October 1885
Richards, Apostle F. D. "Discourse." The Deseret News, November 11, 1885: pg. 674-675.
Thatcher, Moses. "Discourse." The Deseret News, October 28, 1885: pg. 642-643.
Thatcher, Moses. "The Lord is Teaching Us Valuable Lessons in Our Present Experience—He is Teaching Us to Rely Upon Him and to Exercise the Faculties He Has Given Us—Nature of the Government of the United States—the Elements of a Variety of Governments Enter Into It—Physical and Moral Courage—the Judge of the Third District Court not a Christian—a Concubine Was a Wife and It Should not Be a Term of Reproach—the Character of Abraham Vindicated—Sympathy for Our Enemies—When the Saints Learn to Be Strictly Impartial, Judgment and Rule Will Be Given Them—Not All in the United States Are Arrayed Against Us—Weakness of the American Government—Power of Secret Societies—Zion to Be a Place of Refuge and Safety—President Cleveland's Opportunity to Be Just and Great—We Must Purify Ourselves that Liberty May Come." Journal of Discourses. Volume 26. October 8, 1885: pg. 327-335.
The Deseret News. "An Epistle from the First Presidency." October 14, 1885: pg. 616-617.
The Deseret News. "General Conference." October 14, 1885: pg. 623.
The Deseret News. "General Conference." October 21, 1885: pg. 626-627.
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "General Conference." November 2, 1885: pg. 689-694.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Apostle F. D. Richards
Apostle John W. Taylor
Elder John T. Caine
2 p. m.
Apostle H. J. Grant
Apostle John H. Smith
Apostle Erastus Snow
Wednesday Morning
An Epistle from the First Presidency
Wednesday Afternoon
Apostle F. M. Lyman
Elder S. B. Young
Thursday Morning
Apostle F. D. Richards
Discourse
Elder John Q. Cannon
Thursday Afternoon
The general authorities of the Church
Motion
Apostle M. Thatcher
Discourse
Apostle John H. Smith
Friday Morning
Apostle Erastus Snow
Elder John D. T. M’Allister
Thatcher, Moses. "Discourse." The Deseret News, October 28, 1885: pg. 642-643.
Thatcher, Moses. "The Lord is Teaching Us Valuable Lessons in Our Present Experience—He is Teaching Us to Rely Upon Him and to Exercise the Faculties He Has Given Us—Nature of the Government of the United States—the Elements of a Variety of Governments Enter Into It—Physical and Moral Courage—the Judge of the Third District Court not a Christian—a Concubine Was a Wife and It Should not Be a Term of Reproach—the Character of Abraham Vindicated—Sympathy for Our Enemies—When the Saints Learn to Be Strictly Impartial, Judgment and Rule Will Be Given Them—Not All in the United States Are Arrayed Against Us—Weakness of the American Government—Power of Secret Societies—Zion to Be a Place of Refuge and Safety—President Cleveland's Opportunity to Be Just and Great—We Must Purify Ourselves that Liberty May Come." Journal of Discourses. Volume 26. October 8, 1885: pg. 327-335.
The Deseret News. "An Epistle from the First Presidency." October 14, 1885: pg. 616-617.
The Deseret News. "General Conference." October 14, 1885: pg. 623.
The Deseret News. "General Conference." October 21, 1885: pg. 626-627.
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "General Conference." November 2, 1885: pg. 689-694.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Apostle F. D. Richards
Apostle John W. Taylor
Elder John T. Caine
2 p. m.
Apostle H. J. Grant
Apostle John H. Smith
Apostle Erastus Snow
Wednesday Morning
An Epistle from the First Presidency
Wednesday Afternoon
Apostle F. M. Lyman
Elder S. B. Young
Thursday Morning
Apostle F. D. Richards
Discourse
Elder John Q. Cannon
Thursday Afternoon
The general authorities of the Church
Motion
Apostle M. Thatcher
Discourse
Apostle John H. Smith
Friday Morning
Apostle Erastus Snow
Elder John D. T. M’Allister
GENERAL CONFERENCE
The Fifty-fifth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Logan City, Cache County, on Tuesday, October 6th, at 10 o’clock a.m.
There were present on the stand, of the Council of the Apostles, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; Patriarch John Smith; and several Stake Presidents.
The Conference was called to order by Apostle F. D. Richards announcing the hymn to be sung, Glorious things of thee are spoken.
Prayer was then offered by Elder F. M. Lyman, and the choir sang the hymn, Hark, the song of jubilee.
The Fifty-fifth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Logan City, Cache County, on Tuesday, October 6th, at 10 o’clock a.m.
There were present on the stand, of the Council of the Apostles, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; Patriarch John Smith; and several Stake Presidents.
The Conference was called to order by Apostle F. D. Richards announcing the hymn to be sung, Glorious things of thee are spoken.
Prayer was then offered by Elder F. M. Lyman, and the choir sang the hymn, Hark, the song of jubilee.
Apostle F. D. Richards
arose and congratulated the Saints on their highly favored condition, and thought their hearts should be moved to appreciation of the same. Referred in terms of praise to the conveniences that had been specially provided for the choir and reporters, and invited all representatives of the press to take positions as the table, asking them to do common justice by giving a fair report.
In these times, he said, some might think we had reason to be cast down, but such was not the fact; so long as we were dealt with more leniently than our Master and many of our fellow-servants had been, we had reason to be thankful that things are so well with us as they are. It was for us to judge correctly of our position and of the blessings we enjoyed, and learn to see what was and what would prove to be blessings and what otherwise. The Lord told His Apostles that they should be hailed to prison, that the servant was not greater than his master; and that when evil was spoken of us, we had reason to lift up our heads and rejoice. If proved faithful we should be tried as keenly as others who had stood true to the end. We should not forget that we might expect opposition; it was for us to be armed with the spirit of truth to withstand any and everything of an opposing nature.
The Prophet Joseph told the people before they were bestowed, that if they would inherit the blessings of Abraham they should be prepared to receive them, that they might appropriate them to their own salvation when they did receive them. Prisons and incarcerations were as nothing to men armed with the salvation of heaven. Referred to the condition of John while banished, and others who suffered death, and trials not yet known to us. He had heard President Young in early days say that a man who was not willing to pay $500 for a good, virtuous wife was not worthy of such a one. This seemed to be practically verified now-a-days. The speaker invoked the blessing of God on the Conference, and called upon the Saints to prepare their hearts for the instructions and counsels the Lord had to give through His servants.
arose and congratulated the Saints on their highly favored condition, and thought their hearts should be moved to appreciation of the same. Referred in terms of praise to the conveniences that had been specially provided for the choir and reporters, and invited all representatives of the press to take positions as the table, asking them to do common justice by giving a fair report.
In these times, he said, some might think we had reason to be cast down, but such was not the fact; so long as we were dealt with more leniently than our Master and many of our fellow-servants had been, we had reason to be thankful that things are so well with us as they are. It was for us to judge correctly of our position and of the blessings we enjoyed, and learn to see what was and what would prove to be blessings and what otherwise. The Lord told His Apostles that they should be hailed to prison, that the servant was not greater than his master; and that when evil was spoken of us, we had reason to lift up our heads and rejoice. If proved faithful we should be tried as keenly as others who had stood true to the end. We should not forget that we might expect opposition; it was for us to be armed with the spirit of truth to withstand any and everything of an opposing nature.
The Prophet Joseph told the people before they were bestowed, that if they would inherit the blessings of Abraham they should be prepared to receive them, that they might appropriate them to their own salvation when they did receive them. Prisons and incarcerations were as nothing to men armed with the salvation of heaven. Referred to the condition of John while banished, and others who suffered death, and trials not yet known to us. He had heard President Young in early days say that a man who was not willing to pay $500 for a good, virtuous wife was not worthy of such a one. This seemed to be practically verified now-a-days. The speaker invoked the blessing of God on the Conference, and called upon the Saints to prepare their hearts for the instructions and counsels the Lord had to give through His servants.
Apostle John W. Taylor
was called upon, and referring to the persecutions of the Saints, said that, being members of the same body, when one member suffered, the rest of the members suffered from sympathy. The Savior, on one occasion, prophesied to His disciples that the shepherd should be smitten and the sheep scattered. This was literally fulfilled. If we did not suffer from opposition, the speaker would be led to doubt the divinity of the work. Promises most glorious were held out to those who obeyed and practiced the principles of truth. On one occasion, in the Southern States, he was notified to leave the State in five days, and was prohibited from preaching any more therein. He asked the men who waited on him what he had done, and the answer was: “You have disturbed our family and our religious conditions.” He said that was no more than Jesus and His Apostles had done in their day through their preaching; and after bearing testimony to his would-be intimidators, he asked them to tell those who sent them that on the following day he would preach to them, and if they believed he would baptize them. He held his meeting to a crowded audience, in a house proffered to him, together with an acre of land on which it stood, as a free donation, for the purpose of preaching in. He accepted it, and named it “Liberty Church,” and blessed the donor. When he appeared the next day he found about 200 men hauling the house away, and he afterwards learned that the land had been recently surveyed, and it was found that is stood partly on an enemy’s land, and the people desiring to see fair play, had turned out en masse to remove it. He preached there and baptized one man the same day, and prophesied at the water’s edge that the man (Father Turner) would be a father to the people yet to be converted in that place. Soon afterwards Brother Turner was President of a Branch of eighteen members. Thus, opposition helped the cause. Nothing can be done against, but for the truth. Standing’s murder was the means of arousing the sympathy of the honest generally, and Georgia produced more converts that year than all the other Southern States combined. We must be tried; opposition is necessary to develop the good; both elements, that of truth and that of evil, are eternal, and one is not without the other. Referred to Nephi as a grand, humble man possessed of true Christian instincts, who, although humble, arose to courage when occasion demanded it. His was a good life to pattern after. We are told to pray for our enemies, and even to love them—a pretty hard thing to do; but the better we were able to comprehend the plan of salvation as it existed in the bosom of the Father, the easier it would be for us to do this seemingly hard thing. Referred to a prayer by a Southern States minister on a certain occasion when the mob, with himself at the head, prevented our Elders from preaching to the congregation assembled to hear them; it ran thus: “O Lord, temper the wrath of this congregation that they may not murder these men (President Morgan and associates.) which they richly deserve.” That was not the kind of charity for us, as Saints of the Most High, to cultivate. Though a blessed people, because of being persecuted, it would not become us to revile those who revile us. All who were not for us were against us. The time to demonstrate this remarkable saying is yet to come, but it is in the near future. Referred to Aesop’s fable of the lion and the mouse, comparing it to our great nation and this small and apparently insignificant people. We were destined yet to befriend the people that today hankered after our destruction. We have the truth, the saving truth, which produced union and power; while the seeds of decay and death were doing their work among the nations. Truth, and naught but truth, could save and produce lasting power. Now as a favorable time to preach the Gospel; the minds of the honest were being exercised in our behalf, and were ready to receive the seed of truth. It was for us to sow the good seed now while the field was in a favorable condition to produce a good harvest.
Referred to the unfortunate Elders who had recently shown weakness in order to have a little temporary peace. The peace they obtained was not of a real, lasting nature; and they that would so sacrifice principle to get it, must yet reap that which such an act would produce. It became us to feel genuinely sorrowful for them, knowing, as we do, that when they do sense their position, it will produce in them grief that cannot now be conceived.
The future of this work, as indicated by the Lord at the beginning, was a source of encouragement under all circumstances. It was for the people to seek after and know the things of God, so that they may know for themselves the course they should take, and not have to depend on borrowed light. Referred to the performance of the general duties of the Saints as being essential to our growth and development. The speaker closed by commending the people to seek after and obtain charity, and exercise it in their lives.
was called upon, and referring to the persecutions of the Saints, said that, being members of the same body, when one member suffered, the rest of the members suffered from sympathy. The Savior, on one occasion, prophesied to His disciples that the shepherd should be smitten and the sheep scattered. This was literally fulfilled. If we did not suffer from opposition, the speaker would be led to doubt the divinity of the work. Promises most glorious were held out to those who obeyed and practiced the principles of truth. On one occasion, in the Southern States, he was notified to leave the State in five days, and was prohibited from preaching any more therein. He asked the men who waited on him what he had done, and the answer was: “You have disturbed our family and our religious conditions.” He said that was no more than Jesus and His Apostles had done in their day through their preaching; and after bearing testimony to his would-be intimidators, he asked them to tell those who sent them that on the following day he would preach to them, and if they believed he would baptize them. He held his meeting to a crowded audience, in a house proffered to him, together with an acre of land on which it stood, as a free donation, for the purpose of preaching in. He accepted it, and named it “Liberty Church,” and blessed the donor. When he appeared the next day he found about 200 men hauling the house away, and he afterwards learned that the land had been recently surveyed, and it was found that is stood partly on an enemy’s land, and the people desiring to see fair play, had turned out en masse to remove it. He preached there and baptized one man the same day, and prophesied at the water’s edge that the man (Father Turner) would be a father to the people yet to be converted in that place. Soon afterwards Brother Turner was President of a Branch of eighteen members. Thus, opposition helped the cause. Nothing can be done against, but for the truth. Standing’s murder was the means of arousing the sympathy of the honest generally, and Georgia produced more converts that year than all the other Southern States combined. We must be tried; opposition is necessary to develop the good; both elements, that of truth and that of evil, are eternal, and one is not without the other. Referred to Nephi as a grand, humble man possessed of true Christian instincts, who, although humble, arose to courage when occasion demanded it. His was a good life to pattern after. We are told to pray for our enemies, and even to love them—a pretty hard thing to do; but the better we were able to comprehend the plan of salvation as it existed in the bosom of the Father, the easier it would be for us to do this seemingly hard thing. Referred to a prayer by a Southern States minister on a certain occasion when the mob, with himself at the head, prevented our Elders from preaching to the congregation assembled to hear them; it ran thus: “O Lord, temper the wrath of this congregation that they may not murder these men (President Morgan and associates.) which they richly deserve.” That was not the kind of charity for us, as Saints of the Most High, to cultivate. Though a blessed people, because of being persecuted, it would not become us to revile those who revile us. All who were not for us were against us. The time to demonstrate this remarkable saying is yet to come, but it is in the near future. Referred to Aesop’s fable of the lion and the mouse, comparing it to our great nation and this small and apparently insignificant people. We were destined yet to befriend the people that today hankered after our destruction. We have the truth, the saving truth, which produced union and power; while the seeds of decay and death were doing their work among the nations. Truth, and naught but truth, could save and produce lasting power. Now as a favorable time to preach the Gospel; the minds of the honest were being exercised in our behalf, and were ready to receive the seed of truth. It was for us to sow the good seed now while the field was in a favorable condition to produce a good harvest.
Referred to the unfortunate Elders who had recently shown weakness in order to have a little temporary peace. The peace they obtained was not of a real, lasting nature; and they that would so sacrifice principle to get it, must yet reap that which such an act would produce. It became us to feel genuinely sorrowful for them, knowing, as we do, that when they do sense their position, it will produce in them grief that cannot now be conceived.
The future of this work, as indicated by the Lord at the beginning, was a source of encouragement under all circumstances. It was for the people to seek after and know the things of God, so that they may know for themselves the course they should take, and not have to depend on borrowed light. Referred to the performance of the general duties of the Saints as being essential to our growth and development. The speaker closed by commending the people to seek after and obtain charity, and exercise it in their lives.
Elder John T. Caine
esteemed it a privilege to address the Conference. He rejoiced in the onward cause of truth in which we are engaged and could see no reason why we should mourn because of opposition so long as we are faithful. It was true, those who were imprisoned had to experience personal inconvenience, but again they would reap the reward of fidelity to the truth, inasmuch as they proved faithful to the end. All blessings are predicated on our faithfulness under any and all circumstances. Charity was a glorious principle and one that characterized the true Saints. Opposition would come, but woe to him by whom it did come, as what they mete out to their fellow-men will yet be measured back to them.
While government officials ofttimes engaged in acts of persecution, the government itself was not necessarily, at all times, responsible for it, although he believed that the law under which many are suffering to-day was designed specially by a majority of the government to apply to us. But they must account for their official acts, and must suffer because of their inhumanity to their fellowmen. It was not the institutions of our government that produced such results, but poor, weak men, who had proved themselves incompetent to administer justice to their fellowmen, that are to blame. After the enactment of the law of 1862, against polygamy, it was widely regarded by legal minds to be unconstitutional, and little was done to make it operative; finally it was declared constitutional, but it did not go far enough to suit the hungry place-hunters. It is not polygamy that is sought to be destroyed, but our union and political ascendancy. Politicians here craved more power, and asked for further legislation, granting it to them—they wanted a Legislative Commission. What for? To disfranchise the whole people, as has been done in Idaho where our enemies control the Legislature. Referred to attempts made to create this Legislative Committee. But when it was feared that a Democratic President would be elected, it was determined by the Republican party to pass at all hazards what was called the Edmunds bill, which was done and the Legislative Commission scheme fell through.
The speaker did not believe that President Cleveland desired to oppress us; but while he entertained this belief, he was not unmindful of the fact that he permitted the vigorous enforcement of an unjust law against us, as a religious community, but did not even recommend its enforcement in the District of Columbia; neither does he see that it is generally applied against the people of Utah. We, therefore, complained of maladministration, and not against the constitutional government to which we are attached. It was for us to contend for our rights, and not surrender principles that have come direct to us from God, as well as others that have come to us from the Fathers. Reformers of every age, he said, and discoverers of great truths had suffered as we are now suffering, only to a greater extent; but they became recognized at last and truth triumphed.
As Delegate to Congress, the speaker reminded the people that he would soon have to proceed to where duty would call him, and asked the Saints to sustain him by their prayers, that he might be able to perform his duties to the honor of God and blessing of His people.
The choir sang the anthem, Praise ye Jehovah.
Elder H. J. Grant offered the closing prayer.
An adjournment was taken till 2 o’clock p. m.
esteemed it a privilege to address the Conference. He rejoiced in the onward cause of truth in which we are engaged and could see no reason why we should mourn because of opposition so long as we are faithful. It was true, those who were imprisoned had to experience personal inconvenience, but again they would reap the reward of fidelity to the truth, inasmuch as they proved faithful to the end. All blessings are predicated on our faithfulness under any and all circumstances. Charity was a glorious principle and one that characterized the true Saints. Opposition would come, but woe to him by whom it did come, as what they mete out to their fellow-men will yet be measured back to them.
While government officials ofttimes engaged in acts of persecution, the government itself was not necessarily, at all times, responsible for it, although he believed that the law under which many are suffering to-day was designed specially by a majority of the government to apply to us. But they must account for their official acts, and must suffer because of their inhumanity to their fellowmen. It was not the institutions of our government that produced such results, but poor, weak men, who had proved themselves incompetent to administer justice to their fellowmen, that are to blame. After the enactment of the law of 1862, against polygamy, it was widely regarded by legal minds to be unconstitutional, and little was done to make it operative; finally it was declared constitutional, but it did not go far enough to suit the hungry place-hunters. It is not polygamy that is sought to be destroyed, but our union and political ascendancy. Politicians here craved more power, and asked for further legislation, granting it to them—they wanted a Legislative Commission. What for? To disfranchise the whole people, as has been done in Idaho where our enemies control the Legislature. Referred to attempts made to create this Legislative Committee. But when it was feared that a Democratic President would be elected, it was determined by the Republican party to pass at all hazards what was called the Edmunds bill, which was done and the Legislative Commission scheme fell through.
The speaker did not believe that President Cleveland desired to oppress us; but while he entertained this belief, he was not unmindful of the fact that he permitted the vigorous enforcement of an unjust law against us, as a religious community, but did not even recommend its enforcement in the District of Columbia; neither does he see that it is generally applied against the people of Utah. We, therefore, complained of maladministration, and not against the constitutional government to which we are attached. It was for us to contend for our rights, and not surrender principles that have come direct to us from God, as well as others that have come to us from the Fathers. Reformers of every age, he said, and discoverers of great truths had suffered as we are now suffering, only to a greater extent; but they became recognized at last and truth triumphed.
As Delegate to Congress, the speaker reminded the people that he would soon have to proceed to where duty would call him, and asked the Saints to sustain him by their prayers, that he might be able to perform his duties to the honor of God and blessing of His people.
The choir sang the anthem, Praise ye Jehovah.
Elder H. J. Grant offered the closing prayer.
An adjournment was taken till 2 o’clock p. m.
2 p. m.
The Conference was resumed on Tuesday at 2 p. m., Apostle F. D. Richards calling the assembly to order, and the choir singing the hymn: While all the powers of heart and tongue.
Prayer was offered by Elder John H. Smith, after which the choir sang again: Earth with her ten thousand flowers.
The Conference was resumed on Tuesday at 2 p. m., Apostle F. D. Richards calling the assembly to order, and the choir singing the hymn: While all the powers of heart and tongue.
Prayer was offered by Elder John H. Smith, after which the choir sang again: Earth with her ten thousand flowers.
Apostle H. J. Grant
being called upon expressed pleasure in meeting with the Saints in General Conference. To criticize was easy, to advance truths adapted to the condition of a community required thought and divine assistance. The infidel tore down, and built not up. If we at any time undertook to pull down the religious idols of the age, we also offered to show in place thereof, the true and living God, and to tell mankind how to approach and worship Him acceptably.
In connection with a man’s retaining in his heart the teachings of the Spirit, the speaker said, it was necessary for us to live closely to God, keeping the commandments given to us. The Word of Wisdom was adapted to all and it came to us now by commandment; it was therefore obligatory upon all to practice the same in the spirit in which it was given. Referring to the persecutors of the Saints, he said he believed many who endorsed the raid now going on, as the means to a certain desired end, were sincere, believing as they do that we are imposters endeavoring to impose upon others. Others again were ready to admit that it was unjust and cruel in the extreme, and they were watching the outcome with interest and concern. He knew that true Saints commanded the confidence of even worldly minded men, while the same class of people could scarcely, if ever, trust an apostate. The faithful practice of the principles of the Gospel begets confidence, and the fruits of the lives of honorable men commended themselves to all classes.
Referring to the principle of charity, which subject had been touched upon in the forenoon, he said, that he could and did pray for his enemies—that God would confound them in their evil designs and that He might forgive them if they would repent. For himself he prayed that he might become a useful instrument in helping to bring about the purposes of heaven.
Referring to judging others as to their course before the courts, he favored the idea that we should be slow to condemn, not knowing what we might do when placed in the same position; but it mattered not what we might do personally, the purposes of God would be brought about irrespectively of our individual acts.
The sermons preached by the brethren who would rather be deprived of liberty and put up with personal inconveniences than renounce the practice of their religious convictions, speak in tones beyond any oral preaching that could be done, and it was such preaching that would count in recommending the sincerity and righteousness of our cause to the thoughtful mind. The popular argument of 55,000,000 against three hundred thousand, although taking to the masses, was misleading; in fact, he had heard non “Mormons” who appreciated our labors go so far as to say that history attested the fact that wherever great social questions had been at stake, majorities had always been wrong, and especially, the speaker said, was this the case when those questions involved the supremacy of saving truths. To judge rightly, however, in this respect, the world of mankind were in the same condition as the Latter-day Saints—no man could judge correctly of the things of God without the Spirit of God. Certain brethren, he said, complain of being left to their own individual action, with none to counsel or direct them as to the course they should pursue in this trying hour; if such men did not enjoy the living testimony for themselves, they might not expect to stand the trials and tests that the Saints of God would be required to pass through.
being called upon expressed pleasure in meeting with the Saints in General Conference. To criticize was easy, to advance truths adapted to the condition of a community required thought and divine assistance. The infidel tore down, and built not up. If we at any time undertook to pull down the religious idols of the age, we also offered to show in place thereof, the true and living God, and to tell mankind how to approach and worship Him acceptably.
In connection with a man’s retaining in his heart the teachings of the Spirit, the speaker said, it was necessary for us to live closely to God, keeping the commandments given to us. The Word of Wisdom was adapted to all and it came to us now by commandment; it was therefore obligatory upon all to practice the same in the spirit in which it was given. Referring to the persecutors of the Saints, he said he believed many who endorsed the raid now going on, as the means to a certain desired end, were sincere, believing as they do that we are imposters endeavoring to impose upon others. Others again were ready to admit that it was unjust and cruel in the extreme, and they were watching the outcome with interest and concern. He knew that true Saints commanded the confidence of even worldly minded men, while the same class of people could scarcely, if ever, trust an apostate. The faithful practice of the principles of the Gospel begets confidence, and the fruits of the lives of honorable men commended themselves to all classes.
Referring to the principle of charity, which subject had been touched upon in the forenoon, he said, that he could and did pray for his enemies—that God would confound them in their evil designs and that He might forgive them if they would repent. For himself he prayed that he might become a useful instrument in helping to bring about the purposes of heaven.
Referring to judging others as to their course before the courts, he favored the idea that we should be slow to condemn, not knowing what we might do when placed in the same position; but it mattered not what we might do personally, the purposes of God would be brought about irrespectively of our individual acts.
The sermons preached by the brethren who would rather be deprived of liberty and put up with personal inconveniences than renounce the practice of their religious convictions, speak in tones beyond any oral preaching that could be done, and it was such preaching that would count in recommending the sincerity and righteousness of our cause to the thoughtful mind. The popular argument of 55,000,000 against three hundred thousand, although taking to the masses, was misleading; in fact, he had heard non “Mormons” who appreciated our labors go so far as to say that history attested the fact that wherever great social questions had been at stake, majorities had always been wrong, and especially, the speaker said, was this the case when those questions involved the supremacy of saving truths. To judge rightly, however, in this respect, the world of mankind were in the same condition as the Latter-day Saints—no man could judge correctly of the things of God without the Spirit of God. Certain brethren, he said, complain of being left to their own individual action, with none to counsel or direct them as to the course they should pursue in this trying hour; if such men did not enjoy the living testimony for themselves, they might not expect to stand the trials and tests that the Saints of God would be required to pass through.
Apostle John H. Smith
read from the sixth chapter of Hebrews, commencing at the first verse, and then said:
Systems live, but never die. This work, which many had thought was breaking up, still moved onward unchanged, while individuals that failed in the performance of duty became forgotten among men. The man who was faithful to duty and to the trust reposed in him, lived in the hearts and memories of his fellows. Luther, for example, stood out in bold relief to-day, and was looked up to and revered as the father of religious liberty; while he who, in anguish of soul exclaimed, “If I had served my God as I served my king, He would not have cast me off in my old age," could only excite pity.
Duty was the path of safety; it was the road to greatness, immortality and eternal lives. The speaker did not desire to reflect on the failures of men, but to encourage those who had not yet been fully put to the test, and would admonish all such to so live that they might he prepared to stand it manfully when it comes. To do this, one must keep the commandments, he must live godly in Christ Jesus, and by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. When he did wrong, he must repent and mend his ways, and he must not rest satisfied till he enjoys sweet communion with the Holy Spirit, holding himself ready always to sacrifice self for the benefit of the many; he must seek for and obtain the love of God and entertain a righteous desire to help forward the purposes of God irrespective of personal ends; he must love God more than man. When a man will do this he represents faithfully the cause of God, and proves by his actions that he seeks first the kingdom, and trusts his Maker for the outcome.
read from the sixth chapter of Hebrews, commencing at the first verse, and then said:
Systems live, but never die. This work, which many had thought was breaking up, still moved onward unchanged, while individuals that failed in the performance of duty became forgotten among men. The man who was faithful to duty and to the trust reposed in him, lived in the hearts and memories of his fellows. Luther, for example, stood out in bold relief to-day, and was looked up to and revered as the father of religious liberty; while he who, in anguish of soul exclaimed, “If I had served my God as I served my king, He would not have cast me off in my old age," could only excite pity.
Duty was the path of safety; it was the road to greatness, immortality and eternal lives. The speaker did not desire to reflect on the failures of men, but to encourage those who had not yet been fully put to the test, and would admonish all such to so live that they might he prepared to stand it manfully when it comes. To do this, one must keep the commandments, he must live godly in Christ Jesus, and by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. When he did wrong, he must repent and mend his ways, and he must not rest satisfied till he enjoys sweet communion with the Holy Spirit, holding himself ready always to sacrifice self for the benefit of the many; he must seek for and obtain the love of God and entertain a righteous desire to help forward the purposes of God irrespective of personal ends; he must love God more than man. When a man will do this he represents faithfully the cause of God, and proves by his actions that he seeks first the kingdom, and trusts his Maker for the outcome.
Apostle Erastus Snow
said the remarks of Brother Grant reminded him of certain important truths which he would refer to. One of these was prompted by his citation of a certain brother who had prayed and prayed but had failed to obtain light sufficient to convince him thoroughly as to the course that men should take in this trying hour. In this the speaker was reminded of Saul when the Lord refused to answer him either by dream or Urim and Thumim, and, being left to himself, he resorted to the services of one possessing a familiar spirit, one whom we would call a witch; and he groped in the dark until at last he perished. In contradistinction to this, the speaker considered the condition of the faithful Latter-day Saint, comparing the same to the conduct of the lad at sea in a storm. While the priest was imploring God for safety, fearing least he should go down, the boy was light-hearted and unconcerned: and when asked how he could be so merry in the face of such danger, the boy answered, “I don’t know of any danger; father is at the helm.” They that enjoyed the spirit of the Gospel had no need of special dreams and manifestations; they were not troubled; they realized that Father is at the helm, and that the ship’s course is onward, notwithstanding the waves of persecution ran high; and although darkness might be all around, there was light in the ship. In traveling through some of our cañons the road at times, to all visible appearances, as viewed from a distance, would come to an end; but by pushing on it was found to be merely an abrupt turning, and when that point was reached it opened out again into the plain beyond. So it would be in the present instance. It was right to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, and for dreams to encourage us; but the danger lay in deferring it until until the crises comes; all who did so would be found groping in the dark not knowing what to do.
The faithful Saint had always a prayer in his heart, and he was ready for any and every emergency that might come, and he was not moved. “But,” says one, “People are suffering afflictions.” Yes, that was the present lot of the faithful as it ever had been, but they only tended to work out a more exceeding weight of glory for those who endured to the end.
Relative to the idea of majorities being in the wrong and minorities in the right, the speaker said, as a general rule it was so; but it was not necessarily the case. It was so because human nature had become so depraved that it was as natural for man to do wrong as it was for the waters to run down hill. So far all history attested that the Saints of God had always been in the minority, and that reformers and moralists had belonged and do belong to the same class. The secret of this general tendency on the part of majorities was found in the absence of a desire on the part of mankind to recognize the right of the God of nations to dictate in governmental affairs. And as the masses were influenced by their likes and dislikes, and followed their natural tendencies of their own selfish minds, the many oppressed the few. Thus it was that all strong appeals generally come from minorities. But the Gospel was the Gospel of liberty; it restrained none except in wrong doing. Its precepts were calculated to make us respect each other’s rights, and to respect the rights of all men. It would enable us to overcome evil with good, and as the Prophet Joseph said, to turn the world rightside up, if they would let us, and if they would not we would do it all the quicker.
The choir sang the anthem, O, Father, Almighty.
Elder Thatcher announced that on the following morning at 10 o’clock an address from the First Presidency would be read; and an adjournment was taken to that time, Elder Thatcher pronouncing the benediction.
said the remarks of Brother Grant reminded him of certain important truths which he would refer to. One of these was prompted by his citation of a certain brother who had prayed and prayed but had failed to obtain light sufficient to convince him thoroughly as to the course that men should take in this trying hour. In this the speaker was reminded of Saul when the Lord refused to answer him either by dream or Urim and Thumim, and, being left to himself, he resorted to the services of one possessing a familiar spirit, one whom we would call a witch; and he groped in the dark until at last he perished. In contradistinction to this, the speaker considered the condition of the faithful Latter-day Saint, comparing the same to the conduct of the lad at sea in a storm. While the priest was imploring God for safety, fearing least he should go down, the boy was light-hearted and unconcerned: and when asked how he could be so merry in the face of such danger, the boy answered, “I don’t know of any danger; father is at the helm.” They that enjoyed the spirit of the Gospel had no need of special dreams and manifestations; they were not troubled; they realized that Father is at the helm, and that the ship’s course is onward, notwithstanding the waves of persecution ran high; and although darkness might be all around, there was light in the ship. In traveling through some of our cañons the road at times, to all visible appearances, as viewed from a distance, would come to an end; but by pushing on it was found to be merely an abrupt turning, and when that point was reached it opened out again into the plain beyond. So it would be in the present instance. It was right to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, and for dreams to encourage us; but the danger lay in deferring it until until the crises comes; all who did so would be found groping in the dark not knowing what to do.
The faithful Saint had always a prayer in his heart, and he was ready for any and every emergency that might come, and he was not moved. “But,” says one, “People are suffering afflictions.” Yes, that was the present lot of the faithful as it ever had been, but they only tended to work out a more exceeding weight of glory for those who endured to the end.
Relative to the idea of majorities being in the wrong and minorities in the right, the speaker said, as a general rule it was so; but it was not necessarily the case. It was so because human nature had become so depraved that it was as natural for man to do wrong as it was for the waters to run down hill. So far all history attested that the Saints of God had always been in the minority, and that reformers and moralists had belonged and do belong to the same class. The secret of this general tendency on the part of majorities was found in the absence of a desire on the part of mankind to recognize the right of the God of nations to dictate in governmental affairs. And as the masses were influenced by their likes and dislikes, and followed their natural tendencies of their own selfish minds, the many oppressed the few. Thus it was that all strong appeals generally come from minorities. But the Gospel was the Gospel of liberty; it restrained none except in wrong doing. Its precepts were calculated to make us respect each other’s rights, and to respect the rights of all men. It would enable us to overcome evil with good, and as the Prophet Joseph said, to turn the world rightside up, if they would let us, and if they would not we would do it all the quicker.
The choir sang the anthem, O, Father, Almighty.
Elder Thatcher announced that on the following morning at 10 o’clock an address from the First Presidency would be read; and an adjournment was taken to that time, Elder Thatcher pronouncing the benediction.
Wednesday Morning.
The Conference opened at 10 a. m., by the choir singing: We have found the way the Prophets went.
Prayer was offered by Elder H. J. Grant, which was followed by the choir singing: O, say what is truth,
Apostle Erastus Snow announced that the address from the First Presidency would now be read to the congregation by
Elder Moses Thatcher, which was done, the time of reading occupying one hour and twenty-two minutes—the whole morning session.
The Conference opened at 10 a. m., by the choir singing: We have found the way the Prophets went.
Prayer was offered by Elder H. J. Grant, which was followed by the choir singing: O, say what is truth,
Apostle Erastus Snow announced that the address from the First Presidency would now be read to the congregation by
Elder Moses Thatcher, which was done, the time of reading occupying one hour and twenty-two minutes—the whole morning session.
An Epistle from the First Presidency.
To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Brethren and Sisters.—As the time for holding our Semi-annual Conference has again come around, and we are still prevented from addressing the Saints in public, we deem it proper to take this method of communicating with you, that you may know the counsel we have to give, and that we are not neglectful of the duties which devolve upon us as the First Presidency of the Church.
As all the Saints doubtless understand, there has been no cessation since we last wrote, in the work of persecution. It rages, if anything, more fiercely than ever. Under cover of what is called the Edmunds law, the most outrageous acts of oppression are being perpetrated against the Latter-day Saints. The avowal has been openly made that this law was expressly designed for the destruction of a principle of our religion, and in this spirit all the prosecutions have been conducted. Thus far no criminal, however guilty, who has not been a “Mormon,” has been punished under it. Acts of the most sickening depravity have been committed by non-“Mormons” within easy reach of its arm but have scarcely had a passing notice. While it is also worthy of note that, up to the present writing, out of all who have been accused and brought before the District court, only one “Mormon” has been acquitted. The man acquitted, we understand, was charged with being the husband of a woman, on the ground that he had camped in his wagon in a ten acre lot in which her residence stood and had carried some chickens for her to market!
One of the most remarkable features connected with the administration of this law is the extraordinary rulings which are made in its enforcement. The Judge who presides in the Second Judicial District, in the recent trial of a case of unlawful cohabitation, gave instructions to the jury, at the request of the defense. Several accused persons would have been cleared in the Third Judicial District, had the juries which rendered verdicts in their cases, been similarly instructed. They are as follows:
The practice in these attacks upon us has not been to presume the accused innocent until proved guilty; but view him as undoubtedly guilty because accused; and the rulings of the Court in several instances have been made to secure conviction where the evidence was open to question. The extraordinary ruling concerning “holding out,” is one in point; notwithstanding the Edmunds law specifies that the penalty for unlawful cohabitation, shall not be more than six months’ imprisonment, and three hundred dollars’ fine, the notorious ruling from the same bench concerning the number of indictments which can be found against a person accused of unlawful cohabitation, states that he not only can be indicted once for the whole period since the passage of the law, but an indictment can be found for every week of that time; so that, if found guilty in this manner, a man’s punishment would aggregate an imprisonment of 92 years and fines to the amount of $55,200.
Still more extraordinary is the ruling of another Judge, who, not to be outdone in his zeal, says, that an indictment can be found for this charge against a man for every day, or other distinct interval of time since the enactment of the law! As about 1292 days have passed since then, a man found guilty can be incarcerated in prison for 646 years and made pay fines to the amount of $387,600. Comment upon this absurdity is unnecessary.
Before the Edmunds bill became law, and while on its passage, it was claimed that its provisions were of general application and in the interests of morality, and not, as we asserted, a measure directly aimed at religious liberty and for purposes of persecution. But time has fully revealed its true character. Stripped of all disguise it stands out now in all its hideousness. The most shocking immorality flourishes in its presence and thrives under the very eyes of its administrators. All forms of vice, if not directly encouraged by those who are charged with the duty of administering the Edmunds law, are at least viewed by them with indifference. They appear to have no care as to the most flagrant sexual crimes, if they are only committed by non-“Mormons,” or outside of the pale of matrimony. “Mormons” also, under the present administration of the law, may do what they please with women, be guilty of the foulest injustice to them and their offspring, if they will only disown them as wives. The war is openly and undisguisedly made upon our religion. To induce men to repudiate that, to violate its precepts and to break its solemn covenants, every encouragement is given. The man who agrees to discard his wife or wives, and to trample upon the most sacred obligations which human beings can enter into, escapes imprisonment and is applauded; while the man who will not make this compact of dishonor, who will not admit that his past life has been a fraud and a lie, who will not say to the world, “I intended to deceive my God, my brethren and my wives by making covenants I did not expect to keep,” is, besides being punished to the full extent of the law, compelled to endure the reproaches, taunts and insults of a brutal judge.
Notwithstanding of these cruelties are practiced against us, we do not feel that, as Latter-day Saints, we should mourn because of them. We should mourn because of our weaknesses follies and sins, and repent of them. But to be persecuted, to be discriminated against, to be separated from the rest of the world, to be imprisoned and abused are not causes of sorrow to true Saints; they are causes of rejoicing. If, in the great hereafter, we expect to be admitted to the society of the Son of God, our Redeemer, to the society of Prophets and Apostles, and holy men and women, ought we not to be willing to endure the tribulations which they received so joyfully? Where is the Prophet or Apostle who did not endure persecution, whose liberty and life were not in almost constant jeopardy? They did not have an Edmunds law, perhaps, enforced against them; but they had laws which emanated from the same source. With few exceptions they were all punished, deprived of liberty and of life, in the sacred name of the law. Even the holiest Being that ever trod the earth, the great Redeemer of mankind himself, was crucified between two thieves to satisfy Jewish law.
There has probably never been a time in the history of mankind when those whom we now revere as martyrs and whose sacrifices adorn and glorify our humanity and lift it nearer to God, could not, by being recreant to the truth entrusted to them, have escaped the fate which made them so admirable to the generations which followed them. The Savior himself had it in his power to the compromise with his enemies and escape the cruel and ignominious death inflicted upon him. Abraham might have bowed to the gods of his idolatrous father and needed no angel to rescue him from his impending doom. Daniel and his three brethren, also, might have submitted to the decree and law of the ruling powers under which they lived and escaped the fiery furnace and the den of lions. Their refusals to obey the decree and law doubtless appeared to those who had not the knowledge of God which they possessed, as acts of wicked obstinancy that should be summarily punished. But had they, to escape the threatened penalty, obeyed these edicts, posterity would have lost the benefit of their example, and the great God would not have been glorified before their contemporaries as He was by their acts. Instead of their names being, as now, radiant with light and resplendent with heroism, they would, had they reached us, been covered with odium and been mentioned in the same category with the Jews concerning whom the Prophet Jeremiah said: “They bend their tongues like their bow for lies; but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.”
Well-meaning friends of ours have said that our refusal to renounce the principle of celestial marriage invites destruction. They warn us and implore us to yield. They appeal to every human interest and adjure us to bow to a law, which is admitted on all hands to have been framed expressly for the destruction of the principle which we are called upon to reject. They say it is madness to resist the will of so overwhelming a majority. They say they see the gathering clouds, that they hear the premonitory mutterings of the resistless tempest which is about to break in destructive fury upon our heads, and they call upon us to avert its wrath by timely submission. But they perceive not the hand of that Being who controls all storms, whose voice the tempest obeys, at whose flat thrones and empires are thrown down—the Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, who has made promises to us and who has never failed to fulfill all His words.
We did not reveal celestial marriage. We cannot withdraw or renounce it. God revealed it, and He has promised to maintain it and to bless those who obey it. Whatever fate, then, may threaten us, there is but one course for men of God to take, that is, to keep inviolate the holy covenants they have made in the presence of God and angels. For the remainder, whether it be life or death, freedom or imprisonment, prosperity or adversity, we must trust in God. We may say, however, if any man or woman expects to enter into the celestial kingdom of our God without making sacrifices and without being tested to the very uttermost, they have not understood the Gospel. If there is a weak spot in our nature, or if there is a fibre that can be made to quiver or to shrink, we may rest assured that it will be tested. Our own weaknesses will be brought fully to light, and in seeking for help, the strength of our God will also be made manifest to us. The Latter-day Saints have been taught this from the beginning. Such scenes as we now witness in these mountains and hear about in lands where the Elders are preaching the Gospel ought not to be a surprise to us. The Prophets and Apostles and Elders of this dispensation would be false Prophets and Apostles and Elders if these events did not take place; for they have predicted them and warned the people unceasingly concerning them.
Speaking concerning law, the Lord, in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph, August 6th, 1833, says:
Such was the case when we suffered expatriation from the State of Missouri. We were robbed and pillaged, despoiled and persecuted, yet we had no idea of retaliating on account of these wrongs upon the government and its institutions, which to us are sacred. The same loyal spirit animated us when we were beset by bloodthirsty mobs in Illinois, one of which murdered Joseph Smith, our Prophet, and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, while they were under the pledged protection of the State, given through the governor. On the same occasion one of signers of this address was also brought to the gate of death, by being shot by the same band of assassins. When driven from the homes we had established in Illinois, we had no disposition to hold the nation at large nor the government of our beloved country responsible for those inhuman deeds, nor to allow the spirit of vengeance to rankle in our hearts. We took the first opportunity to exhibit the spirit of true patriotism. While undergoing great hardship on account of being subjected to a compulsory exodus, when called upon by the government to furnish a body of men to take part in the war with Mexico, 500 of the flower of our camp responded with alacrity, and in accordance with the call of our country, traversed the great American desert, penetrated to Mexico, and completed an arduous and hazardous campaign, and journey to California.
You have no doubt read, through the papers, an account of the terrible affair which recently occurred at Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory. We could not help feeling a little anxiety lest some of our people should have been connected with that bloody riot, and immediately requested Brother Cluff, President of Summit Stake, to inquire into the matter. So far as we have obtained information to the present, however, we find that not more than one has been in any way mixed up with that matter, and he a person of doubtful standing. We are pleased to learn of this, because we cannot associate with any deeds so revolting and inhuman, and we take this opportunity to express our opinion on this subject to the Saints. A great number of secret socieites are being formed with which we cannot affiliate. Such organizations are generally inimical to law, to good order, and in many instances subversive of the rights of man. We cannot amalgamate with them. They are very distinctly spoken against in the Book of Mormon, as among the calamities which should afflict the people.
We are expressly commanded, and it becomes our duty, to uphold and sustain every law of the land which is constitutional; we have always had a strong desire to obey such laws, and to place ourselves in harmony with all the institutions of the country.
We repeat that we desire that all men should be aware of the fact that we have been the upholders of the Constitution and laws enacted in pursuance of that sacred instrument. We still entertain the same patriotic disposition, and propose to continue acting in conformity with it to the last. Neither have we any desire to come in active conflict even with statutes that we deem opposed to the Constitution both in letter and spirit. Whatever opposition has been offered in that line has been only of such a character as is justified by the usages and customs of this and all other civilized countries, and such as the laws and institutions of this nation provide. Nor have we the least desire to shun the consequences of our acts in their relationship to the laws to which we refer, providing there were any assurance that our cases would be submitted to a fair and just adjudication. Events of the past few months give no ground for hope that such treatment would be accorded. It must be contended, however, that, as stated elsewhere, connected with this disposition to have our conduct passed upon as provided by law administered in the genius of justice, there never can be any hope of our yielding up, under any circumstances, a principle of conscientious or religious conviction. Were we to make such a surrender our conduct in that respect would not be in harmony with the guaranties of the Constitution, which we are in duty bound to uphold.
In order to place our people at a disadvantage, and to crush out their religious system, the Constitution has been violated in a number of ways. It does not require any depth of legal learning to understand what is meant by a religious test, which is forbidden by the “supreme law of the land.” Yet laws have been passed applicable to a wide section of this northwestern country, disfranchising and inflicting total political disability upon our people, without regard to their acts. The offense for which this restriction has been prescribed is simply religious belief, and the means of application is a religious test. It is consequently unconstitutional upon its face. This and other laws—notably the Edmunds act—inflict disabilities upon those of our people who are not in any way associated, by their acts, with polygamy. Thus probably about nine-tenths of our community are punished for alleged offenses for which they are in no way responsible, and in which they have taken no part. Surely no person who is unbiased, that gives this subject even the most casual attention can characterize such treatment as other than flagrantly unjust.
It has been estimated that out of a community of about 200,000 people, more or less, from 10,000 to 12,000 are identified with polygamy. When the Edmunds act was passed this small minority were deprived by it of the right to vote or hold office, voluntarily, without the application of coercion, withdrew from those privileges, notwithstanding the high estimate they placed upon them. It may well be asked wherein is the justice of placing the bulk of the people at a disadvantage as well, seeing they have done nothing to furnish an excuse for such treatment? Granting that the small minority connected with polygamy are criminals before the law, what justification is there, on that account, for punishing, as the Edmunds and other acts do, the overwhelming majority? If such doings were perpetrated in any other connection they would be unsparingly denounced as oppressive and tyrannical in the most extreme degree. If one portion of a community are designated as criminal, to hold the older and much the greater portion responsible for such a condition is not only unjust, but decidedly absurd.
Statements upon this subject have been made to the Chief Executive of the nation, in the form of a protest and petition for redress of grievances. Knowing that misrepresentations have taken the place of impartial scrutiny of the question with which the Latter-day Saints are associated, the consequences being a general misapprehension of the community and their affairs, we presumed that Mr. Cleveland was not acquainted with the real situation. An opportunity was thus sought to acquaint him with the facts. The very reasonable desire was expressed in this connection that a commission of inquiry be appointed, that the truth might appear and be given to the nation. Was it too much to expect that this action, supported by a representation of 200,000 people, would meet with some favorable response, which thus far has not, however, been made? Yet it would be unfair to attribute the delay of the President either to indifference or a disposition to refuse to accord justice to a people whose liberties are being trampled upon to an extent that is almost past human endurance. It is still hoped that he will take some consistent and humane action in the premises. In alluding to the delay in granting a response to the representations made to the President, we must not forget the extensive and arduous character of the duties devolving upon him, as the head of the administration of a great government. We mention this that you may not be disposed to be too censorious in regard to the action of men in high places who have the power to redress our grievances. And even when we feel that we are wronged, it is proper for us to follow the example of the Lord and Master, and say: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Referring once more to the situation in a more local sense, we are not oblivious to the anomalous position in which the Federal judicial officers are placed in dealing with a subject which appears to occupy a large share of popular attention. While it is impossible for them to escape pronounced exceptions being taken to their official course, on account of its harshness, undue rigor, an unjust discrimination in administering the laws, they are entitled to some consideration, justified by well understood circumstances. The Latter-day Saints are the objects of popular obloquy. Their institutions appear to be greatly disliked. The officers are doubtless influenced by the general clamor for the application of heroic treatment to the Saints. They themselves have doubtless been influenced to some degree by personal prejudices, and their official conduct, by these conditions, is thrown out of balance. While their course cannot be sustained in the light of fair play, some allowances should be made on account of the liability of the human mind to be warped by influences in conflict with the principles which should universally obtain in courts of law and presumed justice. Neither would it be justifiable on the part of the Saints to entertain toward them, on account of their departures from their proper line of duty any rancorous or vengeful feeling. A spirit of the character is not in unity with the genius of the Gospel of peace. All men are in the hands of a just God, whose mighty, penetrating power is capable of analyzing all the motives which prompt human action, and He can and will deal with us and them and all men according to the principles of eternal justice.
Upwards of forty years ago the Lord revealed to His Church the principle of celestial marriage. The idea of marrying more wives than one was as naturally abhorrent to the leading men and women of the Church at that day as it could be to any people. They shrank with dread from the bare thought of entering into such relationships. But the command of God was before them in language which no faithful soul dare disobey.
“For, behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory. ... And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof, must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.”
Damnation was the awful penalty affixed to a refusal to obey this law. It became an acknowledged doctrine of the Church; it was indissolubly interwoven in the minds of its members with their hopes of eternal salvation and exaltation in the presence of God. For nearly twenty years this continued to be our faith and practice. Then a law was enacted against it. Another twenty years elapsed, and the Edmunds law was passed. Nearly forty years had thus elapsed from the first revelation of this doctrine, during which period thousands had lived and died, firmly believing and solemnly testifying that it was divine. At great sacrifice they had obeyed it, and based their hopes of eternal felicity upon the promises which the revelation contained. They never dreamed that they had not a constitutional right to obey God, especially when in obeying Him they did not interfere with nor encroach upon the rights of any human being, either man or woman. It never entered into their minds to supposed for a moment that man had a right, after God had given a law to His Church for its salvation and exaltation, to enact a counter law forbidding, under severe penalties, man’s obedience to God’s law. Who could suppose that any man, in this land of religious liberty, would presume to say to his fellowman that he had no right to take such steps as he thought necessary to escape damnation! Or that Congress would enact a law which would present the alternative to religious believers of being consigned to a penitentiary if they should attempt to obey a law of God which would deliver them from damnation! Or that, under a plea of maintaining a certain form of civilization, God’s authority to direct His people how to escape from the abominable corruptions and evils which are eating out the vitals of man’s much vaunted civilization, should be disputed and utterly rejected! What is this “Mormon” problem, so-called, and why should it disturb the people? It is an unpopular religion. But so was that of the ancient Prophets. Jesus told the Jews that they garnished the tombs of the dead Prophets; but killed the living ones. They crucified Jesus and were almost an unanimous in their cry to crucify Him, as the people and rulers of the United States are to-day to destroy the “Mormons.” They killed all of His Apostles except one, and he was banished to work as a slave on the Isle of Patmos. It is said they cast him into a caldron of boiling oil, but he was not killed; and if the Scriptures are true, he still lives, for he was to tarry till the coming of the Savior. We receive as the word of God, and so do millions of the human family, the writings and testimony of the Prophets who were killed. It is published by the millions of copies and sent to the various nations of the earth, by the very people who would now seek to destroy us. Jesus, who was crucified between two thieves, is now worshiped by millions in Christendom as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. The Twelve Apostles, his disciples, who suffered such ignominious contumely and death are now designated by the millions of Christendom as “The Apostles of the Lamb of God,” and churches and cathedrals are called after them, as St. Peter, St. John, St. Mark, St. Luke, etc. It was then the “Christian problem;” it is now “the Mormon problem”—the same problem though called by a different name. Was Jesus the enemy of the people in His day? Only as He told them the truth. “What evil hath He done?” asked Pilate, the Gentile Judge. No matter what evil or what good, vociferated the Jews: “Crucify him! crucify him!” What evil have the “Mormons” done? is asked and the cry comes back: No matter, no matter, let them be destroyed.
By the circulation of endless slanders and falsehoods concerning us and our marriages, wrath and indignation have been aroused against us in our nation. The ignorance of the people concerning us and our doctrines and system have been taken advantage of. Constant attempts have been, and still are being made to induce the world to believe that our motive in espousing patriarchal marriage has been the gratification of gross sensuality—that our belief in and practice of the doctrine had its origin in licentiousness, and that the sanction of religion is merely invoked to furnish greater license for the indulgence of base passions and devouring lust. This, as you know, is the exact antipodes of the truth But the world generally do not know it. Those of them who know how utterly false are these charges are either so cowed down by a fierce public opinion that they dare not speak, or if they have the courage to speak are almost unheard amid the noisy clamor against us. Thousands upon thousands of honest people in this and other nations, whose voices, did they know the truth, would be raised in our favor, are deceived by these lies and are arrayed against us. This persecution, if it serve no other purpose, will do good in this direction. It brings home to the hearts of the people, as no protestations or arguments of ours ever could do, that there is something more in this doctrine and practice than they have been led to believe. Reflecting people will see that there must be a great principle involved in this, or men and women would not be willing to suffer fines, bonds and imprisonment as they do.
Is there any necessity for lustful men and women in this age and nation to suffer martyrdom to gratify their passions? Whoever heard of a people preferring imprisonment and all manner of cruel treatment for the indulgence of appetites which they could gratify to the fullest extent in popular ways, especially when the judges upon the bench, the prosecuting attorneys at the bar, the juries who bring in verdicts, point out the way in which marriage obligations can be discarded and sensuality be gratified without risk or without punishment? The press and sectarian pulpits also echo the advice. The universal voice is: Put away your wives, cease to support them and their children; be as we are, and you need not be put under bonds, be fined or be incarcerated in prison.”
Foul desire opens wide her arms and invites all to her lecherous embrace by easier paths than honorable marriage and the begetting of numerous children to be carefully trained and educated and made respectable and useful citizens.
Will the world see this? Every man who goes to prison for his religion, every woman who, for love of truth an the husband to whom she is bound for time and eternity, submits to bonds an imprisonment, bears a powerful testimony to the world concerning the falsity of the views they entertain respecting us and our religion. If such noble and heroic sacrifices as men and women are now called upon to make for their religion by Federal Courts do not teach the world the truth concerning us, then woe to the world, for nothing but the wrath of Almighty God will reach it.
We join with all Saints in invoking blessings upon the noble men and women who have exhibited their integrity to God and His cause, and their devotion to principle by submitting to bonds and imprisonment rather than deny their faith or break their covenants. If anything were needed to show to the world that our marriages cannot be reduced to the level of the vile practices to which our defamers would drag them down, their heroic conduct has furnished it. Thank God that, so far in this persecution, at least as large a proportion have stood the test, without flinching or cowering, as Jesus in his parable of the ten virgins, intimated would be ready to meet the Bridegroom at his coming. Their names will be held in everlasting honor in time and eternity, not only as martyrs for religious truth, but as patriots who suffered in defense of the principle of religious liberty.
Truths, such as God has revealed in these days, are not established without suffering and sacrifice on the part of those who espouse and advocate them. It was for these truths that we were driven time and again from our homes, and were finally compelled to seek refuge in this mountain country, then known as the American desert. And now again we are menaced with ruin; and for what? Whom have we injured? Upon whose rights have we trespassed? It can be truthfully said we have not injured or trespassed upon any. Have we not, under the blessing of the Lord, changed these barren valleys into fruitful fields and gardens? Have we not established and maintained good and cheap government in every place which we have settled? Has not every man who came into our borders and behaved himself been safe in his property, person and religion? Have not peace and good order been the fruits of our presence? To all these we can answer in the affirmative. Have we endeavored to force our doctrines or practices upon any one? Have we in any manner threatened the peace of our neighbors or of the nation? We certainly have not.
Respecting the doctrine of celestial marriage, we could not, however much we might be disposed to do so, teach it to or enforce it upon, others not of our faith, without violating a command of God. We do not stand in the attitude of propagandists of polygamy. We never have believed or taught that the doctrine of celestial marriage was designed for universal practice. The Lord has made this clear, and recent events among us have also made it clear. “Strait is the gate,” says Jesus, “and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it.”
There appears to be a fallacious idea abroad regarding this doctrine. It has been asserted that there was a design to propagate it outside of our community, and thus introduce into the United States an element opposed to the Christian views of this and other nations. On the contrary, our Elders have been instructed not to introduce the practise of that principle any where outside of the gathering place of the Saints; and they do not preach it abroad to any extent even in theory, except on occasions when it is called for, or when they are assailed on account of it. At such times they respond by defending it as a doctrine of the Bible and not inconsistent with the laws of nature. It should also be understood that the practice is not generally admissible even among the Latter-day Saints. It is strictly guarded, the intention being to allow only those who are above reproach to enter into the relationship. The practice of the doctrine is not for extension beyond the Church, and is even limited within its pale. The idea, therefore, that plural marriage is a menace to the general monogamous system is without foundation. This fallacy is further exhibited by the fact of the popular antipathy with which it is regarded, people outside of our Church exhibiting a disposition the reverse of favorable to its establishment in other communities, making the extension of its practice abroad impossible. Furthermore, being strict believers in freewill, you Latter-day Saints know that no man or woman has ever been coerced into obligations of that kind, much less would we desire to enforce it upon any other class of people.
But in all these events which are now taking place we recognize an acknowledge the hand of God. There is a wise purpose in it all which He will yet more fully make plain to us. One thing is clear, the Saints are being tried in a manner never before known among us. The faithful rejoice and are steadfast; the unfaithful fear and tremble. Those who have oil in their lamps and have kept them trimmed and burning now have a light for their feet and they do not stumble or fall; those who have neither light nor oil are in perplexity and doubt; they know not what to do. Is not this the fulfilment of the word of God and the teachings of His servants? Have not the Latter-day Saints been taught all the day long that, if they would remain faithful and endure to the end, they must live their religion by keeping every commandment of God? Have they not been continually warned of the fate which awaited them if they committed sin? Can adulterers, fornicators, liars, thieves, drunkards, Sabbath-breakers, blasphemers, or sinners of any kind endure the trials which Saints must pass through and expect to stand? If there are any who entertain such hope, they deceive themselves. Upon these sins God has pronounced judgment. No man or woman who is guilty of any of these transgressions of God’s law can stand and retain His Spirit. They must repent of them and put them far from them, or they will be left in darkness, and misery will be their doom. The Lord will not be mocked. He will not bear with hypocrites; but they will be spewed out. If all who call themselves Latter-day Saints were true and faithful to their God, to His holy covenants and laws, and were living as Saints should, persecution would roll off from us without disturbing us in the least. But it is painful to know that this is not their condition. There are secret abominations practiced by those who are called Saints, which the trials we are now passing through will reveal in a manner terrible to them. Open sins are also winked at and condoned by Presidents, Bishops, Teachers and parents in a manner offensive to Go and grievous to man. Proper care and vigilance are not exercised to keep Wards an Stakes cleansed from iniquity and to have transgressors dealt with. The innocent are thus made to suffer with the guilty; for the Lord has commanded that the inhabitants of Zion must purge themselves from iniquity, folly, covetousness and vanity, and listen to and obey His laws, or they cannot have His protection. He has also said that if His people will obey His laws and keep His commandments, to do them, not in name only, but in reality, He will be their shield and protector and strong tower, and no man will be able to hurt them, for He will be their defense. These trials of our faith and constancy which we are now passing through will be overruled for our good and future prosperity. In days to come we shall be able to look back and perceive with clearness how visibly God’s providence is in all that we now witness. Let us do all in our power to so live before the Lord that if we are persecuted, it shall not be for wrong-doing, but for righteousness.
At the present time we may very pertinently inquire: Why are the people of these mountains treated as we now are? Where in this broad land is the virtue of women so amply guarded or so jealously protected as here? No cry of hungry, naked or outraged humanity has ever ascended to heaven from our borders against the men whom the courts are now so busy in sending to prison and treating as criminals. There was a time in these mountains when adultery, fornication, whoredom and illegitimacy were almost unknown. A woman was a safe from insult in traversing over our streets and highways as if she were under her husband’s or father’s roof. Marriage was encouraged, vice was repressed. Women were free to form connections with the opposite sex to suit themselves, so long as those connections were sanctified by marriage. But what a change we now behold! A tide of evil surges around us. It threatens to overwhelm us and to reduce us to ruin. The flood-gates of vice are opened upon us, and not content with the rush of this filthy stream into our cities and settlements, those who hate us would do more. They would invade our dwellings; they would destroy our families; they would loosen every bond which has held society together; they would array wife against husband, child against parent, friend against friend; they would make every man, woman and child a spy, an informer and a betrayer; they would sap the foundation of faith, confidence and honor and make every one distrust his fellow. Satan never wrought greater ruin in Eden than these enemies of ours would work in our midst if we would listen to their blandishments or be frightened by their threats. And is all this havoc to be wrought because of our wickedness? No; ten thousand times, NO. Let those who are so loud in denouncing us, so active in persecuting us, look around them. Are there no people but the “Mormons” to regenerate and purge from sin? Read the daily record of black crime which fills the journals of the land. If the correction of evil, the improvement of morals, the uprooting of vice, the repression of violence and crime were the objects which animate those who seek to destroy society in these mountains, then we could say in the language of the Savior: “Thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
We speak to you, a people who have traveled and mingled much in society all over the world. You are not ignorant of the world, its ways or its corruptions. You know, therefore, how great is the beam that is in the eyes of those who reprove us for the mote they imagine they perceive in our eye. We know that from the household of every faithful Latter-day Saint daily and fervent thanksgiving ascends to the God of heaven for having shown them how to escape from the frightful evils under which society groans in so-called civilized lands. Nevertheless, we will not indulge in recrimination. We sincerely mourn over the existence of the dreadful sins which are permitted to flourish and to spread with unblushing front through the land. As a people we have lifted our voices in warning against these sins and against those who practice them. We shall still continue to do so. If in return for all this we are treated with violence and reproach, it is no more than our Lord and Master was before us. We may rest assured that the predictions concerning the calamities and judgments which are about to fall upon the wicked, the unbelieving and the unrepentant will all be fulfilled, as will every word and promise which the Lord has spoken to us. But while we warn others, let us know forget ourselves, of our families. Let us look well to our own lives and the conduct and lives of those who belong to our households. If we keep ourselves unspotted from sin, rest assured the Lord will never forget or forsake us.
Upon Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading officers great responsibility rests. They are placed as shepherds over the flock of Christ. If through any neglect of theirs the flock is injured or destroyed, the blood of those souls will be found upon their garments. The Melchizedec an Aaronic Priesthoods confer great power and authority upon man; they lift man nearer to God and make him His representative. But woe to the men who use their Priesthood for base purposes, and fail to use it for God’s glory and the salvation of His children. Far better for them if they had never received it.
We have been commanded of the Lord to set our households in order. Apostles, Presidents of Stakes and Bishops, have you done this with your own households? Have you also seen that the Saints have done the same? Have you impressed upon the people under your charge the absolute necessity of purity if they desire the blessing and protection of the Most High? Wolves never watched with greater cunning and more ravenous hunger a flock of sheep and lambs than the people of your Wards and Stakes are now being watched by those who are ready to devour them. Are you awake to this danger, and do you take every precaution against it?
Parents, are you full of fidelity yourselves to every principle of godliness, and do you surround your soto and daughters with every safeguard as shield them from the arts of the vile? Do you teach them that chastity in both man and woman should be more highly esteemed than life itself? Or do you leave them in their ignorance and inexperience to mix with any society they may choose, at any hour that may be convenient to them, and to be exposed to the wiles of the seducer and the corrupt? These are questions you will all have to answer either to your shame and condemnation or to your joy and eternal happiness. Know this, that God, in giving us the precious blessings we possess, demands from us a suitable return. By receiving them we are placed under obligations. If these are not discharged, condemnation inevitably follows.
We hear favorable accounts of the action of Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young Men’s and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Associations, and Relief Societies. These organizations have unlimited opportunities of doing good. If those who have them in charge are faithful in attending to their duties, great will be their reward. If we desire the prosperity of Zion, we will carefully guard and train our young. They come to us pure from the Lord. By proper training we can make them mighty instruments for good. But, Superintendents and Teachers of Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, and Presidents of Young Men and Young Women’s Associations and Relief Societies, remember this, that God will never bless an unvirtuous people, and while a flood tide of corruption, destructive of all true morality and virtue, is sweeping over the land, we must erect barriers to stop its contaminating influence. You have the young in your charge. Teach and impress upon them by every means in your power how dreadful a sin is unchastity. They are taught to shrink in horror from murder; but they should be taught to shrink with abhorrence from the next great sin to shedding blood, and that is unchastity.
From the Elders who are abroad in our own and in other lands we hear generally favorable reports. They have much to contend with. The world is waxing worse and worse. Iniquity abounds. Men’s hearts are hardened against the truth, and the nations are fast being prepared for the judgments which the Lord has said He will pour out in the last days. The Elders are required to carry the message which God has sent to mankind to every nation and to warn them, not in anger or in scorn, but in meekness and humility, that they may flee from the wrath to come. To them we say, Be pure in all your thoughts, words and acts. Keep yourselves unspotted from evil. Avoid all vulgarity of act and expression. Put away all your light speeches, and be sober men of God, filled with the Holy Ghost and the power of your Priesthood.
To the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors we say: Remember the weight of your high calling in Christ Jesus. You are called to be His special witnesses in all the world, to bear testimony that He lives and reigns on high, to see that the Gospel is preached to all the inhabitants of the earth, and that the earth is prepared by suitable warning for the coming of the Son of Man. How great and all-important is your calling. It may be said that the souls of a world are entrusted to you. Through your labors and testimony, either in person or through other chosen messengers whose labors you direct, the inhabitants of the earth will be judged. Is there any law of God, then, which you should neglect, is there any degree of purity which you should not reach, is there any sacrifice which you should not be willing to make? Can men with such a calling as yours be other than holy and yet please our God? Who among you can neglect the duties of your high calling to devote time and care to the world an its pursuits? We say to you in all truth and solemnity that no one of you can do this without displeasing your Go and endangering your salvation.
To the Saints we say that President Woodruff, at our accounts, was in good health and spirits notwithstanding his advanced age, and as full of zeal and faith as ever.
President Joseph F. Smith, our fellow laborer in the First Presidency, though not with us, is actively employed in the ministry and rejoicing greatly in the work of Go. He is as ardent, as devote and as persevering as ever. Were he here, his name, without doubt, would appear with ours to this epistle.
Notwithstanding all that we are now passing through, our hearts are filled with joy and peace. We can truly say, Hosannah to God in the highest. We know that Zion will not be overthrown or be made desolate. Every promise made concerning Zion by the Almighty will be fulfilled. The only thing which ever disturbs our serenity is the report of wrong-doing by those who are called Latter-day Saints.
Praying that God will bless and preserve you and lead you in the path of righteousness, and that you may all operate together in the accomplishment of the purposes of God and the purification of His Church and the establishment of His Kingdom, we remain, with much love,
Your friends and fellow-laborers in the New and Everlasting Covenant,
John Taylor,
George Q. Cannon,
Of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Salt Lake City, October 6th, 1885.
The choir sang the anthem, The song of the Redeemed.
Closing prayer by Elder C. O. Card.
To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Brethren and Sisters.—As the time for holding our Semi-annual Conference has again come around, and we are still prevented from addressing the Saints in public, we deem it proper to take this method of communicating with you, that you may know the counsel we have to give, and that we are not neglectful of the duties which devolve upon us as the First Presidency of the Church.
As all the Saints doubtless understand, there has been no cessation since we last wrote, in the work of persecution. It rages, if anything, more fiercely than ever. Under cover of what is called the Edmunds law, the most outrageous acts of oppression are being perpetrated against the Latter-day Saints. The avowal has been openly made that this law was expressly designed for the destruction of a principle of our religion, and in this spirit all the prosecutions have been conducted. Thus far no criminal, however guilty, who has not been a “Mormon,” has been punished under it. Acts of the most sickening depravity have been committed by non-“Mormons” within easy reach of its arm but have scarcely had a passing notice. While it is also worthy of note that, up to the present writing, out of all who have been accused and brought before the District court, only one “Mormon” has been acquitted. The man acquitted, we understand, was charged with being the husband of a woman, on the ground that he had camped in his wagon in a ten acre lot in which her residence stood and had carried some chickens for her to market!
One of the most remarkable features connected with the administration of this law is the extraordinary rulings which are made in its enforcement. The Judge who presides in the Second Judicial District, in the recent trial of a case of unlawful cohabitation, gave instructions to the jury, at the request of the defense. Several accused persons would have been cleared in the Third Judicial District, had the juries which rendered verdicts in their cases, been similarly instructed. They are as follows:
- Prior to the act of March 22d, 1882, cohabitation with more than one woman was not unlawful.
- If you find from the evidence that the defendant, since the passage of the Edmunds act, March 22d, 1882, and within the dates named in the indictment, has not held out to the world, introduced, or announced more than one of the women named in the indictment as his wife, you should acquit the defendant.
- It is not necessary that the parties to a polygamous marriage, or who have lived in the practice of cohabiting with two or more women, should divorce themselves, in order to entitle them to the presumption of innocence of cohabitation after the passage of the law.
- As all children of polygamous marriages, begotten before March 22nd, 1882, are legitmated, and no cohabitation before that date was unlawful, no criminating inference can be drawn by the jury from the defendant’s later acknowledgments of his paternity of such children by the women mentioned in the indictment, nor from later recognition of such women as their mothers, and as women whom he had before said date, taken into the polygamous relation with him.
- The law presumes innocence, and therefore, that all persons who were cohabiting when the Edmunds act took effect, contrary to the provisions of that act, then ceased to do so.
- The law presumes all persons charged with a criminal offense to be innocent until the presumption is overcome by proof; therefore it presumes that all persons who were living with more than one woman as wives prior to March 22d, 1882, have since that date ceased to so live and cohabit.
- If you find from the evidence that defendant had children by the women named in the indictment prior to March 22d, 1882, then the defendant had a right to visit his children, and support them and make arrangements as to their welfare. He had a right also to assist their mothers in their support, and for such a purpose could visit the house where they and their mothers live. He could furnish them a home, he could visit the mother, the same as if they had been divorced, or as if no such previous relations had existed between them, but he should not associate with her as a husband associates with his wife.
The practice in these attacks upon us has not been to presume the accused innocent until proved guilty; but view him as undoubtedly guilty because accused; and the rulings of the Court in several instances have been made to secure conviction where the evidence was open to question. The extraordinary ruling concerning “holding out,” is one in point; notwithstanding the Edmunds law specifies that the penalty for unlawful cohabitation, shall not be more than six months’ imprisonment, and three hundred dollars’ fine, the notorious ruling from the same bench concerning the number of indictments which can be found against a person accused of unlawful cohabitation, states that he not only can be indicted once for the whole period since the passage of the law, but an indictment can be found for every week of that time; so that, if found guilty in this manner, a man’s punishment would aggregate an imprisonment of 92 years and fines to the amount of $55,200.
Still more extraordinary is the ruling of another Judge, who, not to be outdone in his zeal, says, that an indictment can be found for this charge against a man for every day, or other distinct interval of time since the enactment of the law! As about 1292 days have passed since then, a man found guilty can be incarcerated in prison for 646 years and made pay fines to the amount of $387,600. Comment upon this absurdity is unnecessary.
Before the Edmunds bill became law, and while on its passage, it was claimed that its provisions were of general application and in the interests of morality, and not, as we asserted, a measure directly aimed at religious liberty and for purposes of persecution. But time has fully revealed its true character. Stripped of all disguise it stands out now in all its hideousness. The most shocking immorality flourishes in its presence and thrives under the very eyes of its administrators. All forms of vice, if not directly encouraged by those who are charged with the duty of administering the Edmunds law, are at least viewed by them with indifference. They appear to have no care as to the most flagrant sexual crimes, if they are only committed by non-“Mormons,” or outside of the pale of matrimony. “Mormons” also, under the present administration of the law, may do what they please with women, be guilty of the foulest injustice to them and their offspring, if they will only disown them as wives. The war is openly and undisguisedly made upon our religion. To induce men to repudiate that, to violate its precepts and to break its solemn covenants, every encouragement is given. The man who agrees to discard his wife or wives, and to trample upon the most sacred obligations which human beings can enter into, escapes imprisonment and is applauded; while the man who will not make this compact of dishonor, who will not admit that his past life has been a fraud and a lie, who will not say to the world, “I intended to deceive my God, my brethren and my wives by making covenants I did not expect to keep,” is, besides being punished to the full extent of the law, compelled to endure the reproaches, taunts and insults of a brutal judge.
Notwithstanding of these cruelties are practiced against us, we do not feel that, as Latter-day Saints, we should mourn because of them. We should mourn because of our weaknesses follies and sins, and repent of them. But to be persecuted, to be discriminated against, to be separated from the rest of the world, to be imprisoned and abused are not causes of sorrow to true Saints; they are causes of rejoicing. If, in the great hereafter, we expect to be admitted to the society of the Son of God, our Redeemer, to the society of Prophets and Apostles, and holy men and women, ought we not to be willing to endure the tribulations which they received so joyfully? Where is the Prophet or Apostle who did not endure persecution, whose liberty and life were not in almost constant jeopardy? They did not have an Edmunds law, perhaps, enforced against them; but they had laws which emanated from the same source. With few exceptions they were all punished, deprived of liberty and of life, in the sacred name of the law. Even the holiest Being that ever trod the earth, the great Redeemer of mankind himself, was crucified between two thieves to satisfy Jewish law.
There has probably never been a time in the history of mankind when those whom we now revere as martyrs and whose sacrifices adorn and glorify our humanity and lift it nearer to God, could not, by being recreant to the truth entrusted to them, have escaped the fate which made them so admirable to the generations which followed them. The Savior himself had it in his power to the compromise with his enemies and escape the cruel and ignominious death inflicted upon him. Abraham might have bowed to the gods of his idolatrous father and needed no angel to rescue him from his impending doom. Daniel and his three brethren, also, might have submitted to the decree and law of the ruling powers under which they lived and escaped the fiery furnace and the den of lions. Their refusals to obey the decree and law doubtless appeared to those who had not the knowledge of God which they possessed, as acts of wicked obstinancy that should be summarily punished. But had they, to escape the threatened penalty, obeyed these edicts, posterity would have lost the benefit of their example, and the great God would not have been glorified before their contemporaries as He was by their acts. Instead of their names being, as now, radiant with light and resplendent with heroism, they would, had they reached us, been covered with odium and been mentioned in the same category with the Jews concerning whom the Prophet Jeremiah said: “They bend their tongues like their bow for lies; but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.”
Well-meaning friends of ours have said that our refusal to renounce the principle of celestial marriage invites destruction. They warn us and implore us to yield. They appeal to every human interest and adjure us to bow to a law, which is admitted on all hands to have been framed expressly for the destruction of the principle which we are called upon to reject. They say it is madness to resist the will of so overwhelming a majority. They say they see the gathering clouds, that they hear the premonitory mutterings of the resistless tempest which is about to break in destructive fury upon our heads, and they call upon us to avert its wrath by timely submission. But they perceive not the hand of that Being who controls all storms, whose voice the tempest obeys, at whose flat thrones and empires are thrown down—the Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, who has made promises to us and who has never failed to fulfill all His words.
We did not reveal celestial marriage. We cannot withdraw or renounce it. God revealed it, and He has promised to maintain it and to bless those who obey it. Whatever fate, then, may threaten us, there is but one course for men of God to take, that is, to keep inviolate the holy covenants they have made in the presence of God and angels. For the remainder, whether it be life or death, freedom or imprisonment, prosperity or adversity, we must trust in God. We may say, however, if any man or woman expects to enter into the celestial kingdom of our God without making sacrifices and without being tested to the very uttermost, they have not understood the Gospel. If there is a weak spot in our nature, or if there is a fibre that can be made to quiver or to shrink, we may rest assured that it will be tested. Our own weaknesses will be brought fully to light, and in seeking for help, the strength of our God will also be made manifest to us. The Latter-day Saints have been taught this from the beginning. Such scenes as we now witness in these mountains and hear about in lands where the Elders are preaching the Gospel ought not to be a surprise to us. The Prophets and Apostles and Elders of this dispensation would be false Prophets and Apostles and Elders if these events did not take place; for they have predicted them and warned the people unceasingly concerning them.
Speaking concerning law, the Lord, in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph, August 6th, 1833, says:
- 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 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 law of man, whatsoever is more or less than these 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.
- And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God;
- For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith;
- And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal;
- Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant even unto death, that you may be found worthy;
- For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me.
Such was the case when we suffered expatriation from the State of Missouri. We were robbed and pillaged, despoiled and persecuted, yet we had no idea of retaliating on account of these wrongs upon the government and its institutions, which to us are sacred. The same loyal spirit animated us when we were beset by bloodthirsty mobs in Illinois, one of which murdered Joseph Smith, our Prophet, and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, while they were under the pledged protection of the State, given through the governor. On the same occasion one of signers of this address was also brought to the gate of death, by being shot by the same band of assassins. When driven from the homes we had established in Illinois, we had no disposition to hold the nation at large nor the government of our beloved country responsible for those inhuman deeds, nor to allow the spirit of vengeance to rankle in our hearts. We took the first opportunity to exhibit the spirit of true patriotism. While undergoing great hardship on account of being subjected to a compulsory exodus, when called upon by the government to furnish a body of men to take part in the war with Mexico, 500 of the flower of our camp responded with alacrity, and in accordance with the call of our country, traversed the great American desert, penetrated to Mexico, and completed an arduous and hazardous campaign, and journey to California.
You have no doubt read, through the papers, an account of the terrible affair which recently occurred at Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory. We could not help feeling a little anxiety lest some of our people should have been connected with that bloody riot, and immediately requested Brother Cluff, President of Summit Stake, to inquire into the matter. So far as we have obtained information to the present, however, we find that not more than one has been in any way mixed up with that matter, and he a person of doubtful standing. We are pleased to learn of this, because we cannot associate with any deeds so revolting and inhuman, and we take this opportunity to express our opinion on this subject to the Saints. A great number of secret socieites are being formed with which we cannot affiliate. Such organizations are generally inimical to law, to good order, and in many instances subversive of the rights of man. We cannot amalgamate with them. They are very distinctly spoken against in the Book of Mormon, as among the calamities which should afflict the people.
We are expressly commanded, and it becomes our duty, to uphold and sustain every law of the land which is constitutional; we have always had a strong desire to obey such laws, and to place ourselves in harmony with all the institutions of the country.
We repeat that we desire that all men should be aware of the fact that we have been the upholders of the Constitution and laws enacted in pursuance of that sacred instrument. We still entertain the same patriotic disposition, and propose to continue acting in conformity with it to the last. Neither have we any desire to come in active conflict even with statutes that we deem opposed to the Constitution both in letter and spirit. Whatever opposition has been offered in that line has been only of such a character as is justified by the usages and customs of this and all other civilized countries, and such as the laws and institutions of this nation provide. Nor have we the least desire to shun the consequences of our acts in their relationship to the laws to which we refer, providing there were any assurance that our cases would be submitted to a fair and just adjudication. Events of the past few months give no ground for hope that such treatment would be accorded. It must be contended, however, that, as stated elsewhere, connected with this disposition to have our conduct passed upon as provided by law administered in the genius of justice, there never can be any hope of our yielding up, under any circumstances, a principle of conscientious or religious conviction. Were we to make such a surrender our conduct in that respect would not be in harmony with the guaranties of the Constitution, which we are in duty bound to uphold.
In order to place our people at a disadvantage, and to crush out their religious system, the Constitution has been violated in a number of ways. It does not require any depth of legal learning to understand what is meant by a religious test, which is forbidden by the “supreme law of the land.” Yet laws have been passed applicable to a wide section of this northwestern country, disfranchising and inflicting total political disability upon our people, without regard to their acts. The offense for which this restriction has been prescribed is simply religious belief, and the means of application is a religious test. It is consequently unconstitutional upon its face. This and other laws—notably the Edmunds act—inflict disabilities upon those of our people who are not in any way associated, by their acts, with polygamy. Thus probably about nine-tenths of our community are punished for alleged offenses for which they are in no way responsible, and in which they have taken no part. Surely no person who is unbiased, that gives this subject even the most casual attention can characterize such treatment as other than flagrantly unjust.
It has been estimated that out of a community of about 200,000 people, more or less, from 10,000 to 12,000 are identified with polygamy. When the Edmunds act was passed this small minority were deprived by it of the right to vote or hold office, voluntarily, without the application of coercion, withdrew from those privileges, notwithstanding the high estimate they placed upon them. It may well be asked wherein is the justice of placing the bulk of the people at a disadvantage as well, seeing they have done nothing to furnish an excuse for such treatment? Granting that the small minority connected with polygamy are criminals before the law, what justification is there, on that account, for punishing, as the Edmunds and other acts do, the overwhelming majority? If such doings were perpetrated in any other connection they would be unsparingly denounced as oppressive and tyrannical in the most extreme degree. If one portion of a community are designated as criminal, to hold the older and much the greater portion responsible for such a condition is not only unjust, but decidedly absurd.
Statements upon this subject have been made to the Chief Executive of the nation, in the form of a protest and petition for redress of grievances. Knowing that misrepresentations have taken the place of impartial scrutiny of the question with which the Latter-day Saints are associated, the consequences being a general misapprehension of the community and their affairs, we presumed that Mr. Cleveland was not acquainted with the real situation. An opportunity was thus sought to acquaint him with the facts. The very reasonable desire was expressed in this connection that a commission of inquiry be appointed, that the truth might appear and be given to the nation. Was it too much to expect that this action, supported by a representation of 200,000 people, would meet with some favorable response, which thus far has not, however, been made? Yet it would be unfair to attribute the delay of the President either to indifference or a disposition to refuse to accord justice to a people whose liberties are being trampled upon to an extent that is almost past human endurance. It is still hoped that he will take some consistent and humane action in the premises. In alluding to the delay in granting a response to the representations made to the President, we must not forget the extensive and arduous character of the duties devolving upon him, as the head of the administration of a great government. We mention this that you may not be disposed to be too censorious in regard to the action of men in high places who have the power to redress our grievances. And even when we feel that we are wronged, it is proper for us to follow the example of the Lord and Master, and say: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Referring once more to the situation in a more local sense, we are not oblivious to the anomalous position in which the Federal judicial officers are placed in dealing with a subject which appears to occupy a large share of popular attention. While it is impossible for them to escape pronounced exceptions being taken to their official course, on account of its harshness, undue rigor, an unjust discrimination in administering the laws, they are entitled to some consideration, justified by well understood circumstances. The Latter-day Saints are the objects of popular obloquy. Their institutions appear to be greatly disliked. The officers are doubtless influenced by the general clamor for the application of heroic treatment to the Saints. They themselves have doubtless been influenced to some degree by personal prejudices, and their official conduct, by these conditions, is thrown out of balance. While their course cannot be sustained in the light of fair play, some allowances should be made on account of the liability of the human mind to be warped by influences in conflict with the principles which should universally obtain in courts of law and presumed justice. Neither would it be justifiable on the part of the Saints to entertain toward them, on account of their departures from their proper line of duty any rancorous or vengeful feeling. A spirit of the character is not in unity with the genius of the Gospel of peace. All men are in the hands of a just God, whose mighty, penetrating power is capable of analyzing all the motives which prompt human action, and He can and will deal with us and them and all men according to the principles of eternal justice.
Upwards of forty years ago the Lord revealed to His Church the principle of celestial marriage. The idea of marrying more wives than one was as naturally abhorrent to the leading men and women of the Church at that day as it could be to any people. They shrank with dread from the bare thought of entering into such relationships. But the command of God was before them in language which no faithful soul dare disobey.
“For, behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory. ... And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof, must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.”
Damnation was the awful penalty affixed to a refusal to obey this law. It became an acknowledged doctrine of the Church; it was indissolubly interwoven in the minds of its members with their hopes of eternal salvation and exaltation in the presence of God. For nearly twenty years this continued to be our faith and practice. Then a law was enacted against it. Another twenty years elapsed, and the Edmunds law was passed. Nearly forty years had thus elapsed from the first revelation of this doctrine, during which period thousands had lived and died, firmly believing and solemnly testifying that it was divine. At great sacrifice they had obeyed it, and based their hopes of eternal felicity upon the promises which the revelation contained. They never dreamed that they had not a constitutional right to obey God, especially when in obeying Him they did not interfere with nor encroach upon the rights of any human being, either man or woman. It never entered into their minds to supposed for a moment that man had a right, after God had given a law to His Church for its salvation and exaltation, to enact a counter law forbidding, under severe penalties, man’s obedience to God’s law. Who could suppose that any man, in this land of religious liberty, would presume to say to his fellowman that he had no right to take such steps as he thought necessary to escape damnation! Or that Congress would enact a law which would present the alternative to religious believers of being consigned to a penitentiary if they should attempt to obey a law of God which would deliver them from damnation! Or that, under a plea of maintaining a certain form of civilization, God’s authority to direct His people how to escape from the abominable corruptions and evils which are eating out the vitals of man’s much vaunted civilization, should be disputed and utterly rejected! What is this “Mormon” problem, so-called, and why should it disturb the people? It is an unpopular religion. But so was that of the ancient Prophets. Jesus told the Jews that they garnished the tombs of the dead Prophets; but killed the living ones. They crucified Jesus and were almost an unanimous in their cry to crucify Him, as the people and rulers of the United States are to-day to destroy the “Mormons.” They killed all of His Apostles except one, and he was banished to work as a slave on the Isle of Patmos. It is said they cast him into a caldron of boiling oil, but he was not killed; and if the Scriptures are true, he still lives, for he was to tarry till the coming of the Savior. We receive as the word of God, and so do millions of the human family, the writings and testimony of the Prophets who were killed. It is published by the millions of copies and sent to the various nations of the earth, by the very people who would now seek to destroy us. Jesus, who was crucified between two thieves, is now worshiped by millions in Christendom as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. The Twelve Apostles, his disciples, who suffered such ignominious contumely and death are now designated by the millions of Christendom as “The Apostles of the Lamb of God,” and churches and cathedrals are called after them, as St. Peter, St. John, St. Mark, St. Luke, etc. It was then the “Christian problem;” it is now “the Mormon problem”—the same problem though called by a different name. Was Jesus the enemy of the people in His day? Only as He told them the truth. “What evil hath He done?” asked Pilate, the Gentile Judge. No matter what evil or what good, vociferated the Jews: “Crucify him! crucify him!” What evil have the “Mormons” done? is asked and the cry comes back: No matter, no matter, let them be destroyed.
By the circulation of endless slanders and falsehoods concerning us and our marriages, wrath and indignation have been aroused against us in our nation. The ignorance of the people concerning us and our doctrines and system have been taken advantage of. Constant attempts have been, and still are being made to induce the world to believe that our motive in espousing patriarchal marriage has been the gratification of gross sensuality—that our belief in and practice of the doctrine had its origin in licentiousness, and that the sanction of religion is merely invoked to furnish greater license for the indulgence of base passions and devouring lust. This, as you know, is the exact antipodes of the truth But the world generally do not know it. Those of them who know how utterly false are these charges are either so cowed down by a fierce public opinion that they dare not speak, or if they have the courage to speak are almost unheard amid the noisy clamor against us. Thousands upon thousands of honest people in this and other nations, whose voices, did they know the truth, would be raised in our favor, are deceived by these lies and are arrayed against us. This persecution, if it serve no other purpose, will do good in this direction. It brings home to the hearts of the people, as no protestations or arguments of ours ever could do, that there is something more in this doctrine and practice than they have been led to believe. Reflecting people will see that there must be a great principle involved in this, or men and women would not be willing to suffer fines, bonds and imprisonment as they do.
Is there any necessity for lustful men and women in this age and nation to suffer martyrdom to gratify their passions? Whoever heard of a people preferring imprisonment and all manner of cruel treatment for the indulgence of appetites which they could gratify to the fullest extent in popular ways, especially when the judges upon the bench, the prosecuting attorneys at the bar, the juries who bring in verdicts, point out the way in which marriage obligations can be discarded and sensuality be gratified without risk or without punishment? The press and sectarian pulpits also echo the advice. The universal voice is: Put away your wives, cease to support them and their children; be as we are, and you need not be put under bonds, be fined or be incarcerated in prison.”
Foul desire opens wide her arms and invites all to her lecherous embrace by easier paths than honorable marriage and the begetting of numerous children to be carefully trained and educated and made respectable and useful citizens.
Will the world see this? Every man who goes to prison for his religion, every woman who, for love of truth an the husband to whom she is bound for time and eternity, submits to bonds an imprisonment, bears a powerful testimony to the world concerning the falsity of the views they entertain respecting us and our religion. If such noble and heroic sacrifices as men and women are now called upon to make for their religion by Federal Courts do not teach the world the truth concerning us, then woe to the world, for nothing but the wrath of Almighty God will reach it.
We join with all Saints in invoking blessings upon the noble men and women who have exhibited their integrity to God and His cause, and their devotion to principle by submitting to bonds and imprisonment rather than deny their faith or break their covenants. If anything were needed to show to the world that our marriages cannot be reduced to the level of the vile practices to which our defamers would drag them down, their heroic conduct has furnished it. Thank God that, so far in this persecution, at least as large a proportion have stood the test, without flinching or cowering, as Jesus in his parable of the ten virgins, intimated would be ready to meet the Bridegroom at his coming. Their names will be held in everlasting honor in time and eternity, not only as martyrs for religious truth, but as patriots who suffered in defense of the principle of religious liberty.
Truths, such as God has revealed in these days, are not established without suffering and sacrifice on the part of those who espouse and advocate them. It was for these truths that we were driven time and again from our homes, and were finally compelled to seek refuge in this mountain country, then known as the American desert. And now again we are menaced with ruin; and for what? Whom have we injured? Upon whose rights have we trespassed? It can be truthfully said we have not injured or trespassed upon any. Have we not, under the blessing of the Lord, changed these barren valleys into fruitful fields and gardens? Have we not established and maintained good and cheap government in every place which we have settled? Has not every man who came into our borders and behaved himself been safe in his property, person and religion? Have not peace and good order been the fruits of our presence? To all these we can answer in the affirmative. Have we endeavored to force our doctrines or practices upon any one? Have we in any manner threatened the peace of our neighbors or of the nation? We certainly have not.
Respecting the doctrine of celestial marriage, we could not, however much we might be disposed to do so, teach it to or enforce it upon, others not of our faith, without violating a command of God. We do not stand in the attitude of propagandists of polygamy. We never have believed or taught that the doctrine of celestial marriage was designed for universal practice. The Lord has made this clear, and recent events among us have also made it clear. “Strait is the gate,” says Jesus, “and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it.”
There appears to be a fallacious idea abroad regarding this doctrine. It has been asserted that there was a design to propagate it outside of our community, and thus introduce into the United States an element opposed to the Christian views of this and other nations. On the contrary, our Elders have been instructed not to introduce the practise of that principle any where outside of the gathering place of the Saints; and they do not preach it abroad to any extent even in theory, except on occasions when it is called for, or when they are assailed on account of it. At such times they respond by defending it as a doctrine of the Bible and not inconsistent with the laws of nature. It should also be understood that the practice is not generally admissible even among the Latter-day Saints. It is strictly guarded, the intention being to allow only those who are above reproach to enter into the relationship. The practice of the doctrine is not for extension beyond the Church, and is even limited within its pale. The idea, therefore, that plural marriage is a menace to the general monogamous system is without foundation. This fallacy is further exhibited by the fact of the popular antipathy with which it is regarded, people outside of our Church exhibiting a disposition the reverse of favorable to its establishment in other communities, making the extension of its practice abroad impossible. Furthermore, being strict believers in freewill, you Latter-day Saints know that no man or woman has ever been coerced into obligations of that kind, much less would we desire to enforce it upon any other class of people.
But in all these events which are now taking place we recognize an acknowledge the hand of God. There is a wise purpose in it all which He will yet more fully make plain to us. One thing is clear, the Saints are being tried in a manner never before known among us. The faithful rejoice and are steadfast; the unfaithful fear and tremble. Those who have oil in their lamps and have kept them trimmed and burning now have a light for their feet and they do not stumble or fall; those who have neither light nor oil are in perplexity and doubt; they know not what to do. Is not this the fulfilment of the word of God and the teachings of His servants? Have not the Latter-day Saints been taught all the day long that, if they would remain faithful and endure to the end, they must live their religion by keeping every commandment of God? Have they not been continually warned of the fate which awaited them if they committed sin? Can adulterers, fornicators, liars, thieves, drunkards, Sabbath-breakers, blasphemers, or sinners of any kind endure the trials which Saints must pass through and expect to stand? If there are any who entertain such hope, they deceive themselves. Upon these sins God has pronounced judgment. No man or woman who is guilty of any of these transgressions of God’s law can stand and retain His Spirit. They must repent of them and put them far from them, or they will be left in darkness, and misery will be their doom. The Lord will not be mocked. He will not bear with hypocrites; but they will be spewed out. If all who call themselves Latter-day Saints were true and faithful to their God, to His holy covenants and laws, and were living as Saints should, persecution would roll off from us without disturbing us in the least. But it is painful to know that this is not their condition. There are secret abominations practiced by those who are called Saints, which the trials we are now passing through will reveal in a manner terrible to them. Open sins are also winked at and condoned by Presidents, Bishops, Teachers and parents in a manner offensive to Go and grievous to man. Proper care and vigilance are not exercised to keep Wards an Stakes cleansed from iniquity and to have transgressors dealt with. The innocent are thus made to suffer with the guilty; for the Lord has commanded that the inhabitants of Zion must purge themselves from iniquity, folly, covetousness and vanity, and listen to and obey His laws, or they cannot have His protection. He has also said that if His people will obey His laws and keep His commandments, to do them, not in name only, but in reality, He will be their shield and protector and strong tower, and no man will be able to hurt them, for He will be their defense. These trials of our faith and constancy which we are now passing through will be overruled for our good and future prosperity. In days to come we shall be able to look back and perceive with clearness how visibly God’s providence is in all that we now witness. Let us do all in our power to so live before the Lord that if we are persecuted, it shall not be for wrong-doing, but for righteousness.
At the present time we may very pertinently inquire: Why are the people of these mountains treated as we now are? Where in this broad land is the virtue of women so amply guarded or so jealously protected as here? No cry of hungry, naked or outraged humanity has ever ascended to heaven from our borders against the men whom the courts are now so busy in sending to prison and treating as criminals. There was a time in these mountains when adultery, fornication, whoredom and illegitimacy were almost unknown. A woman was a safe from insult in traversing over our streets and highways as if she were under her husband’s or father’s roof. Marriage was encouraged, vice was repressed. Women were free to form connections with the opposite sex to suit themselves, so long as those connections were sanctified by marriage. But what a change we now behold! A tide of evil surges around us. It threatens to overwhelm us and to reduce us to ruin. The flood-gates of vice are opened upon us, and not content with the rush of this filthy stream into our cities and settlements, those who hate us would do more. They would invade our dwellings; they would destroy our families; they would loosen every bond which has held society together; they would array wife against husband, child against parent, friend against friend; they would make every man, woman and child a spy, an informer and a betrayer; they would sap the foundation of faith, confidence and honor and make every one distrust his fellow. Satan never wrought greater ruin in Eden than these enemies of ours would work in our midst if we would listen to their blandishments or be frightened by their threats. And is all this havoc to be wrought because of our wickedness? No; ten thousand times, NO. Let those who are so loud in denouncing us, so active in persecuting us, look around them. Are there no people but the “Mormons” to regenerate and purge from sin? Read the daily record of black crime which fills the journals of the land. If the correction of evil, the improvement of morals, the uprooting of vice, the repression of violence and crime were the objects which animate those who seek to destroy society in these mountains, then we could say in the language of the Savior: “Thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
We speak to you, a people who have traveled and mingled much in society all over the world. You are not ignorant of the world, its ways or its corruptions. You know, therefore, how great is the beam that is in the eyes of those who reprove us for the mote they imagine they perceive in our eye. We know that from the household of every faithful Latter-day Saint daily and fervent thanksgiving ascends to the God of heaven for having shown them how to escape from the frightful evils under which society groans in so-called civilized lands. Nevertheless, we will not indulge in recrimination. We sincerely mourn over the existence of the dreadful sins which are permitted to flourish and to spread with unblushing front through the land. As a people we have lifted our voices in warning against these sins and against those who practice them. We shall still continue to do so. If in return for all this we are treated with violence and reproach, it is no more than our Lord and Master was before us. We may rest assured that the predictions concerning the calamities and judgments which are about to fall upon the wicked, the unbelieving and the unrepentant will all be fulfilled, as will every word and promise which the Lord has spoken to us. But while we warn others, let us know forget ourselves, of our families. Let us look well to our own lives and the conduct and lives of those who belong to our households. If we keep ourselves unspotted from sin, rest assured the Lord will never forget or forsake us.
Upon Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading officers great responsibility rests. They are placed as shepherds over the flock of Christ. If through any neglect of theirs the flock is injured or destroyed, the blood of those souls will be found upon their garments. The Melchizedec an Aaronic Priesthoods confer great power and authority upon man; they lift man nearer to God and make him His representative. But woe to the men who use their Priesthood for base purposes, and fail to use it for God’s glory and the salvation of His children. Far better for them if they had never received it.
We have been commanded of the Lord to set our households in order. Apostles, Presidents of Stakes and Bishops, have you done this with your own households? Have you also seen that the Saints have done the same? Have you impressed upon the people under your charge the absolute necessity of purity if they desire the blessing and protection of the Most High? Wolves never watched with greater cunning and more ravenous hunger a flock of sheep and lambs than the people of your Wards and Stakes are now being watched by those who are ready to devour them. Are you awake to this danger, and do you take every precaution against it?
Parents, are you full of fidelity yourselves to every principle of godliness, and do you surround your soto and daughters with every safeguard as shield them from the arts of the vile? Do you teach them that chastity in both man and woman should be more highly esteemed than life itself? Or do you leave them in their ignorance and inexperience to mix with any society they may choose, at any hour that may be convenient to them, and to be exposed to the wiles of the seducer and the corrupt? These are questions you will all have to answer either to your shame and condemnation or to your joy and eternal happiness. Know this, that God, in giving us the precious blessings we possess, demands from us a suitable return. By receiving them we are placed under obligations. If these are not discharged, condemnation inevitably follows.
We hear favorable accounts of the action of Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young Men’s and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Associations, and Relief Societies. These organizations have unlimited opportunities of doing good. If those who have them in charge are faithful in attending to their duties, great will be their reward. If we desire the prosperity of Zion, we will carefully guard and train our young. They come to us pure from the Lord. By proper training we can make them mighty instruments for good. But, Superintendents and Teachers of Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, and Presidents of Young Men and Young Women’s Associations and Relief Societies, remember this, that God will never bless an unvirtuous people, and while a flood tide of corruption, destructive of all true morality and virtue, is sweeping over the land, we must erect barriers to stop its contaminating influence. You have the young in your charge. Teach and impress upon them by every means in your power how dreadful a sin is unchastity. They are taught to shrink in horror from murder; but they should be taught to shrink with abhorrence from the next great sin to shedding blood, and that is unchastity.
From the Elders who are abroad in our own and in other lands we hear generally favorable reports. They have much to contend with. The world is waxing worse and worse. Iniquity abounds. Men’s hearts are hardened against the truth, and the nations are fast being prepared for the judgments which the Lord has said He will pour out in the last days. The Elders are required to carry the message which God has sent to mankind to every nation and to warn them, not in anger or in scorn, but in meekness and humility, that they may flee from the wrath to come. To them we say, Be pure in all your thoughts, words and acts. Keep yourselves unspotted from evil. Avoid all vulgarity of act and expression. Put away all your light speeches, and be sober men of God, filled with the Holy Ghost and the power of your Priesthood.
To the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors we say: Remember the weight of your high calling in Christ Jesus. You are called to be His special witnesses in all the world, to bear testimony that He lives and reigns on high, to see that the Gospel is preached to all the inhabitants of the earth, and that the earth is prepared by suitable warning for the coming of the Son of Man. How great and all-important is your calling. It may be said that the souls of a world are entrusted to you. Through your labors and testimony, either in person or through other chosen messengers whose labors you direct, the inhabitants of the earth will be judged. Is there any law of God, then, which you should neglect, is there any degree of purity which you should not reach, is there any sacrifice which you should not be willing to make? Can men with such a calling as yours be other than holy and yet please our God? Who among you can neglect the duties of your high calling to devote time and care to the world an its pursuits? We say to you in all truth and solemnity that no one of you can do this without displeasing your Go and endangering your salvation.
To the Saints we say that President Woodruff, at our accounts, was in good health and spirits notwithstanding his advanced age, and as full of zeal and faith as ever.
President Joseph F. Smith, our fellow laborer in the First Presidency, though not with us, is actively employed in the ministry and rejoicing greatly in the work of Go. He is as ardent, as devote and as persevering as ever. Were he here, his name, without doubt, would appear with ours to this epistle.
Notwithstanding all that we are now passing through, our hearts are filled with joy and peace. We can truly say, Hosannah to God in the highest. We know that Zion will not be overthrown or be made desolate. Every promise made concerning Zion by the Almighty will be fulfilled. The only thing which ever disturbs our serenity is the report of wrong-doing by those who are called Latter-day Saints.
Praying that God will bless and preserve you and lead you in the path of righteousness, and that you may all operate together in the accomplishment of the purposes of God and the purification of His Church and the establishment of His Kingdom, we remain, with much love,
Your friends and fellow-laborers in the New and Everlasting Covenant,
John Taylor,
George Q. Cannon,
Of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Salt Lake City, October 6th, 1885.
The choir sang the anthem, The song of the Redeemed.
Closing prayer by Elder C. O. Card.
Wednesday Afternoon.
Conference called to order at 2 p.m. by Apostle Erastus Snow.
The meeting opened with the singing of Come thou glorious day of promise.
Prayer by Elder John W. Taylor.
The choir sang the hymn, I saw a mighty angel fly.
Conference called to order at 2 p.m. by Apostle Erastus Snow.
The meeting opened with the singing of Come thou glorious day of promise.
Prayer by Elder John W. Taylor.
The choir sang the hymn, I saw a mighty angel fly.
Apostle F. M. Lyman
was the first speaker. He said it was a great undertaking to be a Saint, on account of the unpopularity of the principles that characterized a Saint. We could not walk by the light of our neighbor any more than we could be saved by his righteousness. It was necessary that each man live by the light within himself. It was unsafe to depend on any man; on God alone we could lean, to whom we had the right of access and appeal, inasmuch as we trusted in Him and kept His commandments. The times we live in were trying but not serious; we were not subject to the cruelty of mobs, as were our fathers. Our family conditions were somewhat disturbed, it was true; but we garnered our crops in peace, and plenty prevailed throughout the land. The history of God’s people from the beginning attested the afflictions they endured, all of which were permitted in the wisdom of a divine providence; the same might be said with equal propriety of us, if we could only comprehend it. Opposition to the truth tended to strengthen those that represented it.
God’s people must be a tried people, and while we were doing our work, our enemies were doing theirs, and they were more faithful in performing their work than we were in doing our duty; but their power to harass and afflict was limited to time, while our marital relations ran through eternity. All must die; and what of it, if some should end their days inside prison walls? We could die but once, and then not till the proper time.
The speaker admonished the people to keep the commandments, as a safeguard against oppression and affliction, and as the only means to escape the power of oppression; for the Gospel guaranteed freedom, and was the only law of liberty. Some were ashamed to suffer imprisonment, as though that was the evidence of real crime; such a spirit was of the world, worldly, and akin to the hollowness of the civilization of our age. The speaker spoke of marriage and the sanctity of the marriage covenant; he dwelt also upon the worthiness of men to engage in the marital relations, and said that a man who was not worthy to be the husband of two or more pure women, was not worthy of a single wife; and, should his just deserts be meted out to him, he would be deprived of entering the married state at all. Spoke of the duty of parents to set their houses in order, to instruct their children in due season, and guard them against the snares of the world by correctly teaching them. The work of God was being advertised through the opposition that is being met with, and the overruling hand of God was producing good results. With regard to our course, he said, it must be onward; no man could afford to flinch for a moment; we could bow to none save to the God of Israel, and if men have to suffer because they choose to be faithful, their suffering would not be greater than they could bear.
This was the work of God and not of man, and it was His business to take care of it, and our business to take care of ourselves, God helping us to do so. With regard to compromising a single principle of the Gospel, the speaker said, if we as a people were to be guilty of such an act of moral cowardice, we would prove ourselves unworthy the name we bore, and we could not escape the very opposition we would fain avoid.
was the first speaker. He said it was a great undertaking to be a Saint, on account of the unpopularity of the principles that characterized a Saint. We could not walk by the light of our neighbor any more than we could be saved by his righteousness. It was necessary that each man live by the light within himself. It was unsafe to depend on any man; on God alone we could lean, to whom we had the right of access and appeal, inasmuch as we trusted in Him and kept His commandments. The times we live in were trying but not serious; we were not subject to the cruelty of mobs, as were our fathers. Our family conditions were somewhat disturbed, it was true; but we garnered our crops in peace, and plenty prevailed throughout the land. The history of God’s people from the beginning attested the afflictions they endured, all of which were permitted in the wisdom of a divine providence; the same might be said with equal propriety of us, if we could only comprehend it. Opposition to the truth tended to strengthen those that represented it.
God’s people must be a tried people, and while we were doing our work, our enemies were doing theirs, and they were more faithful in performing their work than we were in doing our duty; but their power to harass and afflict was limited to time, while our marital relations ran through eternity. All must die; and what of it, if some should end their days inside prison walls? We could die but once, and then not till the proper time.
The speaker admonished the people to keep the commandments, as a safeguard against oppression and affliction, and as the only means to escape the power of oppression; for the Gospel guaranteed freedom, and was the only law of liberty. Some were ashamed to suffer imprisonment, as though that was the evidence of real crime; such a spirit was of the world, worldly, and akin to the hollowness of the civilization of our age. The speaker spoke of marriage and the sanctity of the marriage covenant; he dwelt also upon the worthiness of men to engage in the marital relations, and said that a man who was not worthy to be the husband of two or more pure women, was not worthy of a single wife; and, should his just deserts be meted out to him, he would be deprived of entering the married state at all. Spoke of the duty of parents to set their houses in order, to instruct their children in due season, and guard them against the snares of the world by correctly teaching them. The work of God was being advertised through the opposition that is being met with, and the overruling hand of God was producing good results. With regard to our course, he said, it must be onward; no man could afford to flinch for a moment; we could bow to none save to the God of Israel, and if men have to suffer because they choose to be faithful, their suffering would not be greater than they could bear.
This was the work of God and not of man, and it was His business to take care of it, and our business to take care of ourselves, God helping us to do so. With regard to compromising a single principle of the Gospel, the speaker said, if we as a people were to be guilty of such an act of moral cowardice, we would prove ourselves unworthy the name we bore, and we could not escape the very opposition we would fain avoid.
Elder S. B. Young
endorsed the language and sentiments of the epistle of the First Presidency, and those of the previous speaker. The sentiments of some men respecting our condition, and the course we should pursue in order place ourselves in harmony with the law affecting our marital relations, reminded him of some remarks made on a certain occasion by A. W. Babbitt with regard to the Prophet Daniel’s course when he found himself in conflict with the law made specially for him. Babbitt said if he had been in that position he would have considered it politic and justifiable to close the doors and draw the blinds when approaching the throne of grace. After he sat down President Young arose and sharply rebuke him for advancing such doctrine, and said that, had Daniel done otherwise than he did, under the circumstances, he never could have been favored of the Lord; neither could he have been delivered from the hands of him enemies. The position occupied by Daniel, was parallel to that in which we were placed; and there remained but the one course for us to pursue, namely, to be true to our God, maintaining the honor of His name at the risk of even life itself. The kingdom spoken of by Daniel must be established, and it would be built on the principles of truth and righteousness by a people who would recognize an acknowledge Him in all things. In this respect that people would differ widely from our own nation, especially if a certain anecdote he had heard reflected correctly its religious status. It ran thus: A certain minister, it was said, applied at the bar of the House of Representatives to be admitted. He was asked, what court he represented. The minister replied, the Court of High Heaven. He was politely informed that he could not be admitted, as our government had ceased all relations with that foreign power.
Correspondingly with the growth an development of the government of God would the millennium be ushered in, and this would be brought about by each individual and each family sanctifying the truth in his own heart and their own home, and in this way would the will of God be done among them as it is done in heaven.
The choir sang the anthem, Grant us peace, O Lord!
The closing prayer was offered by Elder J. D. T. McAllister.
endorsed the language and sentiments of the epistle of the First Presidency, and those of the previous speaker. The sentiments of some men respecting our condition, and the course we should pursue in order place ourselves in harmony with the law affecting our marital relations, reminded him of some remarks made on a certain occasion by A. W. Babbitt with regard to the Prophet Daniel’s course when he found himself in conflict with the law made specially for him. Babbitt said if he had been in that position he would have considered it politic and justifiable to close the doors and draw the blinds when approaching the throne of grace. After he sat down President Young arose and sharply rebuke him for advancing such doctrine, and said that, had Daniel done otherwise than he did, under the circumstances, he never could have been favored of the Lord; neither could he have been delivered from the hands of him enemies. The position occupied by Daniel, was parallel to that in which we were placed; and there remained but the one course for us to pursue, namely, to be true to our God, maintaining the honor of His name at the risk of even life itself. The kingdom spoken of by Daniel must be established, and it would be built on the principles of truth and righteousness by a people who would recognize an acknowledge Him in all things. In this respect that people would differ widely from our own nation, especially if a certain anecdote he had heard reflected correctly its religious status. It ran thus: A certain minister, it was said, applied at the bar of the House of Representatives to be admitted. He was asked, what court he represented. The minister replied, the Court of High Heaven. He was politely informed that he could not be admitted, as our government had ceased all relations with that foreign power.
Correspondingly with the growth an development of the government of God would the millennium be ushered in, and this would be brought about by each individual and each family sanctifying the truth in his own heart and their own home, and in this way would the will of God be done among them as it is done in heaven.
The choir sang the anthem, Grant us peace, O Lord!
The closing prayer was offered by Elder J. D. T. McAllister.
Thursday Morning.
The Conference resumed at 10 a. m. and was called to order by Apostle Erastus Snow, after which the choir sang the hymn: “Hark ye mortals, hist, be still!”
Prayer being offered by Apostle Moses Thatcher, it was followed by the choir singing: “Redeemer of Israel.”
The Conference resumed at 10 a. m. and was called to order by Apostle Erastus Snow, after which the choir sang the hymn: “Hark ye mortals, hist, be still!”
Prayer being offered by Apostle Moses Thatcher, it was followed by the choir singing: “Redeemer of Israel.”
Apostle F. D. Richards
read from the 10th to the 18th verses of the 6th chapter of the Ephesians, and remarked that without the spirit of truth to prompt and direct us, our labors would be of little account. The Epistle of the First Presidency he thought covered nearly the whole duty of the Saints at the present time, leaving but little to be said that had not been touched upon; and he commended it to the serious consideration.
Our condition as citizens, with respect to the nation in which we lived an of which we formed a part, was regarded by the masses as hostile, and the “Mormons” generally as criminals. It had been said that man’s highest duty was to render implicit obedience to the law of the land. He thought, however, that this, doubt certain circumstances, was of under full acceptation to theologians, generally. The eminent Blackstone, who had been the means of adapting all existing laws, from Justinian to his day, to our interests had laid it down as a maxim for future guidance, that no man ha the right to make laws that conflicted with the laws of God. The Ten Commandments were held by him as the basis of all law, and were therefore of fundamental importance affecting man’s moral state. It had never been held against us that we violated any law save one, a law framed especially against our marriage relations. Wherein, he asked, consisted our crime? Before the revelation on marriage we were married according to sectarian rites, until death did us part. At the proper time, the Lord told his servant Joseph that all old covenants should be done away, that they were not of binding force in His sight; an as the people became prepared for the doctrine, it was revealed to us of God; that the marriage covenant was eternal; as we were eternal, and we were commanded to receive the new and everlasting covenant and govern ourselves accordingly.
We were told also, that our children born under this new covenant would be given us not only for time, but also for eternity. It was the same law that was revealed to Father Abraham and under which his posterity became perpetuated forever and ever. It was true the departure from the old, and the adoption of the new order of things, was a great trial to the first Elders of the Church; but they received it, an obeyed it, as commanded. And in obeying the revealed law, the speaker asked, who was injured through it? He explained the crime, consisting in fraud, of bigamy; and showed that under the new and everlasting covenant, there was an entire absence of fraud, the union being mutual, as was that of Abraham with Hagar, which was a pattern. The first commandment, said Jesus, was that on which hung all the law and the prophets, namely that which bade men to love God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. To the people who respected this fundamental law the new covenant had been revealed, and that as the practice of the law injured none, and did not affect the liberty of any, and as it was purely honorable and moral, the absence of real crime was obvious. Referred to the Israelitish boys that were taken by Nebuchadnezzar as captives, and their request that they be allowed to live on the simple food that they had been accustomed to; by living in this simple way, which was another name for the Word of Wisdom, they were enabled to render services to the king which the greatest men of the nation could not do. They grew in the king’s favor, so much so, that they became envied by the ministers and intimate servants of the king. Through intrigue a law was made to entrap them and overthrow them, not, however, that any real crime was involved in their refusal to obey it.
History had repeated itself in the law that had been framed against us, which we could not conscientiously keep, for the same reason that the Hebrew children could not obey the decree of the king.
It was true the great majority was against us; that the civilization of the age said the marriage covenant of the “Mormons” must be done away; but the Lord says it must be established among His people, and from all appearances the issue between God and man arising therefrom is right at our doors. To stand before the current of popular opinion required the greatest of moral courage, and the faith of the people professing to be Saints was to be put to the test. It occurred to the speaker that if weakness existed among us at all, it was in our being too numerous; strange as this might be, it was too true. In this respect he thought our condition was similar to that of the army of Gideon. The Lord wanted only those that would live according to His laws, and the spirit of His glorious truths; and such were the ones that He was determined to have, and it depended on our individual actions whether or not we, as individuals, shall be numbered among the choice few or not.
The strength of the system of ecclesiastical government revealed of God to His Church was admired by executive minds: and, in fact, it was against our union and power, arising from our system of government that this special law was being aimed, and not in reality against our polygamous order of marriage. The real issue was, the government of man versus the government of God; and it was God and man for it, and not the U. S. Government officials and the “Mormon” polygamists. It was not for man to say what he would do in this struggle; it was not for him to boast; but it did become him to live in the fear of his God and seek His grace to prepare him for every dispensation of His providence, that he might be found at last a servant of God and a friend of man.
read from the 10th to the 18th verses of the 6th chapter of the Ephesians, and remarked that without the spirit of truth to prompt and direct us, our labors would be of little account. The Epistle of the First Presidency he thought covered nearly the whole duty of the Saints at the present time, leaving but little to be said that had not been touched upon; and he commended it to the serious consideration.
Our condition as citizens, with respect to the nation in which we lived an of which we formed a part, was regarded by the masses as hostile, and the “Mormons” generally as criminals. It had been said that man’s highest duty was to render implicit obedience to the law of the land. He thought, however, that this, doubt certain circumstances, was of under full acceptation to theologians, generally. The eminent Blackstone, who had been the means of adapting all existing laws, from Justinian to his day, to our interests had laid it down as a maxim for future guidance, that no man ha the right to make laws that conflicted with the laws of God. The Ten Commandments were held by him as the basis of all law, and were therefore of fundamental importance affecting man’s moral state. It had never been held against us that we violated any law save one, a law framed especially against our marriage relations. Wherein, he asked, consisted our crime? Before the revelation on marriage we were married according to sectarian rites, until death did us part. At the proper time, the Lord told his servant Joseph that all old covenants should be done away, that they were not of binding force in His sight; an as the people became prepared for the doctrine, it was revealed to us of God; that the marriage covenant was eternal; as we were eternal, and we were commanded to receive the new and everlasting covenant and govern ourselves accordingly.
We were told also, that our children born under this new covenant would be given us not only for time, but also for eternity. It was the same law that was revealed to Father Abraham and under which his posterity became perpetuated forever and ever. It was true the departure from the old, and the adoption of the new order of things, was a great trial to the first Elders of the Church; but they received it, an obeyed it, as commanded. And in obeying the revealed law, the speaker asked, who was injured through it? He explained the crime, consisting in fraud, of bigamy; and showed that under the new and everlasting covenant, there was an entire absence of fraud, the union being mutual, as was that of Abraham with Hagar, which was a pattern. The first commandment, said Jesus, was that on which hung all the law and the prophets, namely that which bade men to love God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. To the people who respected this fundamental law the new covenant had been revealed, and that as the practice of the law injured none, and did not affect the liberty of any, and as it was purely honorable and moral, the absence of real crime was obvious. Referred to the Israelitish boys that were taken by Nebuchadnezzar as captives, and their request that they be allowed to live on the simple food that they had been accustomed to; by living in this simple way, which was another name for the Word of Wisdom, they were enabled to render services to the king which the greatest men of the nation could not do. They grew in the king’s favor, so much so, that they became envied by the ministers and intimate servants of the king. Through intrigue a law was made to entrap them and overthrow them, not, however, that any real crime was involved in their refusal to obey it.
History had repeated itself in the law that had been framed against us, which we could not conscientiously keep, for the same reason that the Hebrew children could not obey the decree of the king.
It was true the great majority was against us; that the civilization of the age said the marriage covenant of the “Mormons” must be done away; but the Lord says it must be established among His people, and from all appearances the issue between God and man arising therefrom is right at our doors. To stand before the current of popular opinion required the greatest of moral courage, and the faith of the people professing to be Saints was to be put to the test. It occurred to the speaker that if weakness existed among us at all, it was in our being too numerous; strange as this might be, it was too true. In this respect he thought our condition was similar to that of the army of Gideon. The Lord wanted only those that would live according to His laws, and the spirit of His glorious truths; and such were the ones that He was determined to have, and it depended on our individual actions whether or not we, as individuals, shall be numbered among the choice few or not.
The strength of the system of ecclesiastical government revealed of God to His Church was admired by executive minds: and, in fact, it was against our union and power, arising from our system of government that this special law was being aimed, and not in reality against our polygamous order of marriage. The real issue was, the government of man versus the government of God; and it was God and man for it, and not the U. S. Government officials and the “Mormon” polygamists. It was not for man to say what he would do in this struggle; it was not for him to boast; but it did become him to live in the fear of his God and seek His grace to prepare him for every dispensation of His providence, that he might be found at last a servant of God and a friend of man.
Discourse
by Apostle F. D. Richards
Providence seems to smile upon our gather together for a conference at this time. Indeed, as a people, if we take into consideration all of the blessings of our common salvation, we are to-day highly favored of the Lord, in every general respect. I think our hearts ought to be moved by a sense of gratitude for all of His many blessings to us, both temporal and spiritual. Our brethren here have gone to and improved the condition of their Tabernacle, so that we are very comfortably situated. The singers, I think, feel that they have got into the right place; a good table is also provided for the reporters. I take this opportunity to invite reporters of any and all newspapers that may be present, who wish to do so, to come forward, take a seat at this table and report the proceedings of our conference. The only favors we ask at their hands is that they will please report us correctly.
We have been striving half a century to inform the world of the principles of our faith, and we have not tired at it yet; we are still sending missionaries to the four quarters of the earth. We have sent them without stint of numbers to the people of this great nation, the United States; have endeavored to inform them ever since the year 1830, and especially since the endowment at Kirtland in 1836, when the Apostles, High Priests and Elders went forth into all parts of this nation, as far as permitted, and as fast as they had opportunity, to inform the people of the principles of our faith. But it seems almost impossible to get to their ears, and much less likely to reach their hearts. It appears to have been easier for us in an early day to receive that measure which the Lord had revealed for our benefit than it is now when He is giving us so much that the new wine cannot be received into the old vessels, and if it could we do not know what the results would be. In these our times, some of the feeble and faint hearted will no doubt think that because of the efforts at persecution against us we have reason to be very sad, to pull long faces and be cast down because we are oppressed. Brethren, not so. Do not think of it a minute. So long as we are dealt with in a milder manner than our Master was, we have reason to be thankful, and ought to go on our way rejoicing. So long as we are not dealt with more harshly than our brethren have been in former periods of time and in this dispensation in which we live, we have reason to be thankful.
We lament the absence of our brethren of the First Presidency, and several of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. We would be glad and thankful if we could have them all with us, but we are pleased that so many of us can be with you as are here. We hope that the conference will result in strengthening the good resolutions of every Latter-day Saint—in invigorating the energies of all who are in anywise afflicted, or oppressed with temptation and trials of any kind. The Lord told the brethren in his day—those whom He appointed, laid His hands upon and ordained to the Apostleship—that this would be their heritage; that they would be vilified and hailed to prison, and that men would think they were doing God service in taking their lives from the earth. And, said He, is the servant greater than His master? No. He told them that when they experienced these things they were to lift up their heads and rejoice; for great was their reward in heaven. Therefore, we have the assurance that if we are true and faithful we shall suffer trials and temptations as they did in former days, and as Joseph and Hyrum and the brethren of the Apostles, with a host of Elders, have done in these Latter-days for the principles of the Gospel.
These things, however, should not move us, or they should only, if they move us at all, strengthen us to stand true to the holy faith of the Gospel, to the principles, ordinances and institutions which the Lord has revealed unto us. We may expect to meet opposition on every hand, but our opposition may come in a different form from what our brethren have formerly had to endure; we should, however, be armed with the spirit of divine truth, so that we may comprehend our duty under every circumstance and every condition in life. I know some of the brethren feel that it is a very serious thing to be cast into prison. Why, there is many a thing worse than that. It is a thousand times better to go to prison than to deny the principles of the Gospel, and to be forsaken of the Holy Spirit. What did Brother Brigham say before he left us? When Congress passed the law of 1862 I heard him make this remark—rather startling at the time—that a man who would not be willing to pay his fine and take a term of imprisonment for a real, good, virtuous woman was not worthy of a wife at all. Well, let us learn to look at these things in a proper manner, and be thankful that our conditions are no worse. Let us look to God continually; He will guide and control all things for the good of His people.
There is a portion of the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians that seems so appropriate to our condition that I propose to read in the hearing of the congregation a part of the 6th chapter, commencing at the 10th verse:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints.
I have read these words because of their remarkable adaptation to our present condition and circumstances.
I feel, in attempting to address the Saints, a very great degree of helplessness, and of dependence upon the enlightenment and aid of the Holy Spirit in order that I may speak to you a short time unto edification; for without the spirit of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit of divine truth, which is sent forth to testify of God and of the truth to the hearts of the honest in the earth, our labors will be of very trifling account. But if we have the aid and help of that Spirit, then we may be edified and rejoice together as the children of God—both he that speaketh and he that heareth.
It would seem that after the very elaborate and comprehensive epistle that has been communicated to us by our brethren of the first Presidency, in which they seem to cover many of the circumstances which now attend upon God’s people and in which they also give to us such words of exhortation and instruction as, if followed by us, must not only make us understand better our condition, but know better how to occupy our positions with credit to ourselves and to the acceptance of God our Heavenly Father—I say it would seem, after reading that epistle, and having it impressed upon our minds, as I am sure it must be upon all who listened in spirit and in truth, as if it were scarcely necessary that anything more should be said to put us right in regard to our duties and give us understanding concerning them, or strength in the performance of them. But we each of us have a testimony of the truth of the Gospel and of the work of God to bear to our brethren and sisters, and I feel a desire myself, in common with my brethren, to communicate such things as may be given to me, so that we may be encouraged in the work in which we are engaged; that we may feel our good resolutions strengthened within us, that we may be led to realize in whose name we trust, in whose strength we stand, and that we may be able also to realize, as the Apostle Paul did, when he wrote, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Our condition is a very peculiar one in regard to this nation, and yet it is no more strange or peculiar than has been the condition of God’s people in other ages which are recorded in history for our comfort, encouragement and consolation. Therefore, I feel this morning like speaking a little about the nature of that which is called crime which is charged upon us.
We are told by men in high places that it is the highest duty of good citizens to render obedience to the laws of the land in which we live. Now, I can scarcely believe that any professor of religion—any honest religious professor of any Christian denomination in these United States—can honestly and solidly endorse that sentiment, much less any one who is clothed with the ermine and is honored with a seat upon the judicial bench; yet it is from judges that we hear this. A great apostle of the law, the greatest, the ablest and most popular delineator of the law from the days of Justinian of ancient Rome down until his day, was the renowned Mr. Blackstone himself. When portions of various nations had settled together in the island of Great Britain—some of the northern states of Scandinavia, others from Brittany, and the different parts of the German or Saxon nations and had collected the laws of those countries for the purpose of having them assimilated, so that those people who came from their various countries should have one established usage of law for the regulation all their civil and criminal procedures in the adjudication of their difficulties with each other, the learned Chancellor Blackstone undertook this great task and from the alembic of his intelligent and powerful mind brought forth and enunciated his views of the law. These views have been held to the basis of all legal administration; the fundamental principles of jurisprudence among all Christian nations ever since he published them.
This celebrated gentleman who is considered to this present day as one of the greatest, if not the very greatest legal light of the age, laid it down plainly and emphatically that man had no right to make any laws contrary to or in conflict with the law of God. I wish every lawyer throughout the nation would read it and understand it; for when they depart from that rule they become apostate from the faith of true legal jurisprudence as laid down by this distinguished apostle of the law; and furthermore, he held that the laws which should regulate or constitute the jurisprudence of every nation were derived from and based upon the laws revealed by god through the Prophet Moses. This gentleman stated and laid down as a fact that the Ten Commandments, the ancient law of God, were held by him to be the basis, and fundamental principle of all law, justice and administration that should be had among the human family. He claims that as the basis of his work. Then no man who is a true lawyer, after the order of the celebrated Blackstone, can say in truth that it is the highest duty of a good citizen that he should observe in all things the laws of the land, unless it be first established that those laws are consistent with the laws of God.
Now, then, wherein are we transgressors? I wish to call your attention to this a few minutes, because I desire my brethren and sisters to understand whenever they are called in question before the tribunals of this nation—I want our boys and girls that are growing up around us to understand what is the nature of that which is called crime, which is alleged against their fathers, and in which their mothers are participants. It was never alleged against us as men of Israel, as “Mormons,” if you please, that we were violators, or had been, violators of any law of the land until July 1862. It was never proven and cannot now be shown that we, as a people, were violators of any law of the land whatever. In 1862, a law was enacted against bigamy, or polygamy. The term bigamy had always been used before, but now it was coupled with polygamy in order that it might be made to reach, and be understood by everybody as intended for, the Latter-day Saints.
Now, then, to come at the matter in question, what is the crime, if any there is, in this doctrine of heavenly marriage as we hold it, the doctrine of the eternal covenant of marriage, incident to which is plurality of wives? When we married our wives at the first—we were New Englanders, Britons, Scandinavians, &c.—we were married until death should us part. That was the period for which we made contract, whether we went into the church and had the ordinance solemnized by an ecclesiastic, or whether it was done before a justice of the peace, judge, or any civil magistrate. When the law of God came, before the doctrine of the eternity and plurality of marriage was taught to us, the Lord gave us a revelation, in a very early day, in regard to members of other churches being re-baptized. Some of them doubted the need of being re-baptized. They said we were baptized into the Baptist church; we were sprinkled in the Methodist church, in the Presbyterian, in the Congregational; why be baptized again? The Lord in answer to this question told His people that all old covenants He had caused to be done away; but “behold!” He said, “I give unto you a new and everlasting covenant.” Therefore, all had to go forth, who had been baptized by men having no authority to administer, and be baptized by one who had authority, in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of sins, and for admission into the Church of Christ. By and by, when we had walked before the Lord for a number of years, He revealed to us the laws of marriage. Well regulated parents do not teach their children when they are dandling them on their laps the nature of the covenant, or the ordinance, or the duties of marriage. They wait until they are grown up. It is proper that they should wait until their children have attained to years of judgment, understanding, and perhaps to the age of puberty. So the Lord, in dealing with His children, did not reveal this eternal covenant of marriage until His people had lived a while in keeping the first laws and ordinances of the Church, and learned to walk in the light of the Holy Spirit, and to purify themselves from the various besetments with which they were attended when they went into the waters of baptism, and become better prepared for more exalted principles and truths. One of the last great principles that the Prophet Joseph was commanded of God to teach us was the law regulating the eternity of marriage; that, whereas, we had taken our wives only until death should us part, we should now understand that we were, while in the flesh, laying the foundation for eternal dominions, crowns and exaltations; that our wives and our children were given to us of God for the purpose of laying the foundation of a kingdom; that we shall have, if we are faithful and obedient, the covenant of eternal life ourselves and the power to seal the same upon our generation that they may become, as Abraham’s like the sands of the sea shore for number.
The Latter-day Saints claim to be the children of Abraham, and if they are the children of Abraham they will do the works of Abraham. It was difficult for men and women from all parts of the world, who had lived in the monogamic order all their lives, to accept this doctrine of the eternity and plurality of marriage. It was “a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned, saith the Lord.” This was the obligation that was laid upon the Prophet Joseph, and, through him, upon the true believers of the Church, even all who were worthy to accept of these obligations. It was herein that the Elders and their wives extended their faith, enlarged their obedience, and accepted the terms of the new and everlasting covenant, extending not through time only, but eternity also.
Now, I ask, who is injured by a man taking a second wife, when the wife he now has is agreeable and it is mutually understood between her and him and the newly affianced; it being entered into with a mutual understanding and a mutual agreement according to the law of God—I ask, who is injured?
Wherein consists the crime of bigamy? It is in this. When a man takes one wife he covenants to adhere to her until death do them part. He violates that covenant when he takes another woman, unknown to his wife; he thus practices fraud upon her. This is where the crime comes in. Fraud is perpetrated upon his own family. I want the old and the young to understand it; want to come down to the root of the matter, and find out and show up what the crime is, if any, that is charged upon us. This crime of taking another wife when a man has one is called bigamy, and there are laws and penalties against it. With the Latter-day Saints, there is no fraud practiced, the second wife being accepted with the mutual consent of the first, and in accordance with the revelations of God. There is in that no crime at all, unless some law of God is violated, or somebody is injured in the matter. If this transaction that I have just named violates the law of God, or if it injures or infringes upon the rights of a brother or a sister, then there may be some ground for pronouncing it a crime, but belief in, and practice of, the eternity and plurality of the marriage covenant do not violate the law of God, because He has commanded His people to accept and obey it. Neither is it an infringement upon the rights of others, neither men nor women, but gives all women an opportunity to become honorable wives and mothers, and thus to shut out what is politely called the social evil, with all its horrid concomitants of seduction, foeticide, infanticide and all the train of sexual monogamic evils which haunt and infest Christendom.
If, then, we violate no law of God nor right of our fellows, wherein, I ask again, consists the crime of our religious faith? It is in this: that Congress forbids it; just as Darius forbade Daniel praying to God, and because he persisted, cast him into the den of lions; the same as Herod caused all the male children to be slain, hoping to kill Christ our Savior in his infancy; the same also as Nebuchadnezzar cast the Hebrew children into the flames because they worshipped the living God rather than his idol. Wherein consists the crime of Daniel praying to the God of Israel? Simply because King Darius forbade him doing it.
What constituted the crime of the Hebrew children in worshiping the God of Heaven? Solely because Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to worship the golden image, which they would not do. What is the intrinsic nature of our crime in believing and practicing the eternal covenant of plural marriage as revealed by the Almighty, and as we are commanded to do? Simply and solely this: Congress passed a law making it a penal offense to do so. This is all the criminality there is about it; and the question remains for each one to answer, Shall we obey God or man?
What is liberty—the liberty that you and I and all men are entitled to enjoy? It is that we do not violate the law of God, or that we do not infringe upon the rights and liberties of our fellow creatures. That is true liberty. Upon that hang also the law and the prophets.
In the establishment of this principle of the Gospel, the marriage covenant, it is intended only for God’s people, and not for the people of the world. They do not want it. They would like to have that liberty which is not liberty but license—by which they can continue and perpetuate seduction and adultery among them—keep up their houses of prostitution and their places of assignation. It is a part of the business of both high and low to keep going this degradation and destruction of the female portion of the race, and it is because the people of God have taken a course that every righteous woman may have an honorable husband, become an honorable wife and have a position in the family and household, that our brethren are hailed to prison; because they are true and faithful to their families; because they have taken wives in order that they may rear up children, have a generation to bear their names and their priesthood, and to become a people devoted to the living God.
I want to say in this connection, as I wish all to understand it, that when we adopted this principle by the revelations of God there was no law in the land against it. Understand it, brethren and sisters. But it is now as in ancient times, when the captives of Judea were carried into Babylon. Their captors found excellent qualities in them, as some say now they like our industry, our enterprise and our virtue “outside the marriage relation,” but we want you to put away this commandment of the Lord and “become like us,” “be as we are,” and then we will like you, and we will be hail fellows well met.
The representatives of the country at Washington have discovered something or other in these mountains that is displeasing to them; that we are increasing; that we delight in our children, and do not take measures to prevent their coming forth, as is very frequently done in the world; that we are willing to take wives and support them rather than to indulge in whoredom and the like; and they said, “This won’t do.” Hence they went to work and passed a law against us, that would prevent us carrying out the principles of our religion. I want these young boys and girls, as well as the older ones, to know that God has never given us a law that was in conflict with any law of the land; but that Congress has enacted laws to make us criminals. There is no crime in that which we practice, inasmuch as no man is injured, no woman injured, and no person’s rights are invaded; on the contrary, our people are called upon to exercise a great amount of self-denial and self-abnegation, that all may be blessed, and that the charity of the Gospel may be extended to all the human family, as God has designed and ordained. Thus, we are not violators of the law of the land, but the law makers of the nations make us transgressors. God commands us to keep His law. The people through their representatives say we shall not. That is all there is in it. They undertake to say that we shall not observe the law of plural marriage, and in consequence of this they are hauling us to prison. Our outgoings and incomings are watched by marshals, so as to find something upon which to bring us before a commissioner or before a grand jury; not for any crime we have done, but because we have obeyed God, which Congress has said we must not do—making a law against us—whereas we are violating no law.
I do not love to talk against my fellow men; I simply present these things to you to show up the real state of the case. It is unpleasant for me to say that the men of the Congress of 1862, and that of 1882, were not men of the most immaculate virtue. It is understood throughout the land that nowhere on this continent is the practice of whoredom and of the seduction of women carried on to a greater extent then in the city of Washington, and by those men who go there to make laws against this people. What attitude does it place the people of this nation in, and the Congress of the country, in relation to us and this law we are undertaking to keep? Why, as soon as the Lord has established His Gospel and covenant, the spirits of the other world are seeking to come and dwell among us; they desire a parentage among the Saints of the living God, where they can be welcomed with filial love and not repulsed by foeticide, where they can be brought up in the fear of God, with a hope of returning pure to the Father’s presence, without being lost by blood-guiltiness or other crimes while in mortality.
How do you think the spirits contemplate the necessity of a birth in the nations of the earth where so much harlotry and whoredom exist? I tell this very presumption of the country in which we live, that we shall not have these children to dwell in our midst and bear the name of Christ in the earth, is a presumption against the very heavens, and against those spirits of the just who are waiting to be made perfect through their sufferings in the flesh.
Ah! says one, you folks in the mountains, numbering only one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand, need not talk in that kind of way, for here is a great nation of fifty-five millions of people who say you shall not do this thing, or, if you do, you cannot have a home with us. Well, we will admit that about two hundred people of the United States say to every one of the Latter-day Saints say that we must put away this doctrine, or we cannot dwell in this land. Well, that is a terrible majority against us; but let us look at this a little. I do not think that we need be very badly scared. You recollect at one time a young man was with Elisha the Prophet when a large host compassed the city, both with horses and chariots, and a battle was imminent. It was turbulent times with Israel then, worse than it is with us now. The defending army was a very small one, and the heart of the young man began to falter. He could not see how the few of Israel were going to prevail against their numerous enemies. Whereupon, Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he, “ the young man, “may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. Fear not,” said the Prophet, “for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Now it is so with us exactly. All the fathers who have gone before, the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, the Apostles and Patriarchs, the Elders, High Priests and hosts of others, say nothing of the fathers of our generation hundreds of years back, are all around us, waiting and watching and anxious to see us go forward and triumph; so that we have really more for us than against us, the fifty-five millions to the contrary notwithstanding. Therefore, we have no occasion to let our hands hang down from fear, or our knees to tremble; not a bit of it. On the contrary, I tell you, my brethren and sisters, that one of the greatest evils existing in our midst to-day is that there are too many of us. You may think that is a hard saying; but there are decidedly too many of us. There are people among us who are committing all manner of sin and transgression—people who drink with for the work during the coming year. This includes the following items: Indian work, $2,159; Chinese work at the drunken and spend their substance with harlots and in riotous living. All such should be severed from the Church, unless they repent speedily. The numbers should be reduced, like unto the army of Gideon. The Lord told Gideon that he had too big an army, and it was reduced, (in the manner related in the seventh chapter of the Book Judges) from two and thirty thousand to three hundred, which was all the Lord wanted. The others were told to go home, and Gideon, by following the instructions of the Lord, put all the hosts of the Midianites and Amalekites, who were said to be “like grasshoppers for multitude,” to flight.
This is just what is the matter with us. There are too many with us who are not living as Latter-day Saints ought to live. Again, there are many who walk in other men’s light. If they whose duty it is will only put away from us those who will not serve God, we shall find ourselves strengthened in the work in which we are engaged. If we will but do what is right we need not fear what our enemies can do. The lord only wants the honest, the obedient, the faithful, and He will “turn the world upside down, waste the inhabitants thereof,” and glorify himself by His people.
I have referred to the instance of Gideon on purpose to remind you that the work of the Lord is not upheld by strength of numbers, but it is by the Spirit of God—the spirit of obedience, which is better than sacrifice or the fat of rams, and that the wisdom of God is better than strength or weapons of war.
Men of intelligence—politicians from European countries as well as our own—have visited this country and I have heard them tell President Young that we had a very strong government in this Territory. We all know that; but it is good to have wise men visit Utah from abroad and see the excellence and strength of its government.
I would say to the people of the land—inasmuch as they are making this bugaboo about polygamy—not to be deceived. The Governor has told men upon the streets that he did not care anything about polygamy; (we knew very well that he did not by his conduct;) but it was the power of the Church that must be broken. Must it? This is the work of the Lord, and there need not anybody mistake it. The order of God’s church and kingdom is the strongest government ever known on this earth, and if the people of this great nation entertain any fears of the consequence or effects of such a government, why, I ask, don’t you of the nation, you of Congress, you of the Cabinet, if you please, embrace this order of government and establish it over the nation! You can do it. You can repent of your sins, every one of you, and be baptized for a remission of them. You can adopt and extend this strong government which God has established in these mountains, and if you will do it God will establish you and the government and this nation never to depart from before His face; and you shall be made the means of helping to bring everlasting righteousness—the millennium—upon this land, and of causing the Spirit of God to rest down upon all flesh. Is it not worth your while to engage in a thing of this kind?
But, ah! the terrible fact exists that the blood of the prophets is upon this nation, although the nation has not shed their blood, yet a sovereign State permitted it, and the nation have not washed their hands from it. This accounts for the terrible hardness of heart that is to be found in this country.
Were it not for a lying press and a corrupt people in our midst, who incite ignorant people to send petitions against the “Mormons” to Congress by the bushel, the nation could not be wrought up to such a frenzy, nor to make such laws and the Edmunds law against us. But they do these things because their hearts are hard, and because the blood of innocence rests upon them. This nation have yet to rise up and rid themselves of this blood, and place the responsibility where it belongs, or they will have to suffer as accomplices after the fact for these terrible things done in their midst—this people driven from city to city, despoiled of their goods; driven into the wilderness to this country, to find a home in which they could dwell in peace. Blessed be God for enabling us to find it out! We have had a home of peace and rejoicing, and we have been blessed in all things. Have we need to-day to be terrified? Do our hearts need to palpitate for fear? We have had a United States army camp in our midst already, and we have no occasion to fear now; God will work out the deliverance of His people.
The Lord never more thoroughly frustrated the design of an army than in the instance of that which came out here, and never was there a time when He caused the gain of the Gentiles to be scattered among His people more effectually than He did with the goods the army brought to this country.
Shall we fear to-day? Let us look back to Israel and see their deliverances—as related in the Bible and Book of Mormon—see what He did in former times. The secret of success is obedience to the commandments of God and to the covenants we have made with Him.
It does not become me to say what I will do when I am brought to the judgment seat to be tried and sentenced. A man don’t know what he will do. Let us recollect the instance of Peter, who walked with Jesus by day and by night. In the light of these things it does not do to boast what we will do; but I hope by the blessing of God to remain firm and immovable when these things look me in the face. I ask God to give me grace sufficient that I may keep His commandments, honor every law He has given, or shall give, and stand firm to the truth under every circumstance in life.
I pray that the blessing of God may be upon you. Be true and faithful to God. Let the brethren attend to those things which the First Presidency have pointed out in their Epistle in regard to transgressors, and they that fear not God neither regard His precepts and laws. Keep the commandments of God, and let us teach our families to do so also, that we may grow strong in His righteousness; then we shall find it is no matter how many there are against us. We shall know that there are more for us than against us. He will bring us all right up to the test and will found out what is in every man and what every man is able to endure. Our sisters think that they had all the hurt of this matter, that the men had it nice and fine; but I tell you the men will get their full share, and you sisters will get even with them, if you will only abide true and faithful.
May the Lord grant His blessing upon each as we have need; I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
by Apostle F. D. Richards
Providence seems to smile upon our gather together for a conference at this time. Indeed, as a people, if we take into consideration all of the blessings of our common salvation, we are to-day highly favored of the Lord, in every general respect. I think our hearts ought to be moved by a sense of gratitude for all of His many blessings to us, both temporal and spiritual. Our brethren here have gone to and improved the condition of their Tabernacle, so that we are very comfortably situated. The singers, I think, feel that they have got into the right place; a good table is also provided for the reporters. I take this opportunity to invite reporters of any and all newspapers that may be present, who wish to do so, to come forward, take a seat at this table and report the proceedings of our conference. The only favors we ask at their hands is that they will please report us correctly.
We have been striving half a century to inform the world of the principles of our faith, and we have not tired at it yet; we are still sending missionaries to the four quarters of the earth. We have sent them without stint of numbers to the people of this great nation, the United States; have endeavored to inform them ever since the year 1830, and especially since the endowment at Kirtland in 1836, when the Apostles, High Priests and Elders went forth into all parts of this nation, as far as permitted, and as fast as they had opportunity, to inform the people of the principles of our faith. But it seems almost impossible to get to their ears, and much less likely to reach their hearts. It appears to have been easier for us in an early day to receive that measure which the Lord had revealed for our benefit than it is now when He is giving us so much that the new wine cannot be received into the old vessels, and if it could we do not know what the results would be. In these our times, some of the feeble and faint hearted will no doubt think that because of the efforts at persecution against us we have reason to be very sad, to pull long faces and be cast down because we are oppressed. Brethren, not so. Do not think of it a minute. So long as we are dealt with in a milder manner than our Master was, we have reason to be thankful, and ought to go on our way rejoicing. So long as we are not dealt with more harshly than our brethren have been in former periods of time and in this dispensation in which we live, we have reason to be thankful.
We lament the absence of our brethren of the First Presidency, and several of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. We would be glad and thankful if we could have them all with us, but we are pleased that so many of us can be with you as are here. We hope that the conference will result in strengthening the good resolutions of every Latter-day Saint—in invigorating the energies of all who are in anywise afflicted, or oppressed with temptation and trials of any kind. The Lord told the brethren in his day—those whom He appointed, laid His hands upon and ordained to the Apostleship—that this would be their heritage; that they would be vilified and hailed to prison, and that men would think they were doing God service in taking their lives from the earth. And, said He, is the servant greater than His master? No. He told them that when they experienced these things they were to lift up their heads and rejoice; for great was their reward in heaven. Therefore, we have the assurance that if we are true and faithful we shall suffer trials and temptations as they did in former days, and as Joseph and Hyrum and the brethren of the Apostles, with a host of Elders, have done in these Latter-days for the principles of the Gospel.
These things, however, should not move us, or they should only, if they move us at all, strengthen us to stand true to the holy faith of the Gospel, to the principles, ordinances and institutions which the Lord has revealed unto us. We may expect to meet opposition on every hand, but our opposition may come in a different form from what our brethren have formerly had to endure; we should, however, be armed with the spirit of divine truth, so that we may comprehend our duty under every circumstance and every condition in life. I know some of the brethren feel that it is a very serious thing to be cast into prison. Why, there is many a thing worse than that. It is a thousand times better to go to prison than to deny the principles of the Gospel, and to be forsaken of the Holy Spirit. What did Brother Brigham say before he left us? When Congress passed the law of 1862 I heard him make this remark—rather startling at the time—that a man who would not be willing to pay his fine and take a term of imprisonment for a real, good, virtuous woman was not worthy of a wife at all. Well, let us learn to look at these things in a proper manner, and be thankful that our conditions are no worse. Let us look to God continually; He will guide and control all things for the good of His people.
There is a portion of the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians that seems so appropriate to our condition that I propose to read in the hearing of the congregation a part of the 6th chapter, commencing at the 10th verse:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints.
I have read these words because of their remarkable adaptation to our present condition and circumstances.
I feel, in attempting to address the Saints, a very great degree of helplessness, and of dependence upon the enlightenment and aid of the Holy Spirit in order that I may speak to you a short time unto edification; for without the spirit of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit of divine truth, which is sent forth to testify of God and of the truth to the hearts of the honest in the earth, our labors will be of very trifling account. But if we have the aid and help of that Spirit, then we may be edified and rejoice together as the children of God—both he that speaketh and he that heareth.
It would seem that after the very elaborate and comprehensive epistle that has been communicated to us by our brethren of the first Presidency, in which they seem to cover many of the circumstances which now attend upon God’s people and in which they also give to us such words of exhortation and instruction as, if followed by us, must not only make us understand better our condition, but know better how to occupy our positions with credit to ourselves and to the acceptance of God our Heavenly Father—I say it would seem, after reading that epistle, and having it impressed upon our minds, as I am sure it must be upon all who listened in spirit and in truth, as if it were scarcely necessary that anything more should be said to put us right in regard to our duties and give us understanding concerning them, or strength in the performance of them. But we each of us have a testimony of the truth of the Gospel and of the work of God to bear to our brethren and sisters, and I feel a desire myself, in common with my brethren, to communicate such things as may be given to me, so that we may be encouraged in the work in which we are engaged; that we may feel our good resolutions strengthened within us, that we may be led to realize in whose name we trust, in whose strength we stand, and that we may be able also to realize, as the Apostle Paul did, when he wrote, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Our condition is a very peculiar one in regard to this nation, and yet it is no more strange or peculiar than has been the condition of God’s people in other ages which are recorded in history for our comfort, encouragement and consolation. Therefore, I feel this morning like speaking a little about the nature of that which is called crime which is charged upon us.
We are told by men in high places that it is the highest duty of good citizens to render obedience to the laws of the land in which we live. Now, I can scarcely believe that any professor of religion—any honest religious professor of any Christian denomination in these United States—can honestly and solidly endorse that sentiment, much less any one who is clothed with the ermine and is honored with a seat upon the judicial bench; yet it is from judges that we hear this. A great apostle of the law, the greatest, the ablest and most popular delineator of the law from the days of Justinian of ancient Rome down until his day, was the renowned Mr. Blackstone himself. When portions of various nations had settled together in the island of Great Britain—some of the northern states of Scandinavia, others from Brittany, and the different parts of the German or Saxon nations and had collected the laws of those countries for the purpose of having them assimilated, so that those people who came from their various countries should have one established usage of law for the regulation all their civil and criminal procedures in the adjudication of their difficulties with each other, the learned Chancellor Blackstone undertook this great task and from the alembic of his intelligent and powerful mind brought forth and enunciated his views of the law. These views have been held to the basis of all legal administration; the fundamental principles of jurisprudence among all Christian nations ever since he published them.
This celebrated gentleman who is considered to this present day as one of the greatest, if not the very greatest legal light of the age, laid it down plainly and emphatically that man had no right to make any laws contrary to or in conflict with the law of God. I wish every lawyer throughout the nation would read it and understand it; for when they depart from that rule they become apostate from the faith of true legal jurisprudence as laid down by this distinguished apostle of the law; and furthermore, he held that the laws which should regulate or constitute the jurisprudence of every nation were derived from and based upon the laws revealed by god through the Prophet Moses. This gentleman stated and laid down as a fact that the Ten Commandments, the ancient law of God, were held by him to be the basis, and fundamental principle of all law, justice and administration that should be had among the human family. He claims that as the basis of his work. Then no man who is a true lawyer, after the order of the celebrated Blackstone, can say in truth that it is the highest duty of a good citizen that he should observe in all things the laws of the land, unless it be first established that those laws are consistent with the laws of God.
Now, then, wherein are we transgressors? I wish to call your attention to this a few minutes, because I desire my brethren and sisters to understand whenever they are called in question before the tribunals of this nation—I want our boys and girls that are growing up around us to understand what is the nature of that which is called crime, which is alleged against their fathers, and in which their mothers are participants. It was never alleged against us as men of Israel, as “Mormons,” if you please, that we were violators, or had been, violators of any law of the land until July 1862. It was never proven and cannot now be shown that we, as a people, were violators of any law of the land whatever. In 1862, a law was enacted against bigamy, or polygamy. The term bigamy had always been used before, but now it was coupled with polygamy in order that it might be made to reach, and be understood by everybody as intended for, the Latter-day Saints.
Now, then, to come at the matter in question, what is the crime, if any there is, in this doctrine of heavenly marriage as we hold it, the doctrine of the eternal covenant of marriage, incident to which is plurality of wives? When we married our wives at the first—we were New Englanders, Britons, Scandinavians, &c.—we were married until death should us part. That was the period for which we made contract, whether we went into the church and had the ordinance solemnized by an ecclesiastic, or whether it was done before a justice of the peace, judge, or any civil magistrate. When the law of God came, before the doctrine of the eternity and plurality of marriage was taught to us, the Lord gave us a revelation, in a very early day, in regard to members of other churches being re-baptized. Some of them doubted the need of being re-baptized. They said we were baptized into the Baptist church; we were sprinkled in the Methodist church, in the Presbyterian, in the Congregational; why be baptized again? The Lord in answer to this question told His people that all old covenants He had caused to be done away; but “behold!” He said, “I give unto you a new and everlasting covenant.” Therefore, all had to go forth, who had been baptized by men having no authority to administer, and be baptized by one who had authority, in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of sins, and for admission into the Church of Christ. By and by, when we had walked before the Lord for a number of years, He revealed to us the laws of marriage. Well regulated parents do not teach their children when they are dandling them on their laps the nature of the covenant, or the ordinance, or the duties of marriage. They wait until they are grown up. It is proper that they should wait until their children have attained to years of judgment, understanding, and perhaps to the age of puberty. So the Lord, in dealing with His children, did not reveal this eternal covenant of marriage until His people had lived a while in keeping the first laws and ordinances of the Church, and learned to walk in the light of the Holy Spirit, and to purify themselves from the various besetments with which they were attended when they went into the waters of baptism, and become better prepared for more exalted principles and truths. One of the last great principles that the Prophet Joseph was commanded of God to teach us was the law regulating the eternity of marriage; that, whereas, we had taken our wives only until death should us part, we should now understand that we were, while in the flesh, laying the foundation for eternal dominions, crowns and exaltations; that our wives and our children were given to us of God for the purpose of laying the foundation of a kingdom; that we shall have, if we are faithful and obedient, the covenant of eternal life ourselves and the power to seal the same upon our generation that they may become, as Abraham’s like the sands of the sea shore for number.
The Latter-day Saints claim to be the children of Abraham, and if they are the children of Abraham they will do the works of Abraham. It was difficult for men and women from all parts of the world, who had lived in the monogamic order all their lives, to accept this doctrine of the eternity and plurality of marriage. It was “a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned, saith the Lord.” This was the obligation that was laid upon the Prophet Joseph, and, through him, upon the true believers of the Church, even all who were worthy to accept of these obligations. It was herein that the Elders and their wives extended their faith, enlarged their obedience, and accepted the terms of the new and everlasting covenant, extending not through time only, but eternity also.
Now, I ask, who is injured by a man taking a second wife, when the wife he now has is agreeable and it is mutually understood between her and him and the newly affianced; it being entered into with a mutual understanding and a mutual agreement according to the law of God—I ask, who is injured?
Wherein consists the crime of bigamy? It is in this. When a man takes one wife he covenants to adhere to her until death do them part. He violates that covenant when he takes another woman, unknown to his wife; he thus practices fraud upon her. This is where the crime comes in. Fraud is perpetrated upon his own family. I want the old and the young to understand it; want to come down to the root of the matter, and find out and show up what the crime is, if any, that is charged upon us. This crime of taking another wife when a man has one is called bigamy, and there are laws and penalties against it. With the Latter-day Saints, there is no fraud practiced, the second wife being accepted with the mutual consent of the first, and in accordance with the revelations of God. There is in that no crime at all, unless some law of God is violated, or somebody is injured in the matter. If this transaction that I have just named violates the law of God, or if it injures or infringes upon the rights of a brother or a sister, then there may be some ground for pronouncing it a crime, but belief in, and practice of, the eternity and plurality of the marriage covenant do not violate the law of God, because He has commanded His people to accept and obey it. Neither is it an infringement upon the rights of others, neither men nor women, but gives all women an opportunity to become honorable wives and mothers, and thus to shut out what is politely called the social evil, with all its horrid concomitants of seduction, foeticide, infanticide and all the train of sexual monogamic evils which haunt and infest Christendom.
If, then, we violate no law of God nor right of our fellows, wherein, I ask again, consists the crime of our religious faith? It is in this: that Congress forbids it; just as Darius forbade Daniel praying to God, and because he persisted, cast him into the den of lions; the same as Herod caused all the male children to be slain, hoping to kill Christ our Savior in his infancy; the same also as Nebuchadnezzar cast the Hebrew children into the flames because they worshipped the living God rather than his idol. Wherein consists the crime of Daniel praying to the God of Israel? Simply because King Darius forbade him doing it.
What constituted the crime of the Hebrew children in worshiping the God of Heaven? Solely because Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to worship the golden image, which they would not do. What is the intrinsic nature of our crime in believing and practicing the eternal covenant of plural marriage as revealed by the Almighty, and as we are commanded to do? Simply and solely this: Congress passed a law making it a penal offense to do so. This is all the criminality there is about it; and the question remains for each one to answer, Shall we obey God or man?
What is liberty—the liberty that you and I and all men are entitled to enjoy? It is that we do not violate the law of God, or that we do not infringe upon the rights and liberties of our fellow creatures. That is true liberty. Upon that hang also the law and the prophets.
In the establishment of this principle of the Gospel, the marriage covenant, it is intended only for God’s people, and not for the people of the world. They do not want it. They would like to have that liberty which is not liberty but license—by which they can continue and perpetuate seduction and adultery among them—keep up their houses of prostitution and their places of assignation. It is a part of the business of both high and low to keep going this degradation and destruction of the female portion of the race, and it is because the people of God have taken a course that every righteous woman may have an honorable husband, become an honorable wife and have a position in the family and household, that our brethren are hailed to prison; because they are true and faithful to their families; because they have taken wives in order that they may rear up children, have a generation to bear their names and their priesthood, and to become a people devoted to the living God.
I want to say in this connection, as I wish all to understand it, that when we adopted this principle by the revelations of God there was no law in the land against it. Understand it, brethren and sisters. But it is now as in ancient times, when the captives of Judea were carried into Babylon. Their captors found excellent qualities in them, as some say now they like our industry, our enterprise and our virtue “outside the marriage relation,” but we want you to put away this commandment of the Lord and “become like us,” “be as we are,” and then we will like you, and we will be hail fellows well met.
The representatives of the country at Washington have discovered something or other in these mountains that is displeasing to them; that we are increasing; that we delight in our children, and do not take measures to prevent their coming forth, as is very frequently done in the world; that we are willing to take wives and support them rather than to indulge in whoredom and the like; and they said, “This won’t do.” Hence they went to work and passed a law against us, that would prevent us carrying out the principles of our religion. I want these young boys and girls, as well as the older ones, to know that God has never given us a law that was in conflict with any law of the land; but that Congress has enacted laws to make us criminals. There is no crime in that which we practice, inasmuch as no man is injured, no woman injured, and no person’s rights are invaded; on the contrary, our people are called upon to exercise a great amount of self-denial and self-abnegation, that all may be blessed, and that the charity of the Gospel may be extended to all the human family, as God has designed and ordained. Thus, we are not violators of the law of the land, but the law makers of the nations make us transgressors. God commands us to keep His law. The people through their representatives say we shall not. That is all there is in it. They undertake to say that we shall not observe the law of plural marriage, and in consequence of this they are hauling us to prison. Our outgoings and incomings are watched by marshals, so as to find something upon which to bring us before a commissioner or before a grand jury; not for any crime we have done, but because we have obeyed God, which Congress has said we must not do—making a law against us—whereas we are violating no law.
I do not love to talk against my fellow men; I simply present these things to you to show up the real state of the case. It is unpleasant for me to say that the men of the Congress of 1862, and that of 1882, were not men of the most immaculate virtue. It is understood throughout the land that nowhere on this continent is the practice of whoredom and of the seduction of women carried on to a greater extent then in the city of Washington, and by those men who go there to make laws against this people. What attitude does it place the people of this nation in, and the Congress of the country, in relation to us and this law we are undertaking to keep? Why, as soon as the Lord has established His Gospel and covenant, the spirits of the other world are seeking to come and dwell among us; they desire a parentage among the Saints of the living God, where they can be welcomed with filial love and not repulsed by foeticide, where they can be brought up in the fear of God, with a hope of returning pure to the Father’s presence, without being lost by blood-guiltiness or other crimes while in mortality.
How do you think the spirits contemplate the necessity of a birth in the nations of the earth where so much harlotry and whoredom exist? I tell this very presumption of the country in which we live, that we shall not have these children to dwell in our midst and bear the name of Christ in the earth, is a presumption against the very heavens, and against those spirits of the just who are waiting to be made perfect through their sufferings in the flesh.
Ah! says one, you folks in the mountains, numbering only one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand, need not talk in that kind of way, for here is a great nation of fifty-five millions of people who say you shall not do this thing, or, if you do, you cannot have a home with us. Well, we will admit that about two hundred people of the United States say to every one of the Latter-day Saints say that we must put away this doctrine, or we cannot dwell in this land. Well, that is a terrible majority against us; but let us look at this a little. I do not think that we need be very badly scared. You recollect at one time a young man was with Elisha the Prophet when a large host compassed the city, both with horses and chariots, and a battle was imminent. It was turbulent times with Israel then, worse than it is with us now. The defending army was a very small one, and the heart of the young man began to falter. He could not see how the few of Israel were going to prevail against their numerous enemies. Whereupon, Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he, “ the young man, “may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. Fear not,” said the Prophet, “for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Now it is so with us exactly. All the fathers who have gone before, the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, the Apostles and Patriarchs, the Elders, High Priests and hosts of others, say nothing of the fathers of our generation hundreds of years back, are all around us, waiting and watching and anxious to see us go forward and triumph; so that we have really more for us than against us, the fifty-five millions to the contrary notwithstanding. Therefore, we have no occasion to let our hands hang down from fear, or our knees to tremble; not a bit of it. On the contrary, I tell you, my brethren and sisters, that one of the greatest evils existing in our midst to-day is that there are too many of us. You may think that is a hard saying; but there are decidedly too many of us. There are people among us who are committing all manner of sin and transgression—people who drink with for the work during the coming year. This includes the following items: Indian work, $2,159; Chinese work at the drunken and spend their substance with harlots and in riotous living. All such should be severed from the Church, unless they repent speedily. The numbers should be reduced, like unto the army of Gideon. The Lord told Gideon that he had too big an army, and it was reduced, (in the manner related in the seventh chapter of the Book Judges) from two and thirty thousand to three hundred, which was all the Lord wanted. The others were told to go home, and Gideon, by following the instructions of the Lord, put all the hosts of the Midianites and Amalekites, who were said to be “like grasshoppers for multitude,” to flight.
This is just what is the matter with us. There are too many with us who are not living as Latter-day Saints ought to live. Again, there are many who walk in other men’s light. If they whose duty it is will only put away from us those who will not serve God, we shall find ourselves strengthened in the work in which we are engaged. If we will but do what is right we need not fear what our enemies can do. The lord only wants the honest, the obedient, the faithful, and He will “turn the world upside down, waste the inhabitants thereof,” and glorify himself by His people.
I have referred to the instance of Gideon on purpose to remind you that the work of the Lord is not upheld by strength of numbers, but it is by the Spirit of God—the spirit of obedience, which is better than sacrifice or the fat of rams, and that the wisdom of God is better than strength or weapons of war.
Men of intelligence—politicians from European countries as well as our own—have visited this country and I have heard them tell President Young that we had a very strong government in this Territory. We all know that; but it is good to have wise men visit Utah from abroad and see the excellence and strength of its government.
I would say to the people of the land—inasmuch as they are making this bugaboo about polygamy—not to be deceived. The Governor has told men upon the streets that he did not care anything about polygamy; (we knew very well that he did not by his conduct;) but it was the power of the Church that must be broken. Must it? This is the work of the Lord, and there need not anybody mistake it. The order of God’s church and kingdom is the strongest government ever known on this earth, and if the people of this great nation entertain any fears of the consequence or effects of such a government, why, I ask, don’t you of the nation, you of Congress, you of the Cabinet, if you please, embrace this order of government and establish it over the nation! You can do it. You can repent of your sins, every one of you, and be baptized for a remission of them. You can adopt and extend this strong government which God has established in these mountains, and if you will do it God will establish you and the government and this nation never to depart from before His face; and you shall be made the means of helping to bring everlasting righteousness—the millennium—upon this land, and of causing the Spirit of God to rest down upon all flesh. Is it not worth your while to engage in a thing of this kind?
But, ah! the terrible fact exists that the blood of the prophets is upon this nation, although the nation has not shed their blood, yet a sovereign State permitted it, and the nation have not washed their hands from it. This accounts for the terrible hardness of heart that is to be found in this country.
Were it not for a lying press and a corrupt people in our midst, who incite ignorant people to send petitions against the “Mormons” to Congress by the bushel, the nation could not be wrought up to such a frenzy, nor to make such laws and the Edmunds law against us. But they do these things because their hearts are hard, and because the blood of innocence rests upon them. This nation have yet to rise up and rid themselves of this blood, and place the responsibility where it belongs, or they will have to suffer as accomplices after the fact for these terrible things done in their midst—this people driven from city to city, despoiled of their goods; driven into the wilderness to this country, to find a home in which they could dwell in peace. Blessed be God for enabling us to find it out! We have had a home of peace and rejoicing, and we have been blessed in all things. Have we need to-day to be terrified? Do our hearts need to palpitate for fear? We have had a United States army camp in our midst already, and we have no occasion to fear now; God will work out the deliverance of His people.
The Lord never more thoroughly frustrated the design of an army than in the instance of that which came out here, and never was there a time when He caused the gain of the Gentiles to be scattered among His people more effectually than He did with the goods the army brought to this country.
Shall we fear to-day? Let us look back to Israel and see their deliverances—as related in the Bible and Book of Mormon—see what He did in former times. The secret of success is obedience to the commandments of God and to the covenants we have made with Him.
It does not become me to say what I will do when I am brought to the judgment seat to be tried and sentenced. A man don’t know what he will do. Let us recollect the instance of Peter, who walked with Jesus by day and by night. In the light of these things it does not do to boast what we will do; but I hope by the blessing of God to remain firm and immovable when these things look me in the face. I ask God to give me grace sufficient that I may keep His commandments, honor every law He has given, or shall give, and stand firm to the truth under every circumstance in life.
I pray that the blessing of God may be upon you. Be true and faithful to God. Let the brethren attend to those things which the First Presidency have pointed out in their Epistle in regard to transgressors, and they that fear not God neither regard His precepts and laws. Keep the commandments of God, and let us teach our families to do so also, that we may grow strong in His righteousness; then we shall find it is no matter how many there are against us. We shall know that there are more for us than against us. He will bring us all right up to the test and will found out what is in every man and what every man is able to endure. Our sisters think that they had all the hurt of this matter, that the men had it nice and fine; but I tell you the men will get their full share, and you sisters will get even with them, if you will only abide true and faithful.
May the Lord grant His blessing upon each as we have need; I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder John Q. Cannon
occupied the remaining fifteen minutes. Notwithstanding, he said, that we were menaced from all quarters, we were enabled to look up to God as our only and true friend. It was true that we were harassed somewhat, but it was also true that our farms and gardens yielded abundantly, and our stock increased, and that blessings temporal as well as spiritual were enjoyed by the people to a marked extent. Since God so kindly and mercifully recognized us, it became us to acknowledge Him, and use what He had given us towards building up and establishing His kingdom. For this purpose He led our fathers to this land, a land which none could claim by prior right. The speaker urged upon the people to so live that the land might become sanctified through the blessings of heaven, and become indeed the land of Zion. Individual action in the right direction was the common duty of the people called upon to build up Zion, and it was the performance of duty alone, under the blessing of God, that could make us a blesse and free people.
The choir sang the anthem: Thou who art faithful.
Adjourned till 2 p. m., the closing prayer being offered by Patriarch John Smith.
occupied the remaining fifteen minutes. Notwithstanding, he said, that we were menaced from all quarters, we were enabled to look up to God as our only and true friend. It was true that we were harassed somewhat, but it was also true that our farms and gardens yielded abundantly, and our stock increased, and that blessings temporal as well as spiritual were enjoyed by the people to a marked extent. Since God so kindly and mercifully recognized us, it became us to acknowledge Him, and use what He had given us towards building up and establishing His kingdom. For this purpose He led our fathers to this land, a land which none could claim by prior right. The speaker urged upon the people to so live that the land might become sanctified through the blessings of heaven, and become indeed the land of Zion. Individual action in the right direction was the common duty of the people called upon to build up Zion, and it was the performance of duty alone, under the blessing of God, that could make us a blesse and free people.
The choir sang the anthem: Thou who art faithful.
Adjourned till 2 p. m., the closing prayer being offered by Patriarch John Smith.
Thursday Afternoon.
Conference re-assembled at 2 p. m. The services were commenced by the choir singing, Great God indulge my humble plea.
Prayer being offered by Elder C. D. Fjelsted.
The choir sang an original piece, entitled, “A Song of Triumph.”
Conference re-assembled at 2 p. m. The services were commenced by the choir singing, Great God indulge my humble plea.
Prayer being offered by Elder C. D. Fjelsted.
The choir sang an original piece, entitled, “A Song of Triumph.”
The general authorities of the Church were then presented by Apostle Moses Thatcher, in the following order and were unanimously sustained:
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, and Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, Members, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch to the Church, John Smith.
First seven Presidents, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. J. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop with Robert T. Burton as his First and John Q. Cannon as his Second Counselor.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers 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.
Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust: the Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder with F. D. Richards as assistant.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co., for the gathering of the poor, with F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Jos. F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as assistants.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom assistant.
Auditing Committee—Wilford Woodruff, Franklin D. Richards, Joseph F. Smith and Wm. Jennings.
Clerk of Conference—John Nicholson; George F. Gibbs, Clerk pro tem.
Church reporters—John Irvine and George F. Gibbs.
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, and Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, Members, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch to the Church, John Smith.
First seven Presidents, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. J. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop with Robert T. Burton as his First and John Q. Cannon as his Second Counselor.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers 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.
Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust: the Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder with F. D. Richards as assistant.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co., for the gathering of the poor, with F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Jos. F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as assistants.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom assistant.
Auditing Committee—Wilford Woodruff, Franklin D. Richards, Joseph F. Smith and Wm. Jennings.
Clerk of Conference—John Nicholson; George F. Gibbs, Clerk pro tem.
Church reporters—John Irvine and George F. Gibbs.
Apostle F. D. Richards, Chairman of the Missionary Committee, reported that, agreeable with an action taken at the last General Conference, missionaries had been called and set apart, and they had repaired to their several fields of labor according to appointment, as occasion required, and suggested, if the conference saw proper to do so, that the committee continue their labors as it seemed proper to them.
On motion of Elder Erastus Snow the suggestion was unanimously adopted.
On motion of Elder Erastus Snow the suggestion was unanimously adopted.
Apostle M. Thatcher
then addressed the Conference. He said the testimonies borne during the Conference found an ardent response in his heart; that he viewed the present as a time in which valuable lessons might be learned. Our enemies, exercised because of our union, had attributed that quality as exhibited among the Saints to the influence of our leading men; if that were so, and their influence tended to good, then the people’s leaders should be sustained by all honorable citizens; if to evil, then they should be removed. If the present experiences of the Saints should teach them but one lesson, namely, the necessity of leaning upon the Lord for support instead of upon man, then our experience, unpleasant though it may be, will not have been in vain. If, too, we learn to settle comparatively unimportant matters among ourselves, instead of referring such things to men whose time might be more profitably occupied, we shall not have suffered in vain.
On the subject of human rights, the speaker asked: Whence came they, and to whom was due our form of government, that was the admiration of the world? It was of heavenly origin, and men who chose exile rather than renounce their religious convictions, were the instruments, under divine Providence, of unfolding it to man. The government of the United States as it existed to-day, contained the elements of republican, democratic, monarchial and autocratic forms; it was autocratic in that the Governor of one of its fair Territories possessed absolute veto power, and its people had no voice in the choice of their rulers. This form, however, in justice to the fathers of our country, was never intended to exist in the land. When might we look for a better state of things? The speaker thought that we had expected too much of the new administration; that in view of the manner in which public opinion was manufactured, it was due the President and Cabinet that we exercise charity. He had learned that while men would unhesitatingly face the Cannon's mouth, and meet danger in any and every form to defend the rights of their fellows, when it came to a display of moral courage for the same purpose, the bravest of men were wanting. There were but few Chas. Sumners to espouse the unpopular cause of a down-trodden humanity; such men as Cromwell, Luther, Knox, Huss, and others of similar character, were very scarce. We, above all people, could appreciate moral courage in man, as it was an essential characteristic of the true servant of God. If we could enjoy our constitutional rights we would be the happiest of people, our moral condition being singularly compatible with the highest degree of liberty.
The speaker then criticized the conduct of the Judge of the Third Judicial District, in that he so basely interpreted the candid statements of honorable men as hypocritical cant, calling honorable women concubines, and children born in legitimate wedlock bastards. The judge, he said, evidently desiring to cast reflections on plural wives by the use of the term concubine, displayed lamentable ignorance as to its true meaning. The word concubine, as understood by Father Abraham and the patriarchs, meant wife, all concubines being wives; but all wives were not concubines. On account of the positions such men occupied, and their incompetency to pass a righteous judgment upon the men they condemned and branded as adulterers, he entertained pity and not ill-will for them; and he also could pray for such men, that God in His mercy would, if possible, enlighten their minds, that they might pause and reflect upon the enormity of their acts and, peradventure, repent. He could also pray for the leaders of our nation, that they might deal impartially and righteously in all questions involving the people's rights. Coming nearer home, he asked if our municipal, county and territorial authorities had been as ready to give a non-''Mormon" his rights as “Mormons;" if so, well; if not, it was anything but well. When the kingdom of God should be fully established, and its government obtain throughout the land, there would be no packed juries, no mission, bigoted judges, no such thing as punishing the innocent and setting the guilty free.
Referring to the expression, "55,000,000 versus 250,000," he said it did not reflect the true sentiment of the country; that while unprincipled politicians, adventurers, reckless newspaper men, and the class that float with the tide of popular thought, were loud in echoing this taking expression, thousands of thinking, honest-hearted men—men who regarded with profound thought the surety of our free institutions, were looking on this struggle with the greatest anxiety, without, perhaps, possessing the moral courage to step into the arena on the side of right against might. The speaker arraigned certain public officials for winking at mob rule; for permitting popular opinion to sway their official acts on certain vital questions affecting the well-being of their fellowmen; and for leaning to the tendency of the age, allowing themselves to be led by the popular cry, instead of conscientiously loading the people—nil of which would, in time, hasten the downfall of our nation. In this connection the Speaker referred to the inconsistency and unwisdom of loading men in disturbing the peace and quiet of the " Mormon" household. the fruits of the well regulated family being those of order and good government; while the adjustment of such vital questions as that existing between capital and labor remained unaccomplished—a question that involved the peace of every family throughout the land; and hoped that our national legislators would have discernment sufficient to cast the "Mormon" mote out of their eyes that they might see more clearly how to deal with this dangerous beam; if they did not, the fulfillment of the revelation was nigh at the door, wherein the Lord said, the day would come when they that would not take up the sword to fight his neighbor must needs flee to Zion for safety.
Notwithstanding, he said, that at present a cloud hung over our mountain home, it would pass off and leave us in peaceful possession of civil and religious rights; and until then we would contend manfully for them, and do it, too, inside the Constitution and government, and not allow our enemies to drive us outside; and when the ensign of our glorious liberties should be torn to shreds and patches, the Elders of Israel would be found hearing aloft the flag of our country amid the turmoil and strife that must yet depopulate the land. He hoped that the present Administration would declare itself for principle as against popular opinion; and admonished the Latter-day Saints to put their trust in God and not in man.
then addressed the Conference. He said the testimonies borne during the Conference found an ardent response in his heart; that he viewed the present as a time in which valuable lessons might be learned. Our enemies, exercised because of our union, had attributed that quality as exhibited among the Saints to the influence of our leading men; if that were so, and their influence tended to good, then the people’s leaders should be sustained by all honorable citizens; if to evil, then they should be removed. If the present experiences of the Saints should teach them but one lesson, namely, the necessity of leaning upon the Lord for support instead of upon man, then our experience, unpleasant though it may be, will not have been in vain. If, too, we learn to settle comparatively unimportant matters among ourselves, instead of referring such things to men whose time might be more profitably occupied, we shall not have suffered in vain.
On the subject of human rights, the speaker asked: Whence came they, and to whom was due our form of government, that was the admiration of the world? It was of heavenly origin, and men who chose exile rather than renounce their religious convictions, were the instruments, under divine Providence, of unfolding it to man. The government of the United States as it existed to-day, contained the elements of republican, democratic, monarchial and autocratic forms; it was autocratic in that the Governor of one of its fair Territories possessed absolute veto power, and its people had no voice in the choice of their rulers. This form, however, in justice to the fathers of our country, was never intended to exist in the land. When might we look for a better state of things? The speaker thought that we had expected too much of the new administration; that in view of the manner in which public opinion was manufactured, it was due the President and Cabinet that we exercise charity. He had learned that while men would unhesitatingly face the Cannon's mouth, and meet danger in any and every form to defend the rights of their fellows, when it came to a display of moral courage for the same purpose, the bravest of men were wanting. There were but few Chas. Sumners to espouse the unpopular cause of a down-trodden humanity; such men as Cromwell, Luther, Knox, Huss, and others of similar character, were very scarce. We, above all people, could appreciate moral courage in man, as it was an essential characteristic of the true servant of God. If we could enjoy our constitutional rights we would be the happiest of people, our moral condition being singularly compatible with the highest degree of liberty.
The speaker then criticized the conduct of the Judge of the Third Judicial District, in that he so basely interpreted the candid statements of honorable men as hypocritical cant, calling honorable women concubines, and children born in legitimate wedlock bastards. The judge, he said, evidently desiring to cast reflections on plural wives by the use of the term concubine, displayed lamentable ignorance as to its true meaning. The word concubine, as understood by Father Abraham and the patriarchs, meant wife, all concubines being wives; but all wives were not concubines. On account of the positions such men occupied, and their incompetency to pass a righteous judgment upon the men they condemned and branded as adulterers, he entertained pity and not ill-will for them; and he also could pray for such men, that God in His mercy would, if possible, enlighten their minds, that they might pause and reflect upon the enormity of their acts and, peradventure, repent. He could also pray for the leaders of our nation, that they might deal impartially and righteously in all questions involving the people's rights. Coming nearer home, he asked if our municipal, county and territorial authorities had been as ready to give a non-''Mormon" his rights as “Mormons;" if so, well; if not, it was anything but well. When the kingdom of God should be fully established, and its government obtain throughout the land, there would be no packed juries, no mission, bigoted judges, no such thing as punishing the innocent and setting the guilty free.
Referring to the expression, "55,000,000 versus 250,000," he said it did not reflect the true sentiment of the country; that while unprincipled politicians, adventurers, reckless newspaper men, and the class that float with the tide of popular thought, were loud in echoing this taking expression, thousands of thinking, honest-hearted men—men who regarded with profound thought the surety of our free institutions, were looking on this struggle with the greatest anxiety, without, perhaps, possessing the moral courage to step into the arena on the side of right against might. The speaker arraigned certain public officials for winking at mob rule; for permitting popular opinion to sway their official acts on certain vital questions affecting the well-being of their fellowmen; and for leaning to the tendency of the age, allowing themselves to be led by the popular cry, instead of conscientiously loading the people—nil of which would, in time, hasten the downfall of our nation. In this connection the Speaker referred to the inconsistency and unwisdom of loading men in disturbing the peace and quiet of the " Mormon" household. the fruits of the well regulated family being those of order and good government; while the adjustment of such vital questions as that existing between capital and labor remained unaccomplished—a question that involved the peace of every family throughout the land; and hoped that our national legislators would have discernment sufficient to cast the "Mormon" mote out of their eyes that they might see more clearly how to deal with this dangerous beam; if they did not, the fulfillment of the revelation was nigh at the door, wherein the Lord said, the day would come when they that would not take up the sword to fight his neighbor must needs flee to Zion for safety.
Notwithstanding, he said, that at present a cloud hung over our mountain home, it would pass off and leave us in peaceful possession of civil and religious rights; and until then we would contend manfully for them, and do it, too, inside the Constitution and government, and not allow our enemies to drive us outside; and when the ensign of our glorious liberties should be torn to shreds and patches, the Elders of Israel would be found hearing aloft the flag of our country amid the turmoil and strife that must yet depopulate the land. He hoped that the present Administration would declare itself for principle as against popular opinion; and admonished the Latter-day Saints to put their trust in God and not in man.
The Lord is Teaching Us Valuable Lessons in Our Present Experience—He is Teaching Us to Rely Upon Him and to Exercise the Faculties He Has Given Us—Nature of the Government of the United States—the Elements of a Variety of Governments Enter Into It—Physical and Moral Courage—the Judge of the Third District Court not a Christian—a Concubine Was a Wife and It Should not Be a Term of Reproach—the Character of Abraham Vindicated—Sympathy for Our Enemies—When the Saints Learn to Be Strictly Impartial, Judgment and Rule Will Be Given Them—Not All in the United States Are Arrayed Against Us—Weakness of the American Government—Power of Secret Societies—Zion to Be a Place of Refuge and Safety—President Cleveland's Opportunity to Be Just and Great—We Must Purify Ourselves that Liberty May Come
Discourse by Apostle Moses Thatcher, delivered in the Tabernacle, Logan, Cache County, Semi-Annual Conference, Thursday Afternoon, October 8th, 1885.
Reported by John Irvine.
There have been a great many very excellent things said at this conference, and in attempting to add thereto, I desire the assistance and aid which come through the faith and prayers of the Saints—that I may be inspired by the Spirit of God to utter such things as may tend to our edification and good. It will doubtless be somewhat difficult to make all hear unless a goodly degree of order is maintained. Of course I am aware that it is not an easy task for mothers to keep their nursing babes quiet in a crowded house like this and upon a warm day; but we hope to have as good order as possible under the circumstances.
I have rejoiced very much in the testimonies which have been borne during the meetings of this Conference, and they find in my heart a responsive chord. I do not feel that we are living in unprofitable times, and notwithstanding the trials, temptations and injustice with which we are surrounded, I view the present as times in which the Lord is teaching to His people very valuable lessons. It has often been asserted, by our outside friends, that the union of this people was maintained by reason of the influence which their leaders hold over their minds. If this statement were true, and the influence exercised is unrighteous, the leaders of the people should be removed. But if the influence which they exercise over the minds of the people is for good, it ought to be maintained. As an Elder in Israel, I hold that the influence which binds together this people to be the spirit of God, and that the Almighty, the creator of the heavens and the earth, is not dependent upon one man or many men, and that the Lord will demonstrate to all the Christian world, that the religion which is called Mormonism is the religion of the heart for the masses of the people who have espoused its cause; and if, in the experiences of the past few months, and that which is yet in the future, the Latter-day Saints learn to rely on God, learn to receive for themselves heavenly communications for the guidance of their feet, though it may cost the exile of our leaders or the imprisonment of those who have worked as their servants, they will have received that which is of much value; and although it cost much, it will be worth more than the cost. We can see now that a few who have relied upon others, who have sought the counsel of their file lenders and have depended upon that counsel when they can no longer reach those leaders, falter and fall by the wayside. I believe that God intends that every man and every woman in His Church and kingdom shall exercise the faculties which He has given them, that in the exercise of their agency He designs to exalt them in eternal glory. So long therefore as the people rely upon their leaders they are not manifesting that degree of faith, they are not in a position to think and reflect for themselves as they should. I have known the time of the Presidency of the Church and of the Apostles taken up in frivolous matters that ought never to have gone beyond the family circle, at least ought not to have gone beyond the confines of the Ward organization. But times have changed. We approach not now so easily the Presidency of the Church. We receive not their counsels with that facility that we have done in the past. And although we miss their presence much—for this people love their leaders—in their absence the channel of communication between the heavens and the earth is open to this people as it never could have been under former circumstances. Men and women are now learning that their prayers can be heard, and that if they are not able to receive the counsels of their brethren, they can in all places and under all circumstances, receive the counsels of God, their Heavenly Father.
Men, communities of men, governments, nations, powers, and principalities have never yet been able to build walls so strong, or make iron doors so thick as to prevent the prayers of a righteous man ascending unto his God, hence every man and every woman who keep the commandments of the Lord can have a light and a lamp for their feet, and those who have oil in their lamps will not be uncertain as to the course they should pursue. The revelations of the Lord will inspire them and direct them in the ways of truth and right.
When we reflect on the growth of governments, civilization, the rights of men and the liberties which we so much enjoy, to what source do we look as the one from whence they came? The great government of which we form a part—the most liberal, the broadest and the deepest in its foundation, the greatest government which God has ever smiled upon—except when he has administered according to His own will in the affairs of men—to whom is due its birth and expansion. To men who were willing to bow in obedience to the mandates of kingly governments? No! But rather to men who were inspired by God, their heavenly Father, to reach forward to a higher and a grander civilization and liberty. Had the Pilgrim Fathers and others who were unwilling to bow to the mandates of European powers not fled to the land of America, we should have had no government like this. It was founded as a refuge in which the oppressed of every land and clime should find a resting place. Not Republican altogether, not Democratic wholly, not theocratic, not aristocratic, not monarchical, but a combination of them all. For this government, in the strictest sense, is not a republic, as I understand it. The laws of a republican government are enacted by a central power. Were the United States such a government, the laws which govern the citizens of all the States and Territories would be enacted by Congress, instead of by their several Legislatures. In the purest sense, democracy consists of a government in which the people are governed by laws enacted with their mutual consent and by their direct vote. We cannot consistently call the government of the United States theocratic only in so far as the people acknowledge the rule of God. If we pick up a coin, a $20 gold piece, we can see impressed upon its face the words, “In God we trust;” and insofar as this is true, and expresses the sense and feelings of the people, this government is theocratic, but in no sense beyond that. A Territorial government may be said to be in a large sense monarchial, in that the governor of the Territory has conferred upon him by act of Congress absolute veto power, and the legislators who are chosen by the people, may labor for sixty days, unite their profoundest thought in expressing the wishes and wants of the people, and they may frame laws by which the people might be governed according to their choice, but by a single stroke of the pen the Governor of the Territory of Utah can veto every act of the Territorial Legislature. Is not this, then, monarchial, and is it not in a very strong sense a one-man power? It would seem to be at least autocratic. And in the sense that the people of the Territories have no choice in the governor or in the judges who administer the laws, or in the marshals who enforce the process of the courts and in every other way wherein the government takes upon itself the government of the people, without the consent of the people, is it not an aristocratic government—the government of the many by the few? Thus, if my conclusions are correct, the government of the United States is theocratic insofar as the people trust in and obey the laws of God; it is republican in a partial sense; it is democratic in another sense; and it is certainly, so far as the Territories are concerned, monarchial and aristocratical. Thus we have a combination of the elements of a variety of governments entering into this great Union. But, as was clearly shown this morning by Brother F. D. Richards, in the disposition of the people to have Congress enact certain proscriptive laws, we as a people are being deprived of many of the rights and privileges for which our forefathers contended, for which they pledged their sacred honor, and for which many of them devoted their lives. But, knowing the manner in which public opinion is manufactured in this great land of ours, I have personally a degree of charity and of sympathy, not only for Congress, but for the President, his Cabinet, and for the supreme judiciary of our nation. It is no unusual thing to see men manifest physical courage. You can see it in all nature. Tread upon a worm and it will turn and sting you if it can. Men, for the love of the things of this world, will often face physical danger in every form. They will dig down into the bowels of the earth, navigate the raging seas, and penetrate, as it were, to the North Pole—they will face the cannon's mouth when it belches forth death and desolation in all its horrid forms; they will face death and destruction in all its horrid forms; they will face death and desolation in every shape; but when you call upon them to manifest moral courage, when you call upon them to stand up and maintain the right because it is right, when that right is unpopular, you appeal to something that gives but weak response. I have seen men that would face danger in almost every conceivable form, shrink and cower before one breath of scorn. They could not bear it, and hence you see them make promises and apologies because of the influences that surround them. Now, this is a popular government, and it would take a very courageous President to do justice to the Latter-day Saints. Why? Because the great majority of the nation are prejudiced against us. Not that they are aware of any harm or wickedness having been done by this people, but because of falsehoods that have been circulated against the Latter-day Saints. Therefore, I say that were Mr. Cleveland to administer, or cause to be administered all the laws in Utah impartially, he would be manifesting a degree of hardihood, a degree of moral courage that certainly has not been exhibited by any recent President of the United States. This country has produced few men like Charles Sumner, who stood up in the Senate of the United States and fought slavery. He stood there singly and alone, but he espoused a righteous cause, and by degrees he made adherents until this nation was converted and the Supreme Court of the United States that declared that a black man had no rights which a white man was bound to respect, was overturned at the point of the bayonet and the sword. Such men as Washington, Jefferson and Adams—such men as Cromwell, Knox, Luther, Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, stand along the shores of time as beacons that have lighted the way to the higher liberty we ought to enjoy in this glorious land today. When I say we, I refer to the nation as a whole, and not to the Latter-day Saints as a community. If we could enjoy our constitutional rights, we would be of all people upon this earth the most happy; because, with all our faults and failings, God smiles upon no people upon the earth as pure as are the Latter-day Saints, and happiness consists in purity—the living of a holy life before the Lord.
I was very forcibly struck, a few days ago, with the remarks made by the Judge of the Third Judicial District. I don't think him to be a Christian; if he is, he does not understand the Scriptures as I understand them. In referring to remarks which had been made by an individual who had been convicted by the jury, the judge remarked that he did not wish to hear any more hypocritical cant, and in referring to the wives of the Latter-day Saints on one occasion he mentioned them as concubines; and some of our brethren have looked upon that as being a reproach. Well, of course, you can convey contempt in the manner in which a word is uttered. But I do not look upon the word concubine as being a contemptuous term by any means. All concubines, anciently, were considered wives, but all wives were not concubines. A concubine, then, was a maid servant married to a free man; and although her mistress still maintained some jurisdiction over her actions, the fact that she was a wife gave her an honorable position—made her a legal wife in the sight of God.
Again, the judge, in referring to what father Abraham did, said, “Abraham not only lived with his wives, but also with his wife's handmaids; in other words,” said the judge, “the same as though you were to live with your hired girls. Now, while that might do for Abraham,” said he, “it will not do for this enlightened age.” Now I desire to show by these remarks that the judge of the Third District Court is not a Christian, and that if he has any hopes of eternal life, he does not understand the plan and the promises of the great Jehovah; for Abraham was a friend of God; Abraham talked with God face to face, and although it may be thought that he lived in the dark ages, would to God that the Christian world would walk in such darkness today! If, then, the acts of Abraham would not do for the Chief Justice of the Territory of Utah, neither would the city in which Abraham dwells do for that judge; and when he passes into eternity and behold the names of the twelve apostles written upon the twelve foundations of the Eternal City he may admire their beauty and grandeur, but when his attention is drawn to the twelve pearly gates, he will find engraven thereon the names of the twelve sons of Jacob by his four wives, and their great grandfather Abraham will be within that city. Without its walls shall be sorcerers, adulterers, liars and whoremongers, and those who love to make a lie. Jesus bore testimony to the virtues of Abraham. He proclaimed himself to be a literal descendant from him, tracing back his lineage to the loins of David, another polygamist; and when he, Jesus, spoke of Lazarus, who picked up the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and who was so poor and wretched, whose sores the dogs licked to his ease, delight and comfort—when Jesus spoke of this Lazarus, he spoke of him as being in the bosom of Father Abraham. But the rich man, who perhaps had had control of him, and who had kicked and cuffed him, and looked upon him with scorn as he picked up the crumbs—as we pick up the crumbs of liberty grudgingly dropped from the table which our fathers made in the day of oppression and dread—I say, when that rich man looked upon Lazarus in his degradation, he was then but his serf and slave; but when he looked upon him over that wide gulf that separated them, he saw him in the bosom of Abraham, and he pleaded that Lazarus might be sent to dip his finger in one drop of cold water, that the thirst might be slaked in his throat, and that his burning tongue might be relieved. The answer was, “Lazarus had his ill things while upon the earth and thou hadst thy good things. Now, behold Lazarus has the good things and thou hast thine evil things.” “Well, said the rich man, if he comes not to me send him to tell my friends and my neighbors of the condition of affairs here.” The answer was made, “They have Moses and the prophets, and if they heed not these, neither would they listen to one though he rose from the dead.” If the Judge of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah is a Christian, how will he feel when he comes into the presence of Father Abraham, whom he has sought to cast reflections upon? Will not the blush of shame be upon his cheek? And if there is an eternal God, and if that eternal God is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all our spirits; and is the friend of Abraham, how can that Judge bear his presence? I would rather be the poorest Latter-day Saint on earth and bear chains and fetters upon my limbs until my flesh dropped from my bones than to be in the attitude of the man who must bear, without the spirit of God, the measure of unjust judgment which he has measured to others. For this reason, my brethren and sisters, I say I have the most profound sympathy for all those whom we sometimes denominate our enemies, and I am not able to forget the fact that whatever their condition in this life may be, they fought not on the side of Satan in the eternal worlds when Satan rebelled against God because the Almighty was unwilling to adopt his coercive plan of human redemption. God was determined that every man, woman and child born into the world should be free. I say, because God would not adopt his coercive measures he rebelled against Christ, and one-third part of heaven followed him, and he fought against Michael and the hosts of heaven, and was cast down to earth with the hosts that followed him. But you can find no living man or woman that ever breathed the breath of life that fought on his side; for the condemnation that came upon them was a loss of opportunity to take a body. Therefore, those people who seem to be our enemies are such only by reason of their blindness, and because their eyes are closed against the things of God, and if the judgments of God are to come upon them according to the predictions of the prophets, we can well afford to have charity and sympathy for them, and we do as a people. I tell you that I can pray for my enemies; I can pray that God may lead them away from darkness, that He may touch the eyes of their understanding that they may see, and in their hearts repent.
It is awful to think for a moment of the terrible condemnation that will surely come upon men who endorse the shedding of innocent blood; but we must, at last come to love our enemies and pray for them who despitefully use us. And when we are prepared to do this from the heart, we are prepared to say to this world, “I am not afraid of anything you can do.” The power of the Spirit lifts the body out of the reach of harm, the spirit of Christ has gained the victory, and we can say when under the influence of that spirit, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” I can pray for the President of the United States, with a desire in my heart that God will direct him aright, that he may have moral courage sufficient to do that which is just; because, unless the rulers of this nation are actuated by the spirit of justice, they cannot be sustained by the Almighty. And although we may find prejudice on the right hand and on the left, we shall never have given unto us the victory until we learn how to govern upon principle. When men are tested, when they are brought before the courts, cases should be tried, not men. Whenever the Latter-day Saints shall have reached that high degree of excellence in the administration of the laws of God as to judge impartially between the Saint and sinner, when they shall be willing to give Satan his rights as quickly as a Saint or a brother, then will judgment and rule be placed within their reach, and I pray that it will never come before that time.
Whether a man is a heathen or a Christian, when the kingdom of God is established, he will have his rights and liberties extended to him. There will be no bias, no prejudice, everything will be done according to the laws of justice and equity. Have we always, as a people, I may ask, manifested a disposition to act upon the basis of principle? You can answer the question for yourselves. Have you been willing, as Latter-day Saints to extend to the Gentile as readily his rights, under your municipal, your county or your Territorial government as you would extend them to a Latter-day Saint? If you have, then have we administered upon the basis of principle; but if we have not, then have we not come to an understanding of that which the Lord has revealed; for when His kingdom bears sway there will be thousands and millions of people who do not subscribe to our religious views, who will be gladly governed by the laws of God's kingdom; and the Chinese in the empire of China, the Hindoo in Hindoostan, or the Christian in Europe, may read the laws that govern Zion, and, with mathematical accuracy, figure out the liberties they can enjoy under the laws of the kingdom of God. There will be no prejudice or packed juries in the kingdom of God that will bind the innocent and set the guilty free. God will govern His kingdom as He governs throughout His universe, by the laws of justice and equity.
What I say to the Latter-day Saints is, let us be of good cheer. I never have seen a better day than this. The kingdom will come off victorious, and those who have hated us will see the day when much woe and affliction will come upon them.
We hear talk about 55,000,000 of people being opposed to the Latter-day Saints. I offer to you this afternoon my testimony that this is not true. There are not 55,000,000 in this glorious government of ours who are opposed to the Latter-day Saints; it is a great mistake; there are thousands in the United States today, who are anxiously waiting for the solution of the “Mormon” problem, who are praying for the deliverance of this people. It is a great mistake to suppose that every man, woman and child in this nation are opposed to this people; there are scores that, while they have not courage to come out and speak a word for them, have a warm throbbing in their hearts for the victory of this people and their cause, and they are not blind to their surroundings either. As an American citizen I deplore it, but I tell the Latter-Saints this afternoon that this great government is not strong, and the reason is, they have torn up the foundations of the structure that was built by our fathers. They have tipped up the moorings of the great ship. They have allowed mob rule to get power in this land, and like a dark cloud, secret societies are gathering around. And while it may be smiled at, yet I tell you this nation stands as it were upon a mine. When the Knights of Labor and the different brotherhoods can say in calm language that within thirty minutes they can stop the motion of every car wheel between Omaha, Nebraska, and Butte, Montana, I say to you there is power there.
More than five years ago, certain secret societies instituted what were called the Pittsburgh riots. The State militia was called out to quell them, and they were not able to do it. The army of the national government was appealed to, and a United States officer told me that when he led his soldiers to Pittsburgh he feared to give the word of command to fire upon those insurgents, “for,” said he, “I did not know whether they would obey or turn round and fire upon their officers.” I have heard merchants of Chicago and New York declare that they had private arms stacked away in their business houses because they could not trust the municipal, the county, the State, or the national means of protection; will you tell me that a nation is strong thus situated? It is not. The iron heel of the monopolist has long been upon the neck of labor, and the great question which is looming up in this nation today is that of labor and capital. Would to God we had statesmen with eyes clear enough to see! Would to God that they would pull out of their eyes the “Mormon” mote and behold the beam that threatens the nation. The occurrence at Rock Springs, and the mutterings we hear from the Atlantic to the Pacific ought to be a warning that the day is not far distant, unless the Democratic and Republican parties open their eyes to the situation, when desolation and war will be in this government. When men who live in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, have said to me, “Mr. Thatcher, why don't you renounce this objectionable feature of your religion, the nation is opposed to it, the civilization of the age does not want to permit it—why don't you renounce it and live in peace?” I have said to them, “I thank you for your kind sentiments; I thank you for the kindly feelings that you entertain,” and as an evidence that I feel it, I will say when this nation, having sown to the wind, reaps the whirlwind; when brother takes up sword against brother; when father contends against son, and son against father; when he who will not take up his sword against his neighbor must needs flee to Zion for safety—then I would say to my friends come to Utah; for the judgments of God, commencing at the house of the Lord, will have passed away, and Utah, undisturbed, will be the most delightful place in all the Union. When war and desolation and bloodshed, and the ripping up of society come upon the nation, I have said to such, “Come to Utah and we will divide our morsel of food with you, we will divide our clothing with you, and we will offer you protection.” I will tell you, my brethren and sisters, the day will come, and it is not far distant, when he who will not take up his sword against his neighbor, will have to flee to Zion for safety; and it is presupposed in this prediction that Zion will have power to give them protection. We are not going to do it outside of the government, either; we are going to do it inside the government. There is no power in this land to turn this people against the government of the United States. They will maintain the Constitution of this country inviolate, and although it may have been torn to shreds they will tie it together again, and maintain every principle of it, holding it up to the downtrodden of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and they will do it, too, under the Stars and Stripes. They will stand with their feet firmly upon the backbone of the American continent and maintain the principles which cost their fathers so much, and those principles cannot be taken away by men who violate their oath of office, and betray their trust.
I tell you that there are boys growing up in these mountains who have the principles of human liberty grounded deep in their hearts, and they will maintain them, not only for themselves, but for others. God speed the day I say—if the nation pursues its downward course and tears up these fundamental principles of government which have made them strong—when the Constitution may be rescued and all men and women shall be free again. I pray that Grover Cleveland may stand up as the chief executive of the greatest nation that there is on God's footstool today and say to the waves of public opinion and public pressure that the nation must be ruled upon the principles of righteousness and justice. If he would do that, he would make himself a name that would be embalmed forever upon the pages of history. But if he will not do it—if he is not morally strong enough to do it, and if Congress will not come forward and help him do it, we will say, “O, God, we put our dependence in Thee,” and where Thou leadest we will follow, and we will seek to maintain our rights,
until the Almighty grants them unto us. May the spirit of the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ be in your hearts, for above all things it is the most precious; and when you come before the judges take no heed of what you shall say or the answers you shall give, but trust in God, and if you go before the judges silent as did your Lord and master, if they choose to nail you upon the cross or stretch you upon the wheel or the rack, or if they thrust you into dungeons or prisons, it is nothing more than was done to your Master before you. Let us trust in God. I tell you nothing of importance has ever been attained in this world without a hard struggle against the opinions and prejudices of men.
God grant that we may soon regain and forever maintain our liberty. But may it not come as long as we have an adulterer, a fornicator, or whoremaster who professes to be a Latter-day Saint. As long as such as these partake of the Holy Sacrament with this people, let bondage continue. But let us purge out these things, let us be pure and holy before God, cherishing the principles of justice in our hearts, and the day of liberty will surely come, which may God grant, is my prayer. Amen.
Discourse by Apostle Moses Thatcher, delivered in the Tabernacle, Logan, Cache County, Semi-Annual Conference, Thursday Afternoon, October 8th, 1885.
Reported by John Irvine.
There have been a great many very excellent things said at this conference, and in attempting to add thereto, I desire the assistance and aid which come through the faith and prayers of the Saints—that I may be inspired by the Spirit of God to utter such things as may tend to our edification and good. It will doubtless be somewhat difficult to make all hear unless a goodly degree of order is maintained. Of course I am aware that it is not an easy task for mothers to keep their nursing babes quiet in a crowded house like this and upon a warm day; but we hope to have as good order as possible under the circumstances.
I have rejoiced very much in the testimonies which have been borne during the meetings of this Conference, and they find in my heart a responsive chord. I do not feel that we are living in unprofitable times, and notwithstanding the trials, temptations and injustice with which we are surrounded, I view the present as times in which the Lord is teaching to His people very valuable lessons. It has often been asserted, by our outside friends, that the union of this people was maintained by reason of the influence which their leaders hold over their minds. If this statement were true, and the influence exercised is unrighteous, the leaders of the people should be removed. But if the influence which they exercise over the minds of the people is for good, it ought to be maintained. As an Elder in Israel, I hold that the influence which binds together this people to be the spirit of God, and that the Almighty, the creator of the heavens and the earth, is not dependent upon one man or many men, and that the Lord will demonstrate to all the Christian world, that the religion which is called Mormonism is the religion of the heart for the masses of the people who have espoused its cause; and if, in the experiences of the past few months, and that which is yet in the future, the Latter-day Saints learn to rely on God, learn to receive for themselves heavenly communications for the guidance of their feet, though it may cost the exile of our leaders or the imprisonment of those who have worked as their servants, they will have received that which is of much value; and although it cost much, it will be worth more than the cost. We can see now that a few who have relied upon others, who have sought the counsel of their file lenders and have depended upon that counsel when they can no longer reach those leaders, falter and fall by the wayside. I believe that God intends that every man and every woman in His Church and kingdom shall exercise the faculties which He has given them, that in the exercise of their agency He designs to exalt them in eternal glory. So long therefore as the people rely upon their leaders they are not manifesting that degree of faith, they are not in a position to think and reflect for themselves as they should. I have known the time of the Presidency of the Church and of the Apostles taken up in frivolous matters that ought never to have gone beyond the family circle, at least ought not to have gone beyond the confines of the Ward organization. But times have changed. We approach not now so easily the Presidency of the Church. We receive not their counsels with that facility that we have done in the past. And although we miss their presence much—for this people love their leaders—in their absence the channel of communication between the heavens and the earth is open to this people as it never could have been under former circumstances. Men and women are now learning that their prayers can be heard, and that if they are not able to receive the counsels of their brethren, they can in all places and under all circumstances, receive the counsels of God, their Heavenly Father.
Men, communities of men, governments, nations, powers, and principalities have never yet been able to build walls so strong, or make iron doors so thick as to prevent the prayers of a righteous man ascending unto his God, hence every man and every woman who keep the commandments of the Lord can have a light and a lamp for their feet, and those who have oil in their lamps will not be uncertain as to the course they should pursue. The revelations of the Lord will inspire them and direct them in the ways of truth and right.
When we reflect on the growth of governments, civilization, the rights of men and the liberties which we so much enjoy, to what source do we look as the one from whence they came? The great government of which we form a part—the most liberal, the broadest and the deepest in its foundation, the greatest government which God has ever smiled upon—except when he has administered according to His own will in the affairs of men—to whom is due its birth and expansion. To men who were willing to bow in obedience to the mandates of kingly governments? No! But rather to men who were inspired by God, their heavenly Father, to reach forward to a higher and a grander civilization and liberty. Had the Pilgrim Fathers and others who were unwilling to bow to the mandates of European powers not fled to the land of America, we should have had no government like this. It was founded as a refuge in which the oppressed of every land and clime should find a resting place. Not Republican altogether, not Democratic wholly, not theocratic, not aristocratic, not monarchical, but a combination of them all. For this government, in the strictest sense, is not a republic, as I understand it. The laws of a republican government are enacted by a central power. Were the United States such a government, the laws which govern the citizens of all the States and Territories would be enacted by Congress, instead of by their several Legislatures. In the purest sense, democracy consists of a government in which the people are governed by laws enacted with their mutual consent and by their direct vote. We cannot consistently call the government of the United States theocratic only in so far as the people acknowledge the rule of God. If we pick up a coin, a $20 gold piece, we can see impressed upon its face the words, “In God we trust;” and insofar as this is true, and expresses the sense and feelings of the people, this government is theocratic, but in no sense beyond that. A Territorial government may be said to be in a large sense monarchial, in that the governor of the Territory has conferred upon him by act of Congress absolute veto power, and the legislators who are chosen by the people, may labor for sixty days, unite their profoundest thought in expressing the wishes and wants of the people, and they may frame laws by which the people might be governed according to their choice, but by a single stroke of the pen the Governor of the Territory of Utah can veto every act of the Territorial Legislature. Is not this, then, monarchial, and is it not in a very strong sense a one-man power? It would seem to be at least autocratic. And in the sense that the people of the Territories have no choice in the governor or in the judges who administer the laws, or in the marshals who enforce the process of the courts and in every other way wherein the government takes upon itself the government of the people, without the consent of the people, is it not an aristocratic government—the government of the many by the few? Thus, if my conclusions are correct, the government of the United States is theocratic insofar as the people trust in and obey the laws of God; it is republican in a partial sense; it is democratic in another sense; and it is certainly, so far as the Territories are concerned, monarchial and aristocratical. Thus we have a combination of the elements of a variety of governments entering into this great Union. But, as was clearly shown this morning by Brother F. D. Richards, in the disposition of the people to have Congress enact certain proscriptive laws, we as a people are being deprived of many of the rights and privileges for which our forefathers contended, for which they pledged their sacred honor, and for which many of them devoted their lives. But, knowing the manner in which public opinion is manufactured in this great land of ours, I have personally a degree of charity and of sympathy, not only for Congress, but for the President, his Cabinet, and for the supreme judiciary of our nation. It is no unusual thing to see men manifest physical courage. You can see it in all nature. Tread upon a worm and it will turn and sting you if it can. Men, for the love of the things of this world, will often face physical danger in every form. They will dig down into the bowels of the earth, navigate the raging seas, and penetrate, as it were, to the North Pole—they will face the cannon's mouth when it belches forth death and desolation in all its horrid forms; they will face death and destruction in all its horrid forms; they will face death and desolation in every shape; but when you call upon them to manifest moral courage, when you call upon them to stand up and maintain the right because it is right, when that right is unpopular, you appeal to something that gives but weak response. I have seen men that would face danger in almost every conceivable form, shrink and cower before one breath of scorn. They could not bear it, and hence you see them make promises and apologies because of the influences that surround them. Now, this is a popular government, and it would take a very courageous President to do justice to the Latter-day Saints. Why? Because the great majority of the nation are prejudiced against us. Not that they are aware of any harm or wickedness having been done by this people, but because of falsehoods that have been circulated against the Latter-day Saints. Therefore, I say that were Mr. Cleveland to administer, or cause to be administered all the laws in Utah impartially, he would be manifesting a degree of hardihood, a degree of moral courage that certainly has not been exhibited by any recent President of the United States. This country has produced few men like Charles Sumner, who stood up in the Senate of the United States and fought slavery. He stood there singly and alone, but he espoused a righteous cause, and by degrees he made adherents until this nation was converted and the Supreme Court of the United States that declared that a black man had no rights which a white man was bound to respect, was overturned at the point of the bayonet and the sword. Such men as Washington, Jefferson and Adams—such men as Cromwell, Knox, Luther, Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, stand along the shores of time as beacons that have lighted the way to the higher liberty we ought to enjoy in this glorious land today. When I say we, I refer to the nation as a whole, and not to the Latter-day Saints as a community. If we could enjoy our constitutional rights, we would be of all people upon this earth the most happy; because, with all our faults and failings, God smiles upon no people upon the earth as pure as are the Latter-day Saints, and happiness consists in purity—the living of a holy life before the Lord.
I was very forcibly struck, a few days ago, with the remarks made by the Judge of the Third Judicial District. I don't think him to be a Christian; if he is, he does not understand the Scriptures as I understand them. In referring to remarks which had been made by an individual who had been convicted by the jury, the judge remarked that he did not wish to hear any more hypocritical cant, and in referring to the wives of the Latter-day Saints on one occasion he mentioned them as concubines; and some of our brethren have looked upon that as being a reproach. Well, of course, you can convey contempt in the manner in which a word is uttered. But I do not look upon the word concubine as being a contemptuous term by any means. All concubines, anciently, were considered wives, but all wives were not concubines. A concubine, then, was a maid servant married to a free man; and although her mistress still maintained some jurisdiction over her actions, the fact that she was a wife gave her an honorable position—made her a legal wife in the sight of God.
Again, the judge, in referring to what father Abraham did, said, “Abraham not only lived with his wives, but also with his wife's handmaids; in other words,” said the judge, “the same as though you were to live with your hired girls. Now, while that might do for Abraham,” said he, “it will not do for this enlightened age.” Now I desire to show by these remarks that the judge of the Third District Court is not a Christian, and that if he has any hopes of eternal life, he does not understand the plan and the promises of the great Jehovah; for Abraham was a friend of God; Abraham talked with God face to face, and although it may be thought that he lived in the dark ages, would to God that the Christian world would walk in such darkness today! If, then, the acts of Abraham would not do for the Chief Justice of the Territory of Utah, neither would the city in which Abraham dwells do for that judge; and when he passes into eternity and behold the names of the twelve apostles written upon the twelve foundations of the Eternal City he may admire their beauty and grandeur, but when his attention is drawn to the twelve pearly gates, he will find engraven thereon the names of the twelve sons of Jacob by his four wives, and their great grandfather Abraham will be within that city. Without its walls shall be sorcerers, adulterers, liars and whoremongers, and those who love to make a lie. Jesus bore testimony to the virtues of Abraham. He proclaimed himself to be a literal descendant from him, tracing back his lineage to the loins of David, another polygamist; and when he, Jesus, spoke of Lazarus, who picked up the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and who was so poor and wretched, whose sores the dogs licked to his ease, delight and comfort—when Jesus spoke of this Lazarus, he spoke of him as being in the bosom of Father Abraham. But the rich man, who perhaps had had control of him, and who had kicked and cuffed him, and looked upon him with scorn as he picked up the crumbs—as we pick up the crumbs of liberty grudgingly dropped from the table which our fathers made in the day of oppression and dread—I say, when that rich man looked upon Lazarus in his degradation, he was then but his serf and slave; but when he looked upon him over that wide gulf that separated them, he saw him in the bosom of Abraham, and he pleaded that Lazarus might be sent to dip his finger in one drop of cold water, that the thirst might be slaked in his throat, and that his burning tongue might be relieved. The answer was, “Lazarus had his ill things while upon the earth and thou hadst thy good things. Now, behold Lazarus has the good things and thou hast thine evil things.” “Well, said the rich man, if he comes not to me send him to tell my friends and my neighbors of the condition of affairs here.” The answer was made, “They have Moses and the prophets, and if they heed not these, neither would they listen to one though he rose from the dead.” If the Judge of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah is a Christian, how will he feel when he comes into the presence of Father Abraham, whom he has sought to cast reflections upon? Will not the blush of shame be upon his cheek? And if there is an eternal God, and if that eternal God is the creator of the heavens and the earth and all our spirits; and is the friend of Abraham, how can that Judge bear his presence? I would rather be the poorest Latter-day Saint on earth and bear chains and fetters upon my limbs until my flesh dropped from my bones than to be in the attitude of the man who must bear, without the spirit of God, the measure of unjust judgment which he has measured to others. For this reason, my brethren and sisters, I say I have the most profound sympathy for all those whom we sometimes denominate our enemies, and I am not able to forget the fact that whatever their condition in this life may be, they fought not on the side of Satan in the eternal worlds when Satan rebelled against God because the Almighty was unwilling to adopt his coercive plan of human redemption. God was determined that every man, woman and child born into the world should be free. I say, because God would not adopt his coercive measures he rebelled against Christ, and one-third part of heaven followed him, and he fought against Michael and the hosts of heaven, and was cast down to earth with the hosts that followed him. But you can find no living man or woman that ever breathed the breath of life that fought on his side; for the condemnation that came upon them was a loss of opportunity to take a body. Therefore, those people who seem to be our enemies are such only by reason of their blindness, and because their eyes are closed against the things of God, and if the judgments of God are to come upon them according to the predictions of the prophets, we can well afford to have charity and sympathy for them, and we do as a people. I tell you that I can pray for my enemies; I can pray that God may lead them away from darkness, that He may touch the eyes of their understanding that they may see, and in their hearts repent.
It is awful to think for a moment of the terrible condemnation that will surely come upon men who endorse the shedding of innocent blood; but we must, at last come to love our enemies and pray for them who despitefully use us. And when we are prepared to do this from the heart, we are prepared to say to this world, “I am not afraid of anything you can do.” The power of the Spirit lifts the body out of the reach of harm, the spirit of Christ has gained the victory, and we can say when under the influence of that spirit, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” I can pray for the President of the United States, with a desire in my heart that God will direct him aright, that he may have moral courage sufficient to do that which is just; because, unless the rulers of this nation are actuated by the spirit of justice, they cannot be sustained by the Almighty. And although we may find prejudice on the right hand and on the left, we shall never have given unto us the victory until we learn how to govern upon principle. When men are tested, when they are brought before the courts, cases should be tried, not men. Whenever the Latter-day Saints shall have reached that high degree of excellence in the administration of the laws of God as to judge impartially between the Saint and sinner, when they shall be willing to give Satan his rights as quickly as a Saint or a brother, then will judgment and rule be placed within their reach, and I pray that it will never come before that time.
Whether a man is a heathen or a Christian, when the kingdom of God is established, he will have his rights and liberties extended to him. There will be no bias, no prejudice, everything will be done according to the laws of justice and equity. Have we always, as a people, I may ask, manifested a disposition to act upon the basis of principle? You can answer the question for yourselves. Have you been willing, as Latter-day Saints to extend to the Gentile as readily his rights, under your municipal, your county or your Territorial government as you would extend them to a Latter-day Saint? If you have, then have we administered upon the basis of principle; but if we have not, then have we not come to an understanding of that which the Lord has revealed; for when His kingdom bears sway there will be thousands and millions of people who do not subscribe to our religious views, who will be gladly governed by the laws of God's kingdom; and the Chinese in the empire of China, the Hindoo in Hindoostan, or the Christian in Europe, may read the laws that govern Zion, and, with mathematical accuracy, figure out the liberties they can enjoy under the laws of the kingdom of God. There will be no prejudice or packed juries in the kingdom of God that will bind the innocent and set the guilty free. God will govern His kingdom as He governs throughout His universe, by the laws of justice and equity.
What I say to the Latter-day Saints is, let us be of good cheer. I never have seen a better day than this. The kingdom will come off victorious, and those who have hated us will see the day when much woe and affliction will come upon them.
We hear talk about 55,000,000 of people being opposed to the Latter-day Saints. I offer to you this afternoon my testimony that this is not true. There are not 55,000,000 in this glorious government of ours who are opposed to the Latter-day Saints; it is a great mistake; there are thousands in the United States today, who are anxiously waiting for the solution of the “Mormon” problem, who are praying for the deliverance of this people. It is a great mistake to suppose that every man, woman and child in this nation are opposed to this people; there are scores that, while they have not courage to come out and speak a word for them, have a warm throbbing in their hearts for the victory of this people and their cause, and they are not blind to their surroundings either. As an American citizen I deplore it, but I tell the Latter-Saints this afternoon that this great government is not strong, and the reason is, they have torn up the foundations of the structure that was built by our fathers. They have tipped up the moorings of the great ship. They have allowed mob rule to get power in this land, and like a dark cloud, secret societies are gathering around. And while it may be smiled at, yet I tell you this nation stands as it were upon a mine. When the Knights of Labor and the different brotherhoods can say in calm language that within thirty minutes they can stop the motion of every car wheel between Omaha, Nebraska, and Butte, Montana, I say to you there is power there.
More than five years ago, certain secret societies instituted what were called the Pittsburgh riots. The State militia was called out to quell them, and they were not able to do it. The army of the national government was appealed to, and a United States officer told me that when he led his soldiers to Pittsburgh he feared to give the word of command to fire upon those insurgents, “for,” said he, “I did not know whether they would obey or turn round and fire upon their officers.” I have heard merchants of Chicago and New York declare that they had private arms stacked away in their business houses because they could not trust the municipal, the county, the State, or the national means of protection; will you tell me that a nation is strong thus situated? It is not. The iron heel of the monopolist has long been upon the neck of labor, and the great question which is looming up in this nation today is that of labor and capital. Would to God we had statesmen with eyes clear enough to see! Would to God that they would pull out of their eyes the “Mormon” mote and behold the beam that threatens the nation. The occurrence at Rock Springs, and the mutterings we hear from the Atlantic to the Pacific ought to be a warning that the day is not far distant, unless the Democratic and Republican parties open their eyes to the situation, when desolation and war will be in this government. When men who live in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, have said to me, “Mr. Thatcher, why don't you renounce this objectionable feature of your religion, the nation is opposed to it, the civilization of the age does not want to permit it—why don't you renounce it and live in peace?” I have said to them, “I thank you for your kind sentiments; I thank you for the kindly feelings that you entertain,” and as an evidence that I feel it, I will say when this nation, having sown to the wind, reaps the whirlwind; when brother takes up sword against brother; when father contends against son, and son against father; when he who will not take up his sword against his neighbor must needs flee to Zion for safety—then I would say to my friends come to Utah; for the judgments of God, commencing at the house of the Lord, will have passed away, and Utah, undisturbed, will be the most delightful place in all the Union. When war and desolation and bloodshed, and the ripping up of society come upon the nation, I have said to such, “Come to Utah and we will divide our morsel of food with you, we will divide our clothing with you, and we will offer you protection.” I will tell you, my brethren and sisters, the day will come, and it is not far distant, when he who will not take up his sword against his neighbor, will have to flee to Zion for safety; and it is presupposed in this prediction that Zion will have power to give them protection. We are not going to do it outside of the government, either; we are going to do it inside the government. There is no power in this land to turn this people against the government of the United States. They will maintain the Constitution of this country inviolate, and although it may have been torn to shreds they will tie it together again, and maintain every principle of it, holding it up to the downtrodden of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and they will do it, too, under the Stars and Stripes. They will stand with their feet firmly upon the backbone of the American continent and maintain the principles which cost their fathers so much, and those principles cannot be taken away by men who violate their oath of office, and betray their trust.
I tell you that there are boys growing up in these mountains who have the principles of human liberty grounded deep in their hearts, and they will maintain them, not only for themselves, but for others. God speed the day I say—if the nation pursues its downward course and tears up these fundamental principles of government which have made them strong—when the Constitution may be rescued and all men and women shall be free again. I pray that Grover Cleveland may stand up as the chief executive of the greatest nation that there is on God's footstool today and say to the waves of public opinion and public pressure that the nation must be ruled upon the principles of righteousness and justice. If he would do that, he would make himself a name that would be embalmed forever upon the pages of history. But if he will not do it—if he is not morally strong enough to do it, and if Congress will not come forward and help him do it, we will say, “O, God, we put our dependence in Thee,” and where Thou leadest we will follow, and we will seek to maintain our rights,
until the Almighty grants them unto us. May the spirit of the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ be in your hearts, for above all things it is the most precious; and when you come before the judges take no heed of what you shall say or the answers you shall give, but trust in God, and if you go before the judges silent as did your Lord and master, if they choose to nail you upon the cross or stretch you upon the wheel or the rack, or if they thrust you into dungeons or prisons, it is nothing more than was done to your Master before you. Let us trust in God. I tell you nothing of importance has ever been attained in this world without a hard struggle against the opinions and prejudices of men.
God grant that we may soon regain and forever maintain our liberty. But may it not come as long as we have an adulterer, a fornicator, or whoremaster who professes to be a Latter-day Saint. As long as such as these partake of the Holy Sacrament with this people, let bondage continue. But let us purge out these things, let us be pure and holy before God, cherishing the principles of justice in our hearts, and the day of liberty will surely come, which may God grant, is my prayer. Amen.
Apostle John H. Smith
occupied the remaining portion of the time, speaking on the principle of charity. As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, he said he dared not harbor animosity toward any of the sons and daughters of God, as it was not in keeping with the character of a Saint. The work of God was not to be established by violence or force, but on the principle of peace on earth, good will toward all men. There was, he said, no feeling known to the human breast that afforded such gratification as the consciousness of having, in the face of opposition, labored faithfully for the welfare of others; and it became a Saint of God to commiserate the condition of him who fought against the truth rather than entertain ill-will towards any. He also spoke of love of country, devotion to truth, and integrity towards God and man.
The choir sang the anthem, O how lovely is Zion.
Elder C. F. Middleton offered the closing prayer.
In the evening, commencing at 7 o’clock, a general Priesthood meeting was held. The attendance was large; much valuable instruction was given; the occasion was a delightful one, long to be remembered by all present.
occupied the remaining portion of the time, speaking on the principle of charity. As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, he said he dared not harbor animosity toward any of the sons and daughters of God, as it was not in keeping with the character of a Saint. The work of God was not to be established by violence or force, but on the principle of peace on earth, good will toward all men. There was, he said, no feeling known to the human breast that afforded such gratification as the consciousness of having, in the face of opposition, labored faithfully for the welfare of others; and it became a Saint of God to commiserate the condition of him who fought against the truth rather than entertain ill-will towards any. He also spoke of love of country, devotion to truth, and integrity towards God and man.
The choir sang the anthem, O how lovely is Zion.
Elder C. F. Middleton offered the closing prayer.
In the evening, commencing at 7 o’clock, a general Priesthood meeting was held. The attendance was large; much valuable instruction was given; the occasion was a delightful one, long to be remembered by all present.
Friday Morning.
Conference assembled at 10 a. m. and the choir sang: O, give me back my Prophet dear.
Prayer by Elder E. D. Woolley. Singing: Hark, the song of angels telling.
Conference assembled at 10 a. m. and the choir sang: O, give me back my Prophet dear.
Prayer by Elder E. D. Woolley. Singing: Hark, the song of angels telling.
Apostle Erastus Snow
occupied most of the time. He said he felt gratified at the general tenor of the instructions given during the Conference, and with the response they found in the hearts of the people. We were approaching an important epoch in our history; in his early life he looked for the winding up scene to take place without much delay, but as he grew in power to discern the true character of this work, he regarded those as the days of childhood. The ancient Apostles had not the privilege of establishing a gathering place for the Saints of their day, as was enjoyed by the Lord’s people of these latter-days. We had not been without opposition, however, in attaining to this favored state of progress in the work of Go: it consisted of drivings and expulsions, and even sending an army against us in our secluded retreat. And now through the influence of bigoted Christian ministers, and others, legislative enactments were brought to bear against to impede our growth. Were it not for opposition, however, we would grow rich and careless, and how long, he asked would it be before we lose sight of the kingdom? Our Father knew our condition better than we; He would order all things for our best good, an it behooved us to acknowledge his hand. This was the dispensation of the fulness of times, and all had to be revealed in our day that had been stowed in former dispensations, and consequently much was to be one in a practical form to establish fully and permanently what heretofore had, as it were, a mere passing existence. Prominent among the agents that would be used to bring about this state of things was the welding or binding of the hearts of the children to the fathers, and those of the fathers to the children; also the sealing powers of the Priesthood for time and for eternity, and the Patriarchal order of marriage that permitted righteous men to beget numerous posterity to perpetuate their name. Referred to the doctrine of atonement and remission of sins, as foreshadowed by certain rites of the Mosaic age, and the efficacy thereof as revealed by the Lord in our day. Spoke of Temple work, and the responsibility that rested upon the heads of families and upon every first-born son in behalf of his dead relatives; and of the duty of everyone employed in this service to sanctify his heart through righteous desires and deeds, that his Temple work might be acceptable to the Lord. Admonished the people to look into their own hearts as individuals and families, lest they may fall by the way; if, he said, such sore trials await the people that the righteous will hardly escape, how shall the careless and reckless among them appear? The speaker dwelt on the sanctity and union of the family circle, and the duty of everyone, male and female, who assumed the responsibility of the family relationship at the altar, to labor to produce this state of perfection.
He warned all against assuming the responsibilities of the family unless they were prepared to make sacrifices, and were willing to labor diligently to accomplish the end for which they aimed; and the necessity there was of subduing every evil passion of their own nature by continually warring against everything that tended to evil, lest they have to contend against the same unruly elements of sin in the children they beget. This was a duty equally binding on husband and wife or wives. He called upon the Bishops to sacredly guard the portals of the House of God, by refusing to give recommends to unworthy persons; and to personally labor in connection with the Teachers of the Ward, to produce a better condition of faith and works among the people under their watchcare.
occupied most of the time. He said he felt gratified at the general tenor of the instructions given during the Conference, and with the response they found in the hearts of the people. We were approaching an important epoch in our history; in his early life he looked for the winding up scene to take place without much delay, but as he grew in power to discern the true character of this work, he regarded those as the days of childhood. The ancient Apostles had not the privilege of establishing a gathering place for the Saints of their day, as was enjoyed by the Lord’s people of these latter-days. We had not been without opposition, however, in attaining to this favored state of progress in the work of Go: it consisted of drivings and expulsions, and even sending an army against us in our secluded retreat. And now through the influence of bigoted Christian ministers, and others, legislative enactments were brought to bear against to impede our growth. Were it not for opposition, however, we would grow rich and careless, and how long, he asked would it be before we lose sight of the kingdom? Our Father knew our condition better than we; He would order all things for our best good, an it behooved us to acknowledge his hand. This was the dispensation of the fulness of times, and all had to be revealed in our day that had been stowed in former dispensations, and consequently much was to be one in a practical form to establish fully and permanently what heretofore had, as it were, a mere passing existence. Prominent among the agents that would be used to bring about this state of things was the welding or binding of the hearts of the children to the fathers, and those of the fathers to the children; also the sealing powers of the Priesthood for time and for eternity, and the Patriarchal order of marriage that permitted righteous men to beget numerous posterity to perpetuate their name. Referred to the doctrine of atonement and remission of sins, as foreshadowed by certain rites of the Mosaic age, and the efficacy thereof as revealed by the Lord in our day. Spoke of Temple work, and the responsibility that rested upon the heads of families and upon every first-born son in behalf of his dead relatives; and of the duty of everyone employed in this service to sanctify his heart through righteous desires and deeds, that his Temple work might be acceptable to the Lord. Admonished the people to look into their own hearts as individuals and families, lest they may fall by the way; if, he said, such sore trials await the people that the righteous will hardly escape, how shall the careless and reckless among them appear? The speaker dwelt on the sanctity and union of the family circle, and the duty of everyone, male and female, who assumed the responsibility of the family relationship at the altar, to labor to produce this state of perfection.
He warned all against assuming the responsibilities of the family unless they were prepared to make sacrifices, and were willing to labor diligently to accomplish the end for which they aimed; and the necessity there was of subduing every evil passion of their own nature by continually warring against everything that tended to evil, lest they have to contend against the same unruly elements of sin in the children they beget. This was a duty equally binding on husband and wife or wives. He called upon the Bishops to sacredly guard the portals of the House of God, by refusing to give recommends to unworthy persons; and to personally labor in connection with the Teachers of the Ward, to produce a better condition of faith and works among the people under their watchcare.
Elder John D. T. M’Allister
Bore testimony to what he had heard during the Conference. He held that obedience to God was to listen to and observe the counsels of His servants. Our religion consisted in belief in God and the practice of all that He commanded. He rejoiced in the liberty of the Gospel, the liberty to do right and to help others to do likewise; and referred to license that some took, the tendency of which was to produce results that were injurious to the body and spirit. He spoke of the temporal condition of the people in the southern country, their reverses in endeavoring to bring the streams out upon the land for irrigating purposes, and their perseverance in the face of misfortune to settle the country. The speaker said he had been asked by many about a “revelation” that had been scattered broadcast throughout the northern country, purporting to hail from St. George; it was, he said, the product of a harmless individual named Herbert Fasher whose mental condition was somewhat eccentric.
The choir sang the anthem: The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
Conference was adjourned to the 6th of April next, to be held at such place as the First Presidency might designate.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
Bore testimony to what he had heard during the Conference. He held that obedience to God was to listen to and observe the counsels of His servants. Our religion consisted in belief in God and the practice of all that He commanded. He rejoiced in the liberty of the Gospel, the liberty to do right and to help others to do likewise; and referred to license that some took, the tendency of which was to produce results that were injurious to the body and spirit. He spoke of the temporal condition of the people in the southern country, their reverses in endeavoring to bring the streams out upon the land for irrigating purposes, and their perseverance in the face of misfortune to settle the country. The speaker said he had been asked by many about a “revelation” that had been scattered broadcast throughout the northern country, purporting to hail from St. George; it was, he said, the product of a harmless individual named Herbert Fasher whose mental condition was somewhat eccentric.
The choir sang the anthem: The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
Conference was adjourned to the 6th of April next, to be held at such place as the First Presidency might designate.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.