JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD—PERMANENT EQUALITY SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AMONG THE SAINTS—COVETOUSNESS—TITHING— CONSECRATION—DISTINCTIONS.

REMARKSBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, INTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,MONDAY MORNING,APRIL 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

It is a pleasure to me to bear testi- of Christ. In addition to this, which ren- mony to the great work which God has ders our message of still more impor- revealed, and which he is establishing tance to the human family, is the fact on the earth. It has been a pleasure for that we are living in the last dispensa- me to do so for nearly forty-three years. tion that will be given to mankind, called In the early rise of this Church, when the dispensation of the fullness of times. I was but a youth of nineteen, God re- All preceding dispensations have come vealed to me the truth concerning this to an end, apparently, and those who great latter-day work, and I have felt have embraced the doctrines or princi- from that day until the present time ples communicated to them have passed to bear my testimony to the same, be- away, and darkness has intervened. But ing commanded so to do. I have es- in this last dispensation which God has teemed it above all other things. The given to man, there will be no uproot- things of this world have been nothing ing and destruction of his kingdom from to me, when compared with the min- the earth—it is established never more istry, or declaring the truth to mankind. to be thrown down, in fulfillment of an- We have one of the most important cient prophecy. This is what makes this messages to deliver to the children of dispensation of greater importance than men that has ever been communicated all which have preceded it. to mortals—a dispensation of the same Here in these mountains is es- Gospel as was committed to men in the tablished a kingdom, not earthly or early ages of the world, and in the dif- transient in its nature, with officers ferent dispensations down to the coming who are called by uninspired men 2 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. but a kingdom that is divine, and which County, in the State of Missouri, we acknowledges the Great Redeemer and did well in obeying that commandment. Savior as its King and Lawgiver. It must When God, by the mouth of his servant, endure forever. commanded that we should go forth and I look back with great pleasure upon officiate and be baptized for and in be- the history of this people from the com- half of our dead kindred, we did well mencement down to the present time. I in performing that which we were com- see what God has wrought in their be- manded to do. When he commanded his half; I see what he has accomplished Saints, scattered abroad in foreign coun- among the nations. It is true that we tries, to gather to this continent, all who have not continued as faithful in all gathered in obedience to that require- things as we should. We have not made ment, with full purpose of heart to do that progression in this kingdom that his will, did well. When we were driven we ought. We have been perhaps slow from our inheritances in Jackson County, to hearken in all things to the coun- Missouri, and our lands and houses and sels which God has given, and the or- goods were spoiled, we did well in being der which he has revealed, and which faithful to God. When our enemies, a was intended to be of the greatest ad- few years after, rose en masse and drove vantage to, and to produce the greatest us from our beautiful city of Nauvoo into amount of happiness among the Saints these inhospitable western wilds, where of the Most High. I say that, in some to all human appearance we must per- respects, we have been slow to obey the ish of starvation, we did well to brave the order of Heaven. In many things we dangers of the desert, and the difficulties have done well. When the doctrines of we had to encounter in coming to these faith, repentance and baptism for the re- mountains. In many other things, too, mission of sins, the baptism of fire and we have done well. There are some few the Holy Ghost through the laying on of things, however, which I wish to name, the hands of the servants of God, were wherein I think a great reformation is taught to us, we laid hold of them with needed among the people of God. I read full purpose of heart. We covenanted in this book, called the Book of Mormon, before high heaven that we would keep of a certain order, in regard to temporal the commandments of the Lord accord- things, which existed soon after the days ing to the best of the ability which we of Christ, which was revealed and estab- had. We did well in embracing these lished by him for he benefit of the Saints heavenly principles. who lived on this Western Hemisphere. When God spake to us some forty- It was the highest order and law of the two or forty-three years ago, and com- kingdom of God in regard to temporal manded us—then scattered about in the things. I read that the ancient Saints State of New York—to gather up to upon this continent entered into that or- Ohio, we did well in hearkening to that der with all their hearts. They were not commandment, and coming together a small handful of people like the Latter- in Kirtland—then in Geauga County. day Saints, but they were spread over Again, when God gave a commandment the whole of North and South America. through his servant, the Prophet Joseph, Millions on millions of people dwelt in to gather up from all parts of the United States and form a nucleus in Jackson ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, ETC. 3 large and populous cities in the four Saints the necessity of entering into this quarters of this great Western Hemi- heavenly order in regard to their wealth? sphere, and they all entered into this He has. When? When we gathered up to heavenly order which God had estab- Jackson County in the State of Missouri. lished on this continent and continued In the year 1831, the land was conse- therein for 167 years. crated and set apart by revelation for the What was that order? They had all erection thereon of a great and heavenly things in common. Not an isolated few city unto the Most High God. Not the where Jesus ministered to them; not a old Jerusalem, but a new Jerusalem, a few individuals who dwelt in a certain city of Zion. God, by the mouth of his region of country, but the Savior having servant Joseph, who for a short space chosen twelve disciples from among the of time dwelt in the midst of the peo- multitude to whom he appeared, they ple there, revealed the law of consecra- were sent forth upon all the face of the tion, not the law of tithing, but the law land, and so great were the evidences of consecration. Let me repeat that law, given, concerning the appearance of Je- Latter-day Saints, for as it is a law which sus, that the whole people were con- will come in force at some future period verted unto the Lord, and they were will- of our history, it will not be amiss for ing to be guided by those servants who us to understand its nature and to pre- were called and ordained to administer pare to approximate to its requirements, in their midst. so that when it is introduced amongst Prior to that time there were rich us we may take hold of it with all our and poor among the people, and, from hearts. When we went up to that coun- the history given, no doubt an order of try in 1831, the commandment of the things existed on this continent in those Most High to the Saints was that they days resembling that which now exists should consecrate all that they had. Not among all the nations and kingdoms of one-tenth merely, not the surplus of their the earth—some lifted up in pride and property, but, all that they had, whether popularity because of their great wealth, it was gold, silver, household furniture, others bowed down in the dust because of wearing apparel, jewelry, horses, cat- their poverty, and class distinctions pre- tle, wagons, mechanical tools, machin- vailed until this new order of things was ery, or whatever wealth or property they established. What a blessed people! How possessed, they were to consecrate the happy they must have been! No poor ei- whole and deliver it unto the Lord's ther in North or South America. No beg- judge in the midst of Zion. Who was gars in the streets of their great cities, he? The Bishop. In those days we had but all the property—the gold and silver, not the necessity of so many Bishops as the flocks and herds, and everything that now. We were a small people then, and was calculated to make life happy in the the Bishop in Zion, under the direction possession of and enjoyed, as stewards, of the highest authorities of the Church, by the whole people. No inequality, so he being guided and inspired by the Holy far as this was concerned, for the pattern Ghost, was to take charge of all the was after the order of heavenly things. consecrations of the people of the Most Now let us ask the question—has God ever revealed to the Latter-day 4 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

High. This made them all equal, every ment, and in a short time he would gain person stood upon the same platform, his thousands, and thus in the course of possessing nothing to begin with. All a year we would again have had rich and was consecrated and became the com- poor if God had not provided against it. mon property of the Church. What provisions did the Lord make Now how was this common prop- in order to maintain this equality among erty to be used? First, the Saints his Saints permanently? He made this needed land, they needed means to build arrangement by law—that every man habitations; they needed farming uten- should be considered a steward first, and sils; they needed flocks and herds; they prove himself a wise steward before he needed manufacturing establishments; could be entitled to an everlasting in- they needed mercantile and all kinds heritance. These stewards were to ren- of mechanical business to be introduced der an account to the judge in Zion of into their midst, just as fast as they pro- their stewardships, or in other words, as cured means sufficient. By whom were it is written in the Book of Doctrine and the stewardships of the Saints laid off? Covenants—"It is required of every stew- The Lord's judge or bishop in Zion pur- ard, to render an account of his stew- chased land from the United States, and ardship, both in time and eternity." (Doc. then laid off to each man his stewardship and Cov., Sec. xc: Par. 1.) according to the number of his family. Those who were mechanics received the To whom does he render this report tools necessary to work with; those who or account? To the Lord's bishop or bish- were called upon to engage in some busi- ops, as the case may be; he reports what ness wherein a greater amount of capi- he has done with the means entrusted to tal was needed had a capital accordingly. his care. If a man has been entrusted That is, that was the intention as the with fifty or with a thousand dollars, or common property of the Church should with a million, to carry on some branch increase. of business he must, at the end of the Perhaps the question may be asked, year, render an account of that steward- could this equality be maintained from ship. If a man is only entrusted with that time, henceforth and forever? If a small farm, he renders an account of there had been no law given instructing his stewardship at the end of the year, us how this equality could be maintained and thus all those who are occupied in the people, before twelve months had these different branches of trade, ren- passed away, would have been unequal der accounts of their stewardships, con- again. Why? Because a man, perhaps, of secrating, at the end of the year, all that small talent or ability, might mismanage they have gained, excepting what it has his stewardship or inheritance, and in- cost to feed and clothe them. Are they stead of gaining anything he would lose. not equal? Yes, and this maintains a Another man, having a little more tal- permanent equality; for the man who ent and industry, and perhaps a little has gained a hundred thousand in his more wisdom, would gain a little. An- stewardship consecrates all that he has other man's business tact and knowledge not used; and the man with a smaller were perhaps such that he could carry stewardship who in the whole year, has on a large manufacturing establish- only gained fifty dollars over and above ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, ETC. 5 what he has used, consecrates that fifty. ousness he would pluck them up and The man who has gained most conse- send them out of Zion, for said he, crates most, the man who has gained "The rebellious are not of the blood least consecrates the least. This reduces of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be them yearly to the same position and plucked up, and sent away out of the condition as they were in when they com- land." God fulfilled this revelation—he menced this heavenly order. did pluck up the people; he did cast them away out of that land in the year 1833. Did the people carry out this law? Some two years and a few months af- No. Why? Because they had imbibed ter we first began to settle that country the notions which had prevailed among we were cast out of the land—plucked the people of the whole earth, and these up, just as the Lord had predicted, and notions were in direct opposition to the we were told that it was because of our order of heaven. The notions and tradi- sins and covetousness that we were sent tions of the world were that every man away. must be for himself, every family for Did the Lord forsake us? No; he had themselves, and they must labor with compassion upon us, as he had upon an- their might, mind and strength to gain cient Israel, when they were cast away all they possibly could gain, and use out of their land from time to time. In it only for themselves and their gen- what respect did he have compassion erations after them, caring nothing at upon us? When he saw the hold that the all about their neighbors. These tradi- traditions in which we had been trained tions had been instilled into our minds, had upon our hearts, he revoked, for the and we were too full of covetousness time being, the law of full consecration. and of false notions about property to Says one, "What! God revoke a com- carry out the law of God, and hence mandment?" Yes, that is the way he did many, when they came up to Zion, looked in ancient times, and he is the same God abroad upon that beautiful, rich soil, and yet. He did it for our good; for if that the excellent groves of timber, and the law had been in full force this people fine prairies and meadows, with springs would not have been in these mountains breaking forth in numerous places, as this day. Our selfishness and covetous- they do in Jackson County, and their ness are so great that, as a people, we souls lusted after these things, and the never would have complied with it. A few rich man said, "No, I will not consecrate amongst us might have done so, but as all my property, I will go to the General a people we should have been overcome Land Office and purchase for myself, and and ruined; but owing to that law being I will buy largely in order that I may revoked, many of us will now, perhaps, sell to my poor brethren when they come be saved. up here. I will buy land and speculate In the year 1834, a few months upon it, and make my fortune." That was after, we were driven out from that the feeling which existed in the hearts of goodly land. God said unto us in some of the Latter-day Saints. God saw a revelation, given on Fishing River, this, and reproved us by revelation, and "Let those laws and commandments he said to the people in Jackson County, which I have given concerning Zion by the mouth of his servant Joseph, and her properties be executed and that if they did not repent of this covet- fulfilled, after her redemption." Thus 6 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. you see, Latter-day Saints, that we are now, are showing more determination to not under the law of full consecration, pay their tithing, than they ever have and if not under the law we are not un- done heretofore. der the penalty thereof. Where there But let us come back to the other is a law there is a penalty, and when portion of this inferior law. Have we we transgress the law we incur the felt a disposition to consecrate our sur- penalty; but having been relieved, for plus property? Go east, west, north a period, from the execution of that and south, into all our settlements, and law, we were placed under another law, you will find that the men are few and which, in some respects, may be consid- far between who consecrated their sur- ered an inferior law. When was that law plus property, when they came here. In given? In 1838, some five years after we the first place, there have been but few were driven forth from our stewardships. wealthy persons who have come amongst What is that law? It is called the law of us, and the people have been their own tithing. What is the law of tithing? Part judges. Every man thought that he had of that law enjoins it upon the Saints no surplus, when he came here. If he as a duty to pay into the Lord's store- had a hundred thousand dollars on his house one-tenth of all their annual in- arrival he has said or thought, "O, I have come. But let me refer you to the ful- made such and such calculations. I wish ness of the law of tithing, for, although to become a merchant in the midst of the an inferior law, I fear that, as a peo- people, and I need thousands and thou- ple we have not kept it. The first part sands of dollars to set me up. I wish to of that law requires every man, when make thirty, forty, fifty or a hundred per- he comes into the midst of the people of cent out of these poor people, and to en- God, to consecrate all his surplus prop- able me to do so I do not think that any erty, reserving to himself a certain por- of this hundred thousand dollars can be tion. This is not a full consecration called surplus property. I need it all, I like the higher law. Latter-day Saints, cannot carry on my merchandising un- have we kept this inferior law? Has the less I have it all to set me up." man who possessed great riches, when Another man who wishes to start he came to these mountains, and num- some other branch of business makes bered himself with the people of God, his calculations so as to cover up all consecrated all his surplus property, and his property, for he thinks he will need afterwards paid a tenth of all his annual it all to enable him to carry out the income? I will tell you what we have particular branch of business which he done—as a general thing we, rich and wishes to introduce into these moun- poor, have kept all the property we had tains, for he wants to get exceedingly when we came here, and some have con- rich before the law of full consecra- secrated one-tenth part of their income, tion comes. When they are thus left and so far as this is concerned the peo- to be their own judges, where is the ple have no doubt done very well, with man who is honest enough in his feel- some few exceptions; and I am happy to ings to say, "I think I can spare fifty, be able to state, from information I have twenty, ten, five or one thousand dollars obtained from some of the Bishops of as surplus property?" This in my opin- the Church, that the Latter-day Saints, ion is wrong. They should not be their ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, ETC. 7 own judges: Who should be the judges in I do not see, for my part, how we can this matter? The Bishops whom the Lord begin to approximate to that law of one- has appointed in Zion, under the coun- ness in regard to our property unless we sel of the First Presidency of his Church commence in some new place, where the and the counsels of the Holy Ghost which Church and the settlers might be gath- rest upon them to guide their minds. The ered together and set a pattern for all people should be honest enough when the rest. I do not know but we might they come up here with means, to say accomplish it in that way. I hope that to the Bishops—"Here, I have so much we shall see something that will do away means, judge ye, how much of this shall with these distinctions of classes. I hate be surplus, and how much I shall retain." to see them in the midst of the people of The reason I make these remarks is God. that I want this people to fully under- There are many men of wealth, good, stand that there is a law given, a law honest, upright men who would be will- inferior to that of full consecration, and ing to do anything that the Lord required for every man to enquire whether he has at their hands; while there are others carried out this law according to the let- who hug their property close to their ter thereof. Perhaps the time has not hearts, as though it were dearer to them come even for this law to be fulfilled in than anything either in this world or in all its exactness. At any rate we are the world to come. There are certainly drifting along in about the same channel existing now among us distinctions of that the world does, so far as our prop- classes which if not checked, may prove erty is concerned, with the exception of the overthrow of many. For instance the paying one-tenth of our annual income rich can educate their sons and daugh- into the Lord's storehouse, and the con- ters in the best schools, academies and sequence is, there have become rich and universities; others cannot do this, be- poor in Zion, some possessing their hun- cause of their poverty. This makes the dreds of thousands, and others digging, children of the rich feel themselves above in the dust, as it were, from year's end to the children of the poor. Have we not year's end. seen in our gatherings for amusement How shall this be remedied? Is the these distinctions manifested? I have. I time come for us to execute the higher have seen those who were poorly dressed law of consecration? In undertaking to come into our parties and take a back do so in the settlements of this Terri- seat, and there they would sit, as the tory, what a revolution it would pro- old saying is, like "wallflowers," during duce! How many would apostatize and the whole party. Who would be out on go away from the Church? How many the floor enjoying themselves? The rich. of those who are comparatively wheat But in many instances there are par- would be plucked up with the tares if ties of pleasure and amusement got up we were to undertake to enforce the among the Saints, to which the poor are higher law of consecration, or the law never invited; they are got up only for of tithing in all its fullness? And it those who can dress in fine style, who would produce the same revolutionary can sweep the floor of the ballroom with results in most of the old settlements, two or three yards of their dresses drag- because we are not prepared for it. ging after them. 8 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

With the feelings engendered by got to come to that, and it is well for us these distinctions of classes, there is not in my opinion, that we begin to approx- that fellowship that should exist among imate as fast as possible, that when the the Saints of the living God. If we time shall come, we shall be prepared for wish, brethren and sisters, to go back full consecration. and build up the waste places of Zion, and to see the New Jerusalem erected How long our President has labored upon the consecrated spot, let us en- in the midst of the people here to get deavor to approximate more nearly to them to introduce home manufactures? the celestial law, that when we do get How long and loud he has lifted his back there, and that law more fully voice, in connection with his counselors, comes in force, we may be able to en- and the Twelve Apostles, to bring about ter into it; for thus saith the Lord, in this thing; but the people, instead of this Book of Covenants, "Zion cannot be hearkening to their counsel, have im- built up only according to the law of ported from abroad almost everything the celestial kingdom; otherwise I can- they needed. The President is willing, not receive her unto myself." We have but some of the people are not. Amen.

THE ORDER OF ENOCH—STUDY OF LAW—HOW TO BECOME RICH.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, INTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,MONDAY MORNING,APRIL 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

There are a few minutes to spare, vealed, it depends upon the will and do- and I wish to lay some matters before ings of the people, and we are at lib- you. I will say, first, that the Lord erty, from this Conference, to go and Almighty has not the least objection in build up a settlement, or we can join our- the world to our entering into the Or- selves together in this city, do it legally— der of Enoch. I will stand between the according to the laws of the land—and people and all harm in this. He has enter into covenant with each other by not the least objection to any man, every a firm agreement that we will live as man, all mankind on the face of the earth a family, that we will put our property turning from evil and loving and serving into the hands of a committee of trustees, him with all their hearts. With regard who shall dictate the affairs of this soci- to all those orders that the Lord has re- ety. If any man can bring up anything to THE ORDER OF ENOCH, ETC. 9 prove to the contrary I am willing to hear honest and those who are disposed to do it. But no man can do it. evil, "Go and lay claim to your neigh- Brother Pratt has told you, in his ex- bor's property, or to that which is not planations this morning, what the Lord your own, or commit some other act of has revealed and how he has been merci- injustice, and pay us, and we will clear ful to the people; and when we have not you and make your claim appear just been willing to be Latter-day Saints al- in the eye of the law;" and officers and together, but only in part, he has said, judges too often join in the unrighteous "Well, you are the best there is, and I will crusades for the lawyers to wrong the accept of you. I cannot get anybody else just. I have been in courts and have who is willing to be part Saints, and I heard lawyers quote laws that had been will lead you, my people, as long as you repealed for years, and the judge was so will let me, and I will forgive you your ignorant that he did not know it, and sins this time, and I will accept part of the lawyer would make him give a deci- your property if you will not give it all," sion according to laws which no longer etc., all showing the kindness and for- existed. Now, I request our brethren bearance of our Father in heaven; but he to go and study law, so that when they has not the least objection in the world meet any of this kind of lawyers they to our being perfect Saints. will be able to thwart their vile plans. I have a few things to lay before the I do not by any means say these things Conference, one of which is—and I think of all lawyers for we have good and just my brethren will agree with me that this men who are lawyers, and we would like is wise and practicable—for from one to to have a great many more. You go to five thousand of our young and middle- one of the pettifogging class of lawyers, aged men to turn their attention to the and get him to write a deed for you, and study of law. I would not speak lightly he will do it so that it can be picked to in the least of law, we are sustained by pieces by other lawyers. Employ such a it; but what is called the practice of law man to write a deed, bond, mortgage or is not always the administration of jus- any instrument of writing, and his study tice, and would not be so considered in will be to do it so that it will confound it- many courts. How many lawyers are self. This is the way that such men make there who spend their time from morn- business for their class. We want from ing till night in thinking and planning one to five thousand of our brethren to how they can get up a lawsuit against go and study law. this or that man, and get his property If I could get my own feelings an- into their possession? Men of this class swered I would have law in our school are land sharks, and they are no bet- books, and have our youth study law at ter than highway robbers, for their prac- school. Then lead their minds to study tice is to deceive and take advantage the decisions and counsels of the just and of all they can. I do not say that this the wise, and not forever be studying is the law, but this is the practice of how to get the advantage of their neigh- some of its professors. The effort of such bor. This is wisdom. lawyers, if they are paid well, is to clear My mind is so led upon the sub- and turn loose on society the thief, per- ject brother Pratt has been speaking jurer and murderer. They say to the dis- upon with regard to the orders that 10 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

God has revealed that I can hardly let myself and family to a merchant in Win- it alone when I am talking to the peo- ter Quarters, but I was in debt for oth- ple. He said there are many rich men ers, and I have paid the last dime that who are willing to do anything that the I know anything about. When I reached Lord requires of them. I believe this, here I could not pay one-tenth—I could and there is quite a number of poor men, not pay my surplus—I could not give my likewise, who would like to do anything all—for I had nothing. if they could only know that it was the Here is Horace S. Eldredge, he is one will of the Lord. I am about to make an of our wealthy men. What did he have application of my remarks with regard when he came here? Nothing that I to the willingness of men. But in this I know of, except just enough to get here shall except brother Pratt, for the simple with his family. William Jennings has reason that I do not know a man who is been called a millionaire. What was he more willing to do what he is told than worth when be came here? He had com- he is. If he is told to teach mathemat- paratively little. Now he is one of our ics, he is willing to do it; if he is told to wealthy men. William H. Hooper is an- make books, preach the Gospel, work in other of our wealthy men. He is worth a garden or tend cattle, he is willing to hundreds of thousands of dollars. How do it, and I know of no man more willing much had he to pay as surplus when he to do anything and everything required came here. He could pay no surplus, of him than he is. But I want to say to for he was worth nothing; but he is now our willing, kind, good brethren that, so wealthy. If he had gone to California I far as obeying the orders which God has believe he would have been poor today. revealed, I can bring the rich into line There is any amount of property, and quicker than I can get many poor men gold and silver in the earth and on the who are not worth a dollar, and who do earth, and the Lord gives to this one not know how to raise a breakfast to- and that one—the wicked as well as the morrow morning. I have tried both, and righteous—to see what they will do with know. Who is there among us who came it, but it all belongs to him. He has here rich? It was alluded to by brother handed over a goodly portion to this peo- Pratt. Look over our rich men, where are ple, and, through our faith, patience and they? Who is there among the Latter- industry, we have made us good, com- day Saints that is wealthy? When I came fortable homes here, and there are many to this valley I was a thousand dollars who are tolerably well off, and if they in debt. I left everything. I think I got were in many parts of the world they about three hundred dollars, a span of would be called wealthy. But it is not horses, and a little carriage, for all my ours, and all we have to do is to try and property I left in Nauvoo. But I bought find out what the Lord wants us to do cattle, horses and wagons, and traded with what we have in our possession, and borrowed and got the poor here by and then go and do it. If we step be- scores myself; and I have paid for these yond this, or to the right or to the left, teams since I have been here. we step into an illegitimate train of busi- When I got here I was in debt ness. Our legitimate business is to do only about a thousand dollars for what the Lord wants us to do with that THE ORDER OF ENOCH, ETC. 11 which he bestows upon us, and dispose Would you like to know how to do this? of it just as he dictates, whether it is to I can tell you in a very few words— give all, one-tenth, or the surplus. I was never want a thing you cannot get, live present at the time the revelation came within your means, manufacture that for the brethren to give their surplus which you wear, and raise that which property into the hands of the Bishops you eat. Raise every calf and lamb; raise for the building up of Zion, but I never the chickens, and have your eggs, make knew a man yet who had a dollar of sur- your butter and cheese, and always have plus property. No matter how much one a little to spare. The first year we raise a might have he wanted all he had for him- crop, and we have more than we want. self, for his children, his grandchildren, We buy nothing, we sell a little. The and so forth. next year we raise more; we buy noth- If we are disposed to enter into ing, and we sell more. In this way we covenant one with another, and have an could pile up the gold and silver and in agreement made according to the laws twenty years a hundred families work- of our land, and we are disposed to put ing like this could buy out their neigh- our property into the hands of trustees, bors. I see men who earn four, five, ten and work as we are directed—eat, drink, or fifteen dollars a day and spend every sleep, ride, walk, talk, study, school our dime of it. Such men spend their means children, our middle-aged and our aged, foolishly, they waste it instead of taking and learn the arts and sciences, the care of it. They do not know what to do laws of the Priesthood, the laws of life, with it, and they seem to fear that it will anatomy, physic and anything and ev- burn their pockets, and they get rid of erything useful upon the earth, the Lord it. If you get a dollar, sovereign, half- has not the least objection in the world, eagle or eagle, and are afraid it will burn and would be perfectly willing for us to your pockets, put it into a safe. It will not do it, and I should like, right well, for burn anything there, and you will not be us to try it. I know how to start such forced to spend, spend, spend as you do a society, right in this city, and how to now. See our boys here, why if my boys, make its members rich. I would go to by the time they are twenty, have not a now, and buy out the poorest ward in horse and carriage to drive of their own, this city, and then commence with men they think they are very badly used, and and women who have not a dollar in the say, "Well, I do not think father thinks world. Bring them here from England, or much of me." A great many things might any part of the earth, set them down in be said on this subject that I do not want this ward and put them to work, and in to say. five years we would begin to enter other Brethren, we want you to turn in and wards, and we would buy this house and study the laws of the Territory of Utah, that house, and the next house, and we of this city and other cities, and then the would add ward to ward until we owned statutes of the United States, and the the whole city, every dollar's worth of Constitution of the United States. Then property there is in it. We could do this, read the decisions of the Supreme Court. and let the rich go to California to get I do not mean the self-styled "United gold, and we would buy their property. States Supreme Court for the Ter- 12 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ritory of Utah;" but the United and do your business honestly and up- States Supreme Court that sits at rightly, in the fear of God and with the Washington—the seat of government. love of truth in your heart. The lawyer Read up their decisions, and the de- that will take this course will live and cisions of the English judges and the swim, while the poor, miserable, dishon- laws of England and of other coun- est schemers will sink and go down. We tries, and learn what they know, and live by law, and I only condemn those then if you draw up a will, deed, among the lawyers who are eternally mortgage or contract, do not study seeking to take advantage of their neigh- to deceive the man who pays you for bors. this, but make out a writing or in- strument as strong and firm as the Now we will close, and adjourn until hills, that no man can tear to pieces, 2 o'clock this afternoon.

TESTIMONY—SICKNESS IN SANPETE COUNTY—INCREASE OF CRIME IN THE WORLD—THE INEVITABLE OVERTHROW OF THE WICKED.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT ORSON HYDE, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, IN THE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,MONDAY MORNING,APRIL 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

It is very gratifying to my feelings ther and meet with our co-laborers, it is this morning, my brethren and sisters, joyful to look upon their countenances. to have the privilege of meeting with I rejoice in this opportunity of meet- you in the capacity of a General Con- ing with my brethren of the Twelve and ference. I have not spoken much in the First Presidency, and beholding them public of late, in consequence of be- mostly in the enjoyment of good health. ing, for the last six weeks, consider- ably afflicted, and confined to my room, We have been endeavoring now, for and a good portion of the time to my more than forty years, to establish the bed. I do not feel like entering into kingdom of God and bearing our testi- any special or particular subject; but mony to the nations of the earth. I, I rejoice in the opportunity of min- for one, do not know how much longer gling and associating with my friends. my voice may be heard among the liv- We are separated for some six months ing, but I rejoice in the opportunity of in the year, and when we come toge- bearing testimony to the truth whenever TESTIMONY—SICKNESS IN SANPETE COUNTY, ETC. 13 strength will permit and opportunity of- istence grieves me very much. But the fer. I take occasion to say to my brethren word of the Lord unto us has declared and sisters, this morning, that as the that scourges in the shape of sickness time is drawing near the cause seems shall be sent forth, beginning first at his more and more precious to me. It is house, and from thence they shall spread part of myself, and myself, I trust, a part and make the nations quake. of it. I rejoice in saying that I know this is the everlasting Gospel, the truth of Heaven. Having experienced it for We are living, my brethren and sis- more than forty years, I know it is true ters, in an important period of time, and and faithful, and no man can impeach when I read over the testimony of the my testimony. Not because there is so martyred Prophet, and the word of the much sterling worth in me, as there is Lord through him, it seems that in com- in the cause that I feebly advocate. It is paring the signs of the times at present true I lived in the days of the martyred with his testimony, there would be am- Prophet. I was associated with him, and ple evidence to convince any rational be- bore my testimony with him, and I feel ing that God, our heavenly Father, sent no less like bearing my testimony this him. I read of disasters by sea and by morning. land. I read of a receding from the prin- I want to say a few words in rela- ciples of honesty, and that great men tion to the place whence I came, and go into wild speculations and dishon- where I mostly labor. We have had esty, and involve the country in ruin un- some affliction there, in the shape of less there be a speedy arresting of their small pox. There have been many cases course. The murders that are commit- of that disease, but it was of a mild ted at the present time, show to me that type, and I am happy to say that it has the word of the Lord is true where he de- nearly left us, and we are again com- clares through the Prophet, "My Spirit paratively free. But we have been af- shall not always strive with man." As the flicted with a disease that is much more Spirit of the Lord forsakes the people, to be dreaded than the small pox, and bloodshed, corruption, confusion and an- which we have generally called "spotted archy must follow, and all these are in- fever." The small pox is no more to be creasing in our country. I cannot take compared to that disease than the bite up a paper without seeing the fulfillment of a flea or mosquito is to the bite of a of some of the sayings of our martyred rattlesnake. There have been about six- Prophet, and of our brethren who are teen deaths, mostly children, from spot- sitting behind me, on this stand. And ted fever, and there are some half dozen what power is there that can arrest the cases yet remaining, but no new ones. course of evil? There is nothing but gen- They have lingered for ten or twelve uine repentance and obeying the ever- weeks, and they, apparently, can neither lasting Gospel. That is the only remedy live nor die, and are mere skeletons. I that Heaven has provided; the only foun- feel sorry to see children, who should tain of life and salvation for the nations grow up and develop an intellect and a exists among these poor, despised Mor- power equal if not superior to any that mons, and I know it. Brethren and sis- now live, thus afflicted; and to see them ters, I rejoice in the Lord our God, that cut down in the morning of their ex- he has moved graciously in favor of the 14 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Latter-day Saints; and inasmuch as we ful to him who has called you and from will forsake all evil and cleave unto him whom you have derived every bless- we shall find that his words unto us ing you possess today. Remember our will be fulfilled, where he declares, "I brethren and sisters who are scattered will fight your battles." I would rather and are anxious for deliverance. Strikes live near to God and serve him with have been inaugurated in various por- all my heart and soul, might, mind and tions of the old world, and thousands of strength, than fight my own battles. If people are out of employment in conse- the Lord will fight our battles there can quence thereof. Similar operations are be no treason in that, he is too high for threatened in our own country, and they treason to attach to him. He is beyond are likely to seriously affect the wel- the reach of the power of this world, and fare and interest of the nation. In what he can hurl his storms and blast the shape troubles may come I do not know, prospects of the most sanguine, and ac- but it will be a wonder to me if blood- complish wonders, and none can stay his shed does not result. Well did the an- hand or say—"What doest thou?" The in- gel say, forty-five years ago, "Come out crease, in a thousand forms, of evils, ac- of her, my people, that ye be not partak- cidents, and calamities through our land ers of her sins, and that ye receive not of and the nations of the earth should ad- her plagues." This is the reason why the monish us to live near to the Lord our Saints are gathering from the countries God, to remember our prayers, and the of their nativity. Yet when the people see obligations we are under to the Most the Saints gathering they frequently say, High, and to seek with all our hearts "What folly, what folly!" Go to the fowls to discharge them with fidelity. Those of heaven and learn a lesson. When you who have held fast to the iron rod, and see the fowls, in the fall of the year, go- have remembered their God, Savior and ing to the south, creeping as they go, you prayers, feel to thank God, and to praise say that winter is nigh; so when you see his holy name that they have endured. the Saints gathering together, remember Let that feeling ever fill your hearts, and that disaster awaits the countries they may the peace of God rest upon Israel, are leaving. God has declared it, and and confusion come upon them that seek his arm is sufficiently potent to fulfill his to destroy the best and choicest princi- words. ples that heaven ever revealed to man. I rejoice in the truth, and I bear my testimony, today, before you, that I was thankful to hear the defini- Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the true tion and distinction, given yesterday by and living God. I bear my testimony the President, of the words "enemies" that brother Brigham Young, the Pres- and "friends" of mankind. It was true ident of the Church here in Zion, is a and faithful. He is my friend who is man of God, and that he is carrying the friend of truth and humanity; he on the work that Joseph Smith began. is my enemy who seeks to trample un- When we came here how was it with der foot the truth of heaven and those us? We had nothing but a few worn- who are striving earnestly to serve the down teams and a few old wagons, very Lord. Brethren and sisters, be faith- much demoralized. They were so in ASSISTANCE OF THE LADIES, ETC. 15 the start, because we could not get any to be a cheese, he said to his other kind. But when we got through companion—"Let us go down and get here, having brought seed, provisions, that cheese." Well, one held on to the and implements such as we could com- railing of the bridge and the other mand, our case was a pitiful one. But slipped down and hung to his heels, the Lord has had mercy on us and he thinking that he would reach down and has blessed us, and now we are beyond obtain the cheese. By and by, says the the reach of present want. I am thank- one that was holding to the bridge to his ful that all this has been brought about friend below—"Pat, hold fast below till I under the administration of our present spit in my hands above," and down they honored President, and the world is try- went. That is the way the contest be- ing to kill him and those who sustain tween the world and "Mormonism" will and uphold him. It is a great warfare, terminate—while they are saying, "Hold it is a great wrestling; but I am aware fast below till I spit in my hands above," how it will come out. It will be with crash goes the whole concern. the enemies and opposers of God and truth as it was with the Irishman who, as he was crossing over a bridge, saw Brethren and sisters, God bless you, the moon in the stream, and believing it Amen.

ASSISTANCE OF THE LADIES OF THE RELIEF SOCIETIES REQUIRED IN PROMOTING THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND THE PRINTING OF SCHOOLBOOKS—LIGHT AND EASY LABOR NOW PERFORMED BY MEN MORE ADAPTED TO WOMEN—SHOULD BE SELF-SUSTAINING—FRIVOLITIES AND FASHIONS OF BABYLON SHOULD BE DISCARDED BY THE SISTERS—POVERTY OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW AFTER MINING.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, INTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,MONDAY AFTERNOON,APRIL 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I will make a few remarks to the is due to them for the good they ladies of the Relief Societies. First have done; but I wish to add a lit- of all I can say of a truth that, in tle to their labors. If these soci- sustaining the poor and ministering eties will take into consideration the to the sick and afflicted, much credit further duties and obligations that we 16 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. are under to each other, and the im- righteous; and we might think of this, portance of becoming self-sustaining, we and contemplate the facts in the case un- wish to enlist their interest to aid us in til our feelings and interests are so far making paper, by taking steps to collect enlisted that we will save our paper rags, the rags. We have an excellent paper and take them to the paper mill. mill here, and can make our own pa- per, as well as to send abroad and pay out our money for it, and then bring it When this is done I want the sisters here. We should cease importing paper, to so far use the abilities which God has for paper-making is a branch of manu- given them as to learn to set type, and facture for which we have all the nec- have your printing office and carry it on. essary facilities, and if we carry it on It looks very unbecoming to me to see a it will benefit us. We want the ladies great, big six-footer stand and pick up of the Relief Societies to enlist the sym- little type and put it in its place to make pathies of the children, in their respec- a word or a sentence, a book or a paper; tive Wards throughout the Territory, to and when he has got his stick full, taking save the paper rags; we want mothers the type out of the stick and setting it on to do this, and also to show their chil- the galley. To see a great six-footer do- dren how to do it. When you see them ing this, and measuring off tape, which throwing them out of doors, say, "Stop, is about the same, has always appeared my child, put that into the basket," or to me, according to that which I under- other place designated. "We will wash stand, as if men were out of their place. I these rags, and when we get enough of have thought so all my days. I have occa- them we will sell them and buy some sionally seen women in the harvest field, books for you to read." If we can only en- ploughing, raking and making hay, and list the feelings of the sisters on behalf of sometimes, though very seldom, I have this great interest, it will lay the founda- seen them pitch and load hay. I think tion for printing the books that we need this is very unbecoming, this hard, la- in our own community, and then we can borious work belongs to men. But when save this expense also. This is the first you come to picking up type, and making step. We want these cart loads of cloth a book of it, that belongs to the women. saved that we now see kicked around the I know that many arguments are used streets and lying around the yards. Go against this, and we are told that a to the poorest family in this community, woman cannot make a coat, vest or a pair and I will venture to say that they waste of pantaloons. I dispute this. It is said rags enough every year to buy the school- that a man is stronger and that he pulls books that are needed for their children, his thread stronger than a woman does. and do even more. This is slothfulness I will take any of these ladies to a tailor's and neglect, and produces wickedness. shop, and they will snap every thread a To be prudent and saving, and to use the tailor sews with. Tell me they cannot elements in our possession for our ben- pull a thread tight enough, and that they efit and the benefit of our fellow beings cannot press hard enough to press a coat, is wise and righteous; but to be sloth- it is all folly and nonsense. The difficulty ful, wasteful, lazy and indolent, to spend is the tailors do not want them to do it, our time and means for naught, is un- and they try to shame them out of it or to ASSISTANCE OF THE LADIES, ETC. 17 make them believe they cannot sew a to make our own schoolbooks. We are seam, press a collar, wristband, sleeve paying now from thirty thousand to sixty or body of a coat, and if women do it thousand dollars a year for schoolbooks ever so nice the tailors will say it is good that can be made here just as well as for nothing, and so the great, big six- to send and buy them abroad. This is footer sits there crosslegged sewing. This carrying out the plan and principles of is not the order of prudence and econ- building up Zion, whether you know it omy; neither is it according to the na- or not. We may preach until Doomsday, ture of the calling and the ability that and tell how Zion will look, how wide her God has given us as men and women, streets will be, what kind of dwellings to see a man measuring tape, and such her people will have, what kind of car- light work, it is far more suitable for riages and what fine horses they will women. "Well but," say some, "a woman have, and what a beautiful looking set of cannot do press work." I recollect what people they will be, but it is all nonsense was said to me in my youth by a journey- to talk about that we will never reach man printer. We were working off Ball's if we do not stop our folly and wicked- Arithmetic together and we boarded to- ness. We have the privilege of building gether. I did not eat meat at that time, up and enjoying Zion, and I am telling and he was very fond of it. We went you how to do it. We want the women, into the office one day from dinner and from this time forth, to go to work and he said to the workmen, "Young never save the paper rags, and we will make eats any meat;" and said he, "I can just the paper for them. And they can learn throw any man that don't eat meat." I to make type. I can pick hundreds and said to him, "Mr. Pratt, if you will step hundreds of women out of this congrega- here into the middle of the floor I will tion that could go into a shop and make show you how to dirty coats." But he type just as well as men, it is a trifling dared not try it. They say ladies do not thing. And they can learn to set type, eat enough to make them strong—why I and they can learn how to write for our have seen scores and scores of them that schoolbooks. We have plenty of men and could pull a hand press, and we do not women that know how to write books, use them now; they would have nothing and how to teach too. We have just as in the world to do only to take the pa- good schoolteachers here as any in the per and lay it down. "But don't you let world. a woman know she can do this, don't say While on this subject I will say that to a woman that she is capable of setting I am ashamed of our Bishops, who can- type, or of setting a stick of type on a gal- not have anybody but a stranger for a ley, and making up a form and locking it schoolteacher. Let a "Mormon" come up with a little mallet that weighs eight along, who can read all around and or ten ounces. Do not tell a woman she over and under him, and who, as far can do this—no, no, it would spoil our as learning is concerned, is his supe- trade." rior in every way, but because he, the Suffice it to say we want to en- "Mormon," does not come in the guise list the real understanding and good of a stranger, the Bishop will not hear sense of these women, and to tell him. Bishops, I wish you would just re- them what their duty is. We want sign your offices if you cannot learn any 18 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. better than to get such characters into the least privilege in the world, than your schoolhouses. Not but what there is give us one cent towards schooling our once in a while a good man comes along children. When we were leaving Nau- as a schoolteacher who is not a "Mor- voo, in our poverty, we sent our Elders mon;" but, as a general thing, what have hither and thither to the principal cities these men done? They have planted the of the United States, to ask the people seeds of infidelity in the hearts of the if they would assist the Saints. Our children, decoyed the hearts of their fe- brethren told them that we were leaving male pupils and led them to ruin, and the confines of the United States, hav- they have turned round and cursed us. ing been driven by the violence of mobs That is the character of some of the men from our homes, and how much do you our Bishops get into their schoolhouses. think we got in the cities of New York, There are many of our Bishops not fit Boston, Philadelphia and a few smaller to set type, measure tape or to teach a towns? Their hearts and hands were scholar. That is saying a good deal for closed against us. From the whole peo- the Bishops, is it not? But it is a fact. ple of the United States, after making an In many instances they have not wis- appeal to them in our deep distress and dom enough to guide themselves one day poverty, we got but a few dollars, and without getting into error. They do not we were then starting into the wilder- know truth from error, they do not know ness, and how we were going to live God a Saint from a sinner, or righteousness only knew. Well, we have got to help our- from unrighteousness. selves, we have to school ourselves. Has Will you, Relief Societies, devote your Government given us the privilege of one time and talents and take hold of this acre of land to educate our children here? business? We want you to commence No. The school land is kept from us, and forthwith. Say we take thirty thousand we get no benefit therefrom. dollars, and that is only a portion of what I want to say a word or two here we will pay out for schoolbooks in 1873, with regard to our schools. There are and devote that to making paper and for many of our people who believe that the paying brethren and sisters for making whole Territory ought to be taxed for books, and then distribute them among our schools. When we have means, that our own people. If this work is done by us come in the proper way, we can make a there is so much saved. Will my sisters fund to help the poor to school their chil- enlist themselves and endeavor to make dren, and I would say amen to it. But this movement successful? where are our poor? Where is the man We have no societies or persons to or the woman in this community who assist us in our efforts to school our- has children and wishes to send them to selves and our children; we never have school, that cannot do it? There is not had, and the feeling that is now ex- one. When the poor complain and say, hibited, and which has always been "My children ought to be schooled and shown towards us since the organiza- clothed and fed," I say, no sir, not so, tion of the kingdom of God upon the you ought to yield your time and talents earth, is that those who are our en- to the kind providences of our Father emies would rather spend ten, yea, in the heavens according to the dicta- a hundred dollars to deprive us of tion of his servants, and he will tell each ASSISTANCE OF THE LADIES, ETC. 19 and every one of you what to do to teacher?" Though he may know five earn your bread, meat, clothing, school- times more than the dandy, he is told, ing, and how to be self-sustaining in the "No, no, we have one engaged." I want fullest sense of the word. To give to to cuff you Bishops back and forth until the idler is as wicked as anything else. you get your brains turned right side up. Never give anything to the idler. "The Here I am talking to thousands of idler in Zion shall not eat the bread of men and women who know that if we the laborer." Well, they do eat it; but are ever helped we have to help our- it is a commandment and a revelation selves, with what God does for us. We as much as any other, that the idler have heard considerable from some par- shall not eat the bread of the laborer in ties in this city about what they call free Zion. No, let everyone spend every hour, schools, which they say they have estab- day, week and month in some useful and lished here. I say, now, come out, and be profitable employment, and then all will as liberal as you say you are, and teach have their meat and clothing, and means our children for nothing. If they knew to pay teachers, and pay them well. Not the "Mormons" were willing to accept of that they should receive more pay than their charity and send their children to others. If men have learning, and they these so-called free schools, their charity have the faculty of imparting it to oth- would not weigh much. Their charity is ers, and can teach children to read and to decoy away the innocent. Send your write, and grammar and arithmetic, and children to their schools and see how far all the ordinary branches of a common their charity would extend. We sent to school education, what better are they them when we were in the wilderness than the man that plows, hoes, shoves without bread, without shoes, without the plane, handles the trowel and the coats, and ploughing our way through axe, and hews the stone? Are they any to get away from our murderers, and better? I do not know that they are. asked them for help. No, they would What better is the man that can dress not give us anything to save the lives himself nicely and labor in a schoolhouse of women and children in the wilder- six hours a day, than the man who works ness. When we were right in the midst ten or twelve hours a day hewing rock? of Indians, who were said to be hostile, Is he any better? No, he is not. Are you five hundred men were called to go to going to pay him for his good looks? That Mexico to fight the Mexicans, and said is what some of our Bishops want to do. Mr. Benton—"If you do not send them If they can get a man, no matter what we will cover you up, and there will his moral qualities may be, whose shirt be no more of you." I do not want to front is well starched and ironed, they think of these things, their authors be- will say—"Bless me, you are a delight- long to the class I referred to yesterday— ful little man! What a smooth shirt you the enemies of mankind, those who have got, and you have a ring on your would destroy innocence, truth, righ- finger—you are going to teach our school teousness and the kingdom of God from for us." And along comes a stalwart the earth. We sent these five hundred man, axe in hand, going to chop wood, men to fight the Mexicans, and those and, if he asks, "Do you want a school of us who remained behind labored and raised all that we needed to feed our- 20 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. selves in the wilderness. We had to pay end to another. Ever see this in a "Mor- our own schoolteachers, raise our own mon" meeting? I don't think you have bread and earn our own clothing, or go in this city, if you ever did anywhere without, there was no other choice. We else. Are the "Mormons" eternally beg- did it then, and we are able to do the ging and sending round the hat and the same today. I want to enlist the sym- plate, and asking every stranger, "Have pathies of the ladies among the Latter- you a sixpence for me?" No, we do not day Saints, to see what we can do for want your money, we have enough of our ourselves with regard to schooling our own, and we earned it and got it hon- children. Do not say you cannot school estly, we have not stolen it nor lied for it them, for you can. There is not a fam- either. Now that I am upon free schools ily in this community but what we will I say, put a community in possession of take and school their children if they are knowledge by means of which they can not able to do it themselves; and we do obtain what they need by the labor of not do it through begging in the East and their bodies and their brains, then, in- telling what others have told there about stead of being paupers they will be free, this people, and about their own efforts independent and happy, and these dis- to establish free schools here. I under- tinctions of classes will cease, and there stand that the other night there was a will be but one class, one grade, one great school meeting in one of the wards of family. this city, and a party there—a poor mis- Now, sisters, what do you say? Will erable apostate—said, "We want a free you give your attention to this? We want school, and we want to have the name to erect a house for you to do printing of establishing the first free school in in. Some one, perhaps, will use some lit- Utah." To call a person a poor miserable tle argument against women doing any- apostate may seem like a harsh word; thing of this kind. But the truth is but what shall we call a man who talks women can set type, and read and cor- about free schools and who would have rect proof as well as any man in the all the people taxed to support them, world, if they learn how. Men have to and yet would take his rifle and threaten learn it before they can do it, and when to shoot the man who had the collec- they tell you that that is not a woman's tion of the ordinary light taxes levied in business, you tell them they do not know this Territory—taxes which are lighter what they were born for. They were not than any levied in any other portion of born to wash dishes, to dress the babies, the country? We have no other schools nor to have babies, they were born to go but free schools here—our schools are all into the field and do the work that the free. Our meetings are free, our teach- women cannot do, and should not do for ings are free. We labor for ourselves fear of exposing themselves. Keep the and the kingdom of God. But how is it ladies in their proper places, selling tape with others? Have they a meeting with- and calico, setting type, working the tele- out a plate, basket, box or hat passed graph, keeping books, &c. round? And, "Have you got a sixpence for See a great big six-footer work- us? Put in your sixpences, your half dol- ing the telegraph. One of them will lars, your dollars, or your five dollars." eat as much as three or four women, No, it is beg, beg, beg from one year's and they stuff themselves until they are almost too lazy to touch the wire. ASSISTANCE OF THE LADIES, ETC. 21

There they sit. What work is there about mean protruding out behind like a two- that that a woman cannot do? She can bushel basket. And when you come down write as well as a man, and spell as well stairs look as if you were wide awake, as a man, and better, and I leave it to and not as if your eyes needed a dish every man and woman of learning if the of water to wash them clear and clean. girls are not quicker and more apt at Young ladies, learn to be neat and nice. learning in school than the boys. It is Do not dress after the fashions of Baby- only occasionally that a boy is met with lon, but after the fashions of the Saints. who will keep up with the girls in learn- Suppose that a female angel were to ing reading, writing, spelling and gram- come into your house and you had the mar; as a general thing the girls will go privilege of seeing her, how would she be ahead of the boys in these branches, and dressed? Do you think she would have yet we are told they are not capable of a great, big peck measure of flax done doing these light kinds of work, such as I up like hair on the back of the head? have mentioned. Shame on the boys, and Nothing of the kind. Would she have shame on the great big, fat lazy men! Let a dress dragging two or three yards be- these women go to work; and let those hind? Nothing of the kind. Would she who have children teach them to han- have on a great, big—what is it you call dle the needle and sew, to make lace, to it? A Grecian or Dutch—Well, no mat- raise silkworms and the mulberry tree, ter what you call it, you know what I to pick the leaves and feed the worms, mean. Do you think she would have and then to wind and weave the silk, on anything of that kind? Not at all. that they may make themselves good, No person in the world would expect to nice silk dresses. I saw a very pretty see an angel dressed in such a giddy, piece of silk made into a garment in St. frivolous, nonsensical style. She would George, that a woman had made from be neat and nice, her countenance full the silkworms. She tended them, reeled of glory, brilliant, bright, and perfectly their silk, wove it and made some beau- beautiful, and in every act her graceful- tiful cloth. This is far better than teas- ness would charm the heart of every be- ing the husband or father to get you fine holder. There is nothing needless about dresses and then drag them after you in her. None of my sisters believe that these the street. Learn some good, solid sense. useless, foolish fashions are followed in Learn how to raise silk, how to make the heaven. Well, then, pattern after good silk into dresses, and make it as neat and and heavenly things, and let the beauty beautiful as you possibly can. Then an- of your garments be the workmanship of other thing—may I say it? Girls, learn your own hands, that which adorns your to comb your hair in the morning, and bodies. fix up your head dress. "Well, but, pa Now, sisters, will you go to work will not buy me a chignon." Well, then, and help us to get up our school fix your own hair, that is all you ought books? Whether you do or do not be- to have. Wash your face nice and clean, long to the Relief Societies, we want and your neck, and comb your hair neat you to join in and help us, and save and nice; put on your dress comely, and your rags to make paper, and then make it look neat and nice. I do not go and set type and make the books. You who feel like doing this, hold 22 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. up your hands. (Hands up.) There is you give me a sixpence to buy me a a pretty good showing, enough to carry morsel of meat?" "No, I have not got it, an influence—the day is ours. If you will I am just going to have plenty of money, only carry this out we will make our own but I have not got it now. Cannot you schoolbooks, and keep the money in the lend me a little to keep me from need, Territory that we now send out for them. I have no bread for my family, but I am going to have a fortune in a little while." Elders of Israel, I want to tell you There are numbers of the Elders of Is- how to save a little. You want to get rael in this position. Ask them if they rich. Go to the mines and you will be so can pay a little tithing? "No, not a dol- poor that you never can pay any tithing. lar." "Give anything to help the poor?" This is proved. I want to tell you now, "No, I have not any, will you lend me how you can pay your tithing. You trade a little to buy some flour for my fam- off your horses and mules and harness, ily?" And so they go on year after year. just as quick as circumstances will let Why? Because they will not take the you. Raise the calves that will make counsel of the wise. When you hear a oxen, break them and work with them; man, outside or inside of the kingdom of and let this community take this course, God, finding fault, complaining or cast- using oxen instead of horses, and mules ing reflections, that President Young has for all their farming and teaming, and in got so much influence over the people one year they will save one million dol- called Latter-day Saints that they (the lars, and this will increase year by year, grumblers) are afraid of him, you just and that will enable you to give a little tell them that he has not a hundredth to emigrate the poor Saints from the old part of the influence he ought to have. country. I want you to swell this Per- He ought to have all the influence imag- petual Emigrating Fund so that we can inable with them, he is deserving of it, send for a good many of the poor this he earns it, and he knows what to do year. What have you to give? Some with it, and he directs and guides for the will say, "I have not anything, brother advancement of the kingdom of God on Brigham." "What have you been doing?" the earth. Just think of these men, trail- "Oh, I have been mining, and it takes all ing through these canyons, running after my time and labor to support my fam- shadows—jack-o'-lanterns—all over cre- ily. I have a splendid claim—I am just ation for something in prospect! They going to have a hundred thousand dol- are just like some business men I have lars for it." We have plenty of this class seen in my life—they have got their eye around, and whenever I see a man going on a picayune, away off yonder in the along with an old mule that can hardly distance, and they start after that and stand up, and a frying pan and an old stub their toe against a twenty dollar quilt, I say, There goes a millionaire in gold piece; but they kick that out of the prospect! He is after a million, he cal- way, they do not see it. By and by culates to find a mine that he can get they start again, and they pass fifty dol- a million for next summer. These mil- lars in their path, and so they keep on, lionaires are all over our country; they passing right by ten, twenty or fifty dol- are in the mountains, on our highways lars. "Oh, that picayune does so daz- and in our streets. But ask them, "Can zle my eye, for God's sake let me get FRIENDS AND ENEMIES, ETC. 23 it!" They are fools, they know noth- I am going to stop talking to the sis- ing about life, nor sustaining them- ters, and will conclude by asking them, selves, they are worse than children. Will you be printers or clerks in stores? Well, now, brother Brigham ought to The brethren will keep every one of you have influence enough over these El- out if they can, and I do not know but I ders of Israel to keep them from de- shall have to go and keep store myself in- ceiving themselves as much as they do; dependent of every other institution, and and when they run after this shadow hire ladies to tend it. I want them also to and tire themselves out and fall in the telegraph for us, set our type, write our mud, they lose the spirit of their reli- books, and save the rags to make the pa- gion, find out that "Mormonism" is not per. true and away they go to the devil.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES—OBJECT OF GATHERING—BABYLON TO BE FORSAKEN—PRAYER—PERSONALITY OF THE GODHEAD.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,APRIL 6, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

In my remarks to you I want your and the work in which they are engaged. eyes, ears, attention and faith. This I have many reflections in regard to the is the Forty-third Annual Conference of world of mankind. We all enjoy the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day power of sight, but how differently we Saints, and we have assembled together look at and comprehend things! And for the purpose of being benefited. We we are very much like the people who like to see and hear each other, we like have lived before us. We are a strange to give and receive counsel, and we like, and curious composition—no two alike. above all things, to enjoy the Spirit of the Of all the faces before me this afternoon Lord. In singing, praying, speaking and there are no two alike. We might pos- hearing, and in all duties devolving upon sibly find those whose judgment would us upon such occasions as this, the Spirit be pretty much alike on various subjects, of the Lord is the best of all. still there are no two whose judgments I have a great many reflections are precisely the same. Human life is a with regard to the Latter-day Saints great stage, and it contains a very great 24 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. variety of scenes and scenery, of thought enemy of mankind. Who is the friend of and of action. Some are not very beauti- mankind? He who makes peace between ful, others are, and they are painted with those who are at enmity, who brings fine colors. We see all this before us, and together those who, perhaps, through each and every person has the privilege some misunderstanding, have been at of judging for himself, and upon each dif- variance with and lost friendship and fel- ferent impressions are produced. lowship for each other, and shows them that their ill-will is without foundation I see a large congregation before me and existed simply because they did not this afternoon of people called Latter-day understand each other. To illustrate, we Saints. If the world of mankind were will suppose that two men come in the to give their opinion concerning us they same car to this city. One of them is full would use terms I heard frequently this of deception and carries false colors. If morning—"enemy," "enemies," "our ene- he speaks a word that would become a mies." These expressions would be fre- gentleman, it is not because he feels it, quently heard from the inhabitants of for in his heart he is cursing and damn- the earth about the Latter-day Saints, ing, and his purpose is to sow discord and for the impression has existed and has enmity among the people in a neighbor- been growing stronger for years past, hood. He delights to set the members of that this strange people—the Latter-day one family jarring with each other. He Saints—are the enemies of mankind. I will teach the youth to believe that such do not wish to convey the idea that all or such persons are their enemies and it the inhabitants of the earth consider this is no harm to burn their houses down, people their enemies, but there are those to take their horses, cut their carriages who wish to have this impression or be- to pieces, to open the gate of their gar- lief prevail. I hear many of the Elders of den or field and let somebody's cattle in. Israel refer to the outside world as ene- Such a person is an enemy of mankind. mies. I do it myself at certain times and But the other one is a friend. If he sees on certain occasions, for certain deeds his neighbor's gate open, he shuts it; if wrought by those who wish to destroy cattle are in a neighbor's field, he tells the truth from the earth, for every per- him of the mischief that is being done. son who would uproot the truth of God If he sees a fence down, and there is is mine enemy, he would destroy me if none of the family to come and put it he had the power. What shall we say of up, he gets out of his carriage, or off his those who desire peace and whose hearts horse, or if he is afoot, he steps to the are filled with good will towards their fel- fence, turns the cattle out, puts up the low men? We say peace to such persons, fence or shuts the gate and prevents fur- and give them ours and God's blessing. ther mischief on his neighbor's premises. Who is the enemy of mankind? He Who is your enemy and mine? He that who wishes to change truth for error and teaches language that is unbecoming, light for darkness; he who wishes to take that presents falsehood for truth, that peace from a family, city, state or na- furnishes false premises to build upon tion and give the sword in return. He instead of true, or that is full of anger is my enemy, he is your enemy and the and mischief to his fellow beings. I call FRIENDS AND ENEMIES, ETC. 25 no others enemies, except such charac- of his neighbors, he would have had a de- ters as I have named. There is no ques- sire to leave his home and old associates tion that many have done much mischief to join the Saints, for the Spirit he re- while in ignorance of what they were do- ceived prompted him to do this. Ask a ing. I have no doubt that the soldiers sister, "What are you here for?" "Why, I who were commanded to nail the Sav- came here so that I could live my reli- ior to the cross did not realize what they gion a little better than I could in Scot- were doing. They treated him as they did land, England, Ireland, Wales, France, the thieves, whom they knew to be wor- Scandinavia," or wherever it might be thy of death; but through prejudice, over- that she came from. Ask another man, persuasion and much talk by the priests, "What did you gather to these mountains Scribes, Pharisees and people, they per- for?" "Well, I think I came here because haps supposed they were doing God's of my religion. I used to think I wanted service when they crucified Jesus. But to gather up with the Saints. I liked their it was an enemy that did it, it was a society, and when I came up here I re- bad act, a very heinous crime, it—but I ally delighted to be with them." "What pause. The question may be asked, What are you doing now, brother?" "Well, I would have been the consequence sup- am trying to do about the best I possi- pose the Savior had not been crucified? I bly can. Here are a few dollars I want can only answer by saying that he was. to pay on Tithing." "Have you paid your The Scriptures say that offenses must Tithing this year?" "No." "Did you pay needs come, but woe to him by whom it last year?" "No." "Have you not paid they come. But we will resume our sub- Tithing lately?" "No." "What is the rea- ject. Who is the man that is an enemy son?" "Why, I am after gold and silver, to his nation? The one that breeds mis- and the riches in these mountains, in chief, prompts strife, and brings sorrow this trade, I am after the world, I am among the people. after Babylon." This is the conduct. I Now to the Latter-day Saints—What do not ask for words, I do not ask any- are you here for? Can you answer body to get up and declare that their af- this question? Many of you can. One fections are turned away from the holy brother says, "Why, I came here to join Gospel of life and salvation, and turned the Saints." "Where did you come from?" to the world. Let me see their daily "I lived in Scotland. I worked in the walk and know their life, and I know mines, or in the factory, or in iron works." what their thoughts and feelings are. "What did you come here for?" "When And the sister that comes here for the I heard the Gospel preached I believed Gospel's sake, her mind is so frivolous it, and I received a desire to leave my and easily wrought upon that she is neighbors. I believed the Bible and led by every wind and breeze of fash- the Book of Mormon; I believed that ion that blows through the streets here. Joseph Smith was a Prophet. My neigh- "Oh, don't you see that lady's dress?" bors said, 'Oh folly, oh fool. There goes "Here, look here, did you see that lady a Mormon,' and they pointed the fin- walking down the street?" "Yes." "What ger of scorn at me." This is the spirit a beautiful dress she has got on! Oh of the world, but if there had been dear, how I want such a dress!" Go no persecution whatever in the feelings 26 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. down the street and you can see it; go take it with you, and you will go down to up the street and you can see it; go hell. into the workshops, and even into the Perhaps I may be considered their en- canyons, and you can see it. What of emy by some of those called Latter-day it? Latter-day Saints, what of it? "Oh, Saints, and by outsiders, for telling them I do love Babylon so well." "I do want these things. That is no matter, it is a new dress." "I do want to go into the for their life and salvation that I tell mines and dig." "I have a claim, and I them. If I should see men and women am just going into the mountains to dig," going blindfolded to an awful precipice, says a brother. Another one says, "I have and not hail them and warn them of served the Lord about long enough, and their danger, I should be guilty, and per- I am going to serve myself now." This is haps their blood would be found on my the way with one here and another there, skirts. I will say, at once, not prolong- and if they have not got Babylon they ing my remarks or multiplying words, want to get it. And here comes along that if my brethren and sisters do not a man who professes to be a Latter-day walk up to the principles of the holy Saint, and the first you know he is us- Gospel of life and salvation, they will be ing the name of the Deity in vain, and it removed out of their places, and others is "curse" this, and "curse" that, with the will be called to occupy them. Elders name of our Father in heaven attached to of Israel, High Priests, Seventies, High it. Is that according to the faith that we Councilors, Presidents, brethren and sis- have embraced? Mingle with the Latter- ters, no matter who, if you have an idea day Saints, and see them playing on the that you are going to take Babylon—I stage of life, and watch how some of them use this term, because it is well under- will change their colors and their coats, stood that Babylon means confusion, dis- and some come out in one fashion and cord, strife, folly and all the vanities the some in another, according to the circum- world possesses—if you have the idea stances in which they are placed. that you are going to take Babylon in one hand, and with the other cling to the Savior and drag yourselves into his pres- Here we are assembled in the capac- ence, you will find yourselves mistaken, ity of a general Conference. Babylon is for he will drop you, and you will sink. in the hearts of the people, that is to You may just as well believe this today, say, there is too much of it. What did and shape your lives accordingly, as to you come here for? "Why," says one, betray yourselves. "I understood they were getting rich in There are a great many who say, Utah, and I thought I would gather up "Why, yes, I say my prayers, I do not with the Latter-day Saints and get rich use the name of the Lord in vain, I also." Without making many remarks on do not injure my neighbor." That is this subject, I want to say to every one true. How many of the Latter-day Saints of those who come up here, their minds live like this? I am pretty well ac- filled with Babylon, and longing for the quainted with them. I see and un- fashions and wealth of the world, you derstand their feelings by their works, may heap up gold and silver, but it will and I can say that a large majority of leave you, or you will leave it, you cannot the Latter-day Saints are a good, obedi- FRIENDS AND ENEMIES, ETC. 27 ent, faithful, Godfearing, God-loving I was in the stone quarry the other day, people, and yet we fellowship those who and saw the men breaking a large gran- are full of iniquity and evil, individuals ite rock. They first drilled the holes so who are full of the spirit of anti-Christ. I as to break the rock in a direct line. I talk and tell the truth to the good and to saw one man take up his hammer and the evil, and I wish to comprehend the give a blow. It was too hard. Said I, whole; and I tell you today that if our "My father taught me in my youth that minds are not made up to serve God, if light knocks would split great blocks. we are not for Christ, and for his king- Tap light next time." The quarryman dom upon the earth; if we are not willing did this and pretty soon the rock di- to devote our time, talents, means, influ- vided almost as evenly as though it had ence and everything that he has given been jointed. I wish to make an ap- into our possession, we are not in the plication of this to this people assem- way we should walk. I know that it bled here. If I and my brethren had may be said, and with great propriety, strength, we would meet together here "Why, my brother, we cannot be sancti- about one week, to begin with, then go to fied in one day, we cannot overcome ev- our work for a few weeks, and then we ery evil and every passion in one day." would come together again. By contin- That is true, but this holy desire can uing this course, I expect that in about dwell in the heart of every individual three months we could get the feelings from the time that he or she is convinced of this people warmed up like wax before that God reigns, that he is establishing the flame, so that we could get at their his kingdom on the earth, that Jesus is judgment and affections and we could ac- our Savior, that the holy Gospel has pre- tually mold them over, and make them sented to us the way of life and salva- realize the work that they are engaged tion, and we believe it and can receive in. But to do it in one day would be it with our whole hearts—I say we can like driving the wedges so fast that you have that holy and pure desire from that would split the rock where you would moment to the end of our lives, and in not want it split. Still, many who want possessing this we have faith and favor to receive the word can, and I say to before the Lord, and his grace is with all, you and I must be Latter-day Saints us by the power of his Holy Spirit, and or we are not walking in the path that by this we can overcome temptations as God has marked out for us. "What do we meet them. This is my experience, you mean by that, brother Brigham? I that is pretty good proof, is it not? And want to know what you mean by that, I have more evidence than this—this is I cannot understand it." This is the dif- the experience and testimony of every ficulty, but thank kind heaven, I have Latter-day Saint who has lived his or found out in my experience, that learn- her religion since obeying the Gospel. ing a, b, c, d, does not hinder me learn- Their testimony will corroborate mine, ing e, f, g. I thank my Creator that and strengthen the faith of all. the principle is implanted within us, that we can learn, if it takes a long time, and by a close application of the abil- I have not preached much to you ity that God has given us, we can im- this winter, and I pause and think. prove and in time become Saints in very 28 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. deed. Were it not for this I should have at once, but we can learn one thing at been discouraged long ago. But, know once and the one thing above all others that we can learn to be Saints if we are that we should make it our business to disposed to. Practice your religion today, learn is to yield strict obedience to the re- and say your prayers faithfully. quirements of heaven, and we can learn Says a brother, "I pray in my fam- that today just as well as any other time, ily sometimes, and sometimes I do not and just as well as to spend a lifetime in feel like it, and I do not pray in my fam- doing it. ily. Sometimes I am in a hurry, my work Now, Latter-day Saints, do you know is driving me, my cattle are in mischief, what you are here for? You know there and I do not feel like praying." is a field opens before us in talking about what we are here for, why the Lord suf- If I did not feel like praying, and ask- fers what we now behold, and why he ing my Father in heaven to give me a permits this and permits that. It is all morning blessing, and to preserve me perfectly reasonable and rational, all ac- and my family and the good upon the cording to his providences and his deal- earth through the day, I should say, ings with the children of men. I can say "Brigham, get down here, on your knees, to all that you have got to learn this one bow your body down before the throne of fact—the Lord will have a tried people, Him who rules in the heavens, and stay and if my wife or my daughter cannot see there until you can feel to supplicate at and pass by, as things of naught, the fol- that throne of grace erected for sinners." lies of fashion, she has not learned her "Well, but I am in a hurry, and my duty, she has not learned the spirit of cattle, perhaps, are in mischief and my her religion, and is not in the full en- work is driving me." I should say, if the joyment of the Spirit of God. Fashions cattle are in the corn, "Eat away;" if they are nothing to me, one way or the other. are in the wheat, "Eat away, eat the How long is it since ladies wore bonnets wheat, we have more than we can use into which you would have to look with a any how;" and if the children are in mis- spyglass if you wished to see their faces, chief and this wants seeing to, and that and then from their faces to the crown of wants seeing to, I say, "Kneel down be- the head. From this fashion they got to fore the Lord and there stay until this one in which one flower or leaf and five body learns obedience, until my tongue yards of ribbon made a complete head learns to praise his name, and to ask for dress. What of these fashions? They are the blessings I need." nothing here nor there, and by trying we "Well, but are you not afraid you will can learn to pass by every needless fash- come to want?" Bless me, if I had all ion, and to stop the use of every needless the gold and silver on the earth and no word, and to carry ourselves correctly be- prayers, I should be in greater want than fore the Lord. I should be with the prayers and with- Now let us consider, are we for the out the gold and silver. I will make kingdom of heaven? "Oh yes," "Oh yes," an application of this with regard to everybody says, "certainly we are." Are the feelings of the people. It is true we for happiness? Yes, certainly, the that you and I cannot learn everything whole world is with us there. There is no FRIENDS AND ENEMIES, ETC. 29 person but what would say, Give me are you going to get it?" By serving God power, give me influence, give me with all my heart and being a Saint in- wealth, give me gold and silver, houses deed, and when the earth and its full- and lands, goods and chattels, tene- ness are given into the hands of the ments, horses, carriages, friends, fami- Saints, I shall go in for my share—the lies, associations, &c. The whole world whole pile. I used to say, "Why, brother will join in saying, Give us heaven and Joseph is the greatest speculator I have happiness; but talk to them about "Mor- heard of in modern times—he is going monism," and they will say, "Your doc- to have the whole earth. Jesus is com- trine is a speculation." The cry with re- ing to earth to reign King of nations, and gard to brother Joseph was, "He is a he is going to share the gold and silver money digger, he is a speculator." Well, with his brethren. That is not all—all how long was it before the whole world things are yours for time and eternity— was on his track digging money? It was the heights and depths, the lengths and no disgrace just as soon as the world breadths, crowns of glory and immortal- commenced digging money, but when ity and eternal lives are yours." Well, I there were only a few accused of it, it go in for the pile. was a disgrace. How things are changed! I want to ask, Am I an enemy of How differently we look upon our bon- mankind? Is a Latter-day Saint an en- nets now! If a lady were to enter this emy of mankind? No. I say to the intel- building wearing an old-fashioned head- ligent world, if they did but know it, we dress everybody would be looking at her. in connection with God, Jesus the Media- If a lady were to come into this assembly tor, angels, the good that are on the earth with sixteen yards of cloth—I am talking and the good that have been, are the only extravagantly now to illustrate—in her friends of mankind upon the face of the two sleeves, and only four in the waist earth. That is a great word to say, and and skirt of her dress, how ridiculous some may think it is extravagant. They it would appear, would it not? And yet say, "See what our benevolent societies, something very much like that was once our ministers, our kings and our rich the fashion. people are doing for the poor, and then say that the Latter-day Saints are the I look at this and make the applica- only friends of mankind." I want to say tion. The world would say, "Yes, if you to all the world that no good or benevo- are going to have happiness, we want lent act, no act that sustains innocence, some; if you are going to have gold and virtue and truth and does good to the silver, look here, we shall come in for a human family will go unrewarded of the share." Very good, all right. I used to tell Creator. Do not be discouraged. Have the people—bless your heart, you accuse they done any good? Yes, a great deal of me of being in a speculation, and so I am. it. The Christian world have sent forth You cry out that the "Mormon" leaders their missionaries and they have done a are for speculation, for money making. great deal of good, but they could do a We go in for wealth. I used to tell the great deal more if they had a mind to. people, and I tell them the same now, I They hedge up the way and try to de- do not go in for a few millions, I go in for stroy the little good they have done by the pile, and I calculate to have it. "How instilling into the hearts of the people 30 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the necessity of dwelling in darkness and Was there ever any such thing done as to remaining in ignorance, and preventing destroy the principles pertaining to the them from receiving the Gospel. This is ordinances of the house of God? Why, their practice, and in this they are doing yes, in ancient days. injury, but they have done a great deal of Well, we know the reason why, we good. know why they did it—they hewed to What are we hated for? What do men themselves cisterns that would hold no lie about us for, and send forth their lies water. Do we, as Christians, teach to the world right from this place? Are the Gospel according to Saint Mark, St. they who do this the friends of mankind? John, St. Luke, Matthew, Paul, Peter No, they are their enemies. They plant and James and the rest of the apostles falsehood in the hearts of thousands of and the disciples of the Lord? Do we people. One liar is like a bad king. teach the same doctrine as the Chris- A corrupt and wicked king can corrupt tian world? No, we do not. Do we a whole nation. One liar can deceive teach the same doctrine as Jesus and thousands. They are not the friends of his Apostles? Yes, we preach the same mankind. Why are we hated? Is our re- Gospel. How many modes of baptism ligion obnoxious? Why? have the so-called Christian world? I "Because of this one-man power, be- do not know how many. One is by im- cause of the great influence there is in mersion, or being buried in the water. the midst of the people to unite them to- Another is to get down on your knees gether." and have water poured on the head; an- Do you not read in your Bibles that other is to stand up and have water except ye are one ye are not the Lord's? poured on the head; another is to have Do you not read in the Bible, that you somebody dip his fingers in water and have had all your lives, that you must touch the forehead with it; another is love God with all your hearts, that you to plunge face foremost, and how many must be united, that you must receive more modes of baptism there are I do the Gospel of Christ? Do you not read not know. How many there are who say that there is but one faith, one Lord, that all these are outward ordinances one baptism, one God and Father of all, and that they are nonessential? Did God &c.? Certainly you do. Well, we be- ever say this? No. Jesus? No. Any lieve these things, but does that prove of the Apostles ever say anything of the that we are the enemies of mankind? kind? No, they did not. Has any man No, it proves that we are their friends. in modern times received a revelation Why do we differ from them, and why from heaven, doing away with the ordi- do they differ from us? I can tell it in nances of the house of God? No, only a few words—it is simply because we false revelations; and we ask the sim- are disposed to believe the truth, and ple question, If our doctrine is not true, they are disposed to reject it. They and if there is no necessity for the ordi- are disposed to live and drink water, nances of the house of God, will you not if they can get it, from cisterns that be pleased to tell us the name of the man will hold no water. Is there anybody, who received, and the place where he re- do you think, who has transgressed the ceived a revelation from God doing away laws of God? Has anybody ever changed with his own ordinances, and declaring the ordinances of the house of God? that all miracles were to cease? &c. FRIENDS AND ENEMIES, ETC. 31

It is true that we differ from the Chris- change his ordinances, but to observe tian world in our faith in regard to these them; we do not wish to break the ev- things. Does this prove that we are erlasting covenant, but to keep that with their enemies? No, it proves that we our fathers, with Jesus, with our Father are their friends. We believe in doctrines in heaven, with holy angels, and to live that they do not believe in, and we dis- according to them. We differ with them believe in some fanciful ideas that they in the tenets of our religion, we can- profess to hold as doctrine. For instance not help it. We would not believe "Mor- they hold that God is an imaginary be- monism," as it is called, if it were not ing. They cannot tell where nor how he for one thing. I never would have be- lives, nor anything concerning his char- lieved it if it had not been for one simple acter, whether he is material or imma- thing. What do you think that is? It is terial; but, like many of the most emi- true. I believed it because of that. What nent divines, who have spread it through a strange idea! If it had not been true their pages for the people to read, they I would not have believed it, but being have come to the conclusion that the cen- true I happened to believe it. ter of God is everywhere and his circum- Now there is quite a difference be- ference nowhere—one of the most vain tween me and the man who stands up to ideas that could be conceived by any in- teach the people what he says is the way telligent being. Then what is their idea of life and salvation, and who has trans- of the soul of man? That it is an im- gressed every law that God ever gave, material substance. Who ever heard of who has changed every one of the ordi- such a thing? Ask any true philosopher nances of his house, and broken every if he can explain the meaning of an "im- covenant that he has made with the chil- material substance." It is like the center dren of men. What do you know, Mr. of a being everywhere and his circumfer- Divine, about glory, exaltation, happi- ence nowhere, or like being seated on the ness and eternal lives? I will answer for top of a topless throne. These are self- him, and say, nothing at all. What do confounding expressions, and there is no you know about God? Nothing at all. meaning to any of them. We differ from What do you know about his dwelling them in our ideas of God. We know that place? Nothing at all. What about his he is a Being—a man—with all the com- person? Nothing at all. Pardon me for ponent parts of an intelligent being— making these expressions, but look on head, hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, cheek this stage which I brought before the bones, forehead, chin, body, lower limbs; congregation—the human family acting that he eats, drinks, talks, lives and and bringing out what they have behind has a being, and has a residence, and the scenes. What a spectacle it presents! his presence fills immensity as far as you and I know. We differ with them, Are we the enemies of mankind? No, for we know that the Lord has sent we are their only friends, and we calcu- forth his laws, commandments and ordi- late to hang on until we save the last son nances to the children of men, and re- and daughter of Adam and Eve that can quires them to be strictly obeyed, and receive salvation. We calculate to be co- we do not wish to transgress those laws, workers with Jesus, our Savior, until the but to keep them. We do not wish to last man and woman that can be saved is 32 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. placed in the kingdom or mansion pre- nances. We have a knowledge of the pared for them, and none will be lost covenants necessary to reach and pick up or turned away except those who sin the last man and woman that has lived against the Holy Ghost. What do you on the earth, and we calculate to preach think of it? An enemy of mankind! the Gospel to the living until the line is Shame on the expression! And shame drawn and Jesus comes to reign King of on those who give utterance to it when nations as he does King of Saints, and speaking of the Latter-day Saints. We the separation is made. But until then have the oracles, the law and the com- the wheat and the tares will grow to- mandments; we have all the laws or or- gether. We are together now, the wheat dinances necessary to reach and take and the tares are here. hold of our fathers, mothers, grandfa- Now let us see your wheat heads bow thers and those who have lived before down as though you were fully ripe or us, and to bring them up to eternal preparing to be so, your whole hearts life. What divine teaches this doctrine? and labors for the kingdom of God. The If there is no resurrection, says Paul, wicked may flourish for awhile like a why then are ye baptized for the dead? green bay tree, but by and by they will be It is the only expression that alludes cut down, and the righteous will go forth to the doctrine of baptism for the dead and inherit the kingdom, which may God in the New Testament, but it is true. grant to be our happy lot for Jesus' sake. We have this law, we have the ordi- Amen.

HOME MANUFACTURE—OFFENSES MUST NEEDS COME—ZION IS GROWING IN IMPORTANCE ON THE EARTH—THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOW ESTABLISHED—SECOND COMING OF CHRIST—UNPOPULARITY OF OUR RELIGION—THE HOLY GHOST IS THE INFALLIBLE TESTIMONY TO THE BELIEVER—THE GOSPEL EMBRACES ALL TRUTH.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, INTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,APRIL 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

One of the proverbs common among tion of the fullness of times, is, "The the Saints of God in the dispensa- kingdom of God or nothing." Presi- tion in which we live—the dispensa- dent Young has been trying to get HOME MANUFACTURE, ETC. 33 us to labor to build up the kingdom of poor, and our Territory drained of all the God. This kingdom has been given into money we can raise, if we continue this? the hands of the Latter-day Saints to es- We should not send our wool to be manu- tablish on the earth, and unless we labor factured in the States, and then pay our for its advancement we shall certainly money for cloth brought from there here. fall short of salvation, for all the salva- Where are our wool growers? What are tion there is, whether for Jew, Gentile, they thinking about when they do this? Saint or sinner, is in connection with this This is an item which I consider of vital kingdom. importance to the Latter-day Saints. We We have had a great many plain should keep our wool at home, and we truths presented before this Conference, should manufacture this wool into cloth, and if we will observe the counsels that and we should buy and pay for that cloth, have been given we shall be led to salva- and support home manufactures. This tion. Every one of the propositions made is a principle which we have neglected by President Young has this tendency. It in a great degree; but we have got to is our duty as Latter-day Saints to sus- come to it sometime. We have got ei- tain the Zion of God on the earth. What ther to make ourselves self-sustaining, he has said to us is true. We have heard or we shall have to go without a good it thousands of times. We have been many things that we now regard as al- counseled for many years to try to lay most indispensable for our welfare and a foundation for our own independence comfort, for there is not a man who be- in these mountains. It is a well known lieves in the revelations of God but what principle in political economy, that any believes the day is at hand when there nation or people that expend more than will be trouble among the nations of the they produce, or buy from other nations earth, when great Babylon will come in more than they sell in return, will grow remembrance before God, and his judg- poor. We should produce what we use— ments will visit the nations. When that what we eat and wear, and as for what day comes, if Zion has food and raiment we drink, why the mountain streams and the comforts of life she must produce supply that of the purest quality. them, and there must be a beginning to There are several items to which I these things. would like to call your attention. Pres- This is the Zion of God, this is the ident Young has taken the lead in es- work of God. The servants of God tablishing woolen factories in this Ter- have borne record and testimony to this ritory. Others have assisted in this now for more than forty years, and the work, but he has done much more than Lord has backed up their testimony, ful- any other man, and now we have sev- filling his word in the events which eral good mills for the manufacture of have transpired in the earth. The Lord cloth and other fabrics owned and run says, "I am angry with none, except by the Saints in Utah. Still we send those who acknowledge not my hand many large quantities of wool abroad in all things." As a people, we have instead of using it in our own mills, been obliged to acknowledge the hand and import goods of outside manufac- of God in our salvation and guidance. ture instead of making them at home. Some of the speakers have referred to How long will it be before we are the drivings and persecutions of the 34 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Saints in the past. The Lord says, "Of- forty years to the nations of the earth in fenses must needs come; but woe to him its plainness, truth and simplicity, as it by whom they come!" If we had not been was anciently by Jesus and his Apostles? driven from Jackson, Caldwell and Clay It has, and thousands who are in this Counties, and from Kirtland and Nau- Territory today can bear testimony to its voo, Utah today would have been a bar- truth. The example is before the world. ren desert, there would have been no Zion is like a city set on a hill that cannot railroad from the Atlantic to the Pacific, be hid. She is a beacon to the nations of and we should not have fulfilled, I may the earth. The Saints of God are fulfill- say, thousands of the revelations of God ing the revelations of God; they are ful- as we have done. The hand of the Lord filling the prophecies and sayings of the has been manifest in all these matters. ancient Patriarchs and Prophets, who He has watched this people, and over spoke as they were moved upon by the this work from its foundation until today, Holy Ghost, and no prophecy is of private and he will continue to do so. But it is interpretation. If those holy men of God certainly true that, as a people, we must spoke the word of God, what they said heed the counsels of the Lord through his will have its fulfillment, and no power servants, for these counsels, if observed, can stay this work. will secure us salvation, and lead us to The set time has come for the Lord prosperity, union and happiness. to establish his kingdom of which Daniel President Young, as an instrument spoke, that Zion which Isaiah saw and in the hands of God, has brought his portrayed, and about which he and many tens of thousands from the old world other Prophets have left so many say- who never were worth, I may say, a far- ings in their prophecies. The history of thing, who never owned a horse, car- the progress of this Church is before the riage, wagon, cow, pig or chicken, and world. It is the work of God, and not a hardly had bread enough to keep soul saying ever made about it by an inspired and body together. There are thousands man, whether in the Bible, Book of Mor- upon thousands now in these valleys of mon, or in the Doctrine and Covenants, the mountains who were brought here will fail of its fulfillment. No matter by the donations of the Saints of God, whether these words came by the voice of and the mercies of God unto them. They God out of the heavens, by the ministra- are now settled through this valley for tion of angels, or by the voice of the ser- six hundred miles. They have enough to vants of God in the flesh, it is the same; eat, drink and wear, houses and lands although the heavens and the earth may of their own, and plenty of this world's pass away, they will not go unfulfilled. goods to make them comfortable. This is the foundation upon which Everything that leads to good and the Latter-day Saints labor, and upon to do good is of God, and every- which they have labored from the thing that leads to evil and to do evil beginning of this Church. Joseph is of the wicked one. I will ask, Smith has often been termed an il- Has not good grown out of the whole literate, unlearned man. He was work of God from the organization of a farmer's son, and had very small this Church until today? Has not chance of education. What primer this Gospel been offered for more than had he to reveal the fullness of the HOME MANUFACTURE, ETC. 35

Gospel to the world? None at all, only as has come, which the Lord decreed before he was taught by the administration of the foundation of the world—the great angels from heaven, by the voice of God dispensation of the last days, and a peo- and by the inspiration and power of the ple must be prepared for the coming of Holy Ghost. The principles which have the Son of Man. How can they do it? By been revealed to the world through him being gathered out from Babylon. How are true as the throne of God. Their in- often has the question been asked, "Why fluence is already felt in the earth, and cannot the Latter-day Saints live abroad will continue to increase until the com- in the world and enjoy their religion?" ing of the Son of Man; and the blood of We can hardly enjoy it as we are today— the Prophets which has been shed in tes- gathered together, the wicked will fol- timony thereof will remain in force upon low us up; and then we are overwhelmed all the world until the scene is wound up. like a mountain with tradition. But we What other people on the face of the have gathered together that we may be earth are preparing for Jesus Christ? taught by Prophets, Patriarchs and in- The Lord Jesus Christ is coming to reign spired men, and we are endeavoring, un- on earth. The world may say that der their instructions, to throw off the he delays his coming until the end of trammels with which we and our forefa- the earth. But they know neither the thers have been bound for generations. thoughts nor the ways of the Lord. The We are not prepared for the coming of Lord will not delay his coming because the Son of Man, and if he were to come of their unbelief, and the signs both in today we could not endure it. There is heaven and earth indicate that it is near. no people on the earth prepared for that. The fig trees are leafing in sight of all the But the Lord is laboring with us, he has nations of the earth, and if they had the carried us through a school of experience Spirit of God they could see and under- now for forty years, and we should cer- stand them. tainly have been dull scholars if we had The Latter-day Saints cannot stand not learned some wisdom. The Lord in- still; we cannot become stereotyped. God tends that we shall unite ourselves to- has decreed that his Zion must progress. gether, and in building up the Zion of We cannot remain in one groove or po- God, if we cannot attain to all that is re- sition. This kingdom has continued to quired of us today, we will do what we progress from the beginning, and the lit- can, and progress as fast as we can, that tle one is now more than a thousand, the way may be prepared for the fulfill- and it will hasten to become a strong na- ment of the words of the Lord. tion, for it is God's work, and its des- Here is the Bible, the record of the tiny is in his hands. It becomes us, as Jews, given by the inspiration of the Latter-day Saints, to realize these things Lord through Moses and the ancient Pa- as they are, and also our position and triarchs and Prophets. Is it an impos- calling before God. We must build up ture, and as the infidels say, the work the Zion and kingdom of God on the of man? No, it is not in the power of earth, or fail in the object of our call- any man who ever breathed the breath ing and receiving the Priesthood of God of life to make such a book without in these latter days. The full set time the inspiration of the Almighty. It is 36 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. just so with the Book of Mormon—all the other in quick succession before the eyes ingenuity of all the men under heaven of this generation. No generation that could not compose and present to the ever lived on the earth, lived in a more world a book like the Book of Mormon. interesting period than the one in which Its principles are divine—they are from we live; and when we consider that God. They could never emanate from our eternal destiny depends upon the the mind of an impostor, or from the few short years that we spend here, mind of a person writing a novel. Why? what manner of persons ought we to be? Because the promises and prophecies it Men spend their lives for what they call contains are being fulfilled in the sight wealth or happiness, but they seek not of all the earth. So with the revelations after the way of life, and in a few years given through the Prophet Joseph Smith they lie down and die and open their eyes contained in the Book of Doctrine and in the spirit world, and they will come Covenants—they are being fulfilled. forth at some time and be judged accord- We, the Latter-day Saints, have this ing to the deeds done in the body. great almighty work laid upon us, and A great deal has been said with re- our hearts should not be set upon the gard to "Mormonism" and the strange things of the world, for if they are we people who dwell in these mountains. shall forget God and lose sight of his Many strangers have come to visit this kingdom. The counsels, exhortations city, thinking that their lives were hardly and instructions which we receive from safe because of the horrid stories they the servants of God are just and true. had heard about these terrible "Mor- As a people if we will do the will of mons," when the fact is, if they had only God we have the power to build up Zion known it, they were a great deal safer in beauty, power and glory, as the Lord here, than in any of the great cities of has revealed it through the mouth of the the world. Prophet. It rests with us, the Lord work- The Lord has been working, and this ing with us. We are called upon to work people have been working, and the ob- with the Lord just as fast as we are pre- ject of their labor has been and is to es- pared to receive the things of his king- tablish the Gospel of Jesus Christ and dom. But I am satisfied there has got to to spread truth and righteousness. We be a great change with us in many re- came here, a few pioneers, on the 24th spects before we are prepared for the re- of July, 1847, and we found a desert. demption of Zion and the building up of It looked as though no white man could the New Jerusalem. I believe the only live here. We have to acknowledge way for us is to get enough of the Spirit the hand of God in all the blessings of God that we may see and understand we have today. This Territory is now our duties and comprehend the will of filled with cities, towns, villages and gar- the Lord. dens. The earth has blossomed like a This is a great day, an impor- rose, and the desert has brought forth tant time—a time in which great streams of water from dry places. The events await the world—Zion, Baby- Lord has blessed the people, we have lon, Jew, Gentile, saint and sinner, to acknowledge his hands in this. This high and low, rich and poor. Great is only a beginning. The world have and important events will follow each opposed us from the beginning, even HOME MANUFACTURE, ETC. 37 very many honest-hearted men, ignorant uphill or upstream all the days of his of the nature and object of "Mormonism," life in order to try and plant the Gospel have opposed us. If the veil were lifted in the midst of the sons of men. A one minute from the eyes of the world, few here and there heard and were dis- and they could see the things of eternity posed to receive that Gospel, and the as they are, there is not a man living, not Spirit of God bore record unto them of excepting our friend brother Newman, or its truth, and they went before the Lord President Grant, or any other man that and asked him if it was true, and the breathes, who would not bow down be- Lord revealed it unto them and they fore God and pray for Brigham Young embraced it. From that day until the and the prosperity of this work. But present this message has gone to the there is a veil over men's minds. Dark- world. I have preached it to millions of ness covers the earth and gross darkness my fellow men, so has President Young, the minds of the nations, and this is to and I may say the same of hundreds prove whether they will or will not walk of the Elders of this Church; and I do in the covenant of the Lord. There are not believe that ever a man, with his a few who have had sufficient indepen- ears open, stopped a moment to listen dence of mind and stability of charac- to the testimony of the servants of God ter to obey the celestial law. But how about the truth of the Book of Mormon, few friends the Almighty and his ser- Joseph Smith being a Prophet of God, vants have had in this age of the world? and the restoration of the fullness of the As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, Gospel, but what a measure of the Spirit so it will be in the days of the com- of God has backed up that testimony ing of the Son of Man. The numbers to him. When men have rejected these of the servants of God are few. Let the testimonies they have done so against Lord Almighty send a message to the light and truth, and herein is where con- world now as he did in the days of Noah, demnation rests upon this generation— Enoch, Lot, Jesus Christ and the Apos- Light has come into the world and men tles, and few among the nations of the love darkness rather than light, because earth would be willing to receive it. In their deeds are evil. the days of Jesus the High Priests, Sad- "Mormonism" is not popular, and few, ducees, Essenes, Stoics and every sect comparatively speaking, have embraced and party then known in the Jewish na- it. Jesus Christ was never popular tion cried—"Crucify him! Crucify him!" in his day. The old Patriarchs and So it was with Joseph Smith. From Prophets had but few friends, yet they the day that he laid the foundation of were called and inspired by God, and this work, Priest and people, doctors and held in their hands the issues of life and lawyers, high and low, rich and poor, death, the keys of salvation on earth with but few exceptions, have been ready and in heaven. What they bound on to crush it to the earth. Why? Be- earth was bound in heaven. Whoseso- cause, ignorant of its character and mis- ever sins they remitted were remitted, sion, they have believed that it inter- and whosesoever sins they retained were fered with their religion. Joseph Smith retained. Yet the world was ready to had to walk in deep water, he had to row destroy them. It is so today. But the unbelief of this generation will not 38 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. make the truth of God without effect to- plain and simple declaration, yet it in- day any more than it did in any other volved the destiny of the whole human period of the world. Therefore I say family. It is just so today. The Gospel has to my brethren and sisters, let us try been offered to the world now for over and prepare our minds and hearts by forty years, in its purity, plainness and prayer before the Lord, that we may ob- clearness, according to the ancient order tain enough of the light of the Spirit, and of things, and the Elders of Israel have of the influence of the Holy Ghost, to see promised the world that if they would re- and be preserved in the path of life, and ceive their testimony and be baptized for when we receive the teachings and coun- the remission of their sins, they should sels of the servants of God, that we may receive the Holy Ghost. When a man re- be disposed to treasure them up in our ceives the Holy Ghost he has a testimony hearts and practice them in our lives. that cannot deceive him or anybody else. We shall soon pass away; in a lit- In the days of Moses and Pharaoh the tle while we shall be on the other side magicians could work as many miracles of the veil. There is no man or woman as Moses, almost; and you may go into who has ever lived on the earth and kept our theater here, or any other, and you the commandments of God who will be may see and hear that which will deceive ashamed of, or sorry for it, when they your eyes and ears, and all the senses go into the presence of God. Our eyes you have; but get the Holy Ghost and have not seen, our ears have not heard, you have a testimony that cannot deceive it has not entered into the heart of man you. It never deceived any man, and to conceive the joy, glory and blessings it never will. It is by this power and which God has in store for his faith- principle that the Elders of Israel have ful Saints. As President Young told us been sustained from the first day they yesterday, whether men believe or dis- commenced their labors until today. It believe, the Lord Almighty has wrought was this power which sustained Joseph out salvation for the world. We are labor- Smith from his boyhood up, in all his ing for this; the Prophets and Patriarchs labors until he planted the kingdom of in days past and gone did the same. In God on the earth to be thrown down no these latter days Saviors have come up more forever. He lived until he accom- on Mount Zion, and they are laboring to plished all that God raised him up to save the world—the living and the dead. do here in the flesh, then he went to The Lord requires this at our hands, and the other side of the veil to fill his place if we do not labor to promote this cause and mission there. His works will fol- and to build it up, we shall be under con- low him there, and he and his brethren demnation before him. will labor for the accomplishment of the The Gospel is the same today as purposes of God there, as we are do- it was in the days of Jesus Christ. ing here. The Lord raised up President The word to his disciples was—"Go Young to be our leader and lawgiver, and ye into all the world, and preach he has been so from the day that Joseph the gospel to every creature, he that was taken away. His works are before believeth and is baptized shall be the world and before the heavens; they saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned." That is a very HOME MANUFACTURE, ETC. 39 show for themselves. The tree is known to them. by the fruit it brings forth. The Lord has This and every other principle which revealed in this day every key that was the Elders of this Church preach and ever held by any Patriarch or Prophet teach are from heaven—the Lord has re- from the days of Father Adam, in the vealed them. They are before the world, Garden of Eden, down to the days of and all who hear them will investigate if Joseph Smith, that was necessary for they are wise. If there is a man on the the salvation of the sons of men. They face of the earth who has got a true prin- have been sealed on the head of Brigham ciple that we have not, will he please let Young and other servants of God, and us have it? As President Young has said they will be held on the earth until this many a time, we will change a dozen er- scene is wound up. What a glorious thing rors for one truth, and thank God for it. it is that we, like the ancient Saints, can We are after light and truth. We are not be baptized for the dead, and thus open afraid of the doctrines of the inhabitants the prison doors and set the prisoners of the earth being presented before us or free! The Lord is no respecter of persons, our children. We have truth, we have and the fifty thousand millions of human been called to present it to the world. We beings who are supposed to have lived on have done it. If they have truths that we the earth from the days the ancient ser- have not we would like to obtain them. vants of God were put to death, to the restoration of the Gospel through Joseph I will say by way of conclusion that Smith, never having had the privilege of I thank God for the privilege of attend- hearing the Gospel, are not going to re- ing these Conferences for so many years, main in the eternal world without the and for seeing the increase and progress privilege of hearing the Gospel; but they of his work. Here we meet from every na- will be preached to by Joseph Smith tion under heaven, just as the Prophets and the Prophets, Patriarchs and Elders said. We have been gathered by the who have received the Priesthood on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I had the priv- earth in these latter days. Many of them ilege, last night and this morning, of will receive their testimony, but some- meeting with Father Kington, the old pa- body must administer for them in the triarch whom I met with over in Here- flesh, that they may be judged accord- fordshire, England, where, like John ing to men in the spirit, and have part the Baptist, he was a forerunner of the in the first resurrection, just the same Gospel of Christ. Through his adminis- as though they had heard the Gospel in trations the people in that county had the flesh. The Lord has revealed this to been prepared to receive the Gospel, and us, and commanded us to attend to this when we went and preached to them, he duty, the same as Jesus, while his body and all his flock but one, numbering six was in the grave, preached three days hundred, entered into the kingdom, and and nights to the spirits in prison who that opened a door which enabled us to were rebellious during the long-suffering baptize eighteen hundred in about seven of God in the days of Noah. They lay months' labor. I never expected to see in prison until Jesus went and preached him again in this city, but he came to 40 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. my house last night, and he came to have been baptized for the remission of meeting today, and I felt more pride and sins, and received the testimony of the joy in meeting him than I should if it Holy Ghost. had been the Emperor of Russia. I thank Brethren and sisters, we are in the God that I have the privilege of meet- school of the Saints. Let us progress, and ing with the Saints with whom I ate try to improve and set our hearts on the and drank in foreign lands, who have things of God and truth, and carry out listened to the voices of the Elders of and do the work of righteousness for Je- Israel, have received their testimonies, sus' sake. Amen.

UNBELIEF—THE SAINTS REQUIRE CONSTANT INSTRUCTION—CONTRAST BETWEEN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE RELIGIONS OF MEN—EVIL WOULD CEASE AMONG THE SAINTS IF THEY WOULD LIVE THEIR RELIGION—GATHERING THE POOR—TITHING—KNOWLEDGE OF GOD—PROGRESS OF THE WORK IS DUE TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,OGDEN, SUNDAY AFTERNOON,MAY 18, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

The teaching of grown people is the requires time, faith, the heart's affec- same as teaching the children. We re- tions and a great deal of labor. Here ceive impressions when very young, and many stop. They hear and believe, but grow up to further knowledge; it is the before they go on to practice they be- same in receiving the Gospel. When we gin to think that they were mistaken, talk to persons who have not previously and unbelief enters into their hearts. heard the Gospel, we have to reason There has been unbelief since the be- with them on the propriety of receiving ginning of the world. Have you not the truth. We also have to reason with read the sayings of Moses in regard and persuade the Latter-day Saints, and to our mother Eve? She had heard it is to them I wish principally to talk the voice of the Lord and understood this afternoon. When the Gospel is it, saying concerning the fruit of a cer- preached to the honest in heart they re- tain tree, "in the day that thou eat- ceive it by faith, but when they obey it est thereof thou shalt surely die." When labor is required. To practice the Gospel her husband was in another part of the garden, a certain character came UNBELIEF, ETC. 41 along and commenced to reason with her. self as well as the whole family. The ne- "That is very fine fruit: I understand cessity and beauty of union cannot be the Lord says you must not partake of better illustrated than by the example it." "Yes, for in the day we eat of it he of the chief who called his sons together says we shall die." "Well," says he, "that just previous to his death, and, taking is not so. You must not believe all that a bundle of arrows, asked them each is told you, but think for yourself. Now to break it. This they were unable to I will tell you something. If you eat of do. "Now," said he, "unloose the bun- that fruit your eyes will be opened, and dle." They did so, and could take the ar- you will see as the Gods." He hands her rows singly, one by one, and break them a little of the fruit, just to try—no mat- with ease. This will give us as good a ter whether it was an apple, a grape, or proof as we can desire, that when we are what it was—she tastes of it, and does bound together as a unit, we are strong not die, and likes it so well that when and powerful, but when we are divided Adam comes along she says, "Husband, we are weak, and our enemies can obtain this fruit is delightful; I have tasted it, power over us. Take our financial affairs, and it is desirable to make one wise; take and they will show the same principle. some." "No," says he, "I shall not, the But we are prone to unbelief, and have Lord has commanded us not to eat of it." to learn by the childish principle—a little But just as it is with other husbands, today and a little more tomorrow, and af- she coaxes and persuades, and finally he ter a while perhaps we will become truly gives way and partakes of the forbidden Latter-day Saints. We profess to be so fruit. Now do you see how unbelief en- now. But to be a Saint in the full sense of tered into the world in the beginning? the word, is to be something very nearly We have to reason with mankind to per- perfect. If, however, we are striving to suade them to receive the truth of God. the utmost of the ability God has given A declaratory statement is sufficient for us to prove that we are willing to serve those who are prepared to receive the him and perform our duties, we are jus- spirit of revelation for themselves, but tified. We have the kingdom of God to with the most of the human family we build up, Zion to redeem; we have to have to reason and explain. A really pure sanctify ourselves so that we may be pre- person is very scarce; but when the heart pared to be caught up with the Church is truly pure, the Lord can write upon it, of the Firstborn, and if we improve every and the truth is received without argu- day and hour, then if we die we shall be ment, or doubt, or disputation. If we talk found justified. But if we continue to live, with the Latter-day Saints, we have to we must become Saints in very deed, or reason with them, particularly on tem- come short of the fullness of the glory of poral matters. Now I could show, by God that is to be revealed. To lead the sound argument and logic, the necessity Saints in this direction we have to rea- for the people to live and labor for the son with them, and show the necessity good of all. Anybody ought to be able to for their observing this precept and that see that when one member of a family is law, this doctrine and that principle, that pulling away from the others, and living they may be persuaded to do the will of for self alone, it injures himself or her- God. When Joseph Smith first learned 42 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. from God the principle of baptism for almost everything. I am happy to say the remission of sins, he undoubtedly there is an improvement, still I hear of thought that he had learned something strife, brother going to law with brother, great and wonderful; so, also, when he contention in families and in the com- received his ordination to the Aaronic munity. This should not be. Have we Priesthood under the hands of John the not learned yet to be meek and lowly? Baptist. But he did not fly off at a tan- Are we not willing to receive and abide gent, and think he had it all, but was the providences of God with patience? willing and anxious to be taught further. How many are willing to do this as they After receiving this authority, he bap- should? But very few. That disposi- tized his friends. When he organized the tion that came from the fall is planted in Church, he received the higher Priest- our hearts, and will occasionally arise in hood, after the order of Melchizedek, the bosom. Will we ever get experience which gave him authority not only to enough so that we can overcome these baptize for the remission of sins, but to temptations that arise in the heart, so confirm by the laying on of hands for the that we can say goodbye to the fash- reception of the Holy Ghost. The Aaronic ions and follies of the world, and in- Priesthood holds power to baptize, but stead of them imbibe good and whole- not to lay on hands to confer the Holy some principles? Certainly we will; this Ghost. When Joseph Smith received this is what we are after. The Latter-day higher power, he did not throw away the Saints must learn to be one in Christ. first, but received additions to it. He We are one in the ordinances and doc- learned of and administered the Sacra- trines; one in the ordinances of baptism, ment, then went to preaching a year the laying on of hands, the administra- or two, and received the High Priest- tion of the sacrament, the blessing of hood, which he imparted to others, and children, the ordinations of the Priest- then obtained other communications and hood, the endowment; also in the bap- powers, until he received the full pattern tism for the dead, though this was a trial and authority to build up the kingdom for some at the first. When God revealed of God, preparatory to the coming of the to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon that Son of Man, which also he imparted to there was a place prepared for all, ac- others. There are men here who heard cording to the light they had received him say: "We have added to our faith and their rejection of evil and practice of and knowledge, and have received keys good, it was a great trial to many, and and authority, until I do not know of any- some apostatized because God was not thing necessary to build up and estab- going to send to everlasting punishment lish the kingdom of God on the earth, heathens and infants, but had a place of but what I have received and bestowed salvation, in due time, for all, and would upon you." He received his knowledge of bless the honest and virtuous and truth- the things of God by degrees, until he ful, whether they ever belonged to any obtained the last blessing needful to be- church or not. It was a new doctrine to stow on his brethren. this generation, and many stumbled at The Latter-day Saints need talk- it, but Joseph continued to receive rev- ing to a great deal—they need con- elation upon revelation, ordinance upon tinual preaching and instruction upon ordinance, truth upon truth, until he UNBELIEF, ETC. 43 obtained all that was necessary for the have not, and that I have an error, I salvation of the human family. All the in- will trade ten errors if I have them for habitants of the earth are called of God; one truth. Take the religion of Christ they are called to repent and be baptized from the foundation up, and it is all true for the remission of sins. When I first and for the benefit of mankind. Take came into the church it was a subject of the whole world with their contentions considerable thought to me why people and strife, the kings and potentates who whom I knew to be as good and moral make war and murder the people by as they could be, should have to repent. thousands, those who shoot and kill, who But I could see afterwards that if they rob the poor, who set at naught the coun- had nothing else to repent of they could sel of God, bring them together, read to and ought to repent of their false reli- them the precepts of Jesus, the princi- gions, of their narrow, contracted creeds ples of the everlasting Gospel and see in which they were bound, of the ordi- if there is one principle that would in- nances of men, and get something bet- jure them or the world of mankind in the ter. These narrow, contracted religions least. Will they injure a person, a fam- have spread infidelity in the world. They ily, a neighborhood? All would join, if should repent of these and take hold of they spoke the truth, in saying no, not the things of God and receive the truths one; but if we lived up to them, they of heaven. "Well," say the ministers, "we would make the best condition of soci- have lived according to the light we have ety possible. Let the whole world take received." We say, are you willing to re- the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doc- ceive more? If so, here is more for you. trine and Covenants and the writings So far as your faith in Christ goes, and and counsels of this Church, and see if your morality, we say, amen. But here there is anything calculated in the least is something more. "Ah," say they, "we degree, in any of their requirements, to have got enough, we don't want any of injure one individual on earth. I will your Mormonism." Well, now they do, if say to these few Latter-day Saints, and they only knew it. I had a conversa- if all were here I would say the same, tion recently with a prominent minister you, brethren and sisters, take coun- of a church in the East and he said, I sel of your Presidents, those who are do not agree with you in your peculiar set to give you counsel; and so far as views. I answered, are you not for the your President is concerned as an indi- truth, the whole truth and nothing but vidual, if you would say in your hearts, the truth? If you are, so am I. How is it "we will take his counsel"—and I can possible to get up an argument? I will say before God he desires this people make a bargain. I will compare my reli- would live their religion—there would be gion with yours. We will start out with no contentions, no stealing, no cheating, the Bible alone, taking it as the stan- no drunkenness, no lying; wrongdoing dard. All that the Bible teaches for doc- would cease, the hand of mercy would be trine and practice we will take for our extended to the poor, kindness and love guide. If I have an error I will part would be spread abroad, and you would with it. Will you do the same? If you never hear another jar in the land. I can find that you have a truth that I can say that I deserve more obedience to counsel than I get. Can any man, wo- 44 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. man or child bring up one thing that I good to all. It is better to feed nine un- have counseled that would injure any- worthy persons than to let one worthy body or bring the least stain upon the person—the tenth, go hungry. Follow kingdom of God upon the earth? No, they this rule and you will be apt to be found cannot. Why can't we be of one heart on the right side of doing good. and of one mind? Why is it that my Suppose we look around here. How brethren allow themselves to be stirred many of you sisters have donated fifty up to strife with their neighbors? Per- cents to help gather the poor this season? haps some neighbor has let down your Don't say you have no money. Have you bars, and the cattle have got in, and you not had fifty cents to buy a ribbon? How are injured in your feelings and allow about that ten dollars to buy hair from anger to enter into your hearts. Perhaps somebody else's head when you have some neighbor has borrowed your plow plenty on your own? Take the brethren, and broken it, or done something else in too, who wear needless clothing, smoke which you are aggrieved; you set it down cigars, &c. Take all the money that is that that person is no Saint. Perhaps spent for tea and coffee and squandered if your own faults were portrayed you in waste and how much could we get? would show as many as he has, but you Why enough to send for the poor, who set it down for a fact that he is no Saint, are begging and pleading to come, by the or he would not do thus and so. Now scores of thousands. We got a purse of cease this. When you think your brother some four thousand dollars at the late has injured you, go straight and learn Conference. I put in one thousand dol- the intention of his heart, and judge ac- lars, brother Hooper put in one thou- cording to that, and not according to the sand dollars. That makes about half the outward appearances. amount I spoke when I was here, about Do you say your prayers? How many two years ago, about Elders who had bor- houses of High Priests, if I crept into rowed money of poor Saints in the old them like a mouse, could I find where country and never paid them. I said they do not pray with their families, do then such men should be cut off from the not ask God to bless their labors, to bless Church. their fields and farms, their brethren How much tithing do you pay? The and the kingdom of God on the earth? professing Christians, apostates and How many Elders, Seventies and Bish- others have a great deal to say about ops would I find in the same condition? the Saints paying tithing. Now let The Bishops should be a perfect exam- us compare notes. The Elders of this ple to their wards in all things. How Church travel and preach without purse many are there who are strictly honest or scrip, and labor at home as Bishops, and fair in their deal? I have experi- Presidents, High Counselors, and Min- enced so much on that subject that I had isters, free of charge. Now take the better say little upon it. But I say to Christians, how many of their Ministers you, deal justly, act mercifully and es- preach without pay? Go to their meet- chew evil. Do good to all men. We say ings, in their churches, halls, school- sometimes, "I will not do any favor for houses, or any of their public gather- that man, he is unworthy of assistance." ings, and you have a box, a plate, or a I will give you a piece of counsel. Do hat put under your face, and it is, "Give UNBELIEF, ETC. 45 me a sixpence, give me a sixpence, give the laws of God. me a sixpence!" Show me the Elder of People have found out that we believe this Church that does this? We preach in a plurality of wives. The people of this the Gospel without purse or scrip and Government say we shall not have a plu- work for our own bread and butter. Yet rality of wives. Why not say: "a plurality the Christian world whine about our of women," and we shan't have any ob- paying tithing. The Saints should pay jection to it. Because this would strike at the tenth of their income with glad and men in high places. Their idea is, "If you thankful hearts, and help to bring home want women, illegally, and then thrust the poor. We have supported and helped them into the street when you have done the poor to the amount of millions. We with them, we care nothing about it; but have picked up those who were poor and if God has revealed anything about plu- brought them here and taught them how rality of wives, to marry and provide for to work and take care of themselves, and them, as he did in the days of the Patri- some of them ride in their carriages as archs, we don't want any of it." If I have proud as the lords of the old world from wives given to me of the Lord, I do not whence they came. break any constitutional law of the land. In regard to this whining of the world But enough of that. about Brigham's handling the tithing, I can say that he has put in ten dollars I want to persuade the Latter-day where he has taken one out of the trea- Saints to be Latter-day Saints. Bro. sury, and he has paid more tithing than Woodruff was talking about the necessity any other man in the Church. Everybody of making our own clothing. I say if we should pay their tenth. A poor woman go on as we have been doing, and calcu- ought to pay her tenth chicken, if she has late to continue to purchase from abroad to draw out ten times its value for her most of what we wear, and a great deal support. It is all the Lord's and we are of what we eat, we shall be left without. only his stewards. Do you know that Babylon is going to The Latter-day Saints want persuad- fall? Her merchants will cry out, "there ing. What for? Their own good. Some is no one to buy our merchandise." And if people talk of how long they have served you and I do not learn how to take care the Lord, and now they want to do some- of ourselves, and raise and manufacture thing for themselves. The moment they what we consume, we shall have to go begin to feel and act like this, they com- without. If you do not know how, go to mence to serve the devil. There are two work and learn how to knit, sew, weave, powers on earth, God and Satan, and make ribbons, raise silk and make up we must serve one or the other. God and manufacture your own wearing ap- requires obedience to his laws. If I do parel and all you need. this I do nothing more than I do to the Now, on another subject. There is a United States. We have enlisted to serve God who lives, and who framed and fash- the King of Kings. He has laws, rules, ioned this earth, and who brought forth regulations, &c. Why should we not be that which is on the face thereof. He as willing to pay taxes to Him as to the has laws. Everything is controlled by United States. We believe in obeying the law. The actions of men, however, are laws of the land, we should also obey left free; they are agents to themselves 46 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and must act freely on that agency, or thing about it I wish they would tell us. else how could they be judged for their But if they do not know, and will not re- actions? But God reserves the right to ceive the things of God from those who himself to control the results of their do know, does not this make them infi- acts, and this no man can hinder. Who dels to the truth? of the Christian divines know anything My testimony is the positive. I know about the God we serve? I never saw that there are such cities as London, anyone, until I met Joseph Smith, who Paris, and New York—from my own ex- could tell me anything about the char- perience or from that of others; I know acter, personality and dwelling place of that the sun shines, I know that I exist God, or anything satisfactory about an- and have a being, and I testify that there gels, or the relationship of man to his is a God, and that Jesus Christ lives, Maker. Yet I was as diligent as any and that he is the Savior of the world. man need to be to try and find out these Have you been to heaven and learned things. We know more about God and to the contrary? I know that Joseph the heavens than we care to tell. And Smith was a Prophet of God, and that if we introduce a principle and try to re- he had many revelations. Who can dis- duce it to the comprehension of the peo- prove this testimony? Anyone may dis- ple, there will be some even among the pute it, but there is no one in the world Latter-day Saints who would be hard to who can disprove it. I have had many understand. Where is the divine who revelations; I have seen and heard for knows the least thing about that Being myself, and know these things are true, who is the Father of our Spirits and the and nobody on earth can disprove them. author of our bodies? If we know some- The eye, the ear, the hand, all the senses thing about him is there any harm in may be deceived, but the Spirit of God it? Not a bit. The world of mankind are cannot be deceived; and when inspired infidels. We should all be infidel to ev- with that Spirit, the whole man is filled ery false principle. I am infidel in re- with knowledge, he can see with a spir- gard to many things, but to the truth, itual eye, and he knows that which is wherever found, I am no infidel. The beyond the power of man to controvert. Christian world is infidel to the truth What I know concerning God, concern- in a great degree. Why? Because they ing the earth, concerning government, know so little of the mind and will of I have received from the heavens, not God. Step outside of this kingdom, and alone through my natural ability, and I who can tell us the first process towards give God the glory and the praise. Men covering the earth with the knowledge of talk about what has been accomplished God? Who is there that can tell us any- under my direction, and attribute it to thing about that angel whom John saw my wisdom and ability; but it is all by coming with the everlasting Gospel as the power of God, and by intelligence recorded in John's Revelation? I never received from him. I say to the whole found anyone who could till I saw Joseph world, receive the truth, no matter who Smith. He could tell me what I had presents it to you. so much desired to learn. What do the Take up the Bible, compare the Christian divines know about it even at religion of the Latter-day Saints the present day? If they do know any- with it, and see if it will stand the test. We preach the Gospel, gather the people of God from all nations, MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY, ETC. 47 tongues and people, and build up the tions of the heart, and the devotion of all kingdom of God on the earth, and our powers. God bless you. Amen. this calls for manual labor, the affec-

MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY IN THE VALLEY OF ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN—LOCATION OF THE VALLEY—THE COVENANT WITH ENOCH—RECORDS OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH MEN FROM THE PERIOD OF THE CREATION—METHOD OF PRESERVING THE RECORDS OF ANCIENT PROPHETS—CHRIST'S ADVENT AMONG THE NEPHITES—FUFILLMENT OF GOD'S PURPOSES AND THE FULLNESS OF TIMES.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,OGDEN,SUNDAY MORNING,MAY 18, 1873.

REPORTEDBY JAMES TAYLOR.

Having been requested to speak this earth, as the waters cover the sea." forenoon, and to continue the subject Things of all former dispensations will upon which we were addressed yester- be made manifest and revealed anew day afternoon, I cheerfully do so, hoping in the great dispensation of the fullness that I may have the attention of the con- of times. And in order to understand gregation, as far as possible, that I may more clearly the things that are to be re- be able to make all hear. vealed and made manifest again to the inhabitants of the earth, it may not be The subject upon which brother Tay- amiss for me to refer to some of the past lor addressed the congregation yester- records of antiquity that were revealed day afternoon, and upon which a few from heaven for the benefit of past gen- words were said by those who followed erations. The first one that occurs to him, is one of very great importance my mind will be found in the Book of in its bearings upon the present gen- Covenants, page 79, paragraph 29: eration; for all things that have once "And Adam stood up in the midst been revealed, and which are now lost, of the congregation; and, notwith- will be revealed anew, in order to ful- standing he was bowed down with fill that passage of Scripture recorded in age, being full of the Holy Ghost, the 11th chap. of Isaiah and 9th verse, predicted whatsoever should befall "The knowledge of God shall cover the his posterity unto the latest genera- 48 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tion. These things were all written in the of country from the earliest period of his book of Enoch, and are to be testified of existence on the earth, we know not. He in due time." might have lived thousands of miles dis- Adam was the first personage placed tant, in his early days. It might have on the earth, in the Garden of Eden, and been upon what we now term the great having transgressed, and having been eastern hemisphere, for in those days the cast out of the Garden of Eden, and hav- eastern and Western hemispheres were ing fulfilled a long probation, amount- one, and were not divided asunder till ing to almost a thousand years, he con- the days of Peleg. Adam might have mi- cluded to gather together his children, grated from the great east, gathered up which he did three years previously to with the people of God in connection with his death. As recorded on the same the Church of Enoch, and formed a lo- page, he gathered Seth, Enos, Cainaan, cation in the western boundaries of Mis- Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch and Methuse- souri. This is not revealed. lah, who were successive descendants, making eight generations in all, includ- The object of this grand meeting of ing himself, into the valley of Adam- our great ancestors, was that Adam ondi-Ahman. This was nearly a thou- might bestow a great Patriarchal bless- sand years after Adam was placed in ing upon his descendants. Hence the the Garden of Eden, seven generations righteous of his posterity were gathered of his children, or the righteous portion on that occasion. He pronounced upon thereof, were gathered together in that them his last blessing. They were fa- valley. And here it may not be amiss vored on that occasion, for the Lord ap- for me to say a few words in relation to peared unto them. This meeting was the location of that interesting meeting very interesting in its nature, and the or conference. Lord was very much interested, as well The valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, ac- as the people. He appeared to this vast cording to the views and belief of the congregation, and imparted comfort to Latter-day Saints, was located on the Adam in his old age. And Adam was western hemisphere of our globe. (I filled with the Holy Ghost. Notwith- would here say, that as the greater standing he was bowed down with age, portion of this congregation are Latter- being filled with the Holy Ghost, he pre- day Saints, the proofs and evidences dicted what should come to pass among which I shall bring forth, in relation to his posterity to the latest generations. the matters before me, will be selected Hence he must have spoken concern- from those books which are believed by ing all the following dispensations, that them, which may not be particular evi- were to be revealed from time to time to dence to strangers, but to the Latter-day the children of men. He must have spo- Saints they will be undisputed evidence.) ken concerning the spreading of his pos- Adam-ondi-Ahman, the Valley of God, terity after the days of Noah, and of the where Adam dwelt, was located about great work of God being established on fifty miles north of Jackson County, in the earth in the latter days, and concern- the State of Missouri. The Lord has ing the second advent of the Son of God, revealed to us that Adam dwelt there concerning the great day of rest, the pe- towards the latter period of his proba- riod when Satan should be bound. All tion. Whether he had lived in that region these things were written in the Book MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY, ETC. 49 of Enoch, who was present on that occa- set in the clouds was to be a token, be- sion. And this book is to be testified of, in tween God and the inhabitants of the due time, to the Saints of the last days. earth, of the bringing again of Zion, and This will be one of the means by which of the assembling of the Saints of all dis- God will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, pensations. Therefore, when I have seen that "the knowledge of God will cover the bow in the clouds, it causes me to the earth, as the waters cover the great remember the covenant that God made deep." in those early ages, and which is soon Saying nothing about the prophecies to be fulfilled in the last dispensation of of Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel and the fulness of times. How great and how Jared, we will next come down to the important is this covenant with the Zion days of Enoch. Enoch prophesied of all which was built up by Enoch, which was things, as well as his great ancestor, to be taken up into heaven and remain Adam. A few of his words are translated, sanctified as a place of the Lord's abode and brought to light by the Prophet forever! Where he should dwell in the Joseph Smith, and published in the var- midst of his people, and where he should ious publications of this Church—in the behold their faces, and they should be- "Evening and Morning Star," the "Pearl hold his face. That this ancient Zion, and of Great Price," etc. This prophecy, all the inhabitants thereof, should come though very short, as far as it has been from heaven and reign on the earth, and revealed, unfolds marvelous principles, that Jesus should come with them. And showing that his eyes were opened to for fear that the Saints should forget see things that were past, and things in this, a beautiful bow was placed in the the future, all of which were recorded clouds, that they might remember that in the Book of Enoch, which is to be the Lord was looking upon them, and brought to light and revealed in the lat- that he would remember his covenant ter times. Among the things revealed to with Enoch in regard to bringing his Zion Enoch was the knowledge of the flood, again. This we find in the periodicals of which was to take place. And the Lord the Church. When this time shall come made a covenant with Enoch, that He that the Lord will bring again ancient would set His bow in the clouds—just as Zion, this will assist in filling the earth it afterwards was given to Noah—not as with the knowledge of God as the wa- a mere token alone that the Lord would ters cover the great deep; and will serve no more drown the world, but as a to- to put us in possession of the history of ken of the new and everlasting covenant Zion, of the order of that ancient peo- that the Lord made with Enoch. The ple, when they walked in righteousness words of this covenant I will repeat, as three hundred and sixty-five years be- far as my memory will serve: "I will fore they were prepared for a translation set my bow in the clouds; and I will to heaven. look upon it, and remember the ever- When we come to converse with lasting covenant I have made with you. Enoch and his city face to face, and hear That in the latter days, when men shall from their own mouths the declaration of keep all my commandments, Zion shall their own history, and the preaching of look upwards, and the heavens shall look the Gospel in that age of the world, it will downwards," etc. The bow that was unfold a vast amount of knowledge in 50 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. regard to the events before the flood. not lose the art of writing, but they wrote their revelations, visions, etc., in the lan- We come down to the days of Noah. guage of Adam—the first language given He was a righteous man, and called of to man. This knowledge was retained God to preach the Gospel among the na- through the flood. tions as it was revealed to his forefa- We come down to the days of the thers, and before the days of the flood, so building of the Tower of Babel, soon after great was the faith of many of the peo- the flood. About the time of Abraham the ple, after the days that Enoch's city was Tower of Babel was built. The people be- caught up, that the Holy Ghost fell upon ing of one language, gathered together to them, and they were caught up by the build a tower to reach, as they supposed, power of heaven into the midst of Zion— the crystalized heavens. They thought the Zion of Enoch. Thus we have further that the City of Enoch was caught up a knowledge revealed to us. little ways from the earth, and that the city was within the first sphere above Noah, after having preached the the earth; and that if they could get a Gospel and published glad tidings tower high enough, they might get to among the nations, was commanded to heaven, where the City of Enoch and the build an ark. He had a Urim and Thum- inhabitants thereof were located. They mim by which he was enabled to discern went to work and built a tower. They all things pertaining to the ark, and its had this tradition, that there had been a pattern. He was a great Prophet, and translation of people from the earth, and predicted many things, and his records, they were anxious to become acquainted no doubt, were hidden up, and will come with them; but the Lord saw that they forth in due time, when the Lord shall were one, and that they all had one lan- cover the earth with his knowledge as guage, and that nothing would be re- the waters cover the great deep. strained from them which they imagined Many people have supposed that to do; and, as a curse, he sent a variety Moses was the first man, and the peo- of tongues—took from them their own ple of his day the first generation that mother-tongue. The language of Adam knew anything about written characters, was all forgotten in a moment; and in- and that all the people, from the days dependently of taking away from them of Adam down to Moses, did not know the knowledge of their own tongue, he how to put their thoughts in the form of gave them a multitude of other tongues, writing; but let me inform you how writ- so that they could not understand one ing commenced. We read in the Book another. In those days there were a few of Enoch, in the "Pearl of Great Price," righteous individuals living at the Tower, that the Lord taught Adam how to write among whom was Jared, a very good records by the inspiration of his Spirit. man, and his brother. When they under- And it was given him concerning the stood, by the spirit of prophecy, that the mode of placing his thoughts in the form Lord was about to scatter the people to of writing. This is recorded in the Book the four corners of the earth, the brother of Enoch, and the "Pearl of Great Price." of Jared called upon the Lord, by the re- quest of Jared, that the Lord might lead The people before the flood did them to a choice land. Did they come MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY, ETC. 51 upon this great western hemisphere and placed them in a position north of without a knowledge of God? No. With- the Isthmus, where a portion of the peo- out any written record? No. Read the ple of King Limhi, about one hundred Book of Mormon, page 530, or, in other years before Christ, found them. I will words, the Book of Ether, and you will read you a little description of their be- find there recorded, several generations ing found. On page 161, Book of Mor- after the Israelites came from the Tower mon, it appears that the people of Limhi of Babel and landed upon this continent, were a certain colony that had left the that there was a certain woman, the main body of the Nephites, and had set- daughter of one of the ancient men of tled in the land where Nephi built and note, that referred her father to those located his little colony, soon after their records which their fathers brought from landing on the western coast of South the Tower of Babel; told her father what America. After landing, and after the was recorded in them. "Hath my fa- death of his father Lehi, Nephi was com- ther not read the record which our fa- manded of God to take those who would thers brought across the great deep? Be- believe in the Most High, and flee out hold, is there not an account concern- from his brethren. And they traveled ing them of old, that they by their se- many days' journey to the northward, cret plans did obtain kingdoms and great and located in a land which they called glory." She put it in the heart of her fa- the Land of Nephi, and dwelt there some ther, Jared, to follow those wicked acts four hundred years. And then because of which were entered into by Cain. It the wickedness of the people they were shows that the Jaredites did not come threatened with a great destruction. The here without a record of the things from Lord led Mosiah out of the Land of the days of Adam, down; they had it Nephi, and led him still further north, with them. They kept it with them, some twenty days' journey, and they lo- and multiplied copies in the midst of cated on the river Sidon, now called Mag- their nation. But you may ask, how dalena, which runs from the south to do we know about this first colony that the north. And there they found a peo- came to this continent? How came we ple called the people of Zarahemla. And in possession of this knowledge? It was some of the Nephites desired to return by the records which they themselves to the Land of Nephi, which they did. In kept. The Jaredites, acquainted with about a century afterwards, there being the art of writing, kept their records. no communication between the colonies, And among the host of records kept by they sent out a number of men to see if them, were twenty-four plates of pure they could find the people of Zarahemla. gold, which were kept by the Prophet And they were lost, and came to a part Ether, some 1,600 or 1,800 years af- of a country covered with bones. This is ter their colony came to this land, from what I am going to read. And as a tes- the Tower of Babel. He kept a record. timony that these things were true they These records were carried by Ether brought twenty-four plates of gold, and from the hill Ramah, afterwards called breastplates of brass and copper, and Cumorah, where the Jaredites were de- swords, &c. stroyed, as well as the Nephites. He car- Book of Mormon, page 161: ried them forth towards South America, "And it came to pass that after 52 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

King Limhi had made an end of speaking with the ruins of buildings of every kind, to his people, for he spake many things having discovered a land which had been unto them and only a few of them have peopled with a people who were as nu- I written in this book, he told his people merous as the hosts of Israel. And for a all the things concerning their brethren testimony that the things that they have who were in the land of Zarahemla. And said are true they have brought twenty- he caused that Ammon should stand up four plates which are filled with engrav- before the multitude, and rehearse unto ings, and they are of pure gold. And them all that had happened unto their behold, also, they have brought breast- brethren from the time that Zeniff went plates, which are large, and they are of up out of the land. And he also re- brass and of copper, and are perfectly hearsed unto them the last words which sound. And again, they have brought King Benjamin had taught them, and swords, the hilts thereof have perished, explained them to the people of King and the blades thereof were cankered Limhi, so that they might understand with rust; and there is no one in the all the words which he spake. And it land that is able to interpret the lan- came to pass that after he had done all guage or the engravings that are on the this, that King Limhi dismissed the mul- plates. Therefore I said unto thee: Canst titude, and caused that they should re- thou translate? And I say unto thee turn, every one unto his own house." again: Knowest thou of anyone that can translate? For I am desirous that these records should be translated into our "And it came to pass that he caused language; for, perhaps, they will give us that the plates which contained the a knowledge of a remnant of the people record of his people from the time that who have been destroyed, from whence they left the land of Zarahemla, should these records came; or, perhaps, they will be brought before Ammon, that he might give us a knowledge of this very people read them. Now, as soon as Ammon who have been destroyed; and I am de- had read the record, the king inquired sirous to know the cause of their destruc- of him to know if he could interpret lan- tion." guages, and Ammon told him that he "Now Ammon said unto him: I can could not. And the king said unto him: assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man Being grieved for the afflictions of my that can translate the records; for he has people, I caused that forty and three of wherewith that he can look, and trans- my people should take a journey into the late all records that are of ancient date; wilderness, that thereby they might find and it is a gift from God. And the things the land of Zarahemla, that we might are called interpreters, and no man can appeal unto our brethren to deliver us look in them except he be commanded, out of bondage. And they were lost in lest he should look for that he ought not the wilderness for the space of many and he should perish. And whosoever is days, yet they were diligent, and found commanded to look in them, the same is not the land of Zarahemla but returned called seer. And behold, the king of the to this land, having traveled in a land people who is in the land of Zarahemla is among many waters, having discovered the man who is commanded to do these a land which was covered with bones of things, and who has this high gift from men, and of beasts, and was also covered God." MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY, ETC. 53

I have read this to give you an idea and whoso findeth them, the same will how the Israelites that inhabited this have power that he may get the full ac- continent, before the days of Christ, count." came to the knowledge of the first colony They are not yet found. We have the that came from the Tower of Babel. This Book of Ether, that is not one-hundredth company, that was lost in the wilder- part of the contents of those twenty- ness, brought these plates, with breast four plates. But a very short account. plates and swords, the hilts thereof hav- Whose findeth these twenty-four plates ing perished, and the blades thereof hav- will have power to get the full account; ing cankered with rust. for they give a history from the days of Now Mosiah, the king, that dwelt Adam through the various generations in the land of Zarahemla, was the man to the days of the flood, from the days that was called of God to translate. He of the flood down to the days of Peleg, had the gift and power given to him to and from the days of Peleg to the Tower, translate these twenty-four plates. We which was very nearly cotemporary with have an account, on another page of the Peleg. And from that time for some Book of Mormon, of his translating these sixteen or eighteen centuries after they plates; and that it gave an account of the landed on this continent. The prophe- people from the days of Adam down to cies of their Prophets in different gener- the flood—to the days of the Tower of Ba- ations, who published glad tidings of joy bel, and down to the days they were de- upon the face of all the northern portion stroyed. of this continent. Their records and do- Now will this record ever be brought ings are all to come to light, and these to light to help fill the earth with the will help to fulfill the words of our text knowledge of God? Let me refer you to that the knowledge of God will cover the what is recorded in the Book of Ether, earth as the waters cover the great deep. page 516— But we will pass along and come to "And now I, Moroni, proceed to give the second colony, that the Lord brought an account of those ancient inhabitants out of Jerusalem, six hundred years be- who were destroyed by the hand of the fore Christ. Did they bring any records Lord upon the face of this north coun- with them? Had they the art of writ- try. And I take mine account from the ing? Yes. When they lived among twenty and four plates which were found the Jews the art of writing was exten- by the people of Limhi, which is called sively known among the Jews. It was the Book of Ether. And as I suppose their art to write in the Egyptian lan- that the first part of this record, which guage, as Nephi testifies on the first speaks concerning the creation of the page of the Book of Mormon. "There- world, and also of Adam, and an ac- fore I make a record of my proceedings count from that time even to the great in my days. Yea, I make a record in tower, and whatsoever things transpired the language of my father, which con- among the children of men until that sists of the learning of the Jews and time, is had among the Jews—Therefore the language of the Egyptians." A lan- I do not write those things which tran- guage which their forefathers learned, spired from the days of Adam until while they dwelt in Egypt, and which that time;" (Now notice the next sen- they were familiar with, but probably tence;) "but they are had upon the plates; lost it in some measure, but still re- 54 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tained a portion of it, and wrote their And also the prophecies of the holy records in the same. prophets, from the beginning, even down Now if you will appeal to Bibli- to the commencement of the reign of cal history you will find that the Is- Zedekiah; and also many prophecies raelites did write their records, in an- which have been spoken by the mouth of cient times, upon metallic plates, and Jeremiah." that these plates were connected to- "And it came to pass that my fa- gether, with rings, passing through the ther, Lehi, also found upon the plates of leaves. Through the whole a stick was brass a genealogy of his fathers; where- placed for carrying the record. This fore he knew that he was a descendant description we have given by those of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who who have deeply studied concerning the was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Scriptures and the ancient doings of the Egypt, and who was preserved by the Israelites. When Lehi left Jerusalem, hand of the Lord, that he might preserve there was a certain man that lived in his father, Jacob, and all his household Jerusalem, that had kept records upon from perishing with famine. And they brass plates. And these records, we are were also led out of captivity and out of informed had been handed down from the land of Egypt, by that same God who the early ages of the Israelites, until had preserved them. And thus my fa- Lehi left Jerusalem. They contained ther, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of a copy of the genealogy of the tribe of his fathers. And Laban also was a de- Joseph in the land of Palestine. La- scendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his ban being a descendent of Joseph, the fathers had kept the records." records had fallen into his hands. Lehi "And now when my father saw all was commanded to send his sons to ob- these things, he was filled with the tain these records; for he had pitched Spirit, and began to prophesy concern- his tent on the eastern borders of the ing his seed—That these plates of brass Red Sea. The history of his obtaining should go forth unto all nations, kin- them you will find recorded in the Book dreds, tongues, and people who were of of Mormon. On the 10th page it reads— his seed. Wherefore, he said that these "And it came to pass that they did re- plates of brass should never perish; nei- joice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice ther should they be dimmed any more by and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and time. And he prophesied many things they gave thanks unto the God of Israel. concerning his seed." And after they had given thanks unto I have read this in order to come to the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took another thing that has a bearing upon the records which were engraven upon our text. These plates of brass, contained the plates of brass, and he did search the prophecies of all the holy Prophets them from the beginning. And he be- from the beginning—from the days of held that they did contain the five books Adam; hence they must have contained of Moses, which gave an account of the the prophecies of Enoch, Adam, Noah, creation of the world, and also of Adam Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph in and Eve, who were our first parents; And Egypt. The prophecies of Isaiah and also a record of the Jews from the begin- many others of the holy Prophets were ning, even down to the commencement contained upon these plates of brass. of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah; Notwithstanding brass is a metallic MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY, ETC. 55 substance capable of being dissolved and and in the own due time of the Lord, he crumbling back, in a few years to the el- will inspire a mighty seer, and give him ements, yet there was a miracle wrought the Urim and Thummim, and enable upon these plates of brass. The Prophet him to bring forth these sacred scrip- said that these plates of brass should tures. not be dimmed by time, that God would Now, to show you the value of preserve them to the latest generations. the scripture of the brass plates, over What for? In order that they might come the Jewish records, translated by King forth and their contents be translated by James, let me refer you to the Book of the Urim and Thummim, that these con- Mormon. On the 24th page, speaking of tents might be declared to all nations, the coming forth of these records, the an- and kindreds, and tongues, and people, gel said to Nephi, "The book that thou who were the descendants of Lehi upon beholdest is a record of the Jews, which the face of all this continent, from the contains the covenants of the Lord, frozen regions of the north to the very ut- which he hath made unto the house of Is- most extremities of South America. That rael; and it also containeth many of the all these nations should come to a knowl- prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is edge of the things contained on those a record like unto the engravings which plates of brass. are upon the plates of brass, save there Now the Lord did many things of this are not so many." That is, there are not kind in ancient days. If there should so many prophecies and revelations con- be any strangers present let me show tained in the Jewish Bible of our day as you how the Lord can do many wonder- there were upon the plates of brass. Nev- ful things. Let me refer you to the pot ertheless they contained the covenants of manna, the substance of which would of the Lord, which he has made with not keep over twenty-four hours, except the House of Israel; therefore they are of on Sunday, and then it was preserved great worth unto the children of men. from becoming nauseous. But on a cer- If you will turn to the Book of Ja- tain occasion the children of Israel were cob in the Book of Mormon, page 122, to collect a pot of this manna, and it was you will find a lengthy prophecy, or para- placed in the Tabernacle of the congrega- ble of the olive tree, quoted from the tion, and instead of becoming nauseous, brass plates, by which the house of Israel it remained just as fresh in future gener- is represented—a parable of their being ations, as on the morning it was gleaned planted in the Lord's vineyard; a para- up. ble of the great work of the Lord in the Certain rods were gathered up to rep- last days, when his servants should be resent the twelve tribes of Israel, and called to labor and gather these young Aaron's rod budded and blossomed in branches and graft them into their own one night; and that was handed down olive tree. This parable was revealed from generation to generation. And to the Prophet Zenos, and gives great hence we see that God did work mira- instruction. We could also refer you cles for his people on the eastern conti- to some four or five other places where nent. Is it any more marvelous that he Zenos and Zenock prophesied concern- should preserve the brass plates from be- ing the restoration of all the house of Is- ing dimmed by time? No. They exist, rael in the latter days; and concerning 56 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the descendants of Joseph. And Lehi, be- part of the records of these prophets. ing of the seed of Joseph, was interested Now did they keep all of them on plates, in relation to his future generations, and or did they multiply them by thousands therefore understood the whole history of copies on this land? Let me refer of these remnants of Joseph, and proph- you to page 388, of the Book of Mor- esied concerning them; a few quotations mon. "Now behold, all those engravings being given in the Book of Mormon. They which were in the possession of Hela- understood concerning the coming of the man were written and sent forth among Lord Jesus in the flesh, his crucifixion the children of men throughout all the and resurrection from the dead; and the land, save it were those parts which signs shown forth to the remnants of Is- had been commanded by Alma should rael scattered to the four corners of the not go forth. Nevertheless, these things earth and the islands of the sea; and were to be kept sacred, and handed down the great destruction which should come from one generation to another." What upon the people because of their wicked- period of time was this? Only fifty-two ness. years before the birth of Christ. Fifty- I will refer you to the prophecies four years before Christ as we find on of Joseph in Egypt. In order to show page 387, (Book of Mormon), there was you what is said concerning him, as a a large company of men, 5,400 with their Prophet, I will refer you to page 62, Book wives and children, went out of the land of Mormon. "And now, I, Nephi, speak of Zarahemla, to the land northward, concerning the prophecies of which my and in a few years afterwards, as you father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, will find on pages 393 and 394, they who was carried into Egypt. For be- went forth by thousands, and also sent hold, he truly prophesied concerning all forth colonies by sea, and timber to build his seed. And the prophecies which he cities; and they built houses of cement; wrote, there are not many greater. And and many cities of timber. And the peo- he prophesied concerning us, and our fu- ple became very numerous. Now to con- ture generations; and they are written fine the sacred records in one place, and upon the plates of brass." to keep the people in ignorance in regard Search all the records you can find, to their contents, would not be reason- and you will find that Joseph has proph- able. Hence we are informed that they esied concerning as great things as any were written and sent forth throughout other prophet that ever lived. Now these all the land, and this will account for plates of brass were handed down. We the extracts from the Scriptures writ- have an account of them by Alma, the ten in ancient Hebrew, discovered in the Prophet. And concerning the Urim and mounds that have been opened in Ohio, Thummim, they were also handed down. among which were the ten command- But we will now come down to ments. The people of this land were well the days of Jesus. From the time acquainted with the Scriptures. that Lehi left Jerusalem to the days Go to the City of Ammonihah in of Jesus, there were a great many the northern part of South America. records kept by the remnant of Joseph, They had become wicked, yet they upon this land. The book of Mor- had the Holy Scriptures; and they mon does not contain one hundredth brought them forth and burned them MEETING OF ADAM WITH HIS POSTERITY, ETC. 57 with fire, and all that believed in them to write the things that have been com- were burned in the fire. (See Book of manded me. Therefore, I would that ye Mormon, page 249.) Showing that the should behold that the Lord did truly people had many copies of the Scrip- teach the people, for the space of three tures. And, again we find that the days; and after that he did show himself Nephite missionaries who went among unto them oft, and did break bread oft, the Lamanites, carried with them copies and bless it, and give it unto them." of the Scriptures; and that by the Thus we perceive that we have not means of these copies they convinced the the one-hundreth part of the teachings Lamanites of the incorrectness of the of the greatest of all prophets, even traditions of their fathers. our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ— When Jesus came to this continent the words that he delivered to the an- he taught the people several days. And cient Nephites. The Nephites under- these things were written upon the stood all these marvelous things. No plates of Nephi. But Mormon made an doubt there were many instructions—a abridgement of these writings, and he vast amount of instructions—in regard states, on page 484: "And now there to their property; for they had all things cannot be written in this book even a common, both in North and South Amer- hundredth part of the things which Je- ica, among the millions of this land, for sus did truly teach unto the people; But one hundred and sixty-seven years. Af- behold the plates of Nephi do contain ter which, in the year two hundred and the more part of the things which he one after the birth of Christ, they began taught the people. And these things to withdraw from this order, and began have I written, which are a lesser part to be divided into different classes, &c. of the things which he taught the peo- Now, if we had all the teachings of Je- ple; and I have written them to the in- sus, we would find the order of things tent that they may be brought again that preserved equality upon this con- unto this people, from the Gentiles, ac- tinent during all that period of time; cording to the words which Jesus hath which would give us a vast amount of spoken. And when they shall have re- knowledge concerning the things which ceived this, which is expedient that they we must enter into. should have first, to try their faith, and if it so be that they shall believe these But will these things be brought to things, then shall the greater things be light? Yes. The records, now slumber- made manifest unto them. And if it ing in the hill Cumorah, will be brought so be that they will not believe these forth by the power of God, to fulfill the things, then shall the greater things be words of our text, that "the knowledge of withheld from them, unto their condem- God shall cover the earth, as the waters nation. Behold, I was about to write cover the great deep." them, all which were engraven upon Again, Jesus, on the last visit to the the plates of Nephi, but the Lord for- Nephites, called up his twelve disciples bid it, saying: I will try the faith of my and pronounced a certain blessing upon people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write them, and especially upon three of them. the things which have been commanded Mormon says, concerning these three me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, that were to tarry, that great works shall make an end of my sayings, and proceed be wrought by them before the great 58 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. day of the Lord shall come. Then he says, Jews, and they shall write it. I shall that if you had all the Scriptures, you speak to the lost tribes of Israel, and they would know that these things would be shall write it. I will speak to all the na- fulfilled. We would know a great many tions of the earth, and they shall write things if we only had these Scriptures it. And by my words that are spoken, and revelations. They are to be revealed shall the children of men be judged ac- to fill our earth with the knowledge of cording to their deeds." All these things God, as the waters cover the great deep. shall come forth to fill the earth with the Not only the records of the ancient in- knowledge of God. habitants of this land are to come forth, We go to the book of Doctrine and but the records of those who slept on Covenants, where we find that the Lord the eastern hemisphere. The records is to reveal many of his great and mar- of John, him who baptized the Lamb of velous purposes, that have been kept hid God, are yet to be revealed. We are from the foundation of the world; and informed in the book of Doctrine and things that have not been revealed to Covenants, page 245, that the fullness of any former generation. It is not enough the record of John, is to be revealed to that these different records referred to the Latter-day Saints. should be revealed, and that the islands But shall we stop with these records? of the sea should deliver up their knowl- No. Let me repeat to you the words of edge, but it is necessary that the heav- the Lord. The Lord said to Nephi, speak- ens should give the knowledge which ing of the latter days, that the Nephites was before our earth was created. And shall have the words of the Jews, and you are students in this great univer- the Jews shall have the words of the sity, which God has established, to study Nephites; and the lost tribes of Israel concerning God, and get a knowledge of shall have the words of the Nephites and things in the heavens and things that the Jews; and I will gather the people are past and present, and things that from the four quarters of the earth; and are to come—a knowledge that comes my words shall be gathered in one, (See through the power and inspiration of the Book of Mormon, page 108), the records Holy Ghost. of the Nephites upon this land. And the But this is not all; God has said numerous people that have been planted that he "will pour out his spirit upon on the islands of the sea, are to be gath- all flesh; and your sons and your daugh- ered in one; for they were righteous in ters shall prophesy, and your young men some of their earlier generations; and shall see visions, and your old men shall that knowledge is yet to be brought forth; dream dreams: And on my servants and when these islands shall deliver up and on my handmaidens I will pour out their people, their records shall be gath- in those days of my spirit; and they ered in one. shall prophesy." Young men and old men And again, concerning what the peo- shall receive knowledge from the heav- ple say, "we have got a Bible, and ens. Again, it is written in Isaiah: "All we need no more Bible." "Know ye thy children shall be taught of the Lord." not that I am the same God, yester- It will not be necessary for one man to day and forever; and it shall come say to his neighbor, know ye the Lord, for to pass, that I shall speak to the all shall know him. Then it will not be IMPROVED CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SAINTS IN UTAH, ETC. 59 necessary for us to preach so much, utter forth their voices, and speak forth because the Lord our God will teach that which is not now lawful to utter, but them from on high. Old and young, it will be uttered to the human family male and female, will receive knowl- by the mouths of babes and sucklings. edge; and our little children will Amen.

IMPROVED CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SAINTS IN UTAH—POTENCY OF THE LAW OF TITHING.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDAT LOGAN,CACHE COUNTY, SATURDAY MORNING,JUNE 28, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

We used to sing and hear a song enti- ments to accomplish more labor are in tled: "There is a good time coming, wait our hands. They have overtaken us and a little longer." It appears to me that we are overtaking us, and will continue to are now enjoying one of the good times do so, by means of which the amount of in these meetings. I realize that it is so, good which the Saints have been enabled for one, and I doubt not that the good to do in any given time in the past, is Saints of Cache Valley also appreciate very small compared with the measure the same. If we can only preserve in our- of good which they will be enabled to ac- selves that freedom of spirit which will complish in the future. A little while enable us to comprehend the present, ago it was not oftener than once in six as it really is, we may rejoice indeed in months that we heard from the States. knowing that the good time has over- It is only a little while since it took us taken us. It is not with us now as it has three and four months to travel from been, when scantiness and even hunger the States to this place, now it is only have been in our habitations. At present, a matter of as many days. Once it took so far as the comforts of life are con- all of six months to hear from the old cerned, the people are enjoying a com- countries, say London; now we hear that petency of food and raiment, house and "yesterday, President George A. Smith home, kindred and friends. While these attended Conference with the Saints in things have come forward to us, the London." means of advancement in every sphere By these things we can see that of usefulness are in reach. The imple- we have come upon times when, if we are up to the scratch, we live 60 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. very fast. It is no vain, untrue or hu- sider the matter as it really is, we find morous saying that we are living in a that our feelings and actions do not after fast age. In matters of intelligence and all exactly coincide with this expression. business transactions we live weeks in I heard a man say, but a few days ago, "I a day, if we wisely direct our time and bought such a piece of land—I paid for it energy, when compared with those who and it is mine." I wonder if that man, just have preceded us. then, thought the earth was the Lord's? When we contemplate this, and the I do not think he thought that particular rapidity with which Divine Providence is patch was. It is one thing for us to ac- rolling on the events of the latter dispen- knowledge with our lips and to consider sation, crowding upon our attention the in our hearts, that the earth is the Lord's great labors and considerations of this and the fullness thereof, but it is quite latter-day work, it certainly does seem another thing for us to realize it, and to necessary that we preserve in ourselves place ourselves in a true and proper at- that life and activity that we can come up titude on that question, dealing with the to the standard of his readiness to direct Lord our God in relation to it with the and dispose of us, that we may be able justice, sincerity and propriety that we to receive his word and the counsels of would with each other here on the earth. his servants and execute and carry them If a man has obtained possession of a out. I am very sure that the good peo- piece of land and put up a house thereon, ple of this county do not think they are and he rents that to another person, he likely to get out of business since Pres- actually does expect that that person will ident Young told them, yesterday, that pay him the rent due for the use of it. It they might soon see a Temple close by is one of the plainest business transac- here on the bench. The good work seems tions of life; and the man who occupies to be advancing upon the hands of the that house and land can hardly feel to Saints, mills, railroads and telegraphs, say—"The earth is the Lord's, and the are coming to our relief and aid. fullness thereof;" instead of saying that, I should like to say a few words upon he says—"This house and piece of land the subject of Tithing, and I believe I belong to that man, and I have to pay will just touch upon it. It is a subject him rent for it." These things make us that was talked about yesterday with realize our bearing and position one with some emphasis and importance, and one the other in regard to business transac- that has seemed to present features of tions. more than ordinary interest to my mind But who is it that has placed the for some time back. People of all de- earth and its surrounding elements sub- nominations are very ready to say that ject to the powers, governments and in- the "earth is the Lord's, and the fullness habitants of the earth? It is he who cre- thereof," and I do not suppose we could ated them, and he it is who says that find a Saint in all Israel, or in these val- the earth and its fullness are his; and leys of the mountains at any rate, but when we look at this matter and consider what would utter that sentiment and it carefully there is something about think he did it with real good Christian the subject of Tithing that commends it- cordiality. But when we come to con- self strongly to our attention; and if we IMPROVED CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SAINTS IN UTAH, ETC. 61 will be honest with ourselves and honest, shirking the payment thereof, will dry up with our God we must look at it in a very and taper off in their faith, and before different light from what many do. they know it they and their household When the Bishop or his clerk goes will be suffering in the darkness of the round to settle up Tithing, he finds a world, in sin and transgression. class of persons who act as though they The law of Tithing is an obligation felt it their bounden duty to get the fig- laid upon all the people of God. It has ure of their Tithing down to the low- been so in every age, and we have no est possible scratch; and when they have account of the prosperity and progress done this they feel thankful that they of God's people without Tithing being a have got off with paying so little, without standing law in their midst, which they any regard whatever to the figure they continually observed. That is not all, my should have paid. Well, it is not given to brethren. The Church of the Lord had the Bishops exactly to tell a man—"You this among them before ever the Gen- must pay so much." There is the great- tiles knew what it was to assess and col- est possible liberality manifested, so as lect taxes, and it is from this that they to give every man an opportunity to act learned to do so. The law of Tithing was upon his own agency in saying what he in the household of faith, the Church of has made and what he has done with God on the earth, before the old Baby- the means which have been placed in his lonish nations were founded, and they hands, and what he ought to pay as in- as well as the sectarians have learned terest or Tithing, so that when the Lord pretty much all they know from the brings these matters to adjudication, we people of God at one time or another. shall be judged out of our own mouths. Tithing is an institution which has pre- The matter of Tithing is one that the vailed from the beginning, and it looks churches of the world have taken up as to me as though it was the considera- well as the Saints, even the Church of tion required by the Lord—the Creator England has an idea that its members of the earth, from men who dwell upon it, should pay Tithing. They have learned as a material something by which they this from the Church of the living God. may acknowledge to him, in deed and in The institution of Tithing is one which is truth, that the earth is the Lord's and emphatically binding upon us, and is as the fullness thereof, and by means of essential to our salvation and exaltation which they can restore to him, in the or- in the kingdom of God, so far as temporal der of his appointment that which is his. things are concerned, as the ordinance The brethren sometimes say—"I pay of baptism for the remission of sins, and my Tithing. This is mine. I have given the laying on of hands for the gift of the so much." Yours, is it? How is it yours? Holy Ghost are in the spiritual part of Was it not read here to us yesterday— the Gospel. Take it into account and "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed consider it when and how you may, and me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed you will find that the man or men, who thee? In tithes and offerings." If we have consider Tithing of no moment, and who withheld and kept back any portion of think they have obtained a blessing in our Tithing, then have we robbed God, 62 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. for that full tenth is not ours in any Lord for the generations of your dead, sense of the word, it is the Lord's, and do you not need a certificate from your if we keep it from him we rob him of Bishop that you pay your Tithing? And that which is his. We should keep cor- if we want any of the blessings neces- rectly in our minds and understandings sary for our exaltation we shall find it that which is ours and that which is the so, and more so as we advance in the Lord's. When the sons of God shouted, future. We fathers in Israel, we heads and the morning stars sang together for of families, looking towards the patriar- joy at having the earth prepared to come chal office and desiring to stand at the and dwell upon, to pass through this head of our generations forever, ought state of existence, did we not then real- to think, not only about ourselves, but ize that it was being prepared for us, but about those who will come after us. If our that it was his, and that we were coming record shows that we have been faith- to dwell upon it as his? Shall we forget ful in all things, and have never forgot- this obligation and position? Let us be ten to pay our Tithing, our posterity can careful not to do so. come to the house of the Lord and ask, President Smith alluded to the po- as a right, for the blessings they need for tency of this law of Tithing, and the ter- themselves or their dead. rible consequences of disobeying it as il- I think if we will all consider this lustrated in the present condition of scat- matter in the light in which the Scrip- tered Israel, who prospered as a nation tures, the revelations of divine truth hold when they brought their tithes and offer- it, and the light in which modern rev- ings into the storehouse of the Lord. And elation and the teachings of the Priest- how terribly and emphatically did Pres- hood hold it, we shall discover in the ident Young portray the readiness with law of Tithing an immense and eternal which, at his will and pleasure, the Lord weight of blessing and glory, and instead could turn these streams, for the wa- of wishing to avoid, shirk and narrow it tering of our beautiful valleys, into the down to the least admissible figure, we earth, and cause these delightful hills shall desire to add to and enlarge it, that and plains to become as barren as Judea. it may be for us and our children a source I think we ought to look at this subject of honor, exaltation and blessing forever. more carefully, and if possible in its true light. The more I see and think of it the Brethren and sisters I rejoice with more there is about it new to me, and you, more and more, all the day long in the more there is to make me feel that the principles of the Gospel. I desire to therein lies an obligation between us and be more and more useful in helping to our God that we should consider and be promulgate them in the earth. I have careful to discharge. pleasure in the labors of the Church. I If there is any man amongst you who rejoice exceedingly in the advancement wants to take a wife, does he not have to of the cause of truth, and realize that we obtain a certificate from his Bishop that have to be wide awake in order to keep he pays his Tithing? If any of you want to track of, and along with, the purposes, be baptized in the font in the house of the plans, devices and providences of God, EXTENSION OF THE UTAH NORTHERN RAILROAD, ETC. 63 that we may work with him, that he may ready to do every good word and work, work with and through us in bringing to in bringing again Zion, establishing righ- pass his purposes, and the great and glo- teousness and truth in the earth, and rious events connected with his work in hastening the day for the return thereto the last days. of the presence and glory of God, is my That we may so live as to be able desire in the name of Jesus. Amen. and pliant instruments in his hands,

EXTENSION OF THE UTAH NORTHERN RAILROAD—THE BUILDING OF THE MEETINGHOUSE AND OTHER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS URGED ON THE PEOPLE—FAITH MADE MANIFEST BY WORKS—UNITY IN LABOR AND COOPERATION IN ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM—LABOR BUILDS UP THE KINGDOM—NUMBER OF THOSE IN THE CONGREGATION ACQUAINTED WITH THE PROPHET JOSEPH—EARLY EXPERIENCE IN THE CHURCH—REWARDS WILL FOLLOW OBEDIENCE—OBJECT OF THE LAW OF TITHING—SERVES THE LORD BECAUSE OF THE PURITY OF REVEALED TRUTH.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE BOWERY,LOGAN CITY, SATURDAY AFTERNOON,JUNE 28, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I have a little temporal matter which wish to lay before the brethren is the I wish to lay before the brethren— putting a road through what is called something pertaining to our work here Bear River Canyon, this side of Cotton- for the benefit of the inhabitants of this wood, where the railroad will go. If valley and other places. It is concern- this could be crowded through, I am ing this railroad. I wish to speak of told it would be a saving of about fif- this today. We should pass it over, teen miles of travel and climbing some probably, if it were left till tomorrow. very severe points of the mountains. If I wish the brethren to take into con- the brethren will take hold, under the sideration the benefits that are now direction of someone who may be ap- and which will be derived by the build- pointed or who is already appointed, of ing of this railroad. Another item I the grading of the road, it would be quite 64 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. an accommodation to the travel from ther, but when it is windy, stormy, cold here to Soda Springs. Get the railroad or wet, the people should certainly have graded as far and as fast as possible to a house to meet in, instead of being out carry us on. We would like very much to of doors. This, of course, will require la- hold some meetings north, and we would bor. If we were to go into details with rather get into a car and go where we regard to labor I think we could show wish than to be traveling along through very clearly that the time that is given to the dust day after day, consequently we us here is not altogether well spent. We wish to hurry up this matter as speed- might make a great many improvements ily as possible. The arrangements will to benefit ourselves, and be none the be entered into by those who have the poorer, but it would increase our wealth. railroad in charge, but I thought I would I think this is apparent to every reflect- ask the brethren, inasmuch as they wish ing mind. Every improvement that we to travel north, occasionally, to do them- make not only adds to our comfort but to selves and the rest of us the kindness to our wealth. I wish the brethren to con- get a ride upon a pretty good track. We sider this. Not that I wish to take any- wish to go to Bear Lake Valley, over into thing from the minds of the people of the Rich County, but how shall we go? I un- good things that we have heard since we derstand that this road up the Logan is have been together, and especially from impassable, and that the dugway road brother Taylor, who has just spoken. I is very bad. We have some settlements would not like to take a thought or re- already on the Soda Springs route, and flection from the minds of the people con- shall probably have more, and if we could cerning those good things pertaining to have the accommodation of traveling on the kingdom of God. But recollect that a pretty fair level road we should be very brother Taylor, in his remarks, brought thankful. I shall leave this and other the spiritual and the temporal together. matters with you, but I would urge the They always have been and always will necessity of building the railroad as far be together, and by our labor we show north as the iron can be obtained. I un- to the heavens that we are willing and derstand there is enough now coming to obedient servants and handmaids. This go from here to Franklin, and perhaps gives us a claim to the blessings which a few miles beyond. When this is com- our Father in heaven delights to bestow pleted, the traveling and freighting to upon the faithful. By our works our faith the north will probably go over this line, is made manifest, and by them shall we and the business of the people here will be judged, and justified or condemned. be increased and the value of the prop- Then let our works be such as will jus- erty will be enhanced, and you will ad- tify us and tend to the building up of the vance in proportion to the abundance of kingdom of heaven upon the earth. If your improvement. we do this, brethren and sisters, we shall Another item which I wish to prosper and increase. urge upon the people is the build- We were talking yesterday about ing of this meetinghouse. We have the blessings of the people. It ap- a bowery here, which is very com- pears to me that they have little fortable to meet in this warm wea- idea of the blessings which are in EXTENSION OF THE UTAH NORTHERN RAILROAD, ETC. 65 their possession. Still I am sensible that the building up of the kingdom of God, a great many realize and are very thank- and for the salvation of ourselves and ful for them, and they wish to improve others, jointly, together, or we shall fail their time to the best advantage. But in our attempts to accomplish the work take us as a people and how strange which the Lord has given us to do. We is the course we pursue! How incon- should consider all these matters. Now sistent, inconsiderate and vain are the take hold with union and bring the rock, acts of the Elders of Israel. Is this the lumber, and all other material that is fact? Yes, cooperation was referred to necessary, and let the mechanics go to by brother Taylor. The man or woman work and put up this meetinghouse. who is opposed to this is opposed to God. So said brother Taylor. I say that they I do not know who has charge of who are opposed to cooperation are op- the building of this store here, but I posed to heaven, to their own welfare, to am very sorry it does not loom up a the welfare of their neighbors, to truth little faster. I would like to see this and to everything that is good. The least store finished, the meetinghouse built, thought or act of an individual who is the railroad completed through here, our or can be called a Saint, that militates roads built through the mountains; I against a oneness of feeling and action would like to see your farms fenced up, amongst the Saints is opposed to every- and to see good buildings in this and thing that is heavenly and good. We do other towns. Improvement belongs to not wish to cooperate in mercantile af- the spirit and plan of the heavens. To fairs only, but we wish to bring the minds improve in our minds, to increase in wis- of the people to consider the benefit of dom, knowledge and understanding, to uniting and laboring together, to make gather every item of knowledge that we this long and strong pull all together, can in mechanism and in science of every of which brother Taylor spoke. This is description, respecting the earth, the ob- an expression that Brother Joseph Smith ject of the organization of the earth, the frequently used concerning the oneness heavens, the heavenly bodies—all this is of the people. If the Latter-day Saints of Heaven, it is from God; but when a were to take a course to alienate their person or a people begin to dwindle, to fellowship and feelings one from another, lessen and to take the downward course, each one saying, "This is my pile, and they are going from heaven and heav- I am working to increase it," we should enly things. You have seen this illus- then be in the position, referred to by trated in those who leave this Church. brother Franklin D. Richards this morn- You have known men who, while in the ing, of the man who said that all the Church, were active, quick and full of in- world belonged to the Lord, excepting telligence; but after they have left the the little piece of land he had bought Church, they have become contracted in and paid for. How inconsiderate, incon- their understandings, they have become sistent and unwise, is such a course as darkened in their minds, and everything this! If we are not one, we are not the has become a mystery to them, and in Lord's. We cannot do his will, nor be his regard to the things of God, they have disciples unless we are one. We must become like the rest of the world, who have the same faith and feelings for think, hope and pray that such and such 66 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. things may be so, but they do not know now, and try if you can find any of the the least about it. This is precisely the sons of Judah so lost to themselves as to position of those who leave this Church: be guilty of making any improvements. I they go into the dark, they are not able speak ironically. They will bring some- to judge, conceive or comprehend things thing to you and sell it to you, and get as they are. They are like the drunken your money if they can, for they are man—he thinks that everybody is the every one of them merchants; but can worse for liquor but himself, and he is you find one of them that tills an acre the only sober man in the neighborhood. of ground? Search the world over, and The apostates think that everbody is you will find but few Jewish agricultur- wrong but themselves. ists, although there are millions of Jews Follow the spirit of improvement and scattered through the earth, and many labor. All the capital there is upon the of them occupying important positions earth is the bone and sinew of working in the learned world; but they are not men and women. Were it not for that, producers, they are all consumers. The the gold and the silver and the precious land of Judea has fallen into disrepute, stones would remain in the mountains, and it has become a desert, just through upon the plains and in the valleys, and the apostasy of those who once inhabited never would be gathered or brought into it, who had the oracles of God among use. The timber would continue to grow, them. This is the fact. Let the Latter- but none of it would be brought into ser- day Saints neglect their labor, and they vice, and the earth would remain as it will soon find that they are declining is; but it is the activity and labor of in their feelings, tastes and judgment the inhabitants of the earth that bring for improving the elements of the earth; forth the wealth. Labor builds our meet- hence we say, improve, be industrious, inghouses, temples, court houses, fine prudent, faithful, make good farms, gar- halls for music and fine schoolhouses; it dens and orchards, good public and pri- is labor that teaches our children, and vate buildings, have the best schools, &c. makes them acquainted with the vari- The world give us the credit of being the ous branches of education, that makes most industrious people on the face of them proficient in their own language the earth; they say that the Latter-day and in other languages, and in every Saints in Utah have done more than any branch of knowledge understood by the other people ever were known to do in children of men; and all this enhances the same time. It is the little union that the wealth and the glory and the com- we have in our midst that has given this fort of any people on the earth. But take impetus to our prosperity. But we have the other course, and they become like not enough union, we have not enough our savages—they soon forget what they of the spirit of improvement amongst have learned, have no taste for acquir- us. You will see men occasionally here ing knowledge, and lose all their ambi- who, so far as the spirit of improve- tion and desire for improvement. For in- ment goes, are like some old "Mormons" stance, look at the Jewish nation. Here who lived in the days of Joseph. That are the tribe of Judah in our midst. Do is, their bodies breathe, and they move you ever recollect any of them build- and have a being; but they died when ing a house? Think of it, look around Joseph died. There has been no spirit of EXTENSION OF THE UTAH NORTHERN RAILROAD, ETC. 67 progress or improvement in them since. give you one item. I lived close by where As far as regards gathering and organiz- these plates were found. I knew that ing the elements, and making the earth Joseph found them, from outward cir- beautiful, these old "Mormons" have no cumstances that transpired at the time. taste for it, and they see nothing, hear I shall not take time to relate but a little nothing, and know nothing, only they of the delicate, kind, benevolent, Chris- knew Joseph. Say they, "Oh, I was ac- tianlike, I will say anti-Godlike feelings quainted with Joseph, I knew brother of the priests and of the people who Joseph." Ask them, "Are you going to professed Christianity at the time that build a house?" "Well, I don't know; I Joseph organized this Church. The very don't know as I care anything about hav- first thing that was circulated was this— ing any better house." "Well but your "Did you hear that Joe Smith and his house is full of bed bugs." "I know it is followers got together last night, blew pretty bad, but still it is as good as I am, out the light, stripped themselves stark and I don't think I shall try to build." naked, and there they had the holy roll?" They died when Joseph died. This was the story started by the priests I heard it mentioned here, I think, in the neighborhood where the plates this morning, that we all knew the char- were found. In the Branch where I lived, acter of the Latter-day Saints, and the we had not met together three times difficulties and persecutions they have before our beloved, kind, anti-Godlike passed through. It came into my mind Baptist priests and people declared that at that moment to ask this congregation we made a practice of meeting together, how many of them knew Joseph Smith, stripping stark naked, and there hav- the Prophet, just to show what "Mor- ing the "holy roll." A great many of you monism" has accomplished in twenty- do not understand this term. It came eight years. I believe I will do myself from the shaking Quakers. I shall not the favor, and gratify myself so far as attempt to relate here the conduct at- to ask those of my brethren and sis- tributed to them, but from that sprang ters now present, who were personally the peculiar phrase I have mentioned acquainted with Joseph Smith, to raise in your hearing this afternoon. In a their right hands. (A very few hands very short time we were all thieves in up.) There is a few, but very few, not the estimation of our so-called Christian above one to twenty, and perhaps not neighbors. Said the priest to a beloved more than one to fifty in this congrega- sister—"Sister, did you hear of such a tion who ever saw Joseph Smith. Now if man, he was a member of our church I were to ask the boys and girls, and all a few days since, but he has joined old the young folks present, although your Joe Smith?" Joseph was then twenty-one Sunday schools are not here, who were or twenty-two years of age, but it was born in these valleys, to raise their right "old Joe Smith." "Sister, did you hear hands, I will venture to say that we that such a brother stole a lot of chick- should find that more than half this con- ens last night?" Says the sister, "No, can gregation have been born in these moun- it be possible?" "Well, they say so," says tains. What do they know about what the priest, and he himself had fabri- we passed through in Illinois, Missouri, cated the entire story. This sister would Kirtland, or New York State? I will tell it to another, and it would go all 68 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. through the neighborhood that such a in their folds. See them upon the plains, man, who only a few days before had they are blessed there more than any been considered by them as good a other people. Then look at their harvests brother as they had in their church, had and their gardens and orchards, and become a chicken thief. But you can- they are blessed therein more than any not mention any crime that this peo- people we know anything about. They ple called Latter-day Saints have not are blessed in everything they put their been accused of committing by their so- hand to. The climate of these valleys called Christian neighbors; and these has been modified and mollified for their stories would generally commence by the sakes. When we first came here, neither priests whispering to some sister—"Did an apple nor an ear of wheat could have you hear of such and such a thing?" That been raised in this valley. But is there a was enough, all that was wanted, it be- finer valley than this now in these moun- came a solemn fact by the time it passed tains? No. Is there a finer place for the third mouth. Now what do the great people to live in on this continent? No. majority of Saints know of these things? There is not. Nothing, for they have been born since our arrival here. I need not relate much If the people take a course to bring of my experience in this work, although the blessings of heaven upon them, they I have had a pretty large one. But it will increase in everything. If they is not particularly profitable to me or to refuse obedience to the holy Priesthood, anybody else to relate it. Sometimes it they will dwindle and go into unbelief is very well to relate circumstances that and apostasy; they will be contracted have transpired, to show to the rising in their views and feelings; the fruit generation what we have passed through trees will begin to refuse to bear fruit; and what we have had to contend with. our flocks will begin to refuse their in- Now, if the brethren will take hold crease, and our fields will refuse to bring and perform the labors devolving upon forth their crops. I will just make this them, they shall be blessed in them. statement with regard to the country They will increase in health and in the plates were taken from, from which wealth. The Lord will bless the peo- the Book of Mormon was translated. I ple in proportion as they bless them- have helped to harvest wheat there, that selves. If they are faithful in following yielded fifty bushels to the acre, or from every requirement, they will be blessed twenty-five to sixty bushels. For thirty in their families, and no other people on years past, they have not raised twenty the earth that we know anything about bushels to the acre; for twenty years past are blessed in their families and pos- they have not raised fifteen bushels to terity as the Latter-day Saints are now. the acre, and now, in that country, which Visit town after town in this Territory once was not surpassed by any portion and let the Saints turn out their chil- of the globe for raising fruit and wheat, dren neat and clean and what can be not an apple is raised without a worm in said of them? The Lord blesses them the center. They have been so for twenty in their families. Let them drive up or thirty years. Their apples are good their flocks, and what will be said of for nothing. Send them to England as them? The Lord blesses their flocks they did forty or fifty years ago, and they EXTENSION OF THE UTAH NORTHERN RAILROAD, ETC. 69 are not marketable; they will bear no taining missionaries and missionaries' price in comparison to good fruit. Five families, for feeding the poor, the aged, to ten bushels of wheat to an acre now. the halt and blind, and for gathering Their peaches have gone, their apples them home from the nations and tak- have gone, their plums and their pears ing care of them after they are gathered. have gone, and that land eventually, un- He has said, "My son, devote one-tenth less this government and the people of of yourself to the good and wholesome the government take a different course work of taking care of your fellow be- towards the Gospel that the Lord has ings, preaching the Gospel, bringing peo- revealed in the latter days, will become ple into the kingdom; lay your plans to desolate, forlorn and forsaken. That is take care of those who cannot take care the country I was brought up in, and of themselves; direct the labors of those with regard to its products, I know about who are able to labor; and one-tenth as much as any man that lives. part is all-sufficient if it is devoted prop- Now, brethren and sisters, if we wish erly, carefully and judiciously for the ad- the blessings of heaven upon us, let us vancement of my kingdom on the earth." be faithful to our covenants and callings, What little wealth I have got, I faithful in paying Tithing, in keeping the have obtained since I have been in this word of wisdom and in building Tem- Church. What I had when I came into ples. The Tithing is for the building of the Church I gave away to my friends. I Temples. Suppose we build this meet- had no family except two children. I can ing house here with Tithing. If the peo- hardly say that either, for when I came ple will give us one-tenth part of that into the Church I had a wife, but in a which is due on their Tithing, we shall very few months after I was baptized I have all we need to build their meeting- lost her, and she left me two little girls. houses, schoolhouses, and Temples. This I gave away what I had, and I started to may seem strange to some, and perhaps I preach the Gospel. I was obliged to do look at Tithing different from others, and it, for I felt as though my bones would consider the law of Tithing different from consume within me if I did not, conse- what others would look at and construe quently I devoted my time to preaching. the meaning of the words concerning the I traveled, toiled, labored and preached Tithing that the Lord requires in the lat- continually. My own brother Joseph, and ter days. I will sum it up and tell you myself, were together a good deal of the what my views are. Here is a character— time, until we went to Kirtland, to see a man—that God has created, organized, the Prophet, and the next year moved fashioned and made—every part and up. This is the way I commenced, and particle of my system from the top of my when I gathered with the Saints I was head to the soles of my feet, has been about as destitute as any man that ever produced by my Father in heaven; and gathered to the gathering place; and that he requires one-tenth part of my brain, summer brother Joseph called the Elders heart, nerve, muscle, sinew, flesh, bone, together and gave them the word of the and of my whole system, for the build- Lord never to do another day's work to ing of Temples, for the ministry, for sus- build up a Gentile city. I have never 70 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. done a day's work, nor an hour's work, earth are pure, holy and exalting in their from that time to this, to build up a nature. In them there is honor and eter- Gentile city, but I have labored contin- nal increase, they lead on from light to ually to build up the cities of Zion. God light, strength to strength, glory to glory, has blessed me with means, and he has knowledge to knowledge, and power to blessed me with a family. I made a state- power; and the opposite reduces any in- ment yesterday, which I can make again dividual or any nation on the earth to with all propriety—that in my judgment imbecility, ignorance, slothfulness, and it would take more than I have got to to the loathsome state of degradation in pay my back Tithing, and I have got which we see some of the inhabitants as much, probably, as any man in the of the earth now. It is purely for the Church. The Lord has blessed me; he love of holy principles that will exalt the has always blessed me; from the time I people, that we may receive and gain commenced to build up Zion, I have been more and more, and keep receiving for- extremely blessed. I could relate circum- ever and ever, that I serve the Lord, and stances of so extraordinary a character try to build up his kingdom. in regard to the providences of God to And when we get through this state me, that my brethren and sisters would of being, to the next room, I may call say in their hearts, "I can hardly give it, we are not going to stop there. We credence to this." But my heart has been shall still go on, doing all the good we set in me to do the will of God, to build can, administering and officiating for all up his kingdom on the earth, to estab- whom we are permitted to administer lish Zion and its laws, and to save the and officiate for, and then go on to the people; and I can say truly and hon- next, and to the next, until the Lord estly that the thought never came into shall crown all who have been faithful my mind, in all my labors, what my re- on this earth, and the work pertaining ward will be, or whether my crown would to the earth is finished, and the Savior, be large or small, or any crown at all, whom we have been helping, has com- a small possession, a large possession, pleted his task, and the earth, with all or no possession. I do not know that I things pertaining to it, is presented to shall have a wife or child in the resurrec- the Father. Then these faithful ones will tion. I have never had any thoughts or receive their blessings and crowns, and reflections upon this, or cared the first their inheritances will be set off to them thing about it. All that I have had in and he given to them, and they will then my mind has been that it was my duty go on, worlds upon worlds, increasing to do the will of God, and to labor to es- forever and ever. tablish his kingdom on the earth. I do Now, brethren, what do you say, will not love, serve or fear the Lord for the you do as I want you to? Will you sake of getting rid of being damned, nor take hold and build this meetinghouse, for the sake of getting some great gift or get this road through and make a lit- blessing in eternity, but purely because tle more improvement, and say we will the principles which God has revealed have no idlers in our midst, but that for the salvation of the inhabitants of the every day, every week, every month, shall be devoted to something that is IGNORANCE OF THE WORLD, ETC. 71 useful to ourselves and to others? If to God and his kingdom on the earth, this is our feeling and our determina- that the revelations of Jesus Christ may tion we shall be blessed. I feel to bless be in them like a well of water springing you. I pray for you continually. I up to everlasting life. never cease to pray for the Saints. I pray the Lord to inspire the hearts of his people, so that the good may not Now, I can say, God bless you, and I fall away, but that they may be pre- pray that you may be blessed; but I pray served in the truth, and that they may you to bless yourselves. Brethren and learn and understand it more and more, sisters, let us bless ourselves, by doing until their affections are so wedded the will of God, then we are right.

IGNORANCE OF THE WORLD CONCERNING OUR FAITH—CHARACTER OF CHRIST'S TEACHINGS—ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF FORMER-DAYS—BELIEF ALONE INSUFFICIENT—EXHORTATION TO THE SAINTS TO LIVE THEIR RELIGION AND TO ACQUIRE ALL USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,MAY 25, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I have a few remarks to make to been willing to receive it; yea more—I those who do not understand the doc- have taught the Gospel of life and salva- trine of the Latter-day Saints. Forty- tion to the human family sufficiently, if three years have passed away since this all had been honest to receive it and will- Church was organized in Fayette, Seneca ing to carry it to their neighbors, to evan- County, in the State of New York; and gelize the whole earth, and there need for over forty years, according to the not have been, today, one person, hea- ability which God has given me, I have then or Christian, ignorant of its prin- traveled and preached enough to extend ciples. But now, I learn from day to this Gospel to the door of every ham- day, from week to week and from time let on this continent if the people had to time, that very many people in our 72 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. own land do not understand our doc- the gospel to every creature. He that be- trines, and I am frequently asked the lieveth and is baptized shall be saved; question, while conversing with people, he that believeth not shall be damned." I "Do you believe the Bible?" "Do you re- shall not attempt to go into the meaning ceive the Bible as the word of the Lord?" of this saying in every particular—time "Then, you acknowledge the Bible?" &c. will not permit—but suffice it to say that This astonishes me, and the cause of he that believeth and is baptized will be such questions being asked I leave ev- saved, and he that believeth not will be ery person to judge for himself, just as cast off. What promise did Jesus give I do with regard to the course of the to his disciples when he sent them out, children of men in other matters, such two by two, to preach? What inducement as truth, error, religion, politics, &c. If was there, when the Savior was upon we were to inquire of strangers, who the earth, to believe in him and his doc- have lived twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or trine? We can all read; it would take too sixty years on the continent of America, much time to tell. His disciples went out and even in the United States, how it and preached without purse and scrip, is that they do not know better than to and when they returned, they testified suppose that the Latter-day Saints re- to Jesus that they had lacked for noth- ject and do not believe in the Bible, they ing. Jesus promised to those who be- would reply, "We do not know, only we lieved, powers and advantages which un- have heard so." If you go to the professed believers could not enjoy. We read of cer- infidel, of any class, and ask him, "Do tain men and women in Samaria, who the 'Mormons' believe in the Bible?"— had been taught the Gospel under the "Why yes, I have heard them preach, authority of John the Baptist, but they and they believe the Bible more than the had not received the Holy Ghost; and whole Christian world do." Well, where we are told that certain Apostles went and through whom does this influence down from Jerusalem to lay their hands come, which leads people to believe to on these Samaritan believers. There the contrary? I will not spend time to an- was a man called Simon, a sorcerer, swer this, but I will say, that the Latter- who had bewitched the people, and see- day Saints believe more of the Bible than ing that the power which the Apostles any other people that live on the face of bestowed upon them, by the laying on the earth that we have any knowledge of. of hands, was far above his power— What does the Bible teach us with re- although he could deceive, betray and gard to the Christian religion, faith in frighten the people, and do many things God, and in his Son Jesus Christ, who just as the magicians of Pharaoh's court was sent in the meridian of time to re- did when Moses went to deliver the chil- deem the earth, and all things pertain- dren of Israel; said he, "I will give you ing to it? I will not take up the neg- money if you will bestow that power on ative side of the question, or tell what me." The Apostles said to him, "You and others believe; but let me tell what we your money perish together." The Apos- believe. In the first place, I will take tles laid their hands upon those per- up the sayings of Jesus to his disciples sons who had been baptized to John's on a certain occasion. Said he, "Go ye baptism, and they received the Holy therefore into all the world, and preach Ghost. Believers in those days had the IGNORANCE OF THE WORLD, ETC. 73 power which Jesus promised. They "Do you believe in prophesying, do you might take up serpents, and they would believe in Apostles, in baptism by im- not bite them; if they drank any deadly mersion for the remission of sins, and thing it would not hurt them; if they laid in the laying on of hands for the recep- hands on the sick, the sick would recover. tion of the Holy Ghost? Do you believe They spake with tongues, they prophe- in breaking bread continually, as Jesus sied, they had the discernment of spirits, commanded his disciples at the last sup- and all the various gifts of the Gospel of per, when he brake the bread and blessed Christ; and all of these were beyond the it, and blessed the wine and gave it to reach of the sorcerer, yet he was far in all to eat and drink, saying, 'Do this un- advance of the common people in pow- til I come again, for I will drink no more ers of deception. But Jesus promised his of the fruit of the vine, until I drink it disciples more than any man could pos- anew with you in my Father's kingdom?'" sess by the spirit of divination. When What do the world—Christian, Jew and we consider this and realize, if we can Pagan—believe about these things? In- realize, that, through the restoration of quire for yourselves. We Latter-day the Gospel in our day, all these gifts can Saints believe in Apostles and Prophets. be again enjoyed, it is worthy the atten- We believe in the Melchizedek Priest- tion of every person on the face of the hood and in the Aaronic Priesthood, earth who is capable of receiving truth which God bestowed upon his servants for truth, light for light, and intelligence long ago. Moses had all these doctrines upon intelligence. and both these Priesthoods in his pos- Let me hasten along, and refer to the session, and also the organization of the organization of the ancient Church. Ac- Church; and with all his power he strove cording to the testimony of the Apos- to bring the children of Israel to a knowl- tle, God set in the Church, firstly Apos- edge of the Gospel, but they would not tles, secondly Prophets, thirdly Teachers, have Christ. then Pastors, and so forth. You strangers I pause here. I was brought up a may ask your divines, when you return Christian, very strictly, and was taught home, what they believe about God set- to read the Bible, consequently it is nat- ting in the Church Apostles, Prophets, ural for me to believe it—it is accord- Pastors, Teachers, helps, gifts, divers ing to my traditions, and also from the kinds of tongues, and so on, for the per- spirit of revelation from God unto my- fecting of the Saints, and for the edifying self. In all my teachings, I have taught of the body of Christ, until all come to the Gospel from the Old and New Tes- a unity of faith and knowledge in Christ taments. I found therein every doc- Jesus our Lord; and let them answer the trine, and the proof of every doctrine, question, then you can judge who it is the Latter-day Saints believe in, as far that throws dust into the eyes of the peo- as I know, therefore I do not refer to the ple, and is continually telling them that Book of Mormon as often as I otherwise "the Latter-day Saints deny the Bible;" should. There may be some doctrines "the Latter-day Saints are a bad peo- about which little is said in the Bible, but ple;" "the Latter-day Saints are aliens they are all couched therein, and I be- to the government;" "the Latter-day lieve the doctrines because they are true, Saints are rebellious." Ask the divines, and I have taught them because they are 74 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. calculated to save the children of men. through the wickedness of the people It is said by the Christian world, by they would change his ordinances, break governments, philosophers, statesmen, the covenants, and transgress his laws, politicians and ministers, that there is until the Priesthood would be taken from no harm in believing anything if we do the earth, and its inhabitants be left in not practice it. But let me ask how apostasy and darkness. can we believe in Jesus Christ—taking his own words for it—unless we do the works that he did? Go and read his But how are we to understand this words for yourselves—"He that believeth angel referred to by John, when he comes in me will do the works that I do." Did along? This is an important question. he not say this? How then can we be- How, in the language of Scripture, are we lieve in him without doing his works? to know the voice of the Good Shepherd Did he inspire his Apostles? Did be in- from the voice of a stranger? Can any spire him whom we call St. Paul? Did person answer this question? I can, it is he inspire John upon the Isle of Patmos? very easy. To every philosopher upon the The Christian world will not deny that earth, I say, "Your eye can be deceived, he did. While John was upon Patmos, he so can mine; your ear can be deceived, had many visions and revelations. He so can mine; the touch of your hand can compiled these after he returned from be deceived, so can mine; but the Spirit the island, and left them in the posses- of God filling the creature with revela- sion of his friends; and the Council which tion and the light of eternity, cannot be compiled this book—the Bible—brought mistaken—the revelation which comes his revelations into the catalogue of sa- from God is never mistaken." It is the cred books. If you will read the Book of spirit of truth, and it testifies of Jesus, of Revelation, you will find that John pre- his Father, of the things which God has dicts many things regarding these lat- done for the children of men, and that ter days. He saw the conduct and do- which he is now doing. No man upon the ings of the seven angels; and then he earth can be mistaken when he sees by says, "I saw another angel flying in the the eye of revelation, when Jesus shines midst of heaven, having the everlasting upon his understanding by the light of gospel to preach to them that dwell upon his Spirit. Now, then, how are we going the earth, Saying, Fear God, and give to know the voice of the Good Shepherd glory to him; who made the heavens, the from the voice of a stranger? Take the earth, the seas and the fountains of wa- words of Jesus. He says, "My sheep hear ters." my voice, and they follow me, a stranger By reading the Bible we find that they will not follow." Why? Because they the Gospel is contained not only in the know not the voice of a stranger. When New Testament, but also in the Old. an individual, filled with the Spirit of Moses and the Prophets saw and pre- God, declares the truth of heaven, the dicted the apostasy of the Church. They sheep hear that, the Spirit of the Lord saw that the Lord would strive with pierces their inmost souls and sinks deep the children of men from time to time, into their hearts; by the testimony of the that he would deliver to them the truth Holy Ghost light springs up within them, and the Priesthood; they also saw that and they see and understand for them- IGNORANCE OF THE WORLD, ETC. 75 selves. This is the way the Gospel should to distinguish between the voice of the be preached by every Elder in Israel, Good Shepherd and the voice of the and by this power every hearer should stranger. But I will say that if the Lord hear; and if we would know the voice has not sent that angel of which John of the Good Shepherd, we must live so speaks, he will send him as surely as we that the Spirit of the Lord can find its live. way to our hearts. I have said to the Let me refer to another saying of Latter-day Saints, many and many a John: After telling about the angel fly- time, and I say to them now, live your ing through the midst of heaven with religion, that the Spirit of God may be the everlasting Gospel to be restored to within you like a well of water spring- the children of men, he tells us in his ing up to everlasting life. Suppose I were eighteenth chapter and 4th verse—"And to give way to the spirit of the enemy I heard another voice from heaven say- and leave the spirit of the Gospel, then, ing, Come out of her, my people, that ye if you were not prepared to judge be- be not partakers of her sins, and that ye tween the voice of the Good Shepherd receive not of her plagues." This was a and the voice of the stranger, I could lead proclamation to God's people. Israel is you to ruin. Be prepared that you may dispersed among all the nations of the know the voice when it comes through earth; the blood of Ephraim is mixed the servants of God, then you can de- with the blood of all the earth. Abra- clare for yourselves. "This is the word of ham's seed is mingled with the rebel- the Lord." My caution and counsel to the lious seed through the whole world of Latter-day Saints, and to all the inhab- mankind, and John saw that a command itants of the earth is—"Live so that you would go forth warning the righteous to will know truth from error." flee from Babylon, and that command was, "Come out of her, my people, that But do all the Latter-day Saints live ye be not partakers of her sins, that ye so? Oh no, they do not. Many fall receive not other plagues. For her sins into error and finally leave the Church. have reached to heaven," and so forth. They are led away far from the truth. This is a stumbling block to the reli- They become subject to the ten thou- gious world of Christendom. They can- sand spirits that have gone forth into the not see the necessity of the gathering, world, and they are deceived in this, that they claim that believers in Jesus can and the other thing, and like the rest live their religion and serve the Lord as of the world, they do not know how to well scattered as gathered, and that, in govern themselves. They are deceived time, by the preaching of the various in their own organization and with re- sects, the world will be evangelized. The gard to themselves; and there is no man Latter-day Saints believe that all their that can know himself unless he knows efforts in this direction, in the future, God, and he cannot know God unless will be as they have been in the past— he knows himself. The children of men useless; and that the so-called Chris- give heed to the deceiving spirits that tian religion is a failure, so far as evan- are abroad, and that is the cause of the gelizing the world is concerned. Let ten thousand errors, wrongs, sins and the world of mankind look at Jerusalem divisions which are in the world, and for an illustration of its effects. In for this reason the multitude are unable that city various Christian sects have 76 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. their places of worship, and many make told them whom they might not marry. yearly pilgrimages to the places made By reading the Scriptures you will find sacred by the life, death and burial that the Lord commanded the children of the Redeemer. Do these Christians of Israel to live by themselves, and not in Jerusalem manifest that love, meek- to mix their seed with the unholy, un- ness and forbearance toward each other governable and rebellious seed of the which always characterize the true ser- world. The Lord used to give wives to the vants and followers of the Lord Jesus? children of men, but the people say, "We No, for if it were not for the Turkish sol- do not know about that now, we hardly diers they would massacre each other ev- think it will answer." ery day. That is the effect the princi- How are we going to build up the ples which they profess have upon them. kingdom of God on the earth. Do you And everywhere, throughout the Chris- think it is a manual labor? Do you think tian world, it amounts to little more. Its it will become a political kingdom? Ask leaders and professors cry, "Come to Je- the kings on their thrones, ask poten- sus, Come to the Lord," and do this and tates and statesmen if they believe the do that, but where do we find such things Bible. If they do, they must believe taught in the New Testament? They that the day will come in which God will are not there. Who among the writ- revolutionize the earth, to that degree ers of the Scriptures declares that God that the "kingdoms of this world will be- has taken Apostles and Prophets, evan- come the kingdoms of our God, and his gelists, pastors, teachers governments Christ." If they ever do, there must be a and helps from his Church? Not one. heavy labor to perform, and that labor is Is there any declaration or revelation upon the Saints of God, and they must in modern times to the effect that God enter into it with heart and soul. It will has taken the gifts out of his Church? be both a manual and a political labor, No. Men have left them, they have for all will be brought into subjection to wandered from and forsaken the fold of the law of Christ, that he may come and Christ, they have transgressed the laws reign on the earth, king of nations, as he and they have changed the ordinances of does king of Saints. his kingdom for the laws and ordinances of men; and they have broken the ev- These subjects could be taken up one erlasting covenant which God, in early by one, and it could be shown from the ages, made with his creatures. Scriptures, precisely the position that Let me say to my hearers, not that will be taken and the course that must be I wish to take up the subject of Celes- pursued. I have labored faithfully over tial Marriage, that if you will search the forty years to convince the children of Scriptures, you will find that the first men that God rules in the heavens and curse which came upon the children of that he will rule upon the earth. Suppose Israel, as recorded in the writings of that he ruled today, would society be the Moses, was for marrying out of their own worse for it? What think ye? Is there families; and then the Lord, after seeing a heaven? Is there a heaven of heav- the hardness of their hearts in despising ens? Is there a dwelling place for the his law and his covenants, gave to them Gods and the angels? Do you think they a law of carnal commandments, and have their political quarrels there? Do IGNORANCE OF THE WORLD, ETC. 77 you think they get up different ones most refined society. This is the belief whom they will run for their king, gov- and doctrine of the Latter-day Saints. ernor, or president? Do you think there Learn everything that the children of is an opposition ticket there? What men know, and be prepared for the most do the political, financial and Christian refined society upon the face of the earth, world think about these things? Do you then improve upon this until we are pre- think that a few capitalists lock up all pared and permitted to enter the soci- the means there and make hard times, ety of the blessed—the holy angels that so that the people cannot get a dollar? dwell in the presence of God, for our God, Do you think there is any backbiting because of his purity, is a consuming fire. and false swearing there? Do you think they have courts with unjust judges and I have spoken longer than the time packed juries there? No, every person allotted to me. I can say God bless who believes in the Old and New Tes- you. I pray the people—Saints and sin- taments, will say that it is a place of ners upon the face of the whole earth—to perfection, a place where all have their hearken to the truth. Open your hearts rights; a place where there is perfect to the conviction of the Holy Spirit upon peace and happiness, and all join with you. I pray that you who have received one heart and voice in ascribing honor, the truth may live in it and abide by it, praise and glory to him who sits on the that you may enjoy the blessings of it throne, and the Lamb. This is the effect and be prepared for the fullness of the of God's rule and government. Would glory of God, that will yet be revealed. I the inhabitants of the world be in a exhort those who do not believe, to listen worse condition than they are now if the to and receive, little by little, the instruc- Lord were ruler of all the earth? Oh, tions which God will give, until all the no. All will join in wishing for per- inhabitants of the earth are prepared for fection, and in desiring a state of so- Jesus to come and reign in their midst. ciety in which there would be no jars, no contentions, no poverty, no poor, but all prepared to go into the highest and God bless you, Amen. 78 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE RISE OF ZION IN THE LAST DAYS.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JUNE 15, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I will call your attention to the first some distant island of the sea, or away two lines in the first hymn that was sung among some obscure people; but it will this afternoon— be something that will call forth the at- "Arise, O glorious Zion, Thou joy of tention of all people and nations upon latter days." the face of the whole earth. The rise In connection with these two lines, I of Zion, the latter-day Zion. What are will cite the attention of the congregation we to understand by the meaning of to the first verse of the 60th chapter of Zion? What I understand, and what the Isaiah— Scriptures have portrayed in regard to "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, the meaning of Zion is, a people who and the glory of the Lord has risen upon shall receive the law of God, and who thee." shall be acknowledged of the Lord as The passage which I have quoted his people—a people who shall be gath- from Isaiah has reference to the latter- ered together from the nations of the day Zion, about which the choir sang at earth, and build a house to the name the opening of the meeting. That there of the Lord in the latter days. A peo- may be no misunderstanding about the ple who shall have their abiding place people to whom the Prophet had ref- in the mountains, and who shall build erence, I will read some other pas- a city that shall be called Zion. All sages connected with it—"And the Re- these things are clearly portrayed in deemer shall come to Zion, and unto prophecy. The people of God must be a them that turn from transgression in Ja- people who give the most diligent heed cob, saith the Lord." The Zion that is to his word; they will be guided by rev- here spoken of is called upon to "arise elation from him, and among them his and shine; for the glory of the Lord is power will be made conspicuously man- risen upon thee." There is no one thing ifest. These are characteristics concern- more fully revealed in the Scriptures of ing this latter-day Zion, spoken of by the eternal truth, than the rise of the Zion ancient Prophets, which, if the Spirit of of our God in the latter days, clothed the Lord will enable me to clearly com- upon with the glory of God from the prehend the subject, I will endeavor, this heavens—a Zion that will attract the at- afternoon, in my simple language and in tention of all the nations and kindreds of the whole earth. It will not be some- thing that takes place in a corner on THE RISE OF ZION IN THE LAST DAYS. 79 my simple manner, to lay before this con- can judge whether we have brought good gregation. tidings to this generation or not. We were called upon by the Almighty and We find, in the 40th chapter of the his holy angels to go forth and declare prophecies of Isaiah, that the people of to the nations of the earth, that God had Zion are to be raised up preparatory to again spoken from the heavens, and that the second advent of the Son of God. Isa- by holy angels sent down from heaven, iah uses an exclamation something like he had again revealed the everlasting this—"O Zion, that bringest good tidings, Gospel in all its fullness, and for forty get thee up into the high mountain." years past we have declared this to the It seems by this, that the people called world. We have also testified that many Zion, wherever they might be, were to of the servants of God have been or- be removed from the regions they origi- dained by holy angels and sent forth to nally inhabited, and were to be located publish these tidings among the inhabi- in a high mountain, or in a very ele- tants of the earth, and that others have vated region. If you wish to know the been ordained by those who received time which this prophetic exhortation to their ordination from heavenly messen- the people of Zion had reference to, read gers. the whole of the 40th chapter of Isaiah, What greater or more glorious tidings and you will find that, at that period, could be proclaimest to the fallen sons the glory of God is to be revealed and and daughters of men than the everlast- all flesh is to see it together, evidently ing Gospel the same Gospel that was pro- referring to the great day when the Son claimed anciently by Jesus and his Apos- of God shall come in his glory, when ev- tles? In the sixth verse of the 14th chap- ery eye shall see him, and they also who ter of the Revelation of St. John, we read pierced him, and all people, nations and of the Gospel being revealed by an an- tongues under heaven, who are spared gel, and that, after it was revealed, it unto that day, shall behold him descend should be published to all people, nations in power and majesty to this earth. In and tongues under the whole heavens, his 40th chapter, the Prophet Isaiah has saying that the hour of God's judgment told us that then the mountains shall was come, showing clearly that the day be broken down, the valleys exalted, the in which the angel should be sent forth rough places made smooth, the glory of with the everlasting Gospel, should be the Lord revealed and all flesh see it to- specially characterized by terrible judg- gether. Then the iniquities of ancient Is- ments poured out upon the nations of the rael will have been sufficiently punished, wicked. for the Lord will have rewarded them When the Prophet said, O Zion, thou double for all their sins. When that time that bringest good tidings, get thee up arrives the people called Zion will be re- into the high mountain, he no doubt be- quired to go into the high mountains, held in vision the great work of gather- and they shall bring good tidings unto ing the children of Zion, from the various the inhabitants of the earth. nations of the earth, into a mountainous or elevated region upon our globe. Those who have heard the procla- Prior to the death of the Prophet mation of the Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, the Lord predicted 80 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. through him that this people should be this prophecy. They have spoken of the gathered out from all the nations un- mountain of the house of the Lord, that der heaven, and should be established should be established in the latter days in the mountains, or elevated regions of upon the mountains. this continent; and two or three years Let me now refer you to that after his death—twenty-six years ago, prophecy, which is recorded in the sec- this coming season—this prediction be- ond chapter of Isaiah, and which reads gan to be fulfilled, for in the year 1847, thus—"And it shall come to pass in the the pioneers made a journey of 1,400 last days, that the mountain of the Lord's miles from the Mississippi River, and, by house shall be established in the top of the inspiration of the Spirit of the liv- the mountains, and shall be exhalted ing God, they rested upon this mountain- above the hills; and all nations shall flow ous, and then wild and desolate region. unto it. And many people shall go and They commenced a settlement where the say, Come ye, and let us go up to the site of this city now stands, and since mountain of the Lord, and to the house of that time this people gathered from ev- the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of ery nation by the preaching of the ever- his ways, and we will walk in his paths: lasting Gospel, revealed in these latter for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and days through the Prophet Joseph, have the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." extended their borders, and have built It seems, then, that the people who towns and cities over an area many hun- would build this house of God in the lat- dred miles in extent. In obedience to ter days in the mountains, are called the command of the Almighty, this peo- Zion, and from them should go forth the ple left their native countries and the law. What law? Does this mean the civil graves of their ancestors, and came forth law of the country, to govern all people? by thousands each succeeding year, and No. The people of this American repub- peopled this high and elevated region of lic, by their representatives in Congress, our country. We came here because mod- have enacted civil laws and formed a ern Prophets opened their mouths by the great and free government upon the face spirit of revelation and declared these of this continent, by which the people mountains to be the abiding place of the in a civil capacity are governed. This, latter-day Zion. We came to fulfill mod- therefore, must have reference to the law ern prophecies as well as the predictions of the Gospel, that God would reveal in of the ancient Prophets. Have you not the latter days unto Zion. From Zion read, Latter-day Saints and strangers, shall go forth the law, says the Prophet, in this good old book, a prediction, ut- and then, to show more fully the nature tered some twenty-five hundred years of this great latter-day work, be exclaims ago, by the mouth of Isaiah, concerning in the next verse—"And he shall judge the house of the Lord that was to be built the nations, and shall rebuke many peo- in the latter days in the tops of the moun- ple: and they shall beat their swords into tains? I presume that you have read it plowshares, and their spears into prun- many a time; indeed I have heard Chris- inghooks: nation shall not lift up sword tian denominations of almost every sect, against nation, neither shall they learn in their psalms and anthems, refer to war any more." THE RISE OF ZION IN THE LAST DAYS. 81

It is very evident from this last pre- of these houses? No. When did he diction which I have read, that a very ever appear in his glory in these houses? great and important work should be Never. Did he ever say to the people, done in the last days upon the moun- "You have built them according to the tains. The Lord has to prepare or build pattern which I gave unto you, and I now a house in the mountains. Will it not accept them." No such declaration was be a marvelous work and a wonder for ever heard among all these Christian na- the Lord to have a house in the latter tions. The Lord has had no house on the days upon the earth? I think it will, earth for a great many centuries, and for especially when we remember that the that very reason the Prophet Isaiah was earth has been without a house of God wrought upon by the Spirit of revelation for a great many generations. If there to declare that such a great event as the had always been a house of God on the Lord having a house on the earth in the earth, the Prophet would never have latter days should be accomplished, and uttered this prophecy; but for the last its location should be in the mountains. 1,600 years we might have gone from From this we may draw the conclusion east to west, and from north to south, that it must be in a very elevated region, in the four quarters of the earth, and when compared with the general level or then into the islands of the sea, seek- surface of the country whereon it will be ing for a house of God, and we could built. not have found one. What I mean by There is one thing that will charac- a house of God, is one which God him- terize the Zion of the latter days: its self commanded to be built. I know that people will not only be commanded to there are many houses built in all the get up into the high mountain, but they great cities of this Republic, as well as in will also be commanded to build unto Europe, by the different religious sects, the Lord a house in the mountains, the many of them superb buildings, and you pattern of that house being given by in- will find written upon them generally, spiration, everything pertaining to it be- "The house of the Lord," "The house of ing dictated by the power of prophecy by God," "The church of Jesus," the house of the servants of the Most High God; and God called "St. Paul's church," the house when the house is built, if no unclean of God called "St. Peter's church," or thing is suffered to enter therein to defile "St. John's church." We can find plenty it, God will come into his tabernacle; but of them in New York, and in all the if there be any unclean thing come into great cities and towns of our nation, also that house and defile it, he will not enter, in Great Britain, and all the Christian for he dwells not in unholy temples, and nations of Europe, very grand, superb he will not accept such a house, as an of- edifices, which have cost an immense fering at the hands of his Saints. But we amount of money. Did God command the read that in the latter days God will ac- building of any of these houses? If he cept the house that shall be built, and did not, then they are not his houses, not only the house erected to his name, and they are nicknamed houses of the but also the dwelling houses of his peo- Lord by the builders or proprietors, while ple, showing that they must be a very he, really, has nothing to do with them. pure people, or he would not accept of Did he ever send an angel into any their private dwellings. 82 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

In order to prove this, I will refer you that was built according to the pattern now to the 4th chapter of Isaiah. There which he gave unto his servant Moses? we read—"And the Lord will create upon He did. In what way? In the day time every dwelling place of mount Zion, and a cloud filled that tabernacle. The Lord upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke intended his people to be covered with by day, and the shining of a flaming fire the cloud continually, and he intended to by night: for upon all the glory shall be reveal himself unto them, and to show a defence. And there shall be a taber- forth his glory more fully amongst them; nacle for a shadow in the daytime from but they sinned so much in his sight that the heat, and for a place of refuge, and he declared—"My presence shall not go for a covert from storm and from rain." I up with this people, lest I should break believe this building is called a Taberna- forth upon them in my fury and con- cle, and it will accommodate from twelve sume them in a moment." Because of thousand to fifteen thousand persons, their wickedness he withdrew his pres- and it is a tolerably cool place for the peo- ence, and his glory in a great measure ple in the heat of summer, especially to was taken from them; but still Moses be a shade in the day time from the heat, was permitted to enter the tabernacle, and for a place of refuge and a covert and to behold the glory of God, and it is from storm and from rain and tempest. said that he talked with the Lord face to I do not think that storms or tempests face—a blessing which God did intend to would affect a congregation that might bestow upon all Israel had they kept his be assembled in the Lord's Tabernacle; law and had not hardened their hearts but I wish particularly to call your atten- against him. But in the latter days there tion to the preceding verse—"The Lord will be a people so pure in Mount Zion, shall create upon every dwelling place of with a house established upon the tops mount Zion, and upon all her assemblies, of the mountains, that God will mani- a cloud and smoke by day, and the shin- fest himself, not only in their Temple and ing of a flame or pillar of fire by night." I upon all their assemblies, with a visible do not see any cloud covering this house, cloud during the day, but when the night or the congregation that is before me. shall come, if they shall be assembled What is the reason? The time has not for worship, God will meet with them by yet come. The time is to come when God his pillar of fire; and when they retire to will meet with all the congregation of his their habitations, behold each habitation Saints, and to show his approval, and will be lighted up by the glory of God—a that he does love them, he will work a pillar of flaming fire by night. miracle by covering them in the cloud Did you ever hear of any city that of his glory. I do not mean something was thus favored and blessed since the that is invisible, but I mean that same day that Isaiah delivered this prophecy? order of things which once existed on No, it is a latter-day work, one that God the earth so far as the tabernacle of must consummate in the latter times Moses was concerned, which was carried when he begins to reveal himself, and in the midst of the children of Israel as show forth his power among the na- they journeyed in the wilderness. Did tions. This is what the words of our God manifest himself in that tabernacle text mean, the first verse of the 60th THE RISE OF ZION IN THE LAST DAYS. 83 chapter of Isaiah—"Arise, shine; for thy score or two of years has been working light is come, and the glory of the Lord is in order to establish among men, facili- risen upon thee." ties for conveying knowledge to the ut- Now, to show you that this is not termost corners of the earth. Within the some spiritual thing, something that will memory of many now living, the discov- be invisible to and not discerned by the ery of the electric telegraph has been Saints of the latter days, or by the in- made, by means of which news of the do- habitants of the earth generally, let me ings of men in any country can be sent refer you further to the 60th chapter of round the earth in less than twenty-four Isaiah. The Prophet, in the first verse, hours. And, if there was no interven- uses the words of our text, "Arise, shine; tion the electric fluid would carry news for thy light is come, and the glory of the from any one point to the most distant Lord is risen upon thee;" and in the fol- nations in one second of time, and now, lowing verse he says—"For, behold, the the earth is almost covered with a great darkness shall cover the earth, and gross network of wire to facilitate expeditious darkness the people: but the Lord shall communication among the various na- arise upon thee, and his glory shall be tions. What is all this for? Is it sim- seen upon thee." It will be something ply to satisfy the greed of men in their that will be discernible. And now, to commercial affairs? No, the Lord had a show that it will be discernible by all peo- grander object in view. Men use the tele- ple on the earth, when they come to visit graph for the purpose I have named, and Zion, read the next verse—"And the Gen- in many respects it is used to good ad- tiles shall come to thy light, and kings vantage, and it has been the means of to the brightness of thy rising;" show- bringing the nations into much closer re- ing clearly, and plainly that the Gentiles, lationship than formerly, and of extend- and even the kings of the earth, will in ing among them a knowledge of the arts that day be excited by the glory of God, and sciences; but the great object which that will shine forth upon Zion, which the Lord had in view when this great in- will be as a city set on a hill whose light vention or discovery was brought forth, cannot be hid. was to enable knowledge to be sent from We will go back again to the second the mountain tops, from the midst of verse of the second chapter of Isaiah. Zion, when his glory should begin to be When the Lord shall fulfill the words manifested in the midst of his people in that the Prophet has spoken, by causing the latter days. The inquiry, will then a house to be built to his name in the tops be, among the distant nations, "What of the mountains, he says, "Many peo- news from Zion;" "What is the Lord do- ple shall go and say, Come ye, let us go ing among that people?" Do you suppose up into the mountain of the Lord, to the they will hear with unconcern about a house of the God of Jacob; and he will city which, with every dwelling place it teach us of his ways, and we will walk contains, will be lighted up with a su- in his paths!" What causes this great ex- pernatural light? No; this is one of the citement among the nations of the earth things which will make the people afar of that day? They will hear of the glory off, and their kings, say, "Let us go up and power of God, as manifested among to Zion," "Let us go up to the mountain his Saints in Zion. The Lord for a of the Lord, to the house of the God of 84 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Jacob." What for? "That he may teach come in two or three days. "They shall us of his ways, and that we may walk come with speed swiftly, and he shall lift in his paths." They will begin to discern up an ensign from afar." Not in Palestine, the difference then between God's house where the Prophet was delivering his and houses made by men, between that prediction, that would have been nearby. which God is doing in the earth and that Not an ensign that was to be raised up which will be done by the wisdom of men. in Jerusalem, or anywhere in that land; but, God was to begin the great latter- Some people have supposed that the day work afar off from Jerusalem. This manifestation of the glory of God in the ensign is spoken of in the 18th chapter latter days would not take place until Je- of Isaiah, which I will now refer to. The sus comes in the clouds of heaven; but third verse of that chapter says: "All ye that is a mistake, it will take place be- inhabitants of the world, and dwellers fore that time. Before the second ad- on the earth, see ye, when he lifts up vent of the Redeemer, the people of Zion an ensign on the mountains; and when will be acknowledged by God, as the he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye." That great latter-day Church, that will be pre- was not a proclamation to a few thou- pared for his coming, and they will hold sand people assembled on some small the keys of power to teach mankind in tract of country, but all ye inhabitants of the ways of the Lord. What will the the earth. Nobody escapes this procla- rest of the people be doing? Says Isa- mation, but all ye inhabitants of the iah, "Behold, the darkness shall cover earth, see ye when he lifts up an ensign. the earth, and gross darkness the peo- Where? Upon the mountains. There is ple." That will be the distinction between the place where Zion is to be reared when Zion and the rest of the nations. The the standard of truth is revealed from Lord will arise upon Zion, and his glory heaven in the last days. shall be seen in her midst, and Isa- As this ensign was to be lifted from iah says—"The Gentiles shall come to afar, as is predicted in the 5th chap- thy light, and kings to the brightness ter of Isaiah's prophecy, let us in- of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes around quire now where it is to be located, about and see: all they gather them- and what kind of a country it is in selves together, they come to thee: thy which it is to be reared. It is a sons shall come from far, and thy daugh- land afar off from Jerusalem recollect, ters shall be nursed at thy side." "Who and in order to ascertain something are these that fly as a cloud, and as about the character of the country, we doves to their windows?" Sure enough will read the first verse of the 18th we come with great speed. As Isaiah chapter—"Woe to the land shadowing has said in the fifth chapter—the Lord with wings, which is beyond the rivers should hiss unto thee from the ends of of Ethiopia." Where are the rivers of the earth, he should lift up an ensign for Ethiopia? Southwest of Palestine, where the nations, and they should come with Isaiah delivered this prophecy. Suppos- speed swiftly; just as you emigrants do ing that you had the map of North and when you get on board of these railroads, South America, and of the whole world when, instead of being ninety or a hun- spread out before you, and then imag- dred days coming to this elevated region, ine yourself alongside the Prophet, in as was the case for several years, you Palestine, when he said, "Woe to the THE RISE OF ZION IN THE LAST DAYS. 85 land shadowing with wings, which is be- broken off, and the branches of the wild yond the rivers of Ethiopia," and you olive tree—the Gentiles—were grafted should cast your eyes, if you had power in. But the Gentiles, since they were to do so, beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, grafted in, 1,800 years ago, have fallen what kind of a land would you behold, if after the same example of unbelief that you could grasp in your vision the land the ancient Jews did, and they have lost of North and South America? You would the power and authority which they once see a land that looked like the two wings possessed; and for many centuries they of a bird. I seldom look at it, as laid have had no apostles, no prophets, no an- down on our maps, without being re- gels from heaven, no power of godliness minded of the two wings of a great bird. made manifest among them, and noth- A land shadowing with wings—in other ing but the teachings and precepts of words, having the appearance of wings. uninspired men. But in the great latter- A land afar off, away beyond the rivers day work, the Lord begins where he left of Ethiopia, there, in that land, shall the off—"the first shall be last, and the last ensign be raised for the nations; not for shall be first." As the Jews, in ancient a few individuals, but for all nations. No days were first, and the Gentiles last, so wonder that the Prophet said the procla- in the great latter-day work, the Gentiles mation should be universal—"All ye in- will be first and Israel will be last. Hence habitants of the world, all ye dwellers the Prophet says, "Behold, thus saith the upon the earth, see ye, when he lifteth Lord God, I will lift up mine hand to the up this ensign." Gentiles, and they shall bring thy sons in That the Lord intends it to be for the their arms, and thy daughters upon their benefit of the Gentiles as well as of Is- shoulders, and I will lift up my standard rael, let me refer you to the 22nd verse to the Gentiles." of the 49th chapter of Isaiah. "Thus What is a standard? The same as an saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up ensign—an ensign that is to be lifted up mine hand to the Gentiles, and I will set upon the mountains, upon a land afar up my standard to the people: and they off. It is the standard of the Almighty, shall bring thy sons in their arms, and the same standard that was spoken of in their daughters shall be carried on their connection with the great highway that shoulders. And kings shall be thy nurs- was to be cast up over this continent. I ing fathers, and their queens thy nursing will not turn to it, but I will endeavor mothers," &c. to repeat the substance of the prophecy This is a great latter-day work also in relation to it. Isaiah in speaking of for the gathering of the house of Israel— this great highway, or railway, says, "Go a work which shall commence among through, go through the gates; prepare the Gentiles. In ancient days the Lord the way of the people; cast up, cast up commenced his work among Israel. The a highway; gather out the stones; lift kingdom of heaven was preached among up a standard for the people." The same the Jews, but they proved themselves work that God intended to perform in unworthy, and says Paul, "Lo, we turn the mountains, and he wanted a highway to the Gentiles," and the kingdom was cast up, that the people might go with taken from the Jews and given to a na- speed swiftly to that land. tion bringing forth the fruits thereof. The natural branches of Israel were But says one, "what does the Pro- 86 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. phet mean when he says, go through and they will flock here as clouds, and as the gates?" I think if I had been Isa- doves to their windows. iah, and had had the vision of my mind This will fulfill Daniel's prophecy. opened to see the railroad and the great Read the second chapter of Daniel if you trains of cars without any apparent an- want to know about the latter-day king- imal life attached to them, going with dom. Study it thoroughly. I do not know speed swiftly, if I had seen them dart that I have time to dwell upon it, but I into the mountain and, after watching will refer you to some few things in re- a few minutes, had seen them come out lation to the latter-day kingdom. Daniel, on the other side, and then wished to de- in interpreting the dream of Nebuchad- scribe what I had seen in words, I do not nezzar, King of Babylon, describes the think I could have found any more ap- various kingdoms of the earth from his plicable than those used by the ancient day down, as long as there should be Prophet—"Go through, go through the any human kingdoms on the earth, un- gates; cast up, cast up a highway; gather der the form of a great image, with the out the stones; and lift up a standard head of gold, breast and arms of silver, for the people." Then, to show that this belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, feet standard and highway were connected, part iron and part of potter's clay. They the Prophet, in the very next verse, says: represented the several kingdoms of the "Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed to the world, and more especially the four great ends of the world, Say ye to the daugh- kingdoms that should hold universal do- ter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; minion. After seeing this image in all and his reward is with him. Behold, they its completeness, from the gold down to shall be called, The holy people, The re- the last remnants of the nations of the deemed of the Lord: and they shall be earth, represented by the feet and toes called, Sought out, A city not forsaken." of the image, he then sees a kingdom and The people of Zion will not be an un- a government entirely distinct from and holy people. The world look upon the forming no part or portion of the image, Latter-day Saints as the most corrupt of but it was entirely separate therefrom. It all people on the face of the earth. But was represented as a stone cut out of the according to the words of the Prophet, mountain without hands, and it rolled the people who dwell in the mountains forth, and before the power of this new where the standard is to be raised, are kingdom all the kingdoms of the earth to be a holy people. "Behold, thy Re- were broken in pieces by the power of the deemer cometh, behold, the Lord shall Almighty. What became of them? They come." This has been the proclamation were to be as the chaff of the summer of the people of Zion, ever since we com- threshing floor—the wind carried them menced, about forty years ago, to de- away and there was no place found for clare that God was about to come in his them. glory, power and majesty, in the great- You can draw your own conclusions ness of his strength, with all his holy an- about all human governments. Daniel gels with him, in the clouds of heaven, to says this kingdom that was to come reign upon the earth. This proclamation out of the mountain, should be the will go to the ends of the earth, all peo- kingdom of God, which God himself ple will be invited up to these mountains, should set up in the latter days, and AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 87 it should stand forever and ever, it among all the nations, but after a long should never be broken in pieces, neither time had passed away; God would send should it be given to any other people, an angel from heaven with the everlast- while all these earthly kingdoms should ing Gospel. What for? To organize his pass away and be forgotten like the chaff kingdom again on the earth; and when blown away before a tremendous tem- God should set it up in the latter days, pest, and no place found for them. after the toes and feet of the great im- The former-day kingdom of God, age were formed, then there should be no set up in the days of the Apostles, breaking in pieces of that little stone, but was overcome, in fulfillment of Daniel's as it rolled it should gather strength and prophecy. He saw that the powers of become greater and greater, as Daniel this world would make war upon and has said, until it became a great moun- overcome the kingdom that was set up tain and filled the whole earth. And the then. John, the Revelator, also pre- kingdom and the greatness of the king- dicted that a certain power should arise dom under the whole heavens should be and make war with the Saints and over- given into the hands of the Saints of the come them. That is the reason that Most High God. kingdom did not continue on the earth: it was overcome and every vestige of That kingdom is called Zion—the it destroyed. No prophets, revelators latter-day Zion, about which our choir or inspired apostles were left to build sang in their first hymn this afternoon. up the kingdom; not an inspired man Amen.

AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT GEORGE A.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LIKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JUNE 22, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

Brethren and sisters, I am exceed- to behold your faces, and to lift my ingly thankful, through the blessings of voice and bear testimony to the things the Lord and your faith and prayers, of the kingdom of God in this Taber- that I have been permitted to per- nacle. I feel exceedingly thankful form a lengthy journey and to re- to my heavenly Father for his pre- turn and associate with you again, serving mercy, and to my brethren 88 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and sisters for their prayers and faith, bother my brains with romance." That and for their kind assistance, which was showed his opinion of history. bountifully rendered to me, enabling me As soon as we reached Rome we be- to bear the cost of a lengthy and ex- gan to find the localities referred to in pensive journey. The principal object of Scripture. It was in the reign of Augus- that journey was to visit the lands in tus Caesar, that Christ was born. At that which the events recorded in the Bible time Judea was a tributary kingdom to transpired. Incidentally we visited many Rome, its king being Herod. The decree countries, and had an opportunity of ac- which went forth from Augustus Caesar, quiring information and extending ac- that all the world should be taxed, of quaintances into lands which heretofore course included Jerusalem and the en- have been barred against visits from our tire kingdom of Judea, which at that Elders, as the Elders, when they went time was of considerable extent. Joseph abroad went expressly to preach, and and Mary went to Bethlehem to be taxed were frequently prohibited from enter- with the house of David, and there being ing these countries, or if permitted to no room in the inn, they took up their enter were not allowed to speak of the quarters in a stable, and there the Sav- Gospel. We, having means to travel, of ior was born. course passed along as other travelers, Some years after the ascension of Je- for not being on a mission for preach- sus, St. Paul went to Rome, in order to ing we were not interrupted, and this en- get a hearing before Caesar, on an appeal abled us to acquire a knowledge of the case, which had been adjourned from laws and customs of the various coun- time to time before the authorities in tries we visited, and a variety of informa- Caesarea Philippi, in consequence of his tion that we had heretofore only got by refusal, it seems from the reading of the reading; and I understand very clearly Book of Acts to furnish the "backsheesh." that a person may read almost any sub- Thinking that Paul's friends would pay ject and yet a personal inspection will liberally for his relief, his judges had give better and perhaps more extended kept him bound in prison; but as the or different ideas from those gleaned expected bribe was not forthcoming he solely from reading. In reading books, was eventually sent to Rome on his own you learn the views, thoughts and reflec- appeal; and while we were at Rome we tions of the individuals who wrote them, were shown places where he was said modified more or less by a great desire to have been imprisoned, and one room in the human heart to make books read- where they said he used to hold meet- able, in order that they may sell. It is re- ings, and a variety of places and inci- ally true that a great share of the books dents connected either directly or indi- in the world are written more to be read rectly with the mission of the Apostles in than to communicate facts. It is said that the first century. when Henry the Fourth was on his sick In the cathedrals of almost all bed, his son, knowing his father had al- the countries which we visited we ways been very fond of history, proposed were shown relics that had been to read a little history to him. "Oh," said brought from Palestine. At Pisa the dying king, "I am too far gone to there is a burying yard, probably an acre and a quarter in extent, nine feet of earth having been brought AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 89 from Palestine as a covering for this Crete of Scripture, and were reminded burial place. It takes a permit from the by various places that we saw, of the in- Pope to be buried in that sacred soil. In cidents of St. Paul's shipwreck. the cathedral of San Lorenzo, in Genoa, Before leaving London we made ar- they showed us the chain with which rangements with the firm of Thomas John the Baptist was bound, and the cas- Cook & Son, to supply us with railroad ket which they said contained his head, facilities, hotel coupons, steamboat con- and a variety of other relics. In the veyance and transportation from London church of St. Mark, in Venice, they to Palestine, for one hundred and thirty showed us the coffin of St. Mark, and days, terminating at Trieste, in Austria, while there they showed us a casket said via Constantinople and Athens. By this to contain the remains of St. John the means much of the annoyance of travel- Baptist, also the marble slab on which ing in countries where we did not under- his head fell when he was executed. I stand the languages and manners and ascertained, however, to my satisfaction, customs was avoided. that this was a local saint, carried by the We reached Egypt and landed at Venetians, seven or eight hundred years Alexandria on February 6th. We were ago, from Marsaba, in Palestine, where met on board our steamer by Mr. Alexan- he was recognized as St. John of Dam- der Howard, a dragoman of Messrs. ascus. There is so much relic worship, Cooke & Co. He took charge of our ef- that it has been overdone; but we com- fects, assisted us in passing the custom menced, when we got to Rome, to tread house, and conducted us to the Hotel the ground where the Apostles labored. d'Europe, giving us choice rooms, where We visited a prison in which it is said we had a magnificent view, and furnish- St. Peter was imprisoned. We saw the ing us all the information necessary to spot where he is said to have escaped make our sojourn in Egypt pleasant and from his enemies, and was about to flee, profitable. but the Savior called to him and asked In Egypt we were still on Scriptural him if he was afraid to die, so says tra- ground. Egypt, after the days of Con- dition. They show the print that Pe- stantine, until those of the Saracens, ter's foot made when he heard the Sav- was a Christian country. In the sev- ior's voice. That is on a spot outside of enth century it was conquered by the Rome. They built a church on that place Saracens or Mahomedans. Alexandria and it contains a statue of St. Peter, the is supposed to have contained 600,000 toes of one of the feet have been worn inhabitants when it was conquered by off, we were told, by kissing, and their Amru. All the world has been horri- place supplied with bronze. They showed fied by the decision of Omar, Caliph of us the stairs, brought from Jerusalem, Medina, that the library of Alexandria— which they say led up to Pilate's judg- said to be the largest collection of books ment seat. We saw a great many peo- and manuscripts in the world—should ple crawling up and down them on their be consigned to the flames. knees, weeping and wailing and kissing "After a siege of fourteen months every step. Amru, also called Amer, took it, As we steamed towards the east, and in his letter to the Caliph we passed the Isle of Candia, the Omar, he informed him of the con- 90 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. quest he had made, saying that he had needle or obelisk, some sixty feet out of found there 4,000 palaces, a like num- the ground, at Heliopolis, containing in- ber of baths, 400 places of amusement, scriptions from top to bottom. How far it and 12,000 gardens, and that one quar- goes into the ground I know not, but the ter alone was occupied by 40,000 Jews." inscriptions on that needle, if rightly in- It is said that the books and manuscripts terpreted by Egyptian scholars, indicate of that library furnished fuel for warm- that it was probably there when Joseph ing those baths for some four months. went to Egypt. The city and all its tem- There is in Egypt a sect of Christians ples have gone to decay. Other needles of called Copts, or the Coptic church. They the same kind, which were there, have are descendants of the inhabitants of been carried away, one of them stands in Egypt that were conquered by the Sara- Constantinople. The ground is in a state cens. At Cairo we visited one of their of cultivation though the ruins of the city churches, and were shown the place of On are to be seen scattered about, and where they said the Savior, his mother when we were there, there was on the and Joseph resided during their stay ground a luxuriant crop of sugar cane, there, when they fled from the wrath showing that the soil was very rich. of Herod, and the basin they washed Everything that grows in Egypt has in, and we saw many persons who had to be irrigated from the river Nile. There come there to be healed in consequence is little, in fact no other, water, except of the holiness of this place. This class that which comes from the Nile. I say of Christians—the Copts—have main- there is no other water, but a little be- tained their identity through the reign of low the city of On, there is a very old Mahommetan power, Turkish and Ara- tree—a sycamore I believe, under which bic, down to the present time. There the Copts believe that Joseph, Mary and is probably a million of them, perhaps Jesus camped while they remained in more, in Egypt and Abyssinia. There Egypt, during their flight from Herod. A is also the Oriental Greek Church in great number of the branches have been Egypt; they showed us some traditionary carried away, and portions of the tree, holy places. but its boughs are still very widespread. We went to visit Heliopolis, or the The owner of the tree has put around City of On. I have taken a great inter- it a very decent picket fence of pine est in family matters, believing in the lumber—I do not know where he got it— doctrine of baptism for the dead, and I and any man who will give him a franc, went to Heliopolis because I had good he will lend him a knife and he may reason to believe that Joseph who was cut his name on the fence, but if he will sold into Egypt, married his wife there, not give him a franc, he must not do Asenath, daughter of Potiphar, priest of that, and he must not carry away any On. Heliopolis is believed to be the of the tree. I did not care about cut- On of that day, and was the great col- ting my name on the fence, so I saved lege at which all the leading men of my franc. But there was a spring or Egypt were educated. Probably Moses well close by, and the water was drawn received his education there. There is a up by a mute on a kind of rudely con- AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 91 structed wheel, with a number of in the locality anciently called the land earthen vessels tied to the ends of its of Goshen, but as nobody could tell pre- arms. They told me that the spring was cisely where the land of Goshen was, it in ancient times brackish and unfit to was necessarily a matter of guesswork. drink, but when Mary came there she But the streams of water must run now bathed in it and it became sweet and somewhere near the same as they did good. I drank some of the water and then, and we followed the course of a found it so, tasting very much like the fresh water canal, which has recently big spring at St. George. I remarked to been turned from the Nile, and which the man I really wished she had made it is some one hundred and fifty miles in cold while she was about it, for a drink of length, to Suez and the Red Sea. This cold water would have been very refresh- canal passes near Zagazig, which is prob- ing just then. This cost me one franc. ably in the vicinity of the land of Goshen; and when the children of Israel started I am not designing, however, to fol- for Canaan, they had to follow this route low the incidents of my journey any fur- in order to secure themselves the nec- ther than they relate, more or less, to the essary amount of water from that old history of those countries mentioned ei- fresh water canal, which is now known ther directly or by tradition in the Bible. and identified as having run very nearly In Cairo we were shown Joseph's well, on the same ground as the present one, and we were told by our guides that it which has been made within a few years, was made by and called after Joseph who and which the railroad follows. was sold into Egypt. But on investiga- There is a good deal of speculation as tion we found that when Saladin, Caliph to where the children of Israel crossed of Egypt, undertook to select a place for the Red Sea, but the most reasonable a citadel in his new city of Cairo, he conclusion I can arrive at, so far as I have hung up meat in different parts around, been able to investigate the matter, is and he found that fresh meat would keep that they followed this fresh water canal, longer at that point than any other in and that they camped near its terminus the neighborhood, and he came to the on the Red Sea, and crossed over to the conclusion that that was the healthiest peninsula of Sinai, after which they were place, and he had the ground cleared for miraculously supplied with water, food a citadel, and in doing that they dis- and clothing through the deserts of Ara- covered a well filled with sand. The bia. sand was cleared out, and as one of the We passed over that portion of the names of the Caliphs was Yoosef, it was Suez canal, between Ismaila and Port called Joseph's well, so it may be that Said. The Suez canal is certainly a very Joseph who was sold into Egypt made it, grand enterprise. Port Said receives its and it may not. Its present name, how- fresh water from the Nile. It has got ever, I believe, comes from the Sultan pipes over fifty miles in length to bring Yoosef Salah-ed-deen, Caliph of Egypt in that water from the canal at Ismaila to the 12th century, a man known to fame. supply the town. Port Said is consider- The water of the well is brackish, and is able of a place, and there is a good deal chiefly used for laying the dust. of enterprise there. On the evening of February 22nd, We all felt more or less interest we sailed from Port Said on the 92 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Vesta, one of the steamers belonging to groves that we saw, perhaps, on our en- the Austrian Lloyd's. The next morning tire journey, were at Jaffa. We visited we came in sight of Jaffa, the Joppa of this German colony. The American vice- the Scriptures. Jaffa is a kind of promon- consul, Mr. Hardegg, met us and treated tory or headland, projecting into the sea. us with courtesy. He is a German by The anchorage is simply an open road- birth, never was in America, speaks En- stead, and landing is sometimes very dif- glish. We also saw a number of persons ficult. If we had had an unfavorable wind who were connected with the scheme of and been carried by that port, it would one George J. Adams, and who, after its have cost us considerable time and ex- failure, were left in that country, one of pense; but when we reached there the whom, Mr. Floyd, is now a dragoman. day was pleasant and the sea smooth, They built some houses, but they have and we landed without difficulty. been purchased by this German colony. We attended a meeting of a mission- At Jaffa we were met by the before- ary, and heard a Methodist sermon. It named Mr. Howard, who conducted us to seemed to be a very difficult thing to get the Turkish customhouse officer, who, I together people enough to have a meet- believe, examined only one passport, and ing. passed us, and we went directly to our I believe the only place of particu- tents, which were pitched not far from lar Scriptural import which they pre- the seaside, near the burial place. They tend to have identified in Joppa is the were very nice wall tents, well carpeted, house of Simon the tanner, by the sea- with all the outfit necessary ready for side. Some were so critical as to doubt use, and we at once commenced keeping whether it was the identical house in house. which Peter lodged when the messengers of Cornelius came; but then, there are This Joppa is the place where King the tan vats, and it is right by the sea- Solomon landed the cedars that he got side, and the Bible says that Simon was from Hiram, King of Tyre, for the build- a tanner, and that he lived by the sea- ing of his Temple. I am of the opinion side. They showed us the flat roof on that the place has undergone some phys- which they say Peter was sleeping. In ical changes since that time, although I, one end of the house—the end towards of course, could not determine to what Mecca—there was a recess, such as the extent. In the vicinity of this city is a Mahometans have in their mosques to colony of about six hundred Germans, pray in. We inquired of the man in under the presidency of D. V. Christo- charge of the house whether Simon was pher Hoffman, who consider themselves a Mussulman? He said, "Yes, and there the spiritual temple of Christ. They was where he prayed." have bought some land and have put It is not important, of course, it under cultivation, and they say the whether that building is the identi- rains have increased there very much cal one or not, yet it has been vis- within the last few years, and the lands ited by thousands, and is a source of are very productive. They raise wheat revenue. It was in this neighborhood and a variety of grains without irriga- that the Lord revealed to Peter that tion. They say their gardens and orange what God hath cleansed should not be groves require irrigation. I think the called common or unclean, and that olives do not. The most beautiful orange it was proper for him to preach the AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 93

Gospel to the Gentiles, and from that for we had everything within our reach place he went to visit Cornelius, and ad- that was necessary to supply our wants, ministered the Gospel to those not of the carrying it right along with us. seed of Israel. In the evening we camped on a very Having obtained our horses and sad- nice stream at the entrance of the Valley dles, Monday morning, Feb. 24th, we of Ajalon. Our Sunday school children started for Jerusalem. I could not obtain will recollect this very well, from the fact a Syrian saddle large enough for me to that Joshua said to the sun, "Stand thou ride on, and I was compelled to ride on still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in an English saddle. This made a great dif- the valley of Ajalon." I ought to explain ference in my comfort. If I had carried a that in Palestine what we call a ravine Spanish saddle from home, I should have is called a valley, and wider valleys they been much more comfortable on my jour- call plains. ney. I was constantly afraid that the fas- tenings of my English saddle would give Before reaching Ramleh we passed way. I did not think they were strong through the plains of Sharon, where a enough, and then its construction and kind of red flower, called the rose of shape were not comfortable and conve- Sharon, grows abundantly, and the land nient, and in those particulars it was appears to be very fertile. We were nothing to be compared with a Spanish, rather surprised, having heard such ac- or even with a Syrian saddle. I am pretty counts of the sterility of Palestine, to find heavy, and had not been on horseback for on our entrance into it that the land was fifteen years. apparently fruitful; though we were told Travelers in Palestine suffer greatly that if we had come later it would have from the sun, but we were early in the looked more barren. season—two weeks earlier than travel- Miss E. R. Snow and Miss Clara Lit- ers generally set out for Jerusalem. Mr. tle had a tent; Elder Paul A. Schettler Cook was fitting out several parties; but and myself occupied another, over which they were two weeks after us, and we floated the "Stars and Stripes." Elders were comparatively alone, though some Lorenzo Snow, Albert Carrington, Fer- few travelers fell in with us inciden- amorz Little and Thos. Jennings oc- tally. At noon, we halted at what was cupied another. My tent was used as called the Martyr's Tower, in Ramleh. our dining room. Our dragoman and Ramleh has a history relating partic- cook had each his tent, and we had an- ularly to the crusades. It is in the other for convenience sake. We were sup- vicinity of the country anciently occu- plied with good camp stools; we had iron- pied by the Philistines, and from its framed bedsteads, with good mattresses, tower, which we climbed, and which is and good, clean nice blankets and sheets. probably a hundred feet high, we could All the difficulty about it with me was see a portion of their country. There that my bedstead was too small for me. I is at this place a monastery of monks, have always had a horror of being buried who, it is said, feed travelers of all de- in a coffin not big enough, and I have al- nominations, and they are spoken of by ways desired that my friends—whoever all travelers as being very kind. They might live to put me in a coffin, would are Roman Catholics. Of course we have it at least two inches bigger every had no need to test their hospitality, way than I was. I have always felt an- 94 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. noyed at the idea of being buried in a David was tending his father's sheep cramped-up coffin. It often made me when Samuel went to his father's house think of it when stretched out upon that to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be bedstead, or in the berths of the ships king. King David, it will be remembered, which I have had to stay in so many days was the junior of the boys, and he was on this journey, for generally they have small of stature compared with the oth- been too small for me. Our dragoman, ers. He was sent out to look after the Aushonny Makloof, of Beyrout, supplied sheep. When Samuel came to the house us very well with provisions. We had of Jesse and told him that one of his sons our Arab cook and our Turkish mule- had to be king, and he wanted to pick the teers. Only one of them all could speak one, Jesse brought in six tall boys, one a little English, and really, to this day, at a time, to each of which Samuel said, I never could tell how many there were, "That is not the one." When the sixth had although on some days we had more and been refused, said Jesse, "I believe that some less, for as we passed through the is all." "Have you not another?" "O yes, country we sometimes hired a sheik and little David, he is out with the sheep." one or two attendants, to go along with They sent for him and he was anointed us, paying them for it, so that he need king, and it was he who slew the giant not help himself to our movables without Goliath; and I suppose if I had enquired our consent. Our muleteers took down of the monks I might have brought home our tents and tent poles, and tied up the identical stone with which he did it, tents, baggage and everything and put but I did not take the trouble. The place it all on to the backs of the mules. We where we had our meal was not far from had to ride out, or spend our time some- Kirjath-Jearim where the ark is said to way, looking at the country or waiting, as have rested, not the ark of Noah, but we chose, in the evening for these tents the ark of the Lord, for a considerable all to be pitched; but it was generally so time after it fell into the hands of the arranged that, in our seeing the country, Philistines. our muleteers would get on the ground and get the tents pitched and everything We again got into the saddle and ready, so that when we went there we started for Jerusalem across the moun- could go right in and sit down to the ta- tain, for that country is one immense bles or do anything we pleased. limestone quarry. If there ever was any The second day we had our noon soil it has blown away until very little halt on the brook, which they told us remains. What there is left is evidently King David got the stones out of, with very rich where they can get the water to one of which he killed the giant of it: but as we crossed over and got a view Gath, and that the battle between the of Jerusalem, a feeling of disappoint- Philistines and King Saul took place ment was evident on the countenances of along the two sides of this stream. It every one of the party, or else I was dis- is called a valley, but it was simply a appointed and they were not, one or the ravine. We saw a considerable num- other. But the whole thing presented it- ber of sheep of various colors there, self to us in a different light from what and some boys tending them, which, of we had anticipated, and I then under- course reminded us of the fact that King stood why Dr. Burns, in his "Guide," re- AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 95 commends people to pass round years, and he came every year to Jerusalem by another route, and come Jerusalem, and lay on the street almost in from the east and get a first view from naked, howling and moaning piteously, the eastern side. It is because the view begging from the pilgrims, while he was from the Mount of Olives—on the east- in reality one of the wealthy men of the ern side—is a very great deal better than country. when you go from the west. It is said that It is not easy to describe that city, nor, there is a great deal in first impressions. so far as I have seen, any of those Asiatic cities. The streets, if they can be called The Russians have built some monas- streets, are very narrow, and many of teries in and about Jerusalem, and the them are so crowded with camels, don- Latins have got some, and within the keys and packhorses, that they can only last few years there have been a num- pass each other at certain places. The ber of good new buildings put up. Sir houses are rudely built, of a kind of con- Moses Monteilore has built a block out- crete, or of rock and mortar. They are side, and not far from the wall. The low and small and the roof flat, generally venerable Abraham Askenasi, the chief covered with cement. There are many rabbi of Jerusalem, with the contribu- buildings in Jerusalem that go to show tions of his friends throughout the world, it off—mosques and churches, with their has erected a considerable number of minarets, towers and rotundas. The rooms as a home for widows and or- principal business street in Jerusalem phans. At first view we could pick out is Christian street, which is fifteen feet the mosque of Omar—the place where wide. It leads up from the street that we Solomon's temple stood; we could also enter from Jaffa's gate, and has an av- see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre— enue that leads off to the entrance of the the place where the Savior was cruci- Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In front fied. We pitched our tent in the val- of that church is a little open space filled ley of Hinnom, near the Jaffa gate— with beggars, and men with articles for the gate at which most of the business sale—beads, photographs, jewelry of dif- in Jerusalem is done. While our tents ferent kinds, and relics of all kinds. We were pitching we passed in at the gate, could get almost anything in the way of and saw a good many beggars, some relics we wanted there, and be assured of them lepers, also quite a number of that they were genuine. women dressed in white, some of whom President Carrington remained at were hired mourners and were wail- Jerusalem while we went to the Dead ing. As we passed along we found, not Sea. He wanted to do some busi- far from the gate, an old man lying in ness connected with the Liverpool of- the street, almost naked and moaning fice; and he is not very fond of horse- piteously. He begged of us to give him back riding. As you are aware he has something. When we got in we called been afflicted with rheumatism consid- at the banker's in Jerusalem, and were erably, so he remained in the Mediter- told that the old man who lay there in ranean Hotel while we went to the the street begging, whom we had prob- Dead Sea and the Jordan. That ably noticed, owned six hundred olive gave him more time to pass around, trees, a garden containing quite a num- and through and over Jerusalem, than ber of fig trees, and an orange grove— any of us. He had several days, that the banker had known him for and he declared that he could never 96 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. make up his mind as to what induced stands on the sight of Solomon's temple, King David to locate his capital there. though not in the center of it. The chief rabbi told me that, anciently, In looking around Jerusalem, I did Jerusalem was well supplied with wa- not regard it in the same light as Presi- ter; but at the present time there was dent Carrington did. Kingdoms, in those really no living water there. The pool days, were small and densely populated, of Hezekiah, and other pools were filled and it was necessary for a ruler, in lo- in the rainy season, but in a month from cating a capital, to have it so that it the time we were there a quart bottle of could be easily defended; and until the water would cost a farthing, and some- time when modern arms were invented, times pretty hard to get. If the aqueducts Jerusalem could be easily defended. Its from the pools of Solomon were repaired, siege and capture by the Romans proved, they would not bring in sufficient water to all intents and purposes, that it was to supply the city, but in the days of Is- a very difficult city to take, for though rael's prosperity, there was abundance of it was surrounded by several walls, for- water there, and he believed there would tified with strong towers, and naturally be again. defended by its mountainous position and the ravines around it, each one of I had a letter of introduction, pro- these walls was occupied by rival par- cured by Mr. James Linforth, from the ties, for it will be remembered by read- Rabbi of the Jewish congregation at San ers of the destruction of Jerusalem, that Francisco, to Rabbi Askenasi. He is a there were three separate leaders, and very venerable looking man—tall, heavy that when the Jews were not fighting the set and a good supply of beard, like the Romans, they were fighting each other; Apostles in the picture. He seemed very and it is even doubtful to this day that, much pleased with my visit, treated me if either John or Simon had had abso- with courtesy, showed me their syna- lute command in their city and the con- gogue and the building they were erect- fidence of the people, whether the Ro- ing, and returned the visit, accompa- mans could have taken the place at all nied by several of the Jewish elders, at or not. An old proverb says that whom my tent, where we had a very pleas- the Gods would destroy they first make ant interview. But there is no infidel mad. It was so with these Jews. They on the face of the earth who can dis- had slain the Savior, they had violated believe the mission of the Savior more the commands of God, and they had than they do. He says the condition brought upon their heads the curses pro- of the Jews is much improved of late nounced upon them in the 27th chap- years. Now they can purchase, and if ter of Deuteronomy and in a great many they have only the money to do it with, other places, if they did not abide in and the amount they can buy is only the law of the Lord; and notwithstand- limited by their want of money. They ing their strong city and their num- have also a title from the Turkish gov- bers, they were so divided among them- ernment for the ground upon which they selves that they could not make a suc- are erecting their home for widows and cessful defense. Speaking of this de- orphans. This gentleman told me that no struction of Jerusalem carries me back Jew had been inside the enclosure of the to Rome and the Arch of Titus, erected to Mosque of Omar, although he believed it commemorate his victories, on which is AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 97 engraved a representation of the seven half toward the former sea, and half to- branched candlestick, and a great vari- ward the hinder sea, and that in summer ety of the treasures brought by him from and in winter shall it be. Jerusalem. The convent at Mar Saba is situated on the canyon, which is the outlet of King David had learned the strength the brook Kedron; but it was perfectly of Jerusalem by the difficulty he encoun- dry when we were there, not a drop tered in taking it from the Jebusites; and of water running in it. There are sea- it is more than probable that God com- sons of the year, I suppose, when wa- manded him to locate the city there. ters run there, but these prophecies de- Rabbi Askenasi, speaking of the ten clare that living waters shall run out of tribes, said he had no idea where they Jerusalem in summer and winter, and I were, but he believed they were pre- am foolish enough to believe that they served, and that their posterity would will be literally fulfilled. I agreed with return, and the time would come when Rabbi Askenasi in the belief that God God would bless Israel, and when wa- would restore that land to Israel, and ter would be abundant in Jerusalem. that Jerusalem would again be supplied We read in the 47th chap. of Ezekiel, with abundance of water and be a glori- that living waters were to come out from ous and happy city. I saw many Chris- Jerusalem, and that they should run to- tians of different denominations there ward the east; and that the Prophet who had no such faith. One man came saw a man with a measuring line in into our tent, and assured us that bap- his hand. He measured a thousand cu- tism by immersion was impossible, there bits, and the water was to his ankles; he never had been water enough in that measured another thousand, and it was country to immerse people. He had be- to his knees; another thousand, and it lieved in immersion, he said, but since was to his loins; another thousand, and he had traveled through the country and it was a river with waters to swim in, had seen so little water, he was satisfied that could not be passed over. He goes that they would all have to go to Jordan on and describes this as something that to be baptized. This is the way people should take place at Jerusalem. I could look at it. The country is dry and barren, but reflect, when standing on the Mount the rains have ceased upon it for many of Olives, on the saying concerning it in generations, though they have had occa- the last chapter of Zechariah, where, in sional rains. speaking of the coming of the Savior, it In going to the Dead Sea from says his feet shall stand on the Mount Jerusalem, we visited a number of points of Olives, which is before Jerusalem to of interest. One was the tomb of the east, and the mount shall cleave in Rachel, another the pools of Solomon— the midst thereof, half going toward the three immense pools constructed to re- north, and half toward the south. There ceive the waters of a spring and hold shall be a very great valley, and the land them in reserve, and the old aqueduct shall be turned into a plain from Geba to is still in repair almost to Bethlehem. Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, and shall We visited Bethlehem, and were shown be lifted up, and men shall dwell on the caves—called stables—in which the it. The same Prophet tells us that liv- Savior was born, and the churches ing waters shall come out of Jerusalem, and ornaments. There was a great 98 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. variety of people there, many begging They said there were fifteen hundred and many trying to sell you relics. The of them, and they were the skulls of country is without fences. There are their brethren who had been killed by a good many spots where there is an the Saracens at different times. They opportunity for the Bedouins to come had taken great pains to preserve the along and scratch the ground with a kind skulls, with their names and registers. of shovel plough they have, hitch some They have a spring of water which has calves or very small cattle, and raise a miraculous history, and they have one some barley. We purchased barley all the palm tree growing, which they say was time for feeding our animals. planted by Saint Saba himself. They At the place which we supposed is seem to have an eye to business. They called in Scripture the wilderness, or had canes for sale, made from willows the border of the wilderness next to the which they get the Arabs to bring from Dead Sea, where John the Baptist com- the Jordan. None of them are allowed to menced his preaching, is an immense go out, and they are compelled to have convent. It was founded by a man named everything brought to them. They had Saba. "Mar" in the Syrian language a number of fancy articles of their own means saint, and when we speak of Mar manufacture for sale. I bought a small Saba, it means saint Saba. This is the string of shells, which they said were name of the convent. This man lived to brought from the Dead Sea. They gather be some ninety-four years old. He con- a few francs from every party of travel- cealed himself from his enemies a con- ers in this way. There was another party siderable time in caves, but his power in- of Americans nearby who wanted to visit creased with the number of his friends, the monastery, but they had no permit; for he gathered around him a good many and a message was sent to us by them, thousand monks, and they built this im- saying, that if we would delay a little mense convent, which was strongly for- while we could all pass in with our per- tified for those times. They allow no mit. We had met the party and knew women to enter, and no person can go them to be nice, intelligent gentlemen. into their building without a permit from We stayed about an hour to accommo- the Greek Patriarch at Jerusalem. We date these friends, and they passed in had a permit to enter that convent, but with us, otherwise they would have had sister Snow and sister Little, of course, to go clear back to Jerusalem for a per- had to go to the camp. It would proba- mit. These persons—four gentlemen and bly have been considered an outrage for two ladies—finding that we were going them to have come in sight of the gates. down to the Dead Sea, went along with Having sent up our permit, we were ad- us, and made the journey safe and pleas- mitted and passed through the build- ant. We went down to the Dead Sea the ing. There were sixty-five monks there, day following our visit to the monastery. some of whom had been there thirty- I have seen a good many rough roads seven years. A man has to be exceedingly in Utah in the mountains, but of all holy to be permitted to go there. I looked the rough horseback riding I ever did at them, and wondered what could in- see, I think that Palestine has the pre- duce men to adopt such a life. They mium. Being pretty heavy, it was diffi- showed us one room filled with skulls. cult for me to get on and off my horse, but AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 99 because of the rough roads in some of the Jordan. It hardly seems credible places, I dismounted and led my animal. to me, but all the guide books assert that I found, however, that he could stand the Sea of Galilee is 650 feet below the better than I could, so I rode him, and level of the Mediterranean. The coun- I believe that some of the Saints here at try is subject to earthquakes, and bears home must have had faith hold that an- the evident marks of many of them. In imal up, or he would have stumbled. I 1837, Tiberium, the Tiberias of ancient rode him four hundred miles, three hun- times, was very severely damaged by an dred of which there was no road with any earthquake, the effects of which are vis- right to the name, and he never slipped ible to anyone who visits it. I have won- or stumbled. dered how the Lord would restore that country. I thought he had got to have Some of the party went into the Dead some kind of a process to hoist the wa- Sea and had a swim. I did not. Some ters of the Dead Sea above the level of of them inquired for Lot's wife—the "pil- the ocean, so that a stream could run out lar of salt." I expect she was at the other of it in order for it to be healed. Prophecy end of the sea, for we did not see her. says that the waters that should run out The Dead Sea is a remarkable body of of Jerusalem should run down to the east water. According to scientific observa- sea, and the waters of the east sea were tions, as read in the report of Lieutenant to be healed, and there was to be a mul- Lynch and others, it is 1350 feet lower titude of fishes, but now no living thing than the Mediterranean. It is probably can exists in the Dead Sea. But if these one of the deepest holes in the world. It prophecies are fulfilled, and I have not is perhaps eight or ten miles wide and any doubt that they will be, these waters about forty long. It occupies the site of are to be healed, and I believe that the the cities of the plain—Sodom and Go- Lord will use natural means to bring it morrah, and Admah and Zeboim, upon about. which, in consequence of their wicked- We returned by way of Jordan. The ness, we are told that God rained fire stream is not so large as our Jordan here, and brimstone and destroyed them. The but quite a nice river. The Arabs were probability is that they were buried by very much afraid when we went into it, a volcanic eruption, and that they and that we would go beyond our depth. It most of the valley of the Jordan were was safe to go as far as certain rapids, sunk at the same time. The probabil- but it was not safe to go beyond them. ity is that that the Jordan ran through They said that some zealous fellows got these cities, and that this deep basin be- in so far that they could not get out, ing formed, the Jordan forms the Dead and one or two were lost, and they had Sea, which has no outlet, much like our some difficulty to fish the others out. Salt Lake. There is a wonderful similar- Some willows and different kinds of tim- ity between that country and this, only ber grow along its banks. this, of course, is on a grander scale. We were supposed to be at the Our Salt Lake answers very well to the place where the Savior was baptized, Dead Sea; our Utah Lake answers very and also at the place where Elijah well to the Sea of Galilee, and some of smote the waters with his mantle, the streams that run into Utah Lake and he and Elisha crossed over dry- answer very well to the upper streams shod, and Elijah then went to heaven 100 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. in a chariot of fire, after which Elisha one of our party paid them something passed back in the same manner. We like two francs, which satisfied them. I saw the place where it is supposed the believe a ticket at our theater here in children of Israel, under Joshua, crossed Salt Lake would cost more than that, over the river dry-shod. There is good and take it as a whole their performance reason to suppose that they crossed in was not very expensive. They went off harvest time, and that the waters were in a very fine humor. I could not under- high. They say the waters of the Jor- stand their songs, but our dragoman in- dan are highest in harvest time. We had terpreted the chorus of one of them to be, a ride across the plain probably seven "May the ladies' eyes be like the moon." or eight miles. That plain could be wa- From that place to Jerusalem the tered by irrigation. I was often asked if route is very rough. Some years ago a we were going to settle in Palestine. I Russian lady, a very pious woman, went replied that we were not, but I could take on a pilgrimage to the Jordan, and while a thousand "Mormons;" go up the Jor- riding over some of these rough ways she dan, put in a dam to take out the water, was thrown from her horse and had her and irrigate several thousand acres. But arm broken and was badly hurt. She ex- there is little, however, at present invit- pended her money in improving a por- ing about the country, but it would no tion of the way, and on this account one doubt be productive if irrigated. The val- of the canyons was much easier to go leys near the source of the Jordan would through than before that time. be much the best for cultivation, and the We passed by other ancient sites, spo- climate would be more agreeable. ken of in the Bible as having been large Jericho, or rather the old site of that cities, and no doubt they were; but we city, has a good many mounds. Men have must bear always in mind that that was dug into many of them, but we were told an age when Israel paid their tithes that no valuables had been found. We and offerings, and God blessed the land. camped that night at Aines-Sultain, gen- At noon we stopped at a place called erally called the fountain of Elisha, be- Christ's Hotel, all of us very much fa- cause tradition says that, on his return tigued. Our luggage train went ahead. after Elijah had ascended to heaven, he In the afternoon we passed by Bethany, healed the waters of this fountain. Be- where Christ raised Lazarus, and saw fore then they were salt, but by a miracle what was pointed out to us as the house he made them sweet. They are now de- of Mary and Martha, and also the tomb licious, and after our hard day's ride in of Lazarus. In the evening we camped the heat and dust, we found the waters again at Jaffa's gate at Jerusalem, find- of the fountain of Elisha very palatable. ing our tents pitched and everything That night there was a company of comfortable. We used to sing about the Bedouins came and danced and sang for flowery banks of Jordan, but it takes us. They had a sham fight, and I think off the romance to go and see them; it requires a man of pretty good nerve to yet when irrigation and industry and sit and look at them and not be afraid the blessing of the Lord prevailed along that they would whip some of their them, I have no doubt they were as beau- crooked scimiters through his body. Each tiful as any places in the world. AN ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY TO PALESTINE. 101

I made two careful visits to the fatigue, give a very correct idea of our Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and one visit to Jerusalem and journeyings gen- to the Mosque of Omar and the grounds erally. Elder Paul A. Schettler speaks connected with it. I also visited many six languages, and in attending to the fi- other places of interest about Jerusalem, nancial business of the party, he had to but in giving you a detailed account of make exchanges and was compelled to what we saw and passed through, in keep accounts in the currency of a dozen such a scattering way, I cannot commu- different nations, and even among the nicate to so large an audience, to any ex- Arabs he could generally find some one tent, the impressions I felt at the time. who could speak in some one of the lan- I had no doubt that I passed over the guages with which he was acquainted. grounds where the Savior and his Apos- tles, and the Prophets, kings and nobles God has preserved me. Our party of of Israel had lived, although I did not eight went through the entire journey believe a great deal about the identical without an accident. We never missed spots set down by the monks, yet I was a connection that amounted to any dif- satisfied that I was in the localities in ficulty. We were in no manner injured; which the great events recorded in Scrip- we had no sickness, except, peradven- ture took place. But now little remains ture, a little cold or a pinch of rheuma- on the top of the ground that can be iden- tism now and again for a day or two. tified beyond the period of the occupation Our minds were clear, we saw more, I of the Crusaders or the Romans. We cer- believe, in the eight months, than or- tainly saw the top of Mount Moriah, on dinary travelers see in two years. We which stands the Mosque of Omar. There visited a number of places in Holland, are the rocks and the caves in them. The Belgium and France. We crossed three rocks have not been made by men. The times over Italy. We visited the Ionian Valley of Jehosophat is there. Learned isles, Egypt, Palestine and Syria, Turkey men have dug deeply under Jerusalem in Europe, Greece, Bavaria, Austria and in search of evidence to determine its Prussia, and other parts of Germany. We original site, but an alarm was created spent eleven days in examining the mys- that the monkery of the place might be teries of Rome. I paid four Italians to spoiled by determining that certain lo- carry me to the crater of Mount Vesu- calities were not where they are now vius. I think they earned their money, at represented, and the Turkish govern- any rate I was well satisfied with them. ment was moved, so I was informed by I had an idea in my own mind of how the some gentlemen, to stop the investiga- crater looked, but I am now satisfied that tions and to close up the excavations, and I could form no correct opinion without we were not permitted to enter them. seeing it. To reach the crater you have President Lorenzo Snow's correspon- to mount about 1,500 feet perpendicular dence to the Deseret News, Elder in height above where we could ride on Paul A. Sehettler's correspondence to horseback, in loose volcanic sand, and the Salt Lake Herald, and Miss E. every time a man's foot was placed in it, R. Snow's communications and poems it would slip back about twice the length to the Woman's Exponent, with other of his foot. I could not stand the walk, published letters, all composed un- these Italians wanted the contract, and I der circumstances of great labor and gave it to them. 102 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

My time is exhausted. I thank God and keep his commandments; that for the privilege, of seeing you. When plenty and the blessings of eternity on the Mount of Olives, with our faces would be poured out bounteously upon bowed toward Jerusalem, we lifted our that desert land, and that all the prophe- prayers to God that he would preserve cies concerning the restoration of the you and confound your enemies. We house of Israel would be fulfilled. God felt in our hearts that Zion was onward has commenced his work by revealing and upward, and that no power could the everlasting Gospel to the Latter-day stay her progress; that the day was not Saints, and may we all be faithful and far distant when Israel would gather, fulfill our part is my prayer in the name and those lands would begin to teem of Jesus. Amen. with a people who would worship God

OBEDIENCE—BY REASON OF THEIR DISOBEDIENCE, ANCIENT ISRAEL AND THE LAND OF PALESTINE WERE VISITED WITH AND STILL REMAIN UNDER THE CURSE OF GOD—TITHING A HEAVENLY REQUIREMENT.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE A.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE BOWERY,LOGAN CITY, FRIDAY MORNING,JUNE 27, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

Good morning, brethren and sisters! up to diligence in performing your du- I am very happy to meet with you. We ties, and to perform the duties of our have the privilege of coming here occa- callings as ministers of the Gospel of sionally and seeing you. We would like Peace. We feel a little annoyed, nec- to give every one of you a hearty shake essarily, at the slow progress which of the hand, but we desire to do it in a is being made, yet we have a great wholesale way, and we wish you to con- many things to be thankful for, and sider yourselves heartily shaken hands a great many reasons to rejoice. We with (and suiting the action to the word); have very little reason to fear our en- God bless you all forever. We have come emies, provided that we, as Latter-day here to bear testimony of the things of Saints, do our duty, but if we fail to the kingdom of God, and to stir you obey the commandments of God, and the revelations which he has given for OBEDIENCE, ETC. 103 our salvation and guidance we have rea- stone quarry, and could never have sus- son to fear, for unless we take such a tained such a population as the Bible course as to make God our friend and represents it to have done. Others are protector we are likely to fall into the infidel because they believe that so many hands of our enemies. King David was kingdoms that are said to have once ex- requested, once to take his choice of isted on that land could not have ex- three years' famine, three days' pesti- isted in so small a compass. But these lence, or be driven three months before querists and unbelievers do not realize his enemies. David said he preferred that the barrenness, desolation, scanty to fall into the hands of the Lord; and population and condition of affairs which when the scourge came David plead with now exist there is a fulfillment, to the the Lord to let the blow fall upon him very letter, of the prophecies of Moses, and his house, and to spare Jerusalem. the holy Prophets and of Jesus and the God heard his prayer and turned away Apostles. God required certain things the scourge, though it is written seventy of Israel. If they complied it was all thousand persons fell with the plague right with them; if they failed the cata- between Dan and Beersheba. In all logue of curses contained in the chapters ages of the world in which the Lord re- I have referred to was pronounced upon veals himself to the children of men, he their heads. Read the Bible and you will requires obedience, and promises them find that when they were obedient they great blessings on rendering the same; were blessed, their lands were blessed, but if they are not obedient he has in- their armies were blessed, they were a variably promised and poured out curses great nation, they were able to resist upon them. the power of neighboring nations, they Since I was here last, I have visited were courted, they were looked up to, the Land of Palestine, on which God re- neighboring nations paid them tribute. vealed himself to Abraham, Isaac and But when they refused to do that which Jacob. He promised that land to them the law of God required at their hands and their seed forever. It was to this they lost this power—they fell into the land that Moses led the children of Is- hands of their enemies, they quarreled rael, and upon which God promised them among themselves, they fell into dark- very great blessings if they would live ness, married the daughters of aliens, in obedience to his laws and command- worshiped strange gods, and they were ments. anyone who will attentively read finally broken up. Many of them were the 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th chap- sold as slaves, some of them were com- ters of Deuteronomy, will see foreshad- pelled to eat their own children to save owed, in plain language, the entire his- them from starvation, in the midst of tory of the children of Israel from the the straits and sieges to which they were days of Moses to the present time; and forced by their enemies. They were scat- in Palestine he will see the fulfillment tered to the four winds of heaven, they of many of the prophecies contained in were sold in the slave market of Egypt, those chapters, with a minutiae that until they could not be bought, that is, is really astonishing. Some men say there was no man to buy them. All these they are infidels because that country is barren, sterile, rocky—a vast lime- 104 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. terrible judgments fell upon the Jew- the world. It is almost doubtful now, ish nation, yet they were not utterly de- where this once famous city stood, and stroyed, a remnant was all the time pre- the vicinity in which it is believed to have served, and today, in every nation under stood, is a vast marsh, rendering it dif- heaven is found a remnant of the seed of ficult of access to any who may wish to Israel, retaining the Hebrew language, visit it. And the Babylonians, where are many of their ancient manners and cus- they? Their descendants are so mixed up toms, their old law written on parch- with the rest of the world, that none of ment, which is read in their synagogues them can be identified. You may trace every Sabbath day. In nearly all the other great nations of antiquity, and they countries in which they have been scat- have gone in the same way. But the Jews tered they have been subject to the most are still a distinct race, and they are a extreme abuse. They have been in con- living record of the truth of the revela- stant fear, they have been permitted to tions of God. reside only in certain quarters, and have There are a few thousand Jews in had imposed upon them the most fearful Jerusalem. They have synagogues, and exactions. You take for instance, the per- they are permitted to go to a portion secution of the Jews in Spain, under Fer- of the old wall, which they suppose to dinand and Isabella—a very pious cou- be a remnant of the outside enclosure ple. Probably half a million of Jews of Solomon's temple, and wail. A great were either banished from their homes, many people who visit Jerusalem, go to put to death, or compelled to accept the witness their wailing. These Jews are Catholic religion, and great numbers of graciously accorded the privilege, by the their children were taken from them and rulers of that country—the Turks—to placed under the charge of the Catholics, wail over the desolation of Israel, pro- that, as the Queen believed, their souls vided they do not make so much noise as might be saved. The Crusaders, while on to disturb the neighborhood. their way to Jerusalem, plundered and There are several other places, such killed thousands of the Hebrew race and as Mount Gerizim, a place in Samaria, yet, notwithstanding all the oppression considered holy, where a small sect of the that has been heaped upon them con- ancient Samaritans meet annually. And tinuously from generation to generation, in Tiberium, on the Lake of Galilee, two they still maintain their identity as the or three thousand Jews live. It is the seed of Abraham. Tiberius of Herod the Tetrarch; they con- sider that a holy place. The Jews are Where are the inhabitants of Baby- broken up into sects and parties, and in lon and Nineveh? The city of Babylon almost every town in Palestine, you find was fifteen miles square, sixty in cir- a few of them, oppressed, poor and de- cuit. According to Herodotus, it was spised, there, as elsewhere, living monu- surrounded with a wall three hundred ments of the fulfillment of prophecy. and fifty feet high, and eighty-seven At the last General Conference thick, flanked with over two hundred of the Church, during my absence, towers, and contained palaces and hang- I was elected Trustee-in-Trust. It ing gardens that were the wonder of consequently became my duty to OBEDIENCE, ETC. 105 return home and look after the interests in Jerusalem, and were building on it a of the Church, directing the means for home for widows and orphans. the building of Temples and other pub- Now I saw this degradation with lic works. This was certainly very un- which Israel are visited. Where did it expected to me; but the General Confer- begin? It was simply because the chil- ence saw proper to confer this duty upon dren of Israel failed to obey the law of me, and as soon as I got the Conference God. If we search the Bible, we shall minutes at Berlin, I started for home. find many references by the Prophets to this subject, which are very plain and While I was passing through Pales- clear. In the third chapter of Malachi, tine, I had some very serious reflections and eighth verse, the Prophet, speak- as to the causes which had operated to ing of the condition of Israel in his day, reduce the country to its present barren uses this singular language, or rather condition, and why the descendants of the Lord, speaking through the Prophet, Jacob were so oppressed, and, as an in- says—"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have dependent nation, blotted out. In an in- robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have terview with the venerable Chief Rabbi, we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Abram Askenasi, I enquired for the ten Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have tribes. Said he, "We have no idea where robbed me, even this whole nation." they are, but we believe they will be Now, God required of Israel Tithes found, and will return and inherit their and offerings. He blessed them with land." While traveling in Palestine I re- land and with abundant rains. He made flected a good deal on the fate of Israel. I their land exceedingly fertile; he blessed asked myself, why they were persecuted, them with flocks, with herds, and with scattered, peeled and hidden from the everything on the face of the earth seem- face of men, and why were the tribes ingly that they could desire. He gave of Judah and Benjamin still scattered? them wealth in every direction; he gave Some of them can go to Jerusalem oc- them power over their neighbors—they casionally and visit, but only a very few were the head and not the tail. In re- thousand live, in a scattered condition, turn for all this, what did he require of in the lard of their fathers, and they are them? He required them to pay Tithes in bondage, under tutors, governors, and and make offerings. Tithes meant one- rulers, and have in reality no power of tenth of all their increase. One-tenth themselves. Rabbi Askenasi said they of all this the Lord required them to had more liberty than heretofore. The place in the hands of the Levites and Christian Powers have recently taken a those whom he had selected to look af- course which has modified the action of ter the general welfare. In addition to the Turks toward them. They were now this tenth he also required certain offer- permitted to buy land, but they were ings. You may trace the history of the poor and could buy but little, and he Jewish nation through and you will find wished the Jews of all nations to con- that when the people paid their Tithes tribute to enable the Jews of Jerusalem and offerings, and thereby acknowledged to extend the area of their possessions. their dependence upon and allegiance to They had purchased a piece of land the God of heaven, they were prospered 106 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and blessed continually. While they did home. God has given us a good country. this they were not running after other The world hate us. "Marvel not," says gods, making golden calves, setting up the Savior, "if the world hate you." The idols, or worshiping the gods of their hea- world will speak evil of us. Marvel not at then neighbors. that, we have nothing to fear from men What does the Lord want with Tithes in authority. We have nothing to fear and offerings? He has plenty. And from any source on the face of the earth, he has shown that he could do without but from our own neglect. God himself them from that day to the present; but is our protector and our ruler, and if we he promised his people blessings on cer- observe faithfully and truly, with all our tain conditions. Some of those condi- hearts, the law that is required of us, tions were that they should pay Tithes we have nothing to fear from any other and make offerings. The Pharisees paid source; but if we neglect, if we have the Tithes of mint, anise and cummin, but effrontery to be baptized for the remis- omitted their money. "Ye pay tithe of sion of our sins, and to step forward and mint, anise and cummin, but omit the receive the ordinances of the house of weightier matters of the law—judgment, God, and then coolly and deliberately rob mercy and faith. These things ye ought God of what is required of us, we may to have done, and not left the others un- expect that he, in return, will send upon done." This was the principle. us in their time and season a long list I rode over the plains and hills of curses and afflictions, annoyance and of Palestine and saw their desolation. distress, just as he sent them upon the What is the reason of it? God gave that nations of antiquity to whom he revealed country to Israel; he blessed it and sent himself and who refused to obey his law. rains upon it, and made it fruitful above all lands, and in return he required of them one-tenth of their increase and The Prophet Malachi, wished to re- some offerings; but they would not give claim Israel from the condition into him Tithes, they robbed him of Tithes which their unfaithfulness had reduced and offerings, hence he cursed the whole them, or rather the Lord wished to do nation with a curse. After seeing the so, and he used this exhortation—"Bring condition of that country, I came home ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that with a determination to preach the law there may be meat in mine house, and of Tithing, for God has required of us, prove me now herewith, saith the Lord as he did of ancient Israel, obedience of hosts, if I will not open you the win- to that law, and he also requires that dows of heaven, and pour you out a bless- we should pay in our offerings; and ing, that there shall not be room enough he will do with us precisely as he did to receive it. And I will rebuke the de- with Israel, if we fail to observe the law vourer for your sakes, and he shall not of Tithing and offerings, of course re- destroy the fruits of your ground; neither membering the principles of judgment, shall your vine cast her fruit before the mercy and faith, for these things we time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. ought to do and not leave the other un- And all nations shall call you blessed: for done. My traveling over that country ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the was not without its moral lesson to us at Lord of hosts." OBEDIENCE, ETC. 107

We profess to believe a great deal, and posterity. If, on the other hand, he but do our acts correspond with our be- pursues the opposite policy, the Prophet lief? Are we as critical, careful, fixed says, "Ye are cursed with a curse." and determined in obeying this law of Tithing as we ought to be? Or do we feel that it is a burden? God does not Now, brethren and sisters, think of want our Tithes at all unless we want to these things. If we have the truth—the pay them, but we have no right to ask Gospel of Jesus Christ, which a great his favors, blessings and protection and many of you testify you have, and I the ordinances of the Priesthood, unless know we have, do not let a little ne- we render our acknowledgement. The glect, folly and covetousness, and a little- conditions are before us. In every age disposition to rob our Father of what be of the world when any people have re- has justly claimed at our hands as his ceived revelation from God, directly or Saints, place us in darkness. It is the indirectly, if they did abide this law they very stepping stone to and beginning of were prospered, blessed and protected; apostasy, it is the foundation of wicked- they were powerful and strong. God ness and corruption. I see the results, watched over them. If they neglected it, I have realized them. I have wandered he cursed them with a curse, even the over hills and valleys that once teemed whole nation. We have nothing to ex- with their millions of inhabitants, and pect but the very same justice from the now they are a desert. God has cursed hand of God, if we, to use his expression, them. He has for many generations "rob" him. Now, I have just that kind made "the rain of their land powder and of faith, if a man has a sum of money dust," the sun has smitten them and the come into his possession, whether by the water has dried up. Rabbi Askenasi told manufacture of lumber, or the selling of me in Jerusalem there really was no liv- merchandise, or by any other means, if ing water. The time was when there was he will pay his tenth strictly, according an abundance. They preserve it in the to the law, he has the blessing of God rainy season in tanks, but we were told upon the balance, and if he will keep a that in about a month from the time we strict, straightforward account with all were there they would have to purchase his increase, whatever it may be, and it; and I really felt relieved when I got strictly observe the law of Tithing, he from Jerusalem, for the water I drank will have blessings upon his head, upon while there was not very good, it did not his property, upon his wives, children seem to be very clean. 108 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

CONTINUED OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS OF GOD IS NECESSARY TO INSURE A COMPLETE SALVATION TO THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ANCIENT ISRAEL IS SHOWN AS A WARNING TO THE PRESENT GENERATION OF HIS PEOPLE—THE NATURE AND NECESSITY OF THE LAW OF TITHING—THE FEWNESS OF THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY OBSERVE THAT LAW.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE BOWERY,LOGAN CITY, FRIDAY AFTERNOON,JUNE 27, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I am very much gratified for the priv- standings expanding by that which we ilege of coming to this place to see the learn by reading, by the seeing of the eye faces of the Saints, to speak to them and the hearing of the ear. and to greet them as a brother and a The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and friend. If we could see and understand the revelations which the Lord has given things as they are, if we could have the to his people in the latter days, contain veil withdrawn from our eyes and behold a great deal about the kingdom of God the things of eternity, and the connection on the earth. We have also histories and relationship that we sustain to the of the kingdoms established by the chil- eternal worlds, and to heavenly things, dren of men. From these we learn that our minds would be very much inspired a great many changes have taken place to speak, sing, pray, listen attentively, owing to the revolutions that have oc- meditate upon and contemplate the won- curred in the past and which are still derful things of God. A great deal is said in progress. From our own conclusions to the Latter-day Saints concerning our on these matters there is one fact of religion, which does in reality incorpo- which we are sensible, and understand rate and circumscribe the whole life of to a certainty—namely, that purity pre- man. We need teaching. We are like chil- serves, sustains and increases, while sin dren with regard to learning. If we could and ignorance, in all their horrid forms, understand the effects of the fall or of sin have just the opposite effect. We need upon intelligence, we would see that its only look at the nations of the earth for tendency is downward, that it is retro- confirmation of these ideas. We need grade in its nature. The things pertain- not go far; we may look at the aborig- ing to life are of the opposite character— ines of our own country. Why are they they are exalting, increasing, multiply- in their present condition? There are ing, gaining, receiving a little here and reasons for this. They, just as much a little there—our minds and under- as we, belong to the human family—the CONTINUED OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS OF GOD, ETC. 109 highest class of intelligence there is upon in any of the Gentile nations. This is the face of the earth. Why are they in not so now. But what was the cause of their present degradation? We see them all this? Their history is not lost, nei- as they are, we see the nations as they ther are they, and the simple reason they are. Take the Jewish nation, why are are not is because they were the cho- they as they are? Is there a cause for sen of the Lord, they were to be held it? There certainly is. We have had in remembrance by our heavenly Father. a short account from brother George A. A remnant of the people of Israel are Smith about the land of their fathers; to be saved, and they will yet be gath- we can draw our own conclusions as to ered together. But other nations that ex- the causes which have brought about the isted before the flood, and many before present condition of that land and of the the days of Jesus, where are they? Who descendants of the ancient worthies to knows anything about them? They are whom it was given. In the nations of lost as far as history is concerned; and the earth at the present day we see im- many people since the days of the Savior becility, slothfulness, and I will say ig- have been blotted from the remembrance norance with all its attendant crimes of man. and debauchery, prevailing among the Here are a people dwelling in these masses of the people. There is a rea- mountains who profess to be the Saints son for all this. The time was when na- of the Most High, the beloved of the Lord. tions, now unknown, which once flour- They have received his Priesthood and ished upon the eastern continent, were its keys, the keys of Government, and intelligent and full of the spirit of thrift the plan of the government of the heav- and industry. Who can tell us why enly hosts, as far as man is capable of they have passed away and are forgot- receiving this divine, celestial and holy ten. Brother George A. told us this morn- law. When we contemplate the course ing, that the place where the great city of the Latter-day Saints, we are almost of Babylon stood, or where it is sup- led to inquire what will be their future posed to have stood, is now an inacces- history. It is true that we have hopes sible swamp and a desert. Where is the different from those who have lived be- Babylonish nation? We know nothing fore us, but let this people, called Latter- about it. Where are the nations of Is- day Saints, be blessed for twenty years rael? We hardly know anything about to come as they have been for twenty them, with the exception of the tribe of years past, and the Lord not take them Judah and the half tribe of Benjamin, in hand, but let them take their own which remain scattered among the na- course as they have done, and as they tions of the earth, desolate and forlorn. are now doing, although we consider our- They have been hunted down with dogs, selves quite obedient and willing, and we and the time has been when it was per- like to know the mind and will of the fectly lawful in some nations for every Lord, but let us, I say, go on for twenty Christian child who was disposed to do years to come, in the same ratio as for so to, stone a Jew while passing through twenty years past, and who among us the streets; and it is not long since they would hearken to the counsel of God? Let were not permitted to own a foot of land the old stock—those who have lived in 110 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Babylon and who have had their tri- proclaim their doctrines in those build- als in the wicked world, pass away, let ings? No, not one, and if there were a them he taken out of the midst of the priest or divine who, after hearing the Latter-day Saints, and the young growth doctrine of Jesus proclaimed, should say, that know nothing of the world be left "I see no harm in this doctrine, it is to themselves, to follow the promptings Bible doctrine," the majority of the peo- of their own wills, and what would be ple would say, "We do not want you for their condition? Would we not see Baby- our public servant if you permit this man lon to perfection? Would we not have to enter the pulpit and proclaim his doc- all that the wicked world could desire trine." This is all the proof necessary in our midst, and we delighting therein? that they would not receive Jesus and Think of this, and draw your own con- his Apostles in this day, with all their clusions. Still we say, without boast- boasted professions of love for his name ing a bit, that we are the best people and doctrine. If they would receive Je- there is. This is my decision. I say sus they would receive an Elder of this that we are the best people there is upon Church when sent to preach the Gospel the earth, and we have nothing to boast to them; if they had been willing to re- of, not the least in the world. Who is ceive an apostle of Jesus Christ, they there that hearkens to the will of God, would have received your humble ser- or heeds his voice? Who is there, on vant. But this we need not talk about. the face of the whole earth, outside of this people, who know the mind and will What will be the history of the na- of God, or that seek to do his will? It tions of the earth now existing? Just as may be said that the whole Christian fast as time and circumstances will per- world are trying to serve the Lord. It mit they will be blotted out of existence, is true that many of them confess him and will be forgotten and known no more with their mouths, and draw near to him on the face of the earth. This would with their lips, but what is their true be the fate of the Latter-day Saints if condition? Are their hearts bent on do- they were to persist in following the in- ing the will of the Lord, or are they far clinations of their own hearts, for ac- from him? Suppose that Peter, whom the cording to that which they now make Christian world think so much of, and manifest, pride, arrogance and covetous- whose history is contained in the Bible; ness are increasing in their midst; and or James, or John, or either one of the any people or nation that gives way to eight who have written and testified to these evils curtails the measure of its the New Testament, or either one of the existence, and will soon be blotted out, twelve Apostles chosen by the Savior, or and will be known no more forever. Can Jesus himself, were to come to the Chris- we believe all this? Read the history of tian world, and were to go into their syn- the world and you will find that when agogues, or into the places of worship God has blessed a people and placed they have erected, and which they call his name upon them, and they after- after St. James, St. Mark, St. Paul wards became disobedient, the whole or St. Peter, do you think that any of catalogue of curses pronounced by him these personages would be permitted to upon his unworthy children, have come CONTINUED OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS OF GOD, ETC. 111 upon them and they have been blotted the world, and seek to introduce them out. Those who do not profess to know into Israel, the Lord saw fit to place anything of the Lord are far better off this burden upon them. And another than we are, unless we live our religion, great neglect and infringement of the for we who know our Master's will and do law of God by the children of Israel it not, will be beaten with many stripes; was in relation to their Tithes and offer- while they who do not know the Mas- ings. The law of Tithing was revealed ter's will and do it not will be beaten in very early times to the people of God; with few stripes. This is perfectly rea- but they failed to observe it, and the sonable. We cannot chastise a child for Prophets whom God sent to Israel de- doing that which is contrary to our wills, clared that they had transgressed the if he knows no better; but when our chil- laws, changed the ordinances, and bro- dren are taught better and know what is ken the everlasting covenant. Covenants required of them, if they then rebel, of were made with Abraham, Isaac and Ja- course, they expect to be chastised, and cob, but their descendants broke them. it is perfectly right that they should be. They would not observe but they would transgress the laws which God gave unto them, and they continued to do so down to the days of Malachi. The Brother George A. gave us a little Lord, through this Prophet, declared— this morning with regard to the law of "This whole nation have robbed me." Tithing. What was the cause of the first, I also declare that this whole people, or one of the first, curses that came upon called the Latter-day Saints, are guilty Israel? I will tell you. One of the first of the same sin—they have robbed the transgressions of the family called Is- Lord in their Tithes and in their offer- rael, was their going to other families ings. What would the people like? Do or other nations to select partners. This they want to know what is done with was one of the great mistakes made by the Tithing. If the Lord requires one- the children of Abraham, Isaac and Ja- tenth of my ability to be devoted to cob, for they would go and marry with building temples, meetinghouses, school- other families, although the Lord had houses, to schooling our children, gath- forbidden them to do so, and had given ering the poor from the nations of the them a very strict and stringent law on earth, bringing home the aged, lame, the subject. He commanded them not to halt and blind, and building houses for marry among the Gentiles, but they did them to live in, that they may be com- and would do it. Inasmuch as they would fortable when they reach Zion, and to not do what be required of them, then he sustaining the Priesthood, it is not my gave them what I call a portion of the law prerogative to question the authority of of carnal commandments. This law told the Almighty in this, nor of his servants them whom they might and whom they who have charge of it. If I am required might not marry. It was referred to by to pay my Tithing, it is my duty to pay the Savior and his Apostles, and it was it. If the question is asked—"Brother a grievous yoke to place on the necks of Brigham, do you pay your Tithing?" I any people; but as the children of this can answer with all propriety in the neg- family would run after Babylon, and af- ative. I have never paid my Tithing, ter the pride and the vanity and evils of and if I turn to the right, left, front and 112 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. rear, I shall seek in vain for a man in excuse for not strictly paying my Tithing. this Church who has paid his Tithing I have paid a great deal of Tithing, more strictly. There is no man who has paid perhaps than any other man, or any his Tithing. I have watched the thing other ten men who were ever in the closely, and according to my understand- Church, and yet my Tithing is not paid. ing of the literal meaning, spirit and in- But I pay Tithing, and when the grain tent of the term, I am compelled to come upon my Farm is ripened, or the cat- to the conclusion that there is not a man tle upon it are matured, I say to my or woman in this Church who has paid men, "Be sure and pay the Tithing on his or her Tithing; and I do not know whatever we have raised." But in some of an individual in this Church who has instances I have found that it was ne- means enough to pay his back Tithing if glected. it were required of him. I have not; it Suppose we were to say to this peo- would require more means than I have ple, "Will you pay a little Tithing?" "Yes, now in my possession for me to do it. we will pay a little Tithing." How much Perhaps I may be asked what is my ex- would you be willing to pay? Will you cuse. I do not know that I have any. I pay one dollar to a thousand that you can say, that in the days of Joseph, when owe of back Tithing? If you will, we my circumstances were very straitened, shall almost have more than we know I never had $500, $100, one dollar, fifty what to do with. If you pay up a little cents or twenty-five cents, but what, if it of this back Tithing, I am going to make were wanted, it went, as free as a cup a proposition. Take the people of this of water from a well—Joseph was wel- one valley, and they are far better able come to it. Was I tried in this? Yes, for to build a Temple than the whole of the many and many has been the time in my Saints were when they lived in the East- poverty, when if I had a dollar or fifty ern States. The Saints did not begin to cents in my possession I have thought, be as able to build a Temple then as the "I can buy a pint or a half pint of mo- people of this single valley are now. My lasses for my children to sop their bread proposition is, if you will go to work and in," but it was called for, and it went as pay up some of your back Tithing, we will free as the water of the river here would build a Temple up here on the hill; we be to a thirsty person. And as for my can select a beautiful site for one there. time, from the day that I entered this We calculate to build many Temples, and Church until now, I have paid no atten- we will have one here if you agree to my tion to any business except that of build- proposition. ing up this kingdom. The question may If we had a few score thousands be asked, "Do you not attend to your own of dollars now, we should like to send private affairs and business?" Yes, when for the poor. I am sent to from I can, but I do not know that I have ever this town, Mendon, Hyrum, Wellsville, spent one minute in attending to busi- and from almost every settlement in ness belonging to Brigham Young, when these mountains, by parties who have the business of the Church and kingdom friends in the old country, saying, of God on the earth required his atten- "Brother Brigham, can you send for tion. Yet I would not say that this is any my friends? I will send a hundred dollars; will you put four hundred to that and send for my friends, there CONTINUED OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS OF GOD, ETC. 113 are only five of them?" This may ap- no more moisture, and no more rain pear strange, but people dwelling in al- would fall on the earth. Where would most every town in this Territory, are be- your trees be then? What would become seeching me continually to send for their of your gardens? What would become friends. I tell them I will send for all of the forage on the mountains that our I can. My general practice has been to cattle and sheep feed upon? It would pay two thousand dollars a year to help be dried up, become dust, and be blown the poor. I gave only one thousand this into some other country, and the rocks year; but if the people, every year, will would be left bare, as they are in some give in proportion to what I give, we can of the eastern lands. All this could be bring the scattered Saints here by scores done very easily. Now we are in plenty, of thousands. I do not ask the Latter- in the very heart of the luxuries of the day Saints to do that which I do not do, world. There is no place in the world I never did, and as old as I am now, I ex- where they are enjoyed in greater profu- pect that if I should see a wagon in the sion than they are here. Go into boasted mud, my shoulder would be first to the France, with its forty millions of people, wheel to lift it out. When money, goods and out of this large number not more or time has been wanted to help to roll than eight millions enjoy the luxury of forth the work, I have taken the lead all eating meat; thirty-two millions out of the time and said, "Come, brethren, do the forty, it is said, never taste it from as I do." year's end to year's end. Go into Italy, But with regard to Tithing, this peo- and the proportion of those who never ple will be cursed unless they stop their taste meat is far greater than it is in nonsense, unless they cease running af- France. Compare the condition of the ter the fashions and folly of Babylon, people in some of the German States, and put as Tithing that means which and in any nation on the face of the earth is uselessly spent. How long would it that we know anything about, with that take the Lord to cause the waters of ev- of the people in this Territory, and I will ery stream that runs into this valley to say that the people of these mountains sink down into the earth, and to make wallow and revel in luxury, wealth and the valley as dry as the Holy Land is independence more than any other peo- today. It would take him but a very ple on the face of the earth, and yet we short time. He could open up the veins have not a dollar to pay Tithing! We of the earth—the earth is full of them, have to pay the public hands now a cer- and it would want only a little change to tain proportion of money, and store pay, open them, and cause the water of ev- which is money, but ask the people to pay ery stream in this valley to sink deep us a little money Tithing, and they tell into the bowels of the earth. How long us, "We haven't got any." The cry from would it take him to pass is word, and Cache Valley is, "We have no money." It for his angels to come here and say to is not so. I will venture to say that if a the clouds—"Gather no more moisture fine circus were to come into this town, to shed forth the dews and the rains on and stay four nights, they would take the face of the earth?" All he would have away from five to ten thousand dollars in to do would be to send an angel to per- cash, and go to the next town it would be form a little meteorological and chemi- cal change, and the clouds would gather 114 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the same. I am now telling the hard side many subjects. Both here and through- of the question, painting the evil side out all the settlements of the Saints we of the Latter-day Saints. I recollect, a have preached the Word of Wisdom, and few years ago, there was a fine circus the necessity of letting the fashions of came to Salt Lake City. I took it into my the world alone. We give you the truth head, a few days before it arrived, to say of heaven on the subject—we give it to to some of the Bishops—"Can you raise you just as it is in heaven, or as it is writ- us so much money on Tithing? Can not ten there concerning the Saints on earth. you pay something, Bishop?" Said one, "I With regard to Tithing, we give you the have not a dollar in the world." I would truth just as it is written in heaven, and meet another, and ask him the same just as you will find it by and by. What question, and I asked them in a way object have I in saying to the Latter-day that they would not mistrust me, but Saints, do this, that or the other? It is they could not raise a dollar, and I sup- for my own benefit, it is for your bene- pose that they would have been willing fit; it is for my own wealth and happi- to have laid their hands on the Bible and ness, and for your wealth and happiness sworn that they had not a dollar in the that we pay Tithing and render obedi- world. On the day when the circus came ence to any requirement of Heaven. We on to the Eighth Ward square, I took the cannot add anything to the Lord by do- liberty of going there, and I watched who ing these things. Tell about making sac- came, and I found that some of these rifices for the kingdom of heaven. There very men who said that they had not a is no man who ever made a sacrifice on dollar in the world, paid out ten, fifteen, this earth for the kingdom of heaven, twenty, and twenty-five dollars to let that I know anything about, except the their families into that circus. They lied Savior. He drank the bitter cup to the before God, holy angels and the whole dregs, and tasted for every man and for heavens, before the servants of God, and every woman, and redeemed the earth unless they repent they will have their and all things upon it. But he was God in portion in hell. You need not wonder the flesh, or he could not have endured to see men apostatizing who have been it. "But we suffer, we sacrifice, we give in the Church thirty or thirty-five years. something, we have preached so long." They have been in the habit of lying to What for? "Why, for the Lord." I would God, to angels, to themselves, and to not give the ashes of a rye straw for the their holy religion. Ask them for a lit- man who feels that he is making sacri- tle Tithing, and their answer is—"No, we fices for God. We are doing this for our have not anything." What do you sup- own happiness, welfare and exaltation, pose the Lord thinks about such men? and for nobody else's. This is the fact, He thinks they will have their portion and what we do we do for the salvation with the disobedient. This is the un- of the inhabitants of the earth, not for favorable side of the picture. Not but the salvation of the heavens, the angels, what there is a great many, and in fact, or the Gods. the greater portion of this people, if they These are a few of my thoughts, can know the mind and will of God, will and a few items for the people to do it. They are told it from day to receive and hearken to. We have day and from time to time on a great come here to talk to and instruct ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES OF GATHERED ISRAEL, ETC. 115 you, and to put our faith and our overcome every sin, all wickedness, and work with yours. Our united pur- the power of Satan, until the earth is pose is to labor to build up the king- renovated, purified, sanctified and glori- dom of heaven on the earth, and to fied. Amen.

ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES OF GATHERED ISRAEL—ALLUREMENTS OF SATAN AT WORK—SELFISHNESS AND AVARICE SHOULD BE CAST ASIDE—DEVOTION TO THE WORK OF GOD—THE ORDER OF ENOCH THE MEANS OF ESTABLISHING AN EQUALITY IN TEMPORAL THINGS—HEAVENLY AGENCIES COOPERATING WITH THE SAINTS.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE BOWERY,LOGAN CITY, SUNDAY MORNING,JUNE 29, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

The instructions which we have had day and as I have done of late, the in these meetings, I look upon as most exceeding necessity of being alive to important. I think they will be at- the work of God, and of having the tended with most excellent results to spirit and power of the religion of Je- those who have heard them, and that sus Christ resting down upon me. I these meetings should be attended is took around and see the circumstances also exceedingly important to the Latter- which surround my brethren and sis- day Saints. Probably there never has ters. I see the great change which has been a time since the organization of taken place within the past two or three this Church when the Latter-day Saints years. These valleys, that were once so needed pointed, plain, emphatic instruc- secluded and isolated, and so seldom vis- tion more than they do today. We have ited by the stranger, but were almost reached a point in our history when an wholly occupied by the Saints of God, increase of power seems to be required have changed in many respects. We by us as Elders and Saints in all the re- are no longer the secluded people that lationships of life, to enable us to endure we were five years ago. Railroads have and resist the trials with which we are penetrated our valleys, so-called civiliza- brought in contact. For myself, I can bear tion assails us in all our settlements and testimony that I never felt as I do to- cities, vice stalks through our streets, 116 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and injustice and wrong are to be found itself to all our minds, and, if we do as in places where justice and righteous- we should, the first thought with each of ness should reign supreme, and in many us is, what course shall we pursue to en- respects we have things to encounter able us most efficiently to discharge the which we never before had to contend duties devolving upon us? The servants with since our organization as a people. of God have pointed out, during these We are now becoming a numerous meetings, in exceeding great plainness, people. Since our arrival in these valleys, the path which lies before us. If we allow thousands of children have grown from ourselves to be overcome by the love of childhood to youth, and from youth to the world, then farewell to our future— manhood and womanhood, who are un- farewell to the glorious prospect afforded acquainted with the ways of the world, us in the revelations of Jesus Christ. and who are unfamiliar with the temp- But I entertain different thoughts, feel- tations, trials and evils which abound in ings and hopes concerning the future of society outside of our mountain home. this people. Doubtless, as in the past, This numerous class of our community there will be those who will deny the is now brought face to face with a new faith, rebel against the Priesthood, be order of things. Wealth is increasing overcome by the deceitfulness of riches, around us, and those who resisted its in- and who will transgress the laws of God, fluence in former days, perhaps weak- and fall victims to apostasy; but I feel ened by some cause, are exposed anew to assured, and can bear testimony this its temptations, and in some instances, morning, that the bulk of this people those thus weakened, fall victims to its will stand firm and steadfast, and main- power. These circumstances inspire se- tain their integrity till Zion is fully es- rious reflections. No man or woman tablished and redeemed upon the earth. of thought can contemplate the present But there is needed on our part a de- condition of Zion without having seri- votion to the principles of the Gospel. ous thoughts, and without feeling that We must truly and sincerely repent of if "Mormonism" and "Mormon" institu- every thought and feeling that are con- tions never have been upon their trial trary to the mind and will of God our before, they certainly are now. However, heavenly Father. We must obey the holy they have always been upon their trial Priesthood, which he has placed in our and we, as a people, have been upon our midst, at the cost of everything if it be re- trial too. But, the thought arises, How quired, and not allow any sordid or self- shall we best fortify ourselves against aggrandizing feeling to enter into our the encroachments of the wicked? How hearts or to have place therein. I cannot shall we best entrench ourselves so that conceive of any man being able to attain wickedness shall not prevail over us, unto celestial glory who is not willing to that our posterity may be preserved in sacrifice everything that he has for the the purity of the holy faith, and that cause of God. If I have a piece of land, through them we may be able to trans- house, money, cattle, horses, carriages, mit to future generations the priceless or powers of mind and body, and am not heritage of truth which God has given willing to devote any or all of these to the unto us. rolling forth of the work of God, as they This is a question which presents ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES OF GATHERED ISRAEL, ETC. 117 may be required by him, I cannot con- connected therewith. They became ceive that it will be possible for me to en- puffed up in pride, and the Lord suffered ter into the celestial kingdom of God our the Lamanites to come upon and scourge heavenly Father. them, and after wars had wasted away Do you understand, do you compre- their strength and the magnitude of the hend, that everything we have is re- destructions which overtook them had quired by God our Father, to be laid abused them, they would begin again to upon the altar? Is there anything that feel after and to humble themselves be- is nearer your heart than the Gospel of fore the Lord, and to seek for his Holy the Lord Jesus Christ? Is there any- Spirit to dwell in their hearts. thing that stands between you and obe- dience, perfect obedience, to the will of We are now exposed to precisely the God, as revealed unto you through the same influences as they were. We are in- Holy Priesthood? If there is, you must creasing in wealth, and if we allow our get rid of it. We must humble our- hearts to be placed upon it, we shall have selves before the Lord to that extent to undergo or to pass through difficulties that we shall have a greater love of his similar in character to those which they work, a greater degree of obedience in had to endure. The Lord will not suf- our hearts to the Holy Priesthood than fer us to become alienated from his work we now have for the things we so highly without scourging us. He will let our en- value. In no other way can we ex- emies upon us, or do something else to pect to become the people that God de- punish us, to bring us down and make signs we shall be. Every day, it seems us humble before him. He has provided to me, the circumstances of the people a way by which we can escape all these make more and more apparent the ne- evils, and I wish this morning, in the few cessity for a complete change in our tem- remarks I may make, to call your atten- poral circumstances. We read in the tion to this subject, because it rests upon Book of Mormon that when the ancient my mind, and seems to be the uppermost Nephites began to increase in means and thought in my heart. become rich, as we are now increasing, the Spirit of God began to decrease in In the early days of this Church God their midst. There were some who had revealed unto his people a system for property and could clothe and educate them to live in accordance with. It is their children better than their neigh- known by us as the Order of Enoch; and bors. The wealthy could have carriages, it seems to me, every day, that events are horses and fine raiment and other com- so crowding upon us as to compel us to forts and advantages which their poorer reflect upon and to prepare our hearts to brethren and sisters could not have. In enter upon the practice of this order; and consequence of these things they be- that, unless we do enter upon it, sooner came divided into classes. The rich were or later, as God shall direct through his raised up in their feelings above the servant Brigham, we shall be subjected poor. The poor were humble and meek to all the disasters and evil consequences and sought unto the Lord, in many in- which have attended the present sys- stances at least. Divisions into classes tem of things, under which all men seem prevailed, and all the attendant evils to live and labor for self only, and few, 118 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. very few, think about the good of the in his revelations unto us, "If ye would whole. be equal in heavenly things, ye must In the Book of Mormon we read that be equal in earthly things." They were after Jesus came, the Nephites had all equal in earthly things, and they were things in common, or, to use the lan- equal also in heavenly things. guage of the book, that "they had all To read about that period, brief as is things in common among them; there- the account that is given to us, makes fore they were not rich and poor," reg- one almost wish that he could have lived ulated, of course, by the revelations he in such a day and dwelt among such a gave unto them. They entered upon the people. The Lord foresaw and predicted practice of this order, according to the ac- through his servants the Prophets, that count, in the thirty-sixth year of our era, there would be a time in the fourth gen- that is, within two years after the ap- eration when the adversary would again pearance of Jesus. It is probable, how- regain his power over the hearts of the ever, from the reading, that they en- children of men, and they would be led tered upon it immediately after the ap- astray and go into evil. And what was pearance of Jesus in their midst. They the first thing they did to prepare the were then in good circumstances to enter way for the fulfillment of this terrible upon it. The wicked had been killed off, prediction? It was to reject this system or and the land cleansed of their presence. order, and begin again to classify them- Cities had been sunk, and water had selves into rich and poor. They began risen in the place thereof. Mountains to build churches to themselves, they be- had fallen upon other cities, and great gan to separate themselves from their destructions had been accomplished in brethren, and to create distinctions of the land, and the remnant that were classes, and this prepared the way for left were a comparatively pure people. the final destruction of the Nephite na- For 165 years afterwards, or until 167 tion. years after the appearance of Christ, I doubt not, my brethren and sisters, that is, until about the year 201 of our that this will be the way in which Sa- era, the Nephites dwelt under this or- tan will regain his power over the hearts der. They spread abroad throughout all of the children of men at the end of the the land of North and South America. thousand years of which we read. I They dwelt in righteousness, so much believe that the thousand years of mil- so that Jesus, in speaking about them lennial glory will be ushered in by the by the spirit of prophecy, said that not practice of this system by the Latter- one soul of those generations should be day Saints. When that system is prac- lost. It was a millennium, so far as ticed the hearts of the children of men peace and truth and virtue and righ- can be devoted to God to an extent that teousness and brotherly kindness were would be impossible under the present concerned. Of course it was not a thou- organization of affairs. Now we are sand years, but they dwelt together as tempted and tried and exposed to evils one family for 167 years. No divisions, which we should know nothing about if no strife, no enmity, no classification, no we lived under the order I have referred rich and no poor, but all partaking of to. I do not believe that, if we were the heavenly gift alike, and God has said to live as we now are for a thousand ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES OF GATHERED ISRAEL, ETC. 119 years, Satan could ever be bound in our desires will flow naturally along, and we midst so that he could not have power will find room for the exercise of every over our hearts. There must be a change faculty of mind and body without endan- in our temporal affairs, there must be gering the salvation of our souls. We can a foundation laid which will knit us to- then trade and exchange, sell and buy, gether and make us one. How is it with and enter upon business without being us now? If a man have a horse and he surrounded with these evils we now have should want to sell it to his brother, he to contend with. tries to get the most he possibly can for God has revealed the plan, and it is it. If he have a wagon or any other piece a very simple one; but it will require of property, and he wants to sell it, does faith on the part of the Saints to enter he consult his brother's interest? Per- upon it. There are a great many evils haps he may do so, but it is not always which would be stricken out of existence that men do so; he gets the best price were that system practiced. Why are he can for that article, regardless of his men tempted, to be thieves? Why do brother's welfare and benefit. There is they steal—take property that does not a constant appeal to selfishness under belong to them? Would they do this if so- the present system, there is a constant ciety was properly constituted? No, they temptation for a man to do the best he would not be tempted to do it. The temp- can for himself at the expense of his fel- tations that we are exposed to are the low men, and there is no remedying it to result, in a great degree, of the false or- its full extent; in fact there is a constant ganization of society. I believe there are struggle as we are at the present time to thousands of men in the Christian world, keep down within us the desire to profit who are adulterers today, who would not at the expense of our fellow men. be adulterers if they knew more and There is something unnatural in this could practice the system of marriage condition of affairs, something opposed which God has revealed. They are adul- to God. Why should we be subjected terers because of the false state of things to these things, and have to struggle that exists in the world. And when I with them continually? Many Latter-day speak of this practice, I might extend it Saints have refrained from taking hold to a great many more. The devil has of merchandising and other branches, set up every means in his power to ham- because by so doing they would have ex- per the children of men, to throw around posed themselves to hazards that were them barriers to prevent their carrying very dangerous for them to encounter. out the will of God. And when we obey There was the temptation to make im- the commandments of God, we will de- mense profits out of the necessities of feat the adversary of our souls. When their brethren and sisters. Under the we carry out the purposes and the rev- Order of Enoch men would not be thus elations which God has given and made tempted. Individual benefit would not known unto us, we gain immensely. We then be the aim and object of men's gain power and strength, and in a lit- lives and labors. God did not cre- tle while the adversary will be bound in ate us for the purpose of striving for our midst, so that he will not have power self alone; and when we are rightly to tempt us, and this will be brought situated; under a proper system, our about by our obeying the command- 120 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ments of God and the revelations of the God's glory brought to pass on the earth, Lord Jesus Christ. I also believe that and the reign of righteousness and truth when Satan is loosed again for a little be ushered in. while, when the thousand years shall be ended, it will be through mankind I expect that God will do a greater departing from the practice of those work in our midst, when that shall be principles which God has revealed, and brought to pass, than we can yet conceive this Order of Enoch probably among the of. We have thought that the Lord God rest. He can, in no better way, obtain delays his coming. We have now been power over the hearts of the children forty-three years organized as a Church, of men, than by appealing to their cu- and sometimes we feel as if the Work of pidity, avarice, and low, selfish desires. God is not making that progress which it This is a fruitful cause of difficulty. You should. There are reasons for it. It is not can handle men better in any other way stopped or delayed; on the contrary, it is than when you come to their money, and progressing, although probably not with all these temporal things they are sur- the rapidity that it will progress when rounded with. I hope to see a change in we get more faith, and are more perfect this respect, I pray for it, I am willing to in our practices. I have had my thoughts labor for it. I hope you will give this sub- attracted, in consequence of a visit which ject your attention, and seek by all the brother Brigham, Jun., and myself made faith in your power to prepare yourselves to the hill Cumorah about three weeks for it, and to prepare your children for it, ago, to the three Nephites who have been so that when it is deemed wisdom by the upon this land, and I have been greatly servants of God to enter upon this sys- comforted at reading the promises of God tem, we shall be prepared. concerning their labors and the work There has been some allusion, which that should be accomplished by them you have heard, to the setting apart among the Gentiles and among the Jews, of a district of land in this valley for also before the coming of the Lord Je- that purpose. If I lived here I should sus. I doubt not that they are laboring hail such an enterprise with joy, while today in the great cause on the earth. I might fear and tremble on my own There are agencies laboring for the ac- account lest through some weakness I complishment of the purposes of God and might not be able to bear or pass through for the fulfillment of the predictions of or practice it as it should be. Nev- the holy Prophets, of which we have but ertheless I should hail it, if I lived little conception at the present time. We here, with joy, for it matters not what are engrossed by our own labors. You may become of me, it matters not what in Cache Valley have your thoughts cen- may become of any of us individually, tered on the labors that devolve upon only so far as we, individually, are con- you. We in Salt Lake and elsewhere have cerned, if the work of God is only rolled ours upon the work that immediately at- forth, if his purposes are only consum- tracts our attention; and while we, or mated, and the salvation of the earth all amongst us who are faithful, shall and its inhabitants is brought about. I no doubt be instrumental in the hands feel that it matters not what my fate of God, in bringing to pass his purposes may be if this is only accomplished and and accomplishing the work he has pre- ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES OF GATHERED ISRAEL, ETC. 121 dicted in connection with the ten tribes, these unless we do that which God re- the Lamanites, the Jews, and the Gen- quires at our hands with perfect will- tile nations, we need not think that these ingness and joy, for there is no joy that things depend upon us alone. There are any human being experiences that ap- powers engaged in preparing the earth proaches the joy of serving God and for the events that await it and fulfill- keeping his commandments. It is ing all the great predictions concerning sweeter than the sweetest honey, and it, which we know nothing of, and we it is more desirable than all the joy of need not think that it depends upon us the earth besides. You Latter-day Saints Latter-day Saints alone, and that we are know this by the outpouring of the Holy the only agents in the hands of God in Spirit, by the gift of the precious Spirit bringing these things to pass. The pow- which you have received, that has rested ers of heaven are engaged with us in this down upon you by night and by day, and work. that has caused your hearts to be soft- This earth is the heritage of the chil- ened and your eyes to weep tears of joy dren of God. It has been given to the for the goodness of God unto you. And faithful who have lived before us, as well yet we are indolent, and yet we think as to us, they are watching our labors about a little property, and yet we would with intense anxiety, and they are la- risk our salvation because we are afraid boring in their sphere for the accom- to do something which God requires at plishment of the same great and glori- our hands. Oh foolish people! How shall ous results. They have dwelt here, and we stand before the bar of our God and they are singing the song mentioned by answer for the use we have made of the John the Revelator—"Thou hast made us inestimable blessings which he has be- kings and priests unto God: and we shall stowed upon us? How shall we stand be- reign on the earth," and the souls of them fore that terrible bar, if we are not faith- who have suffered martyrdom are crying ful? How can we justify ourselves for our from beneath the altar, "How long, Oh unfaithfulness? We cannot do it, but we God, wilt thou not avenge our blood upon shall feel to shrink from the presence of them that dwell on the earth?" They are our Almighty Judge when we are thus eager for the redemption of Zion, the brought face to face with him. accomplishment of God's purposes, and the establishment of his universal king- That we may be faithful to the end, dom upon the face of this earth of ours. that we may love the Lord better than we But if we do not our duty, God will take love everything else on the earth, that away from us that inheritance which he we may devote ourselves to his service has promised unto us, and the crowns all our days, and bequeath truth as a that we would otherwise have will be precious legacy to our children after us, taken and given to others. We shall lose is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. 122 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE ORDER OF ENOCH.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE BOWERY,LOGAN CITY, SUNDAY MORNING,JUNE 29, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I say to the Latter-day Saints, that to enter into the Order of Enoch, and the only reason why we do not take up to live and die in this Order. This is the subject and enter into the organiza- my faith concerning the people at large, tion of Enoch, or a city of Enoch, is sim- consequently I am not discouraged. But ply because we have not yet been able there are some who need chastening. We to find every item of law bearing upon cannot call names, this will not answer. this matter, so as to organize in a way We cannot tell a man that he is going to that apostates cannot trouble us. This apostatize, but we can chasten him as a is the only reason. It is a matter that I member of the Church, not as an indi- am paying particular attention to, with vidual. In this capacity, while in pub- some of my brethren, to see if we have lic, we do not take the liberty of chas- skill enough to get up an organization tening an individual. But we can say to and draw up papers to bind ourselves the brethren and sisters, we are encour- together under the laws of the United aged. "Mormonism" is onward and up- States, so that we can put our means and ward, the Gospel that the Lord Jesus has labor together and join as one family. As introduced in the latter days is enjoyed soon as we can accomplish this, and get by many, and it is our life, our joy, our an instrument that lawyers cannot pick peace, our glory, our happiness, our all; to pieces and destroy, and apostates can- and when we come to the trying scene, as not afflict us, we expect to get up this in- some call it, of sacrificing our property, stitution, and enter most firmly into it. and putting it together for the good of the community, I do not expect the brethren Yesterday and the day before I had will receive any more trials than they considerable to say to the Latter-day have heretofore, I do know whether the Saints, reading the dark side of the page. sisters will. I will say here, I am not discouraged Brother George Q. Cannon says the with regard to this latter-day work, I sisters have borne a great deal. So am not discouraged with regard to the they have, but if they could only Latter-day Saints. If we were to pick stand in the shoes of their husbands and choose today, we should find a large who are good, true and faithful, they majority of the people called Latter- would know that they are by no day Saints, who are ready and will- means free from perplexities. Just ing, with open hands and pure hearts, fancy a man with two, three, or half PURPOSE OF GOD, ETC. 123 a dozen of his beloved wives catching This is the deciding point, the divid- him on one side, and before he can take ing line. They who love and serve God three steps more, catching him on the with all their hearts rejoice evermore, other, and "I want this," "I want that," pray without ceasing, and in everything and "this is not right," and "that is not give thanks; but they who try to serve right," and so on; their minds just pulled God and still cling to the spirit of the to pieces. I say if the hair is spared world, have got on two yokes—the yoke on their heads they may consider that of Jesus and the yoke of the devil, and they have got blessed good wives. I they will have plenty to do. They will have as many wives as many other men, have a warfare inside and outside, and and I keep my hair yet. But as to tri- the labor will be very galling, for they are als, why bless your hearts, the man or directly in opposition one to the other. woman who enjoys the spirit of our re- Cast off the yoke of the enemy, and put ligion has no trials; but the man or on the yoke of Christ, and you will say woman who tries to live according to that his yoke is easy and his burden is the Gospel of the Son of God, and at light. This I know by experience. the same time clings to the spirit of the world, has trials and sorrows acute and keen, and that, too, continually. God bless you.

PURPOSE OF GOD IN CREATING MAN—MAN'S AGENCY—DUTIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO COVENANT WITH GOD—REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS—WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS—AVOID EVIL ASSOCIATIONS.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT DANIEL H.WELLS, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY,SATURDAY AFTERNOON,AUGUST 9, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I feel to bear my testimony, my tures, is the power of God unto salva- brethren and sisters, to the doc- tion to all who believe and obey the trines and principles of the holy same. It has been stated here that Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus we are a peculiar people, and that Christ, which, we read in the Scrip- we have a mission to perform on the 124 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. earth. This is true. Our Father in kindness to us, his children, that our heaven has a work to perform on the Father sent us to this earth, that we earth, and we have been called to be may show whether we will be faithful co-workers with him in bringing to pass in all respects to the principles of truth his purposes among the children of men. and righteousness, and to the command- This is a blessed privilege for us. If his ments of God when in the midst of evil. purposes could have been advanced and All the requirements of our Father con- established upon the earth without his duce to the blessing and benefit of those having revealed himself, we would not who observe them while they live here, have been called, and the angel would as well as ensuring to them the blessings not have come and restored the everlast- at the end of the race. ing Gospel in our day. We may go fur- ther back, and say, that if it would have The Lord our God never did, and he been as well for us to remain with our Fa- never will, reveal a principle, give a com- ther in the spirit world, and not to come mandment, or make a requirement of his forth into this world, to pass through children on the earth, but what if it is the ordeals which await us, we should carried out will prove a blessing to every not have been sent. But we have been one, for it will enable us to work out our sent for a purpose, and that purpose is, salvation and exaltation by establishing that we may accomplish the full mea- the principles of truth, virtue and honor sure of our creation, which we could not upon the earth, and these principles, in do without an earthly probation. This the very nature of things, must purify was necessary to our advancement, as and elevate those who live and govern intelligent beings, and for the progress their actions by them. These are the only of the kingdom and glory of God. We principles which will endure and stand had a pre-existence in the spirit world, forever; while that which is of an oppo- and we kept our first estate there, or we site character will pass away. Herein is should not have been privileged to come the warfare in which we are engaged, and take bodies and, by living according and which we shall continue to wage, as to the principles of the holy Gospel, pre- long as we live on the earth. For the evil pare ourselves for salvation and exalta- one is ready, if we will listen to him, to tion, and to return again into the pres- lead us astray and to cause us to make ence of our Father and partake of his shipwreck of our most holy faith; he will glory. In this connection come in the cause light to appear as darkness, and principles of redemption and of the res- darkness as light, and he will lead us urrection, through the power of which down to destruction if we are not con- our bodies and spirits, after they have tinually on our guard against his wiles passed the ordeal of death, will be re- and suggestions. But if we observe the united and clothed with immortality and principles of the Gospel and the com- endowed with eternal life. I say, if it mandments of the Lord our God, they would have been as well for us to remain will bring us peace in the life that now in the spirit world, we should not have is as well as in that which is to come. been sent forth to be tested with the mis- Some people seem to think that the pur- ery, woe, sorrow, corruptions, evils and suits so prevalent in the world are all death so prevalent on earth; but it was in that are worth living for, and that they PURPOSE OF GOD, ETC. 125 will find joy and happiness therein. But and so they are, for the power of evil has such pleasures are neither solid nor last- great influence in the earth. The wealth ing, and there is nothing that can be of the earth has long been controlled by considered real, genuine joy and plea- the evil one, and he has bestowed it upon sure within the reach of the human fam- whomsoever he has seen fit. Perhaps ily, but what is to be found within the this has been ordered so in the economy purview of the everlasting Gospel. The of our Father for the benefit of his chil- Gospel makes men and women free— dren. We must learn to trust in God. As free from sin—the greatest of all tyrants; was said here this morning, we must live and there is no greater slave on the earth by faith. What is a man good for who, than the man who is under the control just as soon as an obstacle presents it- of his own passions, and who is sub- self before him, flies the track and says, ject to the dictation of the spirit of evil "I will have no more to do with this or which is so prevalent in the world. The with that. It is true it purports to come acts of all such persons bring their own from our Father in heaven, but I cannot punishment, and it is swift and certain; see the benefit that will accrue to me in while those who are controlled by the observing it, and I will seize that which principles of the Gospel have a joy and offers present benefit, regardless of the peace, under whatever circumstances in consequences." That man proves to all life they may be placed, which the world that he is not worthy to receive eternal knows nothing of, and which it can nei- riches. A Latter-day Saint should live so ther give nor take away, for they have an that he can bear the scrutinizing eye of inward consciousness that their course the Almighty, in secret as well as in pub- secures to them the confidence of the lic. This should be his course all the days Lord our God. of his life; then when the day comes in We are placed here on the earth that which the wicked will call upon the rocks we may be tested. We are very in- to hide them from the face of the Lord, dependent beings, we have our agency, he will rejoice in meeting his Father, and and can choose the road to life or the will join in rendering praise and thanks- road to death, just as we please. If we giving to his name, for the privilege of would secure eternal life we shall have again beholding him. This will be the lot to take a course to command the confi- of the righteous—those who have served dence of our Father in heaven, and to God in their actions as well as with their accomplish this, we must not be weary lips; but sad indeed will be the fate of in well doing, for it is said that only those who have been hypocritical, who they who endure will receive the re- have professed with their lips, but have ward. Endure what? Why, the tri- not possessed in their hearts. They will als, temptations and difficulties that we dread to meet the face of the Lord, they may have to encounter in the path which have a certain fearful looking for of the the Gospel marks out. Our path, as fiery indignation of the Father. followers of the Savior, is beset with evil on every side, and with influences Now, it is true, that while in the which, if yielded to, will bring us under flesh we are subjected to many tri- the power of the oppressor. They may als and temptations; but we are not seem alluring, to a greater or less extent, like those without hope. The Apostle 126 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. says we are subjected in hope. In hope have an opportunity of being co-workers of what? Latter-day Saints who faith- with God in establishing his kingdom on fully live their religion have the hope the earth, which is destined to stand for- of a glorious resurrection and eternal ever and to absorb all other kingdoms. life. It is part of the experience of This is inevitable and will come to pass Latter-day Saints to be subjected to trial, in the Lord's own due time. The Elders of in some things perhaps more than the Israel are going to the nations and gath- wicked, that they may gain the ascen- ering therefrom the honest in heart, and dancy over their own passions and all through them the Lord is revealing his the evils which beset them. Our passions purposes to the children of men, and the are given us for a good and wise purpose. institutions of high heaven. They underlie our existence. They give This is the mission of the Latter- us nerve and energy, and power to exe- day Saints, and every one of them who cute and carry out; but they are not given is faithful to his calling is a co-worker to be our masters. Those heaven-given with the Lord in the establishment of gifts—reason and intellect, should reign his purposes, and he will find his re- and bring passion into complete subjec- ward here and hereafter. Is it not glo- tion, and they will do so if inspired and rious to know that we are engaged with directed by the Spirit of God. our Father and God, and with holy be- We have been gathered from the na- ings who have gone behind the veil, in tions of the earth that we may be taught carrying on this great reformation which the ways of the Lord. It was remarked the Lord has commenced on the earth? here this morning that there was need of I say it will never be confounded, never, a reformation in the world. If it were not no never. The principles of the holy so the Lord would not have undertaken Gospel will last forever, and they will ex- it, and things would have been permit- alt all whose lives and actions are con- ted to go along as usual. But the Lord trolled thereby, and who will live by ev- saw the necessity for a change. All had ery word which proceeds from the mouth departed from the path of life. The au- of God. Such persons will never be pre- thority of the Holy Priesthood had been vailed against in time and in eternity. taken back into the heavens for a wise There is nothing surer than this, be- purpose, and also for the advantage of cause this Gospel will go on from con- the children of men upon the earth. Bet- quering to conquer, until all nations, kin- ter for them to be without it, than to pos- dreds, tongues and people will come un- sess and not to obey its high behests; but der the scepter of Immanuel, and ev- when the set time was come for the Lord ery knee shall bow and every tongue to establish his kingdom, he again sent confess that Jesus is the Christ. Evil forth the Gospel to the children of men, will work out its own overthrow. The knowing that it would find many honest- wicked will prey upon each other to hearted people who would be willing their own destruction, and in the Lord's to receive instruction from heaven, and own due time the earth will be rid of stand in the day of his power. The evildoers, whereas those who are based Gospel is to go forth to all nations upon the Rock of Ages will endure for- and tongues on the earth, that all may ever. This is just as natural as any prin- PURPOSE OF GOD, ETC. 127 ciple of philosophy that exists, and it is enough to entice every son and daughter bound to come to pass. Our Father has of Adam. I think that the children of our passed through these ordeals, and has Father cannot afford to throw away these trodden the paths we are treading. He blessings. I think that we cannot afford kept his second estate, and has attained to take the name of God in vain. We can- to his exaltation. We have the privilege not afford to drown our reason in ardent of following in his footsteps. It has been spirits. We cannot afford to sin against revealed in our day who we are, and the God and to violate his commandments. relationship we hold to God. We have These practices cost too much. No man learned that God is our Father, and that or woman can afford to walk in the paths we are his children, bona fide his chil- that lead to death. They are beset with dren. Not in a spiritual sense alone, but misery, envy, jealousy, and with every- when we say, "Our Father who art in thing that produces discomfort, and at heaven," we mean just what we say. the end thereof death, and misery both We have not only learned who we are, before and after death. Said Jesus—Fear but the purpose of our creation and our not him who has power only to destroy future destiny. I have not given myself this body, but fear Him who can cast both a great deal of uneasiness about the fu- soul and body into hell. Let us take the ture. I have felt that, if I could act my course, then, that will save us here and part, properly as I pass along through hereafter. Let the body go, if necessary, if life, whether I attained to anything here- it intervenes between us and the faith of after or not I should be content. The the holy Gospel and our duty to God. If peace and happiness which I have day we are brought into a position in which by day in my inmost soul is its own the life of the body imperils our faith in reward; and I have long been satisfied the Gospel, let the body go cheerfully and that there is nothing worth having out- willingly. We should pour out our blood side the purview of the holy Gospel, and as freely as the water that runs, rather the peace, satisfaction and joy which it than violate our fidelity to the principles brings me I would not exchange for all of eternal life, or our most holy covenants that this world can bestow. As for the before the Lord, or rather than deny the future, I am satisfied that it will be al- word after having tasted the powers of together satisfactory and will bring all the world to come. To know God and Je- that I can ask for and more than I can sus whom he has sent is eternal life, and now comprehend, if my course day by rather than deny them and turn again to day now is what it should be. I have the things of the world, like a sow that no fears that my exaltation will not be is washed to her wallowing in the mire, as full and complete as I shall be capac- let this poor body go. It will go sooner itated to enjoy. And whether it is or not or later anyhow, and we should esteem it I have an inward peace through taking a privilege to lay down our lives in de- this course that, of itself, is a continual fense of the principles of the everlast- feast, which sustains and buoys me up ing Gospel. We should not rashly run under every difficulty and obstacle which into danger, but we should take a wise presents itself before me. course and, at any cost, determine to rise I think this should be attraction 128 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. above the evils that are in the world and though if they could only snatch these be faithful to the truth, holding on to the blessings from the hands of the servants iron rod, without swerving to the right of the Lord they would be all right, and hand or to the left; and if there is no they could do in other respects just as other alternative, rather than swerve, let they please. They could neglect to pay the body go. It will be a happy exchange, their Tithing and the observance of the and we will receive it again crowned with commands of the Lord generally, and glory, immortality and eternal life. walk after their own vain imaginations all the days of their lives. What a fa- Now Latter-day Saints, are you will- tal mistake is here! By your own works ing to do this? Oh yes, hundreds and ye shall be judged, whether they be good thousands would, if necessary, walk up or evil. A man may attain to all these to the cannon's mouth, in defense of the ordinances, he may keep his path hid- truth and Priesthood, who will not live den in iniquity for a season, but the time their religion. Such persons will suffer will come when every evil doer will stand loss if they are not careful. We cannot before the Lord in his own naked defor- afford to neglect our duties. We want to mity, he will be stripped of his hypocrisy attain to celestial glory. We do not feel and subterfuge of lies. The gigantic su- as though we could be satisfied with any- perstructure of Satan, that has so long thing short of that. No Latter-day Saint, wielded influence in the earth, will be who has ever reflected upon these things, swept away, and in that day all who feels that he can be satisfied short of ce- stand will do so by their own virtue lestial glory. We could not be satisfied and integrity. No man can afford to do with a telestial nor even with a terres- an evil act. If it is unseen by his fel- trial glory. We want to attain to the high- lows, he himself knows it, and the Lord est of all. We have set out for that, it knows it, and that is two too many— is the goal for which we are bound, and two witnesses to establish his guilt, and we feel that nothing short of that will he cannot dodge it, it will be known, as satisfy us. How many will come short it were, on the housetops. Therefore, of it I do not know, but I know that in brethren and sisters, let us be diligent order to attain to it we must be careful in all things, even in what are consid- to observe all the duties which are in- ered the small things, though there are cumbent upon us. We have no promise no small things connected with our du- of that glory unless we do. The revela- ties and callings as Saints. We cannot tions of the Lord, through his servant afford to live without paying our Tithing, Joseph, tell us that whosoever cannot because it is a law of heaven, one of the abide a celestial law will not inherit the requirements the Lord has made at our glory of the celestial kingdom. There hands for our own benefit. Covetous- are many called Latter-day Saints who ness is idolatry. We cannot afford to are anxious to obtain their endowments, have anything intervening between us washings, sealings and anointings, and and the Lord our God. We must serve baptisms for themselves and their dead, the Lord with a perfect heart and a will- and who would think they were deprived ing mind. If we are so covetous that we of very great blessings if they could not cannot pay our Tithing, there is an ob- have these privileges; and yet they act as stacle in the way, and we have become PURPOSE OF GOD, ETC. 129 lukewarm and indifferent in the cause of we not then have an increased confi- God. It is no matter how poor we may dence to come again, and to put our de- be, if we have ever done anything in the pendence in him, knowing and realiz- line of our duty in the kingdom of God, it ing that he is faithful in performing that has brought with it peace and salvation. which he has promised? Having paid We are never sorry for it afterwards, un- our Tithing once, and received the bless- less we turn away from the truth. If we ing, should we not approach the altar neglect any duty, Tithing or any other, again with renewed confidence and zeal, we feel under condemnation. No mat- relying and trusting in God for the fu- ter how poor we may be we should pay ture, without fearing any disaster com- our Tithing, if we have to receive it back ing upon us? I think this is good phi- again at the hands of the Bishops, it is a losophy, it brings its own reward in the blessing and a benefit to us. As Joseph very nature of things. Then why not F. Smith remarked at Tooele, that poor feel encouraged in going to meeting and widow who pays her Tithing, will receive in attending to the duties required at from one to five hundredfold. She is sure our hands, partake of the sacrament, put to do it, and so with every individual. away evil feelings one against another, and come to the table of the Lord with But it is not the poor, as a general pure hearts and clean hands, to com- thing, who neglect their Tithing. It is memorate the sufferings and death of oftener the wealthy than the poor. The our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? One man who has a hundred dollars can give great reason why the Sacrament was in- his ten. If he has only ten, he can give stituted was, that we might not forget one easier than another man can give him, nor our Father in heaven, who sent ten. If he has ten thousand, it is harder him. Said Jesus, "Do this until I come." for him to give a thousand, and the more He will come again, most assuredly, in he has the more difficult it is for him power and great glory. Who will be pre- to pay his Tithing. It has always been pared to receive him? Where are the peo- so, I apprehend; anyhow, it is so at the ple who will be able to stand at his sec- present time. We cannot afford this. If ond coming, when he will take the reins we expect to attain to celestial glory, we of power into his own hands? must abide the law of the celestial king- Is it reasonable to suppose that Je- dom. There is no obstacle in our path sus will send his messengers to warn that we cannot overcome. If we are de- the world, that all people may have an termined the Lord will help us. He does opportunity to obey the Gospel and to and has done so all the time, and he will be prepared for his coming? I think continue to do so. it is reasonable to suppose that he will How many times have we been ben- commence a preparatory work on the efited by pursuing the course which the earth before he makes his descent. This God of heaven has marked out for us to is the work, brethren and sisters, in walk in? How often has he delivered his which we are engaged—preparing for Saints in times past? How many times the second coming of our Lord and Sav- has he rebuked, under the administra- ior Jesus Christ, that when he comes tion of his servants, the sickness of a he may have a people zealous of good child or the member of a family? Should works, ready to do his bidding, instead of 130 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. crucifying him as they did before. Then Lord, who do not go forth proclaiming let us go to with our might, devoting our- it for hire, but because they have re- selves, and whatever the Lord gives unto ceived the testimony of Jesus, and can us, to him and his kingdom. Let us not foretell that the evils which are so preva- sift our ways to strangers, but let us be lent among men are bound to bring de- diligent and faithful in sustaining every struction upon them. The earth is de- righteous principle. This is our duty and filed by the sins of its inhabitants, and privilege. Let us divest ourselves of the destruction will certainly overtake them evils so prevalent in the world, other- unless they forsake their evil ways, for wise we are not gathered out from the the Lord will not suffer this thing to con- world. The Apostle said—"Come out of tinue forever. This is not in the econ- her, O my people, that ye be not par- omy of heaven—none would be saved if takers of her sins, that ye receive not of it were permitted to be so. Satan would her plagues." If we, after being gathered gain the ascendancy, and would dethrone to Zion, still practice the vices and fol- the Almighty, if it could be suffered to lies of the world, we might as well have go on. There must be a turning point— stayed there, for these sins bring with that has arrived, and the way of escape them their punishment. The judgments is made plain to the children of men. The of the Almighty follow sin as naturally God of heaven has revealed it in our day. as cause and effect in anything else, and We are the recipients of his mercy and the wicked nations of the world will feel of the principles of truth, and by com- retribution for the sins they commit, just plying strictly with the principles of the as certain as they have an existence on everlasting Gospel, which is the power the earth. There is no escape, except of God unto salvation, we shall be pre- by forsaking their sins and obeying the served in the day of God's power; but commands of the Lord. We cannot es- we must observe the law of high heaven. cape the plagues threatened to the sin- If a man will persistently walk in the ner, even here in Zion, unless we refrain path of danger, or into the fire, he will from sin and walk in the paths that the be burned and he knows it. Then why Lord marks out for us to walk in. not take a different path? When the Lord points out the path of safety, his The Lord foreknew that many of the Saints must walk therein, or they will spirits which were reserved to come forth suffer the consequences. Some of us are in our day and generation would receive captives to our own passions. We think his Gospel, and stand faithful. All have we know best, and we oftentimes imag- the privilege of doing so. The Lord has ine that the Lord is far away, and that extended the invitation to all his chil- we are left to govern ourselves, and we dren here on the earth. Says he—"Turn yield to this and to that for the sake of ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; for why a little transient pleasure, and we think will ye die?" "Take upon you my yoke, for that all will be well hereafter. We do it is easy, and my burden, for it is light." not care particularly about the future, if "Come, drink of the waters of life freely, we can only take care of ourselves to- without money and without price." This day. We perhaps give way to some al- is the invitation which is given to luring spirit, in some quiet nook or cor- all nations, by the servants of the ner, thinking we will be shielded if we do PURPOSE OF GOD, ETC. 131 give way to some evil once in a while. What does the so-called Christianity There is a way to be shielded, but it is of the day do to check the torrent of cor- not by persisting in evil doing. We must ruption that is now sweeping over the turn from every evil way, then we have face of the whole earth? Comparatively the assurance that God will forgive us. nothing. I say this in all charity, be- Men and women may do evil, but if they cause there are a great many who are repent they can be forgiven and receive doing their utmost to check the progress the administration of the ordinances of of evil; but it still grows, and so-called the house of God, for the authority has Christianity is powerless to check it. It been restored to administer all the ordi- is greater today than it was yesterday, nances of salvation. Men may have their greater yesterday than last week, and sins remitted by having the ordinance greater last week than a month ago, and of baptism administered. Is there any it is incalculably greater now than it was other way by which that blessing can be a hundred years ago. obtained? Not that we know of; if there It is time the Lord set his hand to is, the Lord has not revealed it, and that gather his people, that he may secure a is sufficient. All we have to do to secure foothold on the earth, where righteous- the remission of sins, is to repent and to ness may predominate, and where the comply with the ordinance of baptism. majority of the people will be for him and We have been called from Babylon by his kingdom. The Lord has set his hand the command of high heaven, and our and commenced his work to bring about duty now is to stand shoulder to shoul- his great purposes. der for God and his kingdom, and for Let me bear my testimony to my every holy and righteous principle, no brethren and sisters and all good friends. matter what opposition we may meet The Lord has spoken from the heavens, with. What could a man do, isolated, and has commenced this work in which in the midst of a wicked nation? He we are now engaged in the tops of the could live for God if he had a mind to; mountains. The Prophet, in looking for- but what influence could he wield under ward, saw that the work of God would such circumstances for the kingdom of be in the tops of the mountains in the God? None that would be acknowledged. latter days. We testify that this is what He might bear his testimony, and tell he saw, here in the vales of Utah, Idaho, those around him of their evils, and that Arizona and all the surrounding Territo- would condemn those who heard him, ries. The kingdom of God is with us to- if they did not heed his sayings. But day, not in its fullness, but it is growing. when there is a concentration of such It is here to test the children of men, to faith and power by the uniting together see what they will do with it. Brother of people in communities, as we see here Heber used to say this was the thresh- in the valleys of the mountains, a more ing floor. We go out to the nations of formidable barrier is presented to the the earth and preach the Gospel, a good progress and advance of evil, and such many receive it and gather to Zion. But unity and concentration will bring down their trials begin when they get here, for to the earth an increase of power from this is the threshing floor. Here a peo- the Lord in favor of virtue and truth. ple will be prepared for the coming of 132 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Jesus, that when he does come he may will endure forever, that he preferred find a place whereon to lay his head, death to forsaking the principles of and some, at least, who sustain heav- the holy Gospel and the institutions of enly principles. If we are not the peo- heaven. They killed him for that, and ple, some others will be gathered for nothing else. His death is a testimony that purpose. We bear testimony that against this wicked and adulterous gen- we are that people. True, we are in a eration, that they will have to meet. We very imperfect state, but we hope we are as a community, are his witnesses, and a progressing, that we are a little better monument that all people may look upon than we have been. Many Latter-day and, if they have a mind to, they can Saints can look back on their past lives comprehend that God has commenced and conscientiously bear testimony be- his latter-day work. fore heaven that they are better men and These are the last days, and God will women today than they were one, two, or surely bring his purposes to pass. His ten years ago. This is a guarantee that work is established, and all are invited the work is onward and upward. It must to help to build it up. We have received have its commencement in the souls and the principles of eternal life and we of- hearts of men and women, or its fruits fer them to all. We are none of your will not appear. But this work is bring- hirelings. Freely we have received, freely ing forth its fruits, they can be seen by we give, and ask nothing for it. We all. None are so blind but what they bear the glad tidings of salvation across can see them if they will divest them- the plains, rivers and oceans, and pro- selves of prejudice. The work now com- claim them on all suitable occasions at menced here will extend, and just as fast home and in distant climes. No day or as the people prepare themselves to re- hour passes without this testimony be- ceive it, they may participate therein, ing borne by the servants of the Lord, for it will increase and spread until in and this has been so now for more than its greatness, power and glory, it ab- forty years, and during that time the sorbs all kindreds, nations and tongues, work of the Lord has been continually and all will bow to King Immanuel's increasing and gaining strength, tak- sway, and he will rule King of nations as ing root downward and bearing fruit up- he does King of Saints. Prophets have ward. It is greater today than it was foretold this, and we believe it, and we yesterday, and will be greater tomorrow bear testimony that we are that people, than today, and it will continue so, no and that the Lord did reveal himself to matter what may be brought to bear Joseph Smith, and called him to com- against it. We may be driven again as mence this work. In calling him the we have been in the past, but that would Lord made no mistake. He knew that only increase our significance, our power, Joseph would rather swap his life away, numbers and influence. It is vain to than quail under persecution or deny the undertake to stop this work. Latter- faith. Joseph did this, he proved that day Saints may apostatize, their lead- sooner than swerve from his integrity ing men may go overboard, but it will to God he would die. Who can gain- make no difference—the Lord is at the say this? No man, in time or eternity. helm, and his work is upward and on- Joseph's martyrdom is a monument that ward continually. Some may stop by the PURPOSE OF GOD, ETC. 133 way side, but the cars will roll over and stand here tell the truth about this work crush them. It is our interest to keep or not. They need be dependent upon aboard the ship Zion, and to continue none but themselves and the Lord for our efforts to bring ourselves into sub- this knowledge, for the Lord is willing to jection to the law of the Lord, that we give liberally to all, and he upbraids not. may be the honored instruments in his All the world may learn to know the Lord hands of aiding to build up his kingdom our Father, who is in heaven, and Jesus on the earth. We can only do this by be- Christ, whom he has sent, if they will but ing faithful to the counsels of the ser- take the course the Lord has marked out. vants of the Lord who are inspired to teach and lead us. He has placed them Latter-day Saints, as I said before, we in his Church and kingdom to guide and cannot afford to do wickedly. That young direct us. We have not chosen these man, or that old man, who goes into the men—He has chosen them. They may be canyon, cannot afford to take the name our selection too, it is very true, but the of the Lord in vain, neither in the streets Lord has chosen them, and he is respon- nor saloons of the city, and for that mat- sible. But we need not pin our faith to ter Latter-day Saints cannot afford to go any man's sleeve. No, we can go to the to saloons at all, because the associations Bible, to the revelations of Jesus given are evil. We would to God we could en- in our day; and listen to the whisperings tirely abolish every such place for there of the Spirit in our own hearts for the vice is seen in its most alluring col- testimony of this being the work of God. ors. Drinking saloons and gaming tables The Lord will reveal to any faithful in- should be banished from the face of the dividual all that is necessary to convince earth, because they engender vice. They him that this work is true. None need lead the young, middle-aged and old into depend for that testimony upon others; the practice of those things that are evil. all can have it for themselves, and that The Latter-day Saints cannot afford to will be like a well of water within them, patronize them. They had better keep springing up to everlasting life, reveal- away from them. They had better not ing to them the things of God, and all take the name of the Lord in vain, they that is needful to make them wise unto cannot afford to offend the Lord. They salvation. They need not depend upon had better keep his commandments and my testimony, or upon that of President not do anything that is offensive in his Young or President Smith, nor upon any- sight. The Lord will not make a man body but God. He will direct the course an offender for a word, by any man- of all who try to serve him with full ner of means. He looks with compas- purpose of heart. He will show them sion on all his children, and overlooks a whether we are placed here properly, or great many of their weaknesses and fol- whether any mistake was made concern- lies if he finds that they have a desire ing the calling of Joseph Smith. The to serve him. But still, the Latter-day testimony of the Lord will tell whether Saint who has had the whisperings of the we teach things of ourselves or of the Spirit, and yet becomes so negligent as Lord; that testimony will tell its posses- to indulge in these things, proves to the sors whether the servants of God who Lord that he has not learned his lesson 134 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. well—that he has not learned to honor All have this privilege in the valleys of the Lord as he should do, and in conse- the mountains. We are here that we may quence thereof he is not so much the re- be saved from the sins of the world, and cipient of his grace as he might be, and the children of Zion may come up with- if he persists in evil the time will come out sin unto salvation. Oh, that they when the issues will be barred so that would consider and feel a greater respon- the Spirit will not flow to him, and he sibility, and never lose the purity of their will be darkened in the counsel of his childhood! If they could do this what mind, and there will be ten chances to an influence they could exercise before one that he makes shipwreck of his most the heavens! What power might they holy faith. not bring down for the salvation of Israel No man can afford to set an exam- in the day of trial, tribulation and diffi- ple of this kind before his children, and culty! The faith of an army of young men no young man can afford to lose the of this kind would be enough to with- good influence that he otherwise might stand every foe, and I expect the time retain from his youth to manhood and will come when it will do so. old age, it is too expensive. Blessed is May God help us to continue faithful, the boy or girl who has the privilege, and to be more diligent and heedful to as all have in Zion, of growing up with- the teachings that we receive. We are out sin unto salvation. They can do taught in his ways that we may walk in it if they have a mind to, if they will his paths. Then why not be diligent and be governed by the principles of the ev- faithful in walking therein? They are the erlasting Gospel, and will make them paths of peace and joy, and lead to eter- their textbook and guide by day and by nal life hereafter. That we may all at- night, and always be afraid of sin and tain to that, I pray in the name of Jesus. fear to walk in the paths of degradation. Amen. NECESSITY OF MIRACLES, ETC. 135

NECESSITY OF MIRACLES—BELIEF OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY MORNING,JULY, 13, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

We have heard, this forenoon, some of the people now and then are com- excellent instructions in regard to the pared, no reason can be assigned why plan of life and salvation—instructions this gift should be withheld from the peo- which agree in every respect with that ple now. The world say that in those plan as it was revealed in times of old. It days it was necessary for God to mani- has truly been remarked by the speaker fest his power in healing the sick and in who has addressed you, that the same various other ways, in order to convince causes will produce the same effects, the inhabitants of the earth concerning that is, when they operate under like the plan of salvation that was offered to circumstances. I can see no difference, them. Why not convince the inhabitants in my own mind, between the circum- of the earth in our day? Is there not as stances which surround us and the cir- much necessity now as there was then? cumstances which surrounded the peo- Is not a soul just as precious in the sight ple in the days of our Savior and his of God now as then? If it was needful Apostles. We are fallen creatures, so for unbelief to be done away by mira- were they; we are very imperfect be- cles then, why not now? Or were mira- ings and have need to be saved; the cles given to do away unbelief? This is same was true with regard to them. We a question worthy of investigation. We have sick among us in this day, and so find that miracles were wrought in an- had they. God then ordained the lay- cient times according to the faith and be- ing on of hands for the benefit of the lief of the children of men. We might sup- sick. Why not ordain the same principle pose, to hear some of the learned divines for the same reason in our day? Would of our day converse, that the greater the it not benefit the sick to be healed by unbelief the greater must be the mira- the laying on of hands now just as much cles in order to do it away. But let us see as in those days? What is the differ- how the Lord did operate and perform ence? Are there not as many sick now miracles in ancient times. as there were then? Would it not be We read that he went to his own as great a blessing to the inhabitants native country, where he was born, of the earth to be healed now through among his neighbors and acquain- this simple ordinance as it was then? tances on a certain occasion, and When the circumstances and conditions that he could not do many mighty 136 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. miracles there because of their unbelief. great extent with the spirit of unbelief, What a great pity it was that Jesus had thought that Naaman had come to seek not some of the learned divines of the some occasion for war. "Am I God," said present day to instruct him! They would the king, "that I should perform this no doubt have told Jesus that because of work?" The Lord revealed to his servant the greatness of the unbelief in his own the Prophet, that this man had come, neighborhood and among his acquain- and the purpose of his visit, and Naa- tances he must perform some greater man and his servant found out Elisha miracles among them than he did any- and went to his dwelling place. But El- where else. That would have been con- isha, instead of being very polite, and sistent with the present ideas of theolo- welcoming Naaman into his house, sent gians. But in those days Jesus oper- a message to him, telling him to go and ated among the people according to their dip himself seven times in Jordan and he faith, and the greater the unbelief, the should be healed. This did not seem to be less the miracles. in accordance with the mind of Naaman. We find the same principle existing He perhaps thought that, as he had come long before Jesus came to the earth. Je- a long journey in great grandeur and sus himself testifies that in the days of with great gifts, the Prophet would be Elisha the Prophet, there were a great exceedingly respectful to him, and he many lepers in Israel. You know that is was very wrathy in his mind, and said— a very loathsome disease, and that peo- "Are not the waters of Syria just as good ple would naturally be very glad to be as the waters of your Jordon?" and he healed. But none of them were healed in turned away in a great rage. Finally, Elisha's day, says Jesus, except a man, one of his servants said unto him—"If not of Israel, but a foreigner—Naaman the prophet had required thee to do some the Syrian. What was the reason? Their great thing, wouldst thou not have done unbelief. How came this Naaman the it? how much rather then, when he said Syrian to have faith? He believed in to thee, Wash, and be clean?" "Yes," said the testimony of a Jewish maiden, who Naaman, "I expected he would come out had been taken captive by the Syrian to me, place his hand upon my head army and carried into a far country, and and rebuke the leprosy, and I should be while conversing with the people there healed; but he has told me to go and she told them about a great Prophet in dip myself seven times in Jordan, and he Israel, Elisha by name. "Would to God," sent this message by a servant instead said she, "that my master could see this of coming to see me himself." But he was prophet and be healed!" She seemed to finally prevailed upon by his servant to have faith, and when the report of her go and do as the Prophet said, and he conversation came to her master's ears went and dipped himself seven times in he took great riches and started out for Jordan and immediately his flesh came the express purpose of going to visit this anew upon him like the flesh of a little Prophet in Israel. When he reached child. All the rest of the lepers, through- the region of Palestine in which the out Israel, remained unhealed, but this Prophet lived he presented himself first foreigner was cleansed and made whole. before the king; but he being filled to a NECESSITY OF MIRACLES, ETC. 137

Now, why this partiality? Why not half a sentence or idea and then leave do some wonderful miracles in healing it? Why not give the whole, and find all the lepers in Israel? It was be- out the time when these miracles, such cause of their unbelief. But says the di- as prophecy, healing the sick; speaking vine of today—"The greater the unbelief with tongues, etc., were to cease? If the the more necessity for the miracle, and divines of this day would read a little fur- consequently, in order to do away with ther, they would know the time and the this unbelief, the Prophet ought to have circumstances that were to transpire, healed all the lepers in Israel." The Lord, when these things should be done away. however, has his own way, and when he Says Paul, in the following verses—"For finds a very unbelieving generation, he we know in part, and we prophesy in does not satisfy their carnal curiosity, part. But when that which is perfect is nor manifest his power to any great ex- come, then that which is in part shall be tent in the midst of the wicked; but he done away." "For now we see through a always shows forth his power to those glass, darkly; but then face to face: now who are humble and meek, and lowly in I know in part; but then shall I know heart. He has done that in all dispensa- even as also I am known." Here, then, it tions, not only in the days of Jesus and is clearly foretold that when there will the Apostles, but in every dispensation, be no more need of prophecy, healing, and the power manifested has been in speaking in tongues, etc., the day of per- accordance with the faith of the people. fection will have arrived; in other words, In regard to the gift of prophecy, a when the Church of God shall have over- great many suppose that it was neces- come and be perfected, when the Church sary in former times, in the dark ages; of God shall need no more Prophets, but when the Gospel was fully estab- when it shall have no more sick, (for if lished on the earth, and great power all its members become immortal, there and signs were made manifest, there will be no sick to be healed, hence heal- was no more need of prophecy, rev- ing will be done away, when the Church elations, etc., and they quote a pas- of God all speak one language—the pure sage from Paul's writings, or rather a language, the language spoken by an- part of a passage, instead of the whole, gels, restored to the earth by the Lord), in order to prove their position. In there will be no need of speaking with the 13th chapter of the first epistle to tongues. But until that day of perfection the Corinthians, Paul says—"Whether comes, all these gifts will be necessary. there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it This agrees with what Paul has said shall vanish away." Prophesying and in his first chapter to the Ephesians. He tongues, were to cease: "Now," says the there informs us that these miraculous learned divine, of the present day, "here powers and gifts, which Jesus gave when is a plain and pointed testimony that he ascended up on high and led cap- these gifts were only intended for the tivity captive, were given for a special early ages of the world, and were to purpose. He gave some Apostles, some be done away and cease." But why not Prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, quote the following verses? Why quote gifts, healing; all were given for a special 138 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. purpose. What was that purpose? The phets are not needed now. Just as much perfecting of the Saints. evidence can be adduced in favor of one I would ask the learned divines of the position as the other; and the fact is, present day, have the Saints need, in this there is no evidence for either. They age, of anything to perfect them? Or are were all given for the perfecting of the they already sufficiently perfected to en- Saints and the work of the ministry, and ter into the presence of the Father? If they were to continue until the day of they need perfecting, and none can deny perfection arrived; and the moment you that they do, then Apostles are needed say they are not necessary, you virtually now, Prophets are needed now, evange- say the work of the ministry is not nec- lists, pastors, and teachers are needed essary; and why, then, do you adminis- now. "Well," says one, "we will allow ter? They were given not only for the that evangelists, pastors and teachers perfecting of the Saints and the work are needed now; we have not done them of the ministry, but for the edifying of away, we have abundance of teachers the body of Christ, which is the Church. and pastors, but we do not believe in Take away Apostles, inspired of God, Apostles and Prophets now." Why not? take away Prophets who foretell future Did not the same Apostle tell us in the events, and you take away the means same verse, that Apostles and Prophets, which God has ordained for the edifica- as well as evangelists, pastors and teach- tion of his body—his Church, and that ers, were given, when Jesus ascended on body or Church cannot be perfected. high, for the perfecting of the Saints? Another object, Paul informs us, for Why, then, do you separate them, and which these gifts were given, was that say, that the two first-named are not now the Saints might come to the unity of necessary, and that the other three are the faith, unto a perfect man, unto the so? Why do you do this? In order to measure of the stature of the fullness of be consistent with the unreasonableness Christ. Take away these gifts, and what of this generation, and to comply with is your condition? You are in the same their traditions. You have not got Apos- condition which Paul speaks of in the tles, you have not got Prophets, and you very next verse—"carried about by every must have some excuse in order to do wind of doctrine, by the sleight of man, them away, and your excuse is, that they by cunning craftiness, whereby they lie are not needed now. Prove it, you can- in wait to deceive." The gifts were given not, it is beyond your power. You have to prevent the people from being carried no evidence, no testimony whatever by about by every wind of doctrine. Take which you can prove it. With all the tes- away these gifts—the gift of revelation, timony in favor of your position which prophecy and miracles, which were en- you can bring forward, I can prove that joyed by the Saints in ancient days, and pastors, evangelists, teachers, Bishops, the people are liable to be tossed to and deacons, Elders and every other officer fro by every wind of doctrine that may of the Church of Christ, which you be- be sounded in their ears. Why? Because lieve in are not needed now, as easily they are entirely governed by the opin- as you can prove that Apostles and Pro- ions of men. One man has his opinion, NECESSITY OF MIRACLES, ETC. 139 and he tries to substantiate it by his voices and spare not, to bear testimony learning; another man has an opposite against all their wickedness and their opinion and he tries to substantiate it, false doctrines, which we have endeav- and as neither of them is inspired by the ored to do, without asking any favor of power of the Holy Ghost, neither having the children of men. God has not sent the gift of prophecy or revelation, each, us to bow and cringe to the traditions so far as he can, gains influence and and false ideas of the children of men, he power over his neighbors, and gathers to- sent us to bear down, in plain testimony, gether a body of people and pronounces against their wickedness and the corrup- them the Church of Christ. But God tions which they are all the time practic- has nothing to do with them. He never ing, and have been for generations, be- called them the Church of Christ, he fore high heaven and the whole world. never spoke to them, never sent an angel We then say, to all the world, that to them, never gave them a vision, never if they will repent of their sins, humble sent a Prophet or an Apostle to them—he themselves, become as little children in has nothing to do with them—they are the sight of God; if they will turn away not his Church, never were nor ever can from their false doctrines, and believe be, only by repentance and turning to in Jesus, who was crucified in ancient the Lord, and receiving the Holy Ghost, days, with all their hearts, and receive which is the spirit of prophecy. He that his Gospel, they shall not only receive has the testimony of Jesus, has the spirit the remission of their sins, but the gift of prophecy. Paul has declared to us that of the Holy Ghost, and the signs, an- no man can say that Jesus is the Lord ciently promised to the believers, shall but by the Holy Ghost. A man may have follow them. Every creature in all the the tradition that Jesus is the Lord, but world who will obey the Gospel, will en- he does not know the fact except by the joy more or less of the gifts which God power of the Holy Ghost, and the testi- has promised. If all do not enjoy them, mony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy— they may know that they are unbeliev- it makes a Prophet of him who has it. ers, for Jesus has said that these signs shall follow them that believe, and he This is what the Latter-day Saints did not mean the Apostles alone. Let believe. We have no new gospel to of- us quote the language, that you may see fer to the world. We have come forth, that he meant every believer in all the sent by the Almighty, to testify against world. He said to the eleven Apostles— the new gospels that have been intro- "Go ye into all the world and preach the duced, which have only the form of god- gospel to every creature"—every crea- liness, and deny the power that was ture, recollect—"He that believeth,"— manifested in the ancient Church. We that is, every creature, in all the world, have come to testify against false doc- that believeth, "and is baptized shall be trines; we are sent for this express pur- saved; and he that believeth not shall be pose, and also to testify boldly against damned." the wickedness and abominations of Here was the division line. Mark the professed Christian world, as well the next promise—"These signs shall as of those who make no profession. follow them that believe." They God has commanded us to lift up our were not to follow a few individuals 140 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. in Jerusalem, not the Apostles to whom these signs do not follow, they are not he was then speaking alone, but them believers, neither are the Latter-day that believe in all the world. "I give unto Saints. None of us are believers unless them a promise that they shall be saved; these signs follow us; for Jesus promised and I not only promise them salvation, them to every creature in all the world but certain signs shall follow them—in who believes; hence the promise includes my name they"—these believers—"shall people now alive, as well as those who cast out devils, they shall speak with lived in former ages. And woe be to new tongues, they shall take up ser- all the inhabitants of the earth, be- pents, and if they drink any deadly thing cause of their unbelief; because they it shall not hurt them, they shall lay have done away the power of godliness; hands on the sick and they shall recover." because they have done away the power Here is the way by which every of the ancient Gospel, and have turned person may find out whether he is aside after the doctrines of men; and yet a believer in Christ or not. The hypocritically—perhaps some of them whole Christian world can test them- sincerely—call themselves the Church of selves, and find out whether they are Christ, and believers. Shame on the believers in Christ or not. If these world! Amen. signs follow, they are believers; if

THE AUTHORITY TO PREACH—IT IS GOD WHO HAS GUIDED THE WORK—GLORIOUS PROSPECTS BEFORE THE FAITHFUL—CELESTIAL MARRIAGE—MISSION TO ARIZONA—INCREASING NEGLIGENCE OF THE SAINTS IN ATTENDING MEETINGS—CONSEQUENCES OF UNVIRTUOUS ACTIONS.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,AUGUST 10, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

A great many duties devolve upon been imparted concerning the vari- us, of which we have to be con- ous duties devolving upon them, as stantly reminded. There are no peo- to the Latter-day Saints. The best ple within the range of my acquain- talent of the community is at their tance, to whom so much instruction has service. All the wisdom which God THE AUTHORITY TO PREACH, ETC. 141 has given has been freely bestowed upon anybody outside the Church of Jesus the people without money and with- Christ of Latter-day Saints understand out price; and, as has been remarked the saying of Malachi, where he predicts upon this Stand repeatedly, there is an that, "The Lord, whom ye seek, shall independence about the Elders of this suddenly come to his temple?" Do they Church in preaching the Gospel unto the understand why Temples are built now, Saints and unto the world, that is not to or for what purpose they were built in be witnessed among the ministers of any ancient days? Can they tell how the au- other denomination. The reason of this thority, which was conferred upon Pe- is, that the ministers of the Latter-day ter, was exercised by him, or in what Saints do not live upon the people, and way it could be exercised by any man are not dependent upon their favor for who might possess it? All these things salaries to sustain them, and there is a are mysteries to the so-called Christian consequent freedom in discussing mea- world, but God, in his mercy and con- sures of a monetary character, for the descension, has revealed them again, general good, when, under other circum- and as we frequently say to the Latter- stances, a delicacy might be felt. day Saints, and not to them alone, for this is no monopoly of knowledge, God We read in the Scriptures that Jesus has not created a monopoly in organiz- Christ, in speaking with his disciples, ing this Church, he is willing to extend asked them whom he, the Son of Man, this knowledge unto all the inhabitants was. Peter answered him that he was of the earth, without money and with- the Christ, the Son of the living God. Je- out price. It is this which causes the sus then said to Peter, "Blessed art thou, Latter-day Saints to be so firmly united, Simon Bar-jona: flesh and blood hath and which makes them willing, if neces- not revealed this unto thee, but my Fa- sary, to suffer persecution when it over- ther who is in heaven. And I say also takes them. It was this knowledge which unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon bound the ancient Saints together, and this rock I will build my church; and which caused them to endure martyrdom the gates of hell shall not prevail against gladly and joyfully in view of the bless- it. And I will give unto thee the keys ings which they knew were in store for of the kingdom of heaven: and whatso- the faithful. ever thou shalt bind on earth shall be While brother George A. Smith was bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou speaking, I could not help but think shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in of the wonderful work that is being heaven." Here was great power and au- wrought in this generation among the thority given unto a man. It might be children of men, in consequence of the said that this was one-man power, Pe- power that has been wielded through ter having the authority to bind on earth the erection and completion of Tem- and it should be bound in heaven, to ples and the administration of ordi- loose on earth and it should be loosed in nances therein. Men wonder how it heaven; but yet, these are the words of is that the Latter-day Saints are so the Son of God unto one of his Apostles. united. They say this is a most won- Now, what did this authority con- derful phenomenon. They attribute it sist of? Can anybody tell outside all to President Young. They say that the Church of Jesus Christ? Can he has a wonderful intellect, that he 142 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. is a good organizer, that he possesses versary may have power to effect bloody great executive ability and administra- results of this character, but they will tive power, and that through the gifts be short-lived. The days of the triumph and endowments which he possesses, the of the wicked are numbered. They can- works which we see and the union that is not prevail over this work for any length everywhere manifest among the Latter- of time. It will grow and increase and day Saints are produced. But we who are spread abroad until it fills the whole connected with the Church, while we do earth, and we and our children after us not wish to detract in the least from the will enjoy the earth and all the blessings merit which is due to him as a servant thereof, according to the predictions of of God and a faithful laborer in his cause the holy Prophets. through all the years of his life since he first became acquainted with the truth; The prospect, then, before us, con- while we do not wish to lessen the merit cerning this life is a different one from of these labors, or to detract in the least that which presented itself before others degree from them, we understand princi- who have preceded us. And the prospects ple better than to give the glory to man. for eternity are as bright and glorious as It is God who originated and who has any that were ever presented to any of preserved this work, and who has built the children of men. We are sent here, it up, and developed in the hearts of the for what purpose? To eat and drink, to children of men this long dormant and clothe ourselves and to build houses, and long lost principle which binds them one to live and die like the beasts? Is that the to another as we are bound together; and object for which God has sent us here? there is no people on the face of the earth By no means. This is a low view to take before whom there is so bright and glori- of existence. God has revealed to us, to ous a prospect for this life and also for a certain extent, the object of our ex- the life which is to come, as the Latter- istence. We are his children—the chil- day Saints, through the blessings of the dren of Deity, with deity and godlike as- Gospel which God has revealed. pirations within us. We have these as- We live in a different day to the pirations in common with all his chil- ancients. They had before them the dren, and it is right and proper that we prospect of martyrdom and the over- should have them. Every man has a de- throw of the work with which they were sire to rule, govern and control; some connected. But in these days God has men, to gratify their ambition in this re- given unto us different promises. These spect, have trod bloody paths and have are the last days, and he has said that trampled down their fellow men in their his kingdom shall triumph in the last march to power, and when attained it days; it shall not be overthrown or go has been of short continuance. But God into the hands of another people. Our has revealed to us a principle by which Prophets have been slain, the blood of we can attain to dominion and power Saints has been shed, but these scenes without having to do as they have done. shall not long continue. There may be He has revealed to us the Gospel, which other blood shed; there may be other sac- tells us that if we are faithful here over rifices offered, and other requirements a few things he will make us ruler over of this kind made, or rather the Ad- many. THE AUTHORITY TO PREACH, ETC. 143

Many men wonder how it is that we President, in his remarks this morning, can believe in celestial marriage. We be- alluded to Arizona, and to the labors of lieve in it because it lies at the founda- our pioneering brethren in that Terri- tion of all future greatness. If a man tory. I was very much pleased to hear rule in heaven he will rule over his own what he said in relation to that. I am posterity. The Apostle John, said that thankful to see that, in his remarks, they sang a new song in heaven—"And there was no disposition to let up, or hast made us unto our God kings and to say, "I am in years now, and I will priests: and we shall reign on the earth." lay back and take my ease and leave Reign on the earth! This was the song. the burden of this work to younger men, Over whom were they to reign? Over who ought to step forward and shoul- whom more properly than their families? der it." He has the spirit of the pioneer The authority to seal wives to husbands in him as much today, probably, as he for time and all eternity is the author- ever had. I am thankful that God fills ity that is restored by the everlasting him with this zeal and strength. I be- Priesthood, and this is the authority that lieve it was a true remark, that if he had was given to Peter, by which children can been in Arizona, there would have been be sealed and joined to their parents for good places found for settlement. I have time and for all eternity until they re- no doubt there will be yet. But there alize the blessing that was pronounced is one thing that we must understand, upon Abraham, when the Lord said unto that with our present surroundings, and him that, as the stars of heaven were at least while in the circumstances in countless for multitude, or the sands on which we are at present placed, good the seashore could not be numbered, so countries are not for us. The worst places his seed should be and he should rule in the land we can probably get, and we over them. This was the blessing which must develop them. If we were to find was pronounced upon him, and it is the a good country, how long would it be be- blessing that has been pronounced upon fore the wicked would want it, and seek every faithful man who has lived in a day to strip us of our possessions? If there when the Priesthood was upon the earth. be deserts in Arizona, thank God for the Why wonder, then, at Latter-day Saints deserts. If there be a wilderness, there, having this view, this anticipation? Why thank God for the wilderness, as we should they hesitate one moment to con- thanked him for these mighty ramparts tribute all their means to build Temples, and those extensive plains which we had and to accomplish the work of God? We to cross when we came here. We thanked should be thankful all the day long for him for them, because a mob could the blessings which God has bestowed not come, as they did from Carthage, upon us, and should be willing to use and take away our Prophet and the all our means for the accomplishment Saints and hail them to prison and de- of his work upon the earth, no matter stroy them as they did then. When we what enterprises we may be called upon came here I thanked God for the iso- to support, whether it be to build Tem- lation of these mountains; I thanked ples, send for the poor, or any thing else. him for the grandeur of the hills and Arizona has been mentioned. The bulwarks which he had reared around 144 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. us. I thanked him for the deserts and plishing missions by apparent difficul- waste places of this land: and we have ties, how long would it be before the in- all, doubtless, thanked Him many times fluence and prestige which ought to at- therefore, and when we go hence to ex- tend the efforts of the Elders would be tend our borders, we must not expect to lost? We have had a reputation, hereto- find a land of orange or lemon groves, a fore, of accomplishing everything of this land where walnut trees and hard tim- kind that we undertook. But let us be ber abound; where bees are wild and fainthearted and we lose our influence turkeys can be had for the shooting. It and power both with God and man. All is vain for us to expect to settle in such a our labors have to be works of faith. land at the present time. But if we find When we are told to do a thing, we a little oasis in the desert where a few should go to work believing, as Nephi can settle, thank God for the oasis, and says, that God never gives a command- thank him for the almost interminable ment unto the children of men save he road that lies between that oasis and so- prepares a way whereby they shall ful- called civilization. fill that commandment. He never yet We expect there will be settlements sent a man to do a work without giving made through all that country. The time him power to accomplish it. We can do must come when the Latter-day Saints, these things if we will. We can build and when I say Latter-day Saints, I in- up the kingdom of God on the earth, clude all the honest who will yet embrace and we can train our children in the the Gospel, when the Latter-day Saints love of this work, and we can surround will extend throughout all North and them by a wall that no power can sur- South America, and we shall establish mount or break down. I am thankful the rule of righteousness and good order that we are thus situated, although to throughout all these new countries. some the prospects appear gloomy. Many The President is desirous that a hun- of our enemies say that "Mormonism" dred men, supplied with provisions suf- is in its last ditch, and it will soon be ficient to last the winter, should go down overthrown. I am willing that every one to the southern country, and bestow should have that opinion who wishes to their labors on building the Temple at entertain it. If they wish to delude them- St. George. If there could not be good selves with such ideas, all right. But I places found in Arizona for settlements, say to the Latter-day Saints, we have not there was a good opportunity to stay yet reached the last ditch; neither shall and help to build that Temple; and it we if we will do what we ought to do, is to be regretted that the brethren, al- and obey the counsel that has been given though so eager to come back, did not unto us during these two day's meetings, stay until word could have been sent and that is given to us every Sunday and that they might stop and help the peo- at all our meetings. There is no power on ple of the South. If they had done this the face of the earth that can withstand they might have done a good work, they our efforts, or that can prevail against would have been on hand for anything us. We have truth, unity, temperance further that might have been required and virtue; we have the power of God; of them. Suppose we all were to al- we have the promises of the Almighty in low ourselves to be deterred from accom- THE AUTHORITY TO PREACH, ETC. 145 our behalf, and there is no power that tles suspend their labors and come here can prevail against a people who will to teach you, for you to stay away, think- practice the principles which are taught ing your employments are of such im- unto us. portance that you cannot spend time at But I will tell you what causes me, as meeting. Men and women who entertain an individual, to fear—when I see fifty, this feeling and take this course ought to a hundred or two hundred persons come be ashamed of themselves! It is treating to meeting; when I see men who ought the men who preside over you with disre- to be at meeting attending to their du- spect, for which, if you could realize, you ties, going off into the country on ex- would be ready to apologize. cursions; when I hear of their doing something that will detain them from meeting, and see the meetings neglected, You cannot be too careful in relation and the idea growing up—"Well, it is to our duties. This is a day when ev- a day of rest, I am tired and weary"— ery one should be diligent in the per- as though they could not obtain rest in formance of duties, and should attend coming to the house of the Lord and to them strictly. You should invoke the serving him on the Lord's day. These blessing of God upon your habitation, acts, this negligence, causes fear some- and upon your children, that they may times to come into my heart, and I expect grow up in the fear and admonition of it has the same effect on our brethren. the Lord. Every boy in this commu- I deplored, in my feelings, the suspen- nity should feel that he would rather lay sion of our forenoon meetings. I think down his life than sacrifice his virtue or it is a bad sign. We had a School indulge in unvirtuous actions. We have of the Prophets here, to which most of to guard against the bad examples seen the Elders were invited, and which they around us. Mothers, teach your girls the attended. That had to be suspended. value of virtue and chastity. Inquire into These meetings on the Sunday morn- their movements, and guard them as you ing had to be suspended. What more would the most precious jewels which will have to be suspended or withdrawn? God could give unto you. Fathers, talk I have thought, unless the people of with your sons, and fortify them against this city arouse themselves, change their temptation. Let them flee lust, for I tell course and are more diligent, that it you that, as true as we live, the words of might not be long until the presiding God will be fulfilled, that he that looks Priesthood would be prompted to move upon a woman to lust after her shall from this city; not that the authority of deny the faith unless he repents. We the Priesthood will be withdrawn. These know that this is so. I know it, by see- things are painful in the chief city of ing young men grow up from boyhood in Zion, and they are not such indications this Church until the present time. I as I like to witness. Yesterday there think about numbers I was acquainted was a meeting appointed; but instead with in my boyhood. Where are they? of attending it, the brethren were en- They have lost the faith. Elders have gaged in haying and every kind of la- lost the faith who have taken a course of bor. They can do this, of course, if they this kind. It is a damning sin, and wher- wish; but it does not look very well when ever indulged in it banishes the Spirit a meeting is appointed, and the Apos- of God. No man can retain the faith 146 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. without the Holy Ghost, and no man can is not with such a man, and God will retain the Holy Ghost who takes a course damn this generation for the course they of this kind. Be warned of these things, take in relation to women. That is their if you wish to hold on in the faith and to crying, damning sin. sit down with the fathers in the kingdom of God. Let us guard against it. Let us watch Then abstain from lust, and every- our children. Let us prevent the ingress thing which would lead thereto. No mat- of crime. Let us guard our own hearts, ter how wild and rowdy our boys may be, and endeavor to secure the portals of the and many of them are so, I do not care hearts of our children that evil sugges- for such rowdiness and wildness, if it is tions, from whatever source, may never not associated with unvirtuous actions. take root therein. A man may be as nice, to all appearance, as a human being can be, so far as ex- That God may bless and preserve us, ternals are concerned, and yet, if he lack and deliver Zion from all her enemies, is virtue, he is like a whited sepulchre. God my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, IN BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE IN MODERN TIMES, ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF FORMER AGES—CONSECRATION—ORDER OF ENOCH—TITHING—STEWARDSHIPS—REDEMPTION OF ZION.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,OGDEN, SATURDAY MORNING,AUGUST 16, 1873.

REPORTEDBY JAMES TAYLOR.

I have been called upon, but a But, if we have the Spirit of the Lord, few minutes ago, to address the con- however imperfect our abilities may be, gregation who are here assembled, we are sure to edify and enlighten the which I desire to do through your people, and the person also who speaks united faith and prayers in my be- will be edified; for it is written in the half. Without the assistance of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, "He Spirit of the Lord it is impossible for that speaketh as well as those who hear, any person, in a religious capacity, to will be mutually edified together," if the edify and instruct his fellow beings. THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 147

Spirit of the Lord is poured out from on degree that they will not go before their high upon us. It is said in another rev- Father, will not pretend to ask him for a elation that "the Spirit of the Lord is favor, thinking that their transgressions given by the prayer of faith." Faith is re- are too great, and that the Lord will not quired on the part of the people to ob- favor them. In this condition it is doubt- tain all blessings of a spiritual nature. ful indeed if the Lord takes into consider- And in order to have faith it is impor- ation their peculiar wants, and the espe- tant that we should do the will of God, cial blessings which they would be glad otherwise our faith will be very weak in- to receive. deed. He that doeth his master's will, How many are the commandments and has within him the desire to work and instructions which God has given righteousness, can approach the Lord in to this people? We have been blest in faith; but if we do not keep his command- this generation with an abundance of the ments, and have not this desire, and do manifestations of the spiritual blessings not do his will, our faith becomes exceed- of the kingdom. Perhaps there never ingly small indeed. was a people since the world began that It is, in my estimation, very similar to have had as much information, in so what we see transpire here on the earth, short a period of time, from their or- between parents and children. When ganization, as what the Church of the children become rebellious, and do not Latter-day Saints have had. When we perform the will of their parents, it is take into consideration this one book, with a very small degree of confidence the Book of Mormon, which God has, in that they come before their parents and mercy, brought forth, and the informa- seek for any kind of favor or blessing. tion that is contained therein, and com- They come trembling, doubting. They bine this information with the Jewish know that their conduct has been such record of the Old and New Testament, as to prevent them from receiving favors and then in connection with these two which they especially desire. Sometimes, books, the revelations that are contained perhaps, the father will grant the peti- in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants; tion of a rebellious son, when he has suf- all the information that is, and that has ficient confidence to offer up a petition to been given from time to time in that his parent. But if that rebellious son has book. Then, in addition to these three so far strayed from the parent that he books, all the revelations that God has has no confidence to approach him, and delivered to us by the mouths of his ser- does not offer up any petition to the par- vants from time to time, some of which ent, it is very doubtful about the parent's have been published, others have not taking into consideration his wants, in been published, but are still considered some respects, and bestowing the favors by this people as sacred as the things which he really desires. So it is between that are published. I say when we take us and our heavenly Father. into consideration this flood of light and Sometimes people, through their intelligence that has burst forth upon transgressions, through their disobe- the world, in the period of about forty dience, through their rebellion to years, we may say that we have been the principles that God has revealed, blest so far as light and information are may have lost their faith to that concerned, far beyond any other people 148 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. with whom we are acquainted. It is true three generations, or for a long time af- we have not the full history of all the var- ter they were brought into bondage, was ious dispensations, and all the manifes- given to them by their task-masters— tations of the mercy and goodness and how to form bricks or adobies, or what- power of God among those different peo- ever it might be—hard labor. If they ples and nations in ages past. We could had a little leisure, instead of using it not say of a certainty how much informa- in treasuring up the knowledge of God, tion God may have imparted in those dis- they needed it to recuperate their phys- pensations. We read in some revelations ical systems, that they might rest from what God has given about the organiza- their labors, and go again and drudge on tion of ancient Zion. In the seventh gen- the morrow. eration from the creation—from the days of Adam—we read about the preaching This seems to have been the condi- of Enoch. How he went forth and proph- tion of Israel in the land of Goshen, in esied to the nations. How he built up the Egypt. Consequently, when Moses went Church among the various nations. How down to Egypt, he found an ignorant peo- they built up Zion. In the history of this ple. It is true they kept up the form of ancient Zion, we find that Enoch con- the Priesthood among them. Before the tinued his preaching in righteousness, Priesthood of Aaron was confined to that three hundred and sixty-five years, be- particular tribe, we have an account of fore Zion was prepared for a transla- this Priesthood being in existence. Af- tion. How much was revealed during ter they were led through the Red Sea, that time we do not know, no doubt much before the Lord set apart Aaron and was given; but I doubt whether there his sons, before he confined the Priest- was one hundreth part of the informa- hood to Levi, when the children of Israel tion communicated, during the first forty came and camped before Mount Sinai, years of the existence of ancient Zion, we recollect that there was a strict law which has been communicated to us, as given. The Lord told them that he was a people, in our day. about to descend on Mount Sinai, and Sometimes we find it to be the case, he charged the people that they should that God manifests his goodness and not break over certain bounds lest they mercy to a people, not in the way of rev- should perish, for if any person or beast elation, but in the way of power, with- should touch the Mount, they should be out much information. We find this stoned to death. The people, being igno- to be the case among ancient Israel. rant and not fully acquainted with the They had been slaves in Egypt for a strictness of the commandments of the long period. They had been taught, Most High, a curiosity was excited, and from their childhood up, to work mor- some of the congregation, when Moses tar and make brick, and toil and la- went up to Mount Sinai, wanted to draw bor for the Egyptians—their taskmas- near, and the Lord sent Moses down to ters. During this period of time they charge the people again a second time. had not the opportunity of learning And the Priests were commanded that much. There must be a little leisure they should not break through lest they granted that the mind may be taught, should perish. What Priesthood? Not a instructed and educated; but it seems Priesthood that was confined to Levi, or that their whole education for two or to the descendants of Aaron, or to Aaron THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 149 himself; but it was a Priesthood that ex- short a time, send forth such swift judg- isted among Israel. That same Priest- ments upon the heads of the children of hood that is mentioned in one of the Israel. They had seen the manifestations revelations in the Book of Doctrine and of his power while they were in Egypt; Covenants, where in speaking of the they passed through the Red Sea, and two Priesthoods, it says that they con- then beheld the glory of God upon Mount tinue together in the Church of God, in Sinai. If they would suffer themselves to all generations, when God has a peo- reject this power thus made manifest, it ple upon the face of the earth; not con- brought speedy destruction upon them. fined to any special lineage, so far as When Moses was on the Mount, they the Priesthood is concerned. Go down made a golden calf. We no doubt are led and charge the Priests, that they do not to wonder why it was, while the glory of break through. This organization may God rested on the Mount, and while the have existed through all the period of Lord was thus showing forth his omnipo- the slavery of the children of Israel, for tent power—we are led to wonder why several generations, although we can- it was—that they should build golden not suppose that they had been fully in- calves, and fall down and worship them. structed. They had no printed records as It was because of their ignorance. This we have. They had not a large collection glory appeared to them on the Mount of books, in the form of Jewish Bibles, to like a natural phenomenon. Some nat- which to refer for information. They had ural cause, perhaps, was assigned. They not a large collection of books similar to saw the clouds as we see clouds upon our the Book of Mormon, for printing was mountains. They might have thought not then known. If any of their scribes that there was a volcanic eruption on the found a little leisure to write off some of Mount, and concluded there was no God the revelations, it would be only a stray in it; and therefore, that they needed to copy or two that would be in the hands make gods of their own finger rings, and of the children of Israel. We can there- fall down and worship them. fore see the difference between them and The consequence was that the Lord the Latter-day Saints. They were per- sent Moses down out of the Mount again. mitted to enjoy, in a special manner, the And he threatened that he would destroy power of the Almighty in their midst. the whole nation, and make of Moses This shows that in some of the dealings a great nation. But Moses quoted the of God, he manifests his power, if he does promises that the Lord had made to their not manifest his revelations. fathers, and the Lord concluded to hear- There is a great deal of danger when ken to the words of Moses and spare the the people see a great deal of power ex- people. Moses went down, and as he isting in their midst. For the want of ex- drew near, he heard a great noise, and he perience and information, for the want saw them dancing around a golden calf, of more knowledge, there is a liability to and they were stripped naked. And thus sin against all of this power that may be they had turned their hearts away from made manifest in their midst; and this the Lord. would bring sudden destruction. This is Now instead of bearing all this, no doubt the reason why God did, in so the Lord inspired Moses to say to 150 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the people, let those who are on the cast out. Instead of coming down upon Lord's side come forth; put every man a mountain, and causing the earth to his sword by his side, and go in and shake by his power; and instead of show- out from gate to gate throughout the ing forth a pillar of fire by night, and camp, and slay every man his brother, a cloud by day, he has taken a differ- and every man his companion, and ev- ent course: "First, give the people knowl- ery man his neighbor. And there fell of edge, give them understanding, show the people that day about three thou- unto them the principles of my Gospel, sand men. On this occasion great de- the principles of my law, make them struction came on them, because of their strong in the knowledge of God, and transgression. It was among a people show forth but very little power in their that had been enlightened only by mir- midst." This seems to be wisdom, that acles, signs and wonders. We find this we may have knowledge proportionate to be the case throughout all the sojourn to the power that is made manifest, of the children of Israel in the wilder- that when he does show forth his power, ness. They would become rebellious; and we may turn not our hearts away from the Lord had to send forth judgments, him. In the beginning of this work it miraculous judgments upon them from seemed to be necessary that certain per- time to time. Their carcasses fell in the sons should be raised up to bear wit- wilderness. Sometimes a terrible plague ness to the Book of Mormon—of its divin- would break out, and the only way that ity, that the work might be commenced. Aaron could stay the plague was to get But did the Lord continue to send forth between them and the plague, and offer his angels? Oh, no. After he had up sacrifices. The flying serpents that raised up three witnesses in 1829, an- infested that great wilderness would de- gels' visits became more scarce, because stroy them, and the only way there was the people were not prepared for them. to be healed, was to look upon a brazen Even these three witnesses were not pre- serpent. And, after all, what was their pared for a day of trial; for they turned information? What was their knowledge from the Lord, and fell into transgres- concerning the things of the kingdom sion, and did not keep the command- of God? The very knowledge that they ments of God. What was the matter with had when they came forth out of Egypt, them? They had greater power made the knowledge of the Gospel, of its first manifest in their midst, than they had principles—even that knowledge seems knowledge to keep them in the faith. If to have been taken from them, and a law they had had more knowledge, it would of carnal commandments given to them not have overthrown them. We find instead. that Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, The Lord, in this dispensation, is and Martin Harris beheld the plates that beginning to operate a little differently were translated, and heard the voice from what he has done in former ages. of the Lord out of heaven, proclaiming In the first place he performs some small in their ears that the translation had miracles, such as unstopping the ears been performed by the gift and power of the deaf, and causing the lame to of God. And they put their testimony walk, the dumb to speak, some fevers to in writing, and it went forth. But this be rebuked, some plagues to be stayed, was too great a power for the little and devils and unclean spirits to be THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 151 knowledge that they had. And the con- expecting that it will come in the time sequences were that they had trials, and specified in those revelations. God has these trials overpowered them. But we said to us, in the Book of Doctrine and never have heard that these witnesses Covenants, that when the times of the have denied their testimony. Because Gentiles are fulfilled, then cometh the they were not all the time beholding the day of my power. "Thy people will be will- power of God made manifest, they fell ing," says one of the ancient Prophets, away. Now this should be a lesson to "in the day of thy power." The Elders the Latter-day Saints, that when we do of this Church have gone forth among see some small miracles wrought, we many nations. They rejoice in the power should strive to strengthen ourselves up that is made manifest, in some mea- in the spirit of our religion, with light sure. God has said that they should go and knowledge and information—to gain and preach the Gospel to all nations of all that we possibly can, that we may be the earth; and that signs should follow spiritually strengthened; a miracle is ex- them that believe. In my name they ternal to the senses, and has only an ex- shall do many wonderful works. In my citing effect upon the mind. Unless it is name they shall cast out devils, speak accompanied by the Spirit of the living in other tongues; and the eyes of the God in the heart, what are we benefited? blind shall be opened. The Elders have We are able to bear testimony to what found this to be true. As far as the peo- our eyes have seen, but where are we ple have had faith, they have seen this benefited, unless the Holy Ghost is shed power, in some measure, displayed. But forth in our hearts? this cannot be said, comparatively, to be Moreover, God has determined that the day of his power. When the day of in our day he will manifest his power the power of the Lord shall come, then again. When I say our day, I ought to will be a time when not only the sick, say in the days of this last dispensation the lame and the blind, but also the very of the fullness of times. Before it closes elements will be wrought upon by the up, it will turn out to be one of the most power of God, as the Lord has spoken, magnificent eras ever manifested to the and be subservient to the commands of world, so far as power is concerned. The his servants. Will the waters be di- Lord has taken this method for forty vided? O yes. We are told, in the prophe- years past, to prepare us for what is com- cies of Isaiah, that when the house of ing. And if we will treasure up what Israel shall return to their own coun- the Lord has given, and suffer his will to try, he will strike the river Nile, in the be written in our hearts, and printed on seven great channels, by which it enters our thoughts, and give heed to the teach- into the Mediterranean Sea. Instead of ings and counsel of the living oracles in taking them above these seven different our own midst, we will be prepared, that channels, he will make a road through when the day of power does come, we the seven channels of the river Nile; shall not be overthrown. and the people of Israel will go again Now, that there is a day of power dry-shod, as they did anciently. In the coming, every Latter-day Saint, who eleventh chapter of Isaiah, and the 15th is acquainted with the predictions of verse, we read that "the Lord shall ut- the Prophets, is certain. He is terly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian 152 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. sea," not the main body of the sea. Those except Joshua and Caleb. When the Lord who are acquainted with the north por- brings the people of the House of Is- tion of the Red Sea know there are two rael, in the latter days, instead of tak- prongs, one is called the tongue of the ing them direct to the land of Palestine, Egyptian Sea; and the children of Israel he brings them forth into the wilderness shall go through dry-shod, and through again, which you will find recorded in the the seven channels of the river Nile, as 20th chap. Ezekiel. "I will bring you did Israel in the day that they came up into the wilderness, and plead with you out of the land of Egypt. face to face." Now if the Lord did plead Here will be a miracle wrought with them face to face in the wilderness greater than that of speaking in tongues of the land of Egypt, and gave them reve- or the healing of the sick—more convinc- lations there, if his presence, at first was ing in its nature. When this is done to- with them, and was not taken from them gether with many other things, the chil- at the first, so will he do again—he will dren of Israel will no longer feel them- plead with them face to face. selves under the necessity of referring to the day when the Lord wrought wonders I do not think, however, that they as they came up out of the land of Egypt. will, in the latter days, so far transgress, You know it has been a saying with the as to bring upon themselves the curse Jews some thousands of years, that the that came on their fathers, in ancient God of Israel lives. "We do not worship times; for then he took from them the the kind of god which you heathens wor- glories of the covenant of the Gospel, ship. We worship that God that divided and introduced another covenant, the the waters, that came down on Mount covenant of the law. The first tables of Sinai." They always refer back to mira- stone, we are informed by the inspired cles four thousand years old, that their translator, contained, not only many in- God is a God of miracles. This ancient structions for the government of the proverb is to be done away, in modern people, but revelations containing the Israel. Instead of referring back to an- Gospel of the Son of God; the principles cient miracles, it will be said, "The Lord of the higher law, that were calculated to liveth, that brought the children of Is- cause all who obeyed the same, to enter rael from the land of the north, and from into his rest, which rest was the fullness the countries he has driven them, to the of his glory. These tables were broken to land of their fathers." That will be the pieces, because of the worship of a golden time when Israel will be willing. All Is- calf. The first covenant was broken. And rael will be willing to acknowledge the when Moses went into the mount a sec- power and glory of that God whom they ond time, the ten commandments were serve. It seems that the Lord is going to the only things that were contained on enact over again, a thing that he did af- the second tables, that were on the first. ter they came through the Red Sea. After But in addition to that, was added the they came through the Red Sea, the Lord law of carnal commandments. Hence brought the children of Israel into the the Gospel was taken away. Its higher wilderness, and kept them there forty ordinances were withheld. The higher years, so that all the people perished Priesthood was withheld. The sys- THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 153 tem that was intended to make them a been withheld from us, that pertain to kingdom of Priests was withheld. And the higher law? I will tell you. In the they were left with the law of carnal com- year 1831, soon after God first estab- mandments. A law by which they could lished this Church, when he took his not live. Statutes which were not good, servant, Joseph, the Prophet, and many and judgments whereby they could not of the first Elders of this Church, and live. But in the latter days we have rea- brought them together in the western son to believe that the children of Is- boundaries of the State of Missouri, and rael will never experience such a curse pointed out to them where the city of as this. That the presence of the Lord the New Jerusalem should be built, and will not be withdrawn from them as it where the Temple should be located, cer- was then. But coming again to the 20th tain laws were revealed. These laws, if chapter of Ezekiel, we find that after the adopted, were calculated to make this Lord has brought them into the wilder- people of one heart and mind, not in doc- ness, we are informed that "he will bring trine alone, not in some spiritual things them into the bonds of the covenant; not alone, not in a few outward ordinances the law of carnal commandments, but alone, but to make them one in regard to into the bonds of the new and everlasting their property. God pointed out certain covenant" that will be renewed for them. laws in 1831, and which were more fully That will be something binding. "I will revealed in 1832, and in 1833, he told us bring them into the covenant; and purge what the order of the kingdom was, in re- out the rebellious that shall be among gard to our property. Now what was the you." They shall not enter into the land law? The Lord ordained that every man of promise, he will not let them get in. who came up from the churches abroad God did these things in ancient times, to that choice land, where the Zion of and foretold what he would do in the lat- God is to be built in the latter days ter days. should consecrate all his properties. In We have been brought here as what way? How consecrate it? In what the beginning of the great latter-day form? Now in this Territory we have had kingdom—brought from the nations— a form of consecration, some have com- established in these lofty regions of our plied with that form, but where is there continent—in these mountain valleys. a man who has been called upon to com- We have been brought here, and in- ply with it in reality. The law was, con- structed, and taught for many years. In secrate all of your properties, whether what? Not in a law of carnal command- it be gold, or silver, or mules, or wag- ments. I think I will take a portion ons, or carriages, or store goods, or any- of that back. I will say that we have thing that had any wealth in it—all was been instructed in the law, the princi- to be consecrated, to come to the Lord's ples of the new and everlasting covenant, store house. Agents were appointed to which has not as yet been taken from receive these consecrations. Not conse- us; but in addition to that, because of crate to any man, or to these agents, the hardness of our hearts, we are de- but consecrate to the Lord, for his store- prived of some blessings that pertain to house. Now, I ask, did not that make us this new and everlasting covenant. Do all equal? Supposing that a man came you wish to know what blessings have 154 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. to Jackson County, with five hundred business, and stores, according to the thousand dollars, and another came with amount of property consecrated and put five dollars. If both of these persons con- into their hands. This was to be done secrated all that they had, would they by the Lord's agents, and those whom not stand on a platform of equality? they should call upon to assist. When Both of them worth nothing at all. So all this land, and tools and machinery, far as property is concerned they were and horses, and sheep, and so forth, are equal. Now after this consecration, what procured out of the Lord's money; what then? We were not counted really wor- then? Does every man receive an exact thy to receive bonafide inheritances im- equality, or amount of this property? No. mediately, but I will tell you what we Why not? Because some men have more were counted worthy of, we were worthy ability for managing a stewardship than of being the Lord's stewards, as you will other men. Some men perhaps all their read in many places in the Book of Doc- lifetime have been accustomed to carry- trine and Covenants. What is a stew- ing on great establishments and know ard? Is he a bona-fide owner of prop- how to conduct great establishments. Is erty? No. If I were called upon to be a it to be supposed that such a man would steward over a certain farm or factory, be limited to the same amount of stew- the business is not my own, I am only ardship as the man who has fifty acres of as an agent or steward to take charge of land? It may require twenty, or a hun- the concern, and act upon it, as a wise dred times the amount of stewardship to steward, and to render up my account be placed in the hands of such a man, to somebody. The Book of Covenants in- than what is required of other stewards forms us that it is required at the hand who manage farming only. Does not that of every steward to render an account make them unequal? No. They are all of his stewardship, both in time and in stewards. The property belongs to the eternity. To whom? To those whom Lord. But, inquires one, does not this God selects and appoints. If it be the man of great capability have more of the first presidency of the Church in con- luxuries of life? No. Because he has to nection with the Bishop; then these are give an account of his stewardship to the the proper agents to whom a strict ac- Bishop, and if this man of high capabil- count of that stewardship must be ren- ity has made at the end of the year a dered. But how do we become stewards? hundred thousand dollars, he is required Let us inquire into this. How were the to hand in an account to the Bishop, at people, after they have consecrated as the end of the year, and if there have the law required—how were they to be- been made a hundred thousand dollars, come stewards? The Lord's agents, the clear gain, does the man own it? No. Bishops, that had a knowledge of the It is brought to the Lord's store house. things of God, were to purchase lands The poor man that has gained fifty dol- by this consecrated property, from the lars extra from his farm hands in his General Government, or from individu- fifty dollars and an account of his stew- als, as the case might be. They were ardship. If the man that has handled to purchase wagons, mules, and all that a five hundred thousand dollar steward- was requisite to carry on mechanical ship has used it improperly, the account will show. "I have done thus and so. I THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 155 have purchased such and such machin- tion. That if they would not comply with ery." If he has laid out his steward- it, their names should be blotted out, and ship for self-aggrandizement or unwise the names of their children; their names purposes, another man is placed in his should not be had on the book of the law stead. And the poor man who has gained of the Lord. That they should perish, &c. his fifty dollars, if he has purchased any We find that the people did not comply, thing that is unwise and unnecessary, and hence the Lord, in about two years and he has limited himself to that fifty and four or five months, suffered our en- dollars as clear gain, he will be moved emies to be stirred up against us, and out of his stewardship. At the end of the Saints were driven from the land. the first year all these stewardships are They were driven forth, in the bleak cold made equal again; it is all consecrated month of November, to wander whither- unto the Lord's storehouse, they are all soever they could for protection. What on an equal footing again. Then, again, was the reason? The Lord tells us, he during the year before these accounts suffered this, because of our transgres- are rendered up, if they are wise stew- sions. The Lord informed us, that there ards there will be no advantage, each one was covetousness in our midst, and "for will be on his guard all the time lest his this reason I have suffered them to be re- stewardship is not approved of. moved." The Lord commanded us to pur- That is the order of heaven. That is chase all of that land, but instead of do- the ancient order, and it was the order ing this, many were holding fast to their instituted in the year 1831. What did dollars, and thought that the Lord in- the Lord say about those who would not tended to cheat them out of their prop- comply with his order? Some of our east- erty, and they said—"We'll see what the ern farmers, when they left their homes Lord will do for his people. If he will in Vermont, or in the State of New York, show forth his power, by and by, when and came up and saw the beauty of that all gets to be pleasant, we will take our land, and the depth of the soil, and the property and go and settle down among beautiful timber in Jackson County, they the Saints." They did not believe what forgot that they were to be the Lord's the Lord required, hence they were scat- stewards, and began to think that they tered from synagogue to synagogue. In could use their own property, instead one of the revelations, says the Lord, "I of complying with the law of consecra- will remember them in the day of my tion. "What a blessing it will be, said power, when the time shall come, but they, if I can buy up this land at a dol- they shall suffer tribulation for a lit- lar and a quarter, per acre; for I can tle season. And when they have been sell it out for a hundred times as much sufficiently chastened, they who remain, and make myself a rich man; I will not shall return with their children, to build sacrifice my property." These were some up the waste places of Zion." of the feelings that filled the hearts of some. But the Lord sent up a revela- I have related these things that tion, given through his servant Joseph, we may understand wherein we have in Kirtland, warning the Saints against once had the privilege of complying their receiving their stewardship with- with the celestial law in regard to our out complying with this law of consecra- property, and wherein a great princi- 156 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ple has been put out in our midst. In all consecration of all that a man had. The of our wanderings the celestial law has law of Enoch only required a part. The never been put in practice, as regards law of consecration in full required that our property. But the Lord has not left us all the people should consecrate every- any more than he did the children of Is- thing that they had; and none were ex- rael, when they were rebellious. Instead empt. The law of Enoch called upon cer- of entirely casting them away, and de- tain men only to consecrate. nouncing them and rejecting them as his Now did the people keep this sec- people, he still gave ancient Israel a law. ond law—inferior to the first? The Lord Instead of entirely rejecting us, he gave picked out some of the best men in the us another law. One inferior to the celes- Church, and tried them if they would tial law, called the law of Enoch. The law keep it. "Now I will," says he, "try the of Enoch is so named in the Book of Doc- best men I have in the Church, not with trine and Covenants, but in other words, the celestial law, but they shall conse- it is the law given by Joseph Smith, crate in part, and have a common stock Jr. The word Enoch did not exist in property among them." And in order to the original copy; neither did some other stir them up to diligence, he fixed certain names. The names that were incorpo- penalties to this law, such as, He shall rated when it was printed, did not exist be delivered up to the buffeting of Sa- there when the manuscript revelations tan; sins that have been remitted shall were given, for I saw them myself. Some return to him and be answered upon his of them I copied. And when the Lord head. How did they get along then? The was about to have the Book of Covenants Lord tells us that the covenant had been given to the world it was thought wis- broken. And consequently it remained dom, in consequence of the persecutions with him to do with them as seemed to of our enemies in Kirtland and some him good. Many have apostatized since of the regions around, that some of the that day. Sidney Rigdon for one, Oliver names should be changed, and Joseph Cowdery for another, and John John- was called Baurak Ale, which was a He- son for another. Why have they apos- brew word; meaning God bless you. He tatized? They did not comply with the was also called Gazelam, being a per- covenant that they made in regard to the son to whom the Lord had given the law given to Joseph Smith, that was af- Urim and Thummim. He was also called terwards called the law of Enoch. Enoch. Sidney Rigdon was called Pelago- Did the Lord forsake us then? No, ram. And the revelation where it read he had compassion upon us—still looked so many dollars into the treasury was upon us as the latter-day kingdom—did changed to talents. And the City of not take the kingdom from our midst, New York was changed to Cainhannoch. but continued to plead with us and Therefore when I speak of the Order of bear with the infirmities of the people. Enoch, I do not mean the order of an- "Now I will," says he, "try them with cient Enoch, I mean the Order that was another law." So in the year 1838, he given to Joseph Smith in 1832-3-4, which gave us another law, called the law of is a law inferior to the celestial law, Tithing. Let me name now some of the because the celestial law required the conditions of Tithing, according to that law. The Lord gave a commandment THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 157 that the people that came up—gathered another business, and he has no surplus with the Saints—should consecrate, not property. And you may go through all all their property, but all their surplus the towns and villages and not find a property, and after they had consecrated man who has surplus property. He could all their surplus property, there should not be found. Then I should judge, that be a certain portion, not called surplus, the men to determine what is surplus which they should retain; and out of this property, and what is not, are those men that is not called surplus property, they whom God has ordained to this power, should try to make an income, and if they namely, the Bishops, who have a knowl- could make an income, they should con- edge of these things by the power of the secrate one-tenth part of that income. Holy Ghost, and by virtue of their call- ing. The President of this Church will be Now of you who have been in this prepared to say whether a man has sur- Territory for twenty or twenty-six years, plus property or not, and let him specify, how many have complied with this law and the man be satisfied. This is the law of Tithing? How many have had sur- of Tithing, inferior to the full law of con- plus property, over and above one-tenth secration, and also inferior to the law of part? How many would come here with Enoch. fifteen or twenty thousand dollars' worth Now for the other portion of the law of property, and pay one-tenth, as though of Tithing. Say a man comes here with this was surplus. Is that the law of fifty thousand dollars and it is judged by Tithing? If it is, I do not understand proper authority that forty thousand is it. If I understand the law of Tithing, surplus. He goes to work with the re- it requires a man who has fifteen, or maining ten thousand and gets him a twenty, or fifty thousand dollars, when farm and home, and enters into some he comes up to Zion, to go up to the other business, and makes not only a Lord's agent, the Bishop, and say, "I have sufficiency for support, but finds at the so much money, and so much of a family; year's end that he has made a thousand now tell me, Bishop, how much of this dollars: he has to pay one-tenth of that, is surplus property?" Oh, says one, that that is a hundred dollars. This is really ought to be left to our own judgment. the meaning of the word Tithing. But the Our own judgment! Who in the world surplus property, the forty thousand dol- among all the Latter-day Saints would lars, are consecrated as is required in the have any surplus property if it is left to former part of the first paragraph of the his own judgment? How many in Og- revelation on Tithing. den have given surplus property today? How many of the Latter-day Saints Go throughout all this town and ask have complied with even the least thing them if they have surplus property. "Oh, that God has given in property matters? no, I have not quite enough to carry on Perhaps a few, and no doubt many have my business according to my own mind. done well; and others have been care- I have a manufacturing establishment less; not feeling to rebel against God, here, I wish I had a few thousand dol- but a little too careless or indifferent lars more than I have to put in it. I want about paying one-tenth of their income. twenty thousand dollars more. I have Now is this right? Can we be pros- no surplus property." Some man starts pered as a people? Ought we not to be 158 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ashamed if we cannot comply with one mine own bosom, out of all the creations of the lesser laws? It seems to be the that I have made." Now if he has done last law, in regard to property, that God this—if he has selected Zions, he has has given to save this people. We ought done it from the different worlds, by to ask ourselves, "Am I fulfilling this the celestial law; and they are sancti- law? Am I preparing myself for the day fied by the same law, and they dwell in when God shall require me to enter into his bosom—that is under his council and the higher law?" I will say that the day watch care, in the presence of his glory, will come, and is not far distant, when exalted before him, all redeemed by the this higher law will be carried into ef- same law, hence partakers of the glory, fect, not only in theory but in practice. the same exaltation, the same fullness At present, God has eased up on the in the eternal worlds. Therefore if the law in part, that is there is a revelation latter-day Zion would be counted wor- given in the year 1834, on Fishing River, thy to mingle with the ancient Zion of in which the Lord says, "Let those com- Enoch, caught up before the flood, if they mandments which I have given concern- would be counted worthy, when the Zion ing Zion and her law be executed and ful- of Enoch comes, to be caught up to meet filled, after her redemption." That is as them, and to fall upon their necks and much as to say, "You are not prepared they to fall upon the necks of the Latter- to keep them. If I do not now relieve day Saints, and if they would enjoy the you in some measure, from the respon- same glory, the same exaltation with an- sibility, they will bring you under great cient Zion, they must comply with the condemnation." The revelation does not same law. "I cannot receive Zion to my- say that we shall not enter into that or- self," saith the Lord, "unless built up by der, but we are not bound by penalties this law." so to do. Now I believe that before the There will be a great preparation be- redemption of Zion, there will be a vol- fore the redemption of Zion. Suppos- untary feeling to carry out the celestial ing we should all be returned, say this law. I found my belief on the prophecies fall, or next year, to Jackson County. that are given in the Book of Doctrine Say a large majority should be returned and Covenants. The Lord has said that to the land of our inheritances, in Mis- before Zion is redeemed she shall be as souri, and in the regions round about, fair as the sun, clear as the moon, and and it should be said to us, "Go ye her banners shall be a terror to all na- my sons and build up Zion according tions. And that it is needful that Zion to the celestial law, through the conse- should be built up according to the law cration of the property of my Church, of the celestial kingdom, or I cannot re- as I have commanded," would you be ceive her unto myself. He cannot receive prepared to do this work? Have you her only as she is built up according to an experience in it? Have you learned the full law of consecration. All the Zions the lesson by experience? No, no; that have ever been redeemed, from all years after years have passed away since the creations that God has made, have that law was given, the then middle- been redeemed upon that principle. And aged are now tottering to their graves; God has told us in the revelation given the youth have grown to be men, and to ancient Enoch, "I have taken Zion to the law has not been practiced in our midst. We have the mere letter of THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S POWER, ETC. 159 the law. The theory has been in ex- time will come when they shall be bona istence, but who has practiced upon fide inheritors. The revelation tells us it? Will you take us in our ignorant when that time shall come. That when state? While we have been every man the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, for himself, and accumulating all that and after the people have proved them- he could grasp, and almost neglecting selves in their stewardships, and when the lesser law of Tithing, could it be ex- Jesus comes in his glory, they shall be pected that the Lord would say to a peo- made possessors, and be made equal ple thus situated, and without experi- with him. Consequently, when the Lord ence in these things, go back to Jackson promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, County? There must be a preparation the land of Canaan, it was no testi- here; and it would not surprise me, if the mony that they should enter in posses- Spirit of the Lord should come upon the sion of that land the next day after the Presidency of this people, and we should promise was made. They had to wan- be told to enter into the higher law per- der about in it, and prove their worthi- taining to our property. The Lord wishes ness until the time should come when to put it out of the power of every man they should come forth from their graves, to be lifted up above his brother or his and the earth should be transfigured sister, so far as wealth or property is and cleansed from the curse, then they concerned, by making his people equal, should be made possessors. So with the keeping them equal; not by a division of Latter-day Saints. The Lord said on the property, but upon the principle of stew- 2nd of January, 1831, "I design to give to ardships. That keeps them equal. There you a land of promise, upon which there is no chance of their becoming unequal. shall be no curse when the Lord shall It is out of their power to be unequal. If come: behold this is my covenant with a man loses all that he has by fire, and you, that you shall receive it for an inher- all his stock should die, the fact is, he is itance, while the earth shall stand, and just as rich as all the others, because he possess it again in eternity, no more to is a steward. He owns nothing, neither pass away." This did not mean that we do they. "But," inquires one, "shall we should come in possession at that time, never become bona fide possessors?" Yes. or in 1831; but when we had proved our- As we now see, children may be acting selves as wise stewards, and had ren- for their father, but still they are consid- dered up the account of our stewardship, ered in the mind of the father as being and had been accepted, then we should the inheritors of his property at a cer- receive an inheritance, not only in time, tain time; so with the Latter-day Saints. but while eternity should endure. Amen. They may be made stewards, but the 160 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE GOSPEL INCORPORATES ALL TRUTH—MODE OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT—ABIDING COUNSEL—HEAVENLY BLESSINGS ARE CONDITIONAL—PROGRESSIVENESS OF THE WORK—PLURAL MARRIAGE—TITHING—TARDINESS OF THE SAINTS IN OBSERVING PRACTICAL DUTIES—COOPERATION.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDINTHE BOWERY, AT PARIS, ONEIDA COUNTY,IDAHO,SUNDAY,AUGUST 31, 1873.

REPORTEDBY JOHN Q.CANNON.

The Gospel of life and salvation that highest state. This is the doctrine that we have embraced in our faith, and that the Latter-day Saints believe, whether we profess to carry out in our lives, in- they realize it or not. Well, now, upon corporates all truth. We frequently tes- apostasy. What have the Latter-day tify to each other that we know that Saints got to apostatize from? Every- this Gospel is true; and as I have a thing that there is good, pure, holy, great many times said to those that lis- godlike, exalting, ennobling, extending ten to my conversation, upon the princi- the ideas, the capacities of the intelli- ples of life and salvation, I believe this gent beings that our heavenly Father has work, I believe this Gospel, I believe this brought forth upon this earth. What will doctrine, that is brought to us through they receive in exchange? I can compre- the Prophet Joseph, in these the lat- hend it in a very few words. These would ter days, in this our time, for the sim- be the words that I should use: death, plest, plainest and most palpable rea- hell and the grave. That is what they son that can be given. "What is it?" will get in exchange. We may go into Why, because it is true. The Gospel the particulars of that which they expe- that I have embraced comprehends all rience. They experience darkness, igno- truth. "How much of it is true?" All of rance, doubt, pain, sorrow, grief, mourn- it. "How much does it embrace?" All the ing, unhappiness; no person to condole truth that there is in the heavens, on the with in the hour of trouble, no arm to earth, under the earth; and if there is lean upon in the day of calamity, no any truth in hell, this doctrine claims it. eye to pity when they are forlorn and It is all the truth of heaven, the truth cast down; and I comprehend it by say- of God, the life of those that live for- ing: death, hell and the grave. This ever, the law by which worlds were, are, is, what they will get in exchange for and will be brought into existence, and their apostasy from the Gospel of the pass from one degree or one state of be- Son of God. This is their reward, and ing to another, pertaining to the exalta- it is foolishness, not merely nonsense; tion of intelligence from the lowest to the a person can have a little nonsense THE GOSPEL INCORPORATES ALL TRUTH, ETC. 161 and pass it over; but this is foolishness. cannot commit this prayer to memory, There is not a particle of good sense the one that is given by revelation ex- about it; no light, no intelligence, noth- pressly for consecrating the bread and ing that is ennobling, elevating, cheer- the wine, or water, if the latter be used, ing, comforting, consoling, that produces take the book and read until you can re- friends, or anything of this kind. I call member. If I were to come here next it foolism; I do it this time, consequently Sabbath, and see you breaking bread, we will not talk anything about apostasy. would this, that I am now mentioning, When people receive this Gospel, be thought of? The people have various what do they sacrifice? Why, death for ideas with regard to this prayer. They life. This is what they give: darkness for sometimes cannot hear six feet from the light, error for truth, doubt and unbelief one who is praying, and in whose prayer, for knowledge and the certainty of the perhaps, there are not three words of things of God, consequently I consider it the prayer that is in this book, that the to be the biggest piece of foolism that can Lord tells us that we should use. This be hatched up, imagined or entertained, is pretty hard on the Elders, is it not? or followed out by any human being, to If they could remember one thousandth leave this Gospel for what they will re- part of that which they have heard, it ceive in exchange. So much for apostasy. would have sanctified them years and years ago; but it goes in at one ear and Now a few words, my brethren and out at the other—it is like the weaver's sisters, with regard to our position. shuttle passing through the web. There are many in this Church who have Now I am going to tell you some more been with it a long time. This Church things, and how long will you remem- has been traveling for many years. The ber them? Until you get home? Per- time that this Church has been traveling haps there are a few who will remem- exceeds the time of the children of Israel ber a few words of counsel that I shall in the wilderness. give to you. I am here to give this [At this point the water for the Sacra- people, called Latter-day Saints, coun- ment was blessed.] sel to direct them in the path of life. I I will give you a word of counsel am here to answer; I shall be on hand here with regard to consecrating the to answer when I am called upon, for bread and the water, which I want the all the counsel and for all the instruc- Saints to remember. When you [ad- tion that I have given to this people. dressing the Bishops and Elders] ad- If there is an Elder here, or any mem- minister the Sacrament, take this book ber of this Church, called the Church of [the Book of Doctrine and Covenants] Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who and read this prayer. Take the oppor- can bring up the first idea, the first sen- tunity to read this prayer until you can tence that I have delivered to the peo- remember it. You cannot get up any- ple as counsel that is wrong, I really thing that is better, and not even equal wish they would do it; but they cannot to it; and when you read it, read it so do it, for the simple reason that I have that the people can hear you. This is never given counsel that is wrong; this what I wish of you; it is what is right, is the reason. This people, called Latter- and that which the Spirit will mani- day Saints, have been laboring now over fest to you if you inquire; and if you forty years. Forty-three years last April, 162 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the sixth day, this Church was organized. this. Every blessing the Lord proffers to People have been coming into it, many his people is on conditions. These condi- have gone out of it, many have died in tions are: "Obey my law, keep my com- the faith; but there is quite a number in mandments, walk in my ordinances, ob- it that are now living who have held on serve my statutes, love mercy, preserve to it from the beginning, and they have the law that I have given to you invi- been striving to increase in their knowl- olate, keep yourselves pure in the law, edge, to enlarge their faith and their and then you are entitled to these bless- comprehension of the principles of eter- ings, and not until then." Now, is this not nal life; but it is slow progress. I won- the fact? I leave it to you. You have der if there are any particular sisters the Old and the New Testament, from here who have lived humble and faith- which we can learn doctrine. You have ful, to whom the Spirit has manifested the Book of Mormon to read, from which that their progress and advancement are we can learn doctrine. You have the slow: "That by the Spirit that I receive Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which from the Lord, the Spirit that is given is more especially necessary to this gen- to me at times, I can see that we are eration. It does not contain different doc- far in the rear of what we should be, trine to the Book of Mormon and Testa- and we have not come up to that status ments. It is explanatory of these three of perfection and purity that the Latter- books, corroborates the doctrine that is day Saints should reach." Are there any taught in them, and points out the path sisters who have experienced any such for this people to walk in today, so that thing? Are there any Elders who can we may not err, but know how to or- bear witness to these things? I expect der our lives from morning till evening, there are. I expect there is any num- from evening till morning, from Sun- ber of sisters in this Church who can day morning till Sunday morning again, bear witness to this, and testify that the from New Year to New Year, and ev- people called Latter-day Saints are very ery day of our lives. The doctrine that tardy in the practice of the things of God. the Lord has taught us and given to us Now with regard to the blessings. through his servant Joseph, points out There are blessings that the Lord prof- the path for us to walk in, and, while fers to his people. Has he any conditions? walking in this path, we do not lose sight This is the question. The blessings that of one iota of the Gospel, but you must the Lord wishes to bestow upon his peo- hold it secure, and always keep it be- ple in the latter days, as he did upon fore you by preserving those laws and them in former days, are they proffered ordinances, and continuing to hold them to the people on any conditions whatever, precious. If the Saints will do this, the or is it the voluntary act upon the in- Holy Ghost, the Comforter, the Spirit of voluntary people? Are they given to us our Father and God will enlighten their whether we want them or not? Whether minds and bring to their remembrance we will enjoy them or not? Or whether things that transpired in the past, and we will profit by them or not? How is things to come to pass in the future, and this, Latter-day Saints? Is this the way they may lay a foundation for everlast- the Lord does? You and I understand ing life and eternal lives in the celestial THE GOSPEL INCORPORATES ALL TRUTH, ETC. 163 kingdom of our God. You may obtain people believe. The Spirit of Truth bears these blessings by keeping in mind and witness to our spirits that this is cor- observing the principles, doctrine, and rect. This is the Christ; he is the Sav- the laws and statutes that are delivered ior of the world; and we begin to have to the people of God for their edification, faith in him; and when we begin to have for their perfection, for their comfort and faith in him, and believe on him, and consolation, to prepare them for entering the Father who sent him, we begin to into the celestial kingdom. If any profess look around ourselves and say: "Why is to live in the observance of these princi- it that we saw nothing so familiar and ples, and do not enjoy the spirit of reve- perfect years ago? All this is so famil- lation, they deceive themselves. No per- iar and plain and simple. How is this? son deceives the Lord. Every individual They that declare Christ to us, are they that lives according to the laws that the ready to teach us?" "Yes, certainly." "Do Lord has given to his people, and has re- you believe?" "Yes." "Do you wish to be a ceived the blessings that he has in store disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?" "Yes." for the faithful, should be able to know "Do you wish to enter into his family?" the things of God from the things which "Yes." "Do you wish to belong to this quo- are not of God, the light from the dark- rum of disciples?" "Yes." "Is there any- ness, that which comes from heaven and thing for me to do to get there?" says the that which comes from somewhere else. candidate. "Yes, certainly," says the El- This is the satisfaction and the consola- der. "Well, what is it?" "To go down into tion that the Latter-day Saints enjoy by the waters of baptism, this is the first or- living their religion; this is the knowl- dinance, and be baptized by one having edge which everyone who thus lives pos- authority." sesses. These are the books, the Old and Well, now, this people have received New Testament, the Book of Mormon all this. They have been convicted of and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the truth, they have believed the truth, and we take all that has been said to they have repented of their sins, they us by the Spirit of Truth, bring it to- have received baptism for the remis- gether, live to it, and this brings us sion of their sins, and the next or- into a condition that we have fellowship dinance or blessing—the laying on of with the Father and with his Son Je- hands, so that they may receive the sus Christ, and the people of Christ are Holy Ghost. What accompanies this cleansed from all sin, walk in the light Holy Ghost? I have been telling you: it and no more in darkness. We have re- brings to our remembrance things past, ceived in the first place the first ordi- present, and future, and dwells upon nances pertaining to the Gospel that Je- the things of God. Here are the ordi- sus introduced, that have been sent to nances, and we have commenced to obey the earth for the salvation of the chil- them. We have the promise of receiv- dren of men. Before the ordinances ing blessings if we hold on to the faith, are performed, however, the people hear and not turn away from this principle; the name of Christ declared; Jesus is and although temptation may present preached to the people; faith springs up itself to us, we will resist it, and we in the hearts of the people. We the will cling to the things of God, and 164 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. believe on his promises, and will ask the the Savior declared to us, that he is the Father in the name of Jesus to help us to Savior of the world, and by his death overcome these temptations, and we will atoned for the sins of every man, and we free ourselves from this darkness; we believe that this is the fact; but instead will break the chain of doubt and unbe- of inquiring, "Is there anything for me to lief, and we will emerge into the full faith do? is there any labor for me to perform?" of the Lord Jesus. When temptations when we get home we sing and we say, come to you, be humble and faithful, and "I thank God, and I am satisfied." When determined that you will overcome, and the Elder says, "You must be baptized for you will receive a deliverance, and con- the remission of sins," and we say, "Oh tinue faithful, having the promise of re- no, we have received the Spirit of Truth, ceiving blessings. What are these bless- there is no need of baptism. We have re- ings? ceived all that is necessary. The Spirit of There is a variety of blessings; a dif- Truth is given to us; we acknowledge the ferent blessing being probably given to Savior, and we rejoice in him, and we will one, two, three or four of this congre- not be baptized for the remission of sins;" gation. Thus, one will have faith to are we entitled to have hands laid upon lay hands upon the sick and rebuke dis- us for the reception of the Holy Ghost? ease, and drive it from the person af- No; every one comes to this conclusion. flicted. Many may receive this blessing Suppose that we make ourselves satis- of faith, the gift of healing. Some may fied with what we have received, and we receive faith to the discerning of spirits; can say that Jesus is the Christ—"Yes, I they can discern the spirit of a person, believe he is the Christ; but I don't see whether it is good or evil. They have the use of any of these ordinances," are such power, that when a person enters we entitled to the Holy Ghost? No. Are this congregation they can tell the spirit we entitled to faith to heal the sick? No. of such person; then they have received Are we entitled to receive the spirit of the gift of discerning of spirits. Some prophecy? No. Are we entitled to the may receive the gift of tongues, that they gift of speaking in, or the gift of the in- will get up and speak in tongues, and terpretation of tongues? No. Are we en- speak in many other languages beside titled to the gift of the discerning of spir- their mother tongue, the language that its? No. Are we entitled to any power they were brought up in, that they were or blessing that the Lord has promised first taught, and be able to proclaim the to his disciples: that if anybody adminis- Gospel of life and salvation that all men tered poison to them, it should not harm could understand it. These are the bless- them, and if their pathway were marked ings; but others might receive the gift in the midst of serpents, they could take of prophecy, get up and prophesy what up serpents and they should not hurt is to befall this nation, what will befall them? Are we entitled to this protec- this or that individual, and what will be- tion? What is the answer of the Latter- fall the different nations of the earth, etc. day Saints? My brethren and sisters, an- Now, after naming some of the blessings, swer this question in your own minds. I want to come to something else, and Are we entitled to the blessings of the draw a line for the Latter-day Saints to walk up to. Suppose that we hear the name of THE GOSPEL INCORPORATES ALL TRUTH, ETC. 165 holy Gospel unless we obey the ordi- We will say we have received a great nances thereof, and all the command- deal; very much instruction have we re- ments and laws and requirements that ceived. But there are keys to open up are laid down for us to obey? Now I know other ordinances which I will mention. that every Latter-day Saint will come to Do you recollect that in about the year the same conclusion that I do—that if 1840-41, Joseph had a revelation con- we did not obey, we would not be enti- cerning the dead? He had been asked tled to any of these blessings from our the question a good many times; "What Father. There is not a Latter-day Saint is the condition of the dead, those that but who comes to the same conclusion lived and died without the Gospel?" It as myself—that we would not merit, we was a matter of inquiry with him. He would not be entitled to, we could not considered this question not only for claim at the hand of our God those bless- himself, but for the brethren and the ings that he has promised through obe- Church. "What is the condition of the dience to his Word. Could we be called dead? What will be their fate? Is there the people of God? We would be in the no way today by which they can receive path of disobedience. We would be in the their blessings as there was in the days path that leads to death. We would be in of the Apostles, and when the Gospel the broad road that millions are walking was preached upon the earth in ancient in to death. Now, every one of us comes days?" When Joseph received the revela- to this conclusion. tion that we have in our possession con- This people I say are very tardy. I cerning the dead, the subject was opened will ask you a question, and I will let to him, not in full but in part, and he you answer it in your own minds, for you kept on receiving. When he had first re- know, and I am satisfied that the answer ceived the knowledge by the spirit of rev- I shall give will satisfy the Saints. Can elation how the dead could be officiated we stand still, receive so much pertain- for, there are brethren and sisters here, I ing to the blessings of the kingdom of can see quite a number here who were in God, receive so much knowledge, just so Nauvoo, and you recollect that when this much wisdom, just so much power, and doctrine was first revealed, and in hur- then stop and receive no more? How rying in the administration of baptism is this, Latter-day Saints? Your answer for the dead, that sisters were baptized will be precisely like mine—I can an- for their male friends, were baptized for swer with you all. This people must their fathers, their grandfathers, their go forward, or they will go backward. mothers and their grandmothers, &c. I Will all answer this question the same just mention this so that you will come to way? Will the same conclusion be in understanding, that as we knew nothing the mind of every Latter-day Saint, that about this matter at first, the old Saints this work is a progressive work, this recollect, there was little by little given, doctrine that is taught the Latter-day and the subject was made plain, but lit- Saints in its nature is exalting, increas- tle was given at once. Consequently, in ing, expanding and extending broader the first place people were baptized for and broader until we can know as we their friends and no record was kept. are known, see as we are seen? That Joseph afterwards kept a record, &c. is the answer of the Latter-day Saints. Then women were baptized for men and 166 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. men for women, &c. It would be very the necessity, perhaps, of taking more strange, you know, to the eyes of the than one wife. But they will not do wise and they that understood the things this; the people of God, therefore, have pertaining to eternity, if we were called been commanded to take more wives. upon to commence a work that we could The women are entitled to salvation if not finish. This, therefore, was regulated they live according to the word that is and all set in order; for it was revealed given to them; and if their husbands that if a woman was baptized for a man, are good men, and they are obedient to she could not be ordained for him, nei- them, they are entitled to certain bless- ther could she be made an Apostle or a ings, and they will have the privilege Patriarch for the man, consequently the of receiving certain blessings that they sisters are to be baptized for their own cannot receive unless they are sealed to sex only. men who will be exalted. Now, where a This doctrine of baptism for the dead man in this Church says, "I don't want is a great doctrine, one of the most glo- but one wife, I will live my religion with rious doctrines that was ever revealed to one," he will perhaps be saved in the ce- the human family; and there are light, lestial kingdom; but when he gets there power, glory, honor and immortality in it. he will not find himself in possession of After this doctrine was received, Joseph any wife at all. He has had a talent received a revelation on celestial mar- that he has hid up. He will come for- riage. You will recollect, brethren and ward and say, "Here is that which thou sisters, that it was in July, 1843, that he gavest me, I have not wasted it, and received this revelation concerning ce- here is the one talent," and he will not lestial marriage. This doctrine was ex- enjoy it, but it will be taken and given plained and many received it as far as to those who have improved the talents they could understand it. Some apos- they received, and he will find himself tatized on account of it; but others did without any wife, and he will remain sin- not, and received it in their faith. This, gle forever and ever. But if the woman also, is a great and noble doctrine. I is determined not to enter into a plural- have not time to give you many items marriage, that woman when she comes upon the subject, but there are a few forth will have the privilege of living in hints that I can throw in here that per- single blessedness through all eternity. haps may be interesting. As far as this Well, that is very good, a very nice place pertains to our natural lives here, there to be a minister to the wants of oth- are some who say it is very hard. They ers. I recollect a sister conversing with say, "This is rather a hard business; I Joseph Smith on this subject. She told don't like my husband to take a plu- him: "Now, don't talk to me; when I rality of wives in the flesh." Just a few get into the celestial kingdom, if I ever words upon this. We would believe this do get there, I shall request the privi- doctrine entirely different from what it lege of being a ministering angel; that is presented to us, if we could do so. is the labor that I wish to perform. I If we could make every man upon the don't want any companion in that world; earth get him a wife, live righteously and if the Lord will make me a minister- and serve God, we would not be under ing angel, it is all I want." Joseph said, THE GOSPEL INCORPORATES ALL TRUTH, ETC. 167

"Sister, you talk very foolishly, you do not iniquity. What are they doing? They know what you will want." He then said are destroying every truth that they to me: "Here, brother Brigham, you seal can; they are destroying all innocence this lady to me." I sealed her to him. This that they can. Priest and people, gov- was my own sister according to the flesh. ernors, magistrates, kings, potentates, Now, sisters, do not say, "I do not want presidents, the political world and the a husband when I get up in the resur- religious world, are on the highroad to rection." You do not know what you will eternal misery. There are exceptions. want. I tell this so that you can get the There are honest persons wherever there idea. If in the resurrection you really is an honest principle. If the men of the want to be single and alone, and live so world would be honest and full of good forever and ever, and be made servants, works, you would not see them living as while others receive the highest order they do. And the women are entitled of intelligence and are bringing worlds to the kingdom, they are entitled to the into existence, you can have the privi- glory, they are entitled to exaltation if lege. They who will be exalted cannot they are obedient to the Priesthood, and perform all the labor, they must have ser- they will be crowned with those that are vants and you can be servants to them. crowned. When Father Adam came to assist in The female portion of the human fam- organizing the earth out of the crude ma- ily have blessings promised to them if terial that was found, an earth was made they are faithful. I do not know what the upon which the children of men could Lord could have put upon women worse live. After the earth was prepared Fa- than he did upon Mother Eve, where ther Adam came and stayed here, and he told her: "Thy desire shall be to thy there was a woman brought to him. Now husband." Continually wanting the hus- I am telling you something that many of band. "If you go to work, my eyes fol- you know, it has been told to you, and the low you; if you go away in the carriage, brethren and sisters should understand my eyes follow you, and I like you and it. There was a certain woman brought I love you; I delight in you, and I desire to Father Adam whose name was Eve, you should have nobody else." I do not because she was the first woman, and know that the Lord could have put upon she was given to him to be his wife; I am women anything worse than this, I do not disposed to give any further knowl- not blame them for having these feelings. edge concerning her at present. There I would be glad if it were otherwise. Says is no doubt but that he left many com- a woman of faith and knowledge, "I will panions. The great and glorious doctrine make the best of it; it is a law that man that pertains to this I have not time to shall rule over me; his word is my law, dwell upon; neither should I at present and I must obey him; he must rule over if I had time. He understood this whole me; this is upon me and I will submit to machinery or system before he came to it," and by so doing she has promises that this earth; and I hope my brethren and others do not have. sisters will profit by what I have told The world of mankind, the world them. of man, not of woman, is full of Now we have been administering 168 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the sacrament here to the people, the Saints will answer this question with bread and the water. It is to refresh our me, just as I do, because it is right. minds and bring to our understanding There is a great deal delivered to this the death and sufferings of our Savior. people; they have received a great deal— Is there any commandment with regard those blessings pertaining to being bap- to this matter? Yes, there are laws con- tized for the dead, celestial marriage cerning it. You take this Book [the Book and many others, and they should value of Doctrine and Covenants] and you will them, and live so as to enjoy them. read here that the Saints are to meet to- There has been considerable said gether on the Sabbath day. It is what we here with regard to the law of Tithing call the first day of the week. No mat- that we received years and years ago. ter whether it is the Jewish Sabbath or Now, I venture to say, that if we ex- not. I do not think there is anybody who cept some very poor men and very poor can bring facts to prove which is the sev- women in the Church, who think they enth day, or when Adam was put in the have paid their mites promptly and garden, or the day about which the Lord punctually, there is not a man that has spoke to Moses. This matter is not very paid his Tithing. Now, this may sound well known, so we call the day on which strange; for some think they have paid we rest and worship God, the first day pretty well. To draw this matter out of the week. This people called Latter- and show you how I feel upon the sub- day Saints, are required by the revela- ject of Tithing, I have not time. But I tions that the Lord has given, to assem- will say a few words about some things ble themselves together on this day. How that have been alluded to by my brethren many go riding or visiting, or go any- who have spoken to you. The Lord re- where but to meeting, on the Sabbath quires one-tenth of that which he has day? It is probably not so here, but in given me; it is for me to pay the one- Salt Lake City, as a general thing, Sun- tenth of the increase of my flocks and of day is made a holiday for riding and vis- all that I have, and all the people should iting, &c. In this commandment we are do the same. The question may arise, required to come together and repent of "What is to be done with the Tithing?" our sins and confess our sins and par- It is for the building of Temples to God; take of the bread and of the wine; or wa- for the enlarging of the borders of Zion; ter, in commemoration of the death and sending Elders on missions to preach the sufferings of our Lord and Savior. I will Gospel and taking care of their families. ask the Latter-day Saints if you are en- By and by we shall have some Temples to titled to these blessings unless you keep go into, and we will receive our blessings, the Sabbath day. Now, what do you say? the blessings of heaven, by obedience to Why, every Latter-day Saint would an- the doctrine of Tithing. We shall have swer we are not entitled to the blessing Temples built throughout these moun- of partaking of the emblems, or symbols, tains in the valleys of this Territory of the body and the blood of Christ unless and the valleys of the next Territory, we observe his law. All the Latter-day and finally, all through these mountains. We expect to build Temples in a great many valleys. We go to the endowment house, and before going, we get a re- THE GOSPEL INCORPORATES ALL TRUTH, ETC. 169 commendation from our Bishop that we to build up this kingdom; that is that have paid our Tithing. We wish it was so. we are to submit ourselves to the direc- I do not want to accuse the brethren; but tion of our Bishops, or men who shall if your consciences and my conscience be appointed, who shall dictate them does not accuse us, why, I will not accuse in the things pertaining to life, so that you. When you give a certificate or let- they may be the means in the hands ter for a man to have a woman sealed of the Lord of accomplishing the work to him, and he full of sin and iniquity, that he requires at our hands. I had is not such a certificate false? If we in- it in my mind to ask if we are not a quire of such, "Do you want to have an- slow, tardy people; but I would like to other wife sealed to you?" "Yes." "Where see the order of Enoch introduced. If I is your wife?" "Why, she has left me." had the privilege that was legal, the le- "Why? Because you are so full of the gal right, I should have had some of the devil that she cannot live with you, and brethren and sisters organized together the Bishop will give a certificate for you and bound with bonds that cannot be to get another." They also want to be bap- broken; but I cannot do this at present; tized for their dead friends when they for we desire to commence this on a foun- have not paid their Tithing. I do not dation that cannot be broken up and de- want to accuse anybody; but I do not stroyed. think this to be right. If the Lord will Brethren, if you will start here and receive the people, if the Lord will ac- operate together in farming, in making cept of their labors, and will honor and cheese, in herding sheep and cattle and bless them, and say that their officiating every other kind of work, and get a fac- for their dead friends shall be sealed in tory here and a cooperative store—I have the heavens and it shall be recorded by been told there is no cooperative store his angel, and in the day of the resurrec- here—get a good cooperative store, and tion it shall be accounted unto them for operate together in sheep raising, store- righteousness, I am willing, I have not a keeping, manufacturing and everything word to say against it. else, no matter what it is, by and by, Now, then, we have received these when we can plant ourselves upon a ordinances, the doctrine the Lord has foundation that we cannot be broken up, revealed for the salvation of the dead; we shall then proceed to arrange a fam- the doctrine that we have received for ily organization for which we are not yet the exaltation of men and women, which quite prepared. You now, right here in I could tell you a great deal about if this place, commence to carry on your I had time; but there is only a little business in a cooperative capacity. In time and I want to say a few things every instance I could show every one to bring your minds directly to our of you what a great advantage would present condition. You read in the be gained in working together; I could Doctrine and Covenants with regard to reason it out here just how much ad- the building up of the kingdom of God, vantage there is in cooperation in your the order of Enoch, &c. I am anx- lumbering and in your herding. You ious in my feelings to get the Latter-day have men here, I suppose, who have had Saints to begin where the Lord wanted an arm shot off; they cannot go into them to begin, when he commenced the canyons and get out wood. Ano- 170 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ther, perhaps, has had a leg cut off; he will you take care of the Tithes? I have cannot run here and there like some of scarcely seen a good stack of Tithing hay you; but he can do something; he will until within the last two years. Is this make a first-rate shopman, and at keep- right, to let hay that is brought in as ing books, perhaps, he will be one of the Tithing go to waste? "Well, but," says best. He cannot take the scythe and one, "I don't know what to do with it." Go mow; he cannot attend to a threshing to work, and put it into a shape that it machine; he cannot go into the woods will last one year, five years, ten years; lumbering; he could not herd well—but it will be wanted by and by. There is he could go into the factory, and he can about sixteen thousand dollars, I learn do many things. Well, we can do this from the trustees, of unpaid Tithing, in and keep up cooperation, and, by and by, this valley. Go to work and build a meet- when we can, we will build up a city after inghouse, and then schoolhouses. Go to the order of Enoch. And I will tell you, work and start some schools, and instead women will not be let into that city with of going to parties to dance and indulge Babylon upon their backs, nor men ei- in this nonsense, go to school and study; ther. But we will make our own clothing, have the girls go, and teach them chem- we will make our own fashions, we will istry, so that they can take any of these do our own work. I can take fifty men rocks and analyze them—tell the proper- who have not a cent, and if they would do ties and what they are. I don't suppose as I would wish them to do, they would there is a man here who can tell these soon be worth their thousands, every one properties. The sciences can be learned of them. We desire to go into this order. without much difficulty. Instead of go- In it we would not lack means, we would ing "right and left, balance all, prome- always have something to sell, but sel- nade," go to work and teach yourselves dom want to buy. This will be the case if something. Instead of having this folly, we make our own clothes, &c. I want to have schools and entertain the Another thing I want you to observe minds of the people and draw them out in all these settlements, and it is one of to learn the arts and sciences. Send the the simplest things in nature; I want you old children to school and the young ones to be united. If we should build up and also; there is nothing I would like bet- organize a community, we would have ter than to learn chemistry, botany, geol- to do it on the principle of oneness, and ogy, and mineralogy, so that I could tell it is one of the simplest things I know what I walk on, the properties of the air of. A city of one hundred thousand or I breathe, what I drink, &c. a million of people could be united into I will say to you, my brethren and sis- a perfect family, and they would work ters, I bless you. I bless you according to together as beautifully as the different the Priesthood that I hold and the keys parts of the carding machine work to- thereof. I bless you in the name of Je- gether. Why, we could organize mil- sus Christ. Now will you live your reli- lions into a family under the order of gion? We had some talk yesterday about Enoch. Will you go into the coopera- your President; I pray you, Mr. Presi- tive system? Will you pay your Tithes? dent, under brother Rich, to live your re- Will you take care of your hay? Bisbops, ligion; and I pray the Saints to live their MARRIAGE. 171 religion, and I do ask from day to their religion, and I pray you in Christ's day, in the name of Jesus Christ, and stead to live your religion so as to enjoy I direct the Latter-day Saints, to live the spirit of it. Amen.

MARRIAGE.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,AUGUST 31, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I will read a portion of the Word of things ordained of God, and which he God found in the 19th chapter of the himself has given to the children of men Gospel of St. Matthew, commencing at for their observance. Such are the ordi- the 3rd verse— nance of baptism, the Lord's Supper, now The Pharisees also came unto him, being administered to the Saints in this tempting him, and saying unto him, Is congregation, and the ordinance of con- it lawful for a man to put away his wife firmation by the laying on of hands for for every cause? the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. And he answered and said unto them, These ordinances have been ordained of Have ye not read, that he which made God; he is their Author, and he confers them at the beginning made them male authority upon his servants to officiate and female, therein, and without authority from God And said, For this cause shall a man to do so, all such administrations are ille- leave father and mother, and shall cleave gal. In addition to these we might name to his wife: and they twain shall be one a variety of other ordinances, such as or- flesh? dinations to the ministry—ordaining a Wherefore they are no more twain, person to officiate in the office and call- but one flesh. What therefore God hath ing of an Apostle, and in the offices and joined together, let not man put asunder. callings of Elders, Priests, Teachers, &c., That portion of these sayings of Je- without which no man can perform the sus to which I wish more especially duties of these several offices so as to be to call your attention, is contained in acceptable in the sight of God. the 6th verse—"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What there- fore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." There are some few things which transpire in our world in which the hand of God is spe- cially manifest. We might name some But, to be brief, we will come to 172 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the point more fully. God has appointed principle or creed? They want to en- marriage, and it is as much a sacred and ter the state of matrimony, and, in addi- religious ordinance as baptism for the tion to religious authority, should there remission of sins, confirmation, ordina- not be a civil authority for the solem- tion to the ministry, or the administra- nization of marriage among these non- tion of the Lord's Supper. There is no religionists?" Yes; we will admit that, distinction with regard to the divinity of inasmuch as marriage is an important these ordinances—one is just as much di- institution, it is the right and privilege vine as the other, one is a religious ordi- of the Legislatures of States and Terri- nance as much as the other, and, there- tories to frame certain laws, so that all fore, people of all sects and parties in people may have the privilege of select- this great Republic, should be left free ing civil or religious authority, accord- to administer them according to the dic- ing to the dictates of their consciences. tates of their own consciences. In other If a Methodist wishes to be married ac- words, Congress should not assume to cording to the Methodist creed and in- be the dictator of my conscience nor of stitutions, Congress should make no law yours. What I mean by this is, that if infringing upon the rights of that body I am a minister, Congress, or the Presi- of religionists, but they should have the dent of the United States, has no right, privilege of officiating just as their con- by virtue of the Constitution, to say how sciences dictate. The same argument I shall administer the ordinance of mar- will apply to the Presbyterians, Quakers, riage to any couple who may come to me Baptists, and every religious denomina- for that purpose; because I have a con- tion to be found in this Republic, not ex- science in regard to this matter. It is an cepting the Latter-day Saints. Then, as ordinance appointed of God; it is a reli- regards the non-religionist, if he wishes gious ordinance; hence Congress should to become a married person, and does not not enact a law prescribing, for the peo- wish to have his marriage solemnized ac- ple in any part of the Republic, a cer- cording to the form used by any religious tain form in which the ordinance of mar- denomination, it should be left open to riage shall be administered. Why should him to comply with such forms as the they not do this? Because it is a viola- Legislature may prescribe. This is leav- tion of religious principles, and of that ing it to the choice of the individual, and great fundamental principle in the Con- this is as it ought to be, and as it is guar- stitution of our country which provides anteed to us, so far as other ordinances that Congress shall make no law in re- are concerned. For instance, Congress gard to religious matters that would, in would never think of making a law in the least degree, infringe upon the rights regard to the form of baptism, or of ap- of any man or woman in this Republic in pointing a Federal officer to go into one regard to the form of their religion. of the Territories of this Union, and de- Perhaps some may make the cree that he only should be authorized inquiry—"What shall we do with to administer the ordinance of baptism. those who make no profession of re- Do we not know that the whole people ligion, some of whom are infidels, or of this Republic would cry out against what may be termed 'nothingarians,' such an infringement of the Constitution believing in no particular religious of our country? Every man and every MARRIAGE. 173 woman who knows the least about rite, some believe in sprinkling, and the great principles of religious liberty some in pouring; some societies be- would at once say, "Let the various re- lieve in immersion after they have ob- ligious bodies of the Territory choose for tained the remission of sins; others, like themselves in regard to the mode of bap- Alexander Campbell and his followers, tism; a Federal officer is not the person to believe that immersion is to be admin- prescribe the mode or to administer the istered for the remission of sins. An- ordinance of baptism." other class believe in being immersed face foremost; others, again, believe in Why not this reasoning apply to mar- being immersed three times—once in the riage as well as to baptism? Can you name of the Father, once in the name make a distinction so far as the divin- of the Son, and once in the name of the ity of the two ordinances is concerned? Holy Ghost. Taking all these classes as I cannot. I read here in the last verse of churches, they are no doubt sincere; they my text, "What God has joined together, have been instructed by their teachers, let not man put asunder." It will be per- until they sincerely believe in these sev- ceived from this sentence, that God has eral forms of baptism. something to do in the joining together of Now, if Congress, or the legislative male and female; that is, when it is done assemblies in the different States and according to His mind and will: we will Territories, were permitted to make laws make that a condition. But we will say regulating this they would perhaps have that, in all cases under the whole heav- many other forms besides those I have ens, where a couple are joined together, named, which they would force the peo- and God has anything to do with it, he ple under heavy penalties to comply does not ask Congress to make a law, with. And so in regard to marriage. nor the President of the United States If Congress should undertake to make to appoint a form, and he will sanction a law to govern the Methodists, for in- it. No, he claims the right, and his chil- stance, in the solemnization of marriage, dren claim that God has the privilege, to they would not like it, neither would the prescribe the form or ceremony, and the Presbyterians, nor Baptists. A man be- words to be used; and when that cere- longing to either of these denominations mony is performed by divine authority, would say, "Here is a law which pro- we may then say, in the fullest sense of hibits me from exercising my religious the term, that they are joined together faith, and compels me to be married by divinely, and not by some civil law. a justice of the peace, or a federal offi- The union of male and female I con- cer, or some person who, perhaps, does sider to be one of the most important not believe in God, and who has no re- ordinances which God has established; spect for the ordinances of heaven. I and if its solemnization had been left am compelled by the laws of the land entirely to the whims and notions of to have him officiate and pronounce me men, we might have had as many dif- and my 'intended,' husband and wife, ferent ways of performing the matrimo- or to remain unmarried." The Constitu- nial rite, as we have of administering tion does not contemplate this forcing of the ordinance of baptism. You know the human mind in regard to that which that in the performance of the baptismal is ordained of God. If I, believing in 174 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

God and in the ordinances which he has selves, as you can find by reading the instituted, am forced to be married by an disciplines, creeds and articles of faith, unbeliever, perhaps a drunkard and an which almost every religious society pos- immoral man, or I do not care if he is a sesses, and which some of them have believer in some kind of a creed, if I am possessed for a long period of time. If satisfied that he has not authority to of- we go back for several hundred years, ficiate in the union of the sexes, and I am we shall find some of these forms in ex- compelled to be married by him, would it istence. In the Roman Catholic church answer my conscience? Could I consider the ritual of marriage has existed for myself joined together by the Lord? It is many generations. The same is true with inconsistent to suppose that I could feel the Greek church, a numerous branch so, and in the very nature of things the of the Catholics who broke off from the solemnization of the marriage ceremony, church established at Rome, a few cen- as well as all other religious ordinances, turies after Christ. Martin Luther also are matters which should be left for all had his views in relation to the mar- persons to act in as they feel disposed. riage ordinance. He was a polygamist in principle, as you will find in his pub- lished writings. We have an account But we will pass on; we must not of him, in connection with six or seven dwell too long on this subject. My reason, others, ministers of his faith, advising however, for making these few remarks a certain prince in Europe to take unto is to prove that the ordinance of mar- himself a second wife, his first wife be- riage is divine—that God has ordained ing still alive, Luther and these minis- it. I want it particularly understood by ters saying that it was not contrary to this congregation that, in order to be the Scriptures. John Calvin had his no- joined together of the Lord, so that no tions on the subject, but each and all man has the right to put you asunder, of the ceremonies of marriage in use the Lord must have a hand in relation among the various Christian churches, to the marriage, the same as he has in the Catholics as well as Protestants, relation to baptism. from the days of the first Reformation, several hundred in number, down to our Now I inquire if any of the religious own day, are the inventions of men; for, societies on the earth, with the excep- amongst them all, where can you find tion of the Latter-day Saints, have re- one which claims that God has said any- ceived any special form in relation to the thing to them about marriage, or any- marriage ceremony? If they have, from thing else pertaining to their officia- what source have they received it? Did tions as ministers in his cause? Not they invent it themselves? Did a learned one; the whole of them claim that the body of priests get together in confer- Bible contains the last revelation that ence and, by their own wisdom, with- was ever given from heaven. Hence, out any revelation from heaven, make if their claim be true, God never said up a certain form by which the male a word to Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the female should be joined in mar- John Wesley, or any other reformer, riage? Or how they have come in posses- about their ministry, the order of mar- sion of it? They have invented it them- riage, baptism, or anything else. If their MARRIAGE. 175 claim be true—that the last revelation appointment: and if not, such adminis- God ever gave was to John on the Isle tration being illegal, will be rejected of of Patmos, what conclusion must we God. come to in regard to them? We must "Oh but," says one, "such a person, of- conclude that all their administrations ficiating or being administered to, may are illegal. If I have been baptized by have been sincere." Yes, I admit that. the Presbyterians, Church of England, Sincerity is a good thing, and without Roman Catholics, Greek church, Wes- it there can be no real Christians; but leyans, or by any other religious denomi- sincerity does not make a person a true nation which denies any later revelation child of God; it requires something more than the Bible, my baptism is good for than that. If sincerity alone where suf- nothing. God has had nothing to do with ficient to make a person a child of God, it, never having spoken to or called the then the heathens, when they wash in minister who officiated, as Aaron was the Ganges, worship crocodiles, the sun, called, that is, by new revelation. moon, stars, or graven images, or when "Well," says one, "that is unchristian- they fall down and are crushed beneath izing the world." I know, according to the cars of Juggernaut, would be chil- the views contained in the Bible, that dren of God; for in these various acts, it is unchristianizing it in one of the they certainly give proof of their sin- most fundamental points—it shows that cerity, and if, according to the ideas of all the ordinances and ceremonies of the some persons, that only were necessary Christian world, being administered in to make them God's children, they would the name of the Trinity, without new rev- certainly be right. But it is not so. Sin- elation, are illegal and of none effect, and cerity undoubtedly shows the existence that God does not record them in the of a good principle in the heart of ei- heavens, though they may be recorded ther heathen or sectarian, but it does not by man on the earth. But when a man show that its possessor is right, or that is called by new revelation, it alters the he has received the true doctrine; it only case. When God speaks or sends an an- shows that he is sincere. gel, and a man is called and ordained, Let us come back again to the sub- not by uninspired men who deny new ject of the administration of ordinances revelation, but by divine authority, when by divine appointment. I said their bap- he administers baptism, or any other or- tisms are illegal. Now let me go a lit- dinance of the Gospel, it is legal, and tle farther, and say that the ordinance of what is legal and sealed on earth is legal marriage is illegal among all people, na- and sealed in heaven, and when such an tions and tongues, unless administered administration is recorded here on the by a man appointed by new revelation earth, it is also recorded in the archives from God to join the male and female as of heaven: and in the great judgment husband and wife. Says one—"You do day, when mankind are brought before not mean to say that all our marriages the bar of Jehovah, the Great Judge of are also illegal, as well as our baptisms?" the quick and dead, to give an account of Yes, I do, so far as God is concerned. the deeds done in the body, it will then be That is taking a very broad standpoint; known whether an individual has offici- but I am telling you that which is my ated in or received ordinances by divine belief; and I presume, so far as I am 176 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. acquainted, it is the belief of the Latter- have, such as the Campbellites and the day Saints throughout the world, that Baptists—we tell him that, if he believes all the marriages of our forefathers, for in our doctrine, he must he baptized over many long generations past, have been again, because his former baptism was illegal in the sight of God. They have administered by a man who denied new been legal in the sight of men; for men revelation, and who did not believe that have framed the laws regulating mar- any had been given, later than that con- riage, not by revelation, but by their tained in the New Testament. It is the own judgment; and our progenitors were same in regard to marriages. married according to these laws, and The people are very anxious that hence their marriages were legal, and their children should be legitimate, and their children were legitimate, so far as that their marriages should be so sol- the civil law was concerned; and this is emnized that God will recognize them as true of our own day as of the past; but in the eternal worlds; and hence we in the sight of heaven these marriages say to all the thousands and scores of are illegal, and the children illegitimate. thousands who come here from foreign "Well," says one, "how are you going lands—"Come forward and be married to make these marriages legal? Here according to divine appointment, that are a man and woman, who were mar- you may be legally husband and wife in ried, according to the civil law, before the sight of heaven." they ever heard of your doctrines; but Now let us go a little further. Hav- they have come to an understanding of ing explained to you the authority neces- them, and now is there any possible way sary to join men and women in the Lord, to make their marriage legitimate, in the we will now explain the nature of mar- sight of heaven?" Yes. How? By having riage itself—whether it is a limited con- them re-married by a man who has au- dition, to terminate with what we call thority from God to do it. This has been "time;" or whether it is a union which done in almost numberless instances; will exist throughout all the ages of eter- and it is the same with baptism. Has nity. This is an important question. So any person, baptized by the Methodists, far as the ordinance of baptism is con- Church of England, Baptists or Presby- cerned, we know that does not relate to terians, been admitted into the Church time alone. It must be administered in of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on time, or during our existence in mortal his old baptism? Never. Not one among life; but its results reach beyond death, the hundreds of thousands who have and the burial in, and coming forth out joined this Church, since its rise in 1830, of, the water are typical of the death has been admitted on his or her old bap- and resurrection of our Savior. When we tism. Why not? Because we do not be- come forth out of the water, we rise to a lieve in their old baptisms. The Lord has newness of life, and it is declared to all commanded his servants to go forth and people who witness the performance of preach the Gospel, and to baptize all who the ordinance, that the candidates thus come unto them for baptism. If we find receiving baptism, expect to come forth a sincere man, who has gone through from the tomb, that their bodies will a correct form of baptism—and many be resurrected, bone coming to its bone, MARRIAGE. 177

flesh and skin coming upon them, and nance that pertains to this world, and the skin covering them; that if they are here it must be attended to; and parties faithful to the end they will come forth neglecting it willfully, here in this life, immortal beings, and will inherit ce- deprive themselves of the blessings of lestial glory. Thus you see that bap- that union forever in the world to come. tism points forward to eternity, its effects It is so with regard to baptism. We are reaching beyond the grave. So in regard bringing up these two divine ordinances to marriage. to show you how they harmonize. A man Marriage, when God has a hand in who, in this life, hears the Gospel and it, extends to all the future ages of eter- knows that it is his duty to be baptized nity. The Latter-day Saints never marry in order that he may come forth in the a man and a woman for time alone, un- morning of the resurrection with a celes- less under certain circumstances. Cer- tial, glorified body, like unto that of our tain circumstances would permit this, as Lord Jesus Christ, and neglects baptism in a case where a woman, for instance, and dies without attending to the ordi- is married to all eternity to a husband, nance, cannot be baptized himself after a good faithful man, and he dies. After the resurrection of the dead, any more his death, she may be married to a living than he can be married after the resur- man, for time alone, that is until death rection of the dead. Why not? Because shall separate her from her second hus- God has appointed that both marriage band. Under such circumstances, mar- and baptism shall be attended to in the riage for time is legal. But when it flesh, and if neglected here, the blessings comes to marriage pertaining to a cou- are forfeited. ple, neither of whom has ever been mar- We read, in our text, something about ried before, the Lord has ordained that the first marriage which took place on that marriage, if performed according to our earth. Much has been said in re- his law, by divine authority and appoint- lation to this event, and inasmuch as ment, shall have effect after the resur- God ordained this sacred rite, I feel dis- rection from the dead, and shall continue posed to bring it up as a type of all fu- in force from that time throughout all ture marriages. The first pair of whose the ages of eternity. marriage we have any account, on this Says one—"What are you going to earth, were immortal beings. "What! do with that Scripture which says that You do not mean to say that immortal in the resurrection, they neither marry, beings marry, do you?" Yes, that is the nor are given in marriage?" I am going first example we have on record. In- to let it stand precisely as it is, with- quires one—"Do you mean to say that out the least alteration. A man who is Adam was an immortal being?" What so foolish as to neglect the divine ordi- is the nature of an immortal being? nance of marriage for eternity, here in It is one who has not had the curse this world, and does not secure to him- of death pronounced upon him. Had self a wife for all eternity, will not have Adam the curse of death pronounced the opportunity of doing so in the res- upon him, when the Lord brought Eve— urrection; for Jesus says, that after the the woman—and gave her to him? No, resurrection there is neither marrying he had not. Had the Lord pronounced nor giving in marriage. It is an ordi- the curse of death upon Eve at the 178 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. time he brought her to Adam? He had can you show me one thing that our first not. Why not? Because neither of them parents forfeited by the Fall that was had transgressed. It is said in the New not restored by the atonement of Jesus? Testament that death entered into this Not a thing. If they forfeited the life of world by transgression, and in no other their bodies, the atonement of Christ and way. If Adam and Eve had never trans- his victory over the grave by the resur- gressed the law of God, would they not rection restored to Adam and Eve that be living now? They certainly would; immortality they possessed before they and they would continue to live on mil- transgressed; and whatever they lost or lions of years hence. Can you, by stretch- forfeited by the Fall was restored by Je- ing your thoughts into the ages of fu- sus Christ. But we have no account that turity, imagine a point of time, wherein Adam and Eve forfeited the privilege of Adam and Eve would have been mortal their eternal union by their transgres- and subject to death if it had not been sion; hence, when they, by virtue of the for their transgression? No, you can- atonement of Christ, come forth from the not. Well, then, were they not immortal? grave (if they did not come forth at the They were to all intents and purposes resurrection of Christ), they will have two immortal beings, male and female, immortal bodies, and they will have all joined together in marriage in the begin- the characteristics, so far as their bod- ning. Was that marriage for eternity, or ies are concerned, that they possessed until death should separate them? I re- before the Fall. They will rise from the member attending some weddings when grave male and female, immortal in their I was a youth, and this sentence has natures, and the union which was in- generally been incorporated in all the stituted between them before they be- marriage ceremonies I have seen per- came mortal will be restored, and, as formed by civil authority—"I pronounce they were married when immortal be- you husband and wife, until death shall ings, they will continue to be husband you separate." A very short contract, is and wife throughout all the future ages it not? Only lasts for a little time, per- of eternity. haps death might come tomorrow or next It may be inquired, "What is the ob- day, and that would be a very short pe- ject of that? Marriage, we supposed, was riod to be married, very different from instituted principally, that this world the marriage instituted in the beginning; might be filled with inhabitants, and between the two immortal beings. Death if that was the object, when the earth was not taken into consideration in their has received its full measure of creation, case; it had never been pronounced. The what is the use of this eternal union in Lord had said nothing about death, but marriage, continuing after the resurrec- he had united them together, with the in- tion?" tention of that union continuing through Have you never read the first great all the ages of eternity. commandment given in the Bible? God said, "Be fruitful and multiply." Did he Inquires one, "Did they not for- give this commandment to mortal be- feit this by eating the forbidden ings? No, he gave it to two immortal fruit?" We have no account that beings. "What! Do you mean to say they did; but supposing they did, that immortal beings can multiply, as MARRIAGE. 179 well as be married for all eternity?" I do. of a first world is out of the question, God gave the command to these two im- just as much as the idea of a first foot mortal personages, before the Fall, show- of space, or the first foot in endless line. ing clearly and plainly that immortal be- Take an endless line and undertake to ings had that capacity, or else God would find the first foot, yard or mile of it. It never have given it to them. I will ad- cannot be done, any more than you can mit that they had no power to beget chil- find out the first minute, hour or year dren of mortality; it required a fall to en- of endless duration. There is no first able them to do that, and without that minute, hour or year in endless dura- no mortal beings could have been pro- tion, and there is no first in an endless duced. But we see what has been en- chain of worlds, and God has been at tailed upon the children of Adam, by the work from all eternity in their formation. Fall. Instead of his offspring being im- What for? Is it merely to see his power mortal, they come forth into this world exercised? No: it is that they might be and partake of all that fallen nature that peopled. Peopled by whom? By those Adam and Eve had after they fell; and who have the power to multiply their they have also inherited the death of the species. There never will be a time that body. If we are to be restored to immor- there will be a final stop to the making of tality with them, we must be restored to worlds; their increase will continue from that heavenly union of marriage, or else this time henceforth and forever; and as we lose something. If they had the power the number of worlds will be endless, so to multiply children of immortality, and will be the number of the offspring of if the command was given to them to do each faithful pair. They will be like the so before they became mortal, if their stars in the sky or the sands upon the children are ever restored to what was seashore; and worlds will be filled up by lost by the Fall, they must be restored to the posterity of those who are counted that also. Here then is a sufficient object worthy to come forth, united with that why multiplication should continue after heavenly and eternal form of marriage the resurrection. which was administered to Adam and "But," inquires someone, "will not Eve in the beginning. this world be sufficiently full, without "But you told us a little while ago, resurrected beings bringing forth chil- that our marriages were illegal, and now dren through all ages of eternity?" We how can our species be multiplied after must recollect that this world is not the resurrection? It cannot be, there is the only one that God has made. He no marrying nor giving in marriage then. has been engaged from all eternity in What then will become of the people, un- the formation of worlds; that is, there less there is some provision, ordained have been worlds upon worlds created by the Lord, whereby the living can act by those who have held the power, for the dead?" Take away that princi- and authority, and the right to cre- ple, and amen to all those who have ate; and an endless chain of worlds not been married for eternity, as well as has thus been created, and there never time, so far as the multiplication of their was a period in past duration, but species is concerned; for you cannot get what there were worlds. The idea married there. But if there is a provi- 180 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. sion by which those who are living here they can be baptized for and in behalf in the flesh, may officiate in sacred and of the dead, they can be confirmed, and holy ordinances, for and in behalf of the can also officiate in the ordinance of mar- dead, then the question will arise, How riage for them. Why be so inconsistent, far do these ordinances extend? as to suppose that God should ordain Some may say, "Perhaps they only ex- a law by which the living can be bap- tend to baptism. We believe that bap- tized for the dead, and do no more for tism for the dead is true, because the them? God is more merciful and con- Scriptures speak very plainly about that sistent than that; and when he spoke in in the 15th chapter of Paul's first epis- our day and revealed the plan of salva- tle to the Corinthians, in which, in ar- tion, he, as far as we were ready to re- guing about the resurrection of the dead, ceive it, gave us a system, by which the the Apostle says—'Else what shall they dead who have died without the opportu- do which are baptized for the dead, if the nity of hearing and obeying the Gospel, dead rise not at all? why then are they may be officiated for in all respects, and baptized for the dead?'" Sure enough, redeemed to the uttermost and saved it would have been useless for those with a full salvation; and hence, Latter- Corinthians to have been baptized for day Saints, there is hope for our genera- the dead, if there had been no resurrec- tions who have lived on the earth, from tion. But Paul very well knew that the our day back to the falling away of the Corinthians understood that they should church—some sixteen or seventeen cen- be baptized for their dead; and that they turies ago. You can reach back to that were actually practicing that ordinance, day and pick up all your generations— that their ancestors, who had been dead the hearts of the children searching af- for generations, might have the privilege ter the fathers from generation to gen- of coming forth in the resurrection. Bap- eration; and the ancient fathers looking tism was typical of their burial and res- down to their children, to do something urrection, and hence Paul, in writing to for them, just as the Lord promised in the Corinthians, used it as an argument the last chapter of Malachi. There is a in support of the principle of the resur- promise that before the great day of the rection. Lord should come, it should burn as an But is there any inconsistency, in oven, and all the proud and they that supposing that other ordinances may be do wickedly should become as stubble. officiated in, for, and in behalf of the But before that terrible day should come, dead? Or shall we say, that God has God would send Elijah the Prophet to merely selected the one ordinance of bap- turn the hearts of the children to the fa- tism, and told the living to officiate in thers, and the hearts of the fathers to the that for the dead, and to neglect all children, lest the Lord should come and others? If, however, we believe that smite the earth with a curse. As much God is a God of order and of justice, as to say, that the children would perish it is reasonable to suppose that if, by as well as the fathers, if this turning of his permission and ordination, the liv- their hearts towards each other did not ing can do anything for the dead, they take place. Paul, in speaking about their can do everything for them, so far as forefathers, to those who lived in his ordinances are concerned. That is, if day, said—"They without us cannot be MARRIAGE. 181 made perfect, neither can we be made no man of God in ancient days, to whom perfect without them." There must be a the Lord revealed himself, who had two union between ancient and modern gen- or more wives living with him at the erations, between us and our ancestry. same time? Without devoting much time To say that God would be kind and mer- to the discussion of this subject, I will ciful to a certain generation, and reveal refer to the special instance, recorded his Gospel through a holy angel for their in the Book of Genesis, of Jacob, after- special benefit, and leave all other gen- wards surnamed Israel, because of his erations without hope, is inconsistent. mighty faith in, and power with God. When God begins a work, it is worthy He had four living wives. Was his prac- of himself—Godlike in its nature, soar- tice in this respect sanctioned by the ing into high heaven, and penetrating Almighty? Read about Jacob, when he the regions of darkness, for those who was a youth, before he was married at are shut up in their prison house, that all, and see what peculiar favors the liberty may be proclaimed to the cap- Lord bestowed upon him. He, upon one tives; a plan that not only pertains to the occasion, fled from the country where present, but reaches back into the past, his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac, had and saves to the uttermost all who are sojourned, to escape from his brother entitled to, and are willing to receive his Esau, and he laid himself down on the preferred mercy. But these ordinances earth, having a rock for his pillow. He must be attended to here, in this world prayed to the Lord, and the Lord heard and probation. This is the law of the his prayer, and the visions of heaven Great Jehovah. In the resurrection these were opened to his mind. He saw a things cannot be done. ladder ascending from the place where Having explained marriage for eter- he was sleeping, that reached into the nity, let me explain another portion of heavens; he saw the angels of God as- my text—"Wherefore they are no more cending and descending upon that lad- twain, but one flesh. What God hath der; he heard the voice of the Lord pro- joined together, let not man put asun- claiming to him what a great and power- der." ful man he should become, that the Lord There seems to have been, in the would multiply him, &c., and his seed beginning, so far as we have any ac- should be as numerous as the stars of count in the Bible, two personages, one heaven, and Jacob worshiped the Lord man and one woman—Adam and Eve, from that time forth. He went down into united for all eternity. They had power Syria, and there he entered the service to multiply their species, and their pos- of one Laban, as a herder of sheep. In terity will become so numerous that, in process of time he married one of the the coming ages of eternity, they will daughters of Laban, whose name was be innumerable. Some, perhaps, may Leah. Shortly afterwards he married a argue that, inasmuch as in the begin- second daughter of this Laban, whose ning of this creation God saw proper name was Rachel. In a very short pe- to place only one pair to begin the riod of time he married another woman, work of peopling the world, there could who lived in the household of Laban, not be such a thing, divinely ordained named Bilhah, and in a little time af- and appointed, as a man having two ter that he married a fourth woman, wives living at the same time. In an- swer to this let me ask, Was there 182 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. whose name was Zilpah. Here were ceiving a blessing from him. The Lord four women married to Jacob, and in the finally blessed him, and said that, as book of Genesis they are called his wives. a man who would take no denial, as a Now, did the Lord sanction, or did he prince, he had prevailed with God, and not sanction the marriage of Jacob with received blessings at his hands. these four wives? And did he, after Jacob Some people suppose that this was had married them, condescend to hear Jacob's first conversion, and that he got Jacob's prayers? We find Jacob continu- his wives before his conversion. But we ally receiving revelation after this, and will trace the history of Jacob a little fur- that is pretty conclusive proof that he ther. The day after he had wrestled with was not rejected of the Lord because of the angel, he went across the brook, and his having more than one wife. expecting Esau to meet him with a great When the children of Jacob and his army of men, he felt a little fearful. So he four wives became numerous, he re- took one wife with her children, and sent solved to leave that foreign country, and them ahead; behind her he set another returned to the land where Abraham, wife with her children; still behind her and his father, Isaac, had lived. He he set the third wife and her children, reached the brook Jabbok, and then sent and, last of all, the fourth wife and her his company on before him, and he be- children. By and by Esau came along, gan to wrestle in prayer with God. He having passed by the flocks and herds felt some alarm in consequence of the en- which Jacob had sent ahead as a present mity of his brother Esau, who lived in the to him, and he meets the wife and chil- country to which he was going, and he dren placed first in the row. Probably he wrestled and plead with the Lord. The looked at them, and wondered who they Lord sent an angel down in order to try could all be. He passed the second and the faith of Jacob, and to see whether he third company, and finally he came to Ja- would give up wrestling and praying or cob and the fourth company, and, said he, not. The angel undertook to get away "Jacob, who are all these?" The answer from him, but Jacob caught hold of him was—"These are they whom the Lord my and said, "I will not let thee go until thou God has graciously given to thy servant." bless me." The angel, of course, did not What! A man who, according to Dr. New- exercise supernatural power all at once, man, was converted only the night previ- but he continued to wrestle with Jacob as ous, telling his brother that the Lord had though he desired to get away from him, given him four wives and a great many and they struggled there all night long, children? Yes, and it was all right, too. and at last, finding that the only way he could overpower him was to perform "But," says one, "How are you go- a miracle, the angel touched the hollow ing to reconcile this with that portion of Jacob's thigh, and caused the sinew to of your text, also a quotation from the shrink, producing lameness. Here, then, forepart of Genesis, which says—'and was a man with mighty faith. He wres- they twain shall be one flesh?'" Are they tled all night with one whom he had rea- one flesh, or at least are they one person- son to believe was a divine personage, age? No, the Lord did not say that they and he would not let him go without re- should be, but they twain should be one MARRIAGE. 183

flesh. In what respect? Says one, "I sup- porate the four wives of Jacob, as well pose in respect to their children, as the as one. Take it any way you please flesh of both man and wife is incorpo- and we find that God did acknowledge rated in their children, and they thus it, for he blessed these four wives and become one flesh." Let us look at it in all their children. Look at their poster- this light. When the first child of Ja- ity, for instance. God so honored the cob's first wife was born, if it had ref- twelve sons of Jacob's four wives, that he erence to the children, they twain were made them the heads, the patriarchs of one flesh then. By and by Rachel brings the whole twelve tribes of Israel. The forth a son, and if the "one flesh" had ref- land was named after them—the land erence to the children, Jacob and Rachel Reuben, the land Simeon, the land Ju- were one flesh in that child. By and by dah, etc.; and these tribes acknowledged Jacob and Bilhah become parents, and these polygamist children as their fa- they are also one flesh in the child born thers and patriarchs. unto them; and lastly Zilpah has a child, We may go beyond this life, to the and she and Jacob are also "one flesh next, and we shall find that the honors therein." conferred by God upon these twelve sons are continued there. Christians believe "Well," says one, "If it does not refer to that there will be a holy Jerusalem come the children, perhaps it may refer to that down from God out of heaven, which oneness of mind which should exist be- will be prepared as a bride adorned tween husband and wife." Very well, let for her husband. This holy city which us look at it in this light. Can there be a will descend from God out of heaven, union between two individuals so far as will have a wall round it, and in this the mind is concerned? Let us see what wall there will be a certain number of Jesus said. "Father, I pray not for these the most beautiful gates—three on the alone"—meaning the Twelve Apostles— north, three on the south, three on the "whom thou hast given me out of the east and three on the west. Each of these world, but I pray for all them that shall gates will be made of one pearl—a pre- believe on me through their words; That cious stone most beautiful to look upon. they all may be one; as thou, Father, On each of these gates there will be a art in me and I in thee, that they may certain name—one will have inscribed be one in us." What! More than two be upon it the name of Judah, another Levi, in one? Yes. It matters not if there another Simeon, and so on until the were two thousand that believed on Je- whole twelve gates will be named after sus through the Apostles' words, they the twelve sons of Jacob and his four were to be one in their affections, desires, polygamic wives; thus we see that, in- &c., and it might include and would in- stead of the Lord calling them bastards; clude all the members of the Church of and forbidding them to enter the congre- God that ever did live in any dispensa- gation of the Lord until the tenth gen- tion, and remained faithful to the end, eration, he honors them above all peo- for they all will be one as Jesus and the ple, making them the most conspicuous Father are one. in the holy city, having their names writ- "They twain shall be one flesh." ten on its very gates. If it means in regard to mental Of course, everybody who enters qualities and faculties it may incor- therein must be very holy, or the city 184 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. could not be holy, for without the city, mongers, adulterers, and whosever we are told, there will be dogs, sorcer- loveth and maketh a lie. Do you want ers, whoremongers, adulterers, murder- to associate with them?" "Well, I think ers and whosoever loveth and maketh their society will be a little more pleas- a lie, but all within will be holy and ant than that of those old polygamists." righteous—such men as Abraham and Will this be the way people will rea- a great many others, who have had son, when they come before this holy more than one wife. If Abraham, Isaac city? No, I think they will be very and Jacob are to be saved in the king- glad to get into Abraham's bosom if he dom of God in that holy city, will not has more than one wife. You remem- monogamists, who only believe in hav- ber poor Lazarus the beggar, who died ing one wife, be honored if they have seeking a crumb from the rich man's ta- the privilege of entering there? We are ble. After his death he was carried by told that many shall come from the east angels to Abraham's bosom. By and by and from the west, and shall sit down the rich man died, and he, being in tor- with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, an- ment, lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus cient polygamists, the latter with his afar off in Abraham's bosom, that is, four wives, and will be counted worthy associating with the polygamist Abra- to be saved therein; while many who ham. How this rich man did plead! "Oh, profess to be the children of the king- father Abraham, send Lazarus to me!" dom, will be cast into outer darkness, "What do you want?" "Let him come and where there is weeping and wailing, and dip the tip of his finger in water, and gnashing of teeth. This is what Je- touch my burning tongue; for I am tor- sus says, consequently I do not think mented in this flame." "Oh, no," says that those who have formed the idea Abraham, "there is a great gulf between that only the monogamic system of mar- you and me, you must stay where you riage is accepted of the Almighty, will are. Lazarus is in my bosom, and he feel in those days as they do now. I can't be sent on such an errand as that." do not think that class of persons will "Well, then, father Abraham, if you can- be ashamed, if they have the privilege not send Lazarus to perform this act of of coming forth in the morning of the mercy on my behalf, do send him to my first resurrection, of entering into that brethren who are living on the earth, and holy city, even if they see the names warn them, that they come not to this of Jacob's polygamic children upon its place." He did not want anybody else to gates. There may be some so delicate go there, he was so tormented himself. in their feelings as to say—"O, no, Lord, "No," said Abraham, "they have Moses I don't want to go in at that gate, the and the prophets; they have the reve- people are polygamists, I would like you lations of God before them; if they will to take me to some other place." They not believe them, they would not though go to the next gate, and the next, un- Lazarus or anybody else should be sent til they have been to each one, and they to them from the dead." all are polygamic. Then the inquiry may be—"Is there not some other city where That is the case with this gener- the people are not polygamists?" "Oh yes, ation also. If they will not believe there are plenty of places, but outside of what is testified to and spoken of in this city there are dogs, sorcerers, whore- the Bible, in regard to marriage, the ORDINANCES, ETC. 185 holy ordinance ordained of God, they tains, who profess to believe just as the would not believe though Lazarus or Bible teaches in many places, and we anybody else were sent from the eter- can't endure it. They believe in the Old nal worlds to preach these things unto Testament as well as the New, and it them. They would ridicule then as must be blasphemy." they do now, and their cry, then as now, would be, "Congress, oh Congress, Who said so? Did our forefathers, can't you do something to stop that aw- when they framed the Constitution, say ful corruption with which we are af- that all who believed in the New Testa- flicted away up in the mountains? Can't ment should have religious liberty, and you pass some laws that shall restrict that all who undertook to believe in those 'Mormons' and compel them to the Old Testament should be turned be married by some Federal officer who out of this government, and be afflicted shall be sent into their Territory, and with some terrible penalty and law that do away with that part of their reli- should be passed by Congress? I think gion? Oh Congress, do something to we have the privilege of believing in destroy this corruption out of our land. the Old Testament as well as the New. There is a people up in yonder moun- Amen.

ORDINANCES THAT CAN ONLY BE ADMINISTERED IN THE TEMPLE—ENDOWMENTS, ETC.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVEREDAT FRANKLIN,CACHE COUNTY, THURSDAY EVENING,SEPTEMBER 4, 1873.

REPORTEDBY JOHN Q.CANNON.

We have taken you a little by sur- opportunity of stopping in the settle- prise, brethren and sisters, in coming ments and having meetings. I will talk in to your town today. This is in con- to you a few moments, then I will retire sequence of its being so stormy where to my rest, and not stay here during the we have been, and we thought we would meeting. I feel very wearied; but I was not venture to drive from Soda Springs quite unwell when I left home, and our through to Logan in two days. By taking journey has been quite fatiguing. more time, we thought we would have an The remarks that I shall make to 186 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. you this evening will be upon the sal- to their fathers, and those who have vation of the people. There are a few slept clear up to father Adam. This will ideas that I will relate to you, that the have to be done, because of the chain brethren and sisters should understand. of the Priesthood being broken upon the There are many of the ordinances of the earth. The Priesthood has left the peo- house of God that must be performed ple, but in the first place the people left in a Temple that is erected expressly the Priesthood. They transgressed the for the purpose. There are other ordi- laws, changed the ordinance, and broke nances that we can administer without the everlasting covenant, and the Priest- a Temple. You know that there are some hood left them; but not until they had which you have received—baptism, the left the Priesthood. This Priesthood has laying on of hands, the gifts of the Holy been restored again, and by its author- Ghost, such as the speaking in and inter- ity we shall be connected with our fa- pretation of tongues, prophesying, heal- thers, by the ordinance of sealing, until ing, discerning of spirits, etc., and many we shall form a perfect chain from fa- blessings bestowed upon the people, we ther Adam down to the closing up scene. have the privilege of receiving without a This ordinance will not be performed Temple. There are other blessings that anywhere but in a Temple; neither will will not be received, and ordinances that children be sealed to their living par- will not be performed according to the ents in any other place than a Temple. law that the Lord has revealed, with- For instance, a man and his wife come out their being done in a Temple pre- into the Church, and they have a fam- pared for that purpose. We can, at the ily of children. These children have been present time, go into the Endowment begotten out of the covenant, because House and be baptized for the dead, re- the marriages of their parents are not ceive our washings and anointing, etc., recognized by the Lord as performed by for there we have a font that has been his authority; they have, therefore, to erected, dedicated expressly for baptiz- be sealed to their parents, or else they ing people for the remission of sins, for cannot claim them in eternity; they will their health and for their dead friends; be distributed according to the wisdom in this the Saints have the privilege of of the Lord, who does all things right. being baptized for their friends. We also When we had a Temple prepared in Nau- have the privilege of sealing women to voo, many of the brethren had their chil- men, without a Temple. This we can dren who were out of the covenant sealed do in the Endowment House; but when to them, and endowments were given. we come to other sealing ordinances, or- Then parents, after receiving their en- dinances pertaining to the holy Priest- dowments, and being sealed for time hood, to connect the chain of the Priest- and all eternity, and they have other hood from father Adam until now, by children, they are begotten and born sealing children to their parents, being under the covenant, and they are the sealed for our forefathers, etc., they can- rightful heirs to the kingdom, they pos- not be done without a Temple. But we sess the keys of the kingdom. Children can seal women to men, but not men to born unto parents before the latter en- men, without a Temple. When the or- ter into the fullness of the covenants, dinances are carried out in the Temples have to be sealed to them in a Temple to that will be erected, men will be sealed ORDINANCES, ETC. 187 become legal heirs of the Priesthood. It night. The subject would require a good is true they can receive the ordinances, deal of explaining to the people, conse- they can receive their endowments and quently, I will pass over it at present. be blessed in common with their parents; I can merely say this, however, that we but still the parents cannot claim them see that the Lord makes his selection ac- legally and lawfully in eternity unless cording to his own mind and will with they are sealed to them. Yet the chain regard to his ministers. Brother Joseph would not be complete without this seal- Smith, instead of being the firstborn, ing ordinance being performed. was the third son of his father's fam- Now, to illustrate this, I will refer ily who came to maturity, yet he is ac- to my own father's family. My father tually the heir of the family; he is the died before the endowments were given. heir of his father's house. It seems to None of his children have been sealed to us that the oldest son would be the natu- him. If you recollect, you that were in ral heir; but we see that the Lord makes Nauvoo, we were very much hurried in his own selection. There are some in- the little time we spent there after the quiries now with regard to officiating Temple was built. The mob was there in ordinances, which I wish to answer. ready to destroy us; they were ready to Some brethren here are anxious to know burn our houses, they had been doing whether they can receive endowments it for a long time; but we finished the for their sons or for their daughters. No, Temple according to the commandment they cannot until we have a Temple; that was given to Joseph, and then took but they can officiate in the ordinances our departure. Our time, therefore, was so far as baptism and sealing are con- short, and we had no time to attend to cerned. A man can be baptized for a son this. My father's children, consequently, who died before hearing the Gospel. A have not been sealed to him. Perhaps all woman can be baptized for her daugh- of his sons may go into eternity, into the ter, who died without the Gospel. Sup- spirit world, before this can be attended pose that the father of a dead son wishes to; but this will make no difference; the to have a wife sealed to his son; if the heirs of the family will attend to this if it young woman desired as a wife is dead is not for a hundred years. and have a mother or other female rel- It will have to be done sometime. If, ative in the Church, such mother is the however, we get a Temple prepared be- heir, and she can act in the sealing or- fore the sons of my father shall all have dinances in the stead of her daughter. gone into the spirit world, if there are But if the young woman desired as a any of them remaining, they will attend wife have no relative in the Church, to to this, and as heirs be permitted to re- act in her behalf, then the mother of the ceive the ordinances for our father and young man can be baptized for her, and mother. This is only one case, and, to act as proxy for her in the sealing or- illustrate this subject perfectly, I might dinances. We can attend to these ordi- have to refer to hundreds of examples for nances now before the Temple is built each case. here; but no one can receive endow- With regard to the heirship, I ments for another, until a Temple is pre- cannot enter into all the matter to- pared in which to administer them. We 188 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. administer just so far as the law per- of our sins; then we have the privilege of mits us to do. In reality we should entering in through the door of baptism have performed all these ordinances long and going into the house of God. There ago, if we had been obedient; we should is another commandment that the Lord have had Temples in which we could at- has given—it is that they must have tend to all these ordinances. Now, the hands laid on them that they may re- brethren have the privilege of being bap- ceive the Holy Ghost and the gifts and tized for their dead friends—when I say graces that the Lord has for his children; the brethren, I mean the brethren and but if we are not baptized, we are not en- sisters—and these friends can be sealed. titled to the other blessings. If we do not For instance, a man and his wife come believe in the first ordinance we cannot into the Church; he says, "My father and receive the second. If we do not go forth mother were good people; I would like to and be baptized for the remission of sins, officiate for them." "Well, have you any we are not entitled to the Holy Ghost other friends in the Church?" "Nobody and its blessings through the law or the but myself and my wife." Well, now, the requirements of heaven to the children wife is not a blood relation, consequently of our Father. Now, as to the require- she is not in reality the proper person, ments, we will ask, "Do you know the but she can be appointed the heir if there law? Should you keep the law?" Yes, cer- are no other relatives—if there are no tainly you do know by the Book of Doc- sisters, this wife of his can officiate for trine and Covenants, which is for us, and the mother; but if the man has a sis- the New and Old Testament; these are ter in the Church, it is the privilege and a foundation and contain the first laws place of the sister of this man, the daugh- that have been given. We have them ter of those parents that are dead, to go now in our possession. Then the Book of and officiate—be baptized, to go and be Mormon contains the same. The Book of sealed with her brother for her father Mormon contains the same plan of sal- and mother. If this man and woman have vation that the Lord requires the world a daughter old enough to officiate for her to listen to, and the Book of Doctrine grandmother, she is a blood relation, and and Covenants is given for the Latter- is the heir, and can act; but if there is day Saints expressly for their everyday no daughter, the man's wife can be ap- walk and actions. Now, for instance, pointed as the heir. the Latter-day Saints are required to go I want to say a few words with re- to meeting on Sunday. How many are gard to other operations. In the law there that come to these meetings and that the Lord has revealed he requires repent of their sins, confess their sins obedience. I do not know of one or- and partake of the Sacrament of our Sav- dinance but what there are laws con- ior and testify by these acts that they nected with it, and they cannot be dis- are actual believers? Do we keep the regarded by the Saints and they be Sabbath, brethren and sisters? Do we blessed as though the laws were ob- deal justly one with another? Those served. We are required to believe in God things are required of us. Do we walk the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as humbly before our God? Do we permit our Savior; we are required to repent ORDINANCES, ETC. 189 ourselves to speak evil of the anointed ever, they do not live very happily to- of the Lord. Do we permit ourselves, gether." This man probably wants an- brethren, to take the name of the Lord other wife. Is he entitled to these bless- in vain? It is certainly written that we ings? He pays a little Tithing, perhaps, should not do it; that we should not fal- but he says he is going to pay it in full; sify, lie, cheat, etc. Now all these re- and the Bishop says: "He has been teas- quirements are made of us. We are re- ing me a long time for a recommenda- quired to pay Tithing, we are required to tion." "But why did you give it to him?" I deal justly one with another and be hon- will answer this. "I had to give it to him est in our dealing; and all these require- to get rid of him, so that he won't tease ments which I need not repeat over to me anymore." This is the answer. Now you, you read and you understand them. ask yourselves, my brethren and sisters, Now are we entitled to the blessings of is he entitled to the blessings that the the house of God if we keep the com- Lord has for his faithful children? mandments he has given to us? Yes. If Be faithful and obedient to the few we observe his precepts and do them, words that I have said to you, with re- are we entitled to these blessings? Yes. gard to the ordinances, etc., and what we Are we entitled to them if we do not can do and what we cannot do. I said but keep the commandments? No, we are a few words, but they are enough. not. Brethren go and get their endow- I will say to you, may the Lord bless ments, and they get a recommendation you—peace be to you. I am glad that so as to go into the house of the Lord. I am able to be here; there are others Now you go to the Bishop and enquire here who will speak to you. I will tell strictly as to some of these brethren: you honestly I do not feel well; I do not "Does such a brother pay his Tithing? Is feel pleased; it is not gratifying to me he faithful and industrious?" "Well, no." when I hear of those who profess to be "Is he honest in his dealings?" "Well, I Latter-day Saints, living short of their guess he means to do right." "Does he privileges and duties; but when I hear of always speak the truth?" "Well, I can- men and women living up to the privi- not say that he does exactly." "Does he leges that the Lord has for them, it en- drink liquor?" "Well, yes, sometimes he dears them to me, and I delight in them; does. Yes, I think he does, although I and I can say that I continually pray for never saw him drunk." "Does he take the the Latter-day Saints, that the Lord will name of the Lord in vain?" "Well, I don't bless and preserve us, that we may be know, I have heard that he does swear saved in the kingdom of God. This is my sometimes." "Does he quarrel with his constant prayer, and I say God bless you. wife?" "I don't know; I understand, how- Amen. 190 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

VISIT OF THE PRESIDENCY TO THE NORTHERN SETTLEMENTS.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT GEORGE A.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,SEPT. 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

For the past two weeks it has been alive and awake, to attend meetings and my privilege, in company with President to perform their duties. Young, and Elders John Taylor, Can- The changes which have come over non, and Woodruff and others, to travel this land, since we first settled in it, among and visit the Saints in some of the seem wonderful. The first visitors to settlements in the northern valleys of Cache Valley pronounced it too cold a this Territory and the southern portions country for the cultivation of grain. Frost of Idaho. Considering the short time occurred almost every week during the since the settlements north of Ogden summer, and the winters were very se- were formed, especially those of Cache vere. Early explorers of that valley found Valley and Bear Lake, it seems that the thermometer so low in the summer great progress has been made in build- as to deprive us even of a hope of suc- ing towns and villages, preparing places cessful cultivation. But settlements were of worship, providing the necessaries of commenced and farming was attempted, life, and constructing mills, roads and and finally it was concluded that wheat bridges, so that in a very few years the could be grown there. It seems, how- country has been turned from a desert, ever, that the brooding of the Spirit of the uninhabited region, to one of thrift and Lord over that land has softened the cli- plenty. mate, and large crops of many varieties While at Logan, a two days' meet- of fruit, including the apricot and peach, ing was held, on Saturday and Sun- are raised there now. day, two weeks ago today. The peo- ple of the valley were in the midst of a I believe it is the case universally very abundant harvest, and their grain where the Latter-day Saints have set- had so ripened that the harvest came tled in these valleys, and commenced upon them all at once; yet the atten- their work with faith, trusting in the dance at our meetings was very large, Lord, that he has softened the elements larger, in fact, than it had ever been my and tempered the climate, until they pleasure to witness in that place before. are now favorable, and year after year The Spirit of the Almighty seemed to more tender vegetation has been intro- be striving with the people, and though duced. I have noticed this in the set- they were pressed with the labors of an tlements in the Sevier Valley and in abundant harvest, they were on hand, Iron County. I commenced a settlement VISIT OF THE PRESIDENCY, ETC. 191 in Iron County in January, 1851. For We then followed along the west nine years I attempted to raise peaches shores of Bear Lake, some thirty miles, in Parowan, but they were killed to the visiting some small places and making a ground every year. Now Iron County has stop at the fine settlement of St. Charles, become quite a peach growing country. where we also had two meetings. The I attribute this to the blessings of the purity of the water there; the great al- Almighty upon the elements, and from titude and the cool climate will, when this cause the cultivation of grain and more known, render that locality a fa- fruits has progressed from year to year vorite place of resort to travelers and in greater altitudes, until now it is suc- pleasure seekers in the short summer cessful in many localities in the Territory season. The settlers there raise excel- where it was formerly impossible. lent wheat, rye, barley, oats, and heavy crops of potatoes and garden vegetables. They have to watch pretty closely to get Two years ago I visited the valley of their crops in between the spring and Bear River. The Bear Lake country had fall frosts. The country is covered with then been devastated by grasshoppers, a heavy growth of rich grasses. The win- and it presented a scene of utter deso- ters are cold there. The settlement forms lation. The grain and grass crops and part of Oneida County, Idaho, the sur- all the produce of the vegetable kingdom vey of the Territorial line having cut it had been destroyed within a few days by off from Utah, in which it was formerly an arrival of grasshoppers. This season included. we passed into Bear Lake, going part of St. Charles has sixty or seventy fam- the way by the new road recently con- ilies, and wants more settlers. It is wa- structed at a cost of $7,000, by the enter- tered by a stream called Big Creek, the prise of Bishop O. J. Liljenquist and the largest affluent of Bear Lake, a very fine citizens of Hyrum, by the stream known stream, something larger than our Big as Blacksmith's Fork. We followed up Cottonwood, and furnishing abundance this road until we attained an altitude of water to the settlement. The graz- of 5,400 feet above the level of the sea. ing and farming facilities are excellent Then we struck the old Huntsville road there, and the people seemed to be en- and went by that to Laketown, at the joying themselves exceedingly well, and head of Bear Lake. This place is proba- had all they could do to take care of the bly as delightfully and romantically sit- crops and other temporal comforts with uated as any in the Territory. It is which they were surrounded. very near the Territorial line, and con- Bear Lake is about twenty-six miles tains about sixty families. The waters long and about ten miles wide. It is, in of the lake are clear and contain abun- a manner, two lakes, the north end of it, dance of fish; and the meadows around about six miles, being cut off by a kind the head of the lake and in its vicinity of embankment or beach, the two lakes are very fine. The summits of the moun- being connected by a small stream only tains are well covered with timber, which a few yards in width. The south part is not very difficult of access. We had of the lake is very deep and the water two meetings at that place and found pure. It has many streams entering into the people enjoying themselves well. it, and many springs about it, and is a 192 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. nursery for an immense amount of fish; Park, holding meetings in each. Yester- large quantities of which, very fine trout day, we started for Logan, and reached and other choice varieties, are caught in home in four hours and twelve minutes their seasons. in special trains. We had been gone two The stream which leads out of Bear weeks and one day, having traveled two Lake, I think, is nine or ten miles long, hundred miles by carriages through the to where it empties into Bear River. mountains, and two hundred miles by The lake has generally been called Bear railroad. The Elders of our party scat- River Lake, from the supposition that tered among the settlements and held Bear River ran through it; but this is not twenty-six meetings. We visited the Sun- the case. In this respect Bear Lake is un- day schools and different organizations, like the Sea of Galilee and the river Jor- and found them all alive to their several dan. The Jordan runs into one end of the duties. Sea of Galilee and out at the other, pass- ing right through it, but Bear Lake is at the head of a short stream which empties In almost every town we visited we into Bear River. Along this stream and were saluted on our arrival by a body of along Bear River is a large tract of fine our Sunday school children, who turned grazing country, excellent meadow land, out by hundreds. It almost seemed im- which our people are turning to good ac- possible that there could be so many chil- count. dren in the country as came out to meet There is a very fine town called us. Bloomington, on Twin Creeks, contain- ing probably a hundred families; and about two and half miles from Blooming- President Young was suffering on this ton in the principal town in the valley, journey from an attack of rheumatism, called Paris. At Paris we held three days' which rendered him uncomfortable. But meetings, in a shade or grove, which still he preached a number of long and had been prepared for that purpose. A excellent sermons, sometimes speaking large congregation assembled there and an hour and twenty minutes. He ad- gave strict attention, and we enjoyed dressed all the large meetings, and did ourselves exceedingly well, all seeming it in more than his usual energetic, very glad to see us. eloquent and interesting style, and re- After spending these three days at turned from the journey; but he accom- Paris, we visited some of the neighbor- plished it, and returned improved. For ing settlements. We had meeting at a man of his years, performing continu- Montpelier, and passing through Ben- ally, as he does, a vast amount of labor nington, Georgetown, Ovid, and some of both mind and body, it seems almost other small settlements, we visited Soda miraculous that he could take this jour- Springs, where we remained a day and ney, attend so many meetings and coun- a half, having two meetings with the cils, and endure the riding over a coun- people. We then resumed our jour- try as rough as the one we passed over. ney, following down Bear River, camp- We were sometimes seven or eight thou- ing out on our route, until we reached sand feet above the level of the sea, fre- the settlement of Franklin, and thence quently six thousand, and then down to on to Richmond, Smithfield and Hyde four thousand five hundred, and so on, VISIT OF THE PRESIDENCY, ETC. 193 up and down, through valleys and hills, blessing of the Almighty may be upon us the roads sidling in many places, ren- all. I feel that his blessing is over all dering traveling difficult and unpleas- the valleys where the Saints dwell, and ant. Though after I had traveled through inasmuch as they will abide in their holy Palestine, where there are really no faith, the faith of the holy Gospel, live in roads, I thought the country we had just accordance with the principles of truth passed over remarkable for its fine roads. and the law which God has revealed for We bore testimony to the Saints of their salvation, the Lord will be their the everlasting Gospel, the plan of salva- protector. tion which was revealed, through Joseph From the time that Joseph Smith Smith, to this generation. We found took the plates of Mormon from the them generally living in obedience to the hill Cumorah, to the present moment, principles of the Gospel, and rejoicing in the enemy of all righteousness has been the truth. There was a marked improve- howling, and exercising every means in ment, since I traveled through those his power to destroy those who believe in northern regions before, in the condition the Book of Mormon, and who are will- of the roads, bridges, and private resi- ing to follow the instructions and coun- dences, and in some settlements a large sels which God has given for the upbuild- number of barns have been erected. It ing of his kingdom in the last days. But seems, in the making of the settlements they who have been humble, and have in these valleys, that it has been a dif- walked in accordance with their profes- ficult matter for the farmers to provide sions, have been upheld and protected, themselves with sufficient barns and and the blessing of the Almighty has storehouses, they are wanting almost ev- been continually upon them. erywhere, but some of these northern settlements are becoming very well sup- I pray the Lord that his blessings plied with these outdoor conveniences. may rest upon you, and that you may re- I am pleased to have the privi- joice therein, that we may all be able to lege of meeting with you again. I walk humbly before him, keep his com- wish to bear my testimony to the in- mandments, have power to overcome, teresting discourse which has been de- and with the faithful be prepared to livered to you this afternoon by El- dwell in his kingdom, through Jesus our der John Taylor, and I pray that the Redeemer. Amen. 194 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND MODE OF WORSHIPING HIM.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,SEPT. 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I always take pleasure in speaking ments by which we are surrounded; of things pertaining to the kingdom of there are certain sciences which men can God, and to the interest and happiness master by studying the laws which gov- of my fellow men, if I think that I can ern them; but in regard to the worship of be of service or advantage to those to God, it seems to differ materially from whom I address myself. In meeting to- anything else that we have cognizance gether, as we are met today, from time to of. He is a Being that mankind generally time, we do so to reverence and worship, do not have a knowledge of, they do not according to the intelligence and under- have access to his presence, and unless standing we possess, Almighty God, the he communicates it, there is no known giver of our lives and the supporter of law by which we can approach unto him. all things. A feeling of reverence and respect for Deity prevails in some form The ideas of men seem to be vague or other amongst all the human fam- and uncertain in relation to the wor- ily. It assumes, it is true, a variety ship of the Almighty, and they have al- of forms, and there are many different ways been more or less so. When Paul ideas and opinions among men as to the stood up in Athens, some eighteen hun- proper mode of worshiping and render- dred years ago, in speaking upon God, ing ourselves acceptable to our heavenly he says, "I saw an altar on which was Father. All mankind believe, more or inscribed—'TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.'" less, in a Being who rules and governs The Athenians had a variety of gods the universe, and controls the destinies which they professed to know, or that of the human family; and whatever form represented certain ideas, theories and of worship may be followed, it is accom- principles which obtained among them; panied by feelings of reverence and re- but there was one whom they described spect for God. There is something very as the "UNKNOWN GOD." Paul makes singular about this, and it is different a most remarkable statement concerning from anything else that exists on the face this matter. He says—"Him, therefore, of the earth. We have our theories about whom ye ignorantly worship, declare I science; we have principles and laws unto you;" the God who made the heav- which govern mechanism; there are cer- ens, the earth, the seas and the foun- tain known laws which govern the ele- tains of waters. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, ETC. 195

The idolaters who lived long prior to that are rather remarkable on this point. the time when Paul preached Christ and The Apostle tells us—"Now are we the him crucified to the people of Athens, sons of God, but it does not yet appear had some idea of the "UNKNOWN what we shall be: but when he who is GOD." We read that a dream was given our life shall appear, then shall we be to Nebuchadnezzar, unfolding to him cer- like unto him, for we shall see him as he tain things that were to take place in the is!" future; and he called together the magi- It would seem from this, and other cians, astrologers and soothsayers—the Scriptures of a similar kind, that man men of science of those days, and who did once possess a knowledge of God and professed to have a knowledge of the fu- the future, and a certainty in relation to ture, and he told them he wanted them the mode of worshiping him. Paul says to reveal unto him his dream, and then that life and immorality are brought to to give him the interpretation. They told light by the Gospel. The question nec- him that his request was very unrea- essarily arises in our minds, how and sonable; it was beyond their power to by what means are these things accom- comply with, and was a thing not com- plished? In what way are men to be monly asked or required of men of their put in possession of this light and this profession; but if he would give them immortality? And then, men who have the dream, they had rules and principles not been in the habit of reflecting, or whereby they could interpret it. He still if of reflecting, not of judging correctly, insisted upon the dream and the inter- not being in possession of true princi- pretation. They then told the king that ples, think, and their thoughts go back, no being but the "UNKNOWN GOD," and they say—"Well, what of those who who dwelt in the heavens, was able to lived before there was a Gospel?" For my reveal such a secret as he demanded part, I do not know of any such time, I at their hands. We find that, among do not read of any such time, and I am the Babylonians and Chaldeans, behind not in possession of any information in their ideas, theories and mythology, they relation to any such time. I should as had ideas of a Supreme Being who gov- soon think of asking—What of the peo- erned the universe, who alone could re- ple who lived before there was a sun, veal the secret acts of men, and who held moon, stars or earth, or before there their destinies in his hands; and unless was anything to eat or drink, or any there is some plan or law by which men other impossible thing that we could re- can have access to him who, in Scrip- flect upon. Thoughts and ideas of this tures as well as by men at the present kind cannot have foundation in fact; they time, is termed the unknown God, we never did exist. If life and immortal- must remain ignorant of him, his at- ity are brought to light by the Gospel, tributes, designs and purposes, and of then, whenever and wherever men had our relationship to him. a knowledge of life and immortality, Paul also tells us that life and whenever and wherever God revealed immortality are brought to light by himself to the human family, he made the Gospel; hence it would seem that known unto them his will, and drew that is a principle whereby men can aside the curtain of futurity, unfolded be brought into communication with his purposes, and developed those prin- God. There are other Scriptures ciples which we find recorded in Sacred 196 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Writ. Wherever men had a knowl- with the law and to re-instate the Gospel edge of these things, they had a knowl- as it had heretofore existed; the ever- edge of the Gospel; hence it is called in lasting Gospel; that Gospel which brings Scripture, "the everlasting gospel;" and life and immortality to light, and wher- hence John, while on the Isle of Patmos, ever and whenever a knowledge of God wrapped in prophetic vision, beholding was had among the human family, it a succession of marvelous events that was through the instrumentality of the should transpire in after ages, declared, Gospel. among other things—"I saw another an- When Jesus was upon the earth, he gel flying in the midst of heaven, hav- made this principle very plain to the ing the everlasting gospel to proclaim to people on the Asiatic continent; and, those who dwell on the earth, to every as recorded in the Book of Mormon, he nation, kindred, tongue and people, Cry- made it plain to the people on the Amer- ing with a loud voice, Fear God, and give ican continent, revealing to them the glory to him; for the hour of his judgment same principles, truth, light and intel- is come." ligence; organized the churches in the The Gospel, then, in its nature and same way; implanted his Spirit among in its principles, is everlasting; in other them, and imparted to all who were obe- words, it is God's method of saving the dient to his law a knowledge of God and human family; and hence, Christ, of of their own future destiny, and this re- whom we hear and read so much in sult always followed a knowledge of the the Scriptures of divine truth, was "the Gospel among men. Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world." He was believed in, long The reason there is so much confu- before he made his appearance, both sion and disorder among men, today, in on the Asiatic and American continent, the Christian world is—"they have for- and God gave unto his ancient Prophets saken God the fountain of living wa- many visions, manifestations and reve- ters, they have hewn out to themselves lations of his coming to take away the cisterns, broken cisterns, that will hold sins of the world by the sacrifice of him- no water." There were certain princi- self. ples laid down by Jesus and his disci- In speaking of the Gospel, Paul talks ples, and also by Moses, and by Nephi, of it being known as far back as the days Alma and others on this continent, in a of Abraham, for he tells us that "God, very plain, clear and pointed manner, in foreseeing that he would justify the hea- fact, although a mystery to men of the then through faith, preached before, the world, to believers they are as the Scrip- gospel unto Abraham." The same Apos- tures say—so plain that a wayfaring tle tells us concerning Moses and the man though a fool need not err therein; children of Israel having the Gospel. and they are strictly logical, and philo- Says he—"We have the gospel preached sophical and easy of comprehension. unto us, as well as they: but the word There are laws which govern na- preached unto them did not profit, not ture, and the principles of mat- being mixed with faith in those who ter with which we are surrounded, heard it; wherefore the law was added with which many of us are familiar. because of transgression;" and when Je- These laws are as unchangeable as sus Christ came, he came to do away the revolution of the earth upon its THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, ETC. 197 axis, or as the rising and setting of not be so? Say some—"Oh, we are so en- the sun. These laws are perfectly re- lightened and intelligent now. In former liable; they cannot be disregarded with ages, when the people were degraded impunity, for if disregarded, the results and in darkness, it was necessary that he desired will not follow. The truths of the should communicate intelligence to the Gospel, and the principles of the plan of human family; but we live in the blaze of salvation are as immutable as the laws Gospel day, in an age of light and intel- of nature. Men of God in different ages ligence." Perhaps we do; I rather doubt have been in possession of certain philo- it. I have a great many misgivings about sophical truth in relation to God, the the intelligence that men boast so much heavens, the past, the present and the of in this enlightened day. There were future. This has been the case not only men in those dark ages who could com- with men of God on the Asiatic conti- mune with God, and who, by the power nent; but also on this continent; and of faith, could draw aside the curtain however men of the present day may af- of eternity and gaze upon the invisible fect to despise revelation, as many do, as world. There were men who could tell visionary, wild and fanatical, it is to that the destiny of the human family, and the we are indebted for all the knowledge we events which would transpire through- have of God, our own destiny, and of re- out every subsequent period of time until wards and punishments, exaltations or the final winding-up scene. There were degradations hereafter. Lay aside this men who could gaze upon the face of God, revelation, do away with this principle, have the ministering of angels, and un- and the world today is a blank in regard fold the future destinies of the world. to God, heaven and eternity; they know If those were dark ages I pray God to nothing about them. give me a little darkness, and deliver me I have heard some people say—"If from the light and intelligence that pre- God revealed himself to men in other vail in our day; for as a rational, intelli- days, why not reveal himself to us?" I gent, immortal being who has to do with say, why not, indeed, to us? Why should time and eternity, I consider it one of the not men in this day be put in posses- greatest acquirements for men to become sion of the same light, truth and intelli- acquainted with their God and with their gence, and the same means of acquiring future destiny. These are my thoughts a knowledge of God as men in other ages and reflections in relation to these mat- and eras have enjoyed? Why should they ters. not? Who can answer the question? Who Life and immortality, we are told, can solve the problem? Who can tell why were brought to light by the Gospel. these things should not exist today, as And how is that? Why, it is a very much as in any other day? If God is God simple thing, a very simple thing in- and men are men, if God has a design deed. When Jesus was upon the in relation to the earth on which we live, earth he, we are told, came to intro- and in relation to the eternities that are duce the Gospel. He appeared on this to come; if men have had a knowledge of continent as on the continent of Asia God in days past, why not in this day? for that purpose; and in so doing he What good reason is there why it should made known unto men certain principles 198 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. pertaining to their being and origin, and spirit of man. their relationship to God; pertaining to We read a good deal about the soul of the earth on which we live, and to the man, and the body of man. Will anybody heavens with which we expect to be asso- tell me where the body commences and ciated; pertaining to the beings who have where the spirit leaves off, and how they existed and those who will exist; pertain- are united, and what forms the compact? ing to the resurrection of the dead and Can anybody tell about the principle of the life and glory of the world to come. life in man? We have had philosopher af- This is what the Gospel unfolds. It is ter philosopher in all the various Euro- not taught in any of our schools of phi- pean as well as American schools, trying losophy, they do not comprehend it. It to solve this problem. They cannot do it, is a law and a principle laid down by it is yet a mystery. But because a thing is the Almighty; and although a very sim- a mystery, are we to say that it does not ple one it is more subtle in its opera- exist? We see man, perfect in his form, tions than any of the principles of na- in possession of his faculties and clothed ture with which we are acquainted; and with intelligence. One day he is walk- many of them have, for generations, be- ing around, and the next be lies a life- ing unknown in their action and prop- less corpse; with the same body, the same erties to the human family. It is not bones, nerves and muscles and every fac- long since we became acquainted with ulty of his body, apparently, as complete the power of steam. That power has al- as the day before, but he is dead, inani- ways existed, but why did not men make mate, inactive, without a spirit or soul, it available for useful purposes? Because if you please. What brings about this they were unacquainted with its princi- change, or who possesses the power to ples. It is not long since men became ac- resuscitate that man and implant in him quainted with the properties of gas. I can again the principle of life? Where is the remember, in my young days, walking man, the intelligence or the science that along the streets when they were lighted can do it? We do not find it among mor- with oil lamps; and the light was so dim tals. If some of these things are myster- that it only made darkness visible. It ies why not others? is not long since the laws of electricity were discovered, and now they are made God says that no man knows the available for telegraphy and other pur- things of man, but by the spirit of poses. These principles always existed; man that is in him; so no man knows but they eluded the research and intel- the things of God but by the Spirit of ligence of men for ages; but finally they God. How is that Spirit imparted and were made known. Doubtless there are to whom? Through what medium are thousands of other principles in Nature, we to get in possession of these prin- with which we are unacquainted today, ciples? Will any of our savants an- formed by the Great I Am, the Great swer? Will our philosophers tell us Ruler and Governor of the universe, and upon what principle these things can placed under certain laws, just as much be communicated to man, so as to as the principles with which we have bring him into relationship to God, and already been made acquainted by the to enable him to comprehend things operation of the Spirit of God on the which men in former times compre- THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, ETC. 199 hended? There are unquestionably cer- among men in those days, and it bloomed tain laws and principles governing these with immortality, and put its posses- matters, as legitimate as those govern- sors in possession of certainty, intelli- ing any other branch of science or knowl- gence, and knowledge, in relation to edge. If man knows the things of God God, whereby they were enabled to cry— only by the Spirit of God, how are we "Abba, Father," and to approach him in to obtain that Spirit? One of the old the name of his Son, and receive from Apostles, in talking on this subject in for- him the gift of the Holy Ghost, which mer times, told the people to repent and Jesus said would impart a knowledge of be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ God and his purposes, and whereby they for the remission of their sins, and they eventually might be exalted in his celes- should receive the Holy Ghost. What tial kingdom. should that Spirit do? It should take This is the kind of thing that they had of the things of God, and show them to in that day. This is the Gospel that we those who received it. Says the Apostle— have to proclaim to you. Its laws are "Ye have received an unction from the just, strict and equitable to those who Holy One, whereby ye are enabled to embrace it. Those who do not, of course, know all things; and ye need not that any they cannot understand it. Why? Jesus man should teach you save the anointing said to Nicodemus—"Except a man be that is within you, which is true and no born of water, he cannot see the kingdom lie. Ye are our witnesses, as also is the of God; and except he be born of the wa- Holy Ghost, which bears witness of us." ter and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Another one says—"Ye are in possession kingdom of God," that is, he cannot know of a hope that has entered within the anything about it unless he obeys its ini- veil; Whither Christ, our forerunner, has tiatory ordinances. Then, to the Saints, gone, and where he ever lives to make if they do not live their religion and keep intercession for us." their covenants, the light that is within This light and intelligence was com- them will become dark, and how great municated to men in the dark ages. This will be that darkness. This light, truth treasure, says the Apostle, we have in and intelligence can only be obtained, in earthen vessels. This was what Je- the first place, by obedience to the laws sus referred to when he said to the of God; and, in the second place, it can woman of Samaria—"If thou hadst asked only be retained, by continued faithful- of me I would have given thee wa- ness, purity, virtue and holiness. ter which would have been in thee a I pray that God may, by his Spirit, well springing up to everlasting life." lead us in the way of peace, in the name There was a principle of that kind of Jesus. Amen. 200 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

ANCIENT PROPHECY, RELATING TO THE TIME OF THE RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS, TO BE FULFILLED.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ERASTUS SNOW, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,SEPT. 14, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

"But in the last days it shall come will gather her that is driven out, and to pass, that the mountain of the house her that I have afflicted; of the Lord shall be established in the "And I will make her that halted a top of the mountains, and it shall be ex- remnant, and her that was cast far off a alted above the hills; and people shall strong nation: and the Lord shall reign flow unto it. over them in mount Zion from hence- "And many nations shall come, and forth, even for ever."—Micah iv, 1-7. say, Come, and let us go up to the moun- I have read this Scripture in the hear- tain of the Lord, and to the house of the ing of the congregation, believing, as I God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his do, that it is a prophecy having direct ways, and we will walk in his paths: for reference to the latter times, and to the the law shall go forth from Zion, and the day and age now ushered in upon the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. earth. There are many things in the Jew- "And he shall judge among many peo- ish Scriptures, the fulfillment of which ple, and rebuke strong nations afar off; has become a matter of history. There and they shall beat their swords into are many other things which have been plowshares, and their spears into prun- spoken by the mouth of God through inghooks: nation shall not lift up sword his servants the Prophets, which re- against nation, neither shall they learn main yet to be fulfilled. It is a mat- war any more. ter of great importance, to my mind, to "But they shall sit every man under be able to discern those things pertain- his vine and under his fig tree; and none ing to the future, which God has re- shall make them afraid: for the mouth of vealed, which have yet to come to pass. the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. He revealed, beforehand, to the ante- "For all people will walk every one in diluvian world, the approach of the del- the name of his god, and we will walk in uge, and gave them a timely warning, the name of the Lord our God for ever sending his servants amongst them, call- and ever. ing upon them to repent of their sins "In that day, saith the Lord, will and to prepare for that which was com- I assemble her that halteth, and I ing upon the earth. He foretold to ANCIENT PROPHECY, ETC. 201

Abraham the bondage which his seed and his brother John, at the time he would have to endure in the land of healed the lame man at the beautiful Egypt, their final deliverance by the gate of the Temple, and told them con- hand of Moses, and their establish- cerning Jesus, whom they had crucified, ment in the promised land of Canaan. and whom the Father had raised from Moses, and other Prophets raised up af- the dead, of which they were his wit- ter him, foretold the blessings which, nesses, told them that this same Je- through faith and obedience, should be sus had been taken up into heaven, and poured upon Israel, and the scourges and would remain at the right hand of God judgments which should fall upon them until the time of the restitution of all through unbelief and disobedience. Who- things spoken of by all the Prophets ever will read the prophecies of Moses since the world began. Then he, Jesus, contained in Deuteronomy, from the 28th will descend again. From this Scrip- to the 33rd chapter, will perceive there ture we understand that Peter and his clearly foreshadowed the great events in brother Apostles comprehended the doc- the history of the seed of Abraham, from trine of the restitution of all things, and that time until the time of their restora- that it should take place in the latter tion to their promised inheritance, which days preparatory to the second advent of is referred to in the chapter from which the Savior. I have quoted in Micah. All these This was also a theme for angels as great events have been the subjects of well as prophets. We read in the first prophecy, and have been very clearly chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, that pointed out, and perhaps by none more Jesus led his disciples out to the Mount plainly and clearly than by Moses him- of Olives, and there lifted up his hands self, while he was the leader of Israel. and blessed them; and while in the act of giving them their last commission— to go into all the world and preach the The dealings of God with the hu- Gospel to every creature, baptizing them man family have been the subjects of in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy prophecy and revelation, and more es- Ghost, a cloud overshadowed him, and pecially with the descendants of Shem, he ascended from their sight; and as the offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Ja- they stood gazing up into heaven after cob, and not only the Chosen People, but him, two angels stood by them, clothed the nations with which they were iden- in white apparel, and they said unto tified, and with whom they were more them—"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye or less connected and allied in a na- thus gazing up into heaven? Behold, tional capacity. All these things have this same Jesus, which you now see go been the subjects of prophecy; but the up into heaven, shall so come again in burden of prophecy, from the beginning like manner as ye have seen him go into of the world down to the present time, heaven." seems to center upon our day—the time The time of the restitution of all of the restitution of all things spoken of things has not only been the theme so frequently by the Prophets of God. By of angels, Prophets and Apostles, reference to the 3rd chapter of the Acts but of all Saints whose understand- of the Apostles, we find that the Apos- ings have been enlightened by the tle Peter, talking to the wondering Jews Spirit of revelation from on high. assembled together gazing upon him The chapter which I have read from, 202 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. in Micah, brings it down to the last fore shall Zion for your sake be ploughed days, and is perhaps a little more ex- as a field, and Jerusalem shall become plicit than some other prophecies. It heaps, and the mountain of the house as says that "in the last days the mountain the high places of the forest." of the Lord's house shall be established This last prediction has been literally in the tops of the mountains, and shall fulfilled. It has become a matter of his- be exalted above the hills; and people tory that Jerusalem has become heaps of shall flow unto it." "The mountain of the ruins, and the mountain of the house of Lord's house"—this is a peculiar phrase, the Lord has become as the high places and was probably used by the Prophet of the forest, and has been ploughed as because it was a common mode of ex- a field. It is a matter of history that pression in Israel in the days of David the very site of that wonderful Temple and many of the Prophets several hun- was ploughed as a field, and its destruc- dred years after him, for, in speaking of tion was rendered so complete that ev- Mount Moriah, on which the Temple of ery foundation stone was raised; and Solomon was built, they spoke of it as that there might be no vestige of it left, the mountain of the Lord's house. Mo- around which the Jews might cling, the riah is a hill in the city of Jerusalem, Roman Emperor caused that it should on which David located the site of the be ploughed up as a field, thus literally Temple, and on which his son Solomon fulfilling the words of the Prophet and built it, and it was called the mountain the words of the Savior. This woe and of the house of the Lord. This Tem- destruction was predicted and overtook ple suffered spoliation at the hands of that people, and they were eventually the Gentiles, who made inroads on Is- scattered, because of their wickedness, rael from time to time, but it was re- and because of the corruptions of their paired and kept intact until the days of princes, judges and rulers. But it shall the Savior. While he was on the earth come to pass in the last days, saith the he predicted its total destruction, be- Lord through Micah, that the mountain cause of the unbelief of the people. He of the house of the Lord shall be estab- said, Matthew xxiv, 2, the time should lished in the tops of the mountains, and come when not one stone of that Temple shall be exalted above the hills, and peo- should be left on another. The Prophet ple shall flow unto it. Here is a promise Micah predicted the same in the chap- around which the house of Israel may ter preceding the one which I have read cling, and to which they may fasten their from. He says—"Hear this, I pray you, ye faith, for God will not forever hide his heads of the house of Jacob, and princes face from his people; but he will make of the house of Israel, you that abhor choice of a place or places named, and judgment, and pervert all equity. They there he will build his house, and people build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem from all nations will flow unto it. with iniquity. The heads thereof judge This mountain of the Lord's house, for reward, and the priests thereof teach which is to be established in the tops for hire, and the prophets thereof divine of the mountains, seems to be, in the for money: yet will they lean upon the mind of the Prophet, located in a dif- Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among ferent place from the former house, us? none evil can come upon us. There- which was located upon that hill in ANCIENT PROPHECY, ETC. 203

Jerusalem. This, in the latter days, the Isaiah has used nearly the same Prophet says, "shall be in the tops of the language in the second chapter of his mountains." Mark the expression, not on prophecies. Ezekiel, in the 37th chap- the top of a mountain, nor in the tops of ter has used similar language, predicting the highest mountain, but in the "tops the time of the restoration of the house of of the mountains"—the plural number is Israel and the gathering together of the used; in other words, in the midst of the people of God, and that the Lord shall high places of the earth. Not on the bor- reign over them and that a reign of peace ders of the seashore, for the only reason shall be established on the earth. that we speak of mountains on the sur- That this and other prophecies of a face of the earth is because of their eleva- similar character remain yet to be ful- tion above the general level of the ocean. filled, must appear evident to every re- flecting mind, for since these prophecies The mountain of the Lord's house were delivered there has never been a shall be established in the tops of the time in which the nations have beaten mountains in the last days, and people their swords into ploughshares, their from all nations shall flow unto it. And spears into pruninghooks, lived at per- wherefore? What will be their object and fect peace with each other, and walked purpose in fleeing from all nations? They in the ways of the Lord. But it has been will say—"Come, and let us go up to the predicted by the Prophets that such a pe- mountain of the Lord, and to the house of riod will arrive. The same thing was also the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of foretold by the Savior, and by the angels his ways, and we will walk in his paths: who promised his second coming. Mark for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the object of the gathering—the nations the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." shall say, "Let us go up to the mountain Here we learn the object of the people in of the Lord, to the house of the God of fleeing from all nations to the mountain Jacob; for he will teach us of his ways, of the Lord's house: it is that they may and we will learn to walk in his paths." learn of his ways and walk in his paths. How will this be brought about? Because "The Lord shall judge among many peo- the law shall go forth out of Zion, and ple," says Micah, "and rebuke strong na- the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. tions afar off; and they shall beat their How can this be unless God shall begin swords into plowshares, and their spears to reveal himself to his people and min- into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift ister in their midst as in ancient days, by up sword against nation, neither shall his own voice, the voice of Prophets, the they learn war any more. I will as- Spirit of revelation and the ministration semble her that halteth, gather her that of angels? is driven out, her that I have afflicted, I am aware that many people of our even the chosen seed of Abraham, the time attempt to place some mystical and house of Israel that has been scattered illusive construction upon the prophecies and peeled and driven. I will gather her in the Bible, and there is a disposition that was scattered, and her that was cast to ignore the plain and obvious mean- afar off I will make a strong nation: and ing of the declarations of the Prophets, the Lord shall reign over them in mount and to give to them some private in- Zion, from henceforth, even forever." terpretation. But the Apostle Peter, 204 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. in the first chapter of his second epistle, tions, unless God shall speak again from in writing to his brethren on this subject, heaven, as he did in ancient days? says that no prophecy of Scripture is of As Latter-day Saints we accept the any private interpretation, but holy men words of the ancient Prophets and be- of old spoke as they were moved upon by lieve that they will be fulfilled literally. the Holy Ghost. In order that they might Has Jerusalem become a heap of ru- be able to understand these prophecies, ins literally? Were the seed of Abra- the Apostle counseled his brethren to ham in bondage and oppressed by the give heed unto them as unto a light shin- Egyptians literally? Were they deliv- ing in a dark place until the day dawn ered and brought out of that land with and the day star arose in their hearts. a high hand and with great power liter- ally? Did God bring them literally into It is true that the Prophets have told the land of Canaan, which he promised us of dreams and visions which they to Abraham? Have they been broken have had, and in some instances the up and scattered from that land liter- Lord has explained or interpreted them, ally? Did the Savior come, born of a and as such we are to receive them. But virgin, as the Prophets predicted, liter- where he has not deigned to give the in- ally? Did he suffer for our sins and en- terpretation we must wait until he does, dure all that the Prophets had spoken of for it does not belong to men to give their him literally? Did his enemies cast lots own private interpretation thereto. It is for his vesture and divide his garments written, "Interpretations belong to God," among themselves literally? Were "the and where it has pleased him to inter- shepherd smitten and the sheep scat- pret, it behooves us to accept it, and tered" when Jesus was crucified liter- where it has not pleased him to do so it ally? Yes, in all these particulars, his- becomes us to wait until he does, and not tory records, with the greatest minutiae, attempt to obtrude upon mankind our the literal fulfillment of prophecy. Was private interpretation of what God has the house of the Lord thrown down and revealed. Where plain predictions are the very foundation thereof ploughed as uttered, we are to receive them as we a field, literally? Yes, then what rea- would the writings of any other author— son have we to expect other than a lit- according to the plain and obvious mean- eral fulfillment of the next part of the ing of the language. same prophecy, which foretells the es- tablishment of the Lord's house in the How then, I ask, can these prophecies tops of the mountains, the gathering of be fulfilled in the last days, except God people from all nations thereunto, that shall again speak from heaven? Where the Lord will rebuke strong nations afar shall the mountain of the Lord's house be off, and that the nations will beat their established in the tops of the mountains, swords into ploughshares, their spears except God shall make manifest where into pruninghooks, that they will live at he will build his house and establish his peace and learn war no more, and the Zion in the last days? How shall the law Lord will reign over them, from hence- go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord forth, even forever? from Jerusalem in the last days, induc- Such a mighty revolution as is ing people to flow unto it from all na- here indicated by the Prophet can ANCIENT PROPHECY, ETC. 205 never be effected upon the earth with- time when the Lord shall bring again out the voice of God, without Prophets Zion, and says that when he brings again and Apostles, and the power of the Holy Zion they shall see eye to eye and they Ghost working mightily among the sons shall no more use the proverb that the of men; and when that period arrives fathers have eaten sour grapes and the it will be the one referred to by the children's teeth are set on edge, but ev- Prophet Joel, who says—"It shall come ery man shall die for his own iniquity, to pass in the last days, saith God, that and the teeth of him that eateth sour I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; grapes shall be set on edge, and every and then your sons and your daughters man will have the opportunity of know- shall prophesy, your old men shall dream ing the Lord, learning his ways, and dreams, your young men shall see vi- walking in his paths. sions: And upon my servants and hand- Are we to understand by these say- maidens will I pour out my spirit in those ings of Scripture, that God will pour days, saith God." Thus will Moses realize out the Holy Ghost upon the ungodly, the wish that he expressed at the time the workers of iniquity—murderers, sor- God took the spirit that was upon him cerers, whoremongers, adulterers, false and placed it upon the seventy Elders swearers, deceivers and liars? I do not so of Israel and they all began to proph- understand the Prophets, the Savior and esy. When two of these seventy who his Apostles. I understand in the lan- remained in the congregation felt the guage of the Apostle, that the Holy Ghost same spirit resting upon them and began dwelleth not in unholy Temples; and that to prophesy, Moses' servant came run- if his Spirit is poured out upon the peo- ning to him at the tabernacle and said— ple so generally, it will be because their "Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the hearts are prepared to receive it, because camp. My lord Moses, forbid them. And their ears have been opened to the word Moses said unto him, "Enviest thou for of God, and faith has been begotten in my sake? would God that all the Lord's them. They have listened to the call of people were prophets, and that the Lord the Almighty, and have received the mes- would put his spirit upon them." sage of salvation sent unto them. Joel predicts the coming of a time But shall all people be thus converted when the Lord's people will all become unto the Lord? Shall the king upon Prophets, even the servants and hand- the throne, the judges who have judged maids will receive the Spirit and they for reward, the Prophets who have di- will prophesy. Jeremiah speaks of a sim- vined for money, the priests who have ilar time, but he uses a little different taught for hire, the murderer, the idol- language. He says—"I will pour out my ater, the abominable, those who have op- spirit upon all flesh, and then no one pressed and ruled mankind with a rod shall say unto his neighbor, Know ye of iron, who have said to the souls of the Lord: for all shall know him, from men, "Bow down, that we may walk over the least unto the greatest, and they you?" Shall all these be converted unto shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall the Lord of hosts and receive of these bring again Zion." Here the Prophet blessings? Would to God that it were pos- Jeremiah predicts, as does Micah, a sible! But the Prophets have not so pre- 206 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. dicted. They and the Savior and the and kingdoms of the world, will heed Apostles have all predicted that "he will the voice of warning and will accept the punish the kings of the earth upon the salvation sent unto them by the Lord earth, and the hosts of high ones that are through his servants. The law of the on high. And they shall be gathered to- Lord will go forth to all such from Zion, gether into the pit." They have predicted and judges will go forth among them that judgments shall fall fast upon the from Zion; and all who are willing will ungodly who will not repent, and they be taught the ways of the Lord, and they shall be cut off and shall perish out of the will be baptized for the remission of their land; and sore and terrible judgments sins and they will receive the Holy Ghost shall come upon the nations who repent by the laying on of the hands of the ser- not, and who will not listen to the voice vants of God. Great and glorious will of God. be that day. The old men will dream Malachi, in his last chapter, says, dreams, the young men will see visions, "But the day cometh, that shall burn as and even the servants and handmaids an oven; and the proud, and they who will prophesy, and out of the mouths of do wickedly, shall be stubble. The day babes and sucklings will the Lord perfect that cometh shall burn them up, saith his praise. the Lord of hosts, that shall leave them We are not the only people who be- neither root nor branch. But unto you lieve in these things, and look forward who fear my name, saith the Lord, shall with anxious expectation for the glorious the Sun of righteousness arise with heal- reign of righteousness and peace upon ing in his wings, and ye shall go forth, the earth. It has been the faith and and grow up as calves of the stall, and the hope of all the righteous upon the shall tread down the wicked; for they earth, the theme of their prophecies and shall be ashes under the soles of your of the songs of the inspired songsters of feet in the day that I do this, saith the Israel. It is the hope of these things, and Lord of hosts." the faith which is begotten in our hearts, Thus we learn, my friends, that that the Lord has set his hand a sec- the warning voice of God will go forth ond time to recover the remnants of the among the nations, and he will warn house of Israel, and to fulfill the glorious them by his servants; and by thun- things which he has foretold through the der, by lightning, by earthquake, by mouths of his Prophets, that has brought great hailstorms and by devouring fire; us together in these mountains. It was by the voice of judgment and by the the faith and hope that induced the pi- voice of mercy; by the voice of angels oneers, twenty-six years ago, to face and by the voice of his servants the the savages and to penetrate through a Prophets; he will warn them by gath- trackless, howling desert. To make the ering out the righteous from among the roads through the mountains, to bridge wicked, and those who will not heed the streams, and to endure all the per- these warnings will be visited with sore ils of establishing the people of Zion judgments until the earth is swept as in the Rocky Mountains, when there with the besom of destruction; and those were no human beings but the untutored who remain, in all the nations, tongues savage for a thousand miles or more ANCIENT PROPHECY, ETC. 207 from them, when it was a thousand miles The prayers of that band of pioneers, of- on the west, a thousand on the north, fered up day and night, continually unto a thousand to the south, and thirteen God, was to lead us, as he had promised, hundred to the east to the nearest set- unto a land which, by the mouth of tlement. It was this faith in the latter- his servant Joseph, he had declared he day work, the assurance we had received would give us for an inheritance. Said that God had spoken from the heavens, the Prophet Brigham—"I have seen it, which prompted us to this great work. I have seen it, in vision, and when my It was because God had spoken from the natural eyes behold it, I shall know it." heavens by his own voice to his servant They, therefore, like Abram of old, jour- Joseph Smith, by the voice of his Son, neying by faith, knowing not whither and by the voice of angels, calling his they went, only they knew that God had people to gather from the nations into called them to go out from among their the heart of the mountains, that we are brethren, who had hated, despised and here today. I can place my eyes upon persecuted them, and driven them from many in this congregation, and I know their possessions, and would not that of many more throughout this Territory, they should dwell among them. And who heard these things from the mouth when they reached this land the Prophet of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Brigham said—"This is the place where When the pioneers left the confines of I, in vision, saw the ark of the Lord rest- civilization, we were not seeking a coun- ing; this is the place whereon we will try on the Pacific Coast, neither a coun- plant the soles of our feet, and where try to the north or south; we were seek- the Lord will place his name amongst ing a country which had been pointed his people." And he said to that band of out by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the pioneers—"Organize your exploring par- midst of the Rocky Mountains, in the in- ties, one to go south, another north, and terior of the great North American con- another to go to the west, and search out tinent. When the leader of that noble the land, in the length and the breadth band of pioneers set out with his little thereof, learn the facilities for settle- company from the Missouri River, they ment, for grazing, water, timber, soil and went, as did Abram, when he left his climate, that we may be able to report father's house—knowing not whither he to our brethren when we return;" and went—only God had said, Go out from when the parties were organized, said your father's house unto a land which he unto them—"You will find many ex- I will show you. That band of pio- cellent places for settlement. On every neers went out, not knowing whither hand in these mountains are locations they went, only they knew that God had where the people of God may dwell, but commanded them to go into a land which when you return from the south, west he would show them. And whenever and north to this place, you will say with the Prophet Brigham Young, the leader me, 'this is the place which the Lord of that band of pioneers, was asked has chosen for us to commence our set- the question—"Whither goest thou?" the tlements, and from this place we shall only answer he could give was—"I spread abroad and possess the land.'" will show you when we come to it." 208 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

It is this faith which has brought Blessed are those who seek to magnify the multitude who have followed to this the high calling of God which is upon land, year after year, from then until them as Elders of Israel, to bear wit- the present time. This is the work and ness of the truth, and exemplify it in the mission that is upon the Latter-day their lives and conduct; who deal justly, Saints. "Come out of Babylon, O my love mercy, walk humbly before their people, that ye be not partakers of her God, visit the fatherless and the widow sins, that ye receive not of her plagues. in their affliction, and keep themselves Gather yourselves into the midst of the unspotted from the world. Blessed are mountains, where the Lord will estab- all such of the sons and daughters of lish his house and place his name, and Zion, for they shall prosper and their teach you his ways, and where you will children after them. They shall become learn to walk in his paths." We are not saviors upon Mount Zion, and they shall called to be of the world, to partake of be found worthy to stand when he ap- the spirit and follow after the fashions pears, and their names and their gener- of the world, the lusts of the eye and ations after them shall be had in hon- the pride of life. We are not called to orable remembrance in the Temples of set our hearts upon the world and the the Lord our God. But woe unto the things thereof—upon the gold, upon the hypocrites in Zion, and to the proud and silver in the mountains, upon the pre- haughty, and those who love the world, cious things that are in the earth, the set their hearts upon it, and worship cattle upon a thousand hills, nor upon houses and lands, gold and silver, goods houses or lands, or aught else that per- and chattels and the things of this world! tains to the earth. We are called to set Woe unto those who refuse to tithe them- our hearts upon the living God, who has selves and thus to sanctify unto the Lord called us to be his people, and to wor- this land, which he has given them for ship him with full purpose of heart. If an inheritance! Woe unto those who pol- he gives us houses and lands, goods and lute the land of Zion by their whoredoms, chattels, gold and silver and the precious murders, thefts and working of iniquity, things of the earth, receive them with who refuse to consecrate of their sub- thanksgiving, and hallow and sanctify stance unto the God of the whole earth, them and dedicate and consecrate them and to render to him the tenth which he to the building up of Zion, the house of requires as the interest of their steward- our God, the gathering together of his ship! Saints, the preaching of his Gospel to the ends of the earth, and the accomplish- May the peace of God rest upon the ment of the great work, whereunto God righteous! May the ignorant come to un- has called us in the latter days. derstanding! May the foolish learn wis- Blessed are all those who remem- dom! May the power of God rest upon ber the high calling of God where- those who have assumed the high call- unto they are called. Blessed are ings of ministers and judges in Israel! those who seek to learn the ways May grace abound unto all the Israel of of the Lord and walk in his paths. God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. EVIDENCES, ETC. 209

EVIDENCES, RELATING TO THE DIVINE AUTHENTICITY OF THE BIBLE AND BOOK OF MORMON, COMPARED.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,SEPT. 28, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

It is written somewhere in this man family. He seems to require, in the book—the Bible—that "In the mouth first place, faith on good, sound, sub- of two or three witnesses every word stantial evidence, instead of imparting shall be established." These words were knowledge at once. recorded in the law of Moses, and re- There is a great difference between ferred to by our Savior, but in what part faith and knowledge. I am told that of the Evangelists they are recorded I there is such a country as China on the do not remember. They occurred to my eastern borders of Asia; but I never have mind just as I rose to my feet. It seems been there; I never have seen that coun- to have been the method in which God try; I cannot say, most positively, that has dealt with the children of men, ever such a country exists, only on the testi- since they have had an existence on the mony of others I am informed that such earth, to reveal certain principles, and to is the case. I believe that testimony, confirm them by as many witnesses as but it is not a perfect knowledge to my seemed proper to him. own mind, obtained by my own expe- rience. And so in regard to ten thou- Our Father, the Creator of this earth, sand other facts or events. We are in has power, if he saw proper to do so, to many, indeed in almost all, instances re- give a vast amount of evidence to the quired to believe without a knowledge. children of men, concerning the divin- The judge who sits in a court of justice ity of a message which he might at any to decide upon the liberties and lives of time offer to them. It would be a very his fellow beings, does not decide from easy matter, if he saw proper to do so, to a knowledge; but from the testimony inscribe, in the very heavens, in letters and evidence presented before him he of light, testimony and evidence which pronounces sentence of imprisonment or would be so conspicuous, and powerful, death, because the evidence is sufficient and plain, and easy to be understood, to bear him out in passing such a sen- that all the nations, languages, kindreds tence. and tongues upon our globe would know A person cannot be a witness to the truth at once, and have no misgiv- that which he merely believes. God ings about the matter. But the Lord has requires mankind, or certain indi- not seen proper thus to deal with the hu- viduals among mankind, to be wit- 210 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. nesses for him—witnesses of his that is manifested in the works of existence—so that they can bear testi- creation show forth his attributes—his mony to others. It is important and nec- goodness, his wisdom, and the adapta- essary that they should have a knowl- tion of the various principles in nature edge of the things whereof this testi- to other principles, show that there must mony is given; hence, in some few cases have been an all-wise Designer." "But," among the inhabitants of our globe, inquires an individual, of the speaker, there have been men raised up to whom "do you know anything about this be- there has been a knowledge imparted al- ing of whom you say the works of na- most immediately, and they knew, most ture declare his attributes, and can you perfectly, concerning the things which tell us whether he is a personal being, they were to communicate to their fel- or a widely diffused spirit that exists low beings. They were true witnesses, throughout all nature?" If he cannot bear and on their evidence and testimony the any other testimony than this, merely re- world have been condemned, and will ferring to the Bible or the works of Na- be judged in the great judgment day. ture, his hearers can say, "We have the For instance, the Lord our God has re- same evidence ourselves, and your testi- vealed a system or plan of salvation to mony is no better than ours." But if he the human family, requiring all men to stands forth as a servant of the Most repent of their sins, turn away from ev- High God, and declares that he knows erything that is evil, reform their lives, God exists, because he has received a and to believe in Jesus Christ as the revelation to that effect, God has spoken Savior of the world, who died to atone to him, and his eyes have been opened for the sins of mankind; to believe in to behold his person and his glory, and his Father as the great Supreme Be- that he has heard his voice, then that ing, the Creator of all things; to believe man's testimony is greater than the tes- in that which God has ordained, per- timony of those who depend merely upon taining to the Gospel, that is intended what God has said in past ages, writ- for the salvation of mankind, such as ten in the Bible, and greater than that the ordinances of baptism, and confir- which arises from beholding the beauty, mation by the laying on of hands, and glory, simplicity and wisdom that char- the administration of the Lord's Supper. acterize the works of Nature. Such a tes- All these are principles and ordinances timony, as I have named, where a per- which God has revealed to the children son can bear testimony to what his eyes of men, making known to certain indi- have seen, and to what his ears have viduals that these are divine, and com- heard, concerning the Almighty, to what manding them to go and bear testimony God has revealed to him, will condemn thereof unto others. Now, when a man the world. Persons may pretend to be stands up before an audience and says, God's witnesses, and preach fifty, sixty, with all boldness and with all humil- or four score years in the ears of the peo- ity, that God exists, the question might ple; but if they have never received this arise—"How do you know that he ex- testimony, their evidence will be of no ef- ists?" In reply, he says to his audience, fect in the day of judgment. I have heard, "He exists because the Bible speaks of it, in the course of my life, a great many the works of Nature declare that there Christian ministers of different deno- must be a Supreme Being, the wisdom EVIDENCES, ETC. 211 minations, many of them no doubt sin- mony of?" And that will condemn the cere, say to their congregations, "I will people. be a swift witness against you in the day In order to apply this to one partic- of judgment." Ask these Christian min- ular subject, which now occurs to my isters, "Have you ever received a revela- mind, I will take the Book of Mormon, tion from God yourself?" "Oh no." "Has for instance. This book professes to be God ever spoken to you?" "Oh no." "Have a divine revelation; it professes to be you ever had a heavenly vision?" "Oh the writings of a succession of ancient no." "Has the Holy Ghost given you a Prophets, the same as the Bible con- new revelation?" "Not at all." "When did tains the revelations and writings given God last speak to the human family?" in different ages to inspired men; and Says the Christian minister, "He has while the Bible contains the writings of said nothing for about eighteen hundred inspired men who lived on the eastern years; the last he said or spoke to the hu- hemisphere, the Book of Mormon pro- man family is recorded in the New Tes- fesses to be the writings of inspired men tament." Such a minister might preach who lived in ancient times on the west- all the days of his life, and so far as ern hemisphere. One is called, if we may his evidence or testimony is concerned, so speak, the Bible of the East; the other it would not condemn a solitary individ- may be termed, with great propriety, the ual. Such men are not witnesses for God. Bible of the West, both of them being of He never sent them, he never spoke to the highest antiquity. or revealed anything through them; they Now, if these books are divine, what have never seen his face or heard his evidence is necessary to convince us of voice, consequently they know no more that fact? If the Book of Mormon is really about him than the people in the con- a divine revelation, containing the writ- gregation to whom they are speaking. ings of ancient Prophets who dwelt on When, therefore, we speak, in the lan- this American continent before and after guage of our text, that "In the mouth of Christ, it is important that every man two or three witnesses every word shall and woman in the four quarters of the be established;" when these witnesses earth should understand this; for if it be are divine witnesses, sent forth to bear the word of the Lord, we shall be judged testimony of divine things, they must out of the Book of Mormon as much as have a knowledge of those things; not out of the eastern Bible. If it be not a di- merely a faith, not a speculative idea or vine record and not the word of the Lord, opinion, but they must know, just as well it is absolutely necessary that we should as they know concerning their own ex- know it, in order that we may reject it, istence, of the things about which they and reject it understandingly. Take it ei- speak, and of which they bear testimony ther way, then, whether it is or is not a to the people. Then in the great judg- revelation from God, it is equally impor- ment day God will say to that people, tant that we should know it. "Did I not declare my words unto you by Now what evidence have we that my messengers whom I sent unto you, to the Book of Mormon is a divine rev- whom I revealed myself, and who had a elation? I will bring forth some evi- knowledge of the things they bore testi- dence upon this subject. Before this book was permitted to be presented 212 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. to the inhabitants of the earth, the mily, than the one I have named? We Lord raised up witnesses. Before it was read about angels ministering in ancient printed, in the year 1829, three wit- times on various occasions, and for cer- nesses were raised up to bear testimony tain purposes—sometimes appearing in to it. Now, how could these witnesses get great glory, and sometimes withholding a knowledge that this book was divine? their glory. Hence it is written by one of Were they merely told that it was so by the Apostles—"Be not forgetful to enter- the Prophet Joseph Smith, who trans- tain strangers: for some in so doing have lated the book from the metallic plates entertained angels unawares," showing that were taken out of a certain hill in that angels have sometimes withheld the State of New York? Was this all the their glory, and appeared like common information they had before they com- men, and that they have been enter- menced bearing testimony to the world tained as such. In other instances their of the divinity of the book? If this was glory was exhibited before those to whom all, then all who knew Joseph Smith they revealed themselves, and they bore might be witnesses. But we are told in testimony to the things they heard from the forepart of the book the nature of the mouths of their divine visitants. their evidence and testimony. We are A question arises here, Is there any told that David Whitmer, Martin Harris testimony in the Old or New Testament and Oliver Cowdery, in the year 1829, any more worthy of being received than before this book was published, saw an that of these three modern witnesses? angel of God come down from heaven, Do angels live at the present day as they and take the plates from which it was did in ancient times? Everyone will say translated, and he exhibited them be- that they still live. Are they the mes- fore the eyes of these three men, turn- sengers of the Most High now as they ing them over leaf after leaf. They saw were in ancient times? Yes. Says one, the angel descend; they saw his glori- "We suppose they are subject to the com- ous personage; they beheld the light and mand of God now as they were in an- glory of his countenance; they saw the cient times." Is there anything in the plates in his hands, and they saw the en- Bible that indicates that a period or day gravings upon the pages of these plates. would come when the ministration of an- While the angel was doing this before gels would no longer be necessary? No, them, they heard a voice in the heavens, not one syllable in all the Bible that in- declaring unto them that the plates had dicates any such thing. To the contrary, been translated correctly, and command- we find that the Apostle Paul, in speak- ing them to bear testimony of it to all ing of angels, says—"Are they not all nations, kindreds, tongues and people to ministering spirits, sent forth to minis- whom this work should be sent. They ac- ter for those who shall be heirs of sal- cordingly have prefixed their testimony vation?" Now, if there be any heirs of to this book, which those who obtain the salvation on the earth in the 19th cen- book can read at their leisure; we have tury, why not those ministering spirits not time on this occasion to read it. be sent forth to minister for them? And What greater testimony concerning if sent forth, why should they withhold the ministering of angels has any their glory and their personal presence person ever given to the human fa- from those to whom they administer? EVIDENCES, ETC. 213

Why not reveal themselves as they did also the testimony of Joseph Smith, the in ancient times, personally and bodily, translator, to the ministration of angels, so that the eye of the individual to whom and concerning the existence of these they administer may behold them? We plates. Here then was the mouth of can see nothing whatsoever that indi- four witnesses, at least, that God gave cates, in the least degree, that these to this generation. Besides these four, privileges are to be withheld from the we have it recorded here that eight other children of men. Many, at the present men, men with whom I am, or was, period, believe the testimony recorded well acquainted, some of them are now in the Scriptures concerning the an- dead. Eight other persons besides these cient ministrations of beings called an- four, knew of the existence of the metal- gels. They know not why they believe lic plates, from which the Book of Mor- this, only because it is popular, and it is mon was translated. Their testimony is recorded in the Bible that they did ap- also prefixed to this work, their names pear. Ask these persons if they believe in given. They testify that they saw these the ministration of angels at the present plates, that they handled them with time and they will tell you "no." They their own hands, that they saw the en- cannot give you any reason why they dis- gravings upon the plates; that they took believe in their ministration now, only them in their hands, and that they knew it is unpopular. It is popular to believe of a surety of the existence of those in the ministration of angels, anciently, plates. They did not bear testimony but unpopular to believe in such a thing that they had seen an angel, but they in modern times, consequently people go bore testimony to that which they did along with the popular mind and believe know, namely, the existence of the plates, in former-day administrations of those that Joseph Smith, the translator, was heavenly messengers, but latter-day ad- the person who exhibited the plates to ministrations of the same nature they re- them, and that the characters or letters ject. contained upon the plates had the ap- If persons raised up in ancient times pearance of ancient work and of curious had a knowledge, by the ministration workmanship, and they bear their testi- of angels, concerning the message which mony in the most positive manner to this they communicated to the human family, thing, declaring in the closing sentence and their testimony condemned the gen- that they bear testimony of these things, eration to whom they were sent, I ask, and "we lie not, God bearing witness of will not the same knowledge, communi- it." Here then is the testimony of twelve cated in the same manner, in our day, witnesses, four of whom saw an angel of condemn this generation, inasmuch as God. Is not this sufficient to justify the the message is not received? Judge this children of men in having faith in the for yourselves. Book of Mormon? Faith is not a knowl- When the Book of Mormon was edge, but faith is the evidence of things printed, early in the year 1830, with not seen. Now, I may not have seen the these witnesses' names attached to plates, you may not have seen the plates, it and presented to the human fam- but we have the evidence or testimony ily, they had the testimony, not of things not seen, by a great number of only of these three witnesses, but witnesses who did see them. 214 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

"But," says one, "suppose that these when Peter and John healed the lame witnesses were interested persons, and man who sat at the beautiful gate of they wished to combine together to de- the Temple, there was a great multitude ceive the children of men." The same around about who saw this miracle, but supposition might be made concerning have you the testimony and evidence of ancient witnesses, the Twelve Apostles anyone of that multitude? No, you have for instance. They were chosen by the not, no such evidence or testimony has Lord to bear testimony of the Gospel been handed down to our day. But we unto all nations, and, with the excep- have the testimony of the writer of the tion of Judas, there was not a disin- Acts of the Apostles that such was the terested person among them, not even case. He says so, and we have to be- the one appointed to fill the place of lieve it on his testimony. So in regard to Judas; and these men bore testimony the five hundred who saw Jesus after his to the most important truths that were resurrection. Paul declares that he was ever revealed to the human family. They seen of five hundred of the brethren at did this with a perfect knowledge. The once. But has one of those five hundred infidel world will say they were inter- brethren handed down his testimony to ested witnesses, just the same as the the 19th century? Not one: it all depends world say concerning the witnesses of upon the testimony of one writer. That the Book of Mormon. I would not give writer says that five hundred men saw much for a witness who was not inter- Jesus after his resurrection. So in regard ested; I would not give much for the tes- to all the miracles that are recorded, said timony of an individual who would come to be wrought by our Lord and Savior; and say, "I have seen an angel from God, so in regard to all the miracles, wrought but yet I am not interested in anything after his ascension into heaven, by his that he said to me." No, let that man servants and those who believed in his who receives a communication from the name. We have only the testimony of Almighty, and who knows of a surety of eight witnesses for the truth of the New the things that he brings forth and bears Testament, and they were all interested. testimony of to the world, let him be in- terested in his testimony and show to the world by his works that he is an inter- Again. We know that there have been ested witness. persons who have combined together to Says one, "We have some disinter- deceive their fellow men, and how are ested witnesses with regard to the truth we to know whether these witnesses to of the Bible." I deny it, you have not one. the Book of Mormon were men of that You have eight writers in the New Tes- class, or whether they were really wit- tament, but were they not all interested nesses of the things of God? We can- witnesses? Yes. "But," says one, "were not know it at first; it is impossible for there not a great many not connected you and me to know that fact, unless with the ancient Church who saw the we obtain our knowledge from heaven. miracles of Jesus?" If they did, we have We can believe it, or their testimony, not their testimony, not one. We find it but we cannot know it, or their tes- recorded in the Acts of the Apostles that timony. Now the way I would do, if EVIDENCES, ETC. 215

I were an outsider and really desired to should repent of my sins, there would know whether the Book of Mormon was certainly be no harm in it. If I should a divine revelation or not, I should ex- reform my life from every evil, according amine the nature of this evidence which to the requirements of the book, there I have referred to, and then I should would be no harm in that; if I should examine the contents of the book. If I go forth and be baptized, by those hav- found the book contradictory in its his- ing authority, for the remission of sins, tory, prophecies or doctrines, I should I see no harm in that. If I should have set down these twelve witnesses, whose hands laid upon my head, by those mes- names are prefixed to the book, as impos- sengers, for the baptism of fire and the tors; but if, after a careful perusal of this Holy Ghost, I should see no harm in this book, I found no contradictions or incon- outward performance. If I did not receive sistencies in the prophecies interspersed the forgiveness of my sins, and did not through its different parts, if I found receive the baptism of fire and the Holy that the doctrine was plain and simple Ghost, I should think there was no di- and easy to be understood, and not con- vinity in the book, or else that there was tradictory, then the next thing with me some fault on my part, one or the other. would be to compare these prophecies And if I examined myself and found that with those in the Bible, and the doctrines I had sincerely repented of my sins, that of the Book of Mormon with those of Je- I had lacked nothing on my part, and sus and his Apostles. If I found no con- did really receive the manifestations of tradictions between the two records, but the Holy Ghost, as they did in ancient that the same Gospel is taught in both, days, then I should have a testimony and that both contain the same great for myself, independently of these twelve chain of prophecy in regard to the events witnesses, and independently of the cor- of the latter days, only more fully ex- rectness of the doctrine contained in the emplified and illustrated, perhaps in dif- book, as compared with the Bible: inde- ferent language, in the Book of Mormon pendently of these external evidences, I from what it is in the Bible, I should should have a testimony from God my- have no evidence whatever to condemn self, by the baptism of fire and the Holy the book, or the witnesses contained in Ghost, that the book was true. it. Furthermore, if I found certain promises in the Book of Mormon, to the effect that all persons, in all the "But," inquires one, "how are we to world, who would receive it, and the know when we receive the baptism of message that God has sent forth by fire and the Holy Ghost?" I think that ev- the administration of his servants, and ery person may know this, for there are would repent of their sins, and be bap- certain manifestations that accompany tized by immersion for the remission of the Holy Ghost, that are of such a na- their sins, and have hands laid upon ture that they cannot be mistaken. I will them in confirmation, should receive mention some of them. I do not mean the Holy Ghost; inasmuch as I could those manifestations we sometimes hear find no testimony against the book, but of under the name of "spirit rappers," all these things in favor of it, if I "table turners," "writing mediums," 216 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

&c., but I mean those genuine, real man- behold the future and to know that ifestations, as recorded in the Bible. To which will shortly come to pass, and he one is given, says Paul to the Corinthi- sees these things fulfilled, from time to ans, the word of Wisdom by the Spirit, to time, he has every reason to believe that another is given the word of Knowledge he has really received the Holy Ghost. So by the Spirit, to another is given the dis- in regard to speaking in tongues. If an il- cerning of spirits by the same Spirit; to literate, uneducated man, who never un- another is given the working of miracles, derstood any language but his mother to another is given the gift of prophecy, to tongue, is inspired at the very moment another is given the healing of the sick, to rise and testify in an unknown tongue speaking with tongues, the interpreta- and to proclaim the wonderful works of tion of tongues, &c. All these come by God, he knows whether his tongue has the selfsame Spirit, being given to ev- been used by a supernatural power, or ery man, not to one or two, not merely whether it is merely gibberish out of to the witnesses, but to every man in the his own heart. He knows it very well Church, according as the Spirit will. for himself; and so we might continue throughout all the gifts mentioned in the Now then, if I receive the gift of the Bible. If he beholds angels, and they Holy Ghost, or if my brethren receive it, descend before him in their glory, and I should expect that we would receive the he hears the sound of their voices, be- manifestations of these gifts, one receiv- holds the light of their countenances and ing one gift and another another, accord- the glory that radiates from their person- ing to the Bible pattern. If we did not ages, he knows for himself, consequently receive these gifts, then we might doubt this constitutes him a witness as well as that we had received the Holy Spirit. those who proclaimed this Gospel before We are commanded in the Scriptures to him. try the spirits, for there are many spir- I will ask the Latter-day Saints— its who are gone abroad into the world those now sitting before me through- who are false spirits. Try them: by what out this large audience, how did you rule? Try them by the written word, and know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet see if we have the gifts as recorded in of God when you dwelt in England and the New Testament. If we have them, had never seen the man? How did you we may be assured that the Holy Ghost know in Sweden, in Denmark, in Nor- has been given to us. For instance, if a way, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and in person receives the baptism of fire and the various parts of the earth from which the Holy Ghost, and the heavens are you emigrated? How did you know that opened to him he is not mistaken. If the Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God be- Lord inspires him to lay hands upon a fore you crossed the mighty ocean and sick child or a sick person, and he com- came to this land? You learned this fact mands the disease to be removed, he by a knowledge imparted to you by the knows that God is with him, and that gift and power of the Holy Ghost in your he hearkens to the supplications and own native countries. There you have prayers which he offers in the name of been healed, and have seen the manifes- Jesus in behalf of the sick. If a per- tation of the power of God in healing the son has the vision of his mind opened to sick from time to time. There you have EVIDENCES, ETC. 217 had the vision of your minds opened to to us in the early rise of this Church, behold heavenly things. There you have that these great events have been accom- heard the voice of the Almighty speak- plished. No people would have had the ing to you by revelation and testifying fortitude, courage and enterprise to come to you of the things of heaven. Many fourteen hundred miles from civilization, of you have experienced those great and so-called, to these mountain wastes and blessed gifts, that are mentioned in the deserts, to cultivate the land and per- New Testament, before you emigrated form the work that has been wrought to this land. You came here then, not by this people, unless they had a knowl- to obtain a knowledge of the truth of edge from heaven, concerning the truth this work, but because you already had of this great work. God fulfilled his a knowledge of it, and to be more thor- promise when he said to his servants— oughly perfected in the ways of God, and "In the name of Jesus you shall heal to be taught more fully in the things the sick, you shall open the eyes of the pertaining to eternal life and happiness, blind, you shall unstop the ears of the than you could be in your own lands. deaf." It is because of the fulfillment of Hence you are not dependent now upon this promise, that you have been gath- the testimony of two or three witnesses, ered and accomplished the work that has or upon the twelve witnesses in the Book been wrought out herein this country, of Mormon; but we have a vast cloud of and because of this stepping stone be- witnesses raised up among all nations, tween the two great oceans, a halfway and kindreds, and tongues, and people house as it were, others have ventured to to whom this work has been sent. They come into these mountain wilds, and the are flocking from the ends of the earth Territory and regions round about are to these mountains, as doves to the win- beginning to be settled. Through these dows, all bearing the same testimony— facilities no doubt the railroad has been that God has spoken and that the Book constructed something like a quarter of a of Mormon is true, for the Lord has re- century sooner than it would have been vealed it to them. Moreover, in the early otherwise. rise of this Church, the Lord said to When we contrast the evidence which his servants—"Go forth and bear testi- we have concerning the divinity of the mony to the Book of Mormon and the Book of Mormon, with the evidence doctrines contained therein, and I will which this generation have of the Bible, back up your testimony by signs, by the we discern that the Book of Mormon gifts," etc. Supposing this promise had contains a vast amount of evidence, not been fulfilled, would there be any thousands and thousands of witnesses tabernacle in this desert today? Not of its divinity to where the Christian any at all. Would this desert be inhab- world have one of the divinity of the ited now by a hundred or a hundred Bible. "How so?" you may inquire. and fifty thousand people? Not at all. These very Elders and missionaries who Would there now be a great highway cast have gone to the nations have kept up across this continent from ocean to their journals, and have recorded the ocean? Not at all. It is because God miracles which God has wrought by has confirmed the promise that he made their hands. These are living wit- nesses. Those who saw these miracles are still alive. Now, how many wit- 218 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. nesses have you that miracles were but what went through many hundreds wrought in the days of our Savior or of transformations before it fell into the in the days of his Apostles who suc- hands of King James' translators. How ceeded him? You have no person outside do you know that these copyists copied the Church only those who, like Jose- correctly? You have no access to the orig- phus, bore their testimony from hearsay. inals. It is true that you have Hebrew Within the Church you have six wit- Bibles, but they are not originals; they nesses. There are eight writers in the are only copies. They were multiplied, New Testament, but only six of these before the art of printing was invented, eight have borne any testimony concern- for many generations, and the copies ing the performing of miracles, but you that were in possession of King James' believe it on their testimony. The Book translators had perhaps been handed of Mormon, I presume, has more than down through a thousand other copies six thousand, if not sixty thousand wit- of older date, and how can you be sure nesses to its divinity and to the miracles that they were correct? We are told that have been wrought in these latter by some of our archbishops and learned days. Which is the greatest? Has anyone men, who have spent their whole lives in you have ever seen at the present day collecting copies of ancient manuscripts had an angel sent to him, who held up from which to translate the Bible, that before him the tables on which the law they at last despaired of obtaining a cor- of Moses was written, commanding him rect copy of the work. One archbishop, to hear testimony to the divinity of that mentioned in the Encyclopedias, had col- law? No: no one in the Christian world lected a vast number of copies of the makes any pretension to anything of this Bible in Hebrew, as ancient as he could kind. Then is not the testimony in favor possibly get hold of them. But when he of the Book of Mormon superior to that came to compare them he found about which you possess in favor of the law of thirty thousand different readings. Al- Moses? Yes. We can show you witnesses, most every text would read different in men still living, to whom an angel ap- one copy from what it would in another. peared and told them that the Book of Finally, he gave up the idea of making Mormon was a divine record. The Chris- a translation at all, none of his copies tian world have no such evidence as this being original; and consequently when in favor of the Bible, and they cannot, by the translators of the English Bible per- any living witness, substantiate the di- formed that work they did it according to vinity of the Bible. Moreover, we have the best judgment they had, and they no another advantage; the Book of Mormon doubt did it well as far as human wisdom was translated directly from the original. could, under the circumstances. Now, Now, have you, either in the Old or New then, the difference between the Bible of Testaments, a book that was translated the West—the Book of Mormon—and the directly from the original? Not one. Is Bible of the East—the Old and New Tes- there one that was translated from a sec- tament, is that one was taken directly ondhand copy even? Not, one. I presume from the original, the other from a mul- there is not a book compiled in the Bible titude of manuscripts which differed al- most in every text. It would seem, then, EVIDENCES, ETC. 219 that when God saw the human family in from city to city and from synagogue this great state of uncertainty and dark- to synagogue, and that the blood of the ness with regard to divine revelation, it Saints would cry from the ground for would be nothing more than consistent vengeance upon the heads of their mur- to suppose that he would bring forth, by derers. Has it come to pass? It has. We his own power, as he has done, revelation were told in the Book of Mormon, which suited and adapted to the circumstances, was printed many years before it came revelation on which we could depend, be- to pass, that, if this nation would not ing substantiated by witnesses raised up receive this divine message when God especially to bear testimony thereto, that should bring it forth in the latter days, in the mouth of two or three witnesses or he would bring the fullness of his Gospel as many as seemed him good, every word and his Priesthood from among the na- might be established, that the children of tion. We did not know how this would be men might have no excuse in relation to fulfilled, during the first seventeen years these matters. after the book was printed. We could We might continue this subject and read the prophecy, but how God would show you the fulfillment of many of the ever bring it to pass, we did not know, prophecies in the Book of Mormon. It until the time of its accomplishment had has been printed now for upwards of arrived, then it was revealed that this forty-three years. During this time very people should flee and leave the nation many of the prophecies it contains have to whom they had delivered their testi- been fulfilled; prophecies, too, that no mony for many years. When we came human sagacity could have perceived be- here the prophecy was literally fulfilled. forehand. Whoever would have thought Thus we might go on and relate prophecy that, in this very country of ours, un- after prophecy that has been fulfilled in der American institutions, where reli- confirmation of the divinity of this latter- gious freedom has prevailed from one day work. The same testimony accompa- end of the country to the other; who nies the Bible. We believe it to be true be- would have thought, when the Book of cause of the prophecies therein that have Mormon was printed, that the blood of been fulfilled. the Saints would cry from the ground of Many other prophecies contained in this free American soil, because of their the Book of Mormon, hereafter to be ful- persecutors? And yet it was all fore- filled, are as great and marvelous as told in the Book of Mormon. Other sects any that have been fulfilled. One of had risen and multiplied by hundreds on the prophecies contained in the Book the face of this land, some of whom ex- of Mormon, delivered before there was perienced a little persecution; but who a Latter-day Saint Church in exis- ever heard of their being butchered in tence, which has been remarkably ful- cold blood as scores and scores of this filled, was that the servants of God people have been since the Book of Mor- should go forth with this book to all mon was printed? We were told by reve- nations, kindreds, tongues and peo- lation, forty-three years ago, when this ple, and gather out from among those Church was organized, that its mem- nations a great people. That has bers would be persecuted, and hunted been fulfilled, and the inhabitants of 220 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. this Territory are a witness to the truth by an impostor, would be very unlikely to of this prediction or prophecy. If Joseph come to pass. Yet such a prophecy was Smith was an impostor, how did he uttered; such a prophecy has been ful- know this work would go beyond his filled, and the nations of the earth, as own neighborhood? How did he know well as the Latter-day Saints, are wit- it would ever live to be proclaimed to nesses to its fulfillment. We have seen the different parts of the State where this people come forth year after year, it originated, or where the plates were crossing the ocean, first in sailing ves- found? How did he know that it would be sels, then in steamers, by hundreds and preached to the inhabitants of this great by thousands, until they are now almost government, and then cross the wa- a little nation here in the tops of the ters, to other nations, kindreds, peoples mountains. Amen. and tongues. Such a prophecy uttered

A WORD OF EXHORTATION.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT GEORGE A.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 6, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

Last October Conference I asked per- Conference last April, to do the duties mission to take a journey to visit the of Trustee-in-Trust, I returned home a land of Palestine, and some other por- little sooner than I anticipated, though tions of the old world, expecting that we were all well satisfied with our I should be absent, probably, about journey and visit, and with every in- eleven months. I was accompanied on terview we had on the entire journey, that journey by President Lorenzo Snow and were very thankful to our heav- and several others; the party includ- enly Father that we had the means ing eight. We visited Palestine and given us, through his mercy, and I, in- many other countries, a portion of us dividually, through the kindness of my calling at the Fair in Vienna. But friends, to make such a journey. We in consequence of my selection, by the feel that the results will be felt and A WORD OF EXHORTATION. 221 realized hereafter, as having done much solation, waste and barrenness of Pales- good. I feel, individually, to return my tine, and the degradation of its peo- thanks and blessings to all those who ple should be a lasting and permanent contributed to aid me on that journey, lesson to us in all things, to keep the and to all those who desired to, but had faith and obey the commandments, to not the means. I feel that the blessing remember our Tithes and offerings, to of the Lord, which we invoked on the be friends to the poor, to remember our Mount of Olives, will rest upon his peo- prayers, to remember the faith which ple, and that the time is not very far dis- God has revealed unto us, and to contend tant when God will fulfill his promises earnestly for the faith once delivered to concerning Israel; though, so far as we the Saints, that we may have and enjoy saw of the remnants of Judah, their all its blessings. hearts are very hard, and it will require We have had a glorious season, an the exercise of great power on his part abundant harvest and a good time to to soften them. But as his word will not gather it. The weather has been fine and fail, and his promises are sure, we look agreeable, and now, brethren and sisters, forward to their fulfillment with regard let us gather together a few days to talk to Israel. In the meantime we, with all with and strengthen each other upon the our hearts, might, mind and strength, principles of the Gospel of peace. The El- should take warning by the example ders can bear testimony, for I know that of Israel, and not fall into the same this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and snares. They neglected their Tithes and that God has revealed it to us for our offerings, violated the Sabbath, forgot salvation; and our covetousness, and dis- their prayers and worshiped other gods, position to make a display in the world and for these things God cursed them should not interfere in any way what- and scattered them to the four winds of ever, with us in devoting our time, tal- heaven, and the curses rest on the land, ents, energies and our all to the upbuild- and, as was predicted by the Prophet, the ing of his kingdom, for that is the great- rain has been turned into dust. est interest and glory, and the grandest We, as Latter-day Saints, having had speculation there is on the face of the revelation from the Lord, and the full- earth. ness of the Priesthood revealed unto These are my sentiments and views. us, should be exceeding careful that we I wish all persons in the congregation, do not neglect the Gospel, turn from when they see a man rise to speak, to lift our duties, neglect our Tithes and of- up their hearts to the Lord in prayer that ferings, Sabbaths and prayers, forsake the Lord will have mercy upon us and fill the Lord and go astray after other that man with the power of the Spirit, gods, lest peradventure the curse of the that he may speak to us directly by reve- Almighty fall upon us, and the king- lation from heaven, that every voice that dom be rent from us and given to is elevated may be elevated by the power another people. I feel that the de- of the Almighty. 222 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING UP TO THE KNOWLEDGE POSSESSED BY, AND THE REQUIREMENTS MADE OF, THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS, THROUGH THE LIVING ORACLES OF GOD.

REMARKSBY ELDER DAVID MCKENZIE, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I feel very thankful for the privi- addressing a congregation of Latter-day lege of standing before this congrega- Saints. If I were speaking to the peo- tion this morning, notwithstanding it is ple of the world, who know nothing about with some degree of diffidence; yet, in our holy religion, I might be directed to common with my brethren, I have rea- admonish them to be baptized for the son to rest assured that when an Elder remission of their sins. But I realize stands up before a congregation with a that I am talking to a people who are desire to bless them with a portion of the already acquainted with the first prin- good news that emanates from the eter- ciples of the Gospel. I see before me nal throne, I say I have reason to believe those who have left all that was near and that that Being whom we serve and wor- dear to them—forsaken their homes, the ship will not be unmindful of us, inas- graves of their fathers, the associations much as we draw near unto him with of their friends, and have gathered here confidence and with prayerful hearts. I to serve the true and living God—that rejoiced exceedingly at the words of our Being who has revealed himself in this, beloved President, President George A. the dispensation of the fullness of times, Smith, when he requested the congrega- for the winding up of the affairs of this tion to lift up their hearts in silent player earth, according to the program that was to Jehovah, that the Elders might re- made before the world was. Inasmuch as ceive the words of life to give unto the we have done this, and have covenanted people. This is our privilege, brethren with God, the Eternal Father, that we and sisters, and it is one that I esteem of would serve him and keep his command- the greatest value; and when I come to a ments, if I can give you a word of comfort, meeting to listen to the words of truth, or of exhortation, I pray that it may be so I make it an invariable rule to lift up given to me from God that it may do you my heart in silent prayer that the Lord good. will administer to us, for without his aid We have had some very excellent and assistance our words are of very lit- instructions given to us during the tle value to the Saints. Conference. President Young brought I realize, this morning, that I am the Gospel before us, as it were in a THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING, ETC. 223 nutshell, when he told us that if there the children of men from the earliest was anything good or beautiful, anything ages to the winding-up scene. That is the that savored of virtue and righteousness, work the Latter-day Saints have before anything that tended to true happiness, them. It is well to have this continually it was a portion of the creed of the Latter- in our minds, that we may not trifle away day Saints. I use the term "creed." It is of the time, but that we may be awake to itself a word that circumscribes, a word the signs that are looming up on every that limits, but there is no limit to our hand, and pointing out, as with the fin- creed. It is unbounded, it comprehends ger of Jehovah, that the time is drawing all truth that is, was or is to be. Whatso- near when he whose right it is to reign ever is good and noble, whatsoever tends will come and take the kingdom. Men to the salvation of the children of men have had it a long time their own way. and to happify their being here and here- When I read and reflect upon the his- after, to bring up, to improve, to increase tory of the past I am led to believe that according to the order of the Gods, that the Lord has let men take things into is the religion of the Latter-day Saints, their own hands to a certain degree, to that is what constitutes their religion. see what they would do for themselves. It is fashionable to designate that as You all remember the dream of Neb- education which gives the young, an ac- uchadnezzar, which Daniel interpreted, quaintance with letters, numbers, sci- wherein he saw a great image, the head ence and philosophy; while that which of which was of fine gold, the breast and tends to a future state, to happify here- arms of silver, &c. Images are the work after and to prepare us for the presence of men's hands. To Nebuchadnezzar was of God is called by the world religion. given dominion over all the earth, a king- With the Latter-day Saints it is all ed- dom which was comparatively pure, and ucation, or it is all religion, just as you which was compared to fine gold; but please. That which prepares us to live in process of time the kingdom degen- and enables us to provide for ourselves erated, and was weakened and subdi- the necessaries and comforts of life, as vided, as represented by the feet of the well as that which prepares us for the image—which were part of iron and part presence of God our heavenly father, that of miry clay. But in the last days the we may dwell with him through all eter- God of heaven was to set up a kingdom. nity with us is all education or all reli- A kingdom that was not a part of the gion. We know not where to draw the image, it was not the work of man, it dividing line, bearing this fact in mind, was the work of God, and was likened that whatsoever is good comes from God, to a stone cut out of the mountain with- and that whatsoever is evil comes from out hands. Mark the phrase—"without an evil source. hands," it was not the work of men, it I trust that we are awake to was a stone cut out of the mountain with- these things, that we do not let out hands, that is, a kingdom set up by the time pass by unimproved, for to God, which was to smite this image— us is committed a great and impor- the work of men, and an order of things tant work—not only our own salva- was to be instituted in accordance with tion but the keys for the redemption of 224 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the mind and will of Jehovah. responsibility as to what use they will I bear testimony to you this day, make of it to acquire still more. Look- brethren and sisters, that God has set up ing at it in this light it seems to me a his kingdom; that it has been revealed self-evident fact, that although we are to me, to my understanding, to my most ostensibly engaged in seeking for and positive conviction, so that it is no longer promoting our happiness, we are on the a matter of doubt of uncertainty; but it wrong track when we take a course of is as substantial and real to me as the this kind. There is a proper course for us assurance that I am. And there are hun- to pursue in order to increase our hap- dreds, yes, thousands in this congrega- piness. We have been thrown together tion, who could bear the same testimony on this planet, in pretty much the same were they called upon. circumstances in many respects. We are Do we as Latter-day Saints act up to sensitive to pleasure and to pain, we this knowledge? Do we bear in mind have a desire to increase our enjoyments, that we have made certain covenants and there are many things I might men- with God, and that we are responsible tion wherein we are all very much alike. whether we keep them or neglect them? Now don't you think that the Being who I am afraid, brethren and sisters, that, created you and me knew of a certain although the majority of the Latter-day plan which, if we would adopt, a certain Saints are doing very well, there are course which, if we would pursue, would many men with talents, gifts and abil- give us the greatest among of happiness? ities given them by God, who might be It is a very reasonable conclusion. bright and shining instruments in his What course is that likely to be? The hands, who are negligent and who are same course that our Father in heaven wandering after idols, and are worship- has taken before us. How shall we get to ing idols just as much as the heathen know what that is? Let us read the rev- who prostrate themselves before things elations, let us refer to our beloved Sav- of wood and stone. What are they do- ior when he was upon the earth. What ing? Forgetful of the great aim and ob- course did he pursue? He went about ject which they should have in view as doing good. His admonition was to do Latter-day Saints, they wander off af- good to all, to love your enemies, do ter the things of this world, they seek good to them that hate you, and to do to heap to themselves riches, and spend unto others as you would have them do their time as if there were nothing be- to you. These were some of the prin- yond the veil. This course is not wise, ciples laid down by our Savior and Re- even so far as this world is concerned, for deemer. He said he came not to do his what is the condition of such persons to- own will, but the will of his Father. Don't day? Their ideal does not give them that you think, brethren and sisters, that if true lasting happiness that comes from we were to follow these golden rules we God. It brings care and anxiety, and in- should see a very different state of things creases the lust for gain, and what they to what we now see? What would be seek to obtain flees further from them. the result if they were observed? Ev- The acquisition of wealth entails greater ery man would be as willing to promote THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING, ETC. 225 the welfare and advantage of his neigh- we are as sure to be the recipients as bor as he would his own. When two went that we live. Why are we required to pay to trade together it would not be—"Now Tithing? What does the Lord want with let us see who will get the best of the a tenth of our substance? I will tell you bargain," or, "I don't care what you get, what He wants with it. He wants you I want to get as much as I can." The de- and me to manifest by this thing that sire would be that each should be satis- we are His servants, that we respect his fied. In a state of society in which these commandments, that we do not wholly golden rules were observed by all, there set our hearts on filthy lucre, but that we would be no grinding the face of the poor do willingly, cheerfully and understand- that the rich might pile unto themselves ingly bring forth one-tenth of our sub- wealth, which is a cankerworm; no, but stance, and say—"Here am I, O Father, we would be able to enter into the Order ready and willing to lay down what Thou of Enoch, and live it, so that we might in- hast required of me, that I may mani- tensify our faith in God and receive and fest to Thee my integrity and prove that understand more of his will concerning I am fit to receive more of Thy blessings." us, and we should see a state of things, That is the law of Tithing as I under- which you and I have never dreamed of, stand it. That is the condition, that is if we would overcome these feelings of the reward, if you please, which attends selfishness which proceed from a power a person who pays it. that is evil and that is opposed to our Many times the Saints wonder why growth, and to the progress of the king- we do not progress faster than we do, dom of God. and sometimes it creates a feeling of re- gret; but I realize that there is an abun- Is it within our power to inaugurate dance of things before the people which and bring to pass such a condition of they do not live up to. We have the ora- things? We have the priesthood of the cles of God in our midst. I may sit down Son of God bequeathed to us for this and read the Scriptures of the past, the very purpose. Is it in the mind and will commandments given to the children of of Jehovah to pour out blessings upon Israel engraven on the tables of stone, His people, to increase upon them every- or the carnal commandments, but they thing that is calculated to happify them benefit me comparatively little. What here and hereafter. He has designed to you and I want today is the word of the make a nation of kings and priests, ac- Lord to ourselves. Are we not His chil- cording to His promises made to Abra- dren as much as were the children of ham. That promise has yet to be ful- Israel in the days of Moses? Most as- filled, and will as assuredly be fulfilled suredly. We want the word of the Lord as that the heavens are above us. He today, and we require to walk up to it would pour out blessings on His peo- when we get it. As I said, we have ple, but if they are not able to receive the living oracles in our midst, and if them, alas! they would prove curses. He we receive from them admonition, coun- has given us laws, and with every law sel, and commandments if you please, given there are conditions. If we magnify that is as much the word of the Lord to them, blessings are promised, of which this people as is the doctrine of baptism 226 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. by immersion for the remission of sins. importance to you and me to know what we should do today? Most assuredly. We live in the present, we live today, and if We all look forward to the time when we live right today, we are ready for to- the Order of Enoch will be established on morrow. It is of the utmost importance the earth. But in our present condition, that we should know how to regulate our with our feelings of selfishness, lusting conduct today, because we are not only after the things of the world, and craving living ourselves today, but we have our after Babylon, we cannot expect that the families to train, instruct and educate, Lord would have so little regard for his that they, in turn, in their day, may be people as to require us to live this law, enabled to carry out the mind and will when it would be likely to prove our con- of God. If we understood our true inter- demnation. But the servants of God who ests as a people we would know that we stand at the head of this people, with had not a single individual interest out- hearts yearning for their prosperity, with side the kingdom of God. If this fact is constant prayers ascending to God, for not apparent to our minds it is because the advancement of his kingdom upon we are more or less in the dark. What the earth, have seen fit to propose that do we seem to possess here? I say seem we enter into a system of cooperation, to possess advisedly, because we have no as a step towards establishing this or- control in and of ourselves. Who can der that we contemplate will exist at no guarantee himself one hour of existence? distant day. What should be our feelings Who is assured of it? Even the very abil- at hearing of the organization of such a ity we have to gather around us the nec- thing? We should give thanks and praise essaries and comforts of life comes from to Almighty God that there is a chance— God. Who of us has an inheritance? As a door opened—by which we may take President Smith remarked, not a soul of a step towards establishing the Order of us on the earth has received an inheri- Enoch. It is a step in the right direction, tance that we can call our own; and when and if we understood our true interests we as a people have an opportunity given we would step forth in that direction, we to us to unite our faith and energies in would make everything bend to it, we any one given direction, we should hail it would center our faith upon it, we would as one of the greatest blessings that can give our might and our means for the ad- be bestowed upon us. vancement of this institution called the It is in that light I look upon the Per- Cooperative Institution. It should be as petual Emigrating Fund for the gath- the apple of our eye. The support of ering of the poor—it is a Godsend to this cooperative system is just as much us because we are permitted to con- a commandment of God, as I said be- centrate our faith and energies and fore, as the doctrine of baptism for the means in one direction to accomplish remission of sins. What makes it so? Be- a great and a good work. It is in cause it has been revealed to us as such that light I rejoice in the establishment by the living oracles. And what do we of the Cooperative Institution, because, care for the printed word, as compared we are privileged to unite our energies with the living oracles? Is it not of more and faith as a people in one direction, THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING, ETC. 227 for a beneficial result. It is the same in ions, let us go to work and set them some the paying of Tithing; and what would good examples, create fashions for our- we have today without these institu- selves that they may pattern after. Just tions? Have you any idea to what extent reflect, sisters, for one moment, who is it Tithing has been the means of bring- that inaugurate the fashions which some ing to pass the many improvements that of our so-called ladies patronize on the have grown up around us? Many have streets of Salt Lake City today? Where not, but I am fortunate enough to be do those fashions come from? Would thrown into that position where I am you like to be looked upon in the light able to see and understand and be ac- those poor creatures are who inaugu- quainted with the figures and I know the rated those fashions? If you must pat- use that Tithing is applied to, and that tern after something, pattern after the it is first and foremost in all improve- good, righteous and pure, and shun the ments for the advancement of the cause very appearance of evil. I will tell you of truth upon the earth, and setting an one thing that we may pattern after prof- example for others to follow in the same itably. A savings bank has been opened wake, and one of the great sources of the in this city. It is gotten up for a wise prosperity of this people is due to the fact purpose, the people may therein throw that there is at least a certain portion of their means together, and peradventure Tithing paid into the Lord's storehouse. if they want to send for friends and rel- It has been remarked here that Salt atives abroad, when the day rolls round Lake City is, as it were, a battlefield be- to do so they will have something they tween the powers of light and the pow- can use for this laudable purpose. There ers of darkness. I never, as an in- is something to pattern after, involving dividual, felt better in my life in this a principle of saving, husbanding your Church than I do today. I care noth- resources. By putting your pennies to- ing about the outside pressure so far as gether, by and by they become a pound. I am individually concerned, and I no- It is like the units of the actions of this tice with the Saints who are awake, that people—when they are all aggregated to- the greater the opposition the stronger gether they amount to a mighty effort. they get in the things of God. It is very Save your pennies instead of throwing true the young are growing up around them away on these foolish trifling van- us, and they have not had the experi- ities. It is the case with some of my ence of those of riper years, and are li- brethren and sisters, they cannot allow a able to be led astray. There is a great dollar to stay in their pockets a minute. responsibility resting upon the parents They want to go to some of the stores of the young that they set their chil- to lay it out on some trash, for it is a dren wise and prudent examples; that fact, patent to all, that this is a day of they admonish them of the evils that are humbuggery, and the things you get in extant and that are encroaching upon the stores are more or less counterfeit the people today. When we see Baby- and sham, outside show and gingerbread lonish fashions coming in amongst us gilt instead of sound, substantial things we should be very careful that we avoid that we ought to seek after. For instance, setting our children the example of pat- terning after them. If we find that our young folks must run after fash- 228 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the cloth that we wear, you go to a store ourselves to ourselves, you would see and buy an article of wearing apparel, very few of those institutions flourish- how rare it is that you can get the thing ing in Salt Lake City that are springing that is represented. No, you get a sham, up around us that are now getting the a counterfeit, an imitation of the genuine patronage, I am afraid, of some of the stuff, and that is just what the world Latter-day Saints. Let me beseech you, is rapidly coming to. By and by there for your own sakes, and for the sake of will be nothing among them but sham Israel abroad to quit patronizing Gentile and counterfeit. Let us prefer, rather, institutions and abominations, and turn that which is good and substantial, that your attention to building up the king- which we can use and which will be a dom of God, for therein are all the inter- benefit to us rather than that which is ests you have on the earth for time and only for display. Let us seek, brethren for eternity. and sisters, after those things which will benefit and improve our condition today, and leave Babylon alone. May God bless us and help us so to do I tell you that if we would keep is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

AFFAIRS IN SANPETE COUNTY—"ONE-MAN POWER"—UNITY REQUIRED AMONG THE PEOPLE.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT ORSON HYDE, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY MORNING,OCTOBER 5, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

As this day's services may be con- Lord will. I am very happy to meet with sidered introductory to our Confer- my brethren in Salt Lake City, and from ence, which will commence tomorrow, the adjoining settlements, and I pre- I have been requested to make a sume, ere our Conference shall come to a few remarks. I cannot say whether close, all the Branches of Zion through- they will be few or many, but let out the Territory will be duly repre- this be as the good Spirit of the sented here. AFFAIRS IN SANPETE COUNTY, ETC. 229

I have come from a point about one pensation for years of military service hundred and forty miles southeast of rendered in the defense of our settle- here. The people of my immediate field ments, in which time, nearly one hun- of labor, I am pleased to say, are gener- dred of our men, women and children, ally healthy. There is some little sickness were mercilessly slain by the red-skins, among our children, and some of them besides hundreds of thousands of dol- have been called away; but as a general lars' worth of stock driven off by them— thing, among the adult population, there some of our people were foolish enough is good health. We have had a pecu- to think that the Indians were more than liar season, yet very passable crops, and half right in their views. Be this as it a most beautiful time to gather them. may, it is all in a lifetime, and will come This year, so far, we have had peace with out right in the end. I feel thankful that the Indians, for the first time for quite we have had peace with the red-men, a number of years, and I do assure you and that no particular depredations have that it is a relief to us. The Indians had been committed by them since, with the an idea that they could do with us as exception of a dozen or twenty horses seemed them good—prey upon our sub- which they have stolen. stance and murder our men, women and We are not mining in Sanpete County. children whenever they felt like it, and I do not know whether there are any the military of the Government would mines there or not; we do not trouble our- wink at it, because they thought the Gov- selves a great deal about that, and con- ernment wanted to get rid of us; any- sequently we are not afflicted with peo- how, they seemed to entertain little fear ple who will dabble with mining, some of with regard to the consequences of the whom, when disappointed, will resort to crimes which they committed amongst stealing and other crimes. We have not us. But last year, when General Mor- that class amongst us, and I am glad of row and a few companies stationed here it, yet the more men who come amongst at Camp Douglas, came and paid us a us with good and honest hearts, the bet- visit, it rather led the Indians to think ter. It matters little whether they are that it was not altogether as they had Jews or Gentiles, if they possess honest considered it, and though there was no hearts, we are apt to convert them and fighting done, from the fact that the In- bring them into the Church. That has dians retreated, and hid themselves, yet been the case up to the present time, and the presence of the soldiers was a pro- the consequence is, there are very few tection to us while we gathered the most outsiders there. abundant harvest that ever crowned the The Cooperative stores established labors of our people in that section, and in our various settlements are a great it was a very good thing, and the Indi- blessing to us. They bring whatever ans begin to think, perhaps, that the sol- we want, right to our doors, and al- diers would chastise them if they did not though the dividends are not very great behave well. But from the sudden and in favor of the stockholders, the bene- unexpected recall of the troops from our fits resulting from the establishment of county, and the apparent unwillingness these institutions afford us ample re- of the Government to grant us any com- muneration for the advance of the capi- 230 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tal necessary to commence the business. to serve and honor him. But the form of We do not increase rapidly in wealth, government of this people a great many but we increase a little all the time, es- have taken serious exceptions to: they pecially when the Indians let our stock think that one man is armed with too alone. Our Cooperative Institutions are much power, and sways an influence over doing a very safe and good business. I so many that it becomes a dangerous do not think that any of them in San- power and should be suppressed. I was pete County are very much in debt to reading, a few weeks ago, a statement the parent institution in this city. I have made by a reverend gentleman living in cautioned them against it, and advised Provo, and the most serious thing he had them to pay fairly and squarely, and not to complain of—and he complained of to trust their goods out, but to do a close, a great many things—was the one-man safe and secure business, that every per- power which exists, and is tolerated and son may be accommodated with what he sustained in Utah. wants; and if they should not happen I wish to speak a few words in rela- to have what we need in every store at tion to the one-man power, and in the the time, they will kindly bring us what- first place I will say that it is what ev- ever we sent for, especially when we give ery aspirant, politician and statesman them the money to operate with. This labors to acquire. I do believe that Mr. is all that we can expect. Our books are Grant, as good a man and as brave a sol- open, and have never been closed against dier as he is, if he could get the hearts the admission of capital. Stock is for sale of all the people so that they would rally in every institution in Sanpete County, round his standard and sustain and up- from twenty-five cents and upwards, and hold him, it would be the pride and joy of our little boys and girls, taking advan- his heart. But if any man is thwarted tage of the opportunity thus presented, in the desires of his heart in this re- put in two bits once in a while, and by spect, that is no reason why he should and by it gets up to five, seven, eight or oppose others in gaining influence over ten dollars; and they can get a share, and his fellow men. All men love money, you there is quite an effectual door open for know, more or less, hence they are dig- our youngsters to begin and show their ging here in the mines to obtain it. I financial accommodation to the people. have no fault to find or censure to be- Well, brethren and sisters, I will say stow upon them for this operation; they nothing further about the part of the are anxious to obtain money. Some only county from which I came, but I will get a little, very little, while others, per- make a few remarks upon the idea of haps, make their millions. Now let me our being a peculiar people. You know ask, Should the few who are fortunate that we are regarded as such, and if and gain their millions be cast out and we look upon ourselves from a proper crushed because of their financial power, point of view, we shall readily admit because they have struck a good lead and that in this respect outsiders have given have been successful, by the many who us an appropriate name; for we are a have gained only a few dollars, or who, peculiar people whom God has chosen perhaps, have lost instead of gained? AFFAIRS IN SANPETE COUNTY, ETC. 231

If then, this principle is to be tolerated in riage, told them that Moses permitted financial matters, why not when applied them, for certain causes, to put away to influence and power in general? their wives; but he also told them that I read that, in the beginning, God it was because of the hardness of their created the heavens and the earth. It hearts that Moses permitted this, but seemed to be a kind of one-man power that from the beginning it was not so. that was engaged in the very act of Now whether it was because of the hard- rolling creation into existence. I do not ness of men's hearts, or because of the know how much of Democracy or of Re- softness of them, I am not going to publicanism there was in the beginning, say, but I want to show the order of I was not there that I know of, or if I was things as they were in the beginning, it is so long since that I have forgotten it. and as they emanated from the bosom Judging by the accounts we have of mat- of the Almighty. That which was first ters then, the government was a kind of must be last, and that which was last one-man power; and if we look at things must be first—a similar order of things, as they really are, we shall find that redeemed, rescued and brought out of sin entered the world, and death by sin chaos, and returned to the Father as they and that was by one man. Oh, that was came from him, for he will accept noth- grievous! That drew a veil of gloom over ing unless it be what he gave; for, said the face of creation. That was one-man the Savior, "Every plant, that my heav- power. By and by we read of another one- enly Father hath not planted, shall be man power that came along and counter- rooted up." Hence, he will receive noth- acted this, and that was the Lord from ing only what he gave. He gave us im- glory—another kind of one-man power. mortal spirits, he sent them down here to be tabernacled in the flesh, and he ex- Now, while I compare these things pects that they will return to him, and with the present order of things which they all will in some grade, return to him exists throughout our world, I do not who gave them. wish to be understood as depreciating Well, the Savior of the world came our own government, for it is the best to counteract the acts of the first Adam. earthly government in existence upon And what was the nature of the work he the face of the earth. It was ordained, or- had to do? Why, to bring life and immor- ganized and suffered for a wise purpose tality to light, to resurrect the dead, and in God our heavenly Father, which, per- to implant a hope of eternal life in those haps, I may be able to exhibit to you ere who trusted in him; and this, be it known my remarks shall come to a close; but be to you, was accomplished by one-man this as the Lord will, I do not wish to say power. Ye Roman soldiers who guard the one word against our government; it is tomb, ye Jews, who had a temporary tri- a good government, it answers the times umph by the death of him whom ye cru- and fills a vacuum that perhaps nothing cified, know that the angel of God de- else could. But I am looking at matters scends, the stone is rolled away from the as they were from the beginning. door of the sepulcher, the Lord of glory You know Jesus, when the Jews rises, the dark curtain of death is rolled asked him about divorce and mar- away and gives place to life and immor- 232 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tality, which dawn upon the world, in the moderately, then, and look at it in its person of the resurrected Savior. This true light. was produced by one-man power. Said Now my friends and brethren, I want this one man in view of the responsi- to tell you that our country is a repub- bilities that were upon him, and smart- lic, and not a despotism, although some ing under the pangs that he endured— say it is rapidly approaching to that. I "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass cannot tell how that is, I am not much from me: nevertheless not my will, but of a politician, and do not give myself thine, be done." Why did not that one- a great deal of concern about it. But man power resist the mind of his Father I comfort myself with the idea that the and say—"Do you think I am going to Lord rules anyhow, and that he will, in lay down my life, to sacrifice my exis- time, have all things as he designs to tence to please you? No, I have an in- have them, and hence I take little inter- dependent mind and will and I am re- est in politics. But one thing I will say, solved to gratify them." That would have that is, that when the Government of been in accordance with the ideas of our the United States, although it is repub- day, but it did not correspond with the lican, has any very difficult task to per- program of the Eternal Father, and the form, in which the interests of the coun- object of his only begotten Son in com- try are largely at stake, it casts off re- ing to this world was to accomplish and publicanism and adopts despotism. Per- carry out his part of that program, "Not haps you may think that is slander, by I my will, by thine, be done." This should will suppose a case to illustrate the truth be the feeling of the Latter-day Saints in of my proposition. For instance, the fate relation to the requirements of heaven of the nation is suspended upon an im- upon them. "Not my will, by thine, Oh portant battle about to be fought. Now, God, be done." If the world reproach you what kind of a government prevails in for submission to the will of God, refer that army? The most vital consequences them to the Savior, whose motto was, hang upon the issue of the battle, and "Not my will, by thine, be done." How that issue depends, to a very great ex- much honor and glory does the Savior of tent, upon the orders of the commanding the world enjoy at the present time? It General being carried out. He issues his is beyond the conception of mortal man. orders, and his subalterns are required But how much would he have enjoyed, to carry them out rigidly. The soldiers and who among us would have had sal- who constitute the army must submit in vation had he faltered in his hour of trial every respect, they have not the right, and said—"I will not submit to this sac- by virtue of their own opinion, to file off rifice?" Despise not this one-man power, and deviate, in the least degree, from the for before I come to a close I shall en- orders of the commander. The same is deavor to show to you that every son and true of the subaltern officers, and if any daughter of Adam will be compelled to of them should adopt such a course they bow to it, and the more they fight against are subject to be tried by court-martial it, the harder it will be for them to sub- and possibly to be executed. Where is mit to it in the end. Take it kind of the republicanism or democracy in this? I tell you that when it come to a vital AFFAIRS IN SANPETE COUNTY, ETC. 233 point republicanism has to be laid aside, God in the last days will be more im- and the one-man power has to be strictly portant and will involve more vital ques- obeyed. tions than any other that has ever Go, if you please, on board the ships been undertaken or accomplished on the of war of the United States, and what earth, and consequently the one-man kind of government will you find there? power will be most loudly called for in There again the one-man power is abso- connection with it, and Heaven seeing lute. I recollect reading an anecdote of this has given power and influence to General Jackson, when defending New his servants. Have they got it by the Orleans against the British. He put the sword or by oppression? No, but they city under martial law, and in so doing secure it just as the sun secures its some said he exceeded the bounds of his votaries. In the cool or cold season of the authority. I cannot say whether he did or year, the reptiles and many animals seek not, I do not care whether he did or not; protection in dens and caves and they any way he saved the city and obtained are not allured therefrom by the light- a victory. But in preparing for defense ning's flash or the thunders of heaven, he took cotton bales out of the ware- but when the rays of the glorious sun houses and made a breastwork of them. again warm and revivify the face of na- A certain planter came to New Orleans ture, these animals and reptiles again at that time, and hearing that his cot- come forth to bask in his enlivening rays. ton bales had been taken by the General, So it is with the servants of the living he made a terrible ado about them, and God. They do not obtain influence over finally went to the commander-in-chief the hearts of the children of men by the of the American forces and requested sword or musket, but it is the light of that they be returned. Said General truth, distilling like the dews of heaven, Jackson—"Have you any cotton bales in and warming the hearts of those who our breastworks?" "Yes, sir, I have so love truth that gives this influence, and many, and they have been taken from the you and I like to be under it. When I place where they were deposited with- have been in the cold shade and chilling out my permission." The General turned winds, I like to come out to the friendly to an officer standing by, and said he— sunshine, it is just as natural for me as "Sergeant, furnish this man a musket it is to live, and this is the reason why and an outfit." The articles were brought. the Latter-day Saints rally under the in- "Now, sir," said General Jackson, "if you fluence of the one-man power. There is have any cotton bales here, step into the the light: there are the rays that warm ranks and defend them." That was one- the heart, cheer the affections, open up man power, and it was a noble exercise of prospects for the future, and make life it, it showed that the commanding gen- agreeable. eral had the interest of the country at Now I want to show you that we have heart. You see, whenever there is a vital all got to obey it. If you can get rid question at stake, and matters of life and of death and scale the walls of eternity death are involved, the one-man power without passing through the dark val- has to be introduced in spite of every- ley of the shadow of death, then perhaps thing, and that is all right. you may escape this one-man power; but Well, we expect that the work of if you cannot do that, you cannot es- 234 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. cape it. I will quote you Scripture to they will have to obey this one-man show that such is the case. In the last power. day, the Lord will gather the inhabitants Now, do not be displeased, jealous, or of the earth, just as a shepherd gathers angry, because God has selected men and his sheep; and in the process of gather- placed them in the front rank to plead ing some will be gathered who may be the cause of Zion. Let God have his likened to goats, while those who love to own way, and it will be better for you do the Master's will may be called the and better for us all. The old Prophets sheep. A separation will take place be- were very singular men, they liked to tween the sheep and the goats, the sheep have things their own way, because they will be put on the right hand, and the had their commissions from heaven, and goats on the left. It may be said that they liked to execute them, and God bore goats are very good, their skins are use- them out in it. ful and their flesh is fit for food, but The other day I sent a note, a friendly still they are goats, they are not sheep, warning to the New York Sun. It was they do not produce wool, and they are published and, I believe, copied in to separated from the sheep. So the peo- some of the papers published in this city, ple of the whole world will be separated, and yesterday I was reading the objec- and the righteous, or the sheep, will be tions to it in one of them. I will tell placed on the right, and the wicked, or you what their reasoning made me think the goats, on the left. When that sepa- of. When I was between six and seven ration time comes, we will see who will years old, fatherless and motherless, I obey and who will not obey the one- was kicked and cuffed about the world, man power. Says the Lord, the Righ- and grew up a good deal like a wild plant, teous Judge, to those on the right hand— with very small opportunity for cultiva- "Come, ye blessed of my Father, and in- tion, except that which I have accom- herit the kingdom prepared for you from plished by my own efforts. When I was a the foundation of the world." Do you little fellow, I recollect there was a man think they will need any urging to obey? by the name of Michael Hughes, who pro- I do not think they will. I hope I shall fessed that, on a certain day, some six be among them. I shall be happy to see weeks from that time, the world would you there too. "Come, ye blessed of my come to an end. It disturbed me, for I Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for was only six years old, and I turned ev- you from before the foundation of the ery way to get comfort and consolation; world." Oh joyful invitation! A heavenly there was quite an excitement among influence rests upon us, and the light of grown people upon the subject. There joy beams upon our countenances. He was a certain lady teaching school in now turns to the goats, and instead of the neighborhood, by the name of Miss saying to them, "Come, ye blessed of my Pindison, and I remember I sat down Father," they hear the dread sentence, to reckon in my own mind whether her "Depart from me, ye cursed, into ev- school would be out by the time this man erlasting punishment, prepared for the said the world would come to an end, and devil and his angels." Do you think I came to the conclusion that it would not they will go? I am inclined to think come to an end because Miss P—'s school they will be compelled to go; I think would not be out. And when I read the AFFAIRS IN SANPETE COUNTY, ETC. 235 wonderful arguments in this city pa- everything that he has. Let those two per about railroad communication and men sit down and talk Tithing matters the interests which the same would call over together, and will their spirits run into action, and the influence they would together? Are they not in the same have in overturning "Mormonism," I vessel—the same Church? Yes. Well, do could not help thinking about my child- their hearts, spirits and interests unite? ish conclusions in regard to the end of No, they are like the oil and the wa- the world and the lady's school. The Lord ter in the same vessel—they are distinct does not care so much about railroads; and they will not amalgamate. This will I do not think he will delay the accom- serve to illustrate a great many other plishment of his purposes to accommo- things which, for want of time, I am not date any railroad institution, but he will disposed to follow out. But one thing I do all he desired regardless of this, that will name, and that is in regard to plu- or the other. ral marriage. A great many men say— Now, my brethren and sisters, in the "Oh, well, I can get along, I can live, midst of all the conflicting scenes that and I believe I shall only have one wife." transpire around us, the mining oper- Well, that is your privilege, nobody com- ations, speculations and worldly pride pels you to take more than one; but and vanity which are multiplying on ev- with the commandment of the Lord be- ery hand, remember the words of the fore us like a blaze of light, can we dis- Savior—"Except ye are one ye are not regard it and serve him acceptably? If mine." No doubt some of you have had we can, then why not retain those laws vessels containing a little oil, and you and commandments in heaven, and not may have dropped in, by accident or de- send them down here to earth? These sign, a few drops of water, and then, commandments are sent for our good, for in the same vessel, you have had oil our salvation and exaltation. Here is a and water, but no matter how much woman who, in speaking of celestial mar- you shook them, they would not unite. riage says, "It will do very well for oth- Why? Are they not both liquids? Yes, ers, but it will not do in my house;" "it but they will not unite, because they are may do very well for somebody else, be- dissimilar in their natures, and there cause her feelings are not quite so fine can be no chemical union between them. as mine, she has been differently raised I have heard men say, and correctly from what I have." I do not know that too, no doubt, that they were thank- the Lord will pay any particular respect ful they had a name and a standing as to how we are raised, and how fine in the Church of the living God. I and delicate our feelings may be, or how am thankful for the same today. But coarse and uncultivated they may be. is that all? I want to show you that I believe that if we submit to the law here is a man, for instance, who is of heaven, that law has power to re- required to pay his Tithing, and says fine us and to fit us for immortality and he—"I will pay just enough to save my eternal life. That is my opinion. Now skin, to save my name and charac- hear this good sister, she says—"It will ter, I will not pay a full Tithing, but not do for me, I am not going to sub- just enough to whip the devil round mit to it." Another sister says—"I am the stump." Here is another man who willing to submit to the law of Christ." comes up and pays a full Tithing of 236 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Let these two sisters come together and the wheat, yet remember that tares are talk over the law of marriage, and see not wheat, neither is water oil. Come whether their spirits will run together. what will, life or death, or whatever it They will no more run together than wa- may be, never mind, trust in God, and ter and oil will unite. he will bring you out all right. Says Jesus, "Except ye are one ye are I am thankful for this privilege of say- not mine." Here is a black man and a ing a few words. I hope I have done no white man, raised in the same house, harm, and that I have not said anything but is that any argument that they are that is contrary to the will of God, or to both white or both black? No, it is no the feelings of the pure in heart, for they argument whatever. Under the sound are just as sacred to me as the law of of my voice today there may be the best God, and I do not want to unnecessarily men that ever lived, and there may be, offend the ungodly; but I am not so par- for aught I know, just as bad as ever ticular to spare or shield them. I want to lived. I hope not. But then, because tell the truth, and bear a faithful testi- we are within the walls of this house, mony. I have been in this Church about does that signify that we are blended to- forty-three years—almost from the be- gether in heart and spirit? No, no more ginning, for I was baptized the 31st of than it proves that oil and water will October, 1831, and ordained the same unite. If I understand it correctly, we day and sent to preach the Gospel, and have to be blended together, united to- more or less, most of the time since, I gether completely in heart and spirit. I have been engaged in that work. I used recollect once a man coming to me with to be very active and spry, but now I have a watermelon in his hand. It looked so got to be old and clumsy, and I cannot green, good and fine, thought I—"We will travel about much. I have to be very have a feast on this watermelon." But careful of myself and keep rather moder- as he came near I caught a glimpse of ate and still. I yet enjoy life, and have it somehow, and discovered that it had very good health, but an inclination of been plugged and the inside taken out, blood to the head causes a flush on my so that instead of a watermelon, he was countenance, which some may regard as bringing a mere shell. There was the an indication of better health than I en- appearance of a watermelon, but, alas! joy. But you know all men try to put the there was no meat in it, it had all been best side out, and the women too; and if dug out. Now, it is not the form of the nature, in her operations, has caused a union that the Savior wants among his flush of health to bloom on my counte- people; that will not suffice; it is the nance, it is only following the fashions of marrow, the fatness we want, and then the day—putting the best side out. God we can be melted into one, and this is be thanked that it is as well as it is. what the Savior meant when he said, "Except ye are one ye are not mine." But Heaven bless you, is my prayer in the tares will grow in the same field with name of Jesus. Amen. THE WORD OF WISDOM, ETC. 237

THE WORD OF WISDOM—EDUCATION.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE A.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I feel a deep interest in the subjects Wisdom, and to live in accordance with which have been brought before us this its principles as near as our climate morning by the Elders who have spoken, and the productions of our country will as well as in every discourse that has permit. So far as intoxicating drinks been uttered since the commencement of are concerned, it is worse than mad- the Conference, and I hope that the im- ness and folly for men to indulge in pressions which have been made will be them. There is something comparatively lasting. In relation to intemperance, we, innocent in tea, coffee or tobacco when all of us, as Latter-day Saints, should ob- compared with intoxicating drinks. Of serve the Word of Wisdom; and if we do course a man who uses tobacco freely not observe it, we lay a foundation to for years gets an appetite for liquor; he weaken ourselves. You will see young lays a foundation for an appetite for persons come to the table in the morn- liquor, and after a while he craves it ing, and they want some tea, or coffee, and must have it. He should let to- or a cup of good, strong, warm drink. A bacco alone in the start; but yet to- habit of this kind has, perhaps, already bacco does not make a man insane in been acquired by them, and it is likely a minute. Some of our most promising to continue until they become slaves to business men, who have come to Salt it. In a little while it affects the complex- Lake City at different periods, have car- ion, it weakens the mind and the body ried themselves to untimely graves by throughout, and lays the foundation for indulging in intoxicating drink. Men a weaker generation to follow. Of course whose voices have been heard in the it is no use to talk to men about tobacco. Tabernacle, men who have rendered ser- It takes a man of energy to quit chewing vice in the offices, and who have been tobacco, a man who has a mind and inde- honored, have died like a dog in a ditch, pendence; boys who undertake it seldom or in a most degraded manner, in con- accomplish it, though they are very fool- sequence of indulging in intoxicating ish ever to indulge in the habit. drinks. A man says to another—"Come, take a drink." "No, I don't wish any." I feel like exhorting my brethren "Oh, don't be so pious, come and take a and sisters to abstain from every- drink with us, don't be a coward;" and so, thing prohibited in the Word of for fear of being a coward, he takes the 238 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. drink. Shame on such a man! Why not blished it we thought we would not sell quietly say—"No, I do not need it;" and tobacco at all; but pretty soon the Su- if the invitation is repeated, say—"No perintendent asked the Directors if he more of that, gentlemen," and be man might not bring in some poor kind of enough to let it alone, rather than yield tobacco to kill the ticks on the sheep. and let a habit creep upon him that will It was very soon discovered that unless destroy him. I have heard men say— they sold tobacco, so many Latter-day "I can drink, or let it alone;" then let it Saints used it, that a successful opposi- alone; but some of those who can "drink tion could be run against them on the to- or let it alone" will get drunk every day. bacco trade alone, and they had to com- They have sold themselves to the cursed mence it, I believe, under the plea that it alcohol. Let the Elders of Israel cease was brought on to kill the ticks on sheep. this habit and learn wisdom. When you Shame on such Latter-day Saints, so far come to meet the presence of your Fa- as tobacco is concerned. ther in heaven, when you wish for the re- I will say a word in relation to the wards of your Priesthood, you who have colleges which brother Jesse N. Smith not obeyed the Word of Wisdom will wail spoke about. As he said, we have strug- at the loss you have sustained in con- gled against many difficulties as far as sequence of your folly. Think of these education is concerned, and our uni- things, continue to think of them, pray versity and our colleges, so far, have over them, and set an example before simply been schools for the education your children that is worthy of imitation. of teachers in the primary branches. If an old lady of seventy comes to my We have sometimes employed professors house at Conference, and I get her a cup and taught many different branches. of tea, if there is a girl there of fifteen, But a great effort has been made to ed- she will want to drink with grandma, ucate teachers for primary schools, and and she will think she must have it be- some of them have taken great pains to cause grandma does. This has been my inform themselves. They have held asso- experience in times past. I do not have ciations and got up a normal and train- it now; I do not get tea for people, un- ing class, have given lectures, and this less they pretend to be sick, then I tell summer they spent six weeks voluntar- my folks to make them a tin cup full of ily to instruct each other. good, strong catnip tea. That is a rule It has been the uniform custom of I have prescribed. I do not know how the General Government to give the dif- my folks keep it. I certainly do not in- ferent States public lands and money tend to place any restrictions on them to a liberal extent for educational pur- any further than their own wisdom dic- poses. None of this has ever been tates. But if they use these things they made available for Utah; we have had do it in violation of my advice and run to carry everything by our own individ- their own risks, and so do all others. ual effort. Now that there are many I say, brethren and sisters, let us young men and women among us who observe the Word of Wisdom. We wish to study more advanced branches are doing a great business in the than we have, as yet, been able to or- tea, coffee and tobacco in the Coop- ganize, they would like to go to famous erative Store. When we first esta- seats of learning in distant parts of the THE SAVING ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL. 239 country for that purpose. A cooperative necessary, of course, to look well to its effort is now required on the part of the primary schools; we have tried to do this, people, as a matter of domestic economy, we are still doing it, and, I believe consid- to establish schools of a higher order, ering their circumstances, the people of and to provide the professors and appa- Utah have done more for education than ratus necessary to impart instruction in the people of any other Territory. the higher branches of learning, that our young people may be able to obtain the May the blessing of Israel's God be education they desire at home; for while upon us in all our efforts to guide our they would go away and spend five or six children, in all our efforts to maintain hundred dollars a year each, the same the principles of temperance, to observe amount expended here would establish the Word of Wisdom and keep the com- schools for the higher branches, and cut mandments of God, and to establish such off a large proportion of the expense in schools and colleges as shall enable us to all time to come. We would like to have advance in all branches that are useful, all the Wards and settlements consider for our religion includes every good and these questions, and make it a matter of true principle. There is no principle on real interest to bring about an organiza- the face of the earth or in heaven that is tion and to supply the means necessary true, but what belongs to "Mormonism." for this object. May God enable us to do these things as In the foundation of a country it is we should, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

THE SAVING ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT DANIEL H.WELLS, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCT. 6, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

It is with great pleasure I rise to that the servants of God bear to the bear testimony to the great truths truths of the everlasting Gospel. I, that have been announced here this too, can say that I know this to be morning. The President has given the Gospel of the Son of God, which some reasons for the testimony that is the power of God unto salvation. he has borne, and the testimony The great plan of salvation, devised 240 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. by our heavenly Father before the world heaven, will have to render obedience was organized, when it is said the stars to the Gospel ordinances, and as they sang together, and the sons of God cannot be administered to in the spirit, shouted for joy, has again been revealed those in the flesh will have to adminis- in accordance with the prophecies of the ter for those in the spirit. You cannot servant of God. The Lord made his own grapple a spirit to baptize it, neither can selection, he chose from among the chil- you perform the sealing ordinance in the dren of men whom he would, and Joseph spirit, hence the Savior said there was Smith was the favored individual who neither marrying nor giving in marriage received the visit of the angel bearing to in the resurrection. It is an ordinance this generation the Gospel of salvation pertaining to this state of existence, and to be preached unto those who dwelt on by those dwelling in the flesh upon the earth. It was taken away in fulfillment of earth have all these ordinances to be per- prophecy. If it had not been taken away formed. If they are not by ourselves dur- what necessity would there have been ing this life they must be done by some- to restore it? If it had not been taken one acting for and in our behalf still ex- away the Apostle could not have seen isting in the flesh, and in the authority in the future the angel flying through of the holy Priesthood, which has come the midst of heaven, bringing it back to down from heaven. earth to preach to all nations, kindreds, The acts and ordinations of that tongues and people. We bear testimony Priesthood are just as legitimate here as that it has been restored. It is not a new in any other state of existence. It is the Gospel—it is that which existed from the same authority as exists in the heavens. beginning, and which was devised before Through the authority of the everlasting the world was made for the salvation of Priesthood, channels have been opened those who should come to dwell upon the up between the heavens and the earth, face of the earth. by which we may seal upon earth, and it is sealed in heaven. This is the same It is true that the terms of the Gospel authority that has always existed in the are inexorable. Every son and daugh- Church and kingdom of God when it has ter of Adam will have to bend the knee been upon the earth. Why? Because to this plan of salvation, either here it is the same authority that exists in or somewhere else. The ordinances of the heavens; it is the authority by which the Gospel pertain to this existence, and the Gods are governed, and by which the they have to be attended to in the flesh worlds are organized and held in exis- or by those in this state of existence. Ex- tence. It has been conferred from time cept a man is born of water he cannot en- to time upon the servants of God in the ter into the kingdom of heaven. There flesh, to enable them to perform the ordi- is no getting around this, it is the decla- nances which pertain to this state of ex- ration of the Savior, the Son of the liv- istence, and reach back again within the ing God, and I count that this is pretty veil. high authority. Every man and every Having been called of God we woman, including those who have died stand ready to administer the or- and passed behind the veil without hear- dinances of the Gospel and of the ing the Gospel, before they can enter house of God to the children of men; THE CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, ETC. 241 we stand ready to bear off this Gospel else will be swept away in the due time to the nations of the earth, this great of the Lord. The people are suffered to go plan of salvation devised by our Father. their own way, to walk after the imagina- There has never been any other, and tions of their own hearts, to do this and there never will be. Men have tinkered do that, because they are agents unto at it; but their efforts do not change themselves, to do as they please. We can God's plan, it is like its author—the accept these principles or reject them; it same yesterday, today and forever. God makes no difference in regard to their is the fountain of truth, righteousness truth. They are true, whether we receive and grace. All true science and ev- or reject them, and they are calculated ery good thing emanate from him. It to save all the children of men. The plan is from this heavenly source we draw is ample and will save all who will let it; our information and our inspiration, and if we are not saved by this, we shall and, as a matter of course, it compre- be condemned. hends everything good and worth hav- ing. Within the kingdom of God is ev- Now may God help us and all the na- erything enjoyable that is lasting. If tions of the earth to see the light, that we do not build upon this basis, then we may all come to a knowledge of the are we lost, because it is the only foun- truth and be saved in his kingdom, is my dation that will stand. Everything prayer for Jesus' sake. Amen.

THE CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST—TESTIMONY IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT—TRIALS TO BE ENCOUNTERED AND SACRIFICES TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO PROVE THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS—THE LOVE OF WEALTH.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 6, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

The subjects that have been dwelt to comprehend the principles of sal- upon this morning are such as must vation, as believed in and prac- interest every one who has a desire ticed by the Latter-day Saints. To 242 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. my mind there has been an evidence obedience. If we examine the Bible there of their truth accompanying every word is nothing to sustain the idea that there that has been spoken. The Spirit of God should be any change in any of these bears testimony to the things of God, things; and when men hear it proclaimed and there would be no difficulty in con- that God has restored the everlasting vincing the inhabitants of the earth of Gospel, and they have a desire in their the truth of the principles believed in hearts to comprehend the truth, there is by the Latter-day Saints, were it not a spirit accompanies the testimony of the for tradition and the prejudices which servants of God which bears witness to exist in men's minds in relation to the their spirit that these things are true. truth. Let a man start out with the But immediately another spirit steps in, Bible in his hand, determined to receive and the reflection arises in the minds of the truth wherever it may be found, and many—What will my parents, relatives commence examining the various insti- or friends say? What will the world say tutions and churches that exist among if I believe this doctrine? There is ig- men, and he would, if he believed the nominy associated with belief in these Bible, and were not prejudiced by tradi- doctrines. There is shame to be encoun- tion and education, expect to find, when tered if I go forward and join a people so he found the Church of Christ, a Church despised as these. What will men say of organized in every respect like that of me? In what light, shall I be viewed? which the New Testament gives us an These reflections arise, and the testi- account. He would expect to find Apos- mony of the truth is extinguished in the tles and Prophets, and the ordinances hearts of many. It requires, therefore, of baptism, and the laying on of hands on the part of people now, as in ancient for the reception of the Holy Ghost in days, great strength of mind, great moral that Church; he would expect to find the courage, and great love of the truth, an gifts of prophecy, revelation, tongues, the overpowering desire to obtain salvation, interpretation of tongues, healing, wis- and the Spirit of God to aid them, in or- dom, the discernment of spirits, and all der to enable people to receive the Gospel the gifts that existed in the Church of of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence it is Christ in ancient days. He would look that so few, comparatively speaking, in for just such a church as this, and if he every age have received the truth. It did not find it he would conclude that requires courage to sustain men when that church had been withdrawn from opposed by every kind of treachery and the earth. The evidences that abound of violence. It required courage to en- in the Scriptures all go to prove that able men to go forth to the stake, to be this was the character of the Church of cast into dens of wild beasts, or fiery fur- Christ in ancient days, and that there naces, to be crucified, beheaded, sawn should be no change, for the Scriptures asunder, or to be exiled as was John tell us that God is the same today, yester- the Revelator. It required, in ancient day and forever, and that if men, in this days, and it requires it in our days, this day do the same things—exercising the kind of sublime courage to enable men same faith as they did in ancient days— and women to receive the truth; and in the same blessings will follow their view of all this, we can see and compre- THE CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, ETC. 243 hend the truth of the words of the Sav- forth, and proclaimed this truth, autho- ior when he said—"Strait is the gate, and rized by God, and God has condescended narrow is the way, which leadeth unto to confirm the truth of their testimony life, and few there be that find it," and and administrations among the people, "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, and we are now brought together in this that leadeth to destruction, and many land. We are surrounded by peculiar there be which go in thereat." It has been circumstances, we are in a place to be so easy for men to reject the truth and tried and tested, as we never have been flow with the current; it has been so easy before. There are many tests, tempta- for men to spread their sails, catch the tions and trials now assailing the Latter- popular breeze and glide before it; and day Saints, with which they never had it has been so difficult for men to stem to contend before. We have had mobs, the tide of opposition which they have expulsion from our lands, from the tem- always had to contend with when they ple of God that we reared, and from have embraced the truth, that it requires the pleasant homes which we had cre- on our part, brethren and sisters, devo- ated, from the graves of our friends and tion to the work which God has restored. kindred whom we buried after they had Every man and woman who has entered fallen victims to the land which we had this church, however ignorant and illit- redeemed from the condition in which we erate, and has been humble and truly found it. We have passed through these repented, has received a testimony from scenes and there has been but little fal- God that this is the truth. God bestows tering considering the circumstances we his holy Spirit upon those who obey his have had to contend with. Men have Gospel as he bestows light upon the bravely stood all these things, and fee- earth. There have not been a privileged ble women have been filled with courage few, there has been no hierarchy, there and strength to pass through these pri- has been no monopoly of knowledge, for vations without their faith failing them. some exclusive set to receive while the I hope that we shall not have such rest would be destitute; but it has been scenes to endure again. I pray that we diffused like the blessing of air—it has may be delivered from the violence of been to all who have believed it, and ev- our enemies, that they may not have ery man and woman has received a testi- power over us again as they have had mony for himself and herself respecting in the past. But we must make cal- the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it has been culations on having trials and difficul- revealed and taught in these last days. ties to contend with, and having tests Hence you travel from one end of this for our faith to be endured and passed Territory to the other and you find all the through. We cannot expect to accom- people bearing testimony, when called plish the work that God has laid upon us upon, that they know this is the Gospel without being tested and proved. Men of the Lord Jesus Christ, restored in its and women need not expect that they ancient purity and simplicity. You go to will attain unto the glory which God has foreign lands, and they bear the same in store for the faithful without being testimony everywhere. Illiterate, hum- tested in all things. If we have a weak- ble, uneducated, weak men have gone ness, or anything about us that is not 244 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. thoroughly sound, we may expect that the mobs that ever arrayed themselves sooner or later, that weak spot in our na- against us as a people from the begin- ture will be found, and we will be tested ning until we came here. We should to the very uttermost. If we expect to sit realize this, and there is only one way down with Jesus and the Apostles and that we can escape the evil consequences those who have fought the good fight of thereof. Wealth has ruined and cor- faith, and who have laid down their lives rupted every people almost that ever for the truth in past ages, or in our age, lived and attained unto power. It has we must expect, like them, to be proved sapped the foundation and vitality of the and tried in all things, until everything most powerful peoples and nations that in our nature that is drossy shall be pu- ever existed on the face of the earth. We rified, and we be cleansed and made fit are human as they were; we are exposed to sit down with them, pure and holy— to the same trials and temptations as their peers. they were, and we are liable to be over- come as they were; and the only safe- Can I then, or can you, give way to guard for us is to hold everything that lust? Can you love the world, and the we have subject to the counsel and will things of the world more than you do of God our heavenly Father, until a dif- the things of God? Here is the danger ferent order of things shall be instituted that is before us as a people—it is the among us as a people. lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, the I see young men growing up, and in lust of wealth, the fondness for worldly their growth is the love of wealth, the ease and comfort. We are being assailed love of ease and worldly comfort, and the by these trials. As a people we are in- desire and greed for money. I will tell creasing in wealth. Wealth is multiply- you that the man who has the greed or ing upon us on every hand. I know of hunger for money within him, and does no people, today, who are prospering as not repress it, cannot be a Latter-day the Latter-day Saints through these val- Saint. A woman who has the love of leys are. God has blessed our land, ren- finery and of earthly ease and comfort dered it fertile, and made it most pro- within her, and that is the paramount ductive. He has placed us in the center feeling in her heart, cannot be a Latter- of the continent. We occupy the key po- day Saint. No man can be a Latter- sition, and may be termed the keystone day Saint in truth and in deed who Territory or State of the West. Wealth is does not hunger after righteousness and pouring into our lap, and we cannot help the things of God more than he does being wealthy, that is, if we follow the after everything else upon the face of course that has been indicated to us. We the earth; and whenever you see or feel are as sure to be a wealthy people as that this money hunger, this dress hunger, the sun shines. It is the inevitable con- this hunger for worldly ease and com- sequence of our position, habits, union, fort, in yourselves or others, you may &c. know that the love of God is being with- There are more dangers in wealth drawn from you or them, and sooner or than in mobocracy. There is more dan- later it will be extinguished, and the love ger in having abundance of money, of the world will grow until it becomes houses, lands, comforts, carriages, predominant. I do not know anything horses and fine raiment, than in all more corrupting than this greed, hunger THE CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, ETC. 245 and lust for the things of this life, or any- God of saving and bringing salvation thing more degrading and debasing in its to the inhabitants of the earth—our effects, except it be the love or lust for brethren and our sisters. women. As a people we believe that lust God required Abraham to sacrifice for women is, next to murder, shedding that which was most dear to him, and he innocent blood, the most deadly of all will also require at our hands that which sins. Committing whoredom or adultery is most dear to us. If you have wealth, destroys the man who indulges in it, and and are increasing in wealth, one of the next to that, in my estimation, is the love best things, under such circumstances, of wealth—the lusting after the things of is to be always particular in doing that this life; and there ought to be, and is in which God requires of us. He requires every rightly constituted nature, a con- of us one-tenth of all that we have. Let stant warfare against this evil. We have us be liberal in this. He requires that this to contend with. We should watch it we shall pay means for the emigration in our children and in ourselves, and we of the poor from the distant nations of should endeavor to govern and bring all the earth. Let us be liberal in this also. our feelings and desires into such a po- Then, if he requires our time and tal- sition that they can be controlled by the ents and all that we have, let us be will- love of the truth. ing to devote ourselves to his Work, for God has most wisely designed, in my he blesses us with everything that our humble view and opinion, that, as a hearts desire. There is nothing we have people, we should be called upon from ever desired as individuals or as a peo- time to time to make sacrifices, in or- ple, that has been good for us, and proper der that we may be weaned from the that we should have, that he has with- love of the things of this life, that our held from us. On the contrary, he has love may be concentrated upon Him multiplied blessings upon us, and he will and upon the salvation of our fellow make us wealthy if we will only be de- men, for the mission that is entrusted voted to him. There is no danger that to us is to save the inhabitants of the we shall not become wealthy, the danger earth. And what a glorious field spreads is that we shall become wealthy and not out before us in this direction, when be willing to use our means to his glory we see the thousands of poor, perish- and for the advancement of his kingdom. ing souls who are dying for the want of That is the danger with which we are the blessings that we enjoy. We build threatened. Temples, we organize emigration soci- eties, and expend our means that we God bless you, my brethren and sis- may be the instruments in the hands of ters, in the name of Jesus. Amen. 246 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN ARE INTENDED FOR ALL THE SAINTS—THE LATTER-DAY WORK AN INDIVIDUAL WORK—MEN AND WOMEN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTS—OBEDIENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION—THE PRESENT SINFUL CONDITION OF THE WORLD THE RESULT OF DISOBEDIENCE—COUNSEL TO THE SAINTS ON THE NECESSITY OF LIVING EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BUILDING UP OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER JOSEPH F. SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

To say I have been very much inter- volve upon us in the future. It will not ested in the instructions that we have do for us to say—"If brother so and so, or had at this Conference is but faintly to sister so and so, will observe and carry express my feelings. We have had much out that counsel, I shall be satisfied to very excellent teaching, which we will remain as I am." We cannot obtain bless- do well to give heed to. I cannot be- ings from God by taking this course; the lieve that the congregations that have only way to secure them is by diligence attended this Conference will cast lightly on our own part. When we are pre- aside these teachings. Certain it is that pared, by our own works and diligence, all the preaching that can be done by to receive the blessings that God has in those who are most competent, and most store for the faithful; then, and not till richly endowed with the inspiration of then, shall we receive them. It will not the Holy Spirit, will not benefit the peo- do for us to be satisfied for our brother ple in the least, unless they will re- to prepare himself to receive the bless- ceive it, and will realize that the counsels ings God has promised to his children, which are given are designed expressly and to rest content with seeing him re- for themselves. It is not for us to say, ceive the light of truth, the blessings of "that does not mean me," and "that ap- the Gospel, and manifest a willingness plies to my neighbor;" or "that has ref- to work righteousness in the earth. That erence to the doings of so and so." We will not reach us, only so far as we adopt should each feel that the instructions his course and follow his example. given have direct reference to ourselves This is how I look at the re- individually; that counsel or that com- quirements which God has made mandment is for me, and it is for me, as upon his people collectively and in- a individual, to put it into practice. This dividually, and I do believe that I is the only course that will benefit, and have no claim upon God or upon my fit us for the responsibilities that will de- brethren for blessing, favor, confi- THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN, ETC. 247 dence or love, unless, by my works, I we choose the right course, and build prove that I am worthy thereof, and I upon a foundation that will not wash never expect to receive blessings that I away. We have got to learn to stand or do not merit. Who does? I do not know fall for ourselves, male and female. It that anybody does, yet if we were to is true that we are taught in the prin- judge by the actions of some, we must ciples of the Gospel that man is the head come to the conclusion that they are sat- of the woman, and Christ is the head of isfied by seeing others live their religion. the man; and according to the order that I love the society of the good, honor- is established in the kingdom of God, it able and pure, of those who love virtue is the duty of the man to follow Christ, and work righteousness. To associate and it is the duty of the woman to follow and be numbered with such and to have the man in Christ, not out of him. my portion and my lot with them in this But has not a woman the same voli- life, and to live so that I can secure that tion that the man has? Can she not fol- association in the life to come, through- low or disobey the man as he can follow out the countless ages of eternity. I or disobey Christ? Certainly she can, she take no pleasure in the society of the is responsible for her acts, and must an- wicked, for this reason—the pleasures of swer for them. She is endowed with in- the wicked will cease and be forgotten, telligence and judgment, and will stand and the wicked will die and will not be upon her own merits as much so as the regretted, their names will be cast out man. That is why the brethren, during from the presence of God and from the this Conference, have been teaching the things of the righteous forever and ever. sisters that they must refrain from the I, therefore, want no part with them, but fashions of Babylon. They must use their I want to cast my lot with those who own judgment and agency as to whether are securing to themselves eternal riches they will obey this counsel or not. If they and happiness. To obtain these blessings will not obey it, they will be responsi- I must be found walking in their foot- ble as much as the men are responsible steps and following their examples, oth- for their acts. The man is responsible erwise I shall come short. for the woman only so far as she is in- This is how I understand the princi- fluenced by, or is obedient to, his coun- ples of the Gospel and the work we are sels. Christ is responsible for the man so engaged in. It is an individual work. far as the man walks in obedience to the You and I must secure the blessings of laws and commandments he has given, eternal lives for ourselves, through obe- but no further, and so far will his aton- dience and the mercy of God. We have ing blood redeem and cleanse from sin; the volition of our own wills and we can so far as they obey them will the princi- choose evil or good, the society of the ples of eternal life revealed in the Gospel wicked or that of the good; we can enlist have effect upon the souls of men, so also under the banner of Christ, or under that with women. So sisters, do not flatter of Belial. We have this option, and can yourselves that you have nothing to an- do whichever we choose. Therefore we swer for so long as you may have a good must look well to our ways, and see that husband. You must be obedient. Obe- 248 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. dience is the first law of heaven. Without He'll call, persuade, direct aright— Bless it the elements could not be controlled. him with wisdom, love and light— In Without it neither the earth nor those nameless ways be good and kind, But who dwell upon it could be controlled. never force the human mind. The angels in heaven would not be con- That is the way that God deals with trolled without it, and in fact without man, therefore I say, he cannot work obedience there could be no union or or- with this generation. They have set him der, and chaos and confusion would pre- aside and made themselves supreme. vail. When we are obedient we may be They have fulfilled the words of the guided to the accomplishment of all that prophet Paul when he said, "That in the is required of us by our heavenly Father, last days perilous times should come. for it is on this principle that the designs For men shall be lovers of their own and purposes of God are accomplished. selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blas- The elements are obedient to his word. phemers, disobedient to parents, un- He said, "Let there be light: and there thankful, unholy, Without natural affec- was light." He commanded the land and tions, trucebreakers, false accusers, in- the waters to be divided, and it was so. continent, fierce, despisers of those that When Christ commanded the storm to are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, be still, and the sea to be calm, the el- lovers of pleasure more than lovers of ements were obedient to him. The earth, God; Having a form of godliness; but and all the worlds which God has made denying the power thereof," &c. are obedient to the laws of their creation, No one could better describe the con- for this reason there are peace, harmony, dition of this generation, and yet light union, increase, power, glory and domin- has come into the world, but it is re- ion, which could not exist without obedi- jected, and for this reason the world lies ence. For the lack of obedience the whole in sin, and under condemnation. The world today lies in sin, for except the lit- people of God lie under condemnation tle existing among this people, obedience too, so far as they are disobedient to the cannot be found on the face of the earth. counsels of God's servants. We talk of Go to the religions of the day, do you find obedience, but do we require any man obedience manifested by the people? No, or woman to ignorantly obey the coun- but you find man everywhere self-willed sels that are given? Do the First Pres- and untractable, therefore confusion and idency require it? No, never. What anarchy reign. It is said in the Scrip- do they desire? That we may have our tures that all things are possible with minds opened and our understandings God; but he only works in accordance enlarged, that we may comprehend all with the principles by which he himself true principles for ourselves; then we is governed; and hence he cannot con- will be easily governed thereby, we shall vince nations of the truth against their yield obedience with our eyes open, and will. As the poet says— it will he a pleasure for us to do so. The Lord does not accept obedience from men except that which they render cheerfully and gladly in their hearts, and Know this, that every soul is free, that is all that is desired by his servants. To choose his life and what he'll be; That is the obedience we ought to render, For this eternal truth is given, That and if we do not we are under condemna- God will force no man to heaven. tion. THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN, ETC. 249

What matters what the world say in mandments, and they are the most will- regard to us? Nothing. What do I care? ing of any on the face of the earth to hear- Have I spent thirty years of life, with the ken to God's inspired servants. I love opportunities that have been afforded them for this reason, and I want to be me, and am yet ignorant of the way of identified with them, not only in time eternal life. If I have, then I am to be but throughout eternity. Without them pitied. "Why then," says the blasphemer, I would have no home, no friends. I want "do you yield obedience to the servants none without them. of God?" Because it is meat and drink to Let us keep the commandments and me to do so. Because it is for my safety counsels that have been given to us, let and for my best good. I ask no odds of the us not be hearers of the word only, but let world. I have learned that it is the very us be doers of it as well as hearers. Let best thing that I can do, and I should be us put away the foolish fashions of the a fool indeed not to do that which is for world, live up to the truth, and seek to my best good. I intend to do it, and I do find out God, whom to know is life eter- not care what the world say about me. nal. The road to this knowledge is obe- I am sorry to say that there are some dience to his laws and to the whisper- of those who profess to be Latter-day ings of the still small voice in our own Saints, who meet with the Saints on the hearts. That will lead us into truth if we Sabbath and partake of the Sacrament, will hearken, and do not blunt the moni- witnessing that they are willing to take tor that is within us. Let us do our duty, upon them the name of Christ, and to fol- and be for God and his kingdom. Let our low him through evil as well as good re- motto be—"The kingdom of God or noth- port, and yet in their hearts they oppose ing." Because in the kingdom there is ev- the plans and projects of those whom erything, and outside of it nothing at all. they pretend to upheld and sustain. I We heard here, the other day, from the know and could call the names of some of President, that the Gospel embraces ev- these men. Shame on them! I say, in the erything that is good and true or desir- name of manhood, come out and show able to the pure in heart. I have said your colors! Say you will not be obedient, that outside the kingdom of God there is and cease to be hypocrites, cease lying nothing, but there is something. What is in the presence of God, and trying to de- it? Disappointment, sorrow, anguish and ceive yourselves and your brethren. Tell death, and everything that will make us us what you are, take your stand where miserable; while everything that is good, you belong, and do not deceive the un- desirable and worth possessing eternally wary. You cannot deceive those who have is to be found only in the Gospel of the Spirit of God, for they can discern Christ. your hearts. Says one, "Do not people who are I love the cause of the Gospel. not Latter-day Saints have a great many I love this people, because, of all blessings and enjoy a great many good others on the face of the earth things?" Certainly they do, they enjoy they have enlisted under the ban- gold, silver and worldly honors—they ner of King Emanuel. They have have a plentitude of greenbacks, houses, covenanted with God to keep his com- lands, carriages, horses, luxury and ease. 250 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Dives had all these, in this world, while sealing power which was given to the Lazarus crawled at his feet and begged Apostle Peter by the Son of God, we for the crumbs that fell from his table; cannot possess them. Unless we se- but afterward Dives lifted up his eyes cure them on that principle, in the life in hell and saw Lazarus in Abraham's to come we shall have neither father, bosom enjoying the good things that he mother, brother, sister, wife, children, had formerly possessed in the world, and nor friends, nor wealth nor honor, for he begged Abraham to send Lazarus to all earthly "contracts, covenants, bonds, dip the tip of his finger in water to al- obligations, oaths, vows, connections, leviate his parching tongue. But even and associations," are dissolved in the this poor boon was denied him, he being grave, except those sealed and ratified informed that there was an impassable by the power of God. It is said in the gulf between them; and said Abraham to Scriptures that the earth and its fullness Dives—(in effect), "When you were in the are the Lord's, and that they are to be flesh you had Moses and the Prophets, given to the Saints of the Most High God, you had the Gospel preached to you, but and they are to possess them forever and you rejected and refused to obey it. You ever. had your good portion and your enjoy- You know that those who have not ments in the world, now you are denied faith in the Gospel call us exclusive and them, they are given to Lazarus." How uncharitable; they say—"You cast out long do the honors, wealth, and plea- all except those of your faith." Then en- sures of the worldling last? Until death roll yourselves under the banner of King claims him for its own, then he ceases to Emanuel, to whom the earth and its full- enjoy them, because he has failed to se- ness belong, and when it shall be given cure his title to them, they have not been to the Saints of the Most High God, you sealed upon him by the authority of the will come in for your share, and only in Priesthood of the Son of God, which has that way can you do so. Obedience to power to bind on earth and it is bound in the Gospel of Christ is the only way to heaven. If they have wives and children, secure blessings for the life that now is, when death calls them they are no longer or that which is to come. We are not theirs, because they have not been sealed talking in parables, neither are we igno- unto them by the power of God. They do rantly repeating the words of the ancient not obey the truth, they do not receive Apostles. Our declarations are founded the ministrations of the Priesthood, and upon modern revelation and inspiration, consequently they are deprived, not only and we know whereof we speak. We of their wealth, but of their wives and know that angels have come to earth and children. that God has spoken in our day, that he We are not living only for the has raised up Apostles and Prophets, re- few miserable years that we spend on stored the holy Priesthood, and shown this earth, but for that life which is himself to man and revealed his truth interminable; and we desire to en- to those who dwell on earth. We know joy every blessing throughout these these things, it is this that makes us countless ages of eternity, but un- bold to declare it to the world. We less they are secured to us by that are not ashamed of it, because we know TEMPLES TO BE BUILT, ETC. 251 it is the power of God unto salvation. may be among those who shall be May God help us, and all who love counted worthy to possess the earth and the truth, to keep an eye single to its fullness forever and ever, is my prayer his glory and to the building up of in the name of Jesus. Amen. his kingdom on the earth, that we

TEMPLES TO BE BUILT TO THE NAME OF THE LORD—THE LOCATION OF THEIR ERECTION, AND THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THEY SHALL BE BUILT.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCT. 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I will call the attention of the con- contained therein, of what the Lord gregation to a portion of the word of will perform about the time of his com- God contained in the third chapter of ing. A prophecy that the Lord would Malachi—"Behold, I will send my mes- come, and the nature of that coming senger, and he shall prepare the way be- should be such that but a few compar- fore me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, atively will be prepared to endure that shall suddenly come to his temple, even day; that when he does come, he will the messenger of the covenant, whom ye have a Temple on the earth, to which delight in: behold, he shall come, saith he will come. A part of the program the Lord of hosts. But who may abide which was read yesterday morning, if I the day of his coming? and who shall recollect right, for the Elders to speak stand when he appeareth? for he is like upon during Conference, was in rela- a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap. He tion to building Temples. The build- shall sit as a refiner and purifier of sil- ing of Temples of the Lord is promised ver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, in his word, for there we read that in and purge them as gold and silver, that the latter days he would have a house they may offer unto the Lord an offering built on the earth. I know that in the in righteousness." ears of this generation it will sound very I have read these words, because strangely to talk about the Lord having of the peculiar prophecy which is a house built on this globe of ours; yet 252 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. we have such a promise, strange as it intends to have a house built on the may be, and that when the Lord Jesus earth. They will probably say—"He has shall be revealed from heaven in flaming hundreds of them, and has had for many fire, and shall sit as a refiner's fire and as generations. God has houses scattered fuller's soap on the sons of Levi, to purify here and there throughout all the Chris- them as gold and silver, he will, in that tian nations, and there never has been a day, come to his Temple, and come very time since the days of the Apostles but suddenly. That shows, at once, that he what the Lord has had a house, either must have a Temple on the earth in the at Corinth, Athens, or somewhere else; latter time. and you can read the inscriptions upon There are two other Prophets, be- them as you pass through the towns and sides Malachi, who have spoken of the cities of Christendom." These houses are house of the Lord. Isaiah, in his sec- called the houses of God, or Jesus, the ond chapter, refers to the building of church of St. John, St. Peter, St. Paul, the Lord's house in the latter days. I St. Mark and others, and all of them will repeat the passage—"It shall come are considered the houses of God. Would to pass in the last days, that the moun- to God that this were true! Would to tain of the Lord's house shall be es- God that he had given some directions tablished in the tops of the mountains, concerning the building of some of these and shall be exalted above the hills; houses! But alas! When we come to and nations shall flow unto it. Many inquire concerning their origin, we find nations shall say, Come, let us go up that they were built by uninspired men, unto the mountain of the Lord, and that the architecture and everything per- to the house of the God of Jacob; and taining to them has been devised by the he shall teach us of his ways, and we cunning and wisdom of men. Ask them if shall walk in his paths;" and "the Lord God commanded them to select the par- shall rebuke strong nations afar off"— ticular location on which one of these meaning nations at a great distance from houses stands? They will say—"No, God Jerusalem, where the Prophet delivered does not direct now-a-days. There was the prophecy. "He shall rebuke strong a time when the Lord did direct in such nations afar off; and they shall beat their matters, but now we have wise men, we swords into plowshares, and their spears have bodies of learned men who have into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift studied theology. We do not need the up sword against nation, neither shall Lord to interfere in our day; he don't they learn war any more." The fourth speak anything to the people in the age chapter of Micah contains a similar pre- in which we live; these houses were con- diction, which it is not necessary for me structed according to the best plans and to repeat, as it reads, almost word for architecture we were acquainted with word, like that in the second chapter by our wisdom, without any command- of Isaiah, showing plainly and clearly ment or revelation from the heavens." that in the latter days God would have Very well, then the Lord has nothing a house built on the earth. to do with them. What I understand Perhaps there may be objections by the building of a house of God, is by our Christian friends to the to build one after the pattern that he Latter-day Saints proclaiming in the shall give. I do not mean a pattern midst of Christendom that the Lord TEMPLES TO BE BUILT, ETC. 253 that was given in ancient times, but one lem, when about twelve years old, and given to the very people to whom the also after he began his ministry, when revelation comes to build a house to his about thirty years old, instead of sitting name. Has such been the case with upon the sons of Levi and purifying them the houses of worship throughout the as gold and silver in a furnace of fire, Christian nations? Not in one instance. that they might offer unto the Lord an of- You may travel all through this great fering in righteousness, who was it who Republic, from one end thereof to the rejected the Son of God in that day? The other, and among all the Christian de- sons of Levi. They cried out against and nominations who deny new revelation, is persecuted him; they were his greatest there one house which God commanded enemies; they crucified him. They were to be built? Indeed these very prophe- not purged and prepared to offer in the cies would seem to indicate that, in the Temple of the Lord an offering in righ- day when they should begin to be ful- teousness. The glory of God did not ap- filled, there should be no house of the pear in their midst, and their offerings Lord on the earth. Is it not a pecu- were not acceptable in that Temple be- liar kind of a saying that in the lat- fore the Lord, but he found his house, in ter days the mountain of the house of that day, a den of thieves, occupied by the Lord shall be established in the tops moneychangers and brokers, speculation of the mountains, and be exalted above going on in the midst of the house of God, the hills? It shows that for a long pe- and he was under the necessity of mak- riod prior to the erection of the house ing a small scourge and driving them out of God in the mountains, no such thing by whipping them. Not so in the lat- could be found on the face of the whole ter times, when he comes to his Temple. earth, and it was needful for the Lord, in In that day, when the mountain of the the latter days, to begin a work of that house of the Lord is established in the kind. No place for Jesus to come to. He tops of the mountains, it will be an indi- is to come in the clouds of heaven, in cation of a great period of peace, a period flaming fire, in power and great glory, which is so often spoken of by the mouths clothed upon with all the brightness of of the ancient Prophets, in which nation the celestial heavens; his face will out- shall no more lift up sword against na- shine the sun, and cause it to withhold tion, when they shall no longer have use its light in shame. No place for this glo- for firearms or weapons of war, or any- rious personage to come to—no Temple thing that is calculated to destroy life; prepared into which he can come. When but these deadly implements will be con- he does come, however, this work will verted into useful articles of husbandry. have been accomplished—he will come to Nation will not lift up sword against na- his Temple suddenly. It will not be like tion, neither will they learn war any his first coming. Then, instead of com- more. That time has not come, and such ing to his Temple suddenly, we find him a period was never known on the earth. born in a very low condition, not even in the common mansions or dwelling places of the inhabitants of Palestine, There is another thing connected but in a stable or manger. When with the building of the Temple in he visited the great Temple at Jerusa- the latter days. When it is built, on 254 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the place, and according to the pattern that cannot be performed anywhere else that the Lord shall designate, it will acceptably in his sight. be so strange to the nations, that they Would you like to know some of the will actually come up from all parts of uses of these Temples or houses of God? our globe. Many of them will say one I will read a little from one of our mod- to another—"Come, let us go up to the ern revelations, given through Joseph mountain of the house of the Lord, to the Smith, in Nauvoo, on the 19th day of house of the God of Jacob." "What do you January, 1841. I have not time to read want to go up there for? Why do you the whole of the revelation, but will se- want to travel several thousand miles lect a few sections. Speaking of build- across land and sea to go to the moun- ing a house to his name, the Lord says— tain of the house of the Lord?" "That "Verily I say unto you, let all my saints he may teach us of his ways, that we come from afar"—this we have fulfilled may walk in his paths?" "Can you not be so far as the gathering is concerned. taught in his ways in your own chapels, "And again, verily I say unto you, which you have built in England, Scan- let all my saints come from afar. And dinavia, Switzerland, Austria, or wher- send ye swift messengers, yea, chosen ever you may have resided? Can you messengers, and say unto them: Come not worship in your own chapels?" "Oh, ye, with all your gold, and your silver, no, there is no house of the Lord, we and your precious stones, and with all have no teachers authorized of God, no your antiquities; and with all who have Prophets and Apostles inspired by and knowledge of antiquities, that will come, called of God to officiate like the ancient may come, and bring the box-tree, and Apostles; no one to say to us, 'Thus saith the fir-tree, and the pine-tree, together the Lord God,' by new revelation; no vi- with all the precious trees of the earth; sions are manifested among us; no an- And with iron, with copper, and with gels have honored our houses of worship brass, and with zinc, and with all your with their presence; no glory, no fire de- precious things of the earth; and build a scending from heaven to light up these house to my name, for the Most High to chapels and sanctuaries which we have dwell therein. For there is not a place built, and we have lost all confidence in found on earth that he may come and our teachers, consequently let us go up to restore again that which was lost unto yonder mountain on which God's house you, or which he hath taken away, even has been built, and when we get there, the fullness of the priesthood. For a bap- he will teach us in his ways, and we tismal font there is not upon the earth, will walk in his paths." "Is the only ob- that they, my saints, may be baptized ject you have in going to the mountain for those who are dead—For this ordi- of the house of the Lord to receive teach- nance belongeth to my house, and can- ings?" No, there are other things to be at- not be acceptable to me, only in the days tended to in the house of God or in Tem- of your poverty, wherein ye are not able ples that may be built in the tops of the to build a house unto me. But I com- mountains besides teaching. We have a mand you, all ye my saints, to build a great many important duties to perform house unto me; and I grant unto you pertaining to the house of God, duties a sufficient time to build a house unto TEMPLES TO BE BUILT, ETC. 255 me; and during this time your baptisms you, that your anointings, and your shall be acceptable unto me." washings, and your baptisms for the I want this Conference to understand dead, and your solemn assemblies, and that it is not only the Saints who are your memorials for your sacrifices by the here assembled, but all in this Territory, sons of Levi, and for your oracles in and wherever our settlements extend, all your most holy places wherein you re- who have entered into covenant with the ceive conversations, and your statutes Lord are under this command. I will and judgments, for the beginning of the read further. revelations and foundation of Zion, and "But behold, at the end of this ap- for the glory, honor, and endowment of pointment your baptisms for your dead all her municipals, are ordained by the shall not be acceptable unto me; and ordinance of my holy house, which my if you do not these things at the end people are always commanded to build of the appointment ye shall be rejected unto my holy name." as a church, with your dead, saith the It seems to be a standing command Lord your God. For verily I say unto to the Saints, wherever they may be lo- you, that after you have had sufficient cated, to build a house unto the Lord, time to build a house to me, wherein wherever there is a stronghold pointed the ordinance of baptizing for the dead out for the gathering of the Saints, such belongeth, and for which the same was as Kirtland, Nauvoo, Jackson County, instituted from before the foundation Mo., and other places which are men- of the world, your baptisms for your tioned in revelation. The Lord has com- dead cannot be acceptable unto me; For manded his Saints in all these places to therein are the keys of the holy priest- do a work, which will be effectually ac- hood ordained, that you may receive complished in due time. They are al- honor and glory. And after this time, ways commanded to build a house unto your baptisms for the dead, by those who the Lord. are scattered abroad, are not acceptable We have been here twenty-six years unto me, saith the Lord. For it is or- and have only a foundation and a few dained that in Zion, and in her stakes, tier of rock laid towards a house of and in Jerusalem, those places which I the Lord. It is true we have a large have appointed for refuge, shall be places tabernacle which will contain some fif- for your baptisms for your dead. teen thousand persons when they are "And again, verily I say unto you, closely seated, and the standing room how shall your washings be acceptable also occupied. But this is not a Tem- unto me, except ye perform them in ple of the Lord. We meet here to sing a house which you have built to my praises, and to be instructed in our du- name? For, for this cause I com- ties as Saints, but this is not a house manded Moses that he should build of ordinances; it is not a house for a tabernacle, that they should bear it the baptism of the dead, or in which with them in the wilderness, and to the Saints receive their washings and build a house in the land of promise, anointings; it is not a house in which that those ordinances might be revealed you will receive statutes, and judgments, which had been hid from before the and laws pertaining to the kingdom of world was. Therefore, verily I say unto God. God has ordained a building of a 256 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. different pattern wherein laws, statutes, the Lord has not directed them, neither judgments, and ordinances are to be re- has he directed his servants in their ad- vealed for the benefit of his people. "And ministration. He has not particularly verily I say unto you, let this house be forbidden these marriages, he permits built unto my name, that I may reveal and suffers them, but he has no par- mine ordinances therein unto my peo- ticular hand in their performance. Do ple; For I deign to reveal unto my church you wish me to explain this matter? I things which have been kept hid from will. For instance, in the distant set- the foundation of the world, things that tlements of the Territory oftentimes a pertain to the dispensation of the full- young man and woman desire to be mar- ness of times." ried. They go and find a justice of the I think that portion of this revelation peace, or an Elder of the Church, as the which I have read, will give you a general case may be, and he officiates in the cere- idea of the sacredness of the house of the mony and marries them, somewhat sim- Lord, which is to be built in the latter ilar to what people are married among times, a place wherein the angels may the various nations. Does God really ac- come and visit, as they did in the ancient cept of this marriage, or does he merely Temple; a place wherein you can receive suffer it to be so, for the time being? Has all those ordinances which the Lord has he joined them together, or has the jus- revealed, and which he will, hereafter re- tice of the peace, by virtue of his civil of- veal, from time to time, preparatory to fice? "How is it?" Says one—"I suppose the great day of the coming of the Lord. it must be a legal marriage." It is legal Now let me mention over some few so far as the laws of the Territory are things which should be administered in concerned. If a young man and woman the Temple of the Most High. Marriage, in any part of this Territory wish to be for instance, is an ordinance of God. We married, there is nothing illegal in a jus- know it to be not only an ordinance ad- tice of the peace performing the cere- ministered among the various nations mony, he has a right to do it, accord- according to their civil laws, but know ing to the laws of the Territory. But is also that it is a religious ordinance, ad- it legal in the sight of heaven? No, it ministered by authority from God. If is not. Why not? Because God has ap- anyone wants any proof on this point pointed a place in which this sacred or- let him read the 6th verse of the 19th dinance should be administered, and he chapter of Matthew. "What God hath has appointed certain authority to offi- joined together, let no man put asunder." ciate in its solemnization, and a certain It seems, then, that in marriage there form, when it is done in the place and is such a principle as the Lord officiat- by the authority he has ordained. It is ing through his servants, in joining per- then legal in the sight of heaven, then sons in this sacred and holy ordinance. they are married or joined together, not There are a great many marriages that for time alone, but the union is to exist may answer the requirements of the throughout all the ages of eternity. This civil law of different countries and na- is the real order of marriage. This is tions, and there are some marriages one of the purposes for which God has performed even in our Territory, but commanded us to build a house, that TEMPLES TO BE BUILT, ETC. 257 our young people may have the privilege he has no promise whatsoever that, af- of entering into that sacred union not ter the resurrection, he will have a wife; only for time, or until they are parted for in that world, this sacred ordinance by death, but that they may have a cannot be attended to. legal claim, by virtue of the marriage Another thing which I wish to explain covenant, upon each other after the res- is, that, in the sight of heaven, their chil- urrection. dren are illegitimate. Of course they are Some may say—"I think I will wait legitimate according to the laws of the until after the resurrection and then I country. Such children can claim the will secure me a wife for eternity; or per- property of their parents, they are the le- haps I will merely marry a women here gal heirs to the property descending from for time, and put off the eternal part, parents to children by virtue of the laws until after the resurrection." What says of the country. But when I say illegiti- Jesus on this subject? "In the resurrec- mate I mean in the sight of heaven. Now, tion they neither marry, nor are given all you young people who have been mar- in marriage." Why not? Because that is ried in this Territory or abroad, by jus- an ordinance, like baptism, that must be tices of the peace, or even by Elders of administered by those in the flesh. If, the Church only for time, when you have while in the flesh, we fail to secure to the opportunity of coming up here to the ourselves the remission of our sins, and house of God, and receiving these ordi- the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost nances, and do not, your children are il- by going down into the water and being legitimate in the sight of heaven. baptized for the remission of our sins, by one having authority to administer Perhaps you may enquire, "What is this ordinance, we cannot attend to it there to be inherited in eternity that in our own persons after the resurrec- makes it really necessary that our chil- tion. That is an ordinance that cannot dren should be legitimate, so far as di- be administered after the resurrection; vine authority is concerned?" The Lord if it is not done until then, it must be our God is a God of law, his house is done by some person still living in the a house of order; and all blessings, and flesh, for and in behalf of the one who honor, and glory, and inheritance, that has gone into the spirit world. Those are to be received in the eternal worlds in the spirit world have no claim upon must be according to divine law and di- blessings for eternity, unless they are se- vine ordinances, and whosoever complies cured while in the flesh. It is so with with the law of heaven has a legal claim all the ordinances pertaining to eternity, in eternity. That which is performed by they must be performed in the flesh, and man, without divine law, however per- not in the next life. Hence if an indi- fect human law may be, has no bearing vidual is so unfortunate that he fights upon eternity. Man's works are one thing against a principle, or becomes careless and God's works another. A blessing be- and indifferent; or if he goes to a jus- stowed upon men, such as the legitimate tice of the peace, thinking that he will heirship to the property of their parents secure to himself a wife for eternity, he is one thing, and a blessing bestowed is grandly mistaken; and if he dies, hav- by the Eternal Father in the heavens is ing been married according to this form, another. He performs all of his works 258 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. by law, and he bestows blessings upon in such regulations, in regard to the his children, by ordinances and by law. world to come. If patents hold certain It must be secured here in this life, if we authority over their children in this life, secure it at all in our own persons. you will find that such authority, though in higher perfection, is transferred to the eternal worlds, and in that world there It may be said, "I do not under- is a certain jurisdiction which parents stand this principle. What will be- hold over their children through all fu- come of our good fathers and mothers ture ages of eternity. But in order that who have gathered up from the nations parents may have their children legiti- that were married before they heard this mately under their control, it is neces- Gospel?" "Indeed, were they married?" sary that the ordinance of adoption in "Yes." "How?" "According to the laws of the house of God should be performed their respective nations. Their offspring in regard to the children born before are legitimate, so far as the civil laws their parents entered into the eternal of their native countries are concerned, covenant of marriage. This shows the but they are not husbands and wives for use or necessity of a Temple." eternity in the sight of heaven." "How Then again, we heard on Sunday af- are you going to remedy this?" asks the ternoon considerable on the subject of enquirer. "In the house of God. Tem- baptism for the dead; it is not necessary, ples or houses of God must be built to therefore, that I should dwell upon this remedy this thing." "How can it be reme- subject. It is one thoroughly understood died there?" They must be married over by the Latter-day Saints, and has been again, not according to the laws of men long preached to them, and they know or nations, but according to the laws and that this, as well as the ordinance of institutions of heaven." "Will that make marriage, pertains to the house of God. their marriage legitimate?" "Of course." To be acceptable to him there must be "But they have many children before a font, the same as there was in the they gather up here; you tell us they are Temple of Solomon. You recollect there illegitimate: how are you going to rem- was a brazen sea, a large place in the edy this?" "God has provided a remedy basement of the Temple of Solomon, un- for all children born out of the covenant." derneath which were twelve oxen, their "What do you mean by that?" enquires heads pointing to the four points of the one. "I mean the new and everlasting compass—three to each point. This great covenant of marriage, that has a bear- brazen sea, standing upon these oxen, ing upon eternity as well as time. All was a place intended for baptisms for who are born before their parents enter the dead. As was said last Sabbath, that new and everlasting covenant have it was underneath those courts, where to be made legitimate heirs." "In what the living, from time to time, assem- way?" "According to the ordinance and bled to attend to their worship; thus law of adoption." I may be asked—"Is representing those that were in their this important?" "Yes, it matters a great graves, underneath the living. That was deal. If there are family regulations, the reason it was placed in that posi- to preserve good order, in this world, tion; and as that was intended for sacred you will find that God is more strict, and holy purposes, the administration of TEMPLES TO BE BUILT, ETC. 259 holy ordinances, so God has commanded, But we cannot suppose that God is an in- in these latter days, that there should be consistent Being. And if we have the op- a baptismal font, and the ordinance of portunity of attending to the ordinance baptism for the dead must be performed of marriage in the house of the Lord, and in the place that God designates, in order of securing certain eternal blessings for to be legal and acceptable in his sight. ourselves, our ancestors, who are dead, We are told in the revelations which must have a plan devised, adapted to God has given, through his servant their condition, by which they also may Joseph Smith, something about the pat- be exalted to the same blessings. But tern of this sacred and holy ordinance. it must be done by law. No haphaz- We are told that the living are not only ard work, no work of chance or con- to be baptized for and in behalf of the fusion, but everything must be accom- dead, by being immersed in water in plished by the laws, ordinances and com- their respective names, but that they are mandments of the Great Jehovah; then, also to receive the ordinance of confir- what is done by his servants here on the mation by the laying on of hands, not earth, being sealed here is sealed in the for themselves, but for the dead, as far heavens, and hence, we not only keep a back as they can trace them. Hundreds record of all the names of the dead, but of millions of people died before God gave of all the ordinances attended to for and this revelation, in these latter times, and in their behalf; and in the great judg- they had not the opportunity of being ment day, when the books are opened, it married for time and all eternity, no man will be found that such and such parties on the earth, in their day, having the have been baptized for, confirmed for, authority to unite them. Would you de- and administered for, in the marriage prive them of the blessings of this eter- ordinance, and that these various ordi- nal union, because they did not happen nances were recorded in the presence of to live in a day when God revealed and witnesses. restored anew, from the heavens, these The records kept by authority here, ordinances? No. God is a consistent will agree with the records kept in being, and to say that people who die heaven, for they keep records there, as in ignorance, without having an oppor- well as we; and the books on earth, tunity of attending to the ordinances of when they are kept by divine authority, the house of God, should not be made will agree with the records in heaven. partakers of the blessings thereof, would When there is divine authority in the be imputing injustice to the great Jeho- administration of an ordinance here on vah. To say that our fathers and moth- the earth, that ordinance is sacred and ers, who were only married for time, holy, and is recorded here and in the must be deprived of a union in the heavens, and the records of heaven will eternal worlds, because of their igno- agree with the records of earth; and by rance of these things, because there was these records and books will mankind no person having authority to adminis- be judged. The dead will be judged ac- ter to them, would be apparently un- cording to men in the flesh, or, in other just, and would almost seem to impeach words, as we shall be judged according the attributes of Jehovah, if we could to our works in the flesh. When we have suppose such partiality was his design. been baptized, and it is recorded on the 260 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. earth, it is for ourselves, and we will be As many as repented had this privilege. judged by that, and if we are faithful, Does not this show that there were some we shall receive the blessings and glo- who probably would not repent? Indeed, ries which the Lord has in store for those the very next sentence says that those who are baptized here and are faithful to who did not repent "were reserved in the end. So will the dead be judged ac- chains of darkness until the judgment of cording to the works which are done for the great day." Hence, the agency of spir- them; and when the books are opened, its, as well as the agency of men here in and it is found that they have been of- the flesh. ficiated for, by those works will they be A Temple is needed for the Saints judged. Why? Because they have their who come from abroad, that their mar- agency in the spirit world, to reject what riages may be recorded on the earth and has been done for them, or to receive it, in the heavens, that they may not only be the same as we have the agency while for time, but for all eternity; that when living here to reject or to receive what they come forth, male and female, in the Jesus did through the atonement of his morning of the first resurrection, they blood. We have that agency here; it also may embrace each other as husband and exists among those in the spirit world. wife by virtue of the covenant they en- You need not suppose that their agency tered into in the Temple of the Lord, is destroyed because they are baptized while they were in the flesh. for, and because ordinances are admin- Strangers will, perhaps, think that istered for and in their behalf; you need this is rather a partial doctrine, on one not suppose that this will be a security account. They may say, "Your fathers, to them that they cannot resist. They whom you speak of, are not known; their will have the same freedom there to re- names, in general, cannot be obtained sist, that we have here. for more than two or three generations If the Latter-day Saints want some back; in a very few instances, perhaps, evidence or proof in relation to the they may be found eight or ten gen- agency of spirits that are in prison, or erations back; but what will be done in the spirit world, let me refer them to with all the generations, nations, and the prophecy of Enoch, with which they ages, that have lived since the Priest- are familiar, though strangers may not hood of God was upon the earth, and be acquainted therewith. Enoch saw the since those holy ordinances were admin- people that should perish in the flood; istered in ancient times? How are they he saw that there was a prison house going to receive any of the benefits from prepared for them, and that they dwelt this baptism for the dead, seeing that the there for a long period of time, until very names of the nations, to say noth- the Son of God was manifested, cruci- ing of the individuals, are lost?" Here fied and rose from the dead; and he comes in, again, the use of a Temple saw, when that event should take place, of the Lord. The Most High says—"I that as many of the spirits in prison deign to reveal unto you hidden things, of the antediluvian world who perished things that have been kept hid from the in the flood, as repented, came forth foundation of the world." Among these and stood on the right hand of God. hidden things that are to be revealed TEMPLES TO BE BUILT, ETC. 261 are the books of genealogy, tracing in- fect by obedience to his commandments. dividuals and nations among all people, They have sought after the redemption back to ancient times. of their dead from generation to genera- tion, until they can link on all those who It may be inquired—"How can all this were not officiated for in ancient times, be done?" We answer, by the Urim and and thus carry it back from one dis- Thummim, which the Lord God has or- pensation to another, until it reaches to dained to be used in the midst of his holy our father Adam in the Garden of Eden, house, in his Temple. You may inquire— and then, the saying of Scripture will be "What is the Urim and Thummim?" We accomplished—"The hearts of the chil- reply, it is a divine instrument, prepared dren will be turned to their fathers," and in ancient times, by which he who pos- the hearts of all those ancient fathers, sessed it could call upon the name of who lived thousands of years ago, will be the Lord, and receive from him answers "turned to their children, lest the Lord to all matters it was necessary that he should come," as the Prophet Malachi should know. Aaron, the chief Priest in says, "and smite the earth with a curse." the midst of Israel, had this instrument Why smite it with a curse? Because in his breast plate, in the midst of rows of the people are careless and do not look stones representing the twelve tribes of after the salvation of their dead, do not Israel; and when he passed certain judg- let their hearts be drawn out after their ments, he did not do it by his own wis- ancestry, do not seek to perform those dom, but he inquired of the Lord and re- ordinances that are necessary for their ceived the same, by this sacred instru- redemption, that they may be redeemed ment. When that instrument is restored by law. If we would not be smitten by a to the house of God, to the Temple of the curse, let us seek after the redemption Most High, our ancestry, that is, the an- of our fathers, as well as of ourselves, cestry of all the faithful in the church of for says the Apostle Paul, "they with- Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be out us cannot be made perfect, neither made manifest. Not all at once, but by can we without them be made perfect." degrees. Just as fast as we are able to ad- We may do all that we please for our- minister for them, so will the Lord God selves, and yet if we, through our care- make manifest, by the manifestation of lessness and indifference, neglect to seek holy angels in his house, and by the after the salvation of the dead, the re- Urim and Thummim, those names that sponsibility will be upon our own heads; are necessary, of our ancient kindred and and the sins of the dead will be answered friends, that they may be traced back to upon us, because we had the power to act the time when the Priesthood was on the for them, and we were careless and indif- earth in ancient days. ferent about using it. Many more things might be said If they could not be traced back, there in relation to the dead, and what would be a great chasm, a broken chain is necessary to be done in Temples. in the genealogies, and it would not be It was asked, by one of the speak- perfect, but when the Lord God comes ers, in relation to inheritances, "What suddenly to his Temple, he will come to man or woman among the Latter- a people who have made themselves per- day Saints has an inheritance sealed 262 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. to them?" What man among all this of Jacob, that he may teach us of his people can determine the very spot of ways, that we may walk in his paths." ground that the Lord intends that he He has a great many ways to teach the should inherit for an everlasting posses- people, pertaining to the salvation of the sion? Not one of us. The Lord has told dead, many ordinances, many principles us that he intends to give a certain land and laws, statutes and judgments, and to his people, for an everlasting posses- the law will go forth from Zion, and sion. He told the ancients, Abraham, he will rebuke strong nations afar off, Isaac and Jacob, the same thing; but and fulfill and accomplish that which he they wandered as strangers and pilgrims has spoken; and wisdom, and knowledge, in their day; and the martyr Stephen and glory and intelligence, the laws of said they had not as much as to set their the Most High, and the ministrations of foot upon. Yet they had a promise which angels will be unfolded to the Latter-day secured it to them after the resurrection, Saints, just as fast as they are prepared and also to their seed, and that person- to receive them. ally, for an everlasting possession. Have Wake up, then, Latter-day Saints, you got any such promise? You have, and prepare yourselves Temples in the as far as the great mass is concerned, places that shall be designated, by the the promise of a great region of country. oracles of the Most High God, so that We know where it is, God has pointed it your aged fathers that are in the south- out. But is there an individual among ern part of the Territory may not be un- us who knows what portion of that great der the necessity of traveling some six country he shall receive for his future in- hundred miles, back and forth, to attend heritance, to possess either before or af- to the ordinance of baptism for the dead. ter the resurrection, and after this earth They must have a Temple there, wherein shall have passed away, and all things these ordinances may be administered; are made new? No. Why have we not another here, another in the northern got it? Because we have no house of part of the Territory, and multiply them the Lord built. When we have a house according to the wants of the people; for built, whether there be property, or in- the work is becoming continually greater heritance, or union for eternity, or bless- and greater, and the Latter-day Saints ings for ourselves, or washings or anoint- must wake up to these principles, and ing, or anything that pertains to eternity, not have their minds absorbed with the it will be given to us by the ordinances things of this world, forgetting the great of God's holy house, according to law. plan of salvation revealed from heaven. No wonder then, that the nations afar May God bless the Saints, and wake off will say—"Let us go up to the moun- up their minds to these important duties. tain of the Lord, to the house of the God Amen. UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE GOSPEL, ETC. 263

UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE GOSPEL—GOD HAS CHOSEN THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE WISE—PROPHECIES RELATING TO THE LATTER-DAY WORK—JOSEPH SMITH'S MINISTRY—ZION TO BE BUILT UP—BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD—THE ORDER OF ENOCH—BABYLONISH FASHIONS.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 8, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I am called upon to occupy a little angels, or whether it be by the voice of time this morning, and I realize that I my servants, it is all the same, and their and my brethren are all dependent upon words shall be fulfilled though the heav- the Spirit of God to guide, dictate and ens and the earth pass away. This is direct us in all our public teachings, as the position which the Prophets, Apos- well as in all other acts we are called tles and Patriarchs have occupied upon upon to perform in the kingdom of God. the earth in every age and dispensation. The Apostle says there is no prophecy of They have had to be governed by the the Scripture which is of any private in- Spirit of God; and when men are sent terpretation, but holy men of old spoke with a message, and they speak as they as they were moved upon by the Holy are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, their Ghost. The Lord has told us in some words are the words of the Lord, and of the revelations which he has given in they will be fulfilled. our day, that all of his messengers or ser- We have had a good deal of teach- vants, his Elders who are sent forth to ing during this Conference from the ser- teach, should speak as they are moved vants of God, teachings given by the in- upon by the Holy Ghost; and when they spiration of the Holy Ghost. We oc- follow this counsel, what they say, the cupy a very peculiar position on the Lord says, is Scripture, it is the mind earth, a position differing in many re- and will of the Lord, it is the word of the spects from any other dispensation of Lord, and it is the power of God unto sal- men. Paul says—"Though we, or an vation. "And this is an ensample unto angel from heaven, preach unto you you, even all my servants who go forth any other gospel than that which we to declare the words of life unto the in- have preached, let him be accursed." habitants of the earth." All the teachings of the Patriarchs and Again, the Lord has said that Prophets have shown us but one Gospel. it matters not whether it be by There is but one Gospel, there never my own voice out of the heavens, was but one and there never will be. whether it be by the administering of The Gospel revealed for the salvation of 264 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. man is the same in every age of the Moses told the Lord that he was a man world. Adam, our first great progeni- slow of speech. He did not feel qualified tor and father, after the fall, received to perform so great a work, yet the Lord this Gospel, and he received the holy chose him, and he performed the work Priesthood in all its power, and its the Lord assigned him. keys and ordinances. He sealed these So when the Lord wanted a king for blessings upon his sons—Seth, Enos, Israel and the lot fell upon the family Jared, Cainan, Mahaleel, Enoch and of Jesse. The Prophet went and called Methusaleh. All these men received this for the sons of Jesse to pick out this high and holy Priesthood. They all pro- king. All the boys were brought before fessed to give revelation. They all had him except David. He was the smallest inspiration and left their record on the of the flock, and was out taking care of earth; and not one of them but what the sheep. Jesse never thought of him saw and prophesied about the great Zion at all. He brought his other sons, who of God in the latter days. And when had been trained in all the arts, sciences we say this of them, we say it of every and learning of the day, and when they Apostle and Prophet who ever lived upon came in Samuel could not see the one he the earth. Their revelations and prophe- wanted. He asked Jesse if he had not cies all point to our day and that great any more sons. Yes, he had a boy taking kingdom of God which was spoken of by care of the sheep. "Let's see him," said Daniel, that great Zion of God spoken of the Prophet; and when he came he was by Isaiah and Jeremiah, and that great anointed king. gathering of the house of Israel spoken of by Ezekiel and Malachi and many of Jesus himself was born in a stable the ancient Patriarchs and Prophets. and cradled in a manger and traveled When the Lord has attempted to per- in poverty all the way through his life. form a work on the earth there has been When he chose his disciples he did not one peculiarity with him, and that is, take the great, learned, rich and noble of the instruments which he has made use that generation, but he chose fishermen, of have occupied a peculiar position in the most illiterate men and, in one sense the world. He has generally chosen the of the word, we may say, almost the low- weak things of the world to confound est calling among men in that day. They the wise, and things that were not to were the ones the Lord made use of to go bring to pass things which were. When forth to preach his Gospel and to build he wanted a man to deliver Israel, he up his kingdom on the earth. called Moses, who was in an ark of bul- How is it in our day, in this great rushes among the crocodiles and alli- and last dispensation? The Lord re- gators of the river Nile, put there by quired an instrument who would take his mother, a Hebrew woman, because hold and work with him. He required Moses was her firstborn, and all the first- someone to lay the foundation of this born of the Hebrews had to be slain. great Church and kingdom who would The daughter of Pharaoh, through the be willing to step forth and be led in the providence of God, preserved Moses, and channel that was according to the mind by her he was given to his mother to and will of God; a man who could not raise. When called to deliver Israel, be swayed by the traditions and religions UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE GOSPEL, ETC. 265 of the day. Whom did the Lord call? struct him and prepare him to lay the The Patriarchs and Prophets not only foundation of this Church. pointed out the Zion of God and the man- As I before remarked, these prophe- ner in which his Church and kingdom cies surrounded him, forming, in one should be established and built up, but sense of the word, a band and a power they even called the name of the man he could not get out of. Why? Because who should be called to establish this no prophecy of Scripture is of any pri- work, and I do not know but the name vate interpretation, but holy men of old of his father. His name was to be Joseph spoke as they were moved upon by the and he was to be a lineal descendant inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and when of ancient Joseph, who was sold into any of those Prophets and Patriarchs for Egypt, separated from his brethren. The the last six thousand years spoke, when record or stick of Joseph in the hand of wrapped in prophetic vision, of the Zion Ephraim, which Ezekiel speaks of, which of God being established in the last dis- was to be put with the record of the Jews pensation, those decrees had to be ful- in the last days, was to be an instru- filled to the very letter. ment in the hands of God of perform- When Joseph Smith received these ing this great work of laying the foun- revelations he was an illiterate boy, like dation of this Church, and the gathering David among the sheep. The Lord, in of the twelve tribes of the house of Is- this day, did not choose one from among rael. In that record the man's name was the great, mighty, rich or noble, but pointed out as well as the work he was he choose one prepared from before the to do. Joseph Smith knew nothing of all foundation of the world, to come forth this until after he was administered to in the last days, through the loins of by the angel of God; he had no knowl- ancient Joseph who, in the hands of edge of this when he brought forth that God, was the savior of the house of Is- record to the world, and until he trans- rael and of the Egyptians in his day. lated it, by the Urim and Thummim, into This man was raised up in his proper the English language. He had no knowl- time, and came forth into the world, and edge whatever of this; but here was that the Lord began to feel after him and to great band, as strong as iron, that sur- prepare him; but he, himself, did not rounded him by the revelations of God, know even when he laid the founda- for the last six thousand years, by ev- tion of this work. The Lord told him— ery man who spoke of the work of God "you will lay the foundation of a great in the last days. These prophecies, reve- work, but you know it not." Joseph him- lations, and decrees of the Almighty, as it self could not comprehend, unless he was were, surrounded that man, and he had wrapped in the visions of eternity, the to be taught, not by man nor by the will importance of the work the foundation of of man, but he required the angels of God which he had laid. When his mind was to come forth and teach him; it required opened he could understand, in many the revelations of God to teach him, respects, the designs of God; and these and he was taught for years by visions revelations were around him and they and revelations, and by holy angels sent guided his footsteps. They could not from God out of heaven to teach and in- fail of fulfillment, they had to be ac- complished in the earth. The servant of God came forth and he received the 266 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Book of Mormon—the record or stick of to lay on hands for the reception of the Joseph in the hands of Ephraim. He Holy Ghost, and he never attempted to brought forth that record according to administer in this ordinance until Peter, the dictation of Moroni, Nephi and Lehi, James and John, two of whom—Peter the angels of God who administered to and James—were also martyred for the him, and he translated it into the En- testimony of Jesus and the word of God. glish language before he laid the foun- These three men were the last who held dation of this Church. Joseph Smith the keys of the Apostleship in its fullness did not call upon any man to ordain or and power previous to this dispensation. to baptize him, but he waited until the They laid their hands upon the head of Lord sent forth his servants to admin- Joseph Smith, and sealed upon him ev- ister unto him. He was commanded of ery power, principle, ordinance and key the Lord to go forth and be baptized, but belonging to the Apostleship, and until not until he had received the Priesthood. he received this ordination he was not Where did he get it, and in fact what qualified and had no right to administer is the Priesthood? It is the authority of in the ordinances of the house of God, but God in heaven to the sons of men to ad- he did this after he received the Priest- minister in any of the ordinances of his hood, and on the 6th day of April, 1830, house. There never was a man and never he organized this Church with six mem- will be a man, in this or any other age bers, which was the foundation of what of the world, who has power and author- we see today in this Tabernacle, and for ity to administer in one of the ordinances six hundred miles through this Ameri- of the house of God, unless he is called can desert. This has all come from that of God as was Aaron, unless he has the small seed—the foundation of the great holy Priesthood and is administered to kingdom of our God upon the earth. by those holding that authority. What did Joseph Smith do after hav- There was no man on the face of the ing received this Priesthood and its or- earth, nor had not been for the last sev- dinances? I will tell you what he did. enteen centuries, who had power and He did that which seventeen centuries authority from God to go forth and ad- and fifty generations, that have passed minister in one of the ordinances of the and gone, of all the clergy and religions house of God. What did he do then? of Christendom, and the whole world Why, the Lord sent unto him John the combined were not able to do—he, al- Baptist, who, when upon the earth, held though an illiterate youth, presented to the Aaronic Priesthood, who was be- the world the Gospel of Jesus Christ in headed for the word of God and the tes- its fullness, plainness and simplicity, as timony of Jesus Christ. He laid his taught by its Author and his Apostles; hands upon the head of Joseph Smith he presented the Church of Jesus Christ and ordained him to the Aaronic Priest- and the kingdom of God perfect in their hood, and he never attempted to act organization, as Paul represents them— in any authority of the Gospel until he with head and feet, arms and hands, ev- received this Priesthood. Joseph was ery member of the body perfect before then qualified to baptize for the remis- heaven and earth. How could he, an illit- sion of sins, but he had not the authority erate boy, do that which the whole of the UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE GOSPEL, ETC. 267 learning of the Christian world for sev- the hearts of the children to the fa- enteen centuries failed to do? Because thers; he received under the hands of he was moved upon by the power of Peter, James and John, the Apostleship, God, he was instructed by those men and everything belonging thereto; he re- who, when in the flesh, had preached the ceived under the hands of Moroni all the same Gospel themselves, and in doing keys and powers required of the stick of this he fulfilled that which Father Adam, Joseph in the hands of Ephraim; he re- Enoch, Moses, Elias, Isaiah, Jeremiah ceived under the hand of John the Bap- and Jesus and his Apostles all prophe- tist the Aaronic Priesthood, with all its sied about. Well might Paul say—"I am keys and powers, and every other key not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for and power belonging to this dispensa- it is the power of God unto salvation tion, and I am not ashamed to say that unto every one that believes." So may he was a Prophet of God, and he laid the the Latter-day Saints say—"We are not foundation of the greatest work and dis- ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." I am pensation that has ever been established not ashamed to say that Joseph Smith on the earth. was a Prophet of God; I am not ashamed Joseph Smith lived until he gave to bear record that he was called of God, his testament to the world, and when and laid the foundation of this Church he had sealed all these keys, powers and kingdom on the earth, for this is and blessings upon the head of Brigham true, and any man or woman who is in- Young and his brethren; when he had spired by the Holy Ghost can see and un- planted these keys on the earth so that derstand these things. they should be removed no more forever; when he had done this, and brought My brethren and sisters and friends, forth that record, that book of revela- here is laid the foundation of the fulfill- tion, the proclamation of which involved ment of that mighty flood of prophecy de- the destiny of this whole generation— livered since the days of Father Adam Jew, Gentile, Zion and Babylon, all the down to the last Prophet who breathed nations of the earth, he sealed that tes- the breath of life. There has been more timony with his blood in Carthage jail, prophecy fulfilled in the last forty-three where his life and that of his brother years upon the face of the earth, than Hyrum were taken by the hands of in two thousand years before. These wicked and ungodly men. Why was his mighty prophecies, as I said before, like life taken? Why were not John Tay- a band of iron, governed and controlled lor and Willard Richards, the only two Joseph Smith in his labors while he of the Twelve at that time in Nauvoo lived on the earth. He lived until he and with him, also sacrificed? Why did received every key, ordinance and law Willard Richards, the largest man in ever given to any man on the earth, the prison, stand in the midst of that from Father Adam down, touching this shower of balls and escape without a dispensation. He received powers and hole in his robe or garment, or cloth- keys from under the hands of Moses ing? Because these things were all gov- for gathering the house of Israel in erned and controlled by the revelations the last days; he received under the of God and the word of the Lord. The hands of Elias the keys of sealing the Lord took whom he would take, and hearts of the fathers to the children, and he preserved whom he would preserve, 268 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and he has done this all the way through. no galley with oars; a great company Why has Brigham Young been pre- of women with child and her that tra- served, when he has stood as much vailed with child would never have come chance to lay down his life in defense here to the mountains of Israel if we had of this cause, and run as many dangers not been driven from that land, and a in one position and another as anybody whole flood of prophecy would have re- else? Because the Lord has had a hand mained unfulfilled, with regard to our and a meaning in this, and he has pre- making this desert blossom as the rose, served him for a certain purpose, and the waters coming forth out of the bar- other men have been preserved by the ren desert, our building the house of same power. The whole of it has been God on the tops of the mountains, lift- the work of God on the earth. The reve- ing up a standard for these nations to lations of God have surrounded Brigham flee to; all this and much more would Young. The revelations of God in ancient have remained unfulfilled had we not days affect him and the Apostles, and the been guided and led by the strong arm of Elders of Israel, as much as they have af- Jehovah, whose words must be fulfilled fected any people in any generation. though the heavens and the earth pass I will speak of another branch of this away. subject. We have the kingdom organized, Having been brought to Zion, an- the prophecies have been fulfilled, the other subject presents itself to our Church has been planted in the earth, consideration—namely, the position and now there are other portions of these which President Young occupies in re- revelations which must be fulfilled. We gard to us today. He calls upon us to were settled in Jackson County, Clay build Temples, cities, towns and vil- County, Caldwell County, in Kirtland lages, and to do a great deal of tempo- and finally in Nauvoo. We were driven ral work. Strangers and the Christian from one place to another until we set- world marvel at the "Mormons" talk- tled Nauvoo, and at last we were driven ing about temporal things. Bless your from Nauvoo into the wilderness and to souls, two-thirds of all the revelations this land, led here by President Brigham given in this world rest upon the accom- Young, under the inspiration of Almighty plishment of this temporal work. We God. Some felt their faith tried that we have it to do, we can't build up Zion had to leave our lovely Nauvoo and go sitting on a hemlock slab singing our- into the wilderness. Bless your souls, selves away to everlasting bliss; we have there would have been a flood of reve- to cultivate the earth, to take the rocks lation unfulfilled if these things had not and elements out of the mountains and been so. Isaiah speaks of the founda- rear Temples to the Most High God; and tion of this great Zion, and writes the this temporal work is demanded at our whole of her history and travels up to hands by the God of heaven, as much the present day, and from this time on as he required Christ to die to redeem until the winding-up scene. If we had the world, or as much as the Savior re- not been driven from Nauvoo we would quired Peter, James and John to go and never have come up the Platte River, preach the Gospel to the nations of the where, Isaiah says, he saw the Saints go- earth. This is the great dispensation in ing by the river of water wherein went which the Zion of God must be built up, UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE GOSPEL, ETC. 269 and we as Latter-day Saints have it to shut up in prison, awaiting the message build. People think it strange because so of the Elders of Israel. We have only much is said with regard to this. I will about a thousand millions of people on tell you Latter-day Saints, and the Chris- the earth, but in the spirit world they tian world too, our work will fall short, have fifty thousand millions; and there we will come short of our duties, and is not a single revelation which gives we never shall perform the work that us any reason to believe that any man God Almighty has decreed we shall per- who enters the spirit world preached the form unless we enter into these tempo- Gospel there to those who lived after ral things. We are obliged to build cities, him; but they all preach to men who towns and villages, and we are obliged to were in the flesh before they were. Je- gather the people from every nation un- sus himself preached to the antediluvian der heaven to the Zion of God, that they world, who had been in prison for thou- may be taught in the ways of the Lord. sands of years. So with Joseph Smith We have only just begun to prepare for and the Elders—they will have to preach the celestial law when we are baptized to the inhabitants of the earth who have into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- died during the last seventeen centuries; day Saints. and when they hear the testimony of the Elders and accept it there should be There has been a good deal said here somebody on the earth, as we have been with regard to baptism for the dead. told, to attend to the ordinances of the When Joseph Smith had laid the foun- house of God for them, that they may be dation of this work he was taken away. judged according to men in the flesh and There are good reasons why it was so. Je- come forth in the morning of the first res- sus sealed his testimony with his blood. urrection and have a part therein with Joseph Smith did the same, and from the us. day he died his testimony has been in These are eternal principles of the force upon the whole world. He has gone Gospel of Christ. We have been com- into the spirit world and organized this manded and have been under the ne- dispensation on that side of the veil; he cessity of going forth and declaring it is gathering together the Elders of Israel to the sons of men. I will ask by what and the Saints of God in the spirit world, power have these Apostles and Elders for they have a work to do there as well taken their knapsacks on their backs, as here. Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Fa- wading swamps and rivers, and preach- ther Smith, David Patten and the other ing without purse and scrip, as they Elders who have been called to the other have done for years and years past and side of the veil have fifty times as many gone. What power has sustained them? people to preach to as we have on the As I have said before, these revelations earth. There they have all the spirits of God, these great commandments and who have lived on the earth in seventeen prophecies that have been given for the centuries—fifty generations, fifty thou- last six thousand years. They have sand millions of persons who lived and been inspired by the Spirit and power died here without having seen a Prophet of God, they have been commanded to or Apostle, and without having the word go forth and warn this generation by of the Lord sent unto them. They are preaching the Gospel to them. Here is 270 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

President Brigham Young who has trav- going to stop here? Are the rest of the eled, as poor as any man could be, tens prophecies not to be fulfilled? Is the Lord of thousand miles, without purse and going to cut his work in two, or let the scrip, to preach the Gospel to the sons rest go unfulfilled? I tell you nay, the of men. So have his brethren. They word of the Lord is going to be fulfilled, have been sustained by the hand of the and the Lord is not going to give this Almighty, and if they had not done it kingdom to another people. The Lord they would have been under condemna- has raised up a set of men and women, tion. Why? The angel of God, who re- and he will inspire and move upon them stored the everlasting Gospel to earth, to carry out this great work, and we have said it must be preached to every nation, got it to do. Zion is going to rise and kindred, tongue and people under the shine, and to put on her beautiful gar- whole heaven, for the hour of God's judg- ments; she will be clothed with the glory ment had come. The hour of God's judg- of God, and for brass she will have gold; ment is at the door of this nation and the for iron silver and for stone iron. All Christian world. Brother Erastus Snow these revelations touching the last days here, a week last Sunday, told us about have got to be fulfilled. President Young preaching to the dead, and the judg- is moved upon to call upon Zion to do her ments that awaited the nations. Other duty. Why is he thus moved upon? Be- Elders have referred to the same sub- cause the power of revelation surrounds ject. But seventeen hundred years have him and crowds upon him to magnify his passed without Prophets, Apostles and calling and do his duty among the sons Patriarchs. The judgments of God did of men. The power of God rests upon not rest upon the nations of the earth him, and he will never hold his peace during that time as they will after the until Zion is built up and perfected, the proclamation of this Gospel. This mes- house of Israel gathered and the work of sage that Joseph Smith brought to the God performed under his administration world involves the destinies of this whole as long as he dwells in the flesh. He is generation, not only of this nation, but as much under the power of God and the the whole Christian and Jewish world, revelations of Jesus Christ as any man Zion and Babylon, the whole of it. They that ever breathed the breath of life. now stand, as it were, warned of the Lord. The Gospel has had to go to them. We have got to build this Temple. The We have been obliged to go abroad to Lord requires it at our hands. We have preach the Gospel to the nations; we to pay our Tithing—the Lord requires it should have been condemned, and smit- at our hands. The Lord has never said ten by the arm of Jehovah; if we had by any revelation that Brigham Young failed to fulfill the revelations given unto should build a Temple alone, that his us. It is by that power that President counselors, or that the Apostles or Bish- Young, Joseph Smith, the Twelve Apos- ops should do it alone. This responsi- tles, and the thousands of Elders of Is- bility rests upon every man and woman rael have been moved upon to go forth who has entered into covenant with the and do the work of God. Lord in these latter days; and if we do Now then, my friends, are we not discharge it we shall suffer, the Lord UNCHANGEABLENESS OF THE GOSPEL, ETC. 271 will chastise us. He is not going to leave ten it, and let the woe that is threat- us, and he is not going to take this king- ened on this account come, that we may dom away from the Latter-day Saints get through with it, then we can go on and give it to anybody else, for they and build up the Zion of God on the are the Saints, and although mixed like earth. But in spite of the follies that corn in a sieve among the Gentile na- some among us delight in, we are going tions they have been prepared from the to build up Zion. We are going to fill foundation of the world to come forth as these mountains with the cities and peo- the sons of Jacob in these latter days, to ple of God. The weapons formed against build up the Zion of God on the earth. Zion will be broken, and the nations of We have got to come to it. We must give the Gentiles will visit her and their kings our earnest support to cooperation, for it will come to the brightness of her rising. is a step in advance towards establishing I often think when I see gentlemen and the Order of Enoch and the building up ladies sitting in our Tabernacles, who of the Zion of God. The servant of God have come over this great highway that is moved upon to call upon us to perform has been cast up, whether they realize this work, and we have it to do. that they are fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah. I think this many times in my There are some prophecies pertain- own mind. I am satisfied that they do not ing to these latter days that are unpleas- realize it, but they are fulfilling the rev- ant to contemplate. President Young has elations of God. The Gentiles are com- been calling upon the daughters of Zion ing to the light of Zion and kings to the day after day, now, for years, to lay aside brightness of her rising. All these things these Babylonish fashions. I have been have been spoken of and will be fulfilled; reading the third chapter of Isaiah, and I and by and by, when we are sanctified have been hoping, all the days of my min- and made perfect, when we are chas- istry, that the sayings contained in that tised and humbled before the Lord, when chapter would never apply to the daugh- we have got our eyes opened, and our ters of Zion in our day; but I believe they hearts set upon building up the king- will, and inasmuch as they will not listen dom of God, then will we return and re- to President Young and to the Prophets, build the waste places of Zion. We have Apostles and Elders of Israel with regard got this to fulfill in our day and gener- to throwing off these nonsensical things, ation. Then think not, ye Elders of Is- I hope they will hasten the lengthen- rael, ye sons and daughters of Zion, that ing out of their skirts and drag them we are going to live after the order of in the streets; that they will increase Babylon always. We are not. We shall their round tires like the moon, increase be chastised and afflicted, and shall feel their hoops, and their headbands, in- the chastening rod of the Almighty, un- crease their Grecian bends at once and less we serve the Lord our God, and build carry it out until they get through with up his kingdom, for he has given us all it, so that we can turn to the Lord as a power; yes, all power is given into our people. Some of the daughters of Zion hands to perform this work. do not seem willing to forsake the fash- Where is the man or the woman ions of Babylon. I to such would say has- on the face of the earth who cannot 272 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. see the hand of God in our deliverance for what we do. It will do me no good until today? Every weapon has been bro- if I apostatize because somebody's fam- ken that has ever been formed against ily follows the fashions of Babylon, or be- us. Point me out an individual or a peo- cause some man or woman or some set ple who have ever taken a stand against of men and women do wrong. Let us Joseph Smith or Brigham Young, the cease this kind of work, and all of us Zion of God or the Elders of Israel, and look to ourselves. It will do me no good who have sought to overthrow this work, if I apostatize because I think somebody but what the curse of God has rested else does not do right. We should lay upon them. Show me one of that class aside this, there is too much of it in the who has not gone down to the dust, and Zion of God today, and has been a good as it has been in days past so it will be while, finding fault with this, that and in days to come. Woe to that nation, the other, instead of looking at home. Let kindred, tongue and people under the us all look at home, and each one try to whole heavens who war against Zion in govern his own family and set his own the latter days; every weapon shall be house in order, and do that which is re- broken that is formed against her, and quired of us, realizing that each one is that nation that will not serve her shall held responsible before the Lord for his be utterly wasted away saith the Lord of or her individual actions only. hosts. These things are true, and I would I pray God, my heavenly Father that warn Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner he will pour out his Spirit upon the and all the world to be careful what they daughters of Zion, upon the mothers in do as touching them. Zion, upon the Elders, and upon all her A few words more to the Latter-day inhabitants, that we may listen to the Saints. I want to say to the brethren counsels of the servants of God, that and to the sisters, let us cease finding we may be justified in the sight of God, fault one with another; let us not say that we may be preserved in the faith, that this man or this woman does wrong, that we may have power to build Tem- this family does wrong, this person or the ples, build up Zion, redeem our dead, and other sets a bad example; let us realize be redeemed ourselves, for Jesus' sake. that we ourselves are held responsible Amen. OUR TEMPORAL INTERESTS, ETC. 273

OUR TEMPORAL INTERESTS TO BE DIRECTED FOR THE WORK OF THE LORD—COOPERATION AND HOME MANUFACTURE IN BOX ELDER COUNTY.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER LORENZO SNOW, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,TUESDAY AFTERNOON,OCT. 7, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

The position we profess to occupy as kingdom of God, which is the work as- a religious body, is a subject for profound signed us, our whole attention and high- reflection. We testify to having received est efforts are demanded, that we may a knowledge, through the revelations be qualified, through the Holy Spirit, to of heaven, concerning the restoration properly magnify our respective callings of the ancient Gospel and holy Priest- in the holy Priesthood. hood, whereby we have been authorized to preach by inspiration, and adminis- I wish this afternoon to confine my ter to the world the principles of life observations to the subject of our tem- and salvation. All profess to have ex- poral interests and obligations. Before perienced some understanding or knowl- we are prepared to return to Jackson edge of this wonderful work, through di- County, to build up the Center Stake of vine blessing or peculiar manifestation. Zion, I believe that a system or order of In consequence of these divine intima- things will be introduced for our practice, tions which have followed the adminis- requiring more faith and devotion than, tration of this restored Gospel, this vast I fear, some of us possess at the present audience of over twelve thousand peo- moment. This will call forth a perfect ple, are here assembled, having gath- submission in respect to our temporal af- ered from many climes and nations. The fairs, equal to that in which we now yield Latter-day Saints did not gather to these ourselves in spiritual matters. This prin- valleys for the purpose of knowing this ciple of devotion and obedience in tempo- Work to be of God, but in consequence ral affairs, as being connected with the of having previously obtained this in- plan of eternal life, is fully illustrated in spired knowledge through the adminis- the conversation between the Savior and trations of the Gospel in their native the young man who applied for informa- lands. And having come to a knowledge tion on the subject of salvation, recorded of these important facts, it certainly be- in the New Testament. On being ques- comes us to be devoted to the work in tioned by this young man what was re- which we are engaged, and do our best to quired of him in order to inherit eternal promote its interest. In building up the life, the Savior replied, "Thou shalt do 274 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. no murder, Thou shalt not commit adul- fecting of the Saints, is very clearly tery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not shown in the second and fourth chap- bear false witness, Honor thy father and ters of the Acts of the Apostles: "And thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy all that believed were together, and had neighbor as thyself." The answer was, all things common; And sold their pos- that all these duties had been performed sessions and goods, and parted them to from his earliest youth. But, still one all men, as every man had need. Nei- thing was lacking to make him perfect in ther was there any among them that the sight of the Savior, viz., to allow his lacked: for as many as were possessors of means and property to be controlled in lands or houses sold them, and brought the cause of God, and by the will of God. the prices of the things that were sold. "Sell all thou hast, and give to the poor, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and distribution was made unto every and follow me." But when the young man man according as he had need." Ana- heard that saying, he went away sorrow- nias, and Sapphira his wife, also sold ful, for he had great possessions. In all their possessions, but fearing, perhaps, other duties he had been faithful and that this scheme of things might not op- blameless, but in this, his selfishness erate altogether successfully, they there- and love of riches held complete control, fore concealed a portion of their means, which called forth the remark of the Sav- and made a false report, but were fear- ior, "It is easier for a camel to go through fully punished for their duplicity and the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to hypocrisy, showing that this principle of enter into the kingdom of God." This say- consecration was acknowledged of the ing created great amazement among the Lord, and that he regarded disobedience disciples, who asked, with astonishment, with the utmost displeasure. "Who then can be saved?" When the Church was established among the Nephites, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, this doctrine was This principle of submission, and be- preached by them, and practiced nearly ing controlled in property matters, is a two hundred years, resulting in peace, doctrine which belongs to the Gospel and union, great prosperity, and miraculous the building up of the kingdom of God. It blessings, greater than were ever ex- was preached and practiced in the Apos- perienced by any people of whom we tolic dispensation, also by the Nephites have record. The most remarkable mir- upon this continent, after the introduc- acles were constantly wrought among tion among them of the Gospel in its full- them; their sick were healed, and in ness, as recorded in the Book of Mormon. some instances their dead restored to It was also a doctrine introduced to us, life. These extraordinary manifesta- over forty years ago, which we find set tions of the approbation of God contin- forth in various revelations contained in ued so long as they remained one in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. their temporal interest, or were con- trolled in their financial matters accord- This consecration, or yielding our ing to the Order of Enoch. At the temporal interests to be directed for close of two hundred years they began the work of the Lord, as being a fun- to separate their interests, and each damental element in the work of sal- one to control his own financial affairs vation, and in the union and per- to suit his individual and selfish pur- OUR TEMPORAL INTERESTS, ETC. 275 poses. Upon this change, strife and di- the Lord says: "Verily I say unto you, visions arose in every quarter, wars en- the time has come, and is now at hand; sued, and misery and total destruction and behold, and lo, it must needs be followed. The first starting point of these that there be an organization of my peo- people in wickedness and apostasy, ap- ple, in regulating and establishing the peared to be a disregard of this heavenly affairs of the storehouse for the poor of system of holding property in common, my people, both in this place and in the and refusing to be controlled in temporal land of Zion—For a permanent and ever- matters. lasting establishment and order unto my In the first instance referred to, in church, to advance the cause, which ye the case of the young man, he cut him- have espoused, to the salvation of man, self off from the blessings of eternal and to the glory of your Father who is life by refusing submission to the Sav- in heaven; That you may be equal in ior's counsels in reference to his posses- the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and sions. In the case of Ananias and his earthly things also, for the obtaining of wife Sapphira, sudden destruction vis- heavenly things. For if ye are not equal ited them, in consequence of dishonesty in earthly things ye cannot be equal in and hypocrisy in those matters. Also obtaining heavenly things; For if you will in the case of the Nephites, as we have that I give unto you a place in the celes- seen, the whole were destroyed by the tial world, you must prepare yourselves judgment of God, after having ignored by doing the things which I have com- these principles. But, we have an exam- manded you and required of you." Again, ple in our own time, of the judgments of on page 288, the Lord says: "Behold, God falling suddenly upon a people, be- all these properties are mine, or else cause of refusing to comply with this or- your faith is vain, and ye are found hyp- der of consecration. ocrites, and the covenants which ye have In the Book of Doctrine and made unto me are broken; And if the Covenants, sec. 18, page 146, the Lord properties are mine, then ye are stew- says: "And now I give unto you further ards; otherwise ye are no stewards." directions concerning this land. It is wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto the But we learn that the Saints in that church, in laying his moneys before the early period of our history, refused to bishop of the church. And also, this is be governed in those matters. The a law unto every man that cometh into Lord says, page 284: "Therefore, inas- this land to receive an inheritance; and much as some of my servants have not he shall do with his moneys according as kept the commandment, but have bro- the law directs." Again, the Lord says, ken the covenant by covetousness, and sec. 13, page 125: "If thou lovest me with feigned words, I have cursed them thou shalt serve me and keep all my with a very sore and grievous curse. commandments. And behold, thou wilt For I, the Lord, have decreed in my remember the poor, and consecrate of heart, that inasmuch as any man be- thy properties for their support that longing to the order shall be found a which thou hast to impart unto them, transgressor, or, in other words, shall with a covenant and a deed which can- break the covenant with which ye are not be broken," &c. Again, on page 235, bound, he shall be cursed in his life, and 276 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. shall be trodden down by whom I will; the Center Stake of Zion, until we shall For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked have shown obedience to the law of con- in these things." Also on page 295, the secration. One thing, however, is cer- Lord says—"Behold, I say unto you, were tain, we shall not be permitted to enter it not for the transgressions of my peo- the land from whence we were expelled, ple, speaking concerning the church and till our hearts are prepared to honor this not individuals, they might have been law, and we become sanctified through redeemed even now. But behold, they the practice of the truth. have not learned to be obedient to the The Lord required that those lands things which I require at their hands, in Missouri should be obtained, not by but are full of all manner of evil, and force, but by purchase, through the con- do not impart of their substance, as be- secrations of the properties of the Saints; cometh saints, to the poor and afflicted and the manner was pointed out how among them; And are not united accord- these consecrations should be made, but ing to the union required by the law it was disregarded. I mention these of the celestial kingdom; And Zion can- points, partly in view of their being in- not be built up unless it is by the prin- timately connected with the principles of ciples of the law of the celestial king- Cooperation, which is now strongly rec- dom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto ommended by our President to the atten- myself. And my people must needs be tion of the Latter-day Saints in the vari- chastened until they learn obedience, if ous settlements of the Territory. it must needs be, by the things which I view cooperation, when properly they suffer. Therefore, in consequence understood and practiced, as being a of the transgressions of my people, it is steppingstone to the Order of Enoch, expedient in me that mine elders should and will enable the Saints who receive wait for a little season for the redemp- it in a proper spirit, to gradually pre- tion of Zion—That they themselves may pare themselves to enter, in due time, be prepared, and that my people may be more fully into the practice of princi- taught more perfectly, and have experi- ples necessary to accomplish the build- ence, and know more perfectly concern- ing up of the kingdom of our God. We ing their duty, and the things which I re- must have experience in order to prop- quire at their hands." erly understand how to sustain tempo- ral institutions, and manage financial Hence we learn that the Saints in concerns, and wisely use concentrated Jackson County and other localities, re- means. Cooperation is of little bene- fused to comply with the order of conse- fit unless the people understand, ap- cration, consequently they were allowed preciate, and feel disposed to sustain to be driven from their inheritances; and it; and in order for this we must be should not return until they were better taught and instructed in regard to its prepared to keep the law of God, by be- object and advantages. "Wait a little ing more perfectly taught in reference to season for the redemption of Zion, that their duties, and learn through experi- my people may be taught more per- ence the necessity of obedience. And I fectly, and have experience, and know think we are not justified in anticipat- more perfectly concerning their duty ing the privilege of returning to build up and the things which I require at their OUR TEMPORAL INTERESTS, ETC. 277 hands. For behold, I do not require at in proclaiming the Gospel or adminis- their hands to fight the battles of Zion; tering in its holy ordinances. Some El- for, as I said in a former commandment, ders are very devoted and wholehearted even so will I fulfill—I will fight your in going on missions and in most every- battles." But this he does require of us, thing that pertains to the advancement that we attain to a devotion of heart and of the spiritual interests of the kingdom sanctification of feeling, that we be will- of God, and almost blameless, and seem- ing that all our substance be controlled ingly without fault, but, strange to say, by counsel for the advancement of the in temporal affairs they are highly re- kingdom of God. It is more than forty miss, if not dishonest. When Saints feel years since the Order of Enoch was in- like this they cannot act to advantage or troduced, and rejected. One would nat- with profit in cooperation; they cannot urally think, that it is now about time inspire confidence nor exercise a proper to begin to honor it, and that we had influence. In temporal administration, gained sufficient knowledge and experi- the same as in spiritual, one should ex- ence in the Lord's dealings with us, to hibit in his labors a self-sacrificing prin- prepare us with faith and devotion to ciple when necessary, that is, he should cheerfully comply with all its principles show that he labors for the interests of and requirements. But how many of us, the people rather than for building up upon such a requisition, would follow the himself. With this spirit one will be very example of the young man referred to— sure to maintain an influence, and instill turn away sorrowfully? into others the same character of feel- I notice the great interest which is ings. now being taken by the Saints in the When one goes into cooperation with various settlements in establishing coop- proper spirit and proper views, to super- erative institutions. These embrace the intend or operate in any of its depart- great principles, in connection with the ments, he has a lawful claim to the Spirit Order of Enoch, which are intended to of inspiration, to aid him in his calling. join together our hearts, feelings and in- We read that Jacob, through his hon- terests, and effectually build up the king- esty of purpose, fair-dealing, and free- dom of God and redeem the earth. dom from selfishness, was assisted by an holy Angel with information how to in- The people of Brigham City have crease and multiply his flocks. It is far been operating a number of years upon better to build up the kingdom of God, these principles, and are beginning to de- in its temporal interests, by the Spirit of rive therefrom various financial advan- God and the wisdom of God, than by the tages, as well as many spiritual bless- spirit of man and the wisdom of man; on ings. The hearts and feelings of the the latter principle we shall always fail, people are being considerably united but on the former the results will always through practicing this system of coop- be successful. erating in our temporal interest. Our Cooperative Institution, at Honesty, ability and devotedness present, in Brigham City, comprises are required in order that coopera- eight distinct departments, and is tion may be successfully carried out, generally very well sustained by and the Spirit and wisdom of the the people. It embraces a mer- Lord are necessary, as much so as cantile department, a tannery, a 278 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. butcher shop, a boot and shoe shop, a shook hands with me as warmly and fer- woolen factory, a farm, a sheep herd, a vently, as though I had been arrayed cattle herd, and a dairy. These branches in superb broadcloth. In several other aid in sustaining one another. The prof- instances, in our interviews with con- its of the mercantile department help suls and American ministers, and men of to furnish the necessary cash to carry rank and station, my reserved suit was on other industries—to purchase hides, not come-at-able, so I had an opportunity dyestuffs, cotton warps, &c., &c. The of showing a specimen of what we are do- tannery supplies our boot and shoe shop ing here in the mountains, which was an with what leather is required, and our occasion of both surprise and commen- sheep herd, in part, with wool for our fac- dation. On my return to London, this tory. A considerable share of our clothing suit was nearly as good as when I left is now furnished at our factory, and our Brigham City. I made a present of it to boots and shoes at the shoe shop, and a President Wells' son, one of our mission- sufficient supply of meat at the butcher aries now preaching in London. shop, all of which can be obtained on div- Lest some of my friends in this au- idends, labor, or exchange of products. dience, may imagine that I have aposta- This is a great blessing to the people, es- tized from these humble practices of sus- pecially at the present time of scarcity of taining home institutions, permit me to money. Many of our manufactured arti- say, that this suit I now wear, is not im- cles are nearly as fine as, and much more ported broadcloth, as you probably imag- substantial than, the same class of im- ine, but was made and manufactured ported articles. in Brigham City, and the boots I have on are those worn through my Pales- tine tour, and nearly as good as when I engaged a suit of clothes, last fall, first put on in Brigham City. We man- of a tailor in Brigham City, the material ufacture, per annum, over thirty thou- of which was made at our woolen factory. sand dollars worth of various kinds of I wore this as a traveling suit through cloth, which is principally used by the Europe and Palestine, and felt rather people of Brigham City, and in the ad- proud in exhibiting it as a specimen of jacent towns and settlements. This year "Mormon" industry, amid the vales of we shall manufacture probably over fif- the Great West. While in France, we teen thousand dollars' worth of boots and had an interview with President Thiers shoes, which will be used in the same lo- and his cabinet; this was at Versailles, calities, and in our dairy we will make and it so happened I then was dressed over thirty thousand pounds of cheese, in this homemade suit, my aristocratic equal in quality to any that can be im- one being locked in my trunk at Paris, ported. twelve miles distant. It was agreed by Our Cooperative cattle herd, to- our party that I looked sufficiently re- gether with our sheep herd, and hogs spectable in my home product boots and kept at the dairy, supply our butcher suit, to appear with them in the presence shop, and partially our tannery with of the President of the French Repub- hides, and our woolen factory with lic. I respected their judgment and hon- the raw material. All these, to- ored their decision. I was received by the gether with other branches of industry, President as cordially, and I believe he working in union, afford us important MEANS REQUIRED TO BUILD THE TEMPLES, ETC. 279 advantages in the present financial cri- time, make each, at least partially, suc- sis, and supply, in a great measure, our cessful, before introducing another, in or- real wants in a way that is easily come- der that the advantages and object of at-able by the very poorest in the com- what we are doing may be felt and under- munity. stood. The difficulty in obtaining means The Bishops and presiding Elders, to establish cooperation is not so great, no doubt, many of them, will lead out perhaps, as that of finding men of ability, in cooperation, in view of which, I wisdom and devotedness to manage in a will simply say, much prudence, care- proper manner such means when gath- fulness, wisdom, patience and persever- ered, and get the people up to that stan- ance, aided by the Spirit of God, will dard of proper feeling and knowledge, be necessary in operating upon these to be comparatively satisfied when their principles. They need to enter upon means are justly and wisely managed. this business with their whole heart and soul, as upon a sacred mission. The people must be taught and led in all kindness, and not forced into mea- May the Lord bless us with his Holy sures which they do not comprehend Spirit, that we may be wise and devoted and have no heart or willingness to en- in all our thoughts and administration, ter. Move gradually, take one thing at a spiritual and temporal. Amen.

MEANS REQUIRED TO BUILD THE TEMPLES—THE WORD OF WISDOM—UNITY NEEDED IN BUILDING UP ZION—SABBATH SCHOOLS—JOURNEYINGS IN THE HOLY LAND.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE A.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY, ATTHE SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,OCTOBER 8, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

Before the brethren and sisters dis- have met with a great many obsta- perse, we wish to say a few words cles in the way of its progress. Af- to them in relation to building the ter the foundation was level with the Temples that are in progress. I ground, we commenced to use gran- think it was in 1852 that we broke ite, which had to be hauled some eigh- the ground for this Temple. We teen miles, and we hauled it with 280 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. oxen and mules. Whenever oppression nearly three car loads a day to supply from our enemies or other causes did not them. We are very glad that we are able prevent, we progressed with this great to move the Temple forward, but you work. The building is nearly 200 feet must be aware that all this takes means. long and about 120 feet wide. The foun- The mining companies in the mountains dation of the side walls is sixteen feet pay, or promise to pay, high wages; and wide, while that of the towers at each we have to pay a pretty liberal price in end has a proportionately broad foot- order to satisfy the brethren who work ing. When completed, the pinnacles will on the Temple. A portion of this is paid be 112 feet high, while the main tower in the staple products of the country, and will be 225 feet high. The building will the residue in money, or merchandise, be a majestic one, and will creditably which is the same thing as money to us, compare with any large building in the for we have to pay money for it. We ac- world. We have now gained an advan- cordingly appeal to the brethren, both tage that we never had before—that is, here and throughout the world, to re- railway communication directly with the member their duties and their offerings granite quarry. It is true that we have for the Temple. Remember that the ordi- to change from narrow to broad gauge, nances by which we gain exaltation for causing a little trouble; we bring from ourselves and our relatives, who have two to four carloads a day of this gran- gone before us, are only administered in ite on to the Temple Block. There are a holy house, which has been built in some eighty men cutting these stones, the name of, and dedicated to, the Most and there is a party of men now en- High God, according to his laws and com- gaged in laying them. I invite all the mandments. brethren from a distance to go on to the ground when the men are at work, and see how beautifully they handle these large stones, and how accurately they It would seem that in Salt Lake City place them in their position, for I hope and vicinity, there should be abundance that every Latter-day Saint feels enough of Tithes and offerings to carry on the interest in the building of the Temple to work on the Temple; yet we are suf- lift his heart in prayer to the Most High fered to go behind, get into debt and in- that he will enable us to build the Tem- cur responsibilities. It is the duty of our ples which we have commenced, that we brethren and sisters, Bishops, teachers may continue the work of salvation for and all, to wake up to this subject, and ourselves and our dead. remembering what is required of them We are employing a considerable by the law of the Lord, to contribute of force of men in the stone quarry, and their mites and of their abundance, that have been increasing the number of late. when this great building shall be dedi- Our hope in doing so is to get a quan- cated, they can come forward knowing it tity of stone quarried before the win- is their offering to the Most High; that ter sets in, that we may continue the their tenths have been expended upon it, work of stone cutting through the win- and that they have the right to the privi- ter. As it is now, when only two car loads lege of entering its basement and receiv- a day arrive, some of the stone cutters ing the ordinances of baptism for their on the block will be idle, for it requires dead, to pass through the various ordi- MEANS REQUIRED TO BUILD THE TEMPLES, ETC. 281 nances of the Priesthood, and have the Temple, in contributing a tenth of all necessary sealings duly recorded, for our substance to that work? Can we themselves and their ancestors, and be- not unite a little in erecting a factory, queath to their posterity the blessings in establishing a store? Can we not which are there sealed upon them for learn, step by step, the principles of ever. I exhort the brethren to consider unity, which will enable us to be the peo- these things. ple of God, like the Zion of Enoch, and prepare us for a dwelling with the blest? It is said that in judging the conduct Let us consider these things, and sus- of others we should be merciful. This is tain with all our powers all the efforts a kind of proverb or select sentence. But that are made to bring about a unity it goes on further to say, that in criticis- among the Saints. Every step we take ing ourselves we should be exact and se- of this kind is in the right direction. Sus- vere. Now when we come to judge our tain our Cooperative stores, and cease to Tithing, and the interests we invest in sustain those who do not build up Zion. the Temples of the Lord, let us do it con- The Elders of Israel have traversed the scientiously, each one for himself or her- earth and gathered you from distant na- self. tions, and you have come here to serve I spoke here, the other day, a little the Lord; but if you expend your ener- in relation to the Word of Wisdom, and gies and means in sustaining those who I again appeal to my brethren and my would destroy the Saints, you are only sisters to observe it, for I know that if laying the foundation of your own degra- they neglect to do so, before they pass dation, for as the Lord God lives, the behind the veil they will mourn, wail man who will not sustain Zion will be cut and weep in their hearts, for it will have off. a tendency to shorten their days, de- Remember these things, brethren crease their strength and lessen their and sisters, and sustain the servant of glory. To those brethren who indulge in God and the institutions of heaven. Pray intoxicating drinks I say, Cease this folly. for those who are in authority, sustain Brethren, I appeal to you in the name the organizations that are established of humanity, in mercy to your wives and for the welfare of Zion, and cease to sus- children, in the name of my Father in tain her enemies. Circulate among the heaven and in the name of his Son, and people our publications. Let the sermons say, Waste not your strength and your of the Presidency and of the Apostles, life with folly of this kind. Let intoxicat- that are published in the Deseret News, ing drinks alone, entirely alone. be read in every habitation. Circulate the publications of the Church wherever We are looking forward to the day you can, and supply your families with when we shall return to Jackson County. Bibles and Testaments. Sustain and The time will come when the Latter-day maintain Sabbath schools, and encour- Saints will build, in Independence, Mo., age all the children, and as many grown a holy city. That will one day be the people as may be necessary, to attend, Center Stake of Zion, the center spot that these schools may prosper, and be of the New Jerusalem which God is to useful. build on this land. We can only be pre- I thought, in the start, of a great pared for that work by being united. many subjects that I wished to talk Can we not unite a little in building a about. In the Sunday School Union, 282 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. which met last evening, eighteen thou- our journeyings in the Holy Land had sand children were represented, who a tendency to inform us with regard to were regular attendants at the Sabbath many things we did not understand, and schools in this Territory. This is not what we now know much better than before it should be. It is very extensive I will our visit how to establish missions in admit, but at the same time there is those countries, which will be done at a school population in this Territory of a proper time as the Lord opens the about thirty-five thousand. The State of way. They are, however, fearfully tied Nevada has for years received very large up with ignorance, superstition and op- means in various ways from the United pressive laws, &c. But we found more States for sustaining schools; but the bigotry, narrow-mindedness and disposi- whole population of that State is prob- tion to proscribe each other among those ably not equal to the number of school professing Christianity than among any children in this Territory, and yet they other class of people in the Turkish Em- have had all the resources usually given pire. by the national government to States to In Jerusalem there was an attempt sustain schools. The State of Nebraska made by certain men of science to search was admitted into the Union when it had for the old foundations of the city. They but a small population, but it received sank down some hundred and seventy the same liberal school bequest, and it feet, and they found that the old foun- is reported that the Governor stole the dation was built among the mountains, outfit, and was impeached and dismissed and little valleys running between them. from office for so doing. Whether they re- Mount Moriah, Mount Zion, Mount Cal- covered the money or not I do not know. vary, the Mount of Olives and others are At any rate they disgraced him. The all in the neighborhood, and there were idea among many of these public officers anciently deep ravines between, and the is that if they can only steal skillfully city was originally built with terraces, enough not to be caught and brought to one street rising above another. It is said justice, it is all right. But the Governor that some of the Christians feared that of Nebraska was a little clumsy, and con- this investigation would result in prov- sequently they impeached him. There ing that the holy places, which are so is said to be a great deal of swindling much worshiped and adored, were not among these public officers, and in Ne- the true holy places, so they, I was told by braska it was the school fund that was some respectable Jews who were anxious assailed. to have the investigation go on, exer- cised an influence with the Turkish gov- We have never had in this Territory ernment to stop it, on the ground that national aid for schools to the amount of the excavation were likely to undermine a dollar, or from any other source than Jerusalem. At any rate the investigation our own pockets, and I am proud of the was stopped. The Greek, Latin, Coptic achievements of the Territory with re- and Armenian sects were said to have gard to schools. We should not relax our been principally interested in this mat- efforts. Our Sunday School Union should ter. be able to bring out more Sunday school The American minister to the scholars than now attend. Turkish empire assured me that he I want to say to my brethren that had greater difficulty in promoting MEANS REQUIRED TO BUILD THE TEMPLES, ETC. 283 peace among the different Christian I wish to bear my testimony to the sects toward each other than he had truths of the Gospel, to express my grat- among the Muhammadans and Chris- itude to the Conference for the atten- tians, and in most cases the Christians dance and attention, and to return my were far less tolerant towards each other heartfelt thanks to our brethren and sis- than the Muhammadans were towards ters who have made us music. I am them. When we find Elders who have gratified at the attendance of the singers the spirit of such a mission and wish to from the various settlements. I feel that labor in the work of the Lord, and to go the blessing of Israel's God will be upon into those countries and learn the lan- them. I hope the brethren and sisters guages, we shall send some of them there will treasure up what they have heard to make an attempt to introduce the and profit by it. Every man who has Gospel. President Joseph Smith laid us spoken has seemed to be filled with the under obligations to preach the Gospel or power of the Holy Spirit. At the open- send it to all nations, kindreds, tongues ing of the Conference I requested that and people, and wherever the way has the prayer of faith should ascend on high opened we have exerted ourselves to the that the Spirit of the Almighty might dic- utmost to do this. We have a Territory tate and control those who spoke, that here hundreds of miles in extent, occu- we might be edified by the power of the pied by a thriving population. Where Almighty. Our prayer has been heard, did they come from? They have been and we can now go away from this Con- gathered from the nations wherever the ference to the different parts of the Ter- Elders of Israel have been permitted to ritory, or to our several missions abroad, preach. A great many of the Christian wherever we are called, with a united nations are locked up. A man could now faith and confidence that we shall be bet- preach in Italy, but the traditions of the ter men, and that we shall more truly people are so strong that it would be a and faithfully perform our duties than dangerous experiment probably to un- we have done before. dertake it. While conversing with some The blessings of Israel's God be upon Greek members of parliament they said you all, and may we all be faithful in the to us—"We are Christians already, why performance of our several duties, exer- not go among the heathens and teach cising faith before God to deliver us from them Christ? We know something about our enemies, and cause that the Laman- Christ now, and that is enough." The ites may be peaceable in our midst; for constitution of Greece provides that all I will assure you, brethren, that if you sects may be tolerated, but proselytism want the Lamanites to be peaceable to- is prohibited from the Oriental Greek wards you, you must cultivate peaceable church, so you may think as you have a feelings in your hearts towards them, mind to, but if you get any of the peo- and never desire to shed their blood. ple to believe in the Gospel and they are The peace of God be upon you all, in baptized you are subject to a penalty. the name of Jesus. Amen. 284 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS AND THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF CHRISTENDOM.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE THIRTEENTH WARD MEETINGHOUSE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,NOV. 2, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

According to our usual custom we of on the present occasion. We differ in have assembled on this, the first day of our religious faith and notions in some the week, to partake of the Sacrament, things which I consider to be of essential as a witness before God and angels, and importance to the salvation of the chil- as a testimony one to another, that we dren of men; in some points of our doc- are determined to keep the command- trine and faith we do not differ so much ments of the Most High, and to obey with religious people generally as might his laws, and the institutions and or- be supposed. dinances of his kingdom. The order of things we are now celebrating we have To begin, then, we believe in the exis- endeavored to observe from the organi- tence of a Supreme Being, our heavenly zation of this Church. It has been our Father; we believe also in the existence practice, when circumstances would per- of his Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior mit, to assemble every Sabbath day for of the world, and that he, through the this purpose, and also to express one to shedding of his blood, has opened a way another our desires and to bear our tes- by which the fallen sons and daughters timonies concerning the truth, and also of the children of men may be saved. I to preach when we felt the spirit to do believe that almost every Christian de- so. nomination has the same views in re- I feel, this afternoon, to investigate gard to the atonement of Christ, and that before this assembly some of the dis- they, as well as we, believe in the Fa- tinguishing characteristics between this ther, Son and Holy Ghost. We also be- people and the various religious denomi- lieve that it is important and necessary nations of Christendom. I do not do this that all mankind should repent of and particularly for the edification and bene- forsake their sins, and that they should fit of the Saints; but, as there are prob- forsake everything that is contrary to ably many now present who never have the law of God, and that is in viola- had the opportunity of learning the dif- tion of his institutions; everything im- ference which exists between the faith of moral and unholy that we have been in the Latter-day Saints and that of other the habit of practicing; that we should religious denominations, I presume that repent of these things, not merely in it would be interesting to them to word, but absolutely repent of and put have some of these things spoken them away. I believe that all denomina- DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 285 tions who believe in Christ also believe greater part of the Book of Mormon by in repentance; hence, so far as faith in the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, God the Father, and in his Son Jesus through the aid of the Urim and Thum- Christ, and repentance and reformation mim. We have an account of at least are concerned, there are few distinguish- one instance, in ancient times, where the ing characteristics between us and the Holy Ghost was given before baptism, outside world. We also believe that it is that is the case of Cornelius. The Holy important for every person who wishes Ghost was poured out upon him, and to obtain the forgiveness of his sins to upon his household, before they were be baptized in water—immersed—in the baptized. It was contrary to the ordi- name of the Father, and of the Son, and nance and the form that had been laid of the Holy Ghost, for their remission. down in the Gospel; but on that occa- In this we differ with most of the reli- sion it was evidently given for a spe- gious world. I believe that the sect which cial purpose, namely, to convince the is generally called Campbellites believe brethren who accompanied Peter to the in being baptized in water for the re- place where Cornelius lived, that their mission of sins. The Church of Eng- traditions concerning the Gentiles were land also believe in baptism for the re- incorrect; and to prove to them that mission of sins, but they do not admin- the Gentiles were heirs of salvation as ister that ordinance by immersion. We well as the Jews, the Lord condescended, also believe that when a person has re- while Peter was speaking to Cornelius pented, and has been baptized for the re- and his house, to bestow upon them the mission of his sins, by one having author- Holy Ghost, and they spake with tongues ity to administer this ordinance, his sins and prophesied, before they were bap- will be forgiven. Not but what the Lord tized. When Peter saw that the Holy has, in some instances on record, for- Ghost had been bestowed upon them, he given the sins of parties before baptism. turned to the Jewish brethren, and said, We have some account, in both ancient "Who can forbid water, that these should and modern times, of the Lord having be baptized, seeing they have received done this. The Prophet Joseph obtained the Holy Ghost as well as we?" a forgiveness of his sins, before baptism, On the Day of Pentecost, when we and also the gift of the Holy Ghost; but are told, three thousand were pricked in the reason, probably, was that there was their hearts, and desired to know what no Church that had been organized af- they should do; the answer given was ter the ancient pattern at the time he that they should repent of their sins. received the administration of the an- They already believed, before they re- gels, and there being no minister au- pented, the testimony of Peter and the thorized to administer baptism and the rest of the Apostles that Jesus was the laying on of hands, the Lord in that in- very Christ; they believed these Old Tes- stance dispensed with the forms and or- tament Scriptures that related to him, dinances recorded for that purpose in the which were quoted by the Apostle Pe- New Testament, and granted unto him ter on that occasion: and they were both these blessings—the forgiveness of pricked in their hearts. If they had sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Be- not believed that Jesus was the Christ, fore he was baptized he translated the they would not have been pricked in their hearts and convicted of sin; but 286 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. they believed, and the answer of Peter to Apostle Peter and offering money to him, their inquiry about what they should do said—"Give me also this power, that on to be saved was—"Repent, and be bap- whomsoever I lay my hands, he may re- tized every one of you in the name of Je- ceive the Holy Ghost." He was evidently sus Christ for the remission of your sins, convinced that there was a power made and you shall receive the Holy Ghost." manifest on that occasion, and as he Cannot every person, who reflects a mo- had been a sorcerer, and had deluded ment on this passage, see that the re- and deceived the people in former times, mission of sins and the Holy Ghost, were and had evidently come into the Church two blessings promised after repentance with a corrupt heart, he no doubt wished and faith, and baptism for the remission to obtain this increased power to aid of sins? When the people of Samaria him in his future operations. But Peter heard the preaching of Philip, they also answered—"Let thy money perish with believed and repented, and they were thee, I perceive that thy heart is not baptized, and there was great joy in that right in the sight of God." city. No doubt their sins were then Here then was a sacred ordinance remitted, an event which would cause which I wish to call your attention to, joy and satisfaction among the Samari- namely, the laying on of hands. The tans. But there was not one soul of all Samaritans had, no doubt, believed as those converts in Samaria, neither man firmly as ever persons could believe; they nor woman, who had received the Holy had repented as much as any persons Ghost, they had only believed in Christ could repent; they had complied with and received the forgiveness of sins, but the ordinance of baptism for the remis- none of them were as yet born of the sion of sins, and were justified and filled Spirit. When the Apostles which were with great joy in consequence of the for- at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had re- giveness of their sins; but with all this, ceived the word of God, which Philip had why did they not receive the Holy Ghost? preached unto them, they sent Peter and Why was it not sent down from heaven John, and they came down to Samaria as it was on Cornelius? Because there and knelt down and prayed for these were none present on that occasion that baptized Samaritans, that they might re- needed to be convinced, as in the case ceive the Holy Ghost; "for as yet," says of the household of Cornelius; no Jewish the Scripture, "he had not fallen upon brethren there to forbid water; no ones any of them: only they had been baptized there to have their traditions corrected, in the name of the Lord Jesus; and when and consequently the Lord did not give they had prayed for them, they laid their a sign to them. But when they were hands upon them, and they received the confirmed, he sent upon them the Holy Holy Ghost." Ghost through the sacred ordinance of Now they must have received on the laying on of hands. That is as much that occasion, something that was pow- an ordinance as baptism. erful and miraculous, so much so that it made itself manifest even to by- Here then is one instance wherein standers. The reason which I have we differ from the main portions of the for believing this is in consequence religious world. It is true the Church of what Simon Magus said and did of England practices confirmation— on that occasion. He came to the their lay hands upon those DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 287 who are sprinkled; but we have no ac- the walls of the city seven times, and count of the gifts following this admin- when they had completed their last cir- istration among the members of that cuit on the seventh day they were to give church such as the gift of tongues, heal- a certain blast with the horns, and all ing and the various gifts of the Spirit. the people were to give a shout, then They are withheld. We differ, then, from the walls were to fall down. Now, could the outside religious world in this one not the Lord have done it without going ordinance. No person comes into this through all that process? O, yes, but he Church and is acknowledged to be in full did not see proper to do so, he wanted fellowship as a member of the Church, to try the faith of that people, to see unless one or more of the servants of God whether they would be obedient to that have administered the sacred ordinance which he required of them. When they of the laying on of hands expressly for had shown their faith by their works, the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. then the power of God was made mani- I do not know why it was that the Lord fest. established this ordinance. He seems It is so in relation to baptism. When to have, in all ages, bestowed blessings we have shown that we have faith in God upon the children of men through simple and in the ordinances and institutions ordinances, and he seldom gave bless- of his kingdom; when we prove our be- ings, unless those ordinances were com- lief in the principle of baptism by ren- plied with. When the angel came to Cor- dering obedience thereto, we then ob- nelius and told him that his prayers and tain the remission of our sins. When his alms had ascended up before God we have faith enough to have hands laid as a memorial, he did not see proper upon us for the reception of the Holy on that occasion to tell exactly what he Ghost, after being baptized, the Lord should do in order to be saved; but he sees that we are complying with the in- told him to send for Peter, and he would stitutions of his kingdom, and he is will- tell him words whereby he and his house ing to bestow the blessing of the Holy should be saved. Cornelius had faith Ghost. When we have faith enough to enough in that angel to actually send go to the house of worship on the first for Peter. There was something required day of the week and offer up our sacra- on the part of Cornelius to manifest his ment before the Lord, according to his faith before God. There was something commandments, we witness before him required of the children of Israel when that we are willing to keep his command- they were to take the City of Jericho. It ments; but when, without excuse, we would have been an easy matter for God neglect this week after week, we show to have thrown down the walls of Jeri- that we are careless and indifferent, and cho in an instant without making any re- the influence of the Holy Spirit, which quirement of the children of Israel; but we would otherwise enjoy as Latter-day he determined to try their faith, so they Saints, is withheld from us. were commanded to pass round the walls Let none experiment on this, let of the city once a day for seven days, and no Latter-day Saints neglect to come on each day when they encompassed the to meeting, when it is their privilege walls they were to blow rams' horns. On to do so, and also neglect this divine the seventh day they were to go round ordinance which the Lord has insti- tuted in commemoration of the death 288 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and sufferings of his Son; for if they con- cause us to fall down on the ground, or tinue to do this without any reasonable cause us to be cramped up into an ill excuse, they will soon begin to be dark- kind of a shape, or that would take away ened in their minds. Hence you see, our strength and all our memory and that all these ordinances, however sim- understanding, should we not know at ple in their nature, are instituted of the once that no such spirit was acceptable Lord, and if we have not faith sufficient in the sight of God? And, after reading to comply with them, it proves that we about the gifts of the Holy Ghost to man, have not much faith in God. The Apostle should we not know, that it does not op- James speaks upon the subject of faith erate thus? When the Holy Ghost rests very plainly: he says—"Show me thy upon the servants and handmaidens of faith without thy works, and I will show the Lord, it imparts a variety of gifts, thee my faith by my works." Faith with- not all to one man, and not the same out works is dead, being alone. Men may to every individual; but it gives to one, profess ever so much faith in Christ, but one gift, and to another, another. For if they do not attend to the ordinances instance it gives to some the gift of wis- of heaven, we know that their faith is a dom. Now, what is it to receive the word dead faith and will not obtain the bless- of wisdom? When a person receives, by ings which the Lord has promised. We the power of the Holy Ghost, the word will pass on, however, in taking up the or gift of wisdom, he receives revelation. distinguishing characteristics, between Herein, then, is another point in which the Latter-day Saints and other religious we differ from the religious world gen- denominations. We shall, however, have erally. They do not believe in any later to dwell briefly on the different points, revelation than the New Testament, that for there are many things wherein we is, they did not when this Church arose; differ. but of late years, since the rise of this When the baptized believer has re- Church, many of them have begun to be- ceived the gift and power of the Holy lieve in revelation later than the New Ghost, the question is, What will be its Testament. manifestations, &c., and how are we, as When the Holy Ghost falls upon some Latter-day Saints, to know that we have it gives them the word of wisdom, that received the Holy Ghost? This is a very is, it imparts to them an understand- important question for us to decide in ing of things that are wise. The Spirit our own minds. How are believers in may whisper, "It is wise for you to do Christ to know that they are believers, this thing"—"it is wise for you to do that such as the Lord will acknowledge? They thing"—"it is wise for you to take such are to know it by the pouring out of the a course, and to do thus and so." This is Holy Ghost upon them. How am I to what might be termed the word of wis- know when the Holy Ghost is poured dom. A person may have great wisdom out upon me, or how are you to know? and yet not have much knowledge; he We would not know only by comparing may have great wisdom given by revela- with the Scriptures, or by some revela- tion to know how to exercise that degree tion to our own minds, which would give of knowledge which he may be in pos- us this knowledge. For instance, suppose session of. Then again there are others we should receive a spirit that would who may receive the gift of knowledge DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 289 from God and yet they may have very lit- hurt them: they shall lay hands on the tle wisdom; and they do not know how sick, and they shall recover." to turn their knowledge to the best ad- It seems that the gifts here named vantage. Here is the distinction then be- are general gifts, intended more or less tween a revelation which gives wisdom, for the whole Church; not only for those and a revelation which gives knowledge. in the Priesthood, but for those out of the Priesthood, for males and for fe- To another is given, by the Spirit, the males. For instance, children are often gift of healing. Some may say that the taken sick, and it is the privilege of their gift of healing was only intended for an- parents, whether they have the Priest- cient times, to establish the Gospel; that hood or not, by virtue of this promise, the people in those days needed some to lay their hands on their sick children, miraculous power and evidence to con- and ask the Lord, in the name of Jesus, vince them of the truth of the Gospel; to heal them. Suppose that the father, but I find that the gift of healing was the head of the family, is absent, has given for the benefit of all who had faith the mother the right to lay her hands to be healed. This was the way that the upon her sick child? We say that, by Lord administered in ancient times, and virtue of this promise which the Lord there is just as much necessity in our has made, she may lay her hands upon day that the sick should be healed, as her child or children, and ask God to there was eighteen centuries ago; and heal it or them. How many scores and the Lord is just as willing, inasmuch scores of cases have there been in this as we will exercise faith in him, to be- Church, every year since it was orga- stow the gift of healing now as he was nized, where the parents, both brethren in ancient times. This seems to be a and sisters, have had power over dis- kind of common gift, not limited alto- ease, through the Spirit of God being gether to a few individuals, as we find poured out upon them, and their chil- recorded in the last chapter of Mark. Je- dren have been healed through the lay- sus said on that occasion, speaking to his ing on of their hands? Here, then, is Apostles—"Go ye into all the world, and another point wherein we differ from preach the gospel to every creature. He the religious world. Go and ask them that believes"—that is every creature in if they will come and visit a sick per- all the world who believes—"and is bap- son. "Oh yes," says the minister, "I tized shall be saved; he that believeth will visit the sick." When he arrives, the not shall be damned. And these signs sick person or his friends request him shall follow them that believe," that is, to pray. That is all right and in accor- every creature in all the world that be- dance with the Gospel. They kneel down, lieves, showing that the believers gen- and the minister prays that the Lord erally might have the gift of healing, will look in mercy upon the sick person, although, perhaps, to some it is given and, if it please him, heal and restore more fully than it is to others. "These him. But do they lay on hands or anoint signs shall follow them that believe; with oil as the Scriptures direct? The In my name shall they cast out dev- Scriptures say—"If anyone among you is ils; they shall speak with new tongues; sick? let him send for the elders of the They shall take up serpents; and if church; and let them pray for him"—it is they drink any deadly thing, it shall not all right to pray—"and let them anoint 290 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the sick in the name of the Lord." Now, sometimes people are appointed unto when they do this they are complying death, and in such cases the adminis- with the requisitions of the Gospel of the trations of the Elders are not likely to Son of God, and why not follow this ordi- be effectual. If believers could always nance of laying on of hands on the sick, exercise faith to be healed of disease, and anointing them with oil, just as well all the ancient Saints might be living as following the praying part? No won- now, eighteen hundred years after they der that they do not have power over were born. But the Lord heals the sick sickness and disease, for they only at- when it seems good unto him, and he tend to half their duties—they pray, but gives us, inasmuch as we are not ap- neglect the other part. Inquires one, pointed unto death, the privilege of call- "Cannot the Lord hear prayer and heal ing upon his name, and of having the the sick just as well without laying on of administrations of his servants in our hands and anointing with oil as with?" behalf. This has been practiced ever He could have thrown down the walls since this Church was organized—forty- of Jericho without the children of Israel three years since—and if it had done no walking around them and blowing rams' good, if there had been no healings in horns; but the Lord has a form, then that time, do you suppose the Latter-day why not comply with it, and leave the Saints would continue to be members of event with him. It requires faith on the the Church? No, the Church would have part of the sick in order to be healed; quickly broken up, it would not have they ought to have faith as well as their lasted more than two or three years if friends. When an infant child is sick, its members had not found the promises it, of course, is not required to exercise verified, according to the word of the faith; but its parents and friends can ex- Lord; but they have found that the Lord ercise faith on its behalf, as was done in really does stretch forth his hand to heal ancient times. Sometimes sickness will the sick, and that he does raise them deprive an adult person of his senses, in up from the very point of death, and re- that case his friends may exercise faith store them, almost instantly, to health for him. But where there is no faith in and strength. Knowing this to be the God, as in the case of infants, his ser- case, the afflicted Saints have faith in vants may prevail, and heal the sick, but the ordinances, and they continue send- this is not always the case. For instance, ing for the Elders, and God blesses their as great a man as Paul was, a person administrations. who had the gift of healing to such a de- Then, if I received a spirit by which, gree that even by carrying a handker- in the name of Jesus Christ, I was en- chief, or some little article from him to abled to rebuke sickness, and that sick- those who were sick, devils would flee ness was rebuked, and the persons were and the sick would be healed; I say that raised up, should I not have reason to as great a man as he, was obliged on a believe that I had received that true certain occasion to leave one of his fel- Spirit of the Gospel, called the Holy low laborers in the ministry sick at Mile- Ghost? I certainly should. If I received tus. Why? Because he had not faith. a revelation telling me what would be People may sometimes have faith, and the best course for me to pursue un- at other times they do not exercise it; der certain circumstances, should I not know that it was a revelation from God? DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 291

I think I should know, just as well as thing pertaining to the future, it is not the ancient Prophets knew when they re- necessary for them to rise up while any ceived a revelation. If I received knowl- other person is speaking, and make con- edge by revelation concerning this, that fusion, but let all the Prophets who or the other thing or principle, would not have any revelation, wait until the per- that be a testimony to me that I had re- son speaking gets through, and then let ceived the Holy Ghost? Again, if I was them rise, one by one, and declare what sick and afflicted and in great pain, and God has revealed to them. This was the I sent for the Elders of the Church to way the ancient Christians worshiped, come and pray for me and to rebuke the and these were the gifts by which they disease which was afflicting me, and, in were distinguished from those who were the name of Jesus, command it to de- not Christians, and those also were the part, and it was done, would not this be distinguishing characteristics between a testimony unto me that the Lord had the general world of mankind and the heard the prayers of his servants, and real, true-hearted Christians in ancient that he had really and truly verified his times. Why not have the same distin- promise? Certainly. guishing characteristics now? Has God To another is given the gift of ever said that these gifts should be un- prophecy, or foretelling future events. necessary in the Church? Among the ancient Saints this was re- garded as a very important gift, much We find a great many gifts besides more so than the gift of speaking those I have mentioned. The gift of in tongues. Paul, in addressing the tongues, the interpretation of tongues, Corinthians, says—"Seek earnestly the the discerning of spirits, and the behold- best gifts, and forbid not to speak with ing of angels, were all given in ancient tongues," &c. And again, he says, times by the Spirit, and the Church pos- "Greater is he that prophecies than he sessing them was compared to the body that speaketh with tongues." Again, in of Christ; and the Apostle Paul, in order the same chapter, he says—"How is it to show the necessity of all these gifts, then, brethren? when ye come together, when comparing them to the body of a every one of you hath a psalm, hath a man, says, the whole system is neces- doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revela- sary, the eye cannot say to the hand "I tion, hath an interpretation. Let the have no need of you" in the body, for it prophets speak two or three, and let the is absolutely necessary there; neither other judge. If anything be revealed to can the head say to the feet "I have no another that sitteth by, let the first hold need of you;" no, the feet are necessary; his peace. For ye may all prophesy one and even the most imperfect, or sim- by one, that all may learn, and all may plest member of the human system could be comforted. And the spirits of the not be dispensed with without making a prophets are subject to the prophets." schism in the body. Says Paul, speak- Here, then, we see that the Saints ing to the Church—"You are the body of in ancient times prophesied by reve- Christ, and members in particular. God lation. If persons come together in has set in the church, first apostles, sec- a religious capacity, as this assem- ond prophets, after that teachers, work- bly has done this afternoon, and God ers of miracles, speakers with tongues, should reveal to some present some- interpreters of tongues." All these 292 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. different ones are members of the body of "We have teachers left." Well, why do you Christ. Now, have we any right to say to not do away with the office of teacher? the lowest of these members, "We have Have you not the same authority to do no need of you in the body?" Supposing away with the member of the body of the teacher should say to the speaker in Christ called a teacher, that you have to tongues—"I have no need of you, now do away with the Apostle, the Prophet, in the body, the Lord has a different the gift of healing, the discerning of spir- kind of a body on the earth from what its? Yes, you have the same right to do he had eighteen hundred years ago, and away with one officer as with another. If we do not need you now." Another says you have only teachers left, I ask, Does to the interpreter of tongues—"We have that constitute the Church of God? No, persons who have studied all these lan- for you have done away with the most guages, and we do not need a person to prominent officer, the Apostle, the one interpret tongues, by the Spirit, now; we first set in the Church, which is like tak- can dispense with this principle from the ing a man's head from his body and then body of Christ." Another minister arises saying, "Live, live." and he says to the member possessing Now the very fact that all these offi- the gift of healing—"We do not need such cers have been done away, shows that the a member in the church now, we can do Church of God has been rooted out of the without it in the body; it is true it makes earth. No wonder, then, that the Lord a kind of a schism in the body, and it had to send an angel from heaven with looks different from what the New Tes- the everlasting Gospel, to be preached to tament has taught; but we are enlight- every nation, kindred, tongue and peo- ened in this day, we are living in such ple, because there was no nation, peo- a blaze of Gospel liberty that we do not ple, kindred or tongue upon the face of need the same kind of members now to the whole earth that had that Gospel, compose the body of Christ as they did in and a Church organized in accordance ancient days," and he passes him by. The with it. The various sects of religionists worker of miracles comes along, and an- in Christendom have lost all authority; other minister says—"We have no need they have neither Apostles nor Prophets, of you in the body;" the discerner of spir- no one who can have heavenly visions, its comes along and he says—"I have be- who can discern spirits or have the min- held spirits, I have seen angels." Says istrations of angels; no one to heal the the modern religionionst—"We have no sick or to speak with tongues. They need of you now in the church, we are have done away with all gifts and mem- sufficiently enlightened to do without bers and have blotted out the ancient you." An Apostle comes along and de- Church, having merely a dead form left. clares his mission and calling, and he is No wonder then that the Lord sent an greeted with the customary salutation— angel, in fulfillment of the revelations "We do not need Apostles now. God of St. John, to restore the Gospel to set those officers in his church at first, earth, and to prepare for the reorganiza- but we can dispense with them now." I tion of his Church among men according say, if you can dispense with these of- to the ancient pattern. It was absolutely ficers, what have you left? Says one— necessary that the Gospel should be re- stored, together with the authority to ad- DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 293 minister its ordinances, baptism for the hood—"Save he be called of God, as was remission of sins, and the laying on of Aaron." Now, turn to the Bible and see hands for the baptism of fire and the how Aaron was called, see if he was not Holy Ghost; authority to build up the called by name, by new revelation: that Church and kingdom on the earth, that is, it was a new revelation to him. See the Holy Ghost might again be poured if he was not called through Moses, the out as in ancient times, that the people servant of God, who received a revela- might receive the gifts thereof, and that tion commanding him to set apart his they might know of a surety, when they brother Aaron to the Priest's office, di- had received the Holy Spirit. All this the recting him what ordinance to use, how Lord has done, hence you see the distin- to set him apart, and giving all the par- guishing characteristics, so far as the or- ticulars of his calling and ordination to ganization of the Church and the admin- the ministry, and what his duties were istration of its ordinances are concerned, to be after ordination. All this was given between the Latter-day Saints and the by new revelation. No man can receive rest of the religious world. the Priesthood, neither officiate in its or- dinances acceptably, unless he is called But suppose we speak still further on of God as was Aaron. If Aaron was called one principle, and that is the authority by new revelation, then all others who to baptize. I might be baptized by a per- have this authority must be called in the son whom the Lord had neither called same way, or their authority is not valid, nor sent, and that baptism would never and all ordinances under it are good for be acknowledged in the eternal worlds. I nothing. might be ever so sincere, and I might re- This is the reason why the Lord ceive the ordinance from the hands of a commanded this people—the Latter-day man who, I really supposed, had the au- Saints—to rebaptize all persons who thority and who was a good, moral, up- come to them professing to have been right man, and yet that baptism would baptized before. In the early days of not be acceptable in the sight of God, un- this Church there were certain persons, less he did truly have divine authority. belonging to the Baptist denomination, very moral and no doubt as good peo- How am I to know whether a man has ple as you could find anywhere, who divine authority or not? It is one of the came, saying they believed in the Book easiest things in the world to know. I of Mormon, and that they had been bap- will tell you how you may know a man tized into the Baptist Church, and they who has divine authority from one who wished to come into our Church. The has not. If you find a man who, though Prophet Joseph had not, at that time, he may profess to be a Christian min- particularly inquired in relation to this ister, says he does not believe in any matter, but he did inquire, and received later revelations than those given to St. a revelation from the Lord something John the Divine, and that he was the last like this—that although a man had been to whom the Lord revealed himself, you baptized a hundred times under these may know that that man has no author- old institutions, it would avail him noth- ity from God. Why not? Because the ing; that this was the New and Ever- Bible says—"No man taketh this honor lasting Covenant, even the same that unto himself"—speaking of the Priest- was in the beginning, and that they 294 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. who administered its ordinances must them to baptize each other, and they did have authority from God, or their admin- so. Here then was a commencement of istrations were illegal. These Baptists the restoration of authority to the earth. had to be rebaptized: there was no other Prior to that time, for hundreds and hun- way to get into this Church. There is dreds of years, no man had authority to not a person now in full fellowship with baptize, from the very fact that they all this people, but what has come in by bap- denied new revelation, and hence none tism, whether he formerly belonged to of them could have been called as Aaron the Baptist or any other Church. Indeed was. it would be impossible for a Church to be After Joseph and his scribe had been reorganized upon the earth, unless God baptized for the remission of their sins, had bestowed the authority upon men to they sought after authority in order that act in his name, that is, had spoken from they might have hands laid upon them on high and called them by revelation. for the Holy Ghost. The lesser Priest- I will come still closer. Here is the hood could not do this, the Priesthood Book of Mormon. When Joseph Smith that John the Baptist held was not au- obtained the plates from which this book thorized to lay on hands; he could only was translated, when he came to the his- baptize believers in water. But John, tory of how baptism was administered when upon the earth, said there was one among the Israelites of ancient America, coming after him mightier than he, who and learned that it was by immersion, held a greater Priesthood and authority he felt very anxious to be baptized, not than he—the Priesthood after the order having been baptized in any Church in of Melchizedek—and he would bestow existence, and not understanding fully upon them the higher baptism—the bap- about this matter, he and a young man, tism of fire and the Holy Ghost. Joseph who was acting as his scribe, went out Smith and Oliver Cowdery sought af- and called upon the Lord, desiring to ter this higher authority, and the Lord know what they should do in relation gave it to them, before the rise of this to their baptism. They read that those Church, sending to them Peter, James who dwelt on this Continent eighteen and John. What for? To bestow upon hundred years ago were baptized by im- them the Apostleship. Now, who would mersion and that the ordinance had to be likely to have better authority than be administered by men holding the au- Peter, James and John, the three fore- thority to do so from God. In answer most of the ancient Apostles when they to their prayers, the Lord sent an an- died? When Peter was crucified with his gel to them on the 15th day of May, head downwards, and James was mar- 1829, nearly a year before the Church tyred, their Priesthood was not taken was organized, and this angel laid his from them; their Priesthood remained hands upon the heads of these two in- with them after their bodies were laid in dividuals, and ordained them to the the tomb, and they will hold it until their holy Priesthood, that is, the Priesthood bodies are resurrected; and when they which John the Baptist held, which had reign on the earth, they will reign as the right to baptize, but not to confirm kings and priests; and, as we read in the by the laying on of hands; and when New Testament, these twelve Apostles he had ordained them he commanded will eat and drink at the table, and in the DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 295 presence of, God—and will rule over the Christ has disappeared from the earth, twelve tribes of Israel. and then authority, revelation, prophecy, and the ministration of angels have Now, who would be better qualified to ceased. But we have a declaration in administer the sacred office of the Apos- the 13th chapter of Paul's first epistle to tleship than the three men who held it the Corinthians, that these gifts should while they were here on the earth? There be continued in the true Church, until are a great many in heaven who have that which is perfect is come. Now we not the right to ordain Apostles, a great see, know, and understand in part; we many who, though they are exalted and see through a glass darkly here in this have glory and great authority, yet do world, but when that which is perfect is not hold the Apostleship, and therefore come that which is in part shall be done they have no right to come as angels away. Now we have certain blessings be- from heaven and lay their hands upon stowed upon us, but the time will come any individual and ordain him to the when tongues will cease and prophecy Apostleship. It has to be a man who will fail; that time will be, when the holds authority in heaven that can be- Church has become perfect in the eternal stow it here on the earth; and such men world. After we pass through this state were Peter, James and John, who re- of existence and are exalted, we shall no stored that authority to the earth in our longer see through a glass darkly. Here day, by bestowing it upon Joseph Smith. while the Church remains in this world, When this authority was restored, the we only prophesy in part. We have some Church was organized, on the 6th day of gifts, but we do not possess them in their April, 1830, consisting of six members, fullness; but when we receive our resur- and then there was power in existence, rected bodies, and that which is perfect is not only to baptize, but to confirm by come, we shall have no need of the gift of the laying on of hands for the baptism healing, because there will be none sick, of fire and the Holy Ghost; and from the for all will be immortal. There will be no authority then sent down afresh from need in those days of prophecy in part, heaven has this Church been enabled to because everything will be open and un- pass along, and receive the great bless- derstood by the minds of the Saints of ings which the Lord has bestowed upon God, and prophesying in part will be it. But I will pass along. done away, and they will see as they are I was saying, a little while ago, that seen and know as they are known. All there is nothing in the New Testament these things prove to us, that so long as to prove that the gifts which were given the true Church remained on the earth, to and enjoyed by the ancient Saints, so long should all these various gifts re- should ever cease from among the true main. people of God; and whenever there has The object of these gifts is not been a Church of Christ on the earth merely to convince the world, but there have been all its members, in- Paul informs us in another chapter cluding Apostles, Prophets, speakers in that they were intended not only for tongues, interpreters of tongues, dis- the unbeliever but also for the be- cerners of spirits, those having the gift liever. When Jesus ascended up on of healing, &c.; and whenever these high, Paul says that he led captiv- things have disappeared the Church of ity captive and gave gifts unto men. 296 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, can the body of Christ be edified with- some evangelists, pastors, and teach- out Apostles and Prophets, and the gifts ers, besides all these other gifts I have mentioned? And again, he says, They are named. What for? Paul informs us that given in order that the Church may be- he gave these gifts for the perfecting of come perfect, that is, that its members the Saints. Do you not see then, that may grow up into perfect men, unto the they were not given merely to convince measure of the stature of the fullness of unbelievers and to establish the Gospel, Christ. Without these gifts the Church but for the perfecting of the Saints? Now, never can grow up, it has nothing to ed- do you know, does anyone know, how the ify or perfect it, nothing to do the Saints Saints of God can be made perfect with- any good, but with these gifts they may out these gifts? How can the members be perfected, and grow to the stature of of a Church, which has not any inspired the fullness of Christ. Apostles and inspired Prophets, be made Another grand object specified in the perfect? "Oh, but," says one, "we have giving of these gifts, as mentioned in the some of these gifts." "What are they?" next verse, is, that we henceforth be no "Why, he mentions pastors and teachers; more children, tossed to and fro by ev- we have them." What right have you to ery wind of doctrine, and by the cunning claim them, and do away with the other craftiness and slight of men, whereby gifts mentioned in the same verse? Is they lie in wait to deceive. Now, you there any consistency in that? Is it right, take a Church that has no Apostles, no can we feel justified before the heavens Prophets, no gifts, such as those that in taking a verse and claiming one or two are named in the New Testament, and gifts mentioned there, and doing away that Church is all the time liable to be with all the rest? The Scriptures say that carried away with every foolish doctrine he gave Apostles, Prophets, evangelists, that may come along. But when you pastors, and teachers; the modern Chris- see a Church organized with Apostles, tians claim two or three of these and do having power to receive revelations from away with all the rest. The Latter-day heaven, and having Prophets who can Saints will not do this; they have been foretell future events through the Holy traditionated to do so in times of old, Ghost resting upon them, it is not car- but now they have learned better; and ried away with every cunning plan and they now say—"Give us all these gifts. If device of false doctrines; but its mem- we have a Church, let us have inspired bers know for themselves, by the power Apostles and Prophets in that Church, of the Holy Ghost, by the gifts that are for without them the Saints cannot be given to them, and by the revelations made perfect." which they receive, and hence they are not carried about as the religious world They are given, also says Paul, not have been, during the past seventeen only for the perfecting of the Saints, but centuries. What is the reason of all for the work of the ministry. How can the confusion, jars, and discords that the work of the ministry proceed without have troubled the religious world dur- Apostles and Prophets? It cannot pro- ing that time? The grand reason is, ceed. They are given for the edifying of that they have lost that which would the body of Christ, says the Apostle. How have held them together—the gifts DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 297 of the Spirit, and hence there are hun- have upon our ancestors. We all have dreds and hundreds of denominations many friends, behind the veil, who lived following this doctrine and that doctrine, on this earth when the true Gospel having no voice of God, no angels, no was not known. Many of them were visions to guide their footsteps. Not so just as good as we are, and some per- with the Latter-day Saints. Go through- haps a little better; but they lived when out the whole of this Territory, and wher- the world was in darkness and confu- ever you find true-hearted Latter-day sion. They had the history of the an- Saints you will find those who are guided cient Church and Gospel, but they had by the Spirit of revelation, and who en- no one to administer its ordinances. The joy those gifts that were made manifest religious sects and ministers were con- in ancient times. tending one against another, having nei- I will mention some few more of the ther the power nor gifts of the Holy characteristics wherein we differ from Ghost. Under these conditions our pro- the world. We believe in that doc- genitors fell asleep. Now must they trine which is enunciated in the fif- go down to everlasting destruction, be teenth chapter of Paul's first epistle to damned to all ages of eternity because the Corinthians, namely, baptism for the they did not happen to live in an age, dead—"Else what shall they do which when there were none authorized by are baptized for the dead, if the dead heaven to administer the ordinances of rise not at all? why are they then bap- the Gospel? No, that would be inconsis- tized for the dead?" This shows plainly tent. God judges men according to the and clearly that, in ancient times, the circumstances in which they are placed, people called Corinthians, organized into and he does not condemn the people for the Church of God, did practice the or- not obeying his message, when it is not dinance of baptism for the dead. They sent to them. Now, if a man comes to understood it. Paul was not writing to me that has never been called of God, them about a new doctrine, but about and pretends to bring to me the Gospel, one which they understood and prac- and has no divine authority to admin- ticed, and he tried to prove to them the ister its ordinances, I am not bound to nature of the resurrection and that such obey his message, for that requires a a principle as the resurrection was true, man that is authorized to administer it. from the very fact that they were prac- Our fathers have gone down to the grave ticing baptism for those who were dead, without having had such a man to ad- in order that they might receive a more minister the Gospel to them; the Lord glorious resurrection. This doctrine has is no respecter of persons. It is writ- been revealed anew to this Church. Of ten, in the Scriptures, that except a man course, in the first rise of the Church, we be born of water and of the spirit he did not understand this any more than can in no wise enter into the kingdom the sectarian world, but as soon as the of God. If that is so, and our fathers Lord laid it open, and taught us why he have gone down to the grave and have had instituted it, it was very plain. not had an opportunity to be baptized in I have not time to dwell long upon water for the remission of their sins by this principle, but I will try, briefly, men having authority, must they be shut to explain to you its necessity and out forever from the kingdom of God? consistency, and the bearing it will Jesus says that unless they are born 298 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of water, as well as of the spirit, they can faith are both acts of the mind; but when in no wise enter into his kingdom. The it comes to baptism, being born of or purpose then for which baptism for the immersed in water, they cannot do it; dead was instituted, was that we might God has ordained that men, here in the be baptized for our ancestors who died flesh, shall be baptized for those who are without having the privilege of hearing dead, in order that they may commemo- and obeying the Gospel in the flesh, that, rate the death, sufferings, and burial of though in the spirit, they may have the our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that same chance of eternal life as we have. as he rose to newness of life, so may they, Jesus was very merciful to the antedilu- for whom the ordinance of baptism is ad- vians who perished before the flood. A ministered, by those in the flesh, have a host who lived in those days perished in claim to a more glorious resurrection. the flood and were shut up in prison; and "But," says one, "how do you know while the body of Jesus was sleeping in that they who are in the spirit world can the tomb his spirit went and preached repent and believe?" Because agency al- to them that were disobedient in the ways accompanies intelligence, and in- days of Noah. They probably did not telligence is not blotted out by death. have a good opportunity in the days of The spirits of men and women who leave Noah. There were only four persons to this world are intelligent, and intelli- warn them, and they were multiplied by gence is founded upon free agency, and millions and millions in all parts of the hence, inasmuch as they who are in the earth, and all except Noah and his fam- spirit world are agents, they can exer- ily were swept off by the flood and cast cise that agency in believing; when they into prison, and they were kept there have a testimony they can exercise that some two thousand years, then Jesus agency in repenting of sins of which they went to preach the Gospel to them, as have been guilty. But they cannot ex- it is written in the fourth chapter of the ercise that agency in attending to an first epistle of Peter—"For for this cause ordinance ordained for the body; and was the gospel preached them that are therefore God has instituted baptism for dead, that they might be judged accord- the dead, that our fathers may have ing to men in the flesh, and live accord- the same chance that we have. What ing to God in the spirit." Now, if the for? In order that, when they come Gospel was preached to those who were up in the resurrection with us, if they dead, to the old antediluvians who per- will receive what is done for them, they ished over two thousand years before may be perfected with us, that there Jesus was put to death, for what pur- may be no broken chain in the mat- pose was it preached? That they might ter, no links left out of the chain, but have the same privilege of hearing and that all persons who will comply may obeying the Gospel that those have who be united in the grand chain of geneal- are in the flesh, and of being judged ogy, back even to the commencement. thereby. "But," says one, "they cannot Therefore the ordinance of baptism was obey it in the spirit world." They can ordained by the Lord from the begin- in part, they can obey it so far as be- ning of the world down until the days of lieving in Jesus is concerned, and re- Christ, and from the days of Christ down penting of their sins; for repentance and to the end, that in the dispensation of DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, ETC. 299 the Gospel, when the plan of salva- world, and obey the principles that God tion should be administered to the hu- has ordained for their exaltation, their man family, they should look after the condemnation will rest upon their own fathers—their ancestors; and this is spe- heads, and not upon ours. But if we do cially spoken of by the Prophet Malachi, not do our duty in relation to the fathers, or rather the Lord through the Prophet they will testify against us in the judg- says—"Behold I will send you Elijah the ment day, saying—"Lord, you sent an an- prophet; he shall turn the hearts of the gel from heaven; you communicated the fathers to the children, and the hearts of everlasting Gospel after I was dead; you the children to the fathers, lest I come gave the Apostleship, by sending Peter, and smite the earth with a curse;" as James and John, and your servants went much as to say, that before the great and forth armed with authority and power to terrible day of the Lord shall come, un- preach the Gospel to the nations of the less the children shall seek after the sal- earth, and many received it. You did not vation of their fathers, who are dead and give me the privilege, Lord, of hearing gone, by being baptized for them, and and obeying the Gospel when I was upon attending to every ordinance which God the earth." Then the Lord might reply— has ordained for them and in their be- "But I gave the privilege to the people on half, he will smite the whole earth with a the earth to be baptized for their dead, curse, and no people would be prepared and I gave you the privilege of avail- to behold the great and dreadful day of ing yourself of their administrations, the the Lord. same as the antediluvians had." Then It is for this reason, that this peo- you see, if we have attended to the du- ple are building Temples. We do not ties devolving upon us in their behalf, build Temples to be places of preaching the condemnation fails upon them; if we altogether; we have tabernacles that will neglect this, it may be that some other accommodate many thousands, wherein person, not a blood relation, will be ap- we preach to the people; but Temples are pointed by the Lord, and the condemna- built by the commandment of the Most tion will fall upon the blood relations, High God, constructed after the pattern and they will be rejected, while those that he gives, in order that the people whom they have neglected will be saved. may be baptized for their dead, as the "They without us cannot be made per- Corinthians and the Christians of an- fect," says the New Testament, "neither cient times did, leaving it with those in we without them." You need not think the eternal worlds, whether they will re- that God is so partial that he is going to ceive what is done for them or not, the save the children in the latter days, and same as Jesus, who died for all men and reject all their ancestors. He is not go- all women, leaves it with all men and ing to do any such thing. If we would be all women to act upon their own agency, saved we shall have to look after the sal- and say whether they will or will not re- vation of the generations which are past ceive that which he has purchased for and gone. them; if they will not, their condemna- "But," says one, "I cannot trace tion is just. So in relation to our dead—if my forefathers, I can only go back to we officiate for them, we have done our my grandfather or great grandfather, duty; if they will not repent in the spirit what shall I do? Were not my an- 300 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. cestors, ten or fifteen generations fur- appeared, and the keys that were given ther back, as worthy of salvation as they in relation to these matters. They are were?" "Yes." "Then how are you going on record, and the Lord has fulfilled his to manage that?" That same God who promise, and now it is required of us to has ordained baptism for the dead, and fulfill the duties devolving upon us. I who has commanded the believers in this feel very thankful that the Lord is mov- generation to be baptized for them, will ing upon our friends in the New England in due time, when we have done all we States and in various parts of the East can in searching out our genealogies, re- to get up their genealogies. They do not veal to us the chain so that we shall know why they are doing so, or why they find our fathers, no matter how many are so anxious to find out the ancient generations, until we get back to the generations who settled this continent. time when the Priesthood and author- We understand it; we know that God is ity were on the earth; and then, if they working with them, we know that many have not attended to their duties, we of those early settlers who have gone will have to go back still further, for the down to their graves, were just as pure Lord has determined that, in the dis- and upright as men could be. God is go- pensation of the fullness of times, ev- ing to remember them, and hence, there erything pertaining to former dispensa- are now some four hundred records of tions shall be perfected, whether it was different families that have been gotten in a dispensation before the flood, in the up in the East, and they are still extend- days of Enoch, Abraham, Moses, or the ing their researches, and hunting out all Prophets, it matters not, if there is any- the ancient pilgrim fathers, and their an- thing that has been left undone pertain- cestry in the old countries. The geneal- ing to the dead in any former dispen- ogy of my forefathers has been sought sation, it must all be fulfilled in that out by them for some eleven generations. great and last dispensation spoken of by Have I been baptized for any of them? Paul, wherein all things in heaven and Yes. Has my brother Parley's family been on earth, that are in Christ Jesus, shall baptized for any of them? Yes, we have be gathered in one. Everything must be been baptized for something like three made perfect and prepared for the great thousand of our ancestors, and we have day of rest of a thousand years, during been confirmed for them, and have done which Jesus will reign on the earth with for them that which they could not do for all the resurrected Saints. If we would themselves. have our fathers and our ancient ances- try reign with us, we must do that for them which the Lord has required, and Well, this is a peculiarity wherein we they and we shall be blessed; but if we differ from the rest of the world. I do not neglect it, the whole earth will be smit- know but I am getting into too many pe- ten with a curse before the great day of culiarities. I think I have not time to fol- his coming. low out this subject any further on the Has the Lord, according to his present occasion. I would like to talk a promise, sent the Prophet Elijah? little about our marriage relations, but He has, you have the record of it, we shall have to defer that to some other you know where and to whom he time. Amen. HONESTY OF PURPOSE, ETC. 301

HONESTY OF PURPOSE SHOULD ACTUATE ALL TRUE BELIEVERS—VIEWS OF MANKIND IN RELATION TO GOD—THE EXISTING MODES OF DIVINE WORSHIP—ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY COMPARED WITH MODERN SO-CALLED CHRISTIANITY—THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE FOURTEENTH WARD ASSEMBLY ROOMS,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,NOV. 16, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

In rising to make a few remarks this to be actuated in our worship, above afternoon I shall not attempt to take any everything else that we are associated text, or to confine myself to any partic- with in life, and that is honesty of pur- ular subject. My impression about this pose. The Scriptures say—"If the truth is, that both speaker and hearer ought shall make you free, then shall you be to be under the guidance and direction free indeed, the sons of God, without re- of the Almighty, for unless a man speaks buke, in the midst of a crooked and per- by the dictation of the Spirit of the Lord, verse generation." We are told again that his discourse will be of very little bene- God requires truth in the inward parts. fit to those who hear; and unless those It is proper that men should be hon- who hear also hear by the Spirit, and are est with themselves, that they should prepared to receive correct instructions, be honest with each other in all their no matter how eloquent the discourse words, dealings, intercourse, intercom- may be, or how forcible and powerful the munication, business arrangements and truths which are enunciated, it amounts everything else; they ought to be gov- to very little. It is not the hearer of the erned by truthfulness, honesty and in- word, we are told, who is benefited, but tegrity, and that man is very foolish in- he that doeth it. And Jesus says that deed who would not be true to himself, many will say in that day, "Lord, have true to his convictions and feelings in re- we not spoken in thy name? and prophe- gard to religious matters. We may de- sied in thy name? and in thy name done ceive one another, and, in some circum- many wonderful works?" Yet he will say stances, as counterfeit coin passes for unto them—"Depart from me, ye work- that which is considered true and valu- ers of iniquity, for I never knew you;" or able among men. But God searches the I suppose, in other words, "I never ap- hearts and tries the reins of the chil- proved of you." dren of men. He knows our thoughts and comprehends our desires and feel- There is one great principle by ings; he knows our acts and the mo- which, I think, we all of us ought tives which prompt us to perform them. 302 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

He is acquainted with all the doings and powers; and was more intelligent than operations of the human family, and all any of them; and when the magicians the secret thoughts and acts of the chil- and the soothsayers, the astrologers and dren of men are open and naked before wise men were called upon to tell him him, and for them he will bring them to the dream and its interpretation, they judgment. These ideas are believed in by were unable to do so, and they told him men generally, who, with very few excep- that it was beyond their science, and that tions, whatever their general conduct or there was nothing connected with their ideas on religious matters may be, be- systems that would unfold anything per- lieve in an All-seeing eye which pene- taining to such things as those referred trates and is enabled to weigh the ac- to; but they said that if he would tell tions and motives of the children of men. them the dream they had rules whereby This is an idea that will not be disputed they could interpret it. He insisted upon by any race of men now existing upon the the interpretation. Said they—"that is earth, nor perhaps by any who have ex- unreasonable, O King—there is no be- isted heretofore, for whatever may have ing but that God whose dwelling is not been the theories or notions of men in with flesh, who can reveal those things former times, they have generally had that thou speakest of." They had their a reverence for, and a belief in, an All- gods which they worshiped, their deities wise, Supreme, Omnipotent Being, who, in whom they had confidence; but they they supposed, was greater than all of declared that there was no God but that them, and who governed and controlled Being whose dwelling was not with flesh, all their actions. A feeling of this kind is who could unravel those mysteries that frequently made manifest in the Scrip- he desired them to make known to him. tures, and it is nothing new in our age to Hence, in those days we find the same believe in a God of this character. principle existing, and you can trace it When Paul was preaching at Eph- out in various examples in holy writ, esus he said, among other things, that men had their theories and ideas about he saw an altar to an unknown God. God, generally speaking; but very few Among the variety of gods which they of them understood anything about the worshiped there was an altar to an un- true God whose dwelling was not with known God. "Him," said he, "whom ye ig- flesh. norantly worship, declare I unto you, the Our Bible purports to be the account God who made the heavens, the earth, given us of him by men who were in- the seas and the fountains of waters." spired by him, for we are told that, "holy If we examine the pages, either of sa- men of old spake as they were moved cred or profane history, we find the same upon by the Holy Ghost." It is related ideas prevailing to a greater or less ex- within the lids of this sacred volume that tent in former times. Even Nebuchad- a great many of the ancients had dreams, nezzar, the ruler of the great empire of visions, the ministering of angels and Babylon, had a knowledge, or an idea revelations; and the accounts of those vi- of a certain Being who ruled and gov- sions, ministrations of angels and mani- erned the universe, who was superior to, festations of the power of God, together and ruled over all other influences and with a little history, is what this sacred HONESTY OF PURPOSE, ETC. 303 volume is composed of. Hence Jesus said lieved in him, no matter what deities of to the people in his day—"Search the an inferior nature they might have. But scriptures; for in them ye think ye have there were very few who knew how to eternal life: and they are they which worship the true God; hence they made testify of me;" they are they which un- to themselves all sorts of gods, some of fold many things concerning my mission, wood, stone, ivory, gold, silver, brass, the circumstances with which I am sur- iron, &c. They had deities of every rounded, and events which will tran- imaginable kind, and through these var- spire in connection with my ministry. ious forms and mediums they wished or Holy men of God in former times had thought to propitiate the Deity, and to prophesied of him. Isaiah, for instance, secure to themselves some kind of hap- had said—"Behold, a virgin shall con- piness in the life hereafter. ceive, and bear a son, and they shall call We, in this generation, are a good his name Immanuel, which being inter- deal like them. We think we are very preted, is God with us." It is said of him superior in intelligence and in religion. that he came to take away sin by the sac- Men, everywhere, are egotistical, they rifice of himself, and a great many things always think they are the smartest and were said and written of him in the most intelligent that ever lived; and it holy Scriptures, before he came, while he must be confessed that in many respects lived upon the earth and after he left it the generation in which we live are very and ascended up to his Father in heaven. far in advance of many others, and in re- gard to the arts and sciences, and cer- There is very little difference among tain branches of literature and mecha- mankind in relation to many of these nism, but how vague and uncertain are facts; men, generally, view these things the ideas entertained by men in gen- alike—I mean in the Christian world— eral, about the Deity! Are we intellec- especially the nation in which we live, tual in this? I think not. We have our the British and French nations, the em- bodies of divinity, our schools of theol- pire of Austria, Russia, Prussia, the in- ogy, our religious seminaries, and places habitants of Scandinavia and most of the where ministers are manufactured and European nations; and some of the Asi- prepared to perform certain work which atic nations also have faith in what we they call preaching the Gospel, and these term the word of God, and hold its truths ministers, as well as the people, have in reverence, according to the ideas they different ideas about the Deity and the entertain and the creeds they profess. proper modes of worshiping him. Does There is little or no difference among the incongruity of this state of things the men of these various nations in re- ever strike the minds of reflecting men, gard to the existence of a Supreme Be- men of science, who are accustomed to ing, who rules and controls the destinies weigh the force of an argument and to of nations, as well as of individuals; and solve knotty problems? When I was there was no difference, in former times, a little boy I used to wonder, if there between the magicians, and Daniel and was a God who created man, and who those associated with him in his faith ruled and dictated the affairs of heaven relative to the true God. They all be- and earth, why he had pointed out 304 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. so many different modes of worship. I four arms, six eyes, ten heads, or fifteen think so still. I know, and so do you, ac- feet or legs; they are alike, and there cording to the principles of science, that is a uniformity in relation to their gen- the laws which govern the operations of eral organism. So when you come to ex- universal Nature are true to themselves amine the properties of water, caloric or nine hundred and ninety-nine times, and fire, earth, air, the different gases, elec- then the thousandth time; they are al- tric fluid, or any substance or matter ways true in all the various phases of you please, you will find that they are Nature's works. This is so under the governed by certain specific laws, and most severe tests which scientific criti- those laws are universal in their appli- cism can apply; with every known princi- cation; and furthermore that all the el- ple in nature, whether we refer to light, ements with which we are surrounded heat, the gases, or any and all of the el- are controlled by certain eternal and un- ements of which the earth is composed changeable laws which cannot be de- or by which we are surrounded. In their parted from. operations they are governed and con- Now, what can God think of a peo- trolled by eternal, unchangeable laws, ple, placed here on the earth, the most and you cannot violate any one of those intelligent of his creations, possessed of laws in any particular without producing reasoning faculties, who, in many in- the inevitable result of such violation. In stances, have investigated and under- the motions of the starry heavens, the stand the laws of Nature, I say, what sun, moon, earth, day and night, sum- can he think of men who set up every mer and winter, and the various seasons form, notion and theory, every species as they pass along, the wisdom, intel- of absurdity that can be imagined, and ligence, prescience and power of a God call it the worship of God? Suppose we are manifested; and the same is true were to put ourselves in his place for a of the organization and operations of all little while, we should think there was the myriads of organisms that exist upon something a little strange in relation to the earth—symmetry, beauty, order and these matters. He might reasonably say, law pervade and control all their opera- these men exhibit wisdom and intelli- tions, all manifesting the wisdom, intel- gence in many respects. So far as dis- ligence and power of God. You do not covering the operations of Nature, and find one man differing from another, only examining and testing the laws thereof, in certain respects, a little in stature they all agree, but in religious matters or strength. One is a little stronger they exhibit imbecility and weakness, than another, one has a more beautiful in that there is no union. A philoso- face, perhaps; may be more exquisitely pher in America, France, Germany, Eng- formed than another; but all bear the land, Spain, Italy, Russia, Prussia, or same impress; all are governed by the any other nation, will arrive at the same same laws, all possess the same prop- conclusions, precisely, that all other men erties, powers and faculties to a certain or scientists of all other nations do; extent, so far as the body is concerned, that is, when they examine the laws of according to the strength or weakness of nature and operate in the actual sci- the individual. You do not find men with ences. No matter where they are, or in what language they may convey their HONESTY OF PURPOSE, ETC. 305 ideas—for words are merely the signs God, we are told, "is no respecter of per- of ideas—whenever correct ideas exist, sons: But in every nation he that fears and these ideas are properly explained, God, and works righteousness, shall be whenever submitted to scientific analy- accepted of him." Is that true? Yes. God sis and proper tests, they all arrive at the "has made of one blood all the families same conclusions, no matter what nation of the earth," we are told. There seemed it is you are among or where you live. to be an idea of this kind prevailing in This reasoning is correct, and in re- ancient days, according to the sayings of gard to nature and its laws, the world some of the inspired men mentioned in and the elements with which we are sur- the Scriptures. We are in the habit of go- rounded, and the laws operating in the ing along like flocks of sheep—following world with which we are acquainted, all our leader, no matter where he goes. men arrive at the same conclusions, and I have seen sheep sometimes, and per- there is no difference, unless we come haps you have, running along a road, to theorizing, and then there is always and one thought there was an obstacle— difficulty. Well, in regard to all these perhaps there was not anything—and it things we all think alike, because our would make a leap, and when the oth- thoughts are based on correct principles. ers reached the same place they would But when we come to religious matters, all make the same leap; if one leaps they we discover that, though men are natu- all leap. It is so apparently among men. rally intelligent, they act like fools; they If we would examine Christianity do not use their common judgment, rea- there is something peculiar about that. son or intelligence. "Well," say they, "you We call ourselves Christians, that is, know we are governed by the Bible." Now we Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, that is exactly what we do not know, and Congregationalists, Episcopalians and therefore I doubt it. "But our divines "Mormons," we all call ourselves Chris- tell us we are." Oh, do they? Well, sup- tians. Well, perhaps we are, and then, pose somebody was to tell you the result perhaps we are not; it is a matter that of some scientific analysis, you would be would bear investigation, I think; and, very likely to say—"I believe you in part, then, I think, too, that it is very proper, but I would like to test it for myself; as I said at the commencement, that we when I have done that I shall know it. should be honest with ourselves about Yet strange as it is, you are willing to all things, and especially in religion and take anybody's ipse dixit in relation to the service and worship of God. "Well, religious matters, in relation to things but my father was a Methodist, and I of the most vital importance, things per- am one;" "my father was a Presbyte- taining to the immortal part of man, we rian, and I am one;" "my father was act like the veriest babies or consum- a 'Jumper,' and I am one;" "my father mate fools, while in regard to the affairs was a Muhammadan, and I am one;" of this life we act intelligently. "my father was a worshiper of Buddha, Is there a way of arriving at a and I am one;" and among us Chris- knowledge of the things which per- tians we are Episcopalians, Wesleyans, tain to man's eternal welfare? Why Presbyterians, and members of the var- yes, we are inclined to think there is. ious professional phases descended from 306 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. that remarkable man, Martin Luther or the various avocations of life, among oth- Catholics or Greeks. Let us examine ers from the occupation of fishing; he these things for a little while or, at least, called twelve men, whom he ordained as try to go to the foundation. Believing Apostles. He inspired these men with in the Bible, we will not go at once into the gift of revelation and with a knowl- these outside systems, but examine our edge of God; he placed them in commu- own for a little while, and see how it nication with God, so that they had rev- stands and how we stand in relation to elation from him and were enabled to it. teach the laws of life; he breathed upon Jesus, we are told, "brought life them and said—"Receive ye the Holy and immortality to light by the gospel." Ghost;" and they received it, and that There was something peculiar about it— Holy Ghost took of the things of God and it gave men who lived up to and honored showed them unto them, it drew aside its principles in their lives and actions, a the curtains of futurity, whereby they knowledge of life and immortality. They were enabled to penetrate into the invis- were not dependent upon the sayings or ible world and comprehend the things of doings of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Lot, God. This was the position they occupied Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi or any and the kind of Gospel they had. of the Prophets; but the Gospel brought a knowledge of life and immortality to all Well, how did they operate with it? who obeyed it and lived according to its Jesus told them to go out and preach precepts. It informed all such that they it; and he called seventy men and in- were immortal beings; that they would spired them too; and told them to go exist after they had got through with out and heal the sick, cast out devils, time; if they died they should live again; and preach the Gospel, they were fur- if they were buried they should burst the thermore to go without purse and scrip, barriers of the tomb and come forth to he saying unto them—"Freely ye have immortality. received, freely give." They went out in Seeing, then, that man is both a this kind of a way, without purse and mortal and an immortal being, having scrip, to preach the Gospel. By and by a to do with eternity as well as time, number of them returned, and he asked it is proper that he should become ac- them how they had fared. They told quainted with those principles that are him they had been preaching, and heal- so nearly concerned with his happiness ing the sick, and even devils were sub- and well-being in time and in eternity. ject to them in his name. Said he— We will let John Wesley, Luther, Calvin, "Rejoice not, that devils are subject to Melancthon, Henry the Eighth, and any you; but rather rejoice, that your names other organizer of religion go, and we are written in heaven," that you are will come to the Scriptures of truth and the Lord's, that God is your friend; re- see what they say about it. Christ, we joice that you have been brought into are told, brought life and immortality to communication with God, and that you light, and he did it through the medium have received the everlasting Gospel, of the Gospel. And what course did he which brings life and immortality to pursue in doing this? The Scriptures in- light. This was their position, and they form us that when Jesus commenced to listened to the teachings of Jesus, and preach the Gospel he called men from we all—that is all these various parties HONESTY OF PURPOSE, ETC. 307 of which I have spoken—believe that Je- them to understand the designs of God sus was the Son of God; we all believe and lead them into all truth, not into one that he was the Anointed, elect and sent little truth or two little truths; but into of God. And speaking of himself he all truth. What a privilege, what a bless- said—"I and the Father are one," and "he ing, what a rich legacy to impart unto who has seen me has seen the Father." his followers! Only think of men being He taught them a great many things per- in possession of a principle which should taining to their present happiness and enable them, under all circumstances, future exaltation, and he spoke of a time to discriminate between truth and error, that should come when the Saints should virtue and vice; between those princi- inherit the earth. When he was about ples which would ennoble and elevate, to be crucified, to be offered as a sacri- and those which would overthrow and fice to do the will of his heavenly Father, destroy, and which should make them ac- and to open up the way of life and sal- quainted with God and the principles of vation, that man might attain to exalta- eternal life. tion in the kingdom of God, he told his I pause here, and ask, will this prin- disciples that it behooved Christ to suf- ciple or spirit lead one man to be a fer, and to be raised from the dead on Methodist, another to be a Presbyterian, the third day, and that repentance and another to be an Episcopalian, another remission of sins should be preached in to be a "Mormon," another a Quaker, an- his name among all nations. other something else, passing through Now let us examine the position of all the various phases, notions, theo- those disciples. I believe a good deal ries and ideas that prevail in the Chris- in first principles. I want to examine tian world? Is this the spirit that Jesus things candidly and honestly, and to see promised to impart unto his people, or what kind of a position they occupied in is it confusion and darkness? Scientifi- those days. When Jesus was about to cally it is not true, philosophically it is leave his disciples he told them that it not true, religiously it is not true. The was necessary that he should go away; spirit that Jesus promised to impart to for said he, "If I go not away the Com- his disciples was to lead them into all forter will not come." There was some- truth, and to enable them to comprehend thing remarkable about this expression. all correct principles; and it is said—"As "If I go not away, the Comforter will many as are led by the Spirit of God, not come; but if I go away, I will send are the sons of God," and says one, "Ye you the Comforter." What was that Com- have not received the spirit of bondage forter? It is important that we should again unto fear; but ye have received a understand this. That Comforter was Spirit, whereby you are enabled to cry, the Spirit of Truth. What should it Abba Father, or my Father, my Lord and do to them? It should "bring things my God." They had received a principle past to their remembrance, lead them of that kind, and there was nothing un- into all truth, and show them things to certain, conflicting or evanescent about come;" in other words it should bring life it; nothing tending to error, confusion and immortality to light; it should open or doubt, but everything tending to cer- the heavens to its possessors, enable tainty, life, light and intelligence; to the 308 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. blessing and happiness of the human and the visions of eternity were un- family, and to a knowledge of all things folded, he gazed upon all things as they necessary for their welfare in time, and existed then, and as they would exist in in all eternity. Said he—"If I go away, I after ages, and until the final winding- will send you the Comforter, which is the up scene. He saw and comprehended the Spirit of truth, and it shall bring things position of the various churches, and told past to your remembrance, it shall lead them that unless they repented and did you into all truth, and show you things their first works over again and obeyed to come;" in other words—"You, man, the behests of the Almighty, their can- who are made in the image of God, shall dlestick would be removed out of its be brought into your proper relation- place. He saw that Great Mystery Baby- ship with him. That spirit of intelli- lon, who "made all the earth drunk with gence which dwells in you shall be asso- the wine of her fornication." He saw her ciated with God—the God who dwells in fall like a millstone that was cast into eternity, communication shall be opened the sea and rise no more forever. He up between you and him, you shall be saw a great white throne and him who placed en rapport with him, and you sat upon it, and from before whose face shall realize and comprehend all things the heavens and the earth fled away; he pertaining to your well-being. It shall saw the dead, small and great, arise and bring things past to your remembrance, stand before him, brought to judgment; it shall lead you into all truth, and show he saw a new Jerusalem, descending, as you things to come. If there is any- a bride adorned for her husband; he saw thing behind the veil that is mysterious; events that should transpire through- if there is anything that the Prophets out every subsequent period of time un- saw when the visions of eternity were til the final winding-up scene, and com- unfolded to their view; if there are prin- prehended the whole matter. Why was ciples of life and salvation; if there is this? He had the Gospel that brought anything tending to exalt man in time life and immortality to light. He had re- and eternity, anything pertaining to eter- ceived that Comforter that Jesus spoke nal rewards and everlasting exaltation, of, which should bring things past to you are now in possession of a principle their remembrance, lead them into all which will unfold and develop these prin- truth and show them things to come. ciples to your mind." Well, there was something interest- That was the kind of Gospel they ing about that. It was not a kind of had then. And did they see, enjoy lullaby story that we hear now-a-days— and possess these things? Yes, for says "Hush-a-by-baby on the tree top, when Paul—"Whether in the spirit, or out of the wind blows the cradle will rock." It the spirit, I do not know; but I was was nothing of that kind. There was caught up into the third heavens, and something intellectual about it, some- I saw things that were unlawful to ut- thing tangible, and satisfactory to the ter." We read that John, while on the human mind, and calculated to meet Isle of Patmos, banished for his faith in the capacious desires thereof, and to God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, make a man feel that he was an in- was in the spirit on the Lord's day heritor of eternal life. It implanted HONESTY OF PURPOSE, ETC. 309 within him a hope blooming with immor- whether truth has turned into fiction, or tality and eternal life. It produced a cer- has falsehood turned into truth. How tainty in his mind and made him feel is it, if that was the Gospel then, and that everything else was as dung and God is the same yesterday, today and for- dross in comparison with the life and ever, and, as they say in the Church of light and power and intelligence which England—"As it was in the beginning, the Gospel imparted. is now and ever shall be, worlds with- What kind of ordinances did they out end, amen?" If that is true, then we have? They were very simple and ought to expect the same things today straightforward. We read that when as they had then, that is, if we profess the disciples were met together, on a the same Gospel. This is the way I rea- certain occasion in an upper room, the son, I cannot get at it any other way, I Spirit of God descended upon them as a cannot arrive at any other conclusion. It mighty rushing wind, and rested upon is reasonable, rational and philosophical; them as in cloven tongues of fire; and it agrees with every principle of science, they began to speak in other tongues as with every principle of intelligence that the Spirit of God gave them utterance. God has communicated to man. There were people there from the sur- Well having noticed a little of the re- rounding nations who heard the Apos- sults of the Gospel in ancient days, let tles speak, in their own tongues, the us inquire into the principles taught in wonderful works of God. They did not those days. We have a very remark- know what it meant? Said they—"These able account of affairs on the Day of men are drunk." Peter answered—"Oh, Pentecost. The Apostles had been wait- no, that is a slight mistake you have ing at Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy made, they are not drunk, it is only nine Ghost. They had been promised it by o'clock, the third hour of the day—people Jesus and they expected it. Neither do not get drunk so early." "Well, what is the Church nor the Apostles had had it then?" Said Peter—"This is that which time, from the ascension of Jesus, to was spoken of by the Prophet Joel—It get corrupted, nor to introduce any false shall come to pass in the last days, saith principles. They were the recipients of God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all the favor of God, and his Spirit finally flesh. Your old men shall dream dreams, rested upon them as in cloven tongues of and your young men shall see visions, fire and when the people of the various and upon my servants and handmaidens nations assembled at Jerusalem heard will I pour out in those days of my Spirit; them declare the wonderful works of and they shall prophesy;" that is it shall God, many of them were pricked in their place them in communion with God and hearts, and they cried out—"Men and enable them to have dreams and visions, brethren, what shall we do? We believe to prophesy and see things to come; in the statement you have made; we believe other words, it will make them Prophets. that the Messiah, promised by our an- This is the kind of religion they had in cient Prophets, has been taken by wicked that day. hands and crucified and slain; we believe I sometimes reflect and wonder what you say concerning his resurrec- whether the same effects would fol- tion, and that although he was placed low if we had that religion today, or in the tomb he has burst its barriers 310 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and has ascended to the right hand of his are afar off, even as many as the Lord Father; we believe all these things, now our God shall call." If you can show me what shall we do?" Said Peter—"Repent, a people that the Lord our God does not and be baptized every one of you for the call, I will show you a people to whom remission of your sins, and you shall re- this promise does not apply. ceive the Holy Ghost." Who were they Here are things that are very simple whom he told to repent and be baptized? and straightforward. Why can't we in- The Jews and the Gentiles, the Phar- vestigate them. The same cause will pro- isees, doctors, lawyers, rabbis, and all duce the same effect now as then. It is men of every creed, profession and na- in vain for us to deny those things; we tion, "Repent, and be baptized every one have no right to do so until we have com- of you in the name of Jesus Christ for plied with the requisitions made and ap- the remission of your sins." "What, we plied the tests. If we were using any doctors?" "Yes." "We lawyers?" "Yes." "We chemical tests, for scientific analysis, we divines?" "Yes, all of you." "What shall should go strictly by the rules laid down; we receive if we do?" "The Holy Ghost." why should we not do the same with re- "What is that?" "Just what you have seen gard to the Gospel of life and salvation? here." "Shall we all have it if we do this?" Here is the law laid down, plain and "Yes." And they went forth and were bap- straightforward, in the word of God, for tized, and three thousand were added to it is in the Christian's Bible that these the Church the same day. The Apostle things are contained. It is this very Je- did not tell them to come to any class sus that they all believe in who talks meeting, mourning bench or anything of about these things, and his twelve Apos- that kind. There was not anything of tles bear him out, and bear testimony that sort in the program. They were not to the same things. Here is a religious so well educated in sectarianism then law plainly indicated, which we have no as we are now, and had not invented so more right to ignore than we have any many systems of religion or bodies of di- scientific formula in relation to earthly vinity then as now. In those days they things. had to take things as God gave them, But to proceed. We find his disci- that was, to repent and be baptized in ples baptizing; and after Jesus rose from the name of Jesus for the remission of the dead he appeared to them, and he sins, and they should receive the Holy told them to go forth and preach, not Ghost. the theories and opinions of men, but the Gospel that brought life and im- mortality to light. Said he—"Go and Will obedience to that Gospel do the preach the gospel to every creature. He same thing for us? Yes. Why? Pe- that believeth and is baptized shall be ter said, "The promise is unto you, and saved; he that believeth not shall be your children, and to all who are afar damned. And these signs shall fol- off, even as many as the Lord our God low them that believe, &c." They went shall call." This thing was not confined forth and proclaimed his word, in his to one, two, three, twelve or seventy name and by his authority, and what- individuals, but said Peter, "It extends ever they did they did in his name and to you"—the vast concourse then before by his authority. Jesus said unto them, him—"to your children, and to all that "Whatsoever you shall bind on earth HONESTY OF PURPOSE, ETC. 311 shall be bound in heaven: and whatso- the everlasting Gospel? Why the Gospel ever you shall loose on earth shall be that Adam had, the Gospel that Noah, loosed in heaven." Some may say, "That Abraham and the Prophets had; the is Catholicism." Well, then, so far, I am Gospel that Jesus brought—the ever- a Catholic, for I believe in everything lasting Gospel, the Gospel that existed contained in the Scriptures pertaining from eternity to eternity, the system or to these matters. "Don't you think this medium through which God saves the is a great heresy?" I think it would be human family—the Gospel which brings greater heresy to disbelieve it. I do not life and immortality to light. Why, say believe that everybody has this author- some, "I thought nobody had the Gospel ity and power; but only those whom God until Jesus came." You thought very fool- calls and sets apart in the way here spo- ishly if you thought that, for Jesus, ken of. They had power "to bind on earth speaking of Abraham said—"Abraham and to bind in heaven—to loose on earth saw my day, and was glad." He had and to loose in heaven." That is Catholi- communication with God and revelation cism, is it? Well, let us see a little fur- from him. And how did he have it? ther how it goes. "Peter, how did you for- Through the Gospel. How do you know give sins? Did you have power to forgive it? Paul tells us so; your Paul, you know, sins?" "Yes." "How did you exercise it?" that you believe in, he tells us so. What, "I called upon the people to repent and that Abraham had the Gospel? Yes, he to be baptized in the name of Jesus for says, "God, foreseeing that he would jus- the remission of sins, and promised them tify the heathen through faith, preached that they should receive the Holy Ghost. before the gospel unto Abraham." Did he That is the way that I forgave sins. And have it? Yes, it was through that medium then I laid on hands for the reception of that life and immortality were brought the Holy Ghost; and when men received to light. And Moses, in the wilderness, this Holy Ghost it took of the things of had the Gospel, and preached it to the God and showed them unto them." people. "What, Moses?" Yes. "Well, I thought there was no Gospel until Je- These are some of the leading prin- sus came." You thought, I say again, ciples of the Gospel of Christ. I might very foolishly. "We," says the apostle, talk for hours on the subject. These are "have the gospel preached unto us as the kind of things God has revealed to well as they: but the word preached did us. People say we are fanatics. Perhaps not profit them, not being mixed with we are, but if we are, Peter, James, John faith in those who heard it; wherefore and Paul were fanatics, for they believed the law was added because of trans- in the very principles that I have been gression." Added to what? Why, to the laying before you today; and when God Gospel which they had before. What was restored this Gospel, he simply restored the law? The law of carnal command- what is called "the everlasting gospel." ments and ordinances which the Apostle John said, "I saw another angel flying in says—"neither we nor our fathers were the midst of heaven, having the everlast- able to bear." How long did the law con- ing gospel to preach to those who dwell tinue? Until Christ came. Who was on the earth." What do you mean by Christ? A priest forever after the order of 312 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Melchizedek. Who was Melchizedek? A until you can "see as you are seen, and greater than Abraham, for he had the know as you are known." Having com- Gospel and blessed Abraham. All of menced in the principles of truth and ob- those ancient worthies had a knowledge tained the Spirit of light and intelligence of the Gospel, and of life and immortality that flows from God through obedience through the Gospel. to the Gospel, it is for us to "purify our- This is the same thing that is com- selves even as God is pure," and purge municated unto us. It is our privi- from ourselves all corruption, iniquity, lege, it is the privilege of all men who fraud, lying and evil of every kind, all yield obedience to the Gospel. It is your adultery, fornication, seduction and las- privilege, you Latter-day Saints, to live civiousness; and everything that would in the enjoyment of this light and im- corrupt and destroy the human family, mortality. According to your faithful- and seek after everything that is high, ness you have experienced more or less noble, exciting and praiseworthy among of this spirit of revelation, light and men, and among the Gods, that when we truth, and the power of God, and by get through with this world we may ob- living your religion you can go on from tain an everlasting inheritance in the ce- strength to strength, intelligence to in- lestial kingdom. telligence, from revelation to revelation,

THE CREATION—THE SEVENTH THOUSAND YEARS, AND EVENTS WHICH ARE TO FOLLOW THE PERIOD OF THE MILLENNIUM.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE SIXTEENTH WARD MEETING ROOMS,NOV. 22, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I will read the first ten verses of the "And he laid hold on the dragon, that 20th chapter of the Revelation given to old serpent, which is the Devil, and Sa- St. John, the "beloved disciple," while on tan, and bound him a thousand years, the Isle of Patmos: "And cast him into the bottom- less pit, and shut him up, and set "And I saw an angel come down from a seal upon him, that he should de- heaven, having the key of the bottom- ceive the nations no more, till the thou- less pit and a great chain in his hand. sand years should be fulfilled: and THE CREATION, ETC. 313 after that he must be loosed a little sea- devil will have no power to tempt the son. children of men, and this happy period "And I saw thrones, and they sat will last for one thousand years. There upon them, and judgment was given never has been a period since the cre- unto them: and I saw the souls of them ation, but what the devil has had more that were beheaded for the witness of Je- or less power or influence over the inhab- sus, and for the word of God, and which itants of our world. Such has been the had not worshiped the beast, neither his case from the day that he came before image, neither had received his mark our first parents in the Garden of Eden, upon their foreheads, or in their hands; until the present. We have an account, and they lived and reigned with Christ a however, of a period of time when he had thousand years. not much dominion, that was in the days "But the rest of the dead lived not of the flood. After the wicked were de- again until the thousand years were fin- stroyed, there were eight persons in the ished. This is the first resurrection. ark, sailing upon the waters, over whom, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part I presume, Satan had very little power. in the first resurrection: on such the sec- With the exception of this short period, ond death hath no power, but they shall in which the earth was submerged and be priests of God and of Christ, and shall the ark was sailing upon the waters, the reign with him a thousand years. devil has exercised power over the hearts "And when the thousand years are of the children of men in all ages and expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his countries. There seems to be a very prison, great amount of evil in existence at the "And shall go out to deceive the na- present time, for people are being con- tions which are in the four quarters of tinually stirred up to commit all manner the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather of abomination—robbery, murder, blas- them together to battle: the number of pheming the name of the Deity, and the whom is as the sand of the sea. violation of every command that he has "And they went up on the breadth of ever given. There is a time, however, the earth, and compassed the camp of to come, when this earth will be depop- the saints about, and the beloved city: ulated of the wicked to the same extent and fire came down from God out of as it once was by the waters of the flood. heaven, and devoured them. The waters then made an entire sweep "And the devil that deceived them of the wicked, they were laid low, and was cast into the lake of fire and brim- the earth was cleansed. We might, in stone, where the beast and false prophet other words, call it a baptism of the earth are, and shall be tormented day and by water, or a cleansing of it from sin. night forever and ever." You know that baptism is intended for In the words which I have read, we the remission of sins; it is the ordinance have perhaps as much revealed in regard through which our heavenly Father for- to the Millennium, as we will find in any gives the sins of those who believe in his of the revelations which God has given Son Jesus Christ. The promise of for- to man. We can understand from these giveness, however, is on condition that words that a time is to come in which the we believe in the atonement made by the 314 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Savior, that we repent of our sins, and James' translation, is not fully revealed. that we are baptized or immersed in wa- There is a translation, however, that ter for the remission thereof. That was was given by inspiration, which makes the way with our earth. Some eighteen the subject more clear and plain, and hundred or two thousand years after the more easy to be understood, than the fall our earth was immersed in water, uninspired translation that is gener- and every sin was swept from the face ally called King James' translation of of it, the same as your sins were for- the Bible. This inspired translation by given when you acknowledged your be- the Prophet Joseph Smith, says—"I, the lief in the atonement of the Son of God, Lord God, created darkness upon the and were baptized by immersion in the face of the great deep; And I, God, said, name of Jesus Christ for the remission Let there be light, and there was light. of your sins. There seems to be a sim- And the evening and the morning were ilarity, then, so far as these ordinances the first day." This makes it very plain are concerned, between the inhabitants compared with the old uninspired trans- of the earth who are saved and the earth lation. I will repeat the quotation, "I, itself; there is also a similarity, in the the Lord God, created darkness upon the process of creation, between the earth face of the great deep." and its inhabitants. The earth when cre- ated, according to the accounts we have, It would seem, that light had been was covered with a flood of waters; no shining previous to this time. The uni- dry land, in fact no land at all, appeared, verse, probably was lighted up, so far as but a flood of waters seemed to encom- it existed, and that light shone forth over pass it. By and by, in the providence the face of this embryo creation. Where of God, in what way we know not, this that light came from or how it was pro- flood of waters was gathered together duced is not mentioned; but the Lord was into one place, and the dry land ap- obliged to create darkness in order to en- peared, emerging from the waters. This velop the earth therein. There are many was the birth of creation, the same as ways in which this might have been ac- we are born here into this world, from complished. The sun was not permit- one element into another. After hav- ted to shine forth on the first, second, or ing been brought forth from the element third day of creation, but on the fourth of water, the process of creation, or the day it was permitted to give its light to further development of the earth con- the earth. Whether the sun shone upon tinued. It did not come forth perfect the face of this creation, before the Lord in every respect at the time of birth, it created darkness, is not for me to say. had to undergo other processes neces- If it did, it would be an easy matter for sary to prepare it for the abode of man. him to withhold the rays of that bright It seems, from the account contained in luminary in such a manner as seemed the first of Genesis, that the earth was good in his sight, the same as he did not only immersed in a flood of waters, among the ancient Nephites who dwelt but that darkness was upon the face on this continent at the time of the cruci- of the earth, that is, the earth seemed fixion. During the three days and three to be enclosed or enveloped in dark- nights that our Savior was in the tomb, ness. The cause of this darkness, in King thick darkness covered the face of this THE CREATION, ETC. 315 land, so that there was no light of the out of nothing. I hope that none of sun, neither of the moon, nor stars; and my audience will suppose for a moment so great was the darkness during that that I believe in such an absurdity as period, that the inhabitants who had not this. There is not a hint in all the fallen could feel it. The Lord had some Bible that God created this or any other method by which he created or produced world out of nothing. The work of cre- that darkness by shading the earth from ation was to take the materials that ex- the rays of the sun; but by and by he isted from all eternity, that never were said, "Let there be light," and light was created or made out of nothing, to take again restored. these self-existent materials and orga- Now these two states of being in nize them into a world. This is called which our earth existed are called first, creation. There is, however, a decla- the evening, and second, the morning— ration made by many religious people, and the evening and the morning were that "God created all things out of noth- the first day. Whether the day here ing." They even teach it in their Sunday mentioned was a period such as the one schools; but they have never been able to to which we now apply that term, we prove any such thing. It is one of those are not informed in the Bible, but from ideas which have got into the minds of what has been revealed to the Latter- people through the teachings of unin- day Saints we have great reason to be- spired men. The ancients—those who lieve that it was a very long period of lived many centuries before Christ, did time, and that this darkness existed over not believe this doctrine; but since the the face of the great deep for a long days of Christ, and since the days of the time. It might have been for many cen- great apostasy, they have got up the idea turies, we have no definite information that God made all things out of nothing, on this point. We find that, after the and they have incorporated it into their dry land appeared by the gathering to- disciplines, catechisms, Sunday school- gether of the waters in one place, God books, and various works which they created a firmament, dividing the waters have published. The Scriptures say—"In from the waters—the waters that were the beginning God created the heavens above the firmament from the waters and the earth." The word "create" does that were beneath. We do not exactly not mean make out of nothing. For in- understand the meaning of this. If we stance, when he says—"I created dark- had the process of creation unfolded to ness and I created light," what does he us, we should probably find that many of do? Does he absolutely form light out the materials of our globe once existed in of nothing? No, he causes the light a dispersed or scattered form, in a state that existed from all eternity to shine of chaos, and that the Lord, in collect- where darkness existed, and it is light ing them together, brought them from a creating light, the same as you, when distance in the solar system, and that you attend meeting, lock up your house in so doing, he took his own time and and blow out the lights. When you re- way, and wrought according to his own turn, supposing you say in your own laws, for, as far as we are acquainted, hearts, or to your wife, daughter, or son, the Lord works by law, and why not "Let there be light." Do you create it create by law? I do not mean make 316 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. out of nothing? No, you look for a match, together helped to form some other or for some means by which you can worlds. At any rate the firmanent was start the light and cause it to be ex- placed in such a manner as to divide the hibited, where darkness was before. So waters beneath it from those which were when God creates light he calls forth and above it. According to the theory which makes to shine that light which has ex- is accepted by some as being true, the isted from all eternity. We read that God planets of our system are supposed to is light. Was there ever a time that God have been originally formed by a rota- did not exist? No, and if he is light there tion on its axis of a nebulous fluid, that never was a time when light did not ex- was expanded far beyond the bounds of ist, one being as eternal as the other. our present solar system; that by rota- In order to prove that light did exist tion and condensation nebulous masses long before this world was called forth were thrown off or detached from the from the womb of the great waters, long great parent body, and that the orbits before God said, "Let there be light," assumed by the parent mass and its de- so far as this earth was concerned, I tached masses, are the necessary results will refer you to some discoveries that of their respective directions and veloc- have been made by philosophers and as- ities at the instant of detachment, com- tronomers of the present day. They have bined with the laws of gravitation, and invented telescopes that are of such pen- the relative positions of their respective etrating power that they have discov- centers of gravity. That in like man- ered systems of worlds at such an im- ner, a still further operation of similar mense distance in space, that they cal- laws finally formed secondary planets or culate their light would take six hun- moons. This nebulous fluid, extending dred thousand years to reach our sys- for millions of miles, might indeed be tem. Very well then, how long must called a firmament, containing the con- it have been on the journey when the stituents of water, both above and be- Lord said—"Let there be light," so far neath, as recorded in Genesis. as this creation is concerned? I answer, But what I wish to more fully explain, that light was traveling five hundred and on this occasion, is the length of the ninety-four thousand years before that days of creation—the days mentioned in time; consequently light must have ex- which God performed certain portions of isted, at least, half a million years before his work. It is said, that in six days he the Lord said—"Let there be light," so far formed this world of ours, and that on as this globe was concerned. the fourth day he formed the sun and In gathering together the materials the moon and the stars. What I under- that were scattered in space, the fir- stand by the formation of these celes- mament that I was speaking of seems tial luminaries, is that he then caused to have been one of the parts of cre- them to shed forth their light. I can- ation, necessary in the grand process not suppose that it would take the Lord of collecting and condensing the con- six days to form such a little speck of stituents of our globe; and in doing this a world as ours, and then for him on I do not know but what some portions the fourth day to form a globe fourteen of the atmospheric materials collected hundred thousand times larger than THE CREATION, ETC. 317 the earth. This does not look consis- which it was being prepared as a habita- tent to me. If it took six days to form a tion for man, must have been six thou- small world like ours, we might certainly sand of our years. When the Lord spoke suppose that it would require more than to Adam, after having placed him in the one day to form the sun, which contains Garden of Eden, concerning the forbid- a quantity of matter sufficient to make den fruit, saying—"In the day that thou some three hundred and fifty-four thou- eatest thereof thou shalt surely die!" we sand worlds like this, and whose actual cannot suppose that the day there re- size or magnitude is fourteen hundred ferred to meant a day of twenty-four thousand times larger than our globe; hours. It could not have meant that, for consequently I understand by the for- history informs us that Adam lived al- mation of the sun and of the moon and most one thousand years from the time stars, and setting them in the firmament of the Fall; but before the day of a thou- of the heavens, that he merely suffered sand years had wholly passed away his their light to shine on the fourth day, death did take place. to regulate the evenings and mornings The book of Abraham, translated by that were produced prior to that time, the Prophet Joseph Smith, also contains probably by some other cause. The Lord an account of the creation and the fall wanted, by these luminaries, to divide of man; but the word translated "day" the day from the night, and he set them in Genesis is translated in the Book for times and for seasons in the firma- of Abraham "time"—"in the time that ment of the heavens. thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." In the next sentence the same book These six days in which the Lord per- says, speaking of time—"The reckoning formed this work, I do not believe, were of time was not yet given to man," that each limited to twenty-four hours, as are is, the Lord had reckoned previous to the periods which we now call day; in- that period by the diurnal rotations of deed, when we come to new revelation, Kolob, and that, without doubt, was the we find some light on this subject. In day referred to in which our first parents the Book of Abraham, as well as in the should die, if they ate of the forbidden inspired translation of the Scriptures, fruit. given through Joseph Smith, the Lord We will now come to the seventh pe- says, in speaking of the work of creating riod of creation—the seventh thousand this earth, that he was governed by ce- years; that is called in Scripture a day lestial time. According to this new rev- of rest, that is supposing that what were elation, there is a certain great world, called days in the beginning were a thou- called Kolob, placed near one of the ce- sand years. The Lord rested from his lestial kingdoms, whose diurnal rotation labors the seventh day. What particu- takes place once in a thousand of our lar period of time within that day Adam years; and that celestial time was mea- fell I do not know; but one thing is cer- sured by those celestial beings, by the tain, that in the morning of the seventh rotations of Kolob, hence one day with day the Garden of Eden was planted the Lord was a thousand of our years. and he was placed therein, and dur- If this was the case, the six days of the ing that morning a great many things creation of our earth, the six days during transpired pertaining to this temporal 318 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. creation. In the preceding six days was After six thousand years should pass completed the formation or creation of away, during which Satan should have the earth, after the spiritual order that more or less dominion over the inhabi- man was formed or born in the heavens. tants of this world, he, in the seventh All men, male and female, that ever have period, or the seventh thousand years, lived, or that ever will live on this earth, should be bound, should have no domin- had a pre-existence before the formation ion over the earth or its inhabitants. of the earth commenced; and during our In order to show you this type still pre-existence in the heavens, the earth further, we will pass along over the flood, was undergoing this formation. which was merely a type of the baptism of redemption, and we will come down After man and woman were placed in to the day when this great period shall the Garden of Eden, we find that they arrive, when Satan shall be bound and were tempted. By whom? By a being wickedness be swept from the face of the or beings who once dwelt in the pres- earth. This is to be done by a variety ence of God, in his celestial kingdom. of judgments, the last of which is called They once were angels of light and truth, fire. The Prophet Malachi says—"The having authority in the presence of the day shall come that shall burn as an Father. But they rebelled against God; oven; and all the proud, and they who do and one of those angels, named Lucifer, wickedly, shall become as stubble: and when they were talking over the great the day that comes shall burn them up, plan of redemption and salvation for the saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave inhabitants of the future creation, pro- them neither root nor branch. But unto posed a plan by which he would redeem them who fear my name shall the Sun of all mankind, that not one soul should righteousness arise with healing in his be lost. But his plan was rejected, be- wings; and they shall go forth, and grow cause it destroyed the agency of man, be- up like calves of the stall. And they shall ing contrary to God's plan; for he desires tread down the wicked; and they shall that all intelligent beings shall be free in be ashes under the soles of their feet in the exercise of their agency. Because his the day that I do this, saith the Lord of plan was rejected, Lucifer rebelled, and hosts." a third part of the hosts of heaven joined Here then is a declaration how this him, and they were all cast down, and it earth is to be cleansed the second time was this being who entered into a beast, from wickedness, namely, by fire, which called a serpent and tempted Eve in the is a more powerful element than wa- Garden of Eden, and that was the begin- ter. The earth is to be cleansed by ning of his power on this earth. fire; in other words, the elements are The events of this creation, the for- to be melted with fervent heat. This mation of the earth, the different day's is the declaration of several of the work, &c., and finally the great day of prophets. David, in speaking of this rest after the six days were ended, were period, in one of his psalms, says, all typical, the latter especially, typify- the mountains shall melt like wax be- ing what should take place in regard fore the presence of the Lord when to the future existence of this creation. he shall come. You know how wax THE CREATION, ETC. 319 melts when exposed to the influence of I remember correctly, "the lowermost heat. So, when the Lord comes, will pit," which, to my mind is more consis- the elements melt and the mountains tent than a pit that has no bottom. Satan flow down at his presence with fervent is to be cast into this pit, and a seal set heat. This will cleanse the earth as it upon him, and he is to be bound with a was cleansed in the days of Noah, only chain, and will have no power or domin- by another element called fire. This is ion upon this earth. He and all the fallen typical of the cleansing of those who em- angels with him, are to be kept in that brace the plan of salvation. After you pit until the thousand years are ended. have been immersed, as this earth was, Now, then, all the inhabitants who in the water, and been cleansed and re- are spared from this fire—those who ceived the remission of your sins, you are not proud, and who do not do also have the promise of baptism of fire wickedly, will be cleansed more fully and and of the Holy Ghost, by which you filled with the glory of God. A partial are purified, as well justified and sanc- change will be wrought upon them, not tified from all your evil affections, and a change to immortality, like that which you feel to love God and that which is all the Saints will undergo when they just and true, and to hate that which are changed in the twinkling of an eye, is sinful and evil. Why? Because of from mortality to immortality; but so this sanctifying, purifying principle that great will be the change then wrought comes upon you, by the baptism of fire that the children who are born into the and the Holy Ghost. So must this earth world will grow up without sin unto be baptized by fire, it must be cleansed salvation. Why will this be so? Be- from all sin and impurity. Will it be filled cause that fallen nature, introduced by with the Holy Ghost? Yes. These ele- the fall, and transferred from parents ments that melt like wax before the pres- to children, from generation to genera- ence of the Lord will again be filled with tion, will be, in a measure, eradicated his Spirit and will be renewed, and the by this change. Then the righteous will earth itself will be full of the knowledge go forth, and grow up like calves of the of God as the waters cover the channels stall; and one revelation says, their chil- of the great deep. It will enter into the dren shall grow up without sin unto sal- elements of creation, so that the curse vation. Satan having no power to tempt which came in consequence of the fall them, these children will not sin. of man will be removed from the earth, The question may arise here—"Will it and the elements will be cleansed, not be possible for men to sin during the Mil- only by fire but by the Spirit of the living lennium?" Yes. Why? Because they have God, which will mingle with and purify not lost their agency. Agency always con- them. Satan, that arch-deceiver, will be tinues wherever intelligent beings are, bound, and a seal will be set upon him, whether in heaven, on the earth, or and King James' translation of the Scrip- among any of the creations that God has tures tells us that he will be cast into made; wherever you find intelligent be- the bottomless pit. But in the inspired ings, there you will find an agency, not to translation I have referred to, it reads, if the same extent perhaps, under all cir- 320 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. cumstances, but yet there is always the refuse to comply with the commands exercise of agency where there is intel- of the Most High, and thus bring ligence. For instance, when Satan is upon themselves speedy destruction, by bound and a seal set upon him in this famine, through the rain being withheld. lowermost pit, his agency is partially de- And in the case of the people of Egypt, stroyed in some things. He will not have where the withholding of rain does not power to come out of that pit; now he has now affect them, they being supplied by that power; then he will not have power water from the Nile, the Lord has pre- to tempt the children of men, now he pared a special judgment. If they will has that power; consequently his agency not come up to Jerusalem, year by year, then will be measurably destroyed or we are told that their eyes shall consume taken away, but not in full. The Lord will away in their holes, and their flesh fall not destroy the agency of the people dur- from their bones. Then again, we read ing the Millennium, therefore there will in the sixty-fifth chapter of Isaiah that— be a possibility of their sinning during "There shall be no more thence an infant that time. But if they who live then do of days, nor an old man that hath not sin, it will not be because of the power filled his days: for the child shall die a of the devil to tempt them, for he will hundred years old; but the sinner being have no power over them, and they will a hundred years old shall be accursed," sin merely because they choose to do so showing that, when that day shall come, of their own free will. the people will have their lives prolonged To show you that such will be the on the earth to the age of a tree, growing case, let me quote some Scripture. Af- up to be a hundred years old, then if they ter Jesus comes with all his Saints with sin they shall be accursed, proving that him, and stands on the Mount of Olives, there is a possibility of sinning. we find that the Lord will require all In regard to this partial change that the nations round about Jerusalem, to will be wrought upon the people in those go up and worship the King, the Lord days, let no one suppose that this is of Hosts, and to keep the feast of taber- inconsistent with the dealings of the nacles, and that there shall be one Lord Lord, for we have on record in the Book and his name one. There will be no hea- of Mormon, that he did accomplish a then gods in those days, but during the work similar to this upon the bodies of Millennium he will require all the peo- at least four men who once lived upon ple to go to Jerusalem, the headquar- this globe, three of whom belonged to ters on that continent, to worship him. the twelve disciples which Jesus, per- Now, will it be possible for the people sonally, chose to minister on this west- in that day to sin? Yes; for we read, ern continent. They had a desire to in the same chapter, if the people go live while the world should stand, for not up, that upon all such nations there the purpose of bringing souls unto Je- shall no rain descend during the time sus, and the Lord granted unto them of their transgression. It seems then their desire. But first the heavens by this that there will be a chance for were opened, and they were caught up, the people, during that happy period, to and they saw and heard unspeakable THE CREATION, ETC. 321 things, things that were not lawful to no power over their bodies. This par- be uttered, and which they were forbid- tial change, then, was sufficient to pre- den to utter, and it seemed to them like serve them to live without pain and sick- unto a transfiguration. They, neverthe- ness, and without Satan having power to less, came down again out of heaven, af- tempt them and lead them astray, and ter having had this great feast, and they they would have no sorrow in relation to went forth upon the face of this land themselves, but only in regard to the sins in connection with nine others of their of the world, and on this account they quorum, and ministered among the peo- sorrowed considerably. ple, and so great was their faith, that It seems then, that if God did, in an- when their enemies shut them in pris- cient times, so show forth his power, as ons, the prisons were rent in twain, and to operate upon three men on this Amer- they came forth from their confinement. ican Continent, and one on the East- Again, when they dug pits in the earth, ern Continent, namely, John the Reve- however deep, and cast them down into lator, so that the power of death could them, they smote the earth by the word not be exercised over them, that they of God, and were delivered out of the pits could tarry and live here on the earth and came forth unharmed. Again, when for eighteen hundred or two thousand they cast them three times into fur- years, as the case may be, he can per- naces of fire, they came forth unharmed; form the same in regard to the Latter- and when they cast them into dens of day Saints, that they also shall live; and wild beasts, they played with them as a inasmuch as they are permitted to dwell child would play with a suckling lamb, here in the presence of Jesus, it is rea- and came forth unharmed, and they per- sonable to believe that they will ask, formed mighty miracles, and signs, and and desire, and seek unto him to re- wonders in connection with the other ceive this partial change. And will he members of the Twelve. They also built grant it? Yes. But yet there is to be a up the Church of God upon all the face of falling asleep; notwithstanding this par- this land, and all the inhabitants thereof tial change, they will fall asleep, when were converted and brought to a knowl- they have come to full maturity, or the edge of the truth. full age of man. But they will not be deposited in the grave—this is what the These three men tarried among the Lord has told us—they will be raised Nephites until between three and four again immediately after having fallen hundred years after Christ, and until asleep, raised again to immortality and the wickedness of the people became so eternal life, instead of being buried and great that the Lord took them out of seeing corruption. Those persons, there- their midst. Mormon, in speaking of fore, who die under these circumstances, these three men, inquired of the Lord, have not the experience of a long absence whether they did receive a change to im- from their bodies, their spirits are only mortality at the time they were caught separated for a moment, as it were, and up into heaven. The Lord answered and then they are permitted to come forth told him, that they did not receive a full in the beauty of immortality and eternal change, but only so much that Satan had life. no power over them, and sickness had The same revelation that speaks 322 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of the Saints being raised after falling them, and overcome some of them, so asleep, in the twinkle of an eye, says that they will rebel against God; not they shall be caught up, and their rest rebel in ignorance or dwindle in unbe- shall be glorious. Now, if all the immor- lief, as the Lamanites did; but they will tal, resurrected Saints are to be here on sin willfully against the law of heaven, the earth, and Jesus himself here, where and so great will the power of Satan be will they, who live and die, and are res- over them, that he will gather them to- urrected during the Millennium, go to gether against the Saints and against when they are caught up? They go away the beloved city, and fire will come down from Jesus, if Jesus is to be here all the out of heaven and consume them. time, and they will also go away from the After this shall have taken place, a rest of the resurrected Saints, who reign great white throne will appear, on which on the earth, if the latter are wholly lim- the Divine Judge will be seated, from ited to this earth. But the idea is that before whose face the heaven and earth they are caught up and have the privi- shall flee away, and no place will be lege of beholding the heavens, the celes- found for them. This change in the earth tial paradise, the celestial mansions; and is very different from the one I have spo- then, whenever it is wisdom and nec- ken of, wrought by the baptism of fire. essary to come down here on the earth One is a sanctification and cleansing of to reign as kings and priests, the same the earth, the other is a complete disso- as Jesus, and the Twelve Apostles will lution and passing away thereof. When have their thrones, and eat and drink at the earth is thus dissolved and passes the Lord's table here on the earth, and away, where will it go to? Will it go out of judge the twelve tribes of Israel; so will existence? No, not one particle of mate- all those other Saints reign on earth who rial that now enters into all the creations are counted worthy to receive kingdoms which God has made ever had a begin- and thrones. ning, or will ever have an end. The ma- When the period called the Millen- terials exist co-eternally with God. The nium has passed away, Satan will again materials of which the earth is composed be loosed. Now the query arises, Will may be dispersed, and the earth may Satan have power to deceive those who pass away as an organized globe, before have lived on the earth, and have fallen the face of him who sits upon the throne, asleep for a moment, and have received and this may be accomplished by fire, their immortal bodies? No, he will not. which not only melts the elements, but When they have passed through their causes them to be separated and scat- probation, and have received their im- tered in space. mortal bodies, Satan will have no power Before this takes place the last trump over them. Thus generation after gen- will sound. All the Saints that are on the eration will pass away, during the Mil- earth, in the camp, and in the beloved lennium, but by and by, at the close of city, around about the old and new that period, unnumbered millions of the Jerusalems, when Satan's army is con- posterity of those who lived during the sumed and this trump shall sound, will Millennium will be scattered in the four be caught up, and those who have not quarters of the earth, and Satan will undergone their full change from mor- be loosed, and will go forth and tempt tality to immortality will be changed in THE CREATION, ETC. 323 the twinkling of an eye. As Paul said to sea of glass, and then, after all things the Corinthians—"We shall not all sleep, are made new, and old things have but we shall be changed, in the twinkling passed away, the two Jerusalems will of an eye." At what time? When the last come down from God out of heaven, and trump shall sound, after the thousand will rest upon the new earth, the new years are ended, they shall be changed Jerusalem standing upon this continent, and caught up. Where are they taken to? and the old Jerusalem brought again to Up into the celestial heavens, to those in- where it formerly stood. Then God him- visible creations that are in space, which self will be with them, and he will wipe have passed through their ordeals, and away all tears from their eyes, and there been sanctified, glorified and made ce- will be no more sorrow, nor mourning, lestial. What will they be caught up neither any more death, for the former for? That they may not pass away, when things will have passed away, and all the earth passes away. What becomes of things will have become new. This land the wicked, those who were consumed to or hemisphere will be the abiding place ashes, who lived before the Millennium? of the New Jerusalem forever and ever. They are called forth by the sound of Now, do you not see that there is the last trump, and caught up also to be a similarity in regard to God's dealings judged; and they who are filthy will be with the earth and with the inhabitants filthy still, and they who are unholy will who dwell upon its face? The earth has remain unholy still, they who are happy to undergo a change as well as our bod- will be happy still; both small and great ies. As our bodies may be burned at in that day, will stand before God, and the stake and the ashes blown to the be judged out of the things written in the four winds of heaven, so will the earth books, every man according to his works. be burned and pass away; and in the same manner as our bodies are renewed We might say considerable in rela- out of the elements which once entered tion to these books, as they are revealed into their composition, or at least a suf- in the Book of Mormon and elsewhere, ficient quantity thereof to make a new but we will pass along. By and by it body, so will the earth have to be re- will be needful to have a new earth. newed again and resurrected, redeemed Now how does the Lord make this new and made immortal from the elements of earth? He makes it out of the mate- which it was formerly composed, so that rials of the old one. This very earth those immortal beings who are brought on which we dwell, whose elements are forth from the grave will have an im- to be melted and sanctified with fer- mortal earth to dwell upon. There is a vent heat, in order that the Saints may type of this thing also in regard to our reign upon it for a thousand years; this first parents. When this earth issued very earth that will pass away and no from the hands of the Almighty it was in- place be found for it as an organized tended for an eternal duration; in other earth, will be resurrected, the elements words, it was an immortal earth or cre- thereof will be brought together again, ation, all things being pronounced very as they were in the beginning, and they good. But man brought a curse upon the will be sanctified and purified, and made earth, he brought death into the world, holy and celestial, and become like a he brought a curse upon the waters and 324 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. upon all the materials of our globe, and coming of Christ, 3,950 years. Then hence, as man has to be sanctified and to you take another celebrated man, Father pass through the several ordeals neces- Pezron, and he makes it 5,873 years from sary for that purpose, so does the earth; the creation to Christ. Then you take and when man has got through with the one who has given the chronology these ordeals and becomes immortal, so to the Bible, Archbishop Usher, and he will his abiding place become immortal, makes it 4,004, years from the creation and he will inherit it forever and ever. to Christ. Another chronologist, Jose- Our first parents were not mortal when phus, makes it 4,163 years; and you take they were placed on this earth, but they some other Jewish chronologists, and were as immortal as those who are res- they make it as high as 6,524 years from urrected in the presence of God. Death the creation to Christ. How are you go- came into the world by their transgres- ing to judge? You may take over two hun- sion, they produced mortality; hence this dred other chronologists, whose names will be a complete restoration, of which I are given, and they all have their spe- am speaking. cial dates; consequently, you see, we are We are living, Latter-day Saints, near utterly at a loss, and without new rev- the close of the sixth thousand years elation, we are no more sure that Arch- from the fall of man; how near I do not bishop Usher's chronology, contained in know, and there is a great change about King James' Bible, is correct, than we to take place. Inquires one—"Is there have to suppose that that many of those not some way by which we can fix the others are correct. What shall we do, time, and arrive at a certainty in regard then? The best thing for us to do is to de- to the age of our globe since the fall of pend upon what God reveals. If he gives man?" I do not know of any way except us any knowledge regarding chronology, by new revelation, for chronology is so depend upon it; and he has given us a imperfect that many hundreds who have great deal of information with regard to spent their lives and fortunes in study- the signs of the times. If he has not ing it, differ from each other in their con- given us the age of the world, he has clusions. One has one date for the age given us that whereby we may know of the world, and another has another. that we live in the generation in which Let me give to you a few specimens. the times of the Gentiles will be ful- We will take one of the oldest eras— filled. He informed us, in the rise of this the Alexandrian—computed by Julius Church, that that generation should not Africanus. In this Alexandrian era, pass away until the times of the Gentiles the time from the creation to the birth should be fulfilled. And then we have of Christ is set down at 5,500 years; other revelations, showing that when in the Antioch era, computed by Pan- their times are fulfilled there is a speedy nerus, it is set down at 5,493 years; and short work to be accomplished in in the Constantinople, or Greek era, it the gathering of the house of Israel from is set down at 5,509 years; you take the four quarters of the earth. They Scaliger, another great chronologist, and are to be brought out of all nations, kin- he, by a comparison of the text of vari- dreds, tongues, and people with a mighty ous ancient manuscripts, makes the age hand and outstretched arm. We are of the world, from the creation to the told that God will then perform won- THE CREATION, ETC. 325 ders, miracles and signs, greater than each trumpet shall sound in its turn, will ever have been performed since the cre- accomplish that which is necessary as ation of the world; that he will bring back a preparation for the sealing up of all his covenant people. After the Jews have things to the end of all things before he rebuilt Jerusalem, and after the Temple comes. Some have supposed that during is erected, the Lord Jesus will come. the Millennium a great work would be How much of this work will be per- performed for and in behalf of the dead. formed, after the sixth thousand years This may be; but this revelation would have passed away, I do not know. In- seem to indicate that everything will be quires one—"Don't you think it will all prepared before the Savior comes, every- be completed before the last day of the thing sealed to its position, everything six thousand years from creation?" No, reduced to its standard and to its sphere; I do not; the Lord has told us differ- that there will be no links in the chain ently. Read the key to John's revela- but what will be completely welded, and tions, published in the "Pearl of Great everything completely prepared by the Price," and you will find that there is sounding of these trumpets. a very great work to be performed, af- ter the seventh thousand years, called Then again, after the six thousand the Millennium, has commenced. You years have ended, before the Lord shall will find that the seven trumpets are come while these trumpets are sounding, to sound, preparatory to the beginning or about that time, we find that there is and finishing of his work in the morn- to be a great work among the nations— ing of the seventh thousand years, just which will probably take place in the as the Lord performed a work in the sev- morning of the seventh thousand years. enth day of creation, when he planted The ten tribes will have to come forth the Garden of Eden and placed the man and come to this land, to be crowned Adam therein. He performed quite a with glory in the midst of Zion by the temporal work in the process of creation hands of the servants of God, even the on the morning of the seventh day; and Children of Ephraim; and twelve thou- so he will perform a work at the begin- sand High Priests will be elected from ning of the seventh thousand years, af- each of these ten tribes, as well as from ter the seventh millennium shall open; the scattered tribes, and sealed in their and the nature of the work, which will foreheads, and will be ordained and re- then be performed, was typified by that ceive power to gather out of all nations, which God performed in the beginning. kindreds, tongues and people as many In the beginning of the seventh day or as will come unto the general assem- "time" of creation he placed man in the blage of the Church of the Firstborn. Garden of Eden, free from the curse, Will not that be a great work? Imag- and, says the key to John's revelations, ine one hundred and forty-four thousand in the morning of the seventh thou- High Priests going forth among the na- sand years will he sanctify the earth, tions, and gathering out as many as will redeem man from the grave, and seal come to the Church of the Firstborn. All all things to the end of all things; and that will be done, probably, in the morn- the sounding of these trumpets, and ing of the seventh thousand years. The the work which is to be performed, as work is of great magnitude, Latter-day 326 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Saints, and we are living almost upon prepare ourselves to perform the great the eve of it. Six thousand years have work which must be performed in this nearly gone by, the world is getting aged, greatest of dispensations, the dispensa- and Satan has accomplished almost all tion of the fullness of times? How can that the Lord intends that he shall ac- we be prepared to behold the Saints who complish, before the day of rest. With a lived on the earth in former dispensa- work of such magnitude before them, the tions, and take them by the hand and fall Latter-day Saints should be wide awake, upon their necks and they fall upon ours, and should not have their minds en- and we embrace each other? How can we gaged in those fooleries in which many be prepared for this?" How can all things indulge at the present time. We should that are in Christ Jesus, both which are put these things away, and our inquiry in heaven and on the earth, be assem- should be—"Lord, how can we prepare bled in one grand assembly, without we the way before thy coming? How can we are wide awake? May God bless you. Amen.

REVELATION ON THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD—FIRSTFRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION—WHAT BECOMETH OF THE SOULS OF MEN—REDEMPTION UNIVERSAL.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE FIRST WARD SCHOOLHOUSE, SUNDAY AFTERNOON,DEC. 28, 1873.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

We will commence our discourse by hold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go reading a part of the 25th, and the 26th ye out to meet him. and 27th sections of a revelation, given "And immediately there shall appear December 27, 1832, contained in the a great sign in heaven, and all people Book of Doctrine and Covenants. shall see it together. And another an- "And angels shall fly through the gel shall sound his trump, saying: That midst of heaven, crying with a loud great church, the mother of abomina- voice, sounding the trump of God, say- tions, that made all nations drink of the ing: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O in- wine of the wrath of her fornication, that habitants of the earth; for the judg- persecuteth the saints of God, that shed ment of our God is come. Be- their blood—she who sitteth upon many REVELATION, ETC. 327 waters, and upon the islands of the sea— the testimony of many judgments, which behold, she is the tares of the earth; she will be poured upon the nations, such as is bound in bundles; her bands are made earthquakes, wars, the sea heaving be- strong, no man can loose them; there- yond its bounds, and a variety of calami- fore, she is ready to be burned. And ties which shall make the hearts of all he shall sound his trump both long and the wicked fail them for fear. After these loud, and all nations shall hear it. great judgments are poured upon the na- "And there shall be silence in heaven tions of the earth, then will be fulfilled for the space of half an hour; and imme- the words which I have read, "And an- diately after shall the curtain of heaven gels will fly through the midst of heaven, be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after sounding the trump of God, saying: Pre- it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord pare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the shall be unveiled; And the saints that earth, for the judgment of our God is are upon the earth, who are alive, shall come. Behold and lo, the Bridegroom be quickened and be caught up to meet cometh; go ye out to meet him." Af- him. And they who have slept in their ter these angels have flown through the graves shall come forth, for their graves midst of heaven calling upon the inhabi- shall be opened; and they also shall be tants of the earth to prepare for the com- caught up to meet him in the midst of ing of the Bridegroom, seven more an- the pillar of heaven—They are Christ's, gels are to sound their trumps. The first the first fruits, they who shall descend one sounds, and his proclamation is con- with him first, and they who are on the cerning great Babylon, "who has made earth and in their graves, who are first all nations drink of the wine of the wrath caught up to meet him; and all this by of her fornication, concerning her who the voice of the sounding of the trump of sits upon many waters, who has her do- the angel of God." minion among many nations, kindreds, This revelation was given through tongues and people, behold, she is the our Prophet, and Seer, and Revelator, tares of all the earth; she is bound in Joseph Smith, who was one of the great- bundles; her bands are made strong, no est men who ever lived in this proba- man can loose them; therefore, she is tion, one of the greatest Prophets, with ready to be burned. And he shall sound the exception of our Lord and Savior his trump both long and loud, and all na- Jesus Christ, ever sent to our earth. tions shall hear it." I think it is forty-one years yesterday since this revelation was given. In it There must be something connected are revealed many things pertaining to with the sounding of this trump that the salvation of the children of men, is miraculous in order that all nations and pertaining to the great and event- may hear it. Any sound that can ful works of the Lord which are about to be produced by mortal man does not take place on the earth. In the sections reach, generally speaking, over about preceding those which I have read, we thirty miles from where it originates, have an account of certain great events which is a very small space indeed. that have not yet transpired, namely, But there will be something connected that after the testimonies of the ser- with the sounding of the trump of vants of God among the nations comes the first of the seven angels which 328 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. will manifest a power which we know are quickened, and they will be taken nothing of. The sound of that trump will into the heavens into the midst of those be heard by all people, nations, kindreds celestial beings who will make their ap- and tongues in the four quarters of our pearance at that time. These are the globe. I do not know that the sound will ones who are the first fruits, that is, the be so much louder than some we have first fruits at the time of his coming. heard, but it will be carried by some There was a period some eighteen miraculous power so that all people will centuries ago, when the Saints arose hear it. from their graves, after the resurrec- "Immediately after the sounding of tion of Christ, he being the firstfruits. this trump, there will be silence in That is called in the Book of Mormon heaven for the space of half an hour." the first resurrection; it took place about Whether the half hour here spoken of is the time, or a little after the resurrec- according to our reckoning—thirty min- tion of Jesus. But when he comes the utes, or whether it be according to the second time, the firstfruits of the resur- reckoning of the Lord we do not know. rection will be the Saints who come out We know that the word hour is used in of their graves. They, in connection with some portions of the Scriptures to rep- the Saints of all ages, will be the Church resent quite a lengthy period of time. of the Firstborn, and they will descend For instance, we, the Latter-day Saints, with the Savior when he comes. are living in the eleventh hour, that is in the eleventh period of time; and There are some who suppose, when for aught we know the half hour dur- these Saints are thus resurrected and ing which silence is to prevail in heaven taken up into heaven, that this will be may be quite an extensive period of time. the precise period when Jesus will de- During the period of silence all things scend on the earth; but I wish to cor- are perfectly still; no angels flying dur- rect this idea by the aid of both old and ing that half hour; no trumpets sound- new revelation. Instead of Jesus imme- ing; no noise in the heavens above; but diately descending to the earth, when immediately after this great silence the these Saints are thus taken into heaven, curtain of heaven shall be unfolded as he will stay until the seven angels have a scroll is unfolded. School children, sounded their trumps. There will be who are in the habit of seeing maps quite a lapse of time between the sound- hung up on the wall, know that they ing of each of these seven; some months have rollers upon which they are rolled will intervene; they do not all follow up, and that to expose the face of the directly one after the other or in the maps they are let down. So will the course of a few hours time; but there curtain of heaven be unrolled so that will be a period between in which cer- the people may gaze upon those celes- tain great and marvelous events will tial beings who will make their appear- take place. For instance, if we read ance in the clouds. The face of the the Revelation of St. John, we find Lord will be unveiled, and those who that when the fifth angel shall sound are alive will be quickened, and they his trump, the bottomless pit shall be will be caught up; and the Saints who opened, and there shall come forth a are in their graves, will come forth and great smoke, and a cloud of locusts, be caught up, together with those who so great that the sun and air shall be REVELATION, ETC. 329 darkened; and these locusts shall have their mission, they are slain, and their power to torment men five months before bodies will lie three days and a half the sounding or the sixth trump. This in the streets of the city. Then a shows that there will be a period of at great earthquake will take place, and least five months, between the sounding these two witnesses will be caught up to of the trumps of the fifth and sixth an- heaven. gels. Read also concerning the sound- All this takes place after these ing of the sixth trump, and you will find trumps begin to sound; and if these two that there is a great work to be accom- witnesses are to fulfill a mission of three plished before the seventh angel shall and a half years, it shows that the sound- sound, for in the time intervening be- ing of the trumpets does not take place, tween the sounding of the sixth and sev- as many have supposed, in rapid suc- enth trumps the four angels which are cession, but certain events have to be bound in the great river Euphrates are accomplished between their respective to be loosed, and they are to gather to- soundings. By and by the whole seven gether a very great army. If I recollect will have sounded, and then they com- aright, that army is to consist of two mence to sound a second time. According hundred millions of people, who are to to the revelation from which I have read, ride on some kind of beasts or animals the second sounding of the trumpets is which the Lord, probably by some super- not to prudence destruction among the natural means, will prepare for the occa- nations, but the sound of the first one sion. These personages who come forth will reveal the secret acts of God, his pur- riding upon these beasts are prepared for poses and doings on the earth during the an hour, for a day, for a month, and for first thousand years; the sounding of the a year; and their work is to slay a third second will reveal the doings and pur- part of the hosts of men then existing poses of the Great Jehovah during the upon the earth, and as they are prepared second thousand years, and so on, until for an hour, a day, a month, and a year, it the seventh shall sound the second time, shows there will be quite a lapse of time and pronounce the work of God finished, between the sounding of the trump of the so far as the great preparation needful sixth and seventh angel. for his second coming is concerned. We might bring up, also, the declara- Notice, now, that it is the first sound- tion of John in relation to the two wit- ing of the first of these seven, when the nesses who are to prophesy about that first resurrection takes place; and all period. They are to prophesy three and these great works are to be performed a half years, and their field of labor on the earth, and years elapse before Je- will be Jerusalem, after it shall have sus descends with all his Saints; that, is, been rebuilt by the Jews. By means if we understand these things correctly, of their prophecies and the power of by what little is revealed upon the sub- God attending them, the nations who ject. There are many things which I are gathered together against Jerusalem would like to dwell upon in connection will be kept at bay, these Prophets will with the resurrection of the Saints and hold them in check by their faith and their being caught up into the heavens. power. By and by these nations overcome The subject of the resurrection is one the two witnesses and, having finished that we all are very much interested in; 330 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. it is something which concerns all consolation it is to realize that, when our mankind, more or less, but especially the friends are laid down, we are not sep- Latter-day Saints who are now living on arated from them forever, if they have the earth. We all see that our brethren died in the faith, and if we, ourselves, en- and sisters, as well as the wicked, are dure faithful to the end; for if we keep passing away, leaving us; they are called the commandments of God as we should, upon to lay aside these bodies, which are we have an assurance and a hope within deposited in the grave. They are passing us which cannot be shaken that we shall off by scores, by hundreds and by thou- rise again, and that our bodies will come sands, and we expect to follow them, that forth from the grave. is the most of us. Perhaps some may live Now let us try to understand how until the coming of the Son of Man, or much is revealed upon this subject; and the sounding of the first trump; but inas- in order to understand it, let me refer much as most of us expect to lay our bod- you to some things that are contained ies down to sleep, it must be interesting in the Book of Mormon. On page 240 of to every Latter-day Saint to know some- that book we find something on the sub- thing about the resurrection. ject of the resurrection. That which I am about to read was spoken by the Prophet What can we know about it? Nothing Amulek, in the city of Ammonihah, to except what the Lord has revealed, and a very wicked people, who were shortly let me here say that perhaps no subject afterwards totally destroyed because of pertaining to salvation was ever so fully their wickedness. revealed to the inhabitants of the earth "Now, there is a death which is called as that of the resurrection of the body. a temporal death; and the death of Many people have thought that very lit- Christ shall loose the bands of this tem- tle has been revealed on this subject; but poral death, that all shall be raised if I am not mistaken we have an abun- from this temporal death. The spirit dance, although there are many things and the body shall be reunited again in regard to it about which we are still in its perfect form; both limb and joint in the dark, because they have not been shall be restored to its proper frame, revealed. But if we will carefully search even as we now are at this time; and the revelations that have been given, we we shall be brought to stand before may learn many things in regard to this God, knowing even as we know now, great event which will be satisfying to and have a bright recollection of all our our minds. guilt. Now, this restoration shall come When we carry our friends to the to all, both old and young, both bond grave yard we feel sorrowful, because and free, both male and female, both we have to leave them, and because the wicked and the righteous; and even they are separated from us, for a short there shall not so much as a hair of time. All that kindness and sociabil- their heads be lost; but all things shall ity which existed are no more experi- be restored to its perfect frame, as it enced, and we no longer have the privi- is now, or in the body, and shall be lege of their society as we had formerly, brought and be arraigned before the bar and consequently we mourn. But what a of Christ the Son, and God the Father, REVELATION, ETC. 331 and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eter- to his evil, corrupt, carnal nature. There nal God, to be judged according to their must be a place of filthiness prepared for works, whether they be good or whether that which is filthy, that those who are they be evil." filthy, wicked and corrupt may be placed Thus we see that there will be no in circumstances adapted to their condi- limbs lacking. If a person has lost his tion. Such persons, when in the presence arm, his leg, or his eyes, they will be re- of God, would be glad for the rocks and stored, and will stand before God perfect, mountains to fall upon and hide them, and the wicked will have a bright rec- for the recollection of their iniquities will ollection of all their guilt. The Prophet smite them, and kindle within them a Amulek was trying to explain all this to flame like an unquenchable fire, for their a people who were full of guilt, having consciences will have a bright recollec- disobeyed the commandments of heaven, tion of all their guilt. until they were almost ripened for de- struction. He informed them that they Now this restoration will come to all, should have a perfect knowledge of all both old and young, bond and free, male their guilt. In this life there are many and female, righteous and wicked, and things that people, whether righteous or there shall not so much as a hair of their wicked, forget. Our memories are so heads be lost. Many persons, when they weak that many things done in years advance in years, lose their hair, and be- passed are obliterated; but when they come baldheaded. Will they rise in the come forth in the morning of the resur- resurrection without hair, because they rection, the wicked as well as the righ- have been laid in the grave in that con- teous, their memories will be restored, dition? No, that would be imperfection, so that every act of their lives, whether and we have a statement in the Book of good or evil, will be perfectly remem- Mormon that not so much as one hair bered, and the wicked will have a per- shall be lost. Again the Prophet Amulek fect knowledge of all their guilt. Will says—"But all things shall be restored to not this be sufficient to create an un- its perfect frame, as it is now, and shall quenchable fire in their breasts, and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the with this recollection, to behold the face Son, and God the Father, and the Holy of the Lord? Will not this cause them Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be to shrink from his presence? I think it judged according to their works, whether will. The Prophet Moroni, speaking on they be good or whether they be evil. this subject, and addressing himself to Now, behold, I have spoken unto you con- the unbelieving who should live on the cerning the death of the mortal body, earth at the time the Book of Mormon and also concerning the resurrection of should come forth, says—"You would be the immortal body. I say unto you that more miserable to dwell in the pres- this mortal body is raised to an immor- ence of that holy and pure Being, than tal body, that is from death, even from you would to dwell with the damned the first death unto life, that they can die souls in hell." That is perfectly reason- no more." What this means is this—there able; for a wicked person in the pres- can be no further dissolution between ence of God would be a place not adapted the spirit and the body; they cannot be 332 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. separated, and they can die no more. righteous are received into a state of This seems to make it plain that their happiness, which is called paradise, a spirits unite with their bodies never to state of rest, a state of peace, where they be separated again, and return to dust, shall rest from all their troubles and as in the first death, and thus becom- from all care, and sorrow. ing spiritual and immortal, "they can no "And then shall it come to pass, that more see corruption." the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are We will now turn to what the Prophet evil—for behold, they have no part nor Alma said to his son Corianton, not only portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for be- concerning the resurrection, but also hold, they chose evil works rather than concerning the condition or state of the good; therefore the spirit of the devil did spirit of man, between the time of death enter into them, and take possession of and the resurrection. This is on page 318 their house—and these shall be cast out of the Book of Mormon. into outer darkness; there shall be weep- "And now I would inquire what be- ing, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, cometh of the souls of men from this and this because of their own iniquity, time of death to the time appointed for being led captive by the will of the devil. the resurrection? Now whether there is Now this is the state of the souls of the more than one time appointed for men wicked, yea, in darkness, and in a state to rise it mattereth not; for all do not of awful, fearful looking for the fiery in- die at once, and this mattereth not; all dignation of the wrath of God upon them; is as one day with God, and time only thus they remain in this state, as well as is measured unto men. Therefore, there the righteous in paradise, until the time is a time appointed unto men that they of their resurrection." shall rise from the dead; and there is a There is an idea prevalent, I do not space of time between the time of death know how prevalent, among the Saints, and the resurrection. And now, concern- that we do not go directly home to God, ing this space of time, what becometh when our spirits leave these bodies, but of the souls of men is the thing which that there is a kind of intermediate state I have inquired diligently of the Lord to where we have to go through further know; and this is the thing of which I do preparations; but if I can understand the know. And when the time cometh when language contained in this declaration of all shall rise, then shall they know that Alma, it seems that the spirits of all men, God knoweth all the times which are ap- whether wicked or righteous, as soon as pointed unto man. Now, concerning the they leave this mortal body, "go home state of the soul between death and the to that God who gave them life," that resurrection—Behold, it has been made is, they return to the place and position known unto me by an angel, that the that they occupied while they were in the spirits of all men, as soon as they are eternal worlds. It is called "home," be- departed from this mortal body, yea, the cause they once had their abiding place spirits of all men, whether they be good there, and they have been absent from or evil, are taken home to that God who home, while here in the body; but as gave them life. And then shall it come soon as they are separated from the body, to pass, that the spirits of those who are they all return to that ancient home, REVELATION, ETC. 333 into the presence of the Lord. Why? Because they are wicked and cor- rupt, and when they meet with the devil After they get back there, they are or any of the fallen angels, they are completely redeemed, so far as the orig- immediately enslaved and brought into inal sin is concerned. The original sin captivity to them, and that is the worst shut them out from the presence of God; kind of slavery; and according to what did it not? Every one will say yes. The I have read here, the spirit of the devil redemption made by our Lord and Sav- enters into their house. What house? ior Jesus Christ redeems mankind from The spiritual house, for they have not the penalty of the original sin, fully and got bodies of flesh and bones yet, the res- completely and the wicked and the righ- urrection has not taken place yet, and teous, without any respect of persons, that spirit, that spiritual body, becomes are brought back into his presence, the subject to the devil, and he enters their same as they were before they came from house, and they are cast out into outer his presence into these fallen bodies. darkness, and are in captivity to the This makes the redemption universal. devil, and are his slaves, until the res- No person, however wicked, if he be as urrection, when their bodies and spirits corrupt a man as ever lived on the earth, will be reunited. even a son of perdition, can avoid being Let us enquire, for a few moments, brought back into the presence of God, concerning the nature of these spiritual that his redemption may be complete, so bodies which are thus restored back into far as the original sin is concerned. Any- the presence of God. A great many peo- thing short of this would be a failure in ple have supposed that the spirit which the redemption of man from the fall. The exists in the tabernacle, for instance, of righteous, after death, are received into an infant, is of the same size as the in- a state of rest, peace, and happiness, in fant tabernacle when it enters therein; Paradise. There they will be free from all No one will dispute that it is of the same care and sorrow, and Satan will have no size when it is enclosed therein; but how power over them. If they should be sent large was the spirit before it entered the on a mission from Paradise to any part of tabernacle? Was it a full grown male the dominion of the Almighty to adminis- or female spirit, or was it a little infant ter, as Jesus administered while his body spirit in its pre-existent state? We have was in the tomb, evil powers and spir- no account that I know of, in any revela- its and fallen angels are subject to their tion which God has given, of any infant command, and they are not in the least spirit coming from the eternal worlds to subject to these evil beings. Herein is take infant bodies; but we have an op- the freedom of the righteous, and the vic- posite account in the revelations which tory they obtain, for in the name of Je- God has given; for if we turn to the Book sus they can command these fallen an- of Ether we shall find that the Lord Je- gels, and they are compelled to yield obe- sus, who was one of these spirits, and dience. But how is it with the wicked? the firstborn of the whole family, was They have not learned to command these a personage like unto a man, without evil powers, they have not placed them- flesh, blood or bones, but a fullgrown selves in a position here in this life spirit, thousands of years before he came to do so; they cannot cast out devils. to take his infant tabernacle. Is it 334 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. so recorded in the Book of Ether? Yes. he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that You will no doubt recollect the words of thou speakest the truth, for thou art a the brother of Jared, at the time that God of truth, and canst not lie. And he prayed unto the Lord, when he car- when he had said these words, behold, ried in his hand sixteen small transpar- the Lord showed himself unto him, and ent stones, and went to the top of Mount said: Because thou knowest these things Shelem. He said—"Lord, stretch forth ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore thine hand and touch these stones with ye are brought back into my presence; thy finger, one by one, that they may therefore I show myself unto you." shine forth and give light unto us in the Here was the redemption of a man re- vessels which thou hast commanded us stored back again into the presence of to prepare, and suffer not that thy peo- the Lord while yet in the flesh; he saw ple shall cross this great deep in dark- with his eyes what he had before seen ness. Behold, O Lord, then canst do by faith. Then the Lord said—"Behold, these things," &c. The Lord, in answer I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and to his prayer, stretched forth his hand the Son. In me shall all mankind have and touched these stones one by one, six- life, and that eternally, even they who teen of them. Eight vessels were pre- shall believe on my name. Behold, this pared, and the Prophet wanted one in body, which you now see, is the body each end of each vessel; and because of of my spirit; and all men in the begin- the faith of the brother of Jared the Lord ning have I created after the body of my could not hide his finger from him, and spirit." Notice now, they were created af- hence the veil was taken from before his ter the same form and fashion, and no eyes, and he saw the finger of the Lord, doubt attain by growth to similar dimen- and it was like unto the finger of a man, sions as the body of his spirit, without and not like an infant, which when the flesh and bones. The expression is, "All brother of Jared saw he fell, through men in the beginning"—you were there, fear, lest the Lord should smite him, it all this creation were there; all the in- being the first time he had ever seen any habitants of the earth who now live, all part or portion of the spiritual body of that have lived, and all that will live in Jesus. The Lord said unto him—"Arise, times to come, were all created after the why hast thou fallen?" And the brother body of his spirit in the beginning before of Jared said, "I saw the finger of the this world was made. Lord, and I knew not the Lord had flesh When all these spirits were sent forth and blood." The Lord said—"Because of from the eternal worlds, they were, no thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take doubt, not infants; but when they en- upon me flesh and blood; and never has tered the infant tabernacle, they were man come before me with such exceed- under the necessity, the same as our ing faith as thou hast; for were it not so Lord and Savior, of being compressed, ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest or diminished in size so that their spir- thou more than this? And he answered: its could be enclosed in infant taberna- Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me. And cles. If their bodies die in infancy, do the Lord said unto him: Believest thou their spirits remain infants in stature the words which I shall speak? And between death and the resurrection of REVELATION, ETC. 335 the body? I think not. Why not? Be- main of that stature through all the ages cause the redemption must restore ev- of eternity? There is a sermon of the erything to its natural order. If they Prophet Joseph Smith, reported by long- were of the size and stature of manhood hand reporters, in which it is stated that or womanhood before they entered into resurrected infants will forever remain the tabernacle would the redemption be infants. But I doubt very much in my complete, when they came out of that own mind if those who reported that tabernacle, unless they were restored to sermon got the full idea on this sub- their former dimensions? I think not; ject; and if they did, I very much doubt there would not be a full restoration, and whether the Prophet Joseph, at the time consequently, there would seem to be an he preached that sermon, had been fully imperfection in the plan. There are some instructed by revelation on that point, of our brethren and sisters, perhaps, who for the Lord has revealed a great many are very anxious to see their little chil- things to Prophets and revelators, and dren after they depart this life. The Lord among them to Joseph Smith, the full- sometimes gives them a vision of their ness of which is not at first given. For departed little ones, not of their spirits, instance, in baptism for the dead, in but as they will appear in the morning of Joseph's day women were baptized for the resurrection, in order that they may men, and men for women as well as for know and recognize them. But suppos- men. The Lord had at first revealed a ing that he should show them the spirits few things to him, showing that baptism of their little children as they are after for the dead was a true principle, without leaving their infant tabernacles, would giving him all the particulars at once. they be satisfied? I think not. Why? Be- But he continued to enquire of the Lord, cause I think they would not recognize and he received more and more in re- them, for I am of the opinion that the gard to this principle. So in regard to the spirits of children who die here regain resurrection, there may have been many their former dimensions of manhood or things revealed to him that were true, womanhood, and hence if you were to and others upon which, without hav- see them you would perhaps be disap- ing revelation, he would draw his own pointed. But by and by the resurrection conclusions, until it should please the will come, then these full grown spir- Lord to give further revelation. There is its, who have died in infancy here, will no revelation given that gives us a full again enter into the infant tabernacle, knowledge upon that point—but I will and they will come forth as infants, as give you my reasons, merely as reasons, they were at the time they laid down to show that they who die here in in- their bodies; then their parents will have fancy will grow up to the full stature of no difficulty in recognizing them. manhood or womanhood, after the res- There is quite an anxiety at the urrection. I do not say that it is so, present time, about one thing, con- but my reasons for believing that they nected with the resurrection, and do are these: How could they be re- that is, will those spirits, whose bod- stored completely to all that perfection of ies died here in infancy, when re- manhood and have a perfect tabernacle, united with their infant bodies, re- adapted to the dimensions of the spirit 336 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. as it existed, before it came here, unless this subject would take up another dis- their bodies should grow up from a state course, and I see I have not time for that, of infancy, and be sufficiently enlarged to for I have to be at another meeting soon become a perfect house for the fullgrown after 4 o'clock. But I will just mention a spirit, whether man or woman? I have few things which we shall enjoy after the heard, whether it be true or not I do not resurrection that we do not have here. know, that before Joseph was martyred, For instance, we are limited in our vi- he had obtained further light and infor- sion here, we can see only a few things mation on this subject, to the effect that round about us, and they must be in the there would be a growth after the resur- immediate neighborhood. We cannot see rection. How this may be I do not know, away off to England, or the European and it does not particularly matter; still countries, and we cannot see anything it is something that we have the right unless it reflects the natural light of the and the privilege of reflecting upon, for sun or some other luminous body, and there is no harm for any man or woman sends the light into our eye, and by that letting the mind expand to lay hold upon means the mind is informed concerning all that God has revealed, and to pon- objects outside of us. But how very lim- der upon it, as the ancient children of ited this sight of ours is! Do you suppose God did. Nephi says—"I ponder upon the that the sight of the immortal body will things of God continually which he has be thus limited to the natural light that revealed unto me," and there is no harm shines? No, there are a great many kinds for us to do the same. We should not of light besides the light which shines get into that old sectarian notion, that from the sun, moon or stars, or for some we have no right to know anything about artificial light that may be created on the this, that or the other, and that we must earth. There is, for instance, the light of not pry into this, that or the other. That the Spirit of God, by which the elements is an old sectarian notion, which we have are controlled and governed; that is in all fought against all the day long, and we the elements, it matters not whether be- do not want it to creep into the Church neath or above the surface of the earth. of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is Now, there may be a perfect organization the privilege of its members to let their in the resurrection, wherein this other minds expand, and to ponder upon the kind of light, associated with the ele- things of God, and to enquire of him, and ments, will be permitted to affect the by and by, when we have prepared our- eye of the immortal body, so that it can selves by getting all the knowledge we see into the earth as well as on its sur- possibly can from that which is written, face. I do not wish you to take my God will give us more. statement only in regard to this, but the There are many other things I revelations of God inform us that there would like to touch upon in regard have been men here in mortality who the resurrection. We often reflect have had their eyes quickened by this in our minds upon the capacity and other species of light so that they could power we shall have after the res- see things under the earth as well as urrection, when we are quickened by things on its surface. Moses was one of the celestial spirit. To dwell upon REVELATION, ETC. 337 these men, and we have an account, in his eye pierce them? By the same power the Pearl of Great Price, of the great vi- that quickened the eyes of Moses while sion he had concerning this earth. Before yet a mortal man; that same power can the Lord revealed to him the history of quicken the eyes of immortality to be- its creation Moses beheld every particle hold all the creations that the Lord has of the earth, and the account says there made, and hence there will be an en- was not a particle that he did not behold, largement of vision in the resurrection. discerning it by the Spirit of God. One We might dwell on the enlargement of the revelations says, that whatsoever of hearing as well as of vision. Do is light is spirit, and there are degrees you suppose that immortal beings de- of this spiritual influence that will af- pend, for sound, upon the mere vibra- fect the natural or mortal eye; then there tions of an atmosphere like ours? This are other degrees more refined, perhaps, atmosphere only extends about forty-five which do not affect the mortal eye, but miles above the surface of the earth. will affect the immortal eye, yet the Lord How could beings, away above this at- would be able to touch the eyes of a man mosphere of ours, communicate sounds like unto Moses or any other man of God, to us here? There are other principles so as to show him every particle of the and elements of a more refined nature earth, inside and outside. that intervene between these creations that God has made, and these elements Now, if the mortal man can see this, may be brought into perfection, and by as Moses certainly did, why should we their vibratory powers they may commu- suppose that we will be limited in that nicate sounds from one world to another, state of immortality which all Latter- just the same as light is communicated day Saints expect to enjoy? It is more from world to world, and the immortal probable that we shall be able to dis- ear would be adapted to this. cern, not only everything pertaining to We have not time to dwell upon this, this little speck of creation which we I merely mention it as one of the great now inhabit, but also other worlds and blessings of immortality. what takes place thereon, as easily as We might mention too, concerning that which takes place on our own. We sleep. We have to sleep away about one- have revelations also in regard to this. third part of our time here; will immor- When Enoch was expressing his mind tal beings be obliged to do the same, and about the greatness of the creations of spend one-third of the eternal millions the Almighty, he said that if a man on millions of the ages to come in dor- could number millions of earths like mancy? I do not think any such thing. this, and all the separate particles which Inquires one—"Are not things here typ- enter into their composition, it would ical of things hereafter?" Some are not. not be a beginning of those creations, We die here, but that is not typical of any yet, said he to the Lord—"Thou art death that will come on the righteous here, thy bosom is here;" and the Lord hereafter, and there are a great many said unto Enoch—"I can stretch forth things which we pass through here that mine hand and hold all the creations are not typical of things hereafter. All that I have made; and mine eye can physical imperfections will be done away pierce them also." By what power can with hereafter, and we shall enjoy a 338 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. greater fullness and power, and I can- gravitation, showing that man will have not see that it will be necessary for the superior power, even as Jesus did, when immortal body to be vivified or quick- he ascended heavenward, contrary to the ened and refreshed by sleep. They will laws of gravitation. We might speak of no doubt eat and drink in an immortal the velocity of locomotion; but it will not state, but whether it will be necessary do for me to dwell upon these subjects to do this is another question entirely. at the present time. But I pray that the The Twelve Apostle, Jesus said, "shall Lord God will pour out his Spirit upon eat and drink at my table, and shall sit the Latter-day Saints throughout all the upon twelve thrones judging the twelve earth, and quicken our minds and un- tribes of Israel," showing that the Lord derstandings, and every power and fac- will have a table, and that he will have ulty that he has given us, that we may food upon it, and that they will eat and search after knowledge, and be obedi- drink at that table, though they are im- ent to all that the Lord requires at our mortal; but whether it will be necessary hands. If we do this the time will come, in order that their immortality may en- by and by, when we will have faith in dure is another question, and we have God, even as the brother of Jared had; not time to dwell upon it. Suffice it to say and when we possess faith like unto his, that, even children of mortality, when we are promised in the Book of Mor- quickened by the Spirit of God, have of- mon that all the great things which he ten lived for quite a period of time with- saw shall be revealed unto us. But we out eating or drinking. Moses, for in- shall have to obtain them as he obtained stance, on two occasions, passed forty them—by faithfulness. By the quick- days and forty nights in Mount Sinai, ening power which was bestowed upon and neither did eat nor drink during that him, the brother of Jared beheld all the time. inhabitants of the earth that had been We might go on and speak of other before his day, all who existed when he enlargements that we will have that existed, and all who would exist even we do not have here, besides eating, unto the end of the world. The power drinking, hearing, seeing, &c. We of God rested upon him and enlarged his might mention the perfection of lo- vision, enabling him to see all these ob- comotion, passing to and fro from jects. Amen. world to world, and the power of rising contrary to the principle of THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 339

THE STICK OF JOSEPH AND OF JUDAH—TIMES OF THE GENTILES—APOSTASY FROM THE ANCIENT ORDER—RESTORATION OF THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDINTHE FOURTEENTH WARD ASSEMBLY ROOMS,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JAN. 25, 1874.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I will read a portion of a prophecy, the fruit of my loins. Yea, Joseph truly written in the Book of Mormon, in said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A the third chapter of the second book choice seer will I raise up out of the of Nephi. The Prophet who spoke the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be es- words I am about to read, and who also teemed highly among the fruit of thy quoted the words of another Prophet, loins. And unto him will I give com- was named Lehi; he lived about six hun- mandment that he shall do a work for dred years before Christ. the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which "For behold, thou art the fruit of my shall be of great worth unto them, even loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph to the bringing of them to the knowl- who was carried captive into Egypt. And edge of the covenants which I have made great were the covenants of the Lord, with thy fathers. And I will give unto which he made unto Joseph. Wherefore, him a commandment that he shall do Joseph truly saw our day. And he ob- none other work, save the work which tained a promise of the Lord, that out I shall command him. And I will make of the fruit of his loins the Lord God him great in mine eyes; for he shall do would raise up a righteous branch unto my work. And he shall be great like the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but unto Moses, whom I have said I would a branch which was to be broken off, raise up unto you, to deliver my people, nevertheless, to be remembered in the O house of Israel. And Moses will I raise covenants of the Lord that the Messiah up, to deliver thy people out of the land should be made manifest unto them in of Egypt. But a seer will I raise up out the latter days, in the spirit of power, of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him unto the bringing of them out of dark- will I give power to bring forth my word ness unto light—yea, out of hidden dark- unto the seed of thy loins—and not to ness and out of captivity unto freedom. the bringing forth my word only, saith "For Joseph truly testified, saying: the Lord, but to the convincing them of A seer shall the Lord my God raise my word, which shall have already gone up, who shall be a choice seer unto forth among them. Wherefore, the fruit 340 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of Lord said unto me also: I will raise the loins of Judah shall write; and that up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I which shall be written by the fruit of thy will make for him a spokesman. And loins, and also that which shall be writ- I, behold, I will give unto him that he ten by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall write the writing of the fruit of thy shall grow together, unto the confound- loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the ing of false doctrines and laying down spokesman of thy loins shall declare it. of contentions, and establishing peace And the words which he shall write shall among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing be the words which are expedient in my them to the knowledge of their fathers in wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of the latter days, and also to the knowl- thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of edge of my covenants, saith the Lord. thy loins had cried unto them from the And out of weakness he shall be made dust; for I know their faith. And they strong, in that day when my work shall shall cry from the dust; yea, even re- commence among all my people, unto the pentance unto their brethren, even after restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith many generations have gone by them. the Lord. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simple- ness of their words. Because of their "And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: faith their words shall proceed forth out Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; of my mouth unto their brethren who and they that seek to destroy him shall are the fruit of thy loins; and the weak- be confounded; for this promise, which ness of their words will I make strong in I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit their faith, unto the remembering of my of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I covenant which I made unto thy fathers." am sure of the fulfilling of this promise; Corresponding with this prophecy, I And his name shall be called after me; will read a few verses in the 37th chap- and it shall be after the name of his fa- ter of Ezekiel, commencing at the 15th ther. And he shall be like unto me; for verse. the thing, which the Lord shall bring "The word of the Lord came again forth by his hand, by the power of the unto me, saying, Lord shall bring my people unto salva- "Moreover, thou son of man, take thee tion. Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, sure of this thing, even as I am sure of and for the children of Israel his com- the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath panions: then take another stick, and said unto me, I will preserve thy seed for- write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of ever. And the Lord hath said: I will raise Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel up a Moses; and I will give power unto his companions: him in a rod; and I will give judgment "And join them one to another into unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose one stick; and they shall become one in his tongue, that he shall speak much, for thy hand. I will not make him mighty in speak- "And when the children of thy peo- ing. But I will write unto him my law, ple shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt by the finger of mine own hand; and I thou not shew us what thou meanest by will make a spokesman for him. And the these? THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 341

"Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord it should be the period when he would God; Behold, I will take the stick of take Israel from among the heathen, Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, whither they be gone, and gather them and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and on every side, and bring them into their will put them with him, even with the own lands, and when he had accom- stick of Judah, and make them one stick, plished this work, he would make them and they shall be one in mine hand. one nation upon the mountains of Israel, "And the sticks whereon thou writest and they should no more become two na- shall be in thine hand before their eyes. tions, neither should they, from that time "And say unto them, Thus saith the forward, be two kingdoms any more at Lord God; Behold, I will take the chil- all. dren of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather It is very evident to every person who them on every side, and bring them into believes in the Scriptures of truth that, their own land: so far as the gathering of Israel and their "And I will make them one nation in becoming one nation in their own land the land upon the mountains of Israel; are concerned, this prophecy has never and one king shall be king to them all: yet been fulfilled, it is therefore among and they shall be no more two nations, those great events which the Lord has neither shall they be divided into two decreed and determined to bring to pass kingdoms any more at all." in a period of time yet in the future; I have read these two prophecies; and he has pointed out, in this chapter one, recorded in the Book of Mormon, of Ezekiel, the manner and method in delivered by Joseph in Egypt, written which he will commence the great work upon brass plates and brought by the of the restitution of Israel. A great deal descendants of Joseph from the city of has been done by the religious world, so Jerusalem, about six hundred years be- far as dollars and cents, and the forma- fore Christ, with their colony that came tion of societies are concerned, for the from Palestine and were located on the amelioration of the condition of the scat- western coast of South America, hav- tered Jews. But what are the results of ing crossed the mighty waters under all the labors of the various Christian the direction of the Almighty; the other, sects in this direction? Have they suc- and corresponding prophecy, was writ- ceeded in gathering the Jews from the ten by Ezekiel the Prophet, a short nations of the earth? Not at all. A very time after this colony left the city of few Jews at the present time are resi- Jerusalem. Ezekiel informs us in this dents of Palestine, and they are not con- chapter, that prior to the great resti- verted to the truth. They believe in the tution of the House of Israel, never to religion of their ancient fathers, and all be scattered or divided into two nations of them who dwell there are very poor, again, the Lord would bring forth the many of them are what may be termed stick of Joseph, written upon for the beggars, being sustained principally by tribe of Joseph, and the other, writ- the charity of travelers and other visi- ten upon for Judah, and cause them tors to that land, and by donations from to grow together in His hand, and charitable Christians and Jews abroad. when this great event should take place, But all the Jews dwelling in Palestine 342 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. are but a very small handful, compared sand Jews perished by the sword, and, with the immense numbers of their according to history, about ninety-seven brethren who are scattered to the four thousand were dispersed among the na- winds of heaven. Then, besides the Jews tions. thus scattered, there are the ten tribes, This great calamity happened to the who are not called Jews, who were led Jewish nation in fulfillment of many away out of the land of Palestine about prophecies, among which I will quote one seven hundred and twenty years before by our Savior, recorded in the 21st chap- Christ, and who have never dwelt in ter of Luke. Says our Savior—"For there that land since. They were taken cap- shall be great distress in the land, and tive by the king of Assyria and taken to wrath upon this people. And they shall his dominions, and never since the day fall by the edge of the sword, and they of their captivity, now almost twenty- shall be led away captive into all nations: six centuries, have they or their descen- and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of dants had a residence in the Promised the Gentiles, until the times of the Gen- Land. tiles are fulfilled." That portion of this Prior to their captivity the House prophecy, concerning the Jews perish- of Israel were divided into two king- ing by the edge of the sword, and their doms; one, called the Ten Tribes, who being scattered among all nations, and had their capital city in Samaria, north Jerusalem being trodden down under the of Jerusalem. Numerous kings reigned feet of the Gentiles, has had a literal ful- over them, from the days of Rehoboam, fillment; but there is one saying of our son of Solomon, until the time of their Savior that has not yet been fulfilled— captivity. They were a separate and "Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the distinct nation from the Jewish nation, Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles which consisted of the tribes of Judah are fulfilled." That the times of the Gen- and Levi, a very few of the remnants of tiles are not yet fulfilled is proven by the Joseph, and a portion of the tribe of Ben- fact that Jerusalem is still in possession jamin, who were not taken away with the of the Gentiles, and under their control. ten tribes. About a hundred and thirty When the time shall have arrived for years after the ten tribes were taken the fulfillment of the prophecy recorded from Palestine, the Jewish nation were by Ezekiel the Prophet, when the Jews taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, and the ten tribes shall return and they King of Babylon, and they dwelt in Baby- shall no more be divided into two king- lon seventy years, after which they re- doms, Jerusalem will be redeemed from turned to Palestine, rebuilt their capi- the hands of the Gentiles, and it will be tal city and its walls, and reestablished again inhabited by the Jews as a nation; their Temple, and continued to dwell in not by a poor miserable remnant, depen- the land of their fathers until the coming dent upon the charity of foreign nations of Christ, and for about seventy years af- for subsistence, but hundreds of thou- ter his coming; and then, in fulfillment sands of the twelve tribes will return to of a certain prophecy, the Jewish nation Palestine, and their capital city will be were scattered by the Roman army un- Jerusalem, not Samaria. der Titus. About eleven hundred thou- This fulfillment of the times of THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 343 the Gentiles is something to which I be the natural branches, be graffed into wish to call the special attention of my their own olive tree? For I would not, hearers this afternoon. In what man- brethren, that ye should be ignorant of ner will the Lord fulfill this work among this mystery, lest ye should be wise in the Gentiles, that the fullness of their your own conceits; that blindness in part times may come in? We have a little is happened to Israel, until the fullness information on this subject, recorded in of the Gentiles be come in. And so all the eleventh chapter of Romans, which Israel shall be saved: as it is written, makes the subject very plain in regard There shall come out of Sion the Deliv- to the two great classes of people—the erer, and shall turn away ungodliness Jews and the Gentiles. They are spo- from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto ken of in that chapter under the fig- them, when I shall take away their sins. ure of two olive trees, one—the house As concerning the gospel, they are en- of Israel—being represented by a tame emies for your sakes: but as touching olive tree, and the other—the Gentiles— the election, they are beloved for the fa- by a wild olive tree. Paul, in speaking thers' sake." Again he says in the 30th of the branches of Israel, says—"If some and 31st verses—"For as ye in times past of the branches be broken off, and thou have not believed God, yet have now (the Gentiles), being a wild olive tree, obtained mercy through their unbelief: wert graffed in among them, and with Even so have these now not believed, them partakest of the root and fatness that through your mercy they also may of the olive tree; Boast not against the obtain mercy." branches. But if thou boast, thou bear- We can see from the instructions est not the root, but the root thee. Thou that Paul has given, in this chapter, (that is the Gentiles) wilt say then, The that the Gentiles were grafted in in- branches were broken off, that I might be stead of the House of Israel; in other graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they words, the Jews were broken off, as our were broken off, and thou standest by Savior predicted to them. Said he— faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For "Therefore say I unto you, The king- if God spared not the natural branches, dom of God shall be taken from you, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Be- and shall be given to a nation bring- hold therefore the goodness and severity ing forth the fruits thereof." That is, it of God: on them (meaning Israel) which should be taken from the Israelites, and fell, severity; but towards thee (the Gen- delivered over into the hands of the Gen- tiles), goodness, if thou continue in his tiles. The kingdom that was thus rent goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be from the Jews and transferred to the cut off. And they also (the house of Is- Gentiles may be called a spiritual king- rael), if they abide not still in unbelief, dom, inasmuch as the Saints, to whom shall be graffed in: for God is able to the kingdom was given in that day, did graff them in again. For if thou (the not form any particular constituent por- Gentiles) were cut out of the olive tree tion of the nations of the earth, but here which is wild by nature, and wert graffed was a branch, and there was a branch, contrary to nature into a good olive one in one place and another in an- tree: how much more shall these, which other; having received the blessings of the fullness of the Gospel, the blessings 344 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of that spiritual kingdom which was Can I find among any of the Gentile na- built up in their midst, they partook tions a church with inspired Apostles in of the fatness of the olive tree, though it? If I cannot, I have no authority to they were wild branches. But by and by pronounce any such church the church we find the Gentiles following after the of God. Its members may believe in the same example of unbelief; they to whom Bible, and they may be honest, we do the kingdom had been transferred from not dispute the honesty of men; but un- Israel got into darkness, unbelief and less they have this distinguishing char- apostasy, the same as the Jews had done acteristic of the Church of the living God, before them. Paul further warns them we have no right to suppose them to be in this chapter not to boast. Says he— the real, true Christian church. Let us "Boast not against the branches. But if hear what Paul says in the 12th chap- thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but ter of Corinthians in relation to the or- the root thee. Thou wilt say then, the ganization of the church of Christ. We branches were broken off, that I might there find that the church have placed be graffed in. Take heed, therefore, lest within it, first, Apostles, secondarily, you also shall fall after the same exam- Prophets, thirdly, Teachers, after that ple of unbelief." working of miracles, healing the sick, speaking with divers tongues, interpre- Have they taken heed? No, they have tation of tongues, &c., and all these were not. Where is that kingdom that was helps, governments, gifts, blessings, au- transferred to the Gentiles, that had in- thorities and powers that served to char- spired Apostles and Prophets in it? That acterize the true kingdom or church of kingdom upon which the Lord shed forth God from all those that were destitute of the Holy Ghost and all its gifts—the gift this power and authority. Did this au- of revelation, discerning of spirits, see- thority, these gifts and blessings exist to- ing angels, healing the sick, foretelling wards the close of the second century of future events, visions and all the other the Christian era? No. What had become gifts which came through the operation of them? The people had entirely aposta- of his Spirit upon the wild branches of tized from that ancient order of things. the olive tree, after they were grafted, There were no doubt many who were through obedience to the Gospel, and be- very zealous and who professed Chris- came partakers of the root and fatness of tianity, and claimed to be the church the tame olive? Where is that kingdom? of God, but where were their Apostles? In other words, where is the church? It is Nowhere to be found among men. Where said by some that the church has contin- were the Prophets in what was called ued from the Apostolic period down un- the Christian church towards the latter til the present century of the Christian part of the second century? Nowhere era. But if it has, I cannot find it, the re- upon the face of the earth; the spirit of searches I have made give me no indica- prophecy was entirely rooted out, and tion of the existence of the kingdom that the Gentiles, through apostasy and un- was transferred to the hands of the Gen- belief, had fallen as the Jews had done tiles. I know of no way to distinguish the before them. church of God, only by comparing it with Again, where were the healing of the pattern given in the New Testament. the sick, opening the eyes of the THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 345 blind, unstopping deaf ears, and the through all the dispensations, without lame leaping like a hart? Where were having inspired men among them, who all those ancient gifts, such as speaking could call upon God and receive reve- with tongues, interpretation of tongues, lations, and their revelations were just beholding angels, discerning spirits and as sacred as those which had preceded the things of God as did the church of them, and that had been bound into Christ in the first century? Nowhere to volumes; hence the canon of Scripture be found; but instead of this we find the would have been enlarged every century people called Christians, spreading and down to the present time had the Church increasing in the second, third, fourth of God continued on the earth. But like and fifth centuries, but destitute of the the ancient Jews, the Christians of the spirit, power and gifts which character- second and following centuries had apo- ized the ancient church, so much so that statized, and were entirely destitute of they even denied that there could be any the Spirit of God. The Jews had apos- more revelation, and instead of there be- tatized before Jesus came among them ing Prophets to give revelation day by to that degree, that there were sects day, week by week and year after year and parties among them, just as we find from one generation to another, they in the Christian world since; and these were obliged, at the Council of Carthage, Jewish sects were destitute of the spirit held at the close of the fourth century of of prophecy which their ancient fathers the Christian era, to gather up such frag- had; they were destitute of the ministra- ments of the ancient revelations as they tion of angels, and scarcely one feature could find, here and there, scattered in existed which was among their fathers manuscript among the various nations, in the days of their righteousness. It was sit in judgment upon them, without any because of this that the Jews were bro- spirit of revelation to designate to them ken off, and the Gentiles were grafted in, whether they were true or false; and and were made partakers of the riches, they compiled them together, and pro- blessings and glories formerly enjoyed by nounced the canon of Scripture full. the ancient Jews. Now, if they had had the ancient Christian church, there would have been "Well," says one, "am I to understand revelations during all of the second cen- from your remarks that there has been tury as well as the first, and there would no real Christian Church on the earth, have been revelations in the third cen- for a great many centuries that are tury, and in the fourth century, and in passed?" These are my views, and these all the subsequent centuries down to are the views of the Latter-day Saints— the present period of time, and there we believe that, so far as the eastern would have been no such doctrine pro- hemisphere is concerned, there has been mulgated among the children of men no true Christian Church for some sev- as the canon of Scripture being full. enteen centuries past. I say the east- It is one of the most false doctrines ern hemisphere, for we believe that there ever advanced among the children of was a true Christian Church on this con- men. God never yet had a people tinent, which continued for nearly four on the face of the earth in any age centuries after Christ; but so far as the of the world from the creation down eastern hemisphere is concerned, it ex- 346 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. isted in name only, with some few of called of God as Aaron was called, so the ordinances administered by persons says the Apostle Paul in writing to the without authority. We read in the works Hebrews. He declares that "no man of the early Christian fathers, so called, taketh this honor unto himself, save he when they found themselves destitute be called of God, as was Aaron." If we of all power to get new revelation from turn to the fore part of the Bible, we God, that they tried to persuade, and shall find that Aaron was called, not did finally persuade, the people that the by revelation given to his ancient fa- canon of Scripture was full, and that God thers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not to did not design to give his people any Joseph in Egypt, to Noah or to Enoch, more revelation, and that wicked delu- who lived before the flood; none of the sion continued for a great many gener- revelations given to those ancient ser- ations. It was necessary to form some vants of God called Aaron to the min- excuse, for those few among the peo- istry, but he was called by new revela- ple who had the privilege of reading tion, direct from heaven to Moses, his the Bible would naturally see the dis- brother, commanding Moses to set apart tinguishing characteristics between the Aaron to the ministry; giving him direc- ancient Church and that with which tions respecting his duty; and God spake they were connected, and unless there to both Moses and Aaron. That was had been something to quiet their con- the way Aaron was called. Now look at sciences they would have been contin- the ministry from the first century down ually asking the question—"Why do we to the present time. All its members not have Apostles? Why do we not have denied new revelation, and have have Prophets? Why do we not have declared that the canon of Scripture was the gifts which characterized the ancient full. Who, among the whole of them, was Church?" and hence the religious teach- ever called by new revelation? Why, if ers of those days, as in ours, were com- a man made any such pretence he was pelled to tell the people that the canon excommunicated from the Church unless of Scripture was full, and that the an- he repented of the sin, as they called it. cient Scriptures and the traditions of the To believe that God would again speak Church were their only guides. and call men by new revelation, as Aaron Perhaps you may think I am misrep- was called, was in their idea a heresy, resenting this matter; if you do, go and and they were not to believe in any- read the works of the Roman Catholic thing except it was bound in their an- Church written before there were any cient books. We will take, for instance, Protestant seceders from it, and you the highest authority in the Church of will find that this doctrine is univer- Rome. The members of that church say sally inculcated therein. I should like that the right to sit in the papal chair has to know, and I will ask the question, been handed down in unbroken succes- how it would be possible to transfer the sion from the Apostle Peter. Now, take Christian ministry from generation to away new revelation, and how could you generation, and from one century to an- choose from among the millions who pro- other, without revelation? It could not fessed Christianity the one that should be done; it would be an utter impossibil- sit in that chair? There is no means ity. A true Christian ministry must be whatsoever of distinguishing him, unless THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 347 he was called of God as was Aaron, and face of the earth. These Protestants, this would introduce new revelation, and then, were excommunicated from the hence, when it ceased, the real author- mother church, were they not? I have ity ceased, and the Pope had no more heard some say, when asked about their authority than a heathen priest, neither authority to baptize and preach, and to could he confer authority upon a second administer the Lord's Supper, "We do it man, neither could the church itself give by the authority of our priesthood and authority without new revelation from of the office we hold." "Who gave you God. The Bible could not give this au- that office and authority?" "Such a man." thority, for there is not a word said in all "Where did he get it?" "He got it from the Old or New Testament that such and another, who preceded him." "And, pray, such a man, by such a name and at such how far back can you trace your priest- a period in the future, should occupy the hood?" "We can run it back to Martin chair of St. Peter; hence, without new Luther, John Calvin, Henry the Eighth, revelation, the selection of the successive or some of those reformers who came Popes would be mere guess work. out from the Roman Catholic Church." How is it with the Protestants? Let "Where did the first ones whom you us come down to the Waldenses, to call reformers get their priesthood from, Luther, Calvin, Henry the Eighth, and inasmuch as they denied new revelation, those who dissented from the Catholic and were not called of God, as Aaron Church; have they authority? Let us in- was?" "Oh, they got it from the mother quire a little into their belief and views. church, the Roman Catholic Church." Did those I have named believe there "But what do you Protestants say about was any later revelation than that which the Roman Catholic Church?" "Why, we was given on the Isle of Patmos? No, say that she is that great and abom- in this respect the Protestants followed inable power that is called the mother of after the same heresy as the mother harlots and Mystery Babylon the Great, church; she had taught for many gener- that she is one of the most corrupt pow- ations that the canon of Scripture was ers on the face of the earth, hence the full, and those who dissented and came Protestants, who could not endure all out from her declared the same thing, this corruption, came out from her." "And and the people believed it, and finally yet you get your priesthood from this the Church of England incorporated it source." Do you not see, at once, the into their thirty-nine articles of faith, dilemma into which they fall, when they and no person, according to their creed, attempt to run their priesthood back? was to receive anything as a part of In one of the homilies of the Church his religious faith, except that which of England, it is stated that for eight was contained in the books they called centuries the whole Christian world, the canon of Scripture, which they said every man, woman and child therein, was full and complete. They never were in the depths of idolatry, so that have found, in any revelation which God there was no individual, during that long has given, that no more revelation or period, who had any authority what- Scripture was to be given so long as ever. But supposing that you grant that there was a Christian Church on the 348 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the Roman Catholic Church, which the earth the true Church. Hence, we find, Protestants denounced as so corrupt, in the 14th chapter of the Revelation of had power to hand down authority, St. John, that among the things which and that, by the authority which they he saw, which were to transpire in the held they ordained Martin Luther, John future, was the restoration of the ever- Calvin and others of those early reform- lasting Gospel to earth by an angel flying ers, they had power to take their priest- through the midst of heaven. It seems hood from them, had they not? Certainly, then, that, at the eleventh hour, the last if they could bestow authority they could period of time, God would again visit take it away again. Did they do that? the inhabitants of the earth by sending Yes. Read the declarations of the Roman a messenger from the courts above with Catholic Church respecting these Protes- glad tidings of great joy, not for a few peo- tant leaders, and see if they did not cut ple dwelling in some particular corner of them off from everything that was ever the earth, but for all people—every na- conferred upon them in that church, ev- tion, kindred and tongue upon the four ery office, every authority and all power, quarters of our globe. Go and ask any and then denounced them to the very of these fallen churches—go to the old- lowest abyss of hell; consequently, if you est among them, the Roman Catholic, or should even pretend that authority could the Greek church, and ask them if God be transferred to the Protestants, it was has sent another angel with the everlast- taken from them. Says one, "Do you ing Gospel to be preached to all nations, mean to unchristianize not only the Ro- and has committed it to them, and they man Catholic and Greek Churches, but will tell you no, they do not believe it also all those Protestant denominations is ever to be sent in that manner, but who have sprung from them?" Certainly that it has continued on the earth from I do, and it is in fulfillment of that which the time it was introduced by the Sav- was spoken of by Paul in the 11th chap- ior, and consequently there is no need of ter of Romans, where he declares that if any such restitution, there is no need of they do not continue in the goodness of any angel coming to restore it, for they God, they also shall be cut off, that is, have it already. They will tell you that cut off from all those blessed privileges they have the good word of God, which and spiritual gifts which characterized already contains the everlasting Gospel; the Church of Christ whilst it was on the but if they have the word of God, I think earth. I have proved to my hearers this after- This being the condition of things no noon, that they have not the authority wonder that God has left on record, in to administer it, and that makes all the this good old book, that in the latter difference. They may have the word, but days he would again restore the king- the Bible itself says that the letter kil- dom to the earth; as there has been no leth. The word is not calculated to save Christian Church, with divine author- unless we can obey it. Can I be baptized ity, in the four quarters of the globe for if there is no man on the earth autho- many centuries past, it is no wonder rized to baptize me? No. He that is not that the ancient Prophets saw a period born of the water and of the spirit can in of time when God would restore to the no wise enter into the kingdom of God. THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 349

How can I partake of the emblems of the cords called the Book of Mormon, we broken body and shed blood of our Lord should have set him down at once as and Savior Jesus Christ, unless there one of the basest of impostors, because is some man on earth authorized to ad- it would have been contrary to the Scrip- minister that ordinance? I cannot do it. tures. How can I receive the baptism of fire and Again, supposing that Joseph Smith the Holy Ghost if there be no person on had neglected to organize the Church of the earth who has the authority to lay Latter-day Saints according to the an- on hands in the name of the Lord Jesus cient pattern, leaving out Apostles and to confer that blessing, the same as the inspired Prophets, as all the sects have apostles did in ancient times? How can I done, all sensible men who believe in obey any institution that belongs to the the Bible would have been compelled to Christian Church, wherein authority is come to the conclusion that in its or- necessary, unless such authority be on ganization this Church was defective, the earth? Consequently if they, in their and did not agree with the ancient pat- zeal towards God, say that they have the tern, and they might have said—"You Gospel, I will admit it so far as the let- have no Prophets, you have no Apos- ter of the word is concerned, but they tles, and hence we reject you Joseph have not the authority to administer its Smith, and your Book of Mormon; for if ordinances, having lost it, because they you were an inspired man, sent of God have lost the power of revelation, and the to raise up and establish his latter-day power of the Priesthood. Church and kingdom upon the earth, you would have among you inspired Apostles and Prophets, and your Church would Well then, what are we to look for and have agreed in all respects with the expect? We are to look for the Lord to re- ancient pattern." But although Joseph store it. In what manner? Just as he Smith was but a farmer's boy, and had has predicted through the mouths of his but a very limited education when the servants. If Joseph Smith had received Lord called him, we find nothing lack- the Book of Mormon without the minis- ing in the organization of the Church, tration of an angel, and pretended that it we find that it agrees in every respect was a revelation from God, every person with the Church as organized anciently acquainted with the Scriptures would by the Savior. God even told him the have known that he was an impostor. very day on which it should be orga- How would they have known it? Because nized, and also named the various of- the Bible says that when the everlasting fices that should be contained therein, Gospel is restored it shall be by sending and he also gave him revelation con- another angel flying through the midst cerning the names of the individuals of heaven, with the joyful message to be who should be ordained, from time to preached to all the inhabitants of the time, until there were twelve Apostles earth, to all nations, kindreds, tongues and until the Priesthood was restored and people; therefore, if Joseph Smith in all its branches. And when we com- had come pretending that no angel had pare the Gospel taught by this young revealed this to him, but that he was in- man we find that it agrees in every par- spired from on high to bring forth the re- ticular with the ancient Gospel, as re- 350 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. corded in the New Testament. He the voice of the Lord testify unto them preached faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that the translation by this young man, just as the ancients did, also repentance from these plates, had been given by of all sins, as the ancients did; be bap- the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and tized by immersion in water for the re- they were commanded to bear record to mission of sins in the name of Jesus all people, nations and tongues to whom Christ, just as the ancients did; God com- this work should be sent. In all of these manded him to lay hands upon those respects, there is a perfect correspon- who believed, repented and were bap- dence between this latter-day work of tized for the remission of their sins, that God and the Bible. the baptism of the Holy Ghost might Now let us come to those passages be given to them, just as the ancients of Scripture which I read at the com- did. God promised, in this last dispen- mencement of my discourse. The thirty- sation, that the Saints should enjoy all seventh chapter of Ezekiel informs us the gifts enjoyed by his people in an- that before God should restore the House cient days—that they should lay hands of Israel to their own lands he would upon the sick and they should recover; bring forth the stick of Joseph, written that in the name of Jesus they should upon for Joseph, and put it with the stick cast out devils, open the eyes of the of Judah, written upon for Judah, and blind, unstop deaf ears, cause the lame that he would make these two records to walk, and that through them, God one in his own hands; and then, for fear would show forth his power in this latter- the children of Israel would not under- day Church and kingdom as he did in the stand what Ezekiel meant by writing former-day Church and kingdom. These upon one stick for Joseph, the stick of promises were made to the believers in Ephraim, and then writing upon the sec- our day; and moreover Joseph Smith de- ond stick for Judah, he was required to clared that when he obtained the plates hold up these two sticks, after having of the Book of Mormon, it was by an an- joined them in one before the children of gel flying through the midst of heaven, Israel, and then says the Lord—"When who directed him by vision to the place the children of thy people shall speak where these plates were deposited—the unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us hill Cumorah in the State of New York. what thou meanest by these two sticks, He was also commanded of the Almighty written upon for these two tribes? Say to translate the contents of these plates unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Be- by the aid of the Urim and Thummim, hold, I will take the stick of Ephraim, which were found deposited with the the stick of Joseph, and I will put it with plates, and he translated them according the stick of Judah, and they shall be- to God's command. come one in mine hands. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine God raised up, before this Church hands before their eyes;" showing that was organized, three other wit- that which was in Ezekiel's hands was nesses and they beheld an angel to typify that which the Lord said should in his glory and power; they saw be in his own hands. him descend from the heavens, and Now you see that this record of heard his voice, and they heard the tribe of Joseph, called the Book of THE STICK OF JOSEPH, ETC. 351

Mormon, agrees in all its particulars, so me with their mouth, do honor me with far as doctrine is concerned, with the their lips, and their hearts are removed record of the tribe of Judah; hence the far from me, and the fear of the Lord is testimony of two nations should be a wit- taught to them by the precepts of men: ness to all people, nations and tongues Behold I will proceed to do a marvelous respecting the truth of Christianity: and work, even a marvelous work and a won- instead of doing away with Christian- der: the wisdom of their wise men shall ity, the Book of Mormon—the record or perish, and the understanding of their stick of Joseph, is an additional testi- prudent men shall be hid." mony to the great and important truths All this was fulfilled when the Lord contained in the Bible; it is a testi- brought forth the Book of Mormon. Ac- mony against the corruptions that have cording to the prediction of Isaiah, a copy been introduced into the world under the of some of the words or characters on name of Christianity. the plates was sent, by him who found Had we time we might refer you to them, to the city of New York, and were many other prophecies that have been presented to the learned for translation, given and written in the Jewish record but they could not translate them. They concerning the coming forth of the record were the inscriptions of the ancient fa- of Joseph in the latter days, just prior thers of the Indians, and the learned to the gathering of the House of Israel. knew nothing about them; they were as The Christian world may use all the ex- a sealed book to them. Then the Lord ertions they are capable of, and spend all commanded this young man to translate the money they please, to bring about the book, not by learning, but by inspi- the gathering of the Jews in the land ration, and in that respect the wisdom of of Palestine, never to be divided again, the wise and learned did perish, and a but they cannot accomplish it. Why? marvelous work even a wonder was ac- Because God has his own way to ful- complished. In the same chapter it says fill and bring about his purposes, and that, "In that day shall the deaf hear the they must be accomplished as he has de- words of the book." What book? Answer, creed in order that the prophecies may the book that was previously spoken of. be fulfilled. Read the 29th chapter of Isa- "The eyes of the blind shall see out of iah. Nearly the whole chapter speaks obscurity, and darkness. The meek also of future events, declaring how another shall increase their joy in the Lord, and book should come forth, and that be- the poor among men shall rejoice in the fore it was translated the words of the Holy One of Israel." book, not the book itself, should be deliv- Would you like to know who it is ered to the learned, saying, "Read this, who have settled this Territory, and I pray thee;" and he replied, that it was built up between one and two hundred a sealed book, and he could not read it. towns and village's now existing within Then the book is delivered to him that is its borders? It is the poor among men. not learned, and he is requested to read The rich and great, the highminded and it, but he replies, "I am not learned." noble have despised the work of the The next passage says—"Forasmuch Lord; but the poor among men, from as this people"—the people to whom many nations, have received the mes- the book is revealed—"draw near to sage and testimony which God has re- 352 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. vealed by the ministration of an angel with them, it will go to Israel, for flying through the midst of heaven. They the times of the Gentiles will then be have left their native countries, and have fulfilled; in other words, when God gathered here, and here they are in the shall speak to his servants, and say possession of a rich country and they unto them—"It is enough, you have have been made to "rejoice in the Holy been faithful in your ministry, you One of Israel." have warned the nations, kindreds and tongues of the Gentiles sufficiently, now I call you to a still greater work, and will And then again, what does the Lord give you a new mission, not to go and say about the gathering of Jacob, when preach to the Gentiles, but go to the rem- this book shall come forth? Read a lit- nants of the House of Israel wherever tle further on in the same chapter and they can be found, and let your testi- you will find these words—"Therefore mony be to them. Hunt them up from the thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abra- four quarters of the earth, gather them ham, concerning the house of Jacob, Ja- out with a mighty hand and with an out- cob shall no longer be made ashamed, stretched arm, and bring them back to neither shall his face wax pale. But their own land." When that time shall when he seeth his children, the work come Israel will be gathered and not till of my hands, in the midst of him, they then. shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and Inquires one—"How long will the shall fear the God of Israel." No longer Gospel still be preached to the Gentiles?" be made ashamed! Why? Because the I do not know; I can give you certain book that Isaiah speaks of, that should limits, but within those limits I cannot come forth, should be the means of gath- decide. God told us in the early days ering them and restoring them to their of this Church, by new revelation, that own land, and they should never become the times of the Gentiles would be ful- two kingdoms and two nations any more filled in the generation then living upon at all. Inquires one—"Why do you not the earth. Forth-three years of that go to the House of Israel, what have you generation have already gone by. How Latter-day Saints been doing for forty many more years it will be before their years past? Have you gathered Israel?" times are fulfilled I cannot tell; but I No, we have not; if we had the Scriptures know the day is not far distant when would not have been fulfilled. Why? Be- young men, now living in these moun- cause the times of the Gentiles must tains, will be commissioned to go, not to first be fulfilled, and Jerusalem must the Gentiles, for their times will be ful- be trodden down by them, until their filled, but the Lord will say to them— times are fulfilled. What do you mean "Go forth and fish and hunt up Israel by their times being fulfilled, and the in the four quarters of the earth. Go to fullness of the Gentiles coming in? I the remnants of Joseph that are in South mean just what the Lord means, that America, and scattered over this vast this Gospel, which God sends by the min- continent from the frozen regions of the istration of "another angel" from heaven, north to Cape Horn in South America; must be preached to all nations, kin- go and teach them the Gospel, for they dreds, tongues and people, to the Gen- are a remnant of the tribe of Joseph: and tiles first; and when they get through his arm will be made bare in that day THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 353 in such a manner that they will not re- I say, read the ancient prophecies, Isa- ject the truth, and they will be grafted in iah especially; read the Psalms of David, again into their own olive tree, and be- those which speak of the events which come a righteous branch of the house of are to precede the second coming of Israel. Christ; read the prophecy of Daniel, That is the destiny of our Indian about the setting up of the latter-day tribes. Many may yet suffer and per- kingdom, whose beginning should be like ish, but when the time of their tribu- a little stone cut out of the mountains lation is past, when the Lord has re- without hands, rolling forth and becom- warded unto them double for all the sins ing a great mountain and filling the that were committed by their ancient fa- whole earth, not like the destiny of the thers in their apostasy, and when he has ancient kingdom, to be destroyed out of visited them in judgment according to the earth through apostasy. The latter- the prophecies that are contained in this day kingdom is to increase in greatness, Book of Mormon, and the times of the power and glory, until the kingdom and Gentiles who now occupy this land are dominion under the whole heaven shall fulfilled, then the Lord will make bare be given into the hands of the Saints of his arm, and he will redeem these rem- the Most High, and the wicked shall be nants of Israel, that they may inherit the entirely swept from the face of the earth. blessings promised to their ancient fa- Read all these prophecies, and when you thers. have read and understood them, you I do not know that I have time will know what the Latter-day Saints be- to say anything more on this sub- lieve, and what are their views in rela- ject. To those who are unacquainted tion to the future. Amen. with the vast amount of testimony in the Scriptures in relation to this work,

THE INCREASED POWERS AND CAPACITIES OF MAN IN HIS FUTURE STATE.

ALECTUREBY ELDER ORSON PRATT, DELIVEREDBEFORETHE YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY ASSOCIATION,OGDEN CITY,TUESDAY EVENING,JANUARY 27, 1874.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I have been requested by brother in Ogden, together with such indi- Richards to address the Young Men's viduals as should be present on the Literary Association, organized here occasion. I do so cheerfully, al- 354 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. though, I must say, in the commence- all people, whether this being called man ment of my remarks, that I have had no exists after this body crumbles back to time whatever to digest the subject I pro- its mother earth, and whether the intel- pose to speak upon this evening; other ligent part of man continues to exist, or duties have been so numerous, including whether it dies with the body? There are those in the Legislative Assembly, that I many reasons to suppose that man will have scarcely had a moment's leisure to exist in a future state. Those who be- devote to its consideration. The subject lieve in a Supreme Being, capable of pro- upon which it has been proposed that I ducing man and the earth upon which he should address you is, The Increased Ca- dwells, might almost without the aid of pacities and Powers of Man in his Future revelation, naturally conclude that man, State. It is a subject which is theological being the workmanship of the hands of in its nature, and cannot be treated al- that Supreme Being, was not intended together in a scientific point of view, for to pass away and be forgotten with the all that we know concerning the future termination of this brief existence, but state of man is by divine revelation, and that he was intended to live hereafter. in no other way; hence we shall be un- But when we search the sacred records der the necessity, from the very nature of on this subject, we find an abundance the subject, to appeal to the revelations of evidence and proof to thoroughly sat- which God has given, both ancient and isfy ourselves that when we lay down modern, in relation to the future state of these bodies to rest in the grave, if we man, and the capacities with which he are Saints, we lay them down with the will be endowed in the world to come. expectation and with the full assurance However, there may be connected with and hope that they will be resuscitated this subject many scientific ideas by way and will again live, in a more perfect of illustration. form than what they exist at the present We find ourselves here in this world time. We look for this, we hope for it, we in the enjoyment of intelligence, light pray for it, we seek with all our hearts to and truth in some measure far above any be prepared for this future state of being creatures which God has made. Placed and the first resurrection. here upon the earth among the myri- When we examine divine revelation ads of its creatures, man seems to be upon the subject of the resurrection, prominent, in fact the masterpiece of we find that every part of this mor- creation, a being endowed with intelli- tal tabernacle that is laid down in the gence and reasoning powers, and with grave, so far as needful to constitute a more or less power over all other beings perfect body, will be resurrected. We and creatures upon the face of the earth. are informed to this effect in various But still, notwithstanding his intellec- revelations, but more especially in the tual powers and faculties, man, in his Book of Mormon; and I suppose that present condition, is a poor, weak, frail, the young men who organized this As- fallen being, subject to afflictions, pains, sociation believe in that sacred and di- accident and sickness, and after a while vine record as well as in the Bible, he passes off from this stage of action. and also in the Book of Doctrine and The inquiry naturally arises among Covenants, therefore I shall address my- THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 355 self to them as to persons who are believ- transfers of matter from one state and ers therein. condition to another would preclude the idea of the resurrection of the same body In the Book of Mormon we find Alma again. But there are several things to be discoursing upon the resurrection of the considered in relation to this matter. We dead, and also Amulek, and they both have a revelation in the Book of Doctrine testify that the bodies we lay down in the and Covenants, called "The Olive Leaf," grave will come forth again, that every which says—"Ye which have been quick- part will be restored to its perfect frame; ened by a portion of the celestial glory, both those Prophets declare that every shall in that day receive even a fullness; limb and joint will be restored, though even ye shall receive your bodies, which the body crumble back to mother earth, are the same bodies that you now have." and the bones—the most solid portions of This seems to be so plain that we are the human system, will be dissolved and obliged to admit that we shall receive the return again to the dust. They declare same bodies. that the materials will be brought to- Now the fact that the particles which gether and reconstructed, that bone will compose our bodies undergo so many come to its bone, and that the flesh that transmutations after we leave this mor- now clothes these bones, and the sinews tal existence, entering into the flesh of and skin which cover the flesh will also animals, then helping to build up the be restored. Ezekiel the Prophet, in the bodies of human beings would almost 37th chapter of his prophecy, says that seem, especially to the minds of infidels bones and flesh, sinews and skin will all in opposition to the idea of a resurrec- come forth and be made out of the dust tion; and I do not believe that every par- into a perfect tabernacle, and everything ticle that is ever incorporated in the sys- will be restored to its perfect frame; and tems of human creatures will be resur- so particularly do the Prophets Amulek rected with them, I have no such idea. and Alma discourse upon this subject, But a sufficient amount of the particles that they declare that not even one hair which have once been incorporated in of the head shall be lost. the system will be used by the Almighty Some, perhaps, might suppose that, in the resurrection to make perfect and as the human tabernacle is composed of complete tabernacles for celestial spirits certain familiar elements, such as hy- to dwell in. The idea that every particle drogen, oxygen, carbon and the various that ever entered into the composition of elementary principles that exist around our mortal bodies will be resurrected is us, when the body is dissolved and inconsistent; for who does not know that those various elements are scattered and a man often changes in weight? For in- driven to the four winds, as in the case stance, when he is an infant he weighs of the burning of a body, and those ele- but a few pounds; he continues to in- ments enter into the composition of veg- crease in flesh through the food that he etables, and the vegetables are eaten partakes of, and not only in flesh but also by animals, serving to increase their in the size of his bones until he attains flesh, and again, these animals are eaten perhaps a hundred and ninety pounds by human beings, that these continual in addition to the ten or twelve pounds 356 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. that he weighed in infancy. Then again custom is generally commenced in child- he wastes away by some long lingering hood, say three or four years old, and sickness, and after having been several continued through life, and in the course months brought down he weighs him- of a year perhaps four or five inches self and finds that he has lost sixty or of hair may be cut from the head and seventy pounds of flesh. Where has it cast away. Now, in seventy-two years, gone? Somewhere; it has disappeared. if a man did not lose his hair altogether, Again he revives from his sickness and he would perhaps cut off something like he begins to recruit by partaking of vari- twenty-four feet of hair and beard. Can ous kinds of nourishment, and by and by we suppose that in the resurrection we he weighs perhaps two hundred pounds. shall come forth with our hair and beard Another fit of sickness overtakes him a rod long? I do not look for any such and he loses fifty or sixty pounds in thing. When, therefore, we read in the weight again, and thus in the course of Book of Mormon that every hair of the a long life, by intervals of sickness and head shall be restored, I do not expect health, perhaps some twelve or fifteen that the whole of the matter that has hundred pounds of matter have departed been incorporated in the hair or in the from his body, and been renewed again beard will be restored, but I look for a through the food that he has eaten. sufficient quantity of the material once Then again, we are in the habit of existing in the hair and beard to be re- taking knives or razors and paring our stored to make one appear comely, for nails every little while, so much so that the hair is an ornament. we can safely say that in the course of It is said by some, whether true or a year we cut off or pare from our fin- false I shall not pretend to say, that, in- gers and toes, as the case may be, per- dependent of sickness and losing and re- haps an inch of nail, at this rate, a man gaining our flesh, a robust man once in who lives to be seventy-two years of age seven years, throws off the greater por- would pare off seventy-two inches of nail, tion of the materials of his body; that which would be six feet. Now can we even the very bones of our bodies give suppose than when a man rises from the out material which is thrown off, and dead that he will come forth with nails so much so that when a part of a bone six feet long? (Laughter.) I cannot con- is taken away it is replaced by the or- ceive any such thing, and yet this is a dinary process of partaking of food, &c. portion of the body, and men, in the res- This may, or may not be so, I do not pre- urrection, will have nails the same as tend to say, although it is generally be- they have here, but I expect they will be lieved by scientific men, physicians and of a reasonable length, and a sufficient those who have made experiments that portion of the nails of his fingers and this is the case. Now supposing it is true, toes will be resurrected to make hand- a man who lives to be seventy-seven some comely nails on the fingers and years old would change his entire body toes, while all the rest will be surplus eleven times during the course of his life. and unnecessary. Do we suppose that, when man comes Then again, we are in the habit forth in the resurrection, he will possess of having our hair shingled. This all the flesh he has gained and lost by THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 357 sickness and regained in health, and all consequently the immortal body will be that he has lost and recovered in these free from all those evils that have come septennial changes? If so he would pos- by the fall. Let us examine another thing sess one or two tons of matter in his in regard to the immortal body. Will it be physical system as a tabernacle for the absolutely necessary to receive nourish- spirit to dwell in. I do not for a mo- ment by food? I do not ask whether im- ment suppose any such thing, but all mortal beings will partake of food—that this, except the amount really necessary is another subject—but will it be neces- to make a perfect proportionate taberna- sary to partake of food to sustain and cle for the spirit to dwell in, will be sur- preserve the immortal body? We read plus matter. that immortal beings have eaten food, What becomes of this surplus mat- that even our first parents, Adam and ter? The beasts, fowls and fish and all Eve, before they fell, while they were living creatures are to be resurrected, yet immortal, were permitted to enter and if man has had incorporated in his into the Garden of Eden, and that they system in the course of his mortal life had food to eat of a vegetable nature, nine-tenths more matter than it needs that they were permitted to eat of all to make a perfect resurrected body, why the fruits of the garden except one. But not let that surplus matter go where it was that absolutely necessary that they belongs—to the beasts of the field, to might remain immortal beings? I doubt the fowls of the air and the fish of the it very much. Immortality was stamped sea, that they may receive their taber- upon their very systems, and they would nacles, and be resurrected? It is said have been this day alive had they not by some that there are certain portions transgressed the commandments of God of the body which do not dissolve. If whether they had eaten food or not. In there are, I do not know anything about the beginning the beasts of the field fed it. The bones dissolve, and the flesh, upon vegetables. In the first chapter sinews, skin, teeth and hair, and every of the Book of Genesis we read—"And part of the human body with which we God said, Behold, I have given you every are acquainted returns to dust. If such herb bearing seed, which is upon the face be the case there must be a restoration, of all the earth, and every tree, in the for if the body did not dissolve, there which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; could not be a restoration. to you it shall be for meat. And to ev- We will now pass along, and ask, ery beast of the earth, and to every fowl in regard to the condition of the body of the air, and to everything that creep- after its resurrection, will it then be eth upon the earth, wherein there is life, subject to pain, sickness and sorrow? I have given every green herb for meat." No, we are told in Scripture, upon In those days, while Adam and Eve were which we found our arguments, that immortal, the beasts, fowls and fish did when the new heavens and the new not destroy each other, which would in- earth are made, God will make all dicate immortality. If in those days the things new, and there shall be no more lion would eat the lamb, the wolf, the kid, sorrow nor pain, neither shall there and ravenous beasts would devour their be any more death, but pain, sorrow, weeping and death will be done away; 358 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. fellow beasts, it would have been an indi- will eat and drink, for says he—"Ye cation that mortality existed then in the that have followed me, in the regenera- earth; but there was no such thing as tion, shall sit upon twelve thrones, judg- mortality when man was first placed in ing the twelve tribes of Israel, and ye the Garden of Eden. Neither beast of the shall eat and drink at my table." When field, fowl of the air nor fish of the sea will that be? During the Millennium, was then subject to death, but all, like after the resurrection of those twelve man, were immortal, and yet they par- Apostles, and when Jesus descends from took of food, but their food was of a veg- heaven they will descend with him, and etable nature. when he sits upon his throne in one of We read that, after Jesus rose from the apartments of the Temple, the twelve the dead, he appeared to his disciples Apostles will sit upon their thrones, each while they were out fishing, and he one having a separate tribe of Israel over called them to the shore and said— whom he will reign; and when dinner is "Children, have ye any meat?" They soon ready, or supper, as the case may be, they discovered that it was the Lord who will sit down at the Lord's table, and will had appeared to them, and they came eat and drink in his presence. We might to the shore, and broiled some fish on say much more in relation to this matter, a fire of coals, and Jesus partook with but if there is anything revealed to prove them, yet he was an immortal being. that immortality is dependent upon eat- But whether it was necessary for him ing and drinking, the same as our mortal to eat in order to sustain himself is an- lives are dependent upon, I am not aware other question. But can immortal be- of it. ings live without food? Yes, even the children of mortality can live without There is another subject that natu- food when the Lord sees proper. For rally arises in reflecting upon the fu- instance, Moses, on two different occa- ture state of man, and his physical and sions, when he went up into the mount, mental capacities in that state, and that was there forty days and forty nights, is, Will man, after the resurrection, re- and the Scripture says, expressly, that he quire sleep? I think not. Many, per- neither ate nor drank during that time. haps, will argue that things of this life Now, if a person in mortality could be are typical of those which will take place sustained forty days and forty nights, in the world to come. I deny it in some on two occasions, as Moses was, why things. There are many things as they would it be necessary for an immortal were originally designed and organized, personage to eat to preserve life. I think which were typical of things to come or they eat, perhaps, because it is a plea- as they will exist hereafter; then there sure, and, it may have certain beneficial are many things that are not typical of tendencies that we know nothing about; the world to come. For instance, we die but as they are raised to immortality it here; is that any evidence that we shall scarcely seems probable that that im- die hereafter? Oh no, death is a conse- mortality will be dependent upon eat- quence of the imperfections introduced ing and drinking for its preservation. In by the Fall; it was not in the body when the testimony of our Savior to his Apos- our first parents were placed in the Gar- tles, we learn that resurrected beings den of Eden. Man brought death upon THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 359 himself, and it and other evils intro- for these men of God, so great indeed duced by that event will be done away, was it that those who cast them into the and hence in a future state will not ex- flames were consumed by it while so do- ist. Sleep refreshes us here in this life, ing, but the three Hebrews were not af- and we spend about one-third part of our fected by it. Now if children of mortality time in that condition, and it is abso- can so far prevail against the element of lutely necessary to our existence in mor- fire that it has not power even to scorch tality; for without it we should soon per- a hair of their heads, how much greater ish and die. But because that is the case will be the power of those who are im- here, shall we say that it will be neces- mortal! Hence, I do not believe that heat sary in a future state? I think not. It will have any tendency to dissolve, de- looks inconsistent to me, and like an im- stroy, injure or to produce any unpleas- perfection in the great work of the Cre- ant effects upon them, as it has with us ator, to suppose that for about one-third here in this world. Here then will be part of all future eternity intelligent be- an increase of power and capacity, so far ings are to forget even their own exis- as the body is concerned, over and above tence in slumber, knowing nothing that that which we have in this life. is transpiring around them in the one- Again, we find that here in this life third part of the thousands and millions we are chained down by another law, of ages to come. It does not look reason- namely the law of gravitation, which has able. such power and influence over us that Having said this much in regard to with all the exertions we can make with the immortal body and its increased our bodily energies, we can only rise a powers and faculties, let me inquire still few feet, by a spring, above the surface further, Will this tabernacle, after the of the earth, and by bringing into activ- resurrection, be subject to the same uni- ity some of the elements of nature, for versal laws of nature that now regulates instance, inflating a balloon with hydro- terrestrial things, and not only terres- gen gas, or some gas that is much lighter trial but celestial, that is the heavens than the common atmosphere that we and planetary system above us? Will breathe, a person is enabled to ascend mankind, in other words, be chained some six or seven miles into the air. But down and limited by those laws that this is in obedience to certain laws with now prevail? Will heat burn an immor- which we are well acquainted, bringing tal being and produce pain as it burns into requisition certain materials lighter the tabernacle of mortality? I think than the atmosphere, which it buoys up not. Even here in this world children of as it does smoke. Now will the chil- mortality have been placed in conditions dren of immortality be subject to the where they have been subject to the most law of gravitation? When they please to intense heat, as in the case of Shadrach, walk upon the earth—an act performed Meshach and Abednego, the three He- by virtue of the law of gravitation— brew children, who were placed in a they can do so. We have an exam- furnace where the fire had been made ple of this in our Savior walking after seven times hotter than it was wont his resurrection, with two of his disci- to be; probably the most intense heat ples, and conversing with them on many they knew how to produce was prepared subjects; also when he descended on 360 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. this American continent and walked judgment he pronounced in the name of around among the Nephites, going a lit- the Lord upon that people, it should be tle way and kneeling down upon the done even according to his word. He ground and praying to his Father, show- went forth in the midst of the Nephites, ing that, for the time being, he was sub- from city to city, and so great was their ject to the law of gravitation, that is, he wickedness that they would not repent permitted it to have power over him. But of their sins, but sought to destroy him; he had a superior power given to him, by but as often as they gathered in multi- which he could control the law of univer- tudes to rush upon and destroy him, the sal gravitation just as he pleased, as in Spirit of the Lord took him up, and car- the case of his ascension from the Mount ried him away to another place, that he of Olives contrary to the laws of gravita- might warn them also. Now, if a man in tion, and a cloud receiving him from the a state of mortality can gain such power sight of his disciples who stood gazing on and influence with God as to prevail the scene. against and overcome the law of gravita- Again, we find that, besides the im- tion, which chains us down to the surface mortal Savior, mortal men have had of the earth, how much more power will power over gravitation, so that they immortal beings have! could mount up, as the Prophet Isaiah Again we, by the laws which sur- has said, "on wings as eagles." We have round us, are limited in our hearing. an instance in the case of Philip, who What man ever heard a sound fifty miles baptized the eunuch: as soon as he had off? There may have been such in- performed that ordinance he was caught stances, but as a general thing there away by the Spirit of the Lord, and he are, I presume, very few men on the found himself at Azotus. This was no surface of our globe who ever heard a doubt a miracle, which was performed sound that came thirty miles through before the celebrated man who had just our atmosphere; hence the faculty of been baptized to confirm his faith, for in hearing, through the organs of the mor- seeing a man thus caught away, he would tal tabernacle, through the medium of undoubtedly be convinced that he was a the atmosphere, which transfers the man who had some Godlike powers con- sound, is extremely limited in its ac- nected with him. tion. But will that faculty be thus lim- Again, we have an instance in the ited in the immortal state? I think case of Nephi, who lived on this conti- not. I think there will be facilities nent just before the coming of Christ. for hearing, not only at a greater dis- He was commanded to go forth and tance, but also through a more perfect warn the people of the terrible judg- medium, transferring sound with im- ments that were about to befall them mensely greater velocity than it now if they did not repent; and the Lord travels through our atmosphere. We gave him power that if he should say all know that sound is transferred, at to this temple—"Be thou rent in twain," sea level, where the air is dense, about it should be done; and if he should say eleven hundred and eighty feet in a sec- to this mountain—"Be thou removed," ond, taking almost five seconds to travel it should be done; and whatsoever a mile, which is very slow motion, yet, he should seal upon the earth should very swift compared with the motion of be sealed in heaven, and whatsoever our railway cars. Experiment has de- THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 361 monstrated that with a more perfect luminous ether intervening between medium for conveying it, sound will world and world; consequently, if these travel very rapidly. For instance, place waves can proceed forth for thousands your ear over a tube, the other end of and thousands of millions of miles, it which is under water, and let a bell be proves to us that all space is filled with struck, stationed under water at some an ether, which we cannot see, and yet miles distance, and it will be found that we know it must exist, in order to trans- the sound will travel through the par- fer light. ticles of water much more rapidly than Now, supposing that this same kind through the atmosphere. of ether, or some other substance, which Again, let a succession of timbers be might not in all cases affect the eye, but joined, extending one or two miles, and which would yet be susceptible to the im- let a sound be made at the end of the pressions of sound, then sounds, voices wood farthest from you, and you will or noises in one world might be trans- find that it will reach your ear at a ferred through that medium to the im- much quicker rate than that at which mortal beings in another world. There sound travels through the atmosphere. is nothing inconsistent in this. It may Again, you take metal rods and connect be inconsistent according to our limited them together, and let a sound be made ideas; but it is not inconsistent with at the end remote from you, and it is the power of that Almighty Being who found that, in some metals, the sound controls all these materials. To prove will travel many times faster along the this to you, let me refer you to that metal rods than it will through the at- revelation in the Book of Doctrine and mosphere; hence you see that the ve- Covenants called the "Olive Leaf." We locity of sound is really dependent upon read there that when the first angel the nature of the elements or substance among the seven shall sound his trump, through which it is conveyed. all nations and kindreds and tongues of Now how do we know but what the the earth shall hear it. Will it be so immortal body may be so constructed much louder than any sound we now that there may be certain fluids— hear, that it will go to all the nations fluids, perhaps, with which we are not and tongues of the earth and all men acquainted—intervening between world hear it? "Every ear," the revelation says, and world, and between one star and shall hear the sound of that trump; it another—certain thin elastic fluids, so will be something that all the kindreds, subtle in their nature that we cannot peoples, tongues and nations upon the see them with the natural eye, or per- face of the whole earth will be able to ceive them by any of the senses of perceive and understand. Now, there the mortal body, yet the immortal ear must be some medium through which may be so constructed that this re- this sound is transferred, different from fined substance would transmit sound our atmosphere; or, in other words, the with the velocity of light itself. There Lord, by his miraculous power, will cause may be such things in nature; we can- this sound to proceed forth through the not say they do not exist. We do atmosphere in a different manner from know, so far as light is concerned, that what it now proceeds, for if it took the it is transferred from world to world sound of that trump five seconds to go a by the vibrations of the waves of a mile, it would require a long time for it to 362 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. travel eight, ten or fifteen thousand see through opaque bodies, and into ma- miles, so as to reach the ears of the dif- terials from which the natural light does ferent nations of the earth. Does not this not radiate, as is the case here among prove then, that God will, at that time, the children of mortality. You among either effect the ear of man or act upon my hearers who are acquainted with the some materials in connection with our little work called "The Pearl of Great globe, so that sound will be more rapidly Price"—a very precious book, because it conveyed than it is at the present time? contains many important ideas given by Now, if this change is effected among revelation—will recollect the revelation the children of mortality, what may we given to Moses. He inquired of God con- not expect among the children of immor- cerning the creation of this heaven and tality? Is it not reasonable to believe this earth, and obtained the information that among them there will not only be now contained in the Book of Genesis re- enlarged capacities of hearing, but en- specting the creation of the world. But larged facilities by which the Lord will before this he had a great vision in rela- communicate with the people of different tion to the earth, the revelation inform- worlds? ing us, in substance, as follows: "Moses Again, we will take the sense of vi- was again clothed upon with the glory sion. Although that sense is not limited of God, and he beheld every particle of like hearing, yet it is limited so far as the earth; and there was not a particle opaque bodies are concerned. What man, of it which he did not behold, discerning of all the children of mortality, without it by the Spirit of God." Now, this was a the miraculous power of the Spirit of God very extended vision. He saw something resting upon him, is able to see into the which you and I have never seen, un- depths of our globe? No man living, nat- less we have had a similar vision. Only urally, can see through anything that is think of a man, here in a state of mor- opaque, and no man, naturally, can pen- tality, being permitted to look down into etrate with his powers of vision into the the earth, which is about eight thousand interior of the earth. It is not transpar- miles in diameter, and seeing not only ent to the visual organs of mortal beings, large portions of its interior, but discern- no light, apparently, proceeds therefrom, ing every particle of it. There was not a and affects the optic nerve of man, so particle of it that he did not behold, dis- as to produce the sense of seeing. Man, cerning it by the Spirit of God. in this state, can only see those objects Now, how do we know but what the from which light can be radiated or re- Spirit of God which exists in connection flected. Shall we be thus limited in our with the elements, is able to quicken perceptions when we receive our immor- the sight of an individual so that he can tal bodies? By no means. Immortal be- see even to the very center of the solid ings will have their capacity for seeing so earth with all the apparent ease with much enlarged, that they will be able to which he can see objects near him on see down into the earth just as easily as its surface? Now, for instance, what hu- they can see things around about them, man being ever saw an ultimate par- or the bodies that revolve in space. I will ticle of the elements of nature? We refer you to modern revelation to prove can see their compounds; we can see that immortal beings will be able to the particles when united in sufficient THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 363 bulk to affect our vision. We can con- millions of earths like this, it would not struct instruments which will magnify a be a beginning to the number of thy cre- common house fly's eye and make it ap- ations; and thy curtains are stretched pear twelve feet in diameter; we can look out still; and yet thou art there, and into a drop of water and see creatures ap- thy bosom is there; and out of all the parently two or three inches long floating creations which thou hast made, thou there, while with the naked eye we can- hast taken Zion to thine own bosom." not see anything. If, then, no man living, The Lord gave Enoch a reason why the without the aid of the Spirit of God, has heavens wept and shed forth their tears ever been able to detect even one of these like rain on the mountains; he told him elementary atoms or particles of matter, that it was in consequence of the wicked- how great must have been the enlarge- ness of the inhabitants of the earth. And ment of the vision of Moses—a man still the Lord said—"Man of Holiness is my in mortality—to enable him to discern name; and Endless is my name; and I every particle of the earth, inside as well can stretch forth mine hand and hold all as on its surface! If a man in a state the creations that I have made; and mine of mortality could have his vision so en- eye can pierce them also." larged that he could see all these parti- Do you not see, then, the increased cles at once, what may be expected when powers and faculties which the Almighty we are immortal, and entirely freed from has? His creations are so numerous that all the defects of mortality? We may ex- the number of particles composing this pect that the immortal being will have earth would not be a beginning to them, his vision so enlarged that he can, not yet the Lord's eye can pierce all these only look with all ease upon every par- creations, and he can hold them, as it ticle of this earth, but on the particles were, in his hand. Not physically, not of millions of worlds like this. I can see hold them in the hollow of his hand as we nothing that would hinder an immortal can a ball or an orange; but by the power being from having his vision enlarged far which he possesses he can hold them and beyond the enlargement which the mor- his eye can pierce them. Would not this tal Moses received before he obtained a be a far more extensive vision than that knowledge of this creation. which Moses had, when under the influ- Another thing occurs to my mind in ence of the Spirit of the Lord? Why, yes; connection with this. You read in that he was enabled to see the particles of this same "Pearl of Great Price" concerning one creation, a mere speck among God's the vastness of the number of the cre- works, while the Lord was able to pierce ations of the Almighty. The language all these creations which Enoch speaks is something like this—"Enoch beheld of. Does it not show an increased capac- the Lord and the heavenly hosts weep- ity in those who are immortal in a future ing over the fallen inhabitants of this state? In other words, among those who world, and he marveled at it, and he dwell in the celestial worlds? It certainly said unto the Lord, How is it that thou does. canst weep, seeing that thou art holy and Now, shall we be made like the from all eternity to all eternity? And Lord, or are we some other species of were it possible that man could num- beings, so far disconnected with him ber all the particles of this earth, and that we never need expect to reach 364 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. this high standard? How is it? Who, does not yet appear what we shall be: are we? We are told by Divine revela- but when he shall appear, we shall be tion that we are the sons of God; we are like him." He knew that much, though told in the vision received by the Prophet he did not comprehend all of the perfect Joseph, concerning these different cre- capacities of man in this state. Though ations, that "the inhabitants thereof are we are chained down here by the laws begotten sons and daughters unto God." of nature, yet realizing that we are the Indeed! Begotten sons and daughter children of that Almighty Being who con- unto God? The inhabitants of these cre- trols universal nature, and all the worlds ations? Yes. This agrees with what the that are spoken of, we expect to come up, New and Old Testaments, and the var- and that the attributes which our eter- ious revelations which God has given, nal Father possesses will be fully devel- clearly declare—that God is the Father oped in us, and that we also shall be able of our spirits. A writer in the New Tes- to penetrate the immensity of space and tament says—"Beloved, now are we the gaze upon the workmanship of our Fa- sons of God"—that is, in this life—"but ther's hands. it does not yet appear what we shall be: It is said concerning us that we shall but when he shall appear, we shall be be in the presence of God when we be- like him." Not unlike him, not so far sep- come immortal and perfect beings. We arated from him that the one will be fi- are now not in his presence; the Fall has nite and the other infinite; but "we shall let down a veil between us and our Fa- be like him." ther and God. This veil does not prevent the eye of the Almighty from seeing and This is consistent and reasonable. discerning the conduct of his children, Every species of being with which we but it prevents us, while in this state of are acquainted begets its own kind, mortality, from beholding his presence, and the young thereof, whether man, unless we rend the veil by our faith and quadrupeds, fowls or fish, finally grow obedience and, like the brother of Jared, up and become like their parents. This are permitted to come back into his pres- is a universal law of nature, so far as ence. But to be in the presence of God we know; therefore if we are begotten is it absolutely necessary that our earth sons and daughters of God, if we are should be wafted away from its present his offspring, he is our Father, and why orbit in the solar system and carried off separate man from all the rest of cre- to some immense distance in space? Is ation, and say that he can never become this really necessary? What are we to like his Father? If all other beings be- understand by being in the presence of come like their parents, why not we at- God? Is it necessary, to do so, that we tain to the same? And if our Father should be in the same vicinity or within and God can pierce all those creations a few yards or feet of him? I think not. mentioned by Enoch, and his eye discern We are now laboring under the imper- what is going on in the midst of them fections of the fall, and because of that all, why may not his children become fall a veil shuts us from his presence; like him in this respect? This is what but let the effects of the fall be removed the beloved disciple John the Revelator, and mankind be able to again look upon one of the Apostles of Christ, meant. He the face of their Father and Creator, and says—"Now, we are the sons of God, it they will be in his presence. THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 365

Will the spirits of men, before they re- the wicked, after they leave this body, ceive their resurrected body, return into will be so increased that they will have the presence of God? Yes. Read what a bright recollection, Alma says, of all Alma said to his son Corianton on this their guilt. Here they forget a good subject, describing the state of the spirit many things wherein they have dis- between the time of death and the res- pleased God; but in that condition, even urrection. He says—"It has been made before the resurrection, they will have known to me by an angel, that the spir- a bright recollection of all their guilt, its of all men, as soon as they are dead, which will kindle in them a flame like whether wicked or righteous, shall re- that of an unquenchable fire, creating in turn home to that God who gave them their bosoms a feeling of torment, pain life;" that is, they go back into his pres- and misery, because they have sinned ence. The wicked, however, are again against their own Father and their own cast out into outer darkness, the light God, and rejected his counsels. of the countenance of their Lord is again To go back then, into the presence withdrawn from them, a veil is let down of God, is to be placed in a condition between them and their Father and God. wherein his presence can be seen. It But how is it with the righteous? When does not mean, in all cases, that peo- they go back and behold the face of their ple who return into his presence are im- Father they will continue in the light mediately placed within a few yards or of his countenance, and have the privi- rods, or within a short distance of his lege of seeing him. They have returned person. Is there any revelation to prove to their ancient home, to that God who this? Yes. I have already quoted what gave them life, to the mansions and fa- the Lord said in relation to all these cre- miliar places where they dwelt ages and ations. He said that from the whole of ages before they came here. They have them which he had made he had taken gone back to meet with familiar acquain- Zion to his own bosom. Now if he has tances, and their memories will be so in- taken Zion to his own bosom from all creased and perfected after they leave these numberless creations, can they all this body that the things of their for- be concentrated in a little spot of a few mer state and condition will be fresh to rods in diameter in order to get into his them, and they will look upon this lit- presence? Why no. If each Zion did not tle speck called time, in which they have occupy any more space than one particle dwelt seventy, eighty or ninety years, of our globe, yet inasmuch as the worlds as but a dream or night vision during are more numberless than the particles which the things of former ages were of millions of earths like this, how could shut from their memories; but when they they all get into so small a space as to get back to their ancient home they will get near to the person of the Lord? They have a bright recollection of all these could not do it. But suffice it to say the things, and of the familiar countenance veil is removed, and no matter how dis- of their Father, and the countenance of tant a redeemed world may be, it will be his only begotten Son, and the counte- in the presence of God. nances of the millions on millions of their In order to make it familiar let brother and sister spirits, with whom me bring up an illustration well they once lived. And the memories of known among the children of mortality. 366 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

For instance, we have, within the to get into their presence? We should present century, invented methods of consider ourselves in their presence if we communicating by telegraph, by means could see them; and if in addition to this of which, with the proper facilities, we we could communicate with and make in this room in Ogden can converse with them hear us, we should feel all that fa- the people in London, and they, by means miliarity and sociability that we should of the wires laid on the bed of the great if we were within a few steps of them. Atlantic Ocean, can reply in about two I look upon the condition of things in seconds. This wonderful invention has, this respect in a future state as some- in some measure, diminished the dis- what similar to that. If you or I lived tance between the inhabitants of Ogden upon one of the most remote stars that and those of London, has it not? The peo- has ever been seen by the most powerful ple of the last century and of centuries telescopic instruments invented by man, preceding would have had to wait for a from which it would take light, trav- long period of time, before they could get eling at the immense rate of one hun- a communication from London; but now dred and ninety-two thousand miles ev- a few seconds are all that is necessary. ery beat of the pulse, six hundred thou- We will suppose that it was within the sand years to reach this planetary sys- scope of man's power—which it is not— tem; I say, suppose we were living on to hear as well as to converse through one of these very remote bodies, and sup- the aid of the telegraph line. Supposing pose there was a principle pervading all that by such means we could hear the space that would transmit to the immor- people in London; or that there was a fa- tal eyes much more swiftly than the nat- cility for so doing, such as is mentioned ural light, and that 192,000 miles a sec- in the Doctrine and Covenants, when the ond would be considered a very slow mo- first angel shall sound, by which the peo- tion compared with that still more re- ple of all the earth will hear the words fined light that shines forth from the per- that he speaks: I say, supposing there sonage of our Father and God; and sup- was such a principle brought into op- posing that our eyes were so constructed eration so that we could actually hear and adapted that we could behold the the words spoken by the people in Lon- light of his countenance without travers- don, would not that also diminish the ing this space, or in a time much less impressions of distance? Now, suppos- than six hundred thousand years, but ing still further, that there was a prin- still taking a certain length of time to go ciple differing from our natural light, all that distance, would we not be in the a principle of light of a more refined presence of God? If every world has got nature, that could penetrate from Lon- to be removed into his presence one by don to this point, so that it would af- one, and all the inhabitants thereof, how fect our eyes, enabling us to see persons many millions on millions of ages would there, then we could both see and hear it take, before all these successively them at eight or nine thousand miles dis- could enter into his presence so as to be tant. Would we not be in their presence? nearby him? If each world should roll Would it be really necessary for us to into his presence successively, and then travel eight or nine thousand miles to get give place to others, we should be out into the same room with them, in order of his presence almost continually, for THE INCREASED POWERS, ETC. 367 all those worlds I have named are not a tions, so will those who are made like beginning, not even a beginning to the him be able to do the same. number of his creations, and yet if they There are many other things that had to come along and be successively would be profitable to dwell upon in rolled into his presence, so as to be near discussing the increased capacities and him personally, if each one stayed there powers of man in his future state be- only five minutes, there is no man who sides the physical qualities I have spo- could calculate or realize anything about ken of. There is his increased knowl- the almost infinite duration that would edge and the proportionate increase of have to elapse before they could come power that will accompany it; the great round a second time into his presence. creative principle, the mechanical work Hence there is something more perfect which was performed by our Father and in the construction of the works of the God in constructing creations, and in re- Almighty that lets man into his presence deeming and glorifying them; that great, whatsoever part of the universe he may principle of knowledge by which our Fa- exist in—we may have the veil removed, ther and God can call forth from a shape- and his presence become visible. less mass of dust an immortal taberna- cle, into which enters an immortal spirit. All these principles of wisdom, knowl- Can they converse with him when sit- edge and power will be given to his chil- uated at these immense distances from dren, and will enable them to organize his person? Yes. How? Through those the elements, form creations, and call more perfect faculties which God will forth from the dust intelligent beings, give to immortal man. It is as easy who will be under their charge and con- for his children, when they are perfected trol. These things might be spoken of, and made like him, to converse with him had we time this evening; indeed it is at these immense distances and for their a subject that is almost inexhaustible in eyes to pierce all these creations as it is its nature. When we commence to speak for their Father and God to do so. upon it, we scarcely know where to be- gin, and having launched out upon it, we Thus we see that man is a God in em- scarcely know where to end, for there is bryo, agreeing with that which the Lord no end to it. has revealed to us in the vision given to Man is destined for all future Joseph—"They shall be gods, even the duration—destined to act in the ca- sons of God," growing up like their Fa- pacity of a celestial being. The facul- ther, their bodies fashioned like his glo- ties he now possesses in embryo are rious body. The attributes and faculties but little understood, yet we occasion- with which man is endowed in a mor- ally see them developed among holy tal state are Godlike in their nature, but men, as in the case of Enoch, Moses they are weakened and incapable of any and Abraham, who had the Urim and very great expansion by being shut up Thummim, and who were able to be- in this frail mortal body; but when we hold many of those creations of which are freed from mortality we have the I have spoken. Among the many at- promise that we shall become like him, tributes and powers which man will pos- and if he can grasp in his comprehension sess in a future state, I will mention that and vision all these numberless crea- of being able to comprehend more than 368 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. one thing at a time. Here we are chained that have been millions of ages in down to one thing at a time, and while progress, also the faculty of seeing and a man is attending to and trying to com- comprehending that which will take prehend one thing he almost loses sight place in the future ages of eternity, for of everything else, except it be some few millions of years to come. Here we things that are very familiar to him. If prophesy in part, and here we have he undertakes to work a mathematical knowledge in part; here we gaze upon problem, he cannot, at the same time, one thing at once; here we can compre- work out a hundred problems more, and hend the future in some measure. But come to a conclusion in regard to them. we "see through a glass, darkly," then He has to concentrate his mind on one we shall see face to face; then knowledge subject and bring forth the demonstra- in part will be done away, for the past, tions step by step in order to arrive at present and future, and millions on mil- certain conclusions. lions of creations will come before us and Will man in a future state have in- be alike comprehended by the vision of creased faculties in regard to this? Yes. immortal man. Our Heavenly Father notices every hair of the heads of the children of men that I will not detain you any longer. God falls to the ground; not one of your bless this Association, and we hope that hairs shall fall to the ground, says Je- it may exert a salutary influence not sus, unnoticed by your Father which is only over the young men of Ogden, but in heaven. If he were noticing a hair over the young ladies also, and over the falling from my head, could he notice at middle-aged and old, and that they may the same time the falling of a hair from seek every opportunity to develop the your head? Yes; and if the hair were godlike qualities with which they are en- falling from the heads of every individual dowed, that in a time to come the young on the earth at the same instant he could men here, being filled with the spirit notice the whole of it, for he has this in- of wisdom and understanding and the creased faculty by which he can grasp in knowledge of God, may be able to bear his vision myriads of things at once. off His kingdom victoriously, and be pre- We might also speak of the fac- pared for the time when the knowledge ulty of going back into the past ages and glory of God shall cover the earth as of eternity, and comprehending works the waters cover the great deep. Amen. WHAT THE GOSPEL TEACHES, ETC. 369

WHAT THE GOSPEL TEACHES—REVELATION FROM GOD NECESSARY—THE FAITH AND DOCTRINES OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE FOURTEENTH WARD ASSEMBLY ROOMS,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,FEB. 1, 1874.

REPORTEDBY DAVID W. EVANS.

I have had a note forwarded to me this world and the world that is to come. since I came here, by a party who is a We are open to truth of every kind, no stranger to me, requesting that I would matter whence it comes, where it origi- speak on our leading doctrines. There nates, or who believes in it. Truth, when are so many great principles developed preceded by the little word "all," com- in the eternal truths of God that we prises everything that has ever existed believe in, that it is a somewhat diffi- or that ever will exist and be known by cult task to attempt, in so short a time, and among men in time and through the any adequate exposition thereof, and if endless ages of eternity; and it is the I touch upon any of these principles, it duty of all intelligent beings who are re- must be very lightly. The request re- sponsible and amenable to God for their minds me of an anecdote which I read a acts, to search after truth, and to per- short time ago. A lady met with a gentle- mit it to influence them and their acts man who had traveled very extensively and general course in life, independent over the world. He was a statesman, a of all bias or preconceived notions, how- philosopher, and quite a celebrity. He ever specious and plausible they may be. and the lady were going to take dinner We, as Latter-day Saints, believe, together, and some ten or fifteen minutes first, in the Gospel, and that is a great before dinner was served, the lady said deal to say, for the Gospel embraces prin- to him—"Mr.—, I am very happy to have ciples that dive deeper, spread wider, the privilege of seeing and speaking with and extend further than anything else you, and now while they are preparing that we can conceive. The Gospel dinner, we shall have ten or fifteen min- teaches us in regard to the being and utes, will you please tell me all you know attributes of God; it also teaches us and 'have seen in your travels?'" our relationship to that God and the In regard to our religion, I will various responsibilities we are under say that it embraces every princi- to him as his offspring; it teaches ple of truth and intelligence pertain- us the various duties and responsibil- ing to us as moral, intellectual, mor- ities that we are under to our fami- tal and immortal beings, pertaining to lies and friends, to the community, to 370 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the living and the dead; it unfolds to us existed. They have not created anything, principles pertaining to futurity; in fact, and their discoveries are nothing par- according to the saying of one of the old ticularly worth boasting of. A child, in disciples, it "brings life and immortality its infancy, possesses certain reasoning to light," brings us into relationship with faculties, but they are only developed God, and prepares us for an exaltation by a long course of training and expe- in the eternal world. There is something rience. It possesses arms, legs, feet, a grand, profound and intellectual associ- head and body, eyes, ears, nose, &c., but ated with the principles of the Gospel it is unconscious of this; by and by, when as it stands connected with the salva- its reasoning faculties begin to be devel- tion and exaltation of man. A man in oped, it discovers that it has hands. It search of truth has no peculiar system to had them before, but it did not know sustain, no peculiar dogma to defend or it. It is a good deal so with us and the theory to uphold; he embraces all truth, generations which have preceded us—we and that truth, like the sun in the firma- live, and have lived in a world in which ment, shines forth and spreads its efful- from the beginning there have existed gent rays over all creation, and if men principles, organisms and systems—all will divest themselves of bias and preju- that are now known or that ever will dice, and prayerfully and conscientiously be discovered, but we have been igno- search after truth, they will find it wher- rant of them, and only become aware ever they turn their attention. But in of their existence by what is called the regard to the leading principles of the progress of science and the discoveries Gospel, there are some distinctive fea- of scientific and ingenious men. And tures connected therewith, which, like as earthly things are governed and con- all the laws of nature and of nature's trolled by unchanging laws, so it is with God, require implicit obedience and com- heavenly things. In optics certain lenses pliance therewith in order to insure a re- are needed for the reception and refrac- alization of the results which flow there- tion of light; in chemistry a certain com- from. The earth on which we live, the bination of elements is necessary to pro- matter of which it is composed, the ele- duce magnetism or electricity, and you ments with which we are surrounded, as may have these elements ever so per- well as the planetary system, have cer- fect, and without the wire you cannot tain inscrutable, eternal, unchangeable use them to convey intelligence; and you laws connected with them that cannot be may have the wire without the neces- departed from. sary combination of chemical elements, We talk sometimes about the great and the result is the same. I have a discoveries men have made connected watch; if I wind it up it will tell the time, with electricity, steam, light and its if I neglect to do that it will stop. You properties, and a variety of other have your steam engine, if you shut up principles that exist in nature; all the valve you turn off the steam, and it those principles are governed by cer- ceases to move. You have a water wheel tain specific laws, which are im- possessing certain power, but turn off mutable and unchangeable; and all the water from that wheel and its power of the great discoveries which men ceases. It is just so in regard to all the have made, have only developed cer- operations of nature—they are governed tain properties that have always WHAT THE GOSPEL TEACHES, ETC. 371 by certain laws which are understood by life hereafter. A good many people, and those who study them. those professing Christians, will sneer There are laws pertaining to eter- a good deal at the idea of present rev- nal things—the things of God—that are elation. Whoever heard of true religion just as immutable and unchangeable as without communication with God? To those of which I have been speaking, me the thing is the most absurd that the and to realize the results they are cal- human mind could conceive of. I do not culated to produce, you must submit to wonder, when the people generally re- and obey them. God has distinctly told ject the principle of present revelation, us in his revelations that "no man knows that skepticism and infidelity prevail to the things of God, but by the Spirit of such an alarming extent. I do not won- God, even as no man knows the things der that so many men treat religion with of man, but by the spirit of man that is contempt, and regard it as something not within him," then how can men obtain worth the attention of intelligent beings, a knowledge of the things of God except for without revelation religion is a mock- they first take the course which he has ery and a farce. If I cannot have a reli- pointed out? They cannot do it. If the gion that will lead me to God, and place laws which govern terrestrial things are me en rapport with him, and unfold to immutable, the laws which govern celes- my mind the principles of immortality tial things are certainly not less so, and and eternal life, I want nothing to do this brings me to the consideration of with it. some of the first principles of the Gospel The principle of present revelation, which we as a people believe in. then, is the very foundation of our re- We believe that it is necessary for ligion. The Christian world reject that, man to be placed in communication with and say the Bible is all-sufficient. I can God; that he should have revelation remember in my younger days searching from Him, and that unless he is placed its contents very diligently. It is a glo- under the influence of the inspiration rious book to study, and I earnestly rec- of the Holy Spirit, he can know noth- ommend it to the attention of our young ing about the things of God. I do men and young women, and of our old not care how learned a man may be, men and old women. "Search the scrip- or how extensively he may have trav- tures," was the command of Jesus, "for in eled; I do not care what his talent, in- them ye think ye have eternal life: and tellect or genius may be, at what col- they are they that testify of me." I would lege he may have studied, how com- not only search the Scriptures that we prehensive his views or what his judg- now have, but I would search also every ment may be on other matters, he can- revelation that God has given, does give, not understand certain things without or will give for the guidance and direc- the Spirit of God, and that necessarily tion of his people, and then I would rev- introduces the principle I before referred erence the Giver, and those also whom to—the necessity of revelation. Not rev- he makes use of as his honored instru- elation in former times, but present and ments to promulgate and make known immediate revelation, which shall lead those principles; and I would seek to be and guide those who possess it in all governed by the principles that are con- the paths of life here, and to eternal tained in that sacred word. 372 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Now then let me look back a little, When the disciples went forth to preach and examine things as they have existed. the Gospel, Jesus told them to go without What kind of a Gospel was it that Je- purse and scrip, trusting in him; and he sus introduced? We are told that it was told them that when they were brought the Gospel; but what sort of an orga- before kings, rulers and governors, they nization did his Church have? Apos- were not to think beforehand what they tles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and should say, for it should be given to them Evangelists—inspired men—men who in the selfsame hour that they needed had the ministering of angels, the spirit it. Paul said that the Gospel that he of prophecy, and the principle of revela- preached "he received not of man, nei- tion; men who had the heavens opened to ther by man;" but he received it of God, them, so that they could contemplate the and the words that he spake were not his purposes of God as they should roll along own, for he told the people definitely and throughout every subsequent period of distinctly that their words came to them time until the winding up scene. Whence "not in word only, but in power and in the did they obtain this knowledge? They ob- demonstration of the Spirit of God, and tained it through obedience to the Gospel with much assurance." They were under of Jesus Christ, and hence it is very prop- the inspiration of the Almighty. erly said that "life and immortality are And where did we get our Bible from? brought to light by the gospel." "No scripture is of any private interpre- Well, who were the ancient Apostles? tation," we are told, "but holy men of old They were men chosen and selected by spake as they were moved upon by the Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Who were Holy Ghost," and while under that in- these Prophets? Men who were in pos- spiration they uttered the word of God, session of the spirit of prophecy; and and that word became the Scripture of you show me a man who is called and truth, as we here find it. It was given inspired of God to preach the Gospel by dreams, visions and revelations, and of Jesus Christ, and I will show you a that which was thus communicated to Prophet, for we are told that "the testi- man was written, and has become what mony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy;" we call the Bible. and if a man has not the spirit of When the inspired revelations which prophecy and revelation he is not the we call the Gospel were given to men man to teach the things of God, for that there were Apostles and Prophets, pas- is the principle by which all God's chosen tors, teachers and evangelists; and how and authorized ministers in every age did Jesus tell his disciples to teach his have been inspired, and by which they Gospel? He told them to "Go into have taught the things of eternal life to all the world, and preach the gospel the children of men. to every creature," the promise being How was it with Jesus? He said that that "He that believed and was bap- "he came not to do his own will, but the tized should be saved." And it was will of the Father who sent him;" and also said that certain signs should fol- said he—"The words that I speak I speak low them that believed: they should not of myself: but the Father which cast out devils in the name of Jesus, dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." "they should lay hands on the sick, and WHAT THE GOSPEL TEACHES, ETC. 373 they should recover," &c., showing that of the apostles and prophets, Jesus there was a living, vital, energetic power Christ himself being the chief corner associated with the Gospel that was stone:" that they might have a knowl- enunciated by Jesus Christ and taught edge of the truth of the Gospel for them- by his Apostles. It was not connected selves, glowing in characters of living alone with the Apostles, as some sup- fire written in their hearts, which no pose. It does not read, "these signs man, influence or power could obliter- shall follow the Apostles who believe, or ate; but that it might dwell there like the disciples who believe," but the signs a fire upon the altar eternally burning would follow them that believe wherever and from thence spread its radiant efful- the Gospel was preached in all the world. gence glowing, increasing and spreading. The Gospel and its blessings were not re- This is the kind of Gospel the ancients stricted either to time, person or place; preached and believed in, and which we, but were to be enjoyed in all the world the Latter-day Saints, preach and be- by all who believed. lieve in. But where is the necessity of a new Paul tells us that Apostles, Prophets, revelation, some may inquire, to restore evangelists, pastors, and teachers were this Gospel, seeing that it is the same placed in the Church, for what? For the Gospel that is recorded in the Scrip- establishing of Christianity? No, it does tures? The Catholics would tell us there not read in that way. For the benefit of is no need of it, for they obtained it from the Apostles and those immediately sur- God in ancient times, and have retained rounding them? No. To convince the it, and it has been handed down in regu- pagan Gentiles and unbelieving Jews? lar succession to the present day. I am No, he tells us they were placed in the not going to investigate all these theo- Church "for the perfecting of the saints," ries today, there would not be time, suf- that they who believed in and obeyed fice it to say that they are mere fallacies, the Gospel might go on from strength to neither Catholics, Greeks, or Protestants strength and be enabled to endure faith- have retained the Gospel and the power ful to the end. It was for the perfecting of to administer it. When we come to the such persons, that, as immortal beings, Protestant world there is a great deal they might increase in light, intelligence of credit due to them for the course and truth, and be prepared to dwell with they have taken. But has the Gospel the Gods and the sanctified hosts in the been continued among them in its pu- eternal worlds. rity from the time that Jesus lived on These officers were for the perfect- the earth? Is there any man who has ing of the Saints then; were they for the hardihood to say so? I do not think anything else? Yes, "for the work you can find one. Whence originated of the ministry, and for the edifying these notions, opinions, theories, princi- of the body of Christ." Why? "That ples and dogmas that exist among men they should be no more children, tossed in the religious world at the present about by divers winds of doctrine, and day? Did they originate with God? We the craft of cunning men, whereby are told that, "he is not the author they lie in wait to deceive;" but that of confusion, but of order." Did he in- they might "be built on the foundation spire men with all these various dogmas 374 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and theories? Certainly not. Who did; shall we do to be saved? We believe your where did they come from? Why, men, statement, we believe we are sinners, we in various ages, many of them very good believe we have consented to the death men, have tried to stop the flood of evil, of the Son of God, now what shall we false doctrine, error and crime, and in do?" Did he say—"I will forgive you your doing so, unaided by inspiration, they sins?" No, no such thing. Did he have have made very great blunders. When the power? Yes. How did he exercise it? the pope, through the instrumentality Said he—"Repent, and be baptized every of Loyola, was selling indulgences in a one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for shameful and disgraceful manner, Mar- the remission of your sins, and you shall tin Luther and other reformers rose up receive the Holy Ghost," and they took and denounced it as an evil, and they them and led them down into the water, were right in that, for it was an evil, and baptized them, and their sins were and a crime and an outrage upon soci- forgiven. That is the way the Apostles ety, for it was bartering that for money forgave sins, it was not by selling indul- which God never intended or authorized. gences. Inquires one—"Did not Jesus give to Martin Luther introduced some good his disciples 'the keys of the kingdom principles, but did he bring back the of heaven,' and say that 'Whose soever Gospel Jesus brought? No, verily no. sins they remit should be remitted; and Did Melancthon? No. Zwingler? No. whose soever sins they retain should be John Knox? No. Did Calvin? No, none retained?'" "Yes." "Then why did not oth- of them brought back the Gospel of Je- ers have that power?" They did, if they sus. They went about teaching good obtained it legitimately; but not in that principles of morality, and the Gospel as kind of a way. Peter never possessed far as they knew it. But God did not power to sell forgiveness of sins. In the impart to them the light of revelation days of the Apostles there was a cer- which the ancient Saints enjoyed, and as tain man who saw the power of God each of those reformers had his peculiar made manifest through their adminis- views and ideas in regard to the Gospel, trations, and he offered them money to they were the originators of the multi- confer the same power upon him, but tudes of sects and parties now existing he was told that, inasmuch as he had in the Christian world. Luther promul- thought the gift of God could be pur- gated his views very extensively in Ger- chased with money, his money should many, Calvin, who differed from him in perish with him. "But did not Peter and regard to the doctrine of free will, and the other disciples possess the power to was a believer in the doctrine of fate, forgive sins?" Yes. How did they exer- election or reprobation, promulgated his cise it? The Scriptures are very plain views extensively, and so with others. If on that point. Read the account of Pe- they had had the light of revelation this ter, on the day of Pentecost, address- variation would not have existed, the ing thousands of people who were as- Spirit of God would have led them into sembled at Jerusalem on that occasion. all truth and brought them to the unity They cried out to Peter and the rest of of the faith, and they would have seen the Apostles—"Men and brethren, what eye to eye, as the Scriptures say men WHAT THE GOSPEL TEACHES, ETC. 375 will do "When God brings again Zion, admired, and I have read some things and with their voice together will they in his works that are not very pleas- sing." ant, gentle or amiable; but he was no doubt a very sincere and zealous Chris- tian in his way, and sought to do good. We will refer to some of these seced- Then there was Calvin, another tolera- ing churches, but first for a moment will bly sincere man in my opinion, and judg- notice the Greek church. This church se- ing from what history tells about him, ceded from the Latin church, or the Latin he was desirous of stemming the torrent from the Greek. I do not care which way of evil and advancing good principles as you take it. There was a schism between far as he knew how. But who among these two bodies, and each pursued its them brought back the Gospel which Je- own peculiar course, and that course has sus taught? Not one. Leaving Calvin, been very erratic, foolish and far from Knox, Luther and the early reformers the principles of truth. Then there is we come down to later times, and we the Episcopal Church. How did it orig- find that in the Church of England there inate? Through Henry the Eighth. How were some things which the conscien- was it that he started a church? His- tious portion of its members could not tory informs us that it was simply on sustain, and a reformation was inaugu- this ground—he was desirous of having rated by John and Charles Wesley, and a divorce from his wife and the Pope a Mr. Fletcher. They taught many good would not grant it. Before this Henry principles; but they did not bring back had written a book or pamphlet in de- the Gospel of Jesus Christ, although they fense of popery and in opposition to the were very zealous and very desirous of Reformation, for which the Pope styled doing good, and I think there was some- him "Defender of the Faith;" but when thing very creditable in their efforts to the Pope would not consent to grant the stem the current of evil and to resist and English king this divorce he became an- unmask the corruption that was creep- gry, and determined to start a church ing in under the name of religion and to of his own; and fortunately or unfortu- unmask the hypocrisy that existed; but nately he had two pliant tools, ecclesias- they did not restore the Gospel, and one tics in the Catholic church, and to grat- of them, in singing said he looked for- ify their sovereign they lent themselves ward to and hoped the time would come to him to assist in carrying out his plan, when— and together they started the Church of "From chosen Abraham's seed The England, or the Episcopal Church as it new Apostles choose O'er isles and con- is now called. When Henry had got a tinents to spread The dead-reviving priesthood of his own he got the divorce news." he wanted, and went on his way rejoicing They did not have it, however he I suppose, at least in his way. knew that, and although he was desirous of having such a state of things restored, he was not able to introduce it, for God We will now come to some oth- had not called upon him to perform that ers among the reformers. There work. was John Knox, in Scotland a very There have been various other zealous and very intolerant man, isms besides those I have men- nothing very pleasant about him, tioned, in some instances arising more some traits of his character I never from personal pique, prejudice and 376 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. contradictions and personal interests of dom, God restored his ancient Gospel men than for the glory of God and for the to Joseph Smith, giving him revela- good of mankind, and I am afraid their tion, opening the heavens to him, and originators cared more about preaching making him acquainted with the plan the Gospel according to certain men, of salvation and exaltation of the chil- rather than the Gospel according to Je- dren of men. I was well acquainted sus Christ. In such a state of things with him, and have carefully examined what is to be done? We are living in the revelations given through him, and a world in which the spirits who have notwithstanding all the aspersions that dwelt in the bosom of God are coming have been cast upon him, I believe that, into and leaving this state of existence with the exception of Jesus Christ, there at the rate of about a thousand millions never was a greater Prophet upon this in every thirty-three years; and here are wide earth than he; and to the revela- thousands of so-called ministers of re- tions he made known are we indebted ligion with an inefficient Gospel, that for the glorious principles that God has God never ordained, trying to ameliorate communicated to the world in these last the condition of mankind, and sending days. We were as much in the dark what they call the Gospel to the hea- as other people were about the princi- then, and they are continually calling for ples of salvation, and the relationship the pecuniary aid of their fellow Chris- we hold to God and each other, until tians to assist them in this enterprise. these things were made known to us by But if they have not the truth them- Joseph Smith. A great deal is said at selves how can they impart it to oth- the present time about the relation of ers? How can blind leaders lead people husband and wife; but where is there in the way of life and salvation? Was a man outside of this Church who un- it not necessary, in view of the igno- derstands anything about this relation- rance and blindness of the people every- ship, as well as that of parents to chil- where, in regard to the principles of sal- dren? There is not one, and the Latter- vation, that something should be done day Saints knew nothing about it until it to ameliorate the condition of a fallen was revealed by Joseph Smith, through world? The Christian world, by their un- the Gospel. It is the Gospel that teaches belief, have made the heavens as brass, a woman that she has a claim upon a and wherever they go to declare what man, and a man that he has a claim they call the Gospel they make confu- upon a woman in the resurrection; it is sion worse confounded; but who shall the Gospel that teaches them that, when debar God from taking care of his own they rise from the tombs in the resur- creation, and saving his creatures? Yet rection, they will again clasp hands, be this is the position that many men have reunited, and again participate in that taken. But notwithstanding the unbe- glory for which God designed them be- lief so prevalent throughout Christen- fore the world was. [To Be Continued On Page 1, Vol. 17.]