery.
Notwithstanding the Pontifical approval bestowed upon the king for that seventy thousandfold murder, he was till his death daily and nightly haunted by the thought of his victims until his misery and remorse caused, it is said, drops of blood to ooze through the pores of his skin. Through these cruelties the Huguenots received a fearful shock, but the consciousness of men continued to assert independence and the right to worship God untrammeled continued to grow. The freedom we now enjoy is but the fruit of the struggle for right, which persecution ultimately solidified, united and made strong in the broad, deep foundations of the freest nation on earth; thereby preparing the way for the mission of Joseph the Prophet. Much improvement had been made, but in religious matters Joseph found the people insincere, and the practices of the Christian world inconsistent and unsound. Guided by the light of heaven he struck a death blow at the idolatrous worship of a bodiless, passionless God, which the teachings of false priests had erected in the imagination of the people. In doing so he disturbed a sea of malice which since has known no rest. But though that angry sea may roll fierce billows of persecution, skepticism, infidelity and priestly hypocrisy must yield, for Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Almighty came as a forerunner and teacher of true faith in God that cannot be conquered; it will prevail. God's kingdom will rise and shine. They say we are endeavoring to establish a theocratic government. What is theocracy? The kingdom and government of God. Who will contend against it—will the Latter-day Saints? No. It is our duty to contend for it, and to assist to build it up. It is a government of purity. It is a government of the people, and for the people; it maintains liberty and right, and is always opposed to oppression and misrule. I would like to dwell upon the subject, but time will not permit, as I desire to touch upon another at present, of deep interest to us.
We have been called out from the nations of the earth to serve the Lord. “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” In this connection I desire to touch upon a few practices existing among us that are not pleasing in the sight of God. Intemperance is one of them; the use of alcohol, the use of intoxicating drinks that fevers the blood and maddens the brain, incites to sin, debases man, destroys his better judgment, drives the Spirit of God from his heart, and renders the daughters of Zion unsafe in his company. What is the condition of the Christian nations in this respect today? Two hundred thousand men and women crowd the poorhouses, prisons and asylums of Great Britain alone. Seventy-five percent of them the wretched victims of alcoholism. Can we think a business legitimate and honorable that deprives a hundred and fifty thousand men and women of comfortable homes, drives them wild, and sends them as driveling idiots and paupers to the asylums and jails of a Christian nation, which derives a revenue from the liquor traffic of $150,000,000 per annum, and finds even that enormous sum inadequate to meet the expenses entailed by reason of its use? We cannot consistently so consider it.
Aside from the debauchery, misery, ruin and death caused by the use of intoxicants, the waste in Great Britain is simply startling. Seventy-five million bushels of grain—equal at our present rate of production to what Utah would yield in forty years—is annually consumed in the manufacture of liquors there. The inhabitants of Britain expend yearly for intoxicating drinks over $640,000,000. During the past seven years they have expended for the same purpose more than sufficient to cancel their national debt, or build a new house for every family in the kingdom, and schoolhouses in which to educate all their children.
Had the money expended there for liquor during the past half century been invested in five percent interest bearing securities, it would now be equal to the entire capitalized wealth of the nation, including her cities, railroads, ships, factories, mines, farms, fields and gardens. And yet in view of these figures, taken from parliamentary returns, we hear of the cry of want and complaints of oppression. Do the people not oppress themselves in the use—excessive use of things that weaken and corrupt their bodies and darken their minds?
Is the condition of our own nation in this regard much better? But little if any. In 1882, according to official reports, the people of the United States paid nearly twice as much for liquor as they did for bread. More than the entire value of the products of all our woolen, cotton, boot and shoe factories. An amount equal to seventy percent of the wages earned in all the manufacturing institutions of the country, during the same period. Three hundred millions of dollars, more than was paid for Governmental, state, territorial, county, city and school taxes combined. Enough to school the children of a nation numbering 300,000,000, or six times as numerous as ours for the same year.
The nation consumes in liquor the value of all the public and private libraries of the country every sixty days, and spends annually nine times as much for drink as for printing and publishing.
Now what can we say for the people of Utah? In the main they are temperate, but there is room for much improvement. Here, I have no means for acquiring exact knowledge from statistics, but I venture the assertion that more money is spent even in Utah for alcohol than is expended for the education of our children, or the support of the Territorial government. Do we not expend more means in the purchase of stimulants than we pay to sustain the Church and Kingdom of God on earth? And in doing so are we not, though perhaps thoughtlessly, undermining the virtue of our boys, and the chastity of our girls? Do not inebriates and harlots usually go hand in hand, and saloons and houses of ill repute grow up side by side?
Had we the means of ascertaining the facts I am satisfied we should find that nine out of every ten cases of the lapse of virtue among us, could be traced to the use and influence of liquor of some kind. I am led to this conclusion by positive knowledge in a few sad cases that have come under my personal observation. Again, the love of liquor is transmissible. No man, therefore, can be a true servant of God while entailing misfortune and misery—perhaps decrepitude and idiocy upon his posterity. If any among us cannot control their appetite for drink, at least let them not transmit their thirst as a heritage to their children, who should be begotten in purity and brought forth untrammeled by unnatural and debasing appetites that tend to the lust of the flesh. A man addicted to intemperance cannot subject himself to the will of God, nor can he govern his passions to the sanctification of his body, failing in which he cannot reasonably expect to govern others in righteousness for their salvation. How then, are such worthy to stand at the head of families in Zion? To me few sights are more painful than to see a sorrow stricken wife bending over the wash tub and working like a slave to support herself and children; and perhaps her drunken husband, who warms his miserable, useless body on the sunny side of walls frequented by others of his kind. If we could gaze through the sorrowful eyes down into the pain-stricken hearts of such wives—and there are some even in Zion of that kind—we should hardly find a blessing there for those who lift the tempting cup to the lips of their fallen husbands. It is true the liquor traffic, among Christians, is regulated by law and disposed of generally under license, but that does not make it an honorable business, nor does it in any way, so far as I can see, restrict the evils that follow its use. To regulate and license the manufacture and indiscriminate sale of whiskey may, in some places, be a necessary and unavoidable evil, but such laws as moral and reformatory agencies have certainly proven failures. The poor, half-starved children, depraved men, and ruined women that nightly visit the gin palaces of London, Liverpool, New York, Chicago, and other great cities, speak unmistakably of failure. The crowded prisons, poorhouses, insane asylums, testify of failure. The gambler who resorts to forgery as a means with which to retrieve his fortune, the sot that wallows in the gutter and blasphemes the name of God, the raving maniac whose reason drink has dethroned, the murderer who took the life of his brother while intoxicated and dies with a curse upon his lips as he falls through the trap of the gallows, all testify of the woe, utter failure and irreparable ruin wrought by the use of alcohol, made easy of access by the regulations of law.
Let me, in the name of the Lord, urge the Saints to abstain from its use. It weakens the body and impairs the mind. When the highest order of physical excellence is required, science interdicts its use. Men trained for great bodily effort and long endurance are forced to be temperate or be defeated. Those who compete for collegiate or literary honors understand the value of temperance. In view of these facts, the Elder, High Priest or Seventy who is addicted to the use of liquor, is unfit to perform the labors which God requires of him. Is it possible that we as Elders of Israel, at home and abroad, cannot see the results of these things? Do we not know that like begets like? Do we not know that men whose blood is fevered and whose judgment is blinded are not fit to multiply and replenish, not fit to be in that holy law of matrimony ordained and made sacred by the Almighty? Let the world talk about and deride the institution of celestial marriage. What concerns us more in Utah is the fact that there are not men enough who understand the laws of life, and who stand pure and holy, upon the higher basis of that sacred law, to become the husbands of all the pure and today marriageable women in Zion. God foresaw what the nations would do. We were told yesterday by Elder Erastus Snow that men of great influence in the world were preaching the doctrine of human limitation, which leads to murder. And yet these very men will preach morality to you and me. While killing their own offspring, and urging others to do it, they tell us we shall not obey the laws of God pertaining to increase. I say we will. And upon natural principles, upon scientific principles. The boys and girls who live according to the law of the Lord will become the head and not the foot. They will have stronger bodies, stronger minds, and by the force of the “survival of the fittest,” will, eventually, under the direction of divine revelation, govern the affairs of the world. It has been so predicted; God has decreed it, who will prevent it?
Let us therefore unite in turning our faces against the evil practices so prevalent in the world. Let us begin to understand and live according to the laws of nature, realizing that violations thereof bring penalties which sometimes are transmitted to the third or fourth generation. In the transmission of life God has devolved upon His creations the highest and most delicate functions, and which, if abused, entail misery and often premature death. God has His glory in the perpetuation of life. With wonder and admiration, we behold life everywhere. We see it struggling in the vegetable kingdom and breathing in the animal creations. Cut down and trample under foot the noxious weed, and yet by the law that governs its increase it struggles upwards, and unless utterly destroyed matures seed for new life, and thereby perpetuates itself. All nature responds to the eternal law of increase. Man, being prompted by him who rebelled in heaven, alone seeks to defeat life, and bring confusion and death. While he and his emissaries strive through the commission of horrid crimes, even murder, to limit human increase, let us as Saints sanctify body and soul being pure in heart and mind, a fit lineage through which noble spirits may possess tabernacles unto the glory of God the Father of spirits. Let fathers and mothers in Zion beget children, as Samuel the ancient prophet was begotten, and I tell you there is no power on earth or in hell that can stop the progress of this people. We will increase and spread abroad until Zion shall arise and shine, and the Kingdom of God shall have supremacy and sway forever. Amen.
President George Q. Cannon
presented the following names of Missionaries, all of whom were sustained by unanimous votes of the Conference:
Names of Elders who have been called on missions since the October Conference, 1882, and are now in their fields of labor.
GREAT BRITAIN.
John Henry Smith, 7th Ward.
Samuel H. Western, Deseret.
William Groesbeck, 8th Ward.
UNITED STATES.
Soren Jacobson, Mount Pleasant.
Charles M. Squires, Brigham City.
Ephraim Jensen, “
John Robert Stubbert, Salt Lake City.
Joseph Laitsh, Salina.
Elisha F. Hubbard, St. David, Arizona.
Peter Loutensock, Lehi.
SOUTHERN STATES.
W. L. H. Dotson, Minersville.
Adelbert Cazier, Nephi.
William Knight, “
Thomas Wright, Jr., “
John S. Linton, “
Charles P. Cutler, “
Newell Whitney Kimball, Logan.
Homer C. Card, Willard.
Joseph Belnap, Hooper.
William Hurst Crandall, Pleasant View.
Angus McKay, Huntsville.
John Styler, Deseret.
Wm. L. Ball, Manassa, Colorado.
Frank McKinney, “
Robert Sellers, “
Samuel Eccles, “
Bailey Meyers, “
John Davidson, Benson
John Smith Willie, Mendon.
Jens Jensen, “
Andrew Morrison Spence, Wellsville.
John Hill Maughan, “
A. M. Iraelson, Hyrum.
Orson M. Wilson, “
Robert Pearce, jr, Paradise.
John Henry Gibbs, “
Thomas Griffin, Clarkson.
Charles Shumway, “
Thomas Godfey, “
Hampden Sidney Beattle, jr., 14th Ward, City.
William Frederick Rigby, jr., Newton.
Alexander Richards, Mendon.
Jacob F. Miller, Farmington.
George Albert Biglow, Millville.
Joseph Murrell, Logan.
Joshua Hawke, Franklin, Idaho.
Joshua L. Ferron, Eden.
Jon Hicks, jr., Logan.
Brigham Henry Roberts, Centreville.
HOLLAND.
Peter Jacob Lammers, Ogden.
ARIZONA.
Arza F. Hinckley, Cove Creek.
Missionaries Called at April Conference, 1883.
GREAT BRITAIN.
William B. Bennett, West Jordan
William Chappe, Ogden
Edward A. Steed, Littleton.
Robert Johnson, Manti.
Ezra F. Martin, 21st Ward, City.
Charles Edgar Angell. 3d Ward, City.
John Cartwright, 8th Ward, City.
Charles Deuney, 11th Ward, City.
Robert Braby, 1st Ward City.
John Willoughby, 11th Wd, City.
Samuel McKay, 11th Ward, City.
William Wright, Charleston.
Henry Goldsboro, Nephi.
Heber B. Oakey, “
Henry Yates, Clarkston.
Nathaniel M. Hodges, Laketown.
William Panter, Taylorsville.
William Jex, Spanish Fork
John Reeves, Ogden.
William D. Williams, Ogden.
Thomas Waddoupe, East Bountiful.
James George Crane, Herriman.
Louis Peter Lund, Pleasant Grove.
Thomas Wilson, Lynne.
Robert Maw, Plain City.
George Condie, Hamilton’s Fort.
Wm. D. Williams, Benson.
Llewellyn J. Mantle, North Jordan.
John A. Druce, 12th Ward, City.
Herbert L. James, 7th Ward, City.
Henry Wm. Harris, Brigham City.
Wm. Reeves, Centreville.
Joseph Yates, Brigham City.
SCANDINAVIA.
Andrew Andersen, Ephraim.
Charles John Christensen, Ephraim.
Christian Nelson, Upper Portneuf, Idaho.
Niels Larsen, Montpelier, Idaho.
Soren Jacobsen, Mt. Pleasant.
Frederick Ludvigsen, Gunnison.
Martin Christoffersen, 4th Ward, city.
Ole Sorensen, Fountain Green.
John P. Ipsen, Mantua.
Gustaf L. Rosengreen Union.
Jorgen Hansen, Provo.
Frederick Julius, Mayfield.
Hans Poulsen, Plain City
Andrew Christensen, Fairview.
Martin Jensen, Mantua.
Haken Anderson, Kanab.
George Daniel Olsen, Fillmore.
Emil Ericksen, Spring City.
Christian Nielsen, Spring City.
Joseph Monson, Richmond.
Samuel P. Nelson, Smithfield.
Thorwald A. Thoresen, Hyrum.
Charles J. A. Lindquist, Logan.
John H. Anderson, jr., Logan.
Daniel Brown, Levan.
August Swenson, Spanish Fork.
Charles Knudsen, Brigham.
UNITED STATES.
Andrew Hendricksen, Levan.
Henry H. McConnell, Cedar.
Henry Peck, Malad.
Stephen B. Rose, 17th Ward.
Lars Jacobsen, Provo.
James Andrew Anderson, Hyrum.
J. J. Howe, Heber.
Charles L. Flake, Snowflake, Arizona.
Niels L. Lund, Mount Pleasant.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Andrew Lott Jensen, Moroni.
Charles R. Robison, Montpelier.
Amos Cook, East Bountiful.
Brigham Holbrook, East Bountiful.
Joseph Witley, East Bountiful.
Nephi Robertson, Fountain Green.
John A. Mower, Fairview.
Ransom M. Stevens, Fairview.
William N. Kirby, Fountain Green.
Thomas Vickers, Nephi.
George K. Reese, 2d Ward, City.
Jonathan Golden Kimball, 18th Ward, city.
Victor D. Cram, Kanab.
John R. Waite, jr., East Bountiful.
James G. Wood, “
Lamoni Call, “
Joseph Smith, Centreville
James Eldredge Wood’s Cross.
William B. Jones, Brigham.
Samuel Crandall Dunn, Raft River Bridge, Idaho.
Leo Albert Bean, Richfield.
Christian F. Christiansen, Kanosh.
McLaren Boyle, Ogden.
John Wm. Butler, Richfield.
Charles A. Walch, South Morgan.
Israel Bennion, Vernon.
Newell A. Hill, 14th Ward, City.
CANADA.
George Wolley Beckstead, South Jordan.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
August Bissegger, Providence.
James Edgar Jennings, 18th Ward, City.
Rudolf Hockstrasser, Providence.
Gotlieb Hirschl, Rockville.
Fraugott Bitter, Logan.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Brigham Morris Young, Brigham City.
NEW ZEALAND.
Charles Heyborne, Cedar.
William Thomas Stewart, Kanab.
John Clarence Stewart, Kanab.
ARIZONA (St. Johns).
John Cox, jr., and Sons, Fairview.
MEXICO.
Franklin B. Snow, St. George.
Heleman Pratt, 18th Ward.
President George Q. Cannon then read the statistical report, also a financial report of the Manti Temple and a financial report of the Logan Temple.
On motion the reports were received and placed on file.
presented the following names of Missionaries, all of whom were sustained by unanimous votes of the Conference:
Names of Elders who have been called on missions since the October Conference, 1882, and are now in their fields of labor.
GREAT BRITAIN.
John Henry Smith, 7th Ward.
Samuel H. Western, Deseret.
William Groesbeck, 8th Ward.
UNITED STATES.
Soren Jacobson, Mount Pleasant.
Charles M. Squires, Brigham City.
Ephraim Jensen, “
John Robert Stubbert, Salt Lake City.
Joseph Laitsh, Salina.
Elisha F. Hubbard, St. David, Arizona.
Peter Loutensock, Lehi.
SOUTHERN STATES.
W. L. H. Dotson, Minersville.
Adelbert Cazier, Nephi.
William Knight, “
Thomas Wright, Jr., “
John S. Linton, “
Charles P. Cutler, “
Newell Whitney Kimball, Logan.
Homer C. Card, Willard.
Joseph Belnap, Hooper.
William Hurst Crandall, Pleasant View.
Angus McKay, Huntsville.
John Styler, Deseret.
Wm. L. Ball, Manassa, Colorado.
Frank McKinney, “
Robert Sellers, “
Samuel Eccles, “
Bailey Meyers, “
John Davidson, Benson
John Smith Willie, Mendon.
Jens Jensen, “
Andrew Morrison Spence, Wellsville.
John Hill Maughan, “
A. M. Iraelson, Hyrum.
Orson M. Wilson, “
Robert Pearce, jr, Paradise.
John Henry Gibbs, “
Thomas Griffin, Clarkson.
Charles Shumway, “
Thomas Godfey, “
Hampden Sidney Beattle, jr., 14th Ward, City.
William Frederick Rigby, jr., Newton.
Alexander Richards, Mendon.
Jacob F. Miller, Farmington.
George Albert Biglow, Millville.
Joseph Murrell, Logan.
Joshua Hawke, Franklin, Idaho.
Joshua L. Ferron, Eden.
Jon Hicks, jr., Logan.
Brigham Henry Roberts, Centreville.
HOLLAND.
Peter Jacob Lammers, Ogden.
ARIZONA.
Arza F. Hinckley, Cove Creek.
Missionaries Called at April Conference, 1883.
GREAT BRITAIN.
William B. Bennett, West Jordan
William Chappe, Ogden
Edward A. Steed, Littleton.
Robert Johnson, Manti.
Ezra F. Martin, 21st Ward, City.
Charles Edgar Angell. 3d Ward, City.
John Cartwright, 8th Ward, City.
Charles Deuney, 11th Ward, City.
Robert Braby, 1st Ward City.
John Willoughby, 11th Wd, City.
Samuel McKay, 11th Ward, City.
William Wright, Charleston.
Henry Goldsboro, Nephi.
Heber B. Oakey, “
Henry Yates, Clarkston.
Nathaniel M. Hodges, Laketown.
William Panter, Taylorsville.
William Jex, Spanish Fork
John Reeves, Ogden.
William D. Williams, Ogden.
Thomas Waddoupe, East Bountiful.
James George Crane, Herriman.
Louis Peter Lund, Pleasant Grove.
Thomas Wilson, Lynne.
Robert Maw, Plain City.
George Condie, Hamilton’s Fort.
Wm. D. Williams, Benson.
Llewellyn J. Mantle, North Jordan.
John A. Druce, 12th Ward, City.
Herbert L. James, 7th Ward, City.
Henry Wm. Harris, Brigham City.
Wm. Reeves, Centreville.
Joseph Yates, Brigham City.
SCANDINAVIA.
Andrew Andersen, Ephraim.
Charles John Christensen, Ephraim.
Christian Nelson, Upper Portneuf, Idaho.
Niels Larsen, Montpelier, Idaho.
Soren Jacobsen, Mt. Pleasant.
Frederick Ludvigsen, Gunnison.
Martin Christoffersen, 4th Ward, city.
Ole Sorensen, Fountain Green.
John P. Ipsen, Mantua.
Gustaf L. Rosengreen Union.
Jorgen Hansen, Provo.
Frederick Julius, Mayfield.
Hans Poulsen, Plain City
Andrew Christensen, Fairview.
Martin Jensen, Mantua.
Haken Anderson, Kanab.
George Daniel Olsen, Fillmore.
Emil Ericksen, Spring City.
Christian Nielsen, Spring City.
Joseph Monson, Richmond.
Samuel P. Nelson, Smithfield.
Thorwald A. Thoresen, Hyrum.
Charles J. A. Lindquist, Logan.
John H. Anderson, jr., Logan.
Daniel Brown, Levan.
August Swenson, Spanish Fork.
Charles Knudsen, Brigham.
UNITED STATES.
Andrew Hendricksen, Levan.
Henry H. McConnell, Cedar.
Henry Peck, Malad.
Stephen B. Rose, 17th Ward.
Lars Jacobsen, Provo.
James Andrew Anderson, Hyrum.
J. J. Howe, Heber.
Charles L. Flake, Snowflake, Arizona.
Niels L. Lund, Mount Pleasant.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Andrew Lott Jensen, Moroni.
Charles R. Robison, Montpelier.
Amos Cook, East Bountiful.
Brigham Holbrook, East Bountiful.
Joseph Witley, East Bountiful.
Nephi Robertson, Fountain Green.
John A. Mower, Fairview.
Ransom M. Stevens, Fairview.
William N. Kirby, Fountain Green.
Thomas Vickers, Nephi.
George K. Reese, 2d Ward, City.
Jonathan Golden Kimball, 18th Ward, city.
Victor D. Cram, Kanab.
John R. Waite, jr., East Bountiful.
James G. Wood, “
Lamoni Call, “
Joseph Smith, Centreville
James Eldredge Wood’s Cross.
William B. Jones, Brigham.
Samuel Crandall Dunn, Raft River Bridge, Idaho.
Leo Albert Bean, Richfield.
Christian F. Christiansen, Kanosh.
McLaren Boyle, Ogden.
John Wm. Butler, Richfield.
Charles A. Walch, South Morgan.
Israel Bennion, Vernon.
Newell A. Hill, 14th Ward, City.
CANADA.
George Wolley Beckstead, South Jordan.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
August Bissegger, Providence.
James Edgar Jennings, 18th Ward, City.
Rudolf Hockstrasser, Providence.
Gotlieb Hirschl, Rockville.
Fraugott Bitter, Logan.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Brigham Morris Young, Brigham City.
NEW ZEALAND.
Charles Heyborne, Cedar.
William Thomas Stewart, Kanab.
John Clarence Stewart, Kanab.
ARIZONA (St. Johns).
John Cox, jr., and Sons, Fairview.
MEXICO.
Franklin B. Snow, St. George.
Heleman Pratt, 18th Ward.
President George Q. Cannon then read the statistical report, also a financial report of the Manti Temple and a financial report of the Logan Temple.
On motion the reports were received and placed on file.
Elder George Teasdale.
It is reiterated in our hearing that God cannot look upon sin with the slightest degree of allowance. We take the position that we are the servants of the Lord, teachers of righteousness; we ought to demonstrate in our lives that we are converted to the principles which we profess. We have testified over and over again that God has revealed to us His mind and will; we ought to show by our actions that this is true. We must adopt in our lives those principles which Christ taught, otherwise our professions will be vain, being but theory. We must place our religion first and foremost in all things. We are under responsibility to be co-workers with each other and the holy angels to establish righteousness on the earth. By special revelation we have been required to put away our covetousness and all evil and set our houses in order. The very fact that we are here in Zion is evidence that we are required to labor for the kingdom, and that we must not waste our time in following the extravagance and follies and wickedness of the Gentiles. In the revelation to Enoch God told him that in the latter days there should be a Zion, and that the principles revealed to him and his people should be established, that there should be a Zion from beneath to meet and greet the Zion from above. If we have repented of our sins, been buried with Christ in baptism, received the Holy Spirit of promise, paid our tithing and attended to the requirements of our religion, we should be prepared to advance to the higher laws, by which we may be prepared to meet the Zion of Enoch. As for me I feel that I and all I have are on the altar, subject to the direction of the servants of the living God. I want to live by the counsels of the Lord, for there is no safety for us till we become like clay in the hands of the potter; then nothing can happen to us that will not be for His glory. I can trust my all in the hands of such men as those who preside over the Church. If we will hearken to them, divest ourselves of our pride, our covetousness, and all our evil was, God will be with us, His promises will be fulfilled and we will secure a part in the first resurrection. I bear testimony that to all who live for it, God does reveal the truth of these principles. May we be established in the cause of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Conference was adjourned till Sunday at 10 a.m.
The Choir sang the anthem: As the dews from heaven distilling.
Benediction by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
It is reiterated in our hearing that God cannot look upon sin with the slightest degree of allowance. We take the position that we are the servants of the Lord, teachers of righteousness; we ought to demonstrate in our lives that we are converted to the principles which we profess. We have testified over and over again that God has revealed to us His mind and will; we ought to show by our actions that this is true. We must adopt in our lives those principles which Christ taught, otherwise our professions will be vain, being but theory. We must place our religion first and foremost in all things. We are under responsibility to be co-workers with each other and the holy angels to establish righteousness on the earth. By special revelation we have been required to put away our covetousness and all evil and set our houses in order. The very fact that we are here in Zion is evidence that we are required to labor for the kingdom, and that we must not waste our time in following the extravagance and follies and wickedness of the Gentiles. In the revelation to Enoch God told him that in the latter days there should be a Zion, and that the principles revealed to him and his people should be established, that there should be a Zion from beneath to meet and greet the Zion from above. If we have repented of our sins, been buried with Christ in baptism, received the Holy Spirit of promise, paid our tithing and attended to the requirements of our religion, we should be prepared to advance to the higher laws, by which we may be prepared to meet the Zion of Enoch. As for me I feel that I and all I have are on the altar, subject to the direction of the servants of the living God. I want to live by the counsels of the Lord, for there is no safety for us till we become like clay in the hands of the potter; then nothing can happen to us that will not be for His glory. I can trust my all in the hands of such men as those who preside over the Church. If we will hearken to them, divest ourselves of our pride, our covetousness, and all our evil was, God will be with us, His promises will be fulfilled and we will secure a part in the first resurrection. I bear testimony that to all who live for it, God does reveal the truth of these principles. May we be established in the cause of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Conference was adjourned till Sunday at 10 a.m.
The Choir sang the anthem: As the dews from heaven distilling.
Benediction by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
THIRD DAY.
Sunday, April 8th, 1883, 10 o’clock a. m.
The Choir sang: Hark the song of jubilee: Loud as mighty thunders roar.
Prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells.
The Choir sang: Though deep’ning trials throng your way, Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
Sunday, April 8th, 1883, 10 o’clock a. m.
The Choir sang: Hark the song of jubilee: Loud as mighty thunders roar.
Prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells.
The Choir sang: Though deep’ning trials throng your way, Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
Prest. Jos. F. Smith.
We have great reason for thankfulness for the blessings and privileges we have enjoyed during this Conference. There never was a time since the organization of the Church when the people were more prosperous or more numerous, notwithstanding the opposition of the wicked, from the press, the pulpits and Congress. We must acknowledge the hand of God in our deliverance, for it has not been our wisdom nor wisdom of men. We should acknowledge the hand of God in all things. He has blessed us with an abundance of the good things of this world, making the sterile wilderness fertile for our sakes, and in addition to these things has revealed unto us the priceless riches of the principles of eternal life. And as He has been good to us in the past, so we may confidently trust to Him in the future. Therefore, there is no room for doubt, and no occasion for trembling. It would be an insult to His power, justice, goodness and mercy to doubt that He will carry on His work to completion. This is no time for faltering, fear, doubt, or misgiving. The main obstacles in the way of the Saints are pride and haughtiness and forgetfulness of our covenants, which are much more seductive than poverty and opposition. This cannot be charged to the whole people, but there are individuals who seem to be entirely engrossed in the things of this world. We are all alike before God, and the rich are as dependent as the poor upon the Lord for the blessings of eternity; but it is the willing and obedient only who are acceptable unto God, and if we yield to the seductive influence of wealth we will lose the spirit of God. If the people as a whole or as a majority yield to these influences, I see no other way of bringing them to remembrance of the Lord than by being scourged and humbled. We can only enjoy the blessings of the Gospel by obedience to its laws. They cannot be bought nor obtained by personal influence. All men have their agency and can choose the good or the evil, but all will be held accountable for use they make of this agency. God will hold all men to account for their acts. Those who will not avail themselves of the opportunities afforded them will be under condemnation. No man can obtain a remission of sins excepting through repentance and baptism. There are other great and inestimable blessings pertaining to the Gospel which no human being can obtain excepting through obedience to the laws of God. And even after we have obtained them we may lose them again through our failure to live in the light of the Gospel. All the children of God receive many great blessings, the sun shines upon the just and the unjust; but the Holy Ghost will only rest upon the righteous; the rain falls upon the evil and the good, but the dews of the Holy Priesthood, its powers and blessings will not distil upon the wicked. They are the free gifts of Gods to His worthy sons. If the Saints will serve the Lord and labor for the accomplishment of His purposes, they will rise triumphantly over all their foes. But the moment they place their affections upon the things of this world, His Spirit will begin to withdraw itself, and that which is given to them will be taken away unless they repent. We are required to do good as well as to have good desires. We must be what we profess. I know this work is of God and I have never experienced a doubt concerning it and never known what fear is concerning the ultimate triumph of this work. Man may fail but this work can never fail. The best time the wicked ever saw to destroy this work was on the 6th day of April, 1830. Now it has become altogether too powerful and I thank God that in my very bones I feel and sense that; I can see that this work is beyond the reach of its enemies. We as individuals may fail, if we give way to evil, but as long as the people seek to serve God no power can prevail against them. I do not feel to boast, only in the power and goodness of God, but I do rejoice that I have lived as I know that I live that this work will prevail, and I would not exchange this testimony for all the wealth of the world. We should all feel interested in this work, one as much as another. Unless we are willing to sacrifice every earthly consideration for the Gospel we are not truly considered, and are not, worthy of the Gospel. This is written in the scripture and it is as true as that the sun shines. The blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been conferred upon us, and we are our posterity will enjoy these blessings if we live for them. May God help us to learn the truth, abide in it for ever, and live for God and his kingdom and nothing else, is my prayer. Amen.
We have great reason for thankfulness for the blessings and privileges we have enjoyed during this Conference. There never was a time since the organization of the Church when the people were more prosperous or more numerous, notwithstanding the opposition of the wicked, from the press, the pulpits and Congress. We must acknowledge the hand of God in our deliverance, for it has not been our wisdom nor wisdom of men. We should acknowledge the hand of God in all things. He has blessed us with an abundance of the good things of this world, making the sterile wilderness fertile for our sakes, and in addition to these things has revealed unto us the priceless riches of the principles of eternal life. And as He has been good to us in the past, so we may confidently trust to Him in the future. Therefore, there is no room for doubt, and no occasion for trembling. It would be an insult to His power, justice, goodness and mercy to doubt that He will carry on His work to completion. This is no time for faltering, fear, doubt, or misgiving. The main obstacles in the way of the Saints are pride and haughtiness and forgetfulness of our covenants, which are much more seductive than poverty and opposition. This cannot be charged to the whole people, but there are individuals who seem to be entirely engrossed in the things of this world. We are all alike before God, and the rich are as dependent as the poor upon the Lord for the blessings of eternity; but it is the willing and obedient only who are acceptable unto God, and if we yield to the seductive influence of wealth we will lose the spirit of God. If the people as a whole or as a majority yield to these influences, I see no other way of bringing them to remembrance of the Lord than by being scourged and humbled. We can only enjoy the blessings of the Gospel by obedience to its laws. They cannot be bought nor obtained by personal influence. All men have their agency and can choose the good or the evil, but all will be held accountable for use they make of this agency. God will hold all men to account for their acts. Those who will not avail themselves of the opportunities afforded them will be under condemnation. No man can obtain a remission of sins excepting through repentance and baptism. There are other great and inestimable blessings pertaining to the Gospel which no human being can obtain excepting through obedience to the laws of God. And even after we have obtained them we may lose them again through our failure to live in the light of the Gospel. All the children of God receive many great blessings, the sun shines upon the just and the unjust; but the Holy Ghost will only rest upon the righteous; the rain falls upon the evil and the good, but the dews of the Holy Priesthood, its powers and blessings will not distil upon the wicked. They are the free gifts of Gods to His worthy sons. If the Saints will serve the Lord and labor for the accomplishment of His purposes, they will rise triumphantly over all their foes. But the moment they place their affections upon the things of this world, His Spirit will begin to withdraw itself, and that which is given to them will be taken away unless they repent. We are required to do good as well as to have good desires. We must be what we profess. I know this work is of God and I have never experienced a doubt concerning it and never known what fear is concerning the ultimate triumph of this work. Man may fail but this work can never fail. The best time the wicked ever saw to destroy this work was on the 6th day of April, 1830. Now it has become altogether too powerful and I thank God that in my very bones I feel and sense that; I can see that this work is beyond the reach of its enemies. We as individuals may fail, if we give way to evil, but as long as the people seek to serve God no power can prevail against them. I do not feel to boast, only in the power and goodness of God, but I do rejoice that I have lived as I know that I live that this work will prevail, and I would not exchange this testimony for all the wealth of the world. We should all feel interested in this work, one as much as another. Unless we are willing to sacrifice every earthly consideration for the Gospel we are not truly considered, and are not, worthy of the Gospel. This is written in the scripture and it is as true as that the sun shines. The blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been conferred upon us, and we are our posterity will enjoy these blessings if we live for them. May God help us to learn the truth, abide in it for ever, and live for God and his kingdom and nothing else, is my prayer. Amen.
Prosperity of the Saints—Danger to Be Avoided—How Blessings Are to Be Obtained—Free Agency—Triumph of the Work of God Testified of—“Mormonism” not Easily Destroyed—Prophecies to Be Fulfilled—Self-Denial Required of the Saints
Discourse by President Joseph F. Smith, delivered at the General Conference, Salt Lake City, Sunday, a.m., April 8th, 1883.
Reported by Unknown.
There never perhaps was a time since the Church was organized when the people of God were more prosperous or so numerous as they are today, notwithstanding all the efforts that our enemies have directed against us. But while we have triumphed over opposition and all the forces of the wicked that have been exerted against us by newspaper and pulpit and the power of Congress, it is meet that we should acknowledge the hand of God in all our victories. It has certainly not been by the wisdom, power or intelligence of man, that we have been delivered until now, but by the favor and blessing of God in our behalf. And we are today a living monument of God's special mercy, favor and protection. He has not only blessed us with the privilege of becoming acquainted with His laws, and with the plan of salvation, but He has gathered us to a goodly land; and notwithstanding its former sterility, barrenness and forbidding aspect, He has modified the elements, blessed the earth, and has made these valleys desirable as a home for the Saints. And He has blessed us with an abundance of earthly things besides bestowing upon us the richest of all blessings that man can enjoy in this life—the Holy Spirit and a knowledge of the new and everlasting covenant.
We should have the utmost confidence in the power and wisdom of the Almighty to consummate the work which He has begun, from our experience and knowledge of the past. This is no day for trembling or fear; it is not a day for doubt or misgiving; God has demonstrated His power and superior wisdom in so many ways and at so many times, during the history of this people, in delivering them from the grasp of their enemies, that for us now to doubt Him, whatever the position in which we might be placed, would be an indignity to our Great Preserver, an insult to God. It seems to me impossible for any Latter-day Saint, in the face of all the Lord has done for this people, to doubt for a moment His ability or intention to frustrate the designs of wicked, ambitious men, and to continue His work in the future to ultimate victory and triumph over every obstacle or opposing foe.
The only real danger that I foresee in the path of the Latter-day Saints is in the results which naturally follow the possession of wealth—pride and vanity, self-indulgence and forgetfulness of God, and a disregard of the sacred obligations and duties that we owe to Him and to one another; and this because of the abundance of earthly blessings which He in His goodness has bestowed upon us. It is said that in adversity we are inclined to feel after the Lord, but that in prosperity we remember Him not. It appears to me that in this lies the greatest danger that threatens us today. This does not apply to the whole people perhaps, for we are not all rich in this world's goods, but to individuals, and they are not a few, but many, who are being blessed—if it proves a blessing—with an accumulation of wealth, and I am sorry to say that many seem to be indulging in speculation to that extent that their whole souls appear to be wrapt up in the love of the world. It is very evident that some of us are yet “of the world,” for like them, “the more we get of it the more we want;” and it does seem impossible to satisfy the cravings of such minds for the perishable things of time. As individuals gather around them riches and become engrossed with the care that naturally attaches to them, they are prone to forget the “pit from which they were dug,” or the “stone from which they were hewed”—to forget God upon whom they are quite as dependent when possessed of wealth as when in the most abject poverty. For wealth does not make men independent of God, neither does it relieve them from the obligations that they owe to each other. The rich are as dependent upon God for the light of His Spirit to guide them, and for the blessings and ordinances of the holy Priesthood as are the poorest of the poor. The Lord, in this regard, is “no respecter of persons.” The station or worldly condition of man is not regarded by the Almighty. It is man's righteousness and humility; it is the willing mind and the obedient heart that is acceptable to Him, and unless we are righteous and humble, willing and obedient, He will withdraw His Spirit from us, and we will be left to ourselves, as others have been before us, “to reap what we sow.” If the time should ever come (which I do not anticipate), when the majority of this people will be swallowed up in the cares of the world, I know of no remedy to check the evil and thus prevent the destruction of the Church more effectually than to be subjected to the power and persecutions of our enemies, to be driven and smitten perhaps until we shall be humbled and brought to a sense of our obligations to the Lord Almighty, and learn wisdom by the things we have to suffer.
There are blessings which pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the world to come, which cannot be secured by personal influence nor be bought with money, and which no man by his own intelligence or wisdom can obtain except through compliance with certain ordinances, laws and commandments which have been given. And it is well, in my judgment, for the Latter-day Saints to continue to bear in mind that the inestimable blessings of the Gospel have been bestowed upon them through their faith, that a remission of sins has been obtained by baptism and repentance, and that it is only through continuing faithful that they can retain the gifts and blessings which pertain to eternal life. There are many blessings, however, which are common to the human family, which all enjoy, without regard to their moral status or religious convictions. God has given to all men an agency, and has granted to us the privilege to serve Him or serve Him not, to do that which is right or that which is wrong, and this privilege is given to all men irrespective of creed, color or condition. The wealthy have this agency, the poor have this agency, and no man is deprived by any power of God from exercising it in the fullest and in the freest manner. This agency has been given to all. This is a blessing that God has bestowed upon the world of mankind, upon all His children alike. But He will hold us strictly to an account for the use that we make of this agency, and as it was said of Cain, so it will be said of us: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” There are, however, certain blessings which God bestows upon the children of men only upon the condition of the rightful exercise of this agency. For instance, no man can obtain a remission of his sins but by repentance and baptism by one having authority. If we would be free from sin, from its effects, from its power, we must obey this law which God has revealed, or we never can obtain a remission of sins. Therefore, while God has bestowed upon all men, irrespective of condition, this agency to choose good or evil, He has not and will not bestow upon the children of men a remission of sins but by their obedience to law. Therefore the whole world lies in sin and is under condemnation, inasmuch as light has come into the world and men will not avail themselves of that light to put themselves in a proper position before the Lord. And this condemnation rests with tenfold force upon all those that have yielded obedience to this law, and have once received a remission of their sins, but have returned unto sin, and have forgotten or disregarded the covenants they made in the waters of baptism. All men are blessed with the strength of their body, with the use of their mind, and with the right to exercise the faculties with which they are endowed in a way that seemeth good in their sight, without regard to religion. But God has not and will not suffer the gift of the Holy Ghost to be bestowed upon any man or woman, except through compliance with the laws of God. Therefore, no man can obtain a remission of sins; no man can obtain the gift of the Holy Ghost; no man can obtain the revelations of God; no man can obtain the Priesthood, and the rights, powers and privileges thereof; no man can become an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, except through compliance with the requirements of heaven. These are universal blessings, they are great and inestimable privileges which pertain to the Gospel and to the plan of life and salvation, which are open and free to all on certain conditions, but which no creature beneath the heavens can enjoy, but through walking in the channel that God has marked out by which they can obtain them. And these privileges and blessings when obtained may be forfeited, and perhaps lost for all eternity, unless we continue steadfast in the course that is marked out for us to pursue. It is well, in my judgment, that the Latter-day Saints do not lose sight of the great privilege that has been bestowed upon them. No man can become a citizen of the Kingdom of God but by entering in at the door: there are thousands and tens of thousands, aye millions of people who will never become citizens of the Kingdom of God in this world, because they fail to exercise the agency and the power that has been given to them in the right direction. Nevertheless, they enjoy many of the blessings that are bestowed upon the world in common. The sun shines upon the evil and the good; but the Holy Ghost descends only upon the righteous and upon those that are forgiven of their sins. The rain descends upon the evil and upon the good; but the rights of the Priesthood are conferred, and the doctrine of the Priesthood distills as the dews of heaven upon the souls of those only that receive it in God's own appointed way. The favor of heaven, the acknowledgment of the Almighty of His children upon the earth as His sons and His daughters can only be secured through obedience to the laws which He has revealed. Riches or the wealth of the world cannot purchase these things. Simon Magus desired to purchase the power to cast out devils with money, but Peter said unto him, “Thy money perish with thee.” These blessings, powers and privileges are not to be purchased but by the atonement of Christ; they are not to be obtained by personal influence, wealth, position or power, or in any other way but the direct way in which God has decreed that they should be obtained. Now, so long as the Latter-day Saints are content to obey the commandments of God, to appreciate the privileges and blessings which they enjoy in the Church, and will use their time, their talents, their substance, in honor to the name of God, to build up Zion, and to establish truth and righteousness in the earth, so long our heavenly Father is bound by His oath and covenant to protect them from every opposing foe, and to help them to overcome every obstacle that can possibly be arrayed against them or thrown in their pathway; but the moment a community begin to be wrapt up in themselves, become selfish, become engrossed in the temporalities of life, and put their faith in riches, that moment the power of God begins to withdraw from them, and if they repent not the Holy Spirit will depart from them entirely, and they will be left to themselves. That which was given them will be taken away, they will lose that which they had, for they will not be worthy of it. God is just as well as merciful, and we need not expect favors at the hand of the Almighty except as we merit them, at least in the honest desires of our hearts, and the desire and intent will not always avail unless our acts correspond. For we are engaged in a literal work, a reality; and we must practice as well as profess. We must be what God requires us to be, or else we are not His people nor the Zion which He designs to gather together and to build up in the latter days upon the earth.
I am aware that this is the last day of Conference, that there are many to speak and much to be done, therefore brevity is desirable. I find, too, that it is difficult for me to speak loud enough to be heard by this vast assembly.
I rejoice in the work of God. I have never seen a moment since I became acquainted with the principles of the Gospel when I had the least doubt in my mind of their truthfulness. I have never feared, and do not know what the feeling of fear is as to the result of this work. I know that God is able to bear it off, and that He will do it. I fear often for mankind and for myself, knowing my own weaknesses, better, perhaps, than any living being except God. I often have fears and trembling for myself when I am made to feel my own weakness and see myself as I am seen by the Lord. But as to the work of God, it cannot fail, for God has decreed its consummation; and whilst man may oppose it and his efforts fail, the work of God will never fail. Now mark it! As I have often said, the most favorable opportunity that the adversary of men's souls ever saw to destroy this work was on or before the 6th day of April, 1830; but failing to accomplish it then, notwithstanding the efforts that were put forth in this direction, failure to do so in the future must only be the more apparent. There is more to grapple with now than then. “The kingdom” has taken deeper and stronger root in the earth, and its branches have expanded and spread out into many lands. There are more people to kill off now than ever before, and we are rapidly increasing. There is no use of thinking this work will be destroyed by martyring a few of the people, although they might be our leaders. “Mormonism” is a living principle in the hearts of all true Saints, every soul of whom must be destroyed before it can be wiped out. It has been, through the overruling providences of the Almighty, allowed to grow until it has attained strength and power in the earth: and thanks be unto God, the Ruler and Maker of heaven and earth, I feel it in my very bones, that the Kingdom of God is beyond the reach and power of the devil or his agents. And in this condition it will remain, ever advancing, inasmuch as the Saints keep the law of God. If we should become corrupt and wicked, He has said that we shall be removed out of our place, and every individual who will not keep His commandments will fail. For no man can stand in this Church but upon the foundation of righteousness and truth; and whenever we undertake to build upon the foundation of error and falsehood, selfishness and sin, that moment our foundation will crumble beneath our feet; the sands will be washed away, and we will fall. But so long as this people continue faithful, God will be their friend, and He, be it remembered, is the Almighty, and this is His work. The stone representing this latter-day work, has been cut out of the mountain without hands, and will roll forth according to the decree, and no power will be able to stop its onward march. I do not feel to boast, only in the strength of our God; and I do feel from the inmost recesses of my heart to praise His holy name, and to thank Him that I have been permitted to see the Kingdom where it is today. And those who come after will live to see the consummation of the prophecies that have been uttered concerning it by ancient and modern Prophets verified and not one word will fall to the ground unfulfilled. Not one jot or tittle will pass from the law or the Prophets; but all will be fulfilled, and I am as sure of it as I am that I live. What would you or I take in exchange for this knowledge, this witness of the Spirit? Nothing could be offered that would be an equivalent; it is worth everything else in the world. It is a stay, an anchor to the soul, a comfort and a joy to the heart forever. It is with me, as it is with every man and woman that has received the knowledge of God, through the operations of the Holy Spirit, and that is true to the same—the kingdom of God or nothing; I have no more interest in the kingdom of God than any individual member of the Church. In other words, there is not a man in the kingdom of God that is capable of attaining to the glory of the celestial kingdom but has as great interest in the welfare of this work, in the consummation of the purposes of the Almighty, as I have myself, or as Brother Taylor, Brother Cannon, Brother Woodruff, or any of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve. We are all interested. Every man should feel that it is his work, his kingdom, his church, and that the principles of the Gospel are his principles, for he has embraced them and espoused them, or at least unless we have embraced the Gospel and received the principles thereof in our hearts that they have become a part of us, that we might become identified with the designs and purposes of the Almighty in the earth, we are not converted, nor are we worthy to be saved in the kingdom of God. It is written—and it is as true as that the sun shines—that except a man is willing to sacrifice every earthly tie or consideration for the Gospel's sake, he is not worthy of the kingdom, nor of Christ. This is according to the declaration of Jesus while He was upon the earth. It is the testimony of Joseph Smith, and that of all the holy Prophets since the world began, who have said anything upon this subject, that any man who is not willing to sacrifice everything else for the Gospel's sake is not worthy of it, and the day will come when he will come short; so that the sooner we are converted to the truth, the better for us and our posterity. They will receive inheritances, and the blessings of God will follow upon them through us, just as they follow upon the seed of Abraham, because of the blessings and promises bestowed upon their father Abraham. The promises were made to Abraham, and the blessing followed upon the heads of his children, and will continue unto the last generation, because the promise was made to Abraham who was worthy of it, and he will claim the promise for his posterity. So it will be with you and me. The blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been conferred upon us, and they will be inherited by our posterity if we prove worthy of the privilege, and live for it.
May God bless and help us to learn the truth and abide in it forever, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Discourse by President Joseph F. Smith, delivered at the General Conference, Salt Lake City, Sunday, a.m., April 8th, 1883.
Reported by Unknown.
There never perhaps was a time since the Church was organized when the people of God were more prosperous or so numerous as they are today, notwithstanding all the efforts that our enemies have directed against us. But while we have triumphed over opposition and all the forces of the wicked that have been exerted against us by newspaper and pulpit and the power of Congress, it is meet that we should acknowledge the hand of God in all our victories. It has certainly not been by the wisdom, power or intelligence of man, that we have been delivered until now, but by the favor and blessing of God in our behalf. And we are today a living monument of God's special mercy, favor and protection. He has not only blessed us with the privilege of becoming acquainted with His laws, and with the plan of salvation, but He has gathered us to a goodly land; and notwithstanding its former sterility, barrenness and forbidding aspect, He has modified the elements, blessed the earth, and has made these valleys desirable as a home for the Saints. And He has blessed us with an abundance of earthly things besides bestowing upon us the richest of all blessings that man can enjoy in this life—the Holy Spirit and a knowledge of the new and everlasting covenant.
We should have the utmost confidence in the power and wisdom of the Almighty to consummate the work which He has begun, from our experience and knowledge of the past. This is no day for trembling or fear; it is not a day for doubt or misgiving; God has demonstrated His power and superior wisdom in so many ways and at so many times, during the history of this people, in delivering them from the grasp of their enemies, that for us now to doubt Him, whatever the position in which we might be placed, would be an indignity to our Great Preserver, an insult to God. It seems to me impossible for any Latter-day Saint, in the face of all the Lord has done for this people, to doubt for a moment His ability or intention to frustrate the designs of wicked, ambitious men, and to continue His work in the future to ultimate victory and triumph over every obstacle or opposing foe.
The only real danger that I foresee in the path of the Latter-day Saints is in the results which naturally follow the possession of wealth—pride and vanity, self-indulgence and forgetfulness of God, and a disregard of the sacred obligations and duties that we owe to Him and to one another; and this because of the abundance of earthly blessings which He in His goodness has bestowed upon us. It is said that in adversity we are inclined to feel after the Lord, but that in prosperity we remember Him not. It appears to me that in this lies the greatest danger that threatens us today. This does not apply to the whole people perhaps, for we are not all rich in this world's goods, but to individuals, and they are not a few, but many, who are being blessed—if it proves a blessing—with an accumulation of wealth, and I am sorry to say that many seem to be indulging in speculation to that extent that their whole souls appear to be wrapt up in the love of the world. It is very evident that some of us are yet “of the world,” for like them, “the more we get of it the more we want;” and it does seem impossible to satisfy the cravings of such minds for the perishable things of time. As individuals gather around them riches and become engrossed with the care that naturally attaches to them, they are prone to forget the “pit from which they were dug,” or the “stone from which they were hewed”—to forget God upon whom they are quite as dependent when possessed of wealth as when in the most abject poverty. For wealth does not make men independent of God, neither does it relieve them from the obligations that they owe to each other. The rich are as dependent upon God for the light of His Spirit to guide them, and for the blessings and ordinances of the holy Priesthood as are the poorest of the poor. The Lord, in this regard, is “no respecter of persons.” The station or worldly condition of man is not regarded by the Almighty. It is man's righteousness and humility; it is the willing mind and the obedient heart that is acceptable to Him, and unless we are righteous and humble, willing and obedient, He will withdraw His Spirit from us, and we will be left to ourselves, as others have been before us, “to reap what we sow.” If the time should ever come (which I do not anticipate), when the majority of this people will be swallowed up in the cares of the world, I know of no remedy to check the evil and thus prevent the destruction of the Church more effectually than to be subjected to the power and persecutions of our enemies, to be driven and smitten perhaps until we shall be humbled and brought to a sense of our obligations to the Lord Almighty, and learn wisdom by the things we have to suffer.
There are blessings which pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the world to come, which cannot be secured by personal influence nor be bought with money, and which no man by his own intelligence or wisdom can obtain except through compliance with certain ordinances, laws and commandments which have been given. And it is well, in my judgment, for the Latter-day Saints to continue to bear in mind that the inestimable blessings of the Gospel have been bestowed upon them through their faith, that a remission of sins has been obtained by baptism and repentance, and that it is only through continuing faithful that they can retain the gifts and blessings which pertain to eternal life. There are many blessings, however, which are common to the human family, which all enjoy, without regard to their moral status or religious convictions. God has given to all men an agency, and has granted to us the privilege to serve Him or serve Him not, to do that which is right or that which is wrong, and this privilege is given to all men irrespective of creed, color or condition. The wealthy have this agency, the poor have this agency, and no man is deprived by any power of God from exercising it in the fullest and in the freest manner. This agency has been given to all. This is a blessing that God has bestowed upon the world of mankind, upon all His children alike. But He will hold us strictly to an account for the use that we make of this agency, and as it was said of Cain, so it will be said of us: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” There are, however, certain blessings which God bestows upon the children of men only upon the condition of the rightful exercise of this agency. For instance, no man can obtain a remission of his sins but by repentance and baptism by one having authority. If we would be free from sin, from its effects, from its power, we must obey this law which God has revealed, or we never can obtain a remission of sins. Therefore, while God has bestowed upon all men, irrespective of condition, this agency to choose good or evil, He has not and will not bestow upon the children of men a remission of sins but by their obedience to law. Therefore the whole world lies in sin and is under condemnation, inasmuch as light has come into the world and men will not avail themselves of that light to put themselves in a proper position before the Lord. And this condemnation rests with tenfold force upon all those that have yielded obedience to this law, and have once received a remission of their sins, but have returned unto sin, and have forgotten or disregarded the covenants they made in the waters of baptism. All men are blessed with the strength of their body, with the use of their mind, and with the right to exercise the faculties with which they are endowed in a way that seemeth good in their sight, without regard to religion. But God has not and will not suffer the gift of the Holy Ghost to be bestowed upon any man or woman, except through compliance with the laws of God. Therefore, no man can obtain a remission of sins; no man can obtain the gift of the Holy Ghost; no man can obtain the revelations of God; no man can obtain the Priesthood, and the rights, powers and privileges thereof; no man can become an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, except through compliance with the requirements of heaven. These are universal blessings, they are great and inestimable privileges which pertain to the Gospel and to the plan of life and salvation, which are open and free to all on certain conditions, but which no creature beneath the heavens can enjoy, but through walking in the channel that God has marked out by which they can obtain them. And these privileges and blessings when obtained may be forfeited, and perhaps lost for all eternity, unless we continue steadfast in the course that is marked out for us to pursue. It is well, in my judgment, that the Latter-day Saints do not lose sight of the great privilege that has been bestowed upon them. No man can become a citizen of the Kingdom of God but by entering in at the door: there are thousands and tens of thousands, aye millions of people who will never become citizens of the Kingdom of God in this world, because they fail to exercise the agency and the power that has been given to them in the right direction. Nevertheless, they enjoy many of the blessings that are bestowed upon the world in common. The sun shines upon the evil and the good; but the Holy Ghost descends only upon the righteous and upon those that are forgiven of their sins. The rain descends upon the evil and upon the good; but the rights of the Priesthood are conferred, and the doctrine of the Priesthood distills as the dews of heaven upon the souls of those only that receive it in God's own appointed way. The favor of heaven, the acknowledgment of the Almighty of His children upon the earth as His sons and His daughters can only be secured through obedience to the laws which He has revealed. Riches or the wealth of the world cannot purchase these things. Simon Magus desired to purchase the power to cast out devils with money, but Peter said unto him, “Thy money perish with thee.” These blessings, powers and privileges are not to be purchased but by the atonement of Christ; they are not to be obtained by personal influence, wealth, position or power, or in any other way but the direct way in which God has decreed that they should be obtained. Now, so long as the Latter-day Saints are content to obey the commandments of God, to appreciate the privileges and blessings which they enjoy in the Church, and will use their time, their talents, their substance, in honor to the name of God, to build up Zion, and to establish truth and righteousness in the earth, so long our heavenly Father is bound by His oath and covenant to protect them from every opposing foe, and to help them to overcome every obstacle that can possibly be arrayed against them or thrown in their pathway; but the moment a community begin to be wrapt up in themselves, become selfish, become engrossed in the temporalities of life, and put their faith in riches, that moment the power of God begins to withdraw from them, and if they repent not the Holy Spirit will depart from them entirely, and they will be left to themselves. That which was given them will be taken away, they will lose that which they had, for they will not be worthy of it. God is just as well as merciful, and we need not expect favors at the hand of the Almighty except as we merit them, at least in the honest desires of our hearts, and the desire and intent will not always avail unless our acts correspond. For we are engaged in a literal work, a reality; and we must practice as well as profess. We must be what God requires us to be, or else we are not His people nor the Zion which He designs to gather together and to build up in the latter days upon the earth.
I am aware that this is the last day of Conference, that there are many to speak and much to be done, therefore brevity is desirable. I find, too, that it is difficult for me to speak loud enough to be heard by this vast assembly.
I rejoice in the work of God. I have never seen a moment since I became acquainted with the principles of the Gospel when I had the least doubt in my mind of their truthfulness. I have never feared, and do not know what the feeling of fear is as to the result of this work. I know that God is able to bear it off, and that He will do it. I fear often for mankind and for myself, knowing my own weaknesses, better, perhaps, than any living being except God. I often have fears and trembling for myself when I am made to feel my own weakness and see myself as I am seen by the Lord. But as to the work of God, it cannot fail, for God has decreed its consummation; and whilst man may oppose it and his efforts fail, the work of God will never fail. Now mark it! As I have often said, the most favorable opportunity that the adversary of men's souls ever saw to destroy this work was on or before the 6th day of April, 1830; but failing to accomplish it then, notwithstanding the efforts that were put forth in this direction, failure to do so in the future must only be the more apparent. There is more to grapple with now than then. “The kingdom” has taken deeper and stronger root in the earth, and its branches have expanded and spread out into many lands. There are more people to kill off now than ever before, and we are rapidly increasing. There is no use of thinking this work will be destroyed by martyring a few of the people, although they might be our leaders. “Mormonism” is a living principle in the hearts of all true Saints, every soul of whom must be destroyed before it can be wiped out. It has been, through the overruling providences of the Almighty, allowed to grow until it has attained strength and power in the earth: and thanks be unto God, the Ruler and Maker of heaven and earth, I feel it in my very bones, that the Kingdom of God is beyond the reach and power of the devil or his agents. And in this condition it will remain, ever advancing, inasmuch as the Saints keep the law of God. If we should become corrupt and wicked, He has said that we shall be removed out of our place, and every individual who will not keep His commandments will fail. For no man can stand in this Church but upon the foundation of righteousness and truth; and whenever we undertake to build upon the foundation of error and falsehood, selfishness and sin, that moment our foundation will crumble beneath our feet; the sands will be washed away, and we will fall. But so long as this people continue faithful, God will be their friend, and He, be it remembered, is the Almighty, and this is His work. The stone representing this latter-day work, has been cut out of the mountain without hands, and will roll forth according to the decree, and no power will be able to stop its onward march. I do not feel to boast, only in the strength of our God; and I do feel from the inmost recesses of my heart to praise His holy name, and to thank Him that I have been permitted to see the Kingdom where it is today. And those who come after will live to see the consummation of the prophecies that have been uttered concerning it by ancient and modern Prophets verified and not one word will fall to the ground unfulfilled. Not one jot or tittle will pass from the law or the Prophets; but all will be fulfilled, and I am as sure of it as I am that I live. What would you or I take in exchange for this knowledge, this witness of the Spirit? Nothing could be offered that would be an equivalent; it is worth everything else in the world. It is a stay, an anchor to the soul, a comfort and a joy to the heart forever. It is with me, as it is with every man and woman that has received the knowledge of God, through the operations of the Holy Spirit, and that is true to the same—the kingdom of God or nothing; I have no more interest in the kingdom of God than any individual member of the Church. In other words, there is not a man in the kingdom of God that is capable of attaining to the glory of the celestial kingdom but has as great interest in the welfare of this work, in the consummation of the purposes of the Almighty, as I have myself, or as Brother Taylor, Brother Cannon, Brother Woodruff, or any of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve. We are all interested. Every man should feel that it is his work, his kingdom, his church, and that the principles of the Gospel are his principles, for he has embraced them and espoused them, or at least unless we have embraced the Gospel and received the principles thereof in our hearts that they have become a part of us, that we might become identified with the designs and purposes of the Almighty in the earth, we are not converted, nor are we worthy to be saved in the kingdom of God. It is written—and it is as true as that the sun shines—that except a man is willing to sacrifice every earthly tie or consideration for the Gospel's sake, he is not worthy of the kingdom, nor of Christ. This is according to the declaration of Jesus while He was upon the earth. It is the testimony of Joseph Smith, and that of all the holy Prophets since the world began, who have said anything upon this subject, that any man who is not willing to sacrifice everything else for the Gospel's sake is not worthy of it, and the day will come when he will come short; so that the sooner we are converted to the truth, the better for us and our posterity. They will receive inheritances, and the blessings of God will follow upon them through us, just as they follow upon the seed of Abraham, because of the blessings and promises bestowed upon their father Abraham. The promises were made to Abraham, and the blessing followed upon the heads of his children, and will continue unto the last generation, because the promise was made to Abraham who was worthy of it, and he will claim the promise for his posterity. So it will be with you and me. The blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been conferred upon us, and they will be inherited by our posterity if we prove worthy of the privilege, and live for it.
May God bless and help us to learn the truth and abide in it forever, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
President George Q. Cannon.
There is a spirit accompanying the testimonies that have been borne in our hearing that cannot fail to reach the hearts of the honest. We will at some time or other be judged by the testimonies we hear, and we will be condemned according to our negligence or disregard of those testimonies. God has taught us with exceeding great plainness, and has given us a constant stream of revelation and counsel. The Apostles and leaders of the people have labored and plead with this people to live so as to receive a celestial reward. So also has God labored with them to be pure and holy, worthy of the great blessings and endowments He has conferred upon them. How can this people then plead ignorance? We have been taught not to commit adultery or murder. There is a feeling of horror associated with the idea of shedding blood; blessed are we if we have the same horror of committing adultery; for that crime is next to the shedding of blood, and in the judgment day the guilty will have to pay the penalty of these sins. This is no new doctrine but is co-temporaneous with the revelation of the Gospel. God will have a pure and chaste people. But the crime I have alluded to is the besetting sin of the age, and the piteous appeals of woman outraged, oppressed, defiled, are ascending unto the ears of the Almighty. God has chosen you, my brethren, to lift up and save mankind not to destroy. Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt shall lose its savor what is it good for? Nothing but to be cast away and trodden under foot. We should teach these laws of chastity to our boys, watching over them in their tender youth that they may be kept from these gross and fatal sins. Our girls should be taught that it is better to die than lose their virtue, and the young men should learn that seduction is next in enormity to murder. God has said, you can marry my daughters and be blessed in it, but let a man seduce a woman and it damns him. Then, my young brethren and sisters, avoid these evils, for though all sins may be forgiven through repentance, who can outlive the consequences of these pernicious crimes? Even to look upon a woman with lust is an evil and a sin. If we could only realize the enormity of these crimes we would rather lose our lives than commit them. Many are led to commit evil through yielding to the influence of liquor, for no man can enjoy the Spirit of God when under its influence. There may be uses for alcohol, it may be proper in some cases, but I have no fellowship for the drunkard or the habitual user of intoxicants. The Lord is drawing the line more closely. His laws must be observed and the transgressors cannot be fellowshipped. The Elders should seek to lift the people to a higher level. This, however, an individual effort. The leaders of the Church can teach correct principles and set a good example, but the people must also seek to lift themselves up. It requires an individual effort. The work of God is increasing and the prophecies that have been and are being uttered concerning the triumph of this work will all be fulfilled. When we look at the many evils which have been introduced among us some are led to inquire whether this will always be so. Some had the impression when we came here that we would remain isolated and be free from the vices of the world. But all the circumstances by which we are surrounded are all owed for wise purposes, and the Lord has permitted these evils that we may be tested, that the unworthy may be eliminated in contending with evil. By this our strength is developed. We will battle against these things now in a small and narrow sphere, but our influence in this direction will spread until it is felt throughout the whole world. And if we cannot withstand the evils that surround us, the sooner we go down the better. But we will rise above them, and they will be overcome. I look forward with great faith to the associations organized for the training of the young—the Primaries, the Young Men and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations and the Sunday Schools. There may be some suffering and trial for us in the great struggle before us, but if we cling to Zion our future and that of our posterity is assured, and this people will always have a man to stand for them before the Lord. You men of Israel in this house to-day shall never want for a man to bear your name and represent you in the earth. Your sons will stand in the Holy Priesthood and perpetuate your line, and will be the rulers of the world, and they will enjoy with the holy ones who have fought valiantly in the cause of Zion, the glory that awaits the righteous. God bless you and help you to keep His holy commandments with your posterity after you. Amen.
There is a spirit accompanying the testimonies that have been borne in our hearing that cannot fail to reach the hearts of the honest. We will at some time or other be judged by the testimonies we hear, and we will be condemned according to our negligence or disregard of those testimonies. God has taught us with exceeding great plainness, and has given us a constant stream of revelation and counsel. The Apostles and leaders of the people have labored and plead with this people to live so as to receive a celestial reward. So also has God labored with them to be pure and holy, worthy of the great blessings and endowments He has conferred upon them. How can this people then plead ignorance? We have been taught not to commit adultery or murder. There is a feeling of horror associated with the idea of shedding blood; blessed are we if we have the same horror of committing adultery; for that crime is next to the shedding of blood, and in the judgment day the guilty will have to pay the penalty of these sins. This is no new doctrine but is co-temporaneous with the revelation of the Gospel. God will have a pure and chaste people. But the crime I have alluded to is the besetting sin of the age, and the piteous appeals of woman outraged, oppressed, defiled, are ascending unto the ears of the Almighty. God has chosen you, my brethren, to lift up and save mankind not to destroy. Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt shall lose its savor what is it good for? Nothing but to be cast away and trodden under foot. We should teach these laws of chastity to our boys, watching over them in their tender youth that they may be kept from these gross and fatal sins. Our girls should be taught that it is better to die than lose their virtue, and the young men should learn that seduction is next in enormity to murder. God has said, you can marry my daughters and be blessed in it, but let a man seduce a woman and it damns him. Then, my young brethren and sisters, avoid these evils, for though all sins may be forgiven through repentance, who can outlive the consequences of these pernicious crimes? Even to look upon a woman with lust is an evil and a sin. If we could only realize the enormity of these crimes we would rather lose our lives than commit them. Many are led to commit evil through yielding to the influence of liquor, for no man can enjoy the Spirit of God when under its influence. There may be uses for alcohol, it may be proper in some cases, but I have no fellowship for the drunkard or the habitual user of intoxicants. The Lord is drawing the line more closely. His laws must be observed and the transgressors cannot be fellowshipped. The Elders should seek to lift the people to a higher level. This, however, an individual effort. The leaders of the Church can teach correct principles and set a good example, but the people must also seek to lift themselves up. It requires an individual effort. The work of God is increasing and the prophecies that have been and are being uttered concerning the triumph of this work will all be fulfilled. When we look at the many evils which have been introduced among us some are led to inquire whether this will always be so. Some had the impression when we came here that we would remain isolated and be free from the vices of the world. But all the circumstances by which we are surrounded are all owed for wise purposes, and the Lord has permitted these evils that we may be tested, that the unworthy may be eliminated in contending with evil. By this our strength is developed. We will battle against these things now in a small and narrow sphere, but our influence in this direction will spread until it is felt throughout the whole world. And if we cannot withstand the evils that surround us, the sooner we go down the better. But we will rise above them, and they will be overcome. I look forward with great faith to the associations organized for the training of the young—the Primaries, the Young Men and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations and the Sunday Schools. There may be some suffering and trial for us in the great struggle before us, but if we cling to Zion our future and that of our posterity is assured, and this people will always have a man to stand for them before the Lord. You men of Israel in this house to-day shall never want for a man to bear your name and represent you in the earth. Your sons will stand in the Holy Priesthood and perpetuate your line, and will be the rulers of the world, and they will enjoy with the holy ones who have fought valiantly in the cause of Zion, the glory that awaits the righteous. God bless you and help you to keep His holy commandments with your posterity after you. Amen.
Discourse
By President Geo. Q. Cannon
The testimonies which have been borne in our hearing during this Conference have been such that in listening to them my heart has, it has seemed at times, almost melted within me, and I have difficulty in controlling my feelings. There is an influence and a spirit accompanying the testimonies of the servants of God which carries conviction into the hearts of all those who are willing to receive them in the truth and in the spirit in which they are given. The Lord has graciously poured out His Holy Spirit upon the people, and He has poured it out in power upon His servants. Their testimonies will live. Mankind will yet be judged by them. Every Latter-day Saint who has heard the testimony this morning of the servant of God who has spoken unto us, and every Latter-day Saint who has at any time during these days of Conference—or during our meetings or any meetings that have been held—heard these testimonies, who has heard the word of the Lord proclaimed in the power in the power and in the demonstration of the Holy Ghost—I say every Latter-day Saint who has thus heard will at some time or other be judged by these words will stand before the judgment seat of Christ against them, and their condemnation will be according to their disregard of these words. And in view of this we ought to tremble, we ought to be filled with that feeling which Brother Joseph F. Smith says he has experienced and which he does experience—our nothingness, our unworthiness, our sinfulness in the presence of a great and holy Being like our God.
God has made plain from the beginning of this work, unto those who would listen to Him, His law. He has taught us with exceeding great plainness. There has been no lack of teaching, of counsel, or of exhortation, for there has been a constant stream of revelation and instruction and counsel from the commencement of this work until this day. The leaders of this Church, the Apostles of the Lamb, have arisen early and have labored late, pleading with this people, pleading with them with all the earnestness of their souls, with all the strength that God has given unto them, to turn from their sins to righteousness, and to live so that they will be counted worthy to enter into the celestial kingdom of our God; and not only have they pleaded, but God has pleaded through His Holy Spirit; God has visited this people and by manifestations of the Holy Ghost. He has touched their hearts, He has aroused their consciences, He has entreated them by night and by day—when they would listen to His voice—in the same manner to put away their sins, to be pure, to be holy, to be worthy, of the great blessings and endowments that He has had ready to pour out upon them, and which He has in fact bestowed upon them. How can we stand before the judgment seat of our God and plead ignorance for sins that we may have committed? How can the adulterer in this church, the fornicator, and the man who commits other sins, stand before the judgment seat of our God and plead ignorance? We have been taught from the beginning concerning these crimes. We have been taught how sinful it is to commit murder, to shed blood, and the hearts of those who have been thus taught shrink with horror from the bare contemplation of shedding their fellow creature’s blood. Has there been a similar feeling respecting adultery and lasciviousness? If there has, then blessed are the people who have had that same feeling of horror at the thought of committing themselves in lasciviousness that they do have when they think about shedding blood, for there is only a difference of degree in the crimes. The adulterer commits the greatest sin next to murder that can be committed by a human being, according to the word of the Lord to us. The man who commits sin with his neighbor’s wife, the man who seduces the innocent, who takes advantage of the unwary, who by his fascination or attraction or by persuasion, or by the power which God has given him for a righteous purpose—the man who uses that to degrade his sister, the daughter of God, commits the next greatest crime in the catalogue of crime in the sight of God, to the shedding of innocent blood. And God has proclaimed this from the beginning unto this people, and He has put us under the most solemn obligations concerning these great crimes, and in the judgment day of God Almighty we shall be held accountable for our transgression of these laws; we shall have to pay the penalty of these sins if we are guilty of them. Now, the servants of God have plead with this people from the beginning upon these matters. It is not a new doctrine that is being taught to-day. It is as old as the gospel itself. Its existence was contemporaneous with the gospel, for it is one of the eternal laws of the gospel of the Son of God. God will have a pure people; God will have a chaste people; God will have a virtuous people; that is the kind of people that He is choosing. It is the great crime to-day of our age—this crime to which I am now alluding. It is the great and crying sin of this generation. The cry ascends from the earth to the heavens. Woman is being trampled upon; woman is victimized; woman is being defiled and destroyed by man, and her cry, though it may be stifled in the ears of man, yet it ascends in piteous appeals unto the God of heaven; in piteous appeals from every land under the sun does the cry of those down-trodden and defiled sisters ascend unto God against this generation. And they will be heard, too, and visited with vengeance in the due time of the Lord upon those who have caused those cries thus to ascend. And God has chosen you, my brethren, out of the world for the purpose of saving the world. He has chosen you as the salt of the earth. He has chosen you to save mankind, to stand at the head as the saviors of woman. That is part of our mission, to be the salt, as I have said, of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, wherewithal shall it be salted? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trodden under foot of man. That is all it is good for if it loses its savor.
We have reason to be thankful to our Father and God, that He has in His abundant mercies and goodness revealed unto us His law concerning these matters. We should teach these laws to our children, to our boys, that when in their youth and in the strength of their passions they shall not yield to temptation and commit acts that will have a damning effect upon them throughout the remainder of the careers. We should watch them in their tender youth. We should instil into them lessons of purity. We should care for them with all the wisdom that God has given us; and our daughters likewise, and have our daughters feel that rather than part with their virtue they will part with their life; that their virtue is more precious than life.
God has done everything for us that He can do. He has said to us through His servants, “Go to and marry my daughters, you can take them in wedlock; you go to and raise up a righteous posterity, an honorable seed in the earth; I give you this privilege.” He opens the door in that direction, and any man who has entered in at that door, who has taken wives, is held guiltless before God. They are the men whom God has blessed; they are the men whom God has honored; they are the Prophets, they are the Apostles, they are the High Priests and Seventies; they are full of the Holy Ghost according to their faithfulness in keeping His commandments; but the men who seduce, the men who commit adultery, the men who defile women, God damns them, He withdraws His spirit from them; His power is taken from them. You see the line of distinction; it is drawn, and it is drawn clearly. A man may be apparently close to the line, and if he keeps within it he is safe; but let him overstep that line and he becomes a subject of condemnation through transgressing the law.
Now let us be warned in time. You young men—and there are hundreds in this congregation—be warned in time, and bring not sin upon your souls and damnation upon your heads by transgressing this law of God. You young ladies, keep yourselves pure as angels, and value your purity as you would if you were angels of God, and so live that the Holy Ghost may descend upon you; for all other things are of trifling moment compared with this. This, it is true, can be repented of; by deep and heartfelt repentance man can obtain forgiveness of sin of every kind, for God is a God of mercy. But who can outlive the consequence of sin; who can blot out the fact of having committed each sin? Better far to be free from it, and not to even look upon a woman to lust after her; for God has said, he that does it shall deny the faith unless he repents. Let us be warned, my brethren. Fast if it be necessary. Fast and pray until you obtain power to subdue your passions and bring them into subjection to the law of God, that holiness may be written upon us and dwell within us. I wish that all our people could realize these things, could see them as they are. I am sure if they could only understand the terrible consequence of committing a sin of this character they would rather go to their death than be guilty of it.
And then again to reference to the habit of getting drunk. I have known men who have fallen into the commission of this crime to which I refer through yielding to drunkenness. They become filled with the spirit of liquor, get drunk and under the influence of that, do things that they have sorrowed for during the remainder of their lives. Now I tell you, as a servant of God, that no man who is an habitual drunkard can have the Spirit of God dwelling with him. The spirit of intoxication and the Spirit of God will not co-exist in the same bosom. I do not mean to say that there are not times when alcohol may be used with profit as a medicine. I have never taken that ground. But the habitual use of alcoholic drinks is contrary to the law of God, and to the law of the church. I do not speak for all upon this matter, but I cannot, as one, fellowship in my feelings an habitual drunkard. I know that the Spirit of God will not dwell with him, and sooner or later he will be led astray, and do things that will carry him out of the church if he should live long enough.
We must be a pure and holy people. God requires this of us. Whether you see it or not it is plain to me, that God is requiring of us a higher standard of purity than heretofore. Fifty-three years have now passed since this church was organized; and it is certainly right and proper that we should be a better people than we were fifty-three years ago; that we should not reach a higher standard of excellence than we did at that time. To me this is so plain that it seems unnecessary to state it. God is operating with us, and He is listening to our prayers to an extent that, it seems to me, He never did before. This people are advancing; that is, a certain portion of them are; and that portion are going on in the path that God has marked out; they are striving to attain to the celestial glory, and God is blessing them to a wonderful extent, and He will continue to do so.
We must, as Elders of Israel, labor to uplift the whole mass of the people; and this is a great, yet glorious work, to raise to a higher standard of excellence, a whole people such as we are, with our weaknesses and follies. Yet this is the labor God requires of us; and this is the labor that devolves upon us. This is also a work of individual effort. The leading men of the church cannot lift the people; they cannot take hold of them bodily and compel them to obey the laws of God; they can only use their moral influence through example and precept to this end, and this is what each man and woman can do; and this is what all must do to be completely successful.
We are on the eve of great changes. God is about to work a great work through us, and in doing it he will bring us to the front. You will see the mighty power of God displayed in our behalf to an extent that you never have seen. This work is going forward with a rapidity that many of us cannot conceive of. God is working with us and through us, and through his Elders who are abroad and among the nations. The predictions made by the servants of God during this conference, and this morning by Brother Joseph F. Smith, respecting this work, will all be fulfilled. It will go forward, there is no power that can arrest its onward progress on the earth.
The question frequently arises with the Saints, how is it that we are so mixed up as we are at the present time with evil? Salt Lake City—with its gambling houses, houses of ill-fame, with its drinking saloons and its many temptations, so like a city of Zion—some Saints wonder why this is, and how long it will continue to be.
“Is it possible that we are going to be overpowered by the wicked? Are they going to take possession of our place? Are they going to control us, and will we be compelled to live in this condition always? When we left Babylon to come here, we supposed it would be Zion indeed.”
There are serious questions that present themselves doubtless to many minds; and people wonder how these things can be. Let me say to you that God, our Eternal Father, is watching over this people. There is nothing that is taking place here; there is nothing connected with the condition of society in our city, nor in all our Territory, that is not known to our God, and that He does not control, and that He does not permit for a wise purpose in Him.
We are in the world, and in one sense it may be said a part of the world. I know that the idea prevailed in early days that we should be secluded from the world, and that we should grow to power, and march forth from our seclusion into the full light of day, as the dominant power. Many did not foresee such a condition of things as now surrounds us. They did not expect this. They thought when we came to these mountains we should be secluded until the great promises considering the full glory of Zion should be fulfilled. But here we are surrounded by these adverse influences. And what are the effects to follow this state of affairs, and what is the design of God in permitting this? The effects are, and the design is, to test the people of God; to prove them; to eliminate from them that which is not of God; and to give us a better understanding of our own weakness, also of our own strength. We must struggle with these evils; we must acquire power sufficient to contend successfully with them in this limited arena like Salt Lake City, and like the Territory of Utah. We have to contest every inch of the ground, test our strength, test our ability, test our wisdom, and bring every power of our minds into full play, right here in this small arena until, conscious of our strength, in full possession of our powers, and convinced that we have strength that others do not have, we shall enlarge the arena, cope with more extended and more potent influence, and gradually enlarge and spread, until the kingdom of our God, instead of being confined to this Territory of Utah, shall enclose the continent. Thus, through the power that God will give unto us, we shall enlarge the circle of our influence, spread abroad, and this people make themselves felt in every ramification and in every department. That is the labor that devolves upon us now. We have to contend for our rights in the courts; we have to contend for them in Congress; we have to contend for them everywhere; and in the contest our powers will be developed; and we will prove to the world that we have the power that God has said He would give unto us, and that we claim as His servants. We do not intend, therefore, to shrink from this contest. If there are systems which will not endure contact with such evils as exist in Salt Lake City, ours is not included among them. Ours will endure; as to that we have nothing to fear. If we be true to ourselves and our principles we will conquer, and will succeed, and spread abroad and nothing can prevent us.
It is liquor shops to-day, gambling saloons to-day, houses of ill fame to-day. These are the evils which confront us, and which furnish allurements for vice to our children. But we will overcome them, and will cope with greater evils, and will overcome them; and we will show the world that We have principles that can stand the test of time, and can withstand all the evil influences that can be brought against them. If we must rear our children in the midst of these, then let them rise superior to them. We cannot enclose our children in glass houses. We cannot exempt our children, as Brother Carrington said yesterday, from the temptations of the world. They have to meet them as we have met them; they have to resist them as we have resisted them; they have to rise above them, and I trust we have risen above or shall rise above them. We are learning how to do this,--how to train our children. I am looking forward to such a development of wisdom, strength and skill in the midst of this people, through the aid of the Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young Men and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Associations, and the quorums of the Priesthood—I am looking forward for such an increase of wisdom and power that the development and training of our children will be a matter almost of perfect safety in the midst of all these hostile influences. Still we have to come against these wicked things, the literature of the age and all the ... that abound—we have to come against these, and to teach our children to shun them.
Well, now, what about Zion? Is Zion prospering? Yes, Zion is going forward, fulfiling the destiny that God has predicted concerning it, and every faithful man and woman who remains connected to this church—and all faithful men and women will remain connected with it—will share in the glorious triumph of Zion. There is some suffering to endure. What about that? We have to wash ourselves white in the blood of the Lamb. I have come up through much tribulation. We have to endure in order to receive the order of glory that awaits us. And if we cling to Zion, if we cling to the glorious principles that God has revealed for our salvation, our exaltation and that of our posterity, He assures us. And I can predict to the people who are here listening to-day, who are faithful, will you want a man, possessed of the Holy Priesthood, to stand before the Lamb from this time forward, so long as time shall last. Here are men in this congregation to-day, here are women whose posterity shall possess the earth and be rulers among the children of men in ages to come throughout the great millennium upon which we are not embarking. Your seed, if you are faithful, can have this glory; and I promise this to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. No faithful man among you will ever lack a man to represent him before the Lord from this time forward. In every generation your seed will be found standing up in the full light of heaven before the Great Eternal, possessing of the Holy Priesthood, as members of our God and as a mighty army in the kingdom of God. Let us be, therefore, for this blessing. Let us prove ourselves worth of it that our names may be found among the names of the holy and the sanctified and the ... that in the morning of the resurrection we may come forward clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives; with Jesus, with Joseph, with Hyrum, with Brigham, and with the host of the holy ones who before fought the good fight valiantly to the end; which may God grand us in the name of Jesus. Amen.
By President Geo. Q. Cannon
The testimonies which have been borne in our hearing during this Conference have been such that in listening to them my heart has, it has seemed at times, almost melted within me, and I have difficulty in controlling my feelings. There is an influence and a spirit accompanying the testimonies of the servants of God which carries conviction into the hearts of all those who are willing to receive them in the truth and in the spirit in which they are given. The Lord has graciously poured out His Holy Spirit upon the people, and He has poured it out in power upon His servants. Their testimonies will live. Mankind will yet be judged by them. Every Latter-day Saint who has heard the testimony this morning of the servant of God who has spoken unto us, and every Latter-day Saint who has at any time during these days of Conference—or during our meetings or any meetings that have been held—heard these testimonies, who has heard the word of the Lord proclaimed in the power in the power and in the demonstration of the Holy Ghost—I say every Latter-day Saint who has thus heard will at some time or other be judged by these words will stand before the judgment seat of Christ against them, and their condemnation will be according to their disregard of these words. And in view of this we ought to tremble, we ought to be filled with that feeling which Brother Joseph F. Smith says he has experienced and which he does experience—our nothingness, our unworthiness, our sinfulness in the presence of a great and holy Being like our God.
God has made plain from the beginning of this work, unto those who would listen to Him, His law. He has taught us with exceeding great plainness. There has been no lack of teaching, of counsel, or of exhortation, for there has been a constant stream of revelation and instruction and counsel from the commencement of this work until this day. The leaders of this Church, the Apostles of the Lamb, have arisen early and have labored late, pleading with this people, pleading with them with all the earnestness of their souls, with all the strength that God has given unto them, to turn from their sins to righteousness, and to live so that they will be counted worthy to enter into the celestial kingdom of our God; and not only have they pleaded, but God has pleaded through His Holy Spirit; God has visited this people and by manifestations of the Holy Ghost. He has touched their hearts, He has aroused their consciences, He has entreated them by night and by day—when they would listen to His voice—in the same manner to put away their sins, to be pure, to be holy, to be worthy, of the great blessings and endowments that He has had ready to pour out upon them, and which He has in fact bestowed upon them. How can we stand before the judgment seat of our God and plead ignorance for sins that we may have committed? How can the adulterer in this church, the fornicator, and the man who commits other sins, stand before the judgment seat of our God and plead ignorance? We have been taught from the beginning concerning these crimes. We have been taught how sinful it is to commit murder, to shed blood, and the hearts of those who have been thus taught shrink with horror from the bare contemplation of shedding their fellow creature’s blood. Has there been a similar feeling respecting adultery and lasciviousness? If there has, then blessed are the people who have had that same feeling of horror at the thought of committing themselves in lasciviousness that they do have when they think about shedding blood, for there is only a difference of degree in the crimes. The adulterer commits the greatest sin next to murder that can be committed by a human being, according to the word of the Lord to us. The man who commits sin with his neighbor’s wife, the man who seduces the innocent, who takes advantage of the unwary, who by his fascination or attraction or by persuasion, or by the power which God has given him for a righteous purpose—the man who uses that to degrade his sister, the daughter of God, commits the next greatest crime in the catalogue of crime in the sight of God, to the shedding of innocent blood. And God has proclaimed this from the beginning unto this people, and He has put us under the most solemn obligations concerning these great crimes, and in the judgment day of God Almighty we shall be held accountable for our transgression of these laws; we shall have to pay the penalty of these sins if we are guilty of them. Now, the servants of God have plead with this people from the beginning upon these matters. It is not a new doctrine that is being taught to-day. It is as old as the gospel itself. Its existence was contemporaneous with the gospel, for it is one of the eternal laws of the gospel of the Son of God. God will have a pure people; God will have a chaste people; God will have a virtuous people; that is the kind of people that He is choosing. It is the great crime to-day of our age—this crime to which I am now alluding. It is the great and crying sin of this generation. The cry ascends from the earth to the heavens. Woman is being trampled upon; woman is victimized; woman is being defiled and destroyed by man, and her cry, though it may be stifled in the ears of man, yet it ascends in piteous appeals unto the God of heaven; in piteous appeals from every land under the sun does the cry of those down-trodden and defiled sisters ascend unto God against this generation. And they will be heard, too, and visited with vengeance in the due time of the Lord upon those who have caused those cries thus to ascend. And God has chosen you, my brethren, out of the world for the purpose of saving the world. He has chosen you as the salt of the earth. He has chosen you to save mankind, to stand at the head as the saviors of woman. That is part of our mission, to be the salt, as I have said, of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, wherewithal shall it be salted? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trodden under foot of man. That is all it is good for if it loses its savor.
We have reason to be thankful to our Father and God, that He has in His abundant mercies and goodness revealed unto us His law concerning these matters. We should teach these laws to our children, to our boys, that when in their youth and in the strength of their passions they shall not yield to temptation and commit acts that will have a damning effect upon them throughout the remainder of the careers. We should watch them in their tender youth. We should instil into them lessons of purity. We should care for them with all the wisdom that God has given us; and our daughters likewise, and have our daughters feel that rather than part with their virtue they will part with their life; that their virtue is more precious than life.
God has done everything for us that He can do. He has said to us through His servants, “Go to and marry my daughters, you can take them in wedlock; you go to and raise up a righteous posterity, an honorable seed in the earth; I give you this privilege.” He opens the door in that direction, and any man who has entered in at that door, who has taken wives, is held guiltless before God. They are the men whom God has blessed; they are the men whom God has honored; they are the Prophets, they are the Apostles, they are the High Priests and Seventies; they are full of the Holy Ghost according to their faithfulness in keeping His commandments; but the men who seduce, the men who commit adultery, the men who defile women, God damns them, He withdraws His spirit from them; His power is taken from them. You see the line of distinction; it is drawn, and it is drawn clearly. A man may be apparently close to the line, and if he keeps within it he is safe; but let him overstep that line and he becomes a subject of condemnation through transgressing the law.
Now let us be warned in time. You young men—and there are hundreds in this congregation—be warned in time, and bring not sin upon your souls and damnation upon your heads by transgressing this law of God. You young ladies, keep yourselves pure as angels, and value your purity as you would if you were angels of God, and so live that the Holy Ghost may descend upon you; for all other things are of trifling moment compared with this. This, it is true, can be repented of; by deep and heartfelt repentance man can obtain forgiveness of sin of every kind, for God is a God of mercy. But who can outlive the consequence of sin; who can blot out the fact of having committed each sin? Better far to be free from it, and not to even look upon a woman to lust after her; for God has said, he that does it shall deny the faith unless he repents. Let us be warned, my brethren. Fast if it be necessary. Fast and pray until you obtain power to subdue your passions and bring them into subjection to the law of God, that holiness may be written upon us and dwell within us. I wish that all our people could realize these things, could see them as they are. I am sure if they could only understand the terrible consequence of committing a sin of this character they would rather go to their death than be guilty of it.
And then again to reference to the habit of getting drunk. I have known men who have fallen into the commission of this crime to which I refer through yielding to drunkenness. They become filled with the spirit of liquor, get drunk and under the influence of that, do things that they have sorrowed for during the remainder of their lives. Now I tell you, as a servant of God, that no man who is an habitual drunkard can have the Spirit of God dwelling with him. The spirit of intoxication and the Spirit of God will not co-exist in the same bosom. I do not mean to say that there are not times when alcohol may be used with profit as a medicine. I have never taken that ground. But the habitual use of alcoholic drinks is contrary to the law of God, and to the law of the church. I do not speak for all upon this matter, but I cannot, as one, fellowship in my feelings an habitual drunkard. I know that the Spirit of God will not dwell with him, and sooner or later he will be led astray, and do things that will carry him out of the church if he should live long enough.
We must be a pure and holy people. God requires this of us. Whether you see it or not it is plain to me, that God is requiring of us a higher standard of purity than heretofore. Fifty-three years have now passed since this church was organized; and it is certainly right and proper that we should be a better people than we were fifty-three years ago; that we should not reach a higher standard of excellence than we did at that time. To me this is so plain that it seems unnecessary to state it. God is operating with us, and He is listening to our prayers to an extent that, it seems to me, He never did before. This people are advancing; that is, a certain portion of them are; and that portion are going on in the path that God has marked out; they are striving to attain to the celestial glory, and God is blessing them to a wonderful extent, and He will continue to do so.
We must, as Elders of Israel, labor to uplift the whole mass of the people; and this is a great, yet glorious work, to raise to a higher standard of excellence, a whole people such as we are, with our weaknesses and follies. Yet this is the labor God requires of us; and this is the labor that devolves upon us. This is also a work of individual effort. The leading men of the church cannot lift the people; they cannot take hold of them bodily and compel them to obey the laws of God; they can only use their moral influence through example and precept to this end, and this is what each man and woman can do; and this is what all must do to be completely successful.
We are on the eve of great changes. God is about to work a great work through us, and in doing it he will bring us to the front. You will see the mighty power of God displayed in our behalf to an extent that you never have seen. This work is going forward with a rapidity that many of us cannot conceive of. God is working with us and through us, and through his Elders who are abroad and among the nations. The predictions made by the servants of God during this conference, and this morning by Brother Joseph F. Smith, respecting this work, will all be fulfilled. It will go forward, there is no power that can arrest its onward progress on the earth.
The question frequently arises with the Saints, how is it that we are so mixed up as we are at the present time with evil? Salt Lake City—with its gambling houses, houses of ill-fame, with its drinking saloons and its many temptations, so like a city of Zion—some Saints wonder why this is, and how long it will continue to be.
“Is it possible that we are going to be overpowered by the wicked? Are they going to take possession of our place? Are they going to control us, and will we be compelled to live in this condition always? When we left Babylon to come here, we supposed it would be Zion indeed.”
There are serious questions that present themselves doubtless to many minds; and people wonder how these things can be. Let me say to you that God, our Eternal Father, is watching over this people. There is nothing that is taking place here; there is nothing connected with the condition of society in our city, nor in all our Territory, that is not known to our God, and that He does not control, and that He does not permit for a wise purpose in Him.
We are in the world, and in one sense it may be said a part of the world. I know that the idea prevailed in early days that we should be secluded from the world, and that we should grow to power, and march forth from our seclusion into the full light of day, as the dominant power. Many did not foresee such a condition of things as now surrounds us. They did not expect this. They thought when we came to these mountains we should be secluded until the great promises considering the full glory of Zion should be fulfilled. But here we are surrounded by these adverse influences. And what are the effects to follow this state of affairs, and what is the design of God in permitting this? The effects are, and the design is, to test the people of God; to prove them; to eliminate from them that which is not of God; and to give us a better understanding of our own weakness, also of our own strength. We must struggle with these evils; we must acquire power sufficient to contend successfully with them in this limited arena like Salt Lake City, and like the Territory of Utah. We have to contest every inch of the ground, test our strength, test our ability, test our wisdom, and bring every power of our minds into full play, right here in this small arena until, conscious of our strength, in full possession of our powers, and convinced that we have strength that others do not have, we shall enlarge the arena, cope with more extended and more potent influence, and gradually enlarge and spread, until the kingdom of our God, instead of being confined to this Territory of Utah, shall enclose the continent. Thus, through the power that God will give unto us, we shall enlarge the circle of our influence, spread abroad, and this people make themselves felt in every ramification and in every department. That is the labor that devolves upon us now. We have to contend for our rights in the courts; we have to contend for them in Congress; we have to contend for them everywhere; and in the contest our powers will be developed; and we will prove to the world that we have the power that God has said He would give unto us, and that we claim as His servants. We do not intend, therefore, to shrink from this contest. If there are systems which will not endure contact with such evils as exist in Salt Lake City, ours is not included among them. Ours will endure; as to that we have nothing to fear. If we be true to ourselves and our principles we will conquer, and will succeed, and spread abroad and nothing can prevent us.
It is liquor shops to-day, gambling saloons to-day, houses of ill fame to-day. These are the evils which confront us, and which furnish allurements for vice to our children. But we will overcome them, and will cope with greater evils, and will overcome them; and we will show the world that We have principles that can stand the test of time, and can withstand all the evil influences that can be brought against them. If we must rear our children in the midst of these, then let them rise superior to them. We cannot enclose our children in glass houses. We cannot exempt our children, as Brother Carrington said yesterday, from the temptations of the world. They have to meet them as we have met them; they have to resist them as we have resisted them; they have to rise above them, and I trust we have risen above or shall rise above them. We are learning how to do this,--how to train our children. I am looking forward to such a development of wisdom, strength and skill in the midst of this people, through the aid of the Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young Men and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Associations, and the quorums of the Priesthood—I am looking forward for such an increase of wisdom and power that the development and training of our children will be a matter almost of perfect safety in the midst of all these hostile influences. Still we have to come against these wicked things, the literature of the age and all the ... that abound—we have to come against these, and to teach our children to shun them.
Well, now, what about Zion? Is Zion prospering? Yes, Zion is going forward, fulfiling the destiny that God has predicted concerning it, and every faithful man and woman who remains connected to this church—and all faithful men and women will remain connected with it—will share in the glorious triumph of Zion. There is some suffering to endure. What about that? We have to wash ourselves white in the blood of the Lamb. I have come up through much tribulation. We have to endure in order to receive the order of glory that awaits us. And if we cling to Zion, if we cling to the glorious principles that God has revealed for our salvation, our exaltation and that of our posterity, He assures us. And I can predict to the people who are here listening to-day, who are faithful, will you want a man, possessed of the Holy Priesthood, to stand before the Lamb from this time forward, so long as time shall last. Here are men in this congregation to-day, here are women whose posterity shall possess the earth and be rulers among the children of men in ages to come throughout the great millennium upon which we are not embarking. Your seed, if you are faithful, can have this glory; and I promise this to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. No faithful man among you will ever lack a man to represent him before the Lord from this time forward. In every generation your seed will be found standing up in the full light of heaven before the Great Eternal, possessing of the Holy Priesthood, as members of our God and as a mighty army in the kingdom of God. Let us be, therefore, for this blessing. Let us prove ourselves worth of it that our names may be found among the names of the holy and the sanctified and the ... that in the morning of the resurrection we may come forward clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives; with Jesus, with Joseph, with Hyrum, with Brigham, and with the host of the holy ones who before fought the good fight valiantly to the end; which may God grand us in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Elder F. M. Lyman.
The testimonies borne at this Conference have found a response in the hearts of the people, and will never be forgotten. The Lord has been with the people. Not one commandment has been revealed but is necessary to complete the salvation of men. They are not understood by the world and only partially so by the Saints. When the first principles were taught to us we comprehended them imperfectly. Yet here is a congregation such as cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Twelve thousand or more people who have been converted and brought to the knowledge of the truth and gathered from many nations by the power of God. Not by the wisdom or philosophy of man, but by the revelations and workings of the Almighty. The Lord laid the foundation of this work as soon by the prophets of old. God the Father accompanied by His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and commenced this latter day work. This is why the world cannot overcome it, and why it will endure and spread abroad and stand forever. And the testimonies of the servants of God are binding upon this generation as the word of the Lord, spoke by His authority. This is my testimony, and that we may be faithful and our posterity after us to endure and obtain full salvation in His Kingdom is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock.
The choir sang the anthem: Mighty Jehovah.
Benediction by Elder A. O. Smoot.
The testimonies borne at this Conference have found a response in the hearts of the people, and will never be forgotten. The Lord has been with the people. Not one commandment has been revealed but is necessary to complete the salvation of men. They are not understood by the world and only partially so by the Saints. When the first principles were taught to us we comprehended them imperfectly. Yet here is a congregation such as cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Twelve thousand or more people who have been converted and brought to the knowledge of the truth and gathered from many nations by the power of God. Not by the wisdom or philosophy of man, but by the revelations and workings of the Almighty. The Lord laid the foundation of this work as soon by the prophets of old. God the Father accompanied by His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and commenced this latter day work. This is why the world cannot overcome it, and why it will endure and spread abroad and stand forever. And the testimonies of the servants of God are binding upon this generation as the word of the Lord, spoke by His authority. This is my testimony, and that we may be faithful and our posterity after us to endure and obtain full salvation in His Kingdom is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock.
The choir sang the anthem: Mighty Jehovah.
Benediction by Elder A. O. Smoot.
Sunday, 2 p.m.
The choir sang: From all that dwell beneath the skies Let the Creator’s praise arise.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
The choir sung: Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints, How sweet to my soul is communion with Saints.
The Priesthood of the 7th Ward administered the Sacrament.
The choir sang: From all that dwell beneath the skies Let the Creator’s praise arise.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
The choir sung: Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints, How sweet to my soul is communion with Saints.
The Priesthood of the 7th Ward administered the Sacrament.
President George Q. Cannon
then presented the general authorities of the Church, all of whom were unanimously sustained as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant.
John W. Young was presented as one of the Counselors to the Twelve Apostles.
then presented the general authorities of the Church, all of whom were unanimously sustained as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant.
John W. Young was presented as one of the Counselors to the Twelve Apostles.
President John Taylor.
In reference to the motion to sustain Elder John W. Young as a Counselor to the Twelve, I wish to say that Brother John W. Young has been for some time past engaged in a variety of secular enterprise, and has done but little towards fulfilling his calling as Counselor to the Twelve. There has been a variety of feelings existing among the Saints in relation to this matter. The Twelve have looked into some complaints that had reached their ears associated with him and his business relations, and in talking over the matter with some of them, they have expressed themselves, that after summing up every thing, they are satisfied that the feelings of Brother John W. are in the main right, and that although he has done but little of late by way of acting in his place and calling, they stated that he manifested a desire to magnify his calling and pursue such a course as should be acceptable to his quorum and to the Church. Since then, I have conversed with Brother John W., and he has expressed his feelings to me in the same way, and I think it quite proper to invite him to express his views to the Conference assembled. There are many traits in Brother John W. Young’s character that I admire very much, and then again there are things which exhibit the weakness of human nature. My feelings are, however, akin to the advice given to a certain husband respecting his wife, namely, “Be to her faults a little blind, and to her virtues very kind.” That feeling I wish to cherish, and especially so towards our Brother John W., the son of President Brigham Young, whose services and life are known and appreciated by the Saints of God. Brother John W. after acknowledging his imperfections and weaknesses, expressed to me his faith in the Gospel and his desire to work in accord with his brethren and to magnify his calling as a Counselor to the Twelve. We will now hear from him.
In reference to the motion to sustain Elder John W. Young as a Counselor to the Twelve, I wish to say that Brother John W. Young has been for some time past engaged in a variety of secular enterprise, and has done but little towards fulfilling his calling as Counselor to the Twelve. There has been a variety of feelings existing among the Saints in relation to this matter. The Twelve have looked into some complaints that had reached their ears associated with him and his business relations, and in talking over the matter with some of them, they have expressed themselves, that after summing up every thing, they are satisfied that the feelings of Brother John W. are in the main right, and that although he has done but little of late by way of acting in his place and calling, they stated that he manifested a desire to magnify his calling and pursue such a course as should be acceptable to his quorum and to the Church. Since then, I have conversed with Brother John W., and he has expressed his feelings to me in the same way, and I think it quite proper to invite him to express his views to the Conference assembled. There are many traits in Brother John W. Young’s character that I admire very much, and then again there are things which exhibit the weakness of human nature. My feelings are, however, akin to the advice given to a certain husband respecting his wife, namely, “Be to her faults a little blind, and to her virtues very kind.” That feeling I wish to cherish, and especially so towards our Brother John W., the son of President Brigham Young, whose services and life are known and appreciated by the Saints of God. Brother John W. after acknowledging his imperfections and weaknesses, expressed to me his faith in the Gospel and his desire to work in accord with his brethren and to magnify his calling as a Counselor to the Twelve. We will now hear from him.
Elder John W. Young.
I do not arise before you this afternoon to be heard for my much speaking, but to bear my testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And for this opportunity I thank my Heavenly Father and my brethren and this people, for I have a testimony to bear. I know that this is the work of God upon the earth, and that He has inspired His servants; and who among all the vast assembly that was present at this morning’s meeting can say that the Spirit and power of God was not with those brethren who spoke unto us? Who can say that God has not been with this Conference, that He has not inspired the words of those who have spoken to this people? I know God has been with this Conference, that he has been with those who have addressed this people. And I wish to say to my brethren and sisters that I desire to work in full accord with my brethren, for my heart is in this work. I love the Church and Kingdom of God, and wherein I have erred I humbly crave your pardon and that of my brethren. We all have our weaknesses; but thank God that weakness has not come to me to doubt for one moment the testimony of Jesus Christ. That God may be with us, that He may continue to inspire the hearts of our brethren, that we may work with one accord in this great and glorious work; and that we may prove ourselves humble and faithful and true to our covenants is my prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.
I do not arise before you this afternoon to be heard for my much speaking, but to bear my testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And for this opportunity I thank my Heavenly Father and my brethren and this people, for I have a testimony to bear. I know that this is the work of God upon the earth, and that He has inspired His servants; and who among all the vast assembly that was present at this morning’s meeting can say that the Spirit and power of God was not with those brethren who spoke unto us? Who can say that God has not been with this Conference, that He has not inspired the words of those who have spoken to this people? I know God has been with this Conference, that he has been with those who have addressed this people. And I wish to say to my brethren and sisters that I desire to work in full accord with my brethren, for my heart is in this work. I love the Church and Kingdom of God, and wherein I have erred I humbly crave your pardon and that of my brethren. We all have our weaknesses; but thank God that weakness has not come to me to doubt for one moment the testimony of Jesus Christ. That God may be with us, that He may continue to inspire the hearts of our brethren, that we may work with one accord in this great and glorious work; and that we may prove ourselves humble and faithful and true to our covenants is my prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The following were then also unanimously sustained by vote of the Conference:
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Wm. W. Taylor, Abraham H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious 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 Counselors and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, for the gathering of the Poor, and Franklin D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom, as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee—Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Wm. W. Taylor, Abraham H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious 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 Counselors and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, for the gathering of the Poor, and Franklin D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom, as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee—Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
Prest. George Q. Cannon.
Those who were here at our last Conference will doubtless remember that there were two men selected to be Presidents of the Seventies to fill two of the vacancies that existed. One of those men was Elder Theodore B. Lewis, whose name was submitted to the Conference under the misapprehension that he was a Seventy. His name was handed in, as I understood it, to the Twelve as a Seventy, among other names, and the Twelve, supposing that those who handed the names in would not do so if he were a High Priest, never thought for a moment that he was anything but a Seventy. He was elected by the vote of the Twelve to be one of the seven Presidents of the Seventies, and his name was submitted to the Conference. Afterwards, when the Twelve proceeded to ordain him, as I am informed, the spirit of God prompted the man who was mouth to ask Brother Lewis concerning his priesthood. Everybody present supposed he was a Seventy, but he stopped before commencing to ordain him and asked him this question. As he afterwards told me he was influenced by the Spirit to do so, and it then transpired that Brother Lewis was a High Priest; he had been a Seventy, but had been ordained a High Priest. Now, the Prophet Joseph in the early days of the organization of the Seventies, when a number of High Priests were put in the Seventies, caused them to be transferred from the Seventies’ to the High Priests Quorum, and it has been a standing rule in Israel from that time to this that when a man has been ordained to the High Priesthood he ceases to act as a seventy, and his connection with that body ceases. He is to all intents and purposes a member of the Quorum of High Priests, wherever that Quorum may be. This explanation is due to the Conference. It is due also to Brother Lewis, so that the Church may know what the reasons were that operated upon the minds of the Apostles and First Presidency in causing the selection or election to be set aside. We would gladly have had Brother Lewis in that position, and he, doubtless, would have been very glad to fill it, but having regard for the rules of the Priesthood, he could not consistently act in that capacity.
Those who were here at our last Conference will doubtless remember that there were two men selected to be Presidents of the Seventies to fill two of the vacancies that existed. One of those men was Elder Theodore B. Lewis, whose name was submitted to the Conference under the misapprehension that he was a Seventy. His name was handed in, as I understood it, to the Twelve as a Seventy, among other names, and the Twelve, supposing that those who handed the names in would not do so if he were a High Priest, never thought for a moment that he was anything but a Seventy. He was elected by the vote of the Twelve to be one of the seven Presidents of the Seventies, and his name was submitted to the Conference. Afterwards, when the Twelve proceeded to ordain him, as I am informed, the spirit of God prompted the man who was mouth to ask Brother Lewis concerning his priesthood. Everybody present supposed he was a Seventy, but he stopped before commencing to ordain him and asked him this question. As he afterwards told me he was influenced by the Spirit to do so, and it then transpired that Brother Lewis was a High Priest; he had been a Seventy, but had been ordained a High Priest. Now, the Prophet Joseph in the early days of the organization of the Seventies, when a number of High Priests were put in the Seventies, caused them to be transferred from the Seventies’ to the High Priests Quorum, and it has been a standing rule in Israel from that time to this that when a man has been ordained to the High Priesthood he ceases to act as a seventy, and his connection with that body ceases. He is to all intents and purposes a member of the Quorum of High Priests, wherever that Quorum may be. This explanation is due to the Conference. It is due also to Brother Lewis, so that the Church may know what the reasons were that operated upon the minds of the Apostles and First Presidency in causing the selection or election to be set aside. We would gladly have had Brother Lewis in that position, and he, doubtless, would have been very glad to fill it, but having regard for the rules of the Priesthood, he could not consistently act in that capacity.
President Cannon then read the following report from the Auditing Committee:
Salt Lake City, U.T.
July 15th, 1882.
President John Taylor, Trustee-in-Trust, and Assistant Trustees.
Dear Brethren—The undersigned members of the Church Auditing Committee respectfully desire to represent that they have spent a good deal of time in the examination of all the annual exhibits, books, accounts and reports for the year ending December 31st, 1881, submitted for their audiation and inspection, and have found them singularly correct.
The examinations covered the Trustee-in-Trust, General Tithing Store, Liverpool Office, P. E. F. Co. and other accounts and reports for the year above indicated.
Your brethren in the Gospel,
W. Woodruff,
Erastus Snow,
F. D. Richards
Jos. F. Smith,
Wm. Jennings.
On motion, the report was accepted and placed on file.
Salt Lake City, U.T.
July 15th, 1882.
President John Taylor, Trustee-in-Trust, and Assistant Trustees.
Dear Brethren—The undersigned members of the Church Auditing Committee respectfully desire to represent that they have spent a good deal of time in the examination of all the annual exhibits, books, accounts and reports for the year ending December 31st, 1881, submitted for their audiation and inspection, and have found them singularly correct.
The examinations covered the Trustee-in-Trust, General Tithing Store, Liverpool Office, P. E. F. Co. and other accounts and reports for the year above indicated.
Your brethren in the Gospel,
W. Woodruff,
Erastus Snow,
F. D. Richards
Jos. F. Smith,
Wm. Jennings.
On motion, the report was accepted and placed on file.
President Cannon then read the following names of missionaries who were sustained by unanimous vote:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Shadrach Jones, Willard.
Henry Wm. Auley, 15th Ward, City.
Wm. McPhadden, Salina.
SCANDINAVIA.
L. M. Bood, Salt Lake City.
Lars Peter Jensen, Mayfield.
UNITED STATES.
Wm. M. Palmer, Glenwood.
To take charge of the Northwestern States Mission.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Landon J. Rich, Paris, Idaho.
Erastus G. Farmer, Herriman.
Reynolds A. Crump, “
John Alexander, Brighton.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Isaac Fox, Jr., Lehi,
Alonzo A. Brim, Coalville.
Prest. Cannon said that besides the names sustained as missionaries it should be understood that the Twelve are standing missionaries, and should be sustained as such the same as those who are presented to the Conference. The following brethren had been appointed to labor as missionaries under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.
They were sustained in this position by the vote of the Conference.
J. E. D. Zundel, Washakie.
Amos R. Wright, Bennington.
Lauritz Smith, “
William Lee, Grantsville.
John Spencer, Indianois.
A. K. Thurber, Richfield.
George W. Bean, “
Nephi Johnson, Kanab.
Jeremiah Hatch, Ashley.
Tabby, Uintah.
Augustus P. Hardy, St. George.
Henry Lunt, Cedar.
Abraham A. Kimball, Kanosh.
Wm. Hyde, Montezuma.
Thales Haskell, “
Luther C. Burnham, Farmington, New Mexico.
August Teltjen, Savoia, Arizona.
Lot Smith, Sunset, Arizona.
Jesse N. Smith, Snowflake, Arizona.
A. F. Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona.
M. W. Dalton, Willard.
Llewellyn Harris, Escalante.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Shadrach Jones, Willard.
Henry Wm. Auley, 15th Ward, City.
Wm. McPhadden, Salina.
SCANDINAVIA.
L. M. Bood, Salt Lake City.
Lars Peter Jensen, Mayfield.
UNITED STATES.
Wm. M. Palmer, Glenwood.
To take charge of the Northwestern States Mission.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Landon J. Rich, Paris, Idaho.
Erastus G. Farmer, Herriman.
Reynolds A. Crump, “
John Alexander, Brighton.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Isaac Fox, Jr., Lehi,
Alonzo A. Brim, Coalville.
Prest. Cannon said that besides the names sustained as missionaries it should be understood that the Twelve are standing missionaries, and should be sustained as such the same as those who are presented to the Conference. The following brethren had been appointed to labor as missionaries under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.
They were sustained in this position by the vote of the Conference.
J. E. D. Zundel, Washakie.
Amos R. Wright, Bennington.
Lauritz Smith, “
William Lee, Grantsville.
John Spencer, Indianois.
A. K. Thurber, Richfield.
George W. Bean, “
Nephi Johnson, Kanab.
Jeremiah Hatch, Ashley.
Tabby, Uintah.
Augustus P. Hardy, St. George.
Henry Lunt, Cedar.
Abraham A. Kimball, Kanosh.
Wm. Hyde, Montezuma.
Thales Haskell, “
Luther C. Burnham, Farmington, New Mexico.
August Teltjen, Savoia, Arizona.
Lot Smith, Sunset, Arizona.
Jesse N. Smith, Snowflake, Arizona.
A. F. Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona.
M. W. Dalton, Willard.
Llewellyn Harris, Escalante.
President John Taylor.
There is one thing usually done that has not been attended to at this Conference and that is the submitting of the financial accounts. We do not propose to do this for certain reasons. There had been an undue anxiety by some persons not of us to become acquainted with our financial affairs, and if any of them have furnished us any means we will give them an account of it, but we do not propose to put this information in the way of men who are simply desirous to become acquainted with other men’s business. The “Mormon” motto is, “mind your own business,” and we will try and do it, and let other people mind theirs. As you have heard, the accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust have been submitted to the Auditing Committee, and that committee have given us a report of the financial matters pertaining to the Church. There will be a meeting of the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors and the Bishops in the Social Hall, when all these accounts will be submitted, and every information afforded, but we do not propose that men from whom nothing has been received should pry into our affairs. All who are in favor of this, hold up the right hand.
The vote was hearty and unanimous.
There is one thing usually done that has not been attended to at this Conference and that is the submitting of the financial accounts. We do not propose to do this for certain reasons. There had been an undue anxiety by some persons not of us to become acquainted with our financial affairs, and if any of them have furnished us any means we will give them an account of it, but we do not propose to put this information in the way of men who are simply desirous to become acquainted with other men’s business. The “Mormon” motto is, “mind your own business,” and we will try and do it, and let other people mind theirs. As you have heard, the accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust have been submitted to the Auditing Committee, and that committee have given us a report of the financial matters pertaining to the Church. There will be a meeting of the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors and the Bishops in the Social Hall, when all these accounts will be submitted, and every information afforded, but we do not propose that men from whom nothing has been received should pry into our affairs. All who are in favor of this, hold up the right hand.
The vote was hearty and unanimous.
President Taylor proceeded to deliver a discourse which was listened to with attention by the vast congregation assembled, in relation to the gospel, the Priesthood, the principles of correct government and human freedom, and the duties of the Saints of God. It was reported in full and will soon appear in the Deseret News.
The Gospel Like Leaven—Labor Required of the Elders—Promises to Abraham—Honorable Men in the American Nation Formerly and Now—Liberty in Religion and the Elective Franchise Claimed As Rights—The Saints Cannot Afford to Do Wrong—Relationship to God—Exhortation
Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, (Annual Conference) April 8th, 1883.
Reported by Gibbs and Irvine.
We have had a very interesting Conference, and a great many very excellent principles have been presented to the people. As I told the Priesthood last evening we are occupying a very peculiar position in the earth, a position that has not been of our own seeking. God has set His hand to accomplish His purposes upon the earth, and for this purpose He has revealed Himself from the heavens, as we have heard since this Conference commenced. In pursuance of this He has manifested Himself and His Son Jesus Christ, and has restored the Holy Priesthood by and through the medium of a Priesthood, or various parts of a Priesthood that existed in former ages—those holding that everlasting Priesthood, which administers in time and in eternity, have been commissioned from the heavens to come to the earth to bring to pass the very things of which they themselves had prophesied. Although we are, comparatively speaking, a small people, few in number, yet as it was in the days of Jesus so it is today. The Gospel is like a little leaven put into a certain portion of meal, and it is working and operating, and the ultimate result will be that the whole lump will be leavened. Not that everybody that is in the world will obey the Gospel; but the Lord will have His own way in manipulating His affairs, and great tribulation will overtake the inhabitants of the earth. As you have heard, many of the wicked will slay the wicked; but after these things have taken place the good, the honorable, the virtuous, the pure, those that are desirous to serve God will all have their position, and that thing will be fulfilled which was spoken of by Jesus—“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The time will yet come when the Saints of the Most High will take the kingdom and hold dominion under the whole heavens. These are principles that are familiar to us all. In the meantime, however, many important events have to take place, and a great labor has to be performed, and will be performed by the agencies which have been introduced by the Lord, and which will be hereafter introduced by Him for the accomplishment of His purposes, and the bringing to pass of His righteous will. For this purpose the Holy Priesthood has been restored; for this purpose the message of life and salvation has been proclaimed to the nations of the earth; for this purpose after the reception of the Gospel, the people have been gathered together in order that the Lord might have a people who would be under the influence of His Holy Spirit. We have all been baptized by one baptism, and have all partaken of the same Spirit, and wherever these ordinances have been administered according to the order of God, and have been received by the faithful among the nations of the earth, these effects have always followed. I have been among the nations myself, and I have baptized people and confirmed them at least in three different languages, and the same spirit rested upon all of those different peoples, and so it is throughout all nations. The Lord has said he would gather together His elect from the four quarters of the earth. And how does He do it? By operating upon the minds of those who obey the Gospel. Jesus said in His day and it is true today—“My sheep hear my voice and know it, and follow me and a stranger they will not follow because they know not the voice of a stranger.” It is under the influence of this Spirit that we have been gathered together. We used to sing:
Whither shall we follow, follow, follow;
Whither shall we follow, follow thee?
All the way to Zion, all the way to Zion,
All the way to Zion, We will follow thee.
What made you gather here? The impulse of the Spirit of the living God, and you could not keep away. We have representatives here from very many nations today. Here are Elders who have preached the Gospel in many nations. A few years ago we had some twenty-five nationalities represented at one of our public demonstrations. And thus our work is to go on and spread and increase. The Apostles, the Seventies, the Elders, and men who have received the light of truth, will spread forth that light to others of the family of God throughout the world. This is a labor resting upon the Elders of Israel, and until it is accomplished we shall not have fulfilled our mission here upon the earth. Then, again, we have other works to perform associated with the Church, with the Kingdom, and with the Zion of God. I think sometimes that we as a people are a good deal sectarian in our feelings, and it is necessary for us occasionally to look at the pit from whence we were dug, and the rock from whence we were hewn. We are all too ready to cry out, as the sectarians do in their different orders, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord are we.” And we are apt to forget sometimes the mission that God has placed upon us, which is a mission of mercy, a mission of light, a mission of intelligence, a mission that is calculated to elevate the world of mankind, even all those who will receive and obey it. It is not intended for us alone; it is intended for all men. Who are the world, and who are we? We say we are the children of God our Heavenly Father. That is true; we are the children of God our Heavenly Father. And is God our Father? The Scriptures say so. But what of the rest of the world—say of this nation, and all other nations—what of them? Whose children are they? They are also the children of our Heavenly Father, and He is interested in their welfare as He is in ours; and as a kind and beneficent father towards His children, He has been seeking from generation to generation to promote the welfare, the happiness, and the exaltation of the human family. And let me say here, that He is the fountain of life, the fountain of light, and the fountain of intelligence, as we used to say in the Church of England when I was a little boy, and I suppose they say so now; “it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture,” He provides for us. We sometimes talk about the hand of God being over us. Of course it is, and will be over us forever, if we will only serve Him, for He is always true. But His hand is over the nations of the earth also. He is interested in the welfare of this nation and all other nations and all other peoples as well as in our welfare. What was the greatest blessing conferred upon Abraham? One was that his seed should be numerous as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the seashore. I do not know that he would have got along very well in this land nowadays; they would have been after him for polygamy. People do not believe so much in these things now as they did formerly. Nevertheless, the Lord told him to take another wife; but, then, perhaps the Lord made a mistake, He had not studied modern Christianity; He was, to use the language of the advanced Christian, behind the times. But whatever may be thought or said about it, according to the record that has come down to us, He used to talk to people in that day.
But let me refer you to another blessing connected with Abraham, namely, that in him and his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed. Or, in other words, that God would honor him by making of him and his seed agents through whom He would communicate truth, intelligence and salvation to the world. It is said “the glory of God is intelligence,” and He is desirous to impart this intelligence to the human family, that through it they may be exalted to the Godhead. Abraham's posterity were to stand as messengers of God, as legates of the skies, commissioned of the great Jehovah to proclaim His word to fallen man, even to His children; for God has made, we are told, of one blood all the families of the earth, and has given unto them a portion of His Spirit, if haply they would feel after Him, although He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. And under the influence of His Spirit man has accomplished very much good; and today there are hosts of honorable, upright men who in their hearts fear God, but they have not yet found the right way. But in the providences of His mercy He has gathered a people from the nations that they may be taught and instructed in regard to the laws of life and salvation. And this has been brought about in fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Jeremiah, for instance, in referring to it said, that he would take them one of a city and two of a family, and bring them to Zion. And what was He to do with them when He should get them there? He would give them pastors after His own heart who should feed them with knowledge and understanding. And the same great event is referred to by other Prophets.
I was very much pleased with the remarks made by Brother Erastus Snow, with regard to our own nation, in which he said that it had been by and through the power of Almighty God, and in accordance with the words of the Lord as contained in the Book of Mormon, that the people were, in the first place, impelled to come here, and after coming here, to contend for human freedom upon this land; and it was by and through the power of God, that the fathers of this country framed the Declaration of Independence, and also that great palladium of human rights, the Constitution of the United States. There is nothing of the bigoted, narrow, contracted feeling about that instrument; it is broad and comprehensive. And they had a bell in Philadelphia, which I, and perhaps many of you have seen, upon which was written, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, and to all the inhabitants thereof;” but I was sorry to see that the bell was cracked. I suppose it got cracked after the grand effort that was made to proclaim liberty throughout the land; and I have thought since that it has not been soldered up yet. But with all the weaknesses and imperfections associated with men, the government of this nation has been a great bulwark for human freedom, and I felt proud at the time when Mr. Edmunds, with his colleagues, introduced his bill, known as the Edmunds' bill, that there was such a number of gentlemen who had the manhood and the moral courage to oppose it in the bold and manly way in which they did, showing plainly that they cherished in their bosoms the principles contained in the Constitution. I respect such men, and they command the respect and esteem of all honorable, right-thinking people. They could afford to render themselves unpopular in the eyes of religious bigots and fanatical politicians, but they could not afford to be amongst those that are ready to tear down the bulwarks of human freedom, and trail in the dust the flag of our country. They did not believe in our religion. Of course, that is a matter of their own, it is none of our business, neither is our religion any of their business, which they understand and appreciate. There are two things that I have felt very decided upon ever since I could comprehend anything; one was that I would worship God as I pleased without anybody's dictation; and that I would dictate to no man his faith, neither should any man dictate to me my faith; and the other was that I would vote as I pleased. And I entertain the same sentiments today. When the Commissioners, operating under the Edmunds' law, made their extraordinary rulings and authorized the administering of the test oath, declaring who should vote and who should not, I could not help remarking that people were acting very foolishly, that they did not know what they were doing; but whether they knew it or not their attempts to wrest from this people their rights and liberties, were no more or less than indirect attempts to tear down the bulwarks of American liberty. But in this inexcusable attack upon human rights and the principles of liberty we can take no part. What then will we do? They have no right, it is true, to interfere with us in the way they have done; they have no right, it is true, to prohibit us from voting without a hearing and without a trial; they have no right, it is true, to present to us a test oath, it being illegal and contrary to our rights as American citizens. But we will submit gracefully for the time being, withdraw from the polls, rather than act in the capacity of obstructionists; and when the time comes we will test these proceedings according to the laws of the land, and the principles of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, which we recognize and respect. Have we yielded up our franchises? No, we have not. Will we ever do it? No, never; no, never. Have we in the least backed down from the principles by which we have been guided from the beginning? No; we still mean to live by them and to maintain them, and to contend for our rights, not by dynamite or nitroglycerine, but to do so legally and constitutionally, not only in defense of our own rights, but the rights and liberties of our children and those of every free man throughout the land. This is the course we purpose taking.
As I before stated we have been called from the nations of the earth by Him who is our Father, we being His children. And He has told us to ask, and we shall receive. He has told us to seek and we shall find; to knock and it shall be opened to us. Very well. What shall we do? We will use the best means we can to defend our rights; and after we have done this we will then go to our Heavenly Father and ask Him to help us. Will He do it? Yes. Has He done it? Yes, and we acknowledge His hand in regard to these things. He has heard our prayers without noise, without tumult. He has told us thus far that if we will continue to obey Him and to observe His laws, He will deliver us and direct us even to the end. And we need have no fears whatever about the result. He has promised us that inasmuch as we do His will and keep His commandments, He will fight our battles. And I feel confident and perfectly easy, and I felt just as easy during the furor and commotion that raged through the land a few months ago as I do today; knowing, as I do, that if we will perform our part, the Lord will not fail to do His. Because others act foolishly we cannot afford to imitate them. We profess to be the Zion of God, the pure in heart. We profess to be men and women of integrity, of truth and virtue, and to have faith in God. This must not only be our profession, but our practice; we must carry out and fulfill the word and will and law of God. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. Said He: “Our Father who art in heaven.” That is, your Father and my Father, the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” O, God, we reverence thee; we observe thy law, and we wish to keep thy commandments, and purge ourselves from all evil, that we may be acceptable to thee. “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.” We reverence thee, O, God, and attribute to thee all that we have in this world, and all that we expect to have in the eternities to come. “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.” Thy what? Thy kingdom come. That is the rule of God, the government of God, the dominion of God, the time when men will not be ashamed to acknowledge God as their Father, their friend and benefactor. “Thy kingdom come.” When all will submit to thy rule, to thy law, to thy jurisdiction, to thy dominion; that thy will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. How was it done in heaven? God spake, chaos heard, and this world rolled into existence; and so did other worlds under the same divine impulse and power. And all those systems that revolve around us were made and are upheld by the mighty power of God, who governs in the heavens above, and upon the earth beneath, and among the worlds. Whether men acknowledge that or not, the time will come on this earth when every knee shall bow to Him, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ, to the glory of God the Father. That time will come. It is not here now; but as I have said He has introduced this Gospel as the entering wedge, as the little leaven by which he can operate, that He may have a people under the influence of the Holy Ghost, a people that can hold communion with him, like so many thousand strings penetrating the eternal worlds and drawing down blessings from the Almighty, drawing fire, and life, and intelligence from Him; for we ourselves are sparks struck from the blaze of His eternal fire, emanating from God our Father, and we wish to operate with Him and for Him and under His guidance, for the accomplishment of His purposes here upon the earth. This is what we are here for. Now I come to another point. We pray “Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven.” How is it done there? As I said, God spake, chaos heard, and the world rolled into existence, and it is supported by the mighty power of God, and who can stay His hand. Do you think that if all the Legislatures, all the Congresses, all the Parliaments, and all the Reichstags, all the Chambers of Deputies and Senates of the earth were to get together and pass a decree that the sun should rise five or ten minutes, or half an hour later or earlier than it does—do you think it would have any effect upon it! I do not think it would—I think it would still go on in its usual course, and they would feel that they were dependent upon God. Do the world know that in Him we live and move and have our being? Does this congregation know that there is not one of them could leave this house unless God permitted it and sustained them in so doing? Do the nations of the earth comprehend that they are in His hands, and that he puts down one nation and raises up another according to the counsels of His will, and none can say, “Why doest thou thus.” What have we to do? To begin with, we should deal justly and honorably with all men, and should seek to protect all men in their rights so far as we have the power to do so, and then to maintain our own on the same principle. And what then? Fear God and observe His laws, and we ought every one of us to place ourselves in communication with the Lord, and He has tried to make us understand this, but it seems very difficult for us to do so. It was in former times, and it is now. He says, “Ask and ye shall receive.” Is it not a very simple thing? “Seek and ye shall find.” Is it not very easy. “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” But says He, you do not understand it aright. Now, let me mention a thing to you. If a child ask of you bread, would you give it a stone—you fathers and you mothers? I think not. If the child asked a fish would you give it a scorpion?” Why, no. The mother would say, “Sammy, or Mary,” as the case might be, “you want some bread—well I will give you some with butter and molasses.” The mother would try to meet the wishes of the children, and sometimes give them a little candy to boot. Now, then, says the Lord, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give His Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” It is very plain when you get at it, and it is very simple, and people wonder sometimes, they think it an astonishing thing that God should hear people's prayers. Why, bless your souls, that is the strongest fort we have, and when we get into any difficulty in the nation or anywhere else, we humble ourselves before the Lord—and we all need to do this, for we all have our weaknesses and imperfections; and it is necessary that He should be very merciful to us. And He is, and knows how to bear with us. We need also to know how to bear with one another, and to place ourselves in communion with God, and in doing this to purge ourselves from everything that is wrong and evil. And I tell you—you Elders of Israel, you brethren and you sisters, that if you will begin to do the will of God on the earth as it is done in heaven, the power and blessing of God will rest upon you and upon this people, and no power will be able to injure you from this time forth. God expects us to do His will, to carry out his purposes, and if His will is ever done on the earth as it is done in heaven, where in creation will it start, if it does not start here? Let every man put himself right, and every woman and every family do the same, and all the Priesthood in all its various departments and ramifications, and let every one walk up to the line and perform his duty, and in the name of Israel's God, Zion shall arise and shine, and the glory of God shall rest upon her. Our progress is onward and upward, until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ, and loud anthems be sounded from among the nations—glory and honor and power and might and majesty and dominion be ascribed unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and forever. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till October 6th, 1883, at 10 o’clock a. m.
The choir sung the chorus, Hallelujah.
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
George Goddard,
Clerk of General Conference.
The Gospel Like Leaven—Labor Required of the Elders—Promises to Abraham—Honorable Men in the American Nation Formerly and Now—Liberty in Religion and the Elective Franchise Claimed As Rights—The Saints Cannot Afford to Do Wrong—Relationship to God—Exhortation
Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, (Annual Conference) April 8th, 1883.
Reported by Gibbs and Irvine.
We have had a very interesting Conference, and a great many very excellent principles have been presented to the people. As I told the Priesthood last evening we are occupying a very peculiar position in the earth, a position that has not been of our own seeking. God has set His hand to accomplish His purposes upon the earth, and for this purpose He has revealed Himself from the heavens, as we have heard since this Conference commenced. In pursuance of this He has manifested Himself and His Son Jesus Christ, and has restored the Holy Priesthood by and through the medium of a Priesthood, or various parts of a Priesthood that existed in former ages—those holding that everlasting Priesthood, which administers in time and in eternity, have been commissioned from the heavens to come to the earth to bring to pass the very things of which they themselves had prophesied. Although we are, comparatively speaking, a small people, few in number, yet as it was in the days of Jesus so it is today. The Gospel is like a little leaven put into a certain portion of meal, and it is working and operating, and the ultimate result will be that the whole lump will be leavened. Not that everybody that is in the world will obey the Gospel; but the Lord will have His own way in manipulating His affairs, and great tribulation will overtake the inhabitants of the earth. As you have heard, many of the wicked will slay the wicked; but after these things have taken place the good, the honorable, the virtuous, the pure, those that are desirous to serve God will all have their position, and that thing will be fulfilled which was spoken of by Jesus—“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The time will yet come when the Saints of the Most High will take the kingdom and hold dominion under the whole heavens. These are principles that are familiar to us all. In the meantime, however, many important events have to take place, and a great labor has to be performed, and will be performed by the agencies which have been introduced by the Lord, and which will be hereafter introduced by Him for the accomplishment of His purposes, and the bringing to pass of His righteous will. For this purpose the Holy Priesthood has been restored; for this purpose the message of life and salvation has been proclaimed to the nations of the earth; for this purpose after the reception of the Gospel, the people have been gathered together in order that the Lord might have a people who would be under the influence of His Holy Spirit. We have all been baptized by one baptism, and have all partaken of the same Spirit, and wherever these ordinances have been administered according to the order of God, and have been received by the faithful among the nations of the earth, these effects have always followed. I have been among the nations myself, and I have baptized people and confirmed them at least in three different languages, and the same spirit rested upon all of those different peoples, and so it is throughout all nations. The Lord has said he would gather together His elect from the four quarters of the earth. And how does He do it? By operating upon the minds of those who obey the Gospel. Jesus said in His day and it is true today—“My sheep hear my voice and know it, and follow me and a stranger they will not follow because they know not the voice of a stranger.” It is under the influence of this Spirit that we have been gathered together. We used to sing:
Whither shall we follow, follow, follow;
Whither shall we follow, follow thee?
All the way to Zion, all the way to Zion,
All the way to Zion, We will follow thee.
What made you gather here? The impulse of the Spirit of the living God, and you could not keep away. We have representatives here from very many nations today. Here are Elders who have preached the Gospel in many nations. A few years ago we had some twenty-five nationalities represented at one of our public demonstrations. And thus our work is to go on and spread and increase. The Apostles, the Seventies, the Elders, and men who have received the light of truth, will spread forth that light to others of the family of God throughout the world. This is a labor resting upon the Elders of Israel, and until it is accomplished we shall not have fulfilled our mission here upon the earth. Then, again, we have other works to perform associated with the Church, with the Kingdom, and with the Zion of God. I think sometimes that we as a people are a good deal sectarian in our feelings, and it is necessary for us occasionally to look at the pit from whence we were dug, and the rock from whence we were hewn. We are all too ready to cry out, as the sectarians do in their different orders, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord are we.” And we are apt to forget sometimes the mission that God has placed upon us, which is a mission of mercy, a mission of light, a mission of intelligence, a mission that is calculated to elevate the world of mankind, even all those who will receive and obey it. It is not intended for us alone; it is intended for all men. Who are the world, and who are we? We say we are the children of God our Heavenly Father. That is true; we are the children of God our Heavenly Father. And is God our Father? The Scriptures say so. But what of the rest of the world—say of this nation, and all other nations—what of them? Whose children are they? They are also the children of our Heavenly Father, and He is interested in their welfare as He is in ours; and as a kind and beneficent father towards His children, He has been seeking from generation to generation to promote the welfare, the happiness, and the exaltation of the human family. And let me say here, that He is the fountain of life, the fountain of light, and the fountain of intelligence, as we used to say in the Church of England when I was a little boy, and I suppose they say so now; “it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture,” He provides for us. We sometimes talk about the hand of God being over us. Of course it is, and will be over us forever, if we will only serve Him, for He is always true. But His hand is over the nations of the earth also. He is interested in the welfare of this nation and all other nations and all other peoples as well as in our welfare. What was the greatest blessing conferred upon Abraham? One was that his seed should be numerous as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the seashore. I do not know that he would have got along very well in this land nowadays; they would have been after him for polygamy. People do not believe so much in these things now as they did formerly. Nevertheless, the Lord told him to take another wife; but, then, perhaps the Lord made a mistake, He had not studied modern Christianity; He was, to use the language of the advanced Christian, behind the times. But whatever may be thought or said about it, according to the record that has come down to us, He used to talk to people in that day.
But let me refer you to another blessing connected with Abraham, namely, that in him and his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed. Or, in other words, that God would honor him by making of him and his seed agents through whom He would communicate truth, intelligence and salvation to the world. It is said “the glory of God is intelligence,” and He is desirous to impart this intelligence to the human family, that through it they may be exalted to the Godhead. Abraham's posterity were to stand as messengers of God, as legates of the skies, commissioned of the great Jehovah to proclaim His word to fallen man, even to His children; for God has made, we are told, of one blood all the families of the earth, and has given unto them a portion of His Spirit, if haply they would feel after Him, although He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. And under the influence of His Spirit man has accomplished very much good; and today there are hosts of honorable, upright men who in their hearts fear God, but they have not yet found the right way. But in the providences of His mercy He has gathered a people from the nations that they may be taught and instructed in regard to the laws of life and salvation. And this has been brought about in fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Jeremiah, for instance, in referring to it said, that he would take them one of a city and two of a family, and bring them to Zion. And what was He to do with them when He should get them there? He would give them pastors after His own heart who should feed them with knowledge and understanding. And the same great event is referred to by other Prophets.
I was very much pleased with the remarks made by Brother Erastus Snow, with regard to our own nation, in which he said that it had been by and through the power of Almighty God, and in accordance with the words of the Lord as contained in the Book of Mormon, that the people were, in the first place, impelled to come here, and after coming here, to contend for human freedom upon this land; and it was by and through the power of God, that the fathers of this country framed the Declaration of Independence, and also that great palladium of human rights, the Constitution of the United States. There is nothing of the bigoted, narrow, contracted feeling about that instrument; it is broad and comprehensive. And they had a bell in Philadelphia, which I, and perhaps many of you have seen, upon which was written, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, and to all the inhabitants thereof;” but I was sorry to see that the bell was cracked. I suppose it got cracked after the grand effort that was made to proclaim liberty throughout the land; and I have thought since that it has not been soldered up yet. But with all the weaknesses and imperfections associated with men, the government of this nation has been a great bulwark for human freedom, and I felt proud at the time when Mr. Edmunds, with his colleagues, introduced his bill, known as the Edmunds' bill, that there was such a number of gentlemen who had the manhood and the moral courage to oppose it in the bold and manly way in which they did, showing plainly that they cherished in their bosoms the principles contained in the Constitution. I respect such men, and they command the respect and esteem of all honorable, right-thinking people. They could afford to render themselves unpopular in the eyes of religious bigots and fanatical politicians, but they could not afford to be amongst those that are ready to tear down the bulwarks of human freedom, and trail in the dust the flag of our country. They did not believe in our religion. Of course, that is a matter of their own, it is none of our business, neither is our religion any of their business, which they understand and appreciate. There are two things that I have felt very decided upon ever since I could comprehend anything; one was that I would worship God as I pleased without anybody's dictation; and that I would dictate to no man his faith, neither should any man dictate to me my faith; and the other was that I would vote as I pleased. And I entertain the same sentiments today. When the Commissioners, operating under the Edmunds' law, made their extraordinary rulings and authorized the administering of the test oath, declaring who should vote and who should not, I could not help remarking that people were acting very foolishly, that they did not know what they were doing; but whether they knew it or not their attempts to wrest from this people their rights and liberties, were no more or less than indirect attempts to tear down the bulwarks of American liberty. But in this inexcusable attack upon human rights and the principles of liberty we can take no part. What then will we do? They have no right, it is true, to interfere with us in the way they have done; they have no right, it is true, to prohibit us from voting without a hearing and without a trial; they have no right, it is true, to present to us a test oath, it being illegal and contrary to our rights as American citizens. But we will submit gracefully for the time being, withdraw from the polls, rather than act in the capacity of obstructionists; and when the time comes we will test these proceedings according to the laws of the land, and the principles of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, which we recognize and respect. Have we yielded up our franchises? No, we have not. Will we ever do it? No, never; no, never. Have we in the least backed down from the principles by which we have been guided from the beginning? No; we still mean to live by them and to maintain them, and to contend for our rights, not by dynamite or nitroglycerine, but to do so legally and constitutionally, not only in defense of our own rights, but the rights and liberties of our children and those of every free man throughout the land. This is the course we purpose taking.
As I before stated we have been called from the nations of the earth by Him who is our Father, we being His children. And He has told us to ask, and we shall receive. He has told us to seek and we shall find; to knock and it shall be opened to us. Very well. What shall we do? We will use the best means we can to defend our rights; and after we have done this we will then go to our Heavenly Father and ask Him to help us. Will He do it? Yes. Has He done it? Yes, and we acknowledge His hand in regard to these things. He has heard our prayers without noise, without tumult. He has told us thus far that if we will continue to obey Him and to observe His laws, He will deliver us and direct us even to the end. And we need have no fears whatever about the result. He has promised us that inasmuch as we do His will and keep His commandments, He will fight our battles. And I feel confident and perfectly easy, and I felt just as easy during the furor and commotion that raged through the land a few months ago as I do today; knowing, as I do, that if we will perform our part, the Lord will not fail to do His. Because others act foolishly we cannot afford to imitate them. We profess to be the Zion of God, the pure in heart. We profess to be men and women of integrity, of truth and virtue, and to have faith in God. This must not only be our profession, but our practice; we must carry out and fulfill the word and will and law of God. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. Said He: “Our Father who art in heaven.” That is, your Father and my Father, the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” O, God, we reverence thee; we observe thy law, and we wish to keep thy commandments, and purge ourselves from all evil, that we may be acceptable to thee. “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.” We reverence thee, O, God, and attribute to thee all that we have in this world, and all that we expect to have in the eternities to come. “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.” Thy what? Thy kingdom come. That is the rule of God, the government of God, the dominion of God, the time when men will not be ashamed to acknowledge God as their Father, their friend and benefactor. “Thy kingdom come.” When all will submit to thy rule, to thy law, to thy jurisdiction, to thy dominion; that thy will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. How was it done in heaven? God spake, chaos heard, and this world rolled into existence; and so did other worlds under the same divine impulse and power. And all those systems that revolve around us were made and are upheld by the mighty power of God, who governs in the heavens above, and upon the earth beneath, and among the worlds. Whether men acknowledge that or not, the time will come on this earth when every knee shall bow to Him, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ, to the glory of God the Father. That time will come. It is not here now; but as I have said He has introduced this Gospel as the entering wedge, as the little leaven by which he can operate, that He may have a people under the influence of the Holy Ghost, a people that can hold communion with him, like so many thousand strings penetrating the eternal worlds and drawing down blessings from the Almighty, drawing fire, and life, and intelligence from Him; for we ourselves are sparks struck from the blaze of His eternal fire, emanating from God our Father, and we wish to operate with Him and for Him and under His guidance, for the accomplishment of His purposes here upon the earth. This is what we are here for. Now I come to another point. We pray “Thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven.” How is it done there? As I said, God spake, chaos heard, and the world rolled into existence, and it is supported by the mighty power of God, and who can stay His hand. Do you think that if all the Legislatures, all the Congresses, all the Parliaments, and all the Reichstags, all the Chambers of Deputies and Senates of the earth were to get together and pass a decree that the sun should rise five or ten minutes, or half an hour later or earlier than it does—do you think it would have any effect upon it! I do not think it would—I think it would still go on in its usual course, and they would feel that they were dependent upon God. Do the world know that in Him we live and move and have our being? Does this congregation know that there is not one of them could leave this house unless God permitted it and sustained them in so doing? Do the nations of the earth comprehend that they are in His hands, and that he puts down one nation and raises up another according to the counsels of His will, and none can say, “Why doest thou thus.” What have we to do? To begin with, we should deal justly and honorably with all men, and should seek to protect all men in their rights so far as we have the power to do so, and then to maintain our own on the same principle. And what then? Fear God and observe His laws, and we ought every one of us to place ourselves in communication with the Lord, and He has tried to make us understand this, but it seems very difficult for us to do so. It was in former times, and it is now. He says, “Ask and ye shall receive.” Is it not a very simple thing? “Seek and ye shall find.” Is it not very easy. “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” But says He, you do not understand it aright. Now, let me mention a thing to you. If a child ask of you bread, would you give it a stone—you fathers and you mothers? I think not. If the child asked a fish would you give it a scorpion?” Why, no. The mother would say, “Sammy, or Mary,” as the case might be, “you want some bread—well I will give you some with butter and molasses.” The mother would try to meet the wishes of the children, and sometimes give them a little candy to boot. Now, then, says the Lord, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give His Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” It is very plain when you get at it, and it is very simple, and people wonder sometimes, they think it an astonishing thing that God should hear people's prayers. Why, bless your souls, that is the strongest fort we have, and when we get into any difficulty in the nation or anywhere else, we humble ourselves before the Lord—and we all need to do this, for we all have our weaknesses and imperfections; and it is necessary that He should be very merciful to us. And He is, and knows how to bear with us. We need also to know how to bear with one another, and to place ourselves in communion with God, and in doing this to purge ourselves from everything that is wrong and evil. And I tell you—you Elders of Israel, you brethren and you sisters, that if you will begin to do the will of God on the earth as it is done in heaven, the power and blessing of God will rest upon you and upon this people, and no power will be able to injure you from this time forth. God expects us to do His will, to carry out his purposes, and if His will is ever done on the earth as it is done in heaven, where in creation will it start, if it does not start here? Let every man put himself right, and every woman and every family do the same, and all the Priesthood in all its various departments and ramifications, and let every one walk up to the line and perform his duty, and in the name of Israel's God, Zion shall arise and shine, and the glory of God shall rest upon her. Our progress is onward and upward, until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ, and loud anthems be sounded from among the nations—glory and honor and power and might and majesty and dominion be ascribed unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and forever. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till October 6th, 1883, at 10 o’clock a. m.
The choir sung the chorus, Hallelujah.
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
George Goddard,
Clerk of General Conference.