October 1896
Cannon, George Q. "Discourse." The Deseret Weekly, October 31, 1896: pg. 609-611.
Cannon, George Q. "Discourse." The Deseret Weekly, November 28, 1896: pg. 737-739.
Grant, Heber J. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 581.
Richards, Franklin D. "Discourse." The Deseret Weekly, December 26, 1896: pg. 33-36.
Smith, John Henry. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 579-580.
Smith, Joseph F. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 582.
Snow, Lorenzo. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 578-579.
Teasdale, George. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 581-582.
The Deseret Weekly. "General Conference." October 10, 1896: pg. 524-528.
Woodruff, Wilford. "Remarks." The Deseret Weekly, October 17, 1896: pg. 545-547.
Woodruff, Wilford. "Remarks." The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 577-578.
Young, Brigham, Jr. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 580-581.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
President Wilford Woodruff
Remarks
President Joseph F. Smith
President Wilford Woodruff
Afternoon Session
President George Q. Cannon
Discourse
President Lorenzo Snow
Overflow Meeting
Elder Anthon H. Lund
Elder George Teasdale
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.
At the Tabernacle—Second Day. Monday, Oct. 5th
Elder Franklin D. Richards
Discourse
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.
Elder Francis M. Lyman
Afternoon Session
President Wilford Woodruff
Remarks
President Lorenzo Snow
Remarks
Elder John Henry Smith
Remarks
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.
Remarks
Elder Heber J. Grant
Remarks
Elder George Teasdale
Remarks
President Joseph F. Smith
Remarks
Third Day—Morning Session. October 6th
Elder John W. Taylor
Elder Marriner W. Merrill
Elder Anthon H. Lund
Afternoon Session
Sustaining of the General Authorities
Letter from Edward Stevenson
President George Q. Cannon
Discourse
Elder Elias S. Kimball
Elder William Gardner
Cannon, George Q. "Discourse." The Deseret Weekly, November 28, 1896: pg. 737-739.
Grant, Heber J. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 581.
Richards, Franklin D. "Discourse." The Deseret Weekly, December 26, 1896: pg. 33-36.
Smith, John Henry. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 579-580.
Smith, Joseph F. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 582.
Snow, Lorenzo. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 578-579.
Teasdale, George. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 581-582.
The Deseret Weekly. "General Conference." October 10, 1896: pg. 524-528.
Woodruff, Wilford. "Remarks." The Deseret Weekly, October 17, 1896: pg. 545-547.
Woodruff, Wilford. "Remarks." The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 577-578.
Young, Brigham, Jr. The Deseret Weekly, October 24, 1896: pg. 580-581.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
President Wilford Woodruff
Remarks
President Joseph F. Smith
President Wilford Woodruff
Afternoon Session
President George Q. Cannon
Discourse
President Lorenzo Snow
Overflow Meeting
Elder Anthon H. Lund
Elder George Teasdale
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.
At the Tabernacle—Second Day. Monday, Oct. 5th
Elder Franklin D. Richards
Discourse
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.
Elder Francis M. Lyman
Afternoon Session
President Wilford Woodruff
Remarks
President Lorenzo Snow
Remarks
Elder John Henry Smith
Remarks
Elder Brigham Young, Jr.
Remarks
Elder Heber J. Grant
Remarks
Elder George Teasdale
Remarks
President Joseph F. Smith
Remarks
Third Day—Morning Session. October 6th
Elder John W. Taylor
Elder Marriner W. Merrill
Elder Anthon H. Lund
Afternoon Session
Sustaining of the General Authorities
Letter from Edward Stevenson
President George Q. Cannon
Discourse
Elder Elias S. Kimball
Elder William Gardner
GENERAL CONFERENCE
The sixty-seventh semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 4th, 1896, President Wilford Woodruff presiding.
Of the general authorities present on the stand there were of the First Presidency—Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill and Anton H. Lund; Patriarch John Smith; of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjelsted, George Reynolds and Jonathan G. Kimball; of the Presiding Bishopric—Wm. B. Preston, Robert T. Burton and John R. Winder.
Conference was called to order by President George Q. Cannon.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Softy beams the sacred dawning
Of the great Millennial morn.
Opening prayer by Elder Brigham Young.
The choir again sang, the hymn commencing:
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled,
Ye nations now look up,
It waves to all the world.
The sixty-seventh semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 4th, 1896, President Wilford Woodruff presiding.
Of the general authorities present on the stand there were of the First Presidency—Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill and Anton H. Lund; Patriarch John Smith; of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjelsted, George Reynolds and Jonathan G. Kimball; of the Presiding Bishopric—Wm. B. Preston, Robert T. Burton and John R. Winder.
Conference was called to order by President George Q. Cannon.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
Softy beams the sacred dawning
Of the great Millennial morn.
Opening prayer by Elder Brigham Young.
The choir again sang, the hymn commencing:
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled,
Ye nations now look up,
It waves to all the world.
President Wilford Woodruff
was the first speaker. His remarks dwelt chiefly with the pleasure he felt in meeting with the saints, reflecting on the evident fulfillment of prophecies concerning the results upon the Jews of killing the Savior and the effects upon this generation of the killing of the Prophet Joseph and other holy men; the delivery of Joseph of the keys and responsibility upon the Apostles to carry the Gospel to the world and build up the kingdom of God on the earth.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference of Church, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, October 4th, 1896, by
Prest. Wilford Woodruff.
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
If I ever felt thankful in my life for anything, I do this morning that I am alive, that I stand in the flesh and have again the privilege of assembling in the conference. I am thankful that I have the privilege of meeting in this capacity Prophet, Patriarchs, Apostles, Elders and Latter-day Saints. For the sixty-three years of the sixty-six since the organization of the Church I have been blessed to meet, when at home, with the general conferences of the Church. I have listened to the testimony of Prophets and Apostles and Elders of Israel, including that good and great man, the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom God raised up and appointed from before the foundation of the world to stand in the flesh in the latter days and organize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of Man to warn the whole world as far as doors should be opened, and to prepare for the great events to transpire in the generation in which we live. The testimony of the Prophet Joseph has been a strong one concerning the great and last dispensation of God to man on the earth. Upwards of eighteen hundred years have rolled away since the dead of the Savior of the world and His Apostles, and the God of heaven knows what it cost the Jewish nation to shed the blood of their Savior and their Shiloh, and the blood of the Apostles. The blood of the Lord’s anointed which was shed by that nation in that day cost more than the human family can comprehend. Well might the Savior say, while passing through that ignominious death upon the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Truly, they knew not what they did; but the effect of it has been manifest with the house of Israel now for eighteen hundred years, and the end is not yet. So I will say with regard to the Gentiles. The God of heaven knows what it will cost them for shedding the blood of the Prophet of God and his brother, and the Apostles and brethren who laid down their lives for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ. It costs something to shed righteous blood. And the Gentiles have not got eighteen hundred years before them in which to pay the debt. The words of the Lord have got to be fulfilled upon them in the day and generation in which these holy men have been slain.
I refer to these things because I know not how long I may have the privilege of bearing my testimony of the Gospel of Christ on the earth. The revelations that are in the Bible, the predictions of the Patriarchs and Prophets who saw by vision and revelation the last dispensation and fullness of times, plainly tell us what is to come to pass. The 49th chapter of Isaiah is having its fulfillment, as are the sayings of the Patriarchs and Prophets as laid down in records of divine truth. And they will be rapid in their fulfillment. I have often said in my teachings, if the world want to know what is coming to pass, let them read the revelations of St. John. Read of the judgments of God that are going to overtake the world in the last dispensation. Read the papers and see what is taking place in our own nation and in the nations of the earth, and what does it all mean? It means the commencement of the fulfillment of what the Prophets of God have predicted. In the Doctrine and Covenants there are many revelations given through the mouth of the Prophet of God; these revelations will all have their fulfillment, as the Lord lives, and no power can hinder it. In one of the revelations the Lord told Joseph Smith:
Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender, (for verily your faith is weak,) lest you destroy the wheat also.
Therefore let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe, then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo! the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
I want to bear testimony to this congregation, and to the heavens and the earth, that the day is come when those angels are privileged to go forth and commence their work. They are laboring in the United States of America; they are laboring among the nations of the earth; and they will continue. These things are at our doors, and neither you nor I can hinder them. We need not marvel or wonder at anything that is transpiring in the earth. The world do not comprehend the revelations of God. They did not in the days of the Jews; yet all that the Prophets had spoken concerning them came to pass. So in our day, these things will come to pass. I heard the Prophet Joseph bear his testimony to these events that would transpire in the earth. I have had the privilege during my life to see the beginning of the fulfillment of the words of the Prophet of God unto the inhabitants of the earth. He lived but a short time; but the Savior’s life was much shorter after entering the ministry. He was put to death, as were all His Apostles, excepting John; and that blood has been paid for as far as time would admit. We cannot draw a veil over the events that await this generation. No man that is inspired by the Spirit and power of God can close his ears, his eyes or his lips to these things. I do not know that I shall live to see much more; it is not likely that I shall; but I have lived to see the commencement in the earth. I have lived to see the words of the Prophet of God being fulfilled concerning Zion, concerning the mountains of Israel, and the gathering together of the Lord’s people to prepare for the coming of the Son of Man. We have been led to these mountains in fulfillment of revelation. We have laid a foundation for the gathering of the House of Israel and the Saints of the living God. I hope that we as a people may comprehend these things. I have listened to the testimony, not only of the Prophet of God, but also of many of the Apostles. I remember very well the last charge that Joseph gave to the Apostles. We had as little idea that he was going from us as the Apostles of the Savior did that He was going to be taken from them. Joseph talked with us as plainly as did the Savior to His Apostles, but we did not understand that he was about to depart from us any more than the Apostles understood the Savior. Now, I have heard of other parties rising up and pretending that the Prophet Joseph Smith gave unto them a charge to lead and direct the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I want to say that it is false; there is not a word of truth in it. When he delivered that charge to the Apostles he was filled with the power of God. His face was clear as amber, and the room was filled with the Spirit of God, like holy fire. In his address he told us that he had received at the hands of the Almighty God all the keys, and powers, and priesthood, and ordinances and gifts belonging to the dispensation in which we lived. “Now,” says he, “I have sealed all these blessings upon your heads, upon you Apostles of the Lamb of God, who have been chosen to bear off this Church and kingdom on the earth;” and after making this solemn proclamation to us, he said, “Now, you have got to round up your shoulders and bear off this kingdom, or you will be damned.” I never shall forget that. All of those Apostles today are in the spirit world, excepting myself, and they know that what he said is true; and those of us who have the Spirit of God know that it is true.
I feel to thank God for the progress of the work. The Elders of Israel are abroad among the nations carrying the Gospel to the children of men, and the Lord is blessing them and opening the way before them. It is true, our doctrine is not popular. In fact, the Latter-day Saints as a body have been under a ban in a great measure, from the organization of the Church until of late. The doctrine of Jesus is an unpopular doctrine. But there is only one Gospel; never was but one Gospel ordained of God to man for the salvation of the human family. That Gospel was taught by the Savior and by His Apostles. It was taught Joseph Smith by Moroni, and the Priesthood was given unto him by John the Baptist and Peter, James and John. The first principle of that Gospel is faith. Well, the people of the world may say, we all believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, but there is something to do besides believing in Christ. We must repent of our sins, be baptized for the remission of them, and receive the Holy Ghost. This is the doctrine taught by Christ and His Apostles. The same Gospel was taught to Adam and by him to his children. These doctrines have been revealed to us by the administration of angels. The gifts, the graces, and powers that belonged to that Gospel are with this people, and have been from the organization of the Church.
My brethren and sisters, we must be faithful, because the responsibility is great and mighty that rests upon us as bearers of the Holy Priesthood. You will see many strange things take place in the earth. We are at the end, so to speak, of the six thousand years. We are bordering on the millennium, when the Son of Man shall come in the clouds of heaven. Therefore, we cannot lay down our Priesthood and the work which the God of heaven has put into our hands. The eyes of the Prophet Joseph and all those sanctified spirits who have laid down their lives for the work of God and testimony of Jesus are upon us. Therefore, I feel this morning to bear my testimony to these things. The Lord has blessed me, so far as life is concerned, a long time. I have been connected with this Church while almost two or three quorums of Apostles have passed away. Let us lay these things to heart. Let us look at our position before the Lord. Let us be true and faithful in the work of the ministry and in doing the things God requires at our hands. God has blessed us. He has led us unto these mountains of Israel. The prophet of God was inspired to bring the people to this great American desert. There were no marks of white man here, no marks of agriculture and nothing to encourage any man to stop here; but President Brigham Young pitched his tent here, and laid the foundation of this city, with these broad streets and sidewalks, in the midst of sand and sagebrush. The Lord’s Spirit was with him, and he saw what was to do here. We are in the midst of the mountains of Israel, prophesied of as the gathering place of the people of God in the last days, where they might stand in holy places while the judgments of God worked in the earth. Let us try to do our duty, and labor for the Holy Spirit. The devil and the fallen spirits have labored from the creation of the world to thwart the purposes of God. He did it in the days of Christ. He tempted even Him forty days and forty nights. His Apostles did not escape, either. We shall not escape any more than they did. The arch-enemy is laboring for the overthrow of this Church and kingdom. He knows something about it. Therefore, you and I ought to pursue a course wherein we can be justified before the Lord. There are many events before us and at our door, and they follow each other in quick succession. No power on earth or under the earth can stay the fulfillment of these things. You can hardly see them with your eyes, hear them with your ears, and feel them in your spirits. And when these strange things take place, no man should marvel and wonder at them, because they are in the great programme. They have been decreed by Almighty God, and these things are only the beginning of sorrows.
I want to make a few remarks on another subject. Whenever the Lord has a people on the earth, no matter in what age of the world, they will dovetail right square into any other dispensation. You may see that throughout the whole history of the world. When Christ was born and entered into the ministry, and when He chose His Apostles, they acknowledged every revelation that had ever been given from Father Adam down to their day. They had the same Gospel, the same gifts, the same fruits. Now, if these Latter-day Saints are the saints of God, their works will be the same as were Christ’s and the Apostles. I hold in my hand the Doctrine and Covenants, containing revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith while he dwelt in the flesh. Read those revelations, and from the beginning to end they unite with all dispensations God has had on the earth. And that is not all. When God has a people on the earth the fruits of the Gospel will be manifest. In my boyhood I went to Sabbath school, under old Dr. Porter. I read the New Testament; I read about the gifts and graces that Christ and His Apostles had; and I asked Dr. Porter why it was that they did not contend for this faith, and why they did not have these gifts and graces. “Oh,” said he, “those things were given in the dark ages of the world, to convince the world that Jesus was the Christ. We live today in the glorious Gospel light of Christ, and we do not need them.” Then, said I, for God’s sake give me the dark ages of the world! That has been my spirit from that day to this. Here are thousands of men and women in this house, if they had the opportunity, could rise up and bear testimony that the fruits of the Gospel which the Apostles enjoyed are with these people. These Elders who have traveled thousands of miles can bear testimony that wherever this Gospel has been preached and wherever the Elders of Israel have administered, the gifts and graces have followed them. I bear testimony to this. My brethren can bear testimony to it. The sick have been healed, devils have been cast out, the lame have leaped, the deaf have heard, and all the gifts and graces that ever were manifest have been enjoyed among these Elders of Israel. Several years ago I met a man and woman here in the street. The woman said, “Do you know me?” I said I do not. “Do you know this man that is with me?” “No, I do not.” “Why,” said she, “you laid hands on this boy in Herefordshire fifty years ago. He was dumb—never spoke a word till you laid hands upon him and blessed him; and he has spoken ever since.” We have no business to claim to be Saints of the living God without we have the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we have that, these gifts will be with us. You know this as well as I do. Joseph Smith had the whole spirit and power of this resting upon him while he lived. He taught these principles to us, and they have been realized, and will be until this scene is wound up. This work shows for itself. That Gospel was taught Joseph Smith by an angel, as John the Revelator says:
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of the heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
Saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to Him; for the house of His judgment is come.
Yes, the hour of God’s judgment is come, and we should be prepared. Who besides the Latter-day Saints, since the days of Christ and His Apostles, have ever taught the principle of the redemption of the dead? Here we have four temples reared in this State by the Latter-day Saints and tens of thousands of the dead have been redeemed by the administration of the Gospel of Christ to their posterity or friends. This is one of the evidences of the fulfillment of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The prophet says, “Saviors shall come up on mount Zion * * and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” If we were not the saints of God, we could not do this. Whatever other dispensations may have done in this direction, we have no record of it. Jesus himself preached this doctrine. While his body lay in the tomb he went and preached to those who were int he spirit world, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh. This work is with the Latter-day Saints, and will remain with us.
We lost one of our Apostles a short time since. He was about the youngest man int he quorum of the Apostles. He was called suddenly away from us. There is a meaning to this. Many times things take place with us that we do not comprehend, unless it is given to us by revelation. But there is a meaning in the loss of that young Apostle. I had a manifestation of that while in San Francisco recently. One evening, as I fell asleep, I was very much troubled with evil spirits, that tried to afflict me; and while laboring to throw off these spirit and their influence, there was another spirit visited me that seemed to have power over the evil spirits, and they departed from me. Before he left me he told me not to grieve because of the departure of Abraham Hoagland Cannon; for the Lord had called him to fill another important mission int he spirit world, as a pure and holy Apostle from Zion in the Rocky Mountains—a labor which would not only prove a great benefit to his father’s household, but to the Church and kingdom of God on the earth. I feel to name this, because it is true. I have become acquainted with many things in our history that I have marveled at. While in the St. George Temple I had a son, who was in the north country, drowned. He was 21 years of age, and was a faithful young man. He had a warning of this. In a dream he was notified how he would die. We had testimony of that after his death. I asked the Lord why he was taken from me. The answer to me was, “You are doing a great deal for the redemption of your dead; but the law of redemption requires some of your own seed in the spirit world to attend to work connected with this.” That was a new principle to me; but it satisfied me why he was taken away. I name this, because there are a great many instances like it among the Latter-day Saints. This was the case with Brother Abraham Cannon. He was taken away to fulfill that mission. And where we have anything of this kind, we should leave it in the hands of God to reconcile.
Let us try as Latter-day Saints to qualify ourselves to do the will of God and bear off His kingdom, and be true and faithful to the end, which may God grant, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
was the first speaker. His remarks dwelt chiefly with the pleasure he felt in meeting with the saints, reflecting on the evident fulfillment of prophecies concerning the results upon the Jews of killing the Savior and the effects upon this generation of the killing of the Prophet Joseph and other holy men; the delivery of Joseph of the keys and responsibility upon the Apostles to carry the Gospel to the world and build up the kingdom of God on the earth.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference of Church, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, October 4th, 1896, by
Prest. Wilford Woodruff.
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
If I ever felt thankful in my life for anything, I do this morning that I am alive, that I stand in the flesh and have again the privilege of assembling in the conference. I am thankful that I have the privilege of meeting in this capacity Prophet, Patriarchs, Apostles, Elders and Latter-day Saints. For the sixty-three years of the sixty-six since the organization of the Church I have been blessed to meet, when at home, with the general conferences of the Church. I have listened to the testimony of Prophets and Apostles and Elders of Israel, including that good and great man, the Prophet Joseph Smith, whom God raised up and appointed from before the foundation of the world to stand in the flesh in the latter days and organize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of Man to warn the whole world as far as doors should be opened, and to prepare for the great events to transpire in the generation in which we live. The testimony of the Prophet Joseph has been a strong one concerning the great and last dispensation of God to man on the earth. Upwards of eighteen hundred years have rolled away since the dead of the Savior of the world and His Apostles, and the God of heaven knows what it cost the Jewish nation to shed the blood of their Savior and their Shiloh, and the blood of the Apostles. The blood of the Lord’s anointed which was shed by that nation in that day cost more than the human family can comprehend. Well might the Savior say, while passing through that ignominious death upon the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Truly, they knew not what they did; but the effect of it has been manifest with the house of Israel now for eighteen hundred years, and the end is not yet. So I will say with regard to the Gentiles. The God of heaven knows what it will cost them for shedding the blood of the Prophet of God and his brother, and the Apostles and brethren who laid down their lives for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ. It costs something to shed righteous blood. And the Gentiles have not got eighteen hundred years before them in which to pay the debt. The words of the Lord have got to be fulfilled upon them in the day and generation in which these holy men have been slain.
I refer to these things because I know not how long I may have the privilege of bearing my testimony of the Gospel of Christ on the earth. The revelations that are in the Bible, the predictions of the Patriarchs and Prophets who saw by vision and revelation the last dispensation and fullness of times, plainly tell us what is to come to pass. The 49th chapter of Isaiah is having its fulfillment, as are the sayings of the Patriarchs and Prophets as laid down in records of divine truth. And they will be rapid in their fulfillment. I have often said in my teachings, if the world want to know what is coming to pass, let them read the revelations of St. John. Read of the judgments of God that are going to overtake the world in the last dispensation. Read the papers and see what is taking place in our own nation and in the nations of the earth, and what does it all mean? It means the commencement of the fulfillment of what the Prophets of God have predicted. In the Doctrine and Covenants there are many revelations given through the mouth of the Prophet of God; these revelations will all have their fulfillment, as the Lord lives, and no power can hinder it. In one of the revelations the Lord told Joseph Smith:
Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender, (for verily your faith is weak,) lest you destroy the wheat also.
Therefore let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe, then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo! the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
I want to bear testimony to this congregation, and to the heavens and the earth, that the day is come when those angels are privileged to go forth and commence their work. They are laboring in the United States of America; they are laboring among the nations of the earth; and they will continue. These things are at our doors, and neither you nor I can hinder them. We need not marvel or wonder at anything that is transpiring in the earth. The world do not comprehend the revelations of God. They did not in the days of the Jews; yet all that the Prophets had spoken concerning them came to pass. So in our day, these things will come to pass. I heard the Prophet Joseph bear his testimony to these events that would transpire in the earth. I have had the privilege during my life to see the beginning of the fulfillment of the words of the Prophet of God unto the inhabitants of the earth. He lived but a short time; but the Savior’s life was much shorter after entering the ministry. He was put to death, as were all His Apostles, excepting John; and that blood has been paid for as far as time would admit. We cannot draw a veil over the events that await this generation. No man that is inspired by the Spirit and power of God can close his ears, his eyes or his lips to these things. I do not know that I shall live to see much more; it is not likely that I shall; but I have lived to see the commencement in the earth. I have lived to see the words of the Prophet of God being fulfilled concerning Zion, concerning the mountains of Israel, and the gathering together of the Lord’s people to prepare for the coming of the Son of Man. We have been led to these mountains in fulfillment of revelation. We have laid a foundation for the gathering of the House of Israel and the Saints of the living God. I hope that we as a people may comprehend these things. I have listened to the testimony, not only of the Prophet of God, but also of many of the Apostles. I remember very well the last charge that Joseph gave to the Apostles. We had as little idea that he was going from us as the Apostles of the Savior did that He was going to be taken from them. Joseph talked with us as plainly as did the Savior to His Apostles, but we did not understand that he was about to depart from us any more than the Apostles understood the Savior. Now, I have heard of other parties rising up and pretending that the Prophet Joseph Smith gave unto them a charge to lead and direct the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I want to say that it is false; there is not a word of truth in it. When he delivered that charge to the Apostles he was filled with the power of God. His face was clear as amber, and the room was filled with the Spirit of God, like holy fire. In his address he told us that he had received at the hands of the Almighty God all the keys, and powers, and priesthood, and ordinances and gifts belonging to the dispensation in which we lived. “Now,” says he, “I have sealed all these blessings upon your heads, upon you Apostles of the Lamb of God, who have been chosen to bear off this Church and kingdom on the earth;” and after making this solemn proclamation to us, he said, “Now, you have got to round up your shoulders and bear off this kingdom, or you will be damned.” I never shall forget that. All of those Apostles today are in the spirit world, excepting myself, and they know that what he said is true; and those of us who have the Spirit of God know that it is true.
I feel to thank God for the progress of the work. The Elders of Israel are abroad among the nations carrying the Gospel to the children of men, and the Lord is blessing them and opening the way before them. It is true, our doctrine is not popular. In fact, the Latter-day Saints as a body have been under a ban in a great measure, from the organization of the Church until of late. The doctrine of Jesus is an unpopular doctrine. But there is only one Gospel; never was but one Gospel ordained of God to man for the salvation of the human family. That Gospel was taught by the Savior and by His Apostles. It was taught Joseph Smith by Moroni, and the Priesthood was given unto him by John the Baptist and Peter, James and John. The first principle of that Gospel is faith. Well, the people of the world may say, we all believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, but there is something to do besides believing in Christ. We must repent of our sins, be baptized for the remission of them, and receive the Holy Ghost. This is the doctrine taught by Christ and His Apostles. The same Gospel was taught to Adam and by him to his children. These doctrines have been revealed to us by the administration of angels. The gifts, the graces, and powers that belonged to that Gospel are with this people, and have been from the organization of the Church.
My brethren and sisters, we must be faithful, because the responsibility is great and mighty that rests upon us as bearers of the Holy Priesthood. You will see many strange things take place in the earth. We are at the end, so to speak, of the six thousand years. We are bordering on the millennium, when the Son of Man shall come in the clouds of heaven. Therefore, we cannot lay down our Priesthood and the work which the God of heaven has put into our hands. The eyes of the Prophet Joseph and all those sanctified spirits who have laid down their lives for the work of God and testimony of Jesus are upon us. Therefore, I feel this morning to bear my testimony to these things. The Lord has blessed me, so far as life is concerned, a long time. I have been connected with this Church while almost two or three quorums of Apostles have passed away. Let us lay these things to heart. Let us look at our position before the Lord. Let us be true and faithful in the work of the ministry and in doing the things God requires at our hands. God has blessed us. He has led us unto these mountains of Israel. The prophet of God was inspired to bring the people to this great American desert. There were no marks of white man here, no marks of agriculture and nothing to encourage any man to stop here; but President Brigham Young pitched his tent here, and laid the foundation of this city, with these broad streets and sidewalks, in the midst of sand and sagebrush. The Lord’s Spirit was with him, and he saw what was to do here. We are in the midst of the mountains of Israel, prophesied of as the gathering place of the people of God in the last days, where they might stand in holy places while the judgments of God worked in the earth. Let us try to do our duty, and labor for the Holy Spirit. The devil and the fallen spirits have labored from the creation of the world to thwart the purposes of God. He did it in the days of Christ. He tempted even Him forty days and forty nights. His Apostles did not escape, either. We shall not escape any more than they did. The arch-enemy is laboring for the overthrow of this Church and kingdom. He knows something about it. Therefore, you and I ought to pursue a course wherein we can be justified before the Lord. There are many events before us and at our door, and they follow each other in quick succession. No power on earth or under the earth can stay the fulfillment of these things. You can hardly see them with your eyes, hear them with your ears, and feel them in your spirits. And when these strange things take place, no man should marvel and wonder at them, because they are in the great programme. They have been decreed by Almighty God, and these things are only the beginning of sorrows.
I want to make a few remarks on another subject. Whenever the Lord has a people on the earth, no matter in what age of the world, they will dovetail right square into any other dispensation. You may see that throughout the whole history of the world. When Christ was born and entered into the ministry, and when He chose His Apostles, they acknowledged every revelation that had ever been given from Father Adam down to their day. They had the same Gospel, the same gifts, the same fruits. Now, if these Latter-day Saints are the saints of God, their works will be the same as were Christ’s and the Apostles. I hold in my hand the Doctrine and Covenants, containing revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith while he dwelt in the flesh. Read those revelations, and from the beginning to end they unite with all dispensations God has had on the earth. And that is not all. When God has a people on the earth the fruits of the Gospel will be manifest. In my boyhood I went to Sabbath school, under old Dr. Porter. I read the New Testament; I read about the gifts and graces that Christ and His Apostles had; and I asked Dr. Porter why it was that they did not contend for this faith, and why they did not have these gifts and graces. “Oh,” said he, “those things were given in the dark ages of the world, to convince the world that Jesus was the Christ. We live today in the glorious Gospel light of Christ, and we do not need them.” Then, said I, for God’s sake give me the dark ages of the world! That has been my spirit from that day to this. Here are thousands of men and women in this house, if they had the opportunity, could rise up and bear testimony that the fruits of the Gospel which the Apostles enjoyed are with these people. These Elders who have traveled thousands of miles can bear testimony that wherever this Gospel has been preached and wherever the Elders of Israel have administered, the gifts and graces have followed them. I bear testimony to this. My brethren can bear testimony to it. The sick have been healed, devils have been cast out, the lame have leaped, the deaf have heard, and all the gifts and graces that ever were manifest have been enjoyed among these Elders of Israel. Several years ago I met a man and woman here in the street. The woman said, “Do you know me?” I said I do not. “Do you know this man that is with me?” “No, I do not.” “Why,” said she, “you laid hands on this boy in Herefordshire fifty years ago. He was dumb—never spoke a word till you laid hands upon him and blessed him; and he has spoken ever since.” We have no business to claim to be Saints of the living God without we have the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we have that, these gifts will be with us. You know this as well as I do. Joseph Smith had the whole spirit and power of this resting upon him while he lived. He taught these principles to us, and they have been realized, and will be until this scene is wound up. This work shows for itself. That Gospel was taught Joseph Smith by an angel, as John the Revelator says:
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of the heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
Saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to Him; for the house of His judgment is come.
Yes, the hour of God’s judgment is come, and we should be prepared. Who besides the Latter-day Saints, since the days of Christ and His Apostles, have ever taught the principle of the redemption of the dead? Here we have four temples reared in this State by the Latter-day Saints and tens of thousands of the dead have been redeemed by the administration of the Gospel of Christ to their posterity or friends. This is one of the evidences of the fulfillment of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The prophet says, “Saviors shall come up on mount Zion * * and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” If we were not the saints of God, we could not do this. Whatever other dispensations may have done in this direction, we have no record of it. Jesus himself preached this doctrine. While his body lay in the tomb he went and preached to those who were int he spirit world, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh. This work is with the Latter-day Saints, and will remain with us.
We lost one of our Apostles a short time since. He was about the youngest man int he quorum of the Apostles. He was called suddenly away from us. There is a meaning to this. Many times things take place with us that we do not comprehend, unless it is given to us by revelation. But there is a meaning in the loss of that young Apostle. I had a manifestation of that while in San Francisco recently. One evening, as I fell asleep, I was very much troubled with evil spirits, that tried to afflict me; and while laboring to throw off these spirit and their influence, there was another spirit visited me that seemed to have power over the evil spirits, and they departed from me. Before he left me he told me not to grieve because of the departure of Abraham Hoagland Cannon; for the Lord had called him to fill another important mission int he spirit world, as a pure and holy Apostle from Zion in the Rocky Mountains—a labor which would not only prove a great benefit to his father’s household, but to the Church and kingdom of God on the earth. I feel to name this, because it is true. I have become acquainted with many things in our history that I have marveled at. While in the St. George Temple I had a son, who was in the north country, drowned. He was 21 years of age, and was a faithful young man. He had a warning of this. In a dream he was notified how he would die. We had testimony of that after his death. I asked the Lord why he was taken from me. The answer to me was, “You are doing a great deal for the redemption of your dead; but the law of redemption requires some of your own seed in the spirit world to attend to work connected with this.” That was a new principle to me; but it satisfied me why he was taken away. I name this, because there are a great many instances like it among the Latter-day Saints. This was the case with Brother Abraham Cannon. He was taken away to fulfill that mission. And where we have anything of this kind, we should leave it in the hands of God to reconcile.
Let us try as Latter-day Saints to qualify ourselves to do the will of God and bear off His kingdom, and be true and faithful to the end, which may God grant, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
President Joseph F. Smith
next addressed the Conference. He spoke of the force and value of the testimony of President Woodruff, who had been personally taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He had heard the charge of Joseph to the Twelve, on whom he placed the authority to carry forward the work of God to success. He had known that all those who had arisen and made claims to lead the Church had no divine authority. President Smith spoke of there being many good and pious people in the world, and explained that goodness alone was not sufficient to empower them to represent God in the building up of His kingdom. He stated that the leaders of this Church were recognized by the Almighty, and that they should also be recognized by the people. Those who failed to support whom God had chosen would not receive recognition at the hands of the Lord. Besides dwelling clearly and elaborately upon the foregoing points, he discoursed earnestly upon the necessity of parents teaching their children in Zion the principles of the Gospel, that they might keep the faith when they reached maturity.
next addressed the Conference. He spoke of the force and value of the testimony of President Woodruff, who had been personally taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He had heard the charge of Joseph to the Twelve, on whom he placed the authority to carry forward the work of God to success. He had known that all those who had arisen and made claims to lead the Church had no divine authority. President Smith spoke of there being many good and pious people in the world, and explained that goodness alone was not sufficient to empower them to represent God in the building up of His kingdom. He stated that the leaders of this Church were recognized by the Almighty, and that they should also be recognized by the people. Those who failed to support whom God had chosen would not receive recognition at the hands of the Lord. Besides dwelling clearly and elaborately upon the foregoing points, he discoursed earnestly upon the necessity of parents teaching their children in Zion the principles of the Gospel, that they might keep the faith when they reached maturity.
President Wilford Woodruff
testified to the testimony of this dispensation with all that had preceded it, in the gifts and blessings of the Spirit, naming instances of the exercises of such gifts. He also referred to the work for the dead, testifying that this labor is being accepted in heaven, and that Apostle Abraham H. Cannon and others had been called into the spirit world to perform missions there in connection with this work. Joseph Smith was the first since the days of the ancient Apostles to preach this doctrine.
The choir sang the anthem:
Israel’s sons, with one accord,
Raise a song, a song of joy.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
testified to the testimony of this dispensation with all that had preceded it, in the gifts and blessings of the Spirit, naming instances of the exercises of such gifts. He also referred to the work for the dead, testifying that this labor is being accepted in heaven, and that Apostle Abraham H. Cannon and others had been called into the spirit world to perform missions there in connection with this work. Joseph Smith was the first since the days of the ancient Apostles to preach this doctrine.
The choir sang the anthem:
Israel’s sons, with one accord,
Raise a song, a song of joy.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
Afternoon Session.
The choir sang a portion of the hymn which commences:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!
The latter-day glory begins to come forth.
Prayer by Elder John W. Hess.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
O my Father, Thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place.
The choir sang a portion of the hymn which commences:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!
The latter-day glory begins to come forth.
Prayer by Elder John W. Hess.
The choir sang the hymn which begins:
O my Father, Thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place.
President George Q. Cannon
addressed the congregation. He took for the basis of the first part of his discourse the truths embodied in the hymn which had just been sung by the choir, and dwelt for some time on the origin of man, who, according to revelation, was descended in the spiritual being from God, whose gift and attributes he inherited. The speaker also explained the object of man’s probationary existence on the earth. God had in various ways vindicated these truths, notwithstanding the fluctuating and changing theories of man in relation to human kind evolving from lower forms and orders of life. He spoke of the joy to be derived from the possession of such sublime truths and the consciousness of an exalted origin. The closing part of the discourse related to the nature and character of the Priesthood which God had revealed in this dispensation, and the necessity for the Saints being advised and directed by that authority. It was clearly shown that in taking this course and giving ear to the counsels of the leaders of the Church, there was no loss of independence. It was not man-worship, but a just and consistent recognition of the authority of God. The character and history of the Saints showed that there was no community on earth more independent than they.
Discourse
Delivered at the General Conference of the Church, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, October 4th, 1896, by
President George Q. Cannon
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
I trust that the Latter-day Saints will exercise faith in behalf of those who address them. A congregation of people like those present, who have come together to worship the Lord have come doubtless with great desire that they may be fed the bread of life, and one would naturally be appalled at attempting to address a gathering of this size and character, unless he had the assurance that the Lord would help him. This hymn that we have just sung (“O, my Father, thou that dwellest,” etc.) is full of meaning and inspires solemn thoughts. It seems to be almost a revelation of itself; (in fact, the grand truths which it contains were revealed through the Prophet Joseph) and while it was being sung, I thought how little mankind know of the truths which are embodied in those four verses of poetry. The Lord has been very kind and merciful unto His children in these latter days in revealing the relationship which exists between Himself and the children of men, and in communicating some of His purposes in placing man here upon the earth. In this respect the Latter-day Saints, or those who have received the Gospel, have the advantage of the rest of mankind. While the scientific world and a large portion of the religious world are groping in dense darkness concerning the origin of man and the purpose of the Creator in placing him here, and while they are striving to arrive at some conclusion that will prove satisfactory, the Latter-day Saints possess knowledge concerning their origin. They do not believe that they have been evolved from some lower order of creation, nor that they have come on the earth by chance. If the Gospel did no more for us than this, what a great boon it would be, dispelling darkness and uncertainty and men’s theories concerning the origin of man. And we could go on and touch upon a great many principles in like manner, concerning which the revelations of Jesus have given us knowledge and understanding.
The Latter-day Saints are in a position to progress and to become informed in every direction without having to stop to investigate the theories and views of men. The Lord has revealed with plainness and simplicity, accompanied by the testimony of the Holy Ghost, many things about which the world is in doubt. Books have been written and years of time spent by learned men to establish what is called the Darwinian theory, while others have endeavored to combat that theory. It has disturbed the whole religious world. Many preachers of the Gospel have adopted this theory. The result is, infidelity has spread. Doubt has been thrown upon the Mosaic account of creation, the whole religious world has been agitated, and in many instances faith in the scriptures has been destroyed by this theory of the eminent philosopher, Charles Darwin. I suppose the majority of theologians who have been trained in the universities during the last quarter of a century, are inclined to look upon the Mosaic account of the creation as mythical in character. Men will try to show you—and apparently succeed—that this earth and its inhabitants have existed for a far longer period than the Bible warrants us in believing. Only a week or two ago it was published that some scientific man, in digging in the ruins of one of the ancient cities, found, as he claims, evidences that the city was in existence thousands of years before the biblical time of the creation of man. According to the chronology in the Bible, the Savior came about four thousand years after the placing of Adam on the earth; but this man of science says this city must have been in existence seven or eight thousand years before the birth of the Savior. He produces evidence of this in the form of pottery upon which the records of those days were kept, and which he has succeeded in deciphering. Other scientific men attempt to prove in different ways that the earth has been in existence long periods anterior to the time that those who believe the Bible accept. They talk of the flint age, of the bronze age, of the iron age, etc., and try to prove from these things that the antiquity of man is far greater than the Bible chronology gives evidence of.
Had not the Lord given us revelation, confirmed by the gift of the Holy Ghost what a condition we would have been in as well as the rest of mankind! How we would have been agitated and left a prey to doubt and uncertainty concerning these vital truths! But the Lord has given unto us evidences that are indisputable. He has given unto us the Bible, which has come down from the Jews. He has corroborated that by the revelation of the Book of Mormon. One, though translated by the learning of man, contains many precious truths; and the other has been translated by the power of God. There is no other book that is claimed has been translated by the power of God, but the Book of Mormon. This has come to us pure and authentic, and we can rely upon its testimony. In addition to these books, we have the revelations of the Lord to this Church contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. These three witnesses agree. President Woodruff used a very happy and expressive phrase this morning when he said that this dispensation dovetailed into the former dispensations. So with these books. They dovetail into each other, and they form a combination that cannot be broken, because they agree exactly. Every truth harmonizes with every other truth, and there is no conflict between them.
This people are exceedingly happy in having possession of these indisputable evidences concerning such important subjects. Do the Latter-day Saints believe that they have ascended or been evolved from a lower order of creation? No; for God has revealed to this Church that we are His children, made in His image, and possessing the gifts and attributes of God—not in their perfection, not in their developed condition, but possessing them nevertheless. We have these Godlike powers and attributes. We have descended from God, and can claim our parentage from Him, as much as our children can claim their parentage from us. Men may have lived in a low condition. The evidences of this can be produced. It can be proved that men fell from their high estate, and that in many instances they have lived in degradation, just as the Lamanites have descended to their low estate. But we know, from the record that God has given to us, the causes that have produced this. We know that the Lamanites were once a noble race of people. But through centuries of wrong-doing they have become degraded and low. This has been the case with many races. Our own ancestors have been in this condition, if we trace back far enough. Originally, however, man stood in the presence of his Maker, and his Maker recognized him as His son. He bestowed upon man blessings such as One so exalted would naturally bestow upon His offspring. But there was another power at work. Satan, who rebelled against God and sought to destroy the purposes of Jehovah, spread abroad his baneful influences, and these evil influences have had to be contended with through all the generations of men until the present time.
You can see, my brethren and sisters, the advantage that we possess in having the truth revealed to us. It ought to be the aim of our lives to preserve that truth, and to teach it to our children, that they may be the custodians of it and preserve it from the false ideas and vain philosophy that are being so industriously propagated at the present time in the highest institutions of learning in our land. This is one of the reasons why our young men who go away to college incur such risks of losing their faith. Nearly all the text books and the teachings of these institutions of learning, not excepting theological institutions, have a tendency to make the students accept as true the modern ideas concerning the antiquity of man and the age of the earth.
Now, this Church is the repository of the truth. I know of no other organization on the earth that is made the custodian of these grand truths which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds. This is a very important mission that God has entrusted to us. He has communicated to us these truths, and has borne testimony to them unto us by His Holy Spirit. Men may philosophize and say they can prove that man lived on the earth more than four thousand years before the Savior came, and that the earth itself was organized and inhabited long anterior to the time assigned in the Mosaic account. Suppose they entertain this idea and think they can do this, it ought not to disturb our faith. We have seen theory after theory dissipated. Scientific men are continually advancing theories and creating hypothetical conditions, only to be shattered later on. Almost every generation changes its views in regard to these things. That which was believed fifty years ago is overturned today; that which is believed by the scientific world today may be upset, if things don’t change, fifty years hence, by new theories as unsound probably as those they displace. But this is not our condition. The Lord has revealed the truth to us, and the records that we have confirm His revelations to us.
We may be called ignorant and fanatical for clinging to these things. But it is like the rod of iron that Lehi saw in his vision; if we cling to it, we have got something firm in our grasp, and though the mists of darkness may surround us, making it difficult to see the path before us, we may rest assured that we will be brought safely through.
Aside from these evidences, however, I would rather believe that I was a literal descendant of the Almighty, and lift my eyes to Him as my Father, and aspire to be like Him, than to entertain any other belief, however well supported it might be by the evidences of men. No, no; we have not ascended from any inferior order of beings. We have, I repeat, descended from the God of heaven, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The sublime words of this hymn that we have sung this afternoon are true.
My brethren and sisters, we come together on these occasions to be taught of the Lord by the outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon us; and when we come with this feeling, I am sure none of us go away empty. How often we hear the expression, “I have enjoyed this conference better than any conference I ever attended,” and there is no reason why this present conference should be an exception. The Lord is willing to bestow His blessings upon us and to fill our souls with light and intelligence. We have heard this morning testimonies that I consider of the greatest importance to us. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the principle of recognizing and acknowledging the counsels and the guidance of the Priesthood of the Son of God. Oh! that our eyes could be open to see and our hearts be made to understand that which God has done for us in placing the Holy Priesthood in His Church. If we could but comprehend it, every heart would swell to its utmost capacity in thanksgiving and praise to the God of heaven for His infinite kindness and mercy in bestowing the Priesthood upon men in this day and age, in giving unto us the organization of the Church and the Gospel, with its glorious principles, and in giving unto us men who have the authority to officiate in all the ordinances of the Gospel. Do the servants of God want to lift themselves up and become objects of adoration among the people? Do they want you to bow to them and to do reverence to them? If there are any among those who occupy official positions in this Church that have this feeling, I have not met them. My observation has been that while these men feel the importance of the Priesthood God has bestowed upon them, and have a desire to magnify and honor it, and to see it honored, yet they recognize that in and of themselves they are very weak, and they feel the lack of that ability and power which they ought to have to magnify their offices to the acceptance of God and the satisfaction of the people. You know the President of the Church. I need not—in his presence, at least—enumerate his qualities, nor speak to you of his humility and his unassuming character. You know him. So it is with the rest. Some may not have so happy a faculty of appearing humble in public as others; but in the hearts of these men there is no desire to exercise any improper authority among this people. I can testify of this, for I know these men and their spirit. What, then, is it that prompts them to talk about the Priesthood and to appeal to the Saints to honor that Priesthood? It is that God our Eternal Father may be honored. He has bestowed this authority, and it is representative of Him, and we should honor it as we desire to honor Him. I know that if this people will listen to the counsel of God’s servants they will be prospered and blessed, and the gifts and graces of the Gospel will be enjoyed by them to their fullest extent. I know that those who have this spirit grow in knowledge, in strength, and in the gifts of the Gospel, and are, I might say, better Latter-day Saints than those who do not.
You take the leading men of this Church, not only the Twelve, but the Presidents of Stakes, the High Councilors and the Bishops, and I do not believe you can find in any organization, religious, political or social, a body of men so independent, so desirous of having their own way, so firm, and so determined, as those to whom I allude. Take the First Presidency. Those who know us know what our characteristics are. Take the Twelve, the Seven Presidents of Seventies, the Presidents of Stakes, the High Councilors and the Bishops of wards. Those who know these men know to a great extent what their characteristics are. These men, generally speaking, are men of independent thought, men that will not bow lightly to the behests of others. They are men that would rather die than sacrifice a principle. They would suffer their goods to be destroyed and their bodies to be burned rather than to bow to that which in their estimation was not right. I call attention to this because these men are submissive men. It is not because they are easily influenced. What is the cause of their submission and their obedience? It is because God has revealed the Priesthood and has restored the authority. That is what I bow to. When I respect and honor Wilford Woodruff. I bow to God who has chosen him. My neck does not nor never did bow to man. Those who know me know that I am unbending in that respect. I may get along quietly; I do not like to quarrel; but I never yet bowed to man. I only bow to proper authority. If I listen to Wilford Woodruff; if I look to him to see how the Spirit of God moves upon him; if I ask his counsel and take it, it is because God has commanded me. God has given him the keys of authority. Let anybody else try it, and see what effect their action would have. When Joseph F. Smith obeys Wilford Woodruff, he does it upon the same principle. We reverence him as the prophet of God, and as our leader. We listen to him, and are guided by his slightest wish. It is because we know that he is the servant of God, chosen by the Almighty to fill that place, and that he holds the keys of the Priesthood to this generation on the earth at the present time. I can say truthfully that we strive to consult his slightest wish, and honor him in his position, because we know that God has chosen him. And who are we that we should withstand God? Who are we that we should withstand that which God reveals? Does this sacrifice our independence? Not in the least. And these Twelve Apostles are in precisely the same position. When they accept the counsel of the First Presidency, they do it because they believe the First Presidency to be chosen of God. They may have different views on many things; but when the First Presidency gives counsel, every man that has the Spirit of God accepts that counsel. This does not prevent him from entertaining his views and expressing them, and it does not detract from his influence.
Now, we do not ask this people to be more obedient than we are. We do not ask you to do something that we are not willing to do. We have set you the example. We ask you, as the Lord asks you, to obey the authority of God and to respect it. Does this mean man-worship? Does this mean loss of independence? No, a thousand times no. There is no more independent people on the earth than the Latter-day Saints. They have proved it. They have been willing to leave everything they had on earth, and even to risk their lives, for that which they knew to be true. Men, therefore, who talk about us, as though we were servile, as though we do not have independence of character, as though we blindly follow a few leaders, are guilty of falsehood. We are as independent as human beings can be. But we know that god has restored the Priesthood, and we obey that. When a man takes me down into the water, after believing in Jesus and repenting of my sins, and baptizes me in the water, and I know that I receive the remission of my sins through that act; when a man lays his hands upon me and confirms me a member of the Church of Christ and confers upon me the gift of the Holy Ghost, and I know that I receive that gift through that ordinance, shall I not respect and honor that man unto whom God has given such extraordinary power? Why, I would be the meanest being on the earth if I would not respect authority of that kind. To go farther: when a man administers to me certain ordinances, and he promises unto me that I shall come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed with glory, immortality and eternal life; he seals a wife to me and says she shall be mine for time and for all eternity, and God bears witness to this by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that no doubt exists in my mind concerning the truth of these promises, shall I now honor the man and reverence the authority that that man has who can do such wonderful things as this? This is my condition. I have been baptized—my sins have been remitted; I have had hands laid upon me for the gift of the Holy Ghost—I have received that gift; I have had other ordinances administered to me and promises made to me—I know I have received here in part and will hereafter receive in fullness the fulfillment of those promises. Then what power on earth shall prevent me from honoring those men, from respecting that authority, and from being submissive to it? Shall I say I will accept that authority in one direction, but not in another? If I do, I am unworthy of the blessings God has bestowed upon me. And I have never done it. I honor that authority. I love the men that bear it, because I know they are men of God. Now, why not all of us do this? You who have not had your sins remitted, you who have not had the gift of the Holy Ghost, you who have not received these other blessings, you can rebel and say you will do as you please; but that will not do for those who have received all these blessings and gifts—at least, it will not if they expect to continue in the favor of God.
I love this Church because it is the Church of Christ. I love it because it brought me every earthly blessing. It has made my life a life of great happiness. I have had trials, as the rest have; but my life has been an exceedingly happy one. I have been happy in the great truths which God has revealed, and which I know to be truths; but more especially have I been happy in the blessings that have been brought to me through the Priesthood and the exercise of its power by men like myself whom God has seen fit to endow with it. Sometimes I have felt that I could not stay here on the earth, so happy have I been. I rejoice in this happiness and in these blessings. I would that all mankind could share in them. When I was a missionary it was the great delight of my life to preach this Gospel, and to entreat men to come to the Lord and receive the blessings I had received. I feel now that I would like to live until the Savior comes, if it were the Lord’s will, to preach this Gospel of salvation to mankind, and to make them sharers in the joys that I have partaken of. And it is through the Priesthood that all these blessings have come. I have been in poverty; I have been through the persecutions we all endured; I have been short of food; I have been in need of water; I have been destitute of clothing; I have preached the Gospel without purse and scrip; I have been in prosperity; I have mingled with the leading men of the land, and have lived where I had everything I needed; and I bear testimony to you this day that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for every circumstance in life. It will make men happy in poverty and in adversity; it will make them happy in prosperity and in plenty. It will not confined to one condition of life; it extends over every condition in which man can be placed. I take delight this day, in this solemn assembly, in bearing my testimony to this.
Now, what can we say to you to entreat you to honor the Priesthood that God has restored? We do not ask you to honor us (thought it is a difficult thing to divest the Priesthood from the man); but we entreat you to honor the Priesthood. Do not allow the falsehoods that are told concerning the Priesthood to enter into your heads. God is with this Priesthood. He is with the Elders of this Church, and with the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles, and He will bear them off triumphantly. He will bear testimony to their being His servants by the fruits that will follow obedience to the counsels which they give. We who love our religion cannot do better than take this course. And what is the use of our religion if we do not love it and carry out its principles? It is of no value to us, but will prove a condemnation rather than a blessing to us.
I feel to rejoice this day in the presence of God, that He has been so good and kind to us as to reveal Himself to us, so that we know the truth; that we need not go groping after the theories of men and the confusion that exists in the world, but that we can cling to the truth and live by it; and when the time comes for us to go hence, go with the assurance that we shall enter into that glorious rest which the Lord has in store for His faithful people. I pray God to grant this unto all of us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
addressed the congregation. He took for the basis of the first part of his discourse the truths embodied in the hymn which had just been sung by the choir, and dwelt for some time on the origin of man, who, according to revelation, was descended in the spiritual being from God, whose gift and attributes he inherited. The speaker also explained the object of man’s probationary existence on the earth. God had in various ways vindicated these truths, notwithstanding the fluctuating and changing theories of man in relation to human kind evolving from lower forms and orders of life. He spoke of the joy to be derived from the possession of such sublime truths and the consciousness of an exalted origin. The closing part of the discourse related to the nature and character of the Priesthood which God had revealed in this dispensation, and the necessity for the Saints being advised and directed by that authority. It was clearly shown that in taking this course and giving ear to the counsels of the leaders of the Church, there was no loss of independence. It was not man-worship, but a just and consistent recognition of the authority of God. The character and history of the Saints showed that there was no community on earth more independent than they.
Discourse
Delivered at the General Conference of the Church, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, October 4th, 1896, by
President George Q. Cannon
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
I trust that the Latter-day Saints will exercise faith in behalf of those who address them. A congregation of people like those present, who have come together to worship the Lord have come doubtless with great desire that they may be fed the bread of life, and one would naturally be appalled at attempting to address a gathering of this size and character, unless he had the assurance that the Lord would help him. This hymn that we have just sung (“O, my Father, thou that dwellest,” etc.) is full of meaning and inspires solemn thoughts. It seems to be almost a revelation of itself; (in fact, the grand truths which it contains were revealed through the Prophet Joseph) and while it was being sung, I thought how little mankind know of the truths which are embodied in those four verses of poetry. The Lord has been very kind and merciful unto His children in these latter days in revealing the relationship which exists between Himself and the children of men, and in communicating some of His purposes in placing man here upon the earth. In this respect the Latter-day Saints, or those who have received the Gospel, have the advantage of the rest of mankind. While the scientific world and a large portion of the religious world are groping in dense darkness concerning the origin of man and the purpose of the Creator in placing him here, and while they are striving to arrive at some conclusion that will prove satisfactory, the Latter-day Saints possess knowledge concerning their origin. They do not believe that they have been evolved from some lower order of creation, nor that they have come on the earth by chance. If the Gospel did no more for us than this, what a great boon it would be, dispelling darkness and uncertainty and men’s theories concerning the origin of man. And we could go on and touch upon a great many principles in like manner, concerning which the revelations of Jesus have given us knowledge and understanding.
The Latter-day Saints are in a position to progress and to become informed in every direction without having to stop to investigate the theories and views of men. The Lord has revealed with plainness and simplicity, accompanied by the testimony of the Holy Ghost, many things about which the world is in doubt. Books have been written and years of time spent by learned men to establish what is called the Darwinian theory, while others have endeavored to combat that theory. It has disturbed the whole religious world. Many preachers of the Gospel have adopted this theory. The result is, infidelity has spread. Doubt has been thrown upon the Mosaic account of creation, the whole religious world has been agitated, and in many instances faith in the scriptures has been destroyed by this theory of the eminent philosopher, Charles Darwin. I suppose the majority of theologians who have been trained in the universities during the last quarter of a century, are inclined to look upon the Mosaic account of the creation as mythical in character. Men will try to show you—and apparently succeed—that this earth and its inhabitants have existed for a far longer period than the Bible warrants us in believing. Only a week or two ago it was published that some scientific man, in digging in the ruins of one of the ancient cities, found, as he claims, evidences that the city was in existence thousands of years before the biblical time of the creation of man. According to the chronology in the Bible, the Savior came about four thousand years after the placing of Adam on the earth; but this man of science says this city must have been in existence seven or eight thousand years before the birth of the Savior. He produces evidence of this in the form of pottery upon which the records of those days were kept, and which he has succeeded in deciphering. Other scientific men attempt to prove in different ways that the earth has been in existence long periods anterior to the time that those who believe the Bible accept. They talk of the flint age, of the bronze age, of the iron age, etc., and try to prove from these things that the antiquity of man is far greater than the Bible chronology gives evidence of.
Had not the Lord given us revelation, confirmed by the gift of the Holy Ghost what a condition we would have been in as well as the rest of mankind! How we would have been agitated and left a prey to doubt and uncertainty concerning these vital truths! But the Lord has given unto us evidences that are indisputable. He has given unto us the Bible, which has come down from the Jews. He has corroborated that by the revelation of the Book of Mormon. One, though translated by the learning of man, contains many precious truths; and the other has been translated by the power of God. There is no other book that is claimed has been translated by the power of God, but the Book of Mormon. This has come to us pure and authentic, and we can rely upon its testimony. In addition to these books, we have the revelations of the Lord to this Church contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. These three witnesses agree. President Woodruff used a very happy and expressive phrase this morning when he said that this dispensation dovetailed into the former dispensations. So with these books. They dovetail into each other, and they form a combination that cannot be broken, because they agree exactly. Every truth harmonizes with every other truth, and there is no conflict between them.
This people are exceedingly happy in having possession of these indisputable evidences concerning such important subjects. Do the Latter-day Saints believe that they have ascended or been evolved from a lower order of creation? No; for God has revealed to this Church that we are His children, made in His image, and possessing the gifts and attributes of God—not in their perfection, not in their developed condition, but possessing them nevertheless. We have these Godlike powers and attributes. We have descended from God, and can claim our parentage from Him, as much as our children can claim their parentage from us. Men may have lived in a low condition. The evidences of this can be produced. It can be proved that men fell from their high estate, and that in many instances they have lived in degradation, just as the Lamanites have descended to their low estate. But we know, from the record that God has given to us, the causes that have produced this. We know that the Lamanites were once a noble race of people. But through centuries of wrong-doing they have become degraded and low. This has been the case with many races. Our own ancestors have been in this condition, if we trace back far enough. Originally, however, man stood in the presence of his Maker, and his Maker recognized him as His son. He bestowed upon man blessings such as One so exalted would naturally bestow upon His offspring. But there was another power at work. Satan, who rebelled against God and sought to destroy the purposes of Jehovah, spread abroad his baneful influences, and these evil influences have had to be contended with through all the generations of men until the present time.
You can see, my brethren and sisters, the advantage that we possess in having the truth revealed to us. It ought to be the aim of our lives to preserve that truth, and to teach it to our children, that they may be the custodians of it and preserve it from the false ideas and vain philosophy that are being so industriously propagated at the present time in the highest institutions of learning in our land. This is one of the reasons why our young men who go away to college incur such risks of losing their faith. Nearly all the text books and the teachings of these institutions of learning, not excepting theological institutions, have a tendency to make the students accept as true the modern ideas concerning the antiquity of man and the age of the earth.
Now, this Church is the repository of the truth. I know of no other organization on the earth that is made the custodian of these grand truths which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds. This is a very important mission that God has entrusted to us. He has communicated to us these truths, and has borne testimony to them unto us by His Holy Spirit. Men may philosophize and say they can prove that man lived on the earth more than four thousand years before the Savior came, and that the earth itself was organized and inhabited long anterior to the time assigned in the Mosaic account. Suppose they entertain this idea and think they can do this, it ought not to disturb our faith. We have seen theory after theory dissipated. Scientific men are continually advancing theories and creating hypothetical conditions, only to be shattered later on. Almost every generation changes its views in regard to these things. That which was believed fifty years ago is overturned today; that which is believed by the scientific world today may be upset, if things don’t change, fifty years hence, by new theories as unsound probably as those they displace. But this is not our condition. The Lord has revealed the truth to us, and the records that we have confirm His revelations to us.
We may be called ignorant and fanatical for clinging to these things. But it is like the rod of iron that Lehi saw in his vision; if we cling to it, we have got something firm in our grasp, and though the mists of darkness may surround us, making it difficult to see the path before us, we may rest assured that we will be brought safely through.
Aside from these evidences, however, I would rather believe that I was a literal descendant of the Almighty, and lift my eyes to Him as my Father, and aspire to be like Him, than to entertain any other belief, however well supported it might be by the evidences of men. No, no; we have not ascended from any inferior order of beings. We have, I repeat, descended from the God of heaven, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The sublime words of this hymn that we have sung this afternoon are true.
My brethren and sisters, we come together on these occasions to be taught of the Lord by the outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon us; and when we come with this feeling, I am sure none of us go away empty. How often we hear the expression, “I have enjoyed this conference better than any conference I ever attended,” and there is no reason why this present conference should be an exception. The Lord is willing to bestow His blessings upon us and to fill our souls with light and intelligence. We have heard this morning testimonies that I consider of the greatest importance to us. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the principle of recognizing and acknowledging the counsels and the guidance of the Priesthood of the Son of God. Oh! that our eyes could be open to see and our hearts be made to understand that which God has done for us in placing the Holy Priesthood in His Church. If we could but comprehend it, every heart would swell to its utmost capacity in thanksgiving and praise to the God of heaven for His infinite kindness and mercy in bestowing the Priesthood upon men in this day and age, in giving unto us the organization of the Church and the Gospel, with its glorious principles, and in giving unto us men who have the authority to officiate in all the ordinances of the Gospel. Do the servants of God want to lift themselves up and become objects of adoration among the people? Do they want you to bow to them and to do reverence to them? If there are any among those who occupy official positions in this Church that have this feeling, I have not met them. My observation has been that while these men feel the importance of the Priesthood God has bestowed upon them, and have a desire to magnify and honor it, and to see it honored, yet they recognize that in and of themselves they are very weak, and they feel the lack of that ability and power which they ought to have to magnify their offices to the acceptance of God and the satisfaction of the people. You know the President of the Church. I need not—in his presence, at least—enumerate his qualities, nor speak to you of his humility and his unassuming character. You know him. So it is with the rest. Some may not have so happy a faculty of appearing humble in public as others; but in the hearts of these men there is no desire to exercise any improper authority among this people. I can testify of this, for I know these men and their spirit. What, then, is it that prompts them to talk about the Priesthood and to appeal to the Saints to honor that Priesthood? It is that God our Eternal Father may be honored. He has bestowed this authority, and it is representative of Him, and we should honor it as we desire to honor Him. I know that if this people will listen to the counsel of God’s servants they will be prospered and blessed, and the gifts and graces of the Gospel will be enjoyed by them to their fullest extent. I know that those who have this spirit grow in knowledge, in strength, and in the gifts of the Gospel, and are, I might say, better Latter-day Saints than those who do not.
You take the leading men of this Church, not only the Twelve, but the Presidents of Stakes, the High Councilors and the Bishops, and I do not believe you can find in any organization, religious, political or social, a body of men so independent, so desirous of having their own way, so firm, and so determined, as those to whom I allude. Take the First Presidency. Those who know us know what our characteristics are. Take the Twelve, the Seven Presidents of Seventies, the Presidents of Stakes, the High Councilors and the Bishops of wards. Those who know these men know to a great extent what their characteristics are. These men, generally speaking, are men of independent thought, men that will not bow lightly to the behests of others. They are men that would rather die than sacrifice a principle. They would suffer their goods to be destroyed and their bodies to be burned rather than to bow to that which in their estimation was not right. I call attention to this because these men are submissive men. It is not because they are easily influenced. What is the cause of their submission and their obedience? It is because God has revealed the Priesthood and has restored the authority. That is what I bow to. When I respect and honor Wilford Woodruff. I bow to God who has chosen him. My neck does not nor never did bow to man. Those who know me know that I am unbending in that respect. I may get along quietly; I do not like to quarrel; but I never yet bowed to man. I only bow to proper authority. If I listen to Wilford Woodruff; if I look to him to see how the Spirit of God moves upon him; if I ask his counsel and take it, it is because God has commanded me. God has given him the keys of authority. Let anybody else try it, and see what effect their action would have. When Joseph F. Smith obeys Wilford Woodruff, he does it upon the same principle. We reverence him as the prophet of God, and as our leader. We listen to him, and are guided by his slightest wish. It is because we know that he is the servant of God, chosen by the Almighty to fill that place, and that he holds the keys of the Priesthood to this generation on the earth at the present time. I can say truthfully that we strive to consult his slightest wish, and honor him in his position, because we know that God has chosen him. And who are we that we should withstand God? Who are we that we should withstand that which God reveals? Does this sacrifice our independence? Not in the least. And these Twelve Apostles are in precisely the same position. When they accept the counsel of the First Presidency, they do it because they believe the First Presidency to be chosen of God. They may have different views on many things; but when the First Presidency gives counsel, every man that has the Spirit of God accepts that counsel. This does not prevent him from entertaining his views and expressing them, and it does not detract from his influence.
Now, we do not ask this people to be more obedient than we are. We do not ask you to do something that we are not willing to do. We have set you the example. We ask you, as the Lord asks you, to obey the authority of God and to respect it. Does this mean man-worship? Does this mean loss of independence? No, a thousand times no. There is no more independent people on the earth than the Latter-day Saints. They have proved it. They have been willing to leave everything they had on earth, and even to risk their lives, for that which they knew to be true. Men, therefore, who talk about us, as though we were servile, as though we do not have independence of character, as though we blindly follow a few leaders, are guilty of falsehood. We are as independent as human beings can be. But we know that god has restored the Priesthood, and we obey that. When a man takes me down into the water, after believing in Jesus and repenting of my sins, and baptizes me in the water, and I know that I receive the remission of my sins through that act; when a man lays his hands upon me and confirms me a member of the Church of Christ and confers upon me the gift of the Holy Ghost, and I know that I receive that gift through that ordinance, shall I not respect and honor that man unto whom God has given such extraordinary power? Why, I would be the meanest being on the earth if I would not respect authority of that kind. To go farther: when a man administers to me certain ordinances, and he promises unto me that I shall come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed with glory, immortality and eternal life; he seals a wife to me and says she shall be mine for time and for all eternity, and God bears witness to this by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that no doubt exists in my mind concerning the truth of these promises, shall I now honor the man and reverence the authority that that man has who can do such wonderful things as this? This is my condition. I have been baptized—my sins have been remitted; I have had hands laid upon me for the gift of the Holy Ghost—I have received that gift; I have had other ordinances administered to me and promises made to me—I know I have received here in part and will hereafter receive in fullness the fulfillment of those promises. Then what power on earth shall prevent me from honoring those men, from respecting that authority, and from being submissive to it? Shall I say I will accept that authority in one direction, but not in another? If I do, I am unworthy of the blessings God has bestowed upon me. And I have never done it. I honor that authority. I love the men that bear it, because I know they are men of God. Now, why not all of us do this? You who have not had your sins remitted, you who have not had the gift of the Holy Ghost, you who have not received these other blessings, you can rebel and say you will do as you please; but that will not do for those who have received all these blessings and gifts—at least, it will not if they expect to continue in the favor of God.
I love this Church because it is the Church of Christ. I love it because it brought me every earthly blessing. It has made my life a life of great happiness. I have had trials, as the rest have; but my life has been an exceedingly happy one. I have been happy in the great truths which God has revealed, and which I know to be truths; but more especially have I been happy in the blessings that have been brought to me through the Priesthood and the exercise of its power by men like myself whom God has seen fit to endow with it. Sometimes I have felt that I could not stay here on the earth, so happy have I been. I rejoice in this happiness and in these blessings. I would that all mankind could share in them. When I was a missionary it was the great delight of my life to preach this Gospel, and to entreat men to come to the Lord and receive the blessings I had received. I feel now that I would like to live until the Savior comes, if it were the Lord’s will, to preach this Gospel of salvation to mankind, and to make them sharers in the joys that I have partaken of. And it is through the Priesthood that all these blessings have come. I have been in poverty; I have been through the persecutions we all endured; I have been short of food; I have been in need of water; I have been destitute of clothing; I have preached the Gospel without purse and scrip; I have been in prosperity; I have mingled with the leading men of the land, and have lived where I had everything I needed; and I bear testimony to you this day that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for every circumstance in life. It will make men happy in poverty and in adversity; it will make them happy in prosperity and in plenty. It will not confined to one condition of life; it extends over every condition in which man can be placed. I take delight this day, in this solemn assembly, in bearing my testimony to this.
Now, what can we say to you to entreat you to honor the Priesthood that God has restored? We do not ask you to honor us (thought it is a difficult thing to divest the Priesthood from the man); but we entreat you to honor the Priesthood. Do not allow the falsehoods that are told concerning the Priesthood to enter into your heads. God is with this Priesthood. He is with the Elders of this Church, and with the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles, and He will bear them off triumphantly. He will bear testimony to their being His servants by the fruits that will follow obedience to the counsels which they give. We who love our religion cannot do better than take this course. And what is the use of our religion if we do not love it and carry out its principles? It is of no value to us, but will prove a condemnation rather than a blessing to us.
I feel to rejoice this day in the presence of God, that He has been so good and kind to us as to reveal Himself to us, so that we know the truth; that we need not go groping after the theories of men and the confusion that exists in the world, but that we can cling to the truth and live by it; and when the time comes for us to go hence, go with the assurance that we shall enter into that glorious rest which the Lord has in store for His faithful people. I pray God to grant this unto all of us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
President Lorenzo Snow
said the Saints might think it difficult to live up to the commandments of God, but He would never give any law without bestowing upon men the ability to obey it, thus bringing out the divine in man’s nature. This would arise from man’s close relationship to God. The speaker had received a manifestation of this relationship when he was young in the work; “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become.” This had been firmly impressed upon the servants of God in other ages. Moses especially having shown remarkable power in this direction at various times. By this power he had been able to turn aside the great anger of the Lord from the people when this anger promised to make Moses th greatest of the children of Israel. Such a point of godly education should be reached by his servants in this day, that they might not humbly and unselfishly under all conditions. The speaker asked if the Saints had realized all the blessings they anticipated from the obedience to the Gospel, and answered that in his opinion the faithful servants of God had gained vastly more than they were able to expect. This was realized in the knowledge of man’s relationship with God, without considering any other blessings the Gospel had bestowed, for this knowledge had as its end the cultivation of a holy ambition in man to make himself more like his divine Father. This was illustrated anciently in the life of David, who had cultivated godliness and nobility of heart. A striking instance was his sparing Saul’s life that he might not be found guilty of raising his hand against the Lord’s anointed. Latter-day Saints should strive to educate themselves to a greater degree of self-control in preparation for the trying situations of the future. In the light of the destiny of the Saints, the speaker thought that any required self-sacrifice should not considered too great for bringing about that destiny.
He commended the work being performed in the temples as being pre-eminently fitted for advancing spirituality, and a work in which there could be no failure; he urged upon the people greater faithfulness in this work, for the benefit it would bestow upon the living and the dead. He closed by exhorting the Saints to greater encouragement and diligence in their labors.
The choir sang the anthem: Awake, my soul.
Benediction by Elder John Nicholson.
said the Saints might think it difficult to live up to the commandments of God, but He would never give any law without bestowing upon men the ability to obey it, thus bringing out the divine in man’s nature. This would arise from man’s close relationship to God. The speaker had received a manifestation of this relationship when he was young in the work; “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become.” This had been firmly impressed upon the servants of God in other ages. Moses especially having shown remarkable power in this direction at various times. By this power he had been able to turn aside the great anger of the Lord from the people when this anger promised to make Moses th greatest of the children of Israel. Such a point of godly education should be reached by his servants in this day, that they might not humbly and unselfishly under all conditions. The speaker asked if the Saints had realized all the blessings they anticipated from the obedience to the Gospel, and answered that in his opinion the faithful servants of God had gained vastly more than they were able to expect. This was realized in the knowledge of man’s relationship with God, without considering any other blessings the Gospel had bestowed, for this knowledge had as its end the cultivation of a holy ambition in man to make himself more like his divine Father. This was illustrated anciently in the life of David, who had cultivated godliness and nobility of heart. A striking instance was his sparing Saul’s life that he might not be found guilty of raising his hand against the Lord’s anointed. Latter-day Saints should strive to educate themselves to a greater degree of self-control in preparation for the trying situations of the future. In the light of the destiny of the Saints, the speaker thought that any required self-sacrifice should not considered too great for bringing about that destiny.
He commended the work being performed in the temples as being pre-eminently fitted for advancing spirituality, and a work in which there could be no failure; he urged upon the people greater faithfulness in this work, for the benefit it would bestow upon the living and the dead. He closed by exhorting the Saints to greater encouragement and diligence in their labors.
The choir sang the anthem: Awake, my soul.
Benediction by Elder John Nicholson.
Overflow Meeting.
An overflow meeting was held in the Assembly at 2 p.m. Elder Brigham Young, of the Council of the Twelve, presided.
The Temple choir and congregation, under the leadership of Brother C. J. Thomas, sang: Redeemer of Israel, our only delight.
Prayer was offered by Elder Wm. H. Walker.
Choir and congregation sang: Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear.
An overflow meeting was held in the Assembly at 2 p.m. Elder Brigham Young, of the Council of the Twelve, presided.
The Temple choir and congregation, under the leadership of Brother C. J. Thomas, sang: Redeemer of Israel, our only delight.
Prayer was offered by Elder Wm. H. Walker.
Choir and congregation sang: Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear.
Elder Anthon H. Lund
spoke concerning his recent mission to Europe, of the guiding hand of God over the Church, and the judgments which are to be visited upon the wicked.
spoke concerning his recent mission to Europe, of the guiding hand of God over the Church, and the judgments which are to be visited upon the wicked.
Elder George Teasdale
spoke of the restoration of the Gospel of Christ through Joseph Smith the Prophet, and the present condition of the world, which was steeped in wickedness. The Saints were in possession of the truth, which would regenerate them. They had light and darkness, truth and error presented for their acceptance, and if they chose the former it would lead them up to the presence of God. The slothful and indifferent among them would not be accounted worthy to stand.
spoke of the restoration of the Gospel of Christ through Joseph Smith the Prophet, and the present condition of the world, which was steeped in wickedness. The Saints were in possession of the truth, which would regenerate them. They had light and darkness, truth and error presented for their acceptance, and if they chose the former it would lead them up to the presence of God. The slothful and indifferent among them would not be accounted worthy to stand.
Elder Brigham Young
treated upon the characteristics which distinguished the Saints from the world, and upon the sphere of the Church in contradistinction to that of the State.
The choir sang:
Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
Benediction by Elder Alonzo H. Raleigh.
treated upon the characteristics which distinguished the Saints from the world, and upon the sphere of the Church in contradistinction to that of the State.
The choir sang:
Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
Benediction by Elder Alonzo H. Raleigh.
At the Tabernacle—Second Day. Monday, Oct. 5th.
The hymn which begins,
We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank Thee for sending the Gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays,
was sung by the choir and congregation.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
Singing by the choir:
Truth reflects upon our senses,
Gospel light reveals to some,
If there still should be offenses,
Woe to them by whom they come.
The hymn which begins,
We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank Thee for sending the Gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays,
was sung by the choir and congregation.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
Singing by the choir:
Truth reflects upon our senses,
Gospel light reveals to some,
If there still should be offenses,
Woe to them by whom they come.
Elder Franklin D. Richards,
of the quorum of the Apostles, was the first speaker. He stated that the knowledge and blessings received from the Gospel had all come through the ministry and dispensation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which fact made the whole work wonderful in the eyes of the Saints. His name and fame had gone into all the world, the significant fact being that one who commenced his work when an unlettered boy of fourteen years should gain such prominence in so short a time. God had chosen such an instrument on account of the humility and obedience he would display in carrying out the divine purpose. He had received the gift of translation by means of which the perfect record, the Book of Mormon, was brought into the world, a monument to the power of inspired writing and translating. During the continuance of this work other powers were bestowed upon the young man, such as the authority of the lesser Priesthood, with its power of remitting sin and receiving the ministrations of angels, the Melchizedek Priesthood, with the power of ministering in the higher ordinances of God’s work. The conditions and circumstances of the bestowal of this latter Priesthood were related, to the effect that it was given to Joseph and Oliver on the banks of the Susquehanna river, while they were in a state of exhaustion through long wanderings, by the Apostles Peter, James and John. Considering the difficulties, trials and opposition he had to meet, it seemed wonderful that Joseph could accomplish so much for the advancement of the work and the blessing of the people.
At a conference held at Quincy, Ills., the speaker had met the Prophet, felt his great influence and heard his instructions. There a committee was appointed to make a record of the misstatements made by the enemies of the work of the Lord. Soon afterward a committee went to Commerce, subsequently known as Nauvoo, where, in spite of disease and death, the people were sustained and nourished through the healing power of the Spirit as enjoyed by the Prophet. The gift of tongues, prophecy, ordinances for the dead, and other blessings, were given to and enjoyed by him, to be transmitted through his ministrations to the people of later generations. The sealing of husband and wife for time and all eternity was one of these principles, and Joseph seemed to enjoy this ordinance especially in connection with his wife Emma, who had endeared herself to him by her fidelity. The acceptance of the Kirtland Temple by the Lord Jesus, after it had been built by the self-sacrifice of the people, the appearance of the Savior and Moses, Elias, and Elijah, each giving keys and promises of future advancement and progress, was spoken of and commended to the thought of the people. Thus had the power and authority of ancient times been confirmed upon the servants of God in our day, and its efficacy demonstrated in this age of the world, with signs following. Joseph had been in communication with the Gods and with angels, until he had been brought to a condition of obedience, so that he could perform even the duties which seemed almost revolting to him. Some of the speaker’s personal reminiscences of the Prophet Joseph and his associates were recalled, and a strong testimony borne of the wonderful power and influence wielded by the latter-day Prophet. His access to the heavens had enabled him to gain knowledge, the extent and nature of which would appear impossible without such spiritual communion.
The speaker closed with an earnest exhortation to the people to listen to the testimonies of those who had associated with the Prophet and carry out in its fullness, the work he instituted.
Discourse
Discourse delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Monday, October 5th, 1896, by
Elder Franklin D. Richards.
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
I earnestly desire a measure of the Holy Spirit to assist me the few minutes that I may stand before you this morning. We have been receiving the most precious instructions given to us by those who have spoken. It was brought impressively home to my mind yesterday while listening with the rest of you, the great fact that all this knowledge and all this experience in the Church of Christ, with every blessing that we have received therein and that we hope to obtain hereafter, has all come to us through the agency, the ministry and the dispensation that was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. This great fact connected with the manner of God’s dealing with this young man contributes to make our whole work seem the more wonderful, mysterious and all-powerful in our eyes. We have been singing this morning, “We thank thee, O God, for a prophet, to guide us in these latter days.” The character of this man became such that he has been an object of song in the assemblies of Saints in all the world where the Gospel has been preached; so that he has been spoken of as the angel said he would be—his name would be had for good and for evil in all the world. It has been, so far as the sound of him and his work has gone. There is something very strange that the Lord should take a boy fourteen years old in December; and in the early part of the next spring He began to deal with him. The boy was simple enough to believe that there was a God in heaven, and that he might inquire after Him as the Scriptures said he might. Wonderful also to contemplate, that so strange an affair occurred in the backwoods—away on the frontier. The western part of New York in those days was away out west. And that the Lord should pick up a boy that way and deal with him was a strange affair. Why did He not choose some learned man? If He had taken a learned man, he would have very soon been telling the Lord He did not know His business; and if the Lord did not hearken to his counsels, he would turn and leave Him. We see plenty of those things going on in our experience. But He took a boy, and began to discipline and teach him. He showed himself to him, spoke to him, and told him that the way of the world was wrong. He sent His angels to teach him and to educate him.
The Lord tells us in the revelations that the first great gift He gave to him was the gift to translate the Book of Mormon, and that He would give him no other gift until that was accomplished. Thus he brought forth to us, by the information given through Moroni to him where the record was found, the precious history of this half of the world extending through a number of centuries. This book, that has been so despised by the world, was testified to by the Prophet Joseph when asked: “How and when did you obtain the Book of Mormon? Answer. Moroni, the person who deposited the plates, from which the Book of Mormon was translated, in a hill in Manchester, Ontario County, New York, being dead, and raised again therefrom, appeared unto me, and told me where they were; and gave me directions how to obtain them. I obtained them, and the Urim and Thummim with them, by the means of which I translated the plates, and thus came the Book of Mormon.” It contains the simplest declaration and the best elucidation of the principles of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ of any one book extant. And why should it not be? translated word by word, sentence by sentence, line by line, page by page, through the Urim and Thummim? We have no other book on earth that has such claims to our undivided confidence as the Book of Mormon.
This appeared to be the opening wedge and stepping stone to the great work of ushering in the last dispensation. The Prophet Joseph, while going on with this work, learned that there was a necessity for all people to be baptized, and when he saw that, he earnestly desired the blessings as they were offered. He called on the Lord about it, and John the Baptist came and ordained him and Oliver Cowdery to the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood. This was a most wonderful thing. Now there were two men found on earth who could administer baptism by authority for the forgiveness or remission of sins. This stirred up the wrath of the ungodly till the boy was hunted, searched for, persecuted and driven from place to place. Soon after he received this blessing and power, he heard the word of the Lord unto him in the house of Father Whitmer saying that if faithful in this he should soon receive other authority by which to administer spiritual blessings. Therein he received the oracles of the Apostleship, was ordained to the Melchisedek Priesthood, with power to administer all blessings of a spiritual nature upon the people as well as those of a temporal or physical nature.
Referring to these ordinations, it is revealed in the 27th section of Doctrine and Covenants, that He will partake with Adam, Noah, Abraham and John the Baptist, “which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first Priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron.”
“And also with Peter and James and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be Apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry, and of the same things which I reveal unto them.
“Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the Gospel for the last times; and for the fullness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth:”
The account of this is not given us very fully as to when it occurred; but Brother Addison Everett, who died a short time ago, has left it on record that he heard the Prophet Joseph say in the Mansion House, in Nauvoo, that it was on an occasion when they were returning from Colesville in York Stake, to Harmony, in Pennsylvania. A numerous mob had gathered in Colesville determined to destroy him, and the only way to save his life, to all human appearance, was to leave at once, and he and Oliver Cowdery went. After traveling and wandering along the banks of the Susquehanna, through the marshes and swamps, all night long, and having had little or nothing to eat the day before, they were weary, faint and well nigh exhausted. Oliver became so weary that Joseph had to put his arm around him to steady him while they got out on to dryer land where they could sit down and rest. When they came out into this place, this brother says, Joseph told him that it was there that Peter, James and John met them in their loneliness and weariness, and declared unto them their testimony, that they had been sent of the Lord Jesus Christ to ordain them to the Apostleship. The Prophet Joseph, in writing about the great work of the Lord in his seclusion in the days of Nauvoo, says:
“And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, and an angel from Heaven, declaring the fulfillment of the Prophets, the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to hear record of the book. The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light. The voice of Peter, James and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
“And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca County, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”—Doctrine and Covenants Sec. 128 par. 20-21.
This corresponds with our brother’s statement, though we are nowhere told just when it occurred. When they had received this ordination and blessing, they arose and walked the remaining seventeen miles like giants refreshed with wine, strong and able to finish their journey to Harmony. The Lord in His various and peculiar ways has restored authority and power to the human family, to administer and to receive the everlasting gospel. How strangely He led the Prophet Joseph from time to time, from place to place, in His great work to build Temples and establish His people in the gathering places and to accomplish the wonders that have been performed, for he was attacked by the powers of darkness from the day he began to receive the discipline of the Lord. He says himself that he was used continually to wading in deep water.
Twenty or thirty minutes is too short a time in which to mention more than two or three events in the Prophet’s life. As I am called a historian, you will naturally expect to hear some items of history from me.
After healing the sick in Montrose, all the company followed Joseph to the bank of the river, where he was going to take the boat to return home. While waiting for the boat a man from the west, who had seen that the sick and dying were healed, asked Joseph if he would not go to his house and heal two of his children, who were very sick. They were twins and were three months old. Joseph told the man he could not go; but he would send some one to heal them. He told Elder Woodruff to go with the man and heal his children. At the same time he took from his pocket a silk bandanna handkerchief, and gave it to Brother Woodruff, telling him to wipe the faces of the children with it and they should be healed; and remarked at the same time: “As long as you keep that handkerchief it shall remain a league between you and me.” Elder Woodruff did as he was commanded, and the children were healed, and he keeps the handkerchief to this day.
On another occasion, in the days of Kirtland, (January 22nd, 1832,) when the Church was yet young and composed of but a few members, they met together in conference, and there were males and females, Elders and High Priests, beside the Presidency of the Church. The Prophet, in his history, tells us that the Spirit and power of God came down upon them, and he spoke in another language and others spoke in tongues, and he continued with them until all the congregation spoke or prayed or sung in tongues, giving them a regular Pentecost in these last days essentially like unto the Pentecost of ancient times, only that it was not so extensive. He further says:
The gifts which follow them that believe and obey the Gospel, as tokens that the Lord is ever the same in his dealings with the humble lovers and followers of truth, began to be poured out among us, as in ancient days;--for as we, viz; Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Newel K. Whitney, Hyrum Smith, Zebedee Coltrin, Joseph Smith, Sen., Samuel H. Smith, John Murdock, Lyman Johnson, Orson Hyde, Ezra Thayer, High Priests; and Levi Hancock, and William Smith, Elders, were assembled in conference, on the 23rd of January, I spoke to the conference in another tongue, and was followed in the same gift by Brother Zebedee Coltrin, and he by Brother William Smith, after which the Lord poured out His Spirit in a miraculous manner, until all the Elders spoke in tongues, and several members, both male and female. Great and glorious were the divine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Praises were sung to God and the Lamb; speaking and praying, all in tongues, occupied the conference, until a late hour at night, so rejoiced were we at the return of these long absent blessings.
On the 23rd, we again assembled in conference; when, after much speaking, singing, praying, and praising God, all in tongues, we proceeded to the washing of feet.
When the Prophet Joseph had returned from Missouri he attended a conference. I was present at the first conference that he held after he escaped from prison in Missouri. It was at the old Presbyterian camp ground near the city of Quincy, Illinois, a little east of the town I recollect well when President Joseph Young introduced me to him (I was then in my teens,) and he took me by the hand, and said, God bless you, Brother Franklin. I felt the shock go through me from my head to my feet, as I had frequently felt the shock of electricity passing through me. I recollect well an item of his instructions at that conference. He appointed a committee to gather up the libelous publications of abominable falsehood so that they could be preserved for history.
Conference over, he went with a committee up to a place that was afterwards called Nauvoo (then Commerce,) a little place on the east bank of the Mississippi river, which was so sickly that a company of people from New York who had settled there were glad to sell out. The Prophet Joseph and the committee bought them out, and also purchased a tract of land on the west side of the river. After a while and seeing how it was, the Prophet Joseph started out as if the heavens had gathered around him and aroused him to go. He took some of the brethren with him; and we have some of these brethren here today. President Woodruff was with him, and Brother Joseph B. Noble, and perhaps others. They went through the camp healing the sick and raising the dead—they that had not got into their graves as yet. He went forth and as long as he could make his voice heard in the ears of the sick and dying, he called them back to life again.
President Woodruff write concerning this eventful day:
It was a day in July, 1839, that many lay sick along the banks of the Mississippi river, and Joseph walked up on the east bank to the lower stone house, occupied by Sidney Rigdon, and he healed all the sick that lay in his path. Among the number was Henry G. Sherwood, who was nigh unto death. Joseph stood in the door and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and come out of his tent, and he obeyed him and was healed. Brother Benjamin Brown and his family also lay sick, the former appearing to be in a dying condition. Joseph healed them in the name of the Lord. After healing all that lay sick upon the east bank of the river as far as the stone house, he called upon Elder Kimball and some others to accompany him across the river to visit the sick at Montrose. Many of the Saints were living at the old military barracks. Among then number were several of the Twelve. On his arrival, the first house he visited was that occupied by Elder Brigham Young, the present of the quorum of the twelve, who lay sick. Joseph healed him, when he arose and accompanied the Prophet on his visit to others who were in the same condition. They visited Elder Wilford Woodruff, also Elders Orson Pratt and John Taylor, all of whom were living in Montrose. They also accompanied him. The next place they visited was the home of Elijah Fordham, who was supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered the room the Prophet of God walked up to the dying man, and took hold of his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable to speak, His eyes were set in his head like glass, and he seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of time. A change in the countenance of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible to all present. His sight returned, and upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a low whisper, answered, “yes.” Joseph asked him if he had faith to be healed. He answered, “I fear it is too late; if you had come sooner I think I could have been healed.” The Prophet said, “Do you not believe in Jesus Christ?” He answered in a feeble voice, “I do,” Joseph then stood erect, still holding his hand in silence several moments, then he spoke in a very loud voice, saying, “Brother Fordham, I command you int he name of Jesus Christ to arise from this bed and be made whole.” His voice was like the voice of God, and not of man. It seemed as though the house shook to its very foundation. Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was immediately made whole. His feet were bound in poultices, which he kicked off. Then putting on his clothes, he ate a bowl of bread and milk and followed the Prophet into the street. The company next visited Brother Joseph Bates Noble, who lay very sick. He was also healed by the Prophet. By this time the wicked became alarmed, and followed the company into Brother Noble’s house. After Brother Noble was healed all kneeled down to pray. Brother Fordham was mouth, and, while praying he fell to the floor. The Prophet arose and looking round, he saw quite a number of unbelievers in the house, whom he ordered out. When the room was clear of them Brother Fordham came to and finished his prayer.
We should bear in mind also, the great blessings that are bestowed upon us now in the Holy Temples. In Kirtland, the brethren were not endowed with the same ordinances that are now bestowed upon the people, because they had not yet be revealed. It was in the days of Nauvoo that these blessings and ordinances of endowment were made known to the Prophet Joseph and he hastened to build a temple, in order that these blessings might be dispensed there before we were driven from the nation. His soul rejoiced wonderfully before he went to prison, thinking of the joys and blessings of the sealing of husbands and wives and children to parents. He could not in those times say very much about this thing; for he was situated so that the laws of God and the order of His Church had to be managed discreetly and suppressed, because of the prejudices of the people and the obstacles that were in the way of the promulgation of the principles; but to a great extent they were taught in the temple at Nauvoo. I recollect a remark that Brother Joseph made one day, when an accident had happened to him and Sister Emma, as they were going down from the temple grounds to his house. I think they were thrown out of their buggy. The Prophet Joseph remarked in the meeting that afternoon how he rejoiced in the love of his faithful wife Emma, who had given her hand, her heart and her soul to him in Harmony, Pennsylvania, when first he had been called to the work of the Lord, and had braved all these difficulties with him; and he made this remark, that whatever happened to Emma, he would go, if he had to go to hell, to find her and bring her home, that she might share with him the blessings of his exaltation as she had shared with him his sufferings. He rejoiced greatly in the anticipation of these eternal family relations in the future.
Among the many wonderful manifestations of the Prophet Joseph, soon after the dedication of the temple in Kirtland, revelations tells us that he and Oliver Cowdery saw the Lord stand upon the breastwork of the pulpit; that He acknowledged the temple as accepted of Him, and said that from there should go forth the Gospel to the nations of the earth. And let me say, that temple was built as none of us have ever built temples since in these mountains; it was built by everything that everybody could do to get the materials together and put it up. They had nothing of property making until this temple was done. All there was to it was by sacrifice and not by tithing, in those days; and when it was done the Lord accepted it and blessed them mightily.
Directly after this manifestation that I speak of, Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards and Joseph Fielding were appointed to England on their first European mission. The blessing and power of God were upon them such as have never been upon men before or sins, except it was on President Woodruff when he was over there. He seemed to baptize almost everybody that dared to go and hear him preach in Herefordshire and the regions round about.
Well, after the Savior had shown his good pleasure concerning the house, Joseph says, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 110:
After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us, and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the Ten tribes from the land of the north.
After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham; saying, that in us, and our seed, all generations after us should be blessed.
After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us, for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying that he (Elijah) should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
Some of these same characters were with Peter, James and John on the mount of transfiguration with the Savior. They had not a temple in that day that they could go into and receive these keys of Moses and Elias. There also they heard the glorious voice from heaven: “This is my beloved Son; hear ye him.” These keys were delivered to Joseph in the temple at Kirtland by Moses and Elias and Elijah, in fulfillment of the promises of the Lord through Moses, Deut. 30: 1-4; Malachi 4th chapter 45th verse. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
We should have consideration of these things. This is how the Priesthood of ancient times was dovetailed in with the Priesthood of modern times, so that it is the same Priesthood, the same power, the same authority committed to men appointed of God to administer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in all the ordinances of His Church. These things came home with emphasis to my mind while I heard President Woodruff yesterday recounting the circumstances when Joseph testified that he had received all the keys that had been bestowed by the Lord upon any man, and that he conferred them all upon the Twelve who were with him in that holy place in Nauvoo. And these were the same blessings and powers which are conferred and which we have with us now to preach the Gospel, build up the Church, gather Israel and establish the righteousness of our God in the earth. Wonderful! Marvelous! The Lord has made Joseph’s ministry known and has abundantly testified of it. He baptized for the remission of sins, and when he was blessed to confer the Holy Ghost the heavens bore witness in the eyes of the world. We want to bear these things in mind. We ought, all to us, to keep them in our minds, and especially in the minds of the generation that is growing up. We ought to be reminded from time to time that a man of God second only to Jesus Christ, has stood upon the earth, clothed with authority from heaven. In the beginning the Father and Son appeared to him. At another time he and Sidney Rigdon were in the spirit, and the Lord revealed to them the three great glories of the future pertaining to the human family. Not only so, but he was told to write them while he was yet in the spirit, and he wrote that vision for our comfort, for our edification, our profit and our warning. And he attained unto such power with the Lord that he told him before he died to ask whatsoever he would and He would answer him. The Lord had now disciplined him for years; He had brought him into straight places; He had brought him into a position where the things required of him were such as made his nature to revolt, and the Lord met him by a holy angel and told him he had to go forward in His work or his life would be taken. This is a sample of how the Lord does. He brings His faithful servants into narrow places, where they have to choose whom they will serve. It is a great and glorious thing to know that we live in a day when such men have dwelt among us, and that we have had their society and been taught by them.
The first time I went to Nauvoo I was full of ague and fever, in the spring of 1840. I called at the Prophet Joseph’s house and asked him if I might sleep in his hayloft, being poorly, did not like to lay out of doors, and had no place to go to. He looked at me and said, “Brother Franklin, you shall stay here in the house; I see you are not hearty.” I stayed in the house, slept there, and the next morning ate breakfast with him. I rejoiced that I was fit to look upon a Prophet in the last days. We went up to the conference, which was held at the head of a ravine, just south of the Nauvoo Temple, so that persons standing below could look up and see the people around them. At the intermission, Brother Joseph Young called me aside, I sat down on a log, while he and Albert P. Rockwood ordained me a Seventy. So that those places are attended with hallowed and sacred memories to me. When again I was ill and in the Prophet’s company, I asked him, “Brother Joseph, can I be healed of this affliction?” He looked at me and said, “Brother Franklin, if you believe with all your heart, you can.” I told him I believed all I knew how to believe and that this was the work of God. I asked him if he could tell me how I could believe any more. He told Brother Brigham Young to administer to me and I should get well. He did so and I was healed. I feel to testify of him, that the power of God was with him. He was a man that associated with the angels here on the earth, and the God of heaven sustained him. No man could have lived and passed through what he did except the powers of heaven attended him and filled him with the understanding of time and eternity.
When Secret Orders came there to be instituted and to carry out their designs the Prophet Joseph enquired of the Lord and learned all about them. He could comprehend everything that they ever knew or thought of in a very short time. He had access to the heavens, and this people have had access through him. We ought to understand that the history of the Prophet Joseph is the history of the Church as long as he lived, and it is the authority by which we abide, and to which we refer on matters that need to be enquired about that are not plain before us. I know this is the work of the Lord. I have known it from the beginning. It was in 1838 I embraced the Gospel, in the months of June; and in October, the same year, the Lord gave me an abiding witness of the Holy Ghost, so that I never have since then doubted the work of the Lord. It was revealed to me on the grand prairie, in Missouri. It was a glorious day to me. I never yet knew how to describe and tell the excellence, the power and the blessings of that knowledge that filled my soul and made the journey pleasant; for I walked about 300 miles from St. Louis to Far West.
I rejoice with you in this great work. I only wish that I could live nearer to the Lord, have more of His Spirit and the power of the Gospel to be with me, to qualify me for every good word and work. I beseech of you, my brethren and sisters, seek after this; for they who have this Spirit, shall come to the knowledge of all things necessary for their salvation and exaltation. The principles that the Prophet Joseph taught are the doctrines that we must abide in, or we shall be overthrown. When the Lord, or in the interest of Zion required anything, he did it and let the consequences follow, and he was so highly favored of the Lord with revelations affecting the whole human race, that he was shown their destiny here and hereafter. It was manifest to him that the seed of Cain would not come in remembrance before the Lord for their final redemption, until the seed of Abel the righteous, should all have their opportunity. This one incident opens up a field of information so vast and comprehensive, that it is made evident to what extent the Prophet Joseph’s mind was enlightened in regard to the dealings of God with mankind, and his eternal purposes concerning their redemption.
I have noticed only a few of the leading outlines of the Prophet Joseph’s wonderful experience during the twenty-four years of his labor in establishing the dispensation of the fulness of times on the earth. Anything I could say in his praise would be like the babbling of the babe in the ears of its parent—so slightly do we comprehend the infinite and eternal consequences that will result from his labors, to verify which he gave his life as a final attestation of the doctrines that he revealed.
Let us work righteousness, my brethren and sisters, while the day lasts; for the night soon cometh when no man can work. May the Lord bless us with this spirit of Zion more and more to prepare us for all that awaits us, that we may be able to finish our work with joy and enter into His presence and receive His approval, which I humbly ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
of the quorum of the Apostles, was the first speaker. He stated that the knowledge and blessings received from the Gospel had all come through the ministry and dispensation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which fact made the whole work wonderful in the eyes of the Saints. His name and fame had gone into all the world, the significant fact being that one who commenced his work when an unlettered boy of fourteen years should gain such prominence in so short a time. God had chosen such an instrument on account of the humility and obedience he would display in carrying out the divine purpose. He had received the gift of translation by means of which the perfect record, the Book of Mormon, was brought into the world, a monument to the power of inspired writing and translating. During the continuance of this work other powers were bestowed upon the young man, such as the authority of the lesser Priesthood, with its power of remitting sin and receiving the ministrations of angels, the Melchizedek Priesthood, with the power of ministering in the higher ordinances of God’s work. The conditions and circumstances of the bestowal of this latter Priesthood were related, to the effect that it was given to Joseph and Oliver on the banks of the Susquehanna river, while they were in a state of exhaustion through long wanderings, by the Apostles Peter, James and John. Considering the difficulties, trials and opposition he had to meet, it seemed wonderful that Joseph could accomplish so much for the advancement of the work and the blessing of the people.
At a conference held at Quincy, Ills., the speaker had met the Prophet, felt his great influence and heard his instructions. There a committee was appointed to make a record of the misstatements made by the enemies of the work of the Lord. Soon afterward a committee went to Commerce, subsequently known as Nauvoo, where, in spite of disease and death, the people were sustained and nourished through the healing power of the Spirit as enjoyed by the Prophet. The gift of tongues, prophecy, ordinances for the dead, and other blessings, were given to and enjoyed by him, to be transmitted through his ministrations to the people of later generations. The sealing of husband and wife for time and all eternity was one of these principles, and Joseph seemed to enjoy this ordinance especially in connection with his wife Emma, who had endeared herself to him by her fidelity. The acceptance of the Kirtland Temple by the Lord Jesus, after it had been built by the self-sacrifice of the people, the appearance of the Savior and Moses, Elias, and Elijah, each giving keys and promises of future advancement and progress, was spoken of and commended to the thought of the people. Thus had the power and authority of ancient times been confirmed upon the servants of God in our day, and its efficacy demonstrated in this age of the world, with signs following. Joseph had been in communication with the Gods and with angels, until he had been brought to a condition of obedience, so that he could perform even the duties which seemed almost revolting to him. Some of the speaker’s personal reminiscences of the Prophet Joseph and his associates were recalled, and a strong testimony borne of the wonderful power and influence wielded by the latter-day Prophet. His access to the heavens had enabled him to gain knowledge, the extent and nature of which would appear impossible without such spiritual communion.
The speaker closed with an earnest exhortation to the people to listen to the testimonies of those who had associated with the Prophet and carry out in its fullness, the work he instituted.
Discourse
Discourse delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Monday, October 5th, 1896, by
Elder Franklin D. Richards.
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
I earnestly desire a measure of the Holy Spirit to assist me the few minutes that I may stand before you this morning. We have been receiving the most precious instructions given to us by those who have spoken. It was brought impressively home to my mind yesterday while listening with the rest of you, the great fact that all this knowledge and all this experience in the Church of Christ, with every blessing that we have received therein and that we hope to obtain hereafter, has all come to us through the agency, the ministry and the dispensation that was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. This great fact connected with the manner of God’s dealing with this young man contributes to make our whole work seem the more wonderful, mysterious and all-powerful in our eyes. We have been singing this morning, “We thank thee, O God, for a prophet, to guide us in these latter days.” The character of this man became such that he has been an object of song in the assemblies of Saints in all the world where the Gospel has been preached; so that he has been spoken of as the angel said he would be—his name would be had for good and for evil in all the world. It has been, so far as the sound of him and his work has gone. There is something very strange that the Lord should take a boy fourteen years old in December; and in the early part of the next spring He began to deal with him. The boy was simple enough to believe that there was a God in heaven, and that he might inquire after Him as the Scriptures said he might. Wonderful also to contemplate, that so strange an affair occurred in the backwoods—away on the frontier. The western part of New York in those days was away out west. And that the Lord should pick up a boy that way and deal with him was a strange affair. Why did He not choose some learned man? If He had taken a learned man, he would have very soon been telling the Lord He did not know His business; and if the Lord did not hearken to his counsels, he would turn and leave Him. We see plenty of those things going on in our experience. But He took a boy, and began to discipline and teach him. He showed himself to him, spoke to him, and told him that the way of the world was wrong. He sent His angels to teach him and to educate him.
The Lord tells us in the revelations that the first great gift He gave to him was the gift to translate the Book of Mormon, and that He would give him no other gift until that was accomplished. Thus he brought forth to us, by the information given through Moroni to him where the record was found, the precious history of this half of the world extending through a number of centuries. This book, that has been so despised by the world, was testified to by the Prophet Joseph when asked: “How and when did you obtain the Book of Mormon? Answer. Moroni, the person who deposited the plates, from which the Book of Mormon was translated, in a hill in Manchester, Ontario County, New York, being dead, and raised again therefrom, appeared unto me, and told me where they were; and gave me directions how to obtain them. I obtained them, and the Urim and Thummim with them, by the means of which I translated the plates, and thus came the Book of Mormon.” It contains the simplest declaration and the best elucidation of the principles of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ of any one book extant. And why should it not be? translated word by word, sentence by sentence, line by line, page by page, through the Urim and Thummim? We have no other book on earth that has such claims to our undivided confidence as the Book of Mormon.
This appeared to be the opening wedge and stepping stone to the great work of ushering in the last dispensation. The Prophet Joseph, while going on with this work, learned that there was a necessity for all people to be baptized, and when he saw that, he earnestly desired the blessings as they were offered. He called on the Lord about it, and John the Baptist came and ordained him and Oliver Cowdery to the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood. This was a most wonderful thing. Now there were two men found on earth who could administer baptism by authority for the forgiveness or remission of sins. This stirred up the wrath of the ungodly till the boy was hunted, searched for, persecuted and driven from place to place. Soon after he received this blessing and power, he heard the word of the Lord unto him in the house of Father Whitmer saying that if faithful in this he should soon receive other authority by which to administer spiritual blessings. Therein he received the oracles of the Apostleship, was ordained to the Melchisedek Priesthood, with power to administer all blessings of a spiritual nature upon the people as well as those of a temporal or physical nature.
Referring to these ordinations, it is revealed in the 27th section of Doctrine and Covenants, that He will partake with Adam, Noah, Abraham and John the Baptist, “which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first Priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron.”
“And also with Peter and James and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be Apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry, and of the same things which I reveal unto them.
“Unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the Gospel for the last times; and for the fullness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth:”
The account of this is not given us very fully as to when it occurred; but Brother Addison Everett, who died a short time ago, has left it on record that he heard the Prophet Joseph say in the Mansion House, in Nauvoo, that it was on an occasion when they were returning from Colesville in York Stake, to Harmony, in Pennsylvania. A numerous mob had gathered in Colesville determined to destroy him, and the only way to save his life, to all human appearance, was to leave at once, and he and Oliver Cowdery went. After traveling and wandering along the banks of the Susquehanna, through the marshes and swamps, all night long, and having had little or nothing to eat the day before, they were weary, faint and well nigh exhausted. Oliver became so weary that Joseph had to put his arm around him to steady him while they got out on to dryer land where they could sit down and rest. When they came out into this place, this brother says, Joseph told him that it was there that Peter, James and John met them in their loneliness and weariness, and declared unto them their testimony, that they had been sent of the Lord Jesus Christ to ordain them to the Apostleship. The Prophet Joseph, in writing about the great work of the Lord in his seclusion in the days of Nauvoo, says:
“And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, and an angel from Heaven, declaring the fulfillment of the Prophets, the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to hear record of the book. The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light. The voice of Peter, James and John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
“And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca County, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”—Doctrine and Covenants Sec. 128 par. 20-21.
This corresponds with our brother’s statement, though we are nowhere told just when it occurred. When they had received this ordination and blessing, they arose and walked the remaining seventeen miles like giants refreshed with wine, strong and able to finish their journey to Harmony. The Lord in His various and peculiar ways has restored authority and power to the human family, to administer and to receive the everlasting gospel. How strangely He led the Prophet Joseph from time to time, from place to place, in His great work to build Temples and establish His people in the gathering places and to accomplish the wonders that have been performed, for he was attacked by the powers of darkness from the day he began to receive the discipline of the Lord. He says himself that he was used continually to wading in deep water.
Twenty or thirty minutes is too short a time in which to mention more than two or three events in the Prophet’s life. As I am called a historian, you will naturally expect to hear some items of history from me.
After healing the sick in Montrose, all the company followed Joseph to the bank of the river, where he was going to take the boat to return home. While waiting for the boat a man from the west, who had seen that the sick and dying were healed, asked Joseph if he would not go to his house and heal two of his children, who were very sick. They were twins and were three months old. Joseph told the man he could not go; but he would send some one to heal them. He told Elder Woodruff to go with the man and heal his children. At the same time he took from his pocket a silk bandanna handkerchief, and gave it to Brother Woodruff, telling him to wipe the faces of the children with it and they should be healed; and remarked at the same time: “As long as you keep that handkerchief it shall remain a league between you and me.” Elder Woodruff did as he was commanded, and the children were healed, and he keeps the handkerchief to this day.
On another occasion, in the days of Kirtland, (January 22nd, 1832,) when the Church was yet young and composed of but a few members, they met together in conference, and there were males and females, Elders and High Priests, beside the Presidency of the Church. The Prophet, in his history, tells us that the Spirit and power of God came down upon them, and he spoke in another language and others spoke in tongues, and he continued with them until all the congregation spoke or prayed or sung in tongues, giving them a regular Pentecost in these last days essentially like unto the Pentecost of ancient times, only that it was not so extensive. He further says:
The gifts which follow them that believe and obey the Gospel, as tokens that the Lord is ever the same in his dealings with the humble lovers and followers of truth, began to be poured out among us, as in ancient days;--for as we, viz; Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Newel K. Whitney, Hyrum Smith, Zebedee Coltrin, Joseph Smith, Sen., Samuel H. Smith, John Murdock, Lyman Johnson, Orson Hyde, Ezra Thayer, High Priests; and Levi Hancock, and William Smith, Elders, were assembled in conference, on the 23rd of January, I spoke to the conference in another tongue, and was followed in the same gift by Brother Zebedee Coltrin, and he by Brother William Smith, after which the Lord poured out His Spirit in a miraculous manner, until all the Elders spoke in tongues, and several members, both male and female. Great and glorious were the divine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Praises were sung to God and the Lamb; speaking and praying, all in tongues, occupied the conference, until a late hour at night, so rejoiced were we at the return of these long absent blessings.
On the 23rd, we again assembled in conference; when, after much speaking, singing, praying, and praising God, all in tongues, we proceeded to the washing of feet.
When the Prophet Joseph had returned from Missouri he attended a conference. I was present at the first conference that he held after he escaped from prison in Missouri. It was at the old Presbyterian camp ground near the city of Quincy, Illinois, a little east of the town I recollect well when President Joseph Young introduced me to him (I was then in my teens,) and he took me by the hand, and said, God bless you, Brother Franklin. I felt the shock go through me from my head to my feet, as I had frequently felt the shock of electricity passing through me. I recollect well an item of his instructions at that conference. He appointed a committee to gather up the libelous publications of abominable falsehood so that they could be preserved for history.
Conference over, he went with a committee up to a place that was afterwards called Nauvoo (then Commerce,) a little place on the east bank of the Mississippi river, which was so sickly that a company of people from New York who had settled there were glad to sell out. The Prophet Joseph and the committee bought them out, and also purchased a tract of land on the west side of the river. After a while and seeing how it was, the Prophet Joseph started out as if the heavens had gathered around him and aroused him to go. He took some of the brethren with him; and we have some of these brethren here today. President Woodruff was with him, and Brother Joseph B. Noble, and perhaps others. They went through the camp healing the sick and raising the dead—they that had not got into their graves as yet. He went forth and as long as he could make his voice heard in the ears of the sick and dying, he called them back to life again.
President Woodruff write concerning this eventful day:
It was a day in July, 1839, that many lay sick along the banks of the Mississippi river, and Joseph walked up on the east bank to the lower stone house, occupied by Sidney Rigdon, and he healed all the sick that lay in his path. Among the number was Henry G. Sherwood, who was nigh unto death. Joseph stood in the door and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and come out of his tent, and he obeyed him and was healed. Brother Benjamin Brown and his family also lay sick, the former appearing to be in a dying condition. Joseph healed them in the name of the Lord. After healing all that lay sick upon the east bank of the river as far as the stone house, he called upon Elder Kimball and some others to accompany him across the river to visit the sick at Montrose. Many of the Saints were living at the old military barracks. Among then number were several of the Twelve. On his arrival, the first house he visited was that occupied by Elder Brigham Young, the present of the quorum of the twelve, who lay sick. Joseph healed him, when he arose and accompanied the Prophet on his visit to others who were in the same condition. They visited Elder Wilford Woodruff, also Elders Orson Pratt and John Taylor, all of whom were living in Montrose. They also accompanied him. The next place they visited was the home of Elijah Fordham, who was supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered the room the Prophet of God walked up to the dying man, and took hold of his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable to speak, His eyes were set in his head like glass, and he seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of time. A change in the countenance of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible to all present. His sight returned, and upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a low whisper, answered, “yes.” Joseph asked him if he had faith to be healed. He answered, “I fear it is too late; if you had come sooner I think I could have been healed.” The Prophet said, “Do you not believe in Jesus Christ?” He answered in a feeble voice, “I do,” Joseph then stood erect, still holding his hand in silence several moments, then he spoke in a very loud voice, saying, “Brother Fordham, I command you int he name of Jesus Christ to arise from this bed and be made whole.” His voice was like the voice of God, and not of man. It seemed as though the house shook to its very foundation. Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was immediately made whole. His feet were bound in poultices, which he kicked off. Then putting on his clothes, he ate a bowl of bread and milk and followed the Prophet into the street. The company next visited Brother Joseph Bates Noble, who lay very sick. He was also healed by the Prophet. By this time the wicked became alarmed, and followed the company into Brother Noble’s house. After Brother Noble was healed all kneeled down to pray. Brother Fordham was mouth, and, while praying he fell to the floor. The Prophet arose and looking round, he saw quite a number of unbelievers in the house, whom he ordered out. When the room was clear of them Brother Fordham came to and finished his prayer.
We should bear in mind also, the great blessings that are bestowed upon us now in the Holy Temples. In Kirtland, the brethren were not endowed with the same ordinances that are now bestowed upon the people, because they had not yet be revealed. It was in the days of Nauvoo that these blessings and ordinances of endowment were made known to the Prophet Joseph and he hastened to build a temple, in order that these blessings might be dispensed there before we were driven from the nation. His soul rejoiced wonderfully before he went to prison, thinking of the joys and blessings of the sealing of husbands and wives and children to parents. He could not in those times say very much about this thing; for he was situated so that the laws of God and the order of His Church had to be managed discreetly and suppressed, because of the prejudices of the people and the obstacles that were in the way of the promulgation of the principles; but to a great extent they were taught in the temple at Nauvoo. I recollect a remark that Brother Joseph made one day, when an accident had happened to him and Sister Emma, as they were going down from the temple grounds to his house. I think they were thrown out of their buggy. The Prophet Joseph remarked in the meeting that afternoon how he rejoiced in the love of his faithful wife Emma, who had given her hand, her heart and her soul to him in Harmony, Pennsylvania, when first he had been called to the work of the Lord, and had braved all these difficulties with him; and he made this remark, that whatever happened to Emma, he would go, if he had to go to hell, to find her and bring her home, that she might share with him the blessings of his exaltation as she had shared with him his sufferings. He rejoiced greatly in the anticipation of these eternal family relations in the future.
Among the many wonderful manifestations of the Prophet Joseph, soon after the dedication of the temple in Kirtland, revelations tells us that he and Oliver Cowdery saw the Lord stand upon the breastwork of the pulpit; that He acknowledged the temple as accepted of Him, and said that from there should go forth the Gospel to the nations of the earth. And let me say, that temple was built as none of us have ever built temples since in these mountains; it was built by everything that everybody could do to get the materials together and put it up. They had nothing of property making until this temple was done. All there was to it was by sacrifice and not by tithing, in those days; and when it was done the Lord accepted it and blessed them mightily.
Directly after this manifestation that I speak of, Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards and Joseph Fielding were appointed to England on their first European mission. The blessing and power of God were upon them such as have never been upon men before or sins, except it was on President Woodruff when he was over there. He seemed to baptize almost everybody that dared to go and hear him preach in Herefordshire and the regions round about.
Well, after the Savior had shown his good pleasure concerning the house, Joseph says, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 110:
After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us, and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the Ten tribes from the land of the north.
After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham; saying, that in us, and our seed, all generations after us should be blessed.
After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us, for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying that he (Elijah) should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
Some of these same characters were with Peter, James and John on the mount of transfiguration with the Savior. They had not a temple in that day that they could go into and receive these keys of Moses and Elias. There also they heard the glorious voice from heaven: “This is my beloved Son; hear ye him.” These keys were delivered to Joseph in the temple at Kirtland by Moses and Elias and Elijah, in fulfillment of the promises of the Lord through Moses, Deut. 30: 1-4; Malachi 4th chapter 45th verse. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
We should have consideration of these things. This is how the Priesthood of ancient times was dovetailed in with the Priesthood of modern times, so that it is the same Priesthood, the same power, the same authority committed to men appointed of God to administer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in all the ordinances of His Church. These things came home with emphasis to my mind while I heard President Woodruff yesterday recounting the circumstances when Joseph testified that he had received all the keys that had been bestowed by the Lord upon any man, and that he conferred them all upon the Twelve who were with him in that holy place in Nauvoo. And these were the same blessings and powers which are conferred and which we have with us now to preach the Gospel, build up the Church, gather Israel and establish the righteousness of our God in the earth. Wonderful! Marvelous! The Lord has made Joseph’s ministry known and has abundantly testified of it. He baptized for the remission of sins, and when he was blessed to confer the Holy Ghost the heavens bore witness in the eyes of the world. We want to bear these things in mind. We ought, all to us, to keep them in our minds, and especially in the minds of the generation that is growing up. We ought to be reminded from time to time that a man of God second only to Jesus Christ, has stood upon the earth, clothed with authority from heaven. In the beginning the Father and Son appeared to him. At another time he and Sidney Rigdon were in the spirit, and the Lord revealed to them the three great glories of the future pertaining to the human family. Not only so, but he was told to write them while he was yet in the spirit, and he wrote that vision for our comfort, for our edification, our profit and our warning. And he attained unto such power with the Lord that he told him before he died to ask whatsoever he would and He would answer him. The Lord had now disciplined him for years; He had brought him into straight places; He had brought him into a position where the things required of him were such as made his nature to revolt, and the Lord met him by a holy angel and told him he had to go forward in His work or his life would be taken. This is a sample of how the Lord does. He brings His faithful servants into narrow places, where they have to choose whom they will serve. It is a great and glorious thing to know that we live in a day when such men have dwelt among us, and that we have had their society and been taught by them.
The first time I went to Nauvoo I was full of ague and fever, in the spring of 1840. I called at the Prophet Joseph’s house and asked him if I might sleep in his hayloft, being poorly, did not like to lay out of doors, and had no place to go to. He looked at me and said, “Brother Franklin, you shall stay here in the house; I see you are not hearty.” I stayed in the house, slept there, and the next morning ate breakfast with him. I rejoiced that I was fit to look upon a Prophet in the last days. We went up to the conference, which was held at the head of a ravine, just south of the Nauvoo Temple, so that persons standing below could look up and see the people around them. At the intermission, Brother Joseph Young called me aside, I sat down on a log, while he and Albert P. Rockwood ordained me a Seventy. So that those places are attended with hallowed and sacred memories to me. When again I was ill and in the Prophet’s company, I asked him, “Brother Joseph, can I be healed of this affliction?” He looked at me and said, “Brother Franklin, if you believe with all your heart, you can.” I told him I believed all I knew how to believe and that this was the work of God. I asked him if he could tell me how I could believe any more. He told Brother Brigham Young to administer to me and I should get well. He did so and I was healed. I feel to testify of him, that the power of God was with him. He was a man that associated with the angels here on the earth, and the God of heaven sustained him. No man could have lived and passed through what he did except the powers of heaven attended him and filled him with the understanding of time and eternity.
When Secret Orders came there to be instituted and to carry out their designs the Prophet Joseph enquired of the Lord and learned all about them. He could comprehend everything that they ever knew or thought of in a very short time. He had access to the heavens, and this people have had access through him. We ought to understand that the history of the Prophet Joseph is the history of the Church as long as he lived, and it is the authority by which we abide, and to which we refer on matters that need to be enquired about that are not plain before us. I know this is the work of the Lord. I have known it from the beginning. It was in 1838 I embraced the Gospel, in the months of June; and in October, the same year, the Lord gave me an abiding witness of the Holy Ghost, so that I never have since then doubted the work of the Lord. It was revealed to me on the grand prairie, in Missouri. It was a glorious day to me. I never yet knew how to describe and tell the excellence, the power and the blessings of that knowledge that filled my soul and made the journey pleasant; for I walked about 300 miles from St. Louis to Far West.
I rejoice with you in this great work. I only wish that I could live nearer to the Lord, have more of His Spirit and the power of the Gospel to be with me, to qualify me for every good word and work. I beseech of you, my brethren and sisters, seek after this; for they who have this Spirit, shall come to the knowledge of all things necessary for their salvation and exaltation. The principles that the Prophet Joseph taught are the doctrines that we must abide in, or we shall be overthrown. When the Lord, or in the interest of Zion required anything, he did it and let the consequences follow, and he was so highly favored of the Lord with revelations affecting the whole human race, that he was shown their destiny here and hereafter. It was manifest to him that the seed of Cain would not come in remembrance before the Lord for their final redemption, until the seed of Abel the righteous, should all have their opportunity. This one incident opens up a field of information so vast and comprehensive, that it is made evident to what extent the Prophet Joseph’s mind was enlightened in regard to the dealings of God with mankind, and his eternal purposes concerning their redemption.
I have noticed only a few of the leading outlines of the Prophet Joseph’s wonderful experience during the twenty-four years of his labor in establishing the dispensation of the fulness of times on the earth. Anything I could say in his praise would be like the babbling of the babe in the ears of its parent—so slightly do we comprehend the infinite and eternal consequences that will result from his labors, to verify which he gave his life as a final attestation of the doctrines that he revealed.
Let us work righteousness, my brethren and sisters, while the day lasts; for the night soon cometh when no man can work. May the Lord bless us with this spirit of Zion more and more to prepare us for all that awaits us, that we may be able to finish our work with joy and enter into His presence and receive His approval, which I humbly ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Brigham Young,
of the Council of the Twelve, was the next speaker. He said that God was managing affairs pertaining to the earth, and the people were in His hands. He stood ready to pour out blessings according to His law. Our thanks were especially due to Him for the Gospel. It was well there was one people full good desires and anxiety to serve the Lord. He had delivered us from every untoward circumstance and condition that had surrounded us in our history. There was no reason to doubt Him in relation to the future. It was hoped that we would become better and more faithful as time progressed. If the Gospel was to be carried to the nations of the earth, it would be through the instrumentality of the Saints. Every effort that this people made in the direction of progress in material and spiritual development evinced that they were influenced by the inspiration of the Almighty. The order and organization of the community was the most perfect of which history affords any account. The speaker directed attention to events that occurred in the history of ancient Israel to illustrate the good results of obedience to the commandments of God. The Saints were not now as obedient as they should be, and they would have to suffer in consequence, until they conformed to the divine will. When they should be fully united in temporal as well as spiritual matters, they would be a beacon to all the nations and a means of blessing the whole human family. He continued to speak for some time upon the necessity of the complete unity of the Saints.
of the Council of the Twelve, was the next speaker. He said that God was managing affairs pertaining to the earth, and the people were in His hands. He stood ready to pour out blessings according to His law. Our thanks were especially due to Him for the Gospel. It was well there was one people full good desires and anxiety to serve the Lord. He had delivered us from every untoward circumstance and condition that had surrounded us in our history. There was no reason to doubt Him in relation to the future. It was hoped that we would become better and more faithful as time progressed. If the Gospel was to be carried to the nations of the earth, it would be through the instrumentality of the Saints. Every effort that this people made in the direction of progress in material and spiritual development evinced that they were influenced by the inspiration of the Almighty. The order and organization of the community was the most perfect of which history affords any account. The speaker directed attention to events that occurred in the history of ancient Israel to illustrate the good results of obedience to the commandments of God. The Saints were not now as obedient as they should be, and they would have to suffer in consequence, until they conformed to the divine will. When they should be fully united in temporal as well as spiritual matters, they would be a beacon to all the nations and a means of blessing the whole human family. He continued to speak for some time upon the necessity of the complete unity of the Saints.
Elder Francis M. Lyman,
of the Council of Apostles, was the next speaker. He thought that the earnest testimony and exhortation of the inspired speakers of the Conference should imbue each individual with an assurance of the divinity of the work. Looking back at the history of the Church, he was struck by the fact that all those who associated with the Prophet Joseph would soon pass from this stage of action. Yet, all who remained could gain a sure testimony of the divinity of the work through the inspiration of the Spirit, the only sure way of gaining such a knowledge even of those personally acquainted with the Prophet, only those who were filled with this Spirit gained a knowledge of his true character. Favored as few had been, permitted to behold the faces of the Father and the Son, the Prophet Joseph had ushered in the dawn of spiritual day, after the long night of darkness. It was fitting that such a manifestation should be given at the commencement of the work, in order to clear away the doubts as to the true character and personality of God, in order that one should be able to declare his knowledge of God, and exercise the authority emanating from him. All preparations had been made for the ushering in of the work, and it was introduced and God revealed it at the time which had been foreordained for this event. A great honor had thus been conferred upon the humble boy, parallel with that conferred upon John the Baptist, in being permitted to lead the Son of God into the waters of baptism. For his important mission Joseph had been prepared by discipline and instruction such as perhaps no other Prophet had received, and thousands had gained a testimony that his labor was accepted of God. They had become so fixed in the faith that it was next to impossible to move them from the sure anchorage, and they were as a consequence, filled with gratitude for the precious gifts bestowed upon them. They felt gratitude for the Priesthood of the Almighty and the overruling of their labors and suffering for the advancement of the work of God. Even persecutions and drivings had been necessary to try the texture of and prove the Saints, and purify them in preparation for the great labor required of them. Such had been the case with the Saints of former days, and even with the Lamb of God, in order that the redemption of the world might be brought about. Those who were unable to endure such persecutions were unworthy of the position of Saints, for the best material would be necessary to complete the work of God.
The proper recognition of God’s authority was a necessity, for this was the principle on which the great labor resting upon the Saints would depend for its fulfillment. The speaker hoped for the time when there would be none in the Church of Christ unable to bear a testimony of the divine origin of the Church. Such would be the case if all would do the will of the Father for the testimony of Jesus was promised to all such. The Father had been and would be with His faithful Saints, as he was with Joseph in their life-work. The quorum of Apostles would always be in existence. It was a quorum which would never be dissolved, but would exercise authority and power in accordance with the responsibilities placed upon them.
All were exhorted to remain in the light and inspiration of the Gospel of Christ, persevering in good works, that the testimony of Jesus might remain with them forever, and they be saved from the burning of the dross when they should be tried as gold in the fire.
The choir sang: The song of the Redeemed.
Benediction by Elder Seymour B. Young.
of the Council of Apostles, was the next speaker. He thought that the earnest testimony and exhortation of the inspired speakers of the Conference should imbue each individual with an assurance of the divinity of the work. Looking back at the history of the Church, he was struck by the fact that all those who associated with the Prophet Joseph would soon pass from this stage of action. Yet, all who remained could gain a sure testimony of the divinity of the work through the inspiration of the Spirit, the only sure way of gaining such a knowledge even of those personally acquainted with the Prophet, only those who were filled with this Spirit gained a knowledge of his true character. Favored as few had been, permitted to behold the faces of the Father and the Son, the Prophet Joseph had ushered in the dawn of spiritual day, after the long night of darkness. It was fitting that such a manifestation should be given at the commencement of the work, in order to clear away the doubts as to the true character and personality of God, in order that one should be able to declare his knowledge of God, and exercise the authority emanating from him. All preparations had been made for the ushering in of the work, and it was introduced and God revealed it at the time which had been foreordained for this event. A great honor had thus been conferred upon the humble boy, parallel with that conferred upon John the Baptist, in being permitted to lead the Son of God into the waters of baptism. For his important mission Joseph had been prepared by discipline and instruction such as perhaps no other Prophet had received, and thousands had gained a testimony that his labor was accepted of God. They had become so fixed in the faith that it was next to impossible to move them from the sure anchorage, and they were as a consequence, filled with gratitude for the precious gifts bestowed upon them. They felt gratitude for the Priesthood of the Almighty and the overruling of their labors and suffering for the advancement of the work of God. Even persecutions and drivings had been necessary to try the texture of and prove the Saints, and purify them in preparation for the great labor required of them. Such had been the case with the Saints of former days, and even with the Lamb of God, in order that the redemption of the world might be brought about. Those who were unable to endure such persecutions were unworthy of the position of Saints, for the best material would be necessary to complete the work of God.
The proper recognition of God’s authority was a necessity, for this was the principle on which the great labor resting upon the Saints would depend for its fulfillment. The speaker hoped for the time when there would be none in the Church of Christ unable to bear a testimony of the divine origin of the Church. Such would be the case if all would do the will of the Father for the testimony of Jesus was promised to all such. The Father had been and would be with His faithful Saints, as he was with Joseph in their life-work. The quorum of Apostles would always be in existence. It was a quorum which would never be dissolved, but would exercise authority and power in accordance with the responsibilities placed upon them.
All were exhorted to remain in the light and inspiration of the Gospel of Christ, persevering in good works, that the testimony of Jesus might remain with them forever, and they be saved from the burning of the dross when they should be tried as gold in the fire.
The choir sang: The song of the Redeemed.
Benediction by Elder Seymour B. Young.
Afternoon Session.
The hymn which commences,
Praise ye the Lord! my heart shall join
In work so pleasant, so divine,
Now, while the flesh is my abode,
And when my soul ascends to God,
was sung by the choir.
Prayer by Elder Edward Partridge.
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God,
was sung by the choir.
The hymn which commences,
Praise ye the Lord! my heart shall join
In work so pleasant, so divine,
Now, while the flesh is my abode,
And when my soul ascends to God,
was sung by the choir.
Prayer by Elder Edward Partridge.
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God,
was sung by the choir.
President Wilford Woodruff
said there were two powers—those of good and evil—which had always existed and the latter invariable operated against God, Christ and His work. The evil spirits which were cast out of heaven had operated upon mankind and lead them into darkness from the beginning. President Woodruff narrated a number of incidents in which the power of evil spirits had been manifested among the Saints and had been overcome by the authority of the Priesthood. These manifestations of the influence of Satan referred to occurred in England during the early efforts of the Elders to introduce the Gospel into Great Britain. The speaker explained the principles upon which such malignant spirits operate, and stated that they would follow the Saints and have more or less power until Satan and his hosts should be banished from the earth and bound. The speaker had witnessed instances of men suffering themselves to be influenced by the spirits which were not in unison with the interests of the work of God. He then made an explanation of the condition of Moses Thatcher, and of the reasons why his case had not been disposed of by this time. He had not been united with his quorum for a number of years, and the reasons why action had not been taken in the matter was owing to the delicate state of his health. The present status of Brother Thatcher, however, could not be maintained; a change must ultimately be reached one way or the other. In the meantime he was in the hands of his quorum.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
President Wilford Woodruff.
I did not intend to occupy any more time in this conference, but there is a subject or two that I feel in duty bound to talk upon, and I hope the Saints will give me their prayers and faith, that I may be enabled to do my duty, in order to arrive at the principles and subject I wish to speak of, I feel disposed to deviate from my general course of testimony in some respects.
There are two powers on the earth and in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth—the power of God and the power of the devil. In our history we have had some very peculiar experiences. When God has had a people on the earth, it matters not in what age, Lucifer, the son of the morning, and the millions of fallen spirits that were cast out of heaven, have warred against God, against Christ, against the work of God, and against the people of God. And they are not backward in doing it in our day and generation. Whenever the Lord set His hand to perform any work, those powers labored to overthrow it. I have a little experience in this direction that I want to refer to. Many of you probably have read the history of the first proclamation of the Gospel in England under the presidency of Heber C. Kimball, in 1837. Just previous to that I crossed Lake Ontario with a man by the name of Russell from Canada into the United States. That man walked the steamer almost day and night, moaning and groaning. What was the matter? He had a class of spirits that stayed with him night and day, distressing him. What he had done that they had power over him I do not know. When a man does his duty and keeps the commandments of God, those spirits have no power over him, although he may be distressed in a measure from their operation. This man went to England, and those spirits went with him. He was with the Apostles there, and while they were holding a conference there he was so troubled with those spirits that Brother Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde and the brethren who were there laid hands upon him and cast those evil spirits out of him. When they left him they seized upon Brother Hyde, and he fell to the floor as though he had been knocked on the head with a club. Brother Kimball and the brethren immediately laid hands upon him, and the evil spirits left him. They then fell upon Brother Kimball and tried to overcome him. But the vision of his mind was open and he saw them in the room. They gnashed their teeth at him; but did they overcome him? Brother Kimball held the Apostleship and he stood at the head of that Mission, and God gave him power over those spirits, and they were rebuked and left him. This was the beginning of their labors there. In 1840, when the Apostles were sent to England, we had a similar experience. The history of my travels in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire is published and known to the Church. After laboring there some eight months, Brothers Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith invited me to go to London. You all know what kind of men Brothers Kimball and Smither were. They had power and brought a great many into the Church. We three went into the City of London to undertake to open doors in that great city. The first man who opened his doors to receive us was a man by the name of Morgan. The very day we entered that house it was filled with evil spirits, who sought to destroy us. We felt their power day after day. They did not particularly injure us at that time, but we knew they were with us. The incident that I am going to refer to now occurred after Brother Kimball had returned to Manchester. Brother George A. Smith and myself were left there. We sat up one night till about 11 o’clock, talking about the Gospel of Christ, and then went to bed. The room in which we slept was small; there was about three and a half feet between our cots. Those spirits were gathered together in that room and sought to destroy us. They fell upon us with the determination to take our lives. The distress the suffering and the horror that rested upon me I never experienced before nor since. While in this condition a spirit said to me, “Pray to the Lord.” Well, a man in that kind of warfare, when he is choking almost to death, is in a peculiar position to pray. Nevertheless I went to praying with all the power I had. I knew we would die unless God opened some door for our deliverance, because we were being choked to death, and I prayed the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, to preserve our lives. While I was praying, the door opened and three messengers entered, and the room was filled with light equal to the blazing light of the sun at mid-day. Those messengers were all dressed in robes of immortal beings. Who they were I know not. They laid hands upon me and my companion, and rebuked the evil powers, and we were saved. From that hour to this day, not only our lives were saved, but those powers were rebuked by the angels of God so that no Elder since has been tormented with them in London.
I name this because there is a principle in it. From the day that the Prophet Joseph Smith was called upon by the angel of God and the plates of the Book of Mormon given into his hands, these evil spirits labored for his death, and finally his blood was shed by the power of the devil. You know about that. It is before the heavens and the earth, and has got to be settled for. Those spirits are wherever the Saints of God are, and they will follow this up until He who holds the keys of death and hell binds that old serpent, sets a seal upon him, and shuts him up for a thousand years. These evil spirits are all around us. They follow every Elder of Israel at home and abroad. They tempt me; they tempt you, and will as long as we dwell in the flesh and they have their agency and power. Why? Because they know the Priesthood is here; they know the authority is here to seal blessings upon the heads of the children of men, and to preach the Gospel to the nations of the earth, that they may be prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing this if they can get any power over you and me they will exercise it.
There has been some talk here about myself, and my counselors, and the Twelve Apostles, and the position we hold as leaders of the people. I have been in the Apostleship for fifty-seven years. I have been through all the apostasies in this Church, it may be allowed to use that expression, from the day of the organization of the Twelve Apostles. On one occasion two Apostles came to me while I was in Kirtland, and told me that Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet, and that they wanted to put another man in his place—Oliver Cowdery. They wanted to know what I would do about it. Said I, “Every man that lifts his hand against the Prophet of God will go to hell, unless he repents of his sins.” Well, about half of them did repent; the others did not, and they lost their crown and glory, and other men have taken their places.
My brethren and sisters, there is something pressing upon my mind that I want to say. We have arrived at a point here with regard to circumstances that it is my duty to take up as the President of the Church. The First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles were never more united as a body than they are today. Our spirits are united. We believe together, we work together, we pray together; and we believe in each other, because we are all trying to do the will of God. This is the case with all of us, with one exception. That exception is Brother Moses Thatcher. A great many people marvel and wonder why something is not done with him. Some have said we were afraid of Moses Thatcher. I am not afraid of Moses Thatcher, nor of any other man who breathes the breath of life, when it comes to a matter of duty. But I am afraid to disobey God, or to not perform any duty in any position that I am called to in the Church. There has been a great deal said with regard to Brother Moses Thatcher, and many have wondered why something was not done about him. Well, I will say that this is a matter that belongs to the Twelve Apostles. He is a member of that quorum, and of course it is their duty to take hold of that work and attend to it until it is settled. But I have felt, as the President of the Church, it is my duty to not let this conference pass without saying something upon this subject. Brother Moses Thatcher has been a very sick man. Preparations have been made by the Twelve Apostles to settle this difficulty with him in council; but he has been in the condition I speak of. What is the difficulty with Brother Thatcher? The difficulty is, he has not been with his quorum in spirit for years. He has not been united with them hardly, I may say, since the death of President Taylor. It is not his declining to sign this declaration of principle that was brought up at the last conference by the leaders of Israel. This is a matter of comparatively small consequence. I say here—and I say the truth—Brother Thatcher has not been in fellowship with us for a series of years. He has not met with his quorum. He has spent days and days in this city, when he was perfectly able to go about and do business, and has not met with them—neither at their sacrament meetings nor other meetings. Now, this cannot remain in this way. As I have said, these evil spirits affect men. There is a spirit affecting him, and not a good spirit either. With regard to his standing with his quorum, he should have met with them and talked these things over; but he has not done it. He has met with them comparatively few times since President Taylor’s death.
Brethren and sisters, these are truths. The Apostles know that he has neglected to meet with them at times when he could and should have done so. He has been at difference with them in many things that have transpired. He has been by himself in his labor, and for himself, and not for the Church. Now, I want to say that neither Moses Thatcher nor any other man on the face of the earth can stand int he way of this Church. We have had almost whole quorums of Apostles that have been in the road, and they have had to be moved out of it, because the kingdom of God cannot stop for anybody—for Wilford Woodruff, for Moses Thatcher, or for anybody else. Unless we work with the Saints of God, with the Priesthood of God and with the organization of His Church, we cannot have any power or influence. I make this testimony because it is my duty. I have thought a great deal of Moses Thatcher. I had a good deal to do with his coming into the quorum of the Apostles. I had a great respect for his family. I have for any man that will bear his testimony to the Gospel and kingdom of God. But he has stopped that. He has taken a different course with regard to this, and he occupies that position today. I name this because he is not in a condition to be tried. The Lord’s kingdom is going to roll on. If I took a stand against my counselors and against the Twelve Apostles, and we were not united together, I could not go with them. But the Lord is with us, and with His people. Whatever is required at our hands we want to perform it. I hope that the little time we spend here in the flesh, before we go into the valley of the shadow of death, we will pursue a course wherein we will be satisfied when we come to meet the Lord, and Joseph Smith, and the patriarchs and prophets. We will meet these people in the morning of the first resurrection. Many of them have got their resurrected bodies, and those who have not will have their bodies raised from the grave in an immortal condition. Who can sacrifice eternal life, and a part in the first resurrection, to stand with their wives and children in celestial glory, for the honor of this life or to gratify ambition? I cannot afford to do it, neither can you. We will hail Brother Moses Thatcher with every sentiment of our hearts when he will meet with us, unite with us, repent of his wrongdoings, and help carry on the work of God as he should do. Without this, he cannot go with us.
God bless you. I bear testimony to the heavens and the earth that this is the church and kingdom of God. We have got to live our religion and to be united in order to bear off the kingdom and receive those blessings that lie on the other side of the veil for us. I pray that His blessing and spirit may rest, not only on the First Presidency and Apostles and the whole Priesthood and the Saints, but upon Moses Thatcher, that his eyes may be opened to see, his ears to hear, and his heart to comprehend his position and duty before God and man.
said there were two powers—those of good and evil—which had always existed and the latter invariable operated against God, Christ and His work. The evil spirits which were cast out of heaven had operated upon mankind and lead them into darkness from the beginning. President Woodruff narrated a number of incidents in which the power of evil spirits had been manifested among the Saints and had been overcome by the authority of the Priesthood. These manifestations of the influence of Satan referred to occurred in England during the early efforts of the Elders to introduce the Gospel into Great Britain. The speaker explained the principles upon which such malignant spirits operate, and stated that they would follow the Saints and have more or less power until Satan and his hosts should be banished from the earth and bound. The speaker had witnessed instances of men suffering themselves to be influenced by the spirits which were not in unison with the interests of the work of God. He then made an explanation of the condition of Moses Thatcher, and of the reasons why his case had not been disposed of by this time. He had not been united with his quorum for a number of years, and the reasons why action had not been taken in the matter was owing to the delicate state of his health. The present status of Brother Thatcher, however, could not be maintained; a change must ultimately be reached one way or the other. In the meantime he was in the hands of his quorum.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
President Wilford Woodruff.
I did not intend to occupy any more time in this conference, but there is a subject or two that I feel in duty bound to talk upon, and I hope the Saints will give me their prayers and faith, that I may be enabled to do my duty, in order to arrive at the principles and subject I wish to speak of, I feel disposed to deviate from my general course of testimony in some respects.
There are two powers on the earth and in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth—the power of God and the power of the devil. In our history we have had some very peculiar experiences. When God has had a people on the earth, it matters not in what age, Lucifer, the son of the morning, and the millions of fallen spirits that were cast out of heaven, have warred against God, against Christ, against the work of God, and against the people of God. And they are not backward in doing it in our day and generation. Whenever the Lord set His hand to perform any work, those powers labored to overthrow it. I have a little experience in this direction that I want to refer to. Many of you probably have read the history of the first proclamation of the Gospel in England under the presidency of Heber C. Kimball, in 1837. Just previous to that I crossed Lake Ontario with a man by the name of Russell from Canada into the United States. That man walked the steamer almost day and night, moaning and groaning. What was the matter? He had a class of spirits that stayed with him night and day, distressing him. What he had done that they had power over him I do not know. When a man does his duty and keeps the commandments of God, those spirits have no power over him, although he may be distressed in a measure from their operation. This man went to England, and those spirits went with him. He was with the Apostles there, and while they were holding a conference there he was so troubled with those spirits that Brother Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde and the brethren who were there laid hands upon him and cast those evil spirits out of him. When they left him they seized upon Brother Hyde, and he fell to the floor as though he had been knocked on the head with a club. Brother Kimball and the brethren immediately laid hands upon him, and the evil spirits left him. They then fell upon Brother Kimball and tried to overcome him. But the vision of his mind was open and he saw them in the room. They gnashed their teeth at him; but did they overcome him? Brother Kimball held the Apostleship and he stood at the head of that Mission, and God gave him power over those spirits, and they were rebuked and left him. This was the beginning of their labors there. In 1840, when the Apostles were sent to England, we had a similar experience. The history of my travels in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire is published and known to the Church. After laboring there some eight months, Brothers Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith invited me to go to London. You all know what kind of men Brothers Kimball and Smither were. They had power and brought a great many into the Church. We three went into the City of London to undertake to open doors in that great city. The first man who opened his doors to receive us was a man by the name of Morgan. The very day we entered that house it was filled with evil spirits, who sought to destroy us. We felt their power day after day. They did not particularly injure us at that time, but we knew they were with us. The incident that I am going to refer to now occurred after Brother Kimball had returned to Manchester. Brother George A. Smith and myself were left there. We sat up one night till about 11 o’clock, talking about the Gospel of Christ, and then went to bed. The room in which we slept was small; there was about three and a half feet between our cots. Those spirits were gathered together in that room and sought to destroy us. They fell upon us with the determination to take our lives. The distress the suffering and the horror that rested upon me I never experienced before nor since. While in this condition a spirit said to me, “Pray to the Lord.” Well, a man in that kind of warfare, when he is choking almost to death, is in a peculiar position to pray. Nevertheless I went to praying with all the power I had. I knew we would die unless God opened some door for our deliverance, because we were being choked to death, and I prayed the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, to preserve our lives. While I was praying, the door opened and three messengers entered, and the room was filled with light equal to the blazing light of the sun at mid-day. Those messengers were all dressed in robes of immortal beings. Who they were I know not. They laid hands upon me and my companion, and rebuked the evil powers, and we were saved. From that hour to this day, not only our lives were saved, but those powers were rebuked by the angels of God so that no Elder since has been tormented with them in London.
I name this because there is a principle in it. From the day that the Prophet Joseph Smith was called upon by the angel of God and the plates of the Book of Mormon given into his hands, these evil spirits labored for his death, and finally his blood was shed by the power of the devil. You know about that. It is before the heavens and the earth, and has got to be settled for. Those spirits are wherever the Saints of God are, and they will follow this up until He who holds the keys of death and hell binds that old serpent, sets a seal upon him, and shuts him up for a thousand years. These evil spirits are all around us. They follow every Elder of Israel at home and abroad. They tempt me; they tempt you, and will as long as we dwell in the flesh and they have their agency and power. Why? Because they know the Priesthood is here; they know the authority is here to seal blessings upon the heads of the children of men, and to preach the Gospel to the nations of the earth, that they may be prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing this if they can get any power over you and me they will exercise it.
There has been some talk here about myself, and my counselors, and the Twelve Apostles, and the position we hold as leaders of the people. I have been in the Apostleship for fifty-seven years. I have been through all the apostasies in this Church, it may be allowed to use that expression, from the day of the organization of the Twelve Apostles. On one occasion two Apostles came to me while I was in Kirtland, and told me that Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet, and that they wanted to put another man in his place—Oliver Cowdery. They wanted to know what I would do about it. Said I, “Every man that lifts his hand against the Prophet of God will go to hell, unless he repents of his sins.” Well, about half of them did repent; the others did not, and they lost their crown and glory, and other men have taken their places.
My brethren and sisters, there is something pressing upon my mind that I want to say. We have arrived at a point here with regard to circumstances that it is my duty to take up as the President of the Church. The First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles were never more united as a body than they are today. Our spirits are united. We believe together, we work together, we pray together; and we believe in each other, because we are all trying to do the will of God. This is the case with all of us, with one exception. That exception is Brother Moses Thatcher. A great many people marvel and wonder why something is not done with him. Some have said we were afraid of Moses Thatcher. I am not afraid of Moses Thatcher, nor of any other man who breathes the breath of life, when it comes to a matter of duty. But I am afraid to disobey God, or to not perform any duty in any position that I am called to in the Church. There has been a great deal said with regard to Brother Moses Thatcher, and many have wondered why something was not done about him. Well, I will say that this is a matter that belongs to the Twelve Apostles. He is a member of that quorum, and of course it is their duty to take hold of that work and attend to it until it is settled. But I have felt, as the President of the Church, it is my duty to not let this conference pass without saying something upon this subject. Brother Moses Thatcher has been a very sick man. Preparations have been made by the Twelve Apostles to settle this difficulty with him in council; but he has been in the condition I speak of. What is the difficulty with Brother Thatcher? The difficulty is, he has not been with his quorum in spirit for years. He has not been united with them hardly, I may say, since the death of President Taylor. It is not his declining to sign this declaration of principle that was brought up at the last conference by the leaders of Israel. This is a matter of comparatively small consequence. I say here—and I say the truth—Brother Thatcher has not been in fellowship with us for a series of years. He has not met with his quorum. He has spent days and days in this city, when he was perfectly able to go about and do business, and has not met with them—neither at their sacrament meetings nor other meetings. Now, this cannot remain in this way. As I have said, these evil spirits affect men. There is a spirit affecting him, and not a good spirit either. With regard to his standing with his quorum, he should have met with them and talked these things over; but he has not done it. He has met with them comparatively few times since President Taylor’s death.
Brethren and sisters, these are truths. The Apostles know that he has neglected to meet with them at times when he could and should have done so. He has been at difference with them in many things that have transpired. He has been by himself in his labor, and for himself, and not for the Church. Now, I want to say that neither Moses Thatcher nor any other man on the face of the earth can stand int he way of this Church. We have had almost whole quorums of Apostles that have been in the road, and they have had to be moved out of it, because the kingdom of God cannot stop for anybody—for Wilford Woodruff, for Moses Thatcher, or for anybody else. Unless we work with the Saints of God, with the Priesthood of God and with the organization of His Church, we cannot have any power or influence. I make this testimony because it is my duty. I have thought a great deal of Moses Thatcher. I had a good deal to do with his coming into the quorum of the Apostles. I had a great respect for his family. I have for any man that will bear his testimony to the Gospel and kingdom of God. But he has stopped that. He has taken a different course with regard to this, and he occupies that position today. I name this because he is not in a condition to be tried. The Lord’s kingdom is going to roll on. If I took a stand against my counselors and against the Twelve Apostles, and we were not united together, I could not go with them. But the Lord is with us, and with His people. Whatever is required at our hands we want to perform it. I hope that the little time we spend here in the flesh, before we go into the valley of the shadow of death, we will pursue a course wherein we will be satisfied when we come to meet the Lord, and Joseph Smith, and the patriarchs and prophets. We will meet these people in the morning of the first resurrection. Many of them have got their resurrected bodies, and those who have not will have their bodies raised from the grave in an immortal condition. Who can sacrifice eternal life, and a part in the first resurrection, to stand with their wives and children in celestial glory, for the honor of this life or to gratify ambition? I cannot afford to do it, neither can you. We will hail Brother Moses Thatcher with every sentiment of our hearts when he will meet with us, unite with us, repent of his wrongdoings, and help carry on the work of God as he should do. Without this, he cannot go with us.
God bless you. I bear testimony to the heavens and the earth that this is the church and kingdom of God. We have got to live our religion and to be united in order to bear off the kingdom and receive those blessings that lie on the other side of the veil for us. I pray that His blessing and spirit may rest, not only on the First Presidency and Apostles and the whole Priesthood and the Saints, but upon Moses Thatcher, that his eyes may be opened to see, his ears to hear, and his heart to comprehend his position and duty before God and man.
President Lorenzo Snow
testified to the truth of President Woodruff’s remarks about Moses Thatcher’s fellowship with the Twelve. The present quorum of Apostles was organized seven years ago, with himself as president. He had tried to bring about a union between the brethren of the quorum, which had failed only in the case of Moses Thatcher. His lack of union with the rest of the quorum had been apparent more than a year before the dedication of the Temple. On the night before the event, the quorum labored until almost 2 a.m. to bring Moses Thatcher into union with the other members of the quorum. An understanding was arrived at which obviated the necessity of a mention of this disunion during the dedicatory exercises. From that time to the present other attempts had been made to bring Brother Thatcher to a proper position with reference to his relationship with his quorum; but it had been in vain so far. But President Snow was determined to continue his efforts in that direction, because of the love he felt for Brother Thatcher. His refusal to sign the address issued at the Conference six months ago was only a small matter compared with the conditions before referred to, although in this matter he had shown a lack of confidence in his brethren. The trouble had been in his whole course since the speaker had presided over the quorum. President Snow closed by exhorting the Saints to pray for Brother Thatcher, as he himself and the other members of the Council would do.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
President Lorenzo Snow.
As the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of which Brother Thatcher is a member, I want to say a few words in connection with this subject that has been introduced by President Woodruff. I feel it my duty, however unpleasant that duty may be to me, to testify to the truth of what President Woodruff has said in reference to the fellowship existing between Brother Thatcher and our quorum. I think it was seven years ago when the present Presidency of the Church was organized, and I then was appointed to preside over the quorum of the Apostles—a duty and an obligation that I felt the utmost incompetency to discharge; and yet believing and knowing that it was my duty to accept that position, I was satisfied that the Lord would aid and assist me in accomplishing the duties pertaining to that sacred office. I have labored actively from that day to the present to do that which I considered my duty, to accomplish a perfect union between every member of that quorum, and a perfect union also with the First Presidency. I felt the importance of this when I took the position as President of the Twelve, and I asked the Lord to let me live until these duties were accomplished—until I could see and feel that every member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in perfect fellowship with each other and with the First Presidency. The brethren of the Twelve can answer now whether that has been accomplished, and how far it has failed. It has failed in only one single instance, and that has been presented to you by President Woodruff. There are now of the quorum of the Twelve ten members sitting here upon these stands. With these ten brethren there is now perfect union between themselves and with the First Presidency.
I distinctly remember a peculiar circumstance in connection with this subject. It was when perhaps 150 brethren were assembled in the upper hall of the Temple. The object of that assembling was to gather means to accomplish the completion of the Temple, and that speedily. I do not remember now how much we raised there, but it was a large sum, contributed by the brethren present. On that occasion President George Q. Cannon arose and spoke very feelingly in reference to the perfect union that then existed with the First Presidency, (this was about one year before the dedication of the Temple,) in all matters pertaining to the interest of the Church, both spiritual and financial. After he got through, I dare say that the people there—I thought so at least—expected that I would arise and say something in reference to the union of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I did not do it. I sat there in silence. And I never explained the reason to the quorum of the Twelve, that I have any remembrance of, why I sat there in silence. I am now going to explain it. I thought my brethren had reasons to expect that I would arise and speak in reference to union. I could have spoken as loudly and as reflectively in reference to the union of our quorum as Brother Cannon in reference to the union of the First Presidency, with but one single exception. That exception, I regret to say, was Brother Moses Thatcher. The brethren of the quorum will now understand why I sat there in silence.
The next day, I think it was, in going up to Brigham City on the train, Brother Thatcher and I sat together. I there told him this circumstance that I have just told you. I said to him that it was on his account—the love and respect that I had for him—that I did not arise and make him an exception. I would have been compelled at that time to have mentioned Brother Moses Thatcher as an exception. There were eleven of us that were in perfect union, which we had labored and toiled to reflect completely and strongly and abundantly. But I would not place him in an unpleasant attitude before the people. I explained this to him.
But that was not the only time. The night previous to the dedication of the Temple we felt that the quorum of the Twelve ought all to be united, or perhaps there would be something arise that would prove of a disagreeable character. We called the quorum together. Every member was present. We labored and toiled at that meeting to bring Brother Thatcher into a union with us, hour after hour, till about two o’clock in the morning. I labored diligently. I always thought a good deal of Brother Thatcher. He and I always got along lovingly together; and he knows and will state it if he ever comes to address the people, that Brother Snow was one of his particular friends and felt an interest for him as deep as any man in the quorum. We labored there with only one object in view—to bring one member of our quorum into a perfect union with ourselves and with the First Presidency. At last I repeated to Brother Thatcher what I have been telling you. I told him of the sacrifice I made in my feelings when I had to keep silence, and I said I could not do it any more; I should be obliged to get up before the gathering in the Temple and state that our quorum was in perfect union—that is, if the subject came up, which it probably would—except in the case of Brother Thatcher. Well, we patched the thing up, and he came to a conclusion that we accepted at that time. How far that was really a conclusion made in his heart, I am not prepared to say.
There was another time, perhaps a year or a year and a half ago, when we sought to effect a union with Brother Thatcher and the quorum. We had a pretty difficult time, and failed. None of us felt satisfied.
About the last conversation I had with Brother Thatcher was in the Temple, either at the last spring or fall conference. We had prayed for him, and we had sent some of our most experienced brethren to talk with him privately and beg of him to make thing satisfactory. I called on Brother Brigham Young, because I knew he felt an interest in Brother Thatcher, and was a wise man, to go and see him and plead with him to make things satisfactory. But he failed. He came and reported to me that a spirit of darkness seemed to reign in Brother Thatcher’s heart, and he could not reach it. I still thought, however, that he would come and make things right before he returned to his home in Logan; and about the second or third day after this, I was visited by him in the Temple. I never felt to rejoice more in my heart than when I saw him enter my room. I thought he had made up his mind to do that which we requested him to do and to place himself in perfect fellowship with the brethren of the quorum. I talked with him. I did most of the talking myself. I felt the spirit of it, as I always did when I spoke to him, because my heart was warm towards him, and the Lord seemed to help me so that I felt perfectly at home in telling him just what the Lord dictated to me. On a previous occasion in the Temple, I laid my hands upon his head, according to his request and my own feelings, and blessed him. My heart went out for him. But I could not fellowship Brother Thatcher, although I loved him. Did I love that man? No man, it seems to me, could love another man more that I loved Brother thatcher; and I labored for him, toiled for him, and prayed for him, and still shall do. I have not given up my hopes, and I will not give them up. My principle has ever been, when called upon to administer to the sick, who were perhaps at the point of death, without seemingly any hope whatever, to not give them up until I saw they were actually dead. So I am with Brother Thatcher, whose voice has been heard from this stand time after time, and we have loved to listen to his beautiful and inspiring words. But he is a different man now altogether—different in spirit, and of course, his physical condition is very bad, although, I understand now, he is improving very rapidly. President Woodruff has explained to you the reason why we have not had him before our quorum and the matter investigated. His low physical condition is the reason. But, as I was saying, I thought he had come to my room with his mind made up to take a course to come into fellowship with his quorum. I was disappointed, however. I felt like shedding tears when he left the room. There was not that disposition existing in him that I hoped there would be when he came.
Now, there is a certain document that you have heard talked about a good deal. Brother Young and myself took that document to Brother Thatcher. His physical condition was not very promising and I asked him if I should read it to him. He said he preferred to read it himself, and he read it—read it very deliberately. He said he did not feel then to approve of it altogether; he wished it to remain for awhile. We accorded him his wish. As President Woodruff had said, not half the trouble is in relation to that document—not one hundredth part that is talked about. Of course, it was rather singular. There were appended to that document the names of the First Presidency, of the Apostles, (with the exception of Brother Lund; who was then in England) of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies, of the Patriarchs, and of the presiding Bishopric—twenty-four names in all, representing the authorities of the Church; but he did not feel inclined, he said, to put his name to the document.
I am reminded of a little anecdote I heard of Brother Erastus Snow, which illustrates a principle. Brother George A. Smith was speaking to an “outside” audience one night, and Brother Erastus fell asleep. When he got through preaching he sat down and elbowed Brother Erastus, and requested him to bear his testimony. It was thought that Brother Erastus had scarcely heard a word; but he arose and said, “My friends, every word that my brother here has said is God’s truth.” Now, why did he say so? There was a reason for this. Why, he knew Brother George A. Smith; he had heard him preach a hundred times, and he knew that he was a man of inspiration, and that he would never say anything but that was true. Well, I think when a man is so well-acquainted with the First Presidency, with the Apostles, with the Patriarch, with the Presidents of Seventies, and with the presiding Bishops, he ought to have some confidence in the position of these brethren; and if that brother is rather low in his mind and does not really feel competent to judge of the matter, he ought to have confidence in his brethren. Still, this matter does not amount to very much anyway. It is the general tenor of the course that Brother Thatcher has been pursuing since even before the organization of the First Presidency or before I was called to be the President of the quorum. Many other things might be said, but I do not want to occupy the time.
Brethren and sisters, these are solemn truths that I have told you and what President Woodruff has stated. I wanted you all to pray for Brother Thatcher. As soon as his physical abilities will allow, we shall have him before our quorum, and he will be treated by his friends. But there are certain rules and regulations that we, as the servants of God must conform to, and we are not responsible for them.
testified to the truth of President Woodruff’s remarks about Moses Thatcher’s fellowship with the Twelve. The present quorum of Apostles was organized seven years ago, with himself as president. He had tried to bring about a union between the brethren of the quorum, which had failed only in the case of Moses Thatcher. His lack of union with the rest of the quorum had been apparent more than a year before the dedication of the Temple. On the night before the event, the quorum labored until almost 2 a.m. to bring Moses Thatcher into union with the other members of the quorum. An understanding was arrived at which obviated the necessity of a mention of this disunion during the dedicatory exercises. From that time to the present other attempts had been made to bring Brother Thatcher to a proper position with reference to his relationship with his quorum; but it had been in vain so far. But President Snow was determined to continue his efforts in that direction, because of the love he felt for Brother Thatcher. His refusal to sign the address issued at the Conference six months ago was only a small matter compared with the conditions before referred to, although in this matter he had shown a lack of confidence in his brethren. The trouble had been in his whole course since the speaker had presided over the quorum. President Snow closed by exhorting the Saints to pray for Brother Thatcher, as he himself and the other members of the Council would do.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
President Lorenzo Snow.
As the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of which Brother Thatcher is a member, I want to say a few words in connection with this subject that has been introduced by President Woodruff. I feel it my duty, however unpleasant that duty may be to me, to testify to the truth of what President Woodruff has said in reference to the fellowship existing between Brother Thatcher and our quorum. I think it was seven years ago when the present Presidency of the Church was organized, and I then was appointed to preside over the quorum of the Apostles—a duty and an obligation that I felt the utmost incompetency to discharge; and yet believing and knowing that it was my duty to accept that position, I was satisfied that the Lord would aid and assist me in accomplishing the duties pertaining to that sacred office. I have labored actively from that day to the present to do that which I considered my duty, to accomplish a perfect union between every member of that quorum, and a perfect union also with the First Presidency. I felt the importance of this when I took the position as President of the Twelve, and I asked the Lord to let me live until these duties were accomplished—until I could see and feel that every member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in perfect fellowship with each other and with the First Presidency. The brethren of the Twelve can answer now whether that has been accomplished, and how far it has failed. It has failed in only one single instance, and that has been presented to you by President Woodruff. There are now of the quorum of the Twelve ten members sitting here upon these stands. With these ten brethren there is now perfect union between themselves and with the First Presidency.
I distinctly remember a peculiar circumstance in connection with this subject. It was when perhaps 150 brethren were assembled in the upper hall of the Temple. The object of that assembling was to gather means to accomplish the completion of the Temple, and that speedily. I do not remember now how much we raised there, but it was a large sum, contributed by the brethren present. On that occasion President George Q. Cannon arose and spoke very feelingly in reference to the perfect union that then existed with the First Presidency, (this was about one year before the dedication of the Temple,) in all matters pertaining to the interest of the Church, both spiritual and financial. After he got through, I dare say that the people there—I thought so at least—expected that I would arise and say something in reference to the union of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I did not do it. I sat there in silence. And I never explained the reason to the quorum of the Twelve, that I have any remembrance of, why I sat there in silence. I am now going to explain it. I thought my brethren had reasons to expect that I would arise and speak in reference to union. I could have spoken as loudly and as reflectively in reference to the union of our quorum as Brother Cannon in reference to the union of the First Presidency, with but one single exception. That exception, I regret to say, was Brother Moses Thatcher. The brethren of the quorum will now understand why I sat there in silence.
The next day, I think it was, in going up to Brigham City on the train, Brother Thatcher and I sat together. I there told him this circumstance that I have just told you. I said to him that it was on his account—the love and respect that I had for him—that I did not arise and make him an exception. I would have been compelled at that time to have mentioned Brother Moses Thatcher as an exception. There were eleven of us that were in perfect union, which we had labored and toiled to reflect completely and strongly and abundantly. But I would not place him in an unpleasant attitude before the people. I explained this to him.
But that was not the only time. The night previous to the dedication of the Temple we felt that the quorum of the Twelve ought all to be united, or perhaps there would be something arise that would prove of a disagreeable character. We called the quorum together. Every member was present. We labored and toiled at that meeting to bring Brother Thatcher into a union with us, hour after hour, till about two o’clock in the morning. I labored diligently. I always thought a good deal of Brother Thatcher. He and I always got along lovingly together; and he knows and will state it if he ever comes to address the people, that Brother Snow was one of his particular friends and felt an interest for him as deep as any man in the quorum. We labored there with only one object in view—to bring one member of our quorum into a perfect union with ourselves and with the First Presidency. At last I repeated to Brother Thatcher what I have been telling you. I told him of the sacrifice I made in my feelings when I had to keep silence, and I said I could not do it any more; I should be obliged to get up before the gathering in the Temple and state that our quorum was in perfect union—that is, if the subject came up, which it probably would—except in the case of Brother Thatcher. Well, we patched the thing up, and he came to a conclusion that we accepted at that time. How far that was really a conclusion made in his heart, I am not prepared to say.
There was another time, perhaps a year or a year and a half ago, when we sought to effect a union with Brother Thatcher and the quorum. We had a pretty difficult time, and failed. None of us felt satisfied.
About the last conversation I had with Brother Thatcher was in the Temple, either at the last spring or fall conference. We had prayed for him, and we had sent some of our most experienced brethren to talk with him privately and beg of him to make thing satisfactory. I called on Brother Brigham Young, because I knew he felt an interest in Brother Thatcher, and was a wise man, to go and see him and plead with him to make things satisfactory. But he failed. He came and reported to me that a spirit of darkness seemed to reign in Brother Thatcher’s heart, and he could not reach it. I still thought, however, that he would come and make things right before he returned to his home in Logan; and about the second or third day after this, I was visited by him in the Temple. I never felt to rejoice more in my heart than when I saw him enter my room. I thought he had made up his mind to do that which we requested him to do and to place himself in perfect fellowship with the brethren of the quorum. I talked with him. I did most of the talking myself. I felt the spirit of it, as I always did when I spoke to him, because my heart was warm towards him, and the Lord seemed to help me so that I felt perfectly at home in telling him just what the Lord dictated to me. On a previous occasion in the Temple, I laid my hands upon his head, according to his request and my own feelings, and blessed him. My heart went out for him. But I could not fellowship Brother Thatcher, although I loved him. Did I love that man? No man, it seems to me, could love another man more that I loved Brother thatcher; and I labored for him, toiled for him, and prayed for him, and still shall do. I have not given up my hopes, and I will not give them up. My principle has ever been, when called upon to administer to the sick, who were perhaps at the point of death, without seemingly any hope whatever, to not give them up until I saw they were actually dead. So I am with Brother Thatcher, whose voice has been heard from this stand time after time, and we have loved to listen to his beautiful and inspiring words. But he is a different man now altogether—different in spirit, and of course, his physical condition is very bad, although, I understand now, he is improving very rapidly. President Woodruff has explained to you the reason why we have not had him before our quorum and the matter investigated. His low physical condition is the reason. But, as I was saying, I thought he had come to my room with his mind made up to take a course to come into fellowship with his quorum. I was disappointed, however. I felt like shedding tears when he left the room. There was not that disposition existing in him that I hoped there would be when he came.
Now, there is a certain document that you have heard talked about a good deal. Brother Young and myself took that document to Brother Thatcher. His physical condition was not very promising and I asked him if I should read it to him. He said he preferred to read it himself, and he read it—read it very deliberately. He said he did not feel then to approve of it altogether; he wished it to remain for awhile. We accorded him his wish. As President Woodruff had said, not half the trouble is in relation to that document—not one hundredth part that is talked about. Of course, it was rather singular. There were appended to that document the names of the First Presidency, of the Apostles, (with the exception of Brother Lund; who was then in England) of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies, of the Patriarchs, and of the presiding Bishopric—twenty-four names in all, representing the authorities of the Church; but he did not feel inclined, he said, to put his name to the document.
I am reminded of a little anecdote I heard of Brother Erastus Snow, which illustrates a principle. Brother George A. Smith was speaking to an “outside” audience one night, and Brother Erastus fell asleep. When he got through preaching he sat down and elbowed Brother Erastus, and requested him to bear his testimony. It was thought that Brother Erastus had scarcely heard a word; but he arose and said, “My friends, every word that my brother here has said is God’s truth.” Now, why did he say so? There was a reason for this. Why, he knew Brother George A. Smith; he had heard him preach a hundred times, and he knew that he was a man of inspiration, and that he would never say anything but that was true. Well, I think when a man is so well-acquainted with the First Presidency, with the Apostles, with the Patriarch, with the Presidents of Seventies, and with the presiding Bishops, he ought to have some confidence in the position of these brethren; and if that brother is rather low in his mind and does not really feel competent to judge of the matter, he ought to have confidence in his brethren. Still, this matter does not amount to very much anyway. It is the general tenor of the course that Brother Thatcher has been pursuing since even before the organization of the First Presidency or before I was called to be the President of the quorum. Many other things might be said, but I do not want to occupy the time.
Brethren and sisters, these are solemn truths that I have told you and what President Woodruff has stated. I wanted you all to pray for Brother Thatcher. As soon as his physical abilities will allow, we shall have him before our quorum, and he will be treated by his friends. But there are certain rules and regulations that we, as the servants of God must conform to, and we are not responsible for them.
Elder John Henry Smith
said that within three days after Brother Moses Thatcher refused to comply with the request of the quorum of the Twelve he would have been dealt with had it not been for his illness. The explanation which had been given on this subject were necessary, that the authorities might not be redeemed affected with fearfulness. There could be no doubt that the Twelve and the Presidency of the Church were in full sympathy with the expressions of President Woodruff and Snow. The speaker stood by his president and the President of the Church in the position they took in reference to this lamentable case. He still cherished a hope, however, that Brother Thatcher would yet, and at an early date, see his error. The speaker had been disposed to so express himself and act in this matter as to admit of the allowance of fully as much time to the principal as would be proper in which to completely make up his mind regarding his final action.
Elder Smith then discoursed upon the necessity of being guided by the counsels of those whom God had selected to preside over His work. He had not been blessed with a personal acquaintance with the Prophet Joseph Smith, but he knew that the mission of that great man was divine. He had been afforded opportunities of becoming acquainted with the other men of God, however, and he knew that they were the servants of the Most High. Among these were Brigham Young, John Taylor and the present Presidency of the Church. The speaker closed with an earnest testimony to the divine character of the work of God founded by Joseph Smith, according to the revelations of the Almighty.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder John Henry Smith.
My brethren and sisters, this meeting is one of the sorrowful meetings in my experience. I have recognized the fact that there must be an explanation made to the Latter-day Saints in connection with the subject upon which the President of the Church and the President of the Church and the President of the Council of the Apostles have treated. I fully understand that within three days after Brother Moses Thatcher declined to sustain his associates he would have been dealt with for his fellowship and standing in the Council of the Apostles but for his physical condition. All have felt exceedingly tender, recognizing the fact that he had been suffering for some time under conditions most unpleasant to himself. I am fearful that the Saints this afternoon have not fully heard the remarks that have been made by President Woodruff and President Snow. They have sought to explain to the understanding of this audience the condition that has arisen in this inner circle of the Church, that they might be free in the minds of the Saints from the charge by the Saints of fearfulness as to the correctness of the position that they have assumed and of the rightfulness of the position that Brother Thatcher has taken. I believe, however, that the Latter-day Saints as a whole, have read with certainty, through the influence of the Spirit, the correctness of the position taken by the Presidency of the Church as well as the other councils that have been united with them, and I trust that the understanding will be received by those who are here today and heard the remarks of the brethren, and by those who could not catch their words the spirit in which those utterances were given.
The Presidency of the Church and the Council of the Apostles, in their deliberations upon all questions that affect the wellbeing and interest of the cause, are as candid and frank in their consultations and expression of views as any body of men could possibly be. But when a conclusion has been reached as to the course that should be pursued, it is expected that every man will give in his adherence to the course marked out, and with unfaltering voice and fixed determination, so that those counsels may prevail, so far as may be possible, among the whole people. This feeling and sentiment has been expressed in telling language by President Woodruff and by President Lorenzo Snow; and I believe that every one of the Council of the Apostles, with the First Presidency, would make a similar expression of views upon this matter, were they to speak upon this subject.
It is not my thought, in the time that I am here, to dwell upon the position in which our brother finds himself. I have held the hope, I hold the hope now, that he will see his way clear to put himself in unison with his associates, that he may stand with them and receive in the end the commendation of our Father, through his humility, and that his name may not be effaced from the roll of honor which God in this dispensation and in this day has established. It is not for me to speak further upon this subject. I stand by my President and by the Presidency of this Church in the position they have taken, because I know they are right. It is not a question of fear or doubt in my mind. It may be—and I presume my brethren will bear me out in this—that I have been slower than any of them to form judgment or pass an opinion in regard to this situation as it is today. But it has not been because there was the least doubt or question in my mind of the correctness of the position that they had taken. My judgment has concluded that their position was absolutely correct, or I never would have subscribed my name to that document, nor would I, in connection with my brethren, have sought in various ways to awaken a class of reflections in the mind of our brother that would have brought him in unison with the council of which he is a member. My position has been such that I have felt the extremest delicacy, in every place and under every circumstance, in giving expression to anything that could in any sense reflect upon him. For this reason, if no other, in the midst of the deliberations of my own council with that of the Presidency of the Church, I have felt extremely guarded, seeking to gain as much time as practicable in his interest, trusting that the time would come when the Almighty would touch his heart and he would feel the spirit of kindness that has welled up in the soul of President Woodruff, that has guided his counselors and that has been the characteristic in every deliberation of President Snow in seeking to preserve one who was dear to us all. But there can be no question in the minds of the Latter-day Saints. There may come a time in all our lives when perchance, amid the temptations and allurements of ambition, our hope and fears for ourselves may be aroused; but in our sober senses and in the midst of the experiences of this life, the men who have received the Apostleship, who have been chosen by God Himself to be witnesses to His Son, must find themselves in that position that they indeed listen to the still, small voice and recognize the power which God himself has established. I feel that this has been and is the position of that circle in which I move; and the unfortunate circumstances which have attended one of their associates in connection with this matter, is to me indeed a matter of extreme regret. I have prayed, I have plead, I have done everything so far as lay in my power in connection with these circumstances, trusting that our Father might so move upon the heart of our brother that he would meet his brethren with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and say, “I am with you heart and soul.”
During this Conference, my brethren and sisters, the spirit of inspiration resting upon the brethren has been, give ear to the legitimate and proper counsels of the Priesthood. I presume there are none of us who have made a study of the organization that our Father has established that can question the wisdom of those counsels. If the people are to be united, it must be upon the basis that their hearts are in attune with the propositions upon which they would be united. We believe that God in this dispensation has restored the Gospel; that the Father and the Son came to the Prophet and bestowed upon him the knowledge that God did indeed live, and that Jesus Christ was indeed His Son; that all the keys, powers and authorities necessary to the accomplishment of His work, and that were exercised in former dispensations, were given to him; and that in all these things and in the organization of His Church. He presented us a complete and perfect pattern, that union might be the result of their counsels and their action. We note the conditions of that organization in all its hearings, and when one of the cogs in this machine that God himself has established shall fail to be in attune with the balance of that machine, the results are manifest in the spirits of the people; for they read, and read understandingly under the influence of that Spirit, that these conditions do exist and that the machinery is not working as it should. Therefore we, recognizing the purpose and design of our Father in the completeness of that organization, keep in view the movements and actions of the men at the head, the spirit of their counsel and instruction, and we readily detect, while words may not speak it, the spirit of insubordination or a determination do not carry out and fulfill the obligations which our Gather has placed upon His children; and recognizing this, a spirit of uncertainty, of fear and of doubt takes possession of many men whose minds are susceptible to that influence.
I trust that the spirit of the work shall indeed ever be with the Latter-day Saints; that the movements that are made, the efforts that are brought to pass to secure the best interests of the work and of its spread in the world, shall be written in the hearts of the people of God; and if they will attend to their prayers and fulfill their obligations, our Father will never allow one of them to drift from the path of rectitude and fail to maintain the honor and credit of His cause in the world. But if perchance a spirit shall take possession of us that we seek to avoid the responsibilities that may attach to us, and we desire the encomiums and the laudations of men, we may find ourselves carried away with our ambitions, and catching our foot upon the applause of our fellows, will trip and fall and will not be found carrying the standard and proclaiming the truth as we should in the presence of all men.
I desire to bear my testimony to the truth of the work of God. I did not live in the flesh to know Joseph Smith. I did not live in the flesh to converse with him. The line, I presume, in broken when you reach me in the Council of the Apostles, as to those who knew him. But I am here as much of a witness of his mission as my brethren who saw him in the flesh. God gave me the knowledge of his mission. He also gave me the acquaintance of Brigham Young in the flesh, whom He raised up as well as the Prophet Joseph, to plant the standard of eternal truth in these mountains and to be a savior to this people whom he led into the desert, taught the ways of husbandry and the responsibilities and duties of the people of God. May the spirit of that Gospel well up in our hearts, and the knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was His prophet, that John Taylor was His prophet, that Wilford Woodruff is His prophet, live in our hearts, and grow and spread until we shall scatter that knowledge to the ends of the earth and all mankind know of its truth.
said that within three days after Brother Moses Thatcher refused to comply with the request of the quorum of the Twelve he would have been dealt with had it not been for his illness. The explanation which had been given on this subject were necessary, that the authorities might not be redeemed affected with fearfulness. There could be no doubt that the Twelve and the Presidency of the Church were in full sympathy with the expressions of President Woodruff and Snow. The speaker stood by his president and the President of the Church in the position they took in reference to this lamentable case. He still cherished a hope, however, that Brother Thatcher would yet, and at an early date, see his error. The speaker had been disposed to so express himself and act in this matter as to admit of the allowance of fully as much time to the principal as would be proper in which to completely make up his mind regarding his final action.
Elder Smith then discoursed upon the necessity of being guided by the counsels of those whom God had selected to preside over His work. He had not been blessed with a personal acquaintance with the Prophet Joseph Smith, but he knew that the mission of that great man was divine. He had been afforded opportunities of becoming acquainted with the other men of God, however, and he knew that they were the servants of the Most High. Among these were Brigham Young, John Taylor and the present Presidency of the Church. The speaker closed with an earnest testimony to the divine character of the work of God founded by Joseph Smith, according to the revelations of the Almighty.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder John Henry Smith.
My brethren and sisters, this meeting is one of the sorrowful meetings in my experience. I have recognized the fact that there must be an explanation made to the Latter-day Saints in connection with the subject upon which the President of the Church and the President of the Church and the President of the Council of the Apostles have treated. I fully understand that within three days after Brother Moses Thatcher declined to sustain his associates he would have been dealt with for his fellowship and standing in the Council of the Apostles but for his physical condition. All have felt exceedingly tender, recognizing the fact that he had been suffering for some time under conditions most unpleasant to himself. I am fearful that the Saints this afternoon have not fully heard the remarks that have been made by President Woodruff and President Snow. They have sought to explain to the understanding of this audience the condition that has arisen in this inner circle of the Church, that they might be free in the minds of the Saints from the charge by the Saints of fearfulness as to the correctness of the position that they have assumed and of the rightfulness of the position that Brother Thatcher has taken. I believe, however, that the Latter-day Saints as a whole, have read with certainty, through the influence of the Spirit, the correctness of the position taken by the Presidency of the Church as well as the other councils that have been united with them, and I trust that the understanding will be received by those who are here today and heard the remarks of the brethren, and by those who could not catch their words the spirit in which those utterances were given.
The Presidency of the Church and the Council of the Apostles, in their deliberations upon all questions that affect the wellbeing and interest of the cause, are as candid and frank in their consultations and expression of views as any body of men could possibly be. But when a conclusion has been reached as to the course that should be pursued, it is expected that every man will give in his adherence to the course marked out, and with unfaltering voice and fixed determination, so that those counsels may prevail, so far as may be possible, among the whole people. This feeling and sentiment has been expressed in telling language by President Woodruff and by President Lorenzo Snow; and I believe that every one of the Council of the Apostles, with the First Presidency, would make a similar expression of views upon this matter, were they to speak upon this subject.
It is not my thought, in the time that I am here, to dwell upon the position in which our brother finds himself. I have held the hope, I hold the hope now, that he will see his way clear to put himself in unison with his associates, that he may stand with them and receive in the end the commendation of our Father, through his humility, and that his name may not be effaced from the roll of honor which God in this dispensation and in this day has established. It is not for me to speak further upon this subject. I stand by my President and by the Presidency of this Church in the position they have taken, because I know they are right. It is not a question of fear or doubt in my mind. It may be—and I presume my brethren will bear me out in this—that I have been slower than any of them to form judgment or pass an opinion in regard to this situation as it is today. But it has not been because there was the least doubt or question in my mind of the correctness of the position that they had taken. My judgment has concluded that their position was absolutely correct, or I never would have subscribed my name to that document, nor would I, in connection with my brethren, have sought in various ways to awaken a class of reflections in the mind of our brother that would have brought him in unison with the council of which he is a member. My position has been such that I have felt the extremest delicacy, in every place and under every circumstance, in giving expression to anything that could in any sense reflect upon him. For this reason, if no other, in the midst of the deliberations of my own council with that of the Presidency of the Church, I have felt extremely guarded, seeking to gain as much time as practicable in his interest, trusting that the time would come when the Almighty would touch his heart and he would feel the spirit of kindness that has welled up in the soul of President Woodruff, that has guided his counselors and that has been the characteristic in every deliberation of President Snow in seeking to preserve one who was dear to us all. But there can be no question in the minds of the Latter-day Saints. There may come a time in all our lives when perchance, amid the temptations and allurements of ambition, our hope and fears for ourselves may be aroused; but in our sober senses and in the midst of the experiences of this life, the men who have received the Apostleship, who have been chosen by God Himself to be witnesses to His Son, must find themselves in that position that they indeed listen to the still, small voice and recognize the power which God himself has established. I feel that this has been and is the position of that circle in which I move; and the unfortunate circumstances which have attended one of their associates in connection with this matter, is to me indeed a matter of extreme regret. I have prayed, I have plead, I have done everything so far as lay in my power in connection with these circumstances, trusting that our Father might so move upon the heart of our brother that he would meet his brethren with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and say, “I am with you heart and soul.”
During this Conference, my brethren and sisters, the spirit of inspiration resting upon the brethren has been, give ear to the legitimate and proper counsels of the Priesthood. I presume there are none of us who have made a study of the organization that our Father has established that can question the wisdom of those counsels. If the people are to be united, it must be upon the basis that their hearts are in attune with the propositions upon which they would be united. We believe that God in this dispensation has restored the Gospel; that the Father and the Son came to the Prophet and bestowed upon him the knowledge that God did indeed live, and that Jesus Christ was indeed His Son; that all the keys, powers and authorities necessary to the accomplishment of His work, and that were exercised in former dispensations, were given to him; and that in all these things and in the organization of His Church. He presented us a complete and perfect pattern, that union might be the result of their counsels and their action. We note the conditions of that organization in all its hearings, and when one of the cogs in this machine that God himself has established shall fail to be in attune with the balance of that machine, the results are manifest in the spirits of the people; for they read, and read understandingly under the influence of that Spirit, that these conditions do exist and that the machinery is not working as it should. Therefore we, recognizing the purpose and design of our Father in the completeness of that organization, keep in view the movements and actions of the men at the head, the spirit of their counsel and instruction, and we readily detect, while words may not speak it, the spirit of insubordination or a determination do not carry out and fulfill the obligations which our Gather has placed upon His children; and recognizing this, a spirit of uncertainty, of fear and of doubt takes possession of many men whose minds are susceptible to that influence.
I trust that the spirit of the work shall indeed ever be with the Latter-day Saints; that the movements that are made, the efforts that are brought to pass to secure the best interests of the work and of its spread in the world, shall be written in the hearts of the people of God; and if they will attend to their prayers and fulfill their obligations, our Father will never allow one of them to drift from the path of rectitude and fail to maintain the honor and credit of His cause in the world. But if perchance a spirit shall take possession of us that we seek to avoid the responsibilities that may attach to us, and we desire the encomiums and the laudations of men, we may find ourselves carried away with our ambitions, and catching our foot upon the applause of our fellows, will trip and fall and will not be found carrying the standard and proclaiming the truth as we should in the presence of all men.
I desire to bear my testimony to the truth of the work of God. I did not live in the flesh to know Joseph Smith. I did not live in the flesh to converse with him. The line, I presume, in broken when you reach me in the Council of the Apostles, as to those who knew him. But I am here as much of a witness of his mission as my brethren who saw him in the flesh. God gave me the knowledge of his mission. He also gave me the acquaintance of Brigham Young in the flesh, whom He raised up as well as the Prophet Joseph, to plant the standard of eternal truth in these mountains and to be a savior to this people whom he led into the desert, taught the ways of husbandry and the responsibilities and duties of the people of God. May the spirit of that Gospel well up in our hearts, and the knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was His prophet, that John Taylor was His prophet, that Wilford Woodruff is His prophet, live in our hearts, and grow and spread until we shall scatter that knowledge to the ends of the earth and all mankind know of its truth.
Elder Brigham Young,
of the same quorum, spoke upon the subject of Moses Thatcher’s position. The speaker had felt to mourn over the circumstance of Brother Thatcher standing out in opposition to his quorum, a thing which no man could do with safety. President Woodruff had given to the speaker the cause of Moses Thatcher’s darkness of mind, in the words, “He has sought to rule over his brethren, and lost the Spirit.” The speaker read from section 122 of the book of Doctrine and Covenants, verses 40 to 46.
A man might cut himself off from the proper line of communication with God, and deprive himself of the companionship of the Spirit of God, the only true guide. A man who refused to endorse such a document as that which was presented to Brother Thatcher, bearing the signatures of President Woodruff and counselors and the other authorities of the Church, placed himself in opposition to the work and authority of God, and was in darkness.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder Brigham Young.
I have a desire to say a few words on this occasion, and I trust that the same spirit of kindness will be in my heart that has been manifested by the brethren who have spoken. I am sure I feel very kind and lenient and feel to extend mercy to my brethren, as I ask for mercy from my God. There was a time when I was absent from Utah for two years and a half. I left here in August, 1890. But I knew more than I cared to know before I left then in relation to this matter. I cannot see a man rise up and stand in open rebellion to his brethren in defiance of the pleadings of his quorum, and feel that he has the Spirit of God in him, which I witnessed previous to my departure in 1890; for I saw Brother Moses stand in open rebellion to his quorum. I have prayed for him, and I want to say to you that personally I have shed more tears over this situation since the death of President Taylor than over all the griefs, public and private, that I have had since that time. And I think this is the same with my brethren. But what can we do? What position are we in? President Woodruff has given us the keynote. No man nor set of men can place themselves in the way of this Church and its progress and stay there; for they will be swept aside. They cannot remain a stumbling block to the people.
There are a few paragraphs in the Doctrine and Covenants that I would like to read. I do not wish to multiply words, but I will say this: On a certain occasion, quite a long time ago, I went to President Woodruff and asked him the question, “What is the reason of this darkness that I see in the mind of a man whom I have loved like a brother, whom I had placed in my affection equal to any man upon the face of the earth?” This is the answer that he gave me: “He has sought to rule over his brethren, and lost the Spirit.” I will read from a revelation that has often been referred to; it is “A Prayer and Prophecies, written by Joseph the Seer, while in Liberty Jail, Clay County, Missouri, March 20th, 1839:”
Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this lone lesson--
That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principle of righteousness.
That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, or vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of righteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood, or the authority of that man.
Where, brethren and sisters, will you get the channel of communication opened up between you and the powers that reign over the earth? The God that sits in the heavens, and the angels and saints that visit us—through what line of communication do they come? God has placed these authorities here to guide His people, and when a man cuts that thread for himself, then the channel of revelation is destroyed, so far as that man is concerned. If you and I ever consider that we can reach God and get His mind and will in relation to this great work without receiving it through the channel of those men who stand at the head, then all I have to say to you or myself is, we have cut the thread between us and the Spirit of God, and we are left to wander in bye and forbidden paths. One channel, one organization! And no man may rise against that and expect that he will be favored of the Lord or permitted to enjoy His Spirit.
of the same quorum, spoke upon the subject of Moses Thatcher’s position. The speaker had felt to mourn over the circumstance of Brother Thatcher standing out in opposition to his quorum, a thing which no man could do with safety. President Woodruff had given to the speaker the cause of Moses Thatcher’s darkness of mind, in the words, “He has sought to rule over his brethren, and lost the Spirit.” The speaker read from section 122 of the book of Doctrine and Covenants, verses 40 to 46.
A man might cut himself off from the proper line of communication with God, and deprive himself of the companionship of the Spirit of God, the only true guide. A man who refused to endorse such a document as that which was presented to Brother Thatcher, bearing the signatures of President Woodruff and counselors and the other authorities of the Church, placed himself in opposition to the work and authority of God, and was in darkness.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder Brigham Young.
I have a desire to say a few words on this occasion, and I trust that the same spirit of kindness will be in my heart that has been manifested by the brethren who have spoken. I am sure I feel very kind and lenient and feel to extend mercy to my brethren, as I ask for mercy from my God. There was a time when I was absent from Utah for two years and a half. I left here in August, 1890. But I knew more than I cared to know before I left then in relation to this matter. I cannot see a man rise up and stand in open rebellion to his brethren in defiance of the pleadings of his quorum, and feel that he has the Spirit of God in him, which I witnessed previous to my departure in 1890; for I saw Brother Moses stand in open rebellion to his quorum. I have prayed for him, and I want to say to you that personally I have shed more tears over this situation since the death of President Taylor than over all the griefs, public and private, that I have had since that time. And I think this is the same with my brethren. But what can we do? What position are we in? President Woodruff has given us the keynote. No man nor set of men can place themselves in the way of this Church and its progress and stay there; for they will be swept aside. They cannot remain a stumbling block to the people.
There are a few paragraphs in the Doctrine and Covenants that I would like to read. I do not wish to multiply words, but I will say this: On a certain occasion, quite a long time ago, I went to President Woodruff and asked him the question, “What is the reason of this darkness that I see in the mind of a man whom I have loved like a brother, whom I had placed in my affection equal to any man upon the face of the earth?” This is the answer that he gave me: “He has sought to rule over his brethren, and lost the Spirit.” I will read from a revelation that has often been referred to; it is “A Prayer and Prophecies, written by Joseph the Seer, while in Liberty Jail, Clay County, Missouri, March 20th, 1839:”
Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this lone lesson--
That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principle of righteousness.
That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, or vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of righteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood, or the authority of that man.
Where, brethren and sisters, will you get the channel of communication opened up between you and the powers that reign over the earth? The God that sits in the heavens, and the angels and saints that visit us—through what line of communication do they come? God has placed these authorities here to guide His people, and when a man cuts that thread for himself, then the channel of revelation is destroyed, so far as that man is concerned. If you and I ever consider that we can reach God and get His mind and will in relation to this great work without receiving it through the channel of those men who stand at the head, then all I have to say to you or myself is, we have cut the thread between us and the Spirit of God, and we are left to wander in bye and forbidden paths. One channel, one organization! And no man may rise against that and expect that he will be favored of the Lord or permitted to enjoy His Spirit.
Elder Heber J. Grant,
also of the Council of the Apostles, was the next speaker. He spoke of the spirit of testimony, and proclaimed in all soberness and sincerity of his absolute knowledge of the divinity of the mission of the latter-day Prophets, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff; and that no man could stand out against this testimony and hope to retain the blessings of God. He had prayed and pleaded for the salvation of the one who had been the chief subject of the afternoon’s discourses, and had never felt in his heart to attack him, although he had been accused of doing so. He prayed that all might be saved from opposing the servants of God.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder Heber J. Grant.
It is ever a source of pleasure to me to lift my voice in testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, and, so far as I possess the ability, I know of nothing that I desire so much to do as to keep the commandments of my Heavenly Father, and to labor to try and persuade the Latter-day Saints to walk in that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. We have listened here today to the testimony that has been borne by Brother John Henry Smith, that although he was not personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, yet he knows for himself and not for another that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and so also was John Taylor, and he bears witness to you here today that he knows that Wilford Woodruff is a prophet of the living God. In all humility, and knowing that the words I utter I will have to meet when I stand before the judgment seat of my Maker, I testify to you that I know that God lives; that I know that Jesus was the Christ; that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that I know that Brigham Young was a prophet of God; that I know that Wilford Woodruff is a prophet of God and the mouthpiece of God upon the earth today; that I know that his counselors are chosen of God; that I know that the Twelve Apostles are inspired by the Lord; and that I know that no man living upon the face of the earth, who has received a testimony of the Gospel, can fail to recognize the authority of Almighty God that rests upon the earth today, upon the shoulders of these men, and have the light and inspiration of the Spirit of God to guide him.
I pray for our brother whose name has been mentioned here today. I have fasted, I have wept, I have prayed for this brother of mine; yet I have been charged for the papers with having attacked him. God forbid that I should ever attack any man! But above all things, may God save me and my brethren from failing to recognize the power of Almighty God whereby you and I, through obedience to the principles of the gospel, may be saved eternally.
also of the Council of the Apostles, was the next speaker. He spoke of the spirit of testimony, and proclaimed in all soberness and sincerity of his absolute knowledge of the divinity of the mission of the latter-day Prophets, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff; and that no man could stand out against this testimony and hope to retain the blessings of God. He had prayed and pleaded for the salvation of the one who had been the chief subject of the afternoon’s discourses, and had never felt in his heart to attack him, although he had been accused of doing so. He prayed that all might be saved from opposing the servants of God.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder Heber J. Grant.
It is ever a source of pleasure to me to lift my voice in testimony of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, and, so far as I possess the ability, I know of nothing that I desire so much to do as to keep the commandments of my Heavenly Father, and to labor to try and persuade the Latter-day Saints to walk in that straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. We have listened here today to the testimony that has been borne by Brother John Henry Smith, that although he was not personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, yet he knows for himself and not for another that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and so also was John Taylor, and he bears witness to you here today that he knows that Wilford Woodruff is a prophet of the living God. In all humility, and knowing that the words I utter I will have to meet when I stand before the judgment seat of my Maker, I testify to you that I know that God lives; that I know that Jesus was the Christ; that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that I know that Brigham Young was a prophet of God; that I know that Wilford Woodruff is a prophet of God and the mouthpiece of God upon the earth today; that I know that his counselors are chosen of God; that I know that the Twelve Apostles are inspired by the Lord; and that I know that no man living upon the face of the earth, who has received a testimony of the Gospel, can fail to recognize the authority of Almighty God that rests upon the earth today, upon the shoulders of these men, and have the light and inspiration of the Spirit of God to guide him.
I pray for our brother whose name has been mentioned here today. I have fasted, I have wept, I have prayed for this brother of mine; yet I have been charged for the papers with having attacked him. God forbid that I should ever attack any man! But above all things, may God save me and my brethren from failing to recognize the power of Almighty God whereby you and I, through obedience to the principles of the gospel, may be saved eternally.
Elder George Teasdale
of the quorum of the Twelve, followed with his testimony of the truth of the work of God, which had been manifested to so many in its saving principles and ordinances. If all men paid prayerful attention to the prophecies of the past, and the signs of the times, they would not be in a position of rebellion against God. They were expected to offer, to their Heavenly Father a broken heart and a contrite spirit. No man should accept the position of an Elder of Christ, without a willingness to submit to the rightful authority of those placed over him. The speaker had experienced great pleasure in his association with the quorum of Apostles, because of his willingness to do as directed under the Spirit of God. He bore a strong testimony to the divine mission of President Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow, and their humble faithfulness in their labors. He felt to place himself and his talent and possessions at the disposal of God, because he desired to advance righteousness and to gain the reward of the faithful. He testified to the truth of the remarks regarding Moses Thatcher, who had been one of his best friends; and it was still the speaker’s desire that he would yet humble himself and enter into fellowship with his brethren.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder George Teasdale.
It is wonderful the power of the Spirit and testimony that has rested upon the brethren at this conference. We have felt that God has been with us by His power, and also that it should be manifested unto the world that the Priesthood of the Son of God has been restored to the earth and those who bear it enjoy the light and the power of God that was promised unto those who would bow in obedience to the commandments of God. It has been manifested at this conference by several witnesses that we are living in the dispensation of the fulness of times; the the Lord has restored to the earth apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ, that we may come to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God. We know in our experience that those who have offered unto the Lord the acceptable offering of the broken heart and the contrite spirit, who have repented of their sins, seeking earnestly at the hands of the Lord for their sins to be remitted, and have submitted to baptism at the hands of a servants of God, that they have known their sins were remitted, that they had received the sanctifying influence of the blood of Christ, that they received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and that God Himself revealed to them by His Spirit that they had embraced the Gospel which has been restored to the earth. The Prophet Isaiah predicted the judgments of Almighty God upon the world. John the Revelator saw the angel fly through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those on the earth, crying with a loud voice. Fear God, and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment is come. If we would study these scriptures that have been given unto us, we should be enabled to understand by the revelations of God the day and age in which we live, and the hour in which we live. As I understand it, I have no right to be an Elder in Israel and to hold the Melchisedek Priesthood unless I have offered unto the Lord the acceptable offering of the broken heart and the contrite spirit. The Lord wants an intelligent obedience. When we go down into the waters of baptism we make a solemn covenant with God that we will serve Him and keep His commandments. And in our service, under whose direction do we move? Do we not move under the direction of that Priesthood that God has restored to the earth? “He that receiveth My servants,” saith the Lord, speaking to the Priesthood, “receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth My Father; and he that receiveth My Father, receiveth My Father’s Kingdom; therefore all that My Father hath shall be given unto him.” Have I any right to accept the office of an Apostle unless I have offered this acceptable offering unto the Lord, and I am willing to use my time, my means and my talent for the building up of the kingdom of God and the establishment of His righteousness upon the earth? Am I forced to be an Apostle? Do I not accept of this with my own free agency? And do I not understand that we move under the direction of the Presidency of the Church? Is there any man so weak and with so little understanding that he does not understand this proposition? Is there any man holding the Priesthood of the Son of God that does not know that the Apostles move under the direction of the Presidency? I am often invited by my brethren to attend conferences. I tell them I will be very glad to attend their conference if I am so directed. When we meet on the Thursday with the First Presidency, we receive our appointments. We are subject to their direction because we have offered unto the Lord the broken heart and the contrite spirit. We have accepted of the conditions of His salvation, and I never have had more happiness than I have had since it has been my privilege to associate with my quorum. For many years I have been a traveling minister. I accepted of my appointment to Mexico. I accepted of my appointment to the European Mission. I accepted of my appointment to continue in Mexico in building up those settlements; and I accepted my appointment when they told me that it was enough—I could come home and travel in the stakes of Zion and hold meetings with the Priesthood. I come and go and do and say as I am directed. And I have accepted of this intelligently. It is not blind obedience. I know what I am doing.
I want to bear testimony that I know that Wilford Woodruff is a prophet of the Most High God. When he was President of the Twelve Apostles he laid his hands upon me and appointed me to my mission, and the promises that he made me were literally fulfilled. I knew that he spoke by the power of God, and that he had the spirit of prophecy. I know that the spirit of prophecy is in the Church. I know of the labors of my beloved President, Lorenzo Snow. We love him because we know that he is a man of God, that he is filled with the inspiration of the Almighty; and he has labored incessantly, and truly and faithfully to bring us to that unity which exists today, because he loves us. He has taught us how to love each other; and how to be in harmony with each other. He has taught us our duties, and has explained the principles of righteousness till we have rejoiced before the Almighty. We are in union with the First Presidency. We love these our brethren, and we sustain them with all our hearts by our faith and prayer, and by being willing and obedient, to come and to go as may be necessary. All that we have belongs to the Lord. We are the Lord’s, and we hold all that we have subject to Him simply because He has illuminated our minds by the power of His Spirit and given us the living testimony that we have. And we love each other. We love our brethren of the Presidency, of the Stakes, and their counselors, and the High Councilors, and Patriarchs, and Bishops, and the various officers of the Church, with the Relief Societies, the various organizations of the young people, and the Sabbath schools. We sustain them by our faith and prayers. We set them apart for their duties, because we love them, and we love the work of God, and want to see the establishment of His righteousness. We endeavor to be meek men, teachable, and loving and kind to each other, esteeming our brethren before ourselves, and feeling little in our own sight. The Lord knows, we are little in our own sight. I tremble many times for fear that I should make a mistake, or that I should say or do anything that would not be consistent in the sight of God; for I do desire with all my heart to serve Him and keep His commandments. I do desire to be redeemed back into His presence. I do desire to be associated with my beloved ones int he morning of the first resurrection, and to have the privilege of the thousand years with Christ on this earth. I do desire the glories of the resurrection. I do desire an invitation at the marriage supper of the Lamb. I do desire to be associated with this eternal Priesthood. I do not think I would be kind to myself if I did not, nor to my wife and children. I do not think I would be kind to my beloved brethren if I did not; for I want their good feeling and to be associated with them. It is my delight to be associated with them today, and I look forward with a great deal of joy to the time when we shall be ourselves, not subject as we are today. Subject to what? Why, we are subjected intelligences—subject more or less to these spirits that we have been instructed about. A man gets a false impression, and then he becomes under the influence of the adversary; and we are liable to these false impressions.
I bear my testimony that God lives; that Jesus is the Christ; that Joseph Smith was a true prophet sent of God; that Brigham Young was his proper successor, and John Taylor, and our President today, Wilford Woodruff. I received this Gospel in 1852. The Lord brought me from London, England. He reached out his hand and led me into the Church, and I have never been able to express my thanksgiving to Almighty God for His goodness and kindness to me in giving me the privilege of being a member of His Church, to be adopted into His royal family, and to have the living witness that has been given unto me.
I desire also to testify to the truth of that that has been said concerning our Brother Moses. I love Brother Moses Thatcher. We were together in Mexico, and I esteemed him as one of my best friends. It was Brother Moses Thatcher that laid his hands upon me and blessed me when I went to undertake the mission to Europe. I have plead for him, and all the Apostles have plead for him, and that is the reason no action has been taken. We wanted him to have plenty of opportunity for repentance; that he might come with the broken heart and contrite spirit, and say, Brethren, forgive me for all my wrong-doings; let me be one with you, as I have been in times that are past. That is what we have patiently waited for. We have plead before the Lord that He would touch and soften his heart, that he might see his position as we see it. Do you think that we are all under a false impression? Do you think that this body of men, who live near to the Lord, and whom you sustain as prophets, seers and revelators, are all wrong, and he is right? I pity anybody that entertains such an idea. It is rather untenable. It is not so. The reason there has been so much leniency is because we have loved him. We heart that he is increasing in health and strength, and we look for him to come with the broken heart and contrite spirit, and be associated with us. If there is anybody that loves him more than we do, I would like to know where you find him.
I am thankful to bear my testimony concerning this work, because I know it is true. I know that these principles we have received at this conference are true. We are the representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, or we are not. And we can be tested; for we tell the people that if we will repent and worship the living and true God, and if they will be baptized by a man having authority, they shall receive the remission of their sins, and they shall know through the gift of the Holy Ghost concerning the doctrine; for the Lord will reveal it unto them. That is our promise to all the world, because we know that the Lord has spoken, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I pray that the spirit of unity which exists between the Presidency and the Apostles may never be any less, but that it may increase until we shall become one with Christ as He is one with the Father, to His eternal honor and glory.
of the quorum of the Twelve, followed with his testimony of the truth of the work of God, which had been manifested to so many in its saving principles and ordinances. If all men paid prayerful attention to the prophecies of the past, and the signs of the times, they would not be in a position of rebellion against God. They were expected to offer, to their Heavenly Father a broken heart and a contrite spirit. No man should accept the position of an Elder of Christ, without a willingness to submit to the rightful authority of those placed over him. The speaker had experienced great pleasure in his association with the quorum of Apostles, because of his willingness to do as directed under the Spirit of God. He bore a strong testimony to the divine mission of President Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow, and their humble faithfulness in their labors. He felt to place himself and his talent and possessions at the disposal of God, because he desired to advance righteousness and to gain the reward of the faithful. He testified to the truth of the remarks regarding Moses Thatcher, who had been one of his best friends; and it was still the speaker’s desire that he would yet humble himself and enter into fellowship with his brethren.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Elder George Teasdale.
It is wonderful the power of the Spirit and testimony that has rested upon the brethren at this conference. We have felt that God has been with us by His power, and also that it should be manifested unto the world that the Priesthood of the Son of God has been restored to the earth and those who bear it enjoy the light and the power of God that was promised unto those who would bow in obedience to the commandments of God. It has been manifested at this conference by several witnesses that we are living in the dispensation of the fulness of times; the the Lord has restored to the earth apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ, that we may come to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God. We know in our experience that those who have offered unto the Lord the acceptable offering of the broken heart and the contrite spirit, who have repented of their sins, seeking earnestly at the hands of the Lord for their sins to be remitted, and have submitted to baptism at the hands of a servants of God, that they have known their sins were remitted, that they had received the sanctifying influence of the blood of Christ, that they received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and that God Himself revealed to them by His Spirit that they had embraced the Gospel which has been restored to the earth. The Prophet Isaiah predicted the judgments of Almighty God upon the world. John the Revelator saw the angel fly through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those on the earth, crying with a loud voice. Fear God, and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment is come. If we would study these scriptures that have been given unto us, we should be enabled to understand by the revelations of God the day and age in which we live, and the hour in which we live. As I understand it, I have no right to be an Elder in Israel and to hold the Melchisedek Priesthood unless I have offered unto the Lord the acceptable offering of the broken heart and the contrite spirit. The Lord wants an intelligent obedience. When we go down into the waters of baptism we make a solemn covenant with God that we will serve Him and keep His commandments. And in our service, under whose direction do we move? Do we not move under the direction of that Priesthood that God has restored to the earth? “He that receiveth My servants,” saith the Lord, speaking to the Priesthood, “receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth My Father; and he that receiveth My Father, receiveth My Father’s Kingdom; therefore all that My Father hath shall be given unto him.” Have I any right to accept the office of an Apostle unless I have offered this acceptable offering unto the Lord, and I am willing to use my time, my means and my talent for the building up of the kingdom of God and the establishment of His righteousness upon the earth? Am I forced to be an Apostle? Do I not accept of this with my own free agency? And do I not understand that we move under the direction of the Presidency of the Church? Is there any man so weak and with so little understanding that he does not understand this proposition? Is there any man holding the Priesthood of the Son of God that does not know that the Apostles move under the direction of the Presidency? I am often invited by my brethren to attend conferences. I tell them I will be very glad to attend their conference if I am so directed. When we meet on the Thursday with the First Presidency, we receive our appointments. We are subject to their direction because we have offered unto the Lord the broken heart and the contrite spirit. We have accepted of the conditions of His salvation, and I never have had more happiness than I have had since it has been my privilege to associate with my quorum. For many years I have been a traveling minister. I accepted of my appointment to Mexico. I accepted of my appointment to the European Mission. I accepted of my appointment to continue in Mexico in building up those settlements; and I accepted my appointment when they told me that it was enough—I could come home and travel in the stakes of Zion and hold meetings with the Priesthood. I come and go and do and say as I am directed. And I have accepted of this intelligently. It is not blind obedience. I know what I am doing.
I want to bear testimony that I know that Wilford Woodruff is a prophet of the Most High God. When he was President of the Twelve Apostles he laid his hands upon me and appointed me to my mission, and the promises that he made me were literally fulfilled. I knew that he spoke by the power of God, and that he had the spirit of prophecy. I know that the spirit of prophecy is in the Church. I know of the labors of my beloved President, Lorenzo Snow. We love him because we know that he is a man of God, that he is filled with the inspiration of the Almighty; and he has labored incessantly, and truly and faithfully to bring us to that unity which exists today, because he loves us. He has taught us how to love each other; and how to be in harmony with each other. He has taught us our duties, and has explained the principles of righteousness till we have rejoiced before the Almighty. We are in union with the First Presidency. We love these our brethren, and we sustain them with all our hearts by our faith and prayer, and by being willing and obedient, to come and to go as may be necessary. All that we have belongs to the Lord. We are the Lord’s, and we hold all that we have subject to Him simply because He has illuminated our minds by the power of His Spirit and given us the living testimony that we have. And we love each other. We love our brethren of the Presidency, of the Stakes, and their counselors, and the High Councilors, and Patriarchs, and Bishops, and the various officers of the Church, with the Relief Societies, the various organizations of the young people, and the Sabbath schools. We sustain them by our faith and prayers. We set them apart for their duties, because we love them, and we love the work of God, and want to see the establishment of His righteousness. We endeavor to be meek men, teachable, and loving and kind to each other, esteeming our brethren before ourselves, and feeling little in our own sight. The Lord knows, we are little in our own sight. I tremble many times for fear that I should make a mistake, or that I should say or do anything that would not be consistent in the sight of God; for I do desire with all my heart to serve Him and keep His commandments. I do desire to be redeemed back into His presence. I do desire to be associated with my beloved ones int he morning of the first resurrection, and to have the privilege of the thousand years with Christ on this earth. I do desire the glories of the resurrection. I do desire an invitation at the marriage supper of the Lamb. I do desire to be associated with this eternal Priesthood. I do not think I would be kind to myself if I did not, nor to my wife and children. I do not think I would be kind to my beloved brethren if I did not; for I want their good feeling and to be associated with them. It is my delight to be associated with them today, and I look forward with a great deal of joy to the time when we shall be ourselves, not subject as we are today. Subject to what? Why, we are subjected intelligences—subject more or less to these spirits that we have been instructed about. A man gets a false impression, and then he becomes under the influence of the adversary; and we are liable to these false impressions.
I bear my testimony that God lives; that Jesus is the Christ; that Joseph Smith was a true prophet sent of God; that Brigham Young was his proper successor, and John Taylor, and our President today, Wilford Woodruff. I received this Gospel in 1852. The Lord brought me from London, England. He reached out his hand and led me into the Church, and I have never been able to express my thanksgiving to Almighty God for His goodness and kindness to me in giving me the privilege of being a member of His Church, to be adopted into His royal family, and to have the living witness that has been given unto me.
I desire also to testify to the truth of that that has been said concerning our Brother Moses. I love Brother Moses Thatcher. We were together in Mexico, and I esteemed him as one of my best friends. It was Brother Moses Thatcher that laid his hands upon me and blessed me when I went to undertake the mission to Europe. I have plead for him, and all the Apostles have plead for him, and that is the reason no action has been taken. We wanted him to have plenty of opportunity for repentance; that he might come with the broken heart and contrite spirit, and say, Brethren, forgive me for all my wrong-doings; let me be one with you, as I have been in times that are past. That is what we have patiently waited for. We have plead before the Lord that He would touch and soften his heart, that he might see his position as we see it. Do you think that we are all under a false impression? Do you think that this body of men, who live near to the Lord, and whom you sustain as prophets, seers and revelators, are all wrong, and he is right? I pity anybody that entertains such an idea. It is rather untenable. It is not so. The reason there has been so much leniency is because we have loved him. We heart that he is increasing in health and strength, and we look for him to come with the broken heart and contrite spirit, and be associated with us. If there is anybody that loves him more than we do, I would like to know where you find him.
I am thankful to bear my testimony concerning this work, because I know it is true. I know that these principles we have received at this conference are true. We are the representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, or we are not. And we can be tested; for we tell the people that if we will repent and worship the living and true God, and if they will be baptized by a man having authority, they shall receive the remission of their sins, and they shall know through the gift of the Holy Ghost concerning the doctrine; for the Lord will reveal it unto them. That is our promise to all the world, because we know that the Lord has spoken, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I pray that the spirit of unity which exists between the Presidency and the Apostles may never be any less, but that it may increase until we shall become one with Christ as He is one with the Father, to His eternal honor and glory.
President Joseph F. Smith
admonished the people against unwise sympathy for those who are departing from their allegiance to the truth, and from doing wrong. He felt a love for those who were in the line of their duty, but if one started his heart against goodness and obedience, the speaker could not feel a love for him in his rebellion against God. He would let him go his own way and the speaker would go his. Repentance alone could re-instate the rebellious. When a disposition to humility was exhibited he was ready to meet such more than half way. But without repentance he would not move. The persistently rebellious could not be held in fellowship by the people of God, and would not be.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
President Joseph F. Smith.
I wish merely to say a word to guard the people from unwise sympathies. While we may have a great deal of love for our fellow beings, and especially for those who have been favored of the Lord in times past, we should exercise that love wisely. Now, I love men and women who are devoted to the cause of truth, and my sympathies are always with them. But it is impossible for me to sympathize with those who do wrong. It is written somewhere in the laws of God that “the Lord requireth the heart, and a willing mind and the willing and the obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” Now, if a man has given his heart unto the Lord, and is willing and obedient unto God and His requirements, that man I love, and that man has my sympathy. But when he turns away from the love of God, and steels his heart against the laws of God and the counsels of His Priesthood, then amen to the authority and power of that man and to my love and sympathy for him in his wrong-doing. I may pity him for his wrong-doing, and I may love him, too, as well as anybody else; but when he ceases to do right, that is the end of it with me. He may go his own road, and I will go mine. I love my own brother; I love my sister; I love my wife and my children; but when my brother, or sister, or wife, or child turns away from God and raises the heel against the Almighty, and turns his or her heart to their owns selfish desires and whims, they are no more to me than the heathen; for they are unbelievers, and they are not my brother nor my sister in the covenant is stronger than all other covenants and all other ties that bind the Saints together. The Lord has said:
Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies; for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me.
The man that will abide in the covenant is my brother and my friend, and has my sympathy and love, and I will sustain him. But the man who raises his heel and his voice against the servants of God and the authority of the Priesthood on the earth, is not my friend, and has not my sympathy nor my love. Of course I respect the rights of all men, and honor those who are good and upright among all people. And God knows, and I would that you should know, that when a man repents of his sins, when a man that has done wrong will humble himself before the Lord, and will show his determination to abide int he covenant unto death, and comes with a humble spirit and contrite heart before the Lord and his brethren and acknowledges his fault, asks forgiveness, and his acts correspond with his professions, oh! God, how my heart years with love and affection, compassion, charity and forgiveness for that man. I will go more than half way to meet him. But I will not turn one hair out of my way for him that has hardened his heart against the Lord and against the truth, and that has turned away from the new and everlasting covenant and has proved that he will not abide in it. He must look to his own way. I will turn him over to God to deal with him as seemeth Him good.
That is where I stand in relation to this matter. We have not dealt harshly with any man. Charity and love, mercy and kindness have pervaded all our deliberations and all our counsels together concerning our brethren, and all that we have had to do with. We never entertain a feeling of bitterness, or of resentment, or of wickedness in our hearts toward any man. On the contrary, we have exercised charity, forbearance, patience and longsuffering, until patience ceases to be a virtue, in my judgment, and it is about time that justice should claim its own. Mercy has done its work: patience has endured long enough; and all Israel must know that a man, whether he is an Apostle, a High Priest, or a Seventy, that will not hearken to the voice of God, that will not give his heart unto the Lord, that is not obedient, must cease to be fellowshipped by the people of God. We cannot uphold men who will pursue a course like this, or who will betray their children. We cannot afford it, and we cannot do it and be justified before the Lord.
We have received a communication saying that we stood self-condemned before the people, because we had transgressed the law of God. We have transgressed no law of God, so far as we know. It is a clear case of the twelve jurymen, eleven of whom were united and saw eye to eye, while the one stood out alone, claiming that all the rest were wrong. We have borne and borne. Six months have passed—aye, years have passed, because that which occurred six months ago marked only the forks of the road, only the dividing line. For years before, we had tolerated, and patiently waited, we had prayed and petitioned, and we had suffered long, and yet to no avail. Our councils have seldom been graced by his presence. He has not felt it necessary to be one with his brethren. He has estranged himself from us, not we from him. He must abide the consequences. And we want to tell you that these matters do not hinge upon political questions either. We can tell you further, that every man is free, so far as this is concerned. The question is not in regard to any man’s political faith. It is in regard to the order of the Priesthood. It is purely, clearly and solely an ecclesiastical matter. It is not a personal matter at all. It is a matter of compliance on the part of the members, with the order that God has instituted in the Church of non-compliance therewith. It is a matter concerning the government of the Church, and the authority which God has instituted to direct and to guide. It is the question as to whether the people will unite with the majority of the Priesthood, who are united and see eye to eye, or whether they will be misled by one man.
May the Lord help us to see the right, and not to condemn till we know all the truth, and not to judge our brethren nor be harsh; for we have not been.
The choir sang the hymn which begins, Captain of Israel’s host and Guide.
Benediction by Elder Jonathan Golden Kimball.
admonished the people against unwise sympathy for those who are departing from their allegiance to the truth, and from doing wrong. He felt a love for those who were in the line of their duty, but if one started his heart against goodness and obedience, the speaker could not feel a love for him in his rebellion against God. He would let him go his own way and the speaker would go his. Repentance alone could re-instate the rebellious. When a disposition to humility was exhibited he was ready to meet such more than half way. But without repentance he would not move. The persistently rebellious could not be held in fellowship by the people of God, and would not be.
Remarks
Made at the General Conference on the afternoon of Monday, October 5, 1896, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
President Joseph F. Smith.
I wish merely to say a word to guard the people from unwise sympathies. While we may have a great deal of love for our fellow beings, and especially for those who have been favored of the Lord in times past, we should exercise that love wisely. Now, I love men and women who are devoted to the cause of truth, and my sympathies are always with them. But it is impossible for me to sympathize with those who do wrong. It is written somewhere in the laws of God that “the Lord requireth the heart, and a willing mind and the willing and the obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” Now, if a man has given his heart unto the Lord, and is willing and obedient unto God and His requirements, that man I love, and that man has my sympathy. But when he turns away from the love of God, and steels his heart against the laws of God and the counsels of His Priesthood, then amen to the authority and power of that man and to my love and sympathy for him in his wrong-doing. I may pity him for his wrong-doing, and I may love him, too, as well as anybody else; but when he ceases to do right, that is the end of it with me. He may go his own road, and I will go mine. I love my own brother; I love my sister; I love my wife and my children; but when my brother, or sister, or wife, or child turns away from God and raises the heel against the Almighty, and turns his or her heart to their owns selfish desires and whims, they are no more to me than the heathen; for they are unbelievers, and they are not my brother nor my sister in the covenant is stronger than all other covenants and all other ties that bind the Saints together. The Lord has said:
Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies; for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me.
The man that will abide in the covenant is my brother and my friend, and has my sympathy and love, and I will sustain him. But the man who raises his heel and his voice against the servants of God and the authority of the Priesthood on the earth, is not my friend, and has not my sympathy nor my love. Of course I respect the rights of all men, and honor those who are good and upright among all people. And God knows, and I would that you should know, that when a man repents of his sins, when a man that has done wrong will humble himself before the Lord, and will show his determination to abide int he covenant unto death, and comes with a humble spirit and contrite heart before the Lord and his brethren and acknowledges his fault, asks forgiveness, and his acts correspond with his professions, oh! God, how my heart years with love and affection, compassion, charity and forgiveness for that man. I will go more than half way to meet him. But I will not turn one hair out of my way for him that has hardened his heart against the Lord and against the truth, and that has turned away from the new and everlasting covenant and has proved that he will not abide in it. He must look to his own way. I will turn him over to God to deal with him as seemeth Him good.
That is where I stand in relation to this matter. We have not dealt harshly with any man. Charity and love, mercy and kindness have pervaded all our deliberations and all our counsels together concerning our brethren, and all that we have had to do with. We never entertain a feeling of bitterness, or of resentment, or of wickedness in our hearts toward any man. On the contrary, we have exercised charity, forbearance, patience and longsuffering, until patience ceases to be a virtue, in my judgment, and it is about time that justice should claim its own. Mercy has done its work: patience has endured long enough; and all Israel must know that a man, whether he is an Apostle, a High Priest, or a Seventy, that will not hearken to the voice of God, that will not give his heart unto the Lord, that is not obedient, must cease to be fellowshipped by the people of God. We cannot uphold men who will pursue a course like this, or who will betray their children. We cannot afford it, and we cannot do it and be justified before the Lord.
We have received a communication saying that we stood self-condemned before the people, because we had transgressed the law of God. We have transgressed no law of God, so far as we know. It is a clear case of the twelve jurymen, eleven of whom were united and saw eye to eye, while the one stood out alone, claiming that all the rest were wrong. We have borne and borne. Six months have passed—aye, years have passed, because that which occurred six months ago marked only the forks of the road, only the dividing line. For years before, we had tolerated, and patiently waited, we had prayed and petitioned, and we had suffered long, and yet to no avail. Our councils have seldom been graced by his presence. He has not felt it necessary to be one with his brethren. He has estranged himself from us, not we from him. He must abide the consequences. And we want to tell you that these matters do not hinge upon political questions either. We can tell you further, that every man is free, so far as this is concerned. The question is not in regard to any man’s political faith. It is in regard to the order of the Priesthood. It is purely, clearly and solely an ecclesiastical matter. It is not a personal matter at all. It is a matter of compliance on the part of the members, with the order that God has instituted in the Church of non-compliance therewith. It is a matter concerning the government of the Church, and the authority which God has instituted to direct and to guide. It is the question as to whether the people will unite with the majority of the Priesthood, who are united and see eye to eye, or whether they will be misled by one man.
May the Lord help us to see the right, and not to condemn till we know all the truth, and not to judge our brethren nor be harsh; for we have not been.
The choir sang the hymn which begins, Captain of Israel’s host and Guide.
Benediction by Elder Jonathan Golden Kimball.
Third Day—Morning Session. October 6th.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn which begins:
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear,
But with joy wend your way.
Prayer by Elder Hugh S. Gowans.
The hymn which commences:
Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation;
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam
was sung by the choir and congregation.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn which begins:
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear,
But with joy wend your way.
Prayer by Elder Hugh S. Gowans.
The hymn which commences:
Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation;
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam
was sung by the choir and congregation.
Elder John W. Taylor,
of the Council of Apostles, was the first speaker. He referred to the remarks of President Joseph F. Smith yesterday afternoon, giving them his earnest approval. Speaking of the control of parents over children, and the course they were taking, he made application of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. His travels in the outlying stakes of Zion had convinced him of the neglect of many of the youth in performing their religious labors. Being deprived of the control and influence of parents, these young people had not bee instructed in the early fundamental principles of the Gospel. Many had married out of the Church, but notwithstanding these discouraging conditions the faith arising from the blood of Ephraim was strongly apparent, through not so much as it should be.
He commended the work done in the Uintah Stake in taking up a personal labor with the youth, with excellent results. His labors there had been attended with success in bringing many of the youth back into the fold. In his opinion but few such would be lost if the leaders in the various localities would do their duty; taking account of all who had not entered into the Church of God, and laboring with them in love and kindness. Marriages with those not of our faith were deprecated, because of the evil consequences which commonly followed such unions. The speaker’s experiences in some of the outlying districts were related, and his testimony of the manifestations of the Spirit was earnestly borne. He urged obedience to the principles of the gospel as the proper way to gain a testimony of its truth. The example and teachings of Christ were cited in support of this course. The mountain of the Lord’s house had been established in the tops of the mountains, and the will of God was being revealed to men through His servants, who had received were enjoying the authority to act in His name.
He was sorry to see the tendency of many to complain against the pure principles of the Gospel, as proclaimed by the Prophets of God, for such a habit would have a tendency to poison the minds of all in contact with such complainers. Generally speaking, such individuals had lost the faith through neglect of duty and a failure to perform the commandments of God.
The speaker testified that perfect freedom of opinion and expression was allowed in the presiding quorums of the church, though when a decision had been arrived at all were expected to sink their personal views and submit to the will of majority. The necessity of the presiding officers refraining from pursuits which would interfere with the full performance of their labors in the Church was emphasized. Perfect freedom and equality in religious worship and observance had been granted to all denominations by the Latter-day Saints, for the sake of establishing the principle of free agency.
He testified to the truths of the Gospel, its saving power, and the authority of the leaders of the Church, and urged all to diligence in the observance of its doctrines, that they might escape the judgments now so prevalent upon the face of the earth.
of the Council of Apostles, was the first speaker. He referred to the remarks of President Joseph F. Smith yesterday afternoon, giving them his earnest approval. Speaking of the control of parents over children, and the course they were taking, he made application of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. His travels in the outlying stakes of Zion had convinced him of the neglect of many of the youth in performing their religious labors. Being deprived of the control and influence of parents, these young people had not bee instructed in the early fundamental principles of the Gospel. Many had married out of the Church, but notwithstanding these discouraging conditions the faith arising from the blood of Ephraim was strongly apparent, through not so much as it should be.
He commended the work done in the Uintah Stake in taking up a personal labor with the youth, with excellent results. His labors there had been attended with success in bringing many of the youth back into the fold. In his opinion but few such would be lost if the leaders in the various localities would do their duty; taking account of all who had not entered into the Church of God, and laboring with them in love and kindness. Marriages with those not of our faith were deprecated, because of the evil consequences which commonly followed such unions. The speaker’s experiences in some of the outlying districts were related, and his testimony of the manifestations of the Spirit was earnestly borne. He urged obedience to the principles of the gospel as the proper way to gain a testimony of its truth. The example and teachings of Christ were cited in support of this course. The mountain of the Lord’s house had been established in the tops of the mountains, and the will of God was being revealed to men through His servants, who had received were enjoying the authority to act in His name.
He was sorry to see the tendency of many to complain against the pure principles of the Gospel, as proclaimed by the Prophets of God, for such a habit would have a tendency to poison the minds of all in contact with such complainers. Generally speaking, such individuals had lost the faith through neglect of duty and a failure to perform the commandments of God.
The speaker testified that perfect freedom of opinion and expression was allowed in the presiding quorums of the church, though when a decision had been arrived at all were expected to sink their personal views and submit to the will of majority. The necessity of the presiding officers refraining from pursuits which would interfere with the full performance of their labors in the Church was emphasized. Perfect freedom and equality in religious worship and observance had been granted to all denominations by the Latter-day Saints, for the sake of establishing the principle of free agency.
He testified to the truths of the Gospel, its saving power, and the authority of the leaders of the Church, and urged all to diligence in the observance of its doctrines, that they might escape the judgments now so prevalent upon the face of the earth.
Elder Marriner W. Merrill,
of the Council of the Apostles, was the next speaker. All that had been said during Conference was in harmony with his views. He said he knew that there was an evil power as well as one which was good abroad among the people, and related some experiences of his boyhood, which had demonstrated the existence of such influences. He had been visited by evil spirits and felt their power. He concluded at that time that he would find out whether there was a God. He appealed to the Deity in prayer and told the Lord of his affliction. His prayer was heard, yet he had not at that time heard about the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph. He was given an evidence and testimony, although a mere child, that the Lord would come to his rescue, and he had peace after that time. He recovered from an illness which had been caused by the spiritual influences to which he referred. Subsequently, before he heard the Gospel, he had evidence of its existence. He continued to pray for years and the Lord revealed the Gospel to him, in an open vision in the day time. He saw the Church, the Prophet Joseph, the Elders of Israel, the trials of the Saints and their gathering in these valleys. He saw that some of his youthful companions would become identified with the Church, and they had, and were now residing in this State. He knew this to be the work of God, and that no man to whom God revealed this work and then lifted his hand against it could stand. He would assuredly fail. It made us sorrowful when men took a position against their brethren, because the consequences were inevitable. He was in harmony with the expressions made yesterday in reference to a matter that was spoken of . They were true according to his knowledge. The speaker exhorted the Saints to faithfulness in the work, in the payment of their tithes and offerings promptly and full, promising them relief from the financial embarrassment under which many were laboring. This would work on natural principles, for the earth had been given of the Lord to His children, and He would reward them for a wise use of their stewardships. If the officers of the Church would sustain each his superior officer, they would also receive the support of those under them, whereas support would be withdrawn from those who failed to do this, and complained against those in authority.
of the Council of the Apostles, was the next speaker. All that had been said during Conference was in harmony with his views. He said he knew that there was an evil power as well as one which was good abroad among the people, and related some experiences of his boyhood, which had demonstrated the existence of such influences. He had been visited by evil spirits and felt their power. He concluded at that time that he would find out whether there was a God. He appealed to the Deity in prayer and told the Lord of his affliction. His prayer was heard, yet he had not at that time heard about the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph. He was given an evidence and testimony, although a mere child, that the Lord would come to his rescue, and he had peace after that time. He recovered from an illness which had been caused by the spiritual influences to which he referred. Subsequently, before he heard the Gospel, he had evidence of its existence. He continued to pray for years and the Lord revealed the Gospel to him, in an open vision in the day time. He saw the Church, the Prophet Joseph, the Elders of Israel, the trials of the Saints and their gathering in these valleys. He saw that some of his youthful companions would become identified with the Church, and they had, and were now residing in this State. He knew this to be the work of God, and that no man to whom God revealed this work and then lifted his hand against it could stand. He would assuredly fail. It made us sorrowful when men took a position against their brethren, because the consequences were inevitable. He was in harmony with the expressions made yesterday in reference to a matter that was spoken of . They were true according to his knowledge. The speaker exhorted the Saints to faithfulness in the work, in the payment of their tithes and offerings promptly and full, promising them relief from the financial embarrassment under which many were laboring. This would work on natural principles, for the earth had been given of the Lord to His children, and He would reward them for a wise use of their stewardships. If the officers of the Church would sustain each his superior officer, they would also receive the support of those under them, whereas support would be withdrawn from those who failed to do this, and complained against those in authority.
Elder Anthon H. Lund,
also of the Quorum of Apostles, expressed the pleasure of meeting with the Saints in Conference after an absence in Europe of three and a half years. He and the other Elders in that part of the world had rejoiced in the accounts of past conferences, but this joy was not nearly so great as that of active participation. He testified to the faithfulness of the Elders now laboring in the European mission over three hundred in number, scattered over all of that continent. Their labors were of a varied character, on account of the varying laws of the different countries with reference of the preaching of the Gospel. Outdoor gatherings were frequent, and had been the means of reaching many who would not otherwise have heard the word of God. The vitality of the Gospel seed had been illustrated in the case of a woman who heard the Gospel preached by President Woodruff fifty years ago, and upon seeing the Elders again after so long a time, embraced the Gospel, and rejoiced in a standing in the Church. Many thousands had been reached through the means of tracts, etc., in some instances whole families being thus converted. Instances of remarkable conversion to the gospel were related, as occurring in various portions of Europe, through the scattering of these tracts, many more of which no doubt would ultimately do a great deal of good in spreading a knowledge of the principles of the Gospel. The strictness of prohibitory laws of Germany was gradually melting away, greater liberty being extended to religious ministers. Some brethren had been exiled from Denmark, because in the opinion of certain judges they were obnoxious to the government. These interferences had resulted chiefly through the misrepresentations of the clergymen. Much work of a successful character was being performed in Belgium and Holland, as also in Scotland. The speaker had enjoyed meeting with the Elders in their conferences, who, like the first seventy sent out by Christ, had received remarkable manifestations of the power of God. The restoring of speech to a child dumb from birth was related as one of the signs following the believers, as also the opening of the eyes of the blind woman. Another remarkable manifestation was the seeing in dreams of the Elders by those who were ready for their testimony, perfect recognition being possible at first sight.
The speaker urged the young men to prepare themselves for missionary work abroad; and also the people of Zion to furnish work and encouragement to immigrants, to prevent their becoming dissatisfied and returning to spread ill-reports among their neighbors. He advised the immigrants to try to be contented, even if unable to get at first the kind of work they desired.
He rejoiced in the testimony of Christ and the unity of the people, and stated that he was in perfect harmony with the Presidency of the church and with his quorum.
The choir sang the anthem: Jerusalem, my glorious home.
Benediction by Elder Geo. Reynolds.
also of the Quorum of Apostles, expressed the pleasure of meeting with the Saints in Conference after an absence in Europe of three and a half years. He and the other Elders in that part of the world had rejoiced in the accounts of past conferences, but this joy was not nearly so great as that of active participation. He testified to the faithfulness of the Elders now laboring in the European mission over three hundred in number, scattered over all of that continent. Their labors were of a varied character, on account of the varying laws of the different countries with reference of the preaching of the Gospel. Outdoor gatherings were frequent, and had been the means of reaching many who would not otherwise have heard the word of God. The vitality of the Gospel seed had been illustrated in the case of a woman who heard the Gospel preached by President Woodruff fifty years ago, and upon seeing the Elders again after so long a time, embraced the Gospel, and rejoiced in a standing in the Church. Many thousands had been reached through the means of tracts, etc., in some instances whole families being thus converted. Instances of remarkable conversion to the gospel were related, as occurring in various portions of Europe, through the scattering of these tracts, many more of which no doubt would ultimately do a great deal of good in spreading a knowledge of the principles of the Gospel. The strictness of prohibitory laws of Germany was gradually melting away, greater liberty being extended to religious ministers. Some brethren had been exiled from Denmark, because in the opinion of certain judges they were obnoxious to the government. These interferences had resulted chiefly through the misrepresentations of the clergymen. Much work of a successful character was being performed in Belgium and Holland, as also in Scotland. The speaker had enjoyed meeting with the Elders in their conferences, who, like the first seventy sent out by Christ, had received remarkable manifestations of the power of God. The restoring of speech to a child dumb from birth was related as one of the signs following the believers, as also the opening of the eyes of the blind woman. Another remarkable manifestation was the seeing in dreams of the Elders by those who were ready for their testimony, perfect recognition being possible at first sight.
The speaker urged the young men to prepare themselves for missionary work abroad; and also the people of Zion to furnish work and encouragement to immigrants, to prevent their becoming dissatisfied and returning to spread ill-reports among their neighbors. He advised the immigrants to try to be contented, even if unable to get at first the kind of work they desired.
He rejoiced in the testimony of Christ and the unity of the people, and stated that he was in perfect harmony with the Presidency of the church and with his quorum.
The choir sang the anthem: Jerusalem, my glorious home.
Benediction by Elder Geo. Reynolds.
Afternoon Session.
The choir sang the hymn which commences,
Earth with her ten thousand flowers,
Air, with all its beams and showers,
Heaven’s infinite expanses,
Sea’s resplendent countenance,
All around and all above.
Bear this record, God is love.
Prayer by Elder Rudger Clawson.
The hymn which begins,
Though deep’ning trials throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God!
Ere long the resurrection day
Will spread its light and truth abroad
was sung by the choir.
The choir sang the hymn which commences,
Earth with her ten thousand flowers,
Air, with all its beams and showers,
Heaven’s infinite expanses,
Sea’s resplendent countenance,
All around and all above.
Bear this record, God is love.
Prayer by Elder Rudger Clawson.
The hymn which begins,
Though deep’ning trials throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God!
Ere long the resurrection day
Will spread its light and truth abroad
was sung by the choir.
President Joseph F. Smith presented the general authorities of the Church to the Conference as follows:
Wilford Woodruff, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First Counselor to the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Lorenzo Snow as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill and Anthon H. Lund.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church—John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies—Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted, B. H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells and Edward Stevenson.
William B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his first and John R. Winder as his second counselor.
Franklin D. Richards as Church historian and general Church recorder, with John Jaques and Charles W. Penrose as his assistants.
As the General Church Board of Education—Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon, Karl G. Maeser, Willard Young, George W. Thatcher, Anthon H. Lund, James Sharp and Joseph F. smith.
As Trustee-in-Trust for the body for religious worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Wilford Woodruff.
John Nicholson as Clerk of the General Conference.
All the voting to sustain the authorities as presented was unanimous.
Wilford Woodruff, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First Counselor to the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Lorenzo Snow as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill and Anthon H. Lund.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church—John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies—Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted, B. H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells and Edward Stevenson.
William B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his first and John R. Winder as his second counselor.
Franklin D. Richards as Church historian and general Church recorder, with John Jaques and Charles W. Penrose as his assistants.
As the General Church Board of Education—Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon, Karl G. Maeser, Willard Young, George W. Thatcher, Anthon H. Lund, James Sharp and Joseph F. smith.
As Trustee-in-Trust for the body for religious worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Wilford Woodruff.
John Nicholson as Clerk of the General Conference.
All the voting to sustain the authorities as presented was unanimous.
The following communication from Elder Edward Stevenson, who is detained from attending Conference by illness, was read by Elder Heber J. Grant:
Salt Lake City, Oct. 5, 1896.
President Wilford Woodruff:
I want my name and testimony spread upon the minutes of this Conference as a witness for God and for His Son Jesus Christ, as a witness for Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God, and for all his successors down to President Woodruff.
In the early days of this Church I received the Gospel, the Holy Ghost and the holy Priesthood under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and by his teaching sand instructions we were to move to these mountains where the work could more fully be developed.
I testify in the name of the Lord that the building the temples, endowments for the living and the dead, gathering of Israel, preparing this people for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is going forward according to the wishes and instructions of Joseph Smith in his lifetime.
Edward Stevenson,
President George Q. Cannon explained that the prediction of Joseph smith alluded to in Elder Stevenson’s communication was to the effect that the Saints would come to the Rocky Mountains; though the name “Utah” was not then known.
Salt Lake City, Oct. 5, 1896.
President Wilford Woodruff:
I want my name and testimony spread upon the minutes of this Conference as a witness for God and for His Son Jesus Christ, as a witness for Joseph Smith as a Prophet of God, and for all his successors down to President Woodruff.
In the early days of this Church I received the Gospel, the Holy Ghost and the holy Priesthood under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and by his teaching sand instructions we were to move to these mountains where the work could more fully be developed.
I testify in the name of the Lord that the building the temples, endowments for the living and the dead, gathering of Israel, preparing this people for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is going forward according to the wishes and instructions of Joseph Smith in his lifetime.
Edward Stevenson,
President George Q. Cannon explained that the prediction of Joseph smith alluded to in Elder Stevenson’s communication was to the effect that the Saints would come to the Rocky Mountains; though the name “Utah” was not then known.
President George Q. Cannon
addressed the Conference. By way of introduction be stated that he did not recollect ever having heard the Apostles speak with greater power than during the present great gathering of the Saints. This had been conspicuously the case with President Wilford Woodruff and President Lorenzo Snow. He then entered into an explanation of the reasons why President Woodruff and other brethren had expressed themselves upon an important case of difference between one of the leading brethren and the general authorities as a body, and the causes of the subject not having been ventilated earlier. President Cannon then admonished the Saints against speaking evil concerning the Lord’s anointed, and depicted the disastrous consequences of a course contrary to this advice. Those who indulged in this practice would subject themselves to evil spirits; they would lose the Spirit of God and, unless they repented, inevitably apostatize, President Cannon then dwelt for some time upon the right of the Lord to say to His children that He wished them to obey His counsel as given through His servants whom He designated, and showed that the Saints had, in their whole history, been abundantly blessed in following that line of conduct.
Discourse
Delivered at the General Conference of Church, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Tuesday, October 6th, 1896, by President George Q. Cannon
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Our Conference thus far has been one of exceeding interest to me, and I presume it has been to all who have shared in its proceedings. I do not know that I ever heard our brethren of the Twelve Apostles speak with greater power than they have during this Conference; I do not know that I ever felt more edified myself by the remarks which have been made; and I have felt very thankful for the measure of the Spirit of God that has rested down upon President Wilford Woodruff. He has been greatly favored of the Lord in speaking to us. And so with President Lorenzo Snow. I have no doubt that the Latter-day Saints will go from this Conference instructed upon many points, and with their minds enlightened concerning many things that perhaps have been, to some extent, hidden from them. From that which I have heard, it is evident that a great many surmises have been indulged in, and perhaps ill-natured and unjust remarks made concerning the authorities of the Church over some of their recent actions. I was, therefore, exceedingly thankful that the Spirit of God moved upon President Woodruff and the other brethren to address the Conference upon the subject that they spoke upon. I believe it is the duty of the authorities of this Church to explain as far as possible the motives for their actions and for their expressions; for we are a united body, and that which interests those who are called to lead the Church interests all the members of the Church. Moreover, to have perfect harmony, and to prevent the adversary from taking advantage, it is necessary that sometimes explanations be made which men naturally shrink from making, especially in public. This has been the case with the authorities of the Church; it has been so with President Woodruff and also with the rest of the brethren. Then again, the situation of affairs has been very peculiar, especially because of politics having received so much attention, and causing feelings among the people, and in some instances among the leading men. In consequence of this, the brethren have felt to hold their peace, and to say nothing about affairs that really needed ventilating. We have been reticent, because we felt that we were likely to be misunderstood, and to have misconceptions of our motives. For this reason we have permitted ourselves to be exposed to animadversion and censure, and, in some instances, condemnation. Of course, you can understand why the brethren should feel delicate. Anxiety to save was the dominant feeling in their breasts.
But that which has transpired and the explanations that were made yesterday ought to be a solemn warning to Latter-day Saints to not be hasty in their conclusions, nor in their animadversions and censures, not to say their condemnation of the men whom God has placed to preside over the Church. I believe that a great amount of sin has been committed on this point; that the Spirit of God has been grieved, and that darkness has come to many minds, because men and women have indulged in condemnation without understanding all the circumstances surrounding the case which was mentioned here yesterday. Only a few days ago a letter came to hand containing the most severe strictures concerning our conduct. It was written by a man who was formerly a President of a Seventy and a Sunday school superintendent. He expressed himself in a manner to lead us who read the letter to conclude that he gave voice to the feelings of a great many others also. This man said we stood self-convicted of having violated a law of the Church, and he called upon us to repent and make amends for our conduct. Now, when a man who professes to love the cause of Zion and to respect the authorities of the Church will put his thoughts on paper in this form, and send them to us, it furnishes an index of how others may feel who may not have as good opportunity even as he had to know the truth. It is very significant that such a letter should be written and sent. While it is only a little thing of itself it is an indication of how hundreds of others may feel.
In the remarks that I make here I would like to bring his home to the minds of the members of this Church. There is one thing that the Lord has warned us about from the beginning, and that is not to speak evil of the Lord’s anointed. He has told us that any member of the Church who indulged in this is liable to lose the Spirit of God and go into darkness. The Prophet Joseph said time and again that it was one of the first and strongest symptoms of apostasy. Have we no proved this? Have not his words upon this subject been fulfilled to the very letter? No man can do this without incurring the displeasure of the Lord. it may seem strange, in this age of irreverence and iconoclasm, to talk in this way. Nevertheless, this is the truth. God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord’s anointed and find fault with God’s authority on the earth without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw itself from such a man, and he will go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that we should be careful? However difficult it may be for us to understand the reasons for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong. Perhaps never since the days of the great apostasy in Kirtland has there been such a spirit to do this that I am speaking of as there has been of late years. Why, some of us have felt as though we scarcely dare go to conference in some places, we have heard such an arraignment of our motives and such a condemnation of our actions. This is a strange thing to say, yet it is true, and many persons here know it is true.
Yesterday’s explanations ought to have the effect to make those persons who have indulged in these censorious remarks and in this condemnation feel so ashamed of themselves as to cause them, if they have any love for the truth and any desire to keep the commandments of God, to clothe themselves in sackcloth and ashes and beseech the Lord to forgive them for the sin they have committed. For they have condemned innocent men. They have said that which is not true about the servants of God, and no man has the right to do this about anybody, much less about men who are striving to do all they can for the work of God. If these men and women do not repent, they are likely to apostatize.
I had a daughter in the congregation yesterday, and she overheard one sister remark to another, “Why, I thought it was only one or two in the First Presidency that had these feelings, and that this was some personal difficulty with one of them. Why, it is the whole of the Twelve as well. It is not confined to one or two of the First Presidency, or to the three; but it is also the Twelve.”
This shows the ignorance that has prevailed concerning the situations of affairs, and it shows how we have been exposed to these unjust and cruel remarks. It has seemed as though many of our people have taken their inspiration and their ideas concerning the transactions of the authorities of the Church from articles in the newspapers, the writers of which knew no more about that which was going on than an entire stranger.
I speak in this strain to impress upon you, if possible, the folly of indulging in a spirit of that kind, and drinking it in as though it was something delightful. God has spoken so plainly to us concerning the many influences that are abroad that we ought by this time to have understanding concerning them. President Woodruff yesterday dwelt upon the many evil influences that have gone abroad in the world. I have known good men and women, sincerely desirous of doing right, who have been brought into subjection to these evil influences, and they have not known it themselves, because they had not discernment enough to distinguish between the true and the false. It is the case with a great many Latter-day Saints. Yet there is this about the Latter-day Saints: they do know the voice of the true shepherd; they are able to distinguish between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. There is a great deal of the spirit of discernment among this people, and they are a hard people to deceive; but they do get deceived occasionally. Cunning men mislead and deceive them, and wrong spirits get possession of them. The spirit of falsehood is abroad, and it frequently attributes to the best of men conduct that is vile and low. It did it to the Lord Jesus Christ; it did it to the Prophet Joseph Smith; it did it to all the prophets that have lived. The aim is to destroy them, and what better way can you get an influence into operation that will destroy a man than to blacken his character and tell lies enough to make him appear as a devil incarnate? That is what Satan tries to do. Those have been his tactics from the very beginning. He would make out the servants of God to be devils incarnate. And he will deceive, if possible, the very elect by his lies and misrepresentations. The only thing for men of God to do is to trust in Him. You cannot meet these falsehoods. They are manufactured faster than they can be exposed. No man can defend himself against lies. His protestations amount to nothing, because they are not believed.
In my early life, in publishing, I was always on hand to combat every lie that made its appearance. I thought it my duty to do it, and I do not know but it was. My mission was to publish the truth and to oppose falsehood. But as I great older, there was such a volume of lies that I found it hopeless to reply to them. I have not done so for years, except in one instance, and then I did it at the solicitation of my brethren. If Satan lets loose a stream of falsehood, it is useless for a man to attempt to stem it; you may as well let it flow on, and leave the vindication to the Lord. And so with us as a people. We have been lied about until there is no crime in the calendar that we have not been accused of. But we are outliving them, and we will leave them behind. The adversary, however, still lives. He still manufactures falsehood, and finds agents who are willing to propagate them; and he finds them among the Latter-day Saints, too. I have heard the most abominable falsehoods told about the First Presidency of the Church by those who call themselves Latter-day Saints. What will be the result of this? If those people do not repent, they will lose the Spirit of God, if they have not lost it already; they will go into darkness, and will lose their standing in the Church. When a man loses the Spirit of God, the tie that binds him to the Church is severed; and he wonders after a while how he could have thought as he once did concerning it.
My brethren and sisters, I would like to impress you this afternoon with the importance of retaining the Spirit of God, and not allowing other spirits to take possession of you. You should live so that the Spirit of God will reign within you, and that when an evil spirit seeks to take possession of you, you will feel it as sensibly and it will make such an impression upon you as the disturbing of a smooth pond of water. Our minds should be in such an unruffled condition and so free from any disturbing of a smooth pond of water. Our minds should be in such an unruffled condition and so free from any disturbing influence that when anything contrary to the mind of the Lord seeks to enter into us we will realize it as quickly as does the pond of water when it is disturbed. When anything comes along that is not right, we should stop to question ourselves. We should not admit a strong spirit into our hearts, nor think evil of anyone. There is too much of it in the world—telling tales about men and women, and when you examine them, in nine cases out of ten you find they are not true. There may be some element of truth in them; but truth can be distorted into a falsehood. We as a people should seek, above all people, to love the truth.
The authorities of the Church have known concerning this that was spoken of yesterday, and we have been satisfied as to the course that would have to be taken unless there was a change. But we did not want to expose this matter to the public, and to weaken the confidence of the Saints; for we wanted them to exercise their faith. But it is necessary that something should be said to the Church, that the people may not go on yielding to wrong influences and indulging in remarks and feelings contrary to the Spirit of the Lord.
Now, I ask you, if any of you have indulged in the spirit of condemnation and censure, to repent with all your heart, and ask the Lord to forgive you. Where you have said wrong things publicly, go and correct them. If you have spoken evil about your neighbors, go and confess it to them and ask their forgiveness. Apply the principles of the Gospel to our every day lives. Let us not think that we can cover up these things. The Lord will expose them. If there is something that we do not understand suspend our judgment and the expression of our views until we can understand it.
I rejoice exceedingly in the testimonies that have been borne during this conference. I know that this is the work of God. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus lives; for I have seen Him. I know that this is the Church of God, and that it is founded on Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. I testify to you of these things as one that knows—as one of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ that can bear witness to you today in the presence of the Lord that He lives and that He will live, and will come to reign on the earth, to sway an undisputed sceptre. I say that it is our duty to keep the commandments of God, and to be faithful in all things. The world may say that you are submitting to men; but it is not so; you are submitting to God. This is God’s work, and He only asks from you and from me that obedience which every child should render to its father. We do not owe any obedience to the rebel Satan. He would fill us with all sorts of ideas against God, and he would bind us in chains of darkness and lead us down to destruction, if we would listen to him. That would be all right in the estimation of those who have his spirit; but it is wrong. It is right to listen to the Lord, and to obey Him. He is our Father, our Creator; He is the source of all our blessing and power, and we should submit to Him. If He says to a certain man, “You are my servant, and I want all my children to do as you say,” it is our duty to respect that appointment. I frequently ask my boys to listen to one of their brothers, and if he does not do right they can tell me and I will attend to it. I teach my children to respect their brothers who are their seniors in age, and to respect one another; and I caution the older boys not to trespass upon their younger brethren, but to respect them. I do that in my small family—small compared with the family of God. Has not God the right to choose one of His children, as He has done Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young, and John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff, and ask the rest of us to obey His counsel as He gives it through the one whom He chooses? “Well, but,” says one, “how do we know that He has given him this authority?” You can know it, if you will do the things that He requires at your hands. If God chooses the weakest among His children, and says to the rest, “obey him, and I will sustain and bless you in doing it.” He has a perfect right to do so. He has done this with this people from the days of Joseph Smith down to the present, and we have been prospered, blessed and delivered in listening to the counsel of the men whom the Lord has chosen. We were blessed and prospered in listening to the Prophet Joseph during his lifetime. After his death, how wonderfully were we blessed and prospered in listening to the counsels of President Brigham Young. He led us across these dreary plains to this inhospitable land (for it was inhospitable then) and laid the foundation of all that has been done here, until today the State of Utah is the admiration, it may be said, of the whole nation, and men wonder at the wisdom and shrewdness that President Young exhibited. Therefore, we not only have our own experience to testify how prospered and blessed we have been in listening to counsel, but we have the testimony of many others. God blessed us also in listening to President John Taylor during his lifetime; and He has blessed us and borne testimony to us by the outpouring of His Spirit since it has been the privilege of President Woodruff to stand in this exalted station. I repeat, the Lord has a right to exact this from us. We are His children, and when we have called upon Him He has listened to us and has answered our prayers. That is the way I view it. Satan tempts me, as I suppose he does you all; but I tell Satan that I have nothing to do with him. I tell him that he is a rebel, that he has tried to ruin the purposes of our Father, and I want nothing to do with him; I will try and not listen to any of his blandishments, nor let him whisper anything into my ear or my heart that would weaken my attachment and my devotion to my Father and to His kingdom. That is the way I feel. I want nothing to do with Satan in any form. I believe it is the duty of all of us, as the children of God, to be in this condition, and then, as far as we are concerned, Satan will be bound.
My brethren and sisters, I beseech the Lord to bless you all. I ask Him to open all our eyes, that we may see; open all our hearts, that we may comprehend, and that we may profit by the experience He gives to us, and grow and increase in faith and power until the heavens themselves will draw near unto us, and we will draw near unto them, and they will be open to us to behold the things of our Father and God in their true light. This is my prayer for the entire Zion of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
addressed the Conference. By way of introduction be stated that he did not recollect ever having heard the Apostles speak with greater power than during the present great gathering of the Saints. This had been conspicuously the case with President Wilford Woodruff and President Lorenzo Snow. He then entered into an explanation of the reasons why President Woodruff and other brethren had expressed themselves upon an important case of difference between one of the leading brethren and the general authorities as a body, and the causes of the subject not having been ventilated earlier. President Cannon then admonished the Saints against speaking evil concerning the Lord’s anointed, and depicted the disastrous consequences of a course contrary to this advice. Those who indulged in this practice would subject themselves to evil spirits; they would lose the Spirit of God and, unless they repented, inevitably apostatize, President Cannon then dwelt for some time upon the right of the Lord to say to His children that He wished them to obey His counsel as given through His servants whom He designated, and showed that the Saints had, in their whole history, been abundantly blessed in following that line of conduct.
Discourse
Delivered at the General Conference of Church, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Tuesday, October 6th, 1896, by President George Q. Cannon
[Reported by Arthur Winter.]
Our Conference thus far has been one of exceeding interest to me, and I presume it has been to all who have shared in its proceedings. I do not know that I ever heard our brethren of the Twelve Apostles speak with greater power than they have during this Conference; I do not know that I ever felt more edified myself by the remarks which have been made; and I have felt very thankful for the measure of the Spirit of God that has rested down upon President Wilford Woodruff. He has been greatly favored of the Lord in speaking to us. And so with President Lorenzo Snow. I have no doubt that the Latter-day Saints will go from this Conference instructed upon many points, and with their minds enlightened concerning many things that perhaps have been, to some extent, hidden from them. From that which I have heard, it is evident that a great many surmises have been indulged in, and perhaps ill-natured and unjust remarks made concerning the authorities of the Church over some of their recent actions. I was, therefore, exceedingly thankful that the Spirit of God moved upon President Woodruff and the other brethren to address the Conference upon the subject that they spoke upon. I believe it is the duty of the authorities of this Church to explain as far as possible the motives for their actions and for their expressions; for we are a united body, and that which interests those who are called to lead the Church interests all the members of the Church. Moreover, to have perfect harmony, and to prevent the adversary from taking advantage, it is necessary that sometimes explanations be made which men naturally shrink from making, especially in public. This has been the case with the authorities of the Church; it has been so with President Woodruff and also with the rest of the brethren. Then again, the situation of affairs has been very peculiar, especially because of politics having received so much attention, and causing feelings among the people, and in some instances among the leading men. In consequence of this, the brethren have felt to hold their peace, and to say nothing about affairs that really needed ventilating. We have been reticent, because we felt that we were likely to be misunderstood, and to have misconceptions of our motives. For this reason we have permitted ourselves to be exposed to animadversion and censure, and, in some instances, condemnation. Of course, you can understand why the brethren should feel delicate. Anxiety to save was the dominant feeling in their breasts.
But that which has transpired and the explanations that were made yesterday ought to be a solemn warning to Latter-day Saints to not be hasty in their conclusions, nor in their animadversions and censures, not to say their condemnation of the men whom God has placed to preside over the Church. I believe that a great amount of sin has been committed on this point; that the Spirit of God has been grieved, and that darkness has come to many minds, because men and women have indulged in condemnation without understanding all the circumstances surrounding the case which was mentioned here yesterday. Only a few days ago a letter came to hand containing the most severe strictures concerning our conduct. It was written by a man who was formerly a President of a Seventy and a Sunday school superintendent. He expressed himself in a manner to lead us who read the letter to conclude that he gave voice to the feelings of a great many others also. This man said we stood self-convicted of having violated a law of the Church, and he called upon us to repent and make amends for our conduct. Now, when a man who professes to love the cause of Zion and to respect the authorities of the Church will put his thoughts on paper in this form, and send them to us, it furnishes an index of how others may feel who may not have as good opportunity even as he had to know the truth. It is very significant that such a letter should be written and sent. While it is only a little thing of itself it is an indication of how hundreds of others may feel.
In the remarks that I make here I would like to bring his home to the minds of the members of this Church. There is one thing that the Lord has warned us about from the beginning, and that is not to speak evil of the Lord’s anointed. He has told us that any member of the Church who indulged in this is liable to lose the Spirit of God and go into darkness. The Prophet Joseph said time and again that it was one of the first and strongest symptoms of apostasy. Have we no proved this? Have not his words upon this subject been fulfilled to the very letter? No man can do this without incurring the displeasure of the Lord. it may seem strange, in this age of irreverence and iconoclasm, to talk in this way. Nevertheless, this is the truth. God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord’s anointed and find fault with God’s authority on the earth without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw itself from such a man, and he will go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that we should be careful? However difficult it may be for us to understand the reasons for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong. Perhaps never since the days of the great apostasy in Kirtland has there been such a spirit to do this that I am speaking of as there has been of late years. Why, some of us have felt as though we scarcely dare go to conference in some places, we have heard such an arraignment of our motives and such a condemnation of our actions. This is a strange thing to say, yet it is true, and many persons here know it is true.
Yesterday’s explanations ought to have the effect to make those persons who have indulged in these censorious remarks and in this condemnation feel so ashamed of themselves as to cause them, if they have any love for the truth and any desire to keep the commandments of God, to clothe themselves in sackcloth and ashes and beseech the Lord to forgive them for the sin they have committed. For they have condemned innocent men. They have said that which is not true about the servants of God, and no man has the right to do this about anybody, much less about men who are striving to do all they can for the work of God. If these men and women do not repent, they are likely to apostatize.
I had a daughter in the congregation yesterday, and she overheard one sister remark to another, “Why, I thought it was only one or two in the First Presidency that had these feelings, and that this was some personal difficulty with one of them. Why, it is the whole of the Twelve as well. It is not confined to one or two of the First Presidency, or to the three; but it is also the Twelve.”
This shows the ignorance that has prevailed concerning the situations of affairs, and it shows how we have been exposed to these unjust and cruel remarks. It has seemed as though many of our people have taken their inspiration and their ideas concerning the transactions of the authorities of the Church from articles in the newspapers, the writers of which knew no more about that which was going on than an entire stranger.
I speak in this strain to impress upon you, if possible, the folly of indulging in a spirit of that kind, and drinking it in as though it was something delightful. God has spoken so plainly to us concerning the many influences that are abroad that we ought by this time to have understanding concerning them. President Woodruff yesterday dwelt upon the many evil influences that have gone abroad in the world. I have known good men and women, sincerely desirous of doing right, who have been brought into subjection to these evil influences, and they have not known it themselves, because they had not discernment enough to distinguish between the true and the false. It is the case with a great many Latter-day Saints. Yet there is this about the Latter-day Saints: they do know the voice of the true shepherd; they are able to distinguish between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. There is a great deal of the spirit of discernment among this people, and they are a hard people to deceive; but they do get deceived occasionally. Cunning men mislead and deceive them, and wrong spirits get possession of them. The spirit of falsehood is abroad, and it frequently attributes to the best of men conduct that is vile and low. It did it to the Lord Jesus Christ; it did it to the Prophet Joseph Smith; it did it to all the prophets that have lived. The aim is to destroy them, and what better way can you get an influence into operation that will destroy a man than to blacken his character and tell lies enough to make him appear as a devil incarnate? That is what Satan tries to do. Those have been his tactics from the very beginning. He would make out the servants of God to be devils incarnate. And he will deceive, if possible, the very elect by his lies and misrepresentations. The only thing for men of God to do is to trust in Him. You cannot meet these falsehoods. They are manufactured faster than they can be exposed. No man can defend himself against lies. His protestations amount to nothing, because they are not believed.
In my early life, in publishing, I was always on hand to combat every lie that made its appearance. I thought it my duty to do it, and I do not know but it was. My mission was to publish the truth and to oppose falsehood. But as I great older, there was such a volume of lies that I found it hopeless to reply to them. I have not done so for years, except in one instance, and then I did it at the solicitation of my brethren. If Satan lets loose a stream of falsehood, it is useless for a man to attempt to stem it; you may as well let it flow on, and leave the vindication to the Lord. And so with us as a people. We have been lied about until there is no crime in the calendar that we have not been accused of. But we are outliving them, and we will leave them behind. The adversary, however, still lives. He still manufactures falsehood, and finds agents who are willing to propagate them; and he finds them among the Latter-day Saints, too. I have heard the most abominable falsehoods told about the First Presidency of the Church by those who call themselves Latter-day Saints. What will be the result of this? If those people do not repent, they will lose the Spirit of God, if they have not lost it already; they will go into darkness, and will lose their standing in the Church. When a man loses the Spirit of God, the tie that binds him to the Church is severed; and he wonders after a while how he could have thought as he once did concerning it.
My brethren and sisters, I would like to impress you this afternoon with the importance of retaining the Spirit of God, and not allowing other spirits to take possession of you. You should live so that the Spirit of God will reign within you, and that when an evil spirit seeks to take possession of you, you will feel it as sensibly and it will make such an impression upon you as the disturbing of a smooth pond of water. Our minds should be in such an unruffled condition and so free from any disturbing of a smooth pond of water. Our minds should be in such an unruffled condition and so free from any disturbing influence that when anything contrary to the mind of the Lord seeks to enter into us we will realize it as quickly as does the pond of water when it is disturbed. When anything comes along that is not right, we should stop to question ourselves. We should not admit a strong spirit into our hearts, nor think evil of anyone. There is too much of it in the world—telling tales about men and women, and when you examine them, in nine cases out of ten you find they are not true. There may be some element of truth in them; but truth can be distorted into a falsehood. We as a people should seek, above all people, to love the truth.
The authorities of the Church have known concerning this that was spoken of yesterday, and we have been satisfied as to the course that would have to be taken unless there was a change. But we did not want to expose this matter to the public, and to weaken the confidence of the Saints; for we wanted them to exercise their faith. But it is necessary that something should be said to the Church, that the people may not go on yielding to wrong influences and indulging in remarks and feelings contrary to the Spirit of the Lord.
Now, I ask you, if any of you have indulged in the spirit of condemnation and censure, to repent with all your heart, and ask the Lord to forgive you. Where you have said wrong things publicly, go and correct them. If you have spoken evil about your neighbors, go and confess it to them and ask their forgiveness. Apply the principles of the Gospel to our every day lives. Let us not think that we can cover up these things. The Lord will expose them. If there is something that we do not understand suspend our judgment and the expression of our views until we can understand it.
I rejoice exceedingly in the testimonies that have been borne during this conference. I know that this is the work of God. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus lives; for I have seen Him. I know that this is the Church of God, and that it is founded on Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. I testify to you of these things as one that knows—as one of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ that can bear witness to you today in the presence of the Lord that He lives and that He will live, and will come to reign on the earth, to sway an undisputed sceptre. I say that it is our duty to keep the commandments of God, and to be faithful in all things. The world may say that you are submitting to men; but it is not so; you are submitting to God. This is God’s work, and He only asks from you and from me that obedience which every child should render to its father. We do not owe any obedience to the rebel Satan. He would fill us with all sorts of ideas against God, and he would bind us in chains of darkness and lead us down to destruction, if we would listen to him. That would be all right in the estimation of those who have his spirit; but it is wrong. It is right to listen to the Lord, and to obey Him. He is our Father, our Creator; He is the source of all our blessing and power, and we should submit to Him. If He says to a certain man, “You are my servant, and I want all my children to do as you say,” it is our duty to respect that appointment. I frequently ask my boys to listen to one of their brothers, and if he does not do right they can tell me and I will attend to it. I teach my children to respect their brothers who are their seniors in age, and to respect one another; and I caution the older boys not to trespass upon their younger brethren, but to respect them. I do that in my small family—small compared with the family of God. Has not God the right to choose one of His children, as He has done Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young, and John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff, and ask the rest of us to obey His counsel as He gives it through the one whom He chooses? “Well, but,” says one, “how do we know that He has given him this authority?” You can know it, if you will do the things that He requires at your hands. If God chooses the weakest among His children, and says to the rest, “obey him, and I will sustain and bless you in doing it.” He has a perfect right to do so. He has done this with this people from the days of Joseph Smith down to the present, and we have been prospered, blessed and delivered in listening to the counsel of the men whom the Lord has chosen. We were blessed and prospered in listening to the Prophet Joseph during his lifetime. After his death, how wonderfully were we blessed and prospered in listening to the counsels of President Brigham Young. He led us across these dreary plains to this inhospitable land (for it was inhospitable then) and laid the foundation of all that has been done here, until today the State of Utah is the admiration, it may be said, of the whole nation, and men wonder at the wisdom and shrewdness that President Young exhibited. Therefore, we not only have our own experience to testify how prospered and blessed we have been in listening to counsel, but we have the testimony of many others. God blessed us also in listening to President John Taylor during his lifetime; and He has blessed us and borne testimony to us by the outpouring of His Spirit since it has been the privilege of President Woodruff to stand in this exalted station. I repeat, the Lord has a right to exact this from us. We are His children, and when we have called upon Him He has listened to us and has answered our prayers. That is the way I view it. Satan tempts me, as I suppose he does you all; but I tell Satan that I have nothing to do with him. I tell him that he is a rebel, that he has tried to ruin the purposes of our Father, and I want nothing to do with him; I will try and not listen to any of his blandishments, nor let him whisper anything into my ear or my heart that would weaken my attachment and my devotion to my Father and to His kingdom. That is the way I feel. I want nothing to do with Satan in any form. I believe it is the duty of all of us, as the children of God, to be in this condition, and then, as far as we are concerned, Satan will be bound.
My brethren and sisters, I beseech the Lord to bless you all. I ask Him to open all our eyes, that we may see; open all our hearts, that we may comprehend, and that we may profit by the experience He gives to us, and grow and increase in faith and power until the heavens themselves will draw near unto us, and we will draw near unto them, and they will be open to us to behold the things of our Father and God in their true light. This is my prayer for the entire Zion of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Elias S. Kimball,
President of the Southern States mission, was called upon to address the congregation. He said that his heart was in his missionary work, and he had labored earnestly with his 366 Elders to advance the work of God in the Southern States, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. New fields were being opened up and large cities visited; here the Elders labored without purse and scrip and were abundantly blessed in their ministry. The thirteen conferences were yielding large returns to the systematic and organized labors of the Elders under the direction of the conference presidents and clerks. In many of these places were many people formerly of a hostile disposition, who now extended a welcome to the Elders. The speaker stated his determination to do all in his power to advance the missionary labor in the Southern States, under the influence of the Spirit, now so abundantly poured out upon the Elders. The health of the Elders had been better during the past few months than for many years past.
President of the Southern States mission, was called upon to address the congregation. He said that his heart was in his missionary work, and he had labored earnestly with his 366 Elders to advance the work of God in the Southern States, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. New fields were being opened up and large cities visited; here the Elders labored without purse and scrip and were abundantly blessed in their ministry. The thirteen conferences were yielding large returns to the systematic and organized labors of the Elders under the direction of the conference presidents and clerks. In many of these places were many people formerly of a hostile disposition, who now extended a welcome to the Elders. The speaker stated his determination to do all in his power to advance the missionary labor in the Southern States, under the influence of the Spirit, now so abundantly poured out upon the Elders. The health of the Elders had been better during the past few months than for many years past.
Elder William Gardner,
recently president of the Australian mission, was the next speaker. He had labored among the Maoris, of whom there was about 3,600 in the Church. There were seventy-seven branches in the mission. Sixty Elders from Utah were laboring there, all these among the aboriginal inhabitants. The Gospel was spreading and the work prospering. The Elders were, as a rule, in good health and had the spirit of their work. There was not a sufficient number of Elders. About sixty more were needed. Besides the Maori members there were about 200 Europeans among the members of the Church. Some new branches had been recently organized. The gifts and graces of the Gospel abounded among the Saints.
The choir sang the anthem: Hark! Hark! my soul.
Benediction was pronounced by President George Q. Cannon.
Conference adjourned until April 1897.
recently president of the Australian mission, was the next speaker. He had labored among the Maoris, of whom there was about 3,600 in the Church. There were seventy-seven branches in the mission. Sixty Elders from Utah were laboring there, all these among the aboriginal inhabitants. The Gospel was spreading and the work prospering. The Elders were, as a rule, in good health and had the spirit of their work. There was not a sufficient number of Elders. About sixty more were needed. Besides the Maori members there were about 200 Europeans among the members of the Church. Some new branches had been recently organized. The gifts and graces of the Gospel abounded among the Saints.
The choir sang the anthem: Hark! Hark! my soul.
Benediction was pronounced by President George Q. Cannon.
Conference adjourned until April 1897.