April 1888
The Deseret News. "General Conference." April 11, 1888: pg. 199, 200-201, 204-205.
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "General Conference." May 21, 1888: pg. 321-329.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Elder F. A. Hammond
Elder Henry Herriman
Elder Seymour B. Young
Elder Andrew Jensen
First Day. Afternoon Session, April 5th
Apostle Lorenzo Snow
Elder Jacob Gates
Second Day. Morning Session, April 6th
Apostle John W. Taylor
Counselor D. H. Wells
Afternoon Session
Elder Rudger Clawson
Apostle Heber J. Grant
Third Day. Morning Session, Saturday, April 7
Elder John Nicholson
Elder William M. Palmer
Elder Karl G. Measer
Afternoon Session, 2 p.m
Epistle
Bishop Orson F. Whitney
Fourth Day. Morning Session, Sunday, April 8th. 10 a.m.
Apostle John Henry Smith
Elder Abram H. Cannon
Sunday Afternoon, 2 o’clock
Sustaining of the General Authorities of the Church
Apostle Franklin D. Richards
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "General Conference." May 21, 1888: pg. 321-329.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
Elder F. A. Hammond
Elder Henry Herriman
Elder Seymour B. Young
Elder Andrew Jensen
First Day. Afternoon Session, April 5th
Apostle Lorenzo Snow
Elder Jacob Gates
Second Day. Morning Session, April 6th
Apostle John W. Taylor
Counselor D. H. Wells
Afternoon Session
Elder Rudger Clawson
Apostle Heber J. Grant
Third Day. Morning Session, Saturday, April 7
Elder John Nicholson
Elder William M. Palmer
Elder Karl G. Measer
Afternoon Session, 2 p.m
Epistle
Bishop Orson F. Whitney
Fourth Day. Morning Session, Sunday, April 8th. 10 a.m.
Apostle John Henry Smith
Elder Abram H. Cannon
Sunday Afternoon, 2 o’clock
Sustaining of the General Authorities of the Church
Apostle Franklin D. Richards
GENERAL CONFERENCE
The Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a.m. on April 5th, 1888, Apostle Lorenzo Snow presiding.
There were on the stand, of the Twelve: Lorenzo Snow, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; of the Counselors to the Twelve: Daniel H. Wells; Patriarch, John Smith; of the Presiding Council of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young; of the Presiding Bishopric, John R. Winder. There were also present a large number of Presidents of Stake san other leading brethren.
The choir sang the hymn on page 46, beginning,
Our God, we raise to Thee
Thanks for thy blessings free
We here enjoy.
Opening prayer by Apostle John W. Taylor.
Singing by the choir:
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
The Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a.m. on April 5th, 1888, Apostle Lorenzo Snow presiding.
There were on the stand, of the Twelve: Lorenzo Snow, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; of the Counselors to the Twelve: Daniel H. Wells; Patriarch, John Smith; of the Presiding Council of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young; of the Presiding Bishopric, John R. Winder. There were also present a large number of Presidents of Stake san other leading brethren.
The choir sang the hymn on page 46, beginning,
Our God, we raise to Thee
Thanks for thy blessings free
We here enjoy.
Opening prayer by Apostle John W. Taylor.
Singing by the choir:
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
Elder F. A. Hammond, President of San Juan Stake, was the first speaker.
He said, in substance: With the assistance of the Lord I will do the best I can to comfort the Saints and speak concerning those things which interest them today. In looking at the many aged people present with whom I am acquainted, I am reminded of an inquiry made by a port in relation to the future life—“Shall we know each other there.” I am assured that we will, and this understanding gives me energy, vigor and joy. I rejoice in this work an do not feel discouraged although it looks a little cloudy. But the ship Zion has not lost her headway. It had never done so. We are meeting with opposition, as we expected, and make our way inch by inch. Sometimes it has been smooth sailing, and then the crew were in the most danger, as they then became careless. Storms develop the energies and ability of all hands. I rejoice in the experiences we have passed through and that we are now meeting. The hand of the Lord is in it all. It teaches us that if the Lord is not with us we are in a sorry plight, as we have no hope from any other source. I have no fear but that those who have the light of the Lord with them will go through every ordeal unscathed. It will be otherwise with those who are unfaithful. It is my desire to know the mind of the Lord in reference to myself and the people to whom I minister. This is the privilege of each officer and member of the Church.
He said, in substance: With the assistance of the Lord I will do the best I can to comfort the Saints and speak concerning those things which interest them today. In looking at the many aged people present with whom I am acquainted, I am reminded of an inquiry made by a port in relation to the future life—“Shall we know each other there.” I am assured that we will, and this understanding gives me energy, vigor and joy. I rejoice in this work an do not feel discouraged although it looks a little cloudy. But the ship Zion has not lost her headway. It had never done so. We are meeting with opposition, as we expected, and make our way inch by inch. Sometimes it has been smooth sailing, and then the crew were in the most danger, as they then became careless. Storms develop the energies and ability of all hands. I rejoice in the experiences we have passed through and that we are now meeting. The hand of the Lord is in it all. It teaches us that if the Lord is not with us we are in a sorry plight, as we have no hope from any other source. I have no fear but that those who have the light of the Lord with them will go through every ordeal unscathed. It will be otherwise with those who are unfaithful. It is my desire to know the mind of the Lord in reference to myself and the people to whom I minister. This is the privilege of each officer and member of the Church.
Elder Henry Herriman, of the presiding council of the Seventies, aged 84, was the next speaker; he said:
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that He has preserved our bodies in health and strength, and has given us the privilege of assembling together in the Fifty-eighth Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thank God that I have lived to behold this day. I have been in the Church fifty-five years, and thanks be unto our Eternal Father that he has filled my soul with joy and rejoicing, and opened the eyes of my understanding to understand His purposes, and to dwell here upon the earth in the fulness of times. I know by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, and by what my eyes have seen and my heart has felt, that God has raised up a Prophet to lay the foundations of His Church and kingdom, and has revealed the principles of eternal life and redemption to prepare a people for the great day that is to come, when Jesus our Redeemer will come upon the earth to reign a thousand years with the Saints, when nothing shall hurt or destroy upon the face of the earth, and when His kingdom will be built up, and when we shall see eye to eye, and the Saints become one heart and one mind and when all shall behold the eternal purposes of God. Now I will say, through the grace of God, if there are are persons within the sound of my voice who do not know that God has spoken from the heavens, humble yourselves as little children and call upon His holy name, and He will pour out His spirit upon you in such a way that will be calculated to raise you up and fill your souls with truth, and you will get the blessings of the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel of Christ, and you will make your calling and election sure. Thanks be unto God for His kindness and tender mercies unto us. Thanks be unto Him for opening the eyes of our understanding to comprehend, through the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that which has been made manifest unto us in years past and all His blessings unto us.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I feel in my heart to exhort every person within the sound of my voice to attend upon the Lord Jesus Christ, to do His will, --to do those things which are right and just before him; and they will be built up in listening to the still small voice. It will open the eyes of their understanding and prepare them for the things to come and which the God of heaven will bring upon the face of the earth, until the earth becomes a place for the doing of the will of God as in heaven. The Saints are looking forward with the eye of faith to obtain the blessings which Jesus prepared from before the foundations of the world for all that overcome and endure unto the end. When our bodies will become cleansed and purified, when we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known, and when we shall become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, with tabernacles incorruptible and immortal. May we obtain these blessings is my desire in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that He has preserved our bodies in health and strength, and has given us the privilege of assembling together in the Fifty-eighth Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thank God that I have lived to behold this day. I have been in the Church fifty-five years, and thanks be unto our Eternal Father that he has filled my soul with joy and rejoicing, and opened the eyes of my understanding to understand His purposes, and to dwell here upon the earth in the fulness of times. I know by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, and by what my eyes have seen and my heart has felt, that God has raised up a Prophet to lay the foundations of His Church and kingdom, and has revealed the principles of eternal life and redemption to prepare a people for the great day that is to come, when Jesus our Redeemer will come upon the earth to reign a thousand years with the Saints, when nothing shall hurt or destroy upon the face of the earth, and when His kingdom will be built up, and when we shall see eye to eye, and the Saints become one heart and one mind and when all shall behold the eternal purposes of God. Now I will say, through the grace of God, if there are are persons within the sound of my voice who do not know that God has spoken from the heavens, humble yourselves as little children and call upon His holy name, and He will pour out His spirit upon you in such a way that will be calculated to raise you up and fill your souls with truth, and you will get the blessings of the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel of Christ, and you will make your calling and election sure. Thanks be unto God for His kindness and tender mercies unto us. Thanks be unto Him for opening the eyes of our understanding to comprehend, through the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that which has been made manifest unto us in years past and all His blessings unto us.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I feel in my heart to exhort every person within the sound of my voice to attend upon the Lord Jesus Christ, to do His will, --to do those things which are right and just before him; and they will be built up in listening to the still small voice. It will open the eyes of their understanding and prepare them for the things to come and which the God of heaven will bring upon the face of the earth, until the earth becomes a place for the doing of the will of God as in heaven. The Saints are looking forward with the eye of faith to obtain the blessings which Jesus prepared from before the foundations of the world for all that overcome and endure unto the end. When our bodies will become cleansed and purified, when we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known, and when we shall become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, with tabernacles incorruptible and immortal. May we obtain these blessings is my desire in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Seymour B. Young
next addressed the congregation. Substantially he spoke as follows: I desire to be inspired to say something beneficial. We have assembled for the purpose of being instructed and to treasure up what we hear. When we go hence may we feel that we have been blessed. The Gospel consists of ordinances, blessings and covenants and embraces good works. Brother Hammond stated that his testimony had grown brighter by experience in the Church. Brother Herriman also bore a similar witness. I have known these brethren a long time, and rejoice to hear them speak as they do. The latter is the senior president of the Seventies. I have seen him pull a handcart in a company with which I traveled, he being the president of the company. I have never seen him commit a wrong act, and congratulate myself at the opportunity of associating with such men.
We have gone into the waters of baptism to have our sins remitted. We did this because we had become convinced of our sinfulness. By this act of obedience the debt of the creature to the Creator was cancelled. We were thus forgiven of all sinful acts up to that point. Then we desired the testimony of Jesus, through the imposition of hands, through which ordinance we received the Holy Ghost. The Apostles assembled together at Jerusalem, as related in the second chapter of the Acts, to be endued with power, so that the people who congregated on the occasion marveled. Peter preached to them Christ and him crucified, and they were convinced of the truth of what he said. When asked by them what they should do, Peter replied that they must repent, be baptized for the remission of sins, and they should receive the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures throughout declare the necessity of baptism, the Savior Himself setting an example by rendering obedience to that ordinance. Notwithstanding that it is believers only who should receive it it is customary in the world to sprinkle infants, who are incapable of belief and have no sin of which they could repent, even if they could comprehend anything about these things. These things are a reversal of the doctrine of Christ as taught by Himself. The Lord is not the author of confusion, but of order. The principles of truth are laid down in plainness, and there is a proper authority for the administration of the Gospel.
In the ordinances, blessings and covenants we have received, the Lord has manifested the plan of redemption, not only for the living, but also the dead who have not had Gospel privileges in this life. The Jews were familiar with this doctrine of preaching the Gospel to departed spirits and obeying outward ordinances, by proxy, in their behalf. Paul exhibited this fact when he asked the Corinthians, in his argument in favor of the resurrection of the dead, “Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all; why then are they baptized for the dead.” When Christ was crucified and his body lay in the tomb, his spirit entered the world of spirits and he preached to them, as declared by Peter. This glorious phase of the Gospel was revealed anew through Joseph Smith the Prophet, and he, together with all the faithful Elders who have laid their bodies down in this dispensation, are now engaged in a similar labor among the spirits of the dead. Then are turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, as exemplified by the conduct in that regard, of the Latter-day Saints, in being turned to the fathers. Inspired with that disposition, they build temples in which ordinances in behalf of those who have died without the full benefits of the Gospel in this life are administered.
For the furtherance of this work the Lord revealed the law of tithing, that houses of worship may be erected, the poor gathered, fed and clothed, and other similar objects attained. We should appreciate the privilege of complying with this necessary law.
Continuous revelation is another feature of the Church of Christ. The necessity of divine communication was a clearly a fact now as it ever was in any dispensation or age. It was through this principle that Joseph Smith, who was raised up for the purpose, was enabled to organize the Church, give the design of temples, communicate the nature and character of the ordinances of the Gospel, the gathering of the Saints, and all other principles is which we so greatly rejoice. These things came through Joseph the Prophet, and “no man taketh this honor unto himself except he be called of God, as was Aaron.” Joseph was told by the Lord that he should be the instrument in His hands of bringing about the divine purposes. He fulfilled his glorious mission under the most formidable obstacles, and finally was martyred, sealing his testimony with his blood. And he how is working in the same great cause of redemption.
I bear testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through Joseph Smith is true, including all the principles enunciated by him, without exception.
next addressed the congregation. Substantially he spoke as follows: I desire to be inspired to say something beneficial. We have assembled for the purpose of being instructed and to treasure up what we hear. When we go hence may we feel that we have been blessed. The Gospel consists of ordinances, blessings and covenants and embraces good works. Brother Hammond stated that his testimony had grown brighter by experience in the Church. Brother Herriman also bore a similar witness. I have known these brethren a long time, and rejoice to hear them speak as they do. The latter is the senior president of the Seventies. I have seen him pull a handcart in a company with which I traveled, he being the president of the company. I have never seen him commit a wrong act, and congratulate myself at the opportunity of associating with such men.
We have gone into the waters of baptism to have our sins remitted. We did this because we had become convinced of our sinfulness. By this act of obedience the debt of the creature to the Creator was cancelled. We were thus forgiven of all sinful acts up to that point. Then we desired the testimony of Jesus, through the imposition of hands, through which ordinance we received the Holy Ghost. The Apostles assembled together at Jerusalem, as related in the second chapter of the Acts, to be endued with power, so that the people who congregated on the occasion marveled. Peter preached to them Christ and him crucified, and they were convinced of the truth of what he said. When asked by them what they should do, Peter replied that they must repent, be baptized for the remission of sins, and they should receive the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures throughout declare the necessity of baptism, the Savior Himself setting an example by rendering obedience to that ordinance. Notwithstanding that it is believers only who should receive it it is customary in the world to sprinkle infants, who are incapable of belief and have no sin of which they could repent, even if they could comprehend anything about these things. These things are a reversal of the doctrine of Christ as taught by Himself. The Lord is not the author of confusion, but of order. The principles of truth are laid down in plainness, and there is a proper authority for the administration of the Gospel.
In the ordinances, blessings and covenants we have received, the Lord has manifested the plan of redemption, not only for the living, but also the dead who have not had Gospel privileges in this life. The Jews were familiar with this doctrine of preaching the Gospel to departed spirits and obeying outward ordinances, by proxy, in their behalf. Paul exhibited this fact when he asked the Corinthians, in his argument in favor of the resurrection of the dead, “Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all; why then are they baptized for the dead.” When Christ was crucified and his body lay in the tomb, his spirit entered the world of spirits and he preached to them, as declared by Peter. This glorious phase of the Gospel was revealed anew through Joseph Smith the Prophet, and he, together with all the faithful Elders who have laid their bodies down in this dispensation, are now engaged in a similar labor among the spirits of the dead. Then are turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, as exemplified by the conduct in that regard, of the Latter-day Saints, in being turned to the fathers. Inspired with that disposition, they build temples in which ordinances in behalf of those who have died without the full benefits of the Gospel in this life are administered.
For the furtherance of this work the Lord revealed the law of tithing, that houses of worship may be erected, the poor gathered, fed and clothed, and other similar objects attained. We should appreciate the privilege of complying with this necessary law.
Continuous revelation is another feature of the Church of Christ. The necessity of divine communication was a clearly a fact now as it ever was in any dispensation or age. It was through this principle that Joseph Smith, who was raised up for the purpose, was enabled to organize the Church, give the design of temples, communicate the nature and character of the ordinances of the Gospel, the gathering of the Saints, and all other principles is which we so greatly rejoice. These things came through Joseph the Prophet, and “no man taketh this honor unto himself except he be called of God, as was Aaron.” Joseph was told by the Lord that he should be the instrument in His hands of bringing about the divine purposes. He fulfilled his glorious mission under the most formidable obstacles, and finally was martyred, sealing his testimony with his blood. And he how is working in the same great cause of redemption.
I bear testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through Joseph Smith is true, including all the principles enunciated by him, without exception.
Elder Andrew Jensen:
I have had the opportunity of attending a great many conferences of the Church during the last twenty-one years, and since my first arrival in these mountains; but this is the first time that I have been called upon to speak in any of these conferences. In arising before this large congregation this morning I feel my inability to say anything that could edify this congregation unless the Spirit of God shall sustain me.
I need hardly say the call was unexpected. I had, however, no excuse in this, for an Elder in this Church ought to be prepared for anything, and any kind of surprises, as it were; and holding a position in the Priesthood, I consider myself in duty bound to respond to any call that is made upon me. I feel, this morning, that I have a testimony to hear, in connection with my brethren who have spoken before me. I have rejoiced exceedingly not only today, but in times past, in listening to our gray-haired men, who have been for years and years in this Church and kingdom, and who have proven themselves faithful and true to the cause of God, in the midst of tribulation and persecutions.
when I see such as Brother Herriman, and others who are present with us today, and hear their testimonies, it makes my heart rejoice. There are so many who have been blessed by the spirit of God with the testimony of Jesus Christ, with this knowledge, that they know, and can bear testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the living God. I look upon this as of great importance indeed; and every man and every woman in the midst of the Latter-day Saints should know for a surety that this is so.
We are very numerous at the present time. In reading the history of the Church we have reason to be thankful to God for all the Stakes of Zion that are now organized, when we consider the small beginning that took place in the year 1830, when the Church was first organized in the little village of Fayette, Seneca County, New York, and that we have 34 Stakes of Zion organized in these mountain regions. We are numerous today as a people. We find, however, that there are in the midst of this multitude of people, called Latter-day Saints, a great many perhaps that do not have the testimony that has been borne by our brethren here this morning. There are a great many young men and women in the midst of this people, who up to the present time, have felt calm and at ease in their minds, and have relied upon the testimony of their fathers and mothers instead of praying for and receiving a testimony of the truth of this Gospel for themselves. They have done this for years, instead of seeking for the voice of inspiration.
The Apostles and Prophets have borne their testimonies in regard to the divine mission of Joseph Smith, and have exhorted others to acquire a knowledge of this matter for themselves; but they have thought perhaps that it was not necessary.
I believe and know that we as a people are passing through severe and trying scenes which are absolutely necessary to make us stronger in the faith. Every man and every woman should have a testimony within themselves; should seek for the spirit of revelation and obtain it direct from heaven, and know for themselves that the Lord has revealed His mind and will to the children of men in these last days; that He has restored the fulness of His Gospel and that Joseph Smith was His Prophet, and commanded of Him to bring about the great plan of salvation. I have found in considering the situation we are in today, that we are in the hand of God.
We may look upon the members of the different religious sects as being sincere and honest in their belief, as no doubt thousands and milliions of them are; but we claim in regard to the Latter-day Saints that it is necessary for them today to know of the mission of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and others, to know whether or not he did receive the manifestations and power of God; to know if he did see the Father and the Son when he went to the woods to pray; that he did find the plates in the Hill Cumorah and did translate the same by the aid of the Urim and Thummim. Did he receive the Priesthood through the administration of the Apostles Peter, James and John? Did Moses confer upon him the keys of gathering the Israel of the latter-days or did Elijah appear to him in the Kirtland Temple and reveal to him the keys whereby the hearts of the fathers were to be turned to their children, and the hearts of the children turned to their fathers?
It is made necessary for us as a people today to be diligent in building these temples in these mountain regions. I say of these things that they are either true or false. If they are true the great majority of the children of men have not the truth, and if they are not true the Latter-day Saints are in a deplorable condition today. Joseph Smith did not come forward as men have done to spread his views.
Joseph Smith claimed nothing but what was revealed to him from on high. When he made the declaration that all were going astray that none of the sects of the day were right and that the Lord acknowledged none of them, he only repeated what was told him. It was very presumptuous for a boy of his standing in society to make such sweeping declarations as these, especially when that boy lived in the wilderness of New York. He had never crossed the borders of the United States, was withal unlearned in the things of this world, a mere youth, and yet he made the declaration that all the Christian world had gone astray, that none of the sects were right, and that he had heard the voice of Jehovah; that he received his authority from Jesus Christ and all that he had to do was to repeat what he had heard from Jesus, and that is what he did do.
Now in following the history of Joseph Smith to June 27, 1844, when his blood was shed in Carthage Jail, we see that he was a great man. We find in him a man that is to be looked upon and should be looked upon by all living creatures as above ordinary importance. He spoke the truth and his testimony is before the world today. I see here in this congregation today that there is no possibility of the Latter-day Saints being deceived. These gray-haired men we have among us testify that there is no possibility of us being deceived. They are honest in heart; for they have lived long in the Church and have found joy in living up to what the prophet taught them. Joseph Smith came forward and had to face a scornful and unbelieving world—who did not believe in apostles, prophets, gifts and the blessings of the Gospel—for, say they, these things are all done away with and no longer needed. Joseph Smith did not profess to be learned—he prayed to God and received an answer to his prayer, and the Lord blessed him and made him the instrument in whose hands the Book of Mormon came forth. He testifies of its divinity and that it came from the Lord, and we who have come from distant lands, and from the north country, listened to the American Elders who came to teach us the word of God, and we believed what they taught. We did not believe they were impostors. They told us to search the Scriptures and pray to God for light and intelligence, which we did, and the result was that we believed and knew these things were true. Thousands are in possession of the truth today, who have done as God commanded through His servants; and they have enjoyed the gifts and blessings of the Gospel. Now, I say it would be impossible for these men whom we have heard today bear such powerful testimonies to be imposed upon these many years; it would be impossible for them to be deceived, for they would have discovered this work to be wrong or false if it were so Joseph Smith could not have called down angels from above, he could not have called down the power of the Holy Ghost to rest upon a single individual—he could not cause the Spirit of Truth to enter the heart of any man or woman who came to receive the ordinances of baptism from his hands, if he were not a Prophet of the living God. Such things cannot be done by an impostor. He might tell the three witnesses that he had seen an angel, that an angel should come from heaven and reveal unto them the Book of Mormon; but if it was not fulfilled he would have indeed imposed upon them.
To take the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants and read them and the promises made unto those who will obey the teachings therein contained, it must certainly have been a deception if they could not be fulfilled. But the witness is before us that they are true; for thousands and tens of thousands have testified they have received the promises made by receiving the principles in honest hearts. My brethren and sisters, I have a testimony to bear to you this morning. I have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a great Prophet of God; that God has revealed Himself in these the last days, that the Priesthood is revealed again as it was in ancient times in all its purity. And that I have received the gifts and blessings of the Gospel, and that to get these blessings a person has but to live up to what has been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and to keep in the path of duty.
May the Lord help us to concentrate our efforts, even in the midst of this great storm that is now going over this people, that when the sun shall shine again upon this people we may look back upon the past with gratitude to God. May we be able to withstand the surging tide of slander and opposition, and may we appreciate as sons and daughters of Zion the merited of blessings which are sure to follow the examples of noble men and women. May we follow in that path and keep that testimony burning within us which will exalt us in the kingdom of God, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The choir sang an anthem: The Lord will comfort Zion.
Adjourned till two p.m.
Benediction by Elder George Goddard.
I have had the opportunity of attending a great many conferences of the Church during the last twenty-one years, and since my first arrival in these mountains; but this is the first time that I have been called upon to speak in any of these conferences. In arising before this large congregation this morning I feel my inability to say anything that could edify this congregation unless the Spirit of God shall sustain me.
I need hardly say the call was unexpected. I had, however, no excuse in this, for an Elder in this Church ought to be prepared for anything, and any kind of surprises, as it were; and holding a position in the Priesthood, I consider myself in duty bound to respond to any call that is made upon me. I feel, this morning, that I have a testimony to hear, in connection with my brethren who have spoken before me. I have rejoiced exceedingly not only today, but in times past, in listening to our gray-haired men, who have been for years and years in this Church and kingdom, and who have proven themselves faithful and true to the cause of God, in the midst of tribulation and persecutions.
when I see such as Brother Herriman, and others who are present with us today, and hear their testimonies, it makes my heart rejoice. There are so many who have been blessed by the spirit of God with the testimony of Jesus Christ, with this knowledge, that they know, and can bear testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the living God. I look upon this as of great importance indeed; and every man and every woman in the midst of the Latter-day Saints should know for a surety that this is so.
We are very numerous at the present time. In reading the history of the Church we have reason to be thankful to God for all the Stakes of Zion that are now organized, when we consider the small beginning that took place in the year 1830, when the Church was first organized in the little village of Fayette, Seneca County, New York, and that we have 34 Stakes of Zion organized in these mountain regions. We are numerous today as a people. We find, however, that there are in the midst of this multitude of people, called Latter-day Saints, a great many perhaps that do not have the testimony that has been borne by our brethren here this morning. There are a great many young men and women in the midst of this people, who up to the present time, have felt calm and at ease in their minds, and have relied upon the testimony of their fathers and mothers instead of praying for and receiving a testimony of the truth of this Gospel for themselves. They have done this for years, instead of seeking for the voice of inspiration.
The Apostles and Prophets have borne their testimonies in regard to the divine mission of Joseph Smith, and have exhorted others to acquire a knowledge of this matter for themselves; but they have thought perhaps that it was not necessary.
I believe and know that we as a people are passing through severe and trying scenes which are absolutely necessary to make us stronger in the faith. Every man and every woman should have a testimony within themselves; should seek for the spirit of revelation and obtain it direct from heaven, and know for themselves that the Lord has revealed His mind and will to the children of men in these last days; that He has restored the fulness of His Gospel and that Joseph Smith was His Prophet, and commanded of Him to bring about the great plan of salvation. I have found in considering the situation we are in today, that we are in the hand of God.
We may look upon the members of the different religious sects as being sincere and honest in their belief, as no doubt thousands and milliions of them are; but we claim in regard to the Latter-day Saints that it is necessary for them today to know of the mission of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and others, to know whether or not he did receive the manifestations and power of God; to know if he did see the Father and the Son when he went to the woods to pray; that he did find the plates in the Hill Cumorah and did translate the same by the aid of the Urim and Thummim. Did he receive the Priesthood through the administration of the Apostles Peter, James and John? Did Moses confer upon him the keys of gathering the Israel of the latter-days or did Elijah appear to him in the Kirtland Temple and reveal to him the keys whereby the hearts of the fathers were to be turned to their children, and the hearts of the children turned to their fathers?
It is made necessary for us as a people today to be diligent in building these temples in these mountain regions. I say of these things that they are either true or false. If they are true the great majority of the children of men have not the truth, and if they are not true the Latter-day Saints are in a deplorable condition today. Joseph Smith did not come forward as men have done to spread his views.
Joseph Smith claimed nothing but what was revealed to him from on high. When he made the declaration that all were going astray that none of the sects of the day were right and that the Lord acknowledged none of them, he only repeated what was told him. It was very presumptuous for a boy of his standing in society to make such sweeping declarations as these, especially when that boy lived in the wilderness of New York. He had never crossed the borders of the United States, was withal unlearned in the things of this world, a mere youth, and yet he made the declaration that all the Christian world had gone astray, that none of the sects were right, and that he had heard the voice of Jehovah; that he received his authority from Jesus Christ and all that he had to do was to repeat what he had heard from Jesus, and that is what he did do.
Now in following the history of Joseph Smith to June 27, 1844, when his blood was shed in Carthage Jail, we see that he was a great man. We find in him a man that is to be looked upon and should be looked upon by all living creatures as above ordinary importance. He spoke the truth and his testimony is before the world today. I see here in this congregation today that there is no possibility of the Latter-day Saints being deceived. These gray-haired men we have among us testify that there is no possibility of us being deceived. They are honest in heart; for they have lived long in the Church and have found joy in living up to what the prophet taught them. Joseph Smith came forward and had to face a scornful and unbelieving world—who did not believe in apostles, prophets, gifts and the blessings of the Gospel—for, say they, these things are all done away with and no longer needed. Joseph Smith did not profess to be learned—he prayed to God and received an answer to his prayer, and the Lord blessed him and made him the instrument in whose hands the Book of Mormon came forth. He testifies of its divinity and that it came from the Lord, and we who have come from distant lands, and from the north country, listened to the American Elders who came to teach us the word of God, and we believed what they taught. We did not believe they were impostors. They told us to search the Scriptures and pray to God for light and intelligence, which we did, and the result was that we believed and knew these things were true. Thousands are in possession of the truth today, who have done as God commanded through His servants; and they have enjoyed the gifts and blessings of the Gospel. Now, I say it would be impossible for these men whom we have heard today bear such powerful testimonies to be imposed upon these many years; it would be impossible for them to be deceived, for they would have discovered this work to be wrong or false if it were so Joseph Smith could not have called down angels from above, he could not have called down the power of the Holy Ghost to rest upon a single individual—he could not cause the Spirit of Truth to enter the heart of any man or woman who came to receive the ordinances of baptism from his hands, if he were not a Prophet of the living God. Such things cannot be done by an impostor. He might tell the three witnesses that he had seen an angel, that an angel should come from heaven and reveal unto them the Book of Mormon; but if it was not fulfilled he would have indeed imposed upon them.
To take the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants and read them and the promises made unto those who will obey the teachings therein contained, it must certainly have been a deception if they could not be fulfilled. But the witness is before us that they are true; for thousands and tens of thousands have testified they have received the promises made by receiving the principles in honest hearts. My brethren and sisters, I have a testimony to bear to you this morning. I have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a great Prophet of God; that God has revealed Himself in these the last days, that the Priesthood is revealed again as it was in ancient times in all its purity. And that I have received the gifts and blessings of the Gospel, and that to get these blessings a person has but to live up to what has been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and to keep in the path of duty.
May the Lord help us to concentrate our efforts, even in the midst of this great storm that is now going over this people, that when the sun shall shine again upon this people we may look back upon the past with gratitude to God. May we be able to withstand the surging tide of slander and opposition, and may we appreciate as sons and daughters of Zion the merited of blessings which are sure to follow the examples of noble men and women. May we follow in that path and keep that testimony burning within us which will exalt us in the kingdom of God, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The choir sang an anthem: The Lord will comfort Zion.
Adjourned till two p.m.
Benediction by Elder George Goddard.
First Day. Afternoon Session, April 5th.
The hymn on page 108 was sung by the choir:
May we who know the joyful sound,
Still practice what we know;
Not hearers of the word alone,
But doers of it, too.
Opening prayer by Counselor Daniel H. Wells.
Singing by the choir:
When the voice of friendship’s heard,
Sounding like a sweet toned bird,
When the holy notes inspire
With devotion’s pure desire.
The hymn on page 108 was sung by the choir:
May we who know the joyful sound,
Still practice what we know;
Not hearers of the word alone,
But doers of it, too.
Opening prayer by Counselor Daniel H. Wells.
Singing by the choir:
When the voice of friendship’s heard,
Sounding like a sweet toned bird,
When the holy notes inspire
With devotion’s pure desire.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow
spoke. The substance of what he said was as follows: I have been pleased with the instructions given this morning. We have gathered for the purpose of worshiping God and transacting business necessary for the furtherance of the cause of truth on the earth. The character of the instructions will depend largely upon the condition of our minds. We should dismiss therefrom our secular business and devote our attention to the purpose of this Conference.
Fifty-eight years ago this Church was organized. Fifty-two years of that time I have been connected with it. When I concluded to identify myself with it, I felt it necessary to ascertain its divine character. It is to be presumed that every man and woman views this subject similarly. The Gospel gives us this opportunity. The person who does not take advantage of this privilege is not in a safe condition. We have passed through many trying scenes since this work was established. There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. It is the process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be established universally. It had been said that if all our surroundings were peaceful and prosperous now, we would become indifferent. It would be a condition that would be all that would be desired by a good many natures; they would not stretch out after the things of eternity. Present circumstances are exceedingly disagreeable, and so they have been at many times since the work of God was established. For some time previous to the present crusade matters had been for a lengthy period pleasant and peaceful. It was questionable whether we were then making as much progress as we are doing surrounded by adversity. We have open to us opportunities to indicate whether or not we are willing to endure any trial that any apostle or saint in any age has accepted for the sake of the truth.
The channel of revelation is open to us as anciently. In the meridian of time, while He was in mortality, the Savior did many mighty works, yet these did not cause the people to recognize his identity as the Redeemer. This is exhibited in the question put by Him to Peter, whom He asked who men said he was. Peter told him he was taken to be a variety of personages. Christ asked Peter who he said He was. “Thou are the Christ, the son of the living God,” was the answer. The Savior therefore blessed him and gave him the keys of the kingdom and promised to build his church on the rock of revelation. Peter had power to impart the Holy Ghost to believers and that spirit was to communicate to them the things of God. Joseph Smith, whose divine mission was referred to this morning, by speakers, claimed to receive the same authority that was conferred upon Peter. It was given him under the hands of Peter, James and John. This power having been revealed and conferred upon man. It is the privilege of the Latter-day Saints, to understand, by the Spirit of God, the reasons why they are required to pass through the difficulties by which they are beset. In the career of the Church the Lord has done for the Saints all that he promised. He has brought us through affliction and has enlightened us in regard to his own nature and our relationship to Him. There is no people that has more reason to be grateful to Him than the Latter-day Saints. He has shown us that if we are faithful we will associate with each other in an immortal and glorious state; that those connections formed here, that are of the most enduring character, shall exist in eternity. As we keep the commandments of God new things that give us knowledge and joy are unfolded to our view.
Among our trials are temptations, by which we are enabled to show how much we value our religion. You are familiar with the experience of Job in that respect. He was given a knowledge of the resurrection, and of the Redeemer, and he knew that although he should die yet should he, in the latter days, see his Redeemer on the earth. The temptations to which he was subjected showed that he valued these heavenly considerations above everything else. The Latter-day Saints have gone further than our sectarian friends profess to have done. We have met with men who claimed to have authority from God, who have informed as if we believed, were baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and received the laying on of hands for the imparting of the Holy Ghost we should know of the truth of the doctrine. We have accepted these doctrines, and having found a divinity in them, we are thus enabled to withstand trials when they come upon us. We have received a knowledge of these things, and we have a right to testify concerning them. No one can consistently deny that we possess this witness unless he places himself under the conditions by which we claim to have obtained it.
The Prophet Joel predicted that the Spirit of God would in the latter times, be poured out upon all flesh. One of the effects of the spirit is a spiritual faith, then there are other gifts, of a miraculous character, which are, according to my knowledge, distributed among the Latter-day Saints. There are thousands of people who can testify that the predictions of the Elders made to them to the effect that if they should be obedience to the principles called “Mormonism,” they would obtain a knowledge of the divine origin. This is the reason why they have gathered. We have a testimony concerning Christ, that He is coming to the earth to reign. We testify concerning these things, and for them we are willing to go to prison and endure all manner of abuse, contumely and reproach. Because God is our Friend we do not fear. We may have to continue to be subjected to many conditions that are disagreeable. By them we are enabled to show the angels that we love the things of God better than the things of the world.
I remember very distinctly, in Kirtland, forty-one years ago, perhaps, that there was a spirit of speculation. It came moving from the world and finally reached the Latter-day Saints. Some of them began speculating; they forgot their religion, they forgot the principles that had been revealed to them, and many of them fell into the spirit of the times and were carried away with speculating. Difficulties arose—envy and strife—and the Lord, being displeased with them, brought destruction into their midst and they were broken to pieces as a settlement. But we do not wish that such things should transpire again. The Latter-day Saints ought to be too far along in wisdom and intelligence to fall into snares of this character. It does not pay. It will pay no man to turn his back upon these glorious principles and those things which have been received from the eternal worlds—to turn our backs upon these things and mix up and devote ourselves to the beggarly things of the world. It will not pay us. What ever temptation may come upon us or to which we are now exposed we should listen to the history of the past, and not allow ourselves to be overcome, or we will much regret it.
Every man has got to learn to stand upon his own knowledge; he cannot depend upon is neighbor; every man must be independent; he must depend upon his God for himself entirely. It depends upon himself to see if he will stem the tide of trouble and overcome the impediments that are strewn in the pathway of life to prevent his progress. A man can get information by the operations of the Holy Spirit and he approaches to God and increases in his faith in proportion as he is diligent. Every trial a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that individual is nearer to God, nearer in regard to the increase of faith, wisdom, knowledge and power, and hence is more confident in calling upon the Lord for those things he desires. I have known individuals who have trembled at the idea of passing through certain ordeals who after they were through the temptation have said they could approach the Lord in more confidence and ask for such blessings as they desired.
What will be the end of these troubles which now hand around us? We do not pretend to say. Neither is it a matter of very deep interest to any of us. But what is of particular interest in regard to these things is that we be careful and do right ourselves, and not be overcome by the weak things, but he humble before God and follow His promptings. There was very many who apostatized fifty-one years ago in Kirtland when the same kind of difficulties as are now upon us were among the people then. There were many to whom the Lord had revealed things and blessed them in many ways. But they could not withstand the temptations of the world. But they went to work and increased their wealth in a way that God was not pleased with. They grasped at every opportunity to get wealth in a way that was displeasing to the Almighty. Hence some of them apostatized in consequence of their indulging in that spirit. I wish to make these statements for the benefit of the Latter-day Saints. Listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, that when such things are brought before us to tempt us we may have power to lay them one side.
Perhaps I have said enough this afternoon.
We have every reason to rejoice and to be full of joy and satisfaction, notwithstanding the difficulties that surround us. And how far have we advanced, how much knowledge have we obtained and how much more are we able to bear now than one, two or five years ago, and are we able to stand more now than a few years ago? The Lord has strengthened us and increased us in our growth. Like the infant, when it grows up it knows not how it received gradual strength and the manner in which it increased in stature. It is larger this year than last. So in regard to our spiritual advancement. We feel stronger today than we did a year ago. And this Church stands firmer now at this Fifty-eighth Annual Conference than fifty-eight years ago, when it was organized with six members. There are men who have a very extensive knowledge of God and would suffer almost any kind of martyrdom before turning their backs upon the principles God has revealed. We are increasing in wisdom as a body. We can suffer now a great deal more than we could several years ago. Then we could not exercise the patience in the midst of our persecutions that we can today. There is no people upon the face of the earth who can exercise the patience, and bear the evils of the world, as we have done. It is marvelous that the people, thousands and thousands of them, can stand difficulty and trials and suffering in so much patience. We turn no and revile not our enemies. It is because the Spirit of God has increased within our midst as a people. And those who have persecuted us have done so because of their ignorance. If they could see as God does, they never would think of persecuting us as they do. Had the Jews known Jesus when he was in their midst and known what he was willing to suffer from them they never would have done what they did. Neither would our enemies do as they have and are still doing if they knew what we are willing to suffer for them. But they do it because Satan has power over them. It is not because of their natural disposition to afflict their brethren and sisters. For we are all the offspring of the same God. And these, our persecutors, are the children of God. The evil one may have such power over them that they cannot receive the truth, and we cannot do for them the good we would like to do. But in years to come we will go into the Temples and administer in the ordinances through which they may there have an opportunity, after they have suffered for their evils on earth, of receiving these Gospel truths, which God has so clearly made known unto us. This is what we expect to do to our enemies.
God bless the Latter-day Saints, and may we have the Spirit of the Lord and exercise patience and long-suffering. May we have a glorious Conference, that it may be said, as it always has been, that the last Conference is always the best. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
spoke. The substance of what he said was as follows: I have been pleased with the instructions given this morning. We have gathered for the purpose of worshiping God and transacting business necessary for the furtherance of the cause of truth on the earth. The character of the instructions will depend largely upon the condition of our minds. We should dismiss therefrom our secular business and devote our attention to the purpose of this Conference.
Fifty-eight years ago this Church was organized. Fifty-two years of that time I have been connected with it. When I concluded to identify myself with it, I felt it necessary to ascertain its divine character. It is to be presumed that every man and woman views this subject similarly. The Gospel gives us this opportunity. The person who does not take advantage of this privilege is not in a safe condition. We have passed through many trying scenes since this work was established. There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. It is the process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be established universally. It had been said that if all our surroundings were peaceful and prosperous now, we would become indifferent. It would be a condition that would be all that would be desired by a good many natures; they would not stretch out after the things of eternity. Present circumstances are exceedingly disagreeable, and so they have been at many times since the work of God was established. For some time previous to the present crusade matters had been for a lengthy period pleasant and peaceful. It was questionable whether we were then making as much progress as we are doing surrounded by adversity. We have open to us opportunities to indicate whether or not we are willing to endure any trial that any apostle or saint in any age has accepted for the sake of the truth.
The channel of revelation is open to us as anciently. In the meridian of time, while He was in mortality, the Savior did many mighty works, yet these did not cause the people to recognize his identity as the Redeemer. This is exhibited in the question put by Him to Peter, whom He asked who men said he was. Peter told him he was taken to be a variety of personages. Christ asked Peter who he said He was. “Thou are the Christ, the son of the living God,” was the answer. The Savior therefore blessed him and gave him the keys of the kingdom and promised to build his church on the rock of revelation. Peter had power to impart the Holy Ghost to believers and that spirit was to communicate to them the things of God. Joseph Smith, whose divine mission was referred to this morning, by speakers, claimed to receive the same authority that was conferred upon Peter. It was given him under the hands of Peter, James and John. This power having been revealed and conferred upon man. It is the privilege of the Latter-day Saints, to understand, by the Spirit of God, the reasons why they are required to pass through the difficulties by which they are beset. In the career of the Church the Lord has done for the Saints all that he promised. He has brought us through affliction and has enlightened us in regard to his own nature and our relationship to Him. There is no people that has more reason to be grateful to Him than the Latter-day Saints. He has shown us that if we are faithful we will associate with each other in an immortal and glorious state; that those connections formed here, that are of the most enduring character, shall exist in eternity. As we keep the commandments of God new things that give us knowledge and joy are unfolded to our view.
Among our trials are temptations, by which we are enabled to show how much we value our religion. You are familiar with the experience of Job in that respect. He was given a knowledge of the resurrection, and of the Redeemer, and he knew that although he should die yet should he, in the latter days, see his Redeemer on the earth. The temptations to which he was subjected showed that he valued these heavenly considerations above everything else. The Latter-day Saints have gone further than our sectarian friends profess to have done. We have met with men who claimed to have authority from God, who have informed as if we believed, were baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and received the laying on of hands for the imparting of the Holy Ghost we should know of the truth of the doctrine. We have accepted these doctrines, and having found a divinity in them, we are thus enabled to withstand trials when they come upon us. We have received a knowledge of these things, and we have a right to testify concerning them. No one can consistently deny that we possess this witness unless he places himself under the conditions by which we claim to have obtained it.
The Prophet Joel predicted that the Spirit of God would in the latter times, be poured out upon all flesh. One of the effects of the spirit is a spiritual faith, then there are other gifts, of a miraculous character, which are, according to my knowledge, distributed among the Latter-day Saints. There are thousands of people who can testify that the predictions of the Elders made to them to the effect that if they should be obedience to the principles called “Mormonism,” they would obtain a knowledge of the divine origin. This is the reason why they have gathered. We have a testimony concerning Christ, that He is coming to the earth to reign. We testify concerning these things, and for them we are willing to go to prison and endure all manner of abuse, contumely and reproach. Because God is our Friend we do not fear. We may have to continue to be subjected to many conditions that are disagreeable. By them we are enabled to show the angels that we love the things of God better than the things of the world.
I remember very distinctly, in Kirtland, forty-one years ago, perhaps, that there was a spirit of speculation. It came moving from the world and finally reached the Latter-day Saints. Some of them began speculating; they forgot their religion, they forgot the principles that had been revealed to them, and many of them fell into the spirit of the times and were carried away with speculating. Difficulties arose—envy and strife—and the Lord, being displeased with them, brought destruction into their midst and they were broken to pieces as a settlement. But we do not wish that such things should transpire again. The Latter-day Saints ought to be too far along in wisdom and intelligence to fall into snares of this character. It does not pay. It will pay no man to turn his back upon these glorious principles and those things which have been received from the eternal worlds—to turn our backs upon these things and mix up and devote ourselves to the beggarly things of the world. It will not pay us. What ever temptation may come upon us or to which we are now exposed we should listen to the history of the past, and not allow ourselves to be overcome, or we will much regret it.
Every man has got to learn to stand upon his own knowledge; he cannot depend upon is neighbor; every man must be independent; he must depend upon his God for himself entirely. It depends upon himself to see if he will stem the tide of trouble and overcome the impediments that are strewn in the pathway of life to prevent his progress. A man can get information by the operations of the Holy Spirit and he approaches to God and increases in his faith in proportion as he is diligent. Every trial a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that individual is nearer to God, nearer in regard to the increase of faith, wisdom, knowledge and power, and hence is more confident in calling upon the Lord for those things he desires. I have known individuals who have trembled at the idea of passing through certain ordeals who after they were through the temptation have said they could approach the Lord in more confidence and ask for such blessings as they desired.
What will be the end of these troubles which now hand around us? We do not pretend to say. Neither is it a matter of very deep interest to any of us. But what is of particular interest in regard to these things is that we be careful and do right ourselves, and not be overcome by the weak things, but he humble before God and follow His promptings. There was very many who apostatized fifty-one years ago in Kirtland when the same kind of difficulties as are now upon us were among the people then. There were many to whom the Lord had revealed things and blessed them in many ways. But they could not withstand the temptations of the world. But they went to work and increased their wealth in a way that God was not pleased with. They grasped at every opportunity to get wealth in a way that was displeasing to the Almighty. Hence some of them apostatized in consequence of their indulging in that spirit. I wish to make these statements for the benefit of the Latter-day Saints. Listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, that when such things are brought before us to tempt us we may have power to lay them one side.
Perhaps I have said enough this afternoon.
We have every reason to rejoice and to be full of joy and satisfaction, notwithstanding the difficulties that surround us. And how far have we advanced, how much knowledge have we obtained and how much more are we able to bear now than one, two or five years ago, and are we able to stand more now than a few years ago? The Lord has strengthened us and increased us in our growth. Like the infant, when it grows up it knows not how it received gradual strength and the manner in which it increased in stature. It is larger this year than last. So in regard to our spiritual advancement. We feel stronger today than we did a year ago. And this Church stands firmer now at this Fifty-eighth Annual Conference than fifty-eight years ago, when it was organized with six members. There are men who have a very extensive knowledge of God and would suffer almost any kind of martyrdom before turning their backs upon the principles God has revealed. We are increasing in wisdom as a body. We can suffer now a great deal more than we could several years ago. Then we could not exercise the patience in the midst of our persecutions that we can today. There is no people upon the face of the earth who can exercise the patience, and bear the evils of the world, as we have done. It is marvelous that the people, thousands and thousands of them, can stand difficulty and trials and suffering in so much patience. We turn no and revile not our enemies. It is because the Spirit of God has increased within our midst as a people. And those who have persecuted us have done so because of their ignorance. If they could see as God does, they never would think of persecuting us as they do. Had the Jews known Jesus when he was in their midst and known what he was willing to suffer from them they never would have done what they did. Neither would our enemies do as they have and are still doing if they knew what we are willing to suffer for them. But they do it because Satan has power over them. It is not because of their natural disposition to afflict their brethren and sisters. For we are all the offspring of the same God. And these, our persecutors, are the children of God. The evil one may have such power over them that they cannot receive the truth, and we cannot do for them the good we would like to do. But in years to come we will go into the Temples and administer in the ordinances through which they may there have an opportunity, after they have suffered for their evils on earth, of receiving these Gospel truths, which God has so clearly made known unto us. This is what we expect to do to our enemies.
God bless the Latter-day Saints, and may we have the Spirit of the Lord and exercise patience and long-suffering. May we have a glorious Conference, that it may be said, as it always has been, that the last Conference is always the best. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Jacob Gates
was the next speaker. He said: I am glad to have the privilege of meeting with the Saints in Conference. The Church was organized fifty-eight years ago with six members. It was one of the most important events in the history of the earth. It was destined to revolutionize the world, and prepare the way for the coming of Christ and the introduction of that righteousness that will produce the Millennium. I am thankful to have the privilege of living in such a momentous age. Notwithstanding the difficulties we have to encounter, this people will triumph over all their enemies, who will yet regret their course toward this people, who have sacrificed their comfort for the welfare of humanity. Although we have been buffeted and persecuted, we have in the face of it all increased in strength. But we are hardly half-grown, yet in our immature condition we appear to be feared by those who wish our destruction. They are afraid we will become strong and numerous and overturn their false systems, which is correct. All that has come upon this people in the shape of persecution has been for their good. Every possible effort has been made to induce us to become like the rest of the world, but we cannot afford to do that. This is the work of God. He prepared the platform upon which we should stand, and we propose to stand by it. What is that platform? To do the works of righteousness and show to the world that we are just what we profess to be. This course will lead us up to all that the heart can wish, for eye hath not seen nor ear heard that which is in store for the faithful. Such will receive, according to the promise, “all that the Father hath.” I have never in all my experience in this Church—almost fifty-five years—seen a better time than the present. The situation was predicted by the Prophet Joseph and the harder it blows the quicker it will be over. If we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, blessed are we, but if otherwise we get only what we deserve. We are called to be Latter-day Saints and nothing else. Our course should be upward and onward and we should never yield a single point until victory is won. We never will let up in our labors until every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus in the Christ.
The anthem: O be joyful in the Lord, was sung by the choir.
Benediction by President Angus M. Cannon.
was the next speaker. He said: I am glad to have the privilege of meeting with the Saints in Conference. The Church was organized fifty-eight years ago with six members. It was one of the most important events in the history of the earth. It was destined to revolutionize the world, and prepare the way for the coming of Christ and the introduction of that righteousness that will produce the Millennium. I am thankful to have the privilege of living in such a momentous age. Notwithstanding the difficulties we have to encounter, this people will triumph over all their enemies, who will yet regret their course toward this people, who have sacrificed their comfort for the welfare of humanity. Although we have been buffeted and persecuted, we have in the face of it all increased in strength. But we are hardly half-grown, yet in our immature condition we appear to be feared by those who wish our destruction. They are afraid we will become strong and numerous and overturn their false systems, which is correct. All that has come upon this people in the shape of persecution has been for their good. Every possible effort has been made to induce us to become like the rest of the world, but we cannot afford to do that. This is the work of God. He prepared the platform upon which we should stand, and we propose to stand by it. What is that platform? To do the works of righteousness and show to the world that we are just what we profess to be. This course will lead us up to all that the heart can wish, for eye hath not seen nor ear heard that which is in store for the faithful. Such will receive, according to the promise, “all that the Father hath.” I have never in all my experience in this Church—almost fifty-five years—seen a better time than the present. The situation was predicted by the Prophet Joseph and the harder it blows the quicker it will be over. If we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, blessed are we, but if otherwise we get only what we deserve. We are called to be Latter-day Saints and nothing else. Our course should be upward and onward and we should never yield a single point until victory is won. We never will let up in our labors until every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus in the Christ.
The anthem: O be joyful in the Lord, was sung by the choir.
Benediction by President Angus M. Cannon.
Second Day. Morning Session, April 6th.
Singing:
O Jesus! the giver
Of all we enjoy,
Our lives to thy honor
We wish to employ.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
The choir sang:
Come, all ye sons of Zion,
And let us praise the Lord,
With harmony unceasing,
According to his word.
Singing:
O Jesus! the giver
Of all we enjoy,
Our lives to thy honor
We wish to employ.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
The choir sang:
Come, all ye sons of Zion,
And let us praise the Lord,
With harmony unceasing,
According to his word.
Apostle John W. Taylor
was the first speaker this morning, the following being a brief synopsis of his remarks: I desire to enjoy a portion of the Holy Ghost to direct my words. We are blessed with pleasant weather, peace and health. The conditions seem favorable for a good conference.
Since we last met in this capacity, there have been many changes—some pleasant and some the reverse. Individuals have repented of wrong-doing while others have been excommunicated. Should there be any of the latter present, may they listen humbly to what will be said. All men are prone to err, some to a greater degree than others. It seems necessary according to the law of the Church, to deal decisively with persons who are guilty of a certain class of offenses. This phase is continuous. I desire to speak to those who are liable to err. There will be an offense if those who consider themselves perfect should arise and leave this building.
It is grievous to note the fact that men suffer themselves to be cut off the Church. It is difficult for me to control and look after myself, and keep from encroaching on others. There is a way for all men to repent. Those who are given to drunkenness can forsake that evil and indulge in it no more. So with dishonesty of every kind. He who commits this wrong should return to honest habits, and the Lord will forgive him. So with the sin of falsehood. Let those guilty of this evil learn to feel and love the truth. Christ said concerning those who should love evil, that they should be placed outside the New Jerusalem. If we give way to temper and speak harshly, let the person showing this weakness learn to govern himself. Let us learn temperance in all things, that our posterity may be healthy. If we break the laws of nature we will have to pay the penalty. If we have neglected our prayers, either in secret or in the family, we should attend to this important duty. When men begin to apostatize they generally leave off their devotions before the Lord. God will be sought after in worship and gratitude.
There were but few persons here yesterday. One would have thought that the people had mostly gone to fast meetings in the Wards. This is a necessary and important ordinance. The testimony meetings are among the most interesting. To one is given a tongue, another the interpretation, and so on, so that all are edified. Those who have paid their tithing faithfully are to be congratulated. It is an ancient law, Abraham having obeyed it. The Lord has revealed it in our day. If any of you have neglected compliance with it, repent of your omission and do better. If the lord has given a home in Zion, appreciate it. If you have entered into the eternal marriage covenant keep it sacredly. If you have not, repent of your evil doing.
My experience has convinced me of one fact. He who has received a testimony of the truth from the Lord, it remains with him until he sins away the light by which it was imparted. It causes either joy or sorrow. If one does a good, it creates pleasure, while the commission of wrong creates the opposite effect. This is universal with the Saints. I have had come to me during the last year men and women who have sinned. They have asked what they could do to recover lost ground. You can only say to such people, as long as there is repentance in a person’s heart there is hope. It is not the design of God to destroy that soul in whom this principle exists. This repentance is to forsake evil and turn unto the Lord. Lift up your heads, ye Saints, unto your God, for He is not a tyrant. But he will chide and rebuke us, to draw us back to the true path.
There have been remarks made by different brethren for the purpose of making sin hateful. Some of these remarks have had a tendency to destroy all hope, and may not in that way have accomplished the object intended. Let hope be destroyed and the individual in whom it is extinguished is lost. Except for murder and the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is forgiveness and redemption through the payment of the penalty attached to sin and by repentance. [The speaker here explained, by quoting from the Doctrine and Covenants, what is the meaning of endless punishment. It is God’s punishment, that being its character, but it does not follow that those subjected to it are always retained in that subjection.] I say this that those who have sinned may not be without hope. Those who repent should do so in sorrow and mourning, rending their hearts. Remarks were made yesterday in relation to the preaching of the Gospel to the dead.
Peter explained that Christ, after being put to death in the flesh, went and preached to the spirits in prison. Among those to whom he ministered were people who had been shut up in prison in the spirit world from the days of Noah. They, while on earth were great sinners, having been destroyed from the earth because of their wickedness. They were offered, through the advent of Christ among them, liberation and forgiveness, through repentance, that they might live according to God in the spirit. This shows the long suffering and mercy of God. Therefore let the sinners in Zion repent, that they may be forgiven in this life or in the next.
There is a feeling among Saints not to forgive one another. When one does wrong we speak evil of him, endeavoring to create the impression that he has not only sinned in one way, but in many other ways. This is uncharitable. The Savior instructed his disciples how often they should forgive one another. The same law has been revealed to us. You are doubtless familiar with the law of the Lord in that regard. The spirit of exaction is not of Christ. There is hope for all men if they will repent of their sins.
It might be said, if you offer the sinners a chance they will go on sinning all their lives. If a person gets burned with fire and has felt the effects of it, will he not avoid the fire in future? The relief comes by repentance, and he who goes on doing wrong does not repent, and for such there is no promise. They must cease the performance of those deeds that have necessitated the application of clemency. [The speaker here cited the example of the Savior in relation to the woman taken in adultery. Also that of the prodigal son].
I speak of these things to show that there is hope for the repentant sinner among us. After all that I have said on this subject, whosoever has a testimony of the Gospel who falls into sin is filled with remorse and shame. Be not too much bound up in your feelings. But give hope to the sinner, and exhibit the infinite mercy of the Lord. Although I have exhorted you to perform your duties in the Church, yet if you do these things and have not faith, hope and charity the performance of these things avail you nothing. Let us therefore take away from our hearts all things that are impure, and partake worthily of the Sacrament, having no hardness of feeling one toward another. The speaker continued for some time in the same strain, closing with an invitation for sinners to repent, that the blessings of the Lord may be poured out upon them.
was the first speaker this morning, the following being a brief synopsis of his remarks: I desire to enjoy a portion of the Holy Ghost to direct my words. We are blessed with pleasant weather, peace and health. The conditions seem favorable for a good conference.
Since we last met in this capacity, there have been many changes—some pleasant and some the reverse. Individuals have repented of wrong-doing while others have been excommunicated. Should there be any of the latter present, may they listen humbly to what will be said. All men are prone to err, some to a greater degree than others. It seems necessary according to the law of the Church, to deal decisively with persons who are guilty of a certain class of offenses. This phase is continuous. I desire to speak to those who are liable to err. There will be an offense if those who consider themselves perfect should arise and leave this building.
It is grievous to note the fact that men suffer themselves to be cut off the Church. It is difficult for me to control and look after myself, and keep from encroaching on others. There is a way for all men to repent. Those who are given to drunkenness can forsake that evil and indulge in it no more. So with dishonesty of every kind. He who commits this wrong should return to honest habits, and the Lord will forgive him. So with the sin of falsehood. Let those guilty of this evil learn to feel and love the truth. Christ said concerning those who should love evil, that they should be placed outside the New Jerusalem. If we give way to temper and speak harshly, let the person showing this weakness learn to govern himself. Let us learn temperance in all things, that our posterity may be healthy. If we break the laws of nature we will have to pay the penalty. If we have neglected our prayers, either in secret or in the family, we should attend to this important duty. When men begin to apostatize they generally leave off their devotions before the Lord. God will be sought after in worship and gratitude.
There were but few persons here yesterday. One would have thought that the people had mostly gone to fast meetings in the Wards. This is a necessary and important ordinance. The testimony meetings are among the most interesting. To one is given a tongue, another the interpretation, and so on, so that all are edified. Those who have paid their tithing faithfully are to be congratulated. It is an ancient law, Abraham having obeyed it. The Lord has revealed it in our day. If any of you have neglected compliance with it, repent of your omission and do better. If the lord has given a home in Zion, appreciate it. If you have entered into the eternal marriage covenant keep it sacredly. If you have not, repent of your evil doing.
My experience has convinced me of one fact. He who has received a testimony of the truth from the Lord, it remains with him until he sins away the light by which it was imparted. It causes either joy or sorrow. If one does a good, it creates pleasure, while the commission of wrong creates the opposite effect. This is universal with the Saints. I have had come to me during the last year men and women who have sinned. They have asked what they could do to recover lost ground. You can only say to such people, as long as there is repentance in a person’s heart there is hope. It is not the design of God to destroy that soul in whom this principle exists. This repentance is to forsake evil and turn unto the Lord. Lift up your heads, ye Saints, unto your God, for He is not a tyrant. But he will chide and rebuke us, to draw us back to the true path.
There have been remarks made by different brethren for the purpose of making sin hateful. Some of these remarks have had a tendency to destroy all hope, and may not in that way have accomplished the object intended. Let hope be destroyed and the individual in whom it is extinguished is lost. Except for murder and the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is forgiveness and redemption through the payment of the penalty attached to sin and by repentance. [The speaker here explained, by quoting from the Doctrine and Covenants, what is the meaning of endless punishment. It is God’s punishment, that being its character, but it does not follow that those subjected to it are always retained in that subjection.] I say this that those who have sinned may not be without hope. Those who repent should do so in sorrow and mourning, rending their hearts. Remarks were made yesterday in relation to the preaching of the Gospel to the dead.
Peter explained that Christ, after being put to death in the flesh, went and preached to the spirits in prison. Among those to whom he ministered were people who had been shut up in prison in the spirit world from the days of Noah. They, while on earth were great sinners, having been destroyed from the earth because of their wickedness. They were offered, through the advent of Christ among them, liberation and forgiveness, through repentance, that they might live according to God in the spirit. This shows the long suffering and mercy of God. Therefore let the sinners in Zion repent, that they may be forgiven in this life or in the next.
There is a feeling among Saints not to forgive one another. When one does wrong we speak evil of him, endeavoring to create the impression that he has not only sinned in one way, but in many other ways. This is uncharitable. The Savior instructed his disciples how often they should forgive one another. The same law has been revealed to us. You are doubtless familiar with the law of the Lord in that regard. The spirit of exaction is not of Christ. There is hope for all men if they will repent of their sins.
It might be said, if you offer the sinners a chance they will go on sinning all their lives. If a person gets burned with fire and has felt the effects of it, will he not avoid the fire in future? The relief comes by repentance, and he who goes on doing wrong does not repent, and for such there is no promise. They must cease the performance of those deeds that have necessitated the application of clemency. [The speaker here cited the example of the Savior in relation to the woman taken in adultery. Also that of the prodigal son].
I speak of these things to show that there is hope for the repentant sinner among us. After all that I have said on this subject, whosoever has a testimony of the Gospel who falls into sin is filled with remorse and shame. Be not too much bound up in your feelings. But give hope to the sinner, and exhibit the infinite mercy of the Lord. Although I have exhorted you to perform your duties in the Church, yet if you do these things and have not faith, hope and charity the performance of these things avail you nothing. Let us therefore take away from our hearts all things that are impure, and partake worthily of the Sacrament, having no hardness of feeling one toward another. The speaker continued for some time in the same strain, closing with an invitation for sinners to repent, that the blessings of the Lord may be poured out upon them.
Counselor D. H. Wells
briefly addressed the Conference. He said, in effect: I rejoice exceedingly in the principles of the Gospel and the instructions given during this conference, especially those given this morning by Brother Taylor. They are true, and from God. “Mormonism,” so called, is the Gospel of salvation revealed from heaven. It is sweet to me. There is great reason for thanksgiving for its revelation to man. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who receive and obey it. I pray God always that sin and iniquity may be rebuked and the meek and humble saved. Repentance is a simple process; it is to do evil no more. I rejoice to have the previlege to associate with God’s people, and the Holy Priesthood, by which the channel of communication with the heavens has been opened up. We can repent from sins and receive forgiveness. Why is one man’s labor in officiating in the ordinances of the Gospel not as effective as that of another? Because unless the person administering has received authority his act is not legal, and, not being legal, is not recognized in heaven. In relation to the ordinance of baptism, a person who has passed into the spirit world without receiving it cannot himself obey it. But it can be administered to another living in the flesh by proper authority in his behalf. While he in the world of spirits repents and acknowledges the supremacy of Christ. The Gospel opens the way for all to obtain salvation if they will comply with the conditions upon which that gift is predicated. The world will, however, as a whole, reject the message God has sent. The human family has always been disposed that way. The more circumspect our course is, it seems the more are our enemies incensed against us. It is not always the case, therefore, that we are afflicted because of our evil deeds. The best people are often subjected to the severest trials. It is necessary that the righteous should be tested. When will the kingdom be given to the Saints? Never until the Lord finds out that He has a people who will not place what he entrusts them with, in the lap of the devil. This people rejoice under their afflictions. It was so in the early persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and when crossing the plains to locate in this region. The Saints rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for righteousness sake.
There is more comfort in having charity to those who offend us than in seeking revenge. I have experienced this in my own career. It makes me feel well when I can take a person who has wronged me by the hand and extend forgiveness to him and to receive from him forgiveness. The Lord knew sin would come into the world, and provided a remedy. He is genuinely the Father of our spirits, and purposes to redeem us from the conditions of sin through repentance and obedience.
Brother Wells continued to speak for some time upon the work of saving the dead, the coming of Christ in power, and the judgments impending over the world.
The anthem: Glory to God in the Highest, was sang by the choir.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Elder Robert Campbell.
briefly addressed the Conference. He said, in effect: I rejoice exceedingly in the principles of the Gospel and the instructions given during this conference, especially those given this morning by Brother Taylor. They are true, and from God. “Mormonism,” so called, is the Gospel of salvation revealed from heaven. It is sweet to me. There is great reason for thanksgiving for its revelation to man. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who receive and obey it. I pray God always that sin and iniquity may be rebuked and the meek and humble saved. Repentance is a simple process; it is to do evil no more. I rejoice to have the previlege to associate with God’s people, and the Holy Priesthood, by which the channel of communication with the heavens has been opened up. We can repent from sins and receive forgiveness. Why is one man’s labor in officiating in the ordinances of the Gospel not as effective as that of another? Because unless the person administering has received authority his act is not legal, and, not being legal, is not recognized in heaven. In relation to the ordinance of baptism, a person who has passed into the spirit world without receiving it cannot himself obey it. But it can be administered to another living in the flesh by proper authority in his behalf. While he in the world of spirits repents and acknowledges the supremacy of Christ. The Gospel opens the way for all to obtain salvation if they will comply with the conditions upon which that gift is predicated. The world will, however, as a whole, reject the message God has sent. The human family has always been disposed that way. The more circumspect our course is, it seems the more are our enemies incensed against us. It is not always the case, therefore, that we are afflicted because of our evil deeds. The best people are often subjected to the severest trials. It is necessary that the righteous should be tested. When will the kingdom be given to the Saints? Never until the Lord finds out that He has a people who will not place what he entrusts them with, in the lap of the devil. This people rejoice under their afflictions. It was so in the early persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and when crossing the plains to locate in this region. The Saints rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for righteousness sake.
There is more comfort in having charity to those who offend us than in seeking revenge. I have experienced this in my own career. It makes me feel well when I can take a person who has wronged me by the hand and extend forgiveness to him and to receive from him forgiveness. The Lord knew sin would come into the world, and provided a remedy. He is genuinely the Father of our spirits, and purposes to redeem us from the conditions of sin through repentance and obedience.
Brother Wells continued to speak for some time upon the work of saving the dead, the coming of Christ in power, and the judgments impending over the world.
The anthem: Glory to God in the Highest, was sang by the choir.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Elder Robert Campbell.
Afternoon Session.
Singing:
Mortals, awake! with angels join,
And chant the solemn lay;
Love, joy and gratitude combine,
To hail th’auspicious day.
Prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith.
Singing:
Glorious things are sung of Zion,
Enoch’s city seen of old,
Where the righteous, being perfect,
Walked with God in streets of gold.
Singing:
Mortals, awake! with angels join,
And chant the solemn lay;
Love, joy and gratitude combine,
To hail th’auspicious day.
Prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith.
Singing:
Glorious things are sung of Zion,
Enoch’s city seen of old,
Where the righteous, being perfect,
Walked with God in streets of gold.
Elder Rudger Clawson, President of Box Elder Stake,
being introduced by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, spoke substantially as follows: It has fallen to my lot to stand before you for a short time. I desire to be sustained by your faith and prayers. No man can instruct the Saints unless he has the Holy Ghost. I naturally shrink from this duty, but respond willingly to the call. A revelation pronounces a woe against those who will not open their mouths and speak upon the things of God because of the fear of men.
A few years ago this church was organized, with six members, and now it includes scores of thousands. Joseph Smith declared that he was not only visited by angels, but also that God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ appeared to him. The Prophet testified to this in an unmistakable way. This unlearned young man was informed that the true Gospel existed nowhere on earth and that he should not connect himself with any of the sects. This was a startling announcement. God appeared in person with His Son, to inaugurate this Gospel dispensation. This restoration of the Gospel has occurred and the presence of this people here today is one of the results. Those who embrace this message do not depend upon the leaders of this Church for a witness of the truth. They receive it themselves from the Almighty. I have wondered whether this Gospel is all in all to us. Its principles cannot be estimated on a monetary basis, yet they are free to all, without money and without price. If a man has a piece of property in this city he places a high value upon it, and he considers himself well off. Sometimes such things are valued more than the Gospel. A man in the days of the Apostles wished to buy from the servants of God the power to bestow the Holy Ghost. Very likely he desired to do as many are doing now—speculate upon that power. The result was that he was cursed.
If the Gospel is worth anything to us it is worth everything. There is no sacrifice we can make for it that should be too great. We should be willing to go to prison for the truth, which will restore to us the privileges which we temporarily surrender for its sake. We should even be willing to sacrifice life for that cause if needful. If not, we are not fit subjects for the Kingdom of God.
In 1884 I was convicted and sentenced to prison for keeping a commandment of God. The judge who passed sentence said that because of my youth and because I believed that I was doing right, I was not entitled to leniency. He seemed to think that my belief was to some extent criminal. I was sentenced to four years imprisonment, and was incarcerated three years and one month. I saw three hundred of my brethren enter the penitentiary for similar reasons and 220 of them emerged from prison while I was there. I feel none the worse for my experience. My testimony is stronger than ever. It is pleasing to God for men to go to prison under an unjust law rather than act contrary to their covenants. The brethren who were imprisoned exhibited great patience in the midst of the worst class of criminals. It was better for them to do this than to enter into an agreement not to serve God. I feel like honoring the Lord; He has revealed certain principles to the Latter-day Saints, He has revealed faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins and we believe and honor those principles. Also the laying on of hands for imparting the Holy Ghost, by which our minds are enlightened in relation to eternity. God has revealed the gathering and other principles, and we should, by the help of the Lord honor them all. We cannot make a promise to dishonor any one of them. We can make no distinction between these principles, as they are all equally essential for our salvation.
being introduced by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, spoke substantially as follows: It has fallen to my lot to stand before you for a short time. I desire to be sustained by your faith and prayers. No man can instruct the Saints unless he has the Holy Ghost. I naturally shrink from this duty, but respond willingly to the call. A revelation pronounces a woe against those who will not open their mouths and speak upon the things of God because of the fear of men.
A few years ago this church was organized, with six members, and now it includes scores of thousands. Joseph Smith declared that he was not only visited by angels, but also that God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ appeared to him. The Prophet testified to this in an unmistakable way. This unlearned young man was informed that the true Gospel existed nowhere on earth and that he should not connect himself with any of the sects. This was a startling announcement. God appeared in person with His Son, to inaugurate this Gospel dispensation. This restoration of the Gospel has occurred and the presence of this people here today is one of the results. Those who embrace this message do not depend upon the leaders of this Church for a witness of the truth. They receive it themselves from the Almighty. I have wondered whether this Gospel is all in all to us. Its principles cannot be estimated on a monetary basis, yet they are free to all, without money and without price. If a man has a piece of property in this city he places a high value upon it, and he considers himself well off. Sometimes such things are valued more than the Gospel. A man in the days of the Apostles wished to buy from the servants of God the power to bestow the Holy Ghost. Very likely he desired to do as many are doing now—speculate upon that power. The result was that he was cursed.
If the Gospel is worth anything to us it is worth everything. There is no sacrifice we can make for it that should be too great. We should be willing to go to prison for the truth, which will restore to us the privileges which we temporarily surrender for its sake. We should even be willing to sacrifice life for that cause if needful. If not, we are not fit subjects for the Kingdom of God.
In 1884 I was convicted and sentenced to prison for keeping a commandment of God. The judge who passed sentence said that because of my youth and because I believed that I was doing right, I was not entitled to leniency. He seemed to think that my belief was to some extent criminal. I was sentenced to four years imprisonment, and was incarcerated three years and one month. I saw three hundred of my brethren enter the penitentiary for similar reasons and 220 of them emerged from prison while I was there. I feel none the worse for my experience. My testimony is stronger than ever. It is pleasing to God for men to go to prison under an unjust law rather than act contrary to their covenants. The brethren who were imprisoned exhibited great patience in the midst of the worst class of criminals. It was better for them to do this than to enter into an agreement not to serve God. I feel like honoring the Lord; He has revealed certain principles to the Latter-day Saints, He has revealed faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins and we believe and honor those principles. Also the laying on of hands for imparting the Holy Ghost, by which our minds are enlightened in relation to eternity. God has revealed the gathering and other principles, and we should, by the help of the Lord honor them all. We cannot make a promise to dishonor any one of them. We can make no distinction between these principles, as they are all equally essential for our salvation.
Apostle Heber J. Grant
was the next speaker. The following is a synopsis of his remarks:
I desire to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, that the Saints may be strengthened in pressing forward in their duties. The longer I live, and the more I comprehend the Gospel, the broader I find that it is. A person cannot study the Gospel and the revelations given through Joseph Smith without being filled with gratitude to God for His mercy. With our fallen natures it is common to become uncharitable, and to retaliate upon those who impose upon us. It requires no exertion to smite back when one is smitten. But when we study the designs of our Creator we are lead to understand that we should cultivate long-suffering and charity. Some of the Saints think that those who do not see and act as they do will not be saved. This is a contracted and mistaken idea. There are many Latter-day Saints who imagine this is the only people in whom the Lord takes any special interest. A man to be honest must respect the rights of all mankind. A man who will defraud an enemy is as dishonest as one who wrongs one of his own kind. The fact that the Latter-day Saints have expended hundreds of thousands of dollars for the erection of temples for the performance of vicarious work for the dead, shows that they are not exclusive and narrow. The principles that have come to us inform us that every human being who has not committed murder nor the sin against the Holy Ghost, will be redeemed with a salvation of some degree.
The speaker here read from the revelation given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon at Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, on February 18th, 1832. It is entitled a vision, and exhibits the magnitude of God’s mercy in providing salvation for all the human family except the sons of perdition, who will persist in being a law unto themselves instead of being governed by law. [See Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 76.]
Right here let me remark that one of the strongest evidences that has ever been introduced, to my mind, of the truth of the Gospel and divinity of Christ, is the energy and zeal with which men who have once received the truth and then turned their backs upon it, labor against this work. I have heard of men saying that they would give all they possessed on earth if they could only prove that “Mormonism” was not true. What benefit would it be to any man on earth who has never received the truth to prove that “Mormonism” was not true? There can be no benefit come to him. There can be no benefit come to his family. There can be no benefit to mankind to prove that “Mormonism” is a fraud. But to the man that has received the testimony of Jesus Christ, to the man that has been able to lay hand son the sick in the name of the Savior, and by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood rebuke disease and command that person to be made whole, I say that when this person denies the power of Almighty God then the benefit that would come to him by destroying the Gospel would be the relief of his own conscience. But the dread and fear of the testimony that still burns within his heart and that he is a fallen being, can never be wiped away until the Church and Kingdom of God can be destroyed.
Does Satan believe in the Gospel? Yes, he does, and that is what causes him to fear and fight against it. Do men who have ministered in the name of Jesus Christ and have committed sin and denied the power of the Gospel to say, know in their hearts that the Gospel is true and that it will triumph over every power on earth? Yes they do. I know of one man who confessed that he was a fallen being, and that because of his sin he would have to suffer. He was called upon by a friend, and this friend said to him that he had said the Gospel was not true and that the Latter-day Saints are deluded. This friend referred him to a mission he had filled in Great Britain and said he; “I have traveled with you and have heard you prophesy in the name of the Lord and I have lived to see your prophecy fulfilled. I have seen you lay hands upon the sick and through your faith I have seen them healed. Now tell me, where is that authority gone? Tell me in your increased intelligence, and bear your testimony in the sight of Almighty God that you do know that when you bore testimony of the truth of the truth of the Gospel that you lied. Tell me that it is by your superior wisdom that you know what you testified of, saw and heard, is false. Go, lay your hands today upon the sick and command them to be made whole by the power of the Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ. My friend, you dare not do it; you are a fallen creature; you have had your commission from heaven revoked; you dare not administer in the power of the holy Priesthood.”
Did this man stand up in the might and power of the holy priesthood and contradict what had been said? No, but he wept like a little child; and he stood up and bore his testimony that he knew the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith was true, and that he had lost his faith in the Gospel through his own transgression.
I bear my testimony to you here to-day in all humility that if you keep the commandments of God through your faithfulness you shall receive a testimony of the truth of the Gospel and that testimony will endure and last within you through all time and all eternity.
When we learn that the Gospel of Christ is so broad and comprehensive in its character that in the due time of the Lord it will save in the telestial kingdom those who have been liars, sorcerers, whoremongers, adulterers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, truly our hearts should expand in gratitude to God for His goodness, mercy and great kindness unto us and all His creatures here upon the earth.
We, as Latter-day Saints, have started out for an exaltation in the celestial kingdom. We desire to be heirs—even joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are not seeking for an exaltation in the telestial kingdom. We are not seeking to be separated throughout all eternity from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But we are seeking for the highest exaltation that it is possible for man to attain unto. And there is but one way that we will ever reach it; that is by fulfilling the celestial law of God.
The Lord told Joseph Smith that every blessing we receive here upon earth or in heaven is predicated upon laws which were formed before the foundation of the earth. And unless we live up to the laws that God has revealed unto us, we will not attain unto the celestial glory in His Kingdom. There is no happiness that can come to the human heart that can compare with the testimony of Jesus Christ. There is no labor that you and I can engage in that will bring that same happiness to our hearts as the labor for the salvation of the human family. There is no joy that will surpass that influence which comes from the heart when forgiveness is made for trespasses against you. There is nothing that will make you more miserable than to harbor in your heart hatred and ill feelings towards any man; for the Gospel teaches us to be charitable and forgiving to all.
I pray for that discerning spirit and that feeling that will cause us to select and cherish the shining parts of a man’s character.
I realize that it is natural to find fault and tear down. It is easy to destroy, and a difficult matter to improve, build up and see our own faults. The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to be charitable, to be kind to others; and if we have any fault to find, to find it with ourselves. I care not how severely you may criticise yourself.
There is a little verse which I have heard sung, and as I think it very appropriate, I will repeat it:
“That in self-judgment if you find,
Your deeds to others are superior,
To you, has Providence been kind,
As you should be to those inferior,
Example sheds a genial ray
Of light, which men are apt to borrow
So first improve yourself today,
And then improve your friends tomorrow.”
I pray that God, our Eternal Father, will inspire us with a desire to keep His commandments and to bless us with His power and ability to overcome the weaknesses and imperfections, and with that power to so live that we may be worthy of His Gospel.
The choir sang the anthem: Jehovah’s Praise.
Benediction by President A. O. Smoot.
was the next speaker. The following is a synopsis of his remarks:
I desire to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, that the Saints may be strengthened in pressing forward in their duties. The longer I live, and the more I comprehend the Gospel, the broader I find that it is. A person cannot study the Gospel and the revelations given through Joseph Smith without being filled with gratitude to God for His mercy. With our fallen natures it is common to become uncharitable, and to retaliate upon those who impose upon us. It requires no exertion to smite back when one is smitten. But when we study the designs of our Creator we are lead to understand that we should cultivate long-suffering and charity. Some of the Saints think that those who do not see and act as they do will not be saved. This is a contracted and mistaken idea. There are many Latter-day Saints who imagine this is the only people in whom the Lord takes any special interest. A man to be honest must respect the rights of all mankind. A man who will defraud an enemy is as dishonest as one who wrongs one of his own kind. The fact that the Latter-day Saints have expended hundreds of thousands of dollars for the erection of temples for the performance of vicarious work for the dead, shows that they are not exclusive and narrow. The principles that have come to us inform us that every human being who has not committed murder nor the sin against the Holy Ghost, will be redeemed with a salvation of some degree.
The speaker here read from the revelation given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon at Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, on February 18th, 1832. It is entitled a vision, and exhibits the magnitude of God’s mercy in providing salvation for all the human family except the sons of perdition, who will persist in being a law unto themselves instead of being governed by law. [See Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 76.]
Right here let me remark that one of the strongest evidences that has ever been introduced, to my mind, of the truth of the Gospel and divinity of Christ, is the energy and zeal with which men who have once received the truth and then turned their backs upon it, labor against this work. I have heard of men saying that they would give all they possessed on earth if they could only prove that “Mormonism” was not true. What benefit would it be to any man on earth who has never received the truth to prove that “Mormonism” was not true? There can be no benefit come to him. There can be no benefit come to his family. There can be no benefit to mankind to prove that “Mormonism” is a fraud. But to the man that has received the testimony of Jesus Christ, to the man that has been able to lay hand son the sick in the name of the Savior, and by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood rebuke disease and command that person to be made whole, I say that when this person denies the power of Almighty God then the benefit that would come to him by destroying the Gospel would be the relief of his own conscience. But the dread and fear of the testimony that still burns within his heart and that he is a fallen being, can never be wiped away until the Church and Kingdom of God can be destroyed.
Does Satan believe in the Gospel? Yes, he does, and that is what causes him to fear and fight against it. Do men who have ministered in the name of Jesus Christ and have committed sin and denied the power of the Gospel to say, know in their hearts that the Gospel is true and that it will triumph over every power on earth? Yes they do. I know of one man who confessed that he was a fallen being, and that because of his sin he would have to suffer. He was called upon by a friend, and this friend said to him that he had said the Gospel was not true and that the Latter-day Saints are deluded. This friend referred him to a mission he had filled in Great Britain and said he; “I have traveled with you and have heard you prophesy in the name of the Lord and I have lived to see your prophecy fulfilled. I have seen you lay hands upon the sick and through your faith I have seen them healed. Now tell me, where is that authority gone? Tell me in your increased intelligence, and bear your testimony in the sight of Almighty God that you do know that when you bore testimony of the truth of the truth of the Gospel that you lied. Tell me that it is by your superior wisdom that you know what you testified of, saw and heard, is false. Go, lay your hands today upon the sick and command them to be made whole by the power of the Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ. My friend, you dare not do it; you are a fallen creature; you have had your commission from heaven revoked; you dare not administer in the power of the holy Priesthood.”
Did this man stand up in the might and power of the holy priesthood and contradict what had been said? No, but he wept like a little child; and he stood up and bore his testimony that he knew the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith was true, and that he had lost his faith in the Gospel through his own transgression.
I bear my testimony to you here to-day in all humility that if you keep the commandments of God through your faithfulness you shall receive a testimony of the truth of the Gospel and that testimony will endure and last within you through all time and all eternity.
When we learn that the Gospel of Christ is so broad and comprehensive in its character that in the due time of the Lord it will save in the telestial kingdom those who have been liars, sorcerers, whoremongers, adulterers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, truly our hearts should expand in gratitude to God for His goodness, mercy and great kindness unto us and all His creatures here upon the earth.
We, as Latter-day Saints, have started out for an exaltation in the celestial kingdom. We desire to be heirs—even joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are not seeking for an exaltation in the telestial kingdom. We are not seeking to be separated throughout all eternity from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But we are seeking for the highest exaltation that it is possible for man to attain unto. And there is but one way that we will ever reach it; that is by fulfilling the celestial law of God.
The Lord told Joseph Smith that every blessing we receive here upon earth or in heaven is predicated upon laws which were formed before the foundation of the earth. And unless we live up to the laws that God has revealed unto us, we will not attain unto the celestial glory in His Kingdom. There is no happiness that can come to the human heart that can compare with the testimony of Jesus Christ. There is no labor that you and I can engage in that will bring that same happiness to our hearts as the labor for the salvation of the human family. There is no joy that will surpass that influence which comes from the heart when forgiveness is made for trespasses against you. There is nothing that will make you more miserable than to harbor in your heart hatred and ill feelings towards any man; for the Gospel teaches us to be charitable and forgiving to all.
I pray for that discerning spirit and that feeling that will cause us to select and cherish the shining parts of a man’s character.
I realize that it is natural to find fault and tear down. It is easy to destroy, and a difficult matter to improve, build up and see our own faults. The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to be charitable, to be kind to others; and if we have any fault to find, to find it with ourselves. I care not how severely you may criticise yourself.
There is a little verse which I have heard sung, and as I think it very appropriate, I will repeat it:
“That in self-judgment if you find,
Your deeds to others are superior,
To you, has Providence been kind,
As you should be to those inferior,
Example sheds a genial ray
Of light, which men are apt to borrow
So first improve yourself today,
And then improve your friends tomorrow.”
I pray that God, our Eternal Father, will inspire us with a desire to keep His commandments and to bless us with His power and ability to overcome the weaknesses and imperfections, and with that power to so live that we may be worthy of His Gospel.
The choir sang the anthem: Jehovah’s Praise.
Benediction by President A. O. Smoot.
Third Day. Morning Session, Saturday, April 7.
Singing:
With all my powers of heart and tongue
I’ll praise my Maker in my song,
Angels shall hear the notes I raise,
Approve the song and join the praise.
Prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Singing:
Shall I, for fear of feeble men,
The Spirit’s course in me restrain?
Or, undismayed in deed and word,
Be a true witness for my Lord.
Singing:
With all my powers of heart and tongue
I’ll praise my Maker in my song,
Angels shall hear the notes I raise,
Approve the song and join the praise.
Prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Singing:
Shall I, for fear of feeble men,
The Spirit’s course in me restrain?
Or, undismayed in deed and word,
Be a true witness for my Lord.
Elder John Nicholson
spoke on the present situation of the Saints and entered into an elucidation of the causes of the people of God being surrounded with perplexity. He showed the necessity of the people being governed in their course as individuals and as a community by the principles of self-sacrifice, which was the basis of Christianity. The inconsistencies exhibited by many of the Elders and Saints were referred to, the speaker holding that the preaching of practical righteousness was highly needful and that repentance was in order.
spoke on the present situation of the Saints and entered into an elucidation of the causes of the people of God being surrounded with perplexity. He showed the necessity of the people being governed in their course as individuals and as a community by the principles of self-sacrifice, which was the basis of Christianity. The inconsistencies exhibited by many of the Elders and Saints were referred to, the speaker holding that the preaching of practical righteousness was highly needful and that repentance was in order.
Elder William M. Palmer
addressed the conference: there is a spirit in man by which the things of man are understood, but the things of God are only known by the Spirit of God. Hence the necessity of the Saints being in possession of the Spirit of the Lord. The remarks of the previous speaker are true and questions treated by him are of mighty importance to us. The influences brought to bear upon the people now for their destruction are similar to those which were brought to bear upon the ancient saints in the days of Christ and the Apostles. The kingdom of God will not, however, be thrown down in these days. There is no promise to the effect that individuals will not be overthrown. Peter was enabled to say by the spirit of revelation, that Jesus was Christ the son of the living God. On the rock of revelation the Lord built his church. This has been done in our day, and it cannot be successfully demolished. The primitive church was prevailed against. That is not to be the case with it as established in the latter-days, as prophetically referred to by Jesus. The speaker gave a lucid explanation of the introduction of the fulness of the everlasting gospel, with all its gifts, powers and authority through the prophet Joseph Smith. He quoted largely from the scriptures in support of his statements. It was shown that the Lord proposed to purge out the hypocrete from Zion, and cleanse her from all impurity. Those who oppose her progress do not always appear to do so actively; they injure her cause by seeking the attainment of selfish ends rather than the advancement of the general weal. They make merchandise of the things of the kingdom of heaven. The scriptures show that this land was intended as a possession for the Saints. Why should it now be the special object of every Latter-day Saint to establish His work here according to His design, and not take a course to thwart that purpose. The crimes and follies of the world are being introduced here, and we must be careful not to use our influence in favor of their spread.
The above is necessarily an incomplete synopsis of Elder Palmer’s remarks, which contained many excellent ideas. He bore testimony to having received a witness of the truth.
addressed the conference: there is a spirit in man by which the things of man are understood, but the things of God are only known by the Spirit of God. Hence the necessity of the Saints being in possession of the Spirit of the Lord. The remarks of the previous speaker are true and questions treated by him are of mighty importance to us. The influences brought to bear upon the people now for their destruction are similar to those which were brought to bear upon the ancient saints in the days of Christ and the Apostles. The kingdom of God will not, however, be thrown down in these days. There is no promise to the effect that individuals will not be overthrown. Peter was enabled to say by the spirit of revelation, that Jesus was Christ the son of the living God. On the rock of revelation the Lord built his church. This has been done in our day, and it cannot be successfully demolished. The primitive church was prevailed against. That is not to be the case with it as established in the latter-days, as prophetically referred to by Jesus. The speaker gave a lucid explanation of the introduction of the fulness of the everlasting gospel, with all its gifts, powers and authority through the prophet Joseph Smith. He quoted largely from the scriptures in support of his statements. It was shown that the Lord proposed to purge out the hypocrete from Zion, and cleanse her from all impurity. Those who oppose her progress do not always appear to do so actively; they injure her cause by seeking the attainment of selfish ends rather than the advancement of the general weal. They make merchandise of the things of the kingdom of heaven. The scriptures show that this land was intended as a possession for the Saints. Why should it now be the special object of every Latter-day Saint to establish His work here according to His design, and not take a course to thwart that purpose. The crimes and follies of the world are being introduced here, and we must be careful not to use our influence in favor of their spread.
The above is necessarily an incomplete synopsis of Elder Palmer’s remarks, which contained many excellent ideas. He bore testimony to having received a witness of the truth.
Elder Karl G. Measer.
The Saints have come from various parts of Zion, and the time to be spent here in Conference is precious. All that is spoken must be to the point, that the people may carry away treasures of wisdom. In this way good may be accomplished under the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. The testimonies this morning have gone through me like living fire. I testify to their truth. My labors ever since I became identified with this work have been before small audiences, and especially the youth. My testimony of the truth of this work is always with me. I hope it will remain to the end of my days. While listening this morning many ideas passed through my mind. My soul was filled with anxiety at the foolish course some of the brethren were taking; not only in reference to their inheritances, but in relation to the welfare of the Saints. Yet I feel serene, as God will overrule all things. But this does not exonerate any one for pursuing a foolish course. It seems as if it was the plan of our Father to teach the people by experience the necessity of adopting the principle of self-sacrifice. There are many who have apparently received the Gospel who overlook the principle of self-sacrifice and seek their own advantage in place of that of the community. There are certain principles that have to be incorporated within our comprehension. This is one that we have to learn. The Savior made it the corner stone of our salvation.
Of late Satan has studied the affairs of this people with a cunning eye, and we have been to some extent like ancient Israel in the absence of Moses. Some of us have begun to build the golden calf and worship it. Is there one so poor and low down in the scale of esteem as to exercise no influence over anybody? If there are none such as this there is influence you can exercise. For its use each and all will be held responsible. In behalf of the youth I implore that you lead out in an example that can be followed by your children, that your memory may be held in blessed remembrance. I know of men who have been spending years and years for the accumulation of wealth. Many men of God have been rich and powerful like Abraham of old. To them I do not refer, I allude to those who have been absorbed in the pursuit of wealth and have in consequence lost their children. They stand alone like a tree in the desert. This is a sad spectacle. May the Lord bless the leaders and the fathers in Israel and all the Saints.
The choir sang:
Guide us, O thou great Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
The Saints have come from various parts of Zion, and the time to be spent here in Conference is precious. All that is spoken must be to the point, that the people may carry away treasures of wisdom. In this way good may be accomplished under the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. The testimonies this morning have gone through me like living fire. I testify to their truth. My labors ever since I became identified with this work have been before small audiences, and especially the youth. My testimony of the truth of this work is always with me. I hope it will remain to the end of my days. While listening this morning many ideas passed through my mind. My soul was filled with anxiety at the foolish course some of the brethren were taking; not only in reference to their inheritances, but in relation to the welfare of the Saints. Yet I feel serene, as God will overrule all things. But this does not exonerate any one for pursuing a foolish course. It seems as if it was the plan of our Father to teach the people by experience the necessity of adopting the principle of self-sacrifice. There are many who have apparently received the Gospel who overlook the principle of self-sacrifice and seek their own advantage in place of that of the community. There are certain principles that have to be incorporated within our comprehension. This is one that we have to learn. The Savior made it the corner stone of our salvation.
Of late Satan has studied the affairs of this people with a cunning eye, and we have been to some extent like ancient Israel in the absence of Moses. Some of us have begun to build the golden calf and worship it. Is there one so poor and low down in the scale of esteem as to exercise no influence over anybody? If there are none such as this there is influence you can exercise. For its use each and all will be held responsible. In behalf of the youth I implore that you lead out in an example that can be followed by your children, that your memory may be held in blessed remembrance. I know of men who have been spending years and years for the accumulation of wealth. Many men of God have been rich and powerful like Abraham of old. To them I do not refer, I allude to those who have been absorbed in the pursuit of wealth and have in consequence lost their children. They stand alone like a tree in the desert. This is a sad spectacle. May the Lord bless the leaders and the fathers in Israel and all the Saints.
The choir sang:
Guide us, O thou great Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
Afternoon Session, 2 p.m.
Singing:
Hark! ye mortals,
Hist! be still,
Voices from Cumorah’s hill,
Break the silence of the tomb
Penetrate the dreadful gloom.
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
The hymn beginning as follows was sung:
Who are these arrayed in white,
Brighter than the noonday sun,
Foremost of the sons of light,
Nearest the eternal throne?
Singing:
Hark! ye mortals,
Hist! be still,
Voices from Cumorah’s hill,
Break the silence of the tomb
Penetrate the dreadful gloom.
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
The hymn beginning as follows was sung:
Who are these arrayed in white,
Brighter than the noonday sun,
Foremost of the sons of light,
Nearest the eternal throne?
Bishop Orson F. Whitney
read in a clear and distinct voice the following
Epistle.
To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in General Conference assembled.
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
At each of the past six General Conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there has been an Epistle from the Presidency of the Church read to the assembled officers and Saints and published for the benefit of those who were prevented from being present at the Conference. The reasons for this are well known to the Church and the world. A number of the Apostles have been unable to personally attend these Conference or other open gatherings. Their voices have not been heard instructing, encouraging, strengthening and warning the Saints, or in the discharge of the other public duties which devolve upon them in connection with their ministry. It was proper, therefore, that Epistles should be written to the Church in which counsel could be given and testimony be borne. While this condition of affairs, so far as these Apostles are concerned, still remains unchanged, the instructions upon general subjects in the previous Epistles are so copious, and apply so directly to the entire lives and surroundings of the Saints, that we deem it not necessary to repeat them at the present time or to write a lengthy Epistle.
Opposition Confronting the Saints
No people of whom we have any knowledge have been called upon to pass through such scenes and to have such a peculiar experience as the Latter-day Saints. The trials and difficulties we have had to contend with, so numerous and so varied in character, have scarcely been equaled in our generation. But those we have had to meet during the past three or four years, and which still confront us, are new even in our experience. They have come upon us in a new shape. Originating in the same source, prompted by the same spirit, and designed for the same end, as other plans which have been put into operation for our injury and overthrow, the present attack which is made upon us, differs largely in many of its features and methods from anything we have ever had to encounter. We have been led to expect from the beginning that as the work of God grew and developed in the earth, the resistance to it would become more formidable and widespread, would increase in intensity and vigor, and bring into antagonism to it more influential powers. This has ever been the voice of prophecy and testimony unto us concerning the future of the work of God which we have espoused. If, then, we have not been prepared for these trials which we now have to overcome, it has not been because we have not been warned of their approach. By the testimony of His Spirit and by the voices of His faithful servants. God has given His people ample time for preparation. And the Latter-day Saints who have lived so as to enjoy the spirit of their religion have expected, and have prepared themselves to meet, such trials as have come upon us, and others which may yet be in reserve for us before the final victory is achieved over Satan and the embattled powers of darkness.
The Privilege of Revelation.
It is this pre-knowledge which God has given concerning His work, and which he constantly imparts as it is needed to His people which is one of the chief causes of the strength possessed by the Latter-day Saints. It is the principle of revelation from the Head of the Church to the Church itself—a principle which in its operation is not confined to one man, or to three men, or to twelve men, but is extended to every individual in the Church, in greater or less degree, as each one chooses to avail himself of it. There is an appointed way, however, by which revelation from the Lord for the government of His Church is received. There is but one man on the earth, at a time, who holds this power. But every individual member has the privilege of receiving revelation from the Lord for his guidance in his own affairs and to testify to him concerning the correctness of public teachings and movements.
The great promise which accompanies the preaching of the Gospel, as revealed from heaven in our day, is that the Holy Ghost will be bestowed upon the sincerely penitent who obey its holy ordinances. Through the Holy Ghost a knowledge of things past, present and to come is communicated and the mind and will of the Father made known. In this way the Almighty reveals His purposes to those who obey His commandments and whose lives are pure and acceptable before Him, so that they can be prepared for all the events and trials that may lie in their pathway.
If there are any members of the Church who do not know by their own experience that this is true, they may be assured that they do not live up to their privileges. All Saints should be in close communion with the Holy Ghost, and, through it, with the Father, or there is danger of their being overcome of evil and falling by the wayside.
We, therefore, say to the Latter-day Saints: The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unholy tabernacle. If you would enjoy the full powers and gifts of your religion, you must be pure. If you are guilty of weaknesses, follies and sins, you must repent of them; that is, you must thoroughly forsake them. In no other way can we please God. “Man of holiness” is His name, and He delights in the efforts of His children to be pure.
Absence of Officers of the Church.
We feel led to speak in this strain, for the reason that while the Latter-day Saints in order to prosper in their religion and to increase in the knowledge of God must always live close to Him, the present is an extraordinary time which appears to require more help and strength from the Lord than usual. The Church has been left, as never for so long a time before, without the public ministrations of a number of the men to whom its members have looked for instruction and counsel. Not only has the number of the Apostles who could minister in public been greatly reduced, but the same causes which have relegated them to seclusion have had the effect to keep many Presidents of Stakes and their counselors, Bishops and their counselors, as well as High Councilors and other active men in the priesthood, from officiating in their callings. The people have felt the absence of these men and the loss of their teachings and guidance. But has the Lord, on this account forgotten His people? No, certainly not. The prayers of the faithful men of God, who have been prevented from ministering to the people, and whose hearts have been full of love and earnest desire for their welfare, have been constantly offered to the Lord that He would have mercy on His flock, that He would make up to them, by the more abundant outpouring of His Holy Spirit, for the deprivation to which they have been subjected is not having the presence of many of His servants among them.
The Hand and Purposes of God.
The Savior said, “It is impossible but that offences will come; but,” he added, “woe unto them through whom they come.” In our case offences have come, and it has appeared that we could not avoid them. Shall we not acknowledge the hand of God in that which has taken place in our land and which affects us so deeply? We who have seen in all our affairs, and in all the events which have happened to us, His providence so visibly manifested, must feel that the occurrences of the past three or four years have been permitted by Him for a wise purpose. We cannot suppose that these happening have been by chance and without a design. God has not so dealt with us in the past. Mysterious as have been many things when we had them to encounter, time has never failed to throw light upon and explain them. When they happened we, perhaps, acknowledged the hand of the Lord in them, because of the Lord having said we should do so; but this was upon the principle of faith. Afterwards, however, we have looked back to these events, and seeing how wondrously God had wrought, we, in the fullness of our hearts and in view of the results, have acknowledged, not in faith but in developed knowledge, that God’s hand was in all that had occurred. So with the experience, painful though it be, which we are now gaining.
God has a purpose to accomplish in permitting the treatment which we have received. Whatever the result to others who have prompted and been active in pushing it, to us it cannot be anything but profitable and beneficial if we receive it in the right spirit and bear it patiently. One good effect is apparent. The Latter-day Saints are compelled, perhaps to a greater extent than ever before, to think and act for themselves and not to depend so much upon others to lead them. Some, not having lived so as to have the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost, may stumble and fall. But those who have lived up to their privileges will find that God has not forgotten His promises and has not left His people to themselves, nor without a testimony as to the course they should pursue.
The Saints Must be Tested.
The pathway of the people of God has been beset with difficulties. They have been environed with dangers. Dark clouds have almost enshrouded them. But amidst all these, the still, small voice of the Spirit of God has been heard. His Saints have had a testimony from Him that the course they have been led to take is the right one and that He will never fail to make known His mind and will to them so long as they live up to His requirements.
I appears plain that it is God’s purpose to suffer His Saints to be thoroughly tried and tested, so that they may prove their integrity and know the character of the foundation upon which they build. Many things have occurred during the last twelve months which are well adapted to test the faith and integrity of the people. It does not seem possible that those who do not live so as to have the light of the Holy Ghost shining in their souls can escape doubts and fears concerning the work of God. So many things have occurred which are entirely different to pre-conceived notions as to the course that would be taken in building up Zion that each one needs to have a knowledge for himself to clearly understand that God is leading us in the paths which we are now pursuing. To some who are inclined to despond and to take a gloomy view of affairs, the ship Zion may, perhaps, appear to be drifting away from its old moorings, because things are being done or movements consented to which, to their eyes, portend disaster to us and to the work of God.
Unjust Criticism.
There has always been a few among us who have been filled with evil forebodings, and who have failed to see the wisdom of God in the steps which His people have been led to take. They have questioned and found fault with the counsel that has been given and the measures which have been adopted, and have asserted that revelation had ceased and the Saints were no longer guided by men to whom God made known His will. The prophet Joseph during his lifetime did not escape the criticism and censure of this class. He was often accused of being a fallen prophet and of leading the Church astray. During the long presidency of President Brigham Young, the same charges were made, and many apostatized because they believed, as they stated, that he was no longer led by the Lord. Experience has proved that in all such cases those who make these accusations are themselves in the dark.
But the faithful people—those who have lived strictly in accordance with their profession as Saints and with the requirements of the Gospel—have not been assailed by doubts of this character. There might be many things which they could not clearly understand, the reasons for which might not be fully apparent to them at the time; but possessing the Spirit of God, and being led by it, they trusted in the Lord and felt satisfied to leave the management of His kingdom and its affairs to His supreme wisdom. Time developed to their minds the correctness of the course which the Church had been led to adopt. This has occurred so frequently in our career that the instances will readily suggest themselves to those familiar with our history. In this way, however, the faith of the people has been constantly tested.
The Anointing the Saints Have Received.
The Apostle John, in speaking to the Saints in this day, said: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
The Saints in our day have received the same anointing and they should be in a position to not be dependent upon man to teach and tell them that which is right. They have had a flood of instruction given to them in days that are past. This instruction has covered the entire policy of building up the kingdom of God on the earth. Of this continued instruction they have been to a great extent deprived of late. It has appeared to be the design of Providence that they should be left to show to the heavens, to each other and to the world whether the truths they have been taught have had the proper effect upon them, or not—whether when left to a certain extent to themselves they will be governed in their daily lives and acts by principle—principle to the truth of which testimony has been borne by the Holy Ghost—or by the spirit and customs of Babylon by which they are surrounded, but from which they are supposed to be gathered out.
Necessity of Self-Examination.
The present is an appropriate time for each member of the Church to indulge in self-examination—to measure his conduct and life in the full light of the heavenly principles revealed to us. Ours is no ordinary calling. Great opportunities and privileges have been bestowed upon us. To us, as a people, has been entrusted the grand and glorious labor of laying the foundation of the kingdom of God upon the earth. Every act of our lives should be performed with this in view. Nothing should be done by any one calling himself a Latter-day Saint that will conflict with the policy which God has announced as proper to be adopted in establishing that kingdom. In this connection there are questions which each one should ask himself: Do I, in all my words and influence and in all the transactions of my life, constantly keep before me the advancement and prosperity of the Zion of God as the first and most important consideration? Do I, through covetousness or a desire for personal profit and advantage, depart from that line of conduct which God, through His Spirit and the teachings of His servants, has said His Saints should follow? Do I, by my words and acts, set such an example before my family that my children will grow up to manhood and womanhood fully imbued with a love of Zion and with an understanding of the principles upon which Zion will be built up.
Many more questions of a similar character each one can ask himself in the process of self-examination. If these can be answered correctly, there need be no fears indulged in concerning the effect of the Edmunds-Tucker law, the confiscation suits, the state movement, the “boom” as it is called, or any other measure which may be adopted either in favor of or against the Zion of God. Respecting all these movements, about which there is more or less agitation and concern and perhaps excitement, there need be no fear if the Latter-day Saints will only be true to the covenants they have made with their God and strictly carry out the principles which He has told us must govern us in the building up of His Zion.
Consequences of Forgetting Covenants.
If, however, we forget our covenants, and depart from and disregard the teachings which He has given us, then be assured, Latter-day Saints, our position is full of peril to us. God’s purposes will not be thwarted; but we shall be scourged, and those who persist in this course will be rejected and be deprived of all share in the blessings promised to Zion. Where those professing to be Latter-day Saints knowingly and flagrantly act in contravention of the counsels which he has given us, then we have cause to fear and the plots of the wicked against us, joined by the foolish disobedience and rebellion of professed Saints, become a serious menace to the peace, prosperity and progress of Zion.
Praying the Lord to endow every officer of the Church who desires to magnify his calling, with every gift and qualification which belongs to the Priesthood which he bears, and to fill the members of the Church with the Holy Ghost and its gifts.
I remain your Brother and Servant in Christ Jesus,
Wilford Woodruff,
In behalf of the Quorum of the Twelve.
April 6th, 1888.
read in a clear and distinct voice the following
Epistle.
To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in General Conference assembled.
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
At each of the past six General Conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there has been an Epistle from the Presidency of the Church read to the assembled officers and Saints and published for the benefit of those who were prevented from being present at the Conference. The reasons for this are well known to the Church and the world. A number of the Apostles have been unable to personally attend these Conference or other open gatherings. Their voices have not been heard instructing, encouraging, strengthening and warning the Saints, or in the discharge of the other public duties which devolve upon them in connection with their ministry. It was proper, therefore, that Epistles should be written to the Church in which counsel could be given and testimony be borne. While this condition of affairs, so far as these Apostles are concerned, still remains unchanged, the instructions upon general subjects in the previous Epistles are so copious, and apply so directly to the entire lives and surroundings of the Saints, that we deem it not necessary to repeat them at the present time or to write a lengthy Epistle.
Opposition Confronting the Saints
No people of whom we have any knowledge have been called upon to pass through such scenes and to have such a peculiar experience as the Latter-day Saints. The trials and difficulties we have had to contend with, so numerous and so varied in character, have scarcely been equaled in our generation. But those we have had to meet during the past three or four years, and which still confront us, are new even in our experience. They have come upon us in a new shape. Originating in the same source, prompted by the same spirit, and designed for the same end, as other plans which have been put into operation for our injury and overthrow, the present attack which is made upon us, differs largely in many of its features and methods from anything we have ever had to encounter. We have been led to expect from the beginning that as the work of God grew and developed in the earth, the resistance to it would become more formidable and widespread, would increase in intensity and vigor, and bring into antagonism to it more influential powers. This has ever been the voice of prophecy and testimony unto us concerning the future of the work of God which we have espoused. If, then, we have not been prepared for these trials which we now have to overcome, it has not been because we have not been warned of their approach. By the testimony of His Spirit and by the voices of His faithful servants. God has given His people ample time for preparation. And the Latter-day Saints who have lived so as to enjoy the spirit of their religion have expected, and have prepared themselves to meet, such trials as have come upon us, and others which may yet be in reserve for us before the final victory is achieved over Satan and the embattled powers of darkness.
The Privilege of Revelation.
It is this pre-knowledge which God has given concerning His work, and which he constantly imparts as it is needed to His people which is one of the chief causes of the strength possessed by the Latter-day Saints. It is the principle of revelation from the Head of the Church to the Church itself—a principle which in its operation is not confined to one man, or to three men, or to twelve men, but is extended to every individual in the Church, in greater or less degree, as each one chooses to avail himself of it. There is an appointed way, however, by which revelation from the Lord for the government of His Church is received. There is but one man on the earth, at a time, who holds this power. But every individual member has the privilege of receiving revelation from the Lord for his guidance in his own affairs and to testify to him concerning the correctness of public teachings and movements.
The great promise which accompanies the preaching of the Gospel, as revealed from heaven in our day, is that the Holy Ghost will be bestowed upon the sincerely penitent who obey its holy ordinances. Through the Holy Ghost a knowledge of things past, present and to come is communicated and the mind and will of the Father made known. In this way the Almighty reveals His purposes to those who obey His commandments and whose lives are pure and acceptable before Him, so that they can be prepared for all the events and trials that may lie in their pathway.
If there are any members of the Church who do not know by their own experience that this is true, they may be assured that they do not live up to their privileges. All Saints should be in close communion with the Holy Ghost, and, through it, with the Father, or there is danger of their being overcome of evil and falling by the wayside.
We, therefore, say to the Latter-day Saints: The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unholy tabernacle. If you would enjoy the full powers and gifts of your religion, you must be pure. If you are guilty of weaknesses, follies and sins, you must repent of them; that is, you must thoroughly forsake them. In no other way can we please God. “Man of holiness” is His name, and He delights in the efforts of His children to be pure.
Absence of Officers of the Church.
We feel led to speak in this strain, for the reason that while the Latter-day Saints in order to prosper in their religion and to increase in the knowledge of God must always live close to Him, the present is an extraordinary time which appears to require more help and strength from the Lord than usual. The Church has been left, as never for so long a time before, without the public ministrations of a number of the men to whom its members have looked for instruction and counsel. Not only has the number of the Apostles who could minister in public been greatly reduced, but the same causes which have relegated them to seclusion have had the effect to keep many Presidents of Stakes and their counselors, Bishops and their counselors, as well as High Councilors and other active men in the priesthood, from officiating in their callings. The people have felt the absence of these men and the loss of their teachings and guidance. But has the Lord, on this account forgotten His people? No, certainly not. The prayers of the faithful men of God, who have been prevented from ministering to the people, and whose hearts have been full of love and earnest desire for their welfare, have been constantly offered to the Lord that He would have mercy on His flock, that He would make up to them, by the more abundant outpouring of His Holy Spirit, for the deprivation to which they have been subjected is not having the presence of many of His servants among them.
The Hand and Purposes of God.
The Savior said, “It is impossible but that offences will come; but,” he added, “woe unto them through whom they come.” In our case offences have come, and it has appeared that we could not avoid them. Shall we not acknowledge the hand of God in that which has taken place in our land and which affects us so deeply? We who have seen in all our affairs, and in all the events which have happened to us, His providence so visibly manifested, must feel that the occurrences of the past three or four years have been permitted by Him for a wise purpose. We cannot suppose that these happening have been by chance and without a design. God has not so dealt with us in the past. Mysterious as have been many things when we had them to encounter, time has never failed to throw light upon and explain them. When they happened we, perhaps, acknowledged the hand of the Lord in them, because of the Lord having said we should do so; but this was upon the principle of faith. Afterwards, however, we have looked back to these events, and seeing how wondrously God had wrought, we, in the fullness of our hearts and in view of the results, have acknowledged, not in faith but in developed knowledge, that God’s hand was in all that had occurred. So with the experience, painful though it be, which we are now gaining.
God has a purpose to accomplish in permitting the treatment which we have received. Whatever the result to others who have prompted and been active in pushing it, to us it cannot be anything but profitable and beneficial if we receive it in the right spirit and bear it patiently. One good effect is apparent. The Latter-day Saints are compelled, perhaps to a greater extent than ever before, to think and act for themselves and not to depend so much upon others to lead them. Some, not having lived so as to have the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost, may stumble and fall. But those who have lived up to their privileges will find that God has not forgotten His promises and has not left His people to themselves, nor without a testimony as to the course they should pursue.
The Saints Must be Tested.
The pathway of the people of God has been beset with difficulties. They have been environed with dangers. Dark clouds have almost enshrouded them. But amidst all these, the still, small voice of the Spirit of God has been heard. His Saints have had a testimony from Him that the course they have been led to take is the right one and that He will never fail to make known His mind and will to them so long as they live up to His requirements.
I appears plain that it is God’s purpose to suffer His Saints to be thoroughly tried and tested, so that they may prove their integrity and know the character of the foundation upon which they build. Many things have occurred during the last twelve months which are well adapted to test the faith and integrity of the people. It does not seem possible that those who do not live so as to have the light of the Holy Ghost shining in their souls can escape doubts and fears concerning the work of God. So many things have occurred which are entirely different to pre-conceived notions as to the course that would be taken in building up Zion that each one needs to have a knowledge for himself to clearly understand that God is leading us in the paths which we are now pursuing. To some who are inclined to despond and to take a gloomy view of affairs, the ship Zion may, perhaps, appear to be drifting away from its old moorings, because things are being done or movements consented to which, to their eyes, portend disaster to us and to the work of God.
Unjust Criticism.
There has always been a few among us who have been filled with evil forebodings, and who have failed to see the wisdom of God in the steps which His people have been led to take. They have questioned and found fault with the counsel that has been given and the measures which have been adopted, and have asserted that revelation had ceased and the Saints were no longer guided by men to whom God made known His will. The prophet Joseph during his lifetime did not escape the criticism and censure of this class. He was often accused of being a fallen prophet and of leading the Church astray. During the long presidency of President Brigham Young, the same charges were made, and many apostatized because they believed, as they stated, that he was no longer led by the Lord. Experience has proved that in all such cases those who make these accusations are themselves in the dark.
But the faithful people—those who have lived strictly in accordance with their profession as Saints and with the requirements of the Gospel—have not been assailed by doubts of this character. There might be many things which they could not clearly understand, the reasons for which might not be fully apparent to them at the time; but possessing the Spirit of God, and being led by it, they trusted in the Lord and felt satisfied to leave the management of His kingdom and its affairs to His supreme wisdom. Time developed to their minds the correctness of the course which the Church had been led to adopt. This has occurred so frequently in our career that the instances will readily suggest themselves to those familiar with our history. In this way, however, the faith of the people has been constantly tested.
The Anointing the Saints Have Received.
The Apostle John, in speaking to the Saints in this day, said: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
The Saints in our day have received the same anointing and they should be in a position to not be dependent upon man to teach and tell them that which is right. They have had a flood of instruction given to them in days that are past. This instruction has covered the entire policy of building up the kingdom of God on the earth. Of this continued instruction they have been to a great extent deprived of late. It has appeared to be the design of Providence that they should be left to show to the heavens, to each other and to the world whether the truths they have been taught have had the proper effect upon them, or not—whether when left to a certain extent to themselves they will be governed in their daily lives and acts by principle—principle to the truth of which testimony has been borne by the Holy Ghost—or by the spirit and customs of Babylon by which they are surrounded, but from which they are supposed to be gathered out.
Necessity of Self-Examination.
The present is an appropriate time for each member of the Church to indulge in self-examination—to measure his conduct and life in the full light of the heavenly principles revealed to us. Ours is no ordinary calling. Great opportunities and privileges have been bestowed upon us. To us, as a people, has been entrusted the grand and glorious labor of laying the foundation of the kingdom of God upon the earth. Every act of our lives should be performed with this in view. Nothing should be done by any one calling himself a Latter-day Saint that will conflict with the policy which God has announced as proper to be adopted in establishing that kingdom. In this connection there are questions which each one should ask himself: Do I, in all my words and influence and in all the transactions of my life, constantly keep before me the advancement and prosperity of the Zion of God as the first and most important consideration? Do I, through covetousness or a desire for personal profit and advantage, depart from that line of conduct which God, through His Spirit and the teachings of His servants, has said His Saints should follow? Do I, by my words and acts, set such an example before my family that my children will grow up to manhood and womanhood fully imbued with a love of Zion and with an understanding of the principles upon which Zion will be built up.
Many more questions of a similar character each one can ask himself in the process of self-examination. If these can be answered correctly, there need be no fears indulged in concerning the effect of the Edmunds-Tucker law, the confiscation suits, the state movement, the “boom” as it is called, or any other measure which may be adopted either in favor of or against the Zion of God. Respecting all these movements, about which there is more or less agitation and concern and perhaps excitement, there need be no fear if the Latter-day Saints will only be true to the covenants they have made with their God and strictly carry out the principles which He has told us must govern us in the building up of His Zion.
Consequences of Forgetting Covenants.
If, however, we forget our covenants, and depart from and disregard the teachings which He has given us, then be assured, Latter-day Saints, our position is full of peril to us. God’s purposes will not be thwarted; but we shall be scourged, and those who persist in this course will be rejected and be deprived of all share in the blessings promised to Zion. Where those professing to be Latter-day Saints knowingly and flagrantly act in contravention of the counsels which he has given us, then we have cause to fear and the plots of the wicked against us, joined by the foolish disobedience and rebellion of professed Saints, become a serious menace to the peace, prosperity and progress of Zion.
Praying the Lord to endow every officer of the Church who desires to magnify his calling, with every gift and qualification which belongs to the Priesthood which he bears, and to fill the members of the Church with the Holy Ghost and its gifts.
I remain your Brother and Servant in Christ Jesus,
Wilford Woodruff,
In behalf of the Quorum of the Twelve.
April 6th, 1888.
After the reading of the Epistle
Bishop O. F. Whitney
spoke substantially as follows:
It is the request of President Snow that I should occupy a portion of the time in speaking. I assure you I do this only in the hope that you will sustain me by your faith and prayers, that what I may say may be the offspring of the Spirit of Truth. There is no subject of such importance as the possession of the Holy Ghost. To secure it has been strongly enjoined upon us by the Epistle which you have just heard read. We have been left in the darkness of this world with this Spirit as our guide. We have been left of late more than ever before to listen to its promptings. We are told that there is a light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Wherever we go we will find the offspring of God manifesting this light in various degrees of intensity. The great difference between the Saints and rest of mankind is that a channel of communication has been opened up between heaven and earth. The Priesthood has been restored and by the power thereof men have gone abroad preaching a restored gospel. It is the same gospel that was preached and practiced in olden times. It was possessed by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and other holy men. It was taken from the earth in the days of Moses because of the hardness of heart and unbelief of the people, and the law of carnal commandments left, that the descendants of the ancients might be prepared for the fulness of the Gospel in later times. This time the Gospel will never be taken from the earth until it is redeemed. The Saints are required to prepare for the coming of Christ when He shall come in power and great glory to take the reins of government; and this globe will be celestialized and become the eternal home of the people of God in all ages. The Lord showed Abraham the intelligences He had organized before the world was, and showed other Prophets His work from beginning to end. Enoch was informed that the inhabitants of the Holy City that bears his name would descend in the latter days and join with the new Jerusalem on the earth, and the meeting would be one of great joy. Are we asleep that we can sit down and devote ourselves to the pleasures and ways of this world with such a stern and glorious prospect before us? How is it with us saints, especially in Salt Lake City? The line of demarcation which divides the Church of Christ from the world grows thinner and thinner every day. We are “living after the manner of the world.” We have gathered from the four quarters of the earth in obedience to the command of God “Come out of her my people.” But no one who listened to the words spoken here this morning can fail to see that the object of the gathering is being partially destroyed. It behooves us to call a halt, and obey the words of this Epistle. We must come out of Babylon morally and spiritually as well as physically. Let us ask God to purge us, even though it brings us into the dust of penitence. It is better that we should suffer here rather than be placed at a disadvantage hereafter. We may well heed the wise counsel or the servants of God; of the Holy Spirit, which dwells not in unclean temples. This is the day of the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. A work of preparation is in progress. We are supposed to have come here to pave the way for that event. We are the children of Abraham. If we were to inherit the same blessings as were promised to him, we must do his works. We must be as unflinching and obedient as he was in the face of every trial, obstacle and opposition. How will the heavens weep if we fail to perform our mission. The Son of God speaking to His disciples said: “We are the salt of the earth, but if the salt hath lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted?” Because God has said this work shall stand forever, this does not give us a license to be indifferent and neglect to fulfill our great mission. High sounding words may be pleasing to the ear, out “faithful are the wounds of a friend.” A man in a day like this is not faithful in his calling who does not warn his neighbor and search and reprove his own soul. We came to the earth to learn a great lesson. We are sent here to be proved to see if we will do everything required of us. This does not mean that we shall be swayed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. It means that we shall do everything that God requires. We cannot serve God and Mammon. Where our treasure is there will our heart be also. In relation to the commands of God we should be as clay in the hands of the potter. Our selfish inclinations may often rebel against that course. We may flatter ourselves that it is the spirit of the Lord that incites to seek the attainment of selfish objects. Sometimes we may be led to mistake the spirit by which we are actuated, by practicing self-deception. There are three distinct spirits, alluded to by the Prophet Joseph—the Spirit of God, leading upward; the spirit of Satan, leading downward, and the spirit of man susceptible of being operated upon be either of those two, but man has power to resist the promptings of the tempter, hence the agency and responsibility. That which persuadeth men to do good is from God, for Satan persuadeth no man to do good, and by their fruits are all men known. Our examples and teachings should be such that they will preserve our children. If they are lost because of our unrighteous course, we will be held responsible. Many young people of honored names in Israel are growing up in ignorance of the Gospel and doing everything almost that God has forbidden. The harvest will be misery and disaster. On the other hand many are serving God, are teaching and being taught the principles of the Gospel of Christ. Their prospect of the Gospel of Christ. Their prospect is a glorious one. Life is a serious matter, yet some people act as if they viewed it as a gigantic joke. This is a day of preparation. The voice is calling: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill be made low.” The haughty and proud and they who do wickedly will be brought down and the poor and the meek shall be exalted; hence in many instances the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Liberty, equality, fraternity should be the watchwords of the hour, and our aim and effort the establishment of that order of unity and righteousness that will prepare the world for the coming of the great King.
The choir sang: The Battle Hymn of Israel.
Benediction by Elder Lorenzo D. Young.
Bishop O. F. Whitney
spoke substantially as follows:
It is the request of President Snow that I should occupy a portion of the time in speaking. I assure you I do this only in the hope that you will sustain me by your faith and prayers, that what I may say may be the offspring of the Spirit of Truth. There is no subject of such importance as the possession of the Holy Ghost. To secure it has been strongly enjoined upon us by the Epistle which you have just heard read. We have been left in the darkness of this world with this Spirit as our guide. We have been left of late more than ever before to listen to its promptings. We are told that there is a light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Wherever we go we will find the offspring of God manifesting this light in various degrees of intensity. The great difference between the Saints and rest of mankind is that a channel of communication has been opened up between heaven and earth. The Priesthood has been restored and by the power thereof men have gone abroad preaching a restored gospel. It is the same gospel that was preached and practiced in olden times. It was possessed by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and other holy men. It was taken from the earth in the days of Moses because of the hardness of heart and unbelief of the people, and the law of carnal commandments left, that the descendants of the ancients might be prepared for the fulness of the Gospel in later times. This time the Gospel will never be taken from the earth until it is redeemed. The Saints are required to prepare for the coming of Christ when He shall come in power and great glory to take the reins of government; and this globe will be celestialized and become the eternal home of the people of God in all ages. The Lord showed Abraham the intelligences He had organized before the world was, and showed other Prophets His work from beginning to end. Enoch was informed that the inhabitants of the Holy City that bears his name would descend in the latter days and join with the new Jerusalem on the earth, and the meeting would be one of great joy. Are we asleep that we can sit down and devote ourselves to the pleasures and ways of this world with such a stern and glorious prospect before us? How is it with us saints, especially in Salt Lake City? The line of demarcation which divides the Church of Christ from the world grows thinner and thinner every day. We are “living after the manner of the world.” We have gathered from the four quarters of the earth in obedience to the command of God “Come out of her my people.” But no one who listened to the words spoken here this morning can fail to see that the object of the gathering is being partially destroyed. It behooves us to call a halt, and obey the words of this Epistle. We must come out of Babylon morally and spiritually as well as physically. Let us ask God to purge us, even though it brings us into the dust of penitence. It is better that we should suffer here rather than be placed at a disadvantage hereafter. We may well heed the wise counsel or the servants of God; of the Holy Spirit, which dwells not in unclean temples. This is the day of the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. A work of preparation is in progress. We are supposed to have come here to pave the way for that event. We are the children of Abraham. If we were to inherit the same blessings as were promised to him, we must do his works. We must be as unflinching and obedient as he was in the face of every trial, obstacle and opposition. How will the heavens weep if we fail to perform our mission. The Son of God speaking to His disciples said: “We are the salt of the earth, but if the salt hath lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted?” Because God has said this work shall stand forever, this does not give us a license to be indifferent and neglect to fulfill our great mission. High sounding words may be pleasing to the ear, out “faithful are the wounds of a friend.” A man in a day like this is not faithful in his calling who does not warn his neighbor and search and reprove his own soul. We came to the earth to learn a great lesson. We are sent here to be proved to see if we will do everything required of us. This does not mean that we shall be swayed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. It means that we shall do everything that God requires. We cannot serve God and Mammon. Where our treasure is there will our heart be also. In relation to the commands of God we should be as clay in the hands of the potter. Our selfish inclinations may often rebel against that course. We may flatter ourselves that it is the spirit of the Lord that incites to seek the attainment of selfish objects. Sometimes we may be led to mistake the spirit by which we are actuated, by practicing self-deception. There are three distinct spirits, alluded to by the Prophet Joseph—the Spirit of God, leading upward; the spirit of Satan, leading downward, and the spirit of man susceptible of being operated upon be either of those two, but man has power to resist the promptings of the tempter, hence the agency and responsibility. That which persuadeth men to do good is from God, for Satan persuadeth no man to do good, and by their fruits are all men known. Our examples and teachings should be such that they will preserve our children. If they are lost because of our unrighteous course, we will be held responsible. Many young people of honored names in Israel are growing up in ignorance of the Gospel and doing everything almost that God has forbidden. The harvest will be misery and disaster. On the other hand many are serving God, are teaching and being taught the principles of the Gospel of Christ. Their prospect of the Gospel of Christ. Their prospect is a glorious one. Life is a serious matter, yet some people act as if they viewed it as a gigantic joke. This is a day of preparation. The voice is calling: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill be made low.” The haughty and proud and they who do wickedly will be brought down and the poor and the meek shall be exalted; hence in many instances the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Liberty, equality, fraternity should be the watchwords of the hour, and our aim and effort the establishment of that order of unity and righteousness that will prepare the world for the coming of the great King.
The choir sang: The Battle Hymn of Israel.
Benediction by Elder Lorenzo D. Young.
Fourth Day. Morning Session, Sunday, April 8th. 10 a.m.
Singing by the choir:
Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise Thy name, give thanks and
To show Thy love by morning light.
And talk of all Thy truths at night.
Prayer by Elder Abram H. Cannon.
The choir sang:
O my Father, Thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain Thy presence
And again behold Thy face?
Singing by the choir:
Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise Thy name, give thanks and
To show Thy love by morning light.
And talk of all Thy truths at night.
Prayer by Elder Abram H. Cannon.
The choir sang:
O my Father, Thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain Thy presence
And again behold Thy face?
Apostle John Henry Smith
was the first speaker. He read from Malachi:
Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The hymn that has been sung this morning has probably awakened in the hearts of the Saints reflections deep and earnest. It carries those of them who embraced the Gospel in other lands, to the day when there came to them an humble Elder, clad most likely in coarse garments, rude in speech, lacking the polish in many instances of those who had been educated as ministers among the people. These humble Elders came to our doors asking rest, or that they might speak with us of a message which God had committed to them. They explained the principles of the Gospel of Christ; they reasoned with us from the Scriptures, and labored to make plain the Gospel which they claimed God had again revealed to men: they explained the doctrine of faith; the laws by which man should be governed, and the means by which he could make an acceptable offering to God. Their words were not so eloquent as those of the gifted scholar, but they brought with them the sacred word of God, and while they were sometimes unable to explain things concerning man in a worldly sense, I they opened to our view the holy Scriptures, and taught us to understand them. They taught us that holy men of old spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and explained to us the way in which we should walk. They taught us of our parents who had gone before, and by the spirit of inspiration gave us a knowledge that brought gladness and joy to our hearts.
We had heard the ministers of the world dwell on the beauties of the Gospel and the mission of Jesus, but we never had awakened in our hearts a knowledge of God's plan till the humble Elder of Christ brought to us the intelligence that removed from our hearts all doubts and fears and guided us in the right path.
The hymn gives to our understanding a key of knowledge, and brings to our realization the condition that exists beyond. We have been called from that sphere on a mission, and placed in position to accept to reject that which God has revealed. Faith we had when the Elders of the Church came. We believed in Jesus and in the Scriptures, and with the eye of faith we looked for a reward for our good lives. We were ready to receive the principle of faith; it was not new to us—it was one of the gems which gladdened us when repentance and baptism were spoken of, and when we learned that God was locking to the salvation of His children as a whole. We rejoiced when the principle of the gathering was taught to us, and when we had the privilege paying tithes for the rolling on of God's kingdom. When we were called to leave our homes and gather with the Saints, we obeyed with joy and thanks-giving.
Probably no other principle revealed to us in our day has so enabled us to sever ourselves from the world as that contained is the hymn sung this morning, and in the text I have read to you. We have heard the ministers of different sects preach, and have read the remarks of Paul upon the resurrection of the dead, We have wondered why the dead were left in the peculiar position in which the ministers seemed inclined to leave them; why the thousands who had never heard the Gospel in the flesh should never be permitted to hear it at all. We asked our ministers regarding the turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, and were surprised because they could not explain this matter. But when the humble Latter-day Saint Elder sat by our fireside teaching the Gospel to us, we learned that is heaven we had a father and a mother. This principle had been revealed to the world through an unlearned youth, but the wise and learned did not understand it. It was revealed through this youth that God would not condemn the dead without according to them the some opportunities and rights which the living enjoyed.
This principle won our hearts to an extent which no other doctrine had done. The primary principles of the Gospel were not so entirely new to us, but when we learned the doctrine of salvation for the dead our hearts were gladdened, and we said in joy, "God is indeed just.” We knew that those whom we loved, who had died without a knowledge of the truths would not be forever shut out from the light of heaven. This doctrine turns the hearts of the children to the fathers, because it impels us to erect temples in which to perform for them vicariously the ordinances and sealings of the Gospel. The world cannot understand why people converted to our faith should sever the ties of home and kindred, and forsake comfort and ease, to gather with this Church in a far-off land. But the inspiration which had touched our hearts, showed to us that in the land of Zion there was a work to do for our dead. We were shown that the unnumbered dead were not forgotten, and that the sealing of parent and child from generation to generation in an unbroken chain was a scheme for the salvation of the whole of our race. Many persons in this country and in the old world have wondered why, in old times, records of baptisms were kept in the churches, and why, in our own country, so many persons have devoted so much time and labor to compiling their genealogies. Those who have done this have not understood the doctrine of turning the hearts of the fathers and children to each other as we do, but they have been acted upon by an inspiration which has impelled them to perform this work.
Were I to take those of this congregation who have embraced the Gospel, and ask them the questions, why are you here? What led you to leave associations dear to you, and face the trials which you knew were incident to the life of a Saint, what would you answer? You would say: “It was the key which God turned. because I had had it shown to me that it was necessary that my father's house should be set in order, and that the ordinances of the Gospel should be performed for its members."
It was this work for the dead which Bishop Milner thought a most wonderful feature of the faith of the Latter-day Saints. That God should have revealed, through an unlearned boy, the principle that whether living or dead, all men could act upon their agency in accepting or rejecting the Gospel, was a moat wonderful thing, Persona present here to-day, who are not familiar with the religion of the Latter-day Saints, may ask, "Where do you find evidence of the truth of the doctrine that the dead have the Gospel and the opportunity of being saved by it extended to them?" In answer I would say, remember the Scripture I have read, and remember that the Scriptures teach, and all Christians believe, that the Gospel embraces the principle of vicarious work, that one person may do for another that which will give the latter an opportunity to be saved.
We read of a certain man who went to the Savior by night, and asked what he must do to be saved. The reply was: "Except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he can in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven," Did this apply to all men? Yes. On another occasion, another person asked a similar question of the Savior, who, in reply, told him not to lie, or steal, and laid down the moral law to him. On another occasion the Savior made the declaration that "except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he cannot see the kingdom of God." What, then, is to be done with the millions of dead who never had such a privilege as this is the flesh? God has provided a means and a plan for their redemption. The servants of God who were made ministers of the truth while in the flesh, in former dispensations and in this, and who have been sent to preach to them that are dead—"that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
They are to be judged as we are, upon the plan of justice, equity and truth, and according to the manner in which they exercise their agency. The apostle has said distinctly that men that are dead are to be judged as those in the flesh are. They are to have the same privilege of the Gospel and of the redemption wrought out by Christ that we are to have. The other day a brother read in this stand, a vision showing the different degrees of glory which the human family will inherit. We have not nil been equally faithful or diligent. We have not all acquired an equal degree of knowledge or intelligence, and we will be rewarded according to our works, on the principles of honor, truth, justice and equity. Through the whole Gospel there runs the principle of vicarious atonement. Those who are living are redeemed through obedience to law, and the Lord led Paul to ask, “If the dead rise not, why then are ye baptized for the dead?" What a thrill of joy is caused by the invitation which God extends to us: “Come my son, enter the house of God, and thence receive for your fathers and kindred who are dead the ordinances of salvation which they had no opportunity to receive while living."
Let those who look with prejudice and opposition upon the Latter-day Saints, consider the system of religion which we teach. Remember that we believe in a system which is calculated to do away with licentiousness and corruption among society in the flesh, and accomplish the salvation of those who are dead. We are not the enemies of any of our fellow men. We only desire to serve God according to the principles we believe God has revealed to us: to do our duty to each other and all men, I would be glad to see my country blessed, and to see it grow and flourish; and I am grieved when I see a disposition among my countrymen to hinder any in the exercise of their worship.
Go to your homes, ye Saints; obey the laws of your country to the best of your ability, and pray that the same privilege may be granted to you which the Catholics and Protest ants among your countrymen enjoy. Remember that while we are in the world we can not enjoy in full those blessings and privileges which we will be permitted to enjoy when the work of God is made dominant in the earth.
was the first speaker. He read from Malachi:
Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The hymn that has been sung this morning has probably awakened in the hearts of the Saints reflections deep and earnest. It carries those of them who embraced the Gospel in other lands, to the day when there came to them an humble Elder, clad most likely in coarse garments, rude in speech, lacking the polish in many instances of those who had been educated as ministers among the people. These humble Elders came to our doors asking rest, or that they might speak with us of a message which God had committed to them. They explained the principles of the Gospel of Christ; they reasoned with us from the Scriptures, and labored to make plain the Gospel which they claimed God had again revealed to men: they explained the doctrine of faith; the laws by which man should be governed, and the means by which he could make an acceptable offering to God. Their words were not so eloquent as those of the gifted scholar, but they brought with them the sacred word of God, and while they were sometimes unable to explain things concerning man in a worldly sense, I they opened to our view the holy Scriptures, and taught us to understand them. They taught us that holy men of old spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and explained to us the way in which we should walk. They taught us of our parents who had gone before, and by the spirit of inspiration gave us a knowledge that brought gladness and joy to our hearts.
We had heard the ministers of the world dwell on the beauties of the Gospel and the mission of Jesus, but we never had awakened in our hearts a knowledge of God's plan till the humble Elder of Christ brought to us the intelligence that removed from our hearts all doubts and fears and guided us in the right path.
The hymn gives to our understanding a key of knowledge, and brings to our realization the condition that exists beyond. We have been called from that sphere on a mission, and placed in position to accept to reject that which God has revealed. Faith we had when the Elders of the Church came. We believed in Jesus and in the Scriptures, and with the eye of faith we looked for a reward for our good lives. We were ready to receive the principle of faith; it was not new to us—it was one of the gems which gladdened us when repentance and baptism were spoken of, and when we learned that God was locking to the salvation of His children as a whole. We rejoiced when the principle of the gathering was taught to us, and when we had the privilege paying tithes for the rolling on of God's kingdom. When we were called to leave our homes and gather with the Saints, we obeyed with joy and thanks-giving.
Probably no other principle revealed to us in our day has so enabled us to sever ourselves from the world as that contained is the hymn sung this morning, and in the text I have read to you. We have heard the ministers of different sects preach, and have read the remarks of Paul upon the resurrection of the dead, We have wondered why the dead were left in the peculiar position in which the ministers seemed inclined to leave them; why the thousands who had never heard the Gospel in the flesh should never be permitted to hear it at all. We asked our ministers regarding the turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, and were surprised because they could not explain this matter. But when the humble Latter-day Saint Elder sat by our fireside teaching the Gospel to us, we learned that is heaven we had a father and a mother. This principle had been revealed to the world through an unlearned youth, but the wise and learned did not understand it. It was revealed through this youth that God would not condemn the dead without according to them the some opportunities and rights which the living enjoyed.
This principle won our hearts to an extent which no other doctrine had done. The primary principles of the Gospel were not so entirely new to us, but when we learned the doctrine of salvation for the dead our hearts were gladdened, and we said in joy, "God is indeed just.” We knew that those whom we loved, who had died without a knowledge of the truths would not be forever shut out from the light of heaven. This doctrine turns the hearts of the children to the fathers, because it impels us to erect temples in which to perform for them vicariously the ordinances and sealings of the Gospel. The world cannot understand why people converted to our faith should sever the ties of home and kindred, and forsake comfort and ease, to gather with this Church in a far-off land. But the inspiration which had touched our hearts, showed to us that in the land of Zion there was a work to do for our dead. We were shown that the unnumbered dead were not forgotten, and that the sealing of parent and child from generation to generation in an unbroken chain was a scheme for the salvation of the whole of our race. Many persons in this country and in the old world have wondered why, in old times, records of baptisms were kept in the churches, and why, in our own country, so many persons have devoted so much time and labor to compiling their genealogies. Those who have done this have not understood the doctrine of turning the hearts of the fathers and children to each other as we do, but they have been acted upon by an inspiration which has impelled them to perform this work.
Were I to take those of this congregation who have embraced the Gospel, and ask them the questions, why are you here? What led you to leave associations dear to you, and face the trials which you knew were incident to the life of a Saint, what would you answer? You would say: “It was the key which God turned. because I had had it shown to me that it was necessary that my father's house should be set in order, and that the ordinances of the Gospel should be performed for its members."
It was this work for the dead which Bishop Milner thought a most wonderful feature of the faith of the Latter-day Saints. That God should have revealed, through an unlearned boy, the principle that whether living or dead, all men could act upon their agency in accepting or rejecting the Gospel, was a moat wonderful thing, Persona present here to-day, who are not familiar with the religion of the Latter-day Saints, may ask, "Where do you find evidence of the truth of the doctrine that the dead have the Gospel and the opportunity of being saved by it extended to them?" In answer I would say, remember the Scripture I have read, and remember that the Scriptures teach, and all Christians believe, that the Gospel embraces the principle of vicarious work, that one person may do for another that which will give the latter an opportunity to be saved.
We read of a certain man who went to the Savior by night, and asked what he must do to be saved. The reply was: "Except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he can in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven," Did this apply to all men? Yes. On another occasion, another person asked a similar question of the Savior, who, in reply, told him not to lie, or steal, and laid down the moral law to him. On another occasion the Savior made the declaration that "except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he cannot see the kingdom of God." What, then, is to be done with the millions of dead who never had such a privilege as this is the flesh? God has provided a means and a plan for their redemption. The servants of God who were made ministers of the truth while in the flesh, in former dispensations and in this, and who have been sent to preach to them that are dead—"that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
They are to be judged as we are, upon the plan of justice, equity and truth, and according to the manner in which they exercise their agency. The apostle has said distinctly that men that are dead are to be judged as those in the flesh are. They are to have the same privilege of the Gospel and of the redemption wrought out by Christ that we are to have. The other day a brother read in this stand, a vision showing the different degrees of glory which the human family will inherit. We have not nil been equally faithful or diligent. We have not all acquired an equal degree of knowledge or intelligence, and we will be rewarded according to our works, on the principles of honor, truth, justice and equity. Through the whole Gospel there runs the principle of vicarious atonement. Those who are living are redeemed through obedience to law, and the Lord led Paul to ask, “If the dead rise not, why then are ye baptized for the dead?" What a thrill of joy is caused by the invitation which God extends to us: “Come my son, enter the house of God, and thence receive for your fathers and kindred who are dead the ordinances of salvation which they had no opportunity to receive while living."
Let those who look with prejudice and opposition upon the Latter-day Saints, consider the system of religion which we teach. Remember that we believe in a system which is calculated to do away with licentiousness and corruption among society in the flesh, and accomplish the salvation of those who are dead. We are not the enemies of any of our fellow men. We only desire to serve God according to the principles we believe God has revealed to us: to do our duty to each other and all men, I would be glad to see my country blessed, and to see it grow and flourish; and I am grieved when I see a disposition among my countrymen to hinder any in the exercise of their worship.
Go to your homes, ye Saints; obey the laws of your country to the best of your ability, and pray that the same privilege may be granted to you which the Catholics and Protest ants among your countrymen enjoy. Remember that while we are in the world we can not enjoy in full those blessings and privileges which we will be permitted to enjoy when the work of God is made dominant in the earth.
Elder Abram H. Cannon
addressed the Conference. Following is a synopsis of his remarks: My brethren and sisters, I have certainly felt greatly to rejoice this morning in listening to the testimony of an apostle of the lord and I could not help but think while he was speaking that the testimony which he bore concerning the great gospel plan of redemption would startle many of the professed ministers of the Gospel. Could they but hear it and realize in a full measure what God has revealed in these last days, they could not help but acknowledge, if they were earnest, that if Joseph Smith received this knowledge, or had promulgated this doctrine, the knowledge must have come from God, because it is beyond the power of man to prepare such a beautiful structure as that which has been partially explained to us this day. It is a plan which is destined to bring salvation unto all who have lived upon the earth; who live now or who will yet come to this sphere. No wonder, then that we are called a peculiar people, and that we have become distinct among the nations of the earth when such doctrines as these are accepted and believed in by us as a people. God has said that He would make of us a peculiar and distinct people, and He has done so.
We have doubtless been astonished at the effect the preaching of the Gospel had upon us, and upon those whom we lived amongst. While they or our kindred—our brothers, our sisters, our parents, our children, could not see the beauties of the Gospel, there was within our hearts a burning and unrest which we could not overcome until we had accepted of the doctrine and obeyed the ordinances of the Gospel. Immediately upon its reception we became distinct from those surrounding us. We were singled out, and frequently our nearest and dearest friends became our bitterest enemies. It seemed that there was no indignities too great to be heaped upon those who received this Gospel, that heard the word of God. No matter what our lineage may have been, when we joined the Church our best friends turned against us. All rights were taken from us. We were considered unworthy to receive the privileges enjoyed by human beings. This is one of the characteristics attending the acceptance of the Gospel of the Son of God.
Jesus says: “If ye were of the world, the world would love you, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hate you.” This is also in fulfillment of the saying of the Apostle Paul, wherein he says: “Ye who walk godly in Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Not only is that fact true with regard to individuals, but it is also exemplified in the community as a whole.
If we remain Latter-day Saints we are a distinct people. We are separated from the world by a chasm which we cannot bridge. One great cause of alarm to-day in the midst of this people is the fact that we are becoming more like the world—we are uniting with them. I believe it a truth, and give it as my individual opinion, that we cannot, my brethren and sisters, become as the world without losing the Spirit of God, or else without lifting them up to the plane upon which we stand. There are other evil phases that we see to-day in our midst and which confront us.
One of them now comes to my mind: it is the associations which are going on among our young people, and which threaten us with disaster. There is not that fear and love for God among our young people that we saw a few years since, nor that respect for the ordinances of His Gospel. There was a law given to ancient Israel which says: “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Thy daughters thou shalt not give unto their sons, nor their daughters shalt thou take unto thy sons, for they will turn thy sons and thy daughters from thee, and they will bow down and worship images and become idolaters.
This is the law given to ancient Israel, together with all others given to Moses, and it has been repeated to the Israel of the latter days, for we are the offspring of Abraham and of Jacob, and we are the inheritors of the blessings as well as the curses which were pronounced upon Israel according to their obedience or disobedience to the laws of God. This law is binding upon us to-day and is essential. We find to-day that our young people, many of them born and reared in the Church, and who are heirs of the covenant and Priesthood, are not receiving these blessings from God which are to be obtained in the House of the Lord. Marriages are taking place with those not of our faith, and I tell you, brethren and sisters, it is my belief that if this thing continues, destruction will attend the people of God. Watch the course that these young people pursue, and you will find trouble and ruin will follow them. You remember the case of Samson, a mighty man before God, but when he took to himself a wife of the Philistines his power was lost and he was made to suffer. Solomon, the great king, and the wisest man perhaps that ever lived, took unto himself wives from another nation, those not of his faith, and they turned his heart away from God and he became an idolater.
This is one of the evils of the present day, and another was mentioned yesterday. Fashion and vanity are growing up in the midst of the people, and drawing more away from the Church than all the trouble and persecution that was ever heaped upon it. There is a great deal of social distinction among the Latter-day Saints. The hearts of many are going out after the mammon of unrighteousness; we are looking upon the god of the earth. We are not listening to the words of inspiration and the counsels of the servants of God as we should do. How was it in the days of trouble and trial, when the people were driven from their homes in Nauvoo? They were anxiously seeking for counsel. They were ready to make any sacrifice. But do we ask for counsel regarding the selling of our lands? If we do, do we carry it out?
After we came to these valleys an army came up to destroy us. President Young’s was the voice of God to us. We hearkened to his counsels. He advised us to leave our homes and go where we knew not, and we were ready to carry out that command of God given to us through His servant. We were ready then to receive instruction and counsel, and had no need to be urged to follow the servants of God. But a day of prosperity has dawned upon us. Who seeks for counsel or asks an apostle of the Lord what to do with his or her property when they are offered an enormous price for it? Do they go and ask for counsel if they are going to sell? If they do and receive counsel not to sell, do they follow it?
No. In short, in such matters, in financial affairs, we consider ourselves quite equal with the Lord, Himself. God speaks to these persons whom we sustain as apostles, seers and revelators to the Church, and it is my feeling brethren and sisters, that we come down to the deepest humility and be willing to seek for and follow counsel. We should say in our hearts as also with our lips: “Search me, O God, and if I am not pure then purify me; cleanse me from every impurity.” We will be scourged, will be whipped will be driven, hunted and harassed until we comprehend what the Lord requires of us and learn obedience to His laws.
And you, young people, you young Latter-day Saints, improve the opportunities that are given you. You have glorious promises, but they will only be realized through faithfulness on your part. I urge you by all the power I possess to look to these men who stand at the head of this Church; those who have fought so nobly to maintain this cause. Look to their actions and follow in their footsteps, for they soon will pass away.
Men, however great they may be to-day, whatever position they may occupy, if they sin they will not be acknowledged of the Lord, their sins will be found out. No man can sin, be he an apostles, President of the Stake, Bishop, High Priest or Seventy, and not be brought down to humility and destruction unless he repents. And herein, my brethren and sisters, we find the necessity of the spirit of inspiration which the apostle was speaking about yesterday. Wherein is the strength of the Church? It is in the spirit of revelation and in the priesthood of God. Where is this great one man power that the world prates about? It is the man that is acknowledged of God and with whom His Spirit is. The whole people and priesthood all need the spirit of inspiration, and it is your privilege to know when any counsel is given of God, and not follow blindly any doctrine. If you failed in anything it is because you have not used your reasoning faculties and did not approach the Lord and learn of Him. The advice of the servants of God is that we correct ourselves, live up to our religion, for it is the privilege of every man and every woman and every child in the Church to enjoy revelation from the Lord, but not to receive it for the Church of Christ.
May peace and rest be in the habitations of the people of God, and may the clouds which are now resting upon them be lifted up to the glory of Lord and the salvation of His people and the human family.
The choir sang the anthem, Hear my prayer.
Benediction by Apostle H. J. Grant.
addressed the Conference. Following is a synopsis of his remarks: My brethren and sisters, I have certainly felt greatly to rejoice this morning in listening to the testimony of an apostle of the lord and I could not help but think while he was speaking that the testimony which he bore concerning the great gospel plan of redemption would startle many of the professed ministers of the Gospel. Could they but hear it and realize in a full measure what God has revealed in these last days, they could not help but acknowledge, if they were earnest, that if Joseph Smith received this knowledge, or had promulgated this doctrine, the knowledge must have come from God, because it is beyond the power of man to prepare such a beautiful structure as that which has been partially explained to us this day. It is a plan which is destined to bring salvation unto all who have lived upon the earth; who live now or who will yet come to this sphere. No wonder, then that we are called a peculiar people, and that we have become distinct among the nations of the earth when such doctrines as these are accepted and believed in by us as a people. God has said that He would make of us a peculiar and distinct people, and He has done so.
We have doubtless been astonished at the effect the preaching of the Gospel had upon us, and upon those whom we lived amongst. While they or our kindred—our brothers, our sisters, our parents, our children, could not see the beauties of the Gospel, there was within our hearts a burning and unrest which we could not overcome until we had accepted of the doctrine and obeyed the ordinances of the Gospel. Immediately upon its reception we became distinct from those surrounding us. We were singled out, and frequently our nearest and dearest friends became our bitterest enemies. It seemed that there was no indignities too great to be heaped upon those who received this Gospel, that heard the word of God. No matter what our lineage may have been, when we joined the Church our best friends turned against us. All rights were taken from us. We were considered unworthy to receive the privileges enjoyed by human beings. This is one of the characteristics attending the acceptance of the Gospel of the Son of God.
Jesus says: “If ye were of the world, the world would love you, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hate you.” This is also in fulfillment of the saying of the Apostle Paul, wherein he says: “Ye who walk godly in Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Not only is that fact true with regard to individuals, but it is also exemplified in the community as a whole.
If we remain Latter-day Saints we are a distinct people. We are separated from the world by a chasm which we cannot bridge. One great cause of alarm to-day in the midst of this people is the fact that we are becoming more like the world—we are uniting with them. I believe it a truth, and give it as my individual opinion, that we cannot, my brethren and sisters, become as the world without losing the Spirit of God, or else without lifting them up to the plane upon which we stand. There are other evil phases that we see to-day in our midst and which confront us.
One of them now comes to my mind: it is the associations which are going on among our young people, and which threaten us with disaster. There is not that fear and love for God among our young people that we saw a few years since, nor that respect for the ordinances of His Gospel. There was a law given to ancient Israel which says: “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Thy daughters thou shalt not give unto their sons, nor their daughters shalt thou take unto thy sons, for they will turn thy sons and thy daughters from thee, and they will bow down and worship images and become idolaters.
This is the law given to ancient Israel, together with all others given to Moses, and it has been repeated to the Israel of the latter days, for we are the offspring of Abraham and of Jacob, and we are the inheritors of the blessings as well as the curses which were pronounced upon Israel according to their obedience or disobedience to the laws of God. This law is binding upon us to-day and is essential. We find to-day that our young people, many of them born and reared in the Church, and who are heirs of the covenant and Priesthood, are not receiving these blessings from God which are to be obtained in the House of the Lord. Marriages are taking place with those not of our faith, and I tell you, brethren and sisters, it is my belief that if this thing continues, destruction will attend the people of God. Watch the course that these young people pursue, and you will find trouble and ruin will follow them. You remember the case of Samson, a mighty man before God, but when he took to himself a wife of the Philistines his power was lost and he was made to suffer. Solomon, the great king, and the wisest man perhaps that ever lived, took unto himself wives from another nation, those not of his faith, and they turned his heart away from God and he became an idolater.
This is one of the evils of the present day, and another was mentioned yesterday. Fashion and vanity are growing up in the midst of the people, and drawing more away from the Church than all the trouble and persecution that was ever heaped upon it. There is a great deal of social distinction among the Latter-day Saints. The hearts of many are going out after the mammon of unrighteousness; we are looking upon the god of the earth. We are not listening to the words of inspiration and the counsels of the servants of God as we should do. How was it in the days of trouble and trial, when the people were driven from their homes in Nauvoo? They were anxiously seeking for counsel. They were ready to make any sacrifice. But do we ask for counsel regarding the selling of our lands? If we do, do we carry it out?
After we came to these valleys an army came up to destroy us. President Young’s was the voice of God to us. We hearkened to his counsels. He advised us to leave our homes and go where we knew not, and we were ready to carry out that command of God given to us through His servant. We were ready then to receive instruction and counsel, and had no need to be urged to follow the servants of God. But a day of prosperity has dawned upon us. Who seeks for counsel or asks an apostle of the Lord what to do with his or her property when they are offered an enormous price for it? Do they go and ask for counsel if they are going to sell? If they do and receive counsel not to sell, do they follow it?
No. In short, in such matters, in financial affairs, we consider ourselves quite equal with the Lord, Himself. God speaks to these persons whom we sustain as apostles, seers and revelators to the Church, and it is my feeling brethren and sisters, that we come down to the deepest humility and be willing to seek for and follow counsel. We should say in our hearts as also with our lips: “Search me, O God, and if I am not pure then purify me; cleanse me from every impurity.” We will be scourged, will be whipped will be driven, hunted and harassed until we comprehend what the Lord requires of us and learn obedience to His laws.
And you, young people, you young Latter-day Saints, improve the opportunities that are given you. You have glorious promises, but they will only be realized through faithfulness on your part. I urge you by all the power I possess to look to these men who stand at the head of this Church; those who have fought so nobly to maintain this cause. Look to their actions and follow in their footsteps, for they soon will pass away.
Men, however great they may be to-day, whatever position they may occupy, if they sin they will not be acknowledged of the Lord, their sins will be found out. No man can sin, be he an apostles, President of the Stake, Bishop, High Priest or Seventy, and not be brought down to humility and destruction unless he repents. And herein, my brethren and sisters, we find the necessity of the spirit of inspiration which the apostle was speaking about yesterday. Wherein is the strength of the Church? It is in the spirit of revelation and in the priesthood of God. Where is this great one man power that the world prates about? It is the man that is acknowledged of God and with whom His Spirit is. The whole people and priesthood all need the spirit of inspiration, and it is your privilege to know when any counsel is given of God, and not follow blindly any doctrine. If you failed in anything it is because you have not used your reasoning faculties and did not approach the Lord and learn of Him. The advice of the servants of God is that we correct ourselves, live up to our religion, for it is the privilege of every man and every woman and every child in the Church to enjoy revelation from the Lord, but not to receive it for the Church of Christ.
May peace and rest be in the habitations of the people of God, and may the clouds which are now resting upon them be lifted up to the glory of Lord and the salvation of His people and the human family.
The choir sang the anthem, Hear my prayer.
Benediction by Apostle H. J. Grant.
Sunday Afternoon, 2 o’clock.
The attendance at the Conference had steadily increased from the first day, and before the congregation was called to order at 2 p. m. the Tabernacle was crowded to its utmost capacity; all the aisles and entrances were filled with those unable to obtain seats, and thousands turned away because they could not gain admission to the building.
The services opened by the choir singing the hymn commencing:
God! our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Prayer was offered by Elder John Morgan.
The choir sang:
‘Twas on that dark, and stormy night,
When powers of earth and bell arose
Against the Son, e’en God’s delight,
And friends betrayed Him to His foes.
Sacrament was administered under the direction of the Priesthood of the Seventeenth Ward.
The attendance at the Conference had steadily increased from the first day, and before the congregation was called to order at 2 p. m. the Tabernacle was crowded to its utmost capacity; all the aisles and entrances were filled with those unable to obtain seats, and thousands turned away because they could not gain admission to the building.
The services opened by the choir singing the hymn commencing:
God! our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Prayer was offered by Elder John Morgan.
The choir sang:
‘Twas on that dark, and stormy night,
When powers of earth and bell arose
Against the Son, e’en God’s delight,
And friends betrayed Him to His foes.
Sacrament was administered under the direction of the Priesthood of the Seventeenth Ward.
Apostle Franklin D. Richards
presented the General Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained as follows:
Wilford Woodruff as President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Council of the Twelve Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselors of the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the Presiding Council and Authority of the Church, and, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robt. T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with Franklin D. Richards as assistant.
Clerk of Conference: John Nicholson.
Elder Richards then read the following communication from the General Superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A.:
Salt Lake City, April 6, 1888.
To the Council of the Apostles:
Dear Brethren:--In behalf of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, we desire to make a brief report.
The Associations are in a thriving condition, there being one in nearly every organized Ward in the Church. They commenced holding their regular meetings for the present season, early in October, 1887, and will continue to do so for about one month longer, that is, until the first week in May, before adjourning for the summer vacation.
Believing it would be for the best interests of the Associations and would greatly encourage the work of mutual improvement among the young, we authorized this extension of the regular season’s work, and have appointed a general conference of the Associations to be held in this city on the 2nd and 3rd of June, at which time a general attendance of officers and members is expected and full statistical and other reports will be given. We also have under consideration some projects for strengthening the Associations and augmenting the work of improvement being performed by them, which we shall present at that conference. Coomplete reports of the season’s labors and the condition of the organization will at that time be presented and copies filed with the Church historian.
Feeling grateful for the blessings of the Lord which continue to hover over the youth of Zion, we remain,
Your Brethren,
Wilford Woodruff,
Joseph F. Smith,
Moses Thatcher,
General Superintendents.
The following officers were presented and sustained by the unanimous vote of the congregation:
Wilford Woodruff, Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher as the General Superintendency of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations in the Church.
George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union; George Goddard, First, and John Morgan Second Assistant General Superintendents; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
Apostle Richards stated that it had been deemed advisable to omit the full statistical report of the Church, and of the Relief Societies, Young Ladies’ and Primary Associations at the present Conference. Our late lamented sister, Eliza R. Snow Smith, has been president of the Relief Societies ever since their organization in these mountains, and has labored with unexampled diligence for their welfare and advancement. Her death now leaves the organization without a president. Sister Zina D. Young was her first counselor. It is now moved and seconded that she be made president. Sister Young was chosen by unanimous vote. The selection of her counselors was left for the further consideration of the authorities. The following general officers of the Relief Society were then sustained: Sarah M. Kimball, secretary; Romania B. Pratt, assistant secretary; M. Isabella Horne, treasurer.
Brother Richards explained that he did not have the names of all of the Central Board of the Young Ladies’ Associations. Elmina S. Taylor was sustained as President, and Mary E. Cook as secretary.
Of the Primary Associations organization, Louie Felt was sustained as President, and Cornelia H. Clayton as secretary.
Brother Richards made an explanation that it had been considered by the Council of Apostles that there should be inaugurated a more efficient system of education among the Saints, and the following brethren had been suggested to carefully consider the subject. The received the unanimous vote of the congregation: Wilford Woodruff, of Salt Lake City, President of the Board; Lorenzo Snow, Brigham City; George Q. Cannon, Salt Lake City; Karl G. Maeser, Provo; Horace S. Eldredge, Salt Lake City; Willard Young, Salt Lake City; George W. Thatcher, Logan; Anton H. Lund, Ephraim; Amos Horne, Salt Lake City.
presented the General Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained as follows:
Wilford Woodruff as President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Council of the Twelve Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselors of the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the Presiding Council and Authority of the Church, and, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robt. T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with Franklin D. Richards as assistant.
Clerk of Conference: John Nicholson.
Elder Richards then read the following communication from the General Superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A.:
Salt Lake City, April 6, 1888.
To the Council of the Apostles:
Dear Brethren:--In behalf of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, we desire to make a brief report.
The Associations are in a thriving condition, there being one in nearly every organized Ward in the Church. They commenced holding their regular meetings for the present season, early in October, 1887, and will continue to do so for about one month longer, that is, until the first week in May, before adjourning for the summer vacation.
Believing it would be for the best interests of the Associations and would greatly encourage the work of mutual improvement among the young, we authorized this extension of the regular season’s work, and have appointed a general conference of the Associations to be held in this city on the 2nd and 3rd of June, at which time a general attendance of officers and members is expected and full statistical and other reports will be given. We also have under consideration some projects for strengthening the Associations and augmenting the work of improvement being performed by them, which we shall present at that conference. Coomplete reports of the season’s labors and the condition of the organization will at that time be presented and copies filed with the Church historian.
Feeling grateful for the blessings of the Lord which continue to hover over the youth of Zion, we remain,
Your Brethren,
Wilford Woodruff,
Joseph F. Smith,
Moses Thatcher,
General Superintendents.
The following officers were presented and sustained by the unanimous vote of the congregation:
Wilford Woodruff, Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher as the General Superintendency of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations in the Church.
George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union; George Goddard, First, and John Morgan Second Assistant General Superintendents; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
Apostle Richards stated that it had been deemed advisable to omit the full statistical report of the Church, and of the Relief Societies, Young Ladies’ and Primary Associations at the present Conference. Our late lamented sister, Eliza R. Snow Smith, has been president of the Relief Societies ever since their organization in these mountains, and has labored with unexampled diligence for their welfare and advancement. Her death now leaves the organization without a president. Sister Zina D. Young was her first counselor. It is now moved and seconded that she be made president. Sister Young was chosen by unanimous vote. The selection of her counselors was left for the further consideration of the authorities. The following general officers of the Relief Society were then sustained: Sarah M. Kimball, secretary; Romania B. Pratt, assistant secretary; M. Isabella Horne, treasurer.
Brother Richards explained that he did not have the names of all of the Central Board of the Young Ladies’ Associations. Elmina S. Taylor was sustained as President, and Mary E. Cook as secretary.
Of the Primary Associations organization, Louie Felt was sustained as President, and Cornelia H. Clayton as secretary.
Brother Richards made an explanation that it had been considered by the Council of Apostles that there should be inaugurated a more efficient system of education among the Saints, and the following brethren had been suggested to carefully consider the subject. The received the unanimous vote of the congregation: Wilford Woodruff, of Salt Lake City, President of the Board; Lorenzo Snow, Brigham City; George Q. Cannon, Salt Lake City; Karl G. Maeser, Provo; Horace S. Eldredge, Salt Lake City; Willard Young, Salt Lake City; George W. Thatcher, Logan; Anton H. Lund, Ephraim; Amos Horne, Salt Lake City.
Apostle Richards
delivered an excellent address, embracing several topics of vital interest to the Saints, prominent among them being the necessity of each member of the Church having the light of the Holy Spirit for personal guidance, the Saints retaining their homes, etc.
Apostle Richards said he had been requested to address the Saints. He would read a portion of a vision given to Lehi, (who led a colony from Jerusalem about 600 B.C. and landed on the west coast of Chili,) as recorded in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, viii, 5 to 24. It would seem to me preposterous to think of edifying the congregation from any gift of mine, but if the Saints exercise their faith that the Holy Ghost may rest on us we will be edified together. A flood of light has been poured out upon the people at this Conference, in the instructions that have been given, and if they will heed and profit by these instructions, and keep hold of the rod of iron till they reach the tree of life they will profit by so doing. The consideration of the principles of the Gospel is calculated to inspire in the hearts of the righteous a desire to be faithful in all things that are true. Lehi’s vision, while mainly bearing on his descendants, considers circumstances so nearly analogous to our own that it would be profitable to us to take heed of it. The rod of iron is the word of God. Lehi saw that many tried to walk in the narrow path that led to the tree of life, and that the only chance they had of success was to keep hold of the rod that ran close to the river side. Here in Utah, to-day, there is great need for us to cling to the word of God. One of the apostles in ancient days remarked that we have a more sure word of prophecy to which we should take heed until the day-star of light should dawn in our hearts. From this we understand that those who are born of the Spirit and of the water had this word of prophecy until that dawning should come. This day-star is the anointing of which the brethren spoke yesterday.
The ancient Scriptures, in the words of one of the apostles, say, “You have an anointing within you, and ye have no need that any man should teach you.” This became important to the Saints when the apostles began to be killed off and scattered. Probably some of the latter were “on the underground,” as it is not likely they published their whereabouts when their lives were being sought. They told the Saints that this anointing would if preserved, be a light which should show them the way they should go, and foreshadow things to come. The Saints in this age require this knowledge for themselves, that they may not need to be taught by any man. The children of God are precious in His sight, and each of us should pass the self-examination recommended in the epistle, for the apostle says, if we judge ourselves we need be judged of no man. Is it not your right and privilege, and do you not need to, under existing circumstances, judge yourselves and possess the light of the Spirit by which you can do this properly? We should desire to know the mind and will of God—that which he would have us do. Do you recollect when we were isolated how easy it was to be united? Then when we came to meeting, all were friends and acquaintances. How peaceful were the years when our prophet was our governor. I remember well when one of my sons, a boy, came to me and told he had seen a man who was drunk. It was the first time he had ever seen such a thing. When the ship is tossed by a storm, then we find out who are good sailors, and who get sea-sick. So with the ship Zion, and if we are not aware, the cares of the world, working with the trials of the times, will overcome us.
There have gathered with us a great many people who have not come here for the truth’s sake but to better their condition. In gathering the Saints we have not been able to distinguish the good fish from the bad ones, and in many instances those who have been brought here have turned traitors to their brethren. We live in a day when darkness covers the earth, and when the covenants have been broken. The Prophet Lehi, in his vision was led into great darkness. When the Saints have the Spirit of the Lord, they choose the light and fear not darkness. But there have gathered with us those who do not love the truth. But if the tares are torn up too soon, the wheat will be destroyed also. It is in times like these that you, my brethren and sisters, find out the measure of your faith. We are now walking in the twilight, but when the Son of Righteousness comes, all will be light. A good many of us at the present time are not being tried in their faith as in their integrity; many are coming to be in doubt as to which is the right course for them to take. When influences approach which tempt us and try to unsettle our integrity we should say, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Pray earnestly to God for support and guidance, and though all may be darkness around you, feel your way carefully along, and beware lest you do some act that you will always regret. Let what will happen cling to the rod of iron and the promises and revelations of God. Teach your children to take this course. You who have crossed the sea know that at times a ship is in a fog so dense that it is necessary to keep a vigilant watch and to sound a bell and whistle every few moments, lest a collision happen and the ship be sunk. So with us to-day. In these times when it is dark, and you can’t see, where to put your foot, cling fast to the rod of iron, for not one jot nor tittle of the word of God shall pass away till all be fulfilled.
If the sun should shine upon the earth all the time, it would become so dry that all vegetation would be burned up. So it is necessary that the Saints should experience trials, and be placed in a position to act by faith. We are living in a time when great events are succeeding each other rapidly, and we need to have a constant supply of oil in our lamps. Evils are increasing in the earth and threaten to continue to increase. The elements are playing havoc evidencing to us that the purposes of God are about to be fulfilled.
Another generation are coming upon the stage in our midst, but how many of them realize what their parents passed through in coming here and making homes in the desert? Very few, yet it is necessary they should be taught the lessons and wisdom of adversity.
Apostle Richards dwelt at some length on other subjects of vital interest to the Saints, prominent among which, was that of retaining their homes, and the ease with which God could bring adversity upon His people should He deem it necessary to do so in order to humble them.
After the close of Elder Richards remarks, the Tabernacle choir, under the direction of Elder E. Beesley, beautifully rendered the anthem, We will give Thanks.
Conference was then adjourned till the sixth day of October, 1888, and benediction was pronounced by Patriarch John Smith.
John Nicholson,
Clerk of Conference.
delivered an excellent address, embracing several topics of vital interest to the Saints, prominent among them being the necessity of each member of the Church having the light of the Holy Spirit for personal guidance, the Saints retaining their homes, etc.
Apostle Richards said he had been requested to address the Saints. He would read a portion of a vision given to Lehi, (who led a colony from Jerusalem about 600 B.C. and landed on the west coast of Chili,) as recorded in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, viii, 5 to 24. It would seem to me preposterous to think of edifying the congregation from any gift of mine, but if the Saints exercise their faith that the Holy Ghost may rest on us we will be edified together. A flood of light has been poured out upon the people at this Conference, in the instructions that have been given, and if they will heed and profit by these instructions, and keep hold of the rod of iron till they reach the tree of life they will profit by so doing. The consideration of the principles of the Gospel is calculated to inspire in the hearts of the righteous a desire to be faithful in all things that are true. Lehi’s vision, while mainly bearing on his descendants, considers circumstances so nearly analogous to our own that it would be profitable to us to take heed of it. The rod of iron is the word of God. Lehi saw that many tried to walk in the narrow path that led to the tree of life, and that the only chance they had of success was to keep hold of the rod that ran close to the river side. Here in Utah, to-day, there is great need for us to cling to the word of God. One of the apostles in ancient days remarked that we have a more sure word of prophecy to which we should take heed until the day-star of light should dawn in our hearts. From this we understand that those who are born of the Spirit and of the water had this word of prophecy until that dawning should come. This day-star is the anointing of which the brethren spoke yesterday.
The ancient Scriptures, in the words of one of the apostles, say, “You have an anointing within you, and ye have no need that any man should teach you.” This became important to the Saints when the apostles began to be killed off and scattered. Probably some of the latter were “on the underground,” as it is not likely they published their whereabouts when their lives were being sought. They told the Saints that this anointing would if preserved, be a light which should show them the way they should go, and foreshadow things to come. The Saints in this age require this knowledge for themselves, that they may not need to be taught by any man. The children of God are precious in His sight, and each of us should pass the self-examination recommended in the epistle, for the apostle says, if we judge ourselves we need be judged of no man. Is it not your right and privilege, and do you not need to, under existing circumstances, judge yourselves and possess the light of the Spirit by which you can do this properly? We should desire to know the mind and will of God—that which he would have us do. Do you recollect when we were isolated how easy it was to be united? Then when we came to meeting, all were friends and acquaintances. How peaceful were the years when our prophet was our governor. I remember well when one of my sons, a boy, came to me and told he had seen a man who was drunk. It was the first time he had ever seen such a thing. When the ship is tossed by a storm, then we find out who are good sailors, and who get sea-sick. So with the ship Zion, and if we are not aware, the cares of the world, working with the trials of the times, will overcome us.
There have gathered with us a great many people who have not come here for the truth’s sake but to better their condition. In gathering the Saints we have not been able to distinguish the good fish from the bad ones, and in many instances those who have been brought here have turned traitors to their brethren. We live in a day when darkness covers the earth, and when the covenants have been broken. The Prophet Lehi, in his vision was led into great darkness. When the Saints have the Spirit of the Lord, they choose the light and fear not darkness. But there have gathered with us those who do not love the truth. But if the tares are torn up too soon, the wheat will be destroyed also. It is in times like these that you, my brethren and sisters, find out the measure of your faith. We are now walking in the twilight, but when the Son of Righteousness comes, all will be light. A good many of us at the present time are not being tried in their faith as in their integrity; many are coming to be in doubt as to which is the right course for them to take. When influences approach which tempt us and try to unsettle our integrity we should say, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Pray earnestly to God for support and guidance, and though all may be darkness around you, feel your way carefully along, and beware lest you do some act that you will always regret. Let what will happen cling to the rod of iron and the promises and revelations of God. Teach your children to take this course. You who have crossed the sea know that at times a ship is in a fog so dense that it is necessary to keep a vigilant watch and to sound a bell and whistle every few moments, lest a collision happen and the ship be sunk. So with us to-day. In these times when it is dark, and you can’t see, where to put your foot, cling fast to the rod of iron, for not one jot nor tittle of the word of God shall pass away till all be fulfilled.
If the sun should shine upon the earth all the time, it would become so dry that all vegetation would be burned up. So it is necessary that the Saints should experience trials, and be placed in a position to act by faith. We are living in a time when great events are succeeding each other rapidly, and we need to have a constant supply of oil in our lamps. Evils are increasing in the earth and threaten to continue to increase. The elements are playing havoc evidencing to us that the purposes of God are about to be fulfilled.
Another generation are coming upon the stage in our midst, but how many of them realize what their parents passed through in coming here and making homes in the desert? Very few, yet it is necessary they should be taught the lessons and wisdom of adversity.
Apostle Richards dwelt at some length on other subjects of vital interest to the Saints, prominent among which, was that of retaining their homes, and the ease with which God could bring adversity upon His people should He deem it necessary to do so in order to humble them.
After the close of Elder Richards remarks, the Tabernacle choir, under the direction of Elder E. Beesley, beautifully rendered the anthem, We will give Thanks.
Conference was then adjourned till the sixth day of October, 1888, and benediction was pronounced by Patriarch John Smith.
John Nicholson,
Clerk of Conference.