October 1908
Seventy-Ninth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1908). Report of Discourses. Salt Lake City: The Deseret News.
SEVENTY-NINTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
The Saints should manifest gratitude for the Lord's blessings
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER
Conditions here fifty years ago and today contrasted
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND
Obedience to Word of Wisdom should be regarded as a requisite of Church fellowship
Overflow Meeting
ELDER ANTHONY W. IVINS
Purpose of gathering to Zion
ELDER GERMAN E. ELLSWORTH
(President of Northern States Mission.)
ELDER ANDREW JENSON
(Assistant Historian.)
ELDER JOSEPH E. ROBINSON
(President of California Mission.)
Second Overflow Meeting
ELDER SAMUEL O. BENNION
(President of Central States Mission.)
ELDER HUGH J. CANNON
(President of Liberty Stake.)
BISHOP HEBER C. IVERSON
ELDER BEN E. RICH
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
ELDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS
Divine inspiration manifest in discovery of this land, and establishment of its government
Third Overflow Meeting
ELDER NEPHI PRATT
(President of Northwestern States Mission.)
ELDER JOSEPH A. M'RAE
(President of Western States Mission.)
ELDER THOMAS B. EVANS
(President of Ogden Stake.)
ELDER JOSEPH S. WELLS
(Of the Presidency of Ensign Stake.)
AFTERNOON SESSION
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN
The Saints always under laws of Temperance and Prohibition
ELDER HEBER J. GRANT
Spiritual and financial advantages in obeying the Word of Wisdom
ELDER ANTHONY W. IVINS
The Saints enjoined to walk in the way of righteousness
SECOND DAY
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH
Kind treatment at Irrigation Congress
ELDER RUDGER CLAWSON
Evidences that Temple building is approved by the Lord
ELDER REED SMOOT
Necessity for prayer, and its efficacy
ELDER HYRUM M. SMITH
Deserved reproof should be humbly accepted
AFTERNOON SESSION
ELDER GEORGE ALBERT SMITH
Blessings received only by obedience to law
ELDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS
Temporal and spiritual welfare enhanced, by observing Word of Wisdom
ELDER ORSON F. WHITNEY
The Lord's Work Progressive
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Gratifying evidences of faith of the Saints
THIRD DAY. Tuesday, Oct. 6th, 10 a. m.
ELDER JOHN G. MCQUARRIE
(Late President Eastern States Mission.)
ELDER BEN E. RICH
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
ELDER CHARLES A. CALLIS
(President of Southern States Mission.)
ELDER DAVID O. M'KAY
Work more effective than words
CLOSING SESSION
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER
Endorsement of the temperance resolution
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND
Marvelous character of work done by Joseph Smith
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
PATRIARCH JOHN SMITH
AUTHORITIES SUSTAINED
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Deaths in the missions
SEVENTY-NINTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
The Saints should manifest gratitude for the Lord's blessings
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER
Conditions here fifty years ago and today contrasted
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND
Obedience to Word of Wisdom should be regarded as a requisite of Church fellowship
Overflow Meeting
ELDER ANTHONY W. IVINS
Purpose of gathering to Zion
ELDER GERMAN E. ELLSWORTH
(President of Northern States Mission.)
ELDER ANDREW JENSON
(Assistant Historian.)
ELDER JOSEPH E. ROBINSON
(President of California Mission.)
Second Overflow Meeting
ELDER SAMUEL O. BENNION
(President of Central States Mission.)
ELDER HUGH J. CANNON
(President of Liberty Stake.)
BISHOP HEBER C. IVERSON
ELDER BEN E. RICH
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
ELDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS
Divine inspiration manifest in discovery of this land, and establishment of its government
Third Overflow Meeting
ELDER NEPHI PRATT
(President of Northwestern States Mission.)
ELDER JOSEPH A. M'RAE
(President of Western States Mission.)
ELDER THOMAS B. EVANS
(President of Ogden Stake.)
ELDER JOSEPH S. WELLS
(Of the Presidency of Ensign Stake.)
AFTERNOON SESSION
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN
The Saints always under laws of Temperance and Prohibition
ELDER HEBER J. GRANT
Spiritual and financial advantages in obeying the Word of Wisdom
ELDER ANTHONY W. IVINS
The Saints enjoined to walk in the way of righteousness
SECOND DAY
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH
Kind treatment at Irrigation Congress
ELDER RUDGER CLAWSON
Evidences that Temple building is approved by the Lord
ELDER REED SMOOT
Necessity for prayer, and its efficacy
ELDER HYRUM M. SMITH
Deserved reproof should be humbly accepted
AFTERNOON SESSION
ELDER GEORGE ALBERT SMITH
Blessings received only by obedience to law
ELDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS
Temporal and spiritual welfare enhanced, by observing Word of Wisdom
ELDER ORSON F. WHITNEY
The Lord's Work Progressive
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Gratifying evidences of faith of the Saints
THIRD DAY. Tuesday, Oct. 6th, 10 a. m.
ELDER JOHN G. MCQUARRIE
(Late President Eastern States Mission.)
ELDER BEN E. RICH
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
ELDER CHARLES A. CALLIS
(President of Southern States Mission.)
ELDER DAVID O. M'KAY
Work more effective than words
CLOSING SESSION
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER
Endorsement of the temperance resolution
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND
Marvelous character of work done by Joseph Smith
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
PATRIARCH JOHN SMITH
AUTHORITIES SUSTAINED
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Deaths in the missions
SEVENTY-NINTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Seventy-Ninth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Held in the Tabernacle and adjoining Halls,
Salt Lake City, Utah,
Oct. 4, 5 and 6, 1908.
WITH A FULL REPORT OF THE DISCOURSES.
PUBLISHED BY THE DESERET NEWS
GENERAL CONFERENCE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS,
FIRST DAY.
The Seventy-ninth 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, 1908, President Joseph F. Smith presiding.
AUTHORITIES PRESENT.
There were present of the First Presidency, Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund;
of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay and Anthony W. Ivins;
Presiding Patriarch John Smith;
of the First Council of Seventies, Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin and Charles H. Hart;
of the Presiding Bishopric, Charles W. Nibley, Orrin P. Miller, and David A. Smith; Assistant Historians, Andrew Jenson, A. Milton Musser and Joseph F. Smith, Jr.
There were also a large number of Presidents of Stakes and Missions, with their Counselors, Bishops of Wards, Patriarchs, and numerous other prominent men and women representing various organizations of the Church.
President Joseph F. Smith called the assembly to order, and the services were commenced by the choir and congregation singing the hymn:
Come, let us anew
Our journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still
Till the Master appear.
His adorable will
Let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve,
By the patience of hope
And the labor of love.
The opening prayer was offered by Bishop Charles W. Nibley.
The choir sang the hymn:
Hark! listen to the trumpeters!
They sound for volunteers,
On Zion's bright and flowery mount
Behold the officers.
President Smith announced that hundreds of persons, who desire to participate in the services in this large Tabernacle, can not be accommodated, for lack of room, and they are now waiting outside. For their benefit, services will be conducted in the adjoining Assembly Hall, under direction of Elder Anthony W. Ivins.
Seventy-Ninth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Held in the Tabernacle and adjoining Halls,
Salt Lake City, Utah,
Oct. 4, 5 and 6, 1908.
WITH A FULL REPORT OF THE DISCOURSES.
PUBLISHED BY THE DESERET NEWS
GENERAL CONFERENCE THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS,
FIRST DAY.
The Seventy-ninth 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, 1908, President Joseph F. Smith presiding.
AUTHORITIES PRESENT.
There were present of the First Presidency, Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund;
of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay and Anthony W. Ivins;
Presiding Patriarch John Smith;
of the First Council of Seventies, Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin and Charles H. Hart;
of the Presiding Bishopric, Charles W. Nibley, Orrin P. Miller, and David A. Smith; Assistant Historians, Andrew Jenson, A. Milton Musser and Joseph F. Smith, Jr.
There were also a large number of Presidents of Stakes and Missions, with their Counselors, Bishops of Wards, Patriarchs, and numerous other prominent men and women representing various organizations of the Church.
President Joseph F. Smith called the assembly to order, and the services were commenced by the choir and congregation singing the hymn:
Come, let us anew
Our journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still
Till the Master appear.
His adorable will
Let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve,
By the patience of hope
And the labor of love.
The opening prayer was offered by Bishop Charles W. Nibley.
The choir sang the hymn:
Hark! listen to the trumpeters!
They sound for volunteers,
On Zion's bright and flowery mount
Behold the officers.
President Smith announced that hundreds of persons, who desire to participate in the services in this large Tabernacle, can not be accommodated, for lack of room, and they are now waiting outside. For their benefit, services will be conducted in the adjoining Assembly Hall, under direction of Elder Anthony W. Ivins.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
OPENING ADDRESS.
The Saints should manifest gratitude for the Lord's blessings.—Large expenditure by the Church for meeting houses, etc.—Futile efforts of the enemies of Truth.—Complete observance of the Word of Wisdom obligatory. —Suppression of saloons strongly advocated.— Evil doers must not be fellowshipped.— Saints should be consistent examples of righteousness.
My brethren and sisters, it is indeed a cause for congratulation, joy and great satisfaction, to see the large number of members and officers of the Church who have assembled here, at the opening of our seventy-ninth semi-annual conference, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. It is remarkable, to say the least, to see so many here as are present this morning, and I feel grateful, in my heart, to the Lord for the feeling and interest manifested by those who are present, for your attendance here today is evidence of your interest in this work. I am glad to see you and to welcome you to this conference of the Church, and I sincerely hope and pray that the true spirit of the Gospel of the Son of God, may pervade all our meetings in this hall, and in other places where we shall be met together. I hope that, at the conclusion of our conference, every soul possessing a knowledge of the Gospel, and a love of truth, will feel amply repaid for attendance here; and to this end I invoke the blessing of the Lord upon every individual who has come here today, and who will attend the conference for the love of the truth and for his or her devotion to the cause of Zion. The Lord has blessed us in a remarkable degree, throughout the past season, with the exception of here and their a partial failure of late crops by frost ; generally the season has been fruitful, and the people have been blessed, so far as we have been informed, throughout the length and breadth of the land. We desire that the Latter-day Saints will always, and especially at this time, remember the Lord for His goodness and mercy to them and for His blessings upon their labors; for we do acknowledge the hand of the Lord—or should do—in every thing that we possess and enjoy in the world. It is written that the Lord is displeased with those who will not acknowledge His hand in ail things. All Latter-day Saints acknowledge in their hearts that every good and perfect gift comes from God, "from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning." We do not arrogate to ourselves the power to secure blessings, to multiply and increase our possessions and our wealth in the land without the assistance of Him from whom all blessings flow. We should keep in mind that law which makes it our duty to remember the Lord with the first fruits of all our increase, and that He is the giver of all good, not forgetting the duty we owe to Him and to His cause in the world, to provide our part of the means necessary for the carrying on of His work and for the building up of Zion in the latter days. Much has been done during the past season toward the building of houses of worship throughout the land — not only in this state but in Arizona, in Idaho, and throughout the missions of the Church. Much has been done by the Latter-day Saints, and much assistance has been rendered by the Trustee-in-Trust in the erection of houses of worship, schoolhouses, and in the purchase of places that were necessary to the welfare of the Saints. We are continually doing, as far as it is possible, what we may do consistently to assist God's work throughout all the land. It will not be necessary nor perhaps consistent for me to enter into details in relation to the labor that is being performed in these directions. We have the records of these things, and any of the Latter-day Saints who desire to be posted in relation to what is being done for the building up of the Church can come to the head and obtain all the information that they need. Since our last conference, however, we have succeeded in obtaining most excellent headquarters for the British mission, in the City of London. We rejoice exceedingly that, after the lapse of years, we have at last obtained a foothold in that great metropolis where so many have been gathered into the covenant of the Gospel. We have also obtained headquarters, elsewhere, but I will not enter into an account of these things.
The Lord has been prospering Zion, and we rejoice exceedingly in the many and glorious manifestations of His kindness and mercy unto His people. We are grateful for deliverance from those who willfully and wickedly and without a cause seek our hurt. We are grateful in the belief, aye in the knowledge that notwithstanding the efforts they have made to injure this people and to thwart the purposes of the Almighty, they have but been the means, indirectly, of forwarding the work in the world. They have called attention of the world toward us, and that is just what we want, though they have done it with wicked intent. We want to be known as we are. We want to be seen in our true light. We want the world to become acquainted with us. We wain them to learn our doctrine, to understand our faith, our purposes, and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We would like them to know something about the origin of this work, but we desire that they shall see this work in the true spirit of it, and the only way this can be brought about is by the inquiring, intelligent world coming in contact with us—those indeed who are disposed to love truth and righteousness and whose eyes are not so blinded that they can not see the truth when it is presented' before them. There are those who having eyes see not, and having hearts do not and will not understand. There are none so blind as those who will not see, and none so deaf as those who will not hear; and there are none so heartless and so wicked as those who knowing the truth and seeing the light will close their eyes and their ears, against it.
We are living in a momentous age. The Lord is hastening His work. He is at the helm, there is no mortal man at the helm of this work. It is true the Lord uses such instruments as will be obedient to His commandments and laws to assist in accomplishing His purposes in the earth. He has chosen those who, at least, have shown a willingness and a disposition to obey Him and keep His laws, and who seek to work righteousness and carry out the purposes of the Lord. It is for the Latter-day Saints to judge the standing of these men. They have no occasion to sound their own praise, to bear testimony of their own works; their lives are open books to all the Latter-day Saints and to all the world. You know these men; you understand them; you have seen their labors; you understand the desires of their hearts, for you are familiar with them. The Lord has sustained these brethren in the positions to which He has called them, and He will continue to sustain them in these positions so long as they continue to be faithful before Him. It one of them should cease to be faithful and turn away from the right path, the consequences of his own evil acts will fall upon him sooner or later, and the fruits of his works and the desires of his heart will be made manifest.
When I arose to my feet, I had in mind the thought of presenting before this conference one of the revelations that has come to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith, a revelation with which you are ail familiar, which has been the text, perhaps many a time, of every officer in the Church. It is a revelation which has been sounded in the ears of all the people for the last seventy years, and yet it is a new theme, practically, for there is still great necessity for it to be held out to the Latter-day Saints and to all the world. We see great reasons for the principles contained in this chapter of the book of Doctrine and Covenants being taught to the world, and especially to the Latter-day Saints. It is nothing more nor less than that simple Word of Wisdom that was given in 1833, for the benefit, the help, and the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, that they might purify and prepare themselves to go nearer into the presence of the Lord, that by reason of keeping this law they might fit themselves to enjoy the blessings that He is more than willing to bestow upon them, if they are worthy. I propose to read this revelation to you and, perhaps, make a few remarks upon it:
Revelation given through Joseph, the Seer, at Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, February 27th, 1833:
A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the Council of High Priests, assembled in Kirtland, and Church; and also the Saints in Zion.
To be sent greeting—not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days.
Here we are informed that it was not given, at that time, by way of commandment or restraint but by revelation, "a word of wisdom showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days." Subsequently, years afterwards, from this stand, it was proclaimed from the mouth of the Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young, that the time had now come when this word of wisdom — then given not by commandment or , constraint—was now a commandment of the Lord to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Lord required them to observe this word of wisdom and counsel, which is the will of God unto the people for their temporal salvation.
Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints.
Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation.
That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man.
Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground.
Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow to their bones.
And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint;
And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
Now, it may seem altogether unnecessary and out of place, perhaps, to many, for me to occupy the time of this vast congregation in reading this revelation, inasmuch as it is presumable that every man and woman present has access to this book and is more or less familiar with all its contents. I am sorry to say that I do not believe there is another revelation contained in this book, or another commandment given of the Lord that is less observed or honored than this "Word of Wisdom," and that, too, by members and officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, male and female. Go where you will, you see a lack of appreciation of the counsel given in this revelation to the Latter-day Saints, by some of them. Some of our best men disregard in part this law; many do not fully observe it; some of our leading women do not keep the commandment of the Lord that is given here, and they excuse themselves in various ways, and for various reasons, for not observing the law of God. I simply want to say to you, my brethren and sisters, that there is no other way—no other course that we can take in the world, in relation to our temporal welfare and health, better than that which the Lord God has pointed out to us. Why can we not realize this? Why will we not come to a perfect understanding of it? Why will we not deny ourselves that which our craven appetites desire? Why can we not observe more closely the will of the Lord as made known to us in this revelation? If we would observe this law or commandment of the Lord,—first given not as a commandment nor by constraint, but afterwards declared by the mouthpiece of the Lord to be in force as a commandment thereafter to the Latter-day Saints—if, I say, the people would observe the principles of this revelation, there could not exist in their midst that most obnoxious institution known as a saloon; it can not exist where only Latter-day Saints dwell. If this commandment were observed by the whole people, the vast amount of money that now goes out to the world for strong drink and these other things forbidden in the word of wisdom, would be saved at home, and the health, prosperity and temporal salvation of the people would be correspondingly increased. No man can violate the laws of God with reference to health and temporal salvation, and enjoy those blessings in the same degree that he could do and would do if he would obey the commands of God. Don't you believe that? Can not Latter-day Saints accept that truth in their hearts? Can there be any room for argument in relation to that proposition? I say to you, my brethren and sisters, that God knows better than we do what is and will be for our best good, and when the Lord speaks to us, as He has spoken to us in this revelation which I have read to you, we should give it attention. We should accept it in our hearts; we should live closely to it; and then, we are promised, we should find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge even hidden treasures; we might run and not be weary, walk and not faint, and when the destroyer should come he would pass by us, as he passed by the children of Israel anciently. If we fail to observe this law of God, we are not entitled to these promises. Those individuals who do not live up to these principles, conveyed to them through this word of the Lord, will fail in rightfully claiming the fulfillment of the promise that is made to them that keep the law. The Lord has said, "If ye will do the things I require at your hands," it ye will do my will, "then am I bound; otherwise there is no promise," for every promise is made on condition that we will observe the law upon which that promise may be justly and righteously fulfilled. We go into the outer settlements of the Latter-day Saints where there are a few non-believers, a few apostates from the Church, probably, and a few who have never belonged to the Church at all, but the majority of the people are members of the Church; and we see planted, here and there, in the midst of these communities, saloons and other places of ill repute, and they are sustained by somebody. In some instances, at least, we know that the outside element, the non-Mormon element is not sufficiently large or wealthy, nor are they so numerous in their patronage of these institutions as to keep them alive or to sustain them. The conclusion, therefore, is that there are some who are members of the Church who are also frequenters of these places. This is all wrong—all wrong. No member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can afford to do himself the dishonor or to bring upon himself the disgrace, of crossing the threshold of a liquor saloon or a gambling hell, or of any house of ill-fame of whatever name or nature it may be. No Latter-day Saint, no member of the Church can afford it, for it is humiliating to him, it is disgraceful in him to do it, and God will judge him according to his works. The man or woman who truly believes in the doctrines of the Church or professing to have membership in the Church, who believes and practices the principles contained in this "Word of Wisdom," will never be numbered among those who will bring this disgrace upon them, upon their neighbors or upon the Church to which they belong; they will never do it.
Now there is a great movement on foot throughout the land; its waves have struck us here and arc flowing over our state—a wave of temperance. Even the world is moved upon by an irresistible influence and spirit to advocate and to establish among communities in states and counties and cities the principle of temperance. I am in favor of this movement, I endorse it with all my heart; I know that it is in the right direction, and I believe that the Lord Almighty is moving in that direction upon those who are willing to devote their labor and time to this portion of His good work in the world. The Lord does not delight in intemperance, in drunkenness, nor can He have pleasure in the poverty, in the degradation and ruin that such practices bring upon their votaries and upon those who are dependent upon them, the ruin of manhood, the ruin of family organizations and the degradation of those that are engaged in it and that bring poverty, destruction, and death upon themselves and upon their families. Every member of the Church, male and female, ought to set his or her face as flint against intemperance and against anything that is in violation of the laws of God, that they might never be overcome or yield to the temptation of evil. We ought to have purer communities, communities that are not ridden by vice, by pernicious habits and practices. One cannot walk up and down the side-walks of our streets, but he will meet young men and boys with tobacco pipes in their mouths, or cigars or cigarettes, smoking in the streets. Perhaps those who are accustomed to these habits think this is a very trivial or very unimportant thing to talk about to a vast congregation like this, but I never see a boy or a man, young or old, addicted to this habit and practicing it openly but am forced to the conclusion to the conviction in my mind that he is either ignorant of God's will concerning man or he is defiant of God's will and does not care anything about the word of the Lord, and that alone is sufficient to bring sorrow to the heart of any man who has any regard or respect for the word or will of the Lord and would like to see it obeyed. We go occasionally to the theaters, and of late years we see it has become very fashionable, or very common, for the actors to puff away at their cigars, pipes and cigarettes on the stage; and they light cigarette after cigarette, and cigar after cigar, right on the stage before their audience. To me such a practice is an insult to the Latter-day Saints at least, and should be to all decent people; and if I had little boys growing up who would be susceptible to the influence of such practices I should not want them to go to our theaters at all, where they would see things in open practice as if it was something commendable. I think it is reprehensible, to say the least; and if I were managing a theater, and could do it, I would have it stipulated that there should be no smoking on the stage nor in the auditorium. Aside from the folly of smoking in a theater, lighted matches, cigars, and cigarettes are dangerous to property. There are other things however, in theatric performances that are about as disgraceful as smoking on the stage.
Now, my brethren and sisters, the subject that I had in view in reading these words is simply to emphasize, as far as it lies in my power, the Word of Wisdom, given to the Latter-day Saints to ail that are or can be called saints to the weakest of the weak, for it is adapted to them, and the weaker they are, if they will observe this principle, they will become stronger by the observance of it. If we will observe this law, we will gain strength, we will have health in our bodies and marrow in our bones ; we may run and not weary : walk and not faint ; and this is most desirable for those that are feeble, or weak, who need strength, and health; they should observe this principle in order that they might obtain the very thing they desire and need most and that they are destroying most by not following the word of the Lord but by practicing those things that are forbidden of Him. We pray God to heal us when we are sick, and then we turn round from our prayers and partake of the very things that He has told us are not good for us! How inconsistent it is for men to ask God to bless them, when they themselves are taking a course to injure and to bring evil upon themselves. No wonder we don't get our prayers answered more than we do, and no wonder our health is no better than it is, when we are addicted to practices that God has said are not good for us, and thereby entail evils upon our life and physical being; and then to turn to the Lord and ask Him to heal us from the consequence of our own folly, and pernicious practices; from the effects of the evil that we have brought upon ourselves and that we knew better than to do. How foolish it is!
The Lord bless you my brethren and sisters. We endorse any movement looking to temperance, looking to virtue tending to purity of life and to faith in God and obedience to His laws; and we are against evil of every description; and we are, in our faith and prayers against evil doers—not that we would pray for evil to come upon evil doers, but that evil doers might see the folly of their way3 and the wickedness of their acts and repent of them and turn away from them. If they will not hearken and repent of their evil ways, then let them pursue their course of evil to the end, and let the judgment of God come upon them and they receive their reward according to their works Let God judge ail men. He will reward them for good or for evil according to their works. We are not here to execute judgment or to impose punishments upon our fellow men except the punishment of withdrawing from those who are unworthy our fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We find it necessary, sometimes, to withhold fellowship from those who have turned away from the truth from the love of God and the cause of Zion—that they might not be regarded as having membership and standing with us. It is an injury to the cause of Zion for any community organization, ward, stake or branch of the Church to permit men or women to retain their membership in that ward or stake or branch, when it is known that their practices and habits are vicious and that their manner of life and unbelief are calculated to sow the seeds of apostasy corruption and evil in the midst of the people where they dwell. It is right and proper that the line of separation should be drawn distinctly between them and the Latter- day Saints. Withdraw fellowship from them cut them- loose, let them go to the world, and let the people of the Church understand that they are not held in fellowship and that their conduct is not countenanced by the authorities of the Church.
Now, the Lord bless you, and in the name of the Lord I bless you — this congregation, the covenant people of the Lord, just as truly as ancient Israel were the covenant people of God, for you have entered into the solemn covenant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that you will keep the commandments of God, that you will eschew evil and wickedness. You know what you have done ; you know the nature of the covenants you have entered into before God and witnesses and before the angels of heaven; and, therefore, you have entered into the bond of the new and everlasting covenant and are indeed the covenant people of God in the latter days. Therefore, what manner of people ought we to be; what manner of individuals should we be? Should we not set an example worthy of our profession? Should we not live pure lives? Should we not be upright, virtuous, honest, God-fearing and God-loving in our souls every day of our lives and in every position in which we may be called to act; ought we not to set an example for good? Ought we not to be Christ-like, manly true to every principle of the Gospel, and honorable out in the world and at home so that no man can justly point at us the finger of scorn or of condemnation? Thai is indeed the kind of people we ought to be. God help us to be such is my prayer, in the "name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem, "Rouse, oh ye mortals."
OPENING ADDRESS.
The Saints should manifest gratitude for the Lord's blessings.—Large expenditure by the Church for meeting houses, etc.—Futile efforts of the enemies of Truth.—Complete observance of the Word of Wisdom obligatory. —Suppression of saloons strongly advocated.— Evil doers must not be fellowshipped.— Saints should be consistent examples of righteousness.
My brethren and sisters, it is indeed a cause for congratulation, joy and great satisfaction, to see the large number of members and officers of the Church who have assembled here, at the opening of our seventy-ninth semi-annual conference, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. It is remarkable, to say the least, to see so many here as are present this morning, and I feel grateful, in my heart, to the Lord for the feeling and interest manifested by those who are present, for your attendance here today is evidence of your interest in this work. I am glad to see you and to welcome you to this conference of the Church, and I sincerely hope and pray that the true spirit of the Gospel of the Son of God, may pervade all our meetings in this hall, and in other places where we shall be met together. I hope that, at the conclusion of our conference, every soul possessing a knowledge of the Gospel, and a love of truth, will feel amply repaid for attendance here; and to this end I invoke the blessing of the Lord upon every individual who has come here today, and who will attend the conference for the love of the truth and for his or her devotion to the cause of Zion. The Lord has blessed us in a remarkable degree, throughout the past season, with the exception of here and their a partial failure of late crops by frost ; generally the season has been fruitful, and the people have been blessed, so far as we have been informed, throughout the length and breadth of the land. We desire that the Latter-day Saints will always, and especially at this time, remember the Lord for His goodness and mercy to them and for His blessings upon their labors; for we do acknowledge the hand of the Lord—or should do—in every thing that we possess and enjoy in the world. It is written that the Lord is displeased with those who will not acknowledge His hand in ail things. All Latter-day Saints acknowledge in their hearts that every good and perfect gift comes from God, "from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning." We do not arrogate to ourselves the power to secure blessings, to multiply and increase our possessions and our wealth in the land without the assistance of Him from whom all blessings flow. We should keep in mind that law which makes it our duty to remember the Lord with the first fruits of all our increase, and that He is the giver of all good, not forgetting the duty we owe to Him and to His cause in the world, to provide our part of the means necessary for the carrying on of His work and for the building up of Zion in the latter days. Much has been done during the past season toward the building of houses of worship throughout the land — not only in this state but in Arizona, in Idaho, and throughout the missions of the Church. Much has been done by the Latter-day Saints, and much assistance has been rendered by the Trustee-in-Trust in the erection of houses of worship, schoolhouses, and in the purchase of places that were necessary to the welfare of the Saints. We are continually doing, as far as it is possible, what we may do consistently to assist God's work throughout all the land. It will not be necessary nor perhaps consistent for me to enter into details in relation to the labor that is being performed in these directions. We have the records of these things, and any of the Latter-day Saints who desire to be posted in relation to what is being done for the building up of the Church can come to the head and obtain all the information that they need. Since our last conference, however, we have succeeded in obtaining most excellent headquarters for the British mission, in the City of London. We rejoice exceedingly that, after the lapse of years, we have at last obtained a foothold in that great metropolis where so many have been gathered into the covenant of the Gospel. We have also obtained headquarters, elsewhere, but I will not enter into an account of these things.
The Lord has been prospering Zion, and we rejoice exceedingly in the many and glorious manifestations of His kindness and mercy unto His people. We are grateful for deliverance from those who willfully and wickedly and without a cause seek our hurt. We are grateful in the belief, aye in the knowledge that notwithstanding the efforts they have made to injure this people and to thwart the purposes of the Almighty, they have but been the means, indirectly, of forwarding the work in the world. They have called attention of the world toward us, and that is just what we want, though they have done it with wicked intent. We want to be known as we are. We want to be seen in our true light. We want the world to become acquainted with us. We wain them to learn our doctrine, to understand our faith, our purposes, and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We would like them to know something about the origin of this work, but we desire that they shall see this work in the true spirit of it, and the only way this can be brought about is by the inquiring, intelligent world coming in contact with us—those indeed who are disposed to love truth and righteousness and whose eyes are not so blinded that they can not see the truth when it is presented' before them. There are those who having eyes see not, and having hearts do not and will not understand. There are none so blind as those who will not see, and none so deaf as those who will not hear; and there are none so heartless and so wicked as those who knowing the truth and seeing the light will close their eyes and their ears, against it.
We are living in a momentous age. The Lord is hastening His work. He is at the helm, there is no mortal man at the helm of this work. It is true the Lord uses such instruments as will be obedient to His commandments and laws to assist in accomplishing His purposes in the earth. He has chosen those who, at least, have shown a willingness and a disposition to obey Him and keep His laws, and who seek to work righteousness and carry out the purposes of the Lord. It is for the Latter-day Saints to judge the standing of these men. They have no occasion to sound their own praise, to bear testimony of their own works; their lives are open books to all the Latter-day Saints and to all the world. You know these men; you understand them; you have seen their labors; you understand the desires of their hearts, for you are familiar with them. The Lord has sustained these brethren in the positions to which He has called them, and He will continue to sustain them in these positions so long as they continue to be faithful before Him. It one of them should cease to be faithful and turn away from the right path, the consequences of his own evil acts will fall upon him sooner or later, and the fruits of his works and the desires of his heart will be made manifest.
When I arose to my feet, I had in mind the thought of presenting before this conference one of the revelations that has come to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith, a revelation with which you are ail familiar, which has been the text, perhaps many a time, of every officer in the Church. It is a revelation which has been sounded in the ears of all the people for the last seventy years, and yet it is a new theme, practically, for there is still great necessity for it to be held out to the Latter-day Saints and to all the world. We see great reasons for the principles contained in this chapter of the book of Doctrine and Covenants being taught to the world, and especially to the Latter-day Saints. It is nothing more nor less than that simple Word of Wisdom that was given in 1833, for the benefit, the help, and the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, that they might purify and prepare themselves to go nearer into the presence of the Lord, that by reason of keeping this law they might fit themselves to enjoy the blessings that He is more than willing to bestow upon them, if they are worthy. I propose to read this revelation to you and, perhaps, make a few remarks upon it:
Revelation given through Joseph, the Seer, at Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, February 27th, 1833:
A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the Council of High Priests, assembled in Kirtland, and Church; and also the Saints in Zion.
To be sent greeting—not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days.
Here we are informed that it was not given, at that time, by way of commandment or restraint but by revelation, "a word of wisdom showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days." Subsequently, years afterwards, from this stand, it was proclaimed from the mouth of the Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young, that the time had now come when this word of wisdom — then given not by commandment or , constraint—was now a commandment of the Lord to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Lord required them to observe this word of wisdom and counsel, which is the will of God unto the people for their temporal salvation.
Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints.
Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation.
That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man.
Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground.
Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow to their bones.
And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint;
And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
Now, it may seem altogether unnecessary and out of place, perhaps, to many, for me to occupy the time of this vast congregation in reading this revelation, inasmuch as it is presumable that every man and woman present has access to this book and is more or less familiar with all its contents. I am sorry to say that I do not believe there is another revelation contained in this book, or another commandment given of the Lord that is less observed or honored than this "Word of Wisdom," and that, too, by members and officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, male and female. Go where you will, you see a lack of appreciation of the counsel given in this revelation to the Latter-day Saints, by some of them. Some of our best men disregard in part this law; many do not fully observe it; some of our leading women do not keep the commandment of the Lord that is given here, and they excuse themselves in various ways, and for various reasons, for not observing the law of God. I simply want to say to you, my brethren and sisters, that there is no other way—no other course that we can take in the world, in relation to our temporal welfare and health, better than that which the Lord God has pointed out to us. Why can we not realize this? Why will we not come to a perfect understanding of it? Why will we not deny ourselves that which our craven appetites desire? Why can we not observe more closely the will of the Lord as made known to us in this revelation? If we would observe this law or commandment of the Lord,—first given not as a commandment nor by constraint, but afterwards declared by the mouthpiece of the Lord to be in force as a commandment thereafter to the Latter-day Saints—if, I say, the people would observe the principles of this revelation, there could not exist in their midst that most obnoxious institution known as a saloon; it can not exist where only Latter-day Saints dwell. If this commandment were observed by the whole people, the vast amount of money that now goes out to the world for strong drink and these other things forbidden in the word of wisdom, would be saved at home, and the health, prosperity and temporal salvation of the people would be correspondingly increased. No man can violate the laws of God with reference to health and temporal salvation, and enjoy those blessings in the same degree that he could do and would do if he would obey the commands of God. Don't you believe that? Can not Latter-day Saints accept that truth in their hearts? Can there be any room for argument in relation to that proposition? I say to you, my brethren and sisters, that God knows better than we do what is and will be for our best good, and when the Lord speaks to us, as He has spoken to us in this revelation which I have read to you, we should give it attention. We should accept it in our hearts; we should live closely to it; and then, we are promised, we should find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge even hidden treasures; we might run and not be weary, walk and not faint, and when the destroyer should come he would pass by us, as he passed by the children of Israel anciently. If we fail to observe this law of God, we are not entitled to these promises. Those individuals who do not live up to these principles, conveyed to them through this word of the Lord, will fail in rightfully claiming the fulfillment of the promise that is made to them that keep the law. The Lord has said, "If ye will do the things I require at your hands," it ye will do my will, "then am I bound; otherwise there is no promise," for every promise is made on condition that we will observe the law upon which that promise may be justly and righteously fulfilled. We go into the outer settlements of the Latter-day Saints where there are a few non-believers, a few apostates from the Church, probably, and a few who have never belonged to the Church at all, but the majority of the people are members of the Church; and we see planted, here and there, in the midst of these communities, saloons and other places of ill repute, and they are sustained by somebody. In some instances, at least, we know that the outside element, the non-Mormon element is not sufficiently large or wealthy, nor are they so numerous in their patronage of these institutions as to keep them alive or to sustain them. The conclusion, therefore, is that there are some who are members of the Church who are also frequenters of these places. This is all wrong—all wrong. No member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can afford to do himself the dishonor or to bring upon himself the disgrace, of crossing the threshold of a liquor saloon or a gambling hell, or of any house of ill-fame of whatever name or nature it may be. No Latter-day Saint, no member of the Church can afford it, for it is humiliating to him, it is disgraceful in him to do it, and God will judge him according to his works. The man or woman who truly believes in the doctrines of the Church or professing to have membership in the Church, who believes and practices the principles contained in this "Word of Wisdom," will never be numbered among those who will bring this disgrace upon them, upon their neighbors or upon the Church to which they belong; they will never do it.
Now there is a great movement on foot throughout the land; its waves have struck us here and arc flowing over our state—a wave of temperance. Even the world is moved upon by an irresistible influence and spirit to advocate and to establish among communities in states and counties and cities the principle of temperance. I am in favor of this movement, I endorse it with all my heart; I know that it is in the right direction, and I believe that the Lord Almighty is moving in that direction upon those who are willing to devote their labor and time to this portion of His good work in the world. The Lord does not delight in intemperance, in drunkenness, nor can He have pleasure in the poverty, in the degradation and ruin that such practices bring upon their votaries and upon those who are dependent upon them, the ruin of manhood, the ruin of family organizations and the degradation of those that are engaged in it and that bring poverty, destruction, and death upon themselves and upon their families. Every member of the Church, male and female, ought to set his or her face as flint against intemperance and against anything that is in violation of the laws of God, that they might never be overcome or yield to the temptation of evil. We ought to have purer communities, communities that are not ridden by vice, by pernicious habits and practices. One cannot walk up and down the side-walks of our streets, but he will meet young men and boys with tobacco pipes in their mouths, or cigars or cigarettes, smoking in the streets. Perhaps those who are accustomed to these habits think this is a very trivial or very unimportant thing to talk about to a vast congregation like this, but I never see a boy or a man, young or old, addicted to this habit and practicing it openly but am forced to the conclusion to the conviction in my mind that he is either ignorant of God's will concerning man or he is defiant of God's will and does not care anything about the word of the Lord, and that alone is sufficient to bring sorrow to the heart of any man who has any regard or respect for the word or will of the Lord and would like to see it obeyed. We go occasionally to the theaters, and of late years we see it has become very fashionable, or very common, for the actors to puff away at their cigars, pipes and cigarettes on the stage; and they light cigarette after cigarette, and cigar after cigar, right on the stage before their audience. To me such a practice is an insult to the Latter-day Saints at least, and should be to all decent people; and if I had little boys growing up who would be susceptible to the influence of such practices I should not want them to go to our theaters at all, where they would see things in open practice as if it was something commendable. I think it is reprehensible, to say the least; and if I were managing a theater, and could do it, I would have it stipulated that there should be no smoking on the stage nor in the auditorium. Aside from the folly of smoking in a theater, lighted matches, cigars, and cigarettes are dangerous to property. There are other things however, in theatric performances that are about as disgraceful as smoking on the stage.
Now, my brethren and sisters, the subject that I had in view in reading these words is simply to emphasize, as far as it lies in my power, the Word of Wisdom, given to the Latter-day Saints to ail that are or can be called saints to the weakest of the weak, for it is adapted to them, and the weaker they are, if they will observe this principle, they will become stronger by the observance of it. If we will observe this law, we will gain strength, we will have health in our bodies and marrow in our bones ; we may run and not weary : walk and not faint ; and this is most desirable for those that are feeble, or weak, who need strength, and health; they should observe this principle in order that they might obtain the very thing they desire and need most and that they are destroying most by not following the word of the Lord but by practicing those things that are forbidden of Him. We pray God to heal us when we are sick, and then we turn round from our prayers and partake of the very things that He has told us are not good for us! How inconsistent it is for men to ask God to bless them, when they themselves are taking a course to injure and to bring evil upon themselves. No wonder we don't get our prayers answered more than we do, and no wonder our health is no better than it is, when we are addicted to practices that God has said are not good for us, and thereby entail evils upon our life and physical being; and then to turn to the Lord and ask Him to heal us from the consequence of our own folly, and pernicious practices; from the effects of the evil that we have brought upon ourselves and that we knew better than to do. How foolish it is!
The Lord bless you my brethren and sisters. We endorse any movement looking to temperance, looking to virtue tending to purity of life and to faith in God and obedience to His laws; and we are against evil of every description; and we are, in our faith and prayers against evil doers—not that we would pray for evil to come upon evil doers, but that evil doers might see the folly of their way3 and the wickedness of their acts and repent of them and turn away from them. If they will not hearken and repent of their evil ways, then let them pursue their course of evil to the end, and let the judgment of God come upon them and they receive their reward according to their works Let God judge ail men. He will reward them for good or for evil according to their works. We are not here to execute judgment or to impose punishments upon our fellow men except the punishment of withdrawing from those who are unworthy our fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We find it necessary, sometimes, to withhold fellowship from those who have turned away from the truth from the love of God and the cause of Zion—that they might not be regarded as having membership and standing with us. It is an injury to the cause of Zion for any community organization, ward, stake or branch of the Church to permit men or women to retain their membership in that ward or stake or branch, when it is known that their practices and habits are vicious and that their manner of life and unbelief are calculated to sow the seeds of apostasy corruption and evil in the midst of the people where they dwell. It is right and proper that the line of separation should be drawn distinctly between them and the Latter- day Saints. Withdraw fellowship from them cut them- loose, let them go to the world, and let the people of the Church understand that they are not held in fellowship and that their conduct is not countenanced by the authorities of the Church.
Now, the Lord bless you, and in the name of the Lord I bless you — this congregation, the covenant people of the Lord, just as truly as ancient Israel were the covenant people of God, for you have entered into the solemn covenant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that you will keep the commandments of God, that you will eschew evil and wickedness. You know what you have done ; you know the nature of the covenants you have entered into before God and witnesses and before the angels of heaven; and, therefore, you have entered into the bond of the new and everlasting covenant and are indeed the covenant people of God in the latter days. Therefore, what manner of people ought we to be; what manner of individuals should we be? Should we not set an example worthy of our profession? Should we not live pure lives? Should we not be upright, virtuous, honest, God-fearing and God-loving in our souls every day of our lives and in every position in which we may be called to act; ought we not to set an example for good? Ought we not to be Christ-like, manly true to every principle of the Gospel, and honorable out in the world and at home so that no man can justly point at us the finger of scorn or of condemnation? Thai is indeed the kind of people we ought to be. God help us to be such is my prayer, in the "name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem, "Rouse, oh ye mortals."
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER.
Conditions here fifty years ago and today contrasted.—Continued growth of the Lords' work.—In full accord with President Smith's purposes.—Determination to continue devoted to the cause of truth.
My brethren and sisters, I am delighted to have this opportunity of meeting with you once more in general conference. I have been listening, with much pleasure and satisfaction, to the remarks of our beloved President, and I propose, my brethren and sisters, to aid and assist him, to the extent of my ability, in carrying into effect every proposition that has been mentioned here this morning.
I am thankful that the Lord has spared my life to see one more general conference. This morning, when I awoke, my mind went back to the general conference of fifty years ago, and I was contrasting the many changes that have taken place, and the difference between our situation today and then. Jus I prior to that time the people had been in exile; they had moved away from their homes, and they were now returning. Within a few miles of this city a large army of the United States was stationed, as a menace to the people here in the valleys of the mountains. As I compared conditions now and then I thought, what a change has come over us! At that time the foundation of our Temple was covered up; since then it has been uncovered and that beautiful edifice erected; and thousands, yes, tens of thousands, of Latter-day Saints have been permitted to enter that building and receive blessed ordinances for themselves and their dead. In addition to these changes that I have mentioned, I thought of how the work of the Lord has spread abroad in the world. At that time there were only a very few stakes of Zion, but they have been multiplied until now there are between fifty and sixty stakes of Zion. The foreign missions have also been multiplied in many nations of the earth. The Lord has preserved and protected His people, notwithstanding The fact that, at many times, they have been menaced by opposition, all things have been overruled for the good and benefit of the work of the Lord, and for the advancement of His work upon the earth. I do not know of any time when my heart has felt to rejoice more than at the present, in the extent of the work of the Lord and the progress that it is making upon the face of the earth.
It is my pleasure, my intention, and my determination to sustain our President with all my might, mind, and strength, to assist him to carry out his wishes, as he has expressed them here this morning, in every department, both temporal and spiritual. My life has been a busy one, it has been work, work, work from my childhood until the present time; and I do not propose to discontinue, so long as the Lord shall permit me to live upon the earth. I intend, during the remainder of the time the Lord is willing to give me life, to uphold and sustain His work. Every day that I live I have renewed assurances that this is the work of the Lord, and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Most High God. This testimony gives me joy, and strength, and satisfaction.
Now, by brethren and sisters, you do not expect me to speak long, but I am thankful to have the privilege of bearing my testimony to you this morning in relation to this great work, and to express my determination to stand by it so long as the Lord shall permit me to live upon the earth. God bless you all, is my prayer. Amen.
Conditions here fifty years ago and today contrasted.—Continued growth of the Lords' work.—In full accord with President Smith's purposes.—Determination to continue devoted to the cause of truth.
My brethren and sisters, I am delighted to have this opportunity of meeting with you once more in general conference. I have been listening, with much pleasure and satisfaction, to the remarks of our beloved President, and I propose, my brethren and sisters, to aid and assist him, to the extent of my ability, in carrying into effect every proposition that has been mentioned here this morning.
I am thankful that the Lord has spared my life to see one more general conference. This morning, when I awoke, my mind went back to the general conference of fifty years ago, and I was contrasting the many changes that have taken place, and the difference between our situation today and then. Jus I prior to that time the people had been in exile; they had moved away from their homes, and they were now returning. Within a few miles of this city a large army of the United States was stationed, as a menace to the people here in the valleys of the mountains. As I compared conditions now and then I thought, what a change has come over us! At that time the foundation of our Temple was covered up; since then it has been uncovered and that beautiful edifice erected; and thousands, yes, tens of thousands, of Latter-day Saints have been permitted to enter that building and receive blessed ordinances for themselves and their dead. In addition to these changes that I have mentioned, I thought of how the work of the Lord has spread abroad in the world. At that time there were only a very few stakes of Zion, but they have been multiplied until now there are between fifty and sixty stakes of Zion. The foreign missions have also been multiplied in many nations of the earth. The Lord has preserved and protected His people, notwithstanding The fact that, at many times, they have been menaced by opposition, all things have been overruled for the good and benefit of the work of the Lord, and for the advancement of His work upon the earth. I do not know of any time when my heart has felt to rejoice more than at the present, in the extent of the work of the Lord and the progress that it is making upon the face of the earth.
It is my pleasure, my intention, and my determination to sustain our President with all my might, mind, and strength, to assist him to carry out his wishes, as he has expressed them here this morning, in every department, both temporal and spiritual. My life has been a busy one, it has been work, work, work from my childhood until the present time; and I do not propose to discontinue, so long as the Lord shall permit me to live upon the earth. I intend, during the remainder of the time the Lord is willing to give me life, to uphold and sustain His work. Every day that I live I have renewed assurances that this is the work of the Lord, and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Most High God. This testimony gives me joy, and strength, and satisfaction.
Now, by brethren and sisters, you do not expect me to speak long, but I am thankful to have the privilege of bearing my testimony to you this morning in relation to this great work, and to express my determination to stand by it so long as the Lord shall permit me to live upon the earth. God bless you all, is my prayer. Amen.
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND.
Obedience to Word of Wisdom should be regarded as a requisite of Church fellowship.—Saints should be examples of temperance and purity.—Careful guardianship of the young advised. —A law advocated enforcing Sunday observance.
I have been much pleased to listen to the testimony of Brother Winder, and with him I feel to say that I will try to carry out the instructions given unto us by our President. I endorse his sayings with all my heart. I feel that it would be for the best good of the Latter-day Saints to study the revelation on the Word of Wisdom, which he has read to us, and to determine to obey it. The Lord gave this revelation to our Church in the early days, and those who are called to lead the people have felt how important are the instructions given in that revelation. Our brethren who are traveling among the Saints, organizing wards and quorums of the priesthood, insist upon those who accept positions in the Church that they will obey the Word of Wisdom. Some of the people have thought that the brethren were too strict in making such a request, but at the very time when this revelation was given, in Kirtland, the same instructions were given. At a High Council meeting held in Kirtland, February 20th. 1834, over which the Prophet pre sided, he rendered the following decision ; "No official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office, after having the Word of Wisdom properly taught him, and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with, or obey it." This decision the Council confirmed by vote (History of the Church Vol. 2 page 35)
In May, 1837, the Presidency of the Church at Far West called a general meeting of the Church. Among those present were the High Council, two of the Twelve, ten of the Seventies, the Bishop and one counselor. At this meeting it was resolved unanimously: "That we will not fellowship any ordained member who will not or does not observe the Word of Wisdom according to its literal reading.” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 482).
We have listened this morning to our President laying it down as a law unto Israel. Shall we hold this word lightly, or shall we, with Brother Winder, say we are determined to carry out the instructions given unto us? While he read and explained the Word of Wisdom, I thought of the words of Paul, written to a young missionary in Crete, and I will read them. He says to Titus:
"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience."
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things:
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
"Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
"Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
These instructions, given by the Apostle formerly, are very appropriate to us today. The President has spoken "things that become sound doctrine" to us this morning, and the advice here given to all who labor in the priesthood is ^hat they shall speak sound doctrine. Do not hanker after mysteries. There is enough in our standard works for texts upon which to speak unto the people. The Church is guided by revelation. Some have wondered why we do not receive revelation upon revelation, as they did m the early days of the Church. What blessing would it be to receive the word of the Lord in greater abundance than we do at present, if we do not obey His commandments unto us? We have had this Word of Wisdom these many years; have we improved in keeping it? I hope we have. I believe the Latter-day Saints are growing and increasing in good works, but a spirit of carelessness in regard to this Word of Wisdom has manifested itself in our midst. If it were not so would we see many saloons in settlements that are nearly all composed of Latter- day Saints? I suppose that the traveling public may help to sustain them, but I consider it a shame to see such institutions in settlements largely composed of our people.
I hope that this movement of temperance will continue until it shall be a success, and temperance be a virtue possessed by all our people. Paul says we shall teach the old men to be temperate and to be sober, and the young men likewise. You know how harmful are the effects of drunkenness and that it leads to a great many other crimes. When a person indulges in strong drink he partly loses his reason, and is easily tempted to violate the commandments of God and do things that lead downward, hence, when a man knows what the effects of strong drink are, he ought not to indulge in it. The court may judge an act committed in drunkenness less severely, considering that the man did not have full control of his faculties, yet when he willfully goes and indulges in that which he knows makes him weak and exposes him to the dangers of violating the commandments of God, he will be held guilty and responsible before the Lord. What a disgusting sight it is to see a man under the influence of liquor! I will not say a woman because it is so very seldom that such a sight is seen in these valleys, but I have seen such in other countries, and it is a most hideous sight. A Latter-day Saint should never be known to indulge in strong drink. We are told by Paul that we should set an example before all worthy of imitation. That kind of sermon we can all preach; it is within our power to do that Persons may become slaves to habit, and some have indulged so long in strong drinks, or perhaps have appetites which have come to them from their fathers, that it has become very hard for them to overcome this degrading habit, but it can be done by the aid and assistance of the Spirit of God. When persons are weak in such respects, the tempter will assail them on their weak side, and they should therefore try to guard against these things. Young men should never go where intoxicating liquors are dispensed. The law forbids minors to enter saloons. I say unto you that the law of God forbids men to indulge in these things and to enter such places. Even men who do not want to partake of the drinks dispensed in a saloon should not go there. It is not a place where anything good is taught; it is a place where language most filthy can be heard, and idle and vain talk which may cause our young men to lose sight of the greater objects of life and to take the downward road. It is said that the old Egyptians would get their slaves drunk in order that then sons could see what a disgusting spectacle men make of themselves when they are under the influence of drink. If a person has indulged to such an extent, especially if he still is a man of faith, I know that his conscience will upbraid him and he will desire to leave off this habit. To such a man I would say, do not stop with having the desire only, but make the resolve that you will not be conquered by nor yield to this habit.
In speaking about the works of the flesh, Paul lays strong emphasis also upon works of impurity, adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lasciviousness. He enumerates other vices and then adds drunkenness, revelings; and he declares that those who indulge in these things cannot inherit the kingdom of God. He puts it very strongly.
Brethren and sisters, are we looking after our young people as we ought to do? I am pleased with the work of a number of Elders who have been appointed in the different stakes to look after our young people at night; I believe that a great deal of betterment has taken place. In a large city like this there are many temptations, and the parents ought to be on their guard, and know where their young people are when they are not at home.
There is also much evil in having theaters open on Sunday evenings. I hope that the legislators who shall be elected this fall will feel to pass a Sunday law. In a Christian community I think a Sunday law ought to be passed and ought to be enforced. When I was a missionary in England, I was pleased to observe how well the Sunday was observed there. When walking the streets I was glad to see how quiet the cities were, and that the people, many of them, went to their churches. I wish that in all the towns of Zion there may be a marked improvement in keeping the Sunday holy. I do think that something should be done in this respect, because if people are permitted to keep theaters open on the Sunday, perhaps after a while they will have dances on the Sunday evening. I believe that this can be stopped, and that a law to that effect can be passed. Why, it is said that sometimes young people, after they have been to Sunday meeting, go to be .entertained and amused at some of the theaters. I should think that when they have been to meeting and received spiritual food that that should suffice. To keep the Sunday holy is a commandment given us by the Lord, and we must observe it. See how strict He was in regard to this commandment in olden times. He has given it for our good. It is certainly best for man to have one day in seven to rest from his labor and to devote to the worship of God. Now, this commandment ought to be observed in all the wards and stakes of Zion. Profanity should not be heard and everything that violates the commandments of God must be avoided. We have taken upon us the name of Latter-day Saints. Let us show to the world that that means to be men of God, that we propose to keep His commandments and to spread that influence throughout the world. We call upon men to repent, to accept the Gospel of Christ, and to live such "lives that may bring unto them salvation hereafter.
May God bless the Latter-day Saints; may He help us to overcome all our weaknesses and prove ourselves worthy to be His children in spirit and in truth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
President Smith made announcements, and recommended the sisters to leave small children in care of the efficient attendants at the Day Nursery, during meeting hours. Visitors who have been unable to find lodgings were advised to confer with the committee that has been specially appointed to look after their welfare. He stated that conference overflow meetings will be held this afternoon, in the Assembly Hall and in Barratt Hall.
The choir sang the anthem, "Praise the Lord, all ye nations."
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Orrin P. Miller.
Conference was adjourned until 2 p. m.
Obedience to Word of Wisdom should be regarded as a requisite of Church fellowship.—Saints should be examples of temperance and purity.—Careful guardianship of the young advised. —A law advocated enforcing Sunday observance.
I have been much pleased to listen to the testimony of Brother Winder, and with him I feel to say that I will try to carry out the instructions given unto us by our President. I endorse his sayings with all my heart. I feel that it would be for the best good of the Latter-day Saints to study the revelation on the Word of Wisdom, which he has read to us, and to determine to obey it. The Lord gave this revelation to our Church in the early days, and those who are called to lead the people have felt how important are the instructions given in that revelation. Our brethren who are traveling among the Saints, organizing wards and quorums of the priesthood, insist upon those who accept positions in the Church that they will obey the Word of Wisdom. Some of the people have thought that the brethren were too strict in making such a request, but at the very time when this revelation was given, in Kirtland, the same instructions were given. At a High Council meeting held in Kirtland, February 20th. 1834, over which the Prophet pre sided, he rendered the following decision ; "No official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office, after having the Word of Wisdom properly taught him, and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with, or obey it." This decision the Council confirmed by vote (History of the Church Vol. 2 page 35)
In May, 1837, the Presidency of the Church at Far West called a general meeting of the Church. Among those present were the High Council, two of the Twelve, ten of the Seventies, the Bishop and one counselor. At this meeting it was resolved unanimously: "That we will not fellowship any ordained member who will not or does not observe the Word of Wisdom according to its literal reading.” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 482).
We have listened this morning to our President laying it down as a law unto Israel. Shall we hold this word lightly, or shall we, with Brother Winder, say we are determined to carry out the instructions given unto us? While he read and explained the Word of Wisdom, I thought of the words of Paul, written to a young missionary in Crete, and I will read them. He says to Titus:
"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience."
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things:
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
"Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
"Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
These instructions, given by the Apostle formerly, are very appropriate to us today. The President has spoken "things that become sound doctrine" to us this morning, and the advice here given to all who labor in the priesthood is ^hat they shall speak sound doctrine. Do not hanker after mysteries. There is enough in our standard works for texts upon which to speak unto the people. The Church is guided by revelation. Some have wondered why we do not receive revelation upon revelation, as they did m the early days of the Church. What blessing would it be to receive the word of the Lord in greater abundance than we do at present, if we do not obey His commandments unto us? We have had this Word of Wisdom these many years; have we improved in keeping it? I hope we have. I believe the Latter-day Saints are growing and increasing in good works, but a spirit of carelessness in regard to this Word of Wisdom has manifested itself in our midst. If it were not so would we see many saloons in settlements that are nearly all composed of Latter- day Saints? I suppose that the traveling public may help to sustain them, but I consider it a shame to see such institutions in settlements largely composed of our people.
I hope that this movement of temperance will continue until it shall be a success, and temperance be a virtue possessed by all our people. Paul says we shall teach the old men to be temperate and to be sober, and the young men likewise. You know how harmful are the effects of drunkenness and that it leads to a great many other crimes. When a person indulges in strong drink he partly loses his reason, and is easily tempted to violate the commandments of God and do things that lead downward, hence, when a man knows what the effects of strong drink are, he ought not to indulge in it. The court may judge an act committed in drunkenness less severely, considering that the man did not have full control of his faculties, yet when he willfully goes and indulges in that which he knows makes him weak and exposes him to the dangers of violating the commandments of God, he will be held guilty and responsible before the Lord. What a disgusting sight it is to see a man under the influence of liquor! I will not say a woman because it is so very seldom that such a sight is seen in these valleys, but I have seen such in other countries, and it is a most hideous sight. A Latter-day Saint should never be known to indulge in strong drink. We are told by Paul that we should set an example before all worthy of imitation. That kind of sermon we can all preach; it is within our power to do that Persons may become slaves to habit, and some have indulged so long in strong drinks, or perhaps have appetites which have come to them from their fathers, that it has become very hard for them to overcome this degrading habit, but it can be done by the aid and assistance of the Spirit of God. When persons are weak in such respects, the tempter will assail them on their weak side, and they should therefore try to guard against these things. Young men should never go where intoxicating liquors are dispensed. The law forbids minors to enter saloons. I say unto you that the law of God forbids men to indulge in these things and to enter such places. Even men who do not want to partake of the drinks dispensed in a saloon should not go there. It is not a place where anything good is taught; it is a place where language most filthy can be heard, and idle and vain talk which may cause our young men to lose sight of the greater objects of life and to take the downward road. It is said that the old Egyptians would get their slaves drunk in order that then sons could see what a disgusting spectacle men make of themselves when they are under the influence of drink. If a person has indulged to such an extent, especially if he still is a man of faith, I know that his conscience will upbraid him and he will desire to leave off this habit. To such a man I would say, do not stop with having the desire only, but make the resolve that you will not be conquered by nor yield to this habit.
In speaking about the works of the flesh, Paul lays strong emphasis also upon works of impurity, adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lasciviousness. He enumerates other vices and then adds drunkenness, revelings; and he declares that those who indulge in these things cannot inherit the kingdom of God. He puts it very strongly.
Brethren and sisters, are we looking after our young people as we ought to do? I am pleased with the work of a number of Elders who have been appointed in the different stakes to look after our young people at night; I believe that a great deal of betterment has taken place. In a large city like this there are many temptations, and the parents ought to be on their guard, and know where their young people are when they are not at home.
There is also much evil in having theaters open on Sunday evenings. I hope that the legislators who shall be elected this fall will feel to pass a Sunday law. In a Christian community I think a Sunday law ought to be passed and ought to be enforced. When I was a missionary in England, I was pleased to observe how well the Sunday was observed there. When walking the streets I was glad to see how quiet the cities were, and that the people, many of them, went to their churches. I wish that in all the towns of Zion there may be a marked improvement in keeping the Sunday holy. I do think that something should be done in this respect, because if people are permitted to keep theaters open on the Sunday, perhaps after a while they will have dances on the Sunday evening. I believe that this can be stopped, and that a law to that effect can be passed. Why, it is said that sometimes young people, after they have been to Sunday meeting, go to be .entertained and amused at some of the theaters. I should think that when they have been to meeting and received spiritual food that that should suffice. To keep the Sunday holy is a commandment given us by the Lord, and we must observe it. See how strict He was in regard to this commandment in olden times. He has given it for our good. It is certainly best for man to have one day in seven to rest from his labor and to devote to the worship of God. Now, this commandment ought to be observed in all the wards and stakes of Zion. Profanity should not be heard and everything that violates the commandments of God must be avoided. We have taken upon us the name of Latter-day Saints. Let us show to the world that that means to be men of God, that we propose to keep His commandments and to spread that influence throughout the world. We call upon men to repent, to accept the Gospel of Christ, and to live such "lives that may bring unto them salvation hereafter.
May God bless the Latter-day Saints; may He help us to overcome all our weaknesses and prove ourselves worthy to be His children in spirit and in truth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
President Smith made announcements, and recommended the sisters to leave small children in care of the efficient attendants at the Day Nursery, during meeting hours. Visitors who have been unable to find lodgings were advised to confer with the committee that has been specially appointed to look after their welfare. He stated that conference overflow meetings will be held this afternoon, in the Assembly Hall and in Barratt Hall.
The choir sang the anthem, "Praise the Lord, all ye nations."
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop Orrin P. Miller.
Conference was adjourned until 2 p. m.
Overflow Meeting.
An overflow session of the Conference was held in the Assembly Hall at 10 a. m. Elder Anthony W. Ivins presided, and Prof. Charles J. Thomas conducted the singing.
The Temple choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation."
Prayer was offered by Elder W. Derby Johnson.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Redeemer of Israel, our only delight."
An overflow session of the Conference was held in the Assembly Hall at 10 a. m. Elder Anthony W. Ivins presided, and Prof. Charles J. Thomas conducted the singing.
The Temple choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation."
Prayer was offered by Elder W. Derby Johnson.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Redeemer of Israel, our only delight."
ELDER ANTHONY W. IVINS.
Purpose of gathering to Zion.—Study of Scripture enjoined.
I earnestly pray, my brethren and sisters, that the spirit of the Lord may attend our services here this morning, that the same influence may be here which we know will characterize the meeting in the tabernacle, where that large congregation of Latter-day Saints are met together. We are here to learn the will of the Lord, to be taught In His ways, that we may better learn to walk in His paths. Nearly all, and perhaps all of us who are here are converts to the truth, with faith in God and in the redemption wrought out by His Son Jesus Christ, having yielded obedience to the principles of the gospel, having repented of our sins and been baptized by immersion for the remission of them. We have gathered up here to Zion that we might better learn our duties, that we might better learn the will of the Lord, that we may be better able to serve Him and to keep His commandments, in order that His spirit may continue with us, and that we may be instructed, that we may review ourselves, that we may also review the condition of the Church, and thus be able to reach proper conclusions as to its development, to be better able to judge ourselves, that our faith in the Lord may be increased, that our determination to do His will may be greater. That we may have greater power over the weakness of the flesh, we meet together from Sabbath to Sabbath, and twice during the year the whole Church comes together, that we may be taught, that, in fulfillment of the words of the Prophet, we who have gathered up here to the Mountain of the House of the Lord may learn His ways and be able to walk in His path.
Now, my brethren and sisters, exercise your faith, pray to the Lord that His blessing, that His Spirit may attend the services that we are holding here this morning, and I promise you we shall go out from this building blessed, we shall go out rejoicing in the Lord, and with greater faith in Him and greater determination to serve Him and keep His commandments, that we may magnify the calling to which we have all been called who are members of His Church. You know it is only him who has kept the faith, who has fought the good fight, who has finished his work, remaining true to the covenants made with God the Eternal Father, that shall attain eternal life.
May the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters. I bear witness to you that we are engaged in the work of the Lord, that we are not in error, that this work is not delusion, but that it has come in the Dispensation of the Fullness of times for the redemption of the world, that Israel may be gathered, that the words of the prophets may be fulfilled, that His covenant people may hear the truth and be gathered into the fold of Christ preparatory to His kingdom and coming. It is all in harmony. I do not desire to take time to enter into any discussion with you, my brethren and sisters, to undertake to show you by the scripture or by any lengthy argument that what I have just said is true; but I exhort you all to study, I exhort you all to understand better the word of the Lord, that you may know the harmony which exists. It is not enough that we become acquainted somewhat with the cardinal principles of the gospel. It is not enough that we understand only the dispensation in which we live. But we must go back to the beginning we must understand the written word of the Lord as we have it in these sacred books, even from the beginning until the day in which we live. We must understand the harmony that exists between all these gospel dispensations, and then we will begin to understand how admirably our work fits in the time, and the place, and the manner in which the Lord has decreed that it should come about. The work that He has decreed, that He has accomplished is all in harmony with the words of the prophets which have been spoken since the beginning.
Now may the Lord bless you, and bless our brethren who shall address us, with His Spirit, that the truth may be impressed upon our hearts this morning, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Purpose of gathering to Zion.—Study of Scripture enjoined.
I earnestly pray, my brethren and sisters, that the spirit of the Lord may attend our services here this morning, that the same influence may be here which we know will characterize the meeting in the tabernacle, where that large congregation of Latter-day Saints are met together. We are here to learn the will of the Lord, to be taught In His ways, that we may better learn to walk in His paths. Nearly all, and perhaps all of us who are here are converts to the truth, with faith in God and in the redemption wrought out by His Son Jesus Christ, having yielded obedience to the principles of the gospel, having repented of our sins and been baptized by immersion for the remission of them. We have gathered up here to Zion that we might better learn our duties, that we might better learn the will of the Lord, that we may be better able to serve Him and to keep His commandments, in order that His spirit may continue with us, and that we may be instructed, that we may review ourselves, that we may also review the condition of the Church, and thus be able to reach proper conclusions as to its development, to be better able to judge ourselves, that our faith in the Lord may be increased, that our determination to do His will may be greater. That we may have greater power over the weakness of the flesh, we meet together from Sabbath to Sabbath, and twice during the year the whole Church comes together, that we may be taught, that, in fulfillment of the words of the Prophet, we who have gathered up here to the Mountain of the House of the Lord may learn His ways and be able to walk in His path.
Now, my brethren and sisters, exercise your faith, pray to the Lord that His blessing, that His Spirit may attend the services that we are holding here this morning, and I promise you we shall go out from this building blessed, we shall go out rejoicing in the Lord, and with greater faith in Him and greater determination to serve Him and keep His commandments, that we may magnify the calling to which we have all been called who are members of His Church. You know it is only him who has kept the faith, who has fought the good fight, who has finished his work, remaining true to the covenants made with God the Eternal Father, that shall attain eternal life.
May the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters. I bear witness to you that we are engaged in the work of the Lord, that we are not in error, that this work is not delusion, but that it has come in the Dispensation of the Fullness of times for the redemption of the world, that Israel may be gathered, that the words of the prophets may be fulfilled, that His covenant people may hear the truth and be gathered into the fold of Christ preparatory to His kingdom and coming. It is all in harmony. I do not desire to take time to enter into any discussion with you, my brethren and sisters, to undertake to show you by the scripture or by any lengthy argument that what I have just said is true; but I exhort you all to study, I exhort you all to understand better the word of the Lord, that you may know the harmony which exists. It is not enough that we become acquainted somewhat with the cardinal principles of the gospel. It is not enough that we understand only the dispensation in which we live. But we must go back to the beginning we must understand the written word of the Lord as we have it in these sacred books, even from the beginning until the day in which we live. We must understand the harmony that exists between all these gospel dispensations, and then we will begin to understand how admirably our work fits in the time, and the place, and the manner in which the Lord has decreed that it should come about. The work that He has decreed, that He has accomplished is all in harmony with the words of the prophets which have been spoken since the beginning.
Now may the Lord bless you, and bless our brethren who shall address us, with His Spirit, that the truth may be impressed upon our hearts this morning, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER GERMAN E. ELLSWORTH.
(President of Northern States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, I certainly appreciate the privilege that I have of attending conference, and partaking of the influence that is in these general assemblies. I feel renewed in spiritual strength, and I go away from these meetings refreshed, and with a determination in my heart to labor, if possible, more diligently for the spread of truth, and for the building up of the Lord's kingdom in the earth.
I can say to you that in the Northern States, where it is my privilege to labor, there is a spirit among 'the people that is much more favorable toward the truth than has been manifest in the previous four or five years that I have been there; and there is greater diligence among the elders. Many times have I heard the elders say when they were about to be released, "Well, I am just learning how to do missionary work, and I was just converted to' the work when I was released to return home." I presume you have heard elders say that they were just getting' interested the last few months of their missionary experience. It has been my pleasure this year to see the elders favorably change in feeling, many of them, the majority, in fact, have seemed to partake of the spirit of Nephi. When his father told him of his vision concerning the future of his people, he had a desire to know likewise, first-handed, concerning the subjects of that vision, and the Lord favored him with the same vision; he then became imbued with zeal for the work of God, and followed in the footsteps of his father, not because of what his father said but because of the knowledge received by himself, directly from the Lord.
We take our missionaries when they first come into the field and say to them: "Brethren, we have a good many elders here, and you do not know the policies we have adopted in our conference; you do not know anything concerning the plans we have laid out for the accomplishment of our work this year. We do not want you to wait weeks or months to be converted to it; take our word for it, for it has been agreed to by all the elders in conference assembled, to be the plan of our missionary work in the coming summer months," (or the fall, or winter months, as the case may be). "You young men must go to the Lord, get His Spirit, and give us your sympathy and best efforts from the beginning, and when we form different plans in future you will be a party to it." And it is marvelous to see the young men, within a few days, equal in the distribution of books and tracts, and the holding of meetings, with those who have been months in the mission field. In a few weeks they are in full sympathy with every move that is made, and we receive their support from the very first.
Counting those who have been released this year, we have had about two hundred elders in the mission field where I am privileged to labor, and the great majority were most true and loyal, their hearts beat in unison with the conference president, and the mission president. I believe there has never been a period during the eight years I have been there when so great an amount of missionary work has been accomplished as in the past five or six months.
Where last year our elders were successful in placing copies of the Book of Mormon, they are this year welcomed by the best men in the community, and are taken to their homes. The people are glad to receive them, and pleased to learn more of the truth. They have been told: "We have not only read the Book of Mormon, but we have handed it to our neighbors; and we are surprised that a book so full of truth and good teachings, and wonderful examples of faith in the Lord Jesus, has been printed so long and yet we have never read it, nor heard anything of it except the untruth that it was a book peculiar to you people, and not for general distribution."
I am very proud to labor with so many true and loyal men. I believe that out of the 200 we have had this year, there has not been one but who has been true to the faith and true to his birthright, as true as Nephi of old was to his. They have struggled hard to maintain unsullied their Rocky Mountain honor, and the faith which brought their fathers out to these mountain valleys. In our district we have wonderful testimonies of the splendid spirit of our parents, for we meet in every state the sons of men and women who had not courage enough to join in the migration of the Saints, but who remained behind. Observing their lives, their homes and surroundings, their present spirit and stage of development, we find occasion to rejoice that our parents had the strength of faith in God to follow the pioneers across the plains. This is an incentive to us to emulate the faith and integrity of our fathers, the pioneers. Though our labor is not like theirs, as pioneers, yet our elders have a desire in their hearts to emulate the fathers in performing missionary labor among the people of the world, distributing the written word, and calling them to repent and be baptized. They courageously emulate their fathers in all the great work they are called upon to perform.
I rejoice in the truth, and in the missionary work that is being accomplished. My heart burns in seeing the faith and courage that is manifested by the young men who are laboring with us. Their character is exemplified in this illustration: I wrote to a young man about four weeks ago, reminding him that he had been laboring nearly thirty months, as long as we generally keep missionaries in the Northern States, and that he could now be released to return home with a company that was returning on the 28th of September. I told him I did not know his circumstances, but I knew that he had done a good work, and that he was entitled to an honorable release, and I asked the Lord to bless him; and in closing my letter I added this postscript: "Dear brother, I am impressed to invite you to stay another six months, if you feel like it." This was something that had never been done before in that mission field, that I know of. In about three days we received a letter back, in which he thanked us for our confidence in him, and said : "Brother Ellsworth, I am mostly impressed with the postscript to your letter, and I feel that I would like to stay another six months. I feel also that my parents would like me to stay, therefore, if you will accept my services, I desire to continue with you, for I never enjoyed any period of my life like I have the last two years, and especially this last summer. The people are yielding to our testimony, and are opening their hearts to the truth, and I would like to remain longer, if you will accept my services." That is only one of many.
The testimony of all our elders is that the people are opening their hearts to the truth, they are being softened in their feelings toward the religion of the Latter-day Saints, and they are finding new truth and new beauty in the gospel that we proclaim to them, something they never dreamed of before. So, our elders are glad to remain, and have the hearts of the people turned unto them; and they are powerful in their testimony of the truth that the Lord has given them. As you all know it is hard to battle forever and have no encouragement, but when you see the day-dawn, when you find people yielding to the truth, when good men open their hearts and homes to you, you feel encouraged in the work. So we feel to rejoice in the wonderful work the Lord is accomplishing in softening the hearts of the people; and we take delight in bearing witness that God has established His Church in this, the last time, and are encouraged in the favor with which the people are receiving our literature. Five years ago our year's record in the distribution of literature was something like 5,000 books and 109,000 tracts. In the nine months closing with September last, we have succeeded in distributing 62,000 books and 469,000 tracts.
Five years ago our record was 100 Books of Mormon, this year we have disposed of 12,000 in the Northern States, and apparently we have not given as much effort to the sale of Books of Mormon this year as we did last year, but it has been more readily received. We have calls for it on every hand, both through the mails and by orders from our elders, and we greatly rejoice in this marvelous increase. People tell us, "It is wonderful how long you have stood the misrepresentation, and the misinformation that has gone abroad in the world. We received a wrong impression of you and your message. You have labored long and faithfully, and we doubt whether we could have borne what you have so patiently."
May God bless the Latter-day Saints. May we emulate the men who have been true and faithful in the work of the Lord, and may we ever have such as examples before us. The men who have been true to the faith, true from the beginning, are the men whose sons and daughters today feel proud of their parentage. We feel proud today of our leaders in the church and kingdom of God; while the names of the men who were weak in the faith in the beginning, who turned traitors, have been blotted out from our remembrance. I pray that God will give every one of us power to stand true to our brethren who are called to lead and direct this church and kingdom' in the earth. May the Spirit inspire each and every one of us to feel and know what God desires us to do, both temporally and spiritually, without being told, that we may receive in our hearts things that we do not hear spoken, and know how to walk and how to act in this church and kingdom. That we may preserve our rights and liberties, and that God may bring freedom to Israel, both spiritual and temporal, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Northern States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, I certainly appreciate the privilege that I have of attending conference, and partaking of the influence that is in these general assemblies. I feel renewed in spiritual strength, and I go away from these meetings refreshed, and with a determination in my heart to labor, if possible, more diligently for the spread of truth, and for the building up of the Lord's kingdom in the earth.
I can say to you that in the Northern States, where it is my privilege to labor, there is a spirit among 'the people that is much more favorable toward the truth than has been manifest in the previous four or five years that I have been there; and there is greater diligence among the elders. Many times have I heard the elders say when they were about to be released, "Well, I am just learning how to do missionary work, and I was just converted to' the work when I was released to return home." I presume you have heard elders say that they were just getting' interested the last few months of their missionary experience. It has been my pleasure this year to see the elders favorably change in feeling, many of them, the majority, in fact, have seemed to partake of the spirit of Nephi. When his father told him of his vision concerning the future of his people, he had a desire to know likewise, first-handed, concerning the subjects of that vision, and the Lord favored him with the same vision; he then became imbued with zeal for the work of God, and followed in the footsteps of his father, not because of what his father said but because of the knowledge received by himself, directly from the Lord.
We take our missionaries when they first come into the field and say to them: "Brethren, we have a good many elders here, and you do not know the policies we have adopted in our conference; you do not know anything concerning the plans we have laid out for the accomplishment of our work this year. We do not want you to wait weeks or months to be converted to it; take our word for it, for it has been agreed to by all the elders in conference assembled, to be the plan of our missionary work in the coming summer months," (or the fall, or winter months, as the case may be). "You young men must go to the Lord, get His Spirit, and give us your sympathy and best efforts from the beginning, and when we form different plans in future you will be a party to it." And it is marvelous to see the young men, within a few days, equal in the distribution of books and tracts, and the holding of meetings, with those who have been months in the mission field. In a few weeks they are in full sympathy with every move that is made, and we receive their support from the very first.
Counting those who have been released this year, we have had about two hundred elders in the mission field where I am privileged to labor, and the great majority were most true and loyal, their hearts beat in unison with the conference president, and the mission president. I believe there has never been a period during the eight years I have been there when so great an amount of missionary work has been accomplished as in the past five or six months.
Where last year our elders were successful in placing copies of the Book of Mormon, they are this year welcomed by the best men in the community, and are taken to their homes. The people are glad to receive them, and pleased to learn more of the truth. They have been told: "We have not only read the Book of Mormon, but we have handed it to our neighbors; and we are surprised that a book so full of truth and good teachings, and wonderful examples of faith in the Lord Jesus, has been printed so long and yet we have never read it, nor heard anything of it except the untruth that it was a book peculiar to you people, and not for general distribution."
I am very proud to labor with so many true and loyal men. I believe that out of the 200 we have had this year, there has not been one but who has been true to the faith and true to his birthright, as true as Nephi of old was to his. They have struggled hard to maintain unsullied their Rocky Mountain honor, and the faith which brought their fathers out to these mountain valleys. In our district we have wonderful testimonies of the splendid spirit of our parents, for we meet in every state the sons of men and women who had not courage enough to join in the migration of the Saints, but who remained behind. Observing their lives, their homes and surroundings, their present spirit and stage of development, we find occasion to rejoice that our parents had the strength of faith in God to follow the pioneers across the plains. This is an incentive to us to emulate the faith and integrity of our fathers, the pioneers. Though our labor is not like theirs, as pioneers, yet our elders have a desire in their hearts to emulate the fathers in performing missionary labor among the people of the world, distributing the written word, and calling them to repent and be baptized. They courageously emulate their fathers in all the great work they are called upon to perform.
I rejoice in the truth, and in the missionary work that is being accomplished. My heart burns in seeing the faith and courage that is manifested by the young men who are laboring with us. Their character is exemplified in this illustration: I wrote to a young man about four weeks ago, reminding him that he had been laboring nearly thirty months, as long as we generally keep missionaries in the Northern States, and that he could now be released to return home with a company that was returning on the 28th of September. I told him I did not know his circumstances, but I knew that he had done a good work, and that he was entitled to an honorable release, and I asked the Lord to bless him; and in closing my letter I added this postscript: "Dear brother, I am impressed to invite you to stay another six months, if you feel like it." This was something that had never been done before in that mission field, that I know of. In about three days we received a letter back, in which he thanked us for our confidence in him, and said : "Brother Ellsworth, I am mostly impressed with the postscript to your letter, and I feel that I would like to stay another six months. I feel also that my parents would like me to stay, therefore, if you will accept my services, I desire to continue with you, for I never enjoyed any period of my life like I have the last two years, and especially this last summer. The people are yielding to our testimony, and are opening their hearts to the truth, and I would like to remain longer, if you will accept my services." That is only one of many.
The testimony of all our elders is that the people are opening their hearts to the truth, they are being softened in their feelings toward the religion of the Latter-day Saints, and they are finding new truth and new beauty in the gospel that we proclaim to them, something they never dreamed of before. So, our elders are glad to remain, and have the hearts of the people turned unto them; and they are powerful in their testimony of the truth that the Lord has given them. As you all know it is hard to battle forever and have no encouragement, but when you see the day-dawn, when you find people yielding to the truth, when good men open their hearts and homes to you, you feel encouraged in the work. So we feel to rejoice in the wonderful work the Lord is accomplishing in softening the hearts of the people; and we take delight in bearing witness that God has established His Church in this, the last time, and are encouraged in the favor with which the people are receiving our literature. Five years ago our year's record in the distribution of literature was something like 5,000 books and 109,000 tracts. In the nine months closing with September last, we have succeeded in distributing 62,000 books and 469,000 tracts.
Five years ago our record was 100 Books of Mormon, this year we have disposed of 12,000 in the Northern States, and apparently we have not given as much effort to the sale of Books of Mormon this year as we did last year, but it has been more readily received. We have calls for it on every hand, both through the mails and by orders from our elders, and we greatly rejoice in this marvelous increase. People tell us, "It is wonderful how long you have stood the misrepresentation, and the misinformation that has gone abroad in the world. We received a wrong impression of you and your message. You have labored long and faithfully, and we doubt whether we could have borne what you have so patiently."
May God bless the Latter-day Saints. May we emulate the men who have been true and faithful in the work of the Lord, and may we ever have such as examples before us. The men who have been true to the faith, true from the beginning, are the men whose sons and daughters today feel proud of their parentage. We feel proud today of our leaders in the church and kingdom of God; while the names of the men who were weak in the faith in the beginning, who turned traitors, have been blotted out from our remembrance. I pray that God will give every one of us power to stand true to our brethren who are called to lead and direct this church and kingdom' in the earth. May the Spirit inspire each and every one of us to feel and know what God desires us to do, both temporally and spiritually, without being told, that we may receive in our hearts things that we do not hear spoken, and know how to walk and how to act in this church and kingdom. That we may preserve our rights and liberties, and that God may bring freedom to Israel, both spiritual and temporal, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER ANDREW JENSON.
(Assistant Historian.)
At the present time, my brethren and sisters, Zion in her gathered condition is represented by 58 stakes, and in her scattered condition by 21 missions. Over each of these stakes, as we know, there are presidencies; and there are also presidents over each mission as they are now established throughout the world. From these presiding officers we often hear reports, as we have here today. In looking broadly upon the work of the Latter-day Saints we realize that we have indeed a great labor to perform on the earth. Our special mission is to preach the gospel in all the world, for which purpose missionaries have been sent out from the very beginning. In some countries these missionaries have been more successful than in others; and particularly among the English-speaking people have the Elders been blessed in making a great number of converts. These converts, when baptized in foreign lands, or in different parts of our country, are usually organized into branches and into conferences of the Church, and these are grouped into missions. Most of the missions in the different lands where our Elders have preached have been somewhat permanent, but the conferences, and particularly the branches in these missions, have not always been continuous, because the members who constitute them usually emigrate to Zion, after the lapse of a short time, sometimes only months, sometimes years.
The principle of gathering is being taught by the Elders of the Church; and if it has not been taught much in public at times, the Spirit of God, nevertheless, whispers to the members that the dispensation of the fulness of times is a gathering dispensation, and that it is proper and profitable for the Saints to gather to Zion, as Brother Ivins remarked, to learn more of the ways of the Lord and to walk more perfectly in His paths. For that reason we have been gathering the Saints together almost from the beginning, the Lord making known to us that he would call upon the elect from the four quarters of the earth to assemble together and be organized into Zion, or stakes of Zion. Thus the Lord, in an early day, revealed the location of the main city in Jackson county, Missouri, and from that time until the present we have understood that we should, as a part of our labors for the redemption of mankind, build up stakes of Zion throughout the land until both North and South America are filled with such stakes. In fact, the Prophet Joseph, in the last conference he attended before his martyrdom in Carthage, Illinois, declared that all of North and South America was the land of Zion itself.
We have been quite successful in our missionary labors abroad, and we have also been quite successful in our home enterprises. For a number of years after the organization of the Church, say 17 or 18 years, we labored under great difficulties and trying circumstances, in our endeavors to build cities, towns and villages in the East, as persecution arose against us because of our peculiar faith, and our neighbors would not let us alone. They robbed and plundered us, drove us from place to place, killed a number of our people, and made it very unpleasant indeed for the survivors. At last we found ourselves driven beyond the borders of civilization into these valleys of the mountains—an event that took place in fulfillment of predictions made by the Prophet Joseph Smith during his life time. Had his life been spared, he would undoubtedly have led us here himself; but as he was taken away while yet a young man, President Brigham Young became the chosen instrument in the hands of God to lead Israel to these valleys of the mountains. And I will venture to say here, my brethren and sisters, that since we settled here in these valleys, we have had the best opportunity that we ever had, as a people, or as an organized community, to demonstrate, to an unbelieving world, what the fruits of "Mormonism" are, or might be, or can be, when the people who believe in the restored gospel are let alone. Our enemies gave us a bad name in Missouri and Illinois; they claimed that we were dishonest; they claimed that we had blacklegs among us, who were doing all kinds of mischief; there were, they would have it, even counterfeiters in our midst, as well as horse thieves and other criminals, and on this ground they sought a pretense to drive us all away from them. But it was proven most beautifully and conclusively, after they had driven us out in the wilderness, and after we had got a foothold here in these mountains, that we were not composed of such elements as our enemies accused us of. If we had been that kind of a people we most surely would have built up a sort of a Robbers' Roost in these mountain fastnesses, as there was nothing here to prevent us from so doing. We had no laws at that time except those that we brought with us, which were practically the very laws that guided our actions in Nauvoo, when they accused us of so many crimes; and in addition to these we had, for many years, no other laws here except such as we passed ourselves. This was absolutely the case for a number of years after our arrival in these mountains, say from the year 1847 until we became the territory of Utah. That territory was, as you all know, created in the latter part of 1850, but the federal officers who were appointed to take hold of the local government here were not properly installed until the beginning of the next year, 1851.
During the past few months I have had a better opportunity, than ever before in my life, to look into the pile of letters and documents that accumulated in the hands of the historians and the Saints generally during those early years when the Saints first settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Many letters passed between the people of this valley and the people of other lands and climes, where we had missionaries and friends; some of these letters were published at the time and are known to those who are familiar with the early files of the "Deseret News" and "Millennial Star." But a great many important and characteristic communications have never been published and have never been known to the public generally. Besides the communications written by our own people here, many letters were written by strangers who passed through or who sojourned temporarily "within our gates." For instance, in 1849, when the great influx to the California mines took place, and thousands of people passed through our chief city on their way from the Missouri river to the gold diggings of California, there were many liberal and fair-minded men among them—men who were not afraid to tell the truth about the "Mormons" in the Rocky Mountains. Many of these overland travelers had friends in the East to whom they would report by letters or otherwise what they had seen and experienced in these mountains as they journeyed through. Some of these were, prior to their arrival, so afraid of Salt Lake valley that they did not know whether they dared pass through or not, because they imagined, judging from what they had heard, that the "Mormons" would steal their cattle and wagons, and thus make it impossible for them to reach California, the goal of their ambition. But a number of these same writers were, according to their own statement, almost dumbfounded and utterly astonished, when, instead of outlaws, they found a God-fearing people in the Great Salt Lake Valley—a good people, a people who were, as they wrote to their friends, "friendly to us, and instead of stealing from us what we had, they were kind, honest and accommodating to us ; for they exchanged commodities with us and gave us things which we wanted for what we had and could spare; and thus they made it easier for us to reach California than it would otherwise have been. In fact, in many cases, it would have been impossible for us to reach California that year, had it not been for the assistance rendered us by the 'Mormons.' " And, speaking of our morals, these travelers said they had never known a more moral, chaste and temperate people than those they found in Salt Lake Valley. They describe these early pioneers of Utah as God-fearing, honest, and possessing all the virtues that could be expected in a Christian community; and even went so far as to say that they excelled the Christians in the eastern states in virtue, not to speak of the western states, -where the people at that time were not supposed to be as good as they were in the east. Such were the reports of these strangers who passed through the settlements of the Saints in 1849. I call your attention to these things to show you the fruits of "Mormonism," for Christ said in His great sermon upon the mount, "By their fruits ye shall know them. Men do not gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles."
I am proud, as one of your historians, to refer to these facts, and to know that at the time our people could have been very wicked, they chose to be good; at the time they could have been robbers and outlaws and morally corrupt, they chose to be an honest people; at the time they could, without fear of punishment, have stolen from their neighbors who passed through their midst, they helped these in every way possible. This is a matter of record; and our nation and the world will some day acknowledge that these conditions were the natural fruits of "Mormonism," because the "Mormons" had a much better opportunity then than they ever had before, or have had since, to exhibit what the fruits of their religion or their own natural inclinations were. So on this ground there is no reason why we should be persecuted or be rejected as God's people.
Coming down to the present day we find that conditions have somewhat changed with us. After the Lord had blessed this land, in which we dwell, others—not of our faith —came to dwell with us, the same as strangers did in the land of Palestine in days of old. When the Lord made that land in the orient a good country, strangers came to sojourn and dwell with Israel, and, in some instances, these led away the hearts of the chosen seed from the path of duty and caused them to bow the knee to Baal, or worship strange gods. This called down the displeasure of the God of Israel and His people were made to suffer accordingly. Now, we are of Israel, just as much as the inhabitants of Palestine were in those days, only we live in a different dispensation and in a different country. We are visited continually by men and women who realize that our climate is good, that our mountain air is balmy and pleasant, and who like to live in the shades of these great Wasatch mountains and partake of the blessings that we already enjoy here. The consequence is that we today are a mixed community, and some of the evils that exist in this city now, and in other cities of Utah, are positively not the fruits of "Mormonism." On the part of the Saints they are, rather, the fruits of their contact and association with the outside world. When the Children of Israel, in the days of Elijah the Prophet, bowed the knee to Baal to such an extent that there were only a few thousand who had not worshiped idols, this condition did not exist because of the teachings of the Prophets of God. On the contrary, it was the consequence of their rejection of these holy men and their coming into contact with the people surrounding them. So it is also with us. Our wrong doings as a people and individuals today are not the fruits of "Mormonism," but we are doing wrong, in many instances, because we bow to those things which have been introduced into our midst by those who are not of us, and because of the influences that have been brought to bear upon us; and that has caused sorrow and much grief to come upon many of our people.
When we think of our success in the mission field, and hear such splendid reports as we have heard today, we grieve sometimes in contemplating that our converts, who are making their way to these valleys for the purpose of becoming identified with a ward and a stake of Zion, will naturally come in contact with the influences of wicked people in our own midst; for, in some cases, the Saints have, in the past, been drawn away to worship the "gods of the strangers," and to do things that are not acceptable in the sight of our heavenly Father.
Let us try to remember, my brethren and sisters, that we are God's people, and that we live in a land that God has given us, and that we should continue to make this land a land of Zion—a pleasant abode for the pure in heart; and if our fathers and mothers did so well in the earlier days of the Church, even in troublous times, we should endeavor to the fullest extent of our powers and abilities to do as well as they did, notwithstanding the fact that we now have neighbors all around us who do not serve God, and who do not desire to keep His commandments. Remember that the redemption of Zion is yet in the future and that a great preparatory work for the second advent of Christ is expected of us. When we speak of the redemption of Zion in the sense that I now allude to it, we mean that the time will come when some of the Saints will go back to Jackson county and build up the greatest and best city that we have ever been called upon to build, and also to build a Temple to the name of the great and true God—such a one as has never before been erected by men; and it will require a people that have done well and have served God faithfully in the stakes of Zion to do this work. Zion's chief city must be built by a people who are true to their God, and true to their brethren and their religion. It will most assuredly fall to the lot of such only to go and build up that center place, and erect that greatest Temple of all.
Let us try, my brethren and sisters, as we live in these mountains, with Prophets and Apostles of Almighty God among us, to worship, in spirit and in truth, the God of our fathers, the God of Israel that our fathers obeyed so zealously in years gone by, the God of our fathers in New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois, and in the early days in these valleys of the Rockies, and the God of our fathers in days of old, even in the land of Canaan. Let us remember that the God of ancient Israel is also our God, and that He looks upon sin and iniquity in the same light that He looked upon it thousands of years ago. What was sin then, is sin now; what was displeasing in the sight of God then, is displeasing in His sight now, for God never changes. Circumstances surrounding the people of God may change, but the eternal principles of God never do, and God accepts on common ground His people in all ages and in all lands and climes who serve Him and keep His commandments ; and He will be pleased to multiply blessings upon all that merit His blessings. It is for us to preach the gospel in all the world, gather the elect from all lands and climes, build up Zion and perform the preparatory work which must necessarily be done before Christ will come to reign upon the earth as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
May God help us to be faithful and true in the accomplishment of this great and glorious mission entrusted to us by our heavenly Father, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Assistant Historian.)
At the present time, my brethren and sisters, Zion in her gathered condition is represented by 58 stakes, and in her scattered condition by 21 missions. Over each of these stakes, as we know, there are presidencies; and there are also presidents over each mission as they are now established throughout the world. From these presiding officers we often hear reports, as we have here today. In looking broadly upon the work of the Latter-day Saints we realize that we have indeed a great labor to perform on the earth. Our special mission is to preach the gospel in all the world, for which purpose missionaries have been sent out from the very beginning. In some countries these missionaries have been more successful than in others; and particularly among the English-speaking people have the Elders been blessed in making a great number of converts. These converts, when baptized in foreign lands, or in different parts of our country, are usually organized into branches and into conferences of the Church, and these are grouped into missions. Most of the missions in the different lands where our Elders have preached have been somewhat permanent, but the conferences, and particularly the branches in these missions, have not always been continuous, because the members who constitute them usually emigrate to Zion, after the lapse of a short time, sometimes only months, sometimes years.
The principle of gathering is being taught by the Elders of the Church; and if it has not been taught much in public at times, the Spirit of God, nevertheless, whispers to the members that the dispensation of the fulness of times is a gathering dispensation, and that it is proper and profitable for the Saints to gather to Zion, as Brother Ivins remarked, to learn more of the ways of the Lord and to walk more perfectly in His paths. For that reason we have been gathering the Saints together almost from the beginning, the Lord making known to us that he would call upon the elect from the four quarters of the earth to assemble together and be organized into Zion, or stakes of Zion. Thus the Lord, in an early day, revealed the location of the main city in Jackson county, Missouri, and from that time until the present we have understood that we should, as a part of our labors for the redemption of mankind, build up stakes of Zion throughout the land until both North and South America are filled with such stakes. In fact, the Prophet Joseph, in the last conference he attended before his martyrdom in Carthage, Illinois, declared that all of North and South America was the land of Zion itself.
We have been quite successful in our missionary labors abroad, and we have also been quite successful in our home enterprises. For a number of years after the organization of the Church, say 17 or 18 years, we labored under great difficulties and trying circumstances, in our endeavors to build cities, towns and villages in the East, as persecution arose against us because of our peculiar faith, and our neighbors would not let us alone. They robbed and plundered us, drove us from place to place, killed a number of our people, and made it very unpleasant indeed for the survivors. At last we found ourselves driven beyond the borders of civilization into these valleys of the mountains—an event that took place in fulfillment of predictions made by the Prophet Joseph Smith during his life time. Had his life been spared, he would undoubtedly have led us here himself; but as he was taken away while yet a young man, President Brigham Young became the chosen instrument in the hands of God to lead Israel to these valleys of the mountains. And I will venture to say here, my brethren and sisters, that since we settled here in these valleys, we have had the best opportunity that we ever had, as a people, or as an organized community, to demonstrate, to an unbelieving world, what the fruits of "Mormonism" are, or might be, or can be, when the people who believe in the restored gospel are let alone. Our enemies gave us a bad name in Missouri and Illinois; they claimed that we were dishonest; they claimed that we had blacklegs among us, who were doing all kinds of mischief; there were, they would have it, even counterfeiters in our midst, as well as horse thieves and other criminals, and on this ground they sought a pretense to drive us all away from them. But it was proven most beautifully and conclusively, after they had driven us out in the wilderness, and after we had got a foothold here in these mountains, that we were not composed of such elements as our enemies accused us of. If we had been that kind of a people we most surely would have built up a sort of a Robbers' Roost in these mountain fastnesses, as there was nothing here to prevent us from so doing. We had no laws at that time except those that we brought with us, which were practically the very laws that guided our actions in Nauvoo, when they accused us of so many crimes; and in addition to these we had, for many years, no other laws here except such as we passed ourselves. This was absolutely the case for a number of years after our arrival in these mountains, say from the year 1847 until we became the territory of Utah. That territory was, as you all know, created in the latter part of 1850, but the federal officers who were appointed to take hold of the local government here were not properly installed until the beginning of the next year, 1851.
During the past few months I have had a better opportunity, than ever before in my life, to look into the pile of letters and documents that accumulated in the hands of the historians and the Saints generally during those early years when the Saints first settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Many letters passed between the people of this valley and the people of other lands and climes, where we had missionaries and friends; some of these letters were published at the time and are known to those who are familiar with the early files of the "Deseret News" and "Millennial Star." But a great many important and characteristic communications have never been published and have never been known to the public generally. Besides the communications written by our own people here, many letters were written by strangers who passed through or who sojourned temporarily "within our gates." For instance, in 1849, when the great influx to the California mines took place, and thousands of people passed through our chief city on their way from the Missouri river to the gold diggings of California, there were many liberal and fair-minded men among them—men who were not afraid to tell the truth about the "Mormons" in the Rocky Mountains. Many of these overland travelers had friends in the East to whom they would report by letters or otherwise what they had seen and experienced in these mountains as they journeyed through. Some of these were, prior to their arrival, so afraid of Salt Lake valley that they did not know whether they dared pass through or not, because they imagined, judging from what they had heard, that the "Mormons" would steal their cattle and wagons, and thus make it impossible for them to reach California, the goal of their ambition. But a number of these same writers were, according to their own statement, almost dumbfounded and utterly astonished, when, instead of outlaws, they found a God-fearing people in the Great Salt Lake Valley—a good people, a people who were, as they wrote to their friends, "friendly to us, and instead of stealing from us what we had, they were kind, honest and accommodating to us ; for they exchanged commodities with us and gave us things which we wanted for what we had and could spare; and thus they made it easier for us to reach California than it would otherwise have been. In fact, in many cases, it would have been impossible for us to reach California that year, had it not been for the assistance rendered us by the 'Mormons.' " And, speaking of our morals, these travelers said they had never known a more moral, chaste and temperate people than those they found in Salt Lake Valley. They describe these early pioneers of Utah as God-fearing, honest, and possessing all the virtues that could be expected in a Christian community; and even went so far as to say that they excelled the Christians in the eastern states in virtue, not to speak of the western states, -where the people at that time were not supposed to be as good as they were in the east. Such were the reports of these strangers who passed through the settlements of the Saints in 1849. I call your attention to these things to show you the fruits of "Mormonism," for Christ said in His great sermon upon the mount, "By their fruits ye shall know them. Men do not gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles."
I am proud, as one of your historians, to refer to these facts, and to know that at the time our people could have been very wicked, they chose to be good; at the time they could have been robbers and outlaws and morally corrupt, they chose to be an honest people; at the time they could, without fear of punishment, have stolen from their neighbors who passed through their midst, they helped these in every way possible. This is a matter of record; and our nation and the world will some day acknowledge that these conditions were the natural fruits of "Mormonism," because the "Mormons" had a much better opportunity then than they ever had before, or have had since, to exhibit what the fruits of their religion or their own natural inclinations were. So on this ground there is no reason why we should be persecuted or be rejected as God's people.
Coming down to the present day we find that conditions have somewhat changed with us. After the Lord had blessed this land, in which we dwell, others—not of our faith —came to dwell with us, the same as strangers did in the land of Palestine in days of old. When the Lord made that land in the orient a good country, strangers came to sojourn and dwell with Israel, and, in some instances, these led away the hearts of the chosen seed from the path of duty and caused them to bow the knee to Baal, or worship strange gods. This called down the displeasure of the God of Israel and His people were made to suffer accordingly. Now, we are of Israel, just as much as the inhabitants of Palestine were in those days, only we live in a different dispensation and in a different country. We are visited continually by men and women who realize that our climate is good, that our mountain air is balmy and pleasant, and who like to live in the shades of these great Wasatch mountains and partake of the blessings that we already enjoy here. The consequence is that we today are a mixed community, and some of the evils that exist in this city now, and in other cities of Utah, are positively not the fruits of "Mormonism." On the part of the Saints they are, rather, the fruits of their contact and association with the outside world. When the Children of Israel, in the days of Elijah the Prophet, bowed the knee to Baal to such an extent that there were only a few thousand who had not worshiped idols, this condition did not exist because of the teachings of the Prophets of God. On the contrary, it was the consequence of their rejection of these holy men and their coming into contact with the people surrounding them. So it is also with us. Our wrong doings as a people and individuals today are not the fruits of "Mormonism," but we are doing wrong, in many instances, because we bow to those things which have been introduced into our midst by those who are not of us, and because of the influences that have been brought to bear upon us; and that has caused sorrow and much grief to come upon many of our people.
When we think of our success in the mission field, and hear such splendid reports as we have heard today, we grieve sometimes in contemplating that our converts, who are making their way to these valleys for the purpose of becoming identified with a ward and a stake of Zion, will naturally come in contact with the influences of wicked people in our own midst; for, in some cases, the Saints have, in the past, been drawn away to worship the "gods of the strangers," and to do things that are not acceptable in the sight of our heavenly Father.
Let us try to remember, my brethren and sisters, that we are God's people, and that we live in a land that God has given us, and that we should continue to make this land a land of Zion—a pleasant abode for the pure in heart; and if our fathers and mothers did so well in the earlier days of the Church, even in troublous times, we should endeavor to the fullest extent of our powers and abilities to do as well as they did, notwithstanding the fact that we now have neighbors all around us who do not serve God, and who do not desire to keep His commandments. Remember that the redemption of Zion is yet in the future and that a great preparatory work for the second advent of Christ is expected of us. When we speak of the redemption of Zion in the sense that I now allude to it, we mean that the time will come when some of the Saints will go back to Jackson county and build up the greatest and best city that we have ever been called upon to build, and also to build a Temple to the name of the great and true God—such a one as has never before been erected by men; and it will require a people that have done well and have served God faithfully in the stakes of Zion to do this work. Zion's chief city must be built by a people who are true to their God, and true to their brethren and their religion. It will most assuredly fall to the lot of such only to go and build up that center place, and erect that greatest Temple of all.
Let us try, my brethren and sisters, as we live in these mountains, with Prophets and Apostles of Almighty God among us, to worship, in spirit and in truth, the God of our fathers, the God of Israel that our fathers obeyed so zealously in years gone by, the God of our fathers in New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois, and in the early days in these valleys of the Rockies, and the God of our fathers in days of old, even in the land of Canaan. Let us remember that the God of ancient Israel is also our God, and that He looks upon sin and iniquity in the same light that He looked upon it thousands of years ago. What was sin then, is sin now; what was displeasing in the sight of God then, is displeasing in His sight now, for God never changes. Circumstances surrounding the people of God may change, but the eternal principles of God never do, and God accepts on common ground His people in all ages and in all lands and climes who serve Him and keep His commandments ; and He will be pleased to multiply blessings upon all that merit His blessings. It is for us to preach the gospel in all the world, gather the elect from all lands and climes, build up Zion and perform the preparatory work which must necessarily be done before Christ will come to reign upon the earth as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
May God help us to be faithful and true in the accomplishment of this great and glorious mission entrusted to us by our heavenly Father, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH E. ROBINSON.
(President of California Mission.)
I most sincerely desire your prayers of faith in my behalf, my brethren and sisters, for I feel a little indisposed this morning and not much like speaking. However, I have a testimony of the Gospel. I know that God lives, that He hears and answers the prayers of faith. Every fiber of my being responds to this thought, that Jesus is the Christ, the begotten son of the Father, and our elder brother with whom we are joint heirs to all the powers and prerogatives of our Father's kingdom, if we but keep the faith. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Most High God; and I bear testimony to what my brethren have said this morning, that this knowledge is not entertained or had only by the saints, but some men who have not become members of the Church of Christ are convinced in their souls that this man was raised up of God, and given wisdom and knowledge and light far beyond his years and the day in which he lived. I have met men of letters, men of politics, men who are philanthropists, who have concurred in that thought; and some have expressly stated to me that no man in view of the limited advancement in the day of Joseph Smith, with the little education that men had in that day, but particularly what he did not have, could have announced such doctrines as did he, unless he received them from some higher source, or God inspired him. One gentleman in particular, in dwelling upon these things, in reviewing the life of Joseph, in reading the Book of Mormon and in reading the Prophet's address to the American people at the time he was a candidate for the presidency of the United States, said of him: "The greatest testimony and proof that Joseph Smith was what he says he was, that he received what he said was given him, is the very fact that no man, much less he, could have advanced such ideas and given such truths unless what he said is true and God revealed those things to him." I rejoice in this, for the Master tells us that "they who are not against us are on our part."
I had occasion to remark yesterday, and I believe it fully, that there are some things in relation to religion and politics that I would feel more secure in trusting to honorable men of the earth than I would to give them to some of our people at home, for they are more liberal toward us in this land than are some among ourselves. I find, that in common with the generality of American people, we are prone to criticise those who sit in the seats of judgment, those who are appointed to high office. We elevate heroes to exalted positions, men who have earned their laurels by courage, fidelity, honesty and virtue, and yet as soon as we have lifted them to some point of eminence, it is an American trait that we begin to pull them down, criticise and berate them, and I was going to say, bury them in the slime and mud of filthy politics, and mean jealousies, and I don't know but I am entitled to say it, so let it stand. It is so, and history proves it in the case of Abraham Lincoln, who was so foully maligned, vilified and traduced by the very men who owed to him their pre-eminence among the American people. Subsequently great regret came in the hearts of the whole nation when he was stricken, then he was honored as one of the greatest of Americans. The same may be said of William McKinley. There are men in our midst today whom we have lauded to the skies because of their courage and fidelity on the battlefield or upon the battle-ship, who have helped to make secure the rights and privileges of the American people, that we have borne high upon our shoulders a little while only to pull down and belittle afterwards. This propensity of fault finding, that is so prevalent among American people, has besmirched their good names and trailed them in the dust, and we forget sometimes the very things that we owe to these men and almost forget their names; and that is why I said what I did with relation to the fact that some honorable men of the earth, I believe, are more liberal to us in politics, in domestic relationship, and in our efforts to build up and colonize in these mountains, and accomplish that which God hath ordained that we should do, than we are sometimes.
What Brother Ellsworth said in relation to the work of the ministry and the excellency of the work done by elders, and their very excellent characters, doubtless may be said of every mission established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. There are times when some men lack faith, there are times when they fail to feel or sense the weight of the position that they are called to; but in the main the boys and the men who engage in the work of the Lord take upon themselves the armor of righteousness and gird it about their loins, and they are humble and faithful. God magnifies them, and they grow in favor with Him and men, and have a rich harvest of souls and of testimonies to the truthfulness of the Gospel, and their hearts are filled with praise and adulation to the Most High God. They are full of integrity and courage to defend His principles and honor His priesthood that is now upon the earth. This may be said of the California mission, in which I have the pleasure of laboring. I want to say that people grow more liberal in their views of religion, and more liberal to us as a church, and yet upon that west sea-board there is such a spirit of indifference and of pleasure making and pleasure loving that it is very hard indeed to convince men of the necessity of belonging to any church. They sense with some of our great educators, who announced this principle at the last National Educational Association that met in Los Angeles a year ago, "that to serve the interests of our country, to perpetuate its institutions, to best conserve the liberties of the peoples of this world as well as of our own country, there must be a deep-seated religious conviction in the heart of every man." There must be a Christian training, for all that is good in man tends towards worship and devotion. This spirit of "religiosity," as Carlyle has called it, augments the very best that there is in man, let him be white or black, bond or free. And so men who think and who have watched the current of events, are convinced of this fact that we cannot drift far away from the principles of Christianity the ideal life which Christ lived for men, and hope to achieve success, and hope that the name of our country shall long obtain in the world's history, or hope that our children or children's children shall find peace and prosperity in the land. But, O how few of those who possess these ideas are willing to concede the fact that there must be a Church, that men if they belong to the Christ, must take upon them His name, repent of their sins, have them washed away in the grave of baptism and be born anew from the womb of waters unto newness of life. They cannot see the philosophy of it.
One man told me not long since: "I can't see the philosophy of faith, nor the philosophy of repentance. Baptism may be all right, but I can't see the relationship of this principle with that which is spiritual." He, too, had been taught from his youth up, these very principles. But when he came into the field, he said: "I find there are devout people in other churches; I find there are people who pray to God our Eternal Father in the name of Christ as do we; there are people who try to render that which is just and true to their fellows as do we, so far as I can understand, and I am not prepared to teach these first principles. I believe in the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph. I believe that we had an existence before we came here." But these first and cardinal virtues or principles of the Gospel he did not comprehend or find the necessity of. Yet there i» not a philosopher, aside from those whom we may look upon as converts to Christianity, but who knows that "faith is the underlying principle of all intelligent action," that faith impels men to do and dare. Faith it is that has prompted every man that has achieved any great result—to strive in his particular field for the accomplishment of the purpose he had in view. It is true there have been certain discoveries made by accident, they were not the result of faith and labor, but when we look upon what the world has done, and the great men of our world it has been as a rule the result of persistent and intelligent action which sprung out of the hope that such things could be accomplished, the faith that it could be realized. It was not chance nor accident that led Franklin into the field with his kite and string. It was not for pleasure and play that Watt and Stevenson labored with the giant steam, and dreamed out the dreams that were their prophets in the creation of the engine, of the locomotive, nor of Fulton with the steamboat, but faith, that those things would result as the end of their efforts. And the same faith hath actuated the minds of Edison and Marconi and other great inventors, and of the Wright brothers who have achieved so wonderful a feat as flying in the air. It is the faith that is persistent in the minds of men leading them to delve and seek after and accomplish these things, and, as I have said, it underlies all intelligent action as the Prophet Joseph declared. It underlies religion, and science, and philosophy, and politics; a faith in government, a faith in statesmanship, a faith in rule that will best subserve the interests of the commonwealth. So it seems to me that when a man says that he cannot see any use in the principle of faith, he has not thought at all, but he esteems it as something merely esthetic, dealing only with morbid religion.
Repentance too goes hand hi hand with faith, and is its concomitant part which must follow it as the night the day. Repentance, according to Carlyle, is the grandest trait there is in mankind, turning away from sin, from error, striving after the light, after the good, after the pure, after the perfect, and perfecting our lives thereby. Every business man applies this principle to his business; and whenever he learns by his experience or by what he observes in the experience of others that he had made a mistake, he repents of that, if he is sane, and seeks a better way. Whenever the scientist has made a mistake in his workshop or his laboratory, he turns from that mistake, as soon as he discovers it, and applies other laws or methods to achieve his end. And so it follows faith, that principle of progression, and is a principle of true religion, for the religion of God the Eternal Father, the theology that deals with Him and His attributes and laws, underlies all the sciences, and they with their philosophies are all built upon it. And so repentance is as broad in its application and in its saving power as faith, and therefore no wonder it is taught as one of the principles of religion, for religion, properly understood and applied, is the plan of God, and is for the salvation of the souls of men. If men persist in error, in mistakes, if men persist in doing things that are hurtful to their bodies and to their spirits, how can they be saved.
When it comes to the ordinance of baptism, that men and women in the world so commonly claim is non-essential, after accepting these other principles, it is sufficient to me, aside from its symbolism and from the virtue that there is in the spirit of obedience that God commanded it; upon the principle of obedience all blessings are predicated. It is only by observing the law of their creation that plants and animals grow and have life. The Master when he called the attention of his apostles to the lily of the field said, "Behold, how it grows." It was not the glory of the lily, or its beauty that he had in mind, but how it grew intelligently following the order of its creation and being, and answering the laws of its growth and development. And so with everything that we see in the universe that is harmonious, that is beautiful and progressive. It answers the law of its growth, obeying the law thereof for its development. So it is sufficient for me to obey the law which the King of Heaven hath said is essential in order that man shall see and enter into His kingdom; and as He is the King, the Lord of Lords, and the law giver, surely we will concede to Him the' right of saying how citizens shall be initiated into that kingdom, and we will comply with that method, because He ordained it and Himself set the pattern.
If we comply with it, by brethren and sisters, or my friends, if all men and women would comply with it, then they would have shed into their souls such light, and peace and joy, that the riches of the world would sink into insignificance beside it. So long as they bask in the light of the Spirit, there is nothing on earth would tempt their feet to stray in forbidden paths. Then would they know the virtue of newness of life, then would they feel the freedom that comes when men accept the truth, and their sins have been forgiven and stripped from them. Then would they realize the promise which Christ made when He said: "This gospel is not Mine but His that sent Me; and if any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of Myself." When men have that assurance and testimony, they are strong in their hearts to do the bidding of God, and pity the sneer of the skeptical. They would pity those who do not see and understand, and would give all that is theirs to bring them to the knowledge of the truth; and they are rich in the possession of this truth, beyond the riches that the world can conceive or give. Sometimes men and women say: "I do not understand it; it is beyond me. I cannot apprehend it; I do not know where you get it from. It sounds reasonable, it appeals to my mind, it moves the very emotions of my heart and soul." I have had many a man and woman tell me, "If I could believe as you do, Elder Robinson, I would be the happiest being on this earth, but I can't see it, I can't understand it." Why? Because they have not complied with the conditions of growth and knowledge, and they have no right to understand it, and no man has the right to expect that he will know all about this Gospel, or understand even the primary principles thereof, until he hath complied with the conditions, and then the truth makes him free and error drops from his mind, and he comes into the knowledge of the truth and can bear testimony that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ.
May the peace of the Gospel be in your hearts and homes, my brethren and sisters. May the desire to keep inviolate the pledges and covenants which you have made in the waters of baptism, and when you have named the name of God in holy places, actuate you, so that you will live the lives of Latter-day Saints, that we who bear the ensign of truth in the world, who are your representatives, we who proclaim your virtues to the ungodly and unbelieving, shall never have cause to blush because of what may be done or said at home, so we shall not feel we have presented to the world something that is untrue, and that they will not find when they come, as we call it, to Zion. May you perform deeds and live lives of probity, virtue, courage, and sacrifice, that you too at home shall "make good," and that together we shall accomplish that which God has designed, that the little leaven shall leaven the entire lump, that the reign of righteousness shall be ushered in, when every man shall know that Jesus is the Christ, and shall fear and worship the Lord God of heaven and earth. That He may hasten this day, that His Son may speedily come to rule and reign in the earth, that the honorable of the earth may come to the brightness of the rising of Zion is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Charles J. Thomas.
(President of California Mission.)
I most sincerely desire your prayers of faith in my behalf, my brethren and sisters, for I feel a little indisposed this morning and not much like speaking. However, I have a testimony of the Gospel. I know that God lives, that He hears and answers the prayers of faith. Every fiber of my being responds to this thought, that Jesus is the Christ, the begotten son of the Father, and our elder brother with whom we are joint heirs to all the powers and prerogatives of our Father's kingdom, if we but keep the faith. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Most High God; and I bear testimony to what my brethren have said this morning, that this knowledge is not entertained or had only by the saints, but some men who have not become members of the Church of Christ are convinced in their souls that this man was raised up of God, and given wisdom and knowledge and light far beyond his years and the day in which he lived. I have met men of letters, men of politics, men who are philanthropists, who have concurred in that thought; and some have expressly stated to me that no man in view of the limited advancement in the day of Joseph Smith, with the little education that men had in that day, but particularly what he did not have, could have announced such doctrines as did he, unless he received them from some higher source, or God inspired him. One gentleman in particular, in dwelling upon these things, in reviewing the life of Joseph, in reading the Book of Mormon and in reading the Prophet's address to the American people at the time he was a candidate for the presidency of the United States, said of him: "The greatest testimony and proof that Joseph Smith was what he says he was, that he received what he said was given him, is the very fact that no man, much less he, could have advanced such ideas and given such truths unless what he said is true and God revealed those things to him." I rejoice in this, for the Master tells us that "they who are not against us are on our part."
I had occasion to remark yesterday, and I believe it fully, that there are some things in relation to religion and politics that I would feel more secure in trusting to honorable men of the earth than I would to give them to some of our people at home, for they are more liberal toward us in this land than are some among ourselves. I find, that in common with the generality of American people, we are prone to criticise those who sit in the seats of judgment, those who are appointed to high office. We elevate heroes to exalted positions, men who have earned their laurels by courage, fidelity, honesty and virtue, and yet as soon as we have lifted them to some point of eminence, it is an American trait that we begin to pull them down, criticise and berate them, and I was going to say, bury them in the slime and mud of filthy politics, and mean jealousies, and I don't know but I am entitled to say it, so let it stand. It is so, and history proves it in the case of Abraham Lincoln, who was so foully maligned, vilified and traduced by the very men who owed to him their pre-eminence among the American people. Subsequently great regret came in the hearts of the whole nation when he was stricken, then he was honored as one of the greatest of Americans. The same may be said of William McKinley. There are men in our midst today whom we have lauded to the skies because of their courage and fidelity on the battlefield or upon the battle-ship, who have helped to make secure the rights and privileges of the American people, that we have borne high upon our shoulders a little while only to pull down and belittle afterwards. This propensity of fault finding, that is so prevalent among American people, has besmirched their good names and trailed them in the dust, and we forget sometimes the very things that we owe to these men and almost forget their names; and that is why I said what I did with relation to the fact that some honorable men of the earth, I believe, are more liberal to us in politics, in domestic relationship, and in our efforts to build up and colonize in these mountains, and accomplish that which God hath ordained that we should do, than we are sometimes.
What Brother Ellsworth said in relation to the work of the ministry and the excellency of the work done by elders, and their very excellent characters, doubtless may be said of every mission established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. There are times when some men lack faith, there are times when they fail to feel or sense the weight of the position that they are called to; but in the main the boys and the men who engage in the work of the Lord take upon themselves the armor of righteousness and gird it about their loins, and they are humble and faithful. God magnifies them, and they grow in favor with Him and men, and have a rich harvest of souls and of testimonies to the truthfulness of the Gospel, and their hearts are filled with praise and adulation to the Most High God. They are full of integrity and courage to defend His principles and honor His priesthood that is now upon the earth. This may be said of the California mission, in which I have the pleasure of laboring. I want to say that people grow more liberal in their views of religion, and more liberal to us as a church, and yet upon that west sea-board there is such a spirit of indifference and of pleasure making and pleasure loving that it is very hard indeed to convince men of the necessity of belonging to any church. They sense with some of our great educators, who announced this principle at the last National Educational Association that met in Los Angeles a year ago, "that to serve the interests of our country, to perpetuate its institutions, to best conserve the liberties of the peoples of this world as well as of our own country, there must be a deep-seated religious conviction in the heart of every man." There must be a Christian training, for all that is good in man tends towards worship and devotion. This spirit of "religiosity," as Carlyle has called it, augments the very best that there is in man, let him be white or black, bond or free. And so men who think and who have watched the current of events, are convinced of this fact that we cannot drift far away from the principles of Christianity the ideal life which Christ lived for men, and hope to achieve success, and hope that the name of our country shall long obtain in the world's history, or hope that our children or children's children shall find peace and prosperity in the land. But, O how few of those who possess these ideas are willing to concede the fact that there must be a Church, that men if they belong to the Christ, must take upon them His name, repent of their sins, have them washed away in the grave of baptism and be born anew from the womb of waters unto newness of life. They cannot see the philosophy of it.
One man told me not long since: "I can't see the philosophy of faith, nor the philosophy of repentance. Baptism may be all right, but I can't see the relationship of this principle with that which is spiritual." He, too, had been taught from his youth up, these very principles. But when he came into the field, he said: "I find there are devout people in other churches; I find there are people who pray to God our Eternal Father in the name of Christ as do we; there are people who try to render that which is just and true to their fellows as do we, so far as I can understand, and I am not prepared to teach these first principles. I believe in the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph. I believe that we had an existence before we came here." But these first and cardinal virtues or principles of the Gospel he did not comprehend or find the necessity of. Yet there i» not a philosopher, aside from those whom we may look upon as converts to Christianity, but who knows that "faith is the underlying principle of all intelligent action," that faith impels men to do and dare. Faith it is that has prompted every man that has achieved any great result—to strive in his particular field for the accomplishment of the purpose he had in view. It is true there have been certain discoveries made by accident, they were not the result of faith and labor, but when we look upon what the world has done, and the great men of our world it has been as a rule the result of persistent and intelligent action which sprung out of the hope that such things could be accomplished, the faith that it could be realized. It was not chance nor accident that led Franklin into the field with his kite and string. It was not for pleasure and play that Watt and Stevenson labored with the giant steam, and dreamed out the dreams that were their prophets in the creation of the engine, of the locomotive, nor of Fulton with the steamboat, but faith, that those things would result as the end of their efforts. And the same faith hath actuated the minds of Edison and Marconi and other great inventors, and of the Wright brothers who have achieved so wonderful a feat as flying in the air. It is the faith that is persistent in the minds of men leading them to delve and seek after and accomplish these things, and, as I have said, it underlies all intelligent action as the Prophet Joseph declared. It underlies religion, and science, and philosophy, and politics; a faith in government, a faith in statesmanship, a faith in rule that will best subserve the interests of the commonwealth. So it seems to me that when a man says that he cannot see any use in the principle of faith, he has not thought at all, but he esteems it as something merely esthetic, dealing only with morbid religion.
Repentance too goes hand hi hand with faith, and is its concomitant part which must follow it as the night the day. Repentance, according to Carlyle, is the grandest trait there is in mankind, turning away from sin, from error, striving after the light, after the good, after the pure, after the perfect, and perfecting our lives thereby. Every business man applies this principle to his business; and whenever he learns by his experience or by what he observes in the experience of others that he had made a mistake, he repents of that, if he is sane, and seeks a better way. Whenever the scientist has made a mistake in his workshop or his laboratory, he turns from that mistake, as soon as he discovers it, and applies other laws or methods to achieve his end. And so it follows faith, that principle of progression, and is a principle of true religion, for the religion of God the Eternal Father, the theology that deals with Him and His attributes and laws, underlies all the sciences, and they with their philosophies are all built upon it. And so repentance is as broad in its application and in its saving power as faith, and therefore no wonder it is taught as one of the principles of religion, for religion, properly understood and applied, is the plan of God, and is for the salvation of the souls of men. If men persist in error, in mistakes, if men persist in doing things that are hurtful to their bodies and to their spirits, how can they be saved.
When it comes to the ordinance of baptism, that men and women in the world so commonly claim is non-essential, after accepting these other principles, it is sufficient to me, aside from its symbolism and from the virtue that there is in the spirit of obedience that God commanded it; upon the principle of obedience all blessings are predicated. It is only by observing the law of their creation that plants and animals grow and have life. The Master when he called the attention of his apostles to the lily of the field said, "Behold, how it grows." It was not the glory of the lily, or its beauty that he had in mind, but how it grew intelligently following the order of its creation and being, and answering the laws of its growth and development. And so with everything that we see in the universe that is harmonious, that is beautiful and progressive. It answers the law of its growth, obeying the law thereof for its development. So it is sufficient for me to obey the law which the King of Heaven hath said is essential in order that man shall see and enter into His kingdom; and as He is the King, the Lord of Lords, and the law giver, surely we will concede to Him the' right of saying how citizens shall be initiated into that kingdom, and we will comply with that method, because He ordained it and Himself set the pattern.
If we comply with it, by brethren and sisters, or my friends, if all men and women would comply with it, then they would have shed into their souls such light, and peace and joy, that the riches of the world would sink into insignificance beside it. So long as they bask in the light of the Spirit, there is nothing on earth would tempt their feet to stray in forbidden paths. Then would they know the virtue of newness of life, then would they feel the freedom that comes when men accept the truth, and their sins have been forgiven and stripped from them. Then would they realize the promise which Christ made when He said: "This gospel is not Mine but His that sent Me; and if any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of Myself." When men have that assurance and testimony, they are strong in their hearts to do the bidding of God, and pity the sneer of the skeptical. They would pity those who do not see and understand, and would give all that is theirs to bring them to the knowledge of the truth; and they are rich in the possession of this truth, beyond the riches that the world can conceive or give. Sometimes men and women say: "I do not understand it; it is beyond me. I cannot apprehend it; I do not know where you get it from. It sounds reasonable, it appeals to my mind, it moves the very emotions of my heart and soul." I have had many a man and woman tell me, "If I could believe as you do, Elder Robinson, I would be the happiest being on this earth, but I can't see it, I can't understand it." Why? Because they have not complied with the conditions of growth and knowledge, and they have no right to understand it, and no man has the right to expect that he will know all about this Gospel, or understand even the primary principles thereof, until he hath complied with the conditions, and then the truth makes him free and error drops from his mind, and he comes into the knowledge of the truth and can bear testimony that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ.
May the peace of the Gospel be in your hearts and homes, my brethren and sisters. May the desire to keep inviolate the pledges and covenants which you have made in the waters of baptism, and when you have named the name of God in holy places, actuate you, so that you will live the lives of Latter-day Saints, that we who bear the ensign of truth in the world, who are your representatives, we who proclaim your virtues to the ungodly and unbelieving, shall never have cause to blush because of what may be done or said at home, so we shall not feel we have presented to the world something that is untrue, and that they will not find when they come, as we call it, to Zion. May you perform deeds and live lives of probity, virtue, courage, and sacrifice, that you too at home shall "make good," and that together we shall accomplish that which God has designed, that the little leaven shall leaven the entire lump, that the reign of righteousness shall be ushered in, when every man shall know that Jesus is the Christ, and shall fear and worship the Lord God of heaven and earth. That He may hasten this day, that His Son may speedily come to rule and reign in the earth, that the honorable of the earth may come to the brightness of the rising of Zion is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Charles J. Thomas.
Second Overflow Meeting.
In the Assembly Hall at 2 p. m. Elder George F. Richards presiding.
The Temple choir and congregation sang the hymn, "How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord."
Prayer was offered by Elder Charles A. Callis.
The Temple choir sang the hymn, "Praise ye the Lord! 'tis good to raise."
In the Assembly Hall at 2 p. m. Elder George F. Richards presiding.
The Temple choir and congregation sang the hymn, "How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord."
Prayer was offered by Elder Charles A. Callis.
The Temple choir sang the hymn, "Praise ye the Lord! 'tis good to raise."
ELDER SAMUEL O. BENNION.
(President of Central States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, it is a pleasure for me to have the privilege of addressing you this afternoon, and I trust that while I do so I will have an interest in your faith and prayers, and that our Father in heaven may bless us, that what is said may be in accordance with His mind and will. It is unprofitable for any one to address this congregation of Latter-day Saints, or anywhere else, I think, whether they are Saints or not, without the inspiration of the Lord to direct his remarks, while he is teaching the Gospel or acting in the authority he has received from the Lord.
I was thinking this, afternoon about the great man who wrote Proverbs, who said, "Where there is no vision the people perish. But he that keepeth the law, happy is he." In traveling throughout the country we can see this is verified to the letter, that people will undoubtedly perish if there is no divine vision. If our Father in Heaven does not reveal His mind and will unto His people, through such means as visions, and through prophets, then they must perish in unbelief. That was the condition under which the world was when the Prophet Joseph Smith received instructions from an angel. When the Prophet read in the Bible the instruction that James laid down, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him," he was, perhaps, the first man in ages that had put the interpretation upon that passage that he did. He thus ascertained in his boyhood days that he might go and ask the Lord. It appeared clear to him that the Lord had inspired James to make this promise, and that, therefore he might go and ask God which of all the denominations of religion then upon the earth were correct. Thus the Lord had indicated a means through which His sons and daughters need not perish, and there would be no need for them to run hither and thither, searching for the truth and not finding it, but that He would again open up the channel of revelation to His children.
Since that time the work has been going on; missionaries have been going out into the world, under the appointment they have received of God through the Presidency of His Church, whom the Lord has appointed to guide and govern Israel in these last days. Through the inspiration of Heaven, thus coming unto them, thousands have received the truth. Under the inspiration oi the Lord, thousands of authorized men have gone out and declared unto the people that there has been a vision again, that there has been and is now revelation to God's children here in the earth from the Eternal Father, that we need no longer perish in unbelief. We can call upon Him and receive an answer to our petitions; we can serve Him in spirit and in truth, and know that if we follow the plans He has given through His Son Jesus Christ we will receive an inheritance in His kingdom according to our works here upon the earth. Our missionaries go out preaching these truths, and thousands of people have accepted the Gospel message which they bear, and now know that the doctrines of "Mormonism" are correct and that God has indeed again revealed His mind and will. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared this unto the world. He gathered around him many men who were capable of declaring it, who stood by him, and who went forth among the nations of the earth, and they have gathered fruit unto the Master. They can look into the faces of their brothers and sisters and declare that they know that God lives and has spoken again from the heavens, and that we are entitled to revelation from Him, the same as in the days when Christ and His Apostles were upon the earth. They declare the same Gospel that Christ taught; they teach with words of soberness that Jesus and His Father have again appeared unto the children of men, that there is a channel opened up whereby men and women may go on unto perfection, and be received back into the presence of their Heavenly Father.
The Latter-day Saints as a body I think, do not understand this as perfectly as they should do; I believe they should pay more attention to it than they do. It is obligatory upon us to teach it unto all the sons and daughters of God that we come in contact with. It is our duty when we have children to teach it unto them, and prepare them that when the time comes for them to go into the world and preach it unto the children of men, they may be qualified to do so.
There are thousands of people, my brethren and sisters, who have not yet heard the Gospel of the Redeemer. As I have said, we are sending out missionaries to teach them the Gospel, to cry repentance unto them, and I want to tell you they are representing us nobly in the earth; they are receiving praise and gratitude from those among whom they labor, and they are laboring earnestly and faithfully. I believe there are none under the sun who labor more faithfully than do the Elders of Israel, traveling from house to house, from state to state, without hope of remuneration in this life, preaching the Gospel freely unto the people, after the plan that the Apostles of old did, and the same condition that Christ laid down when he said: "Freely ye have received, freely give." They go out into the world, calling people unto repentance in their homes and upon the street corners, preaching in halls, and leaving books, tracts and other literature with them, that have been prepared by the Latter-day Saints, truthfully representing their principles and doctrines.
It is wonderful, my brethren and sisters, the work in this direction that is going on in the world; and I may as well give a brief account of what is being accomplished in the mission where I have the privilege of laboring. During the last nine months, beginning with the first of January, we have had 216 baptisms. We have distributed over 49,000 books. We have held, 6,633 meetings, have visited 195,471 families in tracting, and distributed 244,617 tracts. We have blessed 117 children. At a cost of, perhaps, an average of $20 per elder, per month, it is simply astonishing the amount of work that our elders are doing. Now this is just one corner of the earth, and we understand that the elders are laboring similarly teaching the Gospel that the Savior taught, distributing literature, asking the people if they won't, at least, read about us; asking them to investigate the doctrines we are teaching, not asking them to be baptized at once, but listen to what we have to say. We ask them to "read the Book of Mormon, see if it does not testify unto you, through the Spirit, concerning its truthfulness."
When we think of the great missionaries who have thus gone, and of the great work they have done, such men as John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, who went out without purse or scrip and taught this Gospel unto the people, going from house to house, from city to city, it is remarkable how strong and faithful those men were in times of trial, and what testimonies their converts received from the Lord that He had again spoken from the heavens. When men who had become disaffected sought to turn the baptized believers away from the Prophet Joseph Smith, it was invariably their reply, if the Gospel was true when you taught it to me, it is now. We have the privilege today of listening unto men of God, unto Prophets of the Lord, who prove unto us that the revelations of our Father in Heaven still continue, and that we need not perish in unbelief, if we will but open our ears to hear and our hearts to understand, and that this Gospel of the kingdom has been established and will never be thrown down nor given unto another people. The responsibility rests upon the Latter-day Saints to go out and declare unto the world the principles that have been revealed from heaven. There is nothing greater in the world than "Mormonism," there is no religion equal to it. So far as the conversion of the souls of men is concerned, our field is the world. It is our duty to go out and declare the Gospel of the Redeemer. Hundreds of thousands have already responded to the call.
As to loyalty, there is nothing in the world that equals the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints. We know that the Lord has spoken from the heavens that He has a Prophet here upon the earth; and we are sons and daughters of the pioneers of this chosen country, enjoying what our pioneer fathers and mothers prepared for us. I have wondered if we have been doing all that we should, and if we sense as we should the position that we occupy as sons and daughters of those pioneers who passed through so much hardship for the establishment of the people of God in this country.
We have not any time to waste. No matter whether a man is at home or abroad, he should use his time and his talent, all that can possibly be given, to the building up of .the Church and Kingdom of our Father. A man who will do this will grow and increase in the earth, and will be blessed of the Lord, he will be a power for good wherever he goes, and will be in a position to return unto the Lord some of the blessings that he has received, some of the substance of the earth, and results of the talents that God has given him. Such a man will be entitled to the resurrection and exaltation which you and I are all seeking for. I thank the Lord for His mercies and I ask Him to bless the Latter-day Saints, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Central States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, it is a pleasure for me to have the privilege of addressing you this afternoon, and I trust that while I do so I will have an interest in your faith and prayers, and that our Father in heaven may bless us, that what is said may be in accordance with His mind and will. It is unprofitable for any one to address this congregation of Latter-day Saints, or anywhere else, I think, whether they are Saints or not, without the inspiration of the Lord to direct his remarks, while he is teaching the Gospel or acting in the authority he has received from the Lord.
I was thinking this, afternoon about the great man who wrote Proverbs, who said, "Where there is no vision the people perish. But he that keepeth the law, happy is he." In traveling throughout the country we can see this is verified to the letter, that people will undoubtedly perish if there is no divine vision. If our Father in Heaven does not reveal His mind and will unto His people, through such means as visions, and through prophets, then they must perish in unbelief. That was the condition under which the world was when the Prophet Joseph Smith received instructions from an angel. When the Prophet read in the Bible the instruction that James laid down, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him," he was, perhaps, the first man in ages that had put the interpretation upon that passage that he did. He thus ascertained in his boyhood days that he might go and ask the Lord. It appeared clear to him that the Lord had inspired James to make this promise, and that, therefore he might go and ask God which of all the denominations of religion then upon the earth were correct. Thus the Lord had indicated a means through which His sons and daughters need not perish, and there would be no need for them to run hither and thither, searching for the truth and not finding it, but that He would again open up the channel of revelation to His children.
Since that time the work has been going on; missionaries have been going out into the world, under the appointment they have received of God through the Presidency of His Church, whom the Lord has appointed to guide and govern Israel in these last days. Through the inspiration of Heaven, thus coming unto them, thousands have received the truth. Under the inspiration oi the Lord, thousands of authorized men have gone out and declared unto the people that there has been a vision again, that there has been and is now revelation to God's children here in the earth from the Eternal Father, that we need no longer perish in unbelief. We can call upon Him and receive an answer to our petitions; we can serve Him in spirit and in truth, and know that if we follow the plans He has given through His Son Jesus Christ we will receive an inheritance in His kingdom according to our works here upon the earth. Our missionaries go out preaching these truths, and thousands of people have accepted the Gospel message which they bear, and now know that the doctrines of "Mormonism" are correct and that God has indeed again revealed His mind and will. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared this unto the world. He gathered around him many men who were capable of declaring it, who stood by him, and who went forth among the nations of the earth, and they have gathered fruit unto the Master. They can look into the faces of their brothers and sisters and declare that they know that God lives and has spoken again from the heavens, and that we are entitled to revelation from Him, the same as in the days when Christ and His Apostles were upon the earth. They declare the same Gospel that Christ taught; they teach with words of soberness that Jesus and His Father have again appeared unto the children of men, that there is a channel opened up whereby men and women may go on unto perfection, and be received back into the presence of their Heavenly Father.
The Latter-day Saints as a body I think, do not understand this as perfectly as they should do; I believe they should pay more attention to it than they do. It is obligatory upon us to teach it unto all the sons and daughters of God that we come in contact with. It is our duty when we have children to teach it unto them, and prepare them that when the time comes for them to go into the world and preach it unto the children of men, they may be qualified to do so.
There are thousands of people, my brethren and sisters, who have not yet heard the Gospel of the Redeemer. As I have said, we are sending out missionaries to teach them the Gospel, to cry repentance unto them, and I want to tell you they are representing us nobly in the earth; they are receiving praise and gratitude from those among whom they labor, and they are laboring earnestly and faithfully. I believe there are none under the sun who labor more faithfully than do the Elders of Israel, traveling from house to house, from state to state, without hope of remuneration in this life, preaching the Gospel freely unto the people, after the plan that the Apostles of old did, and the same condition that Christ laid down when he said: "Freely ye have received, freely give." They go out into the world, calling people unto repentance in their homes and upon the street corners, preaching in halls, and leaving books, tracts and other literature with them, that have been prepared by the Latter-day Saints, truthfully representing their principles and doctrines.
It is wonderful, my brethren and sisters, the work in this direction that is going on in the world; and I may as well give a brief account of what is being accomplished in the mission where I have the privilege of laboring. During the last nine months, beginning with the first of January, we have had 216 baptisms. We have distributed over 49,000 books. We have held, 6,633 meetings, have visited 195,471 families in tracting, and distributed 244,617 tracts. We have blessed 117 children. At a cost of, perhaps, an average of $20 per elder, per month, it is simply astonishing the amount of work that our elders are doing. Now this is just one corner of the earth, and we understand that the elders are laboring similarly teaching the Gospel that the Savior taught, distributing literature, asking the people if they won't, at least, read about us; asking them to investigate the doctrines we are teaching, not asking them to be baptized at once, but listen to what we have to say. We ask them to "read the Book of Mormon, see if it does not testify unto you, through the Spirit, concerning its truthfulness."
When we think of the great missionaries who have thus gone, and of the great work they have done, such men as John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, who went out without purse or scrip and taught this Gospel unto the people, going from house to house, from city to city, it is remarkable how strong and faithful those men were in times of trial, and what testimonies their converts received from the Lord that He had again spoken from the heavens. When men who had become disaffected sought to turn the baptized believers away from the Prophet Joseph Smith, it was invariably their reply, if the Gospel was true when you taught it to me, it is now. We have the privilege today of listening unto men of God, unto Prophets of the Lord, who prove unto us that the revelations of our Father in Heaven still continue, and that we need not perish in unbelief, if we will but open our ears to hear and our hearts to understand, and that this Gospel of the kingdom has been established and will never be thrown down nor given unto another people. The responsibility rests upon the Latter-day Saints to go out and declare unto the world the principles that have been revealed from heaven. There is nothing greater in the world than "Mormonism," there is no religion equal to it. So far as the conversion of the souls of men is concerned, our field is the world. It is our duty to go out and declare the Gospel of the Redeemer. Hundreds of thousands have already responded to the call.
As to loyalty, there is nothing in the world that equals the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints. We know that the Lord has spoken from the heavens that He has a Prophet here upon the earth; and we are sons and daughters of the pioneers of this chosen country, enjoying what our pioneer fathers and mothers prepared for us. I have wondered if we have been doing all that we should, and if we sense as we should the position that we occupy as sons and daughters of those pioneers who passed through so much hardship for the establishment of the people of God in this country.
We have not any time to waste. No matter whether a man is at home or abroad, he should use his time and his talent, all that can possibly be given, to the building up of .the Church and Kingdom of our Father. A man who will do this will grow and increase in the earth, and will be blessed of the Lord, he will be a power for good wherever he goes, and will be in a position to return unto the Lord some of the blessings that he has received, some of the substance of the earth, and results of the talents that God has given him. Such a man will be entitled to the resurrection and exaltation which you and I are all seeking for. I thank the Lord for His mercies and I ask Him to bless the Latter-day Saints, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER HUGH J. CANNON.
(President of Liberty Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, there are doubtless in this congregation men and women who have traveled many miles, several hundred miles perhaps in some cases, to attend this conference; and they have come here, no doubt, with a desire to be strengthened in their faith, and built up in their determination to more faithfully serve the Lord in the future than they have done in the past. It seems to me, under these circumstances, that they have a claim upon the blessings of the Almighty, and any speaker who attempts to address them should certainly have the benefit of their faith and prayers. No man, no matter what his qualifications may be, who has the spirit of the Gospel in his heart, ever attempts to address a congregation upon the vital principles of the Gospel without feeling a desire to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and certainly I am in that position myself this afternoon.
I have been led to think during the last few weeks of the importance of having a testimony of the divinity of this work in which we are engaged. It has been impressed upon my mind more strongly than at any time before in my life, that we should have a knowledge that God lives, the knowledge that we are engaged in His service, the knowledge that the authority, the Priesthood, is in our midst, and that we have among us those who are qualified, and have the authority to point out to us the way in which we should walk. Now, we hear a great deal concerning the outward ordinances of the gospel. The Latter-day Saints, in my opinion, are pretty well posted as to the Scriptural proof. Of course we are not as well acquainted with the Scriptures as we might be; but still it seems to me we are better equipped with proofs of the divinity of the Gospel that are contained in the Scriptures than we are with the inward testimony. We know what the Scriptures say about our duties, and about the religion in which we believe. We see the outward manifestations of the Spirit of the Lord. We see the sick healed. We know that the signs follow those that believe. But important as this is, it is not the only testimony which we can have, and I believe it may be said with perfect truth that it is not the most important testimony that can come to our hearts. Every person who belongs to this Church should inquire into his own condition and see whether there is in his heart strong and abiding faith, and a testimony of the divinity of this work outside of any Scriptural proof, because it is stronger and more enduring than any written word or any outward manifestation can possibly be. If we will look into our hearts, as I have said, look down into the depths of our own souls, I am sure that every man and woman will discover an abundance of reasons why we should maintain our standing in the Church, and why we should go on in the path which has been pointed out for us to follow. There is no Latter-day Saint who has reached the age of accountability, or at least has reached the age of manhood, but would find in the depths of his heart sufficient reason for his standing in this Church, and sufficient reason for him to labor diligently and faithfully to maintain that standing.
For my own part, when I examine myself and my own life, my own hopes and aspirations, I need go no further to find evidence enough to justify me in the pursuit of my present course; because, weak and frail and incompetent as I am, I still see that I am better and higher, more advanced, than would have been the case without the teachings of this gospel of Jesus Christ. I see where it has made me better, where it has held me back from committing sin, and from going in wrong directions. It has taught me by the whisperings of the Spirit, that when I depart from the straight and narrow path, I may return and get into line. I need no better indicator as to my duty than the teachings which are contained in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Savior said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." When we apply this test to the Church and to its members, individually and collectively, we find sufficient proof to convince any reasonable man that our claims are well founded. We need not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ when we apply this test, which the Savior gave, to the lives of those who have joined the Church, and who arc carrying on this work, because the} will compare very favorably with any other people upon the face of the earth, according to my experience. We are imperfect, and do things which we should not do. We grieve, no doubt many times, the Spirit of the Lord, by our weaknesses and our follies; and still there is no better people throughout the world, I am fully convinced, than can be found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When this test is applied it furnishes a satisfactory answer to me for the hope which I have, for the faith which is in my heart, that this is the truth, and that through this Gospel I may be saved in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. Now, we are not perfect. We do not pretend to be. We do not want to think we are perfect, but it won't hurt us any to think that we are as good as other people, as long as we are humble and prayerful. There is a higher standard set for the Latter-day Saints than for any other people upon the earth. 1 remember once having a conversation in the mission field with a young lady who had been born and raised in Utah, although she was not a member of the Church, and never had been. She was studying music in the city of Berlin. We had a number of gospel conversations with her. While she was very friendly, and frequently helped us in our meetings with her musical talent, she did not have any faith in the Gospel, at least not very much. On one occasion when I was present she got into an argument with some of the missionaries. She said: "Well, I know Catholics, and Methodists and Presbyterians that live their religion better than the Latter-day Saints do." "Why," I said to her, "that is easy. It is not difficult for a Catholic to live his religion." It is easy for any person belonging to these various denominations to live their religion, because it does not require anything special of them; but you take a religion that sets perfection as its standard, that requires perfection of its members, and it is a little more difficult to live that religion. With all due respect to other denominations, it is possible for their adherents to go along with the stream, living as the world lives, and still live their religion, but with the Latter-day Saint it is vastly different. He must cast aside all these weaknesses which men in the world have, must walk in that straight way, deviating neither to the right nor to the left, in order to live the religion of Jesus Christ; he must not smoke, must not drink tea or coffee, must not profane, must not break the Sabbath, must be virtuous, clean in every act and thought of his life. In order to fully live up to his belief, he must live a perfect life, and who can do it in this mortal state? Very few, if any at all. None, perhaps, can live this Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as it should be lived. No wonder that people may say the Catholics or persons of other denominations can live their religion better than we Latter-day Saints can. Why, it is further proof that the religion which we have, and which we claim is the plan of salvation is better and higher than anything else in the world.
I thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart for the testimony of the divinity of this work, which He has given me. I thank Him that 1 know that He lives, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, and I thank Him still more that I know that divine authority is upon the earth today. I appreciate that testimony more than the other, if possible. There are plenty of men in the world who have a knowledge of Jesus Christ, who believe firmly, and who are sincere in that belief, that He was the Son of God, and that He did redeem the world. And still they have not got the knowledge that He has spoken in this day. They know nothing about the authority which He has delegated to mankind in the generation in which they live, and they are deprived of the great blessings which come to the Latter-day Saints, as partakers of the New and Everlasting Covenant; and therefore I say that, if possible, I am more thankful for the testimony which I have that prophets live upon the earth now, that the Lord has spoken today, than I am for the other knowledge. Of course we can never have this testimony without having the other, but I am reminded of the number of people there are in the world, and the number there are in our own community who know that Christ lives. At least, they profess to have that knowledge. Some of them go a step further, and profess to believe implicitly that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Almighty, that Brigham Young was his legal successor, and that John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and those who have succeeded them as presidents of the Church were duly authorized to lead this people; but some of those remind me of the saying of the Savior, they honor the dead prophets but would kill the living prophets if they had the power. There are men in our community who do that very thing, who have that very feeling in their hearts, because they have grieved the Spirit, and they are living in the dead past. I thank God that to some extent I can live in the present, and in the future. All that I have, all that I ever hope to have is tied up in the Gospel. I pray that the Lord may bless us and enable us to walk in the path set for our feet. That we may see the light, and that we may know it when we see it, that we may not be left to wander in darkness ; that our faith may be strong and perfect, and that we may go on to perfection, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Memories of Galilee" was rendered by the Temple choir, including the quartet, Florence Grant, Maria B. Winder, Charles S. Martin, and James Maxwell.
(President of Liberty Stake.)
My brethren and sisters, there are doubtless in this congregation men and women who have traveled many miles, several hundred miles perhaps in some cases, to attend this conference; and they have come here, no doubt, with a desire to be strengthened in their faith, and built up in their determination to more faithfully serve the Lord in the future than they have done in the past. It seems to me, under these circumstances, that they have a claim upon the blessings of the Almighty, and any speaker who attempts to address them should certainly have the benefit of their faith and prayers. No man, no matter what his qualifications may be, who has the spirit of the Gospel in his heart, ever attempts to address a congregation upon the vital principles of the Gospel without feeling a desire to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and certainly I am in that position myself this afternoon.
I have been led to think during the last few weeks of the importance of having a testimony of the divinity of this work in which we are engaged. It has been impressed upon my mind more strongly than at any time before in my life, that we should have a knowledge that God lives, the knowledge that we are engaged in His service, the knowledge that the authority, the Priesthood, is in our midst, and that we have among us those who are qualified, and have the authority to point out to us the way in which we should walk. Now, we hear a great deal concerning the outward ordinances of the gospel. The Latter-day Saints, in my opinion, are pretty well posted as to the Scriptural proof. Of course we are not as well acquainted with the Scriptures as we might be; but still it seems to me we are better equipped with proofs of the divinity of the Gospel that are contained in the Scriptures than we are with the inward testimony. We know what the Scriptures say about our duties, and about the religion in which we believe. We see the outward manifestations of the Spirit of the Lord. We see the sick healed. We know that the signs follow those that believe. But important as this is, it is not the only testimony which we can have, and I believe it may be said with perfect truth that it is not the most important testimony that can come to our hearts. Every person who belongs to this Church should inquire into his own condition and see whether there is in his heart strong and abiding faith, and a testimony of the divinity of this work outside of any Scriptural proof, because it is stronger and more enduring than any written word or any outward manifestation can possibly be. If we will look into our hearts, as I have said, look down into the depths of our own souls, I am sure that every man and woman will discover an abundance of reasons why we should maintain our standing in the Church, and why we should go on in the path which has been pointed out for us to follow. There is no Latter-day Saint who has reached the age of accountability, or at least has reached the age of manhood, but would find in the depths of his heart sufficient reason for his standing in this Church, and sufficient reason for him to labor diligently and faithfully to maintain that standing.
For my own part, when I examine myself and my own life, my own hopes and aspirations, I need go no further to find evidence enough to justify me in the pursuit of my present course; because, weak and frail and incompetent as I am, I still see that I am better and higher, more advanced, than would have been the case without the teachings of this gospel of Jesus Christ. I see where it has made me better, where it has held me back from committing sin, and from going in wrong directions. It has taught me by the whisperings of the Spirit, that when I depart from the straight and narrow path, I may return and get into line. I need no better indicator as to my duty than the teachings which are contained in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Savior said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." When we apply this test to the Church and to its members, individually and collectively, we find sufficient proof to convince any reasonable man that our claims are well founded. We need not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ when we apply this test, which the Savior gave, to the lives of those who have joined the Church, and who arc carrying on this work, because the} will compare very favorably with any other people upon the face of the earth, according to my experience. We are imperfect, and do things which we should not do. We grieve, no doubt many times, the Spirit of the Lord, by our weaknesses and our follies; and still there is no better people throughout the world, I am fully convinced, than can be found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When this test is applied it furnishes a satisfactory answer to me for the hope which I have, for the faith which is in my heart, that this is the truth, and that through this Gospel I may be saved in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. Now, we are not perfect. We do not pretend to be. We do not want to think we are perfect, but it won't hurt us any to think that we are as good as other people, as long as we are humble and prayerful. There is a higher standard set for the Latter-day Saints than for any other people upon the earth. 1 remember once having a conversation in the mission field with a young lady who had been born and raised in Utah, although she was not a member of the Church, and never had been. She was studying music in the city of Berlin. We had a number of gospel conversations with her. While she was very friendly, and frequently helped us in our meetings with her musical talent, she did not have any faith in the Gospel, at least not very much. On one occasion when I was present she got into an argument with some of the missionaries. She said: "Well, I know Catholics, and Methodists and Presbyterians that live their religion better than the Latter-day Saints do." "Why," I said to her, "that is easy. It is not difficult for a Catholic to live his religion." It is easy for any person belonging to these various denominations to live their religion, because it does not require anything special of them; but you take a religion that sets perfection as its standard, that requires perfection of its members, and it is a little more difficult to live that religion. With all due respect to other denominations, it is possible for their adherents to go along with the stream, living as the world lives, and still live their religion, but with the Latter-day Saint it is vastly different. He must cast aside all these weaknesses which men in the world have, must walk in that straight way, deviating neither to the right nor to the left, in order to live the religion of Jesus Christ; he must not smoke, must not drink tea or coffee, must not profane, must not break the Sabbath, must be virtuous, clean in every act and thought of his life. In order to fully live up to his belief, he must live a perfect life, and who can do it in this mortal state? Very few, if any at all. None, perhaps, can live this Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as it should be lived. No wonder that people may say the Catholics or persons of other denominations can live their religion better than we Latter-day Saints can. Why, it is further proof that the religion which we have, and which we claim is the plan of salvation is better and higher than anything else in the world.
I thank the Lord from the bottom of my heart for the testimony of the divinity of this work, which He has given me. I thank Him that 1 know that He lives, that I know that Jesus is the Christ, and I thank Him still more that I know that divine authority is upon the earth today. I appreciate that testimony more than the other, if possible. There are plenty of men in the world who have a knowledge of Jesus Christ, who believe firmly, and who are sincere in that belief, that He was the Son of God, and that He did redeem the world. And still they have not got the knowledge that He has spoken in this day. They know nothing about the authority which He has delegated to mankind in the generation in which they live, and they are deprived of the great blessings which come to the Latter-day Saints, as partakers of the New and Everlasting Covenant; and therefore I say that, if possible, I am more thankful for the testimony which I have that prophets live upon the earth now, that the Lord has spoken today, than I am for the other knowledge. Of course we can never have this testimony without having the other, but I am reminded of the number of people there are in the world, and the number there are in our own community who know that Christ lives. At least, they profess to have that knowledge. Some of them go a step further, and profess to believe implicitly that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Almighty, that Brigham Young was his legal successor, and that John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and those who have succeeded them as presidents of the Church were duly authorized to lead this people; but some of those remind me of the saying of the Savior, they honor the dead prophets but would kill the living prophets if they had the power. There are men in our community who do that very thing, who have that very feeling in their hearts, because they have grieved the Spirit, and they are living in the dead past. I thank God that to some extent I can live in the present, and in the future. All that I have, all that I ever hope to have is tied up in the Gospel. I pray that the Lord may bless us and enable us to walk in the path set for our feet. That we may see the light, and that we may know it when we see it, that we may not be left to wander in darkness ; that our faith may be strong and perfect, and that we may go on to perfection, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
"Memories of Galilee" was rendered by the Temple choir, including the quartet, Florence Grant, Maria B. Winder, Charles S. Martin, and James Maxwell.
BISHOP HEBER C. IVERSON.
I have greatly rejoiced in the spirit and instruction of this conference and I sincerely trust that during the few moments I occupy this important position I may be inspired of the Lord to say something that will be of value to us, and that will redound to the honor and glory of our Father's work and kingdom.
I have listened with a great deal of interest to the remarks that have already been made, and especially have been impressed with the statements made by President Cannon, who preceded me. Some time ago I attended a meeting at which he spoke, and his testimony was similar to the one borne to us this afternoon, and it made upon my mind a lasting impression. He .spoke of his gratitude unto our Father in heaven for imparting unto him the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, "but more important," said he, "than the other is the fact that I know that he who stands today at the head of the Church is likewise a prophet, inspired of the Almighty, chosen of Him to lead Israel and to guide His people." This last expression—possibly not in these words exactly—found an echo in my heart, and as I have stated, made a lasting impression. I believe it to be of vital importance, my brethren and sisters, that we should know that Joseph F. Smith, who, today stands at the head of God's cause upon the earth, is His chosen servant, that he is inspired of God. Thanks to .the Lord, we may enjoy this testimony, and need not grope in darkness. The Lord, in His wisdom, His infinite love and mercy, has indeed made plain the way, and made the provision, whereby each and all of us may know for ourselves whether our President speaks of the Lord or of himself; whether he speaks as one having authority, and whether the work that he is endeavoring to advance in the earth, and the instructions he gives unto us from day to day, are the Lord's work and His will concerning us.
I remember reading from that learned Professor Drummond, these words: "Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge, a most remarkable association," says he, "that has been made by the Master." Jesus Himself made this declaration, "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me; if any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself." In other words, he who is in the line of duty, keeping the commandments of God, obeying His requirements and receiving His instruction, upon him will rest the inspiration of the Almighty, the light of heaven and of truth, and he will know it is true, darkness is not in his path. Prof. Drummond, commenting upon this says, "It is a most remarkable association, where we associate obedience, which is considered purely spiritual, with knowledge, which is considered entirely intellectual." But yet the association has been made by the great Master and Teacher. Along this line of thought let me illustrate the importance of the principle of obedience by calling your attention to a circumstance with which you are familiar. The Lord directed the prophet Samuel to say to Saul that he and his army should go forth and slay all the Amalekites, and bring nothing with him on his return home. Saul went out and fulfilled part of the commandment, but saw that which seemed to attract him, and he spared part of that which he had captured, to the displeasure of the Lord and Saul's own destruction. When Saul returned to the Prophet Samuel and declared he had done the will of the Lord, and had kept His commandment, the prophet asked him, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" and Saul undertook to make apology. You are all acquainted with the story, and you remember the words of the Lord through the Prophet Samuel: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifice as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams." Returning to the sentiment expressed by Prof. Drummond, that "obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge," just a word of comment on that thought. In the wisdom of the Almighty it has thus been ordained, were it otherwise than that "obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge," and that to know God, to find out Him and His ways, were left to the learned and the wealthy, how should the humble and unlearned, the poor of the earth receive the gospel? The Lord, in His mercy and love, has made plain the way and easy the path that the most humble and unlearned can find if they seek after Him; they may know Him, if they will, without a college education, great wealth or affluence. They can come unto Him and receive of His bounteous blessings and His love. The Lord has made these provisions, and we as Latter-day Saints should be grateful that the gospel has been preached to the poor of the earth. You remember the Lord said that this was one of the evidences of His divine mission when they who were sent by John the Baptist came and asked Him in reference to His identity, whether he was the Messiah or whether they should look for another. Jesus told them to go and tell John that the lame are made to walk, the blind to see, and the gospel is preached unto the poor; that the gospel was preached to the poor was cited as a strong evidence that He was indeed the Lord.
In order to enjoy the blessings of the Lord we must yield obedience to His will. I was thinking along this line this morning, while listening to the remarks of President Smith, in relation to a vital principle, one of the fundamental principles of the gospel. Obedience to the Word of Wisdom I regard as of very great importance to us as Latter-day Saints, for that word contains a great deal that is of temporal and spiritual value to us, and to the youth of Zion. I consider that every father and mother should set his and her children examples worthy of emulation. When children are taught in the Sabbath schools, the Primary associations, the Religion classes, and kindred institutions, and taught by the elders of the Church that it is the Lord's will that we abstain from those things forbidden in the Word of Wisdom, and then they see their fathers and mothers, whom they regard as the most nearly perfect beings in the world, on whom they rely absolutely for guidance, whose instruction and example is more potent in the formation of their character than any other agency in the world, if they see them in open violation of this Word of Wisdom, what think you is the result upon the minds of those children? I believe that if I have inherited an unholy appetite that is difficult to control, and I am conscious of it, that if I give way to it I will possibly destroy or darken my soul, and drive from me the Spirit of the Almighty, which it is my privilege to enjoy, I should lose no time in doing all in my power to control and root out, if possible, that inherent disposition; or, if I have an appetite, the gratification of which is worth more to me than my children's interests and welfare, I feel and believe that I am an unworthy parent. Every child that comes into my home is not only a child of mine but a child of my heavenly Father, and unto Him I am responsible for the instruction I give to that child, for the example I set and possibly for the result of those instructions and examples; for them I shall stand amenable to Him. I remember now the words of the Apostle Paul, who said: "We have had fathers of the flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; should we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of our spirits and live?" The essential part of man, nay, the being himself, the spirit, is a child of God; man is a dual being. We have had fathers of the physical organism; these physical beings were created, begotten by our earthly parents, but that which thinks and wills, the ego, self or spirit, if you please, the enduring part of man, that which existed in the presence of the Great Eternal One, and came to earth to pass through this mortal probation, this school of human experience so necessary in the providence of the Almighty, that I say is a child of our Father. When He sends a child of His to earth He gives to the parents that which is more precious to Him than all the wealth of the worlds He has created. Sacred, indeed, is the trust, and great is the responsibility that is placed upon those who receive a child of His. I say, then, if my precepts and example are not in keeping with His will and in harmony with His law, and that child of His shall go to destruction, because of my failure to keep the commandments of the Lord, woe be unto me. And if I shall, through my own wrongdoing, transmit an unholy desire or soul destroying appetite, to any child of mine (for I am a believer in pre-natal influences) I shall thus place around that child's neck a millstone, as it were, and possibly that millstone may drag him into the depths of degradation, and I, because of selfish gratification of my appetites, am responsible for his destruction, what think you shall be my condemnation? I regard these things seriously, my brethren and sisters. I consider as one of my most solemn duties and responsibilities, that I shall set before the children that God gives me examples worthy of emulation. Recognizing my own weaknesses as I do, asking God's help constantly in the battle of life, I desire that I may indeed impress upon my children, if possible, the thought that I am at least sincere in my profession. If I can lay deep in their hearts the fountain of faith, make them feel I truly believe that which I am teaching them, that my life is consistent therewith, and I can go to my grave having established in the hearts of my children abiding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, His revealed will and commandments, I will feel that I have done more for them than though I had bequeathed them untold millions, or given to them any or all the perishable things of this world.
I feel that the Word of Wisdom is an important law unto this people. If the father and mother in the home feel that they can violate this commandment of the Lord with impunity, they are mistaken. Supposing you teach your children that these forbidden things, set forth in the Word of Wisdom, are hurtful to them, and then you partake of them; suppose you teach your children that tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor are hurtful, and you partake of any one of these, in so doing do you not give your children the opportunity to think and to feel that, while you do not partake of the other things mentioned that the law is not so important in your mind as it might be? These things are all in the same forbidden class, included in the same commandment, therefore, do you not give to your children a license, and do you not set before them this example, and impress them with this thought, that the law, after all, cannot be very important, otherwise my parents would not violate it? Either that, or the children will say to themselves, "My parents believe in it, but they are too weak to live up to the requirements of the Lord." Truly you would be humiliated if you were compelled to acknowledge before your children your inability and weakness. It would indeed be humiliating for you to say to your children: "This is the Lord's will; these things are hurtful, but I am not strong enough, I am not capable of controlling myself sufficiently, and I yield to my appetites." Besides, it would lessen your influence with your children, and lessen the respect they entertain for you, very materially. We should be consistent in these matters; we should deny ourselves for our children's sake, our own sake, and because of the reverence we have for Him' who is the father of the spirits of our children ; and for the sake of being obedient to the will of the Lord, that we may be possessed of that knowledge to which President Cannon referred, and of a knowledge of the truth of the gospel.
I am delighted to know, as President Smith said this morning, that there is a temperance wave sweeping the country. I sincerely hope that we shall feel its force, and that we shall be found in the stream of its onward progress ; that we shall do our utmost to assist in the accomplishment of the end for which it aims, and that we and our children may derive benefit from this important movement.
In conclusion, I desire to bear testimony that I know that Joseph F. Smith is a prophet of God, that he is now the one chosen of God to lead this people. We can do no better than to seek his counsel and advice, and follow therein. It is no sacrifice of manhood for us to resolve that we will be obedient unto the Lord, that we will be submissive unto him; for I take it that obedience is one of the strongest attributes of the noblest men in the world. It was one of the pre-eminent features or qualities in the life of Him who died that men might live. None have been quite so obedient as was He, obedient to the will of His Father. Let us remember His prayer: "Father, if it be possible, let this bitter cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." I believe that before him passed, in panoramic view, as it were, that which he would have to endure; in the depths of. woe and bitterness of suffering, He felt that if it were possible that His great mission could in any other way be accomplished than that He should thus suffer, that it might be so; "nevertheless, not my will, but as thou wilt ; not my will, but thine, be done." He is our example in obedience. He was implicitly obedient to the will of his Father, yet He was the greatest Man that ever lived in the world, and, by the way, the most maligned, abused and persecuted Man that ever lived. From' His childhood, yea, from His birth, His life was sought by the powers of darkness. Remember how Herod, the king, sought His life, for fear that he, Herod, would be deprived of his throne by the King Child, if Jesus were permitted to live. Hence, I say, from the day of His birth until He was cruelly suspended between heaven and earth, He was hounded, persecuted and maligned, slandered and abused by those who were in darkness, and by those whose hearts were full of bitterness and prejudice. If He was thus misunderstood, driven from pillar to post, maligned and slandered, He was the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, the sinless One upon whose lips was found no guilt, if He was thus ill-treated and misunderstood—and I believe there were those so full of corruption, so completely given over to the power of the adversary, that they claimed they did God service in thus persecuting- and putting to death the Redeemer of the world —I say if this be true of Him who was sinless, could it not be true likewise that His servants who, though not sinless, are men after God's own heart, that they, too, might be misunderstood, maligned, slandered, and put to death by those who are inspired by the powers of darkness? I say to you that Joseph F. Smith is a prophet of God. Under God's inspiration he will lead this people aright. My greatest desire is that I may be ever worthy of his confidence, willing to receive his counsel and follow therein; if I can do this I feel sure of salvation in the kingdom of God.
May the Lord add His blessing, and help each of us to secure an inheritance in His kingdom, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
I have greatly rejoiced in the spirit and instruction of this conference and I sincerely trust that during the few moments I occupy this important position I may be inspired of the Lord to say something that will be of value to us, and that will redound to the honor and glory of our Father's work and kingdom.
I have listened with a great deal of interest to the remarks that have already been made, and especially have been impressed with the statements made by President Cannon, who preceded me. Some time ago I attended a meeting at which he spoke, and his testimony was similar to the one borne to us this afternoon, and it made upon my mind a lasting impression. He .spoke of his gratitude unto our Father in heaven for imparting unto him the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, "but more important," said he, "than the other is the fact that I know that he who stands today at the head of the Church is likewise a prophet, inspired of the Almighty, chosen of Him to lead Israel and to guide His people." This last expression—possibly not in these words exactly—found an echo in my heart, and as I have stated, made a lasting impression. I believe it to be of vital importance, my brethren and sisters, that we should know that Joseph F. Smith, who, today stands at the head of God's cause upon the earth, is His chosen servant, that he is inspired of God. Thanks to .the Lord, we may enjoy this testimony, and need not grope in darkness. The Lord, in His wisdom, His infinite love and mercy, has indeed made plain the way, and made the provision, whereby each and all of us may know for ourselves whether our President speaks of the Lord or of himself; whether he speaks as one having authority, and whether the work that he is endeavoring to advance in the earth, and the instructions he gives unto us from day to day, are the Lord's work and His will concerning us.
I remember reading from that learned Professor Drummond, these words: "Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge, a most remarkable association," says he, "that has been made by the Master." Jesus Himself made this declaration, "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me; if any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself." In other words, he who is in the line of duty, keeping the commandments of God, obeying His requirements and receiving His instruction, upon him will rest the inspiration of the Almighty, the light of heaven and of truth, and he will know it is true, darkness is not in his path. Prof. Drummond, commenting upon this says, "It is a most remarkable association, where we associate obedience, which is considered purely spiritual, with knowledge, which is considered entirely intellectual." But yet the association has been made by the great Master and Teacher. Along this line of thought let me illustrate the importance of the principle of obedience by calling your attention to a circumstance with which you are familiar. The Lord directed the prophet Samuel to say to Saul that he and his army should go forth and slay all the Amalekites, and bring nothing with him on his return home. Saul went out and fulfilled part of the commandment, but saw that which seemed to attract him, and he spared part of that which he had captured, to the displeasure of the Lord and Saul's own destruction. When Saul returned to the Prophet Samuel and declared he had done the will of the Lord, and had kept His commandment, the prophet asked him, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" and Saul undertook to make apology. You are all acquainted with the story, and you remember the words of the Lord through the Prophet Samuel: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifice as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams." Returning to the sentiment expressed by Prof. Drummond, that "obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge," just a word of comment on that thought. In the wisdom of the Almighty it has thus been ordained, were it otherwise than that "obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge," and that to know God, to find out Him and His ways, were left to the learned and the wealthy, how should the humble and unlearned, the poor of the earth receive the gospel? The Lord, in His mercy and love, has made plain the way and easy the path that the most humble and unlearned can find if they seek after Him; they may know Him, if they will, without a college education, great wealth or affluence. They can come unto Him and receive of His bounteous blessings and His love. The Lord has made these provisions, and we as Latter-day Saints should be grateful that the gospel has been preached to the poor of the earth. You remember the Lord said that this was one of the evidences of His divine mission when they who were sent by John the Baptist came and asked Him in reference to His identity, whether he was the Messiah or whether they should look for another. Jesus told them to go and tell John that the lame are made to walk, the blind to see, and the gospel is preached unto the poor; that the gospel was preached to the poor was cited as a strong evidence that He was indeed the Lord.
In order to enjoy the blessings of the Lord we must yield obedience to His will. I was thinking along this line this morning, while listening to the remarks of President Smith, in relation to a vital principle, one of the fundamental principles of the gospel. Obedience to the Word of Wisdom I regard as of very great importance to us as Latter-day Saints, for that word contains a great deal that is of temporal and spiritual value to us, and to the youth of Zion. I consider that every father and mother should set his and her children examples worthy of emulation. When children are taught in the Sabbath schools, the Primary associations, the Religion classes, and kindred institutions, and taught by the elders of the Church that it is the Lord's will that we abstain from those things forbidden in the Word of Wisdom, and then they see their fathers and mothers, whom they regard as the most nearly perfect beings in the world, on whom they rely absolutely for guidance, whose instruction and example is more potent in the formation of their character than any other agency in the world, if they see them in open violation of this Word of Wisdom, what think you is the result upon the minds of those children? I believe that if I have inherited an unholy appetite that is difficult to control, and I am conscious of it, that if I give way to it I will possibly destroy or darken my soul, and drive from me the Spirit of the Almighty, which it is my privilege to enjoy, I should lose no time in doing all in my power to control and root out, if possible, that inherent disposition; or, if I have an appetite, the gratification of which is worth more to me than my children's interests and welfare, I feel and believe that I am an unworthy parent. Every child that comes into my home is not only a child of mine but a child of my heavenly Father, and unto Him I am responsible for the instruction I give to that child, for the example I set and possibly for the result of those instructions and examples; for them I shall stand amenable to Him. I remember now the words of the Apostle Paul, who said: "We have had fathers of the flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; should we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of our spirits and live?" The essential part of man, nay, the being himself, the spirit, is a child of God; man is a dual being. We have had fathers of the physical organism; these physical beings were created, begotten by our earthly parents, but that which thinks and wills, the ego, self or spirit, if you please, the enduring part of man, that which existed in the presence of the Great Eternal One, and came to earth to pass through this mortal probation, this school of human experience so necessary in the providence of the Almighty, that I say is a child of our Father. When He sends a child of His to earth He gives to the parents that which is more precious to Him than all the wealth of the worlds He has created. Sacred, indeed, is the trust, and great is the responsibility that is placed upon those who receive a child of His. I say, then, if my precepts and example are not in keeping with His will and in harmony with His law, and that child of His shall go to destruction, because of my failure to keep the commandments of the Lord, woe be unto me. And if I shall, through my own wrongdoing, transmit an unholy desire or soul destroying appetite, to any child of mine (for I am a believer in pre-natal influences) I shall thus place around that child's neck a millstone, as it were, and possibly that millstone may drag him into the depths of degradation, and I, because of selfish gratification of my appetites, am responsible for his destruction, what think you shall be my condemnation? I regard these things seriously, my brethren and sisters. I consider as one of my most solemn duties and responsibilities, that I shall set before the children that God gives me examples worthy of emulation. Recognizing my own weaknesses as I do, asking God's help constantly in the battle of life, I desire that I may indeed impress upon my children, if possible, the thought that I am at least sincere in my profession. If I can lay deep in their hearts the fountain of faith, make them feel I truly believe that which I am teaching them, that my life is consistent therewith, and I can go to my grave having established in the hearts of my children abiding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, His revealed will and commandments, I will feel that I have done more for them than though I had bequeathed them untold millions, or given to them any or all the perishable things of this world.
I feel that the Word of Wisdom is an important law unto this people. If the father and mother in the home feel that they can violate this commandment of the Lord with impunity, they are mistaken. Supposing you teach your children that these forbidden things, set forth in the Word of Wisdom, are hurtful to them, and then you partake of them; suppose you teach your children that tea, coffee, tobacco, or liquor are hurtful, and you partake of any one of these, in so doing do you not give your children the opportunity to think and to feel that, while you do not partake of the other things mentioned that the law is not so important in your mind as it might be? These things are all in the same forbidden class, included in the same commandment, therefore, do you not give to your children a license, and do you not set before them this example, and impress them with this thought, that the law, after all, cannot be very important, otherwise my parents would not violate it? Either that, or the children will say to themselves, "My parents believe in it, but they are too weak to live up to the requirements of the Lord." Truly you would be humiliated if you were compelled to acknowledge before your children your inability and weakness. It would indeed be humiliating for you to say to your children: "This is the Lord's will; these things are hurtful, but I am not strong enough, I am not capable of controlling myself sufficiently, and I yield to my appetites." Besides, it would lessen your influence with your children, and lessen the respect they entertain for you, very materially. We should be consistent in these matters; we should deny ourselves for our children's sake, our own sake, and because of the reverence we have for Him' who is the father of the spirits of our children ; and for the sake of being obedient to the will of the Lord, that we may be possessed of that knowledge to which President Cannon referred, and of a knowledge of the truth of the gospel.
I am delighted to know, as President Smith said this morning, that there is a temperance wave sweeping the country. I sincerely hope that we shall feel its force, and that we shall be found in the stream of its onward progress ; that we shall do our utmost to assist in the accomplishment of the end for which it aims, and that we and our children may derive benefit from this important movement.
In conclusion, I desire to bear testimony that I know that Joseph F. Smith is a prophet of God, that he is now the one chosen of God to lead this people. We can do no better than to seek his counsel and advice, and follow therein. It is no sacrifice of manhood for us to resolve that we will be obedient unto the Lord, that we will be submissive unto him; for I take it that obedience is one of the strongest attributes of the noblest men in the world. It was one of the pre-eminent features or qualities in the life of Him who died that men might live. None have been quite so obedient as was He, obedient to the will of His Father. Let us remember His prayer: "Father, if it be possible, let this bitter cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." I believe that before him passed, in panoramic view, as it were, that which he would have to endure; in the depths of. woe and bitterness of suffering, He felt that if it were possible that His great mission could in any other way be accomplished than that He should thus suffer, that it might be so; "nevertheless, not my will, but as thou wilt ; not my will, but thine, be done." He is our example in obedience. He was implicitly obedient to the will of his Father, yet He was the greatest Man that ever lived in the world, and, by the way, the most maligned, abused and persecuted Man that ever lived. From' His childhood, yea, from His birth, His life was sought by the powers of darkness. Remember how Herod, the king, sought His life, for fear that he, Herod, would be deprived of his throne by the King Child, if Jesus were permitted to live. Hence, I say, from the day of His birth until He was cruelly suspended between heaven and earth, He was hounded, persecuted and maligned, slandered and abused by those who were in darkness, and by those whose hearts were full of bitterness and prejudice. If He was thus misunderstood, driven from pillar to post, maligned and slandered, He was the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, the sinless One upon whose lips was found no guilt, if He was thus ill-treated and misunderstood—and I believe there were those so full of corruption, so completely given over to the power of the adversary, that they claimed they did God service in thus persecuting- and putting to death the Redeemer of the world —I say if this be true of Him who was sinless, could it not be true likewise that His servants who, though not sinless, are men after God's own heart, that they, too, might be misunderstood, maligned, slandered, and put to death by those who are inspired by the powers of darkness? I say to you that Joseph F. Smith is a prophet of God. Under God's inspiration he will lead this people aright. My greatest desire is that I may be ever worthy of his confidence, willing to receive his counsel and follow therein; if I can do this I feel sure of salvation in the kingdom of God.
May the Lord add His blessing, and help each of us to secure an inheritance in His kingdom, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER BEN E. RICH.
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
Those who are in the tabernacle this afternoon, listening to the prophets, seers and revelators of God's people are hearing no greater truth than you have heard from the brethren who have spoken to you here in this building. Those who have spoken have done so by the power of the same Holy Spirit, by the authority of the same priesthood, and they have taught you the truths of heaven. I have listened with a great deal of interest to their remarks, and I sincerely hope that God may help me, as I believe they have been assisted, and that you may give me your faith and prayers during the time that I may occupy in speaking to you, as I may be led by the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Richards told you, in introducing me, that I had been for some years in the Southern States. Ten years and three months have 1 labored in the sunny south, and that, too with a great deal of satisfaction. My father was a southerner, he was born in the State of Kentucky, and while my mother was born in Illinois, yet her people were southerners, and were from the state of South Carolina, so that I have southern blood in my veins and Irish also. (I am proud of that little drop of Irish blood. I suppose it is Irish; my father's mother's name was O'Neill— I don't think she came from Germany.) I have been most happy in bearing my testimony to the principles of the Gospel throughout the south land, and many times I have publicly expressed my appreciation of the kindness bestowed upon me by the people of that land. I have stated many times that I believed they were the most religious people in the United States, the kindest hearted, the most generous and hospitable, and I repeat it. My heart will never be weaned away from the good people of the south.
Inasmuch as one mission president has given a synopsis of the work done in his field, I think perhaps it would not be out of place for me to do likewise.
During the time I have labored in the south, I think there has been 25,000 Books of Mormon distributed among the people, 160,000 Voice of Warning, 150,000 copies of "Mr. Durant," a work upon the principles of the Gospel, some 25,000 hymn books, 40,000 other miscellaneous works, 3,500,000 religious tracts; and there has been a little over 6,800 people baptized into the Church. That bears me out, I think, in saying they are the most religious people that we are finding in any portion of the United States. Their love is strong, and their prejudice is strong. They are not hypocritical. If they are your friends you will find it out very quick, and if otherwise they don't hesitate in letting you know it. God bless the people of the south. I thought I would like to say just these few words concerning them, now that I am to take my departure to another field of labor. I am glad I am going to another field; that is my business. I am a Seventy in the Church, and my place is out on the firing lines. That is when; my priesthood calls me, and I trust that while I live and bear this priesthood I will be willing to remain out in the world, so long as the authorities of the Church may see fit to keep me there.
There are many reasons why I rejoice in the knowledge that I am going to labor in the Eastern States. I look upon that as a sacred ground. It was there that the boy prophet, as mentioned by President Bennion, went into the woods, and kneeling down in solitude, asked God for wisdom. It was in that field where the heavens were opened, after centuries of darkness, and where God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ condescended to speak once more to their children upon the earth. It was there, in answer to prayer, where God sent the angel Moroni to visit the Prophet and reveal to him concerning the plates that had been hid for centuries, and which gave to the world a knowledge, then unknown, concerning the dealings if the Almighty with one half of this world of ours. It was there that this sacred record was translated by the gift and power of God. It was there that the Almighty sent John the Baptist with the Aaronic priesthood, when he came to Joseph and Oliver, in Pennsylvania, and laying his hands upon their heads, bestowed upon them, in the name of Messiah, the Aaronic Priesthood, with a promise that it never more would be taken from the earth until the sons of Levi did offer an offering unto God in righteousness. It was there that the Father sent Peter, James and John, who came upon their mission to bestow the holy Melchisedek Priesthood and ordain those servants Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was there that the first people in this dispensation were led down into the waters of baptism, where they were confirmed members of the Church, where the Church was organized, and where God did many wonderful things in setting up His Church and Kingdom upon the earth. Not only that, but it was in that territory that God did something else before this, the setting up of the government of the United States, a part of the work of God that was a forerunner of the coming of His Holy Son upon the earth. In this sacred book too, the Book of Mormon, we read that the Almighty took the prophet Nephi upon a high mountain and gave to him a vision of the future, showing him a time when His Spirit would move upon an individual, causing him to cross the mighty waters, coming to a remnant of His people, and that the power of God would be upon those who gathered to this land. The Lord showed Nephi how His Spirit moved upon them in breaking loose from their mother country, and afterwards contending for their liberty, and organizing the government of independence upon this land.
Talk about loyalty to the government of the United States, there is no church upon the earth the members of which believe as fully as we believe, that the organization of this government was a part of the work of Almighty God. There is no people upon the earth who believe as strongly as we believe, that what God has set up no man should tear down. Therefore that sacred book, which is a part of our religion, give^ the lie to any man or any set of men, any political party, who say the Latter-day Saints are not the most loyal Americans living upon the face of the earth. We keep an army of over 2,000 men out in all parts of the civilized earth, teaching, what? That God made the government of the Unites States! That is a part of their missionary work, distributing the proof, given to us by revelation from on high, of the fact that this government is a part of the work of God, the only government upon the face of the earth that He has set up, and demonstrated by revelation, by vision, that it is His work. Yet we find some people who say that we are antagonistic to the government. I almost feel like quoting the words of President Angus M. Cannon, who said once, "the sooner some people went to hell the quicker they would get out," and I don't know but that is about true.
It is our business to go into all nations of the earth and tell mankind what God has wrought, what He has set His hand to do in the dispensation of the fullness of times that the Priesthood has been restored, that the last dispensation has been ushered in, that the Church has been organized. The words of the angel to the boy, the farmer's lad, have come true, notwithstanding he was told that he would never be known outside of the county where he lived, yet today there is not a civilized nation upon the face of the earth where the name of Joseph Smith is not had for good and for evil. There is no other thing, no other work, that has been a fulfiller of so many predictions of the Almighty as this work. -In our day, in every nation upon the earth, there are people saying, "Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, where we can learn of His ways and walk in His paths;" and this has been brought to pass by the restoration of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth in this dispensation. It is true that the enemy said to our fathers and our mothers, "Get ye up into the mountains," and they got; and they are fulfilling one of the mightiest revelations of God, by being driven here. Every time, as Brigham Young said, they kicked Mormonism, the kicked it uphill, never down hill. We acknowledge the hand of the Lord even in our persecution, but that does not justify the persecutors. It needs be that offenses come, but woe be unto them by whom they came. God did not compel them to do it; they have got to pay the penalty. It was probably ordained in some way that there should be a traitor in the days of the Messiah, but that does not take away from Judas the responsibility, as an individual, or his punishment for betraying the Son of God. He has got to suffer the pangs of the condemned; and so will all persecutors suffer the pangs of the condemned, until the justice of Almighty God shall bt satisfied. It will not be a lake of fire, either; it will not be to be toasted upon coals of fire; it will not be having a horned devil there with a pitchfork turning them over as he roasts them upon coals of fire. Here we are mortal, with mortal faculties. We commit sin, and we suffer the pangs of the remorse of conscience, but after a while it passes away, and we forget it, because we are mortal, and then we go on sinning more and more, and we continue to forget it. But I want to say to you that when we are resurrected from the dead we will not come up mortal. Every faculty of our being will be immortal, and we will bring forth with us a remembrance of everything that we have not atoned for, and we cannot forget it. We will there suffer remorse of conscience until we have paid the uttermost farthing; and I don't know but that will be worse than coals of fire.
I bear testimony that Joseph F. Smith is a prophet of God. I warn to bear testimony that no man can be untrue to that man and still receive blessings from God the Eternal Father. I say it is your duty to be loyal and true. His friends are your friends, his enemies are your enemies. You should teach it to your children and your children's children, from generation to generation, that the man who may be at the head of this Church, no matter what his name is, no matter who he may be, his friends are your friends, his enemies are your enemies, and what mankind would like to do to him they have it in their hearts to do to you.
I remember in the missionary field that I had a portrait of an individual who was not a religious man, not by any means. Probably he did not do at all times what he ought to have done, but I have written beneath his picture the words, "Porter Rockwell, the Prophet's Friend." He was indeed the friend of the Prophet; a devoted protector of the head of the Church. He would have, laid down his life in defense of the man who stood at the head of the Church, and he is remembered today for his loyalty, and his love for those whom God had placed at the head and his devotion will be remembered in his favor on the books above. While he may have to pay the uttermost farthing for sins he committed, 1 want to tell you on the other page of that book he has received a credit for loyalty that will stand in his favor throughout the countless ages of eternity. I think we should let the world know that, to a man we are willing to surround our president and protect him. That we look upon his enemies as our enemies, and that we will defend him with our lives if necessary.
I rejoice in the testimony that God has given me concerning this work, and feel for myself, and know, it is true, and I want to remain true to it. I bear my testimony to you that the men at the head of this Church are prophet; of God and I want my testimony recorded for or against me, because I give it as knowledge, and I bear it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
Those who are in the tabernacle this afternoon, listening to the prophets, seers and revelators of God's people are hearing no greater truth than you have heard from the brethren who have spoken to you here in this building. Those who have spoken have done so by the power of the same Holy Spirit, by the authority of the same priesthood, and they have taught you the truths of heaven. I have listened with a great deal of interest to their remarks, and I sincerely hope that God may help me, as I believe they have been assisted, and that you may give me your faith and prayers during the time that I may occupy in speaking to you, as I may be led by the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Richards told you, in introducing me, that I had been for some years in the Southern States. Ten years and three months have 1 labored in the sunny south, and that, too with a great deal of satisfaction. My father was a southerner, he was born in the State of Kentucky, and while my mother was born in Illinois, yet her people were southerners, and were from the state of South Carolina, so that I have southern blood in my veins and Irish also. (I am proud of that little drop of Irish blood. I suppose it is Irish; my father's mother's name was O'Neill— I don't think she came from Germany.) I have been most happy in bearing my testimony to the principles of the Gospel throughout the south land, and many times I have publicly expressed my appreciation of the kindness bestowed upon me by the people of that land. I have stated many times that I believed they were the most religious people in the United States, the kindest hearted, the most generous and hospitable, and I repeat it. My heart will never be weaned away from the good people of the south.
Inasmuch as one mission president has given a synopsis of the work done in his field, I think perhaps it would not be out of place for me to do likewise.
During the time I have labored in the south, I think there has been 25,000 Books of Mormon distributed among the people, 160,000 Voice of Warning, 150,000 copies of "Mr. Durant," a work upon the principles of the Gospel, some 25,000 hymn books, 40,000 other miscellaneous works, 3,500,000 religious tracts; and there has been a little over 6,800 people baptized into the Church. That bears me out, I think, in saying they are the most religious people that we are finding in any portion of the United States. Their love is strong, and their prejudice is strong. They are not hypocritical. If they are your friends you will find it out very quick, and if otherwise they don't hesitate in letting you know it. God bless the people of the south. I thought I would like to say just these few words concerning them, now that I am to take my departure to another field of labor. I am glad I am going to another field; that is my business. I am a Seventy in the Church, and my place is out on the firing lines. That is when; my priesthood calls me, and I trust that while I live and bear this priesthood I will be willing to remain out in the world, so long as the authorities of the Church may see fit to keep me there.
There are many reasons why I rejoice in the knowledge that I am going to labor in the Eastern States. I look upon that as a sacred ground. It was there that the boy prophet, as mentioned by President Bennion, went into the woods, and kneeling down in solitude, asked God for wisdom. It was in that field where the heavens were opened, after centuries of darkness, and where God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ condescended to speak once more to their children upon the earth. It was there, in answer to prayer, where God sent the angel Moroni to visit the Prophet and reveal to him concerning the plates that had been hid for centuries, and which gave to the world a knowledge, then unknown, concerning the dealings if the Almighty with one half of this world of ours. It was there that this sacred record was translated by the gift and power of God. It was there that the Almighty sent John the Baptist with the Aaronic priesthood, when he came to Joseph and Oliver, in Pennsylvania, and laying his hands upon their heads, bestowed upon them, in the name of Messiah, the Aaronic Priesthood, with a promise that it never more would be taken from the earth until the sons of Levi did offer an offering unto God in righteousness. It was there that the Father sent Peter, James and John, who came upon their mission to bestow the holy Melchisedek Priesthood and ordain those servants Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was there that the first people in this dispensation were led down into the waters of baptism, where they were confirmed members of the Church, where the Church was organized, and where God did many wonderful things in setting up His Church and Kingdom upon the earth. Not only that, but it was in that territory that God did something else before this, the setting up of the government of the United States, a part of the work of God that was a forerunner of the coming of His Holy Son upon the earth. In this sacred book too, the Book of Mormon, we read that the Almighty took the prophet Nephi upon a high mountain and gave to him a vision of the future, showing him a time when His Spirit would move upon an individual, causing him to cross the mighty waters, coming to a remnant of His people, and that the power of God would be upon those who gathered to this land. The Lord showed Nephi how His Spirit moved upon them in breaking loose from their mother country, and afterwards contending for their liberty, and organizing the government of independence upon this land.
Talk about loyalty to the government of the United States, there is no church upon the earth the members of which believe as fully as we believe, that the organization of this government was a part of the work of Almighty God. There is no people upon the earth who believe as strongly as we believe, that what God has set up no man should tear down. Therefore that sacred book, which is a part of our religion, give^ the lie to any man or any set of men, any political party, who say the Latter-day Saints are not the most loyal Americans living upon the face of the earth. We keep an army of over 2,000 men out in all parts of the civilized earth, teaching, what? That God made the government of the Unites States! That is a part of their missionary work, distributing the proof, given to us by revelation from on high, of the fact that this government is a part of the work of God, the only government upon the face of the earth that He has set up, and demonstrated by revelation, by vision, that it is His work. Yet we find some people who say that we are antagonistic to the government. I almost feel like quoting the words of President Angus M. Cannon, who said once, "the sooner some people went to hell the quicker they would get out," and I don't know but that is about true.
It is our business to go into all nations of the earth and tell mankind what God has wrought, what He has set His hand to do in the dispensation of the fullness of times that the Priesthood has been restored, that the last dispensation has been ushered in, that the Church has been organized. The words of the angel to the boy, the farmer's lad, have come true, notwithstanding he was told that he would never be known outside of the county where he lived, yet today there is not a civilized nation upon the face of the earth where the name of Joseph Smith is not had for good and for evil. There is no other thing, no other work, that has been a fulfiller of so many predictions of the Almighty as this work. -In our day, in every nation upon the earth, there are people saying, "Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, where we can learn of His ways and walk in His paths;" and this has been brought to pass by the restoration of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth in this dispensation. It is true that the enemy said to our fathers and our mothers, "Get ye up into the mountains," and they got; and they are fulfilling one of the mightiest revelations of God, by being driven here. Every time, as Brigham Young said, they kicked Mormonism, the kicked it uphill, never down hill. We acknowledge the hand of the Lord even in our persecution, but that does not justify the persecutors. It needs be that offenses come, but woe be unto them by whom they came. God did not compel them to do it; they have got to pay the penalty. It was probably ordained in some way that there should be a traitor in the days of the Messiah, but that does not take away from Judas the responsibility, as an individual, or his punishment for betraying the Son of God. He has got to suffer the pangs of the condemned; and so will all persecutors suffer the pangs of the condemned, until the justice of Almighty God shall bt satisfied. It will not be a lake of fire, either; it will not be to be toasted upon coals of fire; it will not be having a horned devil there with a pitchfork turning them over as he roasts them upon coals of fire. Here we are mortal, with mortal faculties. We commit sin, and we suffer the pangs of the remorse of conscience, but after a while it passes away, and we forget it, because we are mortal, and then we go on sinning more and more, and we continue to forget it. But I want to say to you that when we are resurrected from the dead we will not come up mortal. Every faculty of our being will be immortal, and we will bring forth with us a remembrance of everything that we have not atoned for, and we cannot forget it. We will there suffer remorse of conscience until we have paid the uttermost farthing; and I don't know but that will be worse than coals of fire.
I bear testimony that Joseph F. Smith is a prophet of God. I warn to bear testimony that no man can be untrue to that man and still receive blessings from God the Eternal Father. I say it is your duty to be loyal and true. His friends are your friends, his enemies are your enemies. You should teach it to your children and your children's children, from generation to generation, that the man who may be at the head of this Church, no matter what his name is, no matter who he may be, his friends are your friends, his enemies are your enemies, and what mankind would like to do to him they have it in their hearts to do to you.
I remember in the missionary field that I had a portrait of an individual who was not a religious man, not by any means. Probably he did not do at all times what he ought to have done, but I have written beneath his picture the words, "Porter Rockwell, the Prophet's Friend." He was indeed the friend of the Prophet; a devoted protector of the head of the Church. He would have, laid down his life in defense of the man who stood at the head of the Church, and he is remembered today for his loyalty, and his love for those whom God had placed at the head and his devotion will be remembered in his favor on the books above. While he may have to pay the uttermost farthing for sins he committed, 1 want to tell you on the other page of that book he has received a credit for loyalty that will stand in his favor throughout the countless ages of eternity. I think we should let the world know that, to a man we are willing to surround our president and protect him. That we look upon his enemies as our enemies, and that we will defend him with our lives if necessary.
I rejoice in the testimony that God has given me concerning this work, and feel for myself, and know, it is true, and I want to remain true to it. I bear my testimony to you that the men at the head of this Church are prophet; of God and I want my testimony recorded for or against me, because I give it as knowledge, and I bear it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS.
Divine inspiration manifest in discovery of this land, and establishment of its government.—Saints should live up to the light and knowledge they have received.— Good works the only sure evidence of faith.—Church members blessed with wise, faithful, and diligent teachers.
I bear you my testimony, my brethren and sisters, that the words that have been spoken to you this afternoon are the truths of heaven, inspired of the Lord, and I admonish you to remember them, and put them into practice.
The Lord revealed, many centuries ago, to one of His Prophets, Nephi, that His people who inhabited this country, North and South America, should be destroyed, leaving but a remnant of the seed of his wicked brethren, on whom rested the curse of blackness, that this country should be lost to the knowledge of the eastern world, and that He would inspire one who should journey upon the waters and discover this promised land. And so we believe, emphatically, that the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus is a direct fulfilment of the prediction of the Lord, and that it is a part of His great plan, as has been stated, in preparing for the restoration of the everlasting gospel in these last days. He not only inspired Columbus to discover America, but He also inspired men to establish this great government, whose principles are as liberal as the principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, yielding obedience to which will make men and women free indeed. We understand that not only did the Lord inspire the declaration of independence and the constitution of this great country of ours, but by His power He has enabled the people thus far to maintain independence, and liberty of faith, under the constitution of these United States. We Latter-day Saints are presumptuous enough to believe that we as a people, though but few in number compared with the population of these United States, are the "IT," if I may use that expression; though limited, our numbers help to make up this great commonwealth. By and by from the center of Zion, the word of the Lord is to go out, not only to this nation, but also into all the nations of the earth, until every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall have the opportunity to enjoy the same blessing's that we enjoy today through the gospel of our Master. This is the great land of promise in which we live. I thank the Lord for the liberty implanted in this great country of ours. I thank the Lord, too, for the liberty which our people find in other nations where they are located. There is a spirit of toleration and liberality with the heads of other nations where our people have colonized. I acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all these civil blessings for our people, as well as other spiritual and temporal blessings that are so bounteously poured out upon us.
I was thinking while the brethren were speaking, of that passage of scripture beginning with the 11th verse of the 4th chapter of Ephesians, which tells how the Lord gave to His primitive Church certain officers, "Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers," etc., for certain specific purposes, for the work of the ministry, the perfecting of the Saints, the edifying of the body of Christ, till they should all come into a unity of faith and a knowledge of the Son of God. So in these days He has organized His church in perfection, giving unto us all the officers that were had in the primitive church, and many auxiliaries as helps in government; and these people, the Latter-day Saints, are well taught. Indeed, if we were now living up to the light and knowledge that has come to us, our light would shine out in the nations, they would behold the power of God manifest among us, and see a people who would delight in works of righteousness, and who would eschew all evil. Had we lived fully up to this light the evils that have come to some of us through strong drink, and other evils, would have been averted. For instance, the sickness, weakened constitutions, and premature deaths resulting from' the use of tobacco would have been prevented. This work would have rolled on more rapidly, because the timings of the people would have been paid as the Lord designed. As a result of complete compliance with that law, the blessing and favor of heaven would have been more abundantly poured out upon us, and the earth would have been blessed for our sakes to bring forth more than it has.
I acknowledge the faithfulness of the people generally. The Lord has acknowledged their faithfulness, and He has manifested His appreciation of what we have done, and has favored us by pouring out many blessings upon us; certainly we have been greatly blessed of the Lord. But I do feel that as a people we have need of being impressed with the importance and necessity of doing as well as we know how, as well as we have been taught. That we are well taught there is no question. We know what we should do, and we know what we should not do. We are not only required to do and to labor, but we are commanded to abstain from doing certain things which are evil, demoralizing, degrading, and unbecoming honest, honorable men and women. Indeed, the gospel of the Master is one of self-denial and self-sacrifice; it requires faith to enable men and women to make the sacrifices required, and to deny themselves the things which are forbidden by the gospel. Just as we were told by one of the speakers this afternoon, it may be an easy matter for people of some denominations to live" up to the requirements of their churches and creeds, but with the Latter-day Saints there is a continued warfare through life, denying one's self the things which his nature craves, and making sacrifice day after day; it requires faith to enable us to do these things and to continue to the end. We cannot hope to be able to succeed, and come off victorious in the end, only through faith in God and the help that He will give us through faith. If I do not pay my tithing, what reasons have I to assign for not doing so? I can think of no other reason than that I have not faith sufficient to do it. If I could make myself believe that God has spoken from the heavens, that it was He who gave that revelation which says that one-tenth of my interest annually should be given to the Church for the building up of the kingdom, if I could believe in my heart and soul, even as if God came and told me that it is His will I should do so, I think I would have no further trouble. The difficulty is, if I do not yield obedience to that law, I manifest that I do not believe the law. I try to make myself imagine that I believe it, but in this I deceive myself. What did the Apostle James say? "Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls, but be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." So, I feel that some of us Latter-day Saints are actually deceiving ourselves, trying to make ourselves believe that our faith is perfect in the law of God, and at the same time it does not produce that result which the Lord desires.
We have need, my brethren and sisters, to increase our faith in the Lord; and so these officers are placed to teach us faith in God, and in Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world, and faith in the Holy Ghost as one of the trinity of the Godhead, whose influence fills the immensity of space, the medium of communication between the Father and His children. Those who have spoken to you today are laboring for this end. You have heard two presidents of missions of the United States, and two local presidents, one presiding over an important stake of Zion, and another over a populous ward. You have heard their pleading, and their teachings. Such are the teachings of other servants of the Lord, who can be counted by the thousands. Thus we are teaching the Latter-day Saints, and teaching the world; and we propose to continue to teach and labor in loving kindness and persuasion, to bring men and women to that perfect faith in the Lord which will secure them eternal lives, by their yielding obedience to the laws and requirements of the gospel.
God bless you, my brethren and sisters. May His favor be upon us. May we be able to understand His will, and with all our souls, with all our might, mind and strength, serve Him, making the required sacrifices that we may obtain eternal life, is the humble prayer of your fellow servant, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir sang the hymn, "Onward, Christian soldiers."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Daniel G. Miller.
Divine inspiration manifest in discovery of this land, and establishment of its government.—Saints should live up to the light and knowledge they have received.— Good works the only sure evidence of faith.—Church members blessed with wise, faithful, and diligent teachers.
I bear you my testimony, my brethren and sisters, that the words that have been spoken to you this afternoon are the truths of heaven, inspired of the Lord, and I admonish you to remember them, and put them into practice.
The Lord revealed, many centuries ago, to one of His Prophets, Nephi, that His people who inhabited this country, North and South America, should be destroyed, leaving but a remnant of the seed of his wicked brethren, on whom rested the curse of blackness, that this country should be lost to the knowledge of the eastern world, and that He would inspire one who should journey upon the waters and discover this promised land. And so we believe, emphatically, that the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus is a direct fulfilment of the prediction of the Lord, and that it is a part of His great plan, as has been stated, in preparing for the restoration of the everlasting gospel in these last days. He not only inspired Columbus to discover America, but He also inspired men to establish this great government, whose principles are as liberal as the principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, yielding obedience to which will make men and women free indeed. We understand that not only did the Lord inspire the declaration of independence and the constitution of this great country of ours, but by His power He has enabled the people thus far to maintain independence, and liberty of faith, under the constitution of these United States. We Latter-day Saints are presumptuous enough to believe that we as a people, though but few in number compared with the population of these United States, are the "IT," if I may use that expression; though limited, our numbers help to make up this great commonwealth. By and by from the center of Zion, the word of the Lord is to go out, not only to this nation, but also into all the nations of the earth, until every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall have the opportunity to enjoy the same blessing's that we enjoy today through the gospel of our Master. This is the great land of promise in which we live. I thank the Lord for the liberty implanted in this great country of ours. I thank the Lord, too, for the liberty which our people find in other nations where they are located. There is a spirit of toleration and liberality with the heads of other nations where our people have colonized. I acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all these civil blessings for our people, as well as other spiritual and temporal blessings that are so bounteously poured out upon us.
I was thinking while the brethren were speaking, of that passage of scripture beginning with the 11th verse of the 4th chapter of Ephesians, which tells how the Lord gave to His primitive Church certain officers, "Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers," etc., for certain specific purposes, for the work of the ministry, the perfecting of the Saints, the edifying of the body of Christ, till they should all come into a unity of faith and a knowledge of the Son of God. So in these days He has organized His church in perfection, giving unto us all the officers that were had in the primitive church, and many auxiliaries as helps in government; and these people, the Latter-day Saints, are well taught. Indeed, if we were now living up to the light and knowledge that has come to us, our light would shine out in the nations, they would behold the power of God manifest among us, and see a people who would delight in works of righteousness, and who would eschew all evil. Had we lived fully up to this light the evils that have come to some of us through strong drink, and other evils, would have been averted. For instance, the sickness, weakened constitutions, and premature deaths resulting from' the use of tobacco would have been prevented. This work would have rolled on more rapidly, because the timings of the people would have been paid as the Lord designed. As a result of complete compliance with that law, the blessing and favor of heaven would have been more abundantly poured out upon us, and the earth would have been blessed for our sakes to bring forth more than it has.
I acknowledge the faithfulness of the people generally. The Lord has acknowledged their faithfulness, and He has manifested His appreciation of what we have done, and has favored us by pouring out many blessings upon us; certainly we have been greatly blessed of the Lord. But I do feel that as a people we have need of being impressed with the importance and necessity of doing as well as we know how, as well as we have been taught. That we are well taught there is no question. We know what we should do, and we know what we should not do. We are not only required to do and to labor, but we are commanded to abstain from doing certain things which are evil, demoralizing, degrading, and unbecoming honest, honorable men and women. Indeed, the gospel of the Master is one of self-denial and self-sacrifice; it requires faith to enable men and women to make the sacrifices required, and to deny themselves the things which are forbidden by the gospel. Just as we were told by one of the speakers this afternoon, it may be an easy matter for people of some denominations to live" up to the requirements of their churches and creeds, but with the Latter-day Saints there is a continued warfare through life, denying one's self the things which his nature craves, and making sacrifice day after day; it requires faith to enable us to do these things and to continue to the end. We cannot hope to be able to succeed, and come off victorious in the end, only through faith in God and the help that He will give us through faith. If I do not pay my tithing, what reasons have I to assign for not doing so? I can think of no other reason than that I have not faith sufficient to do it. If I could make myself believe that God has spoken from the heavens, that it was He who gave that revelation which says that one-tenth of my interest annually should be given to the Church for the building up of the kingdom, if I could believe in my heart and soul, even as if God came and told me that it is His will I should do so, I think I would have no further trouble. The difficulty is, if I do not yield obedience to that law, I manifest that I do not believe the law. I try to make myself imagine that I believe it, but in this I deceive myself. What did the Apostle James say? "Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls, but be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." So, I feel that some of us Latter-day Saints are actually deceiving ourselves, trying to make ourselves believe that our faith is perfect in the law of God, and at the same time it does not produce that result which the Lord desires.
We have need, my brethren and sisters, to increase our faith in the Lord; and so these officers are placed to teach us faith in God, and in Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world, and faith in the Holy Ghost as one of the trinity of the Godhead, whose influence fills the immensity of space, the medium of communication between the Father and His children. Those who have spoken to you today are laboring for this end. You have heard two presidents of missions of the United States, and two local presidents, one presiding over an important stake of Zion, and another over a populous ward. You have heard their pleading, and their teachings. Such are the teachings of other servants of the Lord, who can be counted by the thousands. Thus we are teaching the Latter-day Saints, and teaching the world; and we propose to continue to teach and labor in loving kindness and persuasion, to bring men and women to that perfect faith in the Lord which will secure them eternal lives, by their yielding obedience to the laws and requirements of the gospel.
God bless you, my brethren and sisters. May His favor be upon us. May we be able to understand His will, and with all our souls, with all our might, mind and strength, serve Him, making the required sacrifices that we may obtain eternal life, is the humble prayer of your fellow servant, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir sang the hymn, "Onward, Christian soldiers."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Daniel G. Miller.
Third Overflow Meeting.
In Barratt Hall, at 2:30 p. m., Elder Joseph S. Wells presiding; Elder Heber Aldous conducting the singing.
The congregation sang the hymn, "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation."
Prayer was offered by Elder Vernee L. Halliday.
The congregation sang the hymn, "How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord."
In Barratt Hall, at 2:30 p. m., Elder Joseph S. Wells presiding; Elder Heber Aldous conducting the singing.
The congregation sang the hymn, "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation."
Prayer was offered by Elder Vernee L. Halliday.
The congregation sang the hymn, "How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord."
ELDER NEPHI PRATT.
(President of Northwestern States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, I appreciate the privilege of being at home among the Saints of God, and listening to the inspired teachings of the Presidency and other Elders of the Church. The speakers are here this afternoon by appointment of the prophet of the Lord. We are few in number, but the Lord has said that He will be even with, three or four, when they come together in His name. I hope that you will pray that I may be inspired by the Spirit, that we may be blessed together, and the hearts of those who are assembled here be comforted, their faith increased, and they be instructed.
I praise the Lord for the inspiration in the remarks of my brethren who have spoken in this conference. I love the sound of their voices. I am laboring away off, 800 miles from here, in a missionary field, and I rarely have, except upon special occasions, as great an audience as is here assembled; and you may imagine the great pleasure and happiness it gives me to mingle with the Saints in Zion. God has blessed this country. This is the land to which the Lord inspired His servants to gather the hosts who have from time to time met in our great conferences. The site for the temple of the Lord and the place for its chief cornerstone, was pointed out by revelation. I have been with this Church, in Salt Lake Valley, except when I have been traveling on missions, from the time I was a year and a half old. I have seen the growth of this people, and the greatness of their character. When we first worshiped the Lord on this block, under the old Bowery, the theme of the prophets and saints in that day was that God had sanctified and blessed this land, reserved it on purpose, and kept it for this people. The prophetic vision of our leaders then looked forward to the time when great buildings would grace the Temple block. When log houses were builded by the pioneers around Pioneer Square, which was at that time called the Old Fort, I was a small child, but I know the spirit that possessed the people. I want to tell the Saints who are gathered here that when our pioneers looked upon that ten-acre block, enclosing log houses shingled with straw and mud, they beheld, with prophetic eye, those cabins merge into palaces of beauty. And when they worshiped God under the crude shelter which they had builded, they thought of the Temple of the Lord, and the Tabernacles that would sometime be builded on this block. They felt that the poverty of those years would some day change into riches. You are my witnesses, who walk the streets of our beautiful city, that the Lord did not inspire our fathers with any false hopes, but has fulfilled to the letter all predictions that were made through His servants, and many times made them greater than they were spoken.
It is a great and magnificent day in which we live; and among us everywhere, are evidences of the greatness that the Gospel brings to those who live it. So far as anything that I have ever read in history says, there never was as great a body of Priesthood on the face of the earth, living the Gospel laws to as great an extent, as there is today gathered here on the tops of the mountains, exalted, as Isaiah said, above the hills. The people of many nations have flown unto us. The desert has blossomed as the rose. Harmony, joy, gladness, and thanksgiving are here, as Isaiah predicted, and the voice of melody, which is evidenced by the great Eisteddfod that has recently been held here, and by the great choirs that sing in our places of worship, —and the Elders see eye to eye, all of which the Lord promised should be, when the Lord should bring again Zion.
I want to stand among this people, a humble member of the Church of Christ, sanctified and blessed by a good course of conduct. My destiny is in my own hands. If I ascend into the paradise of God when my spirit departs from this tabernacle, and in peace and happiness reside with the Pioneers who laid the foundation of this splendid commonwealth, it will be because I have received of the same Spirit, humbled myself before God, purified myself by repenting of that that I have done wrong. It will be because I have worked and studied to make myself yield to the will of God, because my house has been a house of prayer and thanksgiving, because my means and ability have been spent in the service of God, because I chose good instead of evil, because I curbed impure appetites, and subjugated myself to the good. Then I shah see Joseph Smith, who, under God's direction, laid, the foundation of this work, when my spirit shall pass into the other world. I personally knew President Brigham Young, and I associated with his children. President Young has held me on his knee when I was a child ; and he spoke consolingly to my mother in her widowhood, and sympathetically condoled the sorrow of our family when father was assassinated. When I pass from this world, I expect to meet President Young, and be associated with other worthies who sustained the banner of truth and righteousness in the midst of a hostile world.
If I go where darkness, and weeping, and wailing prevail, I shall never be able to accuse God our Father, or say to Kim, Father, why have you placed me in such sorrowful conditions, in outer darkness where there is weeping, and wailing and gnashing of teeth! Why, Father, have you given me evil companionship, and made my soul to dwell with those that are ungodly? Why, the Lord might say, my son,, you only earned a place where there is outer darkness, and weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, and we have given you what you earned. You had your destiny in your own hands. Your brother that is across the chasm over which you cannot pass, who is in the association of prophets, priests and kings and with Jesus, blessed with eternal riches and eternal life, is the recipient of what he has earned. You each had your agency. I gave you my precepts, laws, and commandments, and you exercised that agency. I shall not be able to blame my Heavenly Father if I stand condemned.
My brothers and sisters, read the laws of the Gospel and lay them to heart. The prophet of the Lord God has spoken by revelation, and declared that hailstorms will destroy the crops. Do you think the saints shall escape famine when that comes? And there will be the grim reaper, death, coming to all the nations, in various forms that have been foretold. It has been Written that awful new diseases shall come, over which the physicians will have no power; that flies shall come upon the wicked and eat their flesh, and that maggots shall come upon them, and devour them. But the revelation that was quoted in our hearing this morning holds out hope to us. When these awful conditions which are coming shall predominate, and the judgments of God be poured out without stint, in that day the man who has kept the Word of Wisdom can say to the Lord, Father, you did promise that if I kept this word, the destroyer should pass me by, and the Lord will hear. Now let us heed these things, individually. I can preach them, but can I practice them? It is easy to talk; it is harder to act. We should take upon us the whole yoke of our Redeemer, the whole armor of righteousness, and thus become free and sinless; when we do that, our yoke will be easy, and our burdens light. Sin binds us and makes us fearful. A condition of apostasy will keep us from being heard by the Lord when we pray. Faith is lacking in our families, if the first thought is to call for physicians when we are afflicted instead of appealing to the Lord.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I desire to live these principles, and to live a life that shall please God. Before I pass away from the earth, I want to make amends for all my transgressions. I want to pay all the debts I owe to man and to our Heavenly Father. I want to go free into the spirit world, and 1 hope the Lord, when I have done my best, will open the way before me that I may not go into the spirit world among the ungodly, looking forward with fear to that which shall come in the judgment of God. I hope the Lord will approve my sacrifices and say, it is enough, let him go into the paradise of God with the saints. If I only can live worthy to obtain these things, I will risk the rest.
Brethren and sisters, may God bless you in His mercy, comfort you in your homes in the future have His hand ever extended to bless the Saints, save our children, and keep us for ever and ever hi His holy keeping, and save and exalt us in His kingdom, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
A soprano solo, "The ninety and nine," was sung by Sister Elma Young.
(President of Northwestern States Mission.)
My brethren and sisters, I appreciate the privilege of being at home among the Saints of God, and listening to the inspired teachings of the Presidency and other Elders of the Church. The speakers are here this afternoon by appointment of the prophet of the Lord. We are few in number, but the Lord has said that He will be even with, three or four, when they come together in His name. I hope that you will pray that I may be inspired by the Spirit, that we may be blessed together, and the hearts of those who are assembled here be comforted, their faith increased, and they be instructed.
I praise the Lord for the inspiration in the remarks of my brethren who have spoken in this conference. I love the sound of their voices. I am laboring away off, 800 miles from here, in a missionary field, and I rarely have, except upon special occasions, as great an audience as is here assembled; and you may imagine the great pleasure and happiness it gives me to mingle with the Saints in Zion. God has blessed this country. This is the land to which the Lord inspired His servants to gather the hosts who have from time to time met in our great conferences. The site for the temple of the Lord and the place for its chief cornerstone, was pointed out by revelation. I have been with this Church, in Salt Lake Valley, except when I have been traveling on missions, from the time I was a year and a half old. I have seen the growth of this people, and the greatness of their character. When we first worshiped the Lord on this block, under the old Bowery, the theme of the prophets and saints in that day was that God had sanctified and blessed this land, reserved it on purpose, and kept it for this people. The prophetic vision of our leaders then looked forward to the time when great buildings would grace the Temple block. When log houses were builded by the pioneers around Pioneer Square, which was at that time called the Old Fort, I was a small child, but I know the spirit that possessed the people. I want to tell the Saints who are gathered here that when our pioneers looked upon that ten-acre block, enclosing log houses shingled with straw and mud, they beheld, with prophetic eye, those cabins merge into palaces of beauty. And when they worshiped God under the crude shelter which they had builded, they thought of the Temple of the Lord, and the Tabernacles that would sometime be builded on this block. They felt that the poverty of those years would some day change into riches. You are my witnesses, who walk the streets of our beautiful city, that the Lord did not inspire our fathers with any false hopes, but has fulfilled to the letter all predictions that were made through His servants, and many times made them greater than they were spoken.
It is a great and magnificent day in which we live; and among us everywhere, are evidences of the greatness that the Gospel brings to those who live it. So far as anything that I have ever read in history says, there never was as great a body of Priesthood on the face of the earth, living the Gospel laws to as great an extent, as there is today gathered here on the tops of the mountains, exalted, as Isaiah said, above the hills. The people of many nations have flown unto us. The desert has blossomed as the rose. Harmony, joy, gladness, and thanksgiving are here, as Isaiah predicted, and the voice of melody, which is evidenced by the great Eisteddfod that has recently been held here, and by the great choirs that sing in our places of worship, —and the Elders see eye to eye, all of which the Lord promised should be, when the Lord should bring again Zion.
I want to stand among this people, a humble member of the Church of Christ, sanctified and blessed by a good course of conduct. My destiny is in my own hands. If I ascend into the paradise of God when my spirit departs from this tabernacle, and in peace and happiness reside with the Pioneers who laid the foundation of this splendid commonwealth, it will be because I have received of the same Spirit, humbled myself before God, purified myself by repenting of that that I have done wrong. It will be because I have worked and studied to make myself yield to the will of God, because my house has been a house of prayer and thanksgiving, because my means and ability have been spent in the service of God, because I chose good instead of evil, because I curbed impure appetites, and subjugated myself to the good. Then I shah see Joseph Smith, who, under God's direction, laid, the foundation of this work, when my spirit shall pass into the other world. I personally knew President Brigham Young, and I associated with his children. President Young has held me on his knee when I was a child ; and he spoke consolingly to my mother in her widowhood, and sympathetically condoled the sorrow of our family when father was assassinated. When I pass from this world, I expect to meet President Young, and be associated with other worthies who sustained the banner of truth and righteousness in the midst of a hostile world.
If I go where darkness, and weeping, and wailing prevail, I shall never be able to accuse God our Father, or say to Kim, Father, why have you placed me in such sorrowful conditions, in outer darkness where there is weeping, and wailing and gnashing of teeth! Why, Father, have you given me evil companionship, and made my soul to dwell with those that are ungodly? Why, the Lord might say, my son,, you only earned a place where there is outer darkness, and weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, and we have given you what you earned. You had your destiny in your own hands. Your brother that is across the chasm over which you cannot pass, who is in the association of prophets, priests and kings and with Jesus, blessed with eternal riches and eternal life, is the recipient of what he has earned. You each had your agency. I gave you my precepts, laws, and commandments, and you exercised that agency. I shall not be able to blame my Heavenly Father if I stand condemned.
My brothers and sisters, read the laws of the Gospel and lay them to heart. The prophet of the Lord God has spoken by revelation, and declared that hailstorms will destroy the crops. Do you think the saints shall escape famine when that comes? And there will be the grim reaper, death, coming to all the nations, in various forms that have been foretold. It has been Written that awful new diseases shall come, over which the physicians will have no power; that flies shall come upon the wicked and eat their flesh, and that maggots shall come upon them, and devour them. But the revelation that was quoted in our hearing this morning holds out hope to us. When these awful conditions which are coming shall predominate, and the judgments of God be poured out without stint, in that day the man who has kept the Word of Wisdom can say to the Lord, Father, you did promise that if I kept this word, the destroyer should pass me by, and the Lord will hear. Now let us heed these things, individually. I can preach them, but can I practice them? It is easy to talk; it is harder to act. We should take upon us the whole yoke of our Redeemer, the whole armor of righteousness, and thus become free and sinless; when we do that, our yoke will be easy, and our burdens light. Sin binds us and makes us fearful. A condition of apostasy will keep us from being heard by the Lord when we pray. Faith is lacking in our families, if the first thought is to call for physicians when we are afflicted instead of appealing to the Lord.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I desire to live these principles, and to live a life that shall please God. Before I pass away from the earth, I want to make amends for all my transgressions. I want to pay all the debts I owe to man and to our Heavenly Father. I want to go free into the spirit world, and 1 hope the Lord, when I have done my best, will open the way before me that I may not go into the spirit world among the ungodly, looking forward with fear to that which shall come in the judgment of God. I hope the Lord will approve my sacrifices and say, it is enough, let him go into the paradise of God with the saints. If I only can live worthy to obtain these things, I will risk the rest.
Brethren and sisters, may God bless you in His mercy, comfort you in your homes in the future have His hand ever extended to bless the Saints, save our children, and keep us for ever and ever hi His holy keeping, and save and exalt us in His kingdom, I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
A soprano solo, "The ninety and nine," was sung by Sister Elma Young.
ELDER JOSEPH A. M'RAE.
(President of Western States Mission.)
I am pleased to have the opportunity of meeting with 'you here this afternoon. There are but few of us present, but as I said to Brother Pratt before the beginning of this meeting, there have been many times in my life that I have spoken to smaller audiences than the one here today. I have seen smaller audiences in larger halls too, where we have gone to the expense of renting and invited the people to our meetings, done everything possible to get them to come and listen to the testimony of the Elders, and we have had but few present. I note that there are just eighty present now; and it is a coincidence that the most glorious meeting I ever attended in my life, was held with just eighty people That meeting continued five hour^ and a half, and I never attended in all my life a meeting where there was a more glorious outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord than was witnessed on that occasion. Some of the Elders, after the meeting was concluded, looked at their watches, and were surprised to ascertain we had been present five and a half hours, The reason that our meeting was marked by such an outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, was that every individual present was living close to the Lord; and when we offered our petitions unto Him that His Spirit should be in that meeting, He could not refuse to answer our prayer. I saw on that occasion stalwart men arise to bear their testimonies and they broke down and sobbed like children. Such an outpouring of the Spirit, I say, I never witnessed in my life before, nor do J expect to ever witness another greater.
We who have assembled here this afternoon, have come for the purpose of having our hearts and souls satisfied with reference to the principles of the Gospel. We have come to be fed the bread of life, and listen to the inspiration of our Father given to His servants in the words that they shall utter. We have come for the purpose of receiving a portion of the Spirit of the Lord, and although in the Tabernacle this afternoon thousands are gathered to hear the inspired words of the servants of God, there is no reason why our prayers ascending to our Father shall not result in us obtaining the same rich blessings.
I have listened with interest this afternoon to the remarks that have been made by Brother Pratt, who has the privilege and blessing of presiding over one of the missions of the United States. I have listened to the testimony he has borne respecting the integrity of the men and women who have stood foremost in this Church, some of whom are standing there today. I have listened with interest to his recital of the conditions which prevailed in these valleys while he was a boy —conditions that we know nothing about, and by which, consequently, we will never be tried. Our trials will come in some other way. We are surrounded today by all the luxuries that God can bless us with; and the Lord has promised us, if we will keep His commandments, that there is nothing the earth produces that shall not be ours. He has verified those words, and has blessed us with an abundance of this world's goods, including the beautiful buildings by which we are surrounded, in which we can meet from time to time. The two buildings upon the Temple block, in which are being held today meetings of the Saints, are filled to overflowing. We have assembled in another building, and if this was filled to overflow, there, are other buildings we could repair to, where meetings could be held, and the voice of the Lord, through His servants, could be heard by us.
My experience, in the few years that I have lived, has taught me there is no safety, no genuine happiness, joy, nor pleasure comes to an individual except he be keeping the commandments of the Lord. There is no real joy nor happiness in the things of this world. I find men in my travels about the country who are undecided about the affairs of life, and who ridicule religion. I find other men who say there is something in religion, but "I cannot understand it; it is all a mystery to me." In some instances, men's hearts are torn asunder, and their families are divided one against another, because they do not know God; they have not received His revelations; they have not tasted of the inspiration that comes through the voice of His servants. They do not know what it means to kneel down and listen to the voice of the Spirit in answer to prayer. They do not realize what this means; they cannot understand it as we do, therefore they are disrupted, torn asunder, dissatisfied, discontented, continually complaining of this Church and that, and the doctrine that is taught.
I sat in the Tabernacle this morning and listened to the inspired words of President Smith when he arose in that congregation, and called the people to order, gave out the hymn, and by virtue of his divine calling took charge of that gathering, and I thought of another conference that I read of a short time ago, where a body of religious worshipers were gathered together. They have a man whom they sustain as the head of their church, and this man has two counselors. J thought of the beginning of their meeting, when the congregation was called to order by the chairman, one of the members arose and said, "I move that it be the sense of this meeting that the present presidency of this church preside over this meeting." I thought when I read it, how devoid they are of the Spirit of God; and I could not help but contrast what I had read with what I saw this morning.
It is said that this is a most peculiar doctrine that we preach, a most peculiar religion that we have embraced. The fact is this is the religion of Jesus Christ, the Church that He established. That is the reason it is regarded as a peculiar religion. The burden of the message that was given to the Elders in the early history of this Church was, "Faith, repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." A short time ago I met upon the train a lady and gentleman, and they began to talk about Brigham Young. This lady had been to Utah. They were sitting just opposite me, and I said, "Wait a minute before you go any farther with your conversation. I want to tell you that I am a Mormon Elder." This lady then said to me. "Tell me why it is that the people of Utah hold Brigham Young up as such a great man?" I said: "My good lady, they have reason, they have cause, for it. If you would investigate the early history of Utah, if you could see the immigrants who came from the work shops of Europe, if you could see those people who never knew what it was to own land of their own before coming to the valleys of Utah, and saw the inspiration of that great man in planting those people in the various parts of this state, and then could see today the offspring of those men and women, you, if you were candid, would never cease praising the name of Brigham Young. And yet," I said, "Brigham Young was not the one who did it, it was God, our Eternal Father. Brigham Young was merely His instrument in accomplishing this great pioneer work." I believe, after our conversation, she had a different idea and understanding of the work that Brigham Young has done.
What has been the cause for this people coming from the islands of the sea, and from the continent of Europe, and establishing themselves in these valleys? The primary cause of it has been repentance from their sins, and baptism for the remission of those sins; and without it they would not be here. Without it there would not be that bond of union that we see today, and there would be no Temples erected in these mountains. Without it we would not be here to tell the story of our faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ; and I say therefore, the fundamental principles we have to learn are, "First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second repentance from our sins, third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins."
Sometimes the Elders come to me and say: "We have preached faith, repentance and baptism for so long that this people know all about it." I say, "There is no theme you can teach that is of more importance to the Latter-day Saints than faith, repentance, and baptism." I believe we ought to be made to think of the first time we went down in the water and were baptized for the remission of our sins. One of our Elders remarked last night at our meeting here, "When an Elder of Israel arises to address a congregation, and asks for the interest of their faith and prayers, I wonder how many realize the importance of that request? I wonder how many say Heavenly Father, bless the speaker, that he may speak under your influence." Now, I wonder how many of us recall the time of our baptism, immersion for the remission of sins, and remember the things connected therewith. I wonder how many of us review those things, and see if today we are much better. I wonder if we ask ourselves if there are things that we should repent of today.
President Smith was moved upon this morning to read the Eighty-ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants. You have read it many times, no doubt, that beautiful Word of Wisdom. He felt impressed to read that, and he called the people to repentance, and asked them to turn unto the Lord, for the Lord is mighty to save, He is merciful to us. He holds out His hand with charity towards us, and will save us if we will, as Brother Pratt has told us this afternoon, work for our salvation, work for our exaltation.
I love this Gospel. I love the principles that have been revealed through Joseph Smith and the other prophets who have ministered unto us. I love my brethren and sisters who have embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I hear Elders say in the mission field, "I have left every thing that was near and dear to me." I do not say that, because the people that I am sent to, those who are in darkness, who know not Jesus Christ, who know not the sound of His voice, who do not understand revelation, they are near and dear to me, for they are the children of my Father. I have been sent to preach the Gospel to them, to bear my testimony to them; I have been sent to tell them that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is a divine record revealed by the Lord unto this generation. This is what I have been sent for, to call them to repentance, just as President Smith felt called upon to call the people of Israel to repentance today, and ask them to turn unto Him, to turn unto the Lord and serve Him, and keep His commandments.
I know this work is true, as I know I live. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God. I know that Brigham Young and all of Joseph Smith's successors have been prophets of the Lord. I know that the Apostles who are today in our midst, who have been ordained Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, are men after God's own heart. I have associated with them. I have come in close contact with them, and I have enjoyed the privilege of meeting with them in the temple in council with them, and I know the teachings they give are the teachings that have been inspired by our Father in Heaven. My brethren and sisters, let me exhort you to listen to their counsel and teachings, to listen to the advice they give, and if they chide or admonish you, let me ask in all humility that you will receive that chastisement and counsel that they give in the spirit that it is given, and the Lord will bless us, and will pour out His Spirit upon you, and though your afflictions in this life may be great, you will have much to praise the Lord for. His Spirit will take possession of you, and it will make no difference whether we are but few, God will be with us, and He will bless us, and will pour out His Spirit upon us in abundance, and we shall come near to the Lord, and there shall be just a thin vail between us and our Father, and when we kneel down and offer our prayers, we will hear the voice of the Spirit.
May God bless those who have assembled here this afternoon, pour out upon them His Holy Spirit, cause them to reflect upon the first principles of the Gospel, and then go on from faith to faith until we shall know our Father in heaven as He knows us. When we kneel down at our bedside or around the family altar, and pour out our soul to our Father in heaven for blessings upon ourselves or upon our family, may our faith be such that those blessings will surely be realized upon our head, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of Western States Mission.)
I am pleased to have the opportunity of meeting with 'you here this afternoon. There are but few of us present, but as I said to Brother Pratt before the beginning of this meeting, there have been many times in my life that I have spoken to smaller audiences than the one here today. I have seen smaller audiences in larger halls too, where we have gone to the expense of renting and invited the people to our meetings, done everything possible to get them to come and listen to the testimony of the Elders, and we have had but few present. I note that there are just eighty present now; and it is a coincidence that the most glorious meeting I ever attended in my life, was held with just eighty people That meeting continued five hour^ and a half, and I never attended in all my life a meeting where there was a more glorious outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord than was witnessed on that occasion. Some of the Elders, after the meeting was concluded, looked at their watches, and were surprised to ascertain we had been present five and a half hours, The reason that our meeting was marked by such an outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, was that every individual present was living close to the Lord; and when we offered our petitions unto Him that His Spirit should be in that meeting, He could not refuse to answer our prayer. I saw on that occasion stalwart men arise to bear their testimonies and they broke down and sobbed like children. Such an outpouring of the Spirit, I say, I never witnessed in my life before, nor do J expect to ever witness another greater.
We who have assembled here this afternoon, have come for the purpose of having our hearts and souls satisfied with reference to the principles of the Gospel. We have come to be fed the bread of life, and listen to the inspiration of our Father given to His servants in the words that they shall utter. We have come for the purpose of receiving a portion of the Spirit of the Lord, and although in the Tabernacle this afternoon thousands are gathered to hear the inspired words of the servants of God, there is no reason why our prayers ascending to our Father shall not result in us obtaining the same rich blessings.
I have listened with interest this afternoon to the remarks that have been made by Brother Pratt, who has the privilege and blessing of presiding over one of the missions of the United States. I have listened to the testimony he has borne respecting the integrity of the men and women who have stood foremost in this Church, some of whom are standing there today. I have listened with interest to his recital of the conditions which prevailed in these valleys while he was a boy —conditions that we know nothing about, and by which, consequently, we will never be tried. Our trials will come in some other way. We are surrounded today by all the luxuries that God can bless us with; and the Lord has promised us, if we will keep His commandments, that there is nothing the earth produces that shall not be ours. He has verified those words, and has blessed us with an abundance of this world's goods, including the beautiful buildings by which we are surrounded, in which we can meet from time to time. The two buildings upon the Temple block, in which are being held today meetings of the Saints, are filled to overflowing. We have assembled in another building, and if this was filled to overflow, there, are other buildings we could repair to, where meetings could be held, and the voice of the Lord, through His servants, could be heard by us.
My experience, in the few years that I have lived, has taught me there is no safety, no genuine happiness, joy, nor pleasure comes to an individual except he be keeping the commandments of the Lord. There is no real joy nor happiness in the things of this world. I find men in my travels about the country who are undecided about the affairs of life, and who ridicule religion. I find other men who say there is something in religion, but "I cannot understand it; it is all a mystery to me." In some instances, men's hearts are torn asunder, and their families are divided one against another, because they do not know God; they have not received His revelations; they have not tasted of the inspiration that comes through the voice of His servants. They do not know what it means to kneel down and listen to the voice of the Spirit in answer to prayer. They do not realize what this means; they cannot understand it as we do, therefore they are disrupted, torn asunder, dissatisfied, discontented, continually complaining of this Church and that, and the doctrine that is taught.
I sat in the Tabernacle this morning and listened to the inspired words of President Smith when he arose in that congregation, and called the people to order, gave out the hymn, and by virtue of his divine calling took charge of that gathering, and I thought of another conference that I read of a short time ago, where a body of religious worshipers were gathered together. They have a man whom they sustain as the head of their church, and this man has two counselors. J thought of the beginning of their meeting, when the congregation was called to order by the chairman, one of the members arose and said, "I move that it be the sense of this meeting that the present presidency of this church preside over this meeting." I thought when I read it, how devoid they are of the Spirit of God; and I could not help but contrast what I had read with what I saw this morning.
It is said that this is a most peculiar doctrine that we preach, a most peculiar religion that we have embraced. The fact is this is the religion of Jesus Christ, the Church that He established. That is the reason it is regarded as a peculiar religion. The burden of the message that was given to the Elders in the early history of this Church was, "Faith, repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins." A short time ago I met upon the train a lady and gentleman, and they began to talk about Brigham Young. This lady had been to Utah. They were sitting just opposite me, and I said, "Wait a minute before you go any farther with your conversation. I want to tell you that I am a Mormon Elder." This lady then said to me. "Tell me why it is that the people of Utah hold Brigham Young up as such a great man?" I said: "My good lady, they have reason, they have cause, for it. If you would investigate the early history of Utah, if you could see the immigrants who came from the work shops of Europe, if you could see those people who never knew what it was to own land of their own before coming to the valleys of Utah, and saw the inspiration of that great man in planting those people in the various parts of this state, and then could see today the offspring of those men and women, you, if you were candid, would never cease praising the name of Brigham Young. And yet," I said, "Brigham Young was not the one who did it, it was God, our Eternal Father. Brigham Young was merely His instrument in accomplishing this great pioneer work." I believe, after our conversation, she had a different idea and understanding of the work that Brigham Young has done.
What has been the cause for this people coming from the islands of the sea, and from the continent of Europe, and establishing themselves in these valleys? The primary cause of it has been repentance from their sins, and baptism for the remission of those sins; and without it they would not be here. Without it there would not be that bond of union that we see today, and there would be no Temples erected in these mountains. Without it we would not be here to tell the story of our faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ; and I say therefore, the fundamental principles we have to learn are, "First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second repentance from our sins, third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins."
Sometimes the Elders come to me and say: "We have preached faith, repentance and baptism for so long that this people know all about it." I say, "There is no theme you can teach that is of more importance to the Latter-day Saints than faith, repentance, and baptism." I believe we ought to be made to think of the first time we went down in the water and were baptized for the remission of our sins. One of our Elders remarked last night at our meeting here, "When an Elder of Israel arises to address a congregation, and asks for the interest of their faith and prayers, I wonder how many realize the importance of that request? I wonder how many say Heavenly Father, bless the speaker, that he may speak under your influence." Now, I wonder how many of us recall the time of our baptism, immersion for the remission of sins, and remember the things connected therewith. I wonder how many of us review those things, and see if today we are much better. I wonder if we ask ourselves if there are things that we should repent of today.
President Smith was moved upon this morning to read the Eighty-ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants. You have read it many times, no doubt, that beautiful Word of Wisdom. He felt impressed to read that, and he called the people to repentance, and asked them to turn unto the Lord, for the Lord is mighty to save, He is merciful to us. He holds out His hand with charity towards us, and will save us if we will, as Brother Pratt has told us this afternoon, work for our salvation, work for our exaltation.
I love this Gospel. I love the principles that have been revealed through Joseph Smith and the other prophets who have ministered unto us. I love my brethren and sisters who have embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I hear Elders say in the mission field, "I have left every thing that was near and dear to me." I do not say that, because the people that I am sent to, those who are in darkness, who know not Jesus Christ, who know not the sound of His voice, who do not understand revelation, they are near and dear to me, for they are the children of my Father. I have been sent to preach the Gospel to them, to bear my testimony to them; I have been sent to tell them that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is a divine record revealed by the Lord unto this generation. This is what I have been sent for, to call them to repentance, just as President Smith felt called upon to call the people of Israel to repentance today, and ask them to turn unto Him, to turn unto the Lord and serve Him, and keep His commandments.
I know this work is true, as I know I live. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of the living God. I know that Brigham Young and all of Joseph Smith's successors have been prophets of the Lord. I know that the Apostles who are today in our midst, who have been ordained Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, are men after God's own heart. I have associated with them. I have come in close contact with them, and I have enjoyed the privilege of meeting with them in the temple in council with them, and I know the teachings they give are the teachings that have been inspired by our Father in Heaven. My brethren and sisters, let me exhort you to listen to their counsel and teachings, to listen to the advice they give, and if they chide or admonish you, let me ask in all humility that you will receive that chastisement and counsel that they give in the spirit that it is given, and the Lord will bless us, and will pour out His Spirit upon you, and though your afflictions in this life may be great, you will have much to praise the Lord for. His Spirit will take possession of you, and it will make no difference whether we are but few, God will be with us, and He will bless us, and will pour out His Spirit upon us in abundance, and we shall come near to the Lord, and there shall be just a thin vail between us and our Father, and when we kneel down and offer our prayers, we will hear the voice of the Spirit.
May God bless those who have assembled here this afternoon, pour out upon them His Holy Spirit, cause them to reflect upon the first principles of the Gospel, and then go on from faith to faith until we shall know our Father in heaven as He knows us. When we kneel down at our bedside or around the family altar, and pour out our soul to our Father in heaven for blessings upon ourselves or upon our family, may our faith be such that those blessings will surely be realized upon our head, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER THOMAS B. EVANS.
(President of Ogden Stake.)
Brethren and sisters: I have very much enjoyed the spirit of this meeting, as also the spirit of this morning's session of our Conference. When Brother Nephi Pratt stood before you, bearing his testimony of his knowledge- of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, it took my mind back to the time when I was about twelve or thirteen years of age. Brother Pratt at that time was filling a mission in Wales. He was a man that devoted his time and his talents to the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the people of my country. He was an instrument in the hands of the Lord of bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. The people of that principality loved Brother Piatt because of his faithfulness, because of his devotion to the cause of God.
We have very much to be proud of, I believe; we are indeed blessed above all other people upon the face of the earth ; and I sometimes question as to whether or not we appreciate the blessings that are conferred upon us.
When President Joseph F. Smith was speaking to us this morning upon the Word of Wisdom, I was reminded of the people known as ancient Israel. On either side of a valley two great armies were met for the purpose of giving battle. One man, a giant, stepped forth, and issued his challenge, saying to the people who should have been serving God, "Send out a man that I may fight him." This he did for forty days, and none dared go out and fight that giant. A young man happened into the camp. He had been sent thither by his parents to take food to his brothers, who were serving in the army. He overheard Goliath issuing his defiance, and it came into his mind that someone ought to go and meet the giant. He proffered himself to do so. He was laughed at; but he was ushered into the presence of the king. The king instructed his officers to put on this boy a coat of mail, and also give him a sword, and put upon his head a helmet. After attempting to walk in this new garb, this shepherd boy David, said, "Nay, I cannot do any efficient work in this garb. I have not proved them." So he took off these garments, and put on his shepherd clothing, and he went out in the name of the Lord. He said that when he was attending his father's sheep, a lion and a bear came, but God made him equal to the occasion of destroying these wild beasts, and he now felt quite sure that his Maker would make him equal to destroying this man who defied the armies of the living God. Brethren and sisters, there are no Goliaths today, there are no giants that we may fight, but the spirit of Goliath is among us, and we ought to arm ourselves with a view of fighting that spirit which crops out in the saloons and in the electric theaters, baseball parks, and other places of amusement which are thrown open on the Sabbath day, enticing our young men and young women to go there and thus forget to serve their Maker. Brothers and sisters, let us put on the armor of righteousness. Let us go forth and defy these vile elements. Let us, in the name of the Lord, go forth and fight this spirit of Goliath, in order that our young people may be established beyond question in the paths which lead back to the presence of our God. May God bless us and make us equal to this great work which is before us, that of saving souls, my brethren and sisters, I ask, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(President of Ogden Stake.)
Brethren and sisters: I have very much enjoyed the spirit of this meeting, as also the spirit of this morning's session of our Conference. When Brother Nephi Pratt stood before you, bearing his testimony of his knowledge- of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged, it took my mind back to the time when I was about twelve or thirteen years of age. Brother Pratt at that time was filling a mission in Wales. He was a man that devoted his time and his talents to the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the people of my country. He was an instrument in the hands of the Lord of bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. The people of that principality loved Brother Piatt because of his faithfulness, because of his devotion to the cause of God.
We have very much to be proud of, I believe; we are indeed blessed above all other people upon the face of the earth ; and I sometimes question as to whether or not we appreciate the blessings that are conferred upon us.
When President Joseph F. Smith was speaking to us this morning upon the Word of Wisdom, I was reminded of the people known as ancient Israel. On either side of a valley two great armies were met for the purpose of giving battle. One man, a giant, stepped forth, and issued his challenge, saying to the people who should have been serving God, "Send out a man that I may fight him." This he did for forty days, and none dared go out and fight that giant. A young man happened into the camp. He had been sent thither by his parents to take food to his brothers, who were serving in the army. He overheard Goliath issuing his defiance, and it came into his mind that someone ought to go and meet the giant. He proffered himself to do so. He was laughed at; but he was ushered into the presence of the king. The king instructed his officers to put on this boy a coat of mail, and also give him a sword, and put upon his head a helmet. After attempting to walk in this new garb, this shepherd boy David, said, "Nay, I cannot do any efficient work in this garb. I have not proved them." So he took off these garments, and put on his shepherd clothing, and he went out in the name of the Lord. He said that when he was attending his father's sheep, a lion and a bear came, but God made him equal to the occasion of destroying these wild beasts, and he now felt quite sure that his Maker would make him equal to destroying this man who defied the armies of the living God. Brethren and sisters, there are no Goliaths today, there are no giants that we may fight, but the spirit of Goliath is among us, and we ought to arm ourselves with a view of fighting that spirit which crops out in the saloons and in the electric theaters, baseball parks, and other places of amusement which are thrown open on the Sabbath day, enticing our young men and young women to go there and thus forget to serve their Maker. Brothers and sisters, let us put on the armor of righteousness. Let us go forth and defy these vile elements. Let us, in the name of the Lord, go forth and fight this spirit of Goliath, in order that our young people may be established beyond question in the paths which lead back to the presence of our God. May God bless us and make us equal to this great work which is before us, that of saving souls, my brethren and sisters, I ask, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER JOSEPH S. WELLS.
(Of the Presidency of Ensign Stake.)
Brethren and sisters : I have felt very much edified and instructed, as I am sure all of you have, in listening to the testimonies that have been borne by the brethren who have spoken this afternoon. It is a great blessing to be identified with the Church of Christ, and to have a testimony that the principles which we advocate, which we have embraced, are the principles of truth, calculated to save all of God's children. We are fighting in the world today for the principles of truth and righteousness, and it is a great blessing to us to be able to bear testimony, to bear witness, that God lives, and that He has restored His Gospel again to earth; and we have the privilege of bearing it to the world of mankind who lie in darkness; and it makes no difference unto us, who have this testimony, how the world may fight against it. They cannot stay the arm of God. They cannot prevent Him from' accomplishing His purposes. And we know that the principles of truth have been restored again for the last time ; that they are not to be given to another people, but that in fulfillment of the prophecies of old, the Kingdom of God shall be established in the last days, never more to be thrown down.
We can look back upon the history of this people from the time of the organization of the Church, and, notwithstanding all of the trials and persecutions, and mobbings, and drivings that our people have had to go through, the Church today is stronger in numbers, in property, in material growth and wealth, than it has ever been before, although the prophet of God who was His instrument in restoring the principles of truth again to the earth, was martyred. The world thought that his death would be the end of "Mormonism." but could it kill the testimony that had been declared by these prophets of God? No. While the people were called upon to leave their homes and their property, and were driven to these valleys of the mountains, God was with them, the principles of truth were still being preached in the nations of the earth, and the honest in heart were being brought to a knowledge of the principles of the Gospel. Honest hearted men and women embraced the gospel and gathered to these valleys of the mountains, in great numbers. The progress of the Church has not been stayed. Our enemies have not ceased to worry us, to persecute us, to falsify against us in all this time; but notwithstanding all of this, the work of God is growing and increasing in the earth. There are more missionaries in the field today than ever before, and the true Gospel is being preached by them to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, as a witness unto all nations. It is a pleasure to those who bear the priesthood of God to fulfill this mission which God has given unto us as the army of Christ, to spread the truth in these latter days.
I am glad to be able today to join with the other brethren in bearing testimony of the truth of this work. God has given me a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, His humble instrument in restoring the Gospel again to the nations of the earth; that Brigham Young, whom I was acquainted with in my boyhood days, was his legal successor; and that all of those who have followed him are men of God, chosen by revelation and inspiration, to guide and direct the Church of Christ in this day and age. May God bless them, and bless all of the Elders who are proclaiming His word, who are defending the truth, who are living the lives of Latter-day Saints; and may He bless all of the people who have named His name, and who have taken upon themselves covenants to keep His commandments, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The congregation sang the hymn, "We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder John M. Knight.
(Of the Presidency of Ensign Stake.)
Brethren and sisters : I have felt very much edified and instructed, as I am sure all of you have, in listening to the testimonies that have been borne by the brethren who have spoken this afternoon. It is a great blessing to be identified with the Church of Christ, and to have a testimony that the principles which we advocate, which we have embraced, are the principles of truth, calculated to save all of God's children. We are fighting in the world today for the principles of truth and righteousness, and it is a great blessing to us to be able to bear testimony, to bear witness, that God lives, and that He has restored His Gospel again to earth; and we have the privilege of bearing it to the world of mankind who lie in darkness; and it makes no difference unto us, who have this testimony, how the world may fight against it. They cannot stay the arm of God. They cannot prevent Him from' accomplishing His purposes. And we know that the principles of truth have been restored again for the last time ; that they are not to be given to another people, but that in fulfillment of the prophecies of old, the Kingdom of God shall be established in the last days, never more to be thrown down.
We can look back upon the history of this people from the time of the organization of the Church, and, notwithstanding all of the trials and persecutions, and mobbings, and drivings that our people have had to go through, the Church today is stronger in numbers, in property, in material growth and wealth, than it has ever been before, although the prophet of God who was His instrument in restoring the principles of truth again to the earth, was martyred. The world thought that his death would be the end of "Mormonism." but could it kill the testimony that had been declared by these prophets of God? No. While the people were called upon to leave their homes and their property, and were driven to these valleys of the mountains, God was with them, the principles of truth were still being preached in the nations of the earth, and the honest in heart were being brought to a knowledge of the principles of the Gospel. Honest hearted men and women embraced the gospel and gathered to these valleys of the mountains, in great numbers. The progress of the Church has not been stayed. Our enemies have not ceased to worry us, to persecute us, to falsify against us in all this time; but notwithstanding all of this, the work of God is growing and increasing in the earth. There are more missionaries in the field today than ever before, and the true Gospel is being preached by them to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, as a witness unto all nations. It is a pleasure to those who bear the priesthood of God to fulfill this mission which God has given unto us as the army of Christ, to spread the truth in these latter days.
I am glad to be able today to join with the other brethren in bearing testimony of the truth of this work. God has given me a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, His humble instrument in restoring the Gospel again to the nations of the earth; that Brigham Young, whom I was acquainted with in my boyhood days, was his legal successor; and that all of those who have followed him are men of God, chosen by revelation and inspiration, to guide and direct the Church of Christ in this day and age. May God bless them, and bless all of the Elders who are proclaiming His word, who are defending the truth, who are living the lives of Latter-day Saints; and may He bless all of the people who have named His name, and who have taken upon themselves covenants to keep His commandments, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The congregation sang the hymn, "We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder John M. Knight.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Conference was resumed at 2 p. m., in the Tabernacle.
President Joseph F. Smith called the congregation to order.
The choir sang the anthem, "Unfold ye portals everlasting."
Prayer was offered by Elder David H. Cannon.
The choir sang the anthem, "God of Israel ;" the solos and quartet were rendered by Lizzie T. Edward, Edna Dwyer, John W. Summerhays and John Robinson.
Conference was resumed at 2 p. m., in the Tabernacle.
President Joseph F. Smith called the congregation to order.
The choir sang the anthem, "Unfold ye portals everlasting."
Prayer was offered by Elder David H. Cannon.
The choir sang the anthem, "God of Israel ;" the solos and quartet were rendered by Lizzie T. Edward, Edna Dwyer, John W. Summerhays and John Robinson.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS M. LYMAN.
The Saints always under laws of Temperance and Prohibition.—Should sustain present world-wide agitation against liquor traffic.—Valuable suggestion for Sabbath day observance. — The Saints should be examples of righteousness.
It is a very great undertaking for many of the brethren to speak to so large a congregation, and I think it will be very proper for all Latter-day Saints present, as the brethren arise to speak, to ask the Lord to bless them', so that they may speak with the Spirit and with understanding.
I am sure we were all greatly pleased this morning in listening to President Smith and his counselors, for the good Spirit was abundantly with them and with the congregation, and I trust the same may be true this afternoon. We all endorse most heartily the word of the Lord so beautifully given to us this morning in regard to the Word of Wisdom, the law which prohibits the use of intoxicating liquors of all kinds. The most of us have lived under this law for a long time; and when the temperance movement was inaugurated by the world, looking to this important reformation among men, it was not a surprise to the Latter-day Saints; for we live under the law of the Gospel, which is the law of prohibition so far as strong drinks, tea, coffee and tobacco are concerned; and the same law requires also the very moderate and wise use of meats. It behooves the Latter-day Saints to order their lives in harmony with this law, which we heard read here today, for it is a very important law. I remember so distinctly, and, no doubt, many in this congregation remember the same, when President Brigham Young, speaking as the mouthpiece of God, announced, from this stand, that from that time forth the Word of Wisdom was a commandment, binding upon all Latter-day Saints.
I have no doubt but from that time, as well as before, very many of the Latter-day Saints have undertaken to observe this law, but some of us, no doubt, have excused ourselves because it was not given in the beginning by way of commandment or constraint, but by revelation, a "word of wisdom," with promise of very particular and important blessings—the blessing of health, and wisdom and knowledge. We have been striving to live that law, and we have labored unceasingly, especially with our leading brethren, in all the stakes of Zion and in the various mission fields, to train the Latter-day Saints in this law of temperance and wisdom, given for our temporal salvation. Compliance with it on the part of the members of the Church would not only be a great blessing to them physically, but it would have a remarkably beneficial effect upon their financial condition, for the means expended for liquor, tobacco, tea, and coffee, go out of the country, as these articles are generally imported, and the people are impoverished to the extent that they use them. So it is with meats, which the Lord says, should be used sparingly, and in times of excessive cold and hunger. If the meats that are so extravagantly expensive in our day, could be partially dispensed with, and if we could dispense with all the tea, coffee, tobacco and strong drinks that are used—if all the Latter-day Saints would do without these things entirely, it would conduce to their becoming a wealthy people; for the means thus saved would be kept at home. It is upon this principle that we are now producing in our state all the sugar that is used in the state, as well as all the sugar being used in the state of Idaho; and I presume the same is true of Colorado. We produce our own sugar, and at the same time give employment to the people, thus keeping the means at home. Then, we manufacture and provide for exportation as much more, which is sent abroad, and the means therefor comes back into our state. This industry alone has materially helped to put the State of Utah in splendid financial condition, but if the people would observe the Word of Wisdom, if the law of temperance were enforced and prohibition obtained that would prohibit, the benefits to the community would be incalculable.
It seems necessary to have laws of the land to confirm and assist the law of the Lord in prohibiting the use of strong drinks, and the world has been moved upon to make an effort in that direction. This movement should find a ready response in the heart of every Latter-day Saint. Those who bear the Priesthood especially should second every movement of this kind and encourage and sustain it, at home and abroad; for it means the temporal salvation of the people of our state and our nation, there is no profit in drinking strong drinks, or tea or coffee; and there is no profit in the use of tobacco. There is profit in the barter and sale of these things. A great deal of money changes hands, and there is, no doubt, profit for those who barter and sell tea and coffee, liquors and tobacco. But there is no profit to the person who uses these things. No good comes to those who use these things, but very serious injury does come as a result of their use, and we become the slaves of our appetites. Now, we have been trying to correct, and the Lord desires that we should correct our appetites in this regard, and set an example before the people, so that the Latter-day Saints may be recognized, among the children of men as remarkable for their temperance.
I am sure the importance of this question is felt by my brethren — the Twelve, the presidents of stakes, He bishops of wards and their counselors, the high councilors, the presiding men in quorums and associations. I am sure that, as a rule, these brethren feel the importance of this burning question, and I trust that the brethren who have been doing about right in this regard will use their influence with others. There is quite an army of people who have been doing fairly well, but there is an army that needs reformation. We expect our people to fall in line with every movement and every action taken in our nation and among the peoples of the world for the salvation and redemption of men. We approve of all good that is being accomplished among the children of men. We sustain men that are working righteousness; for there are many people who are as honest and conscientious as they can be. They have not entered into the light and received revelation from the Lord; but the world is full of truth. Mankind have been abundantly furnished, by the Lord, with the spirit of truth; and there are many men of principle, and women also. I believe that the great majority of all the children of men are good, conscientious and honest. I have that faith in human nature. There are men, of course, who are wicked, and there are women who are wicked, and there will always be, no doubt, so long as men live in the flesh, in a fallen condition; but there is goodness in the world; purity and righteousness among men. We recognize such people; and their splendid conduct, their good lives, their good principles, and their honor in business, we approve and appreciate, and - we love to live among them. We love to be associated with men of honor, men of honesty, men of sobriety, men of truth, men who love righteousness; and we hold out to such men the hand of fellowship in the truth ; we love them and feel to bless them.
We call all men to repentance. The mission of the Latter-day Saints is to call all men, everywhere, to repentance. The Gospel is being preached among the nations of the earth; and as we call men to repentance in the nations of the earth, so we call upon all Latter-day- Saints in this mountain region, in the land of Zion, or among the people of the world, as we, do upon ourselves, to repent of sins, follies and weaknesses, that we may serve the Lord the remainder of our mortal lives. It is an important matter that we should be in, the service of God while we live in the flesh, for the Lord has so ordered that if we will receive the truth, receive the light, listen to His counsels and enjoy His Spirit while we live in the flesh, we shall be freed from the power of Satan ; he will have no power or influence over us ; for whom we list to obey in this probation of ours, to him we will be servants in the world to come—either the servants of righteousness or the servants of Satan and darkness. We ought to be very anxious, my brethren and sisters, to do what is right, to serve the Lord, and to keep His commandments, so that when we are in need we may be worthy to ask and receive of the Father.
In addition to what we have said upon the subject of temperance and the Word of Wisdom, I want to say a few words in regard to the Sabbath day. Latterly, I have felt very much impressed with the importance and sacredness of the Sabbath day among the Latter-day Saints, and the necessity of our advocating the keeping of the Sabbath day holy. On that day we should refrain from all labor, from all secular and improper pleasures, and spend the day in the service and worship of the Lord. Efforts have been made in numbers of cases to bring this matter before the presiding brethren and sisters in the various stakes of Zion, to try to bring them not only to observe the Word of Wisdom and the law of tithing, not only to meet together and partake of the Sacrament, but to make the legitimate and proper use of the Sabbath day. I believe I have discovered a thought that is worthy of our consideration in this regard. The Lord commands that we should keep the Sabbath day holy, that during six days we should do all our labor, and rest on the Sabbath day; for the Lord hallowed the Sabbath day; it is His day, and we are expected to honor it and to keep it holy. Then, the question is, how shall we keep the Sabbath holy? We have provided Sunday Schools for the morning, and we have also provided for classes of Seventies, on the Sabbath morning, that our foreign ministry may be thoroughly trained and prepared for their work abroad. We have provided for the Sacrament in the after part of the day, either in the afternoon or evening, in all the wards of Zion, and quite a percentage of the people attend these meetings. However, those who attend the Sabbath schools sometimes excuse themselves from attending the afternoon meetings, and those who attend the Sabbath schools or afternoon meetings sometimes excuse themselves from meeting with the young people in the evening. But, what shall we do with all the Sabbath day? How shall it be occupied? This thought has taken possession of my mind. You will remember that the Lord has required that parents in Zion, who have children, should teach them faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, so that when they are eight years of age they shall receive that sacred ordinance of baptism and be brought into accountability under the law of the Lord. Parents are required, also, to teach their children to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy; and they are required, also, to teach their children to walk uprightly before the Lord. Now, we have organized in our midst, not only the quorums of the Priesthood, but we have the auxiliary associations. We have the Relief Societies and the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations for our sisters, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations for our brethren, the Sunday Schools, the Primaries, and the Religion Classes for our young folks—and all these organizations have been established in our midst in order to perform just the very labor that is required of parents, in the way of teaching and training the children, that they may be prepared for their lives in this Church. Now, I wonder if the Latter- day Saints haven't felt thankful that these associations have been established, and that they (the parents) have been so nicely relieved of teaching their children. The parents prepare their children for the Sunday Schools, the Primaries, and the Religion classes, and send them to these organizations, and I wonder if they do not then conclude that that is about all they need to do, and that their children will receive about all the religion, in these meetings, that they can take care of and live up to. I have felt that the Sabbath day should be utilized by the fathers and the mothers in their homes ; that after the children have returned from their Sabbath schools, and after they have been suitably fed, as they should be on the Sabbath day and their food prepared, as ours has been, with singleness of heart—that the balance of the day, instead of the children being turned adrift, instead of those half-grown being allowed to walk upon the hills and visit about, spending their time seeking worldly pleasures, instead of the young people spending their time going visiting and riding in carriages, or young men fishing and hunting, or the like, making the day a time for pleasure and frolic and fun—I believe that the Sabbath day should be occupied in our home temples, in home study, in home reading, in home prayer. The fathers and mothers will, perhaps, find themselves pretty well "stumped" at times to know just exactly how to handle the little ones; but they must not be wearied; they must not be worn out and disgusted. I believe they will all enjoy singing the songs of Zion. This is what is desired by our brethren who are teaching little children. If Brother Stephens could have his way there would not be a child in the world who could not sing; he would have them all taught to sing and enjoy themselves in this way. They may be taught the songs of Zion; there may be some singing, some praying, some reading, and the time may be occupied wisely and well. I believe in fulfilling that requirement of the Lord, that parents in Zion, having children, shall teach them. Oh, what a glorious thing, if there could be a people such as the Latter-day Saints —a half million of them, possibly, in all the world—and in every home there could be given these Sabbath instructions, this home training, and home worship; fathers and mothers teaching: their children these principles, that their children may learn to love and reverence the Lord. We have six days in the week for school and for labor and for pleasure, for fishing, hunting, frolic and everything that is required ; and we want a great deal of that. We want all the six days for labor and for pleasure, but on the Sabbath day we should be occupied in the service and worship of the Lord, in every home. Fathers and mothers should see that their children observe this day; but they should do it in such a manner that they will not offend their children, that their children shall not feel that they are too closely cared for. Make the singing, the instructions, the worship and the occupations of the Sabbath day a choice morsel to the children. Little boys and girls, if they are thus trained in their childhood, when they come to be fathers and mothers will walk right in the same path. They will say: That is the way father did, and that is the way mother did; we were so instructed when we were children. That is the home discipline we want; and there should be prayers—morning, evening, and other times as well. Let the children be so trained that they understand there is no lying down at night until prayers are said ; and there is no such thing as going to work on the week days without we have commended ourselves to the Lord's keeping, thanking Him for what we enjoy, and asking His protection to be over us. And when we have done this, we are under the necessity of keeping His commandments. If we keep His commandments, we are then entitled to ask and we shall receive, to knock and it shall be opened unto us ; and there shall not be anything, that we are entitled to enjoy as His children, but what the Lord will be delighted to bestow upon us, and He will hear and answer our prayers.
I feel, and have felt for some time the importance of this question, and so I recommend to all Latter-day Saints that they undertake this improvement; and let us see if we can not, under the inspiration of the Lord, find just what is the best and wisest way to keep the Sabbath day holy. I believe if we will do this, we will receive great pleasure and satisfaction in that labor, and there will be great pleasure to the children. The Spirit of the Lord will be with parents who thus labor, and the Spirit of the Lord will be with children who are thus taught; for they will be so instructed and trained that when they are eight years of age they will be prepared and they will be anxious to go into the waters of baptism; and this matter will not be overlooked. We will remember it, and they will remind us: We are eight years of age, the boys and girls will say, and we want to be baptized; we want to be Latter-day Saints, so we can partake of the Sacrament in our own right, and so that we may have our sins forgiven us. Thus great good will be accomplished, and our children will be saved; we will be able to restrain them and withhold them from sin; they will listen to our counsel, and Satan will not have power over them. I believe that we have not done our duty fully in this regard I am satisfied that I have not, and it may be true of others; yet, there may be many Latter-day Saints who have done their full duty. If they have done their duty in the past, they will recognize and approve what I have said. If they have not done their full duty and feel a little reproved and condemned in their spirits, as I do, they may make reformation for the future.
I pray the Lord to bless us, that we may take hold of all these various points and principles and doctrines, and bring them to bear upon the whole measure of our life in the world today, for the Lord requires wonderful things of these Latter-day Saints. We have the preaching of the Gospel to the world, and we ought to go into the world spotless, for we are entitled to be spotless; we have no reason for doing wrong, no reason for indulging in anything that is forbidden, anything that would contaminate or corrupt us; we should be free in this regard. We ought to be filled with the light and inspiration of the Lord, for we are entitled to enjoy that Spirit which the Lord gives with His work, and which bears testimony to the heart of every Latter-day Saint in every country. We are entitled to enjoy that spirit daily if we keep His commandments so that we can stand approved before him and before our own consciences. May God bless you, my brethren and sisters, and give us the light and inspiration of His Spirit, now and forever, and the seal of His Spirit upon the position and stand taken by our Presidency today, for I am sure that they have the full fellowship and support of all Latter-day Saints in the doctrines they laid down for us this morning. God bless you, my dear brethren and sisters, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the hymn, "Peace, be still."
The Saints always under laws of Temperance and Prohibition.—Should sustain present world-wide agitation against liquor traffic.—Valuable suggestion for Sabbath day observance. — The Saints should be examples of righteousness.
It is a very great undertaking for many of the brethren to speak to so large a congregation, and I think it will be very proper for all Latter-day Saints present, as the brethren arise to speak, to ask the Lord to bless them', so that they may speak with the Spirit and with understanding.
I am sure we were all greatly pleased this morning in listening to President Smith and his counselors, for the good Spirit was abundantly with them and with the congregation, and I trust the same may be true this afternoon. We all endorse most heartily the word of the Lord so beautifully given to us this morning in regard to the Word of Wisdom, the law which prohibits the use of intoxicating liquors of all kinds. The most of us have lived under this law for a long time; and when the temperance movement was inaugurated by the world, looking to this important reformation among men, it was not a surprise to the Latter-day Saints; for we live under the law of the Gospel, which is the law of prohibition so far as strong drinks, tea, coffee and tobacco are concerned; and the same law requires also the very moderate and wise use of meats. It behooves the Latter-day Saints to order their lives in harmony with this law, which we heard read here today, for it is a very important law. I remember so distinctly, and, no doubt, many in this congregation remember the same, when President Brigham Young, speaking as the mouthpiece of God, announced, from this stand, that from that time forth the Word of Wisdom was a commandment, binding upon all Latter-day Saints.
I have no doubt but from that time, as well as before, very many of the Latter-day Saints have undertaken to observe this law, but some of us, no doubt, have excused ourselves because it was not given in the beginning by way of commandment or constraint, but by revelation, a "word of wisdom," with promise of very particular and important blessings—the blessing of health, and wisdom and knowledge. We have been striving to live that law, and we have labored unceasingly, especially with our leading brethren, in all the stakes of Zion and in the various mission fields, to train the Latter-day Saints in this law of temperance and wisdom, given for our temporal salvation. Compliance with it on the part of the members of the Church would not only be a great blessing to them physically, but it would have a remarkably beneficial effect upon their financial condition, for the means expended for liquor, tobacco, tea, and coffee, go out of the country, as these articles are generally imported, and the people are impoverished to the extent that they use them. So it is with meats, which the Lord says, should be used sparingly, and in times of excessive cold and hunger. If the meats that are so extravagantly expensive in our day, could be partially dispensed with, and if we could dispense with all the tea, coffee, tobacco and strong drinks that are used—if all the Latter-day Saints would do without these things entirely, it would conduce to their becoming a wealthy people; for the means thus saved would be kept at home. It is upon this principle that we are now producing in our state all the sugar that is used in the state, as well as all the sugar being used in the state of Idaho; and I presume the same is true of Colorado. We produce our own sugar, and at the same time give employment to the people, thus keeping the means at home. Then, we manufacture and provide for exportation as much more, which is sent abroad, and the means therefor comes back into our state. This industry alone has materially helped to put the State of Utah in splendid financial condition, but if the people would observe the Word of Wisdom, if the law of temperance were enforced and prohibition obtained that would prohibit, the benefits to the community would be incalculable.
It seems necessary to have laws of the land to confirm and assist the law of the Lord in prohibiting the use of strong drinks, and the world has been moved upon to make an effort in that direction. This movement should find a ready response in the heart of every Latter-day Saint. Those who bear the Priesthood especially should second every movement of this kind and encourage and sustain it, at home and abroad; for it means the temporal salvation of the people of our state and our nation, there is no profit in drinking strong drinks, or tea or coffee; and there is no profit in the use of tobacco. There is profit in the barter and sale of these things. A great deal of money changes hands, and there is, no doubt, profit for those who barter and sell tea and coffee, liquors and tobacco. But there is no profit to the person who uses these things. No good comes to those who use these things, but very serious injury does come as a result of their use, and we become the slaves of our appetites. Now, we have been trying to correct, and the Lord desires that we should correct our appetites in this regard, and set an example before the people, so that the Latter-day Saints may be recognized, among the children of men as remarkable for their temperance.
I am sure the importance of this question is felt by my brethren — the Twelve, the presidents of stakes, He bishops of wards and their counselors, the high councilors, the presiding men in quorums and associations. I am sure that, as a rule, these brethren feel the importance of this burning question, and I trust that the brethren who have been doing about right in this regard will use their influence with others. There is quite an army of people who have been doing fairly well, but there is an army that needs reformation. We expect our people to fall in line with every movement and every action taken in our nation and among the peoples of the world for the salvation and redemption of men. We approve of all good that is being accomplished among the children of men. We sustain men that are working righteousness; for there are many people who are as honest and conscientious as they can be. They have not entered into the light and received revelation from the Lord; but the world is full of truth. Mankind have been abundantly furnished, by the Lord, with the spirit of truth; and there are many men of principle, and women also. I believe that the great majority of all the children of men are good, conscientious and honest. I have that faith in human nature. There are men, of course, who are wicked, and there are women who are wicked, and there will always be, no doubt, so long as men live in the flesh, in a fallen condition; but there is goodness in the world; purity and righteousness among men. We recognize such people; and their splendid conduct, their good lives, their good principles, and their honor in business, we approve and appreciate, and - we love to live among them. We love to be associated with men of honor, men of honesty, men of sobriety, men of truth, men who love righteousness; and we hold out to such men the hand of fellowship in the truth ; we love them and feel to bless them.
We call all men to repentance. The mission of the Latter-day Saints is to call all men, everywhere, to repentance. The Gospel is being preached among the nations of the earth; and as we call men to repentance in the nations of the earth, so we call upon all Latter-day- Saints in this mountain region, in the land of Zion, or among the people of the world, as we, do upon ourselves, to repent of sins, follies and weaknesses, that we may serve the Lord the remainder of our mortal lives. It is an important matter that we should be in, the service of God while we live in the flesh, for the Lord has so ordered that if we will receive the truth, receive the light, listen to His counsels and enjoy His Spirit while we live in the flesh, we shall be freed from the power of Satan ; he will have no power or influence over us ; for whom we list to obey in this probation of ours, to him we will be servants in the world to come—either the servants of righteousness or the servants of Satan and darkness. We ought to be very anxious, my brethren and sisters, to do what is right, to serve the Lord, and to keep His commandments, so that when we are in need we may be worthy to ask and receive of the Father.
In addition to what we have said upon the subject of temperance and the Word of Wisdom, I want to say a few words in regard to the Sabbath day. Latterly, I have felt very much impressed with the importance and sacredness of the Sabbath day among the Latter-day Saints, and the necessity of our advocating the keeping of the Sabbath day holy. On that day we should refrain from all labor, from all secular and improper pleasures, and spend the day in the service and worship of the Lord. Efforts have been made in numbers of cases to bring this matter before the presiding brethren and sisters in the various stakes of Zion, to try to bring them not only to observe the Word of Wisdom and the law of tithing, not only to meet together and partake of the Sacrament, but to make the legitimate and proper use of the Sabbath day. I believe I have discovered a thought that is worthy of our consideration in this regard. The Lord commands that we should keep the Sabbath day holy, that during six days we should do all our labor, and rest on the Sabbath day; for the Lord hallowed the Sabbath day; it is His day, and we are expected to honor it and to keep it holy. Then, the question is, how shall we keep the Sabbath holy? We have provided Sunday Schools for the morning, and we have also provided for classes of Seventies, on the Sabbath morning, that our foreign ministry may be thoroughly trained and prepared for their work abroad. We have provided for the Sacrament in the after part of the day, either in the afternoon or evening, in all the wards of Zion, and quite a percentage of the people attend these meetings. However, those who attend the Sabbath schools sometimes excuse themselves from attending the afternoon meetings, and those who attend the Sabbath schools or afternoon meetings sometimes excuse themselves from meeting with the young people in the evening. But, what shall we do with all the Sabbath day? How shall it be occupied? This thought has taken possession of my mind. You will remember that the Lord has required that parents in Zion, who have children, should teach them faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the doctrine of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, so that when they are eight years of age they shall receive that sacred ordinance of baptism and be brought into accountability under the law of the Lord. Parents are required, also, to teach their children to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy; and they are required, also, to teach their children to walk uprightly before the Lord. Now, we have organized in our midst, not only the quorums of the Priesthood, but we have the auxiliary associations. We have the Relief Societies and the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations for our sisters, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations for our brethren, the Sunday Schools, the Primaries, and the Religion Classes for our young folks—and all these organizations have been established in our midst in order to perform just the very labor that is required of parents, in the way of teaching and training the children, that they may be prepared for their lives in this Church. Now, I wonder if the Latter- day Saints haven't felt thankful that these associations have been established, and that they (the parents) have been so nicely relieved of teaching their children. The parents prepare their children for the Sunday Schools, the Primaries, and the Religion classes, and send them to these organizations, and I wonder if they do not then conclude that that is about all they need to do, and that their children will receive about all the religion, in these meetings, that they can take care of and live up to. I have felt that the Sabbath day should be utilized by the fathers and the mothers in their homes ; that after the children have returned from their Sabbath schools, and after they have been suitably fed, as they should be on the Sabbath day and their food prepared, as ours has been, with singleness of heart—that the balance of the day, instead of the children being turned adrift, instead of those half-grown being allowed to walk upon the hills and visit about, spending their time seeking worldly pleasures, instead of the young people spending their time going visiting and riding in carriages, or young men fishing and hunting, or the like, making the day a time for pleasure and frolic and fun—I believe that the Sabbath day should be occupied in our home temples, in home study, in home reading, in home prayer. The fathers and mothers will, perhaps, find themselves pretty well "stumped" at times to know just exactly how to handle the little ones; but they must not be wearied; they must not be worn out and disgusted. I believe they will all enjoy singing the songs of Zion. This is what is desired by our brethren who are teaching little children. If Brother Stephens could have his way there would not be a child in the world who could not sing; he would have them all taught to sing and enjoy themselves in this way. They may be taught the songs of Zion; there may be some singing, some praying, some reading, and the time may be occupied wisely and well. I believe in fulfilling that requirement of the Lord, that parents in Zion, having children, shall teach them. Oh, what a glorious thing, if there could be a people such as the Latter-day Saints —a half million of them, possibly, in all the world—and in every home there could be given these Sabbath instructions, this home training, and home worship; fathers and mothers teaching: their children these principles, that their children may learn to love and reverence the Lord. We have six days in the week for school and for labor and for pleasure, for fishing, hunting, frolic and everything that is required ; and we want a great deal of that. We want all the six days for labor and for pleasure, but on the Sabbath day we should be occupied in the service and worship of the Lord, in every home. Fathers and mothers should see that their children observe this day; but they should do it in such a manner that they will not offend their children, that their children shall not feel that they are too closely cared for. Make the singing, the instructions, the worship and the occupations of the Sabbath day a choice morsel to the children. Little boys and girls, if they are thus trained in their childhood, when they come to be fathers and mothers will walk right in the same path. They will say: That is the way father did, and that is the way mother did; we were so instructed when we were children. That is the home discipline we want; and there should be prayers—morning, evening, and other times as well. Let the children be so trained that they understand there is no lying down at night until prayers are said ; and there is no such thing as going to work on the week days without we have commended ourselves to the Lord's keeping, thanking Him for what we enjoy, and asking His protection to be over us. And when we have done this, we are under the necessity of keeping His commandments. If we keep His commandments, we are then entitled to ask and we shall receive, to knock and it shall be opened unto us ; and there shall not be anything, that we are entitled to enjoy as His children, but what the Lord will be delighted to bestow upon us, and He will hear and answer our prayers.
I feel, and have felt for some time the importance of this question, and so I recommend to all Latter-day Saints that they undertake this improvement; and let us see if we can not, under the inspiration of the Lord, find just what is the best and wisest way to keep the Sabbath day holy. I believe if we will do this, we will receive great pleasure and satisfaction in that labor, and there will be great pleasure to the children. The Spirit of the Lord will be with parents who thus labor, and the Spirit of the Lord will be with children who are thus taught; for they will be so instructed and trained that when they are eight years of age they will be prepared and they will be anxious to go into the waters of baptism; and this matter will not be overlooked. We will remember it, and they will remind us: We are eight years of age, the boys and girls will say, and we want to be baptized; we want to be Latter-day Saints, so we can partake of the Sacrament in our own right, and so that we may have our sins forgiven us. Thus great good will be accomplished, and our children will be saved; we will be able to restrain them and withhold them from sin; they will listen to our counsel, and Satan will not have power over them. I believe that we have not done our duty fully in this regard I am satisfied that I have not, and it may be true of others; yet, there may be many Latter-day Saints who have done their full duty. If they have done their duty in the past, they will recognize and approve what I have said. If they have not done their full duty and feel a little reproved and condemned in their spirits, as I do, they may make reformation for the future.
I pray the Lord to bless us, that we may take hold of all these various points and principles and doctrines, and bring them to bear upon the whole measure of our life in the world today, for the Lord requires wonderful things of these Latter-day Saints. We have the preaching of the Gospel to the world, and we ought to go into the world spotless, for we are entitled to be spotless; we have no reason for doing wrong, no reason for indulging in anything that is forbidden, anything that would contaminate or corrupt us; we should be free in this regard. We ought to be filled with the light and inspiration of the Lord, for we are entitled to enjoy that Spirit which the Lord gives with His work, and which bears testimony to the heart of every Latter-day Saint in every country. We are entitled to enjoy that spirit daily if we keep His commandments so that we can stand approved before him and before our own consciences. May God bless you, my brethren and sisters, and give us the light and inspiration of His Spirit, now and forever, and the seal of His Spirit upon the position and stand taken by our Presidency today, for I am sure that they have the full fellowship and support of all Latter-day Saints in the doctrines they laid down for us this morning. God bless you, my dear brethren and sisters, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the hymn, "Peace, be still."
ELDER HEBER J. GRANT.
Spiritual and financial advantages in obeying the Word of Wisdom.—Convincing arguments about temperance, quoted from "Leaves from the Diary of an old Lawyer," etc.—Resolution condemning saloons and favoring "Sunday Law."
I am pleased to have the opportunity of meeting with so many Latter- day Saints, and I earnestly desire that the time I may occupy, this afternoon, may be spent for the mutual benefit of all of us who have assembled. I have been deeply interested in all that has been said thus far in our conference, and I hope and pray that the words that were spoken here this morning and this afternoon, appealing to the Latter-day Saints to observe God's law, may find lodgment in the hearts of the people. Upon my return from Europe, and in traveling in some of the stakes of Zion, I made the remark that I believed the Latter-day Saints were becoming more careless many of them, in observing what is known among us as the Word of Wisdom. I regretted to see it, and in my public utterances from this stand, since my return home, and in the stakes of Zion, I have endeavored to urge upon them the necessity of returning to an observance of this law of God. I know there are many Latter-day Saints who feel that the breaking of the Word of Wisdom is a small affair, that it is a very slight matter to partake of a cup of tea or coffee, or to use tobacco, or to occasionally take a drink of liquor, but I, for one, cannot believe, and never have believed, that it is a slight affair for any man, woman, or child, to do that which God our heavenly Father has commanded us not to do. From my investigations, I believe, beyond a doubt, that the saving to this community by the observing of the Word of Wisdom would be far more than the profits that are made today by our great sugar factories in the State of Utah. When we stop to reflect upon the fact that we spend enough money, in breaking this commandment of God, to build about two factories every year, then we can realize the importance of what some people call an insignificant matter. I rejoice, beyond measure, to have the prophet of the Lord lay it down so forcefully to this people, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, telling us that it is in very deed our duty, an obligation from God Almighty resting upon us, to obey this command. I have heard some people say that many of those who preach upon the Word of Wisdom—one of whom I have always been—are standing up so straight that they lean over backwards. No man stands up any straighter than he ought to stand, by keeping the commandments of God and urging the people to do the same.
Now, I have read, time and time again, as I have traveled through the stakes, some very strong and forceful arguments against the liquor traffic. I have read the same thing here from this stand, but, like a good song, or like one of the revelations of the Lord that contains truth and instruction, a repetition will not hurt the people. Although I realize, as I stated the last time I read these same things from' this stand, that it is wearisome to an audience to listen to reading, yet at the risk of wearying this large audience by a repetition of what I have read here once before, I shall read it again, and I believe if the people will listen attentively and will mark carefully the wonderful items that are brought forth in that which I shall read, that it will be of more benefit, perchance, than any remarks that I might make myself along the same line:
From "Leaves from the Diary of an Old Lawyer:"
"I believe that it will require the force of the whole people, men and women, applied at the ballot box, to effectually blot out of existence the great curse to the country, 'The Laws that License and Permit the Sale of Alcohol as a Beverage.' I deny the right of the government to sell to one citizen the privilege to tempt another to commit crime—"
Incidentally, I wish to say I also deny the right, but I thank God that you and I have the right to stamp out this evil that is in our midst, if we determine to do it.
"I doubt the policy of those laws that seek to raise a revenue by the sale of that which debases the people, is the prolific source of crime and pauperism, and costs the country annually a thousand times more than the revenue received therefrom. I deny the justice of those laws that on one page of the statute books legalize that which promotes crime and makes criminals, and on the next page provide severe penalties to be administered to those they have tempted to transgress. This little volume [and it is as large as the book I hold in my hand, exhibiting the large edition of the Book of Mormon] is presented to the public to promulgate these views. They may be thought radical, and perhaps are so; but they are the result of long years of experience in our criminal courts, and are but a feeble expression of my abhorrence of the vice of intemperance, and the laws that encourage and promote it.
"Tell me I hate the bowl --
Hate is a feeble word;
I loathe—abhor—my very soul
With strong disgust is stirred
Whene'er I see, or hear, or tell
Of the dark beverage of hell." (The entire poem is inserted at the end of the talk.)
"My experience at the bar has satisfied me that intemperance is the direct cause of nearly all the crimes that are committed in our country. I have been at the bar over thirty years, have been engaged in over four thousand criminal cases, and on mature reflection I am satisfied that over three thousand of those cases have originated from drunkenness alone, and I believe that a great proportion of the remainder could be traced either directly or indirectly to this great source of crime. In sixty-three cases of homicide forty-nine have been caused by the maddening influence of strong drink."
Think of one lawyer defending forty-nine cases of murder, all originating from strong drink! If there had never been but one boy or one girl murdered, and only one boy had become a murderer, through the influence of strong drink, then every father and every mother ought to rise up and determine that there shall never be another from the same cause if they had the power to prevent it—and we have the power, by legally putting down the saloons.
"I have seen upon the counsel table of our court room the skull of an aged father who was killed by a drunken son. My brother and myself sat by his side as his counsel, and I never shall forget the look of that son when the ghastly evidence of his guilt was laid on the stand before him. That silent yet eloquent witness! It was but an arch of bone, and was handled carelessly by the jury in their investigation, yet it had once been covered by a father's gray hairs, beneath it had throbbed a brain full of pride and affection for the son who was now on his trial for murder, and as it passed from hand to hand the fearful expression on the face of the accused plainly told the terrible feeling of remorse that filled his soul. It was a wicked and most unnatural crime, and begot feelings of loathing and horror in the breasts of all who witnessed the trial. Yet it was not in reality the son who had committed the crime, but the demon that lurks in every cup of strong drink. And that cup had been filled and placed to the lips of that son by the hand of a most respectable member of society—a man who had a license from that very court to sell that which maddened the brain and prompted the hand to murder.
"I saw upon the table the skull of young B—, who was killed by his most intimate friend in a drunken brawl at Hartstown, and the respectable proprietor at whose hotel the murder was perpetrated, and who sold the maddening spirit that prompted the deed, was a witness to the trial. He said he had a license from that respectable court to sell liquor; yes, from the very court then sitting in judgment on that act, which was but the natural sequence of the license it had sold and granted.
"I have seen upon the table the skull of a little child, with the evidence upon it of a murderous blow, inflicted by the hand of a drunken mother. Yet it was not the mother who had committed the most unnatural crime. All our knowledge of the promptings of the human heart deny the charge. Who that remembers his own mother and her maternal love could believe it? No! a demoniacal spirit had violated the sanctuary of the mother's heart and cast out the tender, loving tenant that once resided there, and that was the spirit of strong drink, sold to the woman by a man who held a license to sell under the seal and sanction of that very court.
"I have seen upon that table the bloodstained skull of a wife, cleft from top to base by an axe in the hand of a brutal, drunken husband, who came home from a neighboring licensed beer shop, reeling, drunken, and maddened by drink there sold by a most respectable dealer, by a man who had a legal right to sell that poison whose effects are more terrible than the plagues confined within the fabled box of Pandora, and under whose baneful influence
“'The hand that should shield the wife from ill,
In drunken wrath is raised to kill.'
"I once defended a man for killing his own brother, by whom, in a fit of drunken frenzy, he had been attacked with a dangerous weapon, thereby compelling him in his own defense, to strike a blow that had taken his brother's life. He was tried for murder, and in his defense I called the 'landlord' to prove that the murdered brother was mad from the effects of the liquor he had received at the witness' bar. He so testified, yet seemed conscious of no wrong. Why should he? He had a license from the court, and why should that brother's blood cry to heaven for vengeance against him? Oh, no! he was a respectable citizen, possessing a good moral character, for the law grants licenses to none other! He had a legal right to present the maddening cup to his fellow's lips, and no one should complain of him. He had acted in accordance with the law, and did not one of England's greatest and best men say that 'the law was that science whose voice was the harmony of the world, and whose seat was the bosom of God?'"
That ends the extracts from the "Leaves of an Old Lawyer." I now desire to read an advertisement issued by a saloon keeper, and certainly nobody can complain if we give free advertising to those engaged in the saloon business by reading their own advertisements, for which they have spent their money. It is headed:
"AN HONEST SALOON KEEPER.
"Tombstone, Arizona, claims credit for the frankest saloon keeper in the United States. He keeps the Temple Bar saloon, and advertises his business with most enterprising frankness: 'Allow me to inform you that you are fools,' he says, yet his place is usually filled. He maintains that he is an honest saloon keeper, and that it will not hurt his business to tell the truth about it. He has had printed an advertising card which would make an excellent manuscript for a temperance lecture. Copies are being circulated through the western states and are attracting attention. The card reads as follows:
" 'Friends and Neighbors: I am grateful for past favors, and having supplied my store with a fine lot of choice wines and liquors, allow me to inform you that I shall continue to make drunkards, paupers and beggars for the sober, industrious, respectable, part of the community to support. My liquors will excite riot, robbery and bloodshed. They will diminish your comforts, increase your expenses, and shorten your life. I shall confidently recommend them as sure to multiply fatal accidents and incurable diseases. They will deprive some of life, others of reason, many of character, and all of peace. They will make fathers fiends, wives widows, children orphans, and all poor. I will train your sons in infidelity, dissipation, ignorance, lewdness and every other vice. I will corrupt the ministers of religion, obstruct the gospel, defile the church, and cause as much temporal and eternal death as I can. I will thus accommodate the public. It may be at the loss of my never-dying soul, but I have a family to support— the business pays, the public encourages it. I have paid my license, and the traffic is lawful; and if I don't sell it somebody else will. [If we don't go to hell somebody else will.] I know the Bible says: Thou shalt not kill. No drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven, and I do not expect the drunkard- maker to fare any better, but I want an easy living, and I have resolved to gather the wages of iniquity and fatten on the ruin of my species. I shall, therefore, carry on my business with every energy, and do my best to diminish the wealth of the nation and endanger the safety of the state. As my business flourishes in proportion to your sensuality and ignorance, I will do my best to prevent moral purity and intellectual growth. Should you doubt my ability, I refer you to the pawnshops, the poorhouse, the police court, the hospital, the penitentiary and the gallows, where you will find many of my best customers have gone. A sight of them will convince you that I do what I say. Allow me to inform you that you are fools, and that I am an honest saloon keeper.' "
I wish to read a few words from a book written by David Starr Jordan, entitled "The Strength of Being Clean." I believe that President Smith has paid this little book the tribute of saying that it is one of the strongest arguments yet produced or written by a non-Mormon in support and vindication of the teachings of God, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, contained in the Word of Wisdom. (The speaker turned to President Smith, and then continued): The President says that is true:
"So far as the drink of the drunkards is concerned, prohibition does not prohibit. But to clean up a town, to free it from corrosion, saves men, and boys and girls, too, from vice, and who shall say that moral sanitation is not as much the duty of the community as physical sanitation. The city of the future will not permit the existence of slums and dives and tippling-houses. It will prohibit their existence for the same reason that it now prohibits pig-pens and dung-heaps and cesspools. For where all these things are, slums and cesspools, saloons and pig-pens, there the people grow weak and die."
Now we, as Latter-day Saints, do not wish to grow weak and die. We wish to grow in strength, in power, in ability, in the Spirit of Almighty God. We wish to grow in the power to be clean and sweet in our lives; we wish, in very deed, to so live that other men seeing our good deeds shall glorify God and be ready to investigate the truth.
I indorse, with all my heart, the teachings of the Presidency of the Church and the teachings of the President of the quorum of the Apostles, in our hearing today. I believe that if the Latter-day Saints would, in very deed, observe this law of God, that the rich outpourings of the Spirit of God would be felt among the people as never before.
May God bless us and inspire us, one and all, with a determination to live up to this resolution and with a determination to serve God and to keep His commandments, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Elder Grant read the following
RESOLUTION.
Believing in the words and teachings of President Joseph F. Smith, as set forth this morning on the subject of temperance, it is proposed, therefore, that all officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will do all in their power, that can properly be done, with lawmakers generally to have such laws enacted by our legislature, soon to be elected, as may be necessary to close saloons, otherwise decrease the sale of liquor and enact what is known as the "Sunday Law."
On motion, the immense congregation voted in favor of the resolution submitted, proclaiming "aye" in a unanimous shout.
HATE OF THE BOWL.
Go feel what I have felt --
Go bear what I have borne --
Sink 'neath the blow a father dealt,
And the cold world's proud scorn;
Then suffer on from year to year --
Thy sole relief the scorching tear.
Go kneel as I have knelt,
Implore, beseech, and pray
Strive the besotted heart to melt,
The downward course to stay --
Be dashed with bitter curse aside,
Your prayers burlesqued, your tears defied.
Go weep as I have wept
O'er a loved father's fall--
See every promised blessing swept --
Youth's sweetness turned to gall
Life's fading flowers strewed all the way,
That brought me up to woman's day.
Go see what I have seen --
Behold the strong man bow,
With gnashing teeth, lips bathed in blood,
And cold and livid brow--
Go catch his withering glance, and see
There mirrored, his soul's misery.
Go to thy mother's side,
And her crushed bosom cheer --
Thine own deep anguish hide --
Wipe from her cheek the bitter tear;
Mark her wan cheek and pallid brow --
The gray that streaks her dark hair now,
Her failing frame, and trembling limb;
And trace the ruin back to him
Whose plighted faith in early youth,
Promised eternal love and truth,
But who, foresworn, hath yielded up
That promise to the cursed cup;
And led her down, through love and light,
And all that made her prospects bright;
And chained her there, 'mid want and strife,
That lowly thing, a drunkard's wife;
And stamped on childhood's brow so mild,
That withering blight, a drunkard's child!
Go hear, and feel, and see, and know,
All that my soul hath felt and known;
Then look upon the wine-cup's glow --
See if its beauty can atone --
Think if its flavor you will try!
When all proclaims, 'tis drink and die!
Tell me I hate the bowl --
Hate is a feeble word;
I loathe—abhor—my very soul
With strong disgust is stirred --
Whene'er I see, or hear, or tell,
Of the dark beverage of hell.
Spiritual and financial advantages in obeying the Word of Wisdom.—Convincing arguments about temperance, quoted from "Leaves from the Diary of an old Lawyer," etc.—Resolution condemning saloons and favoring "Sunday Law."
I am pleased to have the opportunity of meeting with so many Latter- day Saints, and I earnestly desire that the time I may occupy, this afternoon, may be spent for the mutual benefit of all of us who have assembled. I have been deeply interested in all that has been said thus far in our conference, and I hope and pray that the words that were spoken here this morning and this afternoon, appealing to the Latter-day Saints to observe God's law, may find lodgment in the hearts of the people. Upon my return from Europe, and in traveling in some of the stakes of Zion, I made the remark that I believed the Latter-day Saints were becoming more careless many of them, in observing what is known among us as the Word of Wisdom. I regretted to see it, and in my public utterances from this stand, since my return home, and in the stakes of Zion, I have endeavored to urge upon them the necessity of returning to an observance of this law of God. I know there are many Latter-day Saints who feel that the breaking of the Word of Wisdom is a small affair, that it is a very slight matter to partake of a cup of tea or coffee, or to use tobacco, or to occasionally take a drink of liquor, but I, for one, cannot believe, and never have believed, that it is a slight affair for any man, woman, or child, to do that which God our heavenly Father has commanded us not to do. From my investigations, I believe, beyond a doubt, that the saving to this community by the observing of the Word of Wisdom would be far more than the profits that are made today by our great sugar factories in the State of Utah. When we stop to reflect upon the fact that we spend enough money, in breaking this commandment of God, to build about two factories every year, then we can realize the importance of what some people call an insignificant matter. I rejoice, beyond measure, to have the prophet of the Lord lay it down so forcefully to this people, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, telling us that it is in very deed our duty, an obligation from God Almighty resting upon us, to obey this command. I have heard some people say that many of those who preach upon the Word of Wisdom—one of whom I have always been—are standing up so straight that they lean over backwards. No man stands up any straighter than he ought to stand, by keeping the commandments of God and urging the people to do the same.
Now, I have read, time and time again, as I have traveled through the stakes, some very strong and forceful arguments against the liquor traffic. I have read the same thing here from this stand, but, like a good song, or like one of the revelations of the Lord that contains truth and instruction, a repetition will not hurt the people. Although I realize, as I stated the last time I read these same things from' this stand, that it is wearisome to an audience to listen to reading, yet at the risk of wearying this large audience by a repetition of what I have read here once before, I shall read it again, and I believe if the people will listen attentively and will mark carefully the wonderful items that are brought forth in that which I shall read, that it will be of more benefit, perchance, than any remarks that I might make myself along the same line:
From "Leaves from the Diary of an Old Lawyer:"
"I believe that it will require the force of the whole people, men and women, applied at the ballot box, to effectually blot out of existence the great curse to the country, 'The Laws that License and Permit the Sale of Alcohol as a Beverage.' I deny the right of the government to sell to one citizen the privilege to tempt another to commit crime—"
Incidentally, I wish to say I also deny the right, but I thank God that you and I have the right to stamp out this evil that is in our midst, if we determine to do it.
"I doubt the policy of those laws that seek to raise a revenue by the sale of that which debases the people, is the prolific source of crime and pauperism, and costs the country annually a thousand times more than the revenue received therefrom. I deny the justice of those laws that on one page of the statute books legalize that which promotes crime and makes criminals, and on the next page provide severe penalties to be administered to those they have tempted to transgress. This little volume [and it is as large as the book I hold in my hand, exhibiting the large edition of the Book of Mormon] is presented to the public to promulgate these views. They may be thought radical, and perhaps are so; but they are the result of long years of experience in our criminal courts, and are but a feeble expression of my abhorrence of the vice of intemperance, and the laws that encourage and promote it.
"Tell me I hate the bowl --
Hate is a feeble word;
I loathe—abhor—my very soul
With strong disgust is stirred
Whene'er I see, or hear, or tell
Of the dark beverage of hell." (The entire poem is inserted at the end of the talk.)
"My experience at the bar has satisfied me that intemperance is the direct cause of nearly all the crimes that are committed in our country. I have been at the bar over thirty years, have been engaged in over four thousand criminal cases, and on mature reflection I am satisfied that over three thousand of those cases have originated from drunkenness alone, and I believe that a great proportion of the remainder could be traced either directly or indirectly to this great source of crime. In sixty-three cases of homicide forty-nine have been caused by the maddening influence of strong drink."
Think of one lawyer defending forty-nine cases of murder, all originating from strong drink! If there had never been but one boy or one girl murdered, and only one boy had become a murderer, through the influence of strong drink, then every father and every mother ought to rise up and determine that there shall never be another from the same cause if they had the power to prevent it—and we have the power, by legally putting down the saloons.
"I have seen upon the counsel table of our court room the skull of an aged father who was killed by a drunken son. My brother and myself sat by his side as his counsel, and I never shall forget the look of that son when the ghastly evidence of his guilt was laid on the stand before him. That silent yet eloquent witness! It was but an arch of bone, and was handled carelessly by the jury in their investigation, yet it had once been covered by a father's gray hairs, beneath it had throbbed a brain full of pride and affection for the son who was now on his trial for murder, and as it passed from hand to hand the fearful expression on the face of the accused plainly told the terrible feeling of remorse that filled his soul. It was a wicked and most unnatural crime, and begot feelings of loathing and horror in the breasts of all who witnessed the trial. Yet it was not in reality the son who had committed the crime, but the demon that lurks in every cup of strong drink. And that cup had been filled and placed to the lips of that son by the hand of a most respectable member of society—a man who had a license from that very court to sell that which maddened the brain and prompted the hand to murder.
"I saw upon the table the skull of young B—, who was killed by his most intimate friend in a drunken brawl at Hartstown, and the respectable proprietor at whose hotel the murder was perpetrated, and who sold the maddening spirit that prompted the deed, was a witness to the trial. He said he had a license from that respectable court to sell liquor; yes, from the very court then sitting in judgment on that act, which was but the natural sequence of the license it had sold and granted.
"I have seen upon the table the skull of a little child, with the evidence upon it of a murderous blow, inflicted by the hand of a drunken mother. Yet it was not the mother who had committed the most unnatural crime. All our knowledge of the promptings of the human heart deny the charge. Who that remembers his own mother and her maternal love could believe it? No! a demoniacal spirit had violated the sanctuary of the mother's heart and cast out the tender, loving tenant that once resided there, and that was the spirit of strong drink, sold to the woman by a man who held a license to sell under the seal and sanction of that very court.
"I have seen upon that table the bloodstained skull of a wife, cleft from top to base by an axe in the hand of a brutal, drunken husband, who came home from a neighboring licensed beer shop, reeling, drunken, and maddened by drink there sold by a most respectable dealer, by a man who had a legal right to sell that poison whose effects are more terrible than the plagues confined within the fabled box of Pandora, and under whose baneful influence
“'The hand that should shield the wife from ill,
In drunken wrath is raised to kill.'
"I once defended a man for killing his own brother, by whom, in a fit of drunken frenzy, he had been attacked with a dangerous weapon, thereby compelling him in his own defense, to strike a blow that had taken his brother's life. He was tried for murder, and in his defense I called the 'landlord' to prove that the murdered brother was mad from the effects of the liquor he had received at the witness' bar. He so testified, yet seemed conscious of no wrong. Why should he? He had a license from the court, and why should that brother's blood cry to heaven for vengeance against him? Oh, no! he was a respectable citizen, possessing a good moral character, for the law grants licenses to none other! He had a legal right to present the maddening cup to his fellow's lips, and no one should complain of him. He had acted in accordance with the law, and did not one of England's greatest and best men say that 'the law was that science whose voice was the harmony of the world, and whose seat was the bosom of God?'"
That ends the extracts from the "Leaves of an Old Lawyer." I now desire to read an advertisement issued by a saloon keeper, and certainly nobody can complain if we give free advertising to those engaged in the saloon business by reading their own advertisements, for which they have spent their money. It is headed:
"AN HONEST SALOON KEEPER.
"Tombstone, Arizona, claims credit for the frankest saloon keeper in the United States. He keeps the Temple Bar saloon, and advertises his business with most enterprising frankness: 'Allow me to inform you that you are fools,' he says, yet his place is usually filled. He maintains that he is an honest saloon keeper, and that it will not hurt his business to tell the truth about it. He has had printed an advertising card which would make an excellent manuscript for a temperance lecture. Copies are being circulated through the western states and are attracting attention. The card reads as follows:
" 'Friends and Neighbors: I am grateful for past favors, and having supplied my store with a fine lot of choice wines and liquors, allow me to inform you that I shall continue to make drunkards, paupers and beggars for the sober, industrious, respectable, part of the community to support. My liquors will excite riot, robbery and bloodshed. They will diminish your comforts, increase your expenses, and shorten your life. I shall confidently recommend them as sure to multiply fatal accidents and incurable diseases. They will deprive some of life, others of reason, many of character, and all of peace. They will make fathers fiends, wives widows, children orphans, and all poor. I will train your sons in infidelity, dissipation, ignorance, lewdness and every other vice. I will corrupt the ministers of religion, obstruct the gospel, defile the church, and cause as much temporal and eternal death as I can. I will thus accommodate the public. It may be at the loss of my never-dying soul, but I have a family to support— the business pays, the public encourages it. I have paid my license, and the traffic is lawful; and if I don't sell it somebody else will. [If we don't go to hell somebody else will.] I know the Bible says: Thou shalt not kill. No drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven, and I do not expect the drunkard- maker to fare any better, but I want an easy living, and I have resolved to gather the wages of iniquity and fatten on the ruin of my species. I shall, therefore, carry on my business with every energy, and do my best to diminish the wealth of the nation and endanger the safety of the state. As my business flourishes in proportion to your sensuality and ignorance, I will do my best to prevent moral purity and intellectual growth. Should you doubt my ability, I refer you to the pawnshops, the poorhouse, the police court, the hospital, the penitentiary and the gallows, where you will find many of my best customers have gone. A sight of them will convince you that I do what I say. Allow me to inform you that you are fools, and that I am an honest saloon keeper.' "
I wish to read a few words from a book written by David Starr Jordan, entitled "The Strength of Being Clean." I believe that President Smith has paid this little book the tribute of saying that it is one of the strongest arguments yet produced or written by a non-Mormon in support and vindication of the teachings of God, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, contained in the Word of Wisdom. (The speaker turned to President Smith, and then continued): The President says that is true:
"So far as the drink of the drunkards is concerned, prohibition does not prohibit. But to clean up a town, to free it from corrosion, saves men, and boys and girls, too, from vice, and who shall say that moral sanitation is not as much the duty of the community as physical sanitation. The city of the future will not permit the existence of slums and dives and tippling-houses. It will prohibit their existence for the same reason that it now prohibits pig-pens and dung-heaps and cesspools. For where all these things are, slums and cesspools, saloons and pig-pens, there the people grow weak and die."
Now we, as Latter-day Saints, do not wish to grow weak and die. We wish to grow in strength, in power, in ability, in the Spirit of Almighty God. We wish to grow in the power to be clean and sweet in our lives; we wish, in very deed, to so live that other men seeing our good deeds shall glorify God and be ready to investigate the truth.
I indorse, with all my heart, the teachings of the Presidency of the Church and the teachings of the President of the quorum of the Apostles, in our hearing today. I believe that if the Latter-day Saints would, in very deed, observe this law of God, that the rich outpourings of the Spirit of God would be felt among the people as never before.
May God bless us and inspire us, one and all, with a determination to live up to this resolution and with a determination to serve God and to keep His commandments, is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Elder Grant read the following
RESOLUTION.
Believing in the words and teachings of President Joseph F. Smith, as set forth this morning on the subject of temperance, it is proposed, therefore, that all officers and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will do all in their power, that can properly be done, with lawmakers generally to have such laws enacted by our legislature, soon to be elected, as may be necessary to close saloons, otherwise decrease the sale of liquor and enact what is known as the "Sunday Law."
On motion, the immense congregation voted in favor of the resolution submitted, proclaiming "aye" in a unanimous shout.
HATE OF THE BOWL.
Go feel what I have felt --
Go bear what I have borne --
Sink 'neath the blow a father dealt,
And the cold world's proud scorn;
Then suffer on from year to year --
Thy sole relief the scorching tear.
Go kneel as I have knelt,
Implore, beseech, and pray
Strive the besotted heart to melt,
The downward course to stay --
Be dashed with bitter curse aside,
Your prayers burlesqued, your tears defied.
Go weep as I have wept
O'er a loved father's fall--
See every promised blessing swept --
Youth's sweetness turned to gall
Life's fading flowers strewed all the way,
That brought me up to woman's day.
Go see what I have seen --
Behold the strong man bow,
With gnashing teeth, lips bathed in blood,
And cold and livid brow--
Go catch his withering glance, and see
There mirrored, his soul's misery.
Go to thy mother's side,
And her crushed bosom cheer --
Thine own deep anguish hide --
Wipe from her cheek the bitter tear;
Mark her wan cheek and pallid brow --
The gray that streaks her dark hair now,
Her failing frame, and trembling limb;
And trace the ruin back to him
Whose plighted faith in early youth,
Promised eternal love and truth,
But who, foresworn, hath yielded up
That promise to the cursed cup;
And led her down, through love and light,
And all that made her prospects bright;
And chained her there, 'mid want and strife,
That lowly thing, a drunkard's wife;
And stamped on childhood's brow so mild,
That withering blight, a drunkard's child!
Go hear, and feel, and see, and know,
All that my soul hath felt and known;
Then look upon the wine-cup's glow --
See if its beauty can atone --
Think if its flavor you will try!
When all proclaims, 'tis drink and die!
Tell me I hate the bowl --
Hate is a feeble word;
I loathe—abhor—my very soul
With strong disgust is stirred --
Whene'er I see, or hear, or tell,
Of the dark beverage of hell.
ELDER ANTHONY W. IVINS.
The Saints enjoined to walk in the way of righteousness.—They must increase in faith, knowledge, and love.—Laws do not make "men good, but the love of right."
And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.”
If I might be permitted, my brethren and sisters, to paraphrase or quote this Scripture as it presents itself to me, this afternoon, I would say: It has come to pass, in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house has been established hi the tops of the mountains, and all nations have flown unto it; and many people have gone, and have come up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, where they have been taught His ways, and where they have learned to walk in His paths. It seems to me that I see, in this vast congregation of Latter-day Saints who are assembled here this afternoon, the fulfillment of these words of the prophet Isaiah. It seems to me that I see in it justification for the change that I have made in the quotation of this Scripture. We have come to be taught the way of the Lord, that we might walk in His paths. What is the way of the Lord, my brethren and sisters? What are the paths which He has marked out, and which we have come here that we might walk in them? Jesus said: "I am the way; I am the light; I am the life." If this be true, the way of the Lord is the way that He has taught us. If it is true that we are to follow in the way of the Lord or in the paths of the Lord, then are we to follow after Christ whom we acknowledge as the way. The Psalmist here say that the way of the Lord is righteousness, and he appeals to the Lord to teach him that he may walk in that righteous way. The way of the Lord, then, is righteousness; it is to do that which Christ our Savior, has commanded that we should do.
Many things which He taught us to do did not come in the way of direct command, but are binding upon us His followers. You who have come up here, my brethren and sisters, have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the way that He taught us, that we should believe in our Eternal Father, that we should recognize Christ as His Son, the Savior of the world. Your presence here this afternoon is witness that you have this faith; consequently, thus far, you are in the way of the Lord. This faith brings hope, and hope is manifest in your lives, in your obedience to the principles of the Gospel. He told us that after faith, after hope in the mercy of God our Eternal Father, repentance is necessary upon our part, that we forsake everything that is not righteous that we get into the righteous way to which the psalmist referred. In order that we might properly enter into it, he bore witness to us that except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he could not enter into the kingdom of heaven; and more than that, unless he were born of the Spirit, he could not even see the kingdom of heaven, much less enter into it. So He called us to repentance. You have repented of your sins and are thus in the way of the Lord; because that is the way He marked out. You have gone down into the waters of baptism and have been baptized for the remission of your sins. That was the way of the Lord; you were following in His path, because He Himself was baptized of John, in the river Jordan, and He bore witness to us that in order to fulfill all righteousness so should we be baptized in similitude of His death, and come out of the water in similitude of His resurrection; and so having done this, you are in the way of the Lord ; you are following in His path—that path which He tells us, though easy to follow; though He makes it very plain to us, nevertheless, it is a straight and a narrow path.
So, my brethren and sisters, we are here in the tops of the mountains, having access to the house of the God of Jacob, having been taught His way, we are learning to walk in His paths. We are not yet perfect, though we have giver, obedience to those fundamental and indispensable ordinances of the Gospel—not yet perfect before the Lord, because there are other things which are necessary to us that we may learn the way of life now, that we may understand how to apply these ordinances of the Gospel, which the Lord has given us, to our everlasting exaltation. It is necessary that our faith be increased by studying more fully the theory of this Gospel of redemption, that we may become familiar with the word of the Lord, understanding all of His dispensation, that we may know something of the past, that we may know something of the present, and that we may understand something of the future. He has revealed to us many, many great and important things which apply to the future, as well as things concerning the present and the past, that these things may all be brought into harmonious union, that we may understand the providence of the Lord and the purpose in this great scheme of human life and human redemption which is embodied in the Gospel of Christ. Thus, He expects us to learn; this is a part of His way, that we have come here to learn, the way of the Lord.
If we walked in His paths, we wouldn't need courts, very badly, to keep us in the line of duty; it would not be necessary for us to exercise the privileges and prerogatives which the civil law gives us, in order that men might live righteous lives, but righteousness would be written in our hearts, because of the love of it. We would be righteous because we desired righteousness, because we knew that it was the way of the Lord, the narrow path which He had marked out. For that reason, we would be moral men and women, we would be truthful men and women; we would be virtuous men and women; we would be temperate men and women; we would not be drunkards; we would not be blasphemers, because that is not the way of the Lord; that is not the way He taught us, and that is not the example He set for us to follow. His example was one of righteousness, one of love, one of mercy, one of charity and of longsuffering, kindness towards all of God's creatures here in the earth. You know that He told us that the greatest of all gifts is charity. You know that He told us that the first great commandment is that we should love the Lord our God with all our hearts; and that the next great commandment, which is like unto it, is that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This, He told us, is charity— not that we give liberally to the poor, not that we administer to the wants of those we know are in need,—'but that the love of God actually enters into our hearts, that we sympathize with those who are in distress, that we find joy in administering to their wants, that we love each other and, show that love by rendering help where help is needed, that we love righteousness and seek, with all our might, to establish it in the earth.
I am not a strong believer in the ultimate ends that can possibly be accomplished by coercive means. It is all right to apply the law; it is necessary: we could not very well do without it, but far better and above the civil law is faith and the voluntary love that we have, by which we do good and observe the law without compulsion, but because we love it. To illustrate this idea, I have often referred to two great peoples who were upon this American continent at the time of its discovery. The greatest nation in North America was the Aztec nation, with its headquarters where the City of Mexico now stands. Their dominion had been extended over all of this North American continent, a great and wealthy empire with a code of laws that in many respects were very remarkable. These people were noted for the rigor with which they applied the law to evil-doers; the murderer was punished by death , the thief among them was punished by death ; the adulterer was punished by death ; the drunkard was punished by death; the man who struck his father was placed upon an equal plane with the murderer, and the law was rigorously enforced, and yet historians tell us that that people were immoral, and the}' were so devoid of sense of right, so far as conscience was concerned, that it was impossible to lay an article down that was not immediately appropriated by some one else. We are told that murder and adultery were common among them; in fact, these crimes prevailed to an alarming extent. They had no regard at all for human life. Farther down, in South America, was the empire of the Incas. The emperor stood there as the Son of Heaven, representing himself to be God's vicegerent here on earth, claiming all of that race as his people, his sons and his daughters, — another mighty empire, equal in wealth, equal in numbers, but here the people were governed almost entirely by moral law. They were taught that it was wrong to do evil, that they' must answer to the Great Spirit for the deeds done in the body, and it is written of them that theft was unknown among them; that immorality was unknown among them, that a homicide scarcely ever occurred; a man leaving his house left the door open, with effects exposed, but they were never touched; all the people worked together in harmonious union for the accomplishment of the well-being of their fellows. The contrast is very marked.
So, my brethren and sisters, I feel that the greatest mission these brethren, these presidents of stakes, have before them today, the greatest mission before these bishops, and all the Latter-day Saints in general, who have come up here to learn the way of the Lord, and to walk in His paths, is that we teach righteousness to the people because of the love of it. This is the command of our Father in heaven, and only through this plan, and only by righteousness manifest in our lives, because of our conversion to the truths of the Gospel, and the way of the Lord, can we please Him. I want to say to you that there is nothing requisite for the happiness, the welfare, the hope and the faith of men and women, that is not. comprehended in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as it has been restored to the earth in the dispensation in which we live. May the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters, and may He inspire us all to do right because we love it, that we may verily walk in the way of the Lord, as we have come up here to do, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
The choir sang the anthem, "Awake, my soul;" the solo parts were rendered by Lizzie T. Edward and Wm. D. Phillips.
Benediction was pronounced by Patriarch John Smith.
Conference adjourned until 10 a. m. Monday, Oct. 5th.
The Saints enjoined to walk in the way of righteousness.—They must increase in faith, knowledge, and love.—Laws do not make "men good, but the love of right."
And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.”
If I might be permitted, my brethren and sisters, to paraphrase or quote this Scripture as it presents itself to me, this afternoon, I would say: It has come to pass, in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house has been established hi the tops of the mountains, and all nations have flown unto it; and many people have gone, and have come up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, where they have been taught His ways, and where they have learned to walk in His paths. It seems to me that I see, in this vast congregation of Latter-day Saints who are assembled here this afternoon, the fulfillment of these words of the prophet Isaiah. It seems to me that I see in it justification for the change that I have made in the quotation of this Scripture. We have come to be taught the way of the Lord, that we might walk in His paths. What is the way of the Lord, my brethren and sisters? What are the paths which He has marked out, and which we have come here that we might walk in them? Jesus said: "I am the way; I am the light; I am the life." If this be true, the way of the Lord is the way that He has taught us. If it is true that we are to follow in the way of the Lord or in the paths of the Lord, then are we to follow after Christ whom we acknowledge as the way. The Psalmist here say that the way of the Lord is righteousness, and he appeals to the Lord to teach him that he may walk in that righteous way. The way of the Lord, then, is righteousness; it is to do that which Christ our Savior, has commanded that we should do.
Many things which He taught us to do did not come in the way of direct command, but are binding upon us His followers. You who have come up here, my brethren and sisters, have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the way that He taught us, that we should believe in our Eternal Father, that we should recognize Christ as His Son, the Savior of the world. Your presence here this afternoon is witness that you have this faith; consequently, thus far, you are in the way of the Lord. This faith brings hope, and hope is manifest in your lives, in your obedience to the principles of the Gospel. He told us that after faith, after hope in the mercy of God our Eternal Father, repentance is necessary upon our part, that we forsake everything that is not righteous that we get into the righteous way to which the psalmist referred. In order that we might properly enter into it, he bore witness to us that except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he could not enter into the kingdom of heaven; and more than that, unless he were born of the Spirit, he could not even see the kingdom of heaven, much less enter into it. So He called us to repentance. You have repented of your sins and are thus in the way of the Lord; because that is the way He marked out. You have gone down into the waters of baptism and have been baptized for the remission of your sins. That was the way of the Lord; you were following in His path, because He Himself was baptized of John, in the river Jordan, and He bore witness to us that in order to fulfill all righteousness so should we be baptized in similitude of His death, and come out of the water in similitude of His resurrection; and so having done this, you are in the way of the Lord ; you are following in His path—that path which He tells us, though easy to follow; though He makes it very plain to us, nevertheless, it is a straight and a narrow path.
So, my brethren and sisters, we are here in the tops of the mountains, having access to the house of the God of Jacob, having been taught His way, we are learning to walk in His paths. We are not yet perfect, though we have giver, obedience to those fundamental and indispensable ordinances of the Gospel—not yet perfect before the Lord, because there are other things which are necessary to us that we may learn the way of life now, that we may understand how to apply these ordinances of the Gospel, which the Lord has given us, to our everlasting exaltation. It is necessary that our faith be increased by studying more fully the theory of this Gospel of redemption, that we may become familiar with the word of the Lord, understanding all of His dispensation, that we may know something of the past, that we may know something of the present, and that we may understand something of the future. He has revealed to us many, many great and important things which apply to the future, as well as things concerning the present and the past, that these things may all be brought into harmonious union, that we may understand the providence of the Lord and the purpose in this great scheme of human life and human redemption which is embodied in the Gospel of Christ. Thus, He expects us to learn; this is a part of His way, that we have come here to learn, the way of the Lord.
If we walked in His paths, we wouldn't need courts, very badly, to keep us in the line of duty; it would not be necessary for us to exercise the privileges and prerogatives which the civil law gives us, in order that men might live righteous lives, but righteousness would be written in our hearts, because of the love of it. We would be righteous because we desired righteousness, because we knew that it was the way of the Lord, the narrow path which He had marked out. For that reason, we would be moral men and women, we would be truthful men and women; we would be virtuous men and women; we would be temperate men and women; we would not be drunkards; we would not be blasphemers, because that is not the way of the Lord; that is not the way He taught us, and that is not the example He set for us to follow. His example was one of righteousness, one of love, one of mercy, one of charity and of longsuffering, kindness towards all of God's creatures here in the earth. You know that He told us that the greatest of all gifts is charity. You know that He told us that the first great commandment is that we should love the Lord our God with all our hearts; and that the next great commandment, which is like unto it, is that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. This, He told us, is charity— not that we give liberally to the poor, not that we administer to the wants of those we know are in need,—'but that the love of God actually enters into our hearts, that we sympathize with those who are in distress, that we find joy in administering to their wants, that we love each other and, show that love by rendering help where help is needed, that we love righteousness and seek, with all our might, to establish it in the earth.
I am not a strong believer in the ultimate ends that can possibly be accomplished by coercive means. It is all right to apply the law; it is necessary: we could not very well do without it, but far better and above the civil law is faith and the voluntary love that we have, by which we do good and observe the law without compulsion, but because we love it. To illustrate this idea, I have often referred to two great peoples who were upon this American continent at the time of its discovery. The greatest nation in North America was the Aztec nation, with its headquarters where the City of Mexico now stands. Their dominion had been extended over all of this North American continent, a great and wealthy empire with a code of laws that in many respects were very remarkable. These people were noted for the rigor with which they applied the law to evil-doers; the murderer was punished by death , the thief among them was punished by death ; the adulterer was punished by death ; the drunkard was punished by death; the man who struck his father was placed upon an equal plane with the murderer, and the law was rigorously enforced, and yet historians tell us that that people were immoral, and the}' were so devoid of sense of right, so far as conscience was concerned, that it was impossible to lay an article down that was not immediately appropriated by some one else. We are told that murder and adultery were common among them; in fact, these crimes prevailed to an alarming extent. They had no regard at all for human life. Farther down, in South America, was the empire of the Incas. The emperor stood there as the Son of Heaven, representing himself to be God's vicegerent here on earth, claiming all of that race as his people, his sons and his daughters, — another mighty empire, equal in wealth, equal in numbers, but here the people were governed almost entirely by moral law. They were taught that it was wrong to do evil, that they' must answer to the Great Spirit for the deeds done in the body, and it is written of them that theft was unknown among them; that immorality was unknown among them, that a homicide scarcely ever occurred; a man leaving his house left the door open, with effects exposed, but they were never touched; all the people worked together in harmonious union for the accomplishment of the well-being of their fellows. The contrast is very marked.
So, my brethren and sisters, I feel that the greatest mission these brethren, these presidents of stakes, have before them today, the greatest mission before these bishops, and all the Latter-day Saints in general, who have come up here to learn the way of the Lord, and to walk in His paths, is that we teach righteousness to the people because of the love of it. This is the command of our Father in heaven, and only through this plan, and only by righteousness manifest in our lives, because of our conversion to the truths of the Gospel, and the way of the Lord, can we please Him. I want to say to you that there is nothing requisite for the happiness, the welfare, the hope and the faith of men and women, that is not. comprehended in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as it has been restored to the earth in the dispensation in which we live. May the Lord bless you, my brethren and sisters, and may He inspire us all to do right because we love it, that we may verily walk in the way of the Lord, as we have come up here to do, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
The choir sang the anthem, "Awake, my soul;" the solo parts were rendered by Lizzie T. Edward and Wm. D. Phillips.
Benediction was pronounced by Patriarch John Smith.
Conference adjourned until 10 a. m. Monday, Oct. 5th.
SECOND DAY.
In the Tabernacle, Monday, Oct. 5th, 10 a. m.
Conference was called to order by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Our God, we raise to Thee
Thanks for Thy blessings free
We here enjoy;
In this far western land,
A true and chosen band,
Led hither by Thy hand,
We sing for joy.
Prayer was offered by Elder Joseph A. McRae.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
O ye mountains high, where the clear blue sky
Arches over the vales of the free,
Where the pure breezes blow, and the clear streamlets flow,
How I've longed to your bosom to flee.
In the Tabernacle, Monday, Oct. 5th, 10 a. m.
Conference was called to order by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Our God, we raise to Thee
Thanks for Thy blessings free
We here enjoy;
In this far western land,
A true and chosen band,
Led hither by Thy hand,
We sing for joy.
Prayer was offered by Elder Joseph A. McRae.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
O ye mountains high, where the clear blue sky
Arches over the vales of the free,
Where the pure breezes blow, and the clear streamlets flow,
How I've longed to your bosom to flee.
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH.
Kind treatment at Irrigation Congress.— Utah victories at New Mexico Territorial Fair.—Music and religious services on passenger train.—Moral elevation of mankind the mission of the Saints.
My brethren and sisters, I am happy in the privilege of being present here this morning, and sorely regret that it was not quite possible for me to be with you here yesterday, that I might have participated in the spirit of the opening session of the conference, and been in communion with you during the entire day.
It has been my privilege, within the past few days, to be in attendance at the Irrigation Congress held at Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were present about nine hundred delegates from various sections of the Union, and the spirit of the congress was a very satisfactory one. Some of us, however, were compelled to leave before its close, as also we were delayed in reaching and being in attendance upon its first meetings, owing to conditions along the lines of the railways. The spirit of that gathering was the improvement, so far as practicable, of this western land, the reclamation of the arid sections, and establishment of such enterprises as tend to the betterment of that section of the world we love so much.
We were also happy to be in attendance, though briefly at the Territorial Fair of New Mexico. Utah was in competition with other sections of the country for a cup or trophy, given by Mr. Hearst of New York ; and I am pleased so say to you that Utah was successful in carrying off that trophy, valued at one thousand dollars. In addition to this, there was a contest between four or five bands. The band from Utah, led by Mr. John Held, was in competition for another cup, presented by Mr. Hearst, valued at $100.00. There was a band from Chihuahua in Mexico, said to stand very high in the knowledge of music and there were several other bands, One, I believe, from Denver, and others from the Territory of New Mexico, and possibly one from Arizona, though I am not certain in regard to this latter statement. The result of that competition was that the band from Utah secured the cup valued at $100.00, given by Mr. Hearst; and they returned home in jubilation over their success.
We were kindly treated, as we always have been among that body of gentlemen who congregate at these congresses; and the fairest possible action was taken, in every sense of the word, by all concerned, looking to the good of every section. We find that we are gradually becoming more widely known, and that the ill feelings that have sometimes existed are being eliminated from the hearts of men and women, as they become conversant with the nature of our work.
I desire to say, in addition, that yesterday the band gave something of an entertainment in their car, to which the people upon the train were invited, and they gave us some very fine music indeed. It was also our privilege to sing hymns, and to offer prayer, and we had the further privilege of speaking to that body of people from many sections of our country, to express our regard and love for our country, and to proclaim our purpose to aid in its advancement and upbuilding, and in the betterment of its citizenship. After 1 had spoken, a motion was made, by Brother Richard W. Young, tendering a vote of thanks to the band, and this was unanimously carried. Then they played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the Doxology was sung, "Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow," after which Brother George Austin offered a closing prayer. Quite a number of the people who were in that company expressed themselves as very happy indeed to have been invited to be in attendance upon that occasion. I presume it is possible that some of them may be present here today, with the purpose in view of hearing our choir, as well as seeking to become acquainted with the conditions that exist in this part of the world, and for the purpose of listening to the voices that may be raised from this platform, in speaking upon the principles of the Gospel.
My brothers and sisters, I regret to say that owing to engagements that have arisen with me, I shall be under the necessity of leaving this city today at one o'clock, for California. I trust you will tolerate my absence, as I have been entangled in the meshes of some business connected with these congresses, that requires the fulfillment of my word to be in attendance.
With you, I want to endorse the resolutions that it is said you passed here yesterday. I did not read them, but I take it for granted that the common sense of the Latter-day Saints, and their faith in the Supreme Being, lead them to decide upon their movements and purpose in harmony with such suggestions as may come from our presiding authorities, looking to the betterment of the human race—not alone the problems of our own advancement, the uplifting and upbuilding of that system we love so Well, but the betterment of our great country, that its citizenship may be improved by our aid and suggestions. We desire, also, that we ourselves may be improved by the application of the principles of temperance and morality; and that we may be inspired with a thorough and determined purpose that the best elements of pure manhood and pure womanhood shall be awakened also in the souls of our fellows, to the best of our ability. This is our purpose, and our mission. The work we have accepted came from God, and it comprehends within it all things that are noble and good, all things that are pure and right. They who drink at the divine fountain, and are impressed with the Holy Spirit and enjoy its direction, will be found in their struggles and efforts seeking to enhance the well being of their countrymen. When I say "countrymen," I am in harmony with the view that was held by the fathers of our country, in regard to this land, that it was indeed choice above all other lands; and that it was indeed the purpose of our government to open the door of liberty, peace, and happiness to the human race. While I do not anticipate that the downtrodden people of all the world can find a home under the flag of the United States, it being impossible for this land to care for and protect them all, yet I do believe that the principles of liberty announced by the fathers of this republic, and upon which this government has builded, will modify, and change, and "leaven the lump" until every land and clime under the sun will, in greater or less degree, receive the principles enunciated by them, and make the effort to so overcome false traditions of the past that ail nations will eventually be found in the way of the accomplishment of good.
My brethren and my sisters, with this mission and purpose in view, appreciating the glorious land in which we live, the truths of the Gospel that has been re-established, the visitation of heavenly messengers, the presence of God Himself and His Son, their declaration of truth, and the bestowal of the graces and gifts so essential to the well-being of the human race, we are led to think more cautiously, and to act more considerately. When we reflect upon these things, we should feel disposed to act more wisely and more kindly in the conduct of our lives, in obedience to the principles of temperance and morality, the principles of justice,, mercy and love, reaching out the helping hand to the unfortunates of the world, pointing to them the way of life and the enjoyment of liberty, freed from the trammels of evil into which so many have drifted.
My brethren and my sisters, I bear my testimony to the truth of the Gospel of the Redeemer, and I say to you; obey its behests, keep the commandments of God, stand upright in the majesty of the Spirit that comes from on high, and when His jewels are clustered, in the eternities, upon your brow will rest the crown of life, and you will receive the approval of God. Disobedience to these principles, disregard of the Divine will, and disregard of the laws of this glorious country of ours, means trouble, tribulation, and sorrow; while, on the other hand, if we are true to these principles and keep the commandments of God, happiness and peace will be the result, and the blessings of God will come to His children. May God bless you Amen.
Kind treatment at Irrigation Congress.— Utah victories at New Mexico Territorial Fair.—Music and religious services on passenger train.—Moral elevation of mankind the mission of the Saints.
My brethren and sisters, I am happy in the privilege of being present here this morning, and sorely regret that it was not quite possible for me to be with you here yesterday, that I might have participated in the spirit of the opening session of the conference, and been in communion with you during the entire day.
It has been my privilege, within the past few days, to be in attendance at the Irrigation Congress held at Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were present about nine hundred delegates from various sections of the Union, and the spirit of the congress was a very satisfactory one. Some of us, however, were compelled to leave before its close, as also we were delayed in reaching and being in attendance upon its first meetings, owing to conditions along the lines of the railways. The spirit of that gathering was the improvement, so far as practicable, of this western land, the reclamation of the arid sections, and establishment of such enterprises as tend to the betterment of that section of the world we love so much.
We were also happy to be in attendance, though briefly at the Territorial Fair of New Mexico. Utah was in competition with other sections of the country for a cup or trophy, given by Mr. Hearst of New York ; and I am pleased so say to you that Utah was successful in carrying off that trophy, valued at one thousand dollars. In addition to this, there was a contest between four or five bands. The band from Utah, led by Mr. John Held, was in competition for another cup, presented by Mr. Hearst, valued at $100.00. There was a band from Chihuahua in Mexico, said to stand very high in the knowledge of music and there were several other bands, One, I believe, from Denver, and others from the Territory of New Mexico, and possibly one from Arizona, though I am not certain in regard to this latter statement. The result of that competition was that the band from Utah secured the cup valued at $100.00, given by Mr. Hearst; and they returned home in jubilation over their success.
We were kindly treated, as we always have been among that body of gentlemen who congregate at these congresses; and the fairest possible action was taken, in every sense of the word, by all concerned, looking to the good of every section. We find that we are gradually becoming more widely known, and that the ill feelings that have sometimes existed are being eliminated from the hearts of men and women, as they become conversant with the nature of our work.
I desire to say, in addition, that yesterday the band gave something of an entertainment in their car, to which the people upon the train were invited, and they gave us some very fine music indeed. It was also our privilege to sing hymns, and to offer prayer, and we had the further privilege of speaking to that body of people from many sections of our country, to express our regard and love for our country, and to proclaim our purpose to aid in its advancement and upbuilding, and in the betterment of its citizenship. After 1 had spoken, a motion was made, by Brother Richard W. Young, tendering a vote of thanks to the band, and this was unanimously carried. Then they played "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and the Doxology was sung, "Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow," after which Brother George Austin offered a closing prayer. Quite a number of the people who were in that company expressed themselves as very happy indeed to have been invited to be in attendance upon that occasion. I presume it is possible that some of them may be present here today, with the purpose in view of hearing our choir, as well as seeking to become acquainted with the conditions that exist in this part of the world, and for the purpose of listening to the voices that may be raised from this platform, in speaking upon the principles of the Gospel.
My brothers and sisters, I regret to say that owing to engagements that have arisen with me, I shall be under the necessity of leaving this city today at one o'clock, for California. I trust you will tolerate my absence, as I have been entangled in the meshes of some business connected with these congresses, that requires the fulfillment of my word to be in attendance.
With you, I want to endorse the resolutions that it is said you passed here yesterday. I did not read them, but I take it for granted that the common sense of the Latter-day Saints, and their faith in the Supreme Being, lead them to decide upon their movements and purpose in harmony with such suggestions as may come from our presiding authorities, looking to the betterment of the human race—not alone the problems of our own advancement, the uplifting and upbuilding of that system we love so Well, but the betterment of our great country, that its citizenship may be improved by our aid and suggestions. We desire, also, that we ourselves may be improved by the application of the principles of temperance and morality; and that we may be inspired with a thorough and determined purpose that the best elements of pure manhood and pure womanhood shall be awakened also in the souls of our fellows, to the best of our ability. This is our purpose, and our mission. The work we have accepted came from God, and it comprehends within it all things that are noble and good, all things that are pure and right. They who drink at the divine fountain, and are impressed with the Holy Spirit and enjoy its direction, will be found in their struggles and efforts seeking to enhance the well being of their countrymen. When I say "countrymen," I am in harmony with the view that was held by the fathers of our country, in regard to this land, that it was indeed choice above all other lands; and that it was indeed the purpose of our government to open the door of liberty, peace, and happiness to the human race. While I do not anticipate that the downtrodden people of all the world can find a home under the flag of the United States, it being impossible for this land to care for and protect them all, yet I do believe that the principles of liberty announced by the fathers of this republic, and upon which this government has builded, will modify, and change, and "leaven the lump" until every land and clime under the sun will, in greater or less degree, receive the principles enunciated by them, and make the effort to so overcome false traditions of the past that ail nations will eventually be found in the way of the accomplishment of good.
My brethren and my sisters, with this mission and purpose in view, appreciating the glorious land in which we live, the truths of the Gospel that has been re-established, the visitation of heavenly messengers, the presence of God Himself and His Son, their declaration of truth, and the bestowal of the graces and gifts so essential to the well-being of the human race, we are led to think more cautiously, and to act more considerately. When we reflect upon these things, we should feel disposed to act more wisely and more kindly in the conduct of our lives, in obedience to the principles of temperance and morality, the principles of justice,, mercy and love, reaching out the helping hand to the unfortunates of the world, pointing to them the way of life and the enjoyment of liberty, freed from the trammels of evil into which so many have drifted.
My brethren and my sisters, I bear my testimony to the truth of the Gospel of the Redeemer, and I say to you; obey its behests, keep the commandments of God, stand upright in the majesty of the Spirit that comes from on high, and when His jewels are clustered, in the eternities, upon your brow will rest the crown of life, and you will receive the approval of God. Disobedience to these principles, disregard of the Divine will, and disregard of the laws of this glorious country of ours, means trouble, tribulation, and sorrow; while, on the other hand, if we are true to these principles and keep the commandments of God, happiness and peace will be the result, and the blessings of God will come to His children. May God bless you Amen.
ELDER RUDGER CLAWSON.
Evidences that Temple building is approved by the Lord.—Predictions, and the word of the Lord, concerning latter- day Temples.—Intense interest manifest in Temple work.—Great number of ordinances performed.
Brethren and sisters: Perhaps the most striking feature of the Latter-day work, in which we are engaged, is temple-building; we are a temple-building people. Whenever and wherever the Lord has had a people upon the earth, He has required them to build a temple, or a house of the Lord, unto Him. If this be true, what becomes of the claim of the Re-organized Church of Latter-day Saints that they have the Church of Christ, for they are without a temple and without temple ordinances; and what becomes of the claims of many other denominations in the earth? For they also are without a temple and without temple ordinances.
You will remember that in the early ages of the world, in the days of ancient Israel, in the wilderness, that they had a tabernacle, a kind of a movable building, suited to their condition, which no doubt to them took the place of a temple; at least, it was the sanctuary of God, a place where He could meet with His people; and there were many demonstrations of power and of the favor of the Lord witnessed in the tabernacle in the wilderness. Later on, in the promised land, a great temple was reared to the name of the Lord; it was known as the Temple of Solomon. It was dedicated to the Lord under very interesting circumstances, and with demonstrations of power and of divine acceptance. Later on, the Savior, many times appeared in the temple and instructed the people there His disciples and the saints, and when that holy house was used for improper purposes, and was desecrated, the Lord Jesus drove the offenders therefrom, for He declared that it was His Father's house. Even on this continent, in the days of the Nephites, we learn that temples were built among the people, for Nephi declared that he built a temple of the Lord and that it was patterned after the temple of Solomon. At the time, or just prior to the time, that the Savior manifested Himself to the Nephites, the people gathered around the temple in Bountiful, discussing the wonderful events that had transpired. In these latter days, after the saints founded the city of Kirtland, a temple was reared there to the name of the Lord; and as in the case of the temple of Solomon, the dedication of the temple at Kirtland was attended with demonstrations of power and of divine acceptance of the Lord. He appeared to be well pleased with that work, and in that house the saints enjoyed many glorious visions. It is recorded in section no of the Doctrine and Covenants, as follows; under the heading, "Visions manifested to Joseph, the Seer, and Oliver Cowdery, in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836."—seventy-two years ago:
"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
"We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us, and under His feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber.
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, the hair of His head was white like the pure snow, His countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and His voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
"I am the first and the last, I am He who liveth, I am He who was slain, I am your advocate with the Father.
"Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice,
"Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name,
"For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
"Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
"Yea, the hearts of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house;
"And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people."
Why should the fame of that house, the first temple reared in this generation, spread to all nations? Because it was accepted of the Lord, and the Lord Himself appeared in it, He manifested Himself to His people, and His voice was heard there declaring that He had accepted it, and that He had accepted His people. And there were other glorious visions given Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared, and committed keys of power and authority to the Prophet.
A few years after the saints settled at Nauvoo, and founded that beautiful city, they reared a temple to the Lord; and again, when the people migrated to this country and established a community in the mountains, after they had founded the great city of Salt Lake, they built a temple to the Most High God. In their infancy, as it were, in the days of their poverty, the foundations of this great temple were laid. After the saints settled in Cache valley, and had founded the city of Logan, they built a temple there. Also, after they had settled in Manti, they built a temple there: and when they founded the city of St. George, away to the south, they were a poor people, but in the course of time, they built a temple there. Thus we have, in this mountain region, four great and glorious temples; and doubtless Isaiah, the Prophet, had his eye fixed upon the temple located on this block, when he said:
"In the latter day, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the tops of the mountains and be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it."
Brethren and sisters, go forth into the world, enter into the mountains, visit the high places of the earth, and where—except here — where will you find a temple erected to the Most High God? Surely Isaiah was inspired, and his prophecies are being fulfilled by the Latter- day Saints. Let me call your attention to this significant fact, that these temples, which have been erected at such a cost of time and means and labor, were not built to beautify the country or to please the eye, or to attract the attention of strangers, but were built for a greater purpose, and that purpose is emphasized in the following words, better, perhaps, than I can tell it;
"And again, verily, thus saith the Lord : Let the work of my temple and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease, and let your diligence and your perseverance and patience and your works be redoubled, and you shall in no wise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts.
"And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you; for all this there is a reward in heaven.
"And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the baptism for your dead:
"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, concerning your dead: When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye-witness of your baptism: let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of the truth, saith the Lord, that in all your recording it may be recorded in heaven, that whatsoever you bind on earth may be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever you loose on earth may be loosed in heaven.
Therefore, brethren and sisters, these temples of the Lord are regarded by the Latter-day Saints as the connecting link between the heavens and the earth; and therefore, again, because of the ordinances for the dead, which are performed in the House of Goa we are not only building up a great church upon the earth, but are laying the foundation for a great church in the spirit world. It is because of this, in my judgment, that the Lord emphasizes the importance of temple work and that with us His people, it must continue on and not cease.
Some years ago, a brother approached me, and he said: "Brother Clawson, I am sixty-seven years of age; I have been a strong and active man in my life, and have done a great deal of hard work, but now I am somewhat feeble; I can not engage in manual labor as heretofore. How shall I spend my time?" I said to him, "Go to the house of the Lord." "Thank you," he replied, "I will take your counsel." About eight years later, I met this brother again. He appeared to be very happy indeed; and there was an expression of joy in his countenance. "Brother Clawson," he said, "during the past eight years I have been working for my ancestors, in the house of the Lord, After that conversation with you, I went east and I gathered up eight hundred names of my relatives; and during the past eight years I have personally officiated for three hundred of my ancestors, and I propose to continue on with the good work; I am happy for the Lord has blessed me." He further said, "I saw in vision, upon one occasion, my father and mother, who were not members of the Church, who had not received the Gospel in life. and I discovered that they were living separate and apart in the spirit world, and when I asked them how it was that they were so, my father said: “This is an enforced separation, and you are the only individual that can bring us together; you can do this work; will you do it?'"—meaning that he should go into the house of the Lord and there officiate for his parents who were dead, and by the ordinance of sealing bring them together and unite them in the family relation beyond the vail; and he informed me that he had attended to the work, and I rejoiced with him and congratulated him.
Just now, at the beginning of this meeting, I went down into the audience, and a brother reached out his hand, a brother eighty years of age and upwards, I think, I judged so from his appearance. He shook my hand, and I recognized him as a man who had been much in the temple here, and I said to the party sitting next to him, "This is a temple man," and the brother spoke up and said, "Yes, Brother Clawson, I have officiated in the temple for twelve hundred souls." Then I turned again to the party next to him and said: "Our brother here may pass through life unnoticed; he may attract but little attention, but I tell you he will be a big man in the other world." He will be an important character there, because it will be known of him and will be said of him that he turned the key of life and salvation for twelve hundred souls. And I submit to you, my brethren and sisters, is not that a mighty work, and are not his last days better than his first days?
Brethren and sisters, the opportunities that are before us in the house of the Lord are boundless. Our dead are waiting, anxiously waiting for this people to go into the house of God and officiate for them that they may be liberated from the prison house in the spirit world. During the time these four temples have been in operation, there have been over three million ordinances performed in behalf of the dead and over 240,000 ordinances in behalf of the living, or in other words, between three and four million ordinances performed for the living and for the dead. So I maintain and wish to strongly emphasize, if I could, that probably the most striking feature of the latter-day work, in which we are engaged, is the building of temples. We are a temple-building people, and ever will be, for this is one of our duties, it is one of the obligations resting upon us and made binding upon the Latter-day Saints, and made binding upon every people who are blessed and accepted by the Lord. May God bless us and help us to appreciate His goodness, His power and His authority, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"He leadeth me," a tenor solo, was sung by Elder Wm. D. Phillips.
Evidences that Temple building is approved by the Lord.—Predictions, and the word of the Lord, concerning latter- day Temples.—Intense interest manifest in Temple work.—Great number of ordinances performed.
Brethren and sisters: Perhaps the most striking feature of the Latter-day work, in which we are engaged, is temple-building; we are a temple-building people. Whenever and wherever the Lord has had a people upon the earth, He has required them to build a temple, or a house of the Lord, unto Him. If this be true, what becomes of the claim of the Re-organized Church of Latter-day Saints that they have the Church of Christ, for they are without a temple and without temple ordinances; and what becomes of the claims of many other denominations in the earth? For they also are without a temple and without temple ordinances.
You will remember that in the early ages of the world, in the days of ancient Israel, in the wilderness, that they had a tabernacle, a kind of a movable building, suited to their condition, which no doubt to them took the place of a temple; at least, it was the sanctuary of God, a place where He could meet with His people; and there were many demonstrations of power and of the favor of the Lord witnessed in the tabernacle in the wilderness. Later on, in the promised land, a great temple was reared to the name of the Lord; it was known as the Temple of Solomon. It was dedicated to the Lord under very interesting circumstances, and with demonstrations of power and of divine acceptance. Later on, the Savior, many times appeared in the temple and instructed the people there His disciples and the saints, and when that holy house was used for improper purposes, and was desecrated, the Lord Jesus drove the offenders therefrom, for He declared that it was His Father's house. Even on this continent, in the days of the Nephites, we learn that temples were built among the people, for Nephi declared that he built a temple of the Lord and that it was patterned after the temple of Solomon. At the time, or just prior to the time, that the Savior manifested Himself to the Nephites, the people gathered around the temple in Bountiful, discussing the wonderful events that had transpired. In these latter days, after the saints founded the city of Kirtland, a temple was reared there to the name of the Lord; and as in the case of the temple of Solomon, the dedication of the temple at Kirtland was attended with demonstrations of power and of divine acceptance of the Lord. He appeared to be well pleased with that work, and in that house the saints enjoyed many glorious visions. It is recorded in section no of the Doctrine and Covenants, as follows; under the heading, "Visions manifested to Joseph, the Seer, and Oliver Cowdery, in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836."—seventy-two years ago:
"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
"We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us, and under His feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber.
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, the hair of His head was white like the pure snow, His countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and His voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
"I am the first and the last, I am He who liveth, I am He who was slain, I am your advocate with the Father.
"Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice,
"Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name,
"For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
"Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
"Yea, the hearts of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house;
"And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people."
Why should the fame of that house, the first temple reared in this generation, spread to all nations? Because it was accepted of the Lord, and the Lord Himself appeared in it, He manifested Himself to His people, and His voice was heard there declaring that He had accepted it, and that He had accepted His people. And there were other glorious visions given Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared, and committed keys of power and authority to the Prophet.
A few years after the saints settled at Nauvoo, and founded that beautiful city, they reared a temple to the Lord; and again, when the people migrated to this country and established a community in the mountains, after they had founded the great city of Salt Lake, they built a temple to the Most High God. In their infancy, as it were, in the days of their poverty, the foundations of this great temple were laid. After the saints settled in Cache valley, and had founded the city of Logan, they built a temple there. Also, after they had settled in Manti, they built a temple there: and when they founded the city of St. George, away to the south, they were a poor people, but in the course of time, they built a temple there. Thus we have, in this mountain region, four great and glorious temples; and doubtless Isaiah, the Prophet, had his eye fixed upon the temple located on this block, when he said:
"In the latter day, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the tops of the mountains and be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it."
Brethren and sisters, go forth into the world, enter into the mountains, visit the high places of the earth, and where—except here — where will you find a temple erected to the Most High God? Surely Isaiah was inspired, and his prophecies are being fulfilled by the Latter- day Saints. Let me call your attention to this significant fact, that these temples, which have been erected at such a cost of time and means and labor, were not built to beautify the country or to please the eye, or to attract the attention of strangers, but were built for a greater purpose, and that purpose is emphasized in the following words, better, perhaps, than I can tell it;
"And again, verily, thus saith the Lord : Let the work of my temple and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease, and let your diligence and your perseverance and patience and your works be redoubled, and you shall in no wise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts.
"And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you; for all this there is a reward in heaven.
"And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the baptism for your dead:
"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, concerning your dead: When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye-witness of your baptism: let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of the truth, saith the Lord, that in all your recording it may be recorded in heaven, that whatsoever you bind on earth may be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever you loose on earth may be loosed in heaven.
Therefore, brethren and sisters, these temples of the Lord are regarded by the Latter-day Saints as the connecting link between the heavens and the earth; and therefore, again, because of the ordinances for the dead, which are performed in the House of Goa we are not only building up a great church upon the earth, but are laying the foundation for a great church in the spirit world. It is because of this, in my judgment, that the Lord emphasizes the importance of temple work and that with us His people, it must continue on and not cease.
Some years ago, a brother approached me, and he said: "Brother Clawson, I am sixty-seven years of age; I have been a strong and active man in my life, and have done a great deal of hard work, but now I am somewhat feeble; I can not engage in manual labor as heretofore. How shall I spend my time?" I said to him, "Go to the house of the Lord." "Thank you," he replied, "I will take your counsel." About eight years later, I met this brother again. He appeared to be very happy indeed; and there was an expression of joy in his countenance. "Brother Clawson," he said, "during the past eight years I have been working for my ancestors, in the house of the Lord, After that conversation with you, I went east and I gathered up eight hundred names of my relatives; and during the past eight years I have personally officiated for three hundred of my ancestors, and I propose to continue on with the good work; I am happy for the Lord has blessed me." He further said, "I saw in vision, upon one occasion, my father and mother, who were not members of the Church, who had not received the Gospel in life. and I discovered that they were living separate and apart in the spirit world, and when I asked them how it was that they were so, my father said: “This is an enforced separation, and you are the only individual that can bring us together; you can do this work; will you do it?'"—meaning that he should go into the house of the Lord and there officiate for his parents who were dead, and by the ordinance of sealing bring them together and unite them in the family relation beyond the vail; and he informed me that he had attended to the work, and I rejoiced with him and congratulated him.
Just now, at the beginning of this meeting, I went down into the audience, and a brother reached out his hand, a brother eighty years of age and upwards, I think, I judged so from his appearance. He shook my hand, and I recognized him as a man who had been much in the temple here, and I said to the party sitting next to him, "This is a temple man," and the brother spoke up and said, "Yes, Brother Clawson, I have officiated in the temple for twelve hundred souls." Then I turned again to the party next to him and said: "Our brother here may pass through life unnoticed; he may attract but little attention, but I tell you he will be a big man in the other world." He will be an important character there, because it will be known of him and will be said of him that he turned the key of life and salvation for twelve hundred souls. And I submit to you, my brethren and sisters, is not that a mighty work, and are not his last days better than his first days?
Brethren and sisters, the opportunities that are before us in the house of the Lord are boundless. Our dead are waiting, anxiously waiting for this people to go into the house of God and officiate for them that they may be liberated from the prison house in the spirit world. During the time these four temples have been in operation, there have been over three million ordinances performed in behalf of the dead and over 240,000 ordinances in behalf of the living, or in other words, between three and four million ordinances performed for the living and for the dead. So I maintain and wish to strongly emphasize, if I could, that probably the most striking feature of the latter-day work, in which we are engaged, is the building of temples. We are a temple-building people, and ever will be, for this is one of our duties, it is one of the obligations resting upon us and made binding upon the Latter-day Saints, and made binding upon every people who are blessed and accepted by the Lord. May God bless us and help us to appreciate His goodness, His power and His authority, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"He leadeth me," a tenor solo, was sung by Elder Wm. D. Phillips.
ELDER REED SMOOT.
Necessity for prayer, and its efficacy. — The Saints admonished to pray in their homes.—Marvelous results of prayers of faith.—The praying Saint will not apostatize.—Prayer a reliable source of peace and happiness.
Prayer needful under all conditions and circumstances. We have been blessed, my brethren and sisters, with sweet music during this conference, but above this, we have been extremely blessed with the word of the Lord, through His servants, by way of admonition to this people.
Yesterday, while President Smith was speaking upon the Word of Wisdom, my soul responded "Amen" to every word uttered by him, and I said to myself: I would that the "Mormon" people were united in their observance of this great law, that every member of the Church would accept the counsel given at this conference respecting temperance as the will of the Father and live strictly according to the revelation of God in this particular. Is it possible for us to place ourselves in a position to accept and adhere to this requirement of the Lord? I am convinced that it is. Then what can I recommend to this people, or what advice can I give to this congregation, and to the Saints in general, that would help them to live this law strictly? I have decided that the best thing I can say is to recommend to the people that they pray to God for help and assistance, and continue to pray in earnest until the desired end has been attained. Let those who have already obeyed the law pray that power may be given them to assist those who are still struggling to overcome their shortcomings in this regard.
During this conference I have felt like calling the attention of the Saints to the necessity of prayer, for I know what prayer has done for God's people in the past, and what it has done for them in this age. I feel in my soul to thank the Lord that I had a mother who taught me to pray, from the time I was old enough to understand anything. She not only taught me by word and example to pray, but she taught me in the same way observance of the Word of Wisdom. My home was a home of prayer and temperance, and I sincerely thank God for it.
Here let me quote the words of one of our hymns, that I always love to hear sung:
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
I trust and hope that all the Latter- day Saints attend to their prayers. I have been surprised many times, when traveling in the stakes of Zion, to hear presidents of stakes say that, in some homes of members of the Church, prayer is almost forgotten. I say to every Latter-day Saint that this is wrong and dangerous. Have family prayers; they should be simple and sincere, a supplication to God from the heart, asking for His blessings and mercies. I know that He will bless the people if they will ask Him. Christ taught simplicity of prayer; and gave as an example that simple yet sublime form now known as the Lord's Prayer. I often wish that it was repeated in our congregations more than it is. In the Senate of the United States, the Reverend Edward Everett Hale, the chaplain of that law-making body, never offers a prayer but what he brings it to a close by repeating the Lord's Prayer.
Prayer is the proper way of communication between God's children and Himself; when that communication ceases, then spiritual decay begins. I can testify to that, my brethren and sisters, and I know that almost every one of you can testify similarly—not from experience, but from observation. We have seen men enjoying the Spirit of God, thankful recipients of His blessings, enjoying peace and contentment in their homes, and thanking God night and morning for these blessings; but, for some reason or other, they ceased to acknowledge God as the Giver of all good, and prayer became a thing of the past with them; in almost every case the Spirit of God has been withdrawn from such homes and such men, and spiritual decay began. Therefore, let me ask you to pray with your families; and I advise you to see that every one of your children is taught how and when to pray.
A famous preacher, Christmas Evans, says of prayer: "It is the rope in the belfry; we pull it, and the bell rings in heaven."
To him, my brethren and sisters, prayer was real. He believed in God, had faith in Jesus Christ, and was convinced that through prayer blessings were obtained by the children of this world. I believe that it has been by prayer alone that modern Christian organizations have retained as many truths pertaining to Christ's teachings as they have. I know that the prayer of a child is pleasing to God, and that the prayers of all righteous people availeth much. I ask that God will put it into the hearts of our children to pray to Him. I know, as the hymn says, that "prayer is the soul's sincere desire," and that it will either be to God or to Mammon— one or the other. If an honest person offers a prayer, if it is in his heart to ask of God those things that will be best for him, and that will tend toward the uplifting of mankind in this world, the betterment of God's children here, then that petition is a prayer that will ascend to the throne of the Father; but if it comes from the heart of a wicked person, and it is a mere selfish request, not intended for any righteous purpose, it is a prayer to mammon.
Many people say: What does prayer do? What good does it accomplish? Let us reflect; let us refer to the Bible, and see what prayer did for God's people in the past. As I recall it now, prayer has divided seas, and has rolled back flowing rivers; it has caused living streams of water to burst forth from solid rock; it has muzzled lions and has rendered vipers and poisons harmless; it has arrested the sun in its rapid race, and has stopped the course of the moon; it has burst open iron gates, and has recalled souls from eternity; it has called legions of angels down from the heavens. Prayer has bridled the vicious passions of men; it has routed and destroyed armies of proud, daring atheists. Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the ocean, and carried another, in a chariot of fire, to heaven. I can imagine the scoffer and unbeliever saying: "Oh, this is ancient history. These are Bible stories; tell us what prayer has done modern individuals; tell us what prayer has done touching the things of this life; something that prayer has done in this age of the world, and let the dark ages take care of themselves." Well, I know a people who can say that through the power of prayer there have been accomplished as great things in this day as were ever done in former ages. It was through prayer that the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith; through prayer that the great plan of salvation was revealed unto him. It is through prayer that this people have been directed from' the foundation of this Church to the present time. It was through prayer that the pioneers were protected and guided across the trackless plains of the western wilderness, and brought safely to the tops of these mountains. It has been through prayer that God has blessed the earth in these valleys and made it produce abundantly, of fruits, vegetables grains and nearly every other requisite for the sustaining of His people in comfort. It seems to me that if we look into our own lives, and see what prayer has done for each and every one of us, we will find countless blessings that have come to us through prayer.
But we must so live that we are worthy of the blessings asked for. I do not believe that a people steeped in sin, or a man corrupt in heart, can receive the full blessings of the eternal Father, for they do not place themselves in a position to receive them. A man must repent of his sins; he must have faith that God is the Giver of all good; he must believe that God actually exists before he can feel that his prayer will be answered.
As far as I am concerned, and I believe as far as each and every Latter-day Saint is concerned, we can say it is through prayer that we have received a testimony that this Gospel is true, that God lives, and that Jesus is the Christ. I remember when I was a boy, my mother would talk to me by the hour, and often testify to me that she knew that this was Christ's Church. I had my doubts, and frankly stated to her that I had no such testimony. She was never discouraged, and would always say, "Reed, attend to your prayers ; keep yourself unspotted from the sins of this world; have faith in God, and you shall know that this is God's work, that this is His Church, and you will be able to testify to the world that you know that God lives." The Prophet Joseph Smith told President John Taylor that if he would pray earnestly every day of his life, he would never apostatize from the Church. I say also to all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that if they will attend to their prayers, make the hearthstone of the home an altar for prayer, where the words from sincere hearts appeal to our Father in Heaven, pray honestly, morning and evening, with the family and in secret; I promise them that they will never apostatize from this Church.
When I was one of the presidency of the Utah Stake of Zion; I had a number of people come to me with their troubles, in a few instances, wives complaining of their husbands, the husband, in one or two cases, complaining against the wife—and to such a degree that they actually thought separation was necessary. I desire to say to you, that in not one instance did a woman or man come to me under such conditions but, upon inquiry, I found that family prayers had entirely ceased in such homes, the Spirit of God had left them, darkness had come in place of light, and the influence that made the home happy before, that made the husband love the wife and the wife the husband, had been removed, and they were drifting farther apart every day.
I know that God will bless His people if they will attend to their prayers honestly and sincerely. Prayer is a duty. Why? Because God says that He desires His people to pray. And far greater than a duty, prayer is a privilege to every Latter-day Saint, and that privilege should be exercised by every member of the Church. No matter whether it be child, man, or woman, we should value our souls; and, as we value our soul's eternal happiness, as we value the salvation of mankind, the fulfilment of the decrees of God, the extension of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the eradication of all vices in our midst, as we value the great principles of temperance, virtue, truth, and charity, so let us pray. Let us pray early and late, and let the prayer not only be by the lips but from the heart. Let us pray in secret and in public. The sick and afflicted of this people need our prayers. The poor and needy need our prayers. The President of this Church needs our prayers. The President of this Nation needs our prayers. The wicked need our prayers; and I wish to say to you that Salt Lake City needs our prayers. All the peoples of the world need our prayers, and God will give answer, in His own due time, if they come from the hearts of an honest people. May we realize the importance of prayer and what it means. It is a weapon that God has placed in the hands of His people, a weapon He has given us with which to fight sin ; and remember this, that when we use it, we have God on our side to uphold our hands in any battle against sin.
My brethren and sisters, I pray that the blessings of God may be with you, and that you will take to your homes, from this conference, the spirit of prayer. Teach it to your children, and let one people— the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—be known all over the world as a people who believe in prayer. During my visits in the East, I have had people testify, many times, that they have been in the homes of Latter-day Saints, and know that the "Mormons" are a prayerful people. I remember one Senator, living in an adjacent State, whom I have heard testify, time and time again, that there was one class of people in his State that honestly believed in prayer; they even opened their amusements with prayer. He also testified that he had been in the home of a president of a stake, and that he had seen every member of the family, night and morning, kneel in prayer, after having sung a hymn, and join in calling upon God, in all earnestness, for His aid; and that no one could witness such a sight without testifying that such people must be sincere and honest in their attitude and belief respecting God and their religion. My brethren and sisters, let our lives be such that we can have all men testify the same of us; and may God's blessings be with you and with this people forever, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Necessity for prayer, and its efficacy. — The Saints admonished to pray in their homes.—Marvelous results of prayers of faith.—The praying Saint will not apostatize.—Prayer a reliable source of peace and happiness.
Prayer needful under all conditions and circumstances. We have been blessed, my brethren and sisters, with sweet music during this conference, but above this, we have been extremely blessed with the word of the Lord, through His servants, by way of admonition to this people.
Yesterday, while President Smith was speaking upon the Word of Wisdom, my soul responded "Amen" to every word uttered by him, and I said to myself: I would that the "Mormon" people were united in their observance of this great law, that every member of the Church would accept the counsel given at this conference respecting temperance as the will of the Father and live strictly according to the revelation of God in this particular. Is it possible for us to place ourselves in a position to accept and adhere to this requirement of the Lord? I am convinced that it is. Then what can I recommend to this people, or what advice can I give to this congregation, and to the Saints in general, that would help them to live this law strictly? I have decided that the best thing I can say is to recommend to the people that they pray to God for help and assistance, and continue to pray in earnest until the desired end has been attained. Let those who have already obeyed the law pray that power may be given them to assist those who are still struggling to overcome their shortcomings in this regard.
During this conference I have felt like calling the attention of the Saints to the necessity of prayer, for I know what prayer has done for God's people in the past, and what it has done for them in this age. I feel in my soul to thank the Lord that I had a mother who taught me to pray, from the time I was old enough to understand anything. She not only taught me by word and example to pray, but she taught me in the same way observance of the Word of Wisdom. My home was a home of prayer and temperance, and I sincerely thank God for it.
Here let me quote the words of one of our hymns, that I always love to hear sung:
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
I trust and hope that all the Latter- day Saints attend to their prayers. I have been surprised many times, when traveling in the stakes of Zion, to hear presidents of stakes say that, in some homes of members of the Church, prayer is almost forgotten. I say to every Latter-day Saint that this is wrong and dangerous. Have family prayers; they should be simple and sincere, a supplication to God from the heart, asking for His blessings and mercies. I know that He will bless the people if they will ask Him. Christ taught simplicity of prayer; and gave as an example that simple yet sublime form now known as the Lord's Prayer. I often wish that it was repeated in our congregations more than it is. In the Senate of the United States, the Reverend Edward Everett Hale, the chaplain of that law-making body, never offers a prayer but what he brings it to a close by repeating the Lord's Prayer.
Prayer is the proper way of communication between God's children and Himself; when that communication ceases, then spiritual decay begins. I can testify to that, my brethren and sisters, and I know that almost every one of you can testify similarly—not from experience, but from observation. We have seen men enjoying the Spirit of God, thankful recipients of His blessings, enjoying peace and contentment in their homes, and thanking God night and morning for these blessings; but, for some reason or other, they ceased to acknowledge God as the Giver of all good, and prayer became a thing of the past with them; in almost every case the Spirit of God has been withdrawn from such homes and such men, and spiritual decay began. Therefore, let me ask you to pray with your families; and I advise you to see that every one of your children is taught how and when to pray.
A famous preacher, Christmas Evans, says of prayer: "It is the rope in the belfry; we pull it, and the bell rings in heaven."
To him, my brethren and sisters, prayer was real. He believed in God, had faith in Jesus Christ, and was convinced that through prayer blessings were obtained by the children of this world. I believe that it has been by prayer alone that modern Christian organizations have retained as many truths pertaining to Christ's teachings as they have. I know that the prayer of a child is pleasing to God, and that the prayers of all righteous people availeth much. I ask that God will put it into the hearts of our children to pray to Him. I know, as the hymn says, that "prayer is the soul's sincere desire," and that it will either be to God or to Mammon— one or the other. If an honest person offers a prayer, if it is in his heart to ask of God those things that will be best for him, and that will tend toward the uplifting of mankind in this world, the betterment of God's children here, then that petition is a prayer that will ascend to the throne of the Father; but if it comes from the heart of a wicked person, and it is a mere selfish request, not intended for any righteous purpose, it is a prayer to mammon.
Many people say: What does prayer do? What good does it accomplish? Let us reflect; let us refer to the Bible, and see what prayer did for God's people in the past. As I recall it now, prayer has divided seas, and has rolled back flowing rivers; it has caused living streams of water to burst forth from solid rock; it has muzzled lions and has rendered vipers and poisons harmless; it has arrested the sun in its rapid race, and has stopped the course of the moon; it has burst open iron gates, and has recalled souls from eternity; it has called legions of angels down from the heavens. Prayer has bridled the vicious passions of men; it has routed and destroyed armies of proud, daring atheists. Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the ocean, and carried another, in a chariot of fire, to heaven. I can imagine the scoffer and unbeliever saying: "Oh, this is ancient history. These are Bible stories; tell us what prayer has done modern individuals; tell us what prayer has done touching the things of this life; something that prayer has done in this age of the world, and let the dark ages take care of themselves." Well, I know a people who can say that through the power of prayer there have been accomplished as great things in this day as were ever done in former ages. It was through prayer that the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith; through prayer that the great plan of salvation was revealed unto him. It is through prayer that this people have been directed from' the foundation of this Church to the present time. It was through prayer that the pioneers were protected and guided across the trackless plains of the western wilderness, and brought safely to the tops of these mountains. It has been through prayer that God has blessed the earth in these valleys and made it produce abundantly, of fruits, vegetables grains and nearly every other requisite for the sustaining of His people in comfort. It seems to me that if we look into our own lives, and see what prayer has done for each and every one of us, we will find countless blessings that have come to us through prayer.
But we must so live that we are worthy of the blessings asked for. I do not believe that a people steeped in sin, or a man corrupt in heart, can receive the full blessings of the eternal Father, for they do not place themselves in a position to receive them. A man must repent of his sins; he must have faith that God is the Giver of all good; he must believe that God actually exists before he can feel that his prayer will be answered.
As far as I am concerned, and I believe as far as each and every Latter-day Saint is concerned, we can say it is through prayer that we have received a testimony that this Gospel is true, that God lives, and that Jesus is the Christ. I remember when I was a boy, my mother would talk to me by the hour, and often testify to me that she knew that this was Christ's Church. I had my doubts, and frankly stated to her that I had no such testimony. She was never discouraged, and would always say, "Reed, attend to your prayers ; keep yourself unspotted from the sins of this world; have faith in God, and you shall know that this is God's work, that this is His Church, and you will be able to testify to the world that you know that God lives." The Prophet Joseph Smith told President John Taylor that if he would pray earnestly every day of his life, he would never apostatize from the Church. I say also to all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that if they will attend to their prayers, make the hearthstone of the home an altar for prayer, where the words from sincere hearts appeal to our Father in Heaven, pray honestly, morning and evening, with the family and in secret; I promise them that they will never apostatize from this Church.
When I was one of the presidency of the Utah Stake of Zion; I had a number of people come to me with their troubles, in a few instances, wives complaining of their husbands, the husband, in one or two cases, complaining against the wife—and to such a degree that they actually thought separation was necessary. I desire to say to you, that in not one instance did a woman or man come to me under such conditions but, upon inquiry, I found that family prayers had entirely ceased in such homes, the Spirit of God had left them, darkness had come in place of light, and the influence that made the home happy before, that made the husband love the wife and the wife the husband, had been removed, and they were drifting farther apart every day.
I know that God will bless His people if they will attend to their prayers honestly and sincerely. Prayer is a duty. Why? Because God says that He desires His people to pray. And far greater than a duty, prayer is a privilege to every Latter-day Saint, and that privilege should be exercised by every member of the Church. No matter whether it be child, man, or woman, we should value our souls; and, as we value our soul's eternal happiness, as we value the salvation of mankind, the fulfilment of the decrees of God, the extension of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the eradication of all vices in our midst, as we value the great principles of temperance, virtue, truth, and charity, so let us pray. Let us pray early and late, and let the prayer not only be by the lips but from the heart. Let us pray in secret and in public. The sick and afflicted of this people need our prayers. The poor and needy need our prayers. The President of this Church needs our prayers. The President of this Nation needs our prayers. The wicked need our prayers; and I wish to say to you that Salt Lake City needs our prayers. All the peoples of the world need our prayers, and God will give answer, in His own due time, if they come from the hearts of an honest people. May we realize the importance of prayer and what it means. It is a weapon that God has placed in the hands of His people, a weapon He has given us with which to fight sin ; and remember this, that when we use it, we have God on our side to uphold our hands in any battle against sin.
My brethren and sisters, I pray that the blessings of God may be with you, and that you will take to your homes, from this conference, the spirit of prayer. Teach it to your children, and let one people— the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—be known all over the world as a people who believe in prayer. During my visits in the East, I have had people testify, many times, that they have been in the homes of Latter-day Saints, and know that the "Mormons" are a prayerful people. I remember one Senator, living in an adjacent State, whom I have heard testify, time and time again, that there was one class of people in his State that honestly believed in prayer; they even opened their amusements with prayer. He also testified that he had been in the home of a president of a stake, and that he had seen every member of the family, night and morning, kneel in prayer, after having sung a hymn, and join in calling upon God, in all earnestness, for His aid; and that no one could witness such a sight without testifying that such people must be sincere and honest in their attitude and belief respecting God and their religion. My brethren and sisters, let our lives be such that we can have all men testify the same of us; and may God's blessings be with you and with this people forever, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER HYRUM M. SMITH.
Deserved reproof should be humbly accepted.—" There is no such thing as necessary evil."—Intelligent obedience most desirable.—Leaders should themselves walk the path they want flock to follow.
I would like to read a portion of a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Seer, at Kirtland, in May, 1831, in which the Lord said:
Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, and give ear to the voice of the living God, and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the Church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth.
Behold, verily I say unto you that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world;
And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
Behold, I the Lord have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the Church that profess my name;
But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.
But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power, but behold such [that is, those who are deceived] shall be reclaimed;
But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my Church, for the same are overcome of the world.
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.
And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of His Church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand.
Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another, face to face.
Now when a man reasoneth he is understood of man because he reasoneth as a man, even so will I, the Lord, reason with you that you may understand.
Wherefore I, the Lord, asketh you this question, unto what were ye ordained?
To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth; And then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God, and in this are ye justified?
Behold, ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless I will be merciful unto you—he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.
Verily, I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
And if it be by some other way, it be not of God.
And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
If it be some other way it be not of God:
Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth, receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understandeth one another, and both are edified and rejoice together;
And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness;
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light and continueth in God, receiveth more light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
As remarked by Elder Reed Smoot, I also have rejoiced, during this conference, that my spirit has received gladly every word that has been spoken. Those remarks of the President of the Church, in relation to the Word of Wisdom, found my spirit in perfect accord, and I rejoice that I, who heard, understood exactly as he who spoke. I have understood the words of all the brethren. They have not been mysterious; they have been plain and easy to understand; and those who have spoken and all who have heard, I trust, have understood alike, and thereby evidence that they are possessed of the Spirit of Truth and of Light, and not of darkness. All that has been said has been edifying and good, and intended to build us up. From the manner in which the whole congregation, in one united "aye" expressed their approval of the resolution endorsing the sentiments of the President, I judge that they were in possession of the Spirit of God, that they understood His servants who reasoned with them as a man reasoneth with his friend, face to face.
I am glad that there is the disposition in the President of the Church and in God, Who speaks through His servants, to reprove the congregations of Israel when they need reproof, as well as to commend them, when their lives are worthy of commendation. We should receive reproof with the same spirit that we receive commendation. We are sorry, to be sure, that we have to be reproved because of neglect of duty, but if neglect does prevail among us, then we need to be reproved, and it is my belief that this people will be more faithful in keeping the Word of Wisdom than they perchance have been before. I believe we are willing to receive the word of the Lord and that we will repent of our sins and overcome these evils that we have allowed ourselves to become addicted to and which were prompted by the false spirits that have gone abroad in the world to deceive men. The Lord is absolutely opposed to all manner of sin, of evil, of wickedness, of vice, and corruption. He has declared that He can look upon these things with no degree of allowance. He cannot wink at these things, because He has commanded that they shall be done away among His people. Yet, there are those among us who have been deceived and who have imagined that the committing of a little sin was not a great thing. But when sin is committed, in the face of the knowledge that it is sin, condemnation must follow just as surely as the sin is committed.
There is no such thing as "necessary evils." When any man declares that prostitution or any other crime is a necessary evil, or that saloons are a necessary evil, we are inclined to ask him how he knows. He can not know it, other than by his personal experience ; he can not know it for some one else; and if he knows it by his own experience he acknowledges that he is vile and corrupt and is unfit and entirely unworthy of the association, confidence, or trust of decent and respectable people. We know to the contrary; we know that these things are not necessary, because God has declared it, and the Lord knows. Nowhere has He ever said that sin and wickedness are necessary, but He has condemned all such. As was said yesterday, all Latter-day Saints ought to set their faces, as flint, against all manner of evil, and by that example prove to the world that it is possible to live above sin, and not yield to the seducing wicked spirits which have gone abroad in the world. The man who imagines that these things are necessary is one of those that the Lord referred to as having been deceived by those wicked spirits. The Latter-day Saints ought to be in possession of the Spirit of God, and be guided in all things by it. We ought to have tabernacles which are clean and pure, and which have never been defiled, and cannot be defiled, because they are controlled by the Spirit of the Lord. Our bodies should be temples of the Most High God, wherein may dwell the Spirit of the Lord, and our words and our acts should always be the fruits of the Spirit. We should never perform the evil works of the flesh, but subdue them, and control ourselves in all righteousness. Thank God we, both as individuals and as a people, have the power to resist evil and overcome it with good. Therefore, my brethren and sisters, I rejoice that the Lord can see when His chosen people in any manner or degree depart from strict obedience to His commands, and that He will, by His divinely constituted authority, in a spirit of love, chasten us and call our attention to our shortcomings, that we may repent and turn unto Him before it is too late.
I believe in my heart that there is a disposition on the part of the whole people to receive the word of the Lord and to put it into practice in their lives. If we have been guilty in any way, we will repent sincerely, we will strive to do better in the future, and we will exert our influence, with those over whom we preside, or with whom we can possibly have influence. I will say for my brethren of the general authorities of the Church, we ought to receive the instructions given in this conference. They apply not only to us as individuals, but as families. It is our duty to bring to bear on our families, our wives and children, that influence which shall also make them believe and rejoice to obey the word of God. These presidents of stakes and bishops of wards should not only be free from every manner of sin, themselves, free from every degree of evil, but they should set their houses in order; and their wives and their children should be obedient unto them, as they are obedient unto the servants of God and unto our Father Himself. Their wives and children should obey the commandments of the Lord, walk in the paths of righteousness, obedience, and peace, and set an example that would add strength to those who preside. If it is possible for us to avoid it, none of us should be found in the condition of Alma of old. He had to say to his son: Because of your wickedness, because of your evil ways, my efforts in the preaching of righteousness have been neutralized, and I can do no good among the people who know you, because of your evil life; for they say: Go and set your own house in order, call your own son to repentance, correct his life, then come and teach us. That is the way I feel about it. I want those over whom I have influence, or authority and jurisdiction, not to obey me because of any coercion or force brought to bear upon them, but to obey me in the same manner that I feel to obey the servants of the Lord, and the commandments of God. Because it is right and the requirements are just. I want them to be possessed of the good Spirit, that they will not only obey gladly, but that they will know for themselves what spirit the instructions are of, so that when the servants of the Lord speak by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit, they will know and understand because they themselves have the same spirit. They will obey because they love the Lord and they love the Lord's anointed. They will rejoice and, of their own free will and choice, will serve God and keep His commandments. That is the condition that should exist in the families of all the authorities of the Church, both general and local. Their families are or ought to be, in this condition; and then, as with the Priesthood, so with the people; we will have greater power, we will have greater influence to overcome the evils that obtain in our midst, and be better able to resist these wicked and seducing spirits which preach to us the doctrines of devils and have deceived some. May we have power to reclaim those thus deceived and call all evil ones to repentance; and if they will not repent, as we have read, leave them to the judgment of God. Our hope and feeling is that all may repent, and that sin and wickedness and evil of every name and nature may be done away. It cannot exist in a community which loves only purity and virtue and righteousness and whose every act proves that they love God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength, and that they love their neighbors as themselves. May the Lord be merciful to His people, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer,
Blessed to open the last dispensation;
Kings shall extol him and nations revere.
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop David A. Smith.
Conference adjourned until 2 p. m.
Deserved reproof should be humbly accepted.—" There is no such thing as necessary evil."—Intelligent obedience most desirable.—Leaders should themselves walk the path they want flock to follow.
I would like to read a portion of a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Seer, at Kirtland, in May, 1831, in which the Lord said:
Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, and give ear to the voice of the living God, and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the Church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth.
Behold, verily I say unto you that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world;
And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
Behold, I the Lord have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the Church that profess my name;
But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.
But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power, but behold such [that is, those who are deceived] shall be reclaimed;
But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my Church, for the same are overcome of the world.
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.
And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of His Church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand.
Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another, face to face.
Now when a man reasoneth he is understood of man because he reasoneth as a man, even so will I, the Lord, reason with you that you may understand.
Wherefore I, the Lord, asketh you this question, unto what were ye ordained?
To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth; And then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God, and in this are ye justified?
Behold, ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless I will be merciful unto you—he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.
Verily, I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
And if it be by some other way, it be not of God.
And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
If it be some other way it be not of God:
Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth, receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understandeth one another, and both are edified and rejoice together;
And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness;
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light and continueth in God, receiveth more light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
As remarked by Elder Reed Smoot, I also have rejoiced, during this conference, that my spirit has received gladly every word that has been spoken. Those remarks of the President of the Church, in relation to the Word of Wisdom, found my spirit in perfect accord, and I rejoice that I, who heard, understood exactly as he who spoke. I have understood the words of all the brethren. They have not been mysterious; they have been plain and easy to understand; and those who have spoken and all who have heard, I trust, have understood alike, and thereby evidence that they are possessed of the Spirit of Truth and of Light, and not of darkness. All that has been said has been edifying and good, and intended to build us up. From the manner in which the whole congregation, in one united "aye" expressed their approval of the resolution endorsing the sentiments of the President, I judge that they were in possession of the Spirit of God, that they understood His servants who reasoned with them as a man reasoneth with his friend, face to face.
I am glad that there is the disposition in the President of the Church and in God, Who speaks through His servants, to reprove the congregations of Israel when they need reproof, as well as to commend them, when their lives are worthy of commendation. We should receive reproof with the same spirit that we receive commendation. We are sorry, to be sure, that we have to be reproved because of neglect of duty, but if neglect does prevail among us, then we need to be reproved, and it is my belief that this people will be more faithful in keeping the Word of Wisdom than they perchance have been before. I believe we are willing to receive the word of the Lord and that we will repent of our sins and overcome these evils that we have allowed ourselves to become addicted to and which were prompted by the false spirits that have gone abroad in the world to deceive men. The Lord is absolutely opposed to all manner of sin, of evil, of wickedness, of vice, and corruption. He has declared that He can look upon these things with no degree of allowance. He cannot wink at these things, because He has commanded that they shall be done away among His people. Yet, there are those among us who have been deceived and who have imagined that the committing of a little sin was not a great thing. But when sin is committed, in the face of the knowledge that it is sin, condemnation must follow just as surely as the sin is committed.
There is no such thing as "necessary evils." When any man declares that prostitution or any other crime is a necessary evil, or that saloons are a necessary evil, we are inclined to ask him how he knows. He can not know it, other than by his personal experience ; he can not know it for some one else; and if he knows it by his own experience he acknowledges that he is vile and corrupt and is unfit and entirely unworthy of the association, confidence, or trust of decent and respectable people. We know to the contrary; we know that these things are not necessary, because God has declared it, and the Lord knows. Nowhere has He ever said that sin and wickedness are necessary, but He has condemned all such. As was said yesterday, all Latter-day Saints ought to set their faces, as flint, against all manner of evil, and by that example prove to the world that it is possible to live above sin, and not yield to the seducing wicked spirits which have gone abroad in the world. The man who imagines that these things are necessary is one of those that the Lord referred to as having been deceived by those wicked spirits. The Latter-day Saints ought to be in possession of the Spirit of God, and be guided in all things by it. We ought to have tabernacles which are clean and pure, and which have never been defiled, and cannot be defiled, because they are controlled by the Spirit of the Lord. Our bodies should be temples of the Most High God, wherein may dwell the Spirit of the Lord, and our words and our acts should always be the fruits of the Spirit. We should never perform the evil works of the flesh, but subdue them, and control ourselves in all righteousness. Thank God we, both as individuals and as a people, have the power to resist evil and overcome it with good. Therefore, my brethren and sisters, I rejoice that the Lord can see when His chosen people in any manner or degree depart from strict obedience to His commands, and that He will, by His divinely constituted authority, in a spirit of love, chasten us and call our attention to our shortcomings, that we may repent and turn unto Him before it is too late.
I believe in my heart that there is a disposition on the part of the whole people to receive the word of the Lord and to put it into practice in their lives. If we have been guilty in any way, we will repent sincerely, we will strive to do better in the future, and we will exert our influence, with those over whom we preside, or with whom we can possibly have influence. I will say for my brethren of the general authorities of the Church, we ought to receive the instructions given in this conference. They apply not only to us as individuals, but as families. It is our duty to bring to bear on our families, our wives and children, that influence which shall also make them believe and rejoice to obey the word of God. These presidents of stakes and bishops of wards should not only be free from every manner of sin, themselves, free from every degree of evil, but they should set their houses in order; and their wives and their children should be obedient unto them, as they are obedient unto the servants of God and unto our Father Himself. Their wives and children should obey the commandments of the Lord, walk in the paths of righteousness, obedience, and peace, and set an example that would add strength to those who preside. If it is possible for us to avoid it, none of us should be found in the condition of Alma of old. He had to say to his son: Because of your wickedness, because of your evil ways, my efforts in the preaching of righteousness have been neutralized, and I can do no good among the people who know you, because of your evil life; for they say: Go and set your own house in order, call your own son to repentance, correct his life, then come and teach us. That is the way I feel about it. I want those over whom I have influence, or authority and jurisdiction, not to obey me because of any coercion or force brought to bear upon them, but to obey me in the same manner that I feel to obey the servants of the Lord, and the commandments of God. Because it is right and the requirements are just. I want them to be possessed of the good Spirit, that they will not only obey gladly, but that they will know for themselves what spirit the instructions are of, so that when the servants of the Lord speak by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit, they will know and understand because they themselves have the same spirit. They will obey because they love the Lord and they love the Lord's anointed. They will rejoice and, of their own free will and choice, will serve God and keep His commandments. That is the condition that should exist in the families of all the authorities of the Church, both general and local. Their families are or ought to be, in this condition; and then, as with the Priesthood, so with the people; we will have greater power, we will have greater influence to overcome the evils that obtain in our midst, and be better able to resist these wicked and seducing spirits which preach to us the doctrines of devils and have deceived some. May we have power to reclaim those thus deceived and call all evil ones to repentance; and if they will not repent, as we have read, leave them to the judgment of God. Our hope and feeling is that all may repent, and that sin and wickedness and evil of every name and nature may be done away. It cannot exist in a community which loves only purity and virtue and righteousness and whose every act proves that they love God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength, and that they love their neighbors as themselves. May the Lord be merciful to His people, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer,
Blessed to open the last dispensation;
Kings shall extol him and nations revere.
Benediction was pronounced by Bishop David A. Smith.
Conference adjourned until 2 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Conference was resumed at 2 p. m.
President Francis M. Lyman called the meeting to order.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear,
But with joy wend your way;
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Prayer was offered by Elder Joseph E. Taylor.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
O say, what is truth? ‘Tis the fairest gem
That the riches of worlds can produce;
And priceless the value of truth will be when
The proud monarch's costliest diadem
Is counted but dross and refuse.
Conference was resumed at 2 p. m.
President Francis M. Lyman called the meeting to order.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear,
But with joy wend your way;
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Prayer was offered by Elder Joseph E. Taylor.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
O say, what is truth? ‘Tis the fairest gem
That the riches of worlds can produce;
And priceless the value of truth will be when
The proud monarch's costliest diadem
Is counted but dross and refuse.
ELDER GEORGE ALBERT SMITH.
Blessings received only by obedience to law —Observance of Word of Wisdom will increase faith—Obedience to simple laws qualifies for obedience to the higher.—Saloons closing in towns where Saints predominate.—Uplift mankind—make this land Zion.
While I stand here this afternoon I very much desire that the Lord will give me His Spirit, that the words I utter may be His words, for of myself I have nothing that I wish to say, I realize that the time is valuable, therefore I pray that the Lord will bless me that something may be brought forth that will be profitable to this vast congregation.
I rejoice that the President has been inspired to call our attention to section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, and to emphasize the importance of it to the Latter-day Saints. We are living in a day when the Lord has spoken again to His people. We, who are members of the Church, who have complied with the requirements of our Father in Heaven, understand perfectly that God lives and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently serve Him. We understand that He has given certain rules and regulations to govern us in this life, and obedience to His requirements insures us His pleasure, and the blessings promised will follow our obedience; but, if we fail to obey His teachings, if we ignore His wise counsels, then we have no promise from Him, and we are wasting opportunities that will not come to us again. I feel the importance of the Latter-day Saints observing this particular law. I believe that by obedience to it, much more faith may be enjoyed by the Latter-day Saints. We read in the teachings of Mormon that if there were not miracles wrought among that people it was because they did not have faith; and he told them, further, that without faith, "awful was the state of man." If we violate the known will of the Lord it is natural that our faith will wane, for the Spirit will not always strive, with us.
There is no blessing that the Latter-day Saints need that they may not enjoy. Our Father has established His work in this day: there is communication between the heavens and the earth, and the inspiration of the Lord flows to His servants who are living righteous lives and complying with His requirements. There is no glorious thing, that man can rightly desire that we may not enjoy within the folds of the Kingdom of our Lord; but if, as a people, when commandments have been given to us, by Him, and we fail to observe them, then the promise is not to us, but it will be realized by those who are obedient.
We are living upon what is commonly designated by us as the Land of Zion. These great continents of North and South America, have been so named. Millions of God's children reside upon this favored land, and He has said that it shall be blessed as long as the inhabitants thereof keep His commandments and obey His laws; one of which is the Word of Wisdom. In our day the Gospel has been given — not that a few people might be magnified, but that the blessings of our Father might be enjoyed by all His children, for He desires the salvation of each and every soul that has been born into the world. Unto you, my brethren and sisters, has come a knowledge that God lives. All doubt has passed from you, if you have complied with His requirements. You no longer feel, as some of our brethren and sisters of other faiths say, that you "hope" God lives, that you "hope" there will be eternal life for us. If you have done His will, if you have had faith, if you have repented of your sins, if you have been baptized by proper authority, by immersion, for the remission of those sins, and received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, then do you know that God lives, that Jesus Christ was the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of our Father of establishing this latter-day dispensation. With that knowledge in our hearts—which many of our brethren and sisters have not yet received—can we be recreant? As the sons of God, bearing the Priesthood, can we neglect the invaluable opportunities that are placed within our reach? Can we shut - our eyes to the glorious privileges that are unfolded to us by our Father in Heaven? Will we fail in keeping this simple commandment, a commandment that He has said is adapted to the capacity of the weak, or the weakest of all who are or can be called saints? I firmly believe that by reason of neglect of this simple requirement, faith has diminished in the hearts of some of our people. That, by a more general observance of the Word of Wisdom, faith will be increased among the Latter-day Saints, and greater knowledge will flow to us as a result; for, by obedience to it, there will come a disposition to obey other laws of our Father, and compliance with each insures a blessing. If this law, that is adapted to the capacity of the weakest of us, is obeyed, it will be a foundation upon which may be added many great blessings that our Father will be pleased to bestow, that otherwise we would not be entitled to and could not receive. How can any of us feel justified in ignoring a simple law of God that He, by His own voice, has said any of us can obey? Can we expect to be able to keep a higher law, and be able to attain great exaltation, if we fail to keep this simple requirement?
I rejoice in being able to say that, as I travel among the people, I find a disposition to keep that counsel, given for our temporal salvation. Brother Anthony Ivins and I recently visited the Saint George Stake of Zion; it was the last visited, and for that reason I specially mention it. The president of that stake (comprising 22 wards) arose in conference and announced to the people that he and his counselors, the members of the high council, and the bishops with their counselors all kept the Word of Wisdom, with the exception of two men, it so happened that, during our visit, we met the two men referred to. We explained to them the position they occupied, that, as leaders among the people, they were unable to teach the Word of Wisdom because they were not themselves keeping it. In humility, and in a spirit of obedience to the desire of our Father they said: "We will make it unanimous, so far as this stake of Zion is concerned ; God being our helper we will put from us those things that He has forbidden." If the stake presidency, high council and bishoprics of any stake will keep the Word of Wisdom, and set their own houses in order, they will exert a powerful influence for good, that will be felt in the remotest parts of their field.
Referring to the liquor saloon. Saint George has had a saloon, up to a few months ago, but the citizens concluded that it was too expensive a luxury for that community. They decided that the morals and lives of their sons were worth more than the license money that would flow to the city treasury, and the place was closed up. Since that time drunkenness in that city has. practically become a thing of the past, even to such an extent that during their County Fair, which was held prior to the Stake Conference, I was informed by one who was an officer there, that, in the multitude gathered, only two men were seen who gave any evidence that they were under the influence of liquor. The peace and order of the city has been wonderfully improved; and men and women who live there feel to thank their Father in Heaven, day by day, that they had wisdom and power sufficient to put away the thing that had been such a detriment to them.
I take it for granted that all of us who voted to sustain the advice and counsel of our President, understood what we were doing. That it did not mean only that we are willing somebody else should do the work. My understanding of the obligation we assumed was that here, in the presence of our Heavenly Father, we agreed that all the influence we can exert will be used, on the right hand and upon the left, day and night, if need be, to purify the moral condition, and prepare the way for a more wholesome condition among the citizens of this great land. We are not depriving man or woman of any blessing, when we withhold from them that which dethrones their reason and debases their lives. Brethren and sisters, the sisters particularly—God has blest you with power and influence, as he has blest we men; you have the franchise and should exercise it; and in love and kindness you should work for the uplifting of all; in doing this there will flow to you joy and peace, by reason of the results that will follow your efforts.
This grand State of Utah ought not to be one of the last to stand for temperance, it ought to have been first, by reason of the revelation of our Father that has been given to the Latter-day Saints. If this body of men and women will keep the covenant that they made yesterday, it will be only a question of a little time until, from one end of this state to the other, temperance will abound, and there will be a change that shall conduce to the blessing of every man and woman that lives in our midst. I rejoice that these things have been taught to us in this conference. My soul is attune to the word that has gone forth; and as I looked into the faces of men and women in the congregation yesterday, I realized that they, too, felt as I did, that it was a step in the right direction.
This is the land of Zion, blessed above all other lands. Our Father has placed with the people the power to make it the grandest of all nations upon the earth. He has helped to make it such, for verily I believe, today, no other nation under heaven is equal, in privileges, to the nation in which we live. God grant that we may not side-step. That we may not back-step, but that, day by day, with our faces turned toward righteousness, we may go steadily onward, serving the Lord, keeping His commandments, and fulfilling the requirements that He has made of us. This is our Father's work. The land that we live in is blest above all other lands; God has decreed it — only so far, however, as the people upon it are righteous. He has given us the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. It has been taught to us in plainness; He has given us power to keep its laws; He has given us the privilege of proclaiming them; He has broken down the barriers wherever the Gospel has been proclaimed. Here in Zion, with hearts filled with joy and gratitude for the blessings we receive let us evidence, by our lives, that we do know that Jehovah is at fife head, that this is not the work of any man, but that it is the work of our Father. Mav the Lord strengthen us for our labor: may He qualify us for our ministry: Mav He give us strength to keep His commandments day by day; and may we seek to apply in our lives the glorious principles He has revealed, that by and by, from this portion of His vineyard, may radiate peace and righteousness, that others observing our good works, may be constrained to glorify our Father in Heaven.
May the Lord continue His blessings upon us; may those who have assembled here take to their homes the influence of this blessed occasion; and, day by day, may we consecrate our lives for the blessing and the benefit and the uplifting of our fellow-men, using the intelligence with which God has blest us to overcome evil and plant, in the place thereof, righteousness and truth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings received only by obedience to law —Observance of Word of Wisdom will increase faith—Obedience to simple laws qualifies for obedience to the higher.—Saloons closing in towns where Saints predominate.—Uplift mankind—make this land Zion.
While I stand here this afternoon I very much desire that the Lord will give me His Spirit, that the words I utter may be His words, for of myself I have nothing that I wish to say, I realize that the time is valuable, therefore I pray that the Lord will bless me that something may be brought forth that will be profitable to this vast congregation.
I rejoice that the President has been inspired to call our attention to section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, and to emphasize the importance of it to the Latter-day Saints. We are living in a day when the Lord has spoken again to His people. We, who are members of the Church, who have complied with the requirements of our Father in Heaven, understand perfectly that God lives and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently serve Him. We understand that He has given certain rules and regulations to govern us in this life, and obedience to His requirements insures us His pleasure, and the blessings promised will follow our obedience; but, if we fail to obey His teachings, if we ignore His wise counsels, then we have no promise from Him, and we are wasting opportunities that will not come to us again. I feel the importance of the Latter-day Saints observing this particular law. I believe that by obedience to it, much more faith may be enjoyed by the Latter-day Saints. We read in the teachings of Mormon that if there were not miracles wrought among that people it was because they did not have faith; and he told them, further, that without faith, "awful was the state of man." If we violate the known will of the Lord it is natural that our faith will wane, for the Spirit will not always strive, with us.
There is no blessing that the Latter-day Saints need that they may not enjoy. Our Father has established His work in this day: there is communication between the heavens and the earth, and the inspiration of the Lord flows to His servants who are living righteous lives and complying with His requirements. There is no glorious thing, that man can rightly desire that we may not enjoy within the folds of the Kingdom of our Lord; but if, as a people, when commandments have been given to us, by Him, and we fail to observe them, then the promise is not to us, but it will be realized by those who are obedient.
We are living upon what is commonly designated by us as the Land of Zion. These great continents of North and South America, have been so named. Millions of God's children reside upon this favored land, and He has said that it shall be blessed as long as the inhabitants thereof keep His commandments and obey His laws; one of which is the Word of Wisdom. In our day the Gospel has been given — not that a few people might be magnified, but that the blessings of our Father might be enjoyed by all His children, for He desires the salvation of each and every soul that has been born into the world. Unto you, my brethren and sisters, has come a knowledge that God lives. All doubt has passed from you, if you have complied with His requirements. You no longer feel, as some of our brethren and sisters of other faiths say, that you "hope" God lives, that you "hope" there will be eternal life for us. If you have done His will, if you have had faith, if you have repented of your sins, if you have been baptized by proper authority, by immersion, for the remission of those sins, and received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, then do you know that God lives, that Jesus Christ was the Redeemer of the world, and that Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of our Father of establishing this latter-day dispensation. With that knowledge in our hearts—which many of our brethren and sisters have not yet received—can we be recreant? As the sons of God, bearing the Priesthood, can we neglect the invaluable opportunities that are placed within our reach? Can we shut - our eyes to the glorious privileges that are unfolded to us by our Father in Heaven? Will we fail in keeping this simple commandment, a commandment that He has said is adapted to the capacity of the weak, or the weakest of all who are or can be called saints? I firmly believe that by reason of neglect of this simple requirement, faith has diminished in the hearts of some of our people. That, by a more general observance of the Word of Wisdom, faith will be increased among the Latter-day Saints, and greater knowledge will flow to us as a result; for, by obedience to it, there will come a disposition to obey other laws of our Father, and compliance with each insures a blessing. If this law, that is adapted to the capacity of the weakest of us, is obeyed, it will be a foundation upon which may be added many great blessings that our Father will be pleased to bestow, that otherwise we would not be entitled to and could not receive. How can any of us feel justified in ignoring a simple law of God that He, by His own voice, has said any of us can obey? Can we expect to be able to keep a higher law, and be able to attain great exaltation, if we fail to keep this simple requirement?
I rejoice in being able to say that, as I travel among the people, I find a disposition to keep that counsel, given for our temporal salvation. Brother Anthony Ivins and I recently visited the Saint George Stake of Zion; it was the last visited, and for that reason I specially mention it. The president of that stake (comprising 22 wards) arose in conference and announced to the people that he and his counselors, the members of the high council, and the bishops with their counselors all kept the Word of Wisdom, with the exception of two men, it so happened that, during our visit, we met the two men referred to. We explained to them the position they occupied, that, as leaders among the people, they were unable to teach the Word of Wisdom because they were not themselves keeping it. In humility, and in a spirit of obedience to the desire of our Father they said: "We will make it unanimous, so far as this stake of Zion is concerned ; God being our helper we will put from us those things that He has forbidden." If the stake presidency, high council and bishoprics of any stake will keep the Word of Wisdom, and set their own houses in order, they will exert a powerful influence for good, that will be felt in the remotest parts of their field.
Referring to the liquor saloon. Saint George has had a saloon, up to a few months ago, but the citizens concluded that it was too expensive a luxury for that community. They decided that the morals and lives of their sons were worth more than the license money that would flow to the city treasury, and the place was closed up. Since that time drunkenness in that city has. practically become a thing of the past, even to such an extent that during their County Fair, which was held prior to the Stake Conference, I was informed by one who was an officer there, that, in the multitude gathered, only two men were seen who gave any evidence that they were under the influence of liquor. The peace and order of the city has been wonderfully improved; and men and women who live there feel to thank their Father in Heaven, day by day, that they had wisdom and power sufficient to put away the thing that had been such a detriment to them.
I take it for granted that all of us who voted to sustain the advice and counsel of our President, understood what we were doing. That it did not mean only that we are willing somebody else should do the work. My understanding of the obligation we assumed was that here, in the presence of our Heavenly Father, we agreed that all the influence we can exert will be used, on the right hand and upon the left, day and night, if need be, to purify the moral condition, and prepare the way for a more wholesome condition among the citizens of this great land. We are not depriving man or woman of any blessing, when we withhold from them that which dethrones their reason and debases their lives. Brethren and sisters, the sisters particularly—God has blest you with power and influence, as he has blest we men; you have the franchise and should exercise it; and in love and kindness you should work for the uplifting of all; in doing this there will flow to you joy and peace, by reason of the results that will follow your efforts.
This grand State of Utah ought not to be one of the last to stand for temperance, it ought to have been first, by reason of the revelation of our Father that has been given to the Latter-day Saints. If this body of men and women will keep the covenant that they made yesterday, it will be only a question of a little time until, from one end of this state to the other, temperance will abound, and there will be a change that shall conduce to the blessing of every man and woman that lives in our midst. I rejoice that these things have been taught to us in this conference. My soul is attune to the word that has gone forth; and as I looked into the faces of men and women in the congregation yesterday, I realized that they, too, felt as I did, that it was a step in the right direction.
This is the land of Zion, blessed above all other lands. Our Father has placed with the people the power to make it the grandest of all nations upon the earth. He has helped to make it such, for verily I believe, today, no other nation under heaven is equal, in privileges, to the nation in which we live. God grant that we may not side-step. That we may not back-step, but that, day by day, with our faces turned toward righteousness, we may go steadily onward, serving the Lord, keeping His commandments, and fulfilling the requirements that He has made of us. This is our Father's work. The land that we live in is blest above all other lands; God has decreed it — only so far, however, as the people upon it are righteous. He has given us the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. It has been taught to us in plainness; He has given us power to keep its laws; He has given us the privilege of proclaiming them; He has broken down the barriers wherever the Gospel has been proclaimed. Here in Zion, with hearts filled with joy and gratitude for the blessings we receive let us evidence, by our lives, that we do know that Jehovah is at fife head, that this is not the work of any man, but that it is the work of our Father. Mav the Lord strengthen us for our labor: may He qualify us for our ministry: Mav He give us strength to keep His commandments day by day; and may we seek to apply in our lives the glorious principles He has revealed, that by and by, from this portion of His vineyard, may radiate peace and righteousness, that others observing our good works, may be constrained to glorify our Father in Heaven.
May the Lord continue His blessings upon us; may those who have assembled here take to their homes the influence of this blessed occasion; and, day by day, may we consecrate our lives for the blessing and the benefit and the uplifting of our fellow-men, using the intelligence with which God has blest us to overcome evil and plant, in the place thereof, righteousness and truth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER GEORGE F. RICHARDS.
Temporal and spiritual welfare enhanced, by observing Word of Wisdom.— Love to do God's will should be the incentive to obedience.—The Savior's great example of loving obedience.— Splendid record in some wards and stakes.
The spirit of this conference, as nearly as I am able to judge, is to create a sentiment among this people in favor of yielding more implicit obedience unto the word of the Lord ; as pertains to the keeping of the Word of Wisdom'. I do firmly believe that it will be fitting for men and women holding leading positions in this church, to carry from this conference to their homes, in the stakes and wards of Zion and in the mission field, this sentiment, and that they should advocate it, and teach it to those under them—the ward teachers, the officers of the various quorums of Priesthood, and auxiliary organizations. The officers of the Church must see to it that they themselves observe this important Word of Wisdom, and then teach those over whom they preside to do likewise. They must follow this counsel up closely until they see the fruits of their labors.
I am reminded that a few years ago, when the Church authorities discovered that the Church was greatly involved in debt, and they could see no opening, apparently, by which they would soon be able to meet the obligations and liquidate the indebtedness, inspiration came to the President of the Church, and he saw that if the Latter-day Saints would pay their tithes there would be an abundance of means, in the storehouse of the Lord, with which to pay the debts and meet the current expenses of the Church. Therefore, a sentiment was created, and a wave passed over the people, a resolute determination that they would do their part well and faithfully in the payment of their tithing, and the results were most gratifying.
I am reminded, now, that since we received the word first in this conference from the President of the Church, the mouthpiece of the Lord unto us, all the servants of the Lord who have addressed us, or nearly all of them, have been inspired to speak upon the same subject. I do feel that we should put forth an effort, greater than we have ever done before, to make obedience to the Word of Wisdom universal among us. If there are some who will complain that too much time of this conference has been given to a consideration of the Word of Wisdom, I will answer that no faithful Latter-day Saint, who has himself been yielding obedience to this requirement of the Lord, will make such complaint. Any person who speaks thus you may justly suspicion as not having observed this important revelation of the Lord. There are many reasons which might be assigned why we ought to observe to keep the Word of Wisdom', reasons which are common to those in and out of the Church. As a matter of individual economy we ought to observe it. As a matter of national economy all men and women ought to observe it; also that the evil effects of the use of these things which are forbidden may be obviated among the people. The evil effects of these forbidden things, on the system of the individual, ought to remind him. if he will stop to consider, that it is profitable for him to yield obedience unto this requirement, whether he is in the Church or out of it.
Above and beyond all these reasons, and any others which I can think of, is that which appeals to the Latter-day Saints—that our Father in heaven has expressed it as His will that we do observe these laws. I would call your attention to a part of the second paragraph in the 89th section, which reads as follows, referring to this revelation; it "was given by revelation, and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days." We have accepted Joseph Smith as the prophet, seer, and revelator of this last dispensation, and in doing so we accept these revelations as being the word of the Lord to us. Here the Lord expresses His will, in very plain terms, that this revelation is given "showing forth the order and will of God.' If for no other reason, this should be sufficient for any consistent Latter- day Saint to induce him to yield implicit obedience unto this word. I can think of no gospel subject that will apply directly to more people among us as Latter-day Saints than this Word of Wisdom, unless it may be the principle of obedience, which includes yielding obedience unto this word; or repentance, which also includes turning away from these things which are forbidden, and obeying the will of the Lord. In our onward march towards perfection we will not leave the first principles of the Gospel of the Master, but will continue to observe them. In the Church, we, the teachers, are placed for the express purpose of bringing the people up to a knowledge of the Son of God, showing them the way unto perfection. I desire to say here that we never can reach perfection until we yield obedience unto this simple word of the Lord. We are required to do the will of God, at any sacrifice. I have in mind the word of the Lord upon this subject, contained in the revelations: "Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake, shall find it again, and whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple." We are not asked now, my brethren and sisters, to lay down our lives to show our obedience to the Lord, and our worthiness to be His disciples, but we are asked by the Lord to abstain from the use of strong drinks and tobacco, in every form, also to abstain from the use of meats to excess. This is a simple requirement. How can we hope to have faith to lay down our lives, how can we claim to be willing to do so, while our lives and actions, every day, show to our neighbors and to the Lord that we are not willing to rid ourselves of the use of strong drink or tobacco—those things which are forbidden of the Lord? Let us be consistent with ourselves and our professions of faith.
I am reminded of the great warfare that was carried on in heaven, while we existed in the spirit, of which we read in the revelations of John, given upon the Isle of Patmos, and more clearly explained in the revelations of the Lord to Moses, as found in the Pearl of Great Price. The account states that, when Lucifer rebelled against the Father and drew away a third of heaven's hosts, that great general, the First Born of God our Father, in the spirit and Who was the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, stepped forward and, in contradistinction to the demands made by Lucifer, that God our Father should give to Him His honor, which means His glory and His power and authority, the First Born said: "Father, Thy will be done, and the glory be Thine forever." That is the true spirit of the Gospel, the spirit that every Latter-day Saint ought to possess, no matter what the requirement may be. Do you not think that Jesus, when He made that declaration, had some conception of the requirements that would be made upon Him? I think so. We are told expressly, in the scripture, that He was the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world; and I believe that when He made that remark to the Father, He did not intend it to apply merely to the warfare in which they engaged in the spiritual existence., but that it was to continue in all His work pertaining to the salvation and eternal life of the children of men, which involved His mortal existence here upon the earth. As you will observe in the reading of the scriptures, that spirit characterized, more than anything else, the life and labors, the testimony and teachings of our Savior. In the midst of His direct sorrow and suffering, when He endured such agony that it is said of Him that He sweat, as it were, great drops of blood—in the midst of it all He said, "Oh, Father, if it be Thy will, let this cup pass, but Thy will, and not mine, be done." That is the spirit. When Adam was cast out of the garden of Eden, as we read in the revelations of the Lord to Moses, found in the Pearl of Great Price, he was commanded to build an altar and make offerings to the Lord, the firstlings of his flock, those that were without blemish, and he did as he was required. After a time, an angel appeared to Adam and said: "Adam, why do you do this thing?" Adam' answered, "I know not, save God has commanded me." That should be a sufficient reason for obeying every commandment that our Father has given unto us. It ought only to be necessary that it be known by us that the Father wills it so, to incite us to go straightway and perform our duties, and live by the law; we have his promise that He will help us. How was it with Abraham, when he was called upon to offer his son Isaac, in whom he had hope of a numerous posterity of honorable men and women? The Lord required that he take his son three days' journey into the mountain, and upon a place which should be indicated to him he was to slay his son, offer him as an offering to the Lord. All his hopes would thereby be blighted, yet we have no account that Abraham said to the Father: Why am I required to do this? I warrant you that Abraham made no such argument with the Lord, nor did he plead with Him to know the whys and wherefores; but he went and offered his son, virtually offered him, and it was accepted of the Lord. It was sufficient for Abraham to know that God had commanded it; and why should not the same be sufficient for us? If we are consistent, anything that the Lord expresses to us as His will, whether it be by written revelation or through the mouths of His servants in whom we have confidence, and whom we sustain, when we know what the will of the Lord is, and we fail to do it, with all our mind, might, and strength, we are under condemnation before the Lord, and are not acting according to the light He has given us.
I am very thankful for the knowledge I have of the faithfulness of the Latter-day Saints generally, in yielding obedience to this word of the Lord. In one stake of Zion it was reported to me, by the president of the stake, that every officer in all the organizations and wards of the stake, observed to keep the Word of Wisdom, except a very few who had given him their word that they would observe it in the future. I have found, as I remember now, a stake president of primary associations, in one of our stakes here on the east, in reporting her organization, made the statement that out of ninety officers engaged in primary work in the stake, including the ward officers, eighty-nine of them were strictly observing the Word of Wisdom. I remember, too, the report made by a superintendent of the Young Men's associations in one of our stakes, in which he made the statement that all the Mutual Improvement officers in the wards and stake, excepting two, were observing that law. We often hear such reports, during our travels among the people. There are thousands to whom this word does not come as a reproof, yet there are too many, by far, who have disregarded this word of the Lord. It is time, my brethren and sisters, that we begin to comply with these smaller things, things that are most easily complied with, that we may prepare and school ourselves for the greater requirements that may be made upon us in this Church.
May the Lord help us to be faithful in this and in all things in the keeping of His commandments, that we may receive the promised blessing of eternal life, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
A baritone solo, "Oh, rest in the Lord," was sung by Elder Charles E. Pike.
Temporal and spiritual welfare enhanced, by observing Word of Wisdom.— Love to do God's will should be the incentive to obedience.—The Savior's great example of loving obedience.— Splendid record in some wards and stakes.
The spirit of this conference, as nearly as I am able to judge, is to create a sentiment among this people in favor of yielding more implicit obedience unto the word of the Lord ; as pertains to the keeping of the Word of Wisdom'. I do firmly believe that it will be fitting for men and women holding leading positions in this church, to carry from this conference to their homes, in the stakes and wards of Zion and in the mission field, this sentiment, and that they should advocate it, and teach it to those under them—the ward teachers, the officers of the various quorums of Priesthood, and auxiliary organizations. The officers of the Church must see to it that they themselves observe this important Word of Wisdom, and then teach those over whom they preside to do likewise. They must follow this counsel up closely until they see the fruits of their labors.
I am reminded that a few years ago, when the Church authorities discovered that the Church was greatly involved in debt, and they could see no opening, apparently, by which they would soon be able to meet the obligations and liquidate the indebtedness, inspiration came to the President of the Church, and he saw that if the Latter-day Saints would pay their tithes there would be an abundance of means, in the storehouse of the Lord, with which to pay the debts and meet the current expenses of the Church. Therefore, a sentiment was created, and a wave passed over the people, a resolute determination that they would do their part well and faithfully in the payment of their tithing, and the results were most gratifying.
I am reminded, now, that since we received the word first in this conference from the President of the Church, the mouthpiece of the Lord unto us, all the servants of the Lord who have addressed us, or nearly all of them, have been inspired to speak upon the same subject. I do feel that we should put forth an effort, greater than we have ever done before, to make obedience to the Word of Wisdom universal among us. If there are some who will complain that too much time of this conference has been given to a consideration of the Word of Wisdom, I will answer that no faithful Latter-day Saint, who has himself been yielding obedience to this requirement of the Lord, will make such complaint. Any person who speaks thus you may justly suspicion as not having observed this important revelation of the Lord. There are many reasons which might be assigned why we ought to observe to keep the Word of Wisdom', reasons which are common to those in and out of the Church. As a matter of individual economy we ought to observe it. As a matter of national economy all men and women ought to observe it; also that the evil effects of the use of these things which are forbidden may be obviated among the people. The evil effects of these forbidden things, on the system of the individual, ought to remind him. if he will stop to consider, that it is profitable for him to yield obedience unto this requirement, whether he is in the Church or out of it.
Above and beyond all these reasons, and any others which I can think of, is that which appeals to the Latter-day Saints—that our Father in heaven has expressed it as His will that we do observe these laws. I would call your attention to a part of the second paragraph in the 89th section, which reads as follows, referring to this revelation; it "was given by revelation, and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days." We have accepted Joseph Smith as the prophet, seer, and revelator of this last dispensation, and in doing so we accept these revelations as being the word of the Lord to us. Here the Lord expresses His will, in very plain terms, that this revelation is given "showing forth the order and will of God.' If for no other reason, this should be sufficient for any consistent Latter- day Saint to induce him to yield implicit obedience unto this word. I can think of no gospel subject that will apply directly to more people among us as Latter-day Saints than this Word of Wisdom, unless it may be the principle of obedience, which includes yielding obedience unto this word; or repentance, which also includes turning away from these things which are forbidden, and obeying the will of the Lord. In our onward march towards perfection we will not leave the first principles of the Gospel of the Master, but will continue to observe them. In the Church, we, the teachers, are placed for the express purpose of bringing the people up to a knowledge of the Son of God, showing them the way unto perfection. I desire to say here that we never can reach perfection until we yield obedience unto this simple word of the Lord. We are required to do the will of God, at any sacrifice. I have in mind the word of the Lord upon this subject, contained in the revelations: "Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake, shall find it again, and whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple." We are not asked now, my brethren and sisters, to lay down our lives to show our obedience to the Lord, and our worthiness to be His disciples, but we are asked by the Lord to abstain from the use of strong drinks and tobacco, in every form, also to abstain from the use of meats to excess. This is a simple requirement. How can we hope to have faith to lay down our lives, how can we claim to be willing to do so, while our lives and actions, every day, show to our neighbors and to the Lord that we are not willing to rid ourselves of the use of strong drink or tobacco—those things which are forbidden of the Lord? Let us be consistent with ourselves and our professions of faith.
I am reminded of the great warfare that was carried on in heaven, while we existed in the spirit, of which we read in the revelations of John, given upon the Isle of Patmos, and more clearly explained in the revelations of the Lord to Moses, as found in the Pearl of Great Price. The account states that, when Lucifer rebelled against the Father and drew away a third of heaven's hosts, that great general, the First Born of God our Father, in the spirit and Who was the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, stepped forward and, in contradistinction to the demands made by Lucifer, that God our Father should give to Him His honor, which means His glory and His power and authority, the First Born said: "Father, Thy will be done, and the glory be Thine forever." That is the true spirit of the Gospel, the spirit that every Latter-day Saint ought to possess, no matter what the requirement may be. Do you not think that Jesus, when He made that declaration, had some conception of the requirements that would be made upon Him? I think so. We are told expressly, in the scripture, that He was the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world; and I believe that when He made that remark to the Father, He did not intend it to apply merely to the warfare in which they engaged in the spiritual existence., but that it was to continue in all His work pertaining to the salvation and eternal life of the children of men, which involved His mortal existence here upon the earth. As you will observe in the reading of the scriptures, that spirit characterized, more than anything else, the life and labors, the testimony and teachings of our Savior. In the midst of His direct sorrow and suffering, when He endured such agony that it is said of Him that He sweat, as it were, great drops of blood—in the midst of it all He said, "Oh, Father, if it be Thy will, let this cup pass, but Thy will, and not mine, be done." That is the spirit. When Adam was cast out of the garden of Eden, as we read in the revelations of the Lord to Moses, found in the Pearl of Great Price, he was commanded to build an altar and make offerings to the Lord, the firstlings of his flock, those that were without blemish, and he did as he was required. After a time, an angel appeared to Adam and said: "Adam, why do you do this thing?" Adam' answered, "I know not, save God has commanded me." That should be a sufficient reason for obeying every commandment that our Father has given unto us. It ought only to be necessary that it be known by us that the Father wills it so, to incite us to go straightway and perform our duties, and live by the law; we have his promise that He will help us. How was it with Abraham, when he was called upon to offer his son Isaac, in whom he had hope of a numerous posterity of honorable men and women? The Lord required that he take his son three days' journey into the mountain, and upon a place which should be indicated to him he was to slay his son, offer him as an offering to the Lord. All his hopes would thereby be blighted, yet we have no account that Abraham said to the Father: Why am I required to do this? I warrant you that Abraham made no such argument with the Lord, nor did he plead with Him to know the whys and wherefores; but he went and offered his son, virtually offered him, and it was accepted of the Lord. It was sufficient for Abraham to know that God had commanded it; and why should not the same be sufficient for us? If we are consistent, anything that the Lord expresses to us as His will, whether it be by written revelation or through the mouths of His servants in whom we have confidence, and whom we sustain, when we know what the will of the Lord is, and we fail to do it, with all our mind, might, and strength, we are under condemnation before the Lord, and are not acting according to the light He has given us.
I am very thankful for the knowledge I have of the faithfulness of the Latter-day Saints generally, in yielding obedience to this word of the Lord. In one stake of Zion it was reported to me, by the president of the stake, that every officer in all the organizations and wards of the stake, observed to keep the Word of Wisdom, except a very few who had given him their word that they would observe it in the future. I have found, as I remember now, a stake president of primary associations, in one of our stakes here on the east, in reporting her organization, made the statement that out of ninety officers engaged in primary work in the stake, including the ward officers, eighty-nine of them were strictly observing the Word of Wisdom. I remember, too, the report made by a superintendent of the Young Men's associations in one of our stakes, in which he made the statement that all the Mutual Improvement officers in the wards and stake, excepting two, were observing that law. We often hear such reports, during our travels among the people. There are thousands to whom this word does not come as a reproof, yet there are too many, by far, who have disregarded this word of the Lord. It is time, my brethren and sisters, that we begin to comply with these smaller things, things that are most easily complied with, that we may prepare and school ourselves for the greater requirements that may be made upon us in this Church.
May the Lord help us to be faithful in this and in all things in the keeping of His commandments, that we may receive the promised blessing of eternal life, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
A baritone solo, "Oh, rest in the Lord," was sung by Elder Charles E. Pike.
ELDER ORSON F. WHITNEY.
The Lord's Work Progressive.—The Latter-day Saints in Sympathy with Every Good Cause.—Dr. Henry Van Dyke on the Question of Human Betterment.— The World Growing More Just and More Kind, but Lacking in Self-restraint.—God Cannot Fail. — Good Will Triumph Over Evil, and the World Will Attain Perfection.
I hope that my voice, which is somewhat disabled by a cold, will permit me to speak what is in my heart.
It is about two thousand years, according to our accepted chronology, since the Lord Jesus Christ died on Calvary, since He commissioned twelve apostles and other seventy and sent them' forth to preach the Gospel to every creature. It is over one hundred years since the Prophet Joseph Smith came into the world to restore the Gospel, from which the world had departed. It is seventy-eight years since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, and Mormonism—so-called—has been preached among the nations during that time.
The question uppermost in my mind today is this: Has the world been benefited by what the Lord has done? Is it growing better or worse as a result of the efforts put forth by the God of Heaven for the salvation of mankind? I think there can be but one answer to such a question. I am a believer in the progress of the human race. I believe that the world, in spite of its wickedness, its opposition to the truth, and its hatred of the people and the cause of God, is six thousand years nearer to perfection than when Adam fell from the Garden of Eden. I believe that this Church, in spite of its derelictions, its disobedience to some of the requirements of the Gospel, its neglect of some of the principles revealed from heaven for the perfecting of the Saints and for the salvation of all people—I believe that this Church, in spite of its errors of omission and commission, is in a better condition today than it has ever been. I cannot consistently take any other view, and yet I know that there is great room for improvement. The present condition, however superior to the conditions of the past, furnishes no argument to justify stagnation and stand-still.
The Apostle Paul exhorted the Church in his day to be progressive. In his epistle to the Hebrews he says: "Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." Paul, of course, did not mean that any principle of the gospel should be abandoned or put upon the shelf. There never will come a time when faith will not be essential to salvation. It is one of the greatest of principles, and although it comes first, it is no small or trivial thing. There never will come a time when repentance will not be necessary, so long as men sin and depart from God. The Apostle did not mean that the Church, in its progress to perfection, should leave these principles behind, as having no further use for them; though that construction might be put upon his words, if the letter be taken without the spirit. Hence the Prophet Joseph Smith, in revising the scriptures, saw proper to insert the word "not" in that very injunction of the Apostle Paul, making it read: "Therefore, not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection." It was a plea for progress, but not a license to lay aside as a thing that had outlived its usefulness, any principle of salvation.
The work of the Lord is always progressive. There has been progress in the world from the beginning; not in every part, not in every particular, but in the general trend of human affairs as manipulated by Divinity. God has not been thwarted in the work that He set out to perform—the redemption and eventual perfection of the world that He created. The lives and labors of the patriarchs, from Adam to Abraham; of the prophets, from Moses to Christ; and of all good men and women who have figured in history before and since that time—these have not been in vain. Noah's mission did not fail, though the antediluvian world went down to death for rejecting his testimony. Through Noah the truth was perpetuated and the earth repeopled after the flood. I cannot conceive that the Son of God could die to lift up fallen humanity and nothing but degeneracy and degradation result. I cannot conceive that a man like Joseph Smith could live, or that such a religion as "Mormonism" could be preached in the world for upwards of seventy years, and mankind not be benefited thereby. It is perfectly apparent to those who see aright that the doctrines taught by Joseph Smith have permeated society, have modified the religious creeds of men, and are acting as a leaven upon the world at large.
I was once conversing with a Christian minister, who said that he did not understand the position taken by the Latter-day Saints toward the good works that were being done by other religious organizations and by philanthropic and progressive agencies in general. "You have an article of faith," said he, "which commits you to the admiration of and search after every thing that is virtuous and praiseworthy." The article referred to is as follows: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul; we believe all things, we hope all things; we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Said this gentleman, "That being one of your articles of faith, I cannot understand why you take no account of the good that is being done outside of your own community. Here we are, retranslating the scriptures, endeavoring to make them more perfect, more accurate, and you take no interest in it. We are uncovering buried cities and civilizations, deciphering ancient monuments and manuscripts, and you account it of little or no worth. We are founding hospitals and reformatories, sending missionaries to the ends of the earth, establishing missions and charities, pleading for justice, kindness, peace and progress—and you take no stock in what we are doing."
I answered that he was very much in error in his supposition. And I think that the gentleman would have modified his opinion had he been present here yesterday when President Joseph F. Smith, during his splendid discourse upon the Word of Wisdom, gave a most hearty endorsement to the great temperance movement that is rolling like a mighty billow over the land; when Heber J. Grant, one of the apostles of the Church, presented a resolution, which was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted, pledging this great people to an effort to secure legislation for the closing of saloons and the discouragement of the liquor traffic; when the president of the apostles, Elder Francis M. Lyman, feelingly commended the good work that is being done by enterprising and benevolent men in all countries. Had my ministerial friend been present this morning, he would have heard another apostle, John Henry Smith, fresh from the National Irrigation Congress at Albuquerque, New Mexico, utter similar sentiments, reminding us that we are one in sympathy and friendship with all agencies that have as their object the betterment of mankind, whether in the redemption of these arid wastes, the success of the great temperance cause, the safeguarding of morality, or the correction of evil in any form. The gentleman would have found that the Latter-day Saints stand by their articles of faith, and that Mormonism befriends every good cause, every high enterprise started by any people in any part of the world. And why not? Many of these movements are the fruits of the preaching of "Mormonism" among the nations, while others are the fruits of Christianity, which, in its purity, from our point of view, was only the "Mormonism" of an earlier day. Let me now present a few paragraphs from an article by a scholarly and learned divine, Dr. Henry Van Dyke, who, in his admirable essay, "Is the World Growing Better?" says:
"No man knows of a certainty the answer to this question. If it were an inquiry into the condition of the world's pocket book, or farm, or garden, or machine- house, or library, or school-room, the answer would be easy. Six million more spindles whirling in the world's workshop in 1903 than in 1900; eight hundred million more bushels of wheat in the world's grain-fields than in 1897: an average school attendance gaining 145 per cent, between 1840 and 1888, while the population of Europe increased only 33 per cent. So the figures run in every department. No doubt the world is busier, richer, better fed, and probably it knows more than ever before. * * * But is it growing better? That is another question, and a far more important one * * * I asked John Friendly, the other day, 'Do you think the world is growing better? 'Certainly,' said he, with a smile like sunrise on his honest face, 'I haven't the slightest doubt of it.' But what makes you so sure of it? 'Why, it must be so! Look at all the work that is being done today to educate people and help them into better ways of living. All this effort must count for something. The wagon must move with so many horses pulling at it. The world can't help growing better!"
Then he left me to go down to a meeting of his 'Citizens' Committee for the Application of the Social Boycott to Political Offenders' (which frequently adjourns without a quorum). Immediately afterwards, I passed the door of the 'Michael T. Moriarty Republicratic Club'—wide open and crowded. On my way up the avenue I saw a liquor saloon on every block—and all busy. The news-stands were full of placards announcing articles in the magazines— "Graft in Chicago," "The Criminal Calendar of Millionaires," "St. Louis, the Bribers' Paradise," "The Plunder of Philadelphia." Headlines in the yellow journals told of "Immense Slaughter in Manchuria," "Russia Ripe for Revolution," "The Black Hand Terror in the Bronx," "Gilded Gambling Dens of the Four Hundred," "Diamonds and Divorce."
"John Friendly's cheerful a priori confidence in the betterment of the world seemed to need reinforcement. Some of the horses are pulling his way, no doubt, but a good many appear to be pulling the other way. Under such conditions the wagon might stick fast or go backward; possibly it might be pulled to pieces. Who can measure, in the abstract, the comparative strength of the good and evil forces? Who can tell, beforehand, which way the tug of war will go?"
Dr. Van Dyke then goes on to show that there are three main points of goodness—justice, kindness, and self-restraint. A man is said to be growing better when he is becoming more just, and careful to do the right thing; more kind, and ready to do the helpful thing; more self-controlled, and willing to sacrifice his personal will to the general welfare. The doctor declares his belief that the modern world, in two of these important directions, manifests a great improvement over the ancient world. He reminds us that in order to arrive at anything approaching a correct conclusion in the premises, we must be willing to take a long view and a wide view. "What we have to look at is not the local exception, nor the temporary reaction, but the broad field as far as we can see it, the general movement as far as we can trace it;" and taking that view, it seems to him that the world is really growing better; "not in every eddy, but in the main current of its life ; not in a straight line, but with a winding course; not in every respect, but in at least two of the three main points of goodness."
To illustrate the growth of justice, he cites the fact that in Shakespeare's time a woman was looked upon as a mere piece of property. She belonged to her husband; he could beat her with impunity; he could deprive her of the guardianship of her children; the very presents that he gave her were still his property, for she could hold nothing in her own right. But all that has been changed; woman today is a person in the light of the law; she can hold property for herself, and can share equally with her husband in the guardianship of her children. The wife-beater is now punished as a criminal. "Surely," says our author, "it is an immense gain in justice that woman should be treated as a human being." He holds that not only is woman rising among those nations that lead the march of civilization, but that even in Mohammedan and in heathen countries her cause is gaining ground.
In the same way he interprets the laws that protect the young against cruelty, oppression, and injustice, citing the Factory Act of 1833 and the Mines and Collieries Act of 1842 in England as examples of a steadily-increasing effort since that time to diminish and prevent the degradation of the race by the enslavement of childhood to labor. Moreover, it is now regarded as unjust to deal with young delinquents as if they were old and hardened criminals. "No more herding of children ten and twelve years old in the common jail! Juvenile courts and probation officers, asylums and reformatories; an intelligent and systematic effort to reclaim the young life before it has fallen into hopeless bondage to crime; this is the spirit of the civilized legislation of today. In 1903 no less than ten of the American states enacted special statutes with this end in view."
The abolition of ancient and medieval methods of judicial torture — such as the rack and the thumbscrew— and the abandonment of brutal and degrading methods of execution are also mentioned: Criminals are no longer impaled, crucified, disemboweled, or buried alive; and capital punishment, which was formerly inflicted for stealing and for forgery, is now confined to the two great crimes of murder and treason. Some things that were once punishable are no longer prosecuted, such as heresy, witchcraft, religious nonconformity; and, on the other hand, new offenses have been created that were formerly ignored, such as the adulteration of foods, gambling, the violation of laws in restraint of the liquor traffic, selling cigarettes to children, tapping electric wires, disfiguring the landscape with advertisements or printing them on the American flag, making combinations in restraint of trade, sleeping in a public bakery, spitting on the floor of a street-car. "A large part of what appears to be the increase of crime in recent years (according to statistics), is due to this new definition of misdemeanors. * * * Another part comes from the greater efficiency in the execution of the laws and the greater completeness in the tabulation of reports. * * * Pike's History of Crime in England estimates that in the fourteenth century murders were at least sixteen times as frequent as in our own day."
The learned doctor also refers to the abolition of the slave trade, the establishment of international law, the granting of copyrights to foreign authors, and the purchase, by the United States government, of the lands owned by the Spanish friars in the Philippines, instead of the confiscation of those lands, which would have been the rule a hundred years ago. These and other acts are cited as evidences that the spirit of justice is growing among men and nations.
In regard to the increase of kindness in the human race, he thinks that the evidence is even more clear and strong. "There are more people in the world who love mercy, and they are having better success in making their spirit prevail. More is being done today to prevent and mitigate human suffering, to shelter and protect the weak and helpless, to minister wisely to the sick and wounded in body and in mind, than ever before in the history of mankind." The work begun by John Howard a hundred and thirty years ago, which has done so much to cleanse away the shame of a cruel, filthy and irrational prison system, is given prominent mention. Our author affirms that since the middle of the nineteenth century charity has grown twice as fast as wealth in England, and three times as fast in France. In the United States the amount of the larger gifts ($5,000 or more) rose from $29,000,000 in 1893 to $107,000,000 in 1901. And "with all this increase of money comes an equal increase of care and thought in regard to the best way of using it for the real benefit of mankind. Reckless almsgiving is recognized as an amiable but idiotic form of self-indulgence. The penny dropped into the beggar's hat gives place to an inquiry into the beggar's condition. * * * * * * * * Schools of philanthropy are established to study and teach the economy of generosity. Asylums are investigated and supervised. Relief funds are entrusted to responsible committees, who keep books and render accounts."
Upon the broad theme of international mercy, the doctor states that since the days of Abraham there have been three hundred and fifty great famines in various parts of the world, but, he asks, who ever heard, before the nineteenth century began, of any of the hungry nations receiving help from the outside? "Now, within a week after the distress is known, money, food, and help of all kinds begin to flow in from all quarters of the globe." The Hague tribunal is referred to as an effort to get rid of the hell of war, or at least to mitigate its horrors and torments, and comparison is made between modern and ancient methods of conducting war. "Let any man," he says, "read the story of the siege and sack of a town in Holland by the Spanish soldiers, as it is given in Motley's 'Dutch Republic,' and compare it with the story of the capture of Paris in 1870, or even the taking of Pekin in 1900, and he will understand that war itself has felt the restraining touch of mercy." "Not one of the great nations of the world today would dare to proclaim a war in the name of Religion."
Our author then comes to the third factor of real betterment—self-restraint. In justice and kindness, the world, he believes, is becoming better, but in the matter of self-restraint, the willingness to sacrifice one's own passion and pleasure for the good of others, he says:
"Here, I confess, my guessing is confused and troubled. There was a vast improvement from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century, but whether the twentieth century is carrying on the advance seems uncertain. * * * The theory of individual liberty threatens to assert itself in dangerous forms. Literature and art are throwing their enchantments around the old lie that life's highest value is found in moments of intense self-gratification. Speed is glorified regardless of direction; strength is worshiped at the expense of reason. Success is deified as the power to do what one likes. Gilding covers a multitude of sins. On the one hand, we have a so-called 'upper class' which says: the world was made to amuse me; nothing else matters. On the other hand we have an apparent increase of the criminal class, which lives at war with the social order. Corporations and labor unions engage in a struggle so fierce that the rights and interests of the community are forgotten by both parties. In our own country, lynching— which is organized murder for unproved offenses—grows more common. Divorces increase to 60,000 in one year; and there is an epidemic of shocking accidents and disasters, greater than any hitherto recorded, and due, apparently, to the spirit of unrestraint and recklessness which is sweeping furiously in its motor car along the highways of modern life.
"Is this selfish and headlong spirit growing? Will it continue to accelerate the pace at which men live, and diminish the control by which they are guided? Will it weaken more and more the bonds of reverence and mutual consideration and household fidelity and civic virtue, until the states which have been civilized by the sanctions of love and the convictions of duty are whirled backward by the passion of self-indulgence into the barbarism of luxurious pleasure or the anarchy of social strife?"
He concludes that it is neither brave nor wise to give these troublesome questions an answer of despair. Two are stronger than one, and if the world has grown more just and more kind, we can reasonably trust that in the long run it will improve in the matter of self-restraint, and the selfish, reckless spirit will be overcome.
This seems to me a very intelligent and comprehensive view. I thought of it while President Smith was speaking yesterday, when he declared that his motive for presenting the Word of Wisdom was the fact that it was more neglected than any other revelation which God had given to this people. Right in line, you see, with the argument of this learned man, that in the matter of self-restraint there is a laxity, even among those who are otherwise just and kind—not just, not kind to themselves, however. And in this spirit of self-indulgence, this unwillingness to curb and control the passions, there lurks a danger that threatens the disruption of society. It behooves every good man and every good woman to stand in a solid phalanx against any tendency that imperils the happiness of the human race and nullifies in any degree, the good that is being done in the interests of temperance, virtue and philanthropy.
One more thought and I will conclude. I wish to recur to a question propounded by Dr. Van Dyke in the fore part of his interesting essay: "Who can measure, in the abstract, the comparative strength of the good and evil forces? Who can tell, beforehand, which way the tug of war must go?"
I can, and you can; every soul illumined by the Holy Ghost can tell what will be the inevitable outcome. If God and Satan are pulling against each other, what will happen must be plain to every reverent, thoughtful mind. The issue is not in doubt. God will not be mocked; Omnipotence will not be defeated. While He allows the agency of man and the agency of Satan their full play, never at any time has He given to man or to Satan the power to destroy His work or prevent the fulfillment of His predestined purpose. Strength will prevail over weakness. Truth will triumph over error. No matter what trials and persecutions the cause of Christ may have to undergo before its victory is assured, the final outcome will be glorious. Christ will complete His work; the righteous will be saved; the wicked, damned; and the world will attain perfection.
"Truth forever on the scaffold;
Wrong forever on the throne;
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own."
The Lord's Work Progressive.—The Latter-day Saints in Sympathy with Every Good Cause.—Dr. Henry Van Dyke on the Question of Human Betterment.— The World Growing More Just and More Kind, but Lacking in Self-restraint.—God Cannot Fail. — Good Will Triumph Over Evil, and the World Will Attain Perfection.
I hope that my voice, which is somewhat disabled by a cold, will permit me to speak what is in my heart.
It is about two thousand years, according to our accepted chronology, since the Lord Jesus Christ died on Calvary, since He commissioned twelve apostles and other seventy and sent them' forth to preach the Gospel to every creature. It is over one hundred years since the Prophet Joseph Smith came into the world to restore the Gospel, from which the world had departed. It is seventy-eight years since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, and Mormonism—so-called—has been preached among the nations during that time.
The question uppermost in my mind today is this: Has the world been benefited by what the Lord has done? Is it growing better or worse as a result of the efforts put forth by the God of Heaven for the salvation of mankind? I think there can be but one answer to such a question. I am a believer in the progress of the human race. I believe that the world, in spite of its wickedness, its opposition to the truth, and its hatred of the people and the cause of God, is six thousand years nearer to perfection than when Adam fell from the Garden of Eden. I believe that this Church, in spite of its derelictions, its disobedience to some of the requirements of the Gospel, its neglect of some of the principles revealed from heaven for the perfecting of the Saints and for the salvation of all people—I believe that this Church, in spite of its errors of omission and commission, is in a better condition today than it has ever been. I cannot consistently take any other view, and yet I know that there is great room for improvement. The present condition, however superior to the conditions of the past, furnishes no argument to justify stagnation and stand-still.
The Apostle Paul exhorted the Church in his day to be progressive. In his epistle to the Hebrews he says: "Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." Paul, of course, did not mean that any principle of the gospel should be abandoned or put upon the shelf. There never will come a time when faith will not be essential to salvation. It is one of the greatest of principles, and although it comes first, it is no small or trivial thing. There never will come a time when repentance will not be necessary, so long as men sin and depart from God. The Apostle did not mean that the Church, in its progress to perfection, should leave these principles behind, as having no further use for them; though that construction might be put upon his words, if the letter be taken without the spirit. Hence the Prophet Joseph Smith, in revising the scriptures, saw proper to insert the word "not" in that very injunction of the Apostle Paul, making it read: "Therefore, not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection." It was a plea for progress, but not a license to lay aside as a thing that had outlived its usefulness, any principle of salvation.
The work of the Lord is always progressive. There has been progress in the world from the beginning; not in every part, not in every particular, but in the general trend of human affairs as manipulated by Divinity. God has not been thwarted in the work that He set out to perform—the redemption and eventual perfection of the world that He created. The lives and labors of the patriarchs, from Adam to Abraham; of the prophets, from Moses to Christ; and of all good men and women who have figured in history before and since that time—these have not been in vain. Noah's mission did not fail, though the antediluvian world went down to death for rejecting his testimony. Through Noah the truth was perpetuated and the earth repeopled after the flood. I cannot conceive that the Son of God could die to lift up fallen humanity and nothing but degeneracy and degradation result. I cannot conceive that a man like Joseph Smith could live, or that such a religion as "Mormonism" could be preached in the world for upwards of seventy years, and mankind not be benefited thereby. It is perfectly apparent to those who see aright that the doctrines taught by Joseph Smith have permeated society, have modified the religious creeds of men, and are acting as a leaven upon the world at large.
I was once conversing with a Christian minister, who said that he did not understand the position taken by the Latter-day Saints toward the good works that were being done by other religious organizations and by philanthropic and progressive agencies in general. "You have an article of faith," said he, "which commits you to the admiration of and search after every thing that is virtuous and praiseworthy." The article referred to is as follows: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul; we believe all things, we hope all things; we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Said this gentleman, "That being one of your articles of faith, I cannot understand why you take no account of the good that is being done outside of your own community. Here we are, retranslating the scriptures, endeavoring to make them more perfect, more accurate, and you take no interest in it. We are uncovering buried cities and civilizations, deciphering ancient monuments and manuscripts, and you account it of little or no worth. We are founding hospitals and reformatories, sending missionaries to the ends of the earth, establishing missions and charities, pleading for justice, kindness, peace and progress—and you take no stock in what we are doing."
I answered that he was very much in error in his supposition. And I think that the gentleman would have modified his opinion had he been present here yesterday when President Joseph F. Smith, during his splendid discourse upon the Word of Wisdom, gave a most hearty endorsement to the great temperance movement that is rolling like a mighty billow over the land; when Heber J. Grant, one of the apostles of the Church, presented a resolution, which was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted, pledging this great people to an effort to secure legislation for the closing of saloons and the discouragement of the liquor traffic; when the president of the apostles, Elder Francis M. Lyman, feelingly commended the good work that is being done by enterprising and benevolent men in all countries. Had my ministerial friend been present this morning, he would have heard another apostle, John Henry Smith, fresh from the National Irrigation Congress at Albuquerque, New Mexico, utter similar sentiments, reminding us that we are one in sympathy and friendship with all agencies that have as their object the betterment of mankind, whether in the redemption of these arid wastes, the success of the great temperance cause, the safeguarding of morality, or the correction of evil in any form. The gentleman would have found that the Latter-day Saints stand by their articles of faith, and that Mormonism befriends every good cause, every high enterprise started by any people in any part of the world. And why not? Many of these movements are the fruits of the preaching of "Mormonism" among the nations, while others are the fruits of Christianity, which, in its purity, from our point of view, was only the "Mormonism" of an earlier day. Let me now present a few paragraphs from an article by a scholarly and learned divine, Dr. Henry Van Dyke, who, in his admirable essay, "Is the World Growing Better?" says:
"No man knows of a certainty the answer to this question. If it were an inquiry into the condition of the world's pocket book, or farm, or garden, or machine- house, or library, or school-room, the answer would be easy. Six million more spindles whirling in the world's workshop in 1903 than in 1900; eight hundred million more bushels of wheat in the world's grain-fields than in 1897: an average school attendance gaining 145 per cent, between 1840 and 1888, while the population of Europe increased only 33 per cent. So the figures run in every department. No doubt the world is busier, richer, better fed, and probably it knows more than ever before. * * * But is it growing better? That is another question, and a far more important one * * * I asked John Friendly, the other day, 'Do you think the world is growing better? 'Certainly,' said he, with a smile like sunrise on his honest face, 'I haven't the slightest doubt of it.' But what makes you so sure of it? 'Why, it must be so! Look at all the work that is being done today to educate people and help them into better ways of living. All this effort must count for something. The wagon must move with so many horses pulling at it. The world can't help growing better!"
Then he left me to go down to a meeting of his 'Citizens' Committee for the Application of the Social Boycott to Political Offenders' (which frequently adjourns without a quorum). Immediately afterwards, I passed the door of the 'Michael T. Moriarty Republicratic Club'—wide open and crowded. On my way up the avenue I saw a liquor saloon on every block—and all busy. The news-stands were full of placards announcing articles in the magazines— "Graft in Chicago," "The Criminal Calendar of Millionaires," "St. Louis, the Bribers' Paradise," "The Plunder of Philadelphia." Headlines in the yellow journals told of "Immense Slaughter in Manchuria," "Russia Ripe for Revolution," "The Black Hand Terror in the Bronx," "Gilded Gambling Dens of the Four Hundred," "Diamonds and Divorce."
"John Friendly's cheerful a priori confidence in the betterment of the world seemed to need reinforcement. Some of the horses are pulling his way, no doubt, but a good many appear to be pulling the other way. Under such conditions the wagon might stick fast or go backward; possibly it might be pulled to pieces. Who can measure, in the abstract, the comparative strength of the good and evil forces? Who can tell, beforehand, which way the tug of war will go?"
Dr. Van Dyke then goes on to show that there are three main points of goodness—justice, kindness, and self-restraint. A man is said to be growing better when he is becoming more just, and careful to do the right thing; more kind, and ready to do the helpful thing; more self-controlled, and willing to sacrifice his personal will to the general welfare. The doctor declares his belief that the modern world, in two of these important directions, manifests a great improvement over the ancient world. He reminds us that in order to arrive at anything approaching a correct conclusion in the premises, we must be willing to take a long view and a wide view. "What we have to look at is not the local exception, nor the temporary reaction, but the broad field as far as we can see it, the general movement as far as we can trace it;" and taking that view, it seems to him that the world is really growing better; "not in every eddy, but in the main current of its life ; not in a straight line, but with a winding course; not in every respect, but in at least two of the three main points of goodness."
To illustrate the growth of justice, he cites the fact that in Shakespeare's time a woman was looked upon as a mere piece of property. She belonged to her husband; he could beat her with impunity; he could deprive her of the guardianship of her children; the very presents that he gave her were still his property, for she could hold nothing in her own right. But all that has been changed; woman today is a person in the light of the law; she can hold property for herself, and can share equally with her husband in the guardianship of her children. The wife-beater is now punished as a criminal. "Surely," says our author, "it is an immense gain in justice that woman should be treated as a human being." He holds that not only is woman rising among those nations that lead the march of civilization, but that even in Mohammedan and in heathen countries her cause is gaining ground.
In the same way he interprets the laws that protect the young against cruelty, oppression, and injustice, citing the Factory Act of 1833 and the Mines and Collieries Act of 1842 in England as examples of a steadily-increasing effort since that time to diminish and prevent the degradation of the race by the enslavement of childhood to labor. Moreover, it is now regarded as unjust to deal with young delinquents as if they were old and hardened criminals. "No more herding of children ten and twelve years old in the common jail! Juvenile courts and probation officers, asylums and reformatories; an intelligent and systematic effort to reclaim the young life before it has fallen into hopeless bondage to crime; this is the spirit of the civilized legislation of today. In 1903 no less than ten of the American states enacted special statutes with this end in view."
The abolition of ancient and medieval methods of judicial torture — such as the rack and the thumbscrew— and the abandonment of brutal and degrading methods of execution are also mentioned: Criminals are no longer impaled, crucified, disemboweled, or buried alive; and capital punishment, which was formerly inflicted for stealing and for forgery, is now confined to the two great crimes of murder and treason. Some things that were once punishable are no longer prosecuted, such as heresy, witchcraft, religious nonconformity; and, on the other hand, new offenses have been created that were formerly ignored, such as the adulteration of foods, gambling, the violation of laws in restraint of the liquor traffic, selling cigarettes to children, tapping electric wires, disfiguring the landscape with advertisements or printing them on the American flag, making combinations in restraint of trade, sleeping in a public bakery, spitting on the floor of a street-car. "A large part of what appears to be the increase of crime in recent years (according to statistics), is due to this new definition of misdemeanors. * * * Another part comes from the greater efficiency in the execution of the laws and the greater completeness in the tabulation of reports. * * * Pike's History of Crime in England estimates that in the fourteenth century murders were at least sixteen times as frequent as in our own day."
The learned doctor also refers to the abolition of the slave trade, the establishment of international law, the granting of copyrights to foreign authors, and the purchase, by the United States government, of the lands owned by the Spanish friars in the Philippines, instead of the confiscation of those lands, which would have been the rule a hundred years ago. These and other acts are cited as evidences that the spirit of justice is growing among men and nations.
In regard to the increase of kindness in the human race, he thinks that the evidence is even more clear and strong. "There are more people in the world who love mercy, and they are having better success in making their spirit prevail. More is being done today to prevent and mitigate human suffering, to shelter and protect the weak and helpless, to minister wisely to the sick and wounded in body and in mind, than ever before in the history of mankind." The work begun by John Howard a hundred and thirty years ago, which has done so much to cleanse away the shame of a cruel, filthy and irrational prison system, is given prominent mention. Our author affirms that since the middle of the nineteenth century charity has grown twice as fast as wealth in England, and three times as fast in France. In the United States the amount of the larger gifts ($5,000 or more) rose from $29,000,000 in 1893 to $107,000,000 in 1901. And "with all this increase of money comes an equal increase of care and thought in regard to the best way of using it for the real benefit of mankind. Reckless almsgiving is recognized as an amiable but idiotic form of self-indulgence. The penny dropped into the beggar's hat gives place to an inquiry into the beggar's condition. * * * * * * * * Schools of philanthropy are established to study and teach the economy of generosity. Asylums are investigated and supervised. Relief funds are entrusted to responsible committees, who keep books and render accounts."
Upon the broad theme of international mercy, the doctor states that since the days of Abraham there have been three hundred and fifty great famines in various parts of the world, but, he asks, who ever heard, before the nineteenth century began, of any of the hungry nations receiving help from the outside? "Now, within a week after the distress is known, money, food, and help of all kinds begin to flow in from all quarters of the globe." The Hague tribunal is referred to as an effort to get rid of the hell of war, or at least to mitigate its horrors and torments, and comparison is made between modern and ancient methods of conducting war. "Let any man," he says, "read the story of the siege and sack of a town in Holland by the Spanish soldiers, as it is given in Motley's 'Dutch Republic,' and compare it with the story of the capture of Paris in 1870, or even the taking of Pekin in 1900, and he will understand that war itself has felt the restraining touch of mercy." "Not one of the great nations of the world today would dare to proclaim a war in the name of Religion."
Our author then comes to the third factor of real betterment—self-restraint. In justice and kindness, the world, he believes, is becoming better, but in the matter of self-restraint, the willingness to sacrifice one's own passion and pleasure for the good of others, he says:
"Here, I confess, my guessing is confused and troubled. There was a vast improvement from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century, but whether the twentieth century is carrying on the advance seems uncertain. * * * The theory of individual liberty threatens to assert itself in dangerous forms. Literature and art are throwing their enchantments around the old lie that life's highest value is found in moments of intense self-gratification. Speed is glorified regardless of direction; strength is worshiped at the expense of reason. Success is deified as the power to do what one likes. Gilding covers a multitude of sins. On the one hand, we have a so-called 'upper class' which says: the world was made to amuse me; nothing else matters. On the other hand we have an apparent increase of the criminal class, which lives at war with the social order. Corporations and labor unions engage in a struggle so fierce that the rights and interests of the community are forgotten by both parties. In our own country, lynching— which is organized murder for unproved offenses—grows more common. Divorces increase to 60,000 in one year; and there is an epidemic of shocking accidents and disasters, greater than any hitherto recorded, and due, apparently, to the spirit of unrestraint and recklessness which is sweeping furiously in its motor car along the highways of modern life.
"Is this selfish and headlong spirit growing? Will it continue to accelerate the pace at which men live, and diminish the control by which they are guided? Will it weaken more and more the bonds of reverence and mutual consideration and household fidelity and civic virtue, until the states which have been civilized by the sanctions of love and the convictions of duty are whirled backward by the passion of self-indulgence into the barbarism of luxurious pleasure or the anarchy of social strife?"
He concludes that it is neither brave nor wise to give these troublesome questions an answer of despair. Two are stronger than one, and if the world has grown more just and more kind, we can reasonably trust that in the long run it will improve in the matter of self-restraint, and the selfish, reckless spirit will be overcome.
This seems to me a very intelligent and comprehensive view. I thought of it while President Smith was speaking yesterday, when he declared that his motive for presenting the Word of Wisdom was the fact that it was more neglected than any other revelation which God had given to this people. Right in line, you see, with the argument of this learned man, that in the matter of self-restraint there is a laxity, even among those who are otherwise just and kind—not just, not kind to themselves, however. And in this spirit of self-indulgence, this unwillingness to curb and control the passions, there lurks a danger that threatens the disruption of society. It behooves every good man and every good woman to stand in a solid phalanx against any tendency that imperils the happiness of the human race and nullifies in any degree, the good that is being done in the interests of temperance, virtue and philanthropy.
One more thought and I will conclude. I wish to recur to a question propounded by Dr. Van Dyke in the fore part of his interesting essay: "Who can measure, in the abstract, the comparative strength of the good and evil forces? Who can tell, beforehand, which way the tug of war must go?"
I can, and you can; every soul illumined by the Holy Ghost can tell what will be the inevitable outcome. If God and Satan are pulling against each other, what will happen must be plain to every reverent, thoughtful mind. The issue is not in doubt. God will not be mocked; Omnipotence will not be defeated. While He allows the agency of man and the agency of Satan their full play, never at any time has He given to man or to Satan the power to destroy His work or prevent the fulfillment of His predestined purpose. Strength will prevail over weakness. Truth will triumph over error. No matter what trials and persecutions the cause of Christ may have to undergo before its victory is assured, the final outcome will be glorious. Christ will complete His work; the righteous will be saved; the wicked, damned; and the world will attain perfection.
"Truth forever on the scaffold;
Wrong forever on the throne;
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own."
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
Gratifying evidences of faith of the Saints.—Blessings invoked on those devoted to God's work.
We feel to give to God praise and gratitude from our hearts for the manifest interest shown by you, the Latter-day Saints, the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, in this semi-annual conference. During the inclement weather of yesterday this building was filled to overflowing, and overflow meetings were held in the Assembly Hall and in the Barrattt Hall, and the Spirit of the Lord was enjoyed richly by all who heard. We thank you and the Lord will bless you, my brethren and sisters, for your devotion to His cause, for your love for His truth, for your union and fellowship toward those who are called to labor in your midst and to preside over you in the various organizations of the Church. I feel in my heart to say not only God bless you, but as I may exercise my own right as a witness of the Lord Jesus and as an apostle of Jesus Christ, I bless you with all my soul, because you love the truth, and you manifest it. There is nothing in God's world that draws men and women so near to my heart as that they love the truth and that they love God, that they love the cause of Zion and are devoted to the interests of the Church. This endears men and women to my heart; I love them when they love this work and when they show their interest in it. It lifts my soul to heaven and fills it with joy unspeakable.
God bless you in your bodies, in your minds, in your labors, in your homes, in all your positions and, above all things, pour out upon you His Spirit that you may rejoice more and more abundantly in God's glorious work that He is inaugurating in the world in the latter day. Peace be to you and all that pertains to you and to the kingdom of God, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!
The latter-day glory begins to come forth;
The visions and blessings of old are returning,
And angels are coming to visit the earth.
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Seymour B. Young.
Conference adjourned until 10 a. m., Tuesday, Oct. 6th.
Gratifying evidences of faith of the Saints.—Blessings invoked on those devoted to God's work.
We feel to give to God praise and gratitude from our hearts for the manifest interest shown by you, the Latter-day Saints, the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, in this semi-annual conference. During the inclement weather of yesterday this building was filled to overflowing, and overflow meetings were held in the Assembly Hall and in the Barrattt Hall, and the Spirit of the Lord was enjoyed richly by all who heard. We thank you and the Lord will bless you, my brethren and sisters, for your devotion to His cause, for your love for His truth, for your union and fellowship toward those who are called to labor in your midst and to preside over you in the various organizations of the Church. I feel in my heart to say not only God bless you, but as I may exercise my own right as a witness of the Lord Jesus and as an apostle of Jesus Christ, I bless you with all my soul, because you love the truth, and you manifest it. There is nothing in God's world that draws men and women so near to my heart as that they love the truth and that they love God, that they love the cause of Zion and are devoted to the interests of the Church. This endears men and women to my heart; I love them when they love this work and when they show their interest in it. It lifts my soul to heaven and fills it with joy unspeakable.
God bless you in your bodies, in your minds, in your labors, in your homes, in all your positions and, above all things, pour out upon you His Spirit that you may rejoice more and more abundantly in God's glorious work that He is inaugurating in the world in the latter day. Peace be to you and all that pertains to you and to the kingdom of God, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!
The latter-day glory begins to come forth;
The visions and blessings of old are returning,
And angels are coming to visit the earth.
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Seymour B. Young.
Conference adjourned until 10 a. m., Tuesday, Oct. 6th.
THIRD DAY. Tuesday, Oct. 6th, 10 a. m.
Conference was called to order by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Redeemer of Israel, our only delight,
On whom for a blessing we call,
Our shadow by day, and our pillar by night,
Our King, our Deliv'rer, our all!
Prayer was offered by Elder German E. Ellsworth.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God;
Thou hast made Thy children mighty,
By the touch of the mountain sod.
Conference was called to order by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Redeemer of Israel, our only delight,
On whom for a blessing we call,
Our shadow by day, and our pillar by night,
Our King, our Deliv'rer, our all!
Prayer was offered by Elder German E. Ellsworth.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
For the strength of the hills we bless Thee,
Our God, our fathers' God;
Thou hast made Thy children mighty,
By the touch of the mountain sod.
ELDER JOHN G. MCQUARRIE.
(Late President Eastern States Mission.)
In traveling through this uneven country of ours, whenever we reach any summits in the road, whether they be high or low, we instinctively stop to take our bearings; we want to determine where we are and what progress we have made, and allow our eyes to look as far as possible along the path or road that we are following. There is a striking analogy between such movements and our movements upon this mysterious current we call "time." There are periods in the lives of individuals, also of communities and organizations, when they instinctively stop to take their bearings, and try to determine what course they are taking, which way they are moving, and what progress they have made.
Only a short time ago, as a people, we were standing upon the summit of a century, reckoning time from the birth of our Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and the organizer of the Church in this last great dispensation. Standing upon that summit, it is probable that no line of history, from the creation to the present, affords such a splendid view or such a grand chain of important events, that stretches from the White Mountains of Vermont to the shores of the Great Salt Lake; also, when we turn to observe the stream of life and truth, and knowledge, that has been flowing in upon us, beaming upon the world, there is nothing in all the history of revelation to compare with it. In no particular period of the world has there been such a rapid increase of knowledge and intelligence and power; and there have been many important events, revelations, manifestations of the presence and power of God which even exceed that of the transfiguration, for in this dispensation, both the Father and the Son appeared to introduce this great "marvelous work and a wonder," with which we have the honor and the privilege of being connected or united.
I was reading an article written by one of the faculty of the Columbia College, in relation to the teaching of theology in the schools. He felt that we really needed and must have some kind of religion, some kind of ethical and moral teaching, but the problem that seemed to confront them was this, not only the wide diversity of opinions between the Jew and the Christian, and between the various sects of Christianity, but the question was whether they had any real underlying principles of theology that they might make coherent with the principles of science, and whether they were prepared, at this time, to submit to a careful and thorough analysis the principles of religion, the dogmas that were being taught, and whether they would stand the same critical examination that other principles of truth might stand. In submitting and bringing these in contact with each other, there was the question as to whether it would really develop or shatter the faith of the students whose minds they were trying to instill with a love of God and belief in a divine Creator. When I read this I thought, how grateful we should be, as Latter-day Saints, that we have had revealed unto us principles of truth which are coherent with all other principles of truth, and that they will readily fit in with any knowledge that may be revealed to us, either from the heavens above or from the earth beneath—anything that we can gain from astronomy or from geology or from any of the other manifestations of God's creation we may be assured that they will not run counter to the divine ethical and moral truths and principles which He has revealed unto us.
In a summary published in one of our scientific journals, this statement was made, that perhaps the greatest discovery of the nineteenth century, after summing up all, was that there is no place, space, or condition that is beyond the imperial dominion of law. This is only a rather faint way, or another way, of expressing the information received in a revelation given through Joseph Smith, to the effect that there is no space without a kingdom, and no kingdom without space, no kingdom without law; and that all things were created, controlled and developed in harmony with law; and also that there was a law irrevocably decreed in heaven upon which every blessing was predicated. If this little bit of information had been understood by the teachers of philosophy and theology, down through the centuries, what a wonderful difference it would have made in the establishment of truth in the world.
The theory of Darwin, in relation to evolution, has perhaps destroyed the faith of more people than anything else; it seemed to run so directly counter to the interpretation placed upon the Scriptures, by those at least whose business seemed to be to interpret these Scriptures. But a short time before Darwin, and Huxley, and Spencer marshaled their arguments and hurled them against what was then considered to be the battlements of divine truth, we received a revelation, through the Prophet, in relation to the problem and mystery of life. In this revelation the statement was made that the principle of life was not created but always and eternally existed, like the principles of chemistry and other eternal laws or principles of power. A great French scientist, in an article lately published, said that the Darwin theory was built up without one single example to prove it, that there was not one individual example where one species had really been changed into another. He concludes his article with a statement like this, that we cannot successfully resist any hypothesis in relation to the origin of living things, but it is only a step in advance to conclude that life in itself existed separate and apart from this earth, and anterior to our world, and, like the principles of chemistry and other things, that it probably always existed. I felt grateful that I might receive, even in my Sunday school teaching, a true knowledge of the origin and purpose of life, without having, perhaps, to reach it through all these difficult and uncertain methods.
I know that through their theories they have discovered a great many truths, but how much better it would have been if they could have started, at first, from a true hypothesis in relation to this great law, or these rules which have been revealed to us for the preservation, the development and the purification of our carnal tabernacles, these temples which have been created and given to us, which we must cleanse and purify that they may become fit places to be inhabited by the Spirit of God. I say these "rules" that have been given, by which I mean the requirements which have been given to us in what we sum up and call the Word of Wisdom. How we ought to appreciate this law, these rules ; and just at this particular time when, practically, the whole professional and scientific world are coming to understand and see the beauty, power, and virtue in these suggestions. How contemptible, as a people, we would be if we failed to glorify them in our actions before we would allow ourselves to be coerced into a kind of obedience to them, through the strong arm of the civil law. It has been my experience and my privilege to recommend a great many of our returned missionaries for positions that they have desired to fill. In applying to the companies that furnish securities, some of the great eastern security companies, they have had to have a reference in relation to their integrity, their character, and their habits. In receiving letters from these security companies, almost invariably the questions have been asked: Are they users of tobacco? Do they indulge in strong drink? Have you ever seen them under the influence of liquor? When young men go to apply for positions, that is, positions of trust or importance, some of our great railroad companies, and other great corporations of the United States and of other nations, these questions are asked, and they look carefully into these things to know whether the young men are users of tobacco, and whether or not they ever indulge in strong drink; and they regard as much stronger and brighter, and more useful, the young men or the young women who have kept themselves free and clean from these things.
I was remarkably impressed with an incident that happened in the State of New York, at a time when a crime had been committed, when a renegade son of one of our leading families had committed an overt act, which brought down upon us the indignation of the whole population of that great city; and I wondered whether the lynch law would not be administered to us. This occurred on Friday night, and upon Saturday morning all the papers in the city were ablaze with this news, which was extremely sad and disappointing to us; and upon Sunday morning the reporters of practically every paper in the city flocked into our meeting, expecting to report something startling and peculiar of the emissaries of this "occult or mysterious religion." Of course, we welcomed them to our meeting and talked pleasantly with them, and we told them we were glad to have our faith, our principles, and our lives advertised to the world. When the account came out next morning, instead of what some of us expected—a fierce arraignment— they said that, to their surprise, instead of meeting a lot of peculiar, long-bearded, mysterious looking men, they met a company of young men who looked like college graduates ; and they said, further, "these missionaries have that clear look which indicates clean living." I thought, this is really the way to glorify our Father in Heaven; and if we will observe these laws, and if we will incorporate into our lives these divine principles of truth, we need not fear for our reputation; we will carry upon our faces, upon our countenances, the testimony of our lives, and we will reflect there the glory of our Father in Heaven. To me, it becomes our bounden duty to do these things, especially in view of the great claim's that we make and the sacred name that we bear—that of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. May the Lord help us to do this, I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
(Late President Eastern States Mission.)
In traveling through this uneven country of ours, whenever we reach any summits in the road, whether they be high or low, we instinctively stop to take our bearings; we want to determine where we are and what progress we have made, and allow our eyes to look as far as possible along the path or road that we are following. There is a striking analogy between such movements and our movements upon this mysterious current we call "time." There are periods in the lives of individuals, also of communities and organizations, when they instinctively stop to take their bearings, and try to determine what course they are taking, which way they are moving, and what progress they have made.
Only a short time ago, as a people, we were standing upon the summit of a century, reckoning time from the birth of our Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and the organizer of the Church in this last great dispensation. Standing upon that summit, it is probable that no line of history, from the creation to the present, affords such a splendid view or such a grand chain of important events, that stretches from the White Mountains of Vermont to the shores of the Great Salt Lake; also, when we turn to observe the stream of life and truth, and knowledge, that has been flowing in upon us, beaming upon the world, there is nothing in all the history of revelation to compare with it. In no particular period of the world has there been such a rapid increase of knowledge and intelligence and power; and there have been many important events, revelations, manifestations of the presence and power of God which even exceed that of the transfiguration, for in this dispensation, both the Father and the Son appeared to introduce this great "marvelous work and a wonder," with which we have the honor and the privilege of being connected or united.
I was reading an article written by one of the faculty of the Columbia College, in relation to the teaching of theology in the schools. He felt that we really needed and must have some kind of religion, some kind of ethical and moral teaching, but the problem that seemed to confront them was this, not only the wide diversity of opinions between the Jew and the Christian, and between the various sects of Christianity, but the question was whether they had any real underlying principles of theology that they might make coherent with the principles of science, and whether they were prepared, at this time, to submit to a careful and thorough analysis the principles of religion, the dogmas that were being taught, and whether they would stand the same critical examination that other principles of truth might stand. In submitting and bringing these in contact with each other, there was the question as to whether it would really develop or shatter the faith of the students whose minds they were trying to instill with a love of God and belief in a divine Creator. When I read this I thought, how grateful we should be, as Latter-day Saints, that we have had revealed unto us principles of truth which are coherent with all other principles of truth, and that they will readily fit in with any knowledge that may be revealed to us, either from the heavens above or from the earth beneath—anything that we can gain from astronomy or from geology or from any of the other manifestations of God's creation we may be assured that they will not run counter to the divine ethical and moral truths and principles which He has revealed unto us.
In a summary published in one of our scientific journals, this statement was made, that perhaps the greatest discovery of the nineteenth century, after summing up all, was that there is no place, space, or condition that is beyond the imperial dominion of law. This is only a rather faint way, or another way, of expressing the information received in a revelation given through Joseph Smith, to the effect that there is no space without a kingdom, and no kingdom without space, no kingdom without law; and that all things were created, controlled and developed in harmony with law; and also that there was a law irrevocably decreed in heaven upon which every blessing was predicated. If this little bit of information had been understood by the teachers of philosophy and theology, down through the centuries, what a wonderful difference it would have made in the establishment of truth in the world.
The theory of Darwin, in relation to evolution, has perhaps destroyed the faith of more people than anything else; it seemed to run so directly counter to the interpretation placed upon the Scriptures, by those at least whose business seemed to be to interpret these Scriptures. But a short time before Darwin, and Huxley, and Spencer marshaled their arguments and hurled them against what was then considered to be the battlements of divine truth, we received a revelation, through the Prophet, in relation to the problem and mystery of life. In this revelation the statement was made that the principle of life was not created but always and eternally existed, like the principles of chemistry and other eternal laws or principles of power. A great French scientist, in an article lately published, said that the Darwin theory was built up without one single example to prove it, that there was not one individual example where one species had really been changed into another. He concludes his article with a statement like this, that we cannot successfully resist any hypothesis in relation to the origin of living things, but it is only a step in advance to conclude that life in itself existed separate and apart from this earth, and anterior to our world, and, like the principles of chemistry and other things, that it probably always existed. I felt grateful that I might receive, even in my Sunday school teaching, a true knowledge of the origin and purpose of life, without having, perhaps, to reach it through all these difficult and uncertain methods.
I know that through their theories they have discovered a great many truths, but how much better it would have been if they could have started, at first, from a true hypothesis in relation to this great law, or these rules which have been revealed to us for the preservation, the development and the purification of our carnal tabernacles, these temples which have been created and given to us, which we must cleanse and purify that they may become fit places to be inhabited by the Spirit of God. I say these "rules" that have been given, by which I mean the requirements which have been given to us in what we sum up and call the Word of Wisdom. How we ought to appreciate this law, these rules ; and just at this particular time when, practically, the whole professional and scientific world are coming to understand and see the beauty, power, and virtue in these suggestions. How contemptible, as a people, we would be if we failed to glorify them in our actions before we would allow ourselves to be coerced into a kind of obedience to them, through the strong arm of the civil law. It has been my experience and my privilege to recommend a great many of our returned missionaries for positions that they have desired to fill. In applying to the companies that furnish securities, some of the great eastern security companies, they have had to have a reference in relation to their integrity, their character, and their habits. In receiving letters from these security companies, almost invariably the questions have been asked: Are they users of tobacco? Do they indulge in strong drink? Have you ever seen them under the influence of liquor? When young men go to apply for positions, that is, positions of trust or importance, some of our great railroad companies, and other great corporations of the United States and of other nations, these questions are asked, and they look carefully into these things to know whether the young men are users of tobacco, and whether or not they ever indulge in strong drink; and they regard as much stronger and brighter, and more useful, the young men or the young women who have kept themselves free and clean from these things.
I was remarkably impressed with an incident that happened in the State of New York, at a time when a crime had been committed, when a renegade son of one of our leading families had committed an overt act, which brought down upon us the indignation of the whole population of that great city; and I wondered whether the lynch law would not be administered to us. This occurred on Friday night, and upon Saturday morning all the papers in the city were ablaze with this news, which was extremely sad and disappointing to us; and upon Sunday morning the reporters of practically every paper in the city flocked into our meeting, expecting to report something startling and peculiar of the emissaries of this "occult or mysterious religion." Of course, we welcomed them to our meeting and talked pleasantly with them, and we told them we were glad to have our faith, our principles, and our lives advertised to the world. When the account came out next morning, instead of what some of us expected—a fierce arraignment— they said that, to their surprise, instead of meeting a lot of peculiar, long-bearded, mysterious looking men, they met a company of young men who looked like college graduates ; and they said, further, "these missionaries have that clear look which indicates clean living." I thought, this is really the way to glorify our Father in Heaven; and if we will observe these laws, and if we will incorporate into our lives these divine principles of truth, we need not fear for our reputation; we will carry upon our faces, upon our countenances, the testimony of our lives, and we will reflect there the glory of our Father in Heaven. To me, it becomes our bounden duty to do these things, especially in view of the great claim's that we make and the sacred name that we bear—that of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. May the Lord help us to do this, I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
ELDER BEN E. RICH.
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
I feel, my brethren and sisters, that no one needs the prayers of the people of God more than I do, in occupying this position, this morning. It has pleased the authorities of the Church, and, I believe, it has pleased my heavenly Father —because I believe the authorities of the Church act under the inspiration of God—to transfer me from my old field of labor, in the Southern States Mission, to the field recently vacated by Brother McQuarrie, who has just spoken to you. I believe I will find a great deal of happiness, pleasure and satisfaction in doing missionary work in that historic country. I said, in the Assembly Hall yesterday, that to me it is sacred ground, on account of the marvelous things which our Father in heaven has accomplished in that part of our country. I called attention to the fact that it was there the boy prophet went out into the woods and prayed for light and knowledge, and did not call upon the Lord in vain. It was there the angel Moroni appeared to the prophet, and delivered to him the sacred records containing the history, both religious and civil, of one-half of the world. It was there this prophet and his brother, the patriarch, were born. It was there the Church was organized, and where the Lord raised up three men to bear witness unto all the world that they had beheld the plates, had seen the angel, and heard the voice of God bearing record of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It was there that the priesthood of God was restored, and that John the Baptist came and gave authority to lead mankind into the waters of baptism. There, also, Peter, James and John came and restored the holy apostleship. Not only that, but, as I said yesterday, it was in that section of the country that God caused the Government of the United States to be formed. That was the work of God just as well as the restoration of the Gospel.
There is no church organized upon the face of the earth today whose members have such religious devotion to the Government of the United States as have the Latter-day Saints, because we believe in the statements I have made. We believe an angel was sent to earth, that he delivered a record unto a young man raised up by the Lord, and gave him the power and authority to translate that record into the English language, which gave to the world the history of prophets who had lived upon the earth centuries ago, and who had been brought by the power of God from the tower of Babel and afterwards from Jerusalem. God had shown to one of their prophets, as he took him up on the top of a high mountain, what would take place in the future; just as the angel of the Lord said to an apostle of Jesus Christ, on the other hemisphere. "Come up hither, John, and I will show you things which must be hereafter." So it was with Nephi, when he was taken up on the mountain, and the visions of the future were opened to him. This book, given to us by the power of God, relates the vision, or an abridgement of the vision that God gave to that prophet. As He parted the curtain of time and permitted him to look into the future, he saw the power of God resting upon Columbus, moving upon him to cross the mighty waters and visit the land upon which were dwelling a remnant of His people. God showed him in vision how others would cross that water, and how, eventually, the Spirit of God would move upon them and cause them to break loose from their mother country. And in that vision it was revealed to the prophet that, in the war between the people who had gathered upon this sacred land, and the people of their mother country, the power of God was with the people here in organizing an independent government upon the land of Zion. We believe, as part of our religion, that the contents of this book came from God, and, therefore, that the organization of the government of the United States was accomplished by the power of God is also a part of the "Mormon" faith, and they cannot be untrue to it. They do more than any other church upon the face of the earth for the United States government; they are making many sacrifices to keep an army of two thousand young men out in all the civilized nations of the earth, trying to convert men of every government upon the earth to believe in the divinity and sacredness of the Book of Mormon, and therefore to believe that there is an earthly government upon the face of the earth that God Himself had a hand in organizing. No man is baptized into the "Mormon" church, whether it be in the United States, England, Germany, or any other country, who does not accept as a part of that faith these truths that I have uttered concerning the government of the United States. This is the reason that we love the government. This is the reason that our aged President, a few years ago, one who has now passed behind the vale, when the government stood face to face with war with Spain the venerable Prophet of God advised the youth of Israel to stand for the flag, and offer their lives in defense of the government of the United States. It was on account of this portion of their faith, this portion of their religion, that when they were driven from the confines of the United States, they clung close to and cherished the banner representing the government, and brought it with them to what was then a part of Mexico.
It is too late in the day for people to organize themselves into a party on the false basis that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is antagonistic to the government of the United States; and it is also too late in the day for them to taunt us by saying that we dare not disobey the men who stand at the head of the Church. I want to place myself on record that I have never heard a particle of counsel coming from a man who has stood at the head of the Church, that is not just and right. It is always good and safe counsel and every individual who has membership in the Church can look the enemies of these men in the face and say: Yes, I stand solidly for our leaders in every way, shape and manner, and I propose to have my children do so, for in standing by them I find more safety than with those who fling vilifications at them. It is true that we may have a testimony of the Gospel today and, by our own acts, we may lose it tomorrow, but as long as we cling to the light, we will vote not only twice a year, but three hundred and sixty-five days in the year to sustain the men who stand at the head of the Church. I said yesterday that their enemies are the enemies of this people. What their enemies would do to them, they would do to you, if they had the power; and that has been demonstrated.
I do not know whether I am treading upon dangerous and forbidden ground or hot; no one has warned me. I remember the time when Brother Roberts was elected to a political office on the Democratic ticket. There were members of this Church who went from one end of the state to the other trying to defeat him—I was one of that number; that may be the reason he was elected—but when the enemies of this people got ready for the attack it was not on B. H. Roberts, it turned upon the Church. The fight ended in the House of Representatives of the United States. So it was when the Republican party elected Senator Smoot; the fight was not on him, it was on you just as much as it was on him.
God has restored His Priesthood to the earth. Sometimes the evil one selects one man and sometimes another, but always he demonstrates that it is the Priesthood of Almighty God he is fighting. Probably I feel this keenly because I am kept out in the missionary field free from political strife, not mingling in your political quarrels. As long as a young man does his duty in the missionary field, he prays with all earnestness for the prophets, seers and revelators who stand at the head of the Church.
I have heard men, sons of prominent men in the Church, bear solemn testimonies that they knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God ; I have heard them give counsel and advice to young men in the missionary field, whom they incidentally met, counseling them, by the spirit they then possessed, to stand by the authorities of the Church. Then I have seen them, when their fathers—who seemed to be the anchors of their faith — passed to the other side, turn, with all the hideousness of a rattlesnake, against the very men that they pretended to support before. I have often wondered whether, if their fathers had continued to live, they would have continued to bear_ the former testimony. Perhaps it is good to take men's fathers away from them, at times, so the children can exercise their own free agency, that God may know how a man is for himself.
There is not a young man in this audience but has the right, if he lives for it, to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, to know that this work is true, just as well as these brethren on the stand. God is no respecter of persons. I do not bear testimony to the truthfulness of the work of God because some of these authorities or all of them bear that testimony. I knew it before I ever saw a majority of these brethren; I know it as well as they know it, and that is the privilege of every member of this Church. When God does give us that testimony, and we are living under the influence of the Spirit that comes from on high, we will sustain the men who are at the head of the Church, with our lives, if necessary; and we would be anxious for all the world to know that we sustain them, and that we are willing to stand between them and danger, because of the position they occupy. This is where I hope every man and every woman in this Church stands.
I pray that God may give you the light and influence of His Holy Spirit that you may receive a testimony of the Gospel, that you may know the object God had in placing you here upon this earth. This was not the beginning of your lives. I have heard it said, often, that man is a dual being—I say, he is a trinity. Man is a representative of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. When a human body comes into the world,- there is a light from another sphere placed within it. The spirit that God places within this tabernacle was not created in this sphere, it was created yonder, in the presence of our Father and our Mother in heaven. When that spirit tabernacle was born unto them, there was a light, there was an intelligence placed within it that existed from everlasting. So that man was created in the image of God, and, like unto God, he is from' everlasting to everlasting, and is thus a representative of the Trinity in heaven. Try to live under the influence of that Spirit which comes from Them, and be true to the covenants that you have made with God. Remember the words of the Prophet Joseph, that, in all your flounderings be careful to stand by the brethren whom God has given to us as prophets, seers and revelators; whether it pleases the world, or not, it will please God. May His blessings be upon you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prof. John J. McClellan rendered a beautiful artistic arrangement of "Home, sweet home," on the grand organ.
(President of Eastern States Mission.)
I feel, my brethren and sisters, that no one needs the prayers of the people of God more than I do, in occupying this position, this morning. It has pleased the authorities of the Church, and, I believe, it has pleased my heavenly Father —because I believe the authorities of the Church act under the inspiration of God—to transfer me from my old field of labor, in the Southern States Mission, to the field recently vacated by Brother McQuarrie, who has just spoken to you. I believe I will find a great deal of happiness, pleasure and satisfaction in doing missionary work in that historic country. I said, in the Assembly Hall yesterday, that to me it is sacred ground, on account of the marvelous things which our Father in heaven has accomplished in that part of our country. I called attention to the fact that it was there the boy prophet went out into the woods and prayed for light and knowledge, and did not call upon the Lord in vain. It was there the angel Moroni appeared to the prophet, and delivered to him the sacred records containing the history, both religious and civil, of one-half of the world. It was there this prophet and his brother, the patriarch, were born. It was there the Church was organized, and where the Lord raised up three men to bear witness unto all the world that they had beheld the plates, had seen the angel, and heard the voice of God bearing record of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It was there that the priesthood of God was restored, and that John the Baptist came and gave authority to lead mankind into the waters of baptism. There, also, Peter, James and John came and restored the holy apostleship. Not only that, but, as I said yesterday, it was in that section of the country that God caused the Government of the United States to be formed. That was the work of God just as well as the restoration of the Gospel.
There is no church organized upon the face of the earth today whose members have such religious devotion to the Government of the United States as have the Latter-day Saints, because we believe in the statements I have made. We believe an angel was sent to earth, that he delivered a record unto a young man raised up by the Lord, and gave him the power and authority to translate that record into the English language, which gave to the world the history of prophets who had lived upon the earth centuries ago, and who had been brought by the power of God from the tower of Babel and afterwards from Jerusalem. God had shown to one of their prophets, as he took him up on the top of a high mountain, what would take place in the future; just as the angel of the Lord said to an apostle of Jesus Christ, on the other hemisphere. "Come up hither, John, and I will show you things which must be hereafter." So it was with Nephi, when he was taken up on the mountain, and the visions of the future were opened to him. This book, given to us by the power of God, relates the vision, or an abridgement of the vision that God gave to that prophet. As He parted the curtain of time and permitted him to look into the future, he saw the power of God resting upon Columbus, moving upon him to cross the mighty waters and visit the land upon which were dwelling a remnant of His people. God showed him in vision how others would cross that water, and how, eventually, the Spirit of God would move upon them and cause them to break loose from their mother country. And in that vision it was revealed to the prophet that, in the war between the people who had gathered upon this sacred land, and the people of their mother country, the power of God was with the people here in organizing an independent government upon the land of Zion. We believe, as part of our religion, that the contents of this book came from God, and, therefore, that the organization of the government of the United States was accomplished by the power of God is also a part of the "Mormon" faith, and they cannot be untrue to it. They do more than any other church upon the face of the earth for the United States government; they are making many sacrifices to keep an army of two thousand young men out in all the civilized nations of the earth, trying to convert men of every government upon the earth to believe in the divinity and sacredness of the Book of Mormon, and therefore to believe that there is an earthly government upon the face of the earth that God Himself had a hand in organizing. No man is baptized into the "Mormon" church, whether it be in the United States, England, Germany, or any other country, who does not accept as a part of that faith these truths that I have uttered concerning the government of the United States. This is the reason that we love the government. This is the reason that our aged President, a few years ago, one who has now passed behind the vale, when the government stood face to face with war with Spain the venerable Prophet of God advised the youth of Israel to stand for the flag, and offer their lives in defense of the government of the United States. It was on account of this portion of their faith, this portion of their religion, that when they were driven from the confines of the United States, they clung close to and cherished the banner representing the government, and brought it with them to what was then a part of Mexico.
It is too late in the day for people to organize themselves into a party on the false basis that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is antagonistic to the government of the United States; and it is also too late in the day for them to taunt us by saying that we dare not disobey the men who stand at the head of the Church. I want to place myself on record that I have never heard a particle of counsel coming from a man who has stood at the head of the Church, that is not just and right. It is always good and safe counsel and every individual who has membership in the Church can look the enemies of these men in the face and say: Yes, I stand solidly for our leaders in every way, shape and manner, and I propose to have my children do so, for in standing by them I find more safety than with those who fling vilifications at them. It is true that we may have a testimony of the Gospel today and, by our own acts, we may lose it tomorrow, but as long as we cling to the light, we will vote not only twice a year, but three hundred and sixty-five days in the year to sustain the men who stand at the head of the Church. I said yesterday that their enemies are the enemies of this people. What their enemies would do to them, they would do to you, if they had the power; and that has been demonstrated.
I do not know whether I am treading upon dangerous and forbidden ground or hot; no one has warned me. I remember the time when Brother Roberts was elected to a political office on the Democratic ticket. There were members of this Church who went from one end of the state to the other trying to defeat him—I was one of that number; that may be the reason he was elected—but when the enemies of this people got ready for the attack it was not on B. H. Roberts, it turned upon the Church. The fight ended in the House of Representatives of the United States. So it was when the Republican party elected Senator Smoot; the fight was not on him, it was on you just as much as it was on him.
God has restored His Priesthood to the earth. Sometimes the evil one selects one man and sometimes another, but always he demonstrates that it is the Priesthood of Almighty God he is fighting. Probably I feel this keenly because I am kept out in the missionary field free from political strife, not mingling in your political quarrels. As long as a young man does his duty in the missionary field, he prays with all earnestness for the prophets, seers and revelators who stand at the head of the Church.
I have heard men, sons of prominent men in the Church, bear solemn testimonies that they knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God ; I have heard them give counsel and advice to young men in the missionary field, whom they incidentally met, counseling them, by the spirit they then possessed, to stand by the authorities of the Church. Then I have seen them, when their fathers—who seemed to be the anchors of their faith — passed to the other side, turn, with all the hideousness of a rattlesnake, against the very men that they pretended to support before. I have often wondered whether, if their fathers had continued to live, they would have continued to bear_ the former testimony. Perhaps it is good to take men's fathers away from them, at times, so the children can exercise their own free agency, that God may know how a man is for himself.
There is not a young man in this audience but has the right, if he lives for it, to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, to know that this work is true, just as well as these brethren on the stand. God is no respecter of persons. I do not bear testimony to the truthfulness of the work of God because some of these authorities or all of them bear that testimony. I knew it before I ever saw a majority of these brethren; I know it as well as they know it, and that is the privilege of every member of this Church. When God does give us that testimony, and we are living under the influence of the Spirit that comes from on high, we will sustain the men who are at the head of the Church, with our lives, if necessary; and we would be anxious for all the world to know that we sustain them, and that we are willing to stand between them and danger, because of the position they occupy. This is where I hope every man and every woman in this Church stands.
I pray that God may give you the light and influence of His Holy Spirit that you may receive a testimony of the Gospel, that you may know the object God had in placing you here upon this earth. This was not the beginning of your lives. I have heard it said, often, that man is a dual being—I say, he is a trinity. Man is a representative of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. When a human body comes into the world,- there is a light from another sphere placed within it. The spirit that God places within this tabernacle was not created in this sphere, it was created yonder, in the presence of our Father and our Mother in heaven. When that spirit tabernacle was born unto them, there was a light, there was an intelligence placed within it that existed from everlasting. So that man was created in the image of God, and, like unto God, he is from' everlasting to everlasting, and is thus a representative of the Trinity in heaven. Try to live under the influence of that Spirit which comes from Them, and be true to the covenants that you have made with God. Remember the words of the Prophet Joseph, that, in all your flounderings be careful to stand by the brethren whom God has given to us as prophets, seers and revelators; whether it pleases the world, or not, it will please God. May His blessings be upon you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prof. John J. McClellan rendered a beautiful artistic arrangement of "Home, sweet home," on the grand organ.
ELDER CHARLES A. CALLIS.
(President of Southern States Mission.)
I pray you, my brethren and sisters, that I may have the benefit of your faith and prayers while I speak unto you. The sole desire of my heart is to say those things that it would please the Lord to have me tell you.
As I listened to the instructions of the servants of God, yesterday and throughout this conference, I felt in my soul that it was a blessed privilege to enjoy the presence and counsels of the general authorities of the Church. As we have been told, we have been reproved for things we were guilty of; yet it is said that the rebuke of a friend is just, "but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." One of the ancient prophets, in lamenting the downfall of Israel, stated as one of the reasons for the decline of his glory and the blessings of the Lord being taken from him was that he could not receive correction. The instructions that have been imparted unto us this day will make for righteousness in our lives; and I for one — and I know that we all feel likewise —feel to accept these instructions in the spirit in which they were given, and demonstrate unto the Lord that we love His servants and show our appreciation of their counsels by living up to the principles of the Gospel, which they teach us from time to time.
We bring you cheering news from the mission field. Your sons are bearing aloft the royal standard of the Gospel in a creditable manner. People marvel at the influence which these young men wield, but they forget that a life of unselfishness and love and devotion to duty not only strengthens us with our people, but magnifies us in the eyes of those who are not of our faith, and in building up each other, we are only building up ourselves. One of the reasons for the strength of this Gospel, and for the influence which your sons wield in the mission field is this: they speak under the power of the Holy Ghost, and the power of the Holy Ghost carries their words, their instructions unto the hearts of the children of men. One of the reasons for the decay of religious thought in the world today is that men are teaching solely by the learning of men; they are not relying upon the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. The prophet has said: "To be learned is good, if you obey the counsels of God;" but, my brethren and sisters, when it comes to a choice between the two, when it comes to that which makes most for righteousness, personal goodness will count more in the battle of life and in the building up of our fellow man, in the development of character, than will mere intellectual knowledge.
The very power of this people lies in the fact that they are obedient to God, and to be obedient is to please Him, and not to debase themselves. I am sure that the Latter-day Saints feel this way today, and that from their hearts they can exclaim with the Apostle Paul, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation, unto every one that believeth." Now we discover the reason for the opposition to this system of religion called Mormonism; it is because it is the power of God unto salvation; it is because the principles of this Gospel are making headway in the world. The Gospel is making substantial progress in the nations of the earth ; go where you will, the light of the Gospel is spreading, and the principles are not so new and strange to the world as they were three or four decades ago. You talk to men about the principle of revelation they are beginning to believe in that principle, and men are no longer scoffing at the Prophet Joseph Smith—that is, men of understanding, men with unbiased minds, men who do not read the history of "Mormonism" with their prejudices, but read it with their eyes ; these men with liberality of thought are beginning to see in the Prophet Joseph Smith a man of God, a prophet of Israel who enunciated and taught these glorious saving principles to all the world for the salvation of mankind.
The Lord has said that some men shall see signs, but not unto salvation. The greatness of this work is apparent to fair-minded men, while others are fighting the work, because their minds are prejudiced, and they do not discern its glory, virtue, and power. When Jesus called Lazarus from the grave there were men who marveled at that miracle and believed in Christ; and there were also men who, filled with envy and hate, straightway went unto the Scribes and Pharisees and prejudiced them still more against the Son of God. When the Savior healed the blind man, and restored his sight, he who was blind was summoned before the Jewish tribunal. They tried to make him believe that Jesus was a sinner, that his sight had not been restored by the power of God. This excited marvel and wonder in the mind of the man who had been afflicted, and he said: It is a marvel to me that you men, who are steeped in the knowledge of the Scripture, who are learned according to the laws of your church, it is a marvel to me that you can not see that this was done by the power of God. So it is with us today; it is a marvel unto us, or to many of us, that men seeing the greatness of this work do not discern its virtue, its beauty, and the only motive it has, which is the uplifting and the benefit of mankind; because, God being our witness, our hearts are filled with love for the children of men and duty to God, and this creates in us a love for our fellow creatures.
Well, my brethren and sisters, we know in our lives this Gospel has been the power of God unto salvation. When the Lord was born, widen that heavenly song was sung, when that message of good will was given to the earth, "Peace on earth and good will to man," it was met by persecution; it was answered by hate ; it was replied to with murder. What was there in that innocent babe of Bethlehem to excite the envy and hate of the world? It had not wealth; it had not high earthly station; it was born amid humble surroundings ; but the adversary recognized in that babe the Messiah, the being who had come to earth with the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. The adversary well knew that all the obsolete forms of religion that the Jews had, did not make for righteousness or bring men and women to a knowledge of God. History repeats itself; the centuries went by; the religious world was in a state of confusion, when the boy prophet Joseph Smith declared to the world that he had seen the Father and the Son. He but delivered to the world a message of peace, yet that message was met with persecution, and with hatred, and with murder. What was there in the boy prophet that should call forth this envy and hate and murder? He was not wealthy; he was not of distinguished parentage, as the world goes; he did not wear soft clothing; he was born amid humble surroundings, but Satan saw in that boy the messenger of God through whom should be restored to the earth the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. So it is today, that is the reason for the persecution and the hatred that are being visited upon the Latter-day Saints. It is not because we strive for political gratification or for political honors, but we are the people of God, we have the Gospel of the Son of God, and our mission is definite, we have an object in view, and this object makes us strong, even the object of preparing the world for the glorious second coming of the Redeemer. To this our mission we will be true, and though men persecute us we will pursue the even tenor of our ways, and preach the Gospel of love.
You remember reading that when the Grecian nation was in danger of invasion, two statesmen were discussing the best means of repelling the invader, and one of the statesmen could not meet the logic of the other with logic; he grew angry and went to strike his opponent, but the latter said: "Strike if you will, but listen." We say to the world, if you must persecute us, we will accept it in the spirit of Christ. Strike, if you must, but listen — listen to our message, for it is important to you, it is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Brethren and sisters, the schooling we are receiving, the arduous labors we are performing are good for the Latter- day Saints. The poet said:
"This is a scene of combat—not of rest;
Man's life is a laborious one at best;
On this side of death, his labors never cease,
His joys are joys of conquest—not of peace."
Every Latter-day Saint can preach the Gospel. It is not given to everybody to go out into the mission field, but it is given to us all to pay our tithes and our offerings, that houses may be built to the worship of God, and, as the Lord has said, if we labor all the days of our lives and bring but one soul unto the knowledge of Christ, how great shall be our joy with that soul in the kingdom of our God. So you, my brethren and sisters, who are not on the "firing line," you can live good true lives at home. By paying your tithes you are assisting in erecting meeting houses in the world as well as in Zion, and in those places of worship men and women will meet and they will listen to the Gospel of the Redeemer. Their souls will be turned unto God, and in the day that we shall be rewarded for the deeds done in the body, you people whose money has been expended in building these houses, you shall have joy with the souls of men who have been saved by reason of your generosity in giving of your means to build up the kingdom of God.
I pray that the light of the Gospel of Christ may spread throughout the earth, as the good old hymn says:
"Thy swift messengers are treading
The high courts where princes dwell,
And thy glorious light is spreading;
Zion prospers, all is well."
May Zion continue to prosper; may the Gospel continue to spread, until every son and daughter of God basks in the sunlight of everlasting truth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(President of Southern States Mission.)
I pray you, my brethren and sisters, that I may have the benefit of your faith and prayers while I speak unto you. The sole desire of my heart is to say those things that it would please the Lord to have me tell you.
As I listened to the instructions of the servants of God, yesterday and throughout this conference, I felt in my soul that it was a blessed privilege to enjoy the presence and counsels of the general authorities of the Church. As we have been told, we have been reproved for things we were guilty of; yet it is said that the rebuke of a friend is just, "but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." One of the ancient prophets, in lamenting the downfall of Israel, stated as one of the reasons for the decline of his glory and the blessings of the Lord being taken from him was that he could not receive correction. The instructions that have been imparted unto us this day will make for righteousness in our lives; and I for one — and I know that we all feel likewise —feel to accept these instructions in the spirit in which they were given, and demonstrate unto the Lord that we love His servants and show our appreciation of their counsels by living up to the principles of the Gospel, which they teach us from time to time.
We bring you cheering news from the mission field. Your sons are bearing aloft the royal standard of the Gospel in a creditable manner. People marvel at the influence which these young men wield, but they forget that a life of unselfishness and love and devotion to duty not only strengthens us with our people, but magnifies us in the eyes of those who are not of our faith, and in building up each other, we are only building up ourselves. One of the reasons for the strength of this Gospel, and for the influence which your sons wield in the mission field is this: they speak under the power of the Holy Ghost, and the power of the Holy Ghost carries their words, their instructions unto the hearts of the children of men. One of the reasons for the decay of religious thought in the world today is that men are teaching solely by the learning of men; they are not relying upon the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. The prophet has said: "To be learned is good, if you obey the counsels of God;" but, my brethren and sisters, when it comes to a choice between the two, when it comes to that which makes most for righteousness, personal goodness will count more in the battle of life and in the building up of our fellow man, in the development of character, than will mere intellectual knowledge.
The very power of this people lies in the fact that they are obedient to God, and to be obedient is to please Him, and not to debase themselves. I am sure that the Latter-day Saints feel this way today, and that from their hearts they can exclaim with the Apostle Paul, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation, unto every one that believeth." Now we discover the reason for the opposition to this system of religion called Mormonism; it is because it is the power of God unto salvation; it is because the principles of this Gospel are making headway in the world. The Gospel is making substantial progress in the nations of the earth ; go where you will, the light of the Gospel is spreading, and the principles are not so new and strange to the world as they were three or four decades ago. You talk to men about the principle of revelation they are beginning to believe in that principle, and men are no longer scoffing at the Prophet Joseph Smith—that is, men of understanding, men with unbiased minds, men who do not read the history of "Mormonism" with their prejudices, but read it with their eyes ; these men with liberality of thought are beginning to see in the Prophet Joseph Smith a man of God, a prophet of Israel who enunciated and taught these glorious saving principles to all the world for the salvation of mankind.
The Lord has said that some men shall see signs, but not unto salvation. The greatness of this work is apparent to fair-minded men, while others are fighting the work, because their minds are prejudiced, and they do not discern its glory, virtue, and power. When Jesus called Lazarus from the grave there were men who marveled at that miracle and believed in Christ; and there were also men who, filled with envy and hate, straightway went unto the Scribes and Pharisees and prejudiced them still more against the Son of God. When the Savior healed the blind man, and restored his sight, he who was blind was summoned before the Jewish tribunal. They tried to make him believe that Jesus was a sinner, that his sight had not been restored by the power of God. This excited marvel and wonder in the mind of the man who had been afflicted, and he said: It is a marvel to me that you men, who are steeped in the knowledge of the Scripture, who are learned according to the laws of your church, it is a marvel to me that you can not see that this was done by the power of God. So it is with us today; it is a marvel unto us, or to many of us, that men seeing the greatness of this work do not discern its virtue, its beauty, and the only motive it has, which is the uplifting and the benefit of mankind; because, God being our witness, our hearts are filled with love for the children of men and duty to God, and this creates in us a love for our fellow creatures.
Well, my brethren and sisters, we know in our lives this Gospel has been the power of God unto salvation. When the Lord was born, widen that heavenly song was sung, when that message of good will was given to the earth, "Peace on earth and good will to man," it was met by persecution; it was answered by hate ; it was replied to with murder. What was there in that innocent babe of Bethlehem to excite the envy and hate of the world? It had not wealth; it had not high earthly station; it was born amid humble surroundings ; but the adversary recognized in that babe the Messiah, the being who had come to earth with the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. The adversary well knew that all the obsolete forms of religion that the Jews had, did not make for righteousness or bring men and women to a knowledge of God. History repeats itself; the centuries went by; the religious world was in a state of confusion, when the boy prophet Joseph Smith declared to the world that he had seen the Father and the Son. He but delivered to the world a message of peace, yet that message was met with persecution, and with hatred, and with murder. What was there in the boy prophet that should call forth this envy and hate and murder? He was not wealthy; he was not of distinguished parentage, as the world goes; he did not wear soft clothing; he was born amid humble surroundings, but Satan saw in that boy the messenger of God through whom should be restored to the earth the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. So it is today, that is the reason for the persecution and the hatred that are being visited upon the Latter-day Saints. It is not because we strive for political gratification or for political honors, but we are the people of God, we have the Gospel of the Son of God, and our mission is definite, we have an object in view, and this object makes us strong, even the object of preparing the world for the glorious second coming of the Redeemer. To this our mission we will be true, and though men persecute us we will pursue the even tenor of our ways, and preach the Gospel of love.
You remember reading that when the Grecian nation was in danger of invasion, two statesmen were discussing the best means of repelling the invader, and one of the statesmen could not meet the logic of the other with logic; he grew angry and went to strike his opponent, but the latter said: "Strike if you will, but listen." We say to the world, if you must persecute us, we will accept it in the spirit of Christ. Strike, if you must, but listen — listen to our message, for it is important to you, it is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Brethren and sisters, the schooling we are receiving, the arduous labors we are performing are good for the Latter- day Saints. The poet said:
"This is a scene of combat—not of rest;
Man's life is a laborious one at best;
On this side of death, his labors never cease,
His joys are joys of conquest—not of peace."
Every Latter-day Saint can preach the Gospel. It is not given to everybody to go out into the mission field, but it is given to us all to pay our tithes and our offerings, that houses may be built to the worship of God, and, as the Lord has said, if we labor all the days of our lives and bring but one soul unto the knowledge of Christ, how great shall be our joy with that soul in the kingdom of our God. So you, my brethren and sisters, who are not on the "firing line," you can live good true lives at home. By paying your tithes you are assisting in erecting meeting houses in the world as well as in Zion, and in those places of worship men and women will meet and they will listen to the Gospel of the Redeemer. Their souls will be turned unto God, and in the day that we shall be rewarded for the deeds done in the body, you people whose money has been expended in building these houses, you shall have joy with the souls of men who have been saved by reason of your generosity in giving of your means to build up the kingdom of God.
I pray that the light of the Gospel of Christ may spread throughout the earth, as the good old hymn says:
"Thy swift messengers are treading
The high courts where princes dwell,
And thy glorious light is spreading;
Zion prospers, all is well."
May Zion continue to prosper; may the Gospel continue to spread, until every son and daughter of God basks in the sunlight of everlasting truth, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER DAVID O. M'KAY.
Work more effective than words.—Nobility of true manhood and womanhood.— Defenders of truth and doers of duty.—Vile literature and poisonous journalism condemned.
"The world wants men, true men,
Who cannot be bought or sold;
Men who will scorn to violate truth --
Genuine gold."
Last Sunday afternoon, ten thousand voices declared, as one, in favor of prohibitory laws against the saloon traffic and against the violation of the Sabbath day. I thought, after the vote was taken, and several times since, that is the easiest part of the work ; it was easy to say "aye" to the resolution, but what is wanted now are men, true men, who cannot be bought or sold, who scorn to violate truth—genuine gold.
In ancient Israel, fifty thousand soldiers, under Zebulori, one day came to David. It is said that they knew the ways of war, that they could wield the bow and the arrow, and that "they could all keep rank, and were not of double heart."
Can all the ten thousand, and the 250,000, or more, represented by that ten thousand, all keep rank and be not of double heart? It is work that will count in this state. It is not the "aye" alone. "Aye," "aye" will not do it; work, work, will do it. "It is not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
We want men. There is nothing in life so admirable as true manhood; there is nothing so sacred as true womanhood. Manhood! Oh, what that means—to be a man, to be worthy of the honor that Antony gave to Brutus, when he pointed and said: "This was the noblest Roman of them all: all the conspirators, save only he, did that they did in envy of great Caesar; he only, in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature could stand up and say to all the world: This was a man." Wordsworth's heart leaped up when he beheld a rainbow in the sky. Burns' heart wept when his plowshare overturned a daisy. Tennyson could pluck the flower from the "crannied wall," and see, if he could read in it the mystery, "all that God and man is." All these, and other great men, have shown to us, in the works of nature, the handiwork of God. Shakespeare could "find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." All, I say, are expressions of goodness, and praises to God invite; but the glory of creation, "the beauty of the world," says Shakespeare, "the paragon of animals," is man. "An honest man is the noblest work of God." We delight in associating with true men; it is good to be in their presence. "They are living light fountains," says Carlyle, "which it is good and pleasant to be near." I often think that it is easy to be honest; and to be honest means that we are in harmony with divine law, that we are in keeping with the noblest work of God.
A dishonest man brings only misery into the world. Look at Judas —oh, what that man brought upon himself by not being true. He associated with his Lord and heard the divine truths from his Master's lips. It may be that once he felt, in his heart, the truth; but he let outside influences come upon him. He let his appetite for greed lead him into dishonesty. Following that prompting he opposed the works of the Master, found fault with conditions around him. Six days before the passover, Mary, out of the great love in her heart, anointed Jesus. Who is it that finds fault? Not an honest man whose heart was in the truth; but the Judas, and even in his fault-finding you detect the lie: "Why was not this ointment sold for so much money, that we might give it to the poor?" Oh, dissembler! Oh hypocrite! Not that he wanted the money for the poor, "but," says one of his companions, "because he was a thief and kept the bag." He sat at meat with his Lord, near his Master's side, there in the presence of the Divine Man, pretending to be one with Him in friendship—not only friendship but discipleship ; not only that, but a disciple in whom had been placed trust. There at the table, eating bread by the side of his Master, he was still untrue and had already bargained to betray his Lord into the hands of His enemies. Later he passed out from Christ's presence, out into the darkness; oh, God pity the man who so leaves the light! Pity Judas that night, when he left the radiance of that room, the company of discipleship and the divine presence of the Lord ; when he passed out into the darkness to give expression, not to his better self, but to the dishonesty within him, responding to the appeals of a morbid appetite, of a dishonest soul. Then came the culminating act of hypocrisy and deceit, when he implanted the kiss upon his Master and said: "Hail, Lord." It is not with such a man that you feel inspired; it is not in his presence that you feel illumined. Follow him to his death, and the feeling of pity and compassion for him' is intensified when you see his sad end.
Compare his life with that of James, the brother of the Lord, or even James, the brother of John. We do not know much about them, but they were both true men. But the one who wrote his epistle, probably also gave the decision on circumcision, a man who was true under all conditions. He was a Jew, born with the prejudices of the Jews against the Gentiles. Yet, when the light came to his soul that Christ's truths were for all the world, his old traditions had to be swept aside, and he stood there in the face of his countrymen and declared the truth, which God had revealed to him, that the Gospel was for all. Follow that man from there on in his just acts, the few we know, and see how he commanded the respect, even of his enemies. Why? Because he was true to his Lord; he was true to that which he knew to be right. When he had occasion, a few years before his death, to rebuke dishonesty, to call the attention of the people to evils that existed, and admonish them to be true to the Gospel of Christ, he speaks such words as these:
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."
Then again:
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water arid fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
The man who is true to his manhood will not lie against the truth. We are told that we can crucify the Lord afresh. If that be true, we can betray the Lord afresh. There is that within every man which is divine, a divinity within every man's soul. It can not die. God renews it, inspires it, works to keep it alive. The man who will be true to the divine within, is true to his Lord, and is true to his fellowmen. The man who betrays that, the man who is untrue to that which he knows to be right, is wavering, is weakening. God pity him ; he may go so far that he will step out of the light, out of that divine presence, and woe be unto him when he does ; God help him.
Men and brethren, we have declared to the world that we have the Gospel of Christ, that we are going to stand against vice. That "aye" the other day merely meant this: We have buckled on the armor; we have unsheathed our swords. Now, shall we make the charge? or shall we waver and be driven by the wind and tossed? Shall we forsake this cause, in order to please men? because we desire to give "eye service" rather than heart service, because of some political power that is brought to bear upon us ? No! We will stand, true to ourselves, true to the divine within us, true to that truth which we have received. We ought to know that it is not good to have such evil surroundings as saloons in our midst, to draw away our young and lead them into the darkness of misery and despair. Let us be true today; let us act; let us act! After leaving this conference, when we are thrown into the company of men who will try to tempt us, when we are thrown again under the influence of appetites that we have developed, let us, like James, be true to the death. As he stood there on the pinnacle of the temple, and the men, looking upon him then as a just man, said: "Where is the gate to Christ?" he bore his testimony of the Lord Jesus. Even then, historians tell us, they said: "We can't believe him, even though he is just;" and they hurled him down to beat him to death. James' death is inspiring; Judas' death is death! death in its gloomiest form.
All men who have moved the world have been men who would stand true to their conscience—not only James, not only Paul, Peter, and all those ancient apostles, but all other great men in history. I often admire Luther; I cannot help but feel better when I read his words to the assembly at the Diet of Worms, all the Catholic church opposing him, and all the powers of the land staring him in the face. "Confute me by proof of Scripture or by sound argument," said he; "I cannot recant otherwise. It is not safe for a man to do aught against his conscience. Here stand I; I can not do otherwise; God assist me." It was Joseph Smith who, after having a testimony of the Lord Jesus in his bosom, declared to the men who said, "It is from the devil" —ministers who had influence with him before, men whom he respected as, at least, attempting to teach the word of God—to them he said: "I know I have seen a vision, and God knows that I have." And he was true to this testimony to the last. When he was going to his death, he declared to all the world: "I have a conscience void of offense toward God and all men." Why? Because he had been true to it; he was a man possessing divine manhood, for true manhood is divine; oh, it is glorious. It was that spirit that prompted our leader (President Joseph F. Smith) to say to the world: "I will be true to those who have trusted me; I can not do otherwise." That is the manhood the Latter-day Saint should possess, in defending the truth. That is the manhood that we all need when we go out into our wards and stakes, to inspire young men with that same truth; it is that we need in combating all kinds of error — not only the saloon, not only the tobacco habit, but another condition that is here in our midst, which is just as fatal as the saloon, which is just as poisonous, aye, more poisonous than the tobacco, bad as it is. I refer to the vile literature that is being circulated among the young.
The greatest power in the world today is the press. Think of the thousands, the hundreds of thousands, the millions, that daily are brought into contact with the thoughts that are published to the world. Speaking of this power, Carlyle says:
"I many times say, the writers of newspapers, pamphlets, poems, books, these are the real, working, effective church of modern times. Nay, not only our preaching, but even our worship, is not it, too, accomplished by means of printed books? The noble sentiment which a gifted soul has clothed for us in melodious words, which brings melody into our hearts—is not this essentially, if we will understand it, of the nature of worship? There are many, in all countries, who, in this confused time, have no other method of worship. He who in any way shows us better than we knew before that a lily of the field is beautiful, does he not show it us as an effluence of the fountain of all beauty; as the handwriting made visible there of the great Maker of the Universe? He has sung for us, made us sing with him, a little verse of a sacred psalm. Essentially so, how much more he who sings, who says or in any way brings home to our hearts the noble doings, feelings, darings and endurance of a brother man ! He has verily touched our heart as with a live coal from the altar. Perhaps there is no worship more authentic."
Let me digress here a moment to say that the element of greatness all through these men I have named is sincerity, true consistency. A sincere man who sits down at night and pens that which his soul believes to be right, that which his soul tells him will be good for humanity, is exercising a power over the world that is beneficial. We should hail that expression of greatness, of goodness, with thanksgiving. But the insincere man, the man who will sit down at night and distort facts, who will willfully misrepresent truth, who is a traitor to the divine within him which is calling, nay longing for truth, what shall we say of that man? He is publishing falsehoods to the world, giving poison to young, innocent souls who are longing for truth. Oh, there is no condemnation too strong for the hypocrite, for the betrayer of Christ. We will not condemn him, but God will, in His justice; He must.
Too much time is taken up by our young people, and by our older ones, too, in reading useless pamphlets, useless books; "It is worse than useless," says Farrar, in that excellent little work on "Great Books:"
* * * * "to read through the squalid details of every police trial, or the nauseous revelations of divorce courts, or vague political conjectures, or the sensational items of 'the silly season.' There are papers that seem to exist for no other reason than to 'chronicle small beer.' How can we have time to think or leave a margin to our life, if we spend hours every week in dabbling about in what Mr. Lowell called 'the stagnant goose ponds of village gossip.' When the 'mems' and 'items' and 'pars' are full of gossip, scandal, and spite; when they are like the verminiferous dust in which are incubated the germs of envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness—the less we notice them the better. They are undiluted poison to the healthy soul, which loves charity and truth. There is one piece of advice which I would give with intense earnestness to all. It is this: Never be tempted by curiosity to read what you know to be a bad book, or what a very little reading shows you to be a bad book. Bad books, by which I do not mean merely ignorant and misleading books, but those which are prurient and corrupt—are the most fatal emissaries of the devil. They pollute with plague the moral atmosphere of the world."
Men in Israel, it is time that we take a stand against vile literature. It is poisonous to the soul. It is the duty of a parent to put the poison, that is in the house, on the highest shelf, away from that innocent little child who knows not the danger of it. It is the duty of the parent also to keep the boy's mind from becoming polluted with the vile trash that is sometimes scattered— nay, that is daily distributed among us. There is inconsistency in a man's kneeling down with his family in prayer, and asking God to bless the leader of our Church, and then put into the hands of the boy, who was kneeling there, a paper that calls the leader a hypocrite. It ought not to be done; it is poison to the soul.
How can we tell? May be those are the great men who are writing the scurrilous articles, and these whom they attack are not the great men? Some may say: Give the children an opportunity to hear both sides. Yes, that is all well and good; but if a man were to come into your home and say to you that your mother is not a good woman, you would know he lied; wouldn't you ? And you wouldn't let your children hear him. If a man came and told you that your brother was dishonest, and you had been with him all your life and knew him to be honest, you would know the man lied. So when they come and tell you the Gospel is a hypocritical doctrine, taught by this organization, when they tell you the men at the head are insincere, you know they lie ; and you can take the same firm stand on that, being sincere yourself as you could in regard to your mother and brother. Teach your children, your boys and girls everywhere, to keep away from every bad book and all bad literature, especially that which savors of hatred, or envy, or malice, that which bears upon it the marks of hypocrisy, insincerity, edited by men who have lost their manhood.
"The world wants men, true men,
Who can not be bought or sold,
Men who scorn to violate truth --
Genuine gold."
Now, brethren, it is for us to say whether we will be the Judases or the Jameses, whether we will be true to the divine within us, in observing the word of wisdom, in Sabbath keeping, in giving to our children pure literature—the best books, so that we can keep their souls free from the polluted atmosphere of poisonous journalism.
May God bless us all, that we may, above all, be true to the divine within us; be men, true men; be noble women, true to motherhood, true to wifehood, true to God; then we shall all be one. If all the world will take that same stand, every man give out only that which he understands to be right, some day we must all come to the truth; sincerity of life will bring all men to the truth, eventually. God hasten the day, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Joseph E. Robinson.
Conference adjourned until 2 p. m.
Work more effective than words.—Nobility of true manhood and womanhood.— Defenders of truth and doers of duty.—Vile literature and poisonous journalism condemned.
"The world wants men, true men,
Who cannot be bought or sold;
Men who will scorn to violate truth --
Genuine gold."
Last Sunday afternoon, ten thousand voices declared, as one, in favor of prohibitory laws against the saloon traffic and against the violation of the Sabbath day. I thought, after the vote was taken, and several times since, that is the easiest part of the work ; it was easy to say "aye" to the resolution, but what is wanted now are men, true men, who cannot be bought or sold, who scorn to violate truth—genuine gold.
In ancient Israel, fifty thousand soldiers, under Zebulori, one day came to David. It is said that they knew the ways of war, that they could wield the bow and the arrow, and that "they could all keep rank, and were not of double heart."
Can all the ten thousand, and the 250,000, or more, represented by that ten thousand, all keep rank and be not of double heart? It is work that will count in this state. It is not the "aye" alone. "Aye," "aye" will not do it; work, work, will do it. "It is not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
We want men. There is nothing in life so admirable as true manhood; there is nothing so sacred as true womanhood. Manhood! Oh, what that means—to be a man, to be worthy of the honor that Antony gave to Brutus, when he pointed and said: "This was the noblest Roman of them all: all the conspirators, save only he, did that they did in envy of great Caesar; he only, in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature could stand up and say to all the world: This was a man." Wordsworth's heart leaped up when he beheld a rainbow in the sky. Burns' heart wept when his plowshare overturned a daisy. Tennyson could pluck the flower from the "crannied wall," and see, if he could read in it the mystery, "all that God and man is." All these, and other great men, have shown to us, in the works of nature, the handiwork of God. Shakespeare could "find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." All, I say, are expressions of goodness, and praises to God invite; but the glory of creation, "the beauty of the world," says Shakespeare, "the paragon of animals," is man. "An honest man is the noblest work of God." We delight in associating with true men; it is good to be in their presence. "They are living light fountains," says Carlyle, "which it is good and pleasant to be near." I often think that it is easy to be honest; and to be honest means that we are in harmony with divine law, that we are in keeping with the noblest work of God.
A dishonest man brings only misery into the world. Look at Judas —oh, what that man brought upon himself by not being true. He associated with his Lord and heard the divine truths from his Master's lips. It may be that once he felt, in his heart, the truth; but he let outside influences come upon him. He let his appetite for greed lead him into dishonesty. Following that prompting he opposed the works of the Master, found fault with conditions around him. Six days before the passover, Mary, out of the great love in her heart, anointed Jesus. Who is it that finds fault? Not an honest man whose heart was in the truth; but the Judas, and even in his fault-finding you detect the lie: "Why was not this ointment sold for so much money, that we might give it to the poor?" Oh, dissembler! Oh hypocrite! Not that he wanted the money for the poor, "but," says one of his companions, "because he was a thief and kept the bag." He sat at meat with his Lord, near his Master's side, there in the presence of the Divine Man, pretending to be one with Him in friendship—not only friendship but discipleship ; not only that, but a disciple in whom had been placed trust. There at the table, eating bread by the side of his Master, he was still untrue and had already bargained to betray his Lord into the hands of His enemies. Later he passed out from Christ's presence, out into the darkness; oh, God pity the man who so leaves the light! Pity Judas that night, when he left the radiance of that room, the company of discipleship and the divine presence of the Lord ; when he passed out into the darkness to give expression, not to his better self, but to the dishonesty within him, responding to the appeals of a morbid appetite, of a dishonest soul. Then came the culminating act of hypocrisy and deceit, when he implanted the kiss upon his Master and said: "Hail, Lord." It is not with such a man that you feel inspired; it is not in his presence that you feel illumined. Follow him to his death, and the feeling of pity and compassion for him' is intensified when you see his sad end.
Compare his life with that of James, the brother of the Lord, or even James, the brother of John. We do not know much about them, but they were both true men. But the one who wrote his epistle, probably also gave the decision on circumcision, a man who was true under all conditions. He was a Jew, born with the prejudices of the Jews against the Gentiles. Yet, when the light came to his soul that Christ's truths were for all the world, his old traditions had to be swept aside, and he stood there in the face of his countrymen and declared the truth, which God had revealed to him, that the Gospel was for all. Follow that man from there on in his just acts, the few we know, and see how he commanded the respect, even of his enemies. Why? Because he was true to his Lord; he was true to that which he knew to be right. When he had occasion, a few years before his death, to rebuke dishonesty, to call the attention of the people to evils that existed, and admonish them to be true to the Gospel of Christ, he speaks such words as these:
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."
Then again:
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water arid fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
The man who is true to his manhood will not lie against the truth. We are told that we can crucify the Lord afresh. If that be true, we can betray the Lord afresh. There is that within every man which is divine, a divinity within every man's soul. It can not die. God renews it, inspires it, works to keep it alive. The man who will be true to the divine within, is true to his Lord, and is true to his fellowmen. The man who betrays that, the man who is untrue to that which he knows to be right, is wavering, is weakening. God pity him ; he may go so far that he will step out of the light, out of that divine presence, and woe be unto him when he does ; God help him.
Men and brethren, we have declared to the world that we have the Gospel of Christ, that we are going to stand against vice. That "aye" the other day merely meant this: We have buckled on the armor; we have unsheathed our swords. Now, shall we make the charge? or shall we waver and be driven by the wind and tossed? Shall we forsake this cause, in order to please men? because we desire to give "eye service" rather than heart service, because of some political power that is brought to bear upon us ? No! We will stand, true to ourselves, true to the divine within us, true to that truth which we have received. We ought to know that it is not good to have such evil surroundings as saloons in our midst, to draw away our young and lead them into the darkness of misery and despair. Let us be true today; let us act; let us act! After leaving this conference, when we are thrown into the company of men who will try to tempt us, when we are thrown again under the influence of appetites that we have developed, let us, like James, be true to the death. As he stood there on the pinnacle of the temple, and the men, looking upon him then as a just man, said: "Where is the gate to Christ?" he bore his testimony of the Lord Jesus. Even then, historians tell us, they said: "We can't believe him, even though he is just;" and they hurled him down to beat him to death. James' death is inspiring; Judas' death is death! death in its gloomiest form.
All men who have moved the world have been men who would stand true to their conscience—not only James, not only Paul, Peter, and all those ancient apostles, but all other great men in history. I often admire Luther; I cannot help but feel better when I read his words to the assembly at the Diet of Worms, all the Catholic church opposing him, and all the powers of the land staring him in the face. "Confute me by proof of Scripture or by sound argument," said he; "I cannot recant otherwise. It is not safe for a man to do aught against his conscience. Here stand I; I can not do otherwise; God assist me." It was Joseph Smith who, after having a testimony of the Lord Jesus in his bosom, declared to the men who said, "It is from the devil" —ministers who had influence with him before, men whom he respected as, at least, attempting to teach the word of God—to them he said: "I know I have seen a vision, and God knows that I have." And he was true to this testimony to the last. When he was going to his death, he declared to all the world: "I have a conscience void of offense toward God and all men." Why? Because he had been true to it; he was a man possessing divine manhood, for true manhood is divine; oh, it is glorious. It was that spirit that prompted our leader (President Joseph F. Smith) to say to the world: "I will be true to those who have trusted me; I can not do otherwise." That is the manhood the Latter-day Saint should possess, in defending the truth. That is the manhood that we all need when we go out into our wards and stakes, to inspire young men with that same truth; it is that we need in combating all kinds of error — not only the saloon, not only the tobacco habit, but another condition that is here in our midst, which is just as fatal as the saloon, which is just as poisonous, aye, more poisonous than the tobacco, bad as it is. I refer to the vile literature that is being circulated among the young.
The greatest power in the world today is the press. Think of the thousands, the hundreds of thousands, the millions, that daily are brought into contact with the thoughts that are published to the world. Speaking of this power, Carlyle says:
"I many times say, the writers of newspapers, pamphlets, poems, books, these are the real, working, effective church of modern times. Nay, not only our preaching, but even our worship, is not it, too, accomplished by means of printed books? The noble sentiment which a gifted soul has clothed for us in melodious words, which brings melody into our hearts—is not this essentially, if we will understand it, of the nature of worship? There are many, in all countries, who, in this confused time, have no other method of worship. He who in any way shows us better than we knew before that a lily of the field is beautiful, does he not show it us as an effluence of the fountain of all beauty; as the handwriting made visible there of the great Maker of the Universe? He has sung for us, made us sing with him, a little verse of a sacred psalm. Essentially so, how much more he who sings, who says or in any way brings home to our hearts the noble doings, feelings, darings and endurance of a brother man ! He has verily touched our heart as with a live coal from the altar. Perhaps there is no worship more authentic."
Let me digress here a moment to say that the element of greatness all through these men I have named is sincerity, true consistency. A sincere man who sits down at night and pens that which his soul believes to be right, that which his soul tells him will be good for humanity, is exercising a power over the world that is beneficial. We should hail that expression of greatness, of goodness, with thanksgiving. But the insincere man, the man who will sit down at night and distort facts, who will willfully misrepresent truth, who is a traitor to the divine within him which is calling, nay longing for truth, what shall we say of that man? He is publishing falsehoods to the world, giving poison to young, innocent souls who are longing for truth. Oh, there is no condemnation too strong for the hypocrite, for the betrayer of Christ. We will not condemn him, but God will, in His justice; He must.
Too much time is taken up by our young people, and by our older ones, too, in reading useless pamphlets, useless books; "It is worse than useless," says Farrar, in that excellent little work on "Great Books:"
* * * * "to read through the squalid details of every police trial, or the nauseous revelations of divorce courts, or vague political conjectures, or the sensational items of 'the silly season.' There are papers that seem to exist for no other reason than to 'chronicle small beer.' How can we have time to think or leave a margin to our life, if we spend hours every week in dabbling about in what Mr. Lowell called 'the stagnant goose ponds of village gossip.' When the 'mems' and 'items' and 'pars' are full of gossip, scandal, and spite; when they are like the verminiferous dust in which are incubated the germs of envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness—the less we notice them the better. They are undiluted poison to the healthy soul, which loves charity and truth. There is one piece of advice which I would give with intense earnestness to all. It is this: Never be tempted by curiosity to read what you know to be a bad book, or what a very little reading shows you to be a bad book. Bad books, by which I do not mean merely ignorant and misleading books, but those which are prurient and corrupt—are the most fatal emissaries of the devil. They pollute with plague the moral atmosphere of the world."
Men in Israel, it is time that we take a stand against vile literature. It is poisonous to the soul. It is the duty of a parent to put the poison, that is in the house, on the highest shelf, away from that innocent little child who knows not the danger of it. It is the duty of the parent also to keep the boy's mind from becoming polluted with the vile trash that is sometimes scattered— nay, that is daily distributed among us. There is inconsistency in a man's kneeling down with his family in prayer, and asking God to bless the leader of our Church, and then put into the hands of the boy, who was kneeling there, a paper that calls the leader a hypocrite. It ought not to be done; it is poison to the soul.
How can we tell? May be those are the great men who are writing the scurrilous articles, and these whom they attack are not the great men? Some may say: Give the children an opportunity to hear both sides. Yes, that is all well and good; but if a man were to come into your home and say to you that your mother is not a good woman, you would know he lied; wouldn't you ? And you wouldn't let your children hear him. If a man came and told you that your brother was dishonest, and you had been with him all your life and knew him to be honest, you would know the man lied. So when they come and tell you the Gospel is a hypocritical doctrine, taught by this organization, when they tell you the men at the head are insincere, you know they lie ; and you can take the same firm stand on that, being sincere yourself as you could in regard to your mother and brother. Teach your children, your boys and girls everywhere, to keep away from every bad book and all bad literature, especially that which savors of hatred, or envy, or malice, that which bears upon it the marks of hypocrisy, insincerity, edited by men who have lost their manhood.
"The world wants men, true men,
Who can not be bought or sold,
Men who scorn to violate truth --
Genuine gold."
Now, brethren, it is for us to say whether we will be the Judases or the Jameses, whether we will be true to the divine within us, in observing the word of wisdom, in Sabbath keeping, in giving to our children pure literature—the best books, so that we can keep their souls free from the polluted atmosphere of poisonous journalism.
May God bless us all, that we may, above all, be true to the divine within us; be men, true men; be noble women, true to motherhood, true to wifehood, true to God; then we shall all be one. If all the world will take that same stand, every man give out only that which he understands to be right, some day we must all come to the truth; sincerity of life will bring all men to the truth, eventually. God hasten the day, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Joseph E. Robinson.
Conference adjourned until 2 p. m.
CLOSING SESSION.
In the Tabernacle, at 2 p. m.
President Joseph F. Smith called the meeting to order.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation;
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam,
Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation,
And shortly the hour of redemption will come.
Prayer was offered by Elder Nephi Pratt.
The choir sang the hymn:
Lord, Thou wilt hear me when I pray;
I am forever Thine!
I fear before Thee all the day;
O may I never sin.
In the Tabernacle, at 2 p. m.
President Joseph F. Smith called the meeting to order.
The choir and congregation sang the hymn:
Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation;
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam,
Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation,
And shortly the hour of redemption will come.
Prayer was offered by Elder Nephi Pratt.
The choir sang the hymn:
Lord, Thou wilt hear me when I pray;
I am forever Thine!
I fear before Thee all the day;
O may I never sin.
PRESIDENT JOHN R. WINDER.
Endorsement of the temperance resolution.— Blessings follow payment of tithing.— Testimony that tithing has been carefully guarded, and rightly used. — "Rustling" seventy-five years.
I am very thankful, my brethren and sisters, to have this privilege of standing before you a few moments. I wish to express to you my appreciation of the good things that we have heard during this conference, and to say that I can heartily endorse all the sentiments that have been uttered by all the brethren who have spoken to us. I am sure, my brethren and sisters, if we will carry them out in our lives, that we will all be benefited by them. I propose, myself, to use my best endeavors to aid and assist in carrying them out in the future.
One thing that I endorse with all my heart is the resolution that was passed in relation to temperance. I heartily endorse that proposition, and say to you that I will give to that principle my aid and assistance to the best of my ability, to see that it shall be carried out amongst the people. I believe that the people will receive this proposition and that, as a general rule, it will be carried out by them. There is no doubt in my mind that there was a necessity that this matter should be brought up before this conference, and I am very glad that it has taken the shape that it has. There are many other good things that have been said, to which our attention has been called, and I have no doubt, my brethren and sisters, that you have concluded in your minds, by this time, that you propose to carry out these instructions.
There is one principle that comes to my mind that has not been very much talked about during this conference, that is the principle of tithing. It has been alluded to, but there has not been very much said about it. This is a principle that I believe in with all my heart. I believe it is the duty of all faithful Latter-day Saints to pay their honest tithing and donations. I am sure from past experience, that it is a safe proposition, although I do not think we should be prompted to pay tithing from the mercenary consideration that we are to receive a reward, or have returned to us a portion of what we pay. However, I believe that we do receive blessings from the Lord by paying tithing; I know I have been blest by so doing; I can testify to that. I remember what Malachi says about it: "Bring into my storehouse your tithes and your offerings, and I will pour you out a blessing." You are all familiar with what is said in relation to this. I know it is a true principle, brethren and sisters. One other thing in relation to it; Never mind what is said about the use of the tithing and how it is appropriated.
I testify to you here, this afternoon, that I know that during the last six or seven years that I have been associated with the Trustee-in- trust every dollar of tithing that came into his hands was carefully guarded. Every dollar is accounted for; every dollar that is appropriated is properly registered, and the accounts are just as carefully kept and the funds just as carefully accounted for, as in any banking or mercantile institution in the country. I want to say this much to you this afternoon; because this is a matter with which I am familiar, and I can speak positively about it. You need have no fears in relation to what is done with your tithing, it is carefully appropriated. When requests for appropriations come in. the question arises: what is the condition in each case? Let us consider what the conditions are. What is the condition of that ward or that stake which asks for this appropriation? All these matters are carefully considered, and then the question comes up, how much can we appropriate for this, that, or the other, as the case may be. So it is in all these matters, my brethren and sisters. The Twelve are associated with us; they are consulted, and they take part in the appropriation and care of tithes and offerings.
I know what I have said, my brethren and sisters, to be the truth. I do not know how much longer I shall live and how many more conferences I shall be permitted to attend. There is a limit to the life of man, it is said, and we know there is. How long my life will be extended I know not; but I did want to make this statement to you this afternoon, whatever my future may be. I want you to bear it in mind that such is the fact, no matter what may be said from any other source.
Now, for the remainder of my days, so long as the Lord shall permit me to live among you, I propose that every day of my life shall be devoted to the interests, and welfare, and upbuilding of the kingdom of God upon the earth Mine has been a busy life; I commenced to labor and rustle for myself from the time I was about ten years of age, which is more than seventy-five years ago, and I have been rustling ever since. It is too late for me to lie down now; i propose to continue in this work just as long as I am permitted to live.
May God help you, my brethren and sisters, to carry into effect the good things you have heard here today. If you will do this, you will be taking a step higher up; you will go on and advance, and increase and multiply upon the earth. May the Lord help us all to be faithful and true to the end, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Endorsement of the temperance resolution.— Blessings follow payment of tithing.— Testimony that tithing has been carefully guarded, and rightly used. — "Rustling" seventy-five years.
I am very thankful, my brethren and sisters, to have this privilege of standing before you a few moments. I wish to express to you my appreciation of the good things that we have heard during this conference, and to say that I can heartily endorse all the sentiments that have been uttered by all the brethren who have spoken to us. I am sure, my brethren and sisters, if we will carry them out in our lives, that we will all be benefited by them. I propose, myself, to use my best endeavors to aid and assist in carrying them out in the future.
One thing that I endorse with all my heart is the resolution that was passed in relation to temperance. I heartily endorse that proposition, and say to you that I will give to that principle my aid and assistance to the best of my ability, to see that it shall be carried out amongst the people. I believe that the people will receive this proposition and that, as a general rule, it will be carried out by them. There is no doubt in my mind that there was a necessity that this matter should be brought up before this conference, and I am very glad that it has taken the shape that it has. There are many other good things that have been said, to which our attention has been called, and I have no doubt, my brethren and sisters, that you have concluded in your minds, by this time, that you propose to carry out these instructions.
There is one principle that comes to my mind that has not been very much talked about during this conference, that is the principle of tithing. It has been alluded to, but there has not been very much said about it. This is a principle that I believe in with all my heart. I believe it is the duty of all faithful Latter-day Saints to pay their honest tithing and donations. I am sure from past experience, that it is a safe proposition, although I do not think we should be prompted to pay tithing from the mercenary consideration that we are to receive a reward, or have returned to us a portion of what we pay. However, I believe that we do receive blessings from the Lord by paying tithing; I know I have been blest by so doing; I can testify to that. I remember what Malachi says about it: "Bring into my storehouse your tithes and your offerings, and I will pour you out a blessing." You are all familiar with what is said in relation to this. I know it is a true principle, brethren and sisters. One other thing in relation to it; Never mind what is said about the use of the tithing and how it is appropriated.
I testify to you here, this afternoon, that I know that during the last six or seven years that I have been associated with the Trustee-in- trust every dollar of tithing that came into his hands was carefully guarded. Every dollar is accounted for; every dollar that is appropriated is properly registered, and the accounts are just as carefully kept and the funds just as carefully accounted for, as in any banking or mercantile institution in the country. I want to say this much to you this afternoon; because this is a matter with which I am familiar, and I can speak positively about it. You need have no fears in relation to what is done with your tithing, it is carefully appropriated. When requests for appropriations come in. the question arises: what is the condition in each case? Let us consider what the conditions are. What is the condition of that ward or that stake which asks for this appropriation? All these matters are carefully considered, and then the question comes up, how much can we appropriate for this, that, or the other, as the case may be. So it is in all these matters, my brethren and sisters. The Twelve are associated with us; they are consulted, and they take part in the appropriation and care of tithes and offerings.
I know what I have said, my brethren and sisters, to be the truth. I do not know how much longer I shall live and how many more conferences I shall be permitted to attend. There is a limit to the life of man, it is said, and we know there is. How long my life will be extended I know not; but I did want to make this statement to you this afternoon, whatever my future may be. I want you to bear it in mind that such is the fact, no matter what may be said from any other source.
Now, for the remainder of my days, so long as the Lord shall permit me to live among you, I propose that every day of my life shall be devoted to the interests, and welfare, and upbuilding of the kingdom of God upon the earth Mine has been a busy life; I commenced to labor and rustle for myself from the time I was about ten years of age, which is more than seventy-five years ago, and I have been rustling ever since. It is too late for me to lie down now; i propose to continue in this work just as long as I am permitted to live.
May God help you, my brethren and sisters, to carry into effect the good things you have heard here today. If you will do this, you will be taking a step higher up; you will go on and advance, and increase and multiply upon the earth. May the Lord help us all to be faithful and true to the end, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
PRESIDENT ANTHON H. LUND.
Marvelous character of work done by Joseph Smith.—Convincing effects of reading the Book of Mormon.—Wonderful perfection of the Church organization.— Succession in Presidency of Church after the crucifixion. — Church not disorganized, no need to be re-organized.
I believe we all feel pleased to hear the remarks of Brother Winder. Think of his being eighty-seven years old, and yet is able to talk with such vigor as he did. He is in full possession of all his faculties ; his memory is strong ; he is an encyclopedia on everything pertaining to the Church. I know he is a man who fulfills the duties of his office to the acceptance of our heavenly Father, and we feel pleased to be in his company.
I rejoice in what has been said in this conference. I endorse the instructions that have been given. I feel that the Lord has given unto us His word, and I hope, when we leave for home, we will take with us the good influence of the spirit that has been present, and remember the teachings that have been given us.
I was just thinking of the words that the Lord revealed to his servant Joseph Smith, a year before the Church was organized. He says: "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men."
You remember, it was fourteen months before the Church was organized, that this revelation was given to a young man only twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He was told that a marvelous work was about to come forth among the children of men. Reading these words now, so many years since the revelation was given, can we say that they have not been fulfilled? Has not a marvelous work been brought forth among the children of men? Certainly, it has been a marvel to many. When you contemplate and investigate the principles of the Gospel, as brought forth through the instrumentality of that young man, you marvel at the consistency of every principle with the holy scriptures. All the Prophet taught was indeed sound doctrine, and he himself proved to be a prophet of God. The Lord fulfilled his prophecies on subjects both relating to this people and to the whole nation. The Prophet Joseph spoke and prophesied of things that, apparently, were not likely to come to pass, but we have seen them fulfilled to the very letter. As a prophet, he is sustained by his prophecies; as a teacher, he is sustained by the doctrines he taught, for they are true and consistent with the teachings of the prophets of old; and as a man he was loved by those who were acquainted with him'. Those who went in and out of his home, who saw him daily, loved him better than any one else! When you meet these people, you are delighted to hear them talk about him, about his kindness, and the pleasant intercourse they had with him, how they love to tell about sitting- under his voice, and hearing him instruct the people! They will testify that they know he was a man of God. And every one of us who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, can bear the same testimony, for the Spirit has testified unto us that he spoke the truth. The marvelous work was inaugurated by him; and how quickly the early Elders commenced to labor; for it was said in the same revelation that the field was already white for harvest. They accepted this work, and they went out and preached unto men, and laid before them this wonderful message.
It took men of moral courage to receive that testimony, for already, at that time, and even before then, persecution had started. The adversary wanted to stop this work, and if ever there was a time that it could have been stopped, it would seem to have been then, when there were so few in the Church; but the One who had established the work was greater than the adversary, and He had power to protect it. Even in its infancy, although the Church met with such strong persecution, it still prospered. The Book of Mormon was published, in an edition of five thousand copies. We had no other pamphlets or tracts to spread among the people, but that book contained the word of God, the Gospel in its plainness, and it did a good missionary work. It was sold to the people, and loaned or given to them; men read it, and many received a testimony of the truth of the principles it contained. President Joseph F. Smith has a copy of the first edition which was the means of bringing such men as Joseph Young, Brigham Young, Phineas Young, Lorenzo Young and John Young into the Church. They read it; they were convinced; and they joined the Church. You know what strong men they were—not easily persuaded, but when the light of the Spirit of God illumined their hearts they were willing to accept the truth, and they became strong defenders of the faith—especially such a man as President Young, and also Joseph Young, the good and kind leader of the Seventies. The Book of Mormon was indeed a work that carried with it convincing power. There was a time when we thought that argumentative works were better to scatter among the people, and then afterwards let them read the Book of Mormon; but our brethren have been directed to try to disseminate or to spread the Book of Mormon among the people. I hear that the last edition printed in the Northern States, consists of one hundred thousand copies, and they are selling very fast. One firm sent an order, the other day, for five hundred copies, and they were wanted at once; this shows that the book is a seller. Now, we want to get the book into the homes of all men, that they may have a chance to know what it contains, and they will have the opportunity to either receive or reject it. Our mission is to reach all men. and I believe that the Book of Mormon will show the people what are the principles of the Gospel, and teach them so plainly that if they reject it, they will do so because they let prejudice govern them. This book has been translated into many languages; it is read from the North Cape, in Norway, to the southern point of the Cape of Good Hope; and in nearly all parts of the world. Yet we want it distributed still more among the people.
It was said that knowledge should cover the earth as the waters cover the deep. This seems to be fulfilling in our day. Bibles have been printed in every language — as early as 1861, this claim was made. Men of liberal means have done what they could to have editions of the Bible circulated among the pagans as well as among civilized peoples. I consider that they have done a great deal of good in doing this, for the Bible contains the word of God. It is true that it has passed through many translations, but the Lord has had His hand over it and has preserved His word, so that it has come down to us in nearly perfect shape, though we believe that in some parts, through the translators' ignorance or, perhaps, wilfulness, it may not have been translated correctly. We believe in it; we are glad to find that it has been distributed among all people. I pray that the Book of Mormon may have the same destiny, that it may be known among all people.
A couple of weeks ago I heard with pleasure President Richard W. Young give a concise statement of the organizations in our Church. When you examine the organization of this Church you find that it is wonderful in its perfection. And it has not been the product of experimentation, for it has not been added to year by year. The organization of the Priesthood was given in the very beginning. On the very day that the Church was organized, the revelation on Church government was given. Before the Church was organized it was made known that there should be Apostles in the Church. Nearly a year before, the Three Witnesses were called by revelation to select the Twelve. On the 6th of April, 1830, when the Church was organized, there were but nine, or thereabouts, in the Church. We know the names of the six who took part in the incorporation of the Church, and there were very few others. There were not enough members then to fill all the offices in the Church; but the revelation was given; an outline of what it should be was already understood by the prophet and his brethren, and they knew what officers should be placed in the Church. It took some time, however, to complete the organization. Elders were the first officers ordained. There are two divisions in the Priesthood: the Aaronic and Melchizedek. An Elder holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. Joseph Smith presided over the Church, first as an elder; but when the time came and the Church had grown more numerous, other and higher offices in the same priesthood were conferred. The leading elders were called and ordained High Priests, and then Joseph Smith presided over the Church as a High Priest. For nearly a year after its organization the Church was ministered to by elders. Then bishops were called and ordained, at that time from the Elders' quorums, and afterwards the High Priests' quorum was instituted. Then it was revealed that bishops and presiding men in the Church should hold the office of a High Priest.
Some have wondered that the Prophet was ordained an Elder on the 6th of April, 1830. He held the Melchizedek Priesthood before, but the offices in the priesthood did not exist until the Church was organized and gave its consent; then he was ordained an Elder. Afterwards he was ordained to be a High Priest, and he ordained other High Priests. In 1832 Joseph Smith was called by revelation to be President of the Church, but the First Presidency was not organized until March, 1833, when Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Williams were chosen to be his counselors; and the three took charge of the affairs of the Church. In 1835 the quorum of the Twelve Apostles was organized. It had been indicated before the Church was organized who should select them and ordain them. Then, shortly afterwards, the Seventies were called, and again other Seventies, until we have an army of Seventies today. The Lesser Priesthood was also organized early in the Church, and has continued as first started.
I thought I would draw your minds to these points, showing that the quorums were organized as the Church needed them, and it was not by men suggesting that now it would be good to have such and such a quorum. The Lord indicated before the Church was organized, what quorums would be needed in the Church, and the organization was proceeded with as rapidly as the needs of the Church required it.
We come to the time of 1844, when the President of the Church, the Prophet, and Seer, was incarcerated in jail and foully assassinated, with his brother, the Patriarch of the Church. Such a thing as the breaking up of the First Presidency had not been contemplated by the Church, and there were many in the Church, not having given the matter any study or thought, who wondered who should be the successor. Before the Prophet was murdered, he had called the Apostles together, and had instructed them in all things pertaining to the Priesthood; and he had laid upon their shoulders the responsibility of carrying on the work; hence they were the men to preside over the Church when the Prophet was gone. And this had its precedent in the scriptures. We find the first-day Church organized with apostles, seventies, and other officers in the Priesthood. They had been called by the Savior Himself. We are told by Paul that He gave apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, etc. Consequently, 'if He gave these officers to the Church he organized the Church when He was taken away from among men, He left His apostles to take care of it. There was no mention of his brothers or any relatives to preside over the Church. He laid it upon Peter and the apostles to do this. I desire to read a few words on this subject. When Jesus met with His disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the Evangelist says: "So when they dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him:-Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto' him: Feed my lambs." This was the first question. He asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. This language I know can be interpreted in two ways, but we may understand the meaning when we think of Peter's expression at the last supper, when Jesus said that there would be many that would be offended at Him. Peter declared that he would never be offended at Him; he felt so strong. Jesus tells him that before the cock should crow that night, he would deny Him three times. Peter said, if I should die with you, I would not deny you. Now, this was Peter when he was under the good influence of the Master. Having a testimony for himself and feeling strong he depended on his own power. "Do you love me more than these?" He had said that he would never deny Him, and yet he had done so. He felt the gentle rebuke, and said: "Thou knowest I love thee," and the Master said: "Feed my lambs." The next verse reads: "He said to him again, the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my sheep." The word which is here translated "feed" is a different word in the Greek text from the word so translated above. The word first used is "boske," which is translated, "to graze; feed, nourish." The word used in the second place is: "pomaine," which has been translated "feed," but has a much broader meaning than that. My lexicon gives the following translation of "pomaine:" "to herd; to be a shepherd; to rule; to take care of; to tend." Peter was, therefore, called to be the shepherd, the caretaker, the ruler of the Church. And the third time, He saith: 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Peter was grieved because He said it unto him the third time, and he replied: "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said unto him, "Feed my sheep." Here the word "feed" is the same as in the first reply — where He told Peter to feed His lambs. Now I consider that the charge which Jesus gave to Peter and the Apostles was that they should direct and take charge of His Church here upon the earth. Following the history of the Apostles as it is given, we find that when any dissensions arose in the Church, men were sent to Peter and James and John at Jerusalem, to learn from them what was the word of God on those matters, and the decision of the Apostles was the end of controversy. There we have the precedent given us, that when the President of the Church was taken away, the Apostles took the place. Jesus presided over the Church while He lived in the flesh upon the earth; He continued to preside over the Church through His Spirit, and revealed His word to His servants, but His earthly representatives were the apostles, and they took charge of the Church. So when the Prophet Joseph was martyred, the responsibility rested where he had placed it. There was no talk of heredity; there was nothing said about his relatives taking charge; but there was the quorum of the Apostles, and upon them rested the responsibility of carrying on the work, and they did so; they continued the work that Joseph had commenced so well.
There has been a claim made that the Church was disorganized at the death of the Prophet, and hence the necessity of a re-organization. The Church was not disorganized; the quorum of the Twelve was not disorganized, neither were the quorums of the Seventies, nor the Bishops, nor the Elders, nor the Lesser Priesthood; all of them were just the same after the death of the Prophet as before. As they had been organized by him, so they continued, and at no time have the quorums of the Priesthood been disorganized. Wherein is the claim, then, justified? Did He reject His Church because the Prophet and his brother sealed their testimonies with their blood? Should it be a cause for disorganizing the Church, that the people were driven away from their homes and had their houses burned, and their temple taken from them? The answer is self-evident. They showed themselves brave and true; they continued with the work of the temple until they could go into it, and receive their promised blessings. When persecution raged and they were driven forth they had to leave the temple, but they did not give up the Gospel. Perhaps there were not so many members in some of the quorums, for there were men who, too cowardly to share the trials of the Saints went away, and were not willing to bear the burden and the heat of the day, and follow the Church. The Lord, however, blessed His Saints and led them to this land. When they came here, they had not forgotten that they owed a duty to the people of the whole world to preach the restored Gospel to them, and in a year or so missionaries were sent forth to the different nations upon the earth. We thank the Lord that these men came to the countries where we lived, and brought the light of the Gospel, which gave us peace in our souls, and the' testimony that God had revealed Himself in our day. You can bear that testimony with me, we thank the Lord for the administration of President Young and his brethren the apostles.
When the First Presidency was organized by them, it was done according to the pattern set by the Prophet himself. The Church has been organized in the way that God intended; and it has never needed any reorganization, because it has never been disorganized, even through the darkest days of the expulsion and drivings.
I thank the Lord that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I pray that I may be faithful to the covenants I have made with Him; and I ask that His blessings may rest upon all present and upon all Israel, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Marvelous character of work done by Joseph Smith.—Convincing effects of reading the Book of Mormon.—Wonderful perfection of the Church organization.— Succession in Presidency of Church after the crucifixion. — Church not disorganized, no need to be re-organized.
I believe we all feel pleased to hear the remarks of Brother Winder. Think of his being eighty-seven years old, and yet is able to talk with such vigor as he did. He is in full possession of all his faculties ; his memory is strong ; he is an encyclopedia on everything pertaining to the Church. I know he is a man who fulfills the duties of his office to the acceptance of our heavenly Father, and we feel pleased to be in his company.
I rejoice in what has been said in this conference. I endorse the instructions that have been given. I feel that the Lord has given unto us His word, and I hope, when we leave for home, we will take with us the good influence of the spirit that has been present, and remember the teachings that have been given us.
I was just thinking of the words that the Lord revealed to his servant Joseph Smith, a year before the Church was organized. He says: "Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men."
You remember, it was fourteen months before the Church was organized, that this revelation was given to a young man only twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He was told that a marvelous work was about to come forth among the children of men. Reading these words now, so many years since the revelation was given, can we say that they have not been fulfilled? Has not a marvelous work been brought forth among the children of men? Certainly, it has been a marvel to many. When you contemplate and investigate the principles of the Gospel, as brought forth through the instrumentality of that young man, you marvel at the consistency of every principle with the holy scriptures. All the Prophet taught was indeed sound doctrine, and he himself proved to be a prophet of God. The Lord fulfilled his prophecies on subjects both relating to this people and to the whole nation. The Prophet Joseph spoke and prophesied of things that, apparently, were not likely to come to pass, but we have seen them fulfilled to the very letter. As a prophet, he is sustained by his prophecies; as a teacher, he is sustained by the doctrines he taught, for they are true and consistent with the teachings of the prophets of old; and as a man he was loved by those who were acquainted with him'. Those who went in and out of his home, who saw him daily, loved him better than any one else! When you meet these people, you are delighted to hear them talk about him, about his kindness, and the pleasant intercourse they had with him, how they love to tell about sitting- under his voice, and hearing him instruct the people! They will testify that they know he was a man of God. And every one of us who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, can bear the same testimony, for the Spirit has testified unto us that he spoke the truth. The marvelous work was inaugurated by him; and how quickly the early Elders commenced to labor; for it was said in the same revelation that the field was already white for harvest. They accepted this work, and they went out and preached unto men, and laid before them this wonderful message.
It took men of moral courage to receive that testimony, for already, at that time, and even before then, persecution had started. The adversary wanted to stop this work, and if ever there was a time that it could have been stopped, it would seem to have been then, when there were so few in the Church; but the One who had established the work was greater than the adversary, and He had power to protect it. Even in its infancy, although the Church met with such strong persecution, it still prospered. The Book of Mormon was published, in an edition of five thousand copies. We had no other pamphlets or tracts to spread among the people, but that book contained the word of God, the Gospel in its plainness, and it did a good missionary work. It was sold to the people, and loaned or given to them; men read it, and many received a testimony of the truth of the principles it contained. President Joseph F. Smith has a copy of the first edition which was the means of bringing such men as Joseph Young, Brigham Young, Phineas Young, Lorenzo Young and John Young into the Church. They read it; they were convinced; and they joined the Church. You know what strong men they were—not easily persuaded, but when the light of the Spirit of God illumined their hearts they were willing to accept the truth, and they became strong defenders of the faith—especially such a man as President Young, and also Joseph Young, the good and kind leader of the Seventies. The Book of Mormon was indeed a work that carried with it convincing power. There was a time when we thought that argumentative works were better to scatter among the people, and then afterwards let them read the Book of Mormon; but our brethren have been directed to try to disseminate or to spread the Book of Mormon among the people. I hear that the last edition printed in the Northern States, consists of one hundred thousand copies, and they are selling very fast. One firm sent an order, the other day, for five hundred copies, and they were wanted at once; this shows that the book is a seller. Now, we want to get the book into the homes of all men, that they may have a chance to know what it contains, and they will have the opportunity to either receive or reject it. Our mission is to reach all men. and I believe that the Book of Mormon will show the people what are the principles of the Gospel, and teach them so plainly that if they reject it, they will do so because they let prejudice govern them. This book has been translated into many languages; it is read from the North Cape, in Norway, to the southern point of the Cape of Good Hope; and in nearly all parts of the world. Yet we want it distributed still more among the people.
It was said that knowledge should cover the earth as the waters cover the deep. This seems to be fulfilling in our day. Bibles have been printed in every language — as early as 1861, this claim was made. Men of liberal means have done what they could to have editions of the Bible circulated among the pagans as well as among civilized peoples. I consider that they have done a great deal of good in doing this, for the Bible contains the word of God. It is true that it has passed through many translations, but the Lord has had His hand over it and has preserved His word, so that it has come down to us in nearly perfect shape, though we believe that in some parts, through the translators' ignorance or, perhaps, wilfulness, it may not have been translated correctly. We believe in it; we are glad to find that it has been distributed among all people. I pray that the Book of Mormon may have the same destiny, that it may be known among all people.
A couple of weeks ago I heard with pleasure President Richard W. Young give a concise statement of the organizations in our Church. When you examine the organization of this Church you find that it is wonderful in its perfection. And it has not been the product of experimentation, for it has not been added to year by year. The organization of the Priesthood was given in the very beginning. On the very day that the Church was organized, the revelation on Church government was given. Before the Church was organized it was made known that there should be Apostles in the Church. Nearly a year before, the Three Witnesses were called by revelation to select the Twelve. On the 6th of April, 1830, when the Church was organized, there were but nine, or thereabouts, in the Church. We know the names of the six who took part in the incorporation of the Church, and there were very few others. There were not enough members then to fill all the offices in the Church; but the revelation was given; an outline of what it should be was already understood by the prophet and his brethren, and they knew what officers should be placed in the Church. It took some time, however, to complete the organization. Elders were the first officers ordained. There are two divisions in the Priesthood: the Aaronic and Melchizedek. An Elder holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. Joseph Smith presided over the Church, first as an elder; but when the time came and the Church had grown more numerous, other and higher offices in the same priesthood were conferred. The leading elders were called and ordained High Priests, and then Joseph Smith presided over the Church as a High Priest. For nearly a year after its organization the Church was ministered to by elders. Then bishops were called and ordained, at that time from the Elders' quorums, and afterwards the High Priests' quorum was instituted. Then it was revealed that bishops and presiding men in the Church should hold the office of a High Priest.
Some have wondered that the Prophet was ordained an Elder on the 6th of April, 1830. He held the Melchizedek Priesthood before, but the offices in the priesthood did not exist until the Church was organized and gave its consent; then he was ordained an Elder. Afterwards he was ordained to be a High Priest, and he ordained other High Priests. In 1832 Joseph Smith was called by revelation to be President of the Church, but the First Presidency was not organized until March, 1833, when Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Williams were chosen to be his counselors; and the three took charge of the affairs of the Church. In 1835 the quorum of the Twelve Apostles was organized. It had been indicated before the Church was organized who should select them and ordain them. Then, shortly afterwards, the Seventies were called, and again other Seventies, until we have an army of Seventies today. The Lesser Priesthood was also organized early in the Church, and has continued as first started.
I thought I would draw your minds to these points, showing that the quorums were organized as the Church needed them, and it was not by men suggesting that now it would be good to have such and such a quorum. The Lord indicated before the Church was organized, what quorums would be needed in the Church, and the organization was proceeded with as rapidly as the needs of the Church required it.
We come to the time of 1844, when the President of the Church, the Prophet, and Seer, was incarcerated in jail and foully assassinated, with his brother, the Patriarch of the Church. Such a thing as the breaking up of the First Presidency had not been contemplated by the Church, and there were many in the Church, not having given the matter any study or thought, who wondered who should be the successor. Before the Prophet was murdered, he had called the Apostles together, and had instructed them in all things pertaining to the Priesthood; and he had laid upon their shoulders the responsibility of carrying on the work; hence they were the men to preside over the Church when the Prophet was gone. And this had its precedent in the scriptures. We find the first-day Church organized with apostles, seventies, and other officers in the Priesthood. They had been called by the Savior Himself. We are told by Paul that He gave apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, etc. Consequently, 'if He gave these officers to the Church he organized the Church when He was taken away from among men, He left His apostles to take care of it. There was no mention of his brothers or any relatives to preside over the Church. He laid it upon Peter and the apostles to do this. I desire to read a few words on this subject. When Jesus met with His disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the Evangelist says: "So when they dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him:-Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto' him: Feed my lambs." This was the first question. He asked Peter if he loved Him more than these. This language I know can be interpreted in two ways, but we may understand the meaning when we think of Peter's expression at the last supper, when Jesus said that there would be many that would be offended at Him. Peter declared that he would never be offended at Him; he felt so strong. Jesus tells him that before the cock should crow that night, he would deny Him three times. Peter said, if I should die with you, I would not deny you. Now, this was Peter when he was under the good influence of the Master. Having a testimony for himself and feeling strong he depended on his own power. "Do you love me more than these?" He had said that he would never deny Him, and yet he had done so. He felt the gentle rebuke, and said: "Thou knowest I love thee," and the Master said: "Feed my lambs." The next verse reads: "He said to him again, the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my sheep." The word which is here translated "feed" is a different word in the Greek text from the word so translated above. The word first used is "boske," which is translated, "to graze; feed, nourish." The word used in the second place is: "pomaine," which has been translated "feed," but has a much broader meaning than that. My lexicon gives the following translation of "pomaine:" "to herd; to be a shepherd; to rule; to take care of; to tend." Peter was, therefore, called to be the shepherd, the caretaker, the ruler of the Church. And the third time, He saith: 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Peter was grieved because He said it unto him the third time, and he replied: "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said unto him, "Feed my sheep." Here the word "feed" is the same as in the first reply — where He told Peter to feed His lambs. Now I consider that the charge which Jesus gave to Peter and the Apostles was that they should direct and take charge of His Church here upon the earth. Following the history of the Apostles as it is given, we find that when any dissensions arose in the Church, men were sent to Peter and James and John at Jerusalem, to learn from them what was the word of God on those matters, and the decision of the Apostles was the end of controversy. There we have the precedent given us, that when the President of the Church was taken away, the Apostles took the place. Jesus presided over the Church while He lived in the flesh upon the earth; He continued to preside over the Church through His Spirit, and revealed His word to His servants, but His earthly representatives were the apostles, and they took charge of the Church. So when the Prophet Joseph was martyred, the responsibility rested where he had placed it. There was no talk of heredity; there was nothing said about his relatives taking charge; but there was the quorum of the Apostles, and upon them rested the responsibility of carrying on the work, and they did so; they continued the work that Joseph had commenced so well.
There has been a claim made that the Church was disorganized at the death of the Prophet, and hence the necessity of a re-organization. The Church was not disorganized; the quorum of the Twelve was not disorganized, neither were the quorums of the Seventies, nor the Bishops, nor the Elders, nor the Lesser Priesthood; all of them were just the same after the death of the Prophet as before. As they had been organized by him, so they continued, and at no time have the quorums of the Priesthood been disorganized. Wherein is the claim, then, justified? Did He reject His Church because the Prophet and his brother sealed their testimonies with their blood? Should it be a cause for disorganizing the Church, that the people were driven away from their homes and had their houses burned, and their temple taken from them? The answer is self-evident. They showed themselves brave and true; they continued with the work of the temple until they could go into it, and receive their promised blessings. When persecution raged and they were driven forth they had to leave the temple, but they did not give up the Gospel. Perhaps there were not so many members in some of the quorums, for there were men who, too cowardly to share the trials of the Saints went away, and were not willing to bear the burden and the heat of the day, and follow the Church. The Lord, however, blessed His Saints and led them to this land. When they came here, they had not forgotten that they owed a duty to the people of the whole world to preach the restored Gospel to them, and in a year or so missionaries were sent forth to the different nations upon the earth. We thank the Lord that these men came to the countries where we lived, and brought the light of the Gospel, which gave us peace in our souls, and the' testimony that God had revealed Himself in our day. You can bear that testimony with me, we thank the Lord for the administration of President Young and his brethren the apostles.
When the First Presidency was organized by them, it was done according to the pattern set by the Prophet himself. The Church has been organized in the way that God intended; and it has never needed any reorganization, because it has never been disorganized, even through the darkest days of the expulsion and drivings.
I thank the Lord that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I pray that I may be faithful to the covenants I have made with Him; and I ask that His blessings may rest upon all present and upon all Israel, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG.
My brethren and sisters, I desire very much that you will assist me by praying for me, and that I may be enabled to make you hear, during the short time that I shall occupy. President Smith has invited me to say a few words, and I will endeavor to do so. I will begin by saying that I endorse, very heartily, the vote that was taken for the suppression of the drinking habit and the sale of alcoholic drinks, in the communities of the Latter-day Saints. To show that I am not illiberal at all, I wish the same unanimity of spirit could be shown in every community wherever there is a Christian settlement established. I am willing that the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, the Quakers, the Shakers, the Congregationalists, the Campbellites and all other ites, and all other denominations claiming to have the Christian religion and faith, I am willing that they should show their loyalty to the cause of right and to the spread of the principles of temperance, and vote as you voted here, day before yesterday, for the suppression of the vice of the drunkard; and also for the establishment of more definite rules enjoining upon this people, and every other people, the observance of the Sabbath day. I have seen, with a very great deal of dissatisfaction, for the last two or three years, in this our beloved city of Salt Lake, the teams and men employed by the City of Salt Lake, working, driving, plowing and scraping, placing down pavement in these streets on the Sabbath day, working as vigorously on that day as on any other day in the week. I am also reminded now that I have seen the saloons, that have been licensed by other influences than the "Mormon" people, running night and day, Sunday and week days alike, ready to receive the wayward man or foolish person within those drinking dens, and there administer the cup that inebriates, and that destroys the soul. When I voted with you on this question, and lifted my voice as loud as. I could, that I might at least hear my own expression on the subject, I believed with all my heart that you voted as I did, sincerely, and with the hope that your influence, from this time, would be felt from' one end of the land to the other. As it is a fact that you brethren and sisters here assembled on that day, and on the days subsequent, are a representative body of this great people, I am satisfied that the influence of that vote will be carried to all of our organizations.
I rejoice today, my brethren and sisters, when I remember the opening remarks of President Smith; and I hope we will all follow his instructions. He called our attention to the extensive neglect of the people to observe that law, that commandment which the Lord gave for the preservation of His people, that will give them length of years, and spiritual as well as physical strength ; for in the act of obedience to this great commandment we are insured these blessings of the Lord. I know by my own experience that when I have endeavored, with what little ability I have, to exemplify His word and keep His commandments, I have realized a direct answer to my prayers, and have felt within my soul that the Lord had been kind and merciful to me, because I had shown a willingness to do His will; and I know that is the experience of the Elders as they go out into the nations of the earth. They speak with power and with strength because they feel that they are on the Lord's business, that they are preaching His Gospel, that they are exemplar? of the life that He has designed they should live. While I apply this word of commendation to our Elders, I apply it likewise to our brethren in their local capacities, as presidents of stakes, as bishops of wards. The most successful officers in the Church are those who live closest to the Lord. This we see exemplified in these great gatherings, for we do know that our brethren who preside over us are devoted to the work of the Lord, and are determined to magnify the holy calling which has been laid upon them. They are exemplary in their lives, and we see it evidenced. When they stand before the people to proclaim the word of the Lord unto us, we know that it comes from their hearts which are pure and clean before Him.
I rejoice to be able to bear this testimony to you today, my brethren and sisters. I rejoice in being here in this great congregation of the saints. These are gatherings long to be remembered; they will be historic forever. The words that come from our President, and other leaders, will be remembered; they will be recorded for us and our children to read in the future. I refer to the record of these great gatherings of annual and semiannual conferences.
My brethren and sisters, there are many things that need reforming. There is a very good chance for every Elder in Israel to preach the Gospel, not only abroad in the nations but at home, by the firesides of the people, in the streets, upon the sidewalk. Wherever we travel we generally find an opportunity to correct evil, and we should do so in a mild spirit, even the spirit of our Lord and Savior; not rail against evil but kindly call the attention of the trespasser to the fact that he is not aligned with the Spirit of the Gospel. As Jesus taught, let us forgive our enemies, and always lend a helping hand to our neighbors. He said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself." Sometimes we find it difficult to love some of our neighbors' actions. During the history of this people, we have seen times and experiences wherein we could not endorse the actions of our neighbors; yet if they will repent of their sins, and receive the Gospel we will gladly offer them, in the name of Jesus, salvation and redemption. This is the duty and calling of every Latter-day Saint Elder.
I pray the Lord to bless our leaders, and to bless the people all the. day long that He will give us hearts to understand and a determination to carry out the will of the Lord, and to fulfill His purposes in our creation, that we may inherit eternal life, with our loved ones and with all the saints, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Sweet Spirit, hear my prayer," was sung by Sister Claribel Gardner.
My brethren and sisters, I desire very much that you will assist me by praying for me, and that I may be enabled to make you hear, during the short time that I shall occupy. President Smith has invited me to say a few words, and I will endeavor to do so. I will begin by saying that I endorse, very heartily, the vote that was taken for the suppression of the drinking habit and the sale of alcoholic drinks, in the communities of the Latter-day Saints. To show that I am not illiberal at all, I wish the same unanimity of spirit could be shown in every community wherever there is a Christian settlement established. I am willing that the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, the Quakers, the Shakers, the Congregationalists, the Campbellites and all other ites, and all other denominations claiming to have the Christian religion and faith, I am willing that they should show their loyalty to the cause of right and to the spread of the principles of temperance, and vote as you voted here, day before yesterday, for the suppression of the vice of the drunkard; and also for the establishment of more definite rules enjoining upon this people, and every other people, the observance of the Sabbath day. I have seen, with a very great deal of dissatisfaction, for the last two or three years, in this our beloved city of Salt Lake, the teams and men employed by the City of Salt Lake, working, driving, plowing and scraping, placing down pavement in these streets on the Sabbath day, working as vigorously on that day as on any other day in the week. I am also reminded now that I have seen the saloons, that have been licensed by other influences than the "Mormon" people, running night and day, Sunday and week days alike, ready to receive the wayward man or foolish person within those drinking dens, and there administer the cup that inebriates, and that destroys the soul. When I voted with you on this question, and lifted my voice as loud as. I could, that I might at least hear my own expression on the subject, I believed with all my heart that you voted as I did, sincerely, and with the hope that your influence, from this time, would be felt from' one end of the land to the other. As it is a fact that you brethren and sisters here assembled on that day, and on the days subsequent, are a representative body of this great people, I am satisfied that the influence of that vote will be carried to all of our organizations.
I rejoice today, my brethren and sisters, when I remember the opening remarks of President Smith; and I hope we will all follow his instructions. He called our attention to the extensive neglect of the people to observe that law, that commandment which the Lord gave for the preservation of His people, that will give them length of years, and spiritual as well as physical strength ; for in the act of obedience to this great commandment we are insured these blessings of the Lord. I know by my own experience that when I have endeavored, with what little ability I have, to exemplify His word and keep His commandments, I have realized a direct answer to my prayers, and have felt within my soul that the Lord had been kind and merciful to me, because I had shown a willingness to do His will; and I know that is the experience of the Elders as they go out into the nations of the earth. They speak with power and with strength because they feel that they are on the Lord's business, that they are preaching His Gospel, that they are exemplar? of the life that He has designed they should live. While I apply this word of commendation to our Elders, I apply it likewise to our brethren in their local capacities, as presidents of stakes, as bishops of wards. The most successful officers in the Church are those who live closest to the Lord. This we see exemplified in these great gatherings, for we do know that our brethren who preside over us are devoted to the work of the Lord, and are determined to magnify the holy calling which has been laid upon them. They are exemplary in their lives, and we see it evidenced. When they stand before the people to proclaim the word of the Lord unto us, we know that it comes from their hearts which are pure and clean before Him.
I rejoice to be able to bear this testimony to you today, my brethren and sisters. I rejoice in being here in this great congregation of the saints. These are gatherings long to be remembered; they will be historic forever. The words that come from our President, and other leaders, will be remembered; they will be recorded for us and our children to read in the future. I refer to the record of these great gatherings of annual and semiannual conferences.
My brethren and sisters, there are many things that need reforming. There is a very good chance for every Elder in Israel to preach the Gospel, not only abroad in the nations but at home, by the firesides of the people, in the streets, upon the sidewalk. Wherever we travel we generally find an opportunity to correct evil, and we should do so in a mild spirit, even the spirit of our Lord and Savior; not rail against evil but kindly call the attention of the trespasser to the fact that he is not aligned with the Spirit of the Gospel. As Jesus taught, let us forgive our enemies, and always lend a helping hand to our neighbors. He said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself." Sometimes we find it difficult to love some of our neighbors' actions. During the history of this people, we have seen times and experiences wherein we could not endorse the actions of our neighbors; yet if they will repent of their sins, and receive the Gospel we will gladly offer them, in the name of Jesus, salvation and redemption. This is the duty and calling of every Latter-day Saint Elder.
I pray the Lord to bless our leaders, and to bless the people all the. day long that He will give us hearts to understand and a determination to carry out the will of the Lord, and to fulfill His purposes in our creation, that we may inherit eternal life, with our loved ones and with all the saints, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Sweet Spirit, hear my prayer," was sung by Sister Claribel Gardner.
PATRIARCH JOHN SMITH.
It is with peculiar feelings, my brethren and sisters, that I stand before you on this occasion. I have listened attentively to the remark which have been made during this conference, and I can indorse every sentiment, every word, and bear testimony that the sayings we have listened to have come from the right source; they have been given to us through the whisperings of the Good Spirit with which owe Father in Heaven has inspired those who have spoken to us. I say to the people I trust that these instructions will sink deep into their hearts, and that they may profit thereby.
I can bear testimony to the truth of this work. I bear you my testimony that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the living God, and that through his labors and the gifts which came from the Father, this work has been thus far established, and that his successors have been in the true path, that they have worked and labored for the furtherance of the cause of truth. They have been men of God, prophets, seers, and revelators and their teachings have been just and true, I can also bear testimony to the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in many ways, for myself individually. On one or two occasions, from overwork, exposure, and so forth, physically I have been broken down, but through the faith and prayers of the saints, I have been restored. I can bear testimony that the Lord has heard my petitions, not only in my own behalf but also in behalf of many of the people. I often meet individuals who have received blessings under my hands, promises and so forth, and they have borne testimony that the words which I have spoken, under these circumstances have been prophetic, that the promises I have made have come true, every word.
Although I am not, probably, living in the full sense of the word up to the revealed law in all respects, I have striven to do my duty; I have tried to do that which the Father has called me to do. As a rule, there are many people more guilty of sin of omission than sins of commission, and I trust that this has been my lot. I admonish the people to try to understand their duties, to try to live in obedience to the laws of God, and to keep His commandments. If we as a people will listen to the whisperings of the still small voice we will not often err in judgment; and if we call upon the Father, in humility, in a proper way, He will hear our petitions and answer them. I often admonish the people when they get their blessings under my hands, and say to them they must first learn to listen to the whisperings of the still small voice; and if they will seek for the gift of discernment, they will be guided by the Spirit of Truth.
I pray God, the Eternal Father,, to let His blessings rest upon all Israel, and guide us in the true path, that when we have finished our work here, we may be worthy of His blessings. May Father add His blessings unto us, qualify us for every duty, that we may fill the missions whereunto He has called us. If we will strive diligently to do this, His blessings will be with us and make us equal to every task. May the Lord help us to fill the mission whereunto we are called, and thereby be worthy of His continued favor, I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
It is with peculiar feelings, my brethren and sisters, that I stand before you on this occasion. I have listened attentively to the remark which have been made during this conference, and I can indorse every sentiment, every word, and bear testimony that the sayings we have listened to have come from the right source; they have been given to us through the whisperings of the Good Spirit with which owe Father in Heaven has inspired those who have spoken to us. I say to the people I trust that these instructions will sink deep into their hearts, and that they may profit thereby.
I can bear testimony to the truth of this work. I bear you my testimony that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the living God, and that through his labors and the gifts which came from the Father, this work has been thus far established, and that his successors have been in the true path, that they have worked and labored for the furtherance of the cause of truth. They have been men of God, prophets, seers, and revelators and their teachings have been just and true, I can also bear testimony to the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in many ways, for myself individually. On one or two occasions, from overwork, exposure, and so forth, physically I have been broken down, but through the faith and prayers of the saints, I have been restored. I can bear testimony that the Lord has heard my petitions, not only in my own behalf but also in behalf of many of the people. I often meet individuals who have received blessings under my hands, promises and so forth, and they have borne testimony that the words which I have spoken, under these circumstances have been prophetic, that the promises I have made have come true, every word.
Although I am not, probably, living in the full sense of the word up to the revealed law in all respects, I have striven to do my duty; I have tried to do that which the Father has called me to do. As a rule, there are many people more guilty of sin of omission than sins of commission, and I trust that this has been my lot. I admonish the people to try to understand their duties, to try to live in obedience to the laws of God, and to keep His commandments. If we as a people will listen to the whisperings of the still small voice we will not often err in judgment; and if we call upon the Father, in humility, in a proper way, He will hear our petitions and answer them. I often admonish the people when they get their blessings under my hands, and say to them they must first learn to listen to the whisperings of the still small voice; and if they will seek for the gift of discernment, they will be guided by the Spirit of Truth.
I pray God, the Eternal Father,, to let His blessings rest upon all Israel, and guide us in the true path, that when we have finished our work here, we may be worthy of His blessings. May Father add His blessings unto us, qualify us for every duty, that we may fill the missions whereunto He has called us. If we will strive diligently to do this, His blessings will be with us and make us equal to every task. May the Lord help us to fill the mission whereunto we are called, and thereby be worthy of His continued favor, I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
AUTHORITIES SUSTAINED.
Elder Heber J. Grant presented the General Authorities of the Church, to be voted upon by the assembly, as follows:
Joseph F. Smith, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
John R. Winder, as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Anthon H. Lund, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Francis M. Lyman, as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As Members of the Council of Twelve Apostles, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith, Charles W. Penrose, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay and Anthony W. Ivins.
John Smith, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Patriarch, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin and Charles H. Hart.
Charles W. Nibley, as Presiding Bishop, with Orrin P. Miller and David A. Smith, as his First and Second Counselors.
Joseph F. Smith, as trustee-in-trust for the body of religious worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Anthon H. Lund, as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
Andrew Jenson, A. Milton Musser, Brigham H. Roberts and Joseph F. Smith, Jr., Assistant Historians.
As Members of the General Church Board of Education—Joseph F. Smith, Willard Young, Anthon H. Lund, George H. Brimhall, Rudger Clawson, John R. Winder, Charles W. Penrose, Horace H. Cummings and Orson F. Whitney.
Arthur Winter, Secretary and Treasurer to the General Church Board of Education.
Horace H. Cummings, General Superintendent of Church Schools.
Board of Examiners for Church Schools—Horace H. Cummings, Chairman; George H. Brimhall, James H. Lindford and Willard Young.
Tabernacle Choir—Evan Stephens, Conductor ; Horace S. Ensign, Assistant Conductor; John J. Mc- Clellan, organist ; Edward P. Kimball and Walter J. Poulton, Jr., assistant organists.; George C. Smith, Secretary and Treasurer; Noel S. Pratt, Librarian ; and all the members.
Auditing Committee — Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, William W Riter, August W. Carlson, and Henry H. Rolapp.
Duncan M. McAllister, as Clerk of the Conference.
General Board of Relief Society —Bathsheba W. Smith, President; Annie Tavlor Hyde, First Counselor; Ida Smoot Dusenberry, Second Counselor; Emmeline B. Wells, Secretary; Clarissa S. Williams, Treasurer. Members of the Board : Jane S. Richards, Sarah Jenne Cannon, Romania B. Penrose, Susan Grant, Emma S. Woodruff, Julina L. Smith, Emily S. Richards, Julia P. M. Farnsworth, Phoebe Y. Beatie, Carrie S. Thomas, Alice Merrill Home, Annie Wells Cannon, Priscilla P. Jennings, Rebecca E. Little, Elizabeth S. Wilcox, Harriet B. Harker, Minnie H. James, Rebecca N. Nibley. Lizzie Thomas Edward, Director of Music ; Edna H. Coray, Accompanist.
Emma A. Empey, Superintendent of Nurse Work; Dr. Margaret C. Roberts, Instructor of Nurse Work; Phoebe Y. Beatie, Secretary and Treasurer.
Deseret Sunday School Union — Joseph F. Smith, Superintendent; George Reynolds, First Assistant Superintendent; David O. McKay, Second Assistant Superintendent; George D. Pyper, Secretary; John F. Bennett, Treasurer. Members of the Board: Joseph F. Smith,George Reynolds, David O. McKay, Joseph W. Summerhays, Levi W. Richards, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, Hugh J. Cannon, Andrew Kimball, James W. Ure, John F. Bennett, Tohn M. Mills, William D- Owen, Seymour B. Young, George D. Pyper, Henry Peterson, Anthon H. Lund, John R. Winder, James E. Talmage, George M. Cannon, Horace H. Cummings, Josiah Burrows, William A. Morton, Horace S. Ensign, Stephen L. Richards, H. H. Rolapp, Harold G. Reynolds, John Henry Smith, Charles B. Felt and George H. Wallace.
General Board Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Joseph F. Smith, Superintendent; Heber J. Grant, Assistant Superintendent; B. H. Roberts, Assistant Superintendent; Alpha J. Higgs, Secretary and Treasurer; Evan Stephens, Music Director; Horace S. Ensign, Assistant Music Director. Aids : Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, J. Golden Kimball, Junius F. Wells, Rodney C. Badger, George H. Brimhall, Edward H. Anderson, Douglas M. Todd, Thomas Hull, Nephi L. Morris, Willard Done, LeRoi C. Snow, Frank Y. Taylor, Rudger Clawson, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. Mc- Murrin, Reed Smoot, Briant S. Hinckley, Moses W. Taylor, Brigham F. Grant, Henry S. Tanner, Hyrum M. Smith, Joseph F. Smith, Jr., Ovando C. Beebe, Lewis T. Cannon, Benjamin Goddard,George Albert Smith, Thomas A. Clawson, Louis A. Kelsch, James H. Anderson, Lyman R. Martineau, Charles H. Hart, John A. Widtsoe.
General Board Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association — Martha Home Tingey, President; Ruth M. Fox, First Counselor; Mae Taylor Nystrom,Second Counselor; Ann M. Cannon, Secretary; Alice K. Smith, Treasurer; Alice Calder Tuddenham, Music Director; Mattie Reed Evans, Organist; Lizzie Thomas Sardoni, Assistant Organist; Maria Y. Dougall, Honorary Member. Aids : Adella W. Eardley, Sarah Eddington, Agnes Campbell, Susa Y. Gates, May Boothe Talmage, Joan Campbell, Emma Goddard, Rose W. Bennett, Elizabeth A. C. McCune, Julia M. Brixen, Augusta W. Grant, Mary A. Freeze, Estelle Neff Caldwell, Nellie C. Taylor, Emily C. Adams, Mary E. Connelly, Elen Wallace, Lucy Woodruff Smith, Jane Ballantyne Anderson, Edith Rossiter Lovesy, Letitia Thomas Teasdale.
General Board of Primary Association— Louie B. Felt, President; May Anderson and Clara W. Beebe, Counselors ; Olive D. Christensen, Secretary; Margaret C. Hull, Assistant Secretary; Emeline McMaster, Treasurer; Vera I. Felt, Recording Secretary ; Ida B. Smith, Librarian; Norma Fenton, Organist. Aids: Aurelia S. Rogers, Lulu L. Greene Richards, Isabelle S. Ross, Camilla C. Cobb, Eliza Slade Bennion, Edna L. Smith, Edna Harker Thomas, Alice L. Howarth, Emma Romney, Rebecca Nibley, Zina Y. Card, Vilate Peart, Maria B. Winder, Lillie T. Freeze and Josephine R. West, honorary members.
General Board of Religion Classes—Anthon H. Lund, Superintendent; Rudger Clawson, First Assistant Superintendent ; Hyrum M. Smith, Second Assistant Superintendent; Joseph J. Cannon, Secretary. Members of the Board: Anthon H. Lund, Rudger Clawson, Hyrum M. Smith, Henry Peterson, Horace H. Cummings, Josenh W. Summerhays, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W.McMurrin, Louis A. Kelsch, John Henry Evans, William A. Morton, Joseph J. Cannon, George Albert Smith, Charles W. Penrose, Orson F. Whitney, George F. Richards, George H. Brimhall, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and Anthony W. Ivins. Aids to Board: J. E. King, Stephen L. Richards.
Each and all of those named were duly sustained in the positions designated, by unanimous vote of the Conference.
Elder Heber J. Grant presented the General Authorities of the Church, to be voted upon by the assembly, as follows:
Joseph F. Smith, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
John R. Winder, as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Anthon H. Lund, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Francis M. Lyman, as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As Members of the Council of Twelve Apostles, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith, Charles W. Penrose, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay and Anthony W. Ivins.
John Smith, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Patriarch, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Seymour B. Young, Brigham H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin and Charles H. Hart.
Charles W. Nibley, as Presiding Bishop, with Orrin P. Miller and David A. Smith, as his First and Second Counselors.
Joseph F. Smith, as trustee-in-trust for the body of religious worshipers known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Anthon H. Lund, as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
Andrew Jenson, A. Milton Musser, Brigham H. Roberts and Joseph F. Smith, Jr., Assistant Historians.
As Members of the General Church Board of Education—Joseph F. Smith, Willard Young, Anthon H. Lund, George H. Brimhall, Rudger Clawson, John R. Winder, Charles W. Penrose, Horace H. Cummings and Orson F. Whitney.
Arthur Winter, Secretary and Treasurer to the General Church Board of Education.
Horace H. Cummings, General Superintendent of Church Schools.
Board of Examiners for Church Schools—Horace H. Cummings, Chairman; George H. Brimhall, James H. Lindford and Willard Young.
Tabernacle Choir—Evan Stephens, Conductor ; Horace S. Ensign, Assistant Conductor; John J. Mc- Clellan, organist ; Edward P. Kimball and Walter J. Poulton, Jr., assistant organists.; George C. Smith, Secretary and Treasurer; Noel S. Pratt, Librarian ; and all the members.
Auditing Committee — Rudger Clawson, Reed Smoot, William W Riter, August W. Carlson, and Henry H. Rolapp.
Duncan M. McAllister, as Clerk of the Conference.
General Board of Relief Society —Bathsheba W. Smith, President; Annie Tavlor Hyde, First Counselor; Ida Smoot Dusenberry, Second Counselor; Emmeline B. Wells, Secretary; Clarissa S. Williams, Treasurer. Members of the Board : Jane S. Richards, Sarah Jenne Cannon, Romania B. Penrose, Susan Grant, Emma S. Woodruff, Julina L. Smith, Emily S. Richards, Julia P. M. Farnsworth, Phoebe Y. Beatie, Carrie S. Thomas, Alice Merrill Home, Annie Wells Cannon, Priscilla P. Jennings, Rebecca E. Little, Elizabeth S. Wilcox, Harriet B. Harker, Minnie H. James, Rebecca N. Nibley. Lizzie Thomas Edward, Director of Music ; Edna H. Coray, Accompanist.
Emma A. Empey, Superintendent of Nurse Work; Dr. Margaret C. Roberts, Instructor of Nurse Work; Phoebe Y. Beatie, Secretary and Treasurer.
Deseret Sunday School Union — Joseph F. Smith, Superintendent; George Reynolds, First Assistant Superintendent; David O. McKay, Second Assistant Superintendent; George D. Pyper, Secretary; John F. Bennett, Treasurer. Members of the Board: Joseph F. Smith,George Reynolds, David O. McKay, Joseph W. Summerhays, Levi W. Richards, Francis M. Lyman, Heber J. Grant, Hugh J. Cannon, Andrew Kimball, James W. Ure, John F. Bennett, Tohn M. Mills, William D- Owen, Seymour B. Young, George D. Pyper, Henry Peterson, Anthon H. Lund, John R. Winder, James E. Talmage, George M. Cannon, Horace H. Cummings, Josiah Burrows, William A. Morton, Horace S. Ensign, Stephen L. Richards, H. H. Rolapp, Harold G. Reynolds, John Henry Smith, Charles B. Felt and George H. Wallace.
General Board Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Joseph F. Smith, Superintendent; Heber J. Grant, Assistant Superintendent; B. H. Roberts, Assistant Superintendent; Alpha J. Higgs, Secretary and Treasurer; Evan Stephens, Music Director; Horace S. Ensign, Assistant Music Director. Aids : Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, J. Golden Kimball, Junius F. Wells, Rodney C. Badger, George H. Brimhall, Edward H. Anderson, Douglas M. Todd, Thomas Hull, Nephi L. Morris, Willard Done, LeRoi C. Snow, Frank Y. Taylor, Rudger Clawson, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. Mc- Murrin, Reed Smoot, Briant S. Hinckley, Moses W. Taylor, Brigham F. Grant, Henry S. Tanner, Hyrum M. Smith, Joseph F. Smith, Jr., Ovando C. Beebe, Lewis T. Cannon, Benjamin Goddard,George Albert Smith, Thomas A. Clawson, Louis A. Kelsch, James H. Anderson, Lyman R. Martineau, Charles H. Hart, John A. Widtsoe.
General Board Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association — Martha Home Tingey, President; Ruth M. Fox, First Counselor; Mae Taylor Nystrom,Second Counselor; Ann M. Cannon, Secretary; Alice K. Smith, Treasurer; Alice Calder Tuddenham, Music Director; Mattie Reed Evans, Organist; Lizzie Thomas Sardoni, Assistant Organist; Maria Y. Dougall, Honorary Member. Aids : Adella W. Eardley, Sarah Eddington, Agnes Campbell, Susa Y. Gates, May Boothe Talmage, Joan Campbell, Emma Goddard, Rose W. Bennett, Elizabeth A. C. McCune, Julia M. Brixen, Augusta W. Grant, Mary A. Freeze, Estelle Neff Caldwell, Nellie C. Taylor, Emily C. Adams, Mary E. Connelly, Elen Wallace, Lucy Woodruff Smith, Jane Ballantyne Anderson, Edith Rossiter Lovesy, Letitia Thomas Teasdale.
General Board of Primary Association— Louie B. Felt, President; May Anderson and Clara W. Beebe, Counselors ; Olive D. Christensen, Secretary; Margaret C. Hull, Assistant Secretary; Emeline McMaster, Treasurer; Vera I. Felt, Recording Secretary ; Ida B. Smith, Librarian; Norma Fenton, Organist. Aids: Aurelia S. Rogers, Lulu L. Greene Richards, Isabelle S. Ross, Camilla C. Cobb, Eliza Slade Bennion, Edna L. Smith, Edna Harker Thomas, Alice L. Howarth, Emma Romney, Rebecca Nibley, Zina Y. Card, Vilate Peart, Maria B. Winder, Lillie T. Freeze and Josephine R. West, honorary members.
General Board of Religion Classes—Anthon H. Lund, Superintendent; Rudger Clawson, First Assistant Superintendent ; Hyrum M. Smith, Second Assistant Superintendent; Joseph J. Cannon, Secretary. Members of the Board: Anthon H. Lund, Rudger Clawson, Hyrum M. Smith, Henry Peterson, Horace H. Cummings, Josenh W. Summerhays, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W.McMurrin, Louis A. Kelsch, John Henry Evans, William A. Morton, Joseph J. Cannon, George Albert Smith, Charles W. Penrose, Orson F. Whitney, George F. Richards, George H. Brimhall, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and Anthony W. Ivins. Aids to Board: J. E. King, Stephen L. Richards.
Each and all of those named were duly sustained in the positions designated, by unanimous vote of the Conference.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
CLOSING REMARKS.
Deaths in the missions.—Blessing of Heaven invoked upon the Priesthood and Saints, and upon the Nation. — Thankfulness expressed that Utah is represented in Congress by good men.
For the benefit of the congregation, I will announce that the following elders have passed away in the various missions since Jan. 1, 1908:
Leroy Hall, Southern States mission, typhoid fever.
Burdette P. Burdette, Swiss and German mission, drowned.
Everett Hall, Central States mission, typhoid fever.
John A. Southwick, New Zealand, typhoid fever.
Emil J. Huber, Turkish mission, typhoid fever.
John Leroy Tripp, Netherlands, appendicitis.
John Loosly, Swiss and German mission, heart failure.
This is sad news. We are sorry indeed for the kindred and loved ones of these good and faithful elders who have met death while laboring in the missionary field. The Lord prolong their memories in Zion, for they died with the harness on—faithful to the covenants they had made and the commission with which they were sent forth to preach the gospel.
There are now laboring in the mission fields a little over 2,000 elders.
(After announcing the special Priesthood meeting, President Smith continued):
I desire to express briefly the sincere prayer of my heart for all this congregation and for all the faithful Latter-day Saints who have been in attendance here during this most interesting and profitable conference. I feel in my heart to invoke the blessings of the Lord more abundantly upon all the presiding general authorities of the Church and upon all the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the members of each high council, and upon all the bishops and their counselors throughout the length and breadth of Zion. I pray God to bless all our auxiliary organizations and prosper them in the labor that they have been called to perform. May the Lord give them joy and satisfaction in their labors. May they be interested, earnest, devoted, diligent and prayerful, that they may enjoy abundantly the spirit of their callings, and that their labors may be a blessing, a pleasure and a joy unto them, and exceedingly profitable to all the children of Zion for whom they labor.
I pray God, my heavenly Father, to bless you as elders in Israel, as high priests, as seventies, and all the lesser priesthood. Mav peace abide and abound with you, and oh! may the Spirit of truth, may the enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit, may the power of the living God rest down upon those, one and all, who have been ordained to the holy Priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God, and the appendages that belong to it ! May the Lord bless you in your homes; bless you as husbands; bless your wives; bless your children and your children's children to the latest generation! May God prosper Israel in all her abidings! May the Lord bless the earth for your sake and make it fruitful! May He prosper you and bless you! May He multiply your flocks and your herds and prosper you in the labor of your hands; and may you always feel inspired and inclined to honor the Lord with the first fruits of all your increase; so shall your barns be filled with plenty, and the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon you more abundantly! God bless Zion, and the Lord have mercy upon her enemies and those that seek her hurt! I have no fears in my heart, or mind, that that which is called "Mormonism"—which is indeed the gospel of Jesus Christ—will not bear the scrutiny of science and the researches of the learned and literate into all truth. The Gospel of Jesus is founded in truth. Every principle of it is susceptible of demonstration beyond any just reason for contradiction. The Lord is doing His work and will do it, and no power can stay it.
I desire that the blessings of the Lord may be upon our choir here, who have made music for us during the Sabbath day, for they were here then in full number. These days of labor, they are under the necessity of following their various occupations, and they are not able to be present, for they are bread-winners; they have to labor with their hands for their livelihood, but they give their Sabbath day and they give their time for practice for the benefit of the Church; and we ask God to bless them for it. May He unite them' together, give them confidence in their leaders, and give their leaders power and influence over them for good. May the Lord bless Brother Stephens, Brother McClellan, and their assistants, and all the members of the choir.
I ask God, my heavenly Father, to bless my counselors. May He bless President Winder, a noble spirit, an honest man, a man of truth, a man of God; and I pray God to bless Brother Lund, who is in all respects equal to Brother Winder in his integrity, in his love for the truth, and in his devotion to the cause of Zion! May the Lord bless us all and preserve us from our enemies until we shall complete our mission in the world; and while we live may He help us to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ, true to our covenants, true to our people, and true to God until we shall finish our work! This is my prayer for you all and for all Israel.
I pray for the prosperity of our great nation, for the -blessing of God to be upon the executive, the judicial and the legislative branches of our government. May the Lord bless our government and lead those that hold the power in their hands to do that which is righteous, pleasing and acceptable unto God, who established this great government by His own will and providence! I thank God, my heavenly Father, that this State of Utah is, and has been, represented in the halls of Congress by honest men, men after God's own heart, men who love their people and who are just and impartial and true to the interests of all the citizens of our state. I thank God that we are blessed with the privilege of representing ourselves rather than being misrepresented by our enemies, in the halls of Congress; and in the name of common sense I deplore the thought that any Latter-day Saint should regret that good and true men have been chosen—not by the Church, but by their own political parties—to represent the State of Utah in the halls of Congress. Thank God for it. That is my sentiment, and I hope that I shall not see the day soon when we will have the misfortune again of being either misrepresented or of failing to be properly represented in the halls of Congress.
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Samuel O. Bennion, and Conference was adjourned for six months.
Prof. Evan Stephens conducted the singing of the choir and congregation at all the conference meetings in the Tabernacle, and Prof. John J. McClellan played the accompaniments and voluntaries on the great organ, assisted by Edward P. Kimball and Walter J. Poulton, Jr.
The stenographic reports of the discourses were taken by Elders Franklin W. Otterstrom, Frederick E. Barker, and Fred G. Barker.
D. M. McAllister,
Clerk of Conference.
CLOSING REMARKS.
Deaths in the missions.—Blessing of Heaven invoked upon the Priesthood and Saints, and upon the Nation. — Thankfulness expressed that Utah is represented in Congress by good men.
For the benefit of the congregation, I will announce that the following elders have passed away in the various missions since Jan. 1, 1908:
Leroy Hall, Southern States mission, typhoid fever.
Burdette P. Burdette, Swiss and German mission, drowned.
Everett Hall, Central States mission, typhoid fever.
John A. Southwick, New Zealand, typhoid fever.
Emil J. Huber, Turkish mission, typhoid fever.
John Leroy Tripp, Netherlands, appendicitis.
John Loosly, Swiss and German mission, heart failure.
This is sad news. We are sorry indeed for the kindred and loved ones of these good and faithful elders who have met death while laboring in the missionary field. The Lord prolong their memories in Zion, for they died with the harness on—faithful to the covenants they had made and the commission with which they were sent forth to preach the gospel.
There are now laboring in the mission fields a little over 2,000 elders.
(After announcing the special Priesthood meeting, President Smith continued):
I desire to express briefly the sincere prayer of my heart for all this congregation and for all the faithful Latter-day Saints who have been in attendance here during this most interesting and profitable conference. I feel in my heart to invoke the blessings of the Lord more abundantly upon all the presiding general authorities of the Church and upon all the presidents of stakes and their counselors, the members of each high council, and upon all the bishops and their counselors throughout the length and breadth of Zion. I pray God to bless all our auxiliary organizations and prosper them in the labor that they have been called to perform. May the Lord give them joy and satisfaction in their labors. May they be interested, earnest, devoted, diligent and prayerful, that they may enjoy abundantly the spirit of their callings, and that their labors may be a blessing, a pleasure and a joy unto them, and exceedingly profitable to all the children of Zion for whom they labor.
I pray God, my heavenly Father, to bless you as elders in Israel, as high priests, as seventies, and all the lesser priesthood. Mav peace abide and abound with you, and oh! may the Spirit of truth, may the enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit, may the power of the living God rest down upon those, one and all, who have been ordained to the holy Priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God, and the appendages that belong to it ! May the Lord bless you in your homes; bless you as husbands; bless your wives; bless your children and your children's children to the latest generation! May God prosper Israel in all her abidings! May the Lord bless the earth for your sake and make it fruitful! May He prosper you and bless you! May He multiply your flocks and your herds and prosper you in the labor of your hands; and may you always feel inspired and inclined to honor the Lord with the first fruits of all your increase; so shall your barns be filled with plenty, and the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon you more abundantly! God bless Zion, and the Lord have mercy upon her enemies and those that seek her hurt! I have no fears in my heart, or mind, that that which is called "Mormonism"—which is indeed the gospel of Jesus Christ—will not bear the scrutiny of science and the researches of the learned and literate into all truth. The Gospel of Jesus is founded in truth. Every principle of it is susceptible of demonstration beyond any just reason for contradiction. The Lord is doing His work and will do it, and no power can stay it.
I desire that the blessings of the Lord may be upon our choir here, who have made music for us during the Sabbath day, for they were here then in full number. These days of labor, they are under the necessity of following their various occupations, and they are not able to be present, for they are bread-winners; they have to labor with their hands for their livelihood, but they give their Sabbath day and they give their time for practice for the benefit of the Church; and we ask God to bless them for it. May He unite them' together, give them confidence in their leaders, and give their leaders power and influence over them for good. May the Lord bless Brother Stephens, Brother McClellan, and their assistants, and all the members of the choir.
I ask God, my heavenly Father, to bless my counselors. May He bless President Winder, a noble spirit, an honest man, a man of truth, a man of God; and I pray God to bless Brother Lund, who is in all respects equal to Brother Winder in his integrity, in his love for the truth, and in his devotion to the cause of Zion! May the Lord bless us all and preserve us from our enemies until we shall complete our mission in the world; and while we live may He help us to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ, true to our covenants, true to our people, and true to God until we shall finish our work! This is my prayer for you all and for all Israel.
I pray for the prosperity of our great nation, for the -blessing of God to be upon the executive, the judicial and the legislative branches of our government. May the Lord bless our government and lead those that hold the power in their hands to do that which is righteous, pleasing and acceptable unto God, who established this great government by His own will and providence! I thank God, my heavenly Father, that this State of Utah is, and has been, represented in the halls of Congress by honest men, men after God's own heart, men who love their people and who are just and impartial and true to the interests of all the citizens of our state. I thank God that we are blessed with the privilege of representing ourselves rather than being misrepresented by our enemies, in the halls of Congress; and in the name of common sense I deplore the thought that any Latter-day Saint should regret that good and true men have been chosen—not by the Church, but by their own political parties—to represent the State of Utah in the halls of Congress. Thank God for it. That is my sentiment, and I hope that I shall not see the day soon when we will have the misfortune again of being either misrepresented or of failing to be properly represented in the halls of Congress.
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Samuel O. Bennion, and Conference was adjourned for six months.
Prof. Evan Stephens conducted the singing of the choir and congregation at all the conference meetings in the Tabernacle, and Prof. John J. McClellan played the accompaniments and voluntaries on the great organ, assisted by Edward P. Kimball and Walter J. Poulton, Jr.
The stenographic reports of the discourses were taken by Elders Franklin W. Otterstrom, Frederick E. Barker, and Fred G. Barker.
D. M. McAllister,
Clerk of Conference.