Journal of Discourses

JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

BLESSINGS FOLLOW CERTAIN ORDINANCES.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE, SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY MORNING,OCTOBER 5, 1884.

REPORTEDBY JOHN IRVINE.

[Being the portion omitted in last vol- hend by the Spirit in some degree the ume.] revelations and commandments which The whole tenor of God's dealings and have been given for the guidance of the instructions to His people have been en- Church. It is by virtue of repentance and riched and adorned with affectionate re- baptism for the remission of sins that membrance, instruction and illustration men's sins are remitted. It is by attend- of the youth of His people. They are ing to certain ordinances that the bless- the redeemed of Christ from before the ings of eternity are sealed upon us, and foundation of the world. Jesus said their by which in the plain language of the angels or spirits do always behold the Scriptures, our calling and election are face of my Father which is in heaven. made sure. But we must obey those or- He has promised that they shall come dinances in faith or their efficacy will forth in the first resurrection, that they not avail. Our Elders go abroad and "shall grow up until they become old," preach to the world, and their hearts are and when he would demonstrate who filled with charity and loving kindness should be greatest in the kingdom of towards their fellow creatures. They ad- heaven—He took a little child and placed minister to the sick among the Saints, him in their midst, saying, "Except ye re- and they are often called upon to ad- pent, and become as this little child, ye minister to those who do not belong to can in no wise enter therein; but whoso- the Church, to whom they administer ac- ever shall humble himself as this little cording to their faith, and thus the power child, the same is greatest in the king- of faith through the ordinance of God dom of heaven. And whosoever shall re- is made manifest among the children of ceive one such little child in my name re- men. ceiveth me." In relation to all these matters, there is a great deal of importance attached But there is one ordinance that the to them, not only in the matter of our Elders may have perhaps neglected and I children—which seems to be of primary do not know but I have myself—and that importance to us—but in the preaching is, that if we enter a house and the peo- of the Gospel. We that have ministered ple thereof receive us, there our peace in the Gospel have learned of the truth should abide. This was the instruction of that Gospel, and are able to compre- of the Savior in His day; and if we enter 2 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. a house and the people receive us not, their God; but the Lord requires this then we should go away and return not duty at the hands of his servants. again to that house, and wash our feet Again, we go abroad and gather in with pure water, as a testimony against many people to this place, and they de- them in the day of judgment, and thus sire to find work. One of the brethren bear witness unto the Lord that we have has referred to this matter and likened offered them salvation, that we have it unto a man going into a field and sought to preach to them the principles working diligently to plow the field, sow of everlasting life, that we have offered the grain, harrow it in, harvest it, and to them the Gospel of peace and de- then leave it to waste. It is too much sired to administer unto them a bless- so in bringing home our brethren and ing. The same is applicable to a town, our sisters to this country and not fur- village or city that rejects you. In this nishing them labor. It is a very pleas- way you do your duty and leave them ing thought that occasionally companies in the hands of the Lord. You are not of 400 or 500 people, or even 1,000, are called upon to contend with anybody delivered here from abroad. Why is it in public congregations, or to do any- pleasing? Because it shows the work of thing that would stir up wrath and in- God is progressing; it shows that God dignation. The Savior simply told his is gathering home His Saints, and soon disciples to wash their feet as a testi- after their arrival, the newcomers are mony against such people. But the gen- taken home by their friends and rela- erous, charitable feeling of our Elders tives, and provided for, made comfortable prompts them not to do a thing against until another spring, or until they look anybody; they would rather pour out a around and find or make a home. And it blessing upon the whole people. Con- is a blessed thought that, notwithstand- sequently, it is a very rare thing that ing hundreds and thousands of people this ordinance is attended to by the El- are brought here yearly and cared for, so ders of this last dispensation—speaking great a proportion of them live in their from my own experience, and conversa- own homes, raise their own cows, pigs, tion had with the brethren. But when chickens, etc. it comes to this, that we are persecuted and our lives taken, it would seem as if Frequently when we go to the Sev- this was a duty depending upon those enties and ask some of them if they are Elders who are thrust out, and warned willing to go on a mission to preach the away from their fields of labor. These Gospel, one replies: "I am no preacher at things have happened of late, and it all; I could not preach a sermon if I were seems a duty devolving upon the Elders to try:" and wind up by saying: "If I can't to do that which the law requires and go out myself and preach, I am willing leave the responsibility of its reception to help support the families of mission- or rejection with the people and their aries while they are gone." Many have God. We have no quarrel with any- said this, and many more of them have body. We simply preach the Gospel to thought it. the inhabitants of the earth. If they re- The Seventies are a numerous conceive it, well and good; if they will not, course of men who are called in then it is a matter between them and connection with the Twelve to see OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 3 that the Gospel is carried to the na- we first came here every man had to be tions of the earth. Many of them are a farmer, had to cultivate the land in or- aged—some having been in the Church der to obtain a living. Today many of the almost from the days of its first organi- brethren who come from the old coun- zation in Ohio, and many since the days try have no idea of farming, and have of Nauvoo—too aged to be called to go never, perhaps raised a chicken, a pig or upon missions—yet they could help their a cow. The brethren should take hold, brethren coming in to find employment, therefore, and assist each other in these and as do the Twelve after having la- things. Let us help to build each other bored in the vineyard to help gather the up more earnestly and more extensively harvest, labor together in the threshing than we have done. Let us not cultivate floor to help garner the wheat, clean it, feelings of covetousness to the crowding and assist to make it fit for the Master's out of those ennobling and generous sen- use. The younger men, after having se- timents which should fill the bosom of cured homes for their families, feel free every Latter-day Saint. to go on missions, knowing that their interests at home are not being neglected. My brethren, you are Elders in Israel, If the aged Seventies and all men and the blessing and power of the Priest- of experience would interest themselves hood are upon you. Therefore we should in the different parts of the Territory, do all the good we can, that those of our and find or make work for the new- brethren who are constantly coming in comers, they might do a vast deal here may obtain work, that they may not of good. They might help their be led away, through idleness, into sin, brethren who come in from the old and their hearts be turned away from the country so obtain a living. When Gospel which they have embraced.

CAUSES THAT GOVERN US IN SETTLING NEW PLACES—OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF OUR COUNTRY—WE MUST NOT CONCEDE PRINCIPLE FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF STATE GOVERNMENT—PRACTICAL MEN HAVE HELD OFFICE—THE KINGDOM OF GOD PROTECTS ALL RELIGION—HOLDING THE PRIESTHOOD SHOULD NOT DISQUALIFY FROM HOLDING CIVIL OFFICE OR GIVING COUNSEL.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE, PROVO,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,NOV. 20, 1884.

In attempting to address you this of your faith and prayers, that I afternoon, my brethren and sisters, may be led to speak upon those I trust I shall have the assistance principles that are adapted to your 4 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. circumstances and wants. We as a peo- maintain ourselves upon the principle ple are living at a time when we need that we came here in the beginning for, the assistance and direction of the Spirit and to escape the evils by which we are of God. To be taught by men and by threatened. We believe that it was God men's wisdom in our position would be who led us to this land; that it was God of little or no avail to us, from the who prepared this land as an abode for fact that the conditions which surround us; that it has been His Almighty power us are different in many respects from that has preserved us thus far, and has those which surround every other peo- ameliorated the condition of affairs— ple. We are a peculiar people. We that is the soil and the climate and the are not bound together by associations water—that has produced changes that such as exist among other peoples. We have made this land desirable and a have not come together because this land delightful home for us—and that there suited us, and was desirable for us to has been a purpose and a design in all make a living in, but we have gath- this, and that we have been the instru- ered to this land through force of circum- ments in the hands of God of working out stances over which, to a certain extent, and accomplishing that design up to the we had no control. We have come to- present time. Hence there is, as I have gether impelled by motives such as do said, a necessity that we should receive not operate upon ordinary people, and from the same source that has hitherto having objects to accomplish such as are guided us, continued guidance and con- not thought of nor labored for by oth- tinued instruction, so that we shall not ers. Other people, when they form set- stop half-way in the work that we have tlements such as we have in these moun- undertaken, but by divine help be able tains, are generally drawn together, if to accomplish it. they are new settlements, by the advan- There were some reflections that tages of locality, by the opportunities for passed through my mind as I sat in your making a living or in creating wealth, meeting this morning concerning the cir- or for some consideration or reason of cumstances which surround us, that if I this character—that is in the first place. can get the Spirit I would like to speak Afterwards, in succeeding generations, upon. they stay there because it is their birth In the first place it will not do to place, because it is the home in which judge or measure us by the standards they have been reared. But these con- that obtain among other people, and siderations have not influenced us in our by which people are measured in other settlement in these valleys. It is due to places. To form a correct judgment of none of these causes that we are orga- the Latter-day Saints, men must under- nized in communities as we are today, stand the motives which prompt them but it is due to causes that are higher to action, the considerations which af- and diverse from those that operate upon fect them, and the objects they have other people where they form settle- in view to accomplish; to form a cor- ments such as we have done. Hence, rect estimate of our character these all this being our condition, it requires wis- must be taken into consideration. But dom, it requires strength, it requires en- it is often the case that we are mea- lightenment from God, to enable us to sured by standards that do not apply to us, which may very well answer for OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 5 measuring other people and other com- this increase. He issued a decree that munities, but not for us, and in conse- all male children that were born of the quence of this we are frequently mis- Israelites should be destroyed and cast judged, and men and women come to in- into the river Nile, but that the female correct conclusions respecting us. Fault children should be spared. In this way he is constantly found with us by our ene- hoped to check the increase of the chil- mies because of these peculiarities which dren of Israel in Egypt. There is nothing they do understand, or which if they do in history that has come down to us to not understand, they pay no attention to. furnish grounds or justification for this For instance, it is frequently said to us cruel action on the part of this king. But that we are a disloyal people, that we this action was well adapted to force the are not friends to the government, that children of Israel into the feeling that we respect a power and an authority in the government under which they lived our midst which we consider paramount was a harsh, a cruel and an unfriendly to the authority of the government; and government, and to create antipathy in because of the circulation of this accu- their breasts against it. In this way this sation and its widespread belief, we are tyrant—as all tyrants have ever done— refused rights to which we are fully en- in trying to accomplish the object he had titled, which belong to us, which should in view, took the very means to bring not be withheld from or denied to us. It upon himself and his nation the evils is very remarkable when we think about that he dreaded; because if he had de- our numbers, how few we are, compar- sired to make the Israelites join the ene- atively speaking—it is very remarkable mies of the nation and be traitors in the that there should be such jealousy enter- midst of the kingdom he could not have tained about us as there is. Pharaoh and taken a more effective method than that the Egyptians were never more afraid which he did take. apparently of the great power of the chil- And so it is with us. If we had dren of Israel in their midst than our fel- not had a profound attachment to the lowcitizens, and many of them too that Constitution of the United States and are in high places, appear to be afraid of to the institutions of this government, us. They seem to look upon us as aliens, the course that is taken against us by as an alien power, and treat us accord- those who have represented the govern- ingly, when there is not the least justifi- ment has been and is of a character to cation for doing so. have driven us into open and avowed enmity to the government years and years Now, you remember, doubtless, ago. Without that deep-rooted attach- Pharaoh's treatment of the Israelites. ment we should have lost all our re- He saw that they were increasing, and spect for a government under which we he became alarmed. "Why," said he, "If have suffered such cruel wrongs. There we were going to have a war, these Is- could be no better evidence of the kind raelites are becoming so numerous they feeling and the loyalty of the Latter-day may join our enemies and take away Saints to the government of the United our kingdom from us. We must stop States, than the fact that in our breasts their increase." And he counseled with and throughout these mountains, there his people as to the best method to stop prevails an unquenchable love and 6 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. respect for the Constitution and the all these acts, they equal in cruelty and institutions that spring therefrom, perfidy, and inhumanity, any of the acts notwithstanding we have been denied of which we read in the Scriptures. Men our rights and been treated with the ut- are shocked when they read the story most cruelty. There is scarcely an act of of the treatment of the Israelites by oppression that could be practiced that Pharaoh. All the preachers through- we have not had to endure, from the out the land, when they read that, com- time the church of which we are mem- ment more or less upon it to their con- bers, was organized up to the present gregations, and talk about the cruelty of time. We have been falsely accused of all which that king was guilty, and praise kinds of crimes, have been mobbed and the Israelites, and praise Moses for that repeatedly driven from our homes with which they did. At the same time the entire loss of our property, have been they are guilty themselves of as great outraged, warred upon, subjected to vi- crimes. They are guilty of inciting a gov- olence of almost every description, and ernment against its citizens—its peace- murdered. One by one our rights have ful citizens—and stirring up the govern- been assailed. We have been stripped ment to acts of harshness, of cruelty, and of them under forms of law; we have even some of them go so far as to defend been denied justice, and treated with ex- the use of the army by the government to treme vindictiveness. Our families—if destroy a peaceful people from the face of those who had the execution of the laws the earth. in their hands could have accomplished Now, as I have said, no people in the it—would have been rent asunder; wives world have given greater proofs of at- would have been torn from their hus- tachment to their own government, and bands, children from their parents; of devotion to those sacred principles of households would have been destroyed; liberty that we have inherited than the distrust and enmity and hatred would Latter-day Saints have done in these have been engendered in the breasts of mountains. But, as I have said, the cry the people one towards another—that is, is still that we are disloyal; that we unite if the measures that have been framed church and state; that we have an au- against us could have been successfully thority in our midst that we respect and carried out as they were designed by obey, while we disregard the civil au- those who framed them. Just think of thority of the land. These things are a it! Think of the manner the women of frequent cause of complaint against us, this community have been tempted to and we are denied our rights. We to- turn traitors to their husbands and their day, should be a State. This Territory of friends! Every inducement possible has Utah should be one of the United States. been offered to them to turn against and We should have the right to elect our betray their husbands, and the seeds own Governor, to elect our own Judges, of enmity have been sown, or have en- to elect every officer in fact that exe- deavored to be sown, in the breasts of cutes the laws or has anything to do with families, and of children against par- the administration of the government ents, and against each other, throughout in our own land. We have been here the entire land. When you contemplate 37 years, and during 34 years of that OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 7 time we have been an organized Territo- admitted as a State in the Union, ex- rial government, longer than any other cept for the reason, and that has no foun- community on the continent except New dation in truth, that we are not to be Mexico, which was organized at the same trusted, that we are in such a condi- time. Other Territories have sprung up tion that if we were to get a State gov- and had speedy recognition as States, ernment there would be danger result- and are now numbered as members of ing from that grant of power unto us. the Union years after we settled this Of course all of you, my brethren and country. There is no good reason why sisters, know how untrue this is, how we should not have had this same right utterly without foundation such accusa- granted unto us; no good reason what- tions are, but, nevertheless, they are lis- ever. We have shown our capability for tened to and believed. good government, for maintaining good Efforts have been made among us to government. Our Territory today is an change this condition of affairs. There example for maintaining to all the Ter- have been, and still are, perhaps, some ritories and to many States, so far as who call themselves Latter-day Saints, good government is concerned, and free- who are almost ready to lend themselves dom from debt, and everything in fact to any scheme that has for its object that makes life enjoyable and easy for the obtaining of a State organization for the citizen. We are lightly taxed, and Utah. Such persons look upon this as we have maintained ourselves without so great a blessing and so great a boon, aid from the general government or from that they are almost willing to forego any other community; while other com- their religious belief and to pander to munities that have had nothing like the those who have got power, and to make difficulties to contend with that we have some sort of a concession to them, in or- had, have been beggars either at the der to achieve this, what they consider, door of the National Congress, or of their very desirable end. There has been some neighboring States and their fellowciti- agitation in years past respecting plu- zens. When other places were visited by ral marriage, and some people, calling grasshoppers, the whole land resounded themselves Latter-day Saints, have been with appeals for aid; but though we for almost ready to go into the open mar- five years in succession, in some of our ket, and bid for a State government, at settlements, had crops destroyed by the the price of conceding this principle of same cause, yet no wail went up from our religion, for the privilege of becom- Utah, asking the nation for help. We ing a State of the Union. Those who have been so independent, and so dis- are ready to do this are ready also to posed to sustain ourselves, and to fight cast off obedience to the Priesthood of our own battles with the difficulties that the Son of God, and to say, "We do not environed us, that we have managed to believe that men who hold an office in get along without having recourse to this the Church should have any voice in the method of obtaining assistance, and in affairs of the State." They are ready to this respect our course has been unex- sell out their belief as Latter-day Saints, ampled. and their veneration and reverence for Now, as I say, there is no good that power which God has restored, for reason why we should not have been the sake of obtaining a little recog- 8 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. nition of their rights as citizens, on the government? Has there been a man who part of those in power. It does not re- has come here as Governor, who has had quire much familiarity with the Spirit of the ability, even if he had the disposi- God, or with the principles of our holy tion, to guide and to counsel the people religion to understand exactly the posi- of this Territory, and to manage its af- tion that such persons as these to whom fairs as well as the men among us who I allude, occupy among us. When a man have had leading positions in the Priest- is ready to barter any principle of salva- hood? Why, there is not an instance of tion for worldly advantage, that man cer- the kind. You take the best disposed tainly has reached the position that he Governor we have had—and they are esteems worldly advantage above eter- easily mentioned, the few that we have nal salvation. Can such persons retain had who have been well disposed—you the Spirit of God, and take such a course take them and compare them with the as this? No, they cannot. That other men who laid the foundation of this com- spirit will lead such persons astray, and monwealth, who laid the foundation of they will be left to themselves. Will there this Territorial government, and built up be such persons continue among us and this government, and there is no compar- be associated with us? I do not question ison between them. So that, aside from it. I expect we shall have such charac- every other consideration, men are justi- ters with us, during our future career as fied in seeking wisdom and guidance at we have had in the past. We have had the best fountain, at the best source. If all sorts of people connected with this I want counsel I will go to the men who Church. As the work rolls forth, as it in- are fitted to give me counsel. If I were creases in numbers, so will these charac- not a Latter-day Saint it would make no ters increase—that is, for a certain time, difference to me who the person was if he until the day comes when the kingdom of could give me good counsel. If he was a God and the reign of righteousness shall man of ripe experience I would feel justi- be fully ushered in. fied in going to that man and getting his advice. Now, regarding this accusation that This has been our position as a peo- is made concerning the Priesthood. It ple. We have had men among us who is the most common charge that is made have proved themselves in the best pos- against us that we listen to the Priest- sible manner, beyond dispute, to to be hood, that we are more obedient to the entirely capable of directing and man- Priesthood than we are to those who hold aging and counseling in all matters civil authority. The question may be very that pertain to our earthly existence. properly asked: Have we not had good Have they not shown this through years reason for this? Should we not be most and years of experience? The peo- consummate fools it we did not listen ple have proved them. Now, would to our friends instead of our enemies? not the people be great fools, would it From the time that President Young was not be the height of folly for people superseded as Governor of this Terri- who have this knowledge to say: "No, tory, until the present time, what kind I won't ask these men for counsel; I of officers have we had sent into our won't go to them for advice; I won't midst to administer the affairs of the listen to anything they say, because OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 9 if I do so, I am listening to the Priest- part of the people to go to them, and to hood; but I will go to somebody who does listen to them, and to expect from them not know anything; I will go to some"—I all the necessary teachings and counsels. was going to say ass—(laughter)—for if There will be no lack of disposition on the ever men have proved themselves to be part of sensible men and women such as fools, it has been some of our governmen- we profess to be; but until they do this, tal officials—"I will go to some man of until they show this capability and this this kind and ask his counsel, and have power, they had better hold their tongues him to tell me what to do, because I am and say nothing about others leading the anxious to show that I am loyal to the people. The fact is this, and it is appar- government of the United States." ent to all of us, that there are certain Now, would you not call any man who men who can destroy much easier than would do this an idiot, when he could they can build up. It required a great have got good counsel from his friends; deal of skill to build the Temple at Eph- when he would turn his back on his esus: it required the highest skill in ar- friends, and go to somebody for counsel chitecture: but a fool destroyed it with who did not know anything, not as much a little blaze. It takes men to build up, as he, the person, did himself about the but children can burn down and destroy. question he submitted to him? I would It takes men to build a commonwealth, say, and you would say, that people who and lay the foundation of that which we would do such a thing were little less see around us; it takes labor and years than idiots. of experience and wisdom to accomplish Well, now, what crime are we guilty such results; but any poor creature that of? If we have men among us who have is half-witted can destroy all these labors more experience than they, and who in a very short time, and those that have have proved themselves capable of guid- come among us in too many instances ing the people, what crime are we guilty representing the government have been of in giving heed to their counsel and men of this caliber; they would like to seeking it? Because they hold the Priest- destroy, tear down, and reduce to chaos. hood are their mouths to be stopped That would suit them far better than it up so that they cannot speak; are they would to build up. to be deprived of the rights of citizen- My brethren and sisters, I would like ship, and all the rights that men have to have us as a people look at these mat- that are born free, because they hold the ters, if we can, from a sensible point, Priesthood? Is that a good reason? A from the standpoint of common sense more senseless reason never was given. and reason, and not allow ourselves to If these government officials and these be diverted from the course that we men that represent the government are have adopted by the outcry that is made so much better and so much more capa- against us and by the howls that are ble of guiding the people, and have so raised about us. It would be exceedingly much greater right to be listened to and foolish for us to do so. obeyed, let them show it by their works. When they have proved it, I suppose God has given unto us, as we be- there will be no lack of disposition on the lieve and as we testify, His Gospel; 10 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

He has given unto us His Church; He said—and I have had to meet it often in has given unto us the authority by which my life time, particularly in Washington; men and women are led into His Church they have said and do say, "Why, your and governed in His Church—the au- Probate Judges are Elders and Bishops, thority which He Himself recognizes and and your other officials hold offices in the the only authority that He has given to Church." man on the earth to act in His stead. We believe this, we testify of it. At Well, is this a crime? Is there any- the same time while we have this be- thing in the law or the Constitution of lief, and form ourselves into a Church or- our country, or is there anything else ganization, we never have at any time that is recognized as binding among men in our history attempted to make our that would prevent Elders and Bishops Church organization the only organiza- from holding office? I do not know of tion and the dominant organization in anything. I do not know that a man is matters that pertain to everyday affairs any worse for being a Bishop or an El- and to civil government. There has al- der, or any more unfitted for civil em- ways been among the Latter-day Saints, ployment, or the discharge of civil func- great respect shown for civil authority, tions, than if he were not a Bishop or and for the laws of the land. In fact, an Elder, especially among a people or- as soon as possible after our first settle- ganized as we are. As I say this charge ment here, a Legislature was organized has been frequently brought against us and the provisional government of De- in my hearing, and I have had to meet it seret was formed, when there was no before committees of Congress and else- one but Latter-day Saints in the coun- where. The reply I have made to such try at the time. We could have been charges is this: that among the Latter- governed by our Church organization; it day Saints in Utah every reputable man was sufficient for our purpose during the in the community bears some office in winter of 1847-8, and during the sum- the Church. As soon as he arrives at a mer of 1848. It was quite sufficient. sufficient age if he is a reputable man There was no other organization. But as he receives an ordination in the Priest- soon as the Pioneers returned, President hood. The best and the most active men Young and the rest of the brethren— in our community are the men who be- there was no time lost in organizing a come prominent in Church affairs. Our civil government—the Provisional Gov- Bishops live without salaries, or support ernment of the State of Deseret—and from the people, they, before being cho- laws were enacted in due form by the sen, having shown their ability to sus- civil authority, and from that day until tain themselves. They are not like mem- the present it has been respected and bers of other denominations who are a honored among us, and will be from burden to the people, or who receive an this time forward, as long as this peo- education especially for those duties, and ple exist. There is no people on the thus live by the salaries that are fur- face of the earth that draw a nicer dis- nished them by the members of their tinction than we between that which be- congregation. In a community where longs to the Church and that which be- there is a class of that kind there may be longs to the State. But it is frequently some propriety in saying that ministers OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 11 of religion shall not take part in the af- anywhere in any Legislature in this fairs of state, although there is noth- country, men who understand the wants ing of that kind said anywhere in the of their constituents and of the peo- constitution or the laws; but there may ple, and the kind of laws that are best be some propriety in saying this where adapted to them. I have had some ex- men are educated especially for the perience in mingling with men in pub- ministry—where they devote themselves lic life, and I must say that for practi- to that labor and withdraw themselves cal wisdom, and for a knowledge of the from the practical affairs of life and de- affairs of the country and of the people pend upon their parishioners furnishing represented in Utah Territory, there was them support. There might be some found, previous to the passage of the Ed- propriety in saying to a class of that munds law, a class of men that had not kind, "you are not fit to take part in their superiors anywhere in this land, civil affairs, and the practical, every- for practical wisdom and the ability nec- day affairs of life, because of your call- essary to lay the foundation, and to pering and because of the nature of your petuate the institutions of a great coun- duties." But we say there is great im- try. propriety in saying that those who la- Is it wrong for men who have the bor in the ministry among us shall not Priesthood, and who act in this capac- take part; for this reason: that all the ity, to act in civil offices and to let the men among us who are the most prac- people have the benefit of their expe- tical, the most energetic, and the most rience in these matters—is there any business like—from these men the min- wrong in this? I can see none, and isters are chosen, that is, men who la- I am sure that no man who is a true bor in the ministry as Bishops, as El- friend to his country can. There is no ders, as missionaries, and in other ca- good reason why these men should be pacities. They have proved that they excluded; in fact there is every reason are capable of sustaining themselves by why they should be invited to take part their own efforts, and at the same time in establishing the affairs of the coun- devote a certain portion of their time try. I have often said, in speaking to to public affairs. Hence, you will find our brethren and sisters in various parts among us as a rule that our Bishops of the Territory, that that which we be- are all practical men; our Presidents of hold today in our Territory—the good or- Stakes and their Counselors, and the der, the peace, the freedom from debt, Bishops and their Counselors, the Teach- the lightness of taxation, and all the cir- ers and others, are all active business cumstances that are so favorable to us men among us. They have gained experi- as a people, are due to the men who ence, and because of that they are some- have borne the Priesthood, commenc- times chosen to fill local offices. Take ing with President Brigham Young, his the Legislature of Utah Territory, com- Counselors, and the Twelve Apostles, posed as it has been of some holding po- and the leading men in Israel—the cir- sitions in the Church, and you will find cumstances which surround us, I say, a body of practical men, the superiors are due to the wisdom that God has of whom are not to be found—I say it given unto them in managing these af- without fear of truthful contradiction— fairs. At the same time, because this is 12 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the case, there is no necessity that there every attempt to deprive it of its legiti- should be a blending of church and state. mate rights. At the same time it will pro- There is no necessity for this; it is not tect the Methodist just as much as it will wise to blend church and state. I do not the Latter-day Saint; it will protect the believe that as members of the Church Roman Catholic just as much as it will we should pass decrees or laws that the Methodist; it will protect men of ev- would bind other people. I have no such ery creed; it will protect the worshipper belief, never did have. I do not think of idols in his civil rights, in his rights I ever shall have. But because a man as a man and as a citizen. A man may is a member of a church, and because a be an infidel; a man may have been a man is a servant of God, and because a Latter-day Saint, and denied the faith man bears the Priesthood of the Son of and lost his standing in the Church of God, he should not be prevented because God, and yet so far as the civil authority of that from acting in any civil capacity, is concerned, so far as the power that is from taking part in civil matters and ex- wielded by that which we call the King- ecuting the laws that are enacted by civil dom of God is concerned, that man will authority. receive the amplest protection; he will The province of the Kingdom of God have the fullest enjoyment of his rights. that Daniel saw, the kingdom that would President Taylor told us this be established in the last days, is to be morning—told us as plainly as it could as a shield to the Latter-day Saints, to be be told—the manner in which all men as a bulwark around about that Church, should be treated. And that is the de- and around about that Church alone? sign of God; and therein our friends No. The apostate will have his civil in the east are trampling upon the rights under that kingdom. The non- true principles of liberty in their at- Mormon, or Gentile as he is called, will tacks upon us, and in their treatment have his rights under that kingdom. The of us. Such treatment will just as surely Chinaman, the Negro, and the Indian— bring down condemnation and destruc- each of them will have his rights under tion upon a government that practices that kingdom, and yet not be members these things, as that the setting of the of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- sun will bring darkness upon the earth. day Saints. A good many of our people It is not possible for men to continue in confound the Kingdom of God with the such a course of oppression and wrong Church of God. Now there is a very wide doing as has been pursued by our fel- distinction between the two. A man may, lowcitizens that have had the reins of in one sense, be a member of the Church government in their hands, without in- of Christ, and not a member of the King- volving themselves in trouble. It is dom of God. The two organizations are impossible that they can perpetuate entirely distinct. The Kingdom of God their power, and conduct themselves when it shall prevail in the earth—as as they have been doing towards us it will do—will be the civil power which and towards others. There are eter- will shield and protect the Church of nal principles of justice that cannot Christ against every attack, against be violated without injury to the per- every unlawful aggression, against son who violates them. A government OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 13 that lends itself to the oppression of its land that no government can stand that citizens, will sooner or later receive pun- will do this. None of us has any right ishment. That which it sows it will reap. to interfere with the faith and the wor- It will be a harvest that will be most bit- ship of our fellowcitizens, unless their ter and sorrowful for those who reap it. faith and their worship interfere with our rights. That is a proposition that is We are now citizens of this Terri- easily comprehended. If I do not inter- tory. We fled here. As Latter-day Saints fere with any man's right by my worship, we came here as exiles, seeking for a and by that which I consider right to do home in the wilderness. God led us to my Maker, no man has any right un- to this land, in which, notwithstanding der any form of government to interfere all that maybe said to the contrary, we with me. have laid the foundation of this Terri- Hence it is that all this action con- tory, we have made this land a peace- cerning marriage is wrong—this inter- ful, a happy land. There is no man in ference with marriage—it is all wrong the country, no matter what his creed from beginning to end, especially in view may be, that is oppressed or has been of the fact that it is an important prin- oppressed by the Latter-day Saints. We ciple of our religion. We are ready to have not been tyrannical in the exercise testify that our belief in marriage and of our power. We have not discriminated our practice of it, is interwoven with our against those not of us. We have given hopes of eternal salvation. Select ev- them the same rights that we have our- ery man who has had more wives than selves. The same peace that we have one and retained the faith of the Gospel; desired to enjoy we have been willing take him and his wives and interrogate that they should enjoy, and we have ex- them respecting their faith, and every tended these privileges to them in com- one would say: "this principle is so- mon with ourselves. We have sought in intimately interwoven with my hopes of no manner to interfere with their belief, eternal salvation, that I would be afraid nor with the exercise of it. The Roman that I would be damned if I did not Catholic in Salt Lake City, has been as obey it." I believe that in nine hundred unmolested as the Latter-day Saint has and ninety-nine cases out of a thousand been. We may not believe in their re- where people are in the faith they would ligion; we may think the Methodist re- make this response. ligion a poor religion to believe in and Well, now, what right has any num- practice, and so with other forms of re- ber of people—there may be unnum- ligion; but while we believe this, we bered millions who say this is not have no right, neither have we ever ex- religion—but what right have they to ercised any power towards restraining do this? If there was only one per- them or restricting them, or in any man- son on the face of the earth that en- ner depriving them of the free exercise tertained that belief, and he were alone of their rights of conscience and of faith, and all the rest of mankind were op- and no government can stand and pros- posed to him, it would be just as pre- per that will do it upon this land, for cious to him as if millions entertained a God has made promises concerning this belief in common with him. Therefore, 14 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. because there are millions who say it is destroying the foundation of many not religion, this does not make it so. We communities within the confines of testify in the most solemn manner that it the United States, and they are is a part of our religion, and that we can- determined—those who are guilty of not forego this principle without feeling these things—that we shall not exist. that we forego our salvation, our eternal The loudest outcry against us, and the exaltation, by so doing. most devoted efforts against us, come from the region where these dreadful practices prevail, where women murder Then the question arises in the prac- their offspring before they are born, are tice of this principle—do those who prac- guilty of this prenatal murder, among tice it infringe upon the rights of their the people of the United States who fellowcitizens? Is society disturbed? Are think themselves the most enlightened. there wrongs done to society at large by Twenty-five years ago when I was la- the practice of this principle? Let those boring in the ministry in that region I who have lived among us answer this visited one of the towns, and the Pres- question. There never was a more peace- ident of the branch of the Saints there, ful society than our society—that is, not (an old resident, whose ancestors were for the past few hundred years at least. among the first settlers of the town) told Go through our settlements, and is there me his wife was continually jeered at— quarreling, is there strife, are there bad and this was 25 years ago—by her as- examples set to the rising generation, is sociates, because she bore children, and impurity taught, or any examples of im- bore them regularly—that she did not purity shown? No, there is not. We all take means to prevent the increase of know this, and we know that in practic- her family! If I had not known him I ing our religion we do not infringe upon could scarcely have believed it, it was the rights of our fellowcitizens. too horrid. I have learned since, however, that that is a common practice in But this attempt has been made just that region. The feature of that society as it was in ancient days. I look upon that impresses most vividly a traveler it as a revival of the same spirit that from Utah is the fewness of children in prompted Pharaoh to seek the destruc- what are called the best families. And tion of the male children among the Is- yet it is from there that the principal raelites. If we were guilty of those crimes outcry is raised against us, and the deso fashionable in the world whereby the termination expressed to break up our increase of families is prevented, I do families and to destroy us. not suppose there would be one word God has gathered a few people out said about our system of marriage; I from the nations of the earth, out of have no idea there would be. But the Babylon. But shall they partake of fact that we do raise children—the fact these influences? I say to you, my sis- that our houses and settlements are ters, you teach your daughters against full of healthy offspring, is a stand- this accursed practice, or they will go to ing protest against the crimes of the hell, they will be damned, they will be age; it is a standing protest against murderers, and the blood of innocence those abominable practices that are will be found upon them. A man that OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 15 would sanction such a thing in his family, thing that I am impressed with, and that or that would live with a woman guilty of is, there will be considerable condemna- such acts, shares in the crime of murder. tion rest down upon the Elders of this I would no more perform the ordinance Church for their neglect in these mat- of laying on of hands on a woman who ters. Women are led astray and fall into is guilty of that crime, if I knew it, than the hands of wicked men because of rel- I would put my hands on the head of a atives to the dead neglecting to do that rattlesnake. We must set our faces like which is their duty; acting as though flint against such acts. These dreadful the Lord cannot reward a man for keep- practices are coming up like a tidal wave ing His law. "Oh," says a man, and as and washing against our walls; for there President Taylor has remarked, "I want are women among us who secretly—so I to raise up a family for myself." He for- am told, I know nothing about this per- gets God can bless him and his seed af- sonally, but I am told there are women ter him. Look at the case of Boaz and among us who are instilling this murder- Ruth. He took Ruth, who was the wife ous and accursed idea into the breasts of of his kinsman. She had no children, women and girls in our midst. Now just but he took her when another kinsman as sure as it is done, and people yield who had a prior right to her, rejected her. to it, so sure will they be damned, they From that alliance sprang the noblest will be damned with the deepest damna- men that were in Israel—Obed, Jesse, tion; because it will be the damnation of David, Solomon, and through Boaz and shedding innocent blood, for which there Ruth came the Son of God. And that was is no forgiveness; and I would no more, a proxy case, as it is called. Ruth was as I say, administer to such women, bap- the wife of Boaz's kinsman who had died. tize them, or perform any ordinance of Boaz took her to wife, and raised up an the Gospel for them, than I would for a honorable posterity. And it is a wicked reptile. They are outside the pale of sal- thing among us to allow such cases to vation. They are in a position that noth- go uncared for. A young woman is left ing can be done for them. They cut them- a widow, sometimes without a son to rep- selves off by such acts from all hopes of resent her deceased husband; she should salvation. be cared for, and not left to fall into bad hands, as frequently is the case among As a people we should encourage us for the want of care on the part of marriage. I am always delighted when those whose duty it is to attend to such I hear President Taylor speak as he did matters. this morning on the principle of broth- My brethren and sisters, God is ers taking their brothers' widows to wife. watching over us, and He holds us to There are many young women among us a strict accountability for the things He pining away, that should be mothers in has revealed to us. He has revealed to us Israel, that should be raising posterity, eternal principles. Let us be faithful to because the brothers are so indifferent to that Priesthood which He has gives unto the rights that belong to the institution us; let us honor it, and not be intimi- of marriage as to let these young women dated by the outcry that is raised against stay in this condition. And there is one us that we are doing wrong because 16 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. we listen to the Priesthood. There is no all the people be wise and exercise wis- such thing as wrong connected with this. dom, and have the Spirit of God to dis- God has inspired His servants, and has cern who are suitable for office. If the given them wisdom to manage the af- people could do this I can tell you that fairs of this people, and to guide them President Taylor and his Counselors, in spiritual matters. They have full au- and the Twelve, and the other leading thority to do this, and they will do it if men of Israel would be very glad indeed. the people will listen to them, and then But you know as well as we do that there in temporal matters they will guide them are unwise men among us who would, as far as they have the opportunity. Be- if they had the power, destroy the peo- cause they are Priests of the Most High ple; not because they would design to do God, they are no worse for that; they it, but because of their ignorance; they are not handicapped because they have are ignorant and would do it, without the Priesthood. In a civil capacity they knowing what the consequences would can act as fairly, justly, wisely, as those be; and on this account it is right that who do not have the Priesthood. They do experienced men should give the people not act with any less wisdom or any less the benefit of their knowledge, not how- power because they have the Priesthood ever, interfering with the rights of the than they would do if they did not have people, not in the least; and it never has it. I have heard so much of this sort of been done, at least within my knowledge, talk that to me it is perfectly ridiculous. in my public experience among the peo- They talk about our management of elec- ple. And I repeat there has been less of tions, and management of other affairs. I this among us, considering the influence will tell you my experience, and I have the Priesthood have, than in any other had some experience in these matters. community or any other people that I am I have attended caucuses elsewhere; I acquainted with anywhere in the land. know the machinery that is used; I know I wanted to say this much, because I the wire pulling; I have seen it in op- know there is a great deal of misappre- eration, and I say to you that there is hension upon these points. There are not the interference on the part of lead- men, agitators, who talk about interfering men here with the will of this peo- ence on the part of the Priesthood, and ple that there is in the States in polit- try to breed disturbance and confusion ical circles. And I tell you this: that among the people, unsettle their minds leading men in other communities seek and have them think there is something to exercise more influence and lay their very wrong going on here. I speak of it plans to have their wishes carried out to remove these wrong impressions, and to a far greater extent than the leading to disabuse the minds of those who enter- men of this community do among us— tain them, for they are not correct. There I mean those who have the Priesthood. are more caucuses, more plans, more There is a disposition on the part of the pipe laying, more log rolling, more wire leading Priesthood to let the people have pulling in the States in one day, than their way, not to interfere with their se- you will see in a month or a year among lections. There is that disposition, and it us. They resort to all sorts of devices is encouraged, and the desire is to have to get their man elected under promise OUR RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. 17 of preferment and office. Why, there I hope we shall never be in such a po- is scarcely a man that gets an office in sition as this, for it would lead to the de- the United States that is not bound by struction of liberty and free government pledges of this kind. A man cannot be among us, if we should ever give way to Speaker of the House of Representatives, these things. Let men go into office free without being hampered by promises he and untrammeled. Let them be elected is compelled to give in order to get the po- because they are the men most suitable, sition, promises to put this man on this and not because they want the office. Let committee, and the other man upon an- us, as a people, endeavor to find men who other committee, some to be chairmen do not seek for office, and who do not of committees, and so on. So with the want it, but who take it because it is the President of the United States. Proba- wish of their fellowcitizens. And let us bly Grover Cleveland will be an excep- keep our salaries so low that men will tion, because he has not been much in not scramble for office and live on the public life: but it is a rule that the nomi- people as officeholders, than which there nees of the different parties give certain is nothing more hateful in a free land. promises as to what they will do, and I pray God to fill you with the Holy who will get leading positions. They are Ghost, to guide you in the path of righ- just as much fettered as though chains teousness, to enable you to avoid the were on their wrists and ankles. They many evils abroad in the world, and as cannot move only in a certain direction. Zion progresses to avoid evils that will All freedom is taken away. A Presi- crowd upon us; because as Zion increases dent is nearly killed after he gets his there will be new temptations and cir- position in endeavoring to satisfy the cumstances thrown around us that will clamors and wishes of those who claim be a trial to us, unless we have the aid they elected him to office. This is the of our God to help us contend with and case all through the government. There overcome them; and that we may have is no office, even to that of a consta- this aid is my prayer in the name of Je- ble, but is obtained in the same way. sus, Amen. 18 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

THE PERSONALITY OF GOD—VAGUENESS OF THE COMMON IDEA OF DEITY—WHO AND WHAT GOD IS—THE SPIRITS OF MEN THE OFFSPRING OF GOD—SPIRIT NOT IMMATERIAL—THE TRINITY CREED OF CHRISTENDOM—MAN MAY BECOME LIKE GOD IN HIS GLORY.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER CHARLES W. PENROSE, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,NOVEMBER 16, 1884.

REPORTEDBY ARTHUR WINTER.

The remarks which have been made acter that no one can understand them. to us this afternoon by Bishop Preston The reason of this is because those per- are of a practical nature and calculated sons who have attempted to make an ex- to lead our minds to reflection upon our planation have not understood the sub- duties as Latter-day Saints. ject themselves; and when a person does The religion of God is a practical reli- not understand a thing it is very diffi- gion, and God is a real and practical be- cult for him to try and make somebody ing. It has been stated by one of our lead- else understand it. Now, I do not pre- ing men that God is "a business God," tend to say that there is anybody liv- and many remarks have been made con- ing who fully and entirely comprehends cerning that expression by persons op- God; but there are many people living posed to us, with the desire of turning it who have some definite ideas concerning to ridicule. It has not been stated by any Him, concerning His attributes, concern- of our brethren that God is only a busi- ing His ways, concerning His will; and ness God, but the remark was made with what they understand they are at liberty reference to some of his attributes and to declare and to try and make other peo- of His works. The people of the present ple understand, particularly if they are day who profess to believe in God, gen- called upon by the Lord, and authorized erally speaking, have very little idea in by Him so to do. People very frequently regard to what He is. They consider refer to that passage of Scripture which that He is incomprehensible. Their ideas says: "God is a Spirit," and as their no- concerning Him are very vague, and the tions concerning what spirit is, are not attempts which have been made to ex- very clear, that passage of Scripture does plain God to the children of men, by per- not make very plain to their understand- sons who claim to be teachers of religion, ing what God is. People, generally speak- and to have authority to speak in the ing, have an idea that spirit is some- name of the Lord, are of such a char- thing intangible, something that cannot PERSONALITY OF GOD. 19 be comprehended, nor seen, nor han- image, after our likeness. * * * * So God dled; that it is far different in every re- created man in his own image, in the im- spect from anything that is material; in age of God created he him; male and fe- fact, the philosophers and theologians male created he them." God is a spirit; call spirit "immaterial substance." Now, but it does not follow that because God this is for want of knowing better. Men is a spirit, He has no form, no shape, in these times, like men in former days, no extent, no limit; or that He can be, have tried to find out God and the things as an individual, in every place at the of God by human wisdom and learning, same time, as many people imagine. We and they have failed: for "Man by search- are told that God dwells in heaven, and ing," the Scripture says, "cannot find out when Jesus Christ was upon the earth God." But God can manifest Himself to He always taught His disciples that their man; and if God chooses to make Himself Father was in heaven. He said that as manifest to His children they can mea- He came from the Father so He was go- surably comprehend Him. But in their ing back to the Father. This individual, mortal state, in this state of probation then, has a location, a place of residence. in which we live, mankind cannot fully He occupies a certain position, He dwells grasp Deity to comprehend Him as He in the heavens, and He made man in His is in His majesty, and might, and power image, in His likeness. Jesus, we are and glory; but, as I said, they can mea- told, was in the "express image" of His surably comprehend God when He man- Father's person. When He was upon the ifests Himself to them, and they can un- earth He came to represent His Father, derstand Him to the extent that He man- and we are told concerning Him, "Who, ifests Himself to them. being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." And the According to the book called the Apostle Paul, who makes this declara- Bible, God the Eternal Father has man- tion, advised his brethren to have the ifested Himself at different times to in- same mind in them that was in Christ dividuals living upon the face of this Jesus: earth, and according to the testimony "Let this mind be in you, which was of the Latter-day Saints, God has man- also in Christ Jesus: ifested Himself in this age of the world "Who, being in the form of God, in a similar way to men whom He called thought it not robbery to be equal with and appointed to act in His name; and God: from what we read of God's revelations "But made himself of no reputation, in former days as well as in latter days, and took upon him the form of a servant, we learn that He is a person, an in- and was made in the likeness of men: dividual: that He is not a myth, not "And being found in fashion as a man, an imaginary being, but a reality, and he humbled himself, and became obedi- that He is in the form and likeness of ent unto death, even the death of the man, or in other words, that man is cross. made in the image of God. In the open- "Wherefore God also hath highly ex- ing book of the Bible, in the very first alted him, and given him a name which chapter of that book, we read: "And is above every name: God said, Let us make man in our "That at the name of Jesus 20 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. every knee should bow, of things in which inhabits his body, and which is heaven, and things in earth, and things the life of the body in addition to the under the earth; blood—blood being the life of the flesh, "And that every tongue should con- but the spirit animated all—comes from fess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the God, and is the offspring of God. Because glory of God the Father.—Philippians of this, we understand what is said in 1 2:5-11." John, iii, 2: Now Jesus, who was in the form of "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, God, was only one of the sons of God. He and it doth not yet appear what we shall called His disciples His brethren, and He be: but we know that, when he shall ap- impressed upon them the great fact that pear, we shall be like him; for we shall His Father was their Father, that His see him as he is." God was their God, that He was one of them. When He returned, or was about God, then, the God of the Bible, who to return to the Father, with His resur- is called Jehovah, the person who mani- rected body, He told Mary to tell His dis- fested Himself to Israel as Jehovah, is an ciples that He was going to ascend to His individual, a personality, and He made Father and their Father, to His God and man in His image and His likeness. Now, their God. if we are the children of God, and if Je- In the Old Testament, which gives sus Christ is the Son of God, we can accounts of God's occasional manifesta- upon that reasoning understand some- tions of His presence to men upon the thing about what God is like, for there earth, we find that they all saw Him as is an eternal principle in heaven and on a person, with the form of a man. Moses earth, that every seed begets of its kind, talked with Him face to face. Nadab and every seed brings forth in its own like- Abihu and seventy Elders of Israel, with ness and character. The seed of an ap- Moses and Aaron, went up in the mount. ple, when it is reproduced, brings forth "And they saw the God of Israel: and an apple, and so with a pear, and so with there was under his feet as it were a a plum, and so with all the varieties of paved work of a sapphire stone, and as the vegetable kingdom. It is the same it were the body of heaven in his clear- with all the varieties of the animal king- ness. And upon the nobles of the children dom. The doctrine of evolution, as it is of Israel he laid not his hand: also they called, is true in some respects—that is, saw God, and did eat and drink. [Exodus that species can be improved, exalted, xxiv, 10, 11.]" made better, but it remains of the same I might refer to a number of pas- species. The advancement is in the same sages of Scripture in the Old Testament, line. It is unfoldment. We do not find showing that whenever God appeared to any radical change from one species to man, manifesting Himself to man, He another. It is an eternal principle that appeared in the form of a man. We every seed produces its own kind, not an- are told repeatedly in the Scriptures other kind. And as we are the children that the children of men are the sons of of God, we can follow out the idea and God. He is the Father and God of the perceive what God our Father is, the Be- spirits of all flesh. The spirit of man, ing who is the progenitor of our spiritual PERSONALITY OF GOD. 21 existence, the being from whom we have essential to its existence, but essential sprung. We being the seed of God, that to its progress, essential to its experi- Being is a personality, an individual, a ence on the earth and ultimately in its being in some respects like us, or rather glorified condition, essential to its eter- we are made in His image. nal happiness, and progress and power "Man also is spirit," we are told in in the presence of the Father. the revelations of God to the Latter-day Saints. Man, the real man, is a spirit, an While our Father, then, is a person, individual that dwells in a body, a spir- an individual, it may be asked: "How can itual person clothed upon with earth; a He be here, there and everywhere at the being who will live when the earth goes same time?" Well, He is not, in His per- back to mother dust. Man's spirit, then, sonality; but He can be omnipresent in a is an individual, a personality, and the certain sense. There is a spirit, an influ- spirit is in the likeness and shape of the ence, that proceeds from God, that fills body which it inhabits. When the spirit the immensity of space, the Holy Spirit, goes out of the body there is a person, a the Light of Truth. As the sun itself, a perfectly formed individual, looking like planet or heavenly body, is not present in the body which we now see with our nat- any other place except that which it ac- ural eyes. Spirits living in the flesh, un- tually occupies, so the individual Father less operated upon abnormally by some occupies a certain locality; and as the spiritual influence, cannot see spiritual light that proceeds from the sun spreads beings. A spirit can see spirit. Spirit abroad upon all the face of the earth ministers to spirit; and when the spirit and lights up other planets as well as goes out of the body that spirit can see this earth, penetrating to the circumfer- other spirits, beings of the same charac- ence of an extended circle in the midst of ter and nature, and we shall find when God's great universe, so the light of God, we have emerged from this body, that we the Spirit of God, proceeding forth from will be in the company of a great many the presence of God, fills the immensity persons like ourselves; and if we should of space. It is the light and the life of have the experience that the Prophet all things. It is the light and the life of Joseph had when the mob took him and man. It is the life of the animal creation. tore his flesh with their nails, and tried It is the life of the vegetable creation. It to poison him with a vial of some corro- is in the earth on which we stand; it is sive substance, if our spirits should be in the stars that shine in the firmament; separated from our bodies as his was, we, it is in the moon that reflects the light like him, could look at our bodies and see of the sun: it is in the sun, and is the that they are in form like our living spir- light of the sun, and the power by which itual realities. it was made; and these grosser particles "The body without the spirit is of light that illuminate the heavens and dead." The spirit without the body is enable us to behold the works of nature, not dead; that is a real personal- are from that same Spirit which enlight- ity, a living individual, and the body ens our minds and unfolds the things of of flesh is but a house to dwell in God. As that light comes forth from the or a covering for it to wear; not sun, so the light of God comes to us. That 22 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. natural light is the grosser substance or It is not governed by the same laws as particles of the same Spirit. those by which earthly bodies are gov- Spirit is a substance, it is not imma- erned. It is a body something similar terial; it may have some properties that to that which Jesus had after His res- are different from that which we see and urrection. Jesus Christ, when He rose handle, which we call matter, but it is a from the dead, had the same body that reality, a substantial reality. And spirit He had upon the earth, but a change had can understand spirit and grasp spirit. A been wrought upon it. He had shed His spiritual person can take the hand of an- blood for the remission of sins. This body other spiritual person and it is substan- was quickened by spirit. "He was put to tial. A person in body could not grasp a death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit, for that spirit has different prop- Spirit;" so we are told in the Scriptures, erties to those of our bodies, and it is gov- and He was raised up from the dead by erned by different laws to those that gov- that Spirit. Paul says, in his Epistle to ern us in this sphere of mortality. A spir- the Romans, viii ch. 11 v.: itual substance, organized into form, oc- "But if the Spirit of Him that raised cupies room and space just as much in its up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He sphere as these natural particles occupy that raised up Christ from the dead shall in this sphere. also quicken your mortal bodies by his God our Father, then, is a person, Spirit that dwelleth in you." an individual, and He really is our Fa- ther, actually and literally. We sprang Jesus Christ's body was put in the from Him. He is the Father of our spir- sepulchre a natural body; it was raised its, and not only the Father of the spir- a spiritual body. It was placed there its of the Latter-day Saints, but the Fa- in weakness; it was raised in strength. ther of the spirits of latter-day sinners. It was a mortal body when placed in He is the God and the Father of the the sepulchre; but when it came forth spirits of all flesh. Not only those that quickened by spirit, it was no longer a now dwell on the earth, but all people natural or mortal body, it was a spir- who dwelt aforetime; all people who ever itual and an immortal body; and with lived upon the face of this planet, are that immortal body He ascended from the children of God. And so with peo- the earth. It was no longer bound by ple who dwell upon other planets, they the laws of earthly gravitation, as it are the offspring of God. And our Father was before. He stood upon the mount and our God is an individual, a personal- of Olives, in the presence of His disci- ity; He is a spirit, and they that worship ples, and ascended up to heaven from Him must worship Him in spirit and in their midst and disappeared from their truth; but He dwells in a tabernacle, in a view. He could manifest Himself to them, body, though that body is different from and then take Himself away from their our bodies, it being a spiritual body. It gaze. He could enter the room when the is quickened by spirit. Our bodies are doors were shut, as He did in the case quickened by that corruptible substance when His disciples gathered in secret which we call blood; but our Heavenly for fear of the Jews, and manifest Him- Father's body is quickened by spirit. self to them. And yet at the same time PERSONALITY OF GOD. 23

His body was tangible, and the unbeliev- things of which I am speaking and dis- ing Thomas could reach forth his hand cern their meaning and signification, and thrust it into His side, and put his those that are wicked and corrupt and fingers into the prints of the nails. But obey not the ordinances of God, cannot this body was a glorious body, "the glori- see these things nor comprehend them ous body of the Son of God," and it was as they are, but they are foolishness to in the fashion and likeness of the glori- them. ous body of His Eternal Father. It was a celestial body quickened by the celes- But, if God is an individual spirit and tial glory. And if we wish to attain to the dwells in a body, the question will arise, Heavenly kingdom we must walk in the "Is He the Eternal Father?" Yes, He is ways of life, and sanctify ourselves be- the Eternal Father. "Is it a fact that fore God, as Jesus did, so that the influ- He never had a beginning?" In the ele- ence and power of the celestial kingdom mentary particles of His organism, He can be with us. Then, in the resurrec- did not. But if He is an organized Be- tion, when we come forth from the grave, ing, there must have been a time when we shall be quickened also by the opera- that being was organized. This, some tion of the celestial glory and receive of one will say, would infer that God had a the same, even the fullness thereof, and beginning. This spirit which pervades all be made like unto Jesus Christ, and thus things, which is the light and life of all become like unto God the Father. things, by which our heavenly Father op- As I have previously explained, God erates, by which He is omnipotent, never is not everywhere present personally, had a beginning and never will have an but He is omnipresent in the power of end. It is the light of truth; it is the spirit that spirit—the Holy Spirit—which an- of intelligence. We are told in the rev- imates all created things; that which is elations of God to us that, "Intelligence, the light of the sun, and of the soul as or the light of truth, never was created, well as the light of the eye, that which neither indeed can be." And we are told enables the inhabitants of the earth to further, that this Spirit, when it is man- understand and perceive the things of ifest, is God moving in His glory. When God. As the light of the sun reveals we look up to the heavens and behold the natural objects to our eyes, so the spirit starry worlds, which are kingdoms, we that comes from God, with a fitting behold God moving in His Majesty and place to occupy and conditions to oper- in His power. Now, this Spirit always ex- ate in, reveals the things of God. We isted; it always operated, but it is not un- see natural things by the light of the derstood, and cannot be comprehended sun. We see spiritual things by spiri- except through organisms. If you see a tual light, and he that is spiritual dis- living blade of grass you see a manifes- cerneth all things and judgeth all things, tation of that Spirit which is called God. and he that is not spiritual cannot com- If you see an animal of any kind on the prehend spiritual things. They are fool- face of the earth having life, there is a ishness to him. And while the Saints manifestation of that Spirit. If you see a of God, quickened by the spirit which man you behold its most perfect earthly they have obtained through obedience manifestation. And if you see a glori- to the Gospel, can comprehend these fied man, a man who has passed through 24 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the various grades of being, who has The person whom I worship I acknowl- overcome all things, who has been raised edge as my Father. Through Him I may from the dead, who has been quickened learn to understand the secrets and mys- by this spirit in its fullness, there you see teries of eternity, those things that never manifested, in its perfection, this eter- had a beginning and will never have an nal, beginningless, endless spirit of intel- end. He has ascended above all things ligence. after descending below all things. He Such a Being is our Father and our has fought his way from the depths up to God, and we are following in His foot- the position He now occupies. He holds it steps. He has attained to perfection. He by virtue of His goodness, of His might, has arisen to kingdoms of power. He of His majesty, of His power. He occu- comprehends all things, because in Him pies that position by virtue of being in dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead, perfect harmony with all that is right, bodily. He is a perfect manifestation, ex- and true, and beautiful, and glorious and pression and revelation of this eternal progressive. He is the perfect embodi- essence, this spirit of eternal, everlast- ment and expression of the eternal prin- ing intelligence or light of truth. It is ciples of right. He has won that posi- embodied in His spiritual personality or tion by His own exertions, by His own spiritual organism. This spirit cannot be faithfulness, by His own righteousness. fully comprehended in our finite state. It Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of quickens all things. As we are told in the God in the flesh, but His firstborn in Book of Doctrine and Covenants, it is: the spirit, has climbed His way up in a similar manner. He loved righteous- "The light which is in all things, ness and hated iniquity. He kept every which giveth life to all things, which is law and every commandment. He knew the law by which all things are governed, no sin, and guile was not found in His even the power of God who sitteth upon mouth. He loved not His own life, as a his throne, who is in the bosom of eter- paramount consideration but sacrificed nity, who is in the midst of all things.— it to atone for the sins of others. What- Sec. lxxxviii, v. 13." ever He learned was right. He practiced, That spirit exists wherever there is and He broke no commandment of the a particle of material substance; that Father, but obeyed every one. He came spirit is round about it, and in it, and not to do His own will, but the will of through it; but that we may comprehend the Father that sent Him, and because it, it must be manifested through organ- He did this and was faithful unto death, isms. The perfection of its manifesta- He was exalted on high. He overcame tion is in the personality of a being called evil. He conquered mortality. He tri- God. That is a person who has passed umphed over death. He conquered that through all the gradations of being, and being who is the expression of evil princi- who contains within Himself the full- ples, who is the embodiment of the prin- ness, manifested and expressed, of this ciples of darkness, who is the embod- divine spirit which is called God. iment of all the principles that are in Some people may think this is opposition to those that exist and burn rather a low idea of a Divine Being. in the bosom of Deity. He met him But I think it a most exalted one. and conquered him and overcame him. PERSONALITY OF GOD. 25

He, being in the truth and living by the and no parts, we are told, has three truth; therefore he is now to us, "the parts, one part of which had a body, and way, the truth, and the life." Overcoming that body was composed of parts. And we all things He was entitled to inherit all are told also that it has no passions. Yet things, and all that the Father hath was this one part of that thing which has no given unto Him. And we read: body and no parts and no passions had "The Son can do nothing of himself, a body and parts and had passions. Je- but what he seeth the Father do: for sus experienced the same things that a what things soever he doeth, these also man experiences, lived like a man, and doeth the Son likewise." (John v, 19.)" died like a man, to some extent. Now, who can understand these contradictions As the Father had taken His upward which are to be found in the creeds of course in worlds before this, so Jesus modern Christendom? The Athanasian Christ followed in his footsteps in ev- Creed was read in the Church of Eng- ery respect; therefore he is entitled to land, as it is called, when I was a boy, sit down at the right hand of God in the and I believe it is now. I think the Amer- heavens, to sit on his throne and be one ican Episcopal Church has discarded it, with the Father in all things; and all the which was very sensible. It says: power and glory, and dominion that the "Whosoever will be saved, before all Father hath he conferred also upon Je- things he must hold the Catholic faith, sus. And the promise to the sons of God which faith except he do keep whole and on the earth is, that if they will follow in undefiled he shall, without doubt, per- the footsteps of Jesus, they shall be also ish everlastingly." And the Catholic faith exalted and shall partake of that glory is this: "That we worship one God in which he partakes of and they shall be- Trinity, and trinity in unity, neither con- come Gods, even the sons of God, and founding the persons nor dividing the "all things" shall be theirs. And we are substance. For there is one person of told in the revelations of God to us in the Father, another of the Son, and an- the latter days, that if we are faithful other of the Holy Ghost, but their glory in all things, "all that Father hath" shall is equal, and their majesty co-eternal. be given unto us. We shall become like Such as the Father is, such is the Son, Him, and we shall receive power and do- and such the Holy Ghost. The Father is minion and glory similar to that which God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost he enjoys, only He will always be above is God; and yet there are not three Gods, us, God as our Father, and Jesus Christ but one God. The Father is Lord, the our elder brother. Son is Lord, and the Holy Ghost is Lord, Now, we can understand a little about and yet there are not three Lords, but a being like this, but a being of the one Lord. For while we are compelled character that divines attempt to de- by Christian verity to acknowledge each scribe is one we cannot understand at person by himself to be both God and all. They say that there are three of Lord, so we are forbidden by the Catholic them, and yet there is only one; that God faith to say that there be three Gods or has no body, neither parts nor passions. three Lords." Yet this thing that has no substance, It goes on to show how that these 26 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. three are all exactly alike, and then to will take the course that our Father has declare that they are all essentially dif- taken, living by every word that comes ferent. It explains that the Son is be- from his mouth, we shall know what is gotten while the Father is not, and then right, for he will reveal unto us what is that the Holy Ghost is proceeding not be- true, and it is the knowledge and prac- gotten, while the Son is not proceeding, tice of truth that exalts. If we will learn neither is the Father, yet at the same this as he learned it, advance step by time they are all the same, and to cap step, overcoming the Evil One; overcome the climax of the pile of absurdities it an- the world and the flesh, grapple with evil nounces that: as we meet it and conquer it, we will "The Father is incomprehensible, the have the help of the Lord, and may raise Son is incomprehensible, and the Holy ourselves by our own exertions, by our Ghost is incomprehensible, yet they are faithfulness, by our obedience, and per- not three incomprehensibles, but one in- adventure will overcome all things, and comprehensible." inherit all things. We may thus rise Well, that is an attempt of man to ex- above all things. We may obtain glorious plain God. As I said in the beginning bodies like unto the glorious body of the of my remarks, we do not pretend that Son of God. We may prepare ourselves we can comprehend God in his fullness for the celestial glory in which the Father in our finite and mortal condition here dwells, and in which the Son dwells, and on the earth, because he is an infinite be made like him in every respect, be- being. But we are promised that "the coming spiritual beings dwelling in spir- day shall come when we shall compre- itual bodies, quickened with the celestial hend God, being quickened in him." Je- glory, among the Gods, and enter into sus said: holy order which is without beginning "This is life eternal, to know thee of days or end of years—the everlasting the only living and true God, and Jesus order of the holy Priesthood—which Je- Christ, whom thou hast sent." sus Christ has, and a portion of which How can we learn to know God? We he imparted unto his disciples when he can learn of our Father by hearkening was upon the earth, and which he has re- to his voice by listening to the whisper- stored to the earth in these latter days. ings of the holy Spirit, that spirit that comes from him. "They that are led by There are things connected with the Spirit of God are the sons of God." We this that we cannot dwell upon in a can understand much concerning him by short discourse. But the keys of this the power of the Holy Ghost. The gift of Priesthood have been restored, and by the Holy Ghost is conferred on us that them we can obtain heavenly knowl- we may learn something about God, so edge; learn to comprehend our Father that we may go on to perfection; that we who is at the head of that Priest- may walk in his ways; that we may climb hood; learn to comprehend Jesus Christ the ladder which he has climbed to per- our Great High Priest. By this same fection; that we may peradventure over- Priesthood, a portion of which we have come and be made like him, share in his received, we can obtain communion glory, and be one with him. And if we with the heavenly Jerusalem, with the PERSONALITY OF GOD. 27 spirits of just men made perfect, with Je- and no space in the which there is no sus the Mediator of the new covenant, kingdom, either a greater or a lesser and with God who is the holiest of all. kingdom." So we learn in the Doctrine That Priesthood had no beginning, and and Covenants. So travel where we will never have an end. As we are told will, there we find space, and also inex- in Scripture it is, "Without father or haustible material. And the elements, mother, without beginning of days or end whether they be spiritual or what we of years;" it always existed. The indi- call natural—we use these terms to dis- vidual, the organized person may have tinguish them—never had a beginning— had a beginning, but that spirit of which the primal particles never had a begin- and by which they organized never had ning. They have been organized in dif- a beginning. That Priesthood which is ferent shapes; the organism had a be- the power of government in the heavens, ginning but the elements or atoms of never had a beginning, and it will never which it is composed never had. You may come to an end. The works of that eter- burn this book, but every atom of which nal spirit of intelligence, the great Eter- the book was composed, every particle of nal God, manifested to us in our Father substance that entered into its composi- and through Jesus Christ, never had a tion, still exists; they are indestructible. beginning. There never was a first world When you go right down to the primary or man; there will never be a last. We elements, they never had a beginning, cannot grasp that in its fullness, but we they will never have an end. For in their can understand a little of it by compar- primal condition they are not "created." ing it with other things. For instance, we They did not come from nothing; they will take space. This tabernacle contains were organized into different forms, but so much space, bounded by the walls the elementary parts of matter as well of the building; but go outside of these as of spirit, using ordinary terms, never walls and space is there. Go to the far- had a beginning, and never will have an thest bounds of this Territory, space is end. there. Go to the ends of the earth, if you Now, here are some things that you can find them, and there is space beyond. can understand to some extent, that are Mount upward to the stars; go to the beginningless and endless. It is the sun, pass above the sun to the two worlds same with duration. Duration never that govern it, that we read about in the had a beginning, and it never will have Book of Abraham, in "The Pearl of Great an end. We measure portions of time, Price;" go even unto Kolob, the nearest but time itself, cannot be counted. Go to the throne of God, and there is just back as far as we can think, and there as much space beyond as that which you was just as much time or duration behave left. There is no outside to space— fore that period as since, and think as no beginning, no end. much as we can down the stream of time Thus there is boundless space, there is just as much ahead. There is and we cannot fully comprehend it, no limit to duration, no beginning, no yet we must admit that it exists end. Thus there are boundless space, without limit. "There is no king- an infinity of substance, endless du- dom in the which there is no space, ration. The elements of that eternal 28 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. spirit which exists in and through and "When the morning sears sang together, round about all things, and is the law by and the sons of God shouted for joy." The which all things are governed, never had knowledge of our former state has fled a beginning and will never have an end. from us. Like Jesus, "in our humilia- There was no beginning and there will tion our judgment is taken away," and be no end to its operations. And there- the veil is drawn between us and our fore we are told that "the works of God former habitation. This is for our trial. are one eternal round." There was no be- If we could see the things of eternity, ginning to the works of God, and there and comprehend ourselves as we are; if will be no end. The Priesthood, as I have we could penetrate the mists and clouds quoted to you, is without beginning of that shut out eternal realities from our days or end of years. It was always ex- gaze, the fleeting things of time would istent and always active. And therefore be no trial to us, and one of the great there was never a first world or being, objects of our earthly probation or test- neither will there be a last one. We are ing would be lost. But the past has here to learn those principles that per- gone from our memory, the future is shut tain to this lower sphere; to learn how to out from our vision and we are living raise ourselves from this groveling mor- here in time, to learn little by little, line tal condition, and make ourselves like upon line, precept upon precept. Here God, that we may dwell with him, come in the darkness, in the sorrow, in the into perfect harmony with that spirit of trial, in the pain, in the adversity, we which I have been speaking, be one with have to learn what is right and distin- the Father and participate with him in guish it from what is wrong, and lay hold the power which he wields, in the midst of right and truth and learn to live it. of eternity. For it is not only the learning of it that Now, my brethren and sisters, will is needful, but we must live it, being we walk in this way? Will we fit our- guided and governed by it in all things. If selves to enter into our next estate with we have any evil propensities—inherited honor? We have come down from God from progenitors who for ages have gone as his offspring. That part of us which astray from God—we have to grapple is spirit was with him in the eternal with them and overcome them. Each in- world. We have come down here in dividual must find out his own nature, our time and season, and God "deter- and what there is in it that is wrong, mined the times before appointed, and and bring it into subjection to the will the bounds of our habitation." We are and righteousness of God. He must work here to learn the laws that govern this with it until he is master of it; until he lower world; to learn to grapple with can say to this mortal flesh which is con- evil and to understand what darkness tinually warring against the spirit, "I am is. We came from an abode of bliss to your master by the grace of God." Every understand the pain and sorrow inci- passion, every inclination, every desire dent to this probation. We came here must be controlled and made subject to to comprehend what death is. We ex- the will of God. Though we mingle with isted in our first estate among the sons the world, yet we must not pattern af- of God in the presence of our Father, ter their evil ways nor "touch the unclean PERSONALITY OF GOD. 29 thing." We need not partake of the sins such joy as is not expressible. How we of the world. We can be wrapped around shall rejoice! We will then comprehend by the influence of our religion as by the all we knew before we came here. We garments that we wear, and be separate will comprehend everything we learned even though in the midst of the wicked. when we dwelt in the flesh; and we We need not follow their ways nor be will be clothed upon with the spirit and guided by their enticements, or be gov- power of God in its fullness, and king- erned by their nations, but should live doms and power and glory eternal will be according to the light of God; and when given unto us. We shall have the gift of evil spirits tempt us and seek to turn us eternal and endless increase. Our fam- aside from the strait path that leads to ilies will be with us and be the begin- the celestial city, stand firm in the spirit ning of our dominion, and upon that ba- of the Gospel and overcome them. And if sis we shall build forever. Our wives and we overcome all things we shall inherit our children will be ours for all eternity. all things. Our increase shall never cease while du- "To him that overcometh will I grant ration rolls along and the works of God to sit with me in my throne, even as I spread forth, and our posterity and king- also overcame, and am set down with my doms will grow and extend till they shall Father in his throne. Rev. iii, 21." be as numerous as the stars, and we We are the children of God, and will enter into the rest of our Father when we go back into the presence and enjoy his presence and society for of our Father, if we return with evermore. God help us to attain to the honor, there will be joy in heaven; fullness of this glory, for Christ's sake. there will be joy in our own bosoms, Amen. 30 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

OBJECT OF GATHERING—OUR PRINCIPLES AND ORGANIZATION REVEALED FROM GOD—HE IS COGNIZANT OF ALL THINGS—OUR FAITH NOT AFFECTED BY THE IDEAS OF MEN—OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD—ENOCH'S CITY—GOD'S JUSTICE IN SENDING THE FLOOD, AND IN THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH—HIS JUDGMENTS WILL COME UPON THOSE WHO PERSECUTE HIS SAINTS—THE LORD WILL BLESS HIS PEOPLE—WE WILL STAND BY THE CONSTITUTION THOUGH OTHERS IGNORE IT.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY EVENING,DECEMBER 14, 1884.

We hear a great many things associ- about the position which we occupy ated with the Church and Kingdom of among the nations of the earth. We God in which, as a people, we are very have not received any of the intelligence much interested. which we possess from these nations, We meet together, from time to time, with the exception of some matters per- to sing, to pray, to speak, to hear and to taining to science, to art, and the com- attend to the various duties and respon- mon education of the day. But as re- sibilities that devolve upon us. We are gards our religious principles we are not taught of things pertaining to time and indebted to any men who live upon the things pertaining to eternity, and per- earth for them. These principles em- haps we are more favored—well, there anated from God. They were given by is no perhaps about it—we are more fa- revelation, and if we have a First Pres- vored than any other people that dwell idency, if we have High Priests, if we upon the face of the whole earth. We have Seventies, if we have Bishops, El- have been gathered together from among ders, Priests and Teachers, if we have the nations of the earth in order that we Stake and other organizations, we have may be instructed in the laws of God, received them all from God. If we have and in the principles of truth and life, Temples, if we administer in them, it is that we may be able to comprehend our because we have received instruction in relationship to our heavenly Father, to relation thereto from the Lord. If we his Son Jesus Christ, to the Priesthood know anything pertaining to the future, that exists in the heavens, and to the in- it comes from him, and in fact we live habitants of the earth by whom we are in God, we move in God, and from him surrounded, and among whom we dwell. we derive our being. Men generally will There is something very peculiar not acknowledge this, but we as Latter- GOD IS COGNIZANT OF ALL THINGS. 31 day Saints believe in these truths. Not will be able to read all things as God one of us could have entered this house himself reads them and comprehends this evening without being sustained them, and all things, we are told, are by the power of God. Not one of us naked and open before him with whom could leave this house without guidance, we have to do. We are told in relation strength and power from him to accom- to these matters that the hairs of our plish it. We have been taught to believe heads are numbered; that even a spar- that he is the Creator of all things visi- row cannot fall to the ground without ble and invisible, whether they be things our heavenly Father's notice; and pred- in the heavens or on the earth, whether icated upon some of these principles are they belong to this world or other worlds, some things taught by Jesus, where he and that there is an all wise, all pow- tells men to ask and they shall receive. erful Being, who controls, manipulates What! The millions that live upon the and manages all the affairs of the hu- earth? Yes, the millions of people, no man family, and this is true whether it matter how many there are. Can he relates to the world in which we live, to hear and answer all? Can he attend the heavens that are above us, or to other to all these things? Yes. "Ask, and it worlds by which we are surrounded. It shall be given you; seek, and ye shall relates to our bodies and to our spirits, find; knock, and it shall be opened unto and to all things associated therewith. you: For every one that asketh receiveth; Hence we are very dependent beings. In and he that seeketh findeth; and to him the organization of man, in the organiza- that knocketh it shall be opened." It is tion of this earth, and in the organization difficult for men to comprehend some of of the heavens, there were certain things these things, and, as they cannot com- designed by the Almighty to be carried prehend them they begin to think they out, and that will be carried out accord- are all nonsense—that is, many do—and, ing to the purposes of the Most High, hence, infidelity and skepticism prevail which things were known to him from to a great extent. A great many strange the beginning. There exists all man- notions are entertained in regard to God ner of curious opinions about God, and and his dealings with humanity. This many people think it impossible for him is because men do not understand the to take cognizance of all men, but that things of God. I read in one of our papers is very easily done. If I had time to en- a short time ago, that there was some ter into this subject alone I could show kind of a commission going to meet— you upon scientific principles that man some two or three professors or scien- himself is a self-registering machine, his tists, men who are supposed to pos- eyes, his ears, his nose, the touch, the sess superior intelligence—to examine taste, and all the various senses of the the manuscript of the Book of Mormon, body, are so many media whereby man to find out whether it was true or not, lays up for himself a record which per- and I suppose if these people—especially haps nobody else is acquainted with if they should be pious men, possessing a but himself; and when the time comes little learning and science—should come for that record to be unfolded all men out and say the Book of Mormon was not that have eyes to see, and ears to hear, true, we all of us should have to lay it 32 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. aside should we not? This to me is the thought so too. I thought if men could veriest nonsense. It would not make one not understand the first two lines of the hair's difference with us whether such a Bible, it would be quite a task to teach commission should decide that the Book them the whole of it. of Mormon is right or wrong. If they de- In regard to the work in which we cide that it is true it will not increase our are engaged, as I said before and as you faith in it; if they decide that it is not have heard over and over again, it em- true, it will not decrease our faith in it. anated from God, and all the principles Yet these are ideas that men entertain. pertaining to it, came from Him. We talk Speaking upon this point I am re- sometimes about this work, and how it minded of an incident that took place is going to be accomplished. The work a number of years ago. Several promi- we are engaged in is the work of God. nent European scientists called upon me, If it is accomplished it will be accom- and they talked a little upon our reli- plished by the power of God, by the wis- gious principles. Then they asked me dom of God, by the intelligence of God, if I was acquainted with the advanced and by the Priesthood that dwells with ideas in regard to geology. I told them the Gods in the eternal worlds, together I knew a little about them from what I with that which he has conferred upon had read. "What do you think," said one his people here upon the earth, and not of them to me, of these views as com- by any other power or influence in ex- pared with the scriptural account of the istence. We talk of a Zion that is to be creation of the world?" "Well," said I, "the built up. If a Zion is ever built up on this great difficulty is that men do not under- earth, it will have to be under the guid- stand the Scriptures." They could not see ance and direction of the Almighty. We any difficulty on that ground, for they talk about a Church that is to be built up all had their eyes to see, and they had and purified. If it is ever built up and pu- an understanding of words, languages, rified, it will be under the influence of the etc. "Well," said I, "we won't go through gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of God the whole Bible, for that is quite a large manifested among his people, whereby book; but I will take one or two of the iniquity will be rooted out, righteousness first lines in the Bible. 'In the begin- sustained, the principles of truth ad- ning, God created the heavens and the vanced, honor, integrity, truth and virtue earth.' Will you please tell me when the maintained, and hypocrisy, evil, crime beginning was?" "We don't know," "When and corruption of every kind be rooted you find that out," said I, "then I will out. That will have to be done by the aid tell you when the world was created." A and under the guidance of the Almighty. good many other things transpired as- There is no man living in and of him- sociated with this interview, that I do self, can guide the ship of Zion or regu- not wish now to repeat. Suffice it to late the affairs of the Church and King- say that before they got through, one of dom of God unaided by the Spirit of God, them said: "I have read a good deal, I and hence he has organized the Church have studied a good deal, I find I have a as he has with all the various quorums good deal more to read and study yet." I and organizations as they exist today. GOD IS COGNIZANT OF ALL THINGS. 33

Who can boast or has anything to say in Then He of course is interested in the relation to these things? No man living, welfare of all flesh and all people of all no man that has lived. If Joseph Smith languages, of all tongues, of every color, knew anything about these things, it was and of every clime. That is the way that I because God revealed it, and He has re- understand these things. Our spirits are vealed many great and precious princi- eternal and emanate from God. So we, as ples in which the children of men are a people, have always understood and do interested pertaining to this world and understand today. We possess our bodies to the next, pertaining to the living and also, and they also emanated from God. the dead, pertaining to time and eter- The Bible tells us something in relation nity, and pertaining to all things associ- to these matters in tracing out genealo- ated with the happiness and exaltation gies. Who was Seth? He was the son of of man. All these things emanated from Adam. Who was Adam? The son of God. God. And if Brigham Young knew any- In another place we are told that "all we thing he received his intelligence from are His offspring"—that is, according to God and from the Prophet of God; and that, we are all the offspring of God. if any of us know anything we have re- Now, this earth was formed for a cer- ceived it from the same source. We are tain purpose, and man was also formed told that He is in all things, through for a certain purpose. And there are all things, and about all things, and by certain principles laid down—you will Him all things exist. He is the light of find them in the Bible, in the Book of the sun and the power thereof, by which Mormon, in the Book of Doctrine and it was made; the light of the moon and Covenants, and in the various revela- the power thereof, by which it was made; tions that God has made through his and the light of the stars and the power servants—there are certain principles thereof, by which they were made; and laid down indicating that there are dif- it is the same light that enlighteneth ferent grades of men possessing varied the understanding of man. This may powers and privileges, and that these seem strange doctrine to some. We have men have to pass through a certain been taught to believe that there was ordeal—called by many a probation— a difference between mental and visual that is, that we are here in a proba- light; nevertheless the above statement tionary state, in a state of trial; and is philosophically true. that as men live and act according to In regard to the earth, is it the the intelligence they are in possession Lord's? Yes. We are told that he of—the privileges which they enjoy, and made it, that he created all things, the deeds that they perform, whether visible and invisible, whether pertain- for good or evil, there will be a time ing to the earth or to the heavens. of judgment, and that there will be a And where did man originate? As we separation, of these various peoples ac- read it, he originated also from God. cording to the way in which they have Who formed man according to the Bible lived and acted upon the earth. Hence record? The Lord. Whence came our Paul tells that there are bodies celes- spirits? We are told that God is the tial and bodies terrestrial, that there God and Father of the spirits of all flesh. is one glory of the sun, another of the 34 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. moon, and another of the stars, and as Gospel; we learn that they were gath- one star differeth from another star in ered together to a place called Zion; we glory, so shall it also be in the resurrec- learn that the people of Zion were un- tion. Joseph Smith, in speaking on the der the guidance, direction and teach- same subject, tells us that there are boding of the Almighty; in order that they ies celestial, bodies terrestrial, and bod- might be prepared for another Zion in ies telestial, which agrees precisely with the grand drama associated with the the remarks made by Paul, only in other dealings of God and his purposes per- language. Thus there are many curi- taining to this earth and the heavens. ous things associated with our existence We read that they walked with God for here upon the earth, which the natural 365 years. We are told in the Bible man does not and cannot comprehend. a little short story about it, because it No man can know the things of God, but was one of those things that it was not by the Spirit of God. necessary that everybody should know. Now, then, on this earth—which we We are told that "Enoch walked with call the Lord's vineyard—He has sent God: and was not; for God took him." forth His servants from time to time to But there was more about it than that. gather people into His fold, to gather out Enoch preached the Gospel to the peo- a few here and a few there who would be ple, and so did hundreds of Elders as prepared to act and operate with Him, they are doing today; and they gath- and then, generally, these have been a ered the people together and built up a comparatively small number. Jesus said Zion to the Lord, and when Enoch was when He was upon the earth "Wide is the not, but was caught up, Enoch's city was gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth not, but was caught up, and there were to destruction, and many there be who certain things associated therewith that go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, are very peculiar. Why were they taken and narrow is the way, which leadeth away from the earth? Because of the cor- unto life, and few there be that find it." ruptions of men, because of the wicked- And it would seem, according to the tes- ness of men, because mankind had for- timonies we have both in the Bible and saken God, and become as broken cis- in the Book of Mormon, that the Lord terns that could hold no water, because has taken great pains in different ages they were not fulfilling the measure of of the world to send forth His servants their creation, and because it was not to preach the Gospel to the people. We proper that they should live and perpetu- find this especially so in Noah's day, and ate a race that was so corrupt and abom- in the days of Enoch. There was a re- inable. But before this was done, the markable work performed then accord- righteous, the virtuous, the honorable, ing to the revelations which have been the pure, the upright were gathered to- given to us, which will be more fully de- gether, and taught and instructed in the veloped when the Lord shall see fit to re- things of God. And what came next? veal other things associated therewith. Why, the destruction of the world. It was But we learn that there was a Church or- overflowed, we read, by the flood. What! ganized about as ours may be; we learn And all the people destroyed? Yes, except that they went forth and preached the a very few, according to the statements GOD IS COGNIZANT OF ALL THINGS. 35 we have. "Well," say some of our wise as we do with some of the wicked, and men, "was not that cruel to destroy so that we do not do with a great many many people?" Perhaps it would be ac- others—that is, they were put in prison. cording to your ideas, but it was not Had He a right to do that? I think according to the Lord's ideas: because He had. They were his offspring. I he looked upon men as immortal be- think He had the right to act accord- ings. These men were accountable to ing to the counsel of His own will. At their Maker, they had a dual existence, any rate he took the liberty of doing they were associated with time and with it. And who was there to say, "Why eternity, and we might go still further doest thou this?" First, He called upon and say they were associated with the them to forsake their wickedness, but past, the present and the future, and they would not, and a while after He de- the Lord as a great cosmogonist, took stroyed them. Had He a right to do it? in the various stages of man's existence, He had and He sent them to hell. Some and operated for the general benefit of people talk about roasting there. That is the whole. But was it not cruel to de- something of man's getting up. He sent stroy them? I think God understood pre- them to prison, and they were confined cisely what He was doing. They were there, and when the proper time came, His offspring, and He knowing things Jesus, when He was put to death in the better than they did, and they having flesh, was quickened by the Spirit, and placed themselves under the power and went and preached to those spirits that dominion of Satan, He thought they had sometime were disobedient in the days better be removed and another class of of Noah. Perhaps they had time enough men be introduced. Why? There were during their stay, to reflect upon their other persons concerned besides them. acts, and to become a little steadier, and There were millions of spirits in the to reflect upon God and His laws. At any eternal worlds who would shrink from rate Jesus went and preached to those being contaminated by the wicked and spirits in prison. corrupt, the debauchee, the dishonest, What, then, became of the inhab- the fraudulent, the hypocrite, and men itants of the world? There were a who trampled upon the ordinances of few who went through the narrow gate God. It might seem harsh for these that Jesus spoke of, and they were men to be swept off from the face of caught up and Zion with them, and the earth, and not allowed to perpet- the Lord is taking care of them in his uate their species thereon; but what own way. They will be dealt with ac- about the justice of forcing these pure cording to His purposes and designs, spirits to come and inhabit tabernacles and be numbered among His jewels. begotten by debauched corrupt repro- The others, as I have said, were cast bates, the imagination of whose heart into prison, and there they remained was only evil, and that continually— about 2,500 years. It was a pretty long what about them? Had they no rights imprisonment. Still the Lord had a that God was bound to respect? Cer- right to manipulate these things as He tainly they had, and He respected them. pleased, and He so manipulated them, He cut off the wicked. What did he and although this time seems very long, do with them? He did with them yet in the eternities to come it would only be a comparatively short period; 36 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and if they needed a schooling of this and branch. He raised up one nation kind He, as their Father and Creator, and put down another, and raised up one was the proper one to adjudge their pun- king and put down another. ishment. Sometime after this there were cer- There were times when the iniquity tain cities that had become very corrupt, of these people was not yet full. In such as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Abraham's day the Lord told that Patri- Lord had a reckoning with them, han- arch that he should go to his fathers in dled them in His own way according to peace, but in the fourth generation his His best judgment. Abraham was a man posterity should "come hither again: for who feared God, and God said: "Shall the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet I hide from Abraham that thing which full:" by the days of Moses they appear I do." So He informed Abraham about to have filled the cup of their iniquity, it. Abraham plead with the Lord, "Why," for he enjoined upon the Israelites, "thou said he, "Lot lives down there, a nephew shalt utterly destroy them," "as the Lord of mine, and a pretty good sort of a man, thy God hath commanded thee." So that and there may be a great many others." the Lord takes upon Himself to manip- The Lord said: "If I find in Sodom fifty ulate the nations according to the coun- righteous, within the city, then I will sels of His own will, and as they all of spare all the place for their sakes." Abra- them have to do with eternity as well ham, however, thought this was more as time, He adjudges them according to than he could pick out. I expect there the eternal laws and principles by which was a crowd of mean "cusses" among He is governed; and hence we are told them as we have among us. And finally that eternal punishment is God's pun- the Lord said that if ten righteous could ishment, and everlasting punishment is be found in the city, He would not de- God's punishment, thus men and nations stroy it for ten's sake. But ten righ- are adjudged by the Almighty, according teous people could not be found, and to the infinite and eternal laws and prin- therefore the city had to be destroyed. ciples which exist in the heavens, and What! All the people? Yes, all the with a reference to eternal duration and people. But before they were destroyed not according to the finite, erratic and he sent two angels and they brought limited ideas of men. Jonah was sent to out Lot, his wife and daughters. His the city of Ninevah, to tell the people to wife was a little tinctured with gentil- repent, and that if they did not repent ism: she looked back, and the Scriptures they would all be destroyed. But they lis- tell us she was turned into a pillar of tened to the voice of the Prophet. They salt. When they got away, brimstone and clothed themselves in sackcloth and sat fire fell upon the cities of Sodom and Go- in ashes and repented before the Lord, morrah and destroyed them. Thus the and then the Lord forgave them. Why Lord has taken the privilege in many in- was it that a great many people were stances of correcting mankind. He used thus judged by the Almighty? It was the children of Israel to kill the people because of their iniquity. The same who dwelt in the land of Canaan, and di- thing prevailed upon this continent. rected them to spare them not, because The spirit of evil and contention, war of their wickedness, to cut them off root and strife, existed among the ancient GOD IS COGNIZANT OF ALL THINGS. 37

Jaredites, when they forsook their God, God, that he will be after them and they and violated his laws. They fought one shall suffer worse than that which they with another. They were maddened by inflict upon innocent, pure and virtuous fury, even that fury which was lit up men. Now, I bear testimony to this, and by the fires of hell and by the spirit of you will know it when it comes to pass. fiends, until they completely destroyed Woe! to them that fight against Zion, for one another. So it was with the Nephites God will fight against them—hypocrites! who had departed from the law of God, who are wallowing in filthiness, corrup- and trampled under foot his ordinances. tion, adultery, fornication and deception, They and the Lamanites were stirred up in the name of virtue are seeking to de- one against another, until at last they stroy a virtuous people, and those who gathered together thousands and tens of dare honor and obey the commandments thousands and hundreds of thousands of of God. fighting men—they were four years in Then, in regard to the work in which gathering their armies, and they fought we are engaged. Will it go on? I tell you and shed blood and spread destruction it will. Will Zion be built up? I tell you and death wherever they went. We can it will. Will the Zion that Enoch built up, read the account of it in the Book of Mor- descend? It most assuredly will, and this mon, and I do not propose to repeat it that we are building up will ascend, and here this evening. the two will meet and the peoples thereof Now, how is it pertaining to the last will fall on each other's necks, and em- days? As it was in the days of Noah, brace each other. So says the word of so shall it be in the days of the com- God to us. Will we go on with our work? ing of the Son of Man. As it was in the With the help of the Lord we will. He has days of Lot, so shall it also be in the told us to do a work, and we will try to days of the coming of the Son of Man. carry it out—we of the First Presidency, In what respect? In the days of Noah we of the Twelve, we of the Seventies, did they have the Gospel preached unto we of the Elders, we of the High Priests, them? Yes. Did the people generally re- we of the Presidents of Stakes, we of the ject it? Yes. Did the people gather to- Bishops, and we of the Holy Priesthood gether and build up a Zion? Yes. How in all its various forms. By the help of is it in these days? The Lord has re- the Lord, we will try, first, to purify our- vealed his Gospel to us as he did to them. selves, to purify our households, to get He has sent forth the words of life, and rid of covetousness, deception and fraud is sending them to the nations of the of every kind, to act honorably before earth. Hundreds of Elders are going to- God and before all men, and to love not day, and taking their lives in their hands, the world, nor the things that are in the and some of them have to sacrifice their world; for if any man love the world, the lives! And others, in this land of liberty, love of the Father is not in him. Any- because they will be virtuous and keep thing that we may have or possess comes the commands of God, are today welter- from God; and if we are exalted, if we ing in prison. Woe! to those who have a possess the good things of the world— hand in these things. I tell you and I tell which I tell you in the name of Israel's them, as a servant of God, in the name of God we shall, in spite of all men and all 38 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. their influences, for the people of Zion not try to make these affairs any worse. will be the richest of all people. This is We will treat them as well as we can. in accordance with the Scriptures. The There are thousands and tens of thou- Scripture tells us: "For brass I will bring sands who despise their meanness and gold, and for iron I will bring sliver, and corruption—honorable Americans, thou- for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will sands and tens of thousands of them who also make thy officers peace, and thine are ashamed of the meanness and cor- exactors righteousness. Violence shall ruption of these wretches; and there are no more be heard in the land, wasting thousands of men abroad who have just nor destruction within thy borders." the same feeling. I saw and conversed The Lord has gathered us together with a member of the British Parliament that we may learn His law; that we may recently, and in speaking about Rudger be instructed in the principles of truth, Clawson's case, said he: "It is one of righteousness and virtue; that we may the most infamous things I ever heard be prepared to honor and magnify our of, and if you will permit me I will go calling, and glorify our God. to the President of the United States, and ask him to pardon that man." "Why, Well, what would you have us do yes," said I, "you have my permission cer- when men are so corrupt—when it is tainly." That is the way a British mem- enough for a man here, because he has ber of Parliament talked about the acts the kindness to take some chickens for a and doings of some of our officials here poor woman to sell for her—when that right in our midst. Yet, notwithstanding is enough evidence to convict him that the wickedness, the corruption, venom, he is an adulterer, and must be placed the hypocrisy, and the deception that is under bonds and subjected to trial and practiced here, right under our noses, we punishment. What do they do with their will stand still and see the salvation of Christian whores that they have in our God, and God in His own time will re- midst? Where do they come from? They move these vindictive men out of their are not our institution. But they are places. Meantime we will continue to protected, they can vote, they can do as fear God, and work righteousness; we they please, no process can be introduced will cleave to the truth, live our reli- against them, for they are a part of their gion, be humble before God, train up institution, and must be protected; but our children in purity, virtue and holi- anything "in the marriage relation," you ness, and set ourselves against every- know, is different from that. thing that is corrupt, hypocritical, fraud- Well, what shall we do? We will treat ulent, and contrary to the principles of all decent men very well, and we will righteousness. We will trust in the liv- give the others a wide berth. These cor- ing God, who is the Savior of all men, rupt and villainous men who are seek- especially of those that believe. We will ing to trample under foot the rights of do right, we will treat all men right, free men and deprive them of everything and we will maintain every institution of in life that is worth having, will suffer our country that is according to the Con- the bondage they are seeking to bring stitution of the United States, and the upon us. I tell you that, and we need laws thereof, and we will sustain them. SECOND COMING OF OUR SAVIOR. 39

By and by, you will ﬁnd they will the demolition of the rights of man, and tear the Constitution to shreds, as they the destruction of all principles of justice, have begun now; they won't have to and the safeguards of the nation; but we begin; they have started long ago to will stand by and maintain its principles rend the Constitution of our country in and the rights of all men of every color, pieces; and in doing so they are let- and every clime; we will cleave to the ting loose and encouraging a principle truth, live our religion and keep the com- which will react upon themselves with mandments of God, and God will bless terrible consequences; for if lawmakers us in time and throughout the eternities and administrators can afford to tram- that are to come. ple upon justice, equity, and the Con- stitution of this country, they will ﬁnd thousands and tens of thousands who God bless you and lead you in the are willing to follow in their wake in paths of life, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

THE SECOND COMING OF OUR SAVIOR—PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL AND THE SIGNS FOLLOWING—THE GATHERING—HATRED OF THE WORLD TOWARD THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—NO POWER CAN OVERTHROW THE WORK OF GOD—EXHORTATIONS TO FAITHFULNESS.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,DEC. 7, 1884.

The speaker commenced by reading to His making His second appearance the 24th chapter of Matthew; after which on the earth. Great interest has been he spoke as follows: manifested at different periods by the in- I have read this chapter to call habitants of the earth who have believed your attention to the predictions of in Jesus, respecting His second coming. the Son of God concerning the last Great desires have been manifested from days, and the circumstances which time to time to understand the signs would surround His people previous 40 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of His advent, and some have gone so far was near at hand for the fulfillment of all as to predict the day and even the exact that had been spoken by the mouths of time when He would make his appear- the servants of God in ancient days con- ance. According to the revelations that cerning the last days. Yet, as I have said, we have received upon this subject, the we have had no authority given unto us, day and the hour are not revealed unto no message to designate the hour nor the man, neither is it probable that they will day, nor even the year when the Lord be, but we have been told that that time would make His appearance. That has is near at hand, and that it is our duty as been kept by the Father. The angels did the people of God, to prepare ourselves not know the hour nor the day when our for that great and terrible day. The mes- Savior spoke the words that I have read sage which the Elders of this Church in your hearing; and if the angels have were commissioned to declare unto the since been informed of it, we have not inhabitants of the earth 54 years ago, been advised to that effect. We have been and which they have since that time told that the time is near at hand, and been declaring wherever they have gone as an evidence of the near approach of is, that the time is near at hand for our this event we have seen the fulfillment of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to make many things that were told should take His second appearance, and the Elders place. This Gospel of the Kingdom, Je- of this Church have been sent with a sus said, had to be preached unto all warning message to all the nations of nations as a witness—the same Gospel the earth, to declare unto them that that was preached by Him and His dis- the hour of God's judgment is near at ciples when they were upon the earth— hand; that the time for the fulfillment that Gospel of the Kingdom had to be of the prediction of the holy Prophets preached unto all nations before the end has arrived, and that it is the duty of should come. And it is being preached the inhabitants of the earth to prepare in that manner now. The same princi- themselves for the great events that are ples, the same doctrines, the same plan about to take place connected with the of salvation, the same gifts and graces, last days. And in order that they might the same organization of the Church, the the better prepare themselves, the ser- same authority that was in the Church vants of God are commanded to call upon in ancient days—these having been re- the people to gather out from the var- stored are now being preached as a wit- ious nations where they are living to a ness by the Elders of the Church of Je- place that God has designated as a place sus Christ of Latter-day Saints unto all of gathering for His elect, where they nations, in order that every inhabitant might prepare themselves for the com- of the earth should be warned, that ev- ing of our Lord and Savior. This was ery man should hear the glad tidings of the message which the Elders were sent salvation in his own tongue, and have forth to bear 54 years ago, and from that the opportunity of embracing or rejecting time until the present they have been, the same, and of being gathered out and to the extent of their ability, proclaim- numbered with the people of God. ing it to the various nations to which they have had access, warning them in I need not say to you, my brethren meekness and in humility, that the time and sisters, who are familiar with SECOND COMING OF OUR SAVIOR. 41 this work, that God has accompanied the in Central or South America, in Eu- preaching of this Gospel by signs follow- rope, in Asia, in Africa, or in any Is- ing. You know this. You are living wit- lands of the sea—wherever the Elders ness yourselves of the power of God, of of this Church go, carrying this message the manifestation of the Holy Ghost, and of salvation, and the people receive it, of the gifts that pertain thereto. This they receive with it a testimony from whole people, called Latter-day Saints, God, not given by man nor by man's living in these mountains, from north wisdom, nor through man's power, but to south, from east to west, are a body through the power of the Eternal God— of living witnesses of the truth of that that testimony resting down upon them which I say respecting the outpouring in fullness, burning within them, im- of the Holy Ghost, and its gifts upon pelling them to do that which they never the people; for by the power of the Holy contemplated doing before—that is, im- Ghost have they been gathered; by the pelling them to forsake all their old as- manifestations of the power of God have sociations, and sever the ties that had they wended their way from the vari- heretofore bound them to their kindred ous lands they formerly dwelt in, to this and their homes, and to come to the land—impelled by the Spirit of God to land which God has designated as the do this, in a most extraordinary manner, place to which they should gather. In ready to abandon homes, ready to for- this manner God is fulfilling, as I have sake their friends, ready to sever their said, the testimony of His ancient ser- connection with all that was near and vants, for John the Revelator, testified dear to them previous to their reception that there should be a cry go forth unto of the Gospel. What a host of witnesses the inhabitants of the earth to come out could rise up if they could be gathered from the midst of Babylon. Jesus says together throughout these mountains! in this chapter that the elect should be Men, women and children, who in their gathered from the four quarters of the various languages—every language al- earth, from the four winds of heaven most of Europe, and I see here some they should be gathered together, and from the Pacific Islands, others from far this preparatory to His coming. And off Africa, others from far off Australia, that which I have read in your hear- would testify, had they the opportunity, ing is abundantly fulfilled this day in to the outpouring of the Spirit and power our sight and to our knowledge. Speak- of God upon them in the lands where ing of His disciples and to His disciples, they dwelt when they heard the Gospel He said: "Then shall they deliver you and obeyed it, as taught to them by the up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of and ye shall be hated of all nations for Latter-day Saints. In this manner God my name's sake." If this is not fulfilled has borne witness to the inhabitants of this day in our sight and in our hearing, the earth, and is still bearing witness to then when can it be fulfilled? How can them wherever they receive His Gospel, it be fulfilled? Today here is a people whenever they bow in humility and sub- gathered in these mountains, brought mission to His requirements, whether in from the nations of the earth, as I have the United States, in Canada, in Mexico, said, dwelling here in peace and in quiet- 42 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ness, free from strife, free from litigation, live; you will not hear quarrelling; you free from war, free from everything that will not hear of adulteries and seduc- disturbs and annoys, in every settlement tions; you will not witness Sabbath from north to south, from east to west, breaking; but you will see the people liv- wherever they have formed themselves ing in the observance of the laws of God, into a community; living in the posses- a moral, pure, peaceable, orderly people. sion of unexampled peace. Take the These are the characteristics of the com- settlements of this people in Colorado; munities of the Latter-day Saints where visit those in Arizona and New Mexico; they live according to the requirements go north and travel through Utah and of their holy religion. And though we visit Idaho—go where you will, wherever are far from being perfect in these re- they have settled, you will find a com- spects, though there are many things to munity dwelling in peace and in quiet- complain of and to find fault with among ness, loving one another, obeying the us, nevertheless these characteristics do law of God, striving to keep His com- prevail to an extent that cannot be found mandments, seeking to overcome evil, in other communities of the same size endeavoring to live themselves in ac- and in the same circumstances. And yet cordance with His requirements, and to these words that I have read in your teach their children to do likewise. These hearing are this day fulfilled. "They are the characteristics of the settlements shall deliver you up to be afflicted," said of the Latter-day Saints throughout all Jesus, "and shall kill you:" (this has been these mountains. So far as we are con- and is our fate) "and ye shall be hated cerned ourselves, we have scarcely any of all nations for my name's sake." Most need of lawyers. They are very neces- singularly has this prediction been and sary as conveyancers, they are very nec- is being fulfilled in regard to us. There is essary in drawing up papers, in mak- not another community on the face of the ing wills, in making deeds, in forming earth today who are hated by all nations contracts, in doing business of this char- for the sake of Jesus as are the Latter- acter; but so far as the practice of the day Saints. Go where you will through- law in litigation is concerned, there is no out our own nation; go where you will need for their services in any of the set- throughout Christendom; travel among tlements of the Latter-day Saints. The all people and ask them concerning the law of God to us when obeyed is suffi- Latter-day Saints, and they will tell you cient to lift us above these petty strifes that they hate them, that they are a and difficulties. We should live, if we do people to be hated, that they are a peo- not, in a purer and higher atmosphere, ple that should be destroyed, that they in a region elevated far above that which should not be tolerated, and that mea- is occupied by people of this charac- sures should be taken for their entire ex- ter. If you travel through the settle- tirpation from the earth. One of the most ments where the Latter-day Saints have remarkable features connected with this control you will not find drunkenness work is this hatred that exists in the prevalent, in fact, if they be true Latter- minds of men and women concerning it. day Saints, there will be no drunken- I look upon it as one of the greatest and ness. You will not hear the name of God most striking evidences of the truth of blasphemed where Latter-day Saints SECOND COMING OF OUR SAVIOR. 43 the words of the Savior, and of the di- wives in wedlock and rear children, and vinity of this work. There is no other bring them up legitimately, teaching people with whom I am acquainted who them the principles of righteousness as so strikingly fulfill the words of the Sav- we understand them. We could vote ior, and the promises which He made today—you men who are disfranchised, unto His disciples respecting the conse- and you women who are disfranchised— quences of obeying His doctrine as do the you could vote today if you were adulter- Latter-day Saints. And it is not for their ers and adulteresses. Yes, in this land of wickedness, because when their lives are ours, in this Territory of Utah you could compared with the lives of others, they go to the polls and cast your vote if you stand out in striking contrast with them. lived outside of wedlock, if you prosti- This is admitted even by our enemies. tuted yourselves, if you made women the They give us credit for not being adulter- victims of vile lust, if you trampled upon ers, they give us credit for not being se- everything that is holy and pure in the ducers; they give us credit for not being sight of God and of good men, you would thieves; they give us credit for keeping not be disfranchised. You could cast your our word; they give us credit for being vote. You could hold office—that is, you honest in our dealings. Today, our bit- could be a candidate for office, and if terest enemies in this city, the men who elected you could hold it. Therefore, it hate us the most, who would destroy us if is not for adultery, it is not for seduction, they had the power, never dare say that it is not for crimes of this kind that we we are dishonest in our dealings. We are hated, but it is because in righteous- keep our word. We abstain from drunk- ness and in truth, without deception and enness. We abstain from gambling. We without fraud, we honorably and in the do not support houses of ill fame. We sight of day—that is we have done so maintain order and peace wherever we in times past—married wives in accor- go. But we are accused of many crimes. dance with what we believed to be the We are accused of being guilty of many command of our Great Creator. misdeeds. But when the proof is asked for it is something that has happened We are hated of all men and of all na- some time ago, something that somebody tions for Christ's sake. It is because of else knows. our religion. If we discarded the forms We can be truthfully accused of noth- of religion; if we did not attach impor- ing except this: that we marry wives, tance to the solemnization of the mar- that we sustain them honorably, and riage ordinance; if it were done in any that we keep our children and train other name, or in any other form, or for them up in the fear of God, and make any other purpose, it would pass, doubt- good citizens of them. This is the less, as it does in other society, with- head and front of our offending. It is out being challenged or receiving partic- not truthfully said that we prostitute ular condemnation. But it is admitted— women; or that she is degraded here I have been told it hundreds of times— by making her a prey to lust. It is that it is because you make this reli- not said we destroy our offspring. No gion. "That is why we hate it," they say. such charges are made against us. But "That is why we will legislate against the crime is that we honorably take it. If you had not made it religion we 44 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. would not care anything about it." When have been satisfied with our home here. I have plead with members of Congress And we thought we might escape per- in Washington, and told them this in- secution. We thought we had got so stitution was part of our religion, they far away that we could worship our God have said: "Yes, Mr. Cannon, that is the henceforth without let or hindrance. We difficulty. It is because you make it re- did not wish to injure others. We did not ligion that we want to legislate against wish to force our religion upon others. it. If you did not make it religion there We had no design upon any human be- would not be that objection to it that ing, no design to injure any soul upon the there is." Therefore, as I have said, the face of the earth. Our hearts were filled words of the Savior are fulfilled. Because with the desire that others might com- we make this the religion of Jesus, be- prehend the truth as we comprehend it, cause we profess to be the followers of that they might partake of the blessings Jesus, and because of being His follow- of the Gospel as we had received them, ers, therefore, as Jesus said, "you shall and to do this—that is to make them fa- be hated of all nations for my name's miliar with these things—we were will- sake;" not for anything else, but for the ing to spend our lives in traveling from sake of the name of our Lord and Sav- land to land and from continent to con- ior Jesus Christ, whose religion we have tinent, without purse and without scrip, espoused, whose followers we claim to preaching, in humility and in meekness, be, and because of being his followers the Gospel of the Son of God, as we un- we do as we are doing. Most signally, derstand it as a witness unto all na- then, has this prediction been fulfilled in tions before the end should come. We our sight and hearing. One of the most went from land to land preaching this remarkable features of the present age Gospel, calling upon the inhabitants of is the hatred that is manifested against the earth to listen to our message, and this people. It might be that as a people this was the extent of our wrong do- of our numbers, situated as we are, so ing. We had not, as I say, any designs far removed from other communities in against the peace of any soul upon the these remote regions, might escape ob- face of the earth, but our hearts over- servation, and that we might be left to flowed with a strong and unquenchable pursue our own course, quietly, so long desire that they might also receive the as we did not intrude upon our neigh- Gospel and the blessings of the Gospel bors. We came to this land a band of reli- as we had received them. That Gospel gious exiles seeking a home amid these has brought to us happiness, peace, joy mountain wilds, content to live here if unexampled. That Gospel had filled us we had only bread and water, if we could with a foretaste of heaven. Through that get sufficient to sustain life; for the sake Gospel we had received the Holy Ghost of that peace and quiet which was de- and the gifts thereof, and because of that nied us in the lands whence we were precious gift we were able to endure all driven, we were content to endure all the hardships and all the persecutions the hardships that could possibly be en- that the wicked might see fit to bring countered in this mountain region. If upon us for the sake of our religion. We we could only sustain life we would were willing to do this. We rejoiced in it. SECOND COMING OF OUR SAVIOR. 45

We knew it was more precious than life here, and it has followed us from that itself, and many have been willing to day until the present, it has sought to lay down their lives for the sake of the kill us, and it has sought to destroy our Gospel. We had left everything that men liberties. It has sought to do to us that held dear upon earth for the sake of this which was done before—to drive us from great truth that God had revealed to us, our homes, and send us forth homeless and our souls burned with an overpower- wanderers upon the face of the earth. ing desire that others might also partake This has been its manifestation in our of the same blessing. Therefore we trav- midst in this Territory, and it seems as eled from nation to nation, bearing these though it would not be fully gratified glad tidings and calling upon the inhab- or satisfied until it has made victims itants of the earth to receive them and of every one of us; until we should be partake of them as we had done. numbered with the silent dead, and our Now, it might be thought that a peo- voices no more be heard in proclamation ple thus situated would be left alone to of the Gospel of the Son of God, that we the enjoyment, the peaceful enjoyment have been authorized to proclaim to the of their religion. If their religion was inhabitants of the earth. a heresy they were the sufferers. If My brethren and sisters: I do not their religion was false they would be wish in my remarks to harrow up your the ones that would receive the punish- feelings. I wish merely to impress you ment. But not content with driving us with some of the events that are oc- out, not content with compelling us to curring around about us, that you may flee to these mountains, the same foul know that they are only in fulfillment and deadly spirit of persecution followed of the word of God, spoken hundreds us up here into these mountain recesses. and hundreds of years ago by the Son They envied us the possession of these of God Himself, and by His inspired ser- sterile, barren valleys. That cruel spirit vants. We are only moving in the sphere of persecution still followed us, envious that He intended we should move in; of the quiet homes we had reared by un- we are only enduring the trials and af- told and uncounted toil out of the ele- flictions that in His providence He fore- ments that surround us. We had raised a saw and deemed necessary for us to en- scanty subsistence from the soil; we had counter in our passage through life, and struggled with difficulties and had even- in the establishment of His work upon tually succeeded in surmounting them, the earth, and in preparing the way that we could hope to live, live without for the coming of the Lord. Let not fear of starvation at least before us. But your hearts fail you, therefore: be not scarcely was the experiment decided— discouraged nor consider yourselves in for it was but an experiment at best— the least degree oppressed beyond that than the same spirit that had made our which is right and proper. All these residence in the States intolerable and things are necessary in the providence unendurable to us, followed us across of our God. We shall have more to en- these plains that stretched out between counter; but we shall have the strength us and our old homes and the old civi- and the grace necessary to enable us to lization which we had left—followed us meet them and to bear them patiently, 46 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and to come out of them victoriously; for that God has promised. I testify this as you are often told, whatever may be in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fate of individuals connected with for I know it to be true, and I know this work, it is decreed in the heavens that every power that opposes this work by our Eternal Father, that this work, will perish. God has said it, and His the foundation of which He has laid, will words, thus far have been fulfilled. Re- never be taken from the earth again, it count the list of the opposers of this will never be overthrown. There is no work, and who is there among the vast power that can overthrow this work of host that has ever succeeded? Is not our God. Men may be sent to prison, as failure, is not shame, is not ignominy Brother Rudger Clawson has, as Brother written upon every man's character and Joseph H. Evans has, as others in Ari- the character of every community that zona have, for their religion, for prac- has fought against this work of our God ticing that which they believe to be of from the beginning up to the present God—men may be sent to prison by time? The enemies of this work have per- hundreds, men may be slain, as our ished, they have gone down into obliv- brethren were in Tennessee lately, and ion, and they have not succeeded. Look as Joseph Standing was in Georgia, and at the list from the beginning, from the as brethren were in years gone past in 6th of April, 1830, until this day of our Missouri, as our Prophet and Patriarch Lord, and go through it, and where can were in Illinois, as our revered President you find, where can you put your fin- was shot to pieces at the same time— ger upon a man or upon a community men's blood may be shed, the blood of that has prospered in fighting against the Saints may stain the ground, the soil Zion, against this work of our God? They may be drenched with it, but though this have gone down, while this people have may be the case, yet as sure as God lives gone forward, have risen, gone upward, so sure will this work that He has estab- have confirmed to increase in influence, lished, roll forth and prevail. The prin- in power in the earth and have become ciples of truth connected with it are un- more and more solidified. And it will be alterable and eternal. They cannot be so to the end; for this work is designed in changed, they cannot be destroyed. You the providence of our God to prevail, and might as well try to destroy the throne of there is no power nor influence that can the Great Eternal Himself, as to destroy prevent it. this work, for it is eternal. The truths It behooves us as Latter-day Saints of this Gospel are imperishable. They to be faithful to our God. I will tell cannot be changed; they cannot be oblit- you, my brethren and sisters, there is erated nor overthrown. And God has only one thing that can injure this work, said this concerning this work—that it and that is the sins of the people them- will stand forever. It will overcome ev- selves. You can injure it, that is, you ery obstacle. It will grow, it will increase. can injure yourselves in connection with Everything done against it will only be it. There is no man can prevent an- the means of accelerating it, or pushing other from receiving salvation. God it forward, or insuring to it the victory has not placed it in the power of man to prevent either a man, or a woman, or a child from receiving salvation. He has placed that within the power SECOND COMING OF OUR SAVIOR. 47 of the individual himself or herself. If a mit these things to exist in their midst. man be damned it is because he takes a And so with fornication. No fornica- course to be damned; he breaks the laws tor, no adulterer nor adulteress, should of God. So it is with us as a people. If have a place among us. They should be we are chastened, if we are scourged, if warned, they should be dealt with, they our enemies have power over us, it will should be cut off from the Church. And be because we do not live as we should so with every other sin. We have been do, and this is a subject that I would like too lenient, and have permitted things very much to speak about. I would like to exist which are wrong in the sight of very much to tell my feelings upon this God. Now that our enemies are wag- point to the Bishops and to the Teachers ing war against us, there is only one and to the officers of the Church. There way in which we can expect to withstand are practices being indulged in among assaults made upon us, and that is in us that are sins in the sight of God, being a pure people, in being a people and the officers of this Church will be who live according to the laws of our held accountable for them, unless they God. This we must be, or the favor of take a course to eradicate them from the God will be withdrawn from us. There- midst of the Saints. There should be no fore, let the Church be cleansed. Let man allowed to remain in this Church the Teachers visit under the influence of who is a Sabbath breaker, and when you the Spirit of God and the gift of discern- know that there are men and women or ment, and where they find those that children who are Sabbath breakers you are living in opposition to, or in viola- should take steps to have them warned, tion of the laws of God, let them, by the to have them reproved, and if they will Spirit of God, which will rest upon them, not repent to have them severed from the teach and warn that household, and thus Church of God. No man in this Church take steps to purify the Church. Let ev- should be allowed to have a standing in ery Priest and every Teacher go forth in it who is a drunkard; God does not ap- that spirit in the midst of the Latter-day prove of drunkenness; and if there are Saints, and you will see good results; and any drunkards remaining in the Church, then let hell boil over, let hell array itself hear it, O ye Bishops, and O ye officers, with all its forces, let earth and hell com- you will be held accountable for their bine against this work of our God, and sins—the condemnation will rest upon they cannot succeed. I am not afraid of you. The same with men who blaspheme, all hell; I am not afraid of all the earth, either young or old, who take the name if the Latter-day Saints will be pure, if of God in vain, they ought not to be per- they will live their religion. I know that mitted to remain in the Church. It is a we shall triumph and come off victorious sin in the sight of God, and He will visit in every contest, which may God grant in a people with condemnation who per- the name of Jesus. Amen. 48 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

VISIT TO THE SOUTH—TESTIMONY OBTAINED FROM GOD—NECESSITY AND BENEFITS OF PRAYER.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE GEORGE TEASDALE, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JANUARY 11, 1885.

Since the last time I had the privi- and that we had the Bible for a guide, lege of worshiping in this house I have so that we need not be mistaken. had the opportunity, in company with This being the case, it is something Brother F. M. Lyman, of making a tour very curious—I often think so in my through the Southern wards and Stakes reflections—that men and women are of this Territory, and I must say, though today in the penitentiary, doomed to it was my first visit to several places, associate with the worst class of vil- that I have enjoyed my labors exceed- lains, because they believe in God. The ingly. I appreciated my association with same principle that exalted Abraham the Saints, who are striving in their and made him the "friend of God," be- weakness to establish the righteousness cause he believed God and obeyed Him of God upon the earth. I was treated today is considered a crime: for men with the greatest kindness. It is im- and women who manifest that they have possible for us to be associated as we the faith of Abraham by doing the works are in a great work—a work that from of Abraham are considered fit subjects the beginning has been opposed by the to be placed among murderers and the world—without feeling the greatest ad- worst class of characters. I presume if miration for men and women who are 50 years ago, any man had said that filled with the spirit of integrity, who the time would come when the doctrine manifest a love for God and for the prin- of Christ should be so unpopular that ciples of righteousness, that is surpris- those who believed God, and who prac- ing in the day and age in which we live, ticed the principles that lead to endless when righteousness is so unpopular. I lives, would be incarcerated in dungeons, had always been given to understand he would have been considered slightly that I was living in an enlightened age insane. It has been the boast of the in the blaze of the Gospel; that we had nation to which we are attached, that passed from the dark ages and living in wherever the glorious flag waved it was an enlightened age, among educated peo- a source of consolation to the people of ple; that the Gospel of the Son of God all nations to know that there was a was being promulgated in all nations, spot on earth that was the land of the TESTIMONY OBTAINED FROM GOD. 49 free and the home of the brave. With a was any truth in all these things, I went Constitution that is the admiration of all where we should all go—to the throne of nations and peoples, nobody would have grace, and asked God the Eternal Father ever thought for a moment that the cir- in the name of Jesus Christ, that if the cumstances that we see today, and the testimonies I had heard were true, that facts that we are in possession of, would I might have a knowledge of the same; ever be recorded upon the pages of Amer- that I was willing to embrace the Gospel ican history, and they never would have provided that it was true, and it would been had the spirit of patriotism that guarantee the excellency of knowledge dwelt in the bosoms of those who con- that was promised me if I would seek secrated their lives, their sacred honor, wisdom at His hands and obey. I asked and their all, for the establishment of a that if it was the truth I might know spot on earth that should be indeed the it; because if any man desired eternal land of the free, and the home of the life I did; if any man desired to serve brave, been manifested today. No brave God I did; if any man desired the remis- man would ever interfere with another sion of his sins I did; and consequently I man's religion. It is all that I have. My went to that source that I would presume hope, my joy. Take my religion away, and all intelligent men and women would I am a beggar of the poorest kind. If appeal to when a message of the kind I am wrong show me my wrong: I am that came unto us through the Prophet open to conviction. I embraced the doc- Joseph Smith was sounded in our ears. trine taught by the Latter-day Saints, I obtained that knowledge, and I have because I believed that it was true, and endeavored faithfully to bear my testi- that it promised to me something more mony wherever I have been, and un- than I was in possession of. The humble der whatever circumstances I have been man that brought the glad tidings of the placed. And I have never taken any step restoration of the Gospel, told me that if but what I have appealed to the same I would appeal to God who dwells in the source, believing as I do in the Gospel heavens, and would appeal honestly, He of Christ, believing as I do in the Bible, would give me light and intelligence, and and believing that James meant what he that if I would obey the Gospel I should said when he stated: "If any of you lack be put in possession of knowledge that it wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth was true; that I would learn that Joseph to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; Smith was no false prophet, but a true and it shall be given him." I went forth prophet sent of God; that holy angels, in the simplicity of my heart believing holding keys of power and authority, had God would answer my prayer. He did so, visited the earth for the express purpose and from that day to this I have had, in of restoring the Priesthood of God, that my associations with the Church of Je- the Gospel might be taught in power and sus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a living authority in all nations, preparatory to testimony of the truth of this work, and the coming of the Son of Man, which is the closer I live to the requirements and nigh at our doors. Wishing to be kind to the principles that have been enun- to myself; wishing to understand if there ciated, and are continually enunciated, by inspired men, the greater the happi- 50 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ness and peace I enjoy. Do I wish to inducted into the Kingdom of God by interfere with the rights and privileges prayer, and I have been sustained by of anybody? God forbid. Do I wish to the Almighty Father, by prayer, ever do anything that would be a reproach to since that day. I do not pray for form this nation? God forbid. The course that sake: I pray because I earnestly de- the Latter-day Saints are taking is an sire to have the fellowship of the Holy honor to the nation. It is an honor to Ghost. I cannot understand how any- this country. That God our Eternal Fa- body can pray for form's sake, although ther selected men who had been born, I have almost been led to believe that and raised on this soil to usher in the we do so on a great many times and oc- dispensation of the fullness of times. It casions, and I will give you my reasons certainly ought to be a source of joy to all for so thinking. What is the idea, after men who are honest in heart, and who singing, of one of the brethren standing desire to obtain eternal life, to know that up here to open this meeting by prayer? the keys are turned by which they can Is he not our spokesman, the mouth- obtain the same. But as it was in the piece, and should we not, while he ut- days of Christ, so it is today. The world ters the sentences, have those sentences by wisdom know not God: and the course pass through our minds in a prayer as that they are taking today in fighting a congregation, and when he has fin- against the principles of righteousness ished it, endorse the same by saying, is a shocking record to make upon the "amen." What is the meaning of "amen?" pages of history. Can a false religion ben- So be it. Well, I noticed today that there efit me? Can manmade systems bene- were few "amens." Why is this? Did fit me? Can I obtain the remission of we not endorse the prayer? Did we not my sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost, sanction it? I should think if we did through uninspired men? I think not. I we would naturally say "amen"—so let have no guarantee for that inside or out- it be. But I will tell you what I am side of the lids of the Bible. afraid of—I am afraid of the Latter-day In my travels among the Latter-day Saints getting into a form of religion Saints, circumstances have arisen that and being no better off than their neigh- have caused me some reflection, more es- bors, or getting into the habit of going pecially with regard to prayer. It might to meeting and hearing the singing and not be believed that among the peo- praying and the discourse without their ple who profess to be Latter-day Saints, having any influence whatever upon our there are those who neglect prayer. We minds any more than perchance to crit- have had to ask young men, sometimes, icize. I cannot understand how that that were Elders and who had been kind of a worship can be acceptable to recommended to be Seventies, if they God. If I understand it, He requires our prayed, and in telling us the truth, they hearts, and He desires when we pray have stated that they did sometimes. I that we mean what we say. What is never should have doubted for a mo- the meaning of prayer? Why, it is to ment that there was anybody profess- earnestly ask something that we require ing to be a Latter-day Saint who did not with all our hearts. All who are in fel- pray. I cannot understand it. I was lowship of the Holy Ghost, will ask God TESTIMONY OBTAINED FROM GOD. 51 for His Spirit to be in their hearts in We as a people should certainly be a all their business relations, even, that prayerful people, and I would venture to they might not soil their hands, but keep say that if we were not, if we depended them clean and their hearts pure, that upon our own strength, the time will they might merit His approbation. The come when we will fail. I cannot under- Lord Jesus Christ encouraged His dis- stand how in a well ordered house fam- ciples to pray—to pray without ceasing. ily prayer can be dispensed with. I can- Upon one occasion He spoke a parable not understand how it is that men un- on this very subject, that men ought al- derstanding the responsibility that rests ways to pray and not faint. And I think if upon them, understanding their own any people on the face of the earth ought weakness and insufficiency, understand- to pray it certainly should be the Latter- ing the blessing that God our Eternal Fa- day Saints; for we have no friends on the ther has promised unto us through our earth. All the friendship that we can faithfulness, should consider that they depend upon is in God our Eternal Fa- can do without God. Why, it seems to me ther, who controls the actions of all men, that in every well regulated family the and who allows men to go to a certain head thereof should gather his wives and extent, that they may prove before the children around him and bow at the al- heavens their corrupt hearts and what tar, even the family altar, and offer unto they would do if they were permitted; God thanksgiving and praise for His pro- that every man through the agency that tecting care and to entreat Him for His God has given him, may manifest him- Spirit that we might be led by its coun- self before God, before the heavens, and sels that He might not suffer us to be before all mankind, as to the spirit he led into temptation, but that He would is of in the record that he makes. The deliver us from evil. And I do not con- Savior said there was a certain judge, sider that this duty is all the time upon "which feared not God, neither regarded the head of the house. I consider that man: And there was a widow in that his family should take a part in fam- city; and she came unto him, saying, ily prayer. I do not consider it neces- Avenge me of mine adversary. And he sary for the man to be the mouthpiece all would not for a while: but afterward he the time. I think it is just as acceptable said within himself, Though I fear not to God our Eternal Father, for the wife God, nor regard man; Yet because this to take her part in prayer, and for the widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, boys and girls to take their part in the lest by her continual coming she weary same exercise. It seems to me there is me." This was the parable that the Lord something very shocking that young men Jesus gave the people when persuading should be allowed to grow up until they them "to pray, and not to faint." "And the are about twenty years of age and have it Lord said, hear what the unjust judge to say that their father never asked them saith: "And shall not God avenge his to pray in the family circle. We expect own elect, which cry day and night unto our wives to be associated with the Re- him, though he bear long with them? I lief Societies, and certainly they should tell you that he will avenge them speed- know how to pray. We expect our young ily. Nevertheless when the Son of man men to be associated with Young Men's cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Associations, and they certainly should 52 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. know how to pray. We expect our daugh- are taught of God. The Lord Jesus ters to be associated with the Young Christ, in His dying agonies, and the Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associa- martyr Stephen filled with the Spirit of tions, and they certainly should know His master, said, "Father, forgive them; how to pray. We expect our children to for they know not what they do." Lord, be associated with the Primary Associ- lay not this sin to their charge! Behold ations, and they certainly should know the unbounded love and charity that how to pray. We do them an injustice were in the breast of the Savior and His when we do not divide up the honors servant Stephen. We should have this in prayer in this way. It is requisite same Spirit. It is a most awful thing that all should take their turn in prayer, to die in one's sins. It is most awful to and I do not think it should be done for be classed with those who misrepresent, form's sake. It should be the expres- who are called in the Bible liars, who sion of glad hearts, understanding the are to have their portion in the lake of great blessings that have been conferred fire and brimstone, which is the second upon us through the light and intelli- death. When I think that men of pro- gence of the Gospel, and feeling glad that fessed intelligence will stoop to such dis- we are not under the condemnation of honorable means to bring trouble upon priestcraft, but that we have the privi- innocent people, I think they ought to be lege of priesthood; that we are not led prayed for that God would have mercy by false teachers who have no author- upon them, that He would convert them ity, and who know not the way of life from the error of their ways, that they and salvation, but that God has given might not be blotted out from the book of unto us true teachers, inspired by Him, remembrance and become subject to the that His people may learn of His ways second death. I think common humanity and walk in His paths. And I believe in should inspire us to pray for them. They the counsel of the Savior when He ad- are the children of God, and they are in vised His disciples to pray for their en- the image of God, they are our brethren emies. If there are people on the face and sisters, children of the same par- of the earth who ought to be prayed ent: and it is a duty we owe to God and for, it is our enemies. I would pray to mankind to pray that the Lord may the Eternal Father that He would have have mercy upon sinners. I also believe mercy upon them, that He would en- that we should pray for the Chief Mag- lighten their minds, that they might un- istrate of this nation. We should pray derstand they were fighting against the that He might be inspired of God, and be truth. I would plead before Him that a blessing to the nation in his integrity they might be prevented from making to the Constitution. I believe we should the dreadful record that they are mak- pray that God might overturn, and dis- ing against themselves; I would plead place the wicked, and put in righteous that the Lord would be merciful unto men who would repeal the unrighteous them, that they might be converted as acts and laws that have been passed, and we are converted. Who converted us? thus demonstrate that they were willing The Spirit of God. What do we know only that all mankind should enjoy what they as we are taught of God, and what can themselves wish to enjoy—the pursuit of they know of the true faith only as they TESTIMONY OBTAINED FROM GOD. 53 life, liberty, and happiness. All the hap- frequently quoted, we are told that when piness that I have is in keeping the we do as the Lord sayeth He is bound commandments of God. All the happi- to fulfill; but when we do not we have ness that I have has been given unto no promise. And on another occasion me through the new and everlasting He said that He could not look upon sin covenant, which God has restored to the with the slightest degree of allowance. earth. And then I believe in secret Do we believe this? Do we believe that prayer. I can go and tell my Father all we have, or that we ever expect to things that I would not want anybody have, comes or will come from God? Do else to know. I can go and ask His direc- we understand this principle? Do we tion when I require it. So can the sisters, understand that if we do not obey the who are entrusted with these bright spir- Gospel, that if we do not offer unto the its that have been reserved in the heav- Father the offering of a broken heart and ens and foreordained to come down on a contrite spirit, we will not be accepted the earth in the dispensation of the full- of Him? Do we understand that unless ness of times to assist in the establish- we live the principles that He has re- ment of the Kingdom of God. How are vealed from the heavens, that we have you going to exercise righteous domin- no promise of the future, and then to ion over your children and teach them think it a light thing not to pray. The correct principles, unless you enjoy the Lord has said with regard to the work revelations of God. I cannot understand of the ministry, and the establishment how a woman can love her children and of His Kingdom on the earth that, "No not plead before the Almighty, that they one can assist in this work except he may be protected from all accident, that shall be humble and full of love, hav- they may enjoy their senses, that they ing faith, hope, and charity, being tem- may be preserved in the use of their perate in all things, whatsoever shall be limbs, that they may not meet with any entrusted to his care." How is it possible accident that would disfigure or disable for us to be put in possession of these in- them in the battle of life. I think all estimable virtues unless we desire them these things arise on common sense prin- with all our hearts! And how can we ob- ciples. When we know that God lives; tain them but by earnest prayer to Him when we know that He hears and an- from whence all these priceless bless- swers our prayers; when we know that ings flow? From what other source can we are dependent upon Him and upon we obtain them? Why, if we thoroughly Him alone; when we know that we have understand our position, and our entire no friends outside, and that the world is dependence upon God our Eternal Fa- at enmity with God, is at enmity with us, ther, our prayers would ascend up to and with the principles of righteousness, heaven night and day, and they would we should humble ourselves to the dust, be mingled with praise and thanksgiv- and ask God to be merciful to us and to ing to God, for the mercies and bless- all mankind. ings He has vouchsafed unto us. If we Then, again, hew can we have do not see the necessity of this it is be- faith in the Gospel, unless we have cause we are too ignorant to understand the Spirit of God. In a revela- the loving kindness of God, and it is tion that has been given, and that is 54 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. time we should wake up to righteousness our houses in order, remembering that and good works, that we may have wise we are living in perilous times, that we and understanding hearts. The Lord are living in the hour of God's judg- has indeed been merciful to us as a peo- ment, that we are on the eve of famine, ple. How marvelously He has protected of pestilence, of earthquakes; and it be- us! How marvelously He has blessed us hooves every man and woman profess- as a people, and how cheerfully He has ing to be Latter-day Saints to be alive poured out His Spirit upon us when we to their duties, to put away all folly, to have sought it. It behooves us to walk in live humbly and frugally before God, and His paths. It is our duty to walk in the to prepare for the calamities that are light, even as the beloved Apostle said: coming upon the earth. We have been "If we walk in the light, as he is in the warned and forewarned, and I say unto light, we have fellowship one with an- the Latter-day Saints prepare ye, O pre- other, and the blood of Jesus Christ his pare ye, for the calamities that are at our Son cleanseth us from all sin." The same doors. Let us cease all extravagance; let beloved Apostle said: "Marvel not, my us remember the children entrusted to brethren, if the world hate you. We know our care that they, too, may have some- that we have passed from death unto life, thing for a day when nothing shall be because we love the brethren. He that raised; let us sanctify ourselves before loveth not his brother abideth in death. the Lord, striving to do His will and keep Whosoever hateth his brother is a mur- His commandments, calling upon Him in derer: and ye know that no murderer mighty prayer (remembering "The effec- hath eternal life abiding in him." tual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,") to have mercy upon His My brethren and sisters: Let us heritage; and that these valleys of the pray to God our Eternal Father; let mountains may indeed and of a truth be us make ourselves familiar with His the land of the free and the home of the Spirit and the impress thereof; let brave; which blessings I ask in the name us, if we have not done so, put of Jesus Christ. Amen. SAUL CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE KING. 55

POWER ATTENDING THE ACTION OF GENERAL CONFERENCES—GOD CONFIRMS THE AUTHORITY OF HIS SERVANTS BY MANIFESTATIONS OF HIS POWER AND FAVOR—JOSEPH SMITH CHOSEN AND ORDAINED TO ORGANIZE THE CHURCH OF GOD—THE LORD REVEALED TO THE SAINTS HIS CHOICE OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, AND ALSO OF PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR—GOD BLESSES EVERY MAN WHO WILL MAGNIFY HIS OFFICE AND CALLING, AND GIVES TO ONE MAN ONLY AT A TIME, REVELATION TO GOVERN THE CHURCH—FOLLY AND WICKEDNESS OF WITCHCRAFT.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,DECEMBER 14, 1884.

It is always an impressive sight to as we have performed this afternoon, me to see a congregation numbering so that are felt by those in whose favor we many people as this does, raise their vote: they feel strengthened, and God hands before the Lord to sustain the our Eternal Father seals His blessing, or names of men who are presented to causes it to descend upon those who are them as holding office in the Church, voted for, and there is a spirit that rests and though we do this semi-annually, down upon them from that time forward, in our general conferences for the Gen- so long as they are faithful and are thus eral Authorities, and quarterly, that is, sustained, that manifests itself unto all four times a year for the local author- with whom they are brought in contact. ities, it should not be in our feelings Let this congregation lift up their hands nor in our practice the performance of to sever a man from the Church, and an empty form, but should be done in no matter how high he may be in au- a spirit that will be acceptable unto our thority, no matter what Priesthood he Father, and in consonance with the re- bears, no matter how great and mighty sponsibility that devolves upon the men he may have been in the Church and in whom we sustain. For when we thus the ministry—let this congregation for sustain these men it means more than just cause lift up their hands against any the mere lifting of our hands, or at least such man and how quickly the effect is should do so. It means the sustain- felt, how quickly that man is stripped ing of these men by our faith and by of his power and of his influence, and our prayers, and so far as works are re- of that spirit and those gifts which have quired, by our works, and when we thus been conspicuous in his labors previous vote and thus act, there is a power and to such action, or while he was in good an influence accompanying such action 56 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. standing and in fellowship with God and are acceptable unto Him, that He con- his brethren and sisters. We have seen firms them by the outpouring of His numerous illustrations of this in our his- Spirit and the bestowal of His gifts. It tory. Name after name might be men- is a remarkable fact in this age of un- tioned of men who have been bright belief, in this age of doubt, in this age stars in the firmament, who have been of darkness, in this age when men pride stripped—by their own conduct to begin themselves upon there being no revela- with, and afterwards by the action of the tion, and no knowledge from God—I say Saints of God upon their case—of that it is a remarkable fact that in this age luster, of that brightness, and of that such as we now live in, and such as we glory that seemed to attend their minis- are familiar with, God, in the history of trations. And while this is the case with this people is accompanying His labors, those who have transgressed when the and the labors to which He assigns His Saints of God act upon their cases, so it servants, with the ancient power, with is, on the contrary, with those who are the ancient manifestations, and with the sustained in their ministry, and in their ancient confirmations by gifts and by Priesthood, and in their calling by the mighty signs and works that He causes united, uplifted hands of the Saints of His servants to accomplish. God in conference assembled, as we have When Moses was about to depart, done this afternoon. Men may sneer at God required of him that he should lay the Latter-day Saints, and say this is his hands upon another man to take his but an empty form, and that it is all place to act as the leader of the people of prearranged. Men may say what they Israel. He laid his hands upon Joshua, please about this. It is prearranged ac- and a portion of that spirit and power cording to the spirit and mind of God, that had attended the ministrations of so far as that can be ascertained. When Moses in the midst of Israel was im- men are chosen for office, the Spirit of mediately manifested through Joshua, God is sought for by those who have the and God confirmed the selection and im- right to select, and if there be doubt upon pressed upon the people by the signs and certain points men are not chosen; but the mighty works which Joshua accom- when they are chosen and the mind of plished that he was indeed God's cho- the Lord is sought for to know whether sen servant. He magnified him in the it will be agreeable to Him that they re- midst of the people; he was enabled ceive this office, or that they should act to perform mighty works, and the peo- in those positions, and when they are ple, if they had had any doubts what- thus selected and thus submitted, as I ever, had those doubts removed by those have said, to the Conference, then if they manifestations of power. You remem- themselves live so as to have the Spirit ber how the Lord showed in the sight of God with them, they will be clothed of all Israel that Joshua was His in- with it, and when they seek to magnify spired and chosen servant, for under his their office God will magnify them before direction the children of Israel crossed the people and will show them, and the the river Jordan dry shod. It was at people that they are indeed His chosen the time of high water in the river Jor- servants, and that their ministrations dan; but the Jordan was stayed in its onward course, its waters stopped running, SAUL CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE KING. 57 and the whole hosts of Israel, by the di- as Judges in Israel. In consequence of rection of this servant of God, passed this the leaders of Israel gathered to- over dry shod. In this manner God gether and said unto Samuel: "Behold, showed unto His people that He had thou art old, and thy sons walk not in indeed chosen this man to be His ser- thy way: now make us a king to judge us vant. And so it has been in the entire like all the nations." Samuel was greatly history of God's dealings with His peo- offended with the thought. But the Lord ple. He has not left them without a tes- said unto him: "Hearken unto the voice timony. He has not left them to proof the people in all that they say unto claim His word unaccompanied by His thee: for they have not rejected thee, power. They have not been left to ar- but they have rejected me, that I should gue for themselves, to plead for them- not reign over them." In other words, selves, to protest in the ears of the people the Lord had led them and chosen for that they were the servants of God, and them those who should lead them up to constantly contend for their rights as to that time, and now He would give leaders of the people of God. But in every them a king. He designated to Samuel instance when He chose a man to be His the kind of man he should be, who he servant, He accompanied that choice by should be, and told him he should visit the manifestations of His power, by the him. The person designated was Saul, outpouring of His spirit, and His gifts, and Samuel anointed him king of Israel. so that every honest soul, every humble After he was chosen king, it seems that man and woman who sought the Lord, he went about his ordinary business, and might know for themselves that those the next we hear of him he was following men were His chosen ones. A most strik- the herd, driving up the cattle, when the ing illustration of this suggests itself to news came to him that Nahash, the Am- my mind now. It occurred at the time monite, would only be pacified towards the children of Israel desired a king. The the men of Jabesh-Gilead upon one con- Lord was displeased with them for this. dition, and that was that he might thrust Samuel also felt offended, for they had their right eyes out, in token of their sub- rejected him and his house. They had a jection, and as a reproach upon all Is- good reason for desiring a king, at least rael. And then, at that time, when dan- they thought so. The surrounding na- ger threatened Israel, when there was tions had kings who went out and in be- a necessity for a general, for a man to fore them to battle and were their lead- lead the hosts of Israel, the Spirit and ers, and they desired to have a king, es- power of Almighty God, and the anoint- pecially when the two sons of Samuel, ing that he had received under the hands whom he had chosen as Judges over Is- of the Prophet of God, descended upon rael, were men who had turned aside af- that young man, Saul, and his anger was ter lucre, and took bribes, and perverted kindled at the insult that had been of- judgment. This Prophet of God, this fered to his nation, and he took a yoke mighty man of God, happened to have of oxen and hewed them in pieces, and two sons who were unworthy of their sent them throughout all the coasts of father's reputation, unworthy of the Israel, by the hands of messengers, say- Priesthood, unworthy of their position ing: Whosoever cometh not forth after 58 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done unto thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, his oxen. And great fear fell upon the it shall not be so." And sure enough, he people; they gathered out, and he orga- beheld a chariot of fire and horses of nized his army, and they fell upon their fire, and he saw his master ascend in his enemies and cleaned them out. sight to heaven, and undoubtedly that gift that he had asked for, and that Eli- Now, this is an illustration of the jah said should be granted unto him if manner in which God operates upon His he beheld his departure, was given to servants and upon His people. This this man of God, it rested upon him, and young man was following peaceful pur- when he came to the Jordan, having El- suits. Though he had been chosen a king, isha's mantle which he had dropped, he he had not seemed to assume kingly dig- smote the water in the power of God, and nity, he had gone about his business; but cried, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" when the crisis arose, when there was so that the waters divided, and he passed a necessity for someone to step forward over dry-shod. God accompanied that and take the leading position, then the man by His power wherever he went. A spirit of that position to which he had great and a mighty prophet was he; so been anointed, and to which he had been great and so mighty, that it is related chosen by the voice of God, by the act of him that after his death a band of of His Prophet, and by the approbation Moabites came into the land. The people of the people, rested upon him, and he of Israel were burying a man. While in emerged from his obscurity and arose in this act, they became frightened at see- their midst a king, a leader in very deed ing a band of men, and cast the man into and in truth. the sepulchre of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones And so it was, you remember, in the of Elisha, he revived, and stood upon his case of Elisha. When Elijah was about to feet. He was a mighty prophet, and he be taken to heaven, the spirit of prophecy received those gifts and this power from seemed to rest upon all the prophets. God, which He bestows upon all those The sons of the prophets came forth to who receive the everlasting Priesthood, Elisha, and said unto him, "Knowest and who seek to magnify it in the spirit thou that the Lord will take away thy thereof. master from thy head today? And he Read, too, of the transformation that said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace." occurred when Jesus laid His hands At a former time he had been plowing in upon His apostles. The lowly, the ig- the field, with twelve yoke of oxen, when norant, and the unlettered fishermen Elijah came along, and Elisha dropped were transformed into mighty men, men his work and followed the prophet of of power, men of influence, men who God. Afterwards, when Elijah's depar- had communication with the heavens, ture drew near, he said unto Elisha, "Ask unto whom God revealed His mind what I shall do for thee, before I be and will, and through whom He per- taken away from thee. And Elisha said, formed mighty works. These men I pray thee, let a double portion of that previously were obscure men, men of spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou humble lives, fishermen, probably one hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, of the lowest occupations that men if thou see me when I am taken from followed in those days, as it is in SAUL CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE KING. 59 our day. It is a lowly occupation is need it, if he magnifies his calling, the that of a fisherman. It is not one that spirit and power of the Almighty—that brings great wealth; it does not bring spirit and power and those gifts which men into public notice; it gives them belong to his particular office—will rest no opportunity for distinction; but these upon him, and he will be made equal to men were men whose lives were hid with every emergency, to every trial, and will God. These were Princes in disguise, come off victorious. men who had been chosen, like their How was it with the Prophet Joseph Lord and Master, according to my view, Smith? Whose origin could be more before the foundations of the earth were lowly in a land like ours than his, spring- laid, to be His companions in the flesh, ing from the humblest ranks of life, of and like Him they were born in lowly parents that were not distinguished, or and obscure circumstances. But when of any family that was known particu- He chose them, when their hearts were larly, bearing a name more common than touched by the great truths He taught, any other name in our language. Yet and they came forward, in obedience to this man, because God had chosen him, His authority, to cast their lot with Him, manifested extraordinary power. Those then the power of God descended upon who saw him, those who listened to him, them; they performed mighty works, and those who witnessed his acts, know how while they lived upon the earth the Holy mighty he was in the midst of his fel- Ghost was their companion, and their low men, and how mightily God wrought fame has come down to us embalmed, it through him. God chose and ordained may be said, through the ages that have him. He gave unto him His everlast- transpired, through the ignorance, and ing Priesthood. He gave unto him the the gloom, and the darkness, and the full authority to organize His Church. apostasy that have since taken place— He did so—organized this Church, the their names have come down to us from most glorious fabric that ever was es- our ancestors, and the most glorious edi- tablished upon the face of the earth; fices and structures that the world know because it is God's Church: it is the anything of, are dedicated to their mem- Church of Jesus Christ, unparalleled by ories. God made them mighty in the anything else. No other organization midst of the children of men. And so it approaches to it in perfection; nothing was with all the prophets. When God lacking, every detail, beautiful, harmo- made promises unto them they received nious, symmetrical, leaving nothing to them. But they did not receive these be desired. Such is the Church and things without exertion on their part, such the organization that the Prophet without their seeking industriously to Joseph was the means in the hands of magnify that Priesthood which had been God of restoring once more to the earth. bestowed upon them. The spirit and The plan, the pattern, had been lost en- power of God will rest upon a man if he tirely. The officers that formerly filled listens to it. It will impel him to action. the Church were withdrawn. The Priest- If he cherishes it, it will be his constant hood that they held was taken back companion. It will be with him in times to God, and the men who bore it also when he will need it, and when he does were taken from the earth. There had, 60 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. therefore, to be a complete restoration. It had anticipated this, and previous to this could only come from the God of heaven, horrid tragedy, He inspired His servant and Joseph, inspired of God, was the Joseph to call other men, upon whom He means through which the restoration bestowed all the keys, all the authority, was made—Joseph, a youth, obscure, il- all the blessings, all the knowledge so far literate in some respects—that is, he was as endowments were concerned, so far as not what men would call learned, but the power to go unto God and ask Him in afterwards, through industry and perse- the name of Jesus, and obtain His mind verance, became learned, and if he had and will, was concerned. He bestowed lived, he would undoubtedly have be- upon these men the same gifts, and come one of the most learned of men blessings, and graces, he had received; through the gifts God gave him. The so that there was a body of men with all progress he made when he did live was the authority, a body of prophets with all very remarkable. By his faith, and in- the gifts of seers and revelators—a body spired of God, he laid the foundation of of men left instead of one man—a body this work, and not only did this, but he of men were endowed with this power laid his hands upon other men and they when Joseph was taken, and the earth partook of the same spirit and influence was not robbed of that Priesthood which that rested upon him. They were able to God had sent His angels from heaven to drink at the same fountain, which God, restore once more to the children of men, through him, had opened up for them to and to act on the earth in the plenitude drink at. They could go to that fountain, of its power. There was no more need, and partake of its holy influence, and therefore, for angelic visitation to restore their eyes were opened and their minds it. It was not taken back to God by were illuminated by the power of God. the slaying of the Prophet and Patriarch, They were able also to go forth in the but remained with mortal man here on power which He had restored, and thus the earth. And, then, when the ques- once more among men was witnessed the tion arose as to who should lead Israel, mighty gifts that were characteristic of notwithstanding Sidney Rigdon stood up bygone ages, when God had a Priest- in the congregation of the Saints, and hood on the earth, when He had prophets plead for the leadership of the people, and apostles, and mighty men whom He the spirit and power of the Almighty de- clothed with a portion of His Spirit and scended upon the man whom God had power. chosen to hold the keys. In the midst And when Joseph was taken, how of all Israel, in the face of the entire was it then? Were the people left with- congregation of believers and unbeliev- out some man or men to stand up in ers, God clothed His servant with such their midst to declare to them the coun- power and in such a manner that every sel of their Almighty Father? No: the man that had the least portion of the Lord did not leave His people without spirit of God, and every woman, knew a shepherd. He had anticipated the by the manifestations of that spirit, and dreadful tragedy which would rob us of by the outpouring of the gift of God His anointed one; rob us, the Church of upon that man, that he was the cho- Christ, of our Prophet and Patriarch. He sen one, and that upon him rested the SAUL CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE KING. 61 authority, and the power, and the gifts through the channel of the Holy Priest- that had been borne by the Prophet hood, having but one man at a time on Joseph during his lifetime. No more the earth unto whom He gives the keys plainly was the power of God manifested to preside over the Church, and give in behalf of Elisha, after the taking away revelations to the entire Church, as a of Elijah, than it was manifested in be- church and as a people. He has chosen half of President Brigham Young, when him from among the prophets, apostles, the Prophet Joseph was taken from the seers and revelators, to bear the keys earth, and from that day, while he lived of the everlasting Priesthood upon the on the earth until he died, the Lord mag- earth in the flesh, he having the power nified him in the eyes of the people and and authority to act for the entire peo- blessed those who listened to his counsel. ple, and to receive the mind and will of God for the entire people. And thus God When he departed there was no con- up to the present time has confirmed His tention, there was no strife as to who work by signs following: every man in should be the leader. The men of God his place, enjoying the spirit of God, and had learned by experience concerning the gifts of his office—the President of the Priesthood, and as to who should the Twelve in his office and in his call- bear the keys. There was, therefore, ing; blessing the Apostles who act as no contention among the leaders nor the council of the Twelve; blessing the among the people. There was no spe- Presidents of Stakes with the spirit and cial necessity for any particular man- power and gifts of that calling—blessing ifestation. But I appeal to you, my their counsels and filling them with the brethren and sisters, today, in this con- power necessary to magnify the Priest- ference assembled—has not God accom- hood to which they are called; bless- panied the President of His Church who ing the Presiding Bishop and his Coun- succeeded Brigham Young—has He not selors; blessing the Bishops and their accompanied him, has He not accompa- Counselors; blessing the High Councils; nied his acts, his counsels and his lead- blessing the Seventies, High Priests, El- ership of the people by every sign, by ev- ders and Lesser Priesthood; every man ery blessing, by every manifestation of in his place and station receiving his power necessary to confirm in the hearts portion of the gifts and blessings and of Israel the truth that he is indeed the power of God according to his faith and man whom God had designated, whom diligence, and his obedience to the com- God had chosen, and whom God desired mands of God, and also according to the to lead His people Israel? I have no office and position that he holds in the doubt of it, never had any. I knew it Priesthood of the Son of God. before anything was heard or anything God in His marvelous kindness and was said. I knew it by the revelations mercy has organized His Church in of Almighty God to me, that God had perfection, and has given to every chosen His servant John Taylor, to pre- man that bears a portion of the Holy side over this Church. I know it today. Priesthood, if he will magnify the I rejoice in this knowledge, and I re- same, the gifts and graces necessary joice that God still continues to manifest thereto; to given to every woman and His power through His anointed one, and to every child who is faithful in the 62 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Church of God, the spirit that belongs if he does not seek to magnify that office to the position of each, according to the and priesthood, the gifts of it will not be faith and necessities of each. And thus with him as they would be with a man it is that heaven is moved on our behalf; who does seek to magnify his calling: no thus it is that the power of God is man- matter how great his ability, the power ifested from time to time; thus it is that of God will not accompany him unless he the people are led and guided as they are seeks for it, for God will be sought after, and as they have been from the begin- and God will be plead with for His gifts ning until the present time, and thus it and graces and for revelation and knowl- will be until the end, until the Church edge; He will be sought after by His chil- shall be as a bride prepared for the com- dren, and then when He is sought after, ing of the bridegroom, for the coming of He will bestow. the Lord Jesus, who is our head, and Now, when I speak about one who who will preside over us and over the has a right to give revelations to the Church and Kingdom that will be orga- Church, I do not mean by that to say nized upon the earth. that others shall not receive revelation; Oh, my brethren and sisters, God is for this is a day of revelation. We know not working in vain in our midst. He the sentiment of Moses when Joshua be- is not working in hidden places. He is came jealous of two of the Seventy Elders not concealing His hand and His power. prophesying. The Seventy were gathered He is ready to bless every man in His around about the tabernacle to receive Church who will magnify His office and the words of the Lord from Moses, when calling. He is ready to bestow the gifts the Spirit rested upon them, as also upon and qualifications of that office upon two of the men who had remained in the every man according to his diligence camp. Joshua was jealous for the honor and faithfulness before Him. But the of his master, and asked Moses to for- idle man, the slothful man, the man bid them prophesying. But, no, Moses that shirks his responsibility, the man replied: "Would God that all the Lord's that avoids duty, the duty of a Deacon, people were prophets, and that the Lord Teacher, Priest, or Bishop, Elder, Sev- would put his spirit upon them!" He had enty, High Priest, or an Apostle, or one no jealousy about prophecy. He desired of the First Presidency—every man that that every man in the whole camp of Is- does this God will take from him His rael might have the spirit of prophecy, gifts and His blessings; He will withdraw and he gave utterance to that beauti- them and give them to the faithful one. ful, glorious expression which I have just He will clothe His faithful servants with quoted. So with the Elders of Israel to- the power that belongs to the Priesthood day. Would to God all the Lord's people in proportion to the diligence and faith- were Prophets. Would to God that every fulness in seeking to magnify their call- man in Israel had the spirit and power ing, and to live near unto their God. and gift of prophecy resting upon him. Mark this, and let it bear with weight Would to God that every woman had the upon your mind, for I tell you it is so. You spirit of prophecy resting upon her, and may ordain a man to be an apostle, but every child. Would to God that all the SAUL CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE KING. 63 hosts of Israel, those of the Church of lor and his Counselors, and we read it. God, had the Holy Ghost and its gifts It purported to be a message from God— resting in power upon them. There is no a message from God to us, that is to the room for jealousy in regard to the posses- First Presidency, and through us to the sion of this gift in the breast of a servant Church. We read the message, but could of God. The only feeling that it ought to see nothing in it particularly; there was produce in the breast of a faithful man considerable said, but there was nothing is one of thankfulness, one of thanks- tangible, or that gave us light upon any giving to God that others share in this point that we did not understand before. blessing, that others can partake of this The man said he had been in the Church power, that others have received of this three years, but he had not received the glorious gift from our Father in Heaven. Priesthood. He had had some spiritual There is no room for jealousy, therefore, manifestation, in which he heard a voice in such cases. Let every man press for- say, "thou art a priest after the order of ward humbly and obediently in the path Melchizedek." of exaltation, in the path that leads to God. Let every man press forward. He I wish to speak upon this point, that need not be afraid that any Latter-day is, in connection with this subject that I Saint will impede his progress. Let every have been speaking upon. God has orga- man speak and act and do as though he nized His Church. He has placed in that were a servant of God, as he is, as a son Church its officers. As I have said, He of God; let him do this and rejoice in it. has given to one man, and to one man At the same time let him be careful not to only, at a time, the keys to preside over be lifted up in pride, not forgetting who and to communicate the mind and will he is, but obedient to constituted author- of God to that Church. While that man ity, that authority which God has placed is in that position, seeking to magnify it, in His Church, and, then, if he does not he will not speak to other men and give forget these things, there is nothing to them revelations for His Church. I wish prevent his onward progress. If he be you all to understand what I have en- an Elder, if he should have the gifts and deavored to impress upon you—that it power that an Apostle should have, who is the privilege of every one to receive will be jealous? Certainly no servant of revelation. It is the privilege of every God. If he be a Deacon, and he has gifts mother to receive revelation from God from God, through faithfulness, that be- for guidance in the training of her chil- long to an office higher than his own, is dren; to be in communication with the there anyone who will not rejoice in it, Father through the Holy Spirit. It is the or anyone who will retard him or throw privilege of children to have the same obstructions in his way? God forbid that Spirit, and to have knowledge from God there should be. through that Spirit. What for? To teach Now, in connection with this sub- the parents? No. If their parents are ject, a man a few days ago—it sug- in the path of duty, it is not so; but it gests itself to my mind and I will is, as I have said, the privilege of ev- speak upon it—brought a communi- ery man, woman and child in the Church cation addressed to President Tay- to have revelation, to have knowledge, 64 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. to be instructed of the Lord. But that prophets would work mighty miracles does not give them the right to give rev- in the eyes of the people of the earth, elations to the Church. God did not de- and they would seek to establish their sign it. God never has warranted or sus- authority by the performance of mighty tained any such action. Therefore, he miracles, and we have heard of such that cometh in by any other way than things in our day since his death—but by the door, you know what is said of this does not sustain a man in claim- him; he that climbeth over the wall, ing to be leader of a people, and to give he that receiveth authority from some revelations from God. But there is a source outside of that which God recog- spirit that God gives; there is an influ- nizes, we as a people are not bound to ence that accompanies His word when it receive anything that may be commu- is proclaimed by His servants that seals nicated to him. Out of that which is itself upon the hearts of the honest, upon communicated in that way, there may the hearts of the meek and lowly, and be nineteen truths out of twenty state- those who are living in close communion ments; but there will be error, there will with God themselves seals upon their be falsehood, there will be something hearts the truth of that which He says: I that will mislead, because there is not have no fears of any of you, my brethren the authority from God to lead and to and sisters, if you will only live near to act. God has His own method of doing God. I said the leaders of this Church do things. He chooses whom He will; He not come bolstering up their own claims. takes away, and removes from the path It is not necessary. You are the wit- those that He wishes. It is all according nesses. You are the witnesses whether to His good will and pleasure. He gives John Taylor is President of the Church; unto us authority, and, as I have said, whether his Counselors are the men they He confirms it by signs following; and should be; whether the Twelve have this Church from the day of its organi- the authority they claim; whether the zation, up to the present time has never Presidents of Stakes have the author- been one hour, yea I may say, one mo- ity they claim—you have this testimony, ment without revelation, without having you are our witnesses, and all the Is- a man in our midst who can tell us as a rael of God, wherever they live, are wit- people the mind and will of God, who can nesses of the truth of these things. You point out to us that which we should do, can testify because you have received— who can teach us the doctrines of Christ, if you should live as you should do—a who can point out to us that which is testimony independent of that which we false and incorrect, and who can, upon can give to you, or any argument that all matters that come within the range we may urge—you have received it, if of our experience, and that are neces- you have received it properly, from our sary for us to attend to give us the nec- Eternal Father. You received it in an- essary counsel and instruction. This has swer to prayer, direct to yourselves— been the case always. Therefore, a man not through any intermediate source, may receive mighty signs—I heard the not through any man, but through Prophet Joseph, when I was a boy, say the Eternal Spirit of our Father de- that the time would come when false scending upon you and bearing witness SAUL CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE KING. 65 to you—a testimony that these things bewitching him when his property was are true. You, therefore, are living wit- stolen and destroyed, when his servants nesses of the truth of these things, and were killed, when his son's house fell know for yourselves whether they are and killed his children, when his boils true or not. came upon him. I wonder if he thought that he was bewitched. Why, I hear Now, I have heard that there are men of some people, if anything happens to among us who are professing to cure them, even if any of their chickens die, witchcraft and other evils of that kind. I who are ready to say: "I am bewitched; believe they call themselves astrologers. there is somebody bewitching me." Such More injurious ideas and practices than expressions and ideas are prompted by these cannot be introduced among a peo- the worst folly that ever possessed the ple to lead them to destruction, and I mind of a Latter-day Saint. Do not such wish to warn you before sitting down, in persons know that not a hair of their regard to this. Do not seek for those who heads can fall to the ground unnoticed? have peepstones, for soothsayers, and for Has not the Savior said so, our Lord and those who profess to be able to counter- Master? And if so, do you not think act the influence of witchcraft. They who He will care for us? Do not your an- say so, seek to play upon your fears, they gels stand continually before the face of seek to take advantage of superstitious our Father in heaven? And yet shall fears, and seek to use them for their own people unto whom God has made such advantage and bring those who will lis- glorious promises, and upon whom He ten to them in bondage to an influence has poured out such glorious blessings— and spirit that is as foreign to the spirit shall they bow to these wicked influ- of God as hell is foreign to heaven. Any ences, these spirits that are not of God, man who professes to have this author- that are full of vileness and darkness ity, to have this power, and to use power and evil, and do that which they say, outside of that which the Priesthood au- and seek to wizards and to soothsay- thorizes, is a man that should not be lis- ers, and to diviners and to men and tened to; his claims are false, and his women who, by hidden works of dark- methods are from beneath and not from ness, profess to obtain knowledge—will God. And I say to all of you, witchcraft the Latter-day Saints do this to take you may defy if you live as you should their vile remedies, and if their chil- do—defy it, not in a spirit of defiance, not dren are sick, seek unto them? The in a spirit to bring evil influences upon men and women who do this—I do not you, but in the power and strength of our want to prophesy evil about them—are Father and God. No evil influence of that in great danger of losing the spirit and kind, if you live as you should do, can power of God, and having it withdrawn have power over you; you are entrenched from them, and if they do not repent it in the power of God, in the spirit and will most assuredly be withdrawn from gifts of God; you are entrenched round them. All who take these methods and about so that none of these wicked influ- encourage these practices I say that the ences can have power over you. I won- anger of Almighty God will descend upon der if Job thought there was somebody them unless they repent, and they will 66 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

find that their hidden works of dark- about you, to let His power encircle you, ness will not avail them when the Lord to let His Spirit be in your hearts and feels after them, and when His con- in your habitations, and rest down upon demnation rests upon them; they will your little ones, and be of strong faith, find this out to their everlasting sor- and say, like Job, "Though he slay me, row. Men who are guilty of these prac- yet will I trust in him." Yes, that righ- tices, and who seek to lead away the teous man, though God should slay him, unwary, and to prey upon the ignorant yet he would not fail to trust Him to the and unsophisticated, and to take advan- uttermost. tage of their fears, and instil supersti- Let these truths rest upon your tion into the mind, cannot escape con- minds and be not forgotten, and let us demnation. These methods are not of seek as a people to have the gifts and God, and beware of them, all of you, and power and blessings of our Father and tell all your friends that it is sinful in the God resting upon us continually. I pray sight of God to yield to such influences. God for this blessing to be with you Pray, rather, to the Father, in the name always, in the name of Jesus Christ. of Jesus, to let His angels be around Amen.

THE GATHERING—OUR TERRITORIAL CONDITION AND ORGANIZATION—THE ETERNAL NATURE OF OUR COVENANTS—THE LAW OF ANCIENT ISRAEL, WHICH REQUIRED A MAN TO MARRY HIS BROTHER'S WIDOW—SETTLEMENT OF THE DIFFICULTY CONNECTED WITH THE UTAH LAKE AND JORDAN RIVER DAM—THE FLOOD—THE LORD WILL SUSTAIN AND UPHOLD US—WE MUST NOT ASSOCIATE WITH THE WICKED.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE STAKE MEETINGHOUSE, PROVO,SUNDAY MORNING,NOVEMBER 30, 1884.

I am pleased to have an oppor- on some principles associated with tunity of meeting with you in your the Gospel of the Son of God, in conference, and of talking with you which we, all of us, are more or less WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR. 67 interested. We are gathered together really to build up and purify the Church from among the nations of the earth. We of the living God. We are here to build have assembled ourselves thus together up and establish the kingdom of God. We because of a work which the Lord has are here also to build up a Zion unto our commenced in the interests of humanity, God, wherein His laws can be taught, not only pertaining to ourselves, but per- the principles of eternal truth be commu- taining to the world of mankind. In obe- nicated, the relationship and communi- dience to the revelations of His will, and cation opened between the heavens and the command that He has given unto the earth, and men placed in a position His servants through the restoration of whereby they will be enabled to act intel- the everlasting Gospel, we have many of ligently, in regard to all matters pertain- us gone forth among the nations of the ing to this world as well as to the world earth to proclaim those principles which that is to come. God has revealed for the salvation, hap- We have been told, and it has been piness and exaltation of the human fam- prophesied of, that great calamities will ily. We have been gathered together ac- overtake the nations of the earth. One of cording to the word of the Lord which the ancient Prophets (Isaiah, in the 24th He spake by His ancient Prophets who chapter) makes use of very peculiar lan- have lived in the world in generations guage in relation to this matter. He says: that are past, and who, under the inﬂu- ence of the Spirit of God, have given a "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth very graphic account of the gathering of empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth the people together, in the last days; and it upside down, and scattereth abroad of the instructions they should receive the inhabitants thereof. preparatory to other events that will nec- "And it shall be, as with the people, essarily transpire upon the earth, as spo- so with the priest; as with the servant, ken of by all the holy Prophets since so with his master; as with the maid, the world was. We are living in what so with her mistress; as with the buyer, is called "the dispensation of the full- so with the seller; as with the lender, so ness of times," wherein it is said God with the borrower; as with the taker of will gather together all things in one, usury, so with the giver of usury to him. whether they be things in the heavens or things on the earth. And we are gath- "The land shall be utterly emptied, ered together to this land of Zion (which and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath has been spoken of also in the Scrip- spoken this word. * * * * * * tures), where we might learn more per- "The earth also is deﬁled under the fectly the law of God, and carry out those inhabitants thereof; because they have principles which He has made known transgressed the laws, changed the ordi- for our information, for our instruction, nance, broken the everlasting covenant. for our guidance and direction, as regards the course that we should pur- "Therefore hath the curse devoured sue, and the blessings that should attend the earth, and they that dwell therein those who have obeyed His laws and are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of kept His commandments. We are here the earth are burned, and few men left." 68 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

In relation to these matters we as a voting for it. We have our County Courts people have been very much interested, and Probate Courts, as other Territories and these things have been spoken of for have, and are placed under general reg- a long, long time. I have been preaching ulations pertaining to these matters as them between forty and fifty years, and exist in the order that prevails in the a great many others who are now living, United States. In this respect we act as have borne testimony of these things; others do—that is, we are placed pretty and have gathered together as we have much under the same laws, not quite; done. This places us in a very peculiar pretty much under the same form of position, for we not only bring our reli- government, not quite; we have certain gion with us, and the spiritual ideas con- rights and privileges ceded to us, not like nected with it—we not, only bring these others have exactly; but to a very great things that are spiritual, but we bring extent similar to others. In this respect our bodies along with us which are very we act and operate as other citizens of temporal; and when we gather as we the United States do, and in this respect have done here in this land and form a we have rights, privileges and immuni- people such as we are, we necessarily be- ties as others have so far as they go. But come part of the body politic of the na- they don't go with us quite to the extent tion with which we are associated—that that they do with other people under the is, of the United States. We are orga- same circumstances. Nevertheless, per- nized here in a Territorial capacity, as haps we enjoy as many privileges and as other Territories are organized, and are many rights as we are capable of compre- now living in what was before the un- hending and of magnifying, and it may settled portions of the United States; we be possible in the inscrutable wisdom of are organized according to the general the Lord, that we should be subjected to provisions made and provided by the na- certain kinds of prohibition and enact- tion in which we live, and we are orga- ments, that differ materially in many re- nized under what is called an Organic spects from those of other people. But so Act, whereby the action of the Govern- it is, and these things are quite as ben- ment of the United States has placed eficial to us as other things. If we had us in the position that we now occupy. nothing to cope with or to contend with, We have, for instance, as other Terri- we might feel as the Methodists do some- tories have, a governor. We have dis- times when they talk about sitting and trict judges of the United States; we have singing themselves away to everlasting a U.S. marshal, an attorney, etc., etc., bliss; but as we are not going to the same and the same kind of officers that ex- place as they are, it don't make much dif- ist in other Territories that are under ference; they can take their road, and we and associated with the government of will take ours. We have other ideas of a the United States. We have granted religious nature from those entertained unto us in the instrument called the by other people. But take it as a whole Organic Act certain rights and privi- we enjoy very many great blessings. We leges. We send a Delegate to Congress, are living here in a goodly land. We have and are authorized so to do. We have many privileges in this land: and in our our Legislature, and have the right of WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR. 69 endeavors to preach the Gospel and had existed in those days; but to all gather together the people under the intents and purposes it was what was blessing and guidance and direction of called then and marked on the maps as the Almighty, we have been very suc- the "Great American Desert." Since then cessful thus far. Although in our history the solitary place has been made glad, there are many things which have been and the desert has been made to blossom unpleasant for people to meet with— as the rose. The Lord has been very kind such as mobbings and drivings, killings and merciful to us, and opened out our and imprisonment, and a variety of way, and provided for our wants, and al- other things that are not pleasant to though we may have some little things the feelings of human nature, yet upon to complain of—all of which are very tri- the whole the Lord has controlled these fling in comparison to many things that things for our good, just in accordance exist among other peoples—yet are we with the words of the Psalmist, where abundantly blessed all over the land. Is he says: "Surely the wrath of man shall there anybody here in your conference, praise thee: the remainder of wrath or is there anybody in any of the confer- shalt thou restrain." It has not been ences of the Stakes of Zion, that lacks the pleasant for people to be driven, say as necessaries of life? Is there anybody that I have been, and as many of you have is destitute of food, or of clothing, or of been from our homes; but, then, we had habitations? Not that I know of, and if to endure it, and there is no use grunt- there are any such things, they ought not ing about it. We had to do it in Mis- to exist among us. souri. We were driven from our homes there. Then we went to Illinois, and at first we were treated very kindly. But Now, then, if we are blessed we have when we began to grow and increase, not to thank any man, or any set of men they did not like our religion, and they for it. If we are provided for, we have don't like it today, and we don't fancy not obtained it from anybody else, but their's much either; so on the religious from the Lord God of Israel, who has question there is not much love lost. We watched over and protected His people had to leave Illinois and come here. It just as He said He would do. He said was not very agreeable, as I have said, to it was His business to take care of His have to leave our homes and our farms Saints, but, then, it is our business to and come out here to live among the Red- be Saints. And being gathered together skins; for this was a desert when we first as we are under these circumstances, we came here. It was not full of beauti- are organized according to certain laws ful farms and houses, orchards and gar- laid down in the order of God, and given dens, cities, villages and hamlets. It by revelation of God, for our guidance was a desert where the red man roamed and direction, wherein we are instructed unmolested, where the crickets had full in things pertaining to this world and to sway, and where the white man had the next; pertaining to things that are scarcely trodden. There had been a few past, things that are present, and things pass through before we came here, and that are to come—pertaining to time and it had been discovered perhaps a hun- eternity. By this means man, the noblest dred years or two by some travelers that work of God, is brought into closer rela- 70 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tionship with God than he has been for and we have been gathered together that generations past. Many things have we may comprehend those principles of been revealed, and there will be many which I have spoken. We have come here more yet revealed that have been hid- that we may enter into covenants that den from before the foundation of the are eternal, and which continue behind world according to the word of God to the veil. And we expect that while we us, and we are trying to act wisely, pru- are organizing Zion here upon the earth, dently and intelligently, to live and act and seeking to establish the kingdom of and conduct ourselves in a manner that God, we have those who are cooperat- will be honorable before God, that will ing with us above, those who are build- be honorable before the holy angels, that ing and preparing for us in the heavens will be honorable before all honorable mansions to go to. Jesus went to pre- men and all men who love righteousness pare mansions for those of His followers and truth and virtue, and who are in- in His day. Says He: "In my Father's spired by the principle and integrity and house are many mansions: if it were not by those principles that emanate from so, I would have told you. I go to prepare God, and that always lift up and exalt a place for you. And if I go and prepare a and elevate those that have embraced place for you, I will come again, and re- and are governed by them. These prin- ceive you unto myself; that where I am, ciples are revealed to us according to there ye may be also." There is some- the laws which God has introduced, and thing very peculiar about those things, through the medium of the Holy Priest- about the preparing of those mansions hood, which He has again restored unto for those that go behind the veil. But the earth, and we are here to learn His it is for us to learn to comprehend all laws that we may walk in His paths. these matters. We read about beautiful We are here that we may build temples cities. We read of the new Jerusalem unto His name, and that we may ad- and the old Jerusalem. We talk about minister in those temples. This is the cities the most magnificent that can be object of our being gathered together, thought of. Do you think they grow out that we may be brought into a closer of nothing? No, they have to be made just union and relationship to God our heav- as we make things here, only more intel- enly Father, that we may be instructed ligently. What is meant by a certain say- in the laws of life, and that we may coming: "Make to yourselves friends of the prehend the relationship that exists be- mammon of unrighteousness; that, when tween us and Him. And while we are ye fail, they may receive you into ever- looking for calamity and trouble—wars, lasting habitations." Ah! indeed. Well, pestilence and famine, and all those you can guess what it is. I will leave it things that have been spoken of by the with you. holy Prophets—yet there is to be a voice People find a good deal of fault heard before that day crying: "Come out with us about our having more wives of her, my people, that ye be not partak- than one; but, then, that is noth- ers of her sins, and that ye receive not ing; we attribute that to their igno- of her plagues"—that is, speaking of a rance. If they were better informed certain something that is called Baby- they would know better. Abraham lon. Well, we have been doing that, was a friend of God, and he practiced WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR. 71 polygamy, under the direction of the fore we came here? Yes, and we shall Lord; David was a man after God's own exist when we leave here. The princi- heart, and he had wives given to him of ples that we are in possession of, go back the Lord. They would have put them in into eternity and reach forward into eter- the Penitentiary, if they had been here nity. We are here in a state of proba- today. But then because of many things tion, and God, in the infinitude of His that transpire in these days, the Lord mercy and kindness, has seen proper to will make the earth empty. Why? Be- bring us together as we are, and then cause they have transgressed the laws, we are nothing to brag of when He has changed the ordinances, broken the ev- got us here. Still while many have re- erlasting covenant. We are gathered to- jected the truth, we have received it. God gether here in order that we may observe has given us His grace to enable us to the laws which have been restored unto comprehend the Gospel and to give us us, and keep the everlasting covenant. power to obey it, and some of us have While they make covenants for time only, kept faithful for quite a long time, and we make covenants for time and for eter- it is pretty hard work for some of us nity. There is the difference. Ours is to be faithful. It is good to be a saint. everlasting; theirs until death do they When we get the Spirit of the Lord upon part. We as wives and husbands expect us, we feel to rejoice exceedingly, and to be associated after death in the eter- sometimes when we don't have much of nities that are to come. We believe in that, it feels rather what we used to an everlasting covenant, and in an ev- call hard-sledding. But there is nothing erlasting Gospel. An angel was to bring that makes things go so well among the the everlasting Gospel, and everything saints of God as living their religion and associated with it is everlasting. It ex- keeping the commandments of God, and isted before we came here. It exists with when they don't do that, then things go us in time, it reaches into eternity, and awkward and cross and every other way people that do not have the Gospel have but the right way; but when they live no everlasting covenants. They think their religion and keep the command- we are very low, on the one hand, be- ments, "their peace flows as a river, and cause we cannot comply with their ideas, their righteousness as the waves of the and we think they are very ignorant be- sea." cause they don't understand ours. But Now, in regard to these matters there so it is. We are here to do the will of is a subject I have referred to at one God, to carry out His law in all humil- or two of the conferences we have vis- ity and faithfulness to God our heav- ited lately, and I will mention it here. enly Father—faithfulness as men to the The ancient Israelites had a very pecu- nation in which we live—faithfulness to liar law among them, and yet it was a all men—to make known the things that very proper law, namely, that if a man God has communicated to us. died, his brother was to take his wife and raise up seed to him. That would be a curious kind idea among the world, Now, then, in speaking of covenants, where they did not believe anything of let me follow that subject a little further. that kind; singular kind of a doctrine; Have we to do with time? Yes. Have we but it was a thing that was practiced to do with eternity? Yes. Did we exist be- among the Israelites, and it is a thing we 72 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ought to be practicing among us. That into everlasting habitations? What is, if a man has a brother dead who would you think of that? We talk about has left a widow, let the woman left in angels taking care of us, and all sorts that kind of a position be just as well off of things like that. But I expect that as a woman who has a husband. Here when we get behind the veil we shall is a principle developed which then ex- have business to do as much as we have isted, and I will speak a little on that here, and one thing will be, perhaps, to subject and show certain reasons and look after the arrangement of our family certain whys and wherefores for these affairs, and things associated therewith. things. If a man should die and leave Now, then, a man here says: "I would a wife and she should be childless, why not like to embark in a thing of that not her be taken care of as well as any- sort—marry a brother's wife, and raise body else? Would not that be just. Would up seed for him." What did they do with not that be proper? Would not that be such men in olden times? The woman right? Yes. But says the man, "I do not had an opportunity of loosing his shoe know about that. I would rather raise and spitting in the man's face that would up seed for myself." Perhaps you might not raise up seed unto his brother, and it do both. You might if the law did not was said: "So shall it be done unto that prevent you carrying out the law of God man that will not build up his brother's in the United States. If these worthy house. And his name shall be called in ancients had lived here, they would not Israel, The house of him that hath his have allowed them to carry out such a shoe loosed." (See Deut. xxv, 5 to 10. See law. Still there is a principle of that kind also Ruth iii and iv.) exists. Why should it not be put into practice? We do believe, you know, more But we will go again to the other side, or less in this principle. But then there and find those there engaged in doing are a certain class of men who will say: certain works in the heavens and prepar- "I would rather somebody else attended ing mansions for those that are coming. to that business; I would rather attend Now, when Jesus went to prepare man- to my own affairs, and let everybody at- sions I do not suppose that He did it tend to theirs." All right. Suppose you do Himself. He had plenty of hands to set to it. We will carry the thing a little further. work of that sort, same as we have here. This woman's husband has gone behind This man that has died hears his brother the veil, and he is operating there, and say, "I would rather attend to my own probably he will be called upon in a fam- affairs," and he says, "All right, come ily capacity to look after those that were here and attend to your affairs also. If coming there, or help prepare mansions you are selfish perhaps I will turn self- for somebody who is yet on the earth, as ish too." Now, what is sauce for the goose Jesus did for His disciples. He has left is sauce for the gander. That is the His wife behind here, but he is there op- way it presents itself to me in relation erating for others. Now, what would you to these matters. If a woman is left by think of making to yourselves friends of her husband, let her have somebody to the Mammon of unrighteousness; that, take care of her; if not her husband's when you fail, they may receive you brother, then his next of kin. That is the WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR. 73 order so far as I understand it, and I had ever been used before. It is a coun- wanted to say so much in relation to cil of twelve High Priests over which the these matters. Why should not women First Presidency of the Church should have equal rights with men? They preside to adjudicate upon difficult cases have these rights and they ought to be that might arise in the Church, and sustained and maintained among us as this should be the highest council in the Saints. We ought to look after the wel- Church, and from which there should fare and interest of all. be no appeal. We called together this I shall now refer to what is known council and met here in this house, and as Utah Lake and Jordan River dam the parties were heard—some outside of water question. This is a subject that the Church and some inside. Finally has troubled you a great deal and upon we got the matter adjusted, and I am which there has been much awkward- informed that the decision is satisfac- ness and unpleasant feeling. It was ad- tory to all parties. The council was justed some time ago, but the agreement, composed of the following brethren, viz.: it appears, was not carried out: in con- Abraham O. Smoot, President of Utah sequence of which considerable trouble Stake; Angus M. Cannon, President of was likely to ensue. President Angus Salt Lake Stake; Warren N. Dusenberry, M. Cannon showed me a letter in which Probate Judge of Utah County; Elias it was stated that a lawsuit was com- A. Smith, Probate Judge of Salt Lake menced in regard to the affair, some of County; Jonathan S. Page and A. D. the parties, thereto being outside of the Holdaway, Selectmen of Utah County; Church and some inside. In commenc- Ezekiel Holman and Jesse W. Fox, Jr., ing this suit those inside the Church Selectmen of Salt Lake County; Presid- were not taking the right course, and ing Bishop Win. B. Preston; John T. they would have subjected themselves to Caine, Delegate to Congress from Utah; be cut off the Church, because God has Bishops Thos. R. Cutler and John E. given us laws in relation to these mat- Booth. After the first session of the ters whereby they can be properly regu- council, in consequence of Hon. John T. lated wisely and in accordance with His Caine being required at Salt Lake City laws. Brother Cannon (who is Presi- on official business, Elder L. John Nut- dent of the Salt Lake Stake) came to me tall was appointed a member of the coun- and wanted to know what to do. He cil in place of Elder Caine. Myself and said he could not regulate these mat- Brother George Q. Cannon presided in ters as his jurisdiction did not extend be- all the meetings of the Council. In se- yond Salt Lake Stake, nor could Presi- lecting the council we selected men from dent Smoot because his jurisdiction did the two counties who were conversant not go beyond Utah Stake. Here was a with county affairs, and both counties dilemma. What shall be done? Could I were equally represented. But some peo- show him a way out of the difficulty? I ple will say—How is it the High Coun- told him I could; that a council had been cil could not settle the question? Be- provided through the Prophet Joseph cause the High Council in Utah Stake Smith, for just such cases. Some people has no jurisdiction over affairs in Salt don't know anything about that, but yet Lake Stake, nor has the High Coun- that is a fact. They did not know that it cil of Salt Lake Stake any jurisdiction 74 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. over affairs in Utah Stake, and the other same day were all the fountains of the council was formed just to meet such an great deep broken up, and the windows emergency. I speak of this for your in- of heaven were opened." formation; and, as I have said, when the matter is thoroughly completed, it will What was done? "The windows of prove to be satisfactory to all parties. heaven were opened," and the immense Now, I want to read you a curious bodies of waters that exist in the upper Scripture. We talk a good deal about wa- firmament were let down, or as it is ex- ter, and about certain laws—laws of hy- pressed, "the windows of heaven were draulics and hydrostatics—we have had opened." What else? "The same day were a good deal of talk about these things all the fountains of the great deep bro- lately, I have heard some very singular ken up." You have got a Brigham Young remarks made pertaining to the waters Academy here. I would like to give the of the Utah Lake by Brother Madsen, professors and pupils of that establish- who has kept a very accurate account of ment a problem to solve, and that is— the condition of the waters of the lake How they could manage to get enough under various circumstances for a great water out of the seas, and out of the number of years. Among other things oceans, and out of the rivers, and out he said that it was very difficult to tell of the clouds, to cover the tops of these how and in what manner the waters of mountains and fifteen cubits above, and the lake were sometimes increased. That let that spread all over the earth? I he had frequently seen large fountains or would like to know by what known law springs rising in the lake, that he should the immersion of the globe could be ac- think furnished more water than any of complished. It is explained here in a the rivers that flowed into it—and these few words: "The windows of heaven were springs were very fluctuating, so much opened"—that is, the waters that exist so, that it was found very difficult to throughout the space surrounding the make any accurate calculations pertain- earth from whence come these clouds ing thereto. from which the rain descends. That It is thought and so stated by some was one cause. Another cause was "the writers that there are subterraneous fountains of the great deep were bro- passages for water flowing from Lake ken up"—that is something beyond the Superior. oceans, something outside of the seas, This may appear strange to some. some reservoirs of which we have no But in regard to the flood, the laws knowledge, were made to contribute to governing hydraulics, as we understand this event, and the waters were let loose them, were not strictly carried out on by the hand and by the power of God; that occasion. Speaking of the flood we for God said He would bring a flood read: upon the earth and He brought it, but "And it came to pass after seven days, He had to let loose the fountains of the that the waters of the flood were upon great deep, and pour out the waters from the earth. there, and when the flood commenced "In the six hundredth year of to subside, we are told "that the foun- Noah's life, in the second month, the tains also of the deep and the windows of seventeenth day of the month, the heaven were stopped, and the rain from WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR. 75 heaven was restrained; And the waters "When the morning stars sang to- returned from off the earth." Where did gether, and all the sons of God shouted they go to? From whence they came. for joy? Now, I will show you something else on the back of that. Some people talk very "Or who shut up the sea with doors, philosophically about tidal waves coming when it brake forth, as if it had issued along. But the question is—How could out of the womb?" you get a tidal wave out of the Pacific Who managed that matter? "Who ocean, say, to cover the Sierra Nevadas? shut up the sea with doors, when it But the Bible does not tell us it was a brake forth, as if it had issued out of the tidal wave. It simply tells us that "all womb?" Why, the Lord did it. These are the high hills, that were under the whole singular expressions. It is said in the heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits up- other place that, "the fountains of the wards did the waters prevail; and the great deep were broken up." mountains were covered." That is, the earth was immersed. It was a period of Now, then, I want to say to the Latter- baptism. day Saints, that God has more to do I will find you another Scripture. It with the earth, with the waters, with the will be found in the book of Job. Job had fountains of waters, with all the affairs been complaining. It is said he was the of men, and with everything we have most patient man on the earth. Still he to do with, than men are willing to ac- had been complaining about the treat- knowledge in a great many instances. ment he had received. He had lost his What means the saying, "In the wilder- camels, and sheep, and his children; the ness shall waters break out, and streams lightning had struck his son's house, and in the desert." Do any of you know of finally he was smitten with boils, etc. He such things? I guess you do. Plenty of was not very patient then, not any more them. What means that Scripture where so than any of us would be under sim- it speaks of Moses in the wilderness, ilar circumstances. He got a little out when the children of Israel cried out for of humor; did not fancy it very much; water in the desert land, and called on found himself scraping his body with a him for water? The Lord told Moses to potsherd, and wallowing in ashes. After smite the rock, and it should give forth some of his friends had talked to him, the water. Moses felt angry with the peo- Lord spake, saying: ple because of their murmuring. And "Gird up now thy loins like a man; for when the people were gathered together I will demand of thee, and answer thou before the rock, Moses said: "Hear now, me. ye rebels; must we fetch you water out "Where wast thou when I laid the of this rock?" And he smote the rock and foundations of the earth? declare, if thou water came out of it. But Moses did hast understanding. not honor the Lord in that instance as "Who hath laid the measures thereof, he ought to have done. The Lord felt if thou knowest? or who hath stretched angry with him, and would not allow the line upon it. him to go into the land of Canaan be- "Whereupon are the founda- cause he did not sanctify the God of Is- tions thereof fastened? or who rael. At the same time the Lord fulfilled laid the corner stone thereof; His word to Moses, for when he smote 76 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the rock the waters came out. By what deliverance. He has been very kind and principle? Was that according to the law merciful to us all the day long. of hydraulics? It was the power of God that manipulated that affair. So it was Therefore, let us do right. Let us in the case of Elijah. There had been a observe the laws of God, and keep His drouth in the land of Israel, and there commandments, and the blessing of God was great suffering in consequence of will be with us. We will go forward and it. Elijah went and prayed to the Lord build our temples and labor therein. We that the drouth might pass off, and that will go forth and build up the Kingdom rain might come. The Lord heard his of God; we will go forth and purify the prayer, and sent the rain. At first, we Church of God; we will go forth and es- are told, a little cloud arose out of the tablish the Zion of God. When Zion ex- sea, like a man's hand; but by and by isted upon the earth it took 365 years to the heaven was black with clouds, and prepare the people thereof to be trans- there was great rain. Who was it that lated. But the Lord in these last days manipulated these matters? It was the will cut His work short in righteousness. Lord. It would appear to some to be ac- Therefore let us do right. Do right by cording to the laws of nature, etc. So everybody. Bear with the infirmities of it would; but at the same time this was men and the follies of men. Treat all men done by the prayer of faith, and the wa- kindly, no matter who they may be— ter flowed forth. And I want to say one whether they are insiders or outsiders, thing here, and that is, that if we are or apostates, or anybody else—treat ev- sustained in these latter days, God must erybody kindly. But do not be partak- sustain us; if we are upheld, God must ers of the practices of the wicked. Do not uphold us. Men are raging and have mix up with the corrupt and evil. If they been raging against us; but I will say, as are hungry, feed them; if they are naked I have often said, Woe! to them that fight clothe them; if they are sick, administer against Zion, for God will fight against to them; but do not associate with them them, and He will have His own way of in their abominations and their corrup- doing it. It is for us to pursue the even tions. Come out from the world and be ye tenor of our way, and if we will work righ- separate, ye that bear the vessels of the teousness and fear God, and keep His Lord, and let "Holiness to the Lord" be commandments, the wilderness and the written in every heart; and let us all feel solitary places shall be made glad (as it that we are for Zion and for God and His has been already abundantly among us), Kingdom, and for those principles that and the desert shall blossom as the rose. will elevate us in time and throughout But it will not be to me, or to Brother the eternities that are to come. Cannon, or to President Young, or to anybody else, that the glory will belong. God bless and lead you in the paths We will give God the glory for all our of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen. SPIRITS IN PRISON. 77

SIMILARITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING FORMER AND LATTER-DAY SAINTS—GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS—REVELATION TO ENOCH—CHRIST PREACHED TO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON BETWEEN THE TIMES OF HIS CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION—ALL MUST HEAR THE GOSPEL, AND BE JUDGED THEREBY—WE MUST PROGRESS OR RETROGRADE.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,NOVEMBER 9, 1884.

I will read a portion of the 3rd chap- doing, than for evil doing. ter of the first epistle of St. Peter, and a 18 For Christ also hath once suffered portion of the 4th chapter; commencing for sins, the just for the unjust, that he at the 12th verse of the 3rd chapter: might bring us to God, being put to death 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: the righteous, and his ears are open unto 19 By which also he went and their prayers: but the face of the Lord is preached unto the spirits in prison; against them that do evil. 20 Which sometime were disobedi- 13 And who is he that will harm you, ent, when once the longsuffering of God if ye be followers of that which is good? waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that 14 But and if ye suffer for righteous- is, eight souls were saved by water. ness' sake, happy are ye: and be not 21 The like figure whereunto even afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; baptism doth also now save us (not the 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your putting away of the filth of the flesh, but hearts: and be ready always to give an the answer of a good conscience toward answer to every man that asketh you a God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: reason of the hope that is in you with 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is meekness and fear: on the right hand of God; angels and au- 16 Having a good conscience; that, thorities and powers being made subject whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil- unto him.* * * * doers, they may be ashamed that falsely 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath accuse your good conversation in Christ. suffered for us in the flesh, arm 17 For it is better, if the will of yourselves likewise with the same God be so, that ye suffer for well mind: for he that hath suffered in the 78 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

flesh hath ceased from sin; same principles, the same powers of evil, 2 That he no longer should live the the same powers of good, the same Spirit rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of of God, and the same spirit of evil, were men, but to the will of God. extant then, and were experienced then by the Saints who took upon themselves 3 For the time past of our life may the name of Christ, as they are by us who suffice us to have wrought the will of now live. the Gentiles, when we walked in lascivi- Since I have come into this stand ousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, my mind has reverted to a conversation banquetings, and abominable idolatries: which I had a few days ago with a min- 4 Wherein they think it strange that ister of the Dutch Reform Church, who ye run not with them to the same excess was passing through this city, and who of riot, speaking evil of you: was introduced to me, and had a good 5 Who shall give account to him that many inquiries to make respecting our is ready to judge the quick and the dead. doctrines. When I told him how God had 6 For for this cause was the gospel revealed Himself in these last days, how preached also to them that are dead, that He had restored the Everlasting Priest- they might be judged according to men in hood, the ordinances of life and salva- the flesh, but live according to God in the tion, the Gospel in its original purity spirit. and power, accompanied with the Holy Ghost and its gifts, and had organized 7 But the end of all things is at hand: the Church as in ancient days, and re- be ye therefore sober, and watch unto lated to him what God had said con- prayer. cerning all the churches in Christendom, 8 And above all things have fervent he had the question to ask, which is so charity among yourselves: for charity frequently asked of all our Elders when shall cover the multitude of sins." they travel and declare the same mes- These words, my brethren and sis- sage, "Why has God left the Christian ters, embody to us today, though writ- world for so long a time without these ten by the Apostle Peter, 1,800 years blessings and these powers and these ago, the Gospel of life and salvation. gifts that you now claim as belonging to They are exceedingly appropriate to your Church and having been restored Latter-day Saints, as doubtless they from heaven? And what has become of were when written to former-day Saints. those Christians whom you say died in The circumstances which surrounded ignorance of the fullness of the Gospel of our brethren and sisters in former days, salvation?" no doubt were similar in many respects These are very pertinent questions. to those which surround us in this one They are questions frequently asked of day, probably, with this difference that all our Elders. They are questions which we are not scattered to the same ex- suggest themselves to the minds of ev- tent they were; we have been gath- ery thinking man when he is told that ered together from the nations where God has restored the truth in its origi- the Gospel was preached to us, and are nal purity, with the power and author- now living in one community in these ity of the Priesthood which have been so mountains. But the same doctrines, the long withdrawn. Our ancestors we may SPIRITS IN PRISON. 79 have known, at least some of them; we can easily reconcile justice and mercy may have known the morality of their as being attributes of the Great Being lives, the purity of their intentions, the whom we worship. As I remarked to this goodness of their motives, their exem- gentleman, "I might easily answer your plary conduct; and if we do not under- question by propounding another ques- stand the principles of the Gospel when tion to you. You are a Christian minis- we are told the message that the El- ter; you preach what you believe to be ders have to bear, the inquiry naturally the Gospel; what has become of the mil- arises, "Is it possible that my grandfa- lions of heathen who died in ignorance ther, my grandmother, my uncle, or per- of that Gospel which you profess to obey chance my father and my mother, have and accept as the plan of salvation— not gone to heaven, that they are not in the millions of heathen who never heard the presence of God? Why, better people I the name of Jesus Christ, the only name never knew, and I have always thought," given under heaven whereby man can be says the inquirer, "that they really had saved—what has become of them?" gone to heaven, and now you tell me that "Oh," said he, "but they were not unless I am baptized I shall be damned, Christians." and yet they are dead and have not been Said I, "Do you think that God makes baptized." a distinction between the souls or the I expect many feel as the heathen spirits of men? Is there one class of spir- king once felt. He was a king of the its for whom He has a greater respect Franks, one of the old races that invaded than He has for others! Is a Christian what is now called France. He had sur- soul more valuable, or more precious, in rendered his old convictions sufficiently the sight of our Great Creator, than the to consent to receive the rite of baptism. soul of a heathen? I do not believe it my- A Catholic Bishop from Rome was to self. I have no such idea." sprinkle him. But before submitting to But he could see a wide distinction be sprinkled the thought suggested it- between those who were Christians and self to the king to ask the question what those who were not. had become of his ancestors. The Bishop, Nevertheless the difficulty still re- more ready than politic, said, "They have mains, and it will ever remain to those gone to hell." "Then," said the king, "I who do not comprehend the plan of sal- will go to hell with them; I shall not be vation as revealed by the Lord Jesus separated from my ancestors," and he re- Christ. We must remember that God's fused to receive the rite of baptism. work is not confined to this life; that Now, I expect that there are many God's plan of salvation extends through- people in the world who, in the absence, out eternity; that according to our be- or for the want of knowledge concern- lief it began to operate in eternity, if ing the plan of salvation would almost it ever began at all—for it never re- feel the same when told that if they ally in truth began, it always oper- did not obey the Gospel, they would ated, operated from eternity and will be damned. But when people are en- operate to eternity, for all the chil- lightened concerning the plan of Jeho- dren of men, for every human soul. vah, the Gospel of the Son of God, they The plan of salvation devised by our 80 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Father and God, is intended to save ev- brethren have I said, and also given com- ery human being that will be saved; to mandment, that they should love one reach them all, unless, during this pro- another, and that they should choose bation, they commit what is termed the me, their Father; but behold, they are unpardonable sin, the sin against the without affection, and they hate their Holy Ghost, and become sons of perdi- own blood; And the fire of mine indignation, in which even salvation ceases (so tion is kindled against them; and in my far as they are concerned) to operate; hot displeasure will I send in the floods they put themselves outside of the pale upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled of salvation. against them. Behold, I am God; Man There is a very interesting revelation of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel contained in the new translation by the is my name; and Endless and Eternal is Prophet Joseph Smith, which is found in my name, also. Wherefore, I can stretch the Pearl of Great Price. The revelation forth mine hands and hold all the cre- says: ations which I have made; and mine eye "And it came to pass that the God of can pierce them also, and among all the heaven looked upon the residue of the workmanship of mine hands there has people, and he wept; and Enoch bore not been so great wickedness as among record of it, saying: How is it that the thy brethren; But behold, their sins shall heavens weep, and shed forth their tears be upon the heads of their fathers; Satan as the rain upon the mountains? And shall be their father, and misery shall be Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that their doom; and the whole heavens shall thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, weep over them, even all the workman- and from all eternity to all eternity? And ship of mine hands; wherefore should not were it possible that man could number the heavens weep, seeing these shall suf- the particles of the earth, yea, millions fer? But behold, these which thine eyes of earths like this, it would not be a be- are upon shall perish in the floods; and ginning to the number of thy creations; behold, I will shut them up; a prison and thy curtains are stretched out still; have I prepared for them. And That and yet thou art there, and thy bosom which I have chosen hath plead before is there; and also thou art just; thou art my face. Wherefore, he suffereth for merciful and kind forever; And thou hast their sins; inasmuch as they will repent taken Zion to thine own bosom, from in the day that my Chosen shall return all thy creations, from all eternity to all unto me, and until that day they shall be eternity; and naught but peace, justice, in torment; Wherefore, for this shall the and truth is the habitation of thy throne; heavens weep, yea, and all the workman- and mercy shall go before thy face and ship of mine hands." have no end; how is it that thou canst weep? A most important revelation, this, "The Lord said unto Enoch; Be- to Enoch, showing unto him the fate hold these thy brethren; they are of the wicked after his city should the workmanship of mine own hands, be translated and taken to heaven. and I gave unto them their knowl- The inhabitants of the earth should edge, in the day that I created them; grow worse and worse, more aban- and in the Garden of Eden, gave I doned than ever in their wickedness, un- unto man his agency; And unto thy til the time should come for the Lord SPIRITS IN PRISON. 81 to send forth His floods and drown the family of man. The antediluvian world inhabitants of the earth except Noah, numbered millions doubtless; millions and those who received His testimony. were swept away from the face of the All this was shown unto Enoch; and earth, and consigned to a place of tor- he was shown that those who had thus ment, or to a prison. In this prison acted, or who should thus act, "would they were immured, doubtless in utter be consigned to prison, they would be darkness—in the condition that is so ex- consigned to a place of torment, and be- pressly described by the Savior Himself, cause of their sufferings, because of that when upon the earth—in outer dark- which they should have to pass through, ness, where there is weeping and wail- the heavens themselves wept over their ing and gnashing of teeth, a place of tor- fate." Enoch was told that they should ment, where they were kept until the remain there until the day of the Lord Savior Himself came in the flesh, and Jesus Christ, or in these words: "And proclaimed unto the children of men the That which I have chosen has plead be- Gospel of life and salvation. fore my face. Wherefore, he suffereth for their sins; insomuch as they will repent in the day that my Chosen shall return Jesus Himself, on one occasion, went unto me." into the synagogue after His baptism by That is, after the Savior's advent in John the Baptist, and there was handed the flesh, after He has suffered for their to Him a book containing the prophecy sins; until then, when He should return of Isaiah, or as it is written in the New unto the Father, they should remain in Testament Esaias. He took it and read this prison and in this condition of tor- these words: "The Spirit of the Lord ment. "Wherefore, for this shall the God is upon me; because the Lord hath heavens weep, yea, and all the workman- anointed me to preach good tidings unto ship of mine hands." the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the Those millions of spirits who had brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the thus committed sin and iniquity until captives, and the opening of the prison to it could be borne no longer, until the them that are bound; To proclaim the ac- earth groaned under their wickedness, ceptable year of the Lord." He there pro- and cried aloud as with a human voice claimed in the words of the Prophet Isa- against the wickedness upon its sur- iah, the exact character of the mission face of which those inhabitants had been that had been assigned Him by His Fa- guilty—those millions of spirits were ther in heaven. He was not only com- swept off with a flood, the whole family manded to preach good tidings unto the of man was destroyed, except Noah and meek, and to bind up the broken hearted, those seven souls who received his tes- but He was sent to proclaim liberty to the timony, a part of his family, and a part captives and the opening of the prison to only, for there were children that Noah them that were bound. Thus was a part had who rejected his testimony, and of His mission foretold by the Prophet who also shared in the destruction that Isaiah a long time before His birth. He came upon the inhabitants of the earth. Himself confirmed the correctness of the But those eight, including Noah, were prediction by reading it in the ears of the the sole surviving remnant of the entire people; and when He left the earth, after 82 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. having established His Gospel upon it, more, and gave unto them the privi- after having commenced the work of sal- lege of receiving it in the spirit even as vation here, after having ordained men though they were in the flesh. There- to the authority of the everlasting Priest- fore says Peter, "By which also he went hood which He held, the Priesthood of and preached unto the spirits in prison; Melchizedek, after having done this and Which sometime were disobedient, when was slain by wicked men, suffered for once the longsuffering of God waited in the sins of humanity in the flesh, He the days of Noah, while the ark was then went, in the words that I have read a preparing." Then he goes on and he in your hearing from this epistle of Pe- says—after telling the Saints how they ter, and preached to the spirits in prison should live, how the wicked should act, which sometime were disobedient when and how they should be treated—he once the long-suffering of God waited in says: "For this cause was the gospel the days of Noah. He went and pro- preached also to them that are dead, that claimed liberty to the captive; He went they might be judged according to men in to open the prison doors to them that the flesh, but live according to God in the were bound. He alone could do this. spirit." No Prophet that preceded Him had the Now, say some, "Oh, this means when authority, for none of the Prophets that men are dead in their sins. This is what had preceded Him had this mission as- Peter means—dead in their sins." signed them. It was His duty as the It does not mean any such thing. Son of God, as the Redeemer of the That is not the meaning of it. It means world, after, as I have said, committing just what it says. It means that the the Gospel to men in the flesh, after or- Gospel shall be preached to them that daining men to preach that Gospel and are dead; that the Savior should carry administer its ordinances in the power the glad tidings of salvation to them, and authority of the everlasting Priest- and not only to those who were dis- hood, to preach to those spirits in prison. obedient in the days of Noah, but to It did not take a great while to com- all the spirit world, to every soul of mence the work; for He was crucified on Adam's race that had up to that time Friday, and was resurrected on Sunday; died who had not received the Gospel but in the interim, while His body laid in the flesh. He commenced the work in the tomb, His Spirit, as is correctly there just as He did here. He com- stated in one catechism—I believe that menced, as I have said, by preaching the of the Episcopalians—"descended into Gospel, by revealing it to His disciples, hell," and, according to the mission that by giving them the authority to preach had been assigned Him, according to the it, and then He descended into Hades revelation that God gave to Enoch before or hell, and He there, doubtless, chose the floods descended upon the wicked His ministers, the men who had the au- world, according to the predictions of thority of the Holy Priesthood, and set Isaiah, and according to the power and them to the same labor that was com- authority which He exercised as the Son menced on the earth, the labor of preach- of God He went and opened the prison ing His everlasting Gospel to all the doors to them that were bound, preached spirit world, to the millions of spirits who to them the everlasting Gospel, once had died either in disobedience to the SPIRITS IN PRISON. 83

Gospel of Christ, or in ignorance of that His kingdom; for you must understand Gospel, never having heard the sound that the idea had become prevalent then of it. The Gospel was sent to the en- that Jesus was a king, and they had writ- tire spirit world, except, as I have before ten over His cross in three languages, stated, to those sons of perdition who "Jesus, King of the Jews," partly in de- had committed the unpardonable sin, or rision, doubtless; but it was the truth. the sin against the Holy Ghost, and the Pilate asked Him if He was not a king, labor has doubtless continued from that and this robber, doubtless, shared in the day until the present time in the spirit feeling that Jesus was a king. Therefore world. In the authority and power of he besought Him to remember him when the everlasting Priesthood the servants He came into His Kingdom. Jesus said of God have been calling upon the inhab- to him: "Today shalt thou be with me in itants of that world to repent and believe paradise." "There I can speak to you," He in Jesus: first to repent of their sins and might have said, "more fully than I can be willing to receive the Gospel of the now. This is our dying hour, and I am not Son of God in its fullness and in its pu- in a position to preach to you or explain rity, just as men would receive it in the to you the plan of salvation that I have; flesh—that is, be willing to comply as but wait awhile, before this day ends you far as possible with all its requirements, will be with me in paradise, and there and also to have this further willingness, I can make full explanations to you con- that if they were in the flesh they would cerning all that you desire to know." submit to and receive every ordinance of the Gospel of life and salvation. They And this in reality was the case. That must not only believe in Jesus, as I have day they were in paradise together. Je- said, and repent of their sins; not only sus was in a position to preach to him in be willing to go that far, but be willing to the spirit as He had done to men in the go the full extent of the requirements of flesh. And you will remember—although the Gospel, be willing to obey every or- it seems almost unnecessary to repeat dinance and every law that is necessary, it to this congregation who are so well and say in the spirit, "Oh, if I were in the instructed; but there are young people flesh I would be baptized for the remis- who are not so familiar with these doc- sion of my sins; I would have hands laid trines, and, therefore, for their benefit I upon me for the reception of the Holy quote the Scriptures. You will remember Ghost; I would be willing to obey every when Mary, after she missed the body law of God, my Eternal Father, if I had from the sepulchre, rushed forward to a the opportunity in the flesh of doing so." man, supposing him to be the gardener, Jesus illustrated this principle and and asked him where he had laid the the work which lay before Him very body. She did not recognize Him at first, beautifully, in the case of the thief but as soon as He made Himself known on the cross. One of the thieves re- she essayed to clasp Him in womanly af- viled Him. The other turned and fection. He, however, told her to stand rebuked his companion for reviling back, not to touch Him. You must not the Savior, and asked the Savior to put your hands on me, Mary. What- remember him when He came into ever your relations may be to me, you 84 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. must not touch me now. "Touch me not; since Jesus, or whether they will live for I am not yet ascended to my Father: yet in the future. They cannot hear the but go to my brethren, and say unto Gospel. They cannot be judged until they them, I ascend unto my Father, and your do hear it. Every principle of salvation Father; and to my God, and your God." will be proclaimed to those who have This was His expression when His body died without the privilege of hearing it had been resurrected from the tomb. He in the flesh—they must hear it in the had not yet been to His Father—that spirit world as well as those who hear is, directly to the immediate presence of it in the flesh. Therefore, we need not His Father. Therefore it was not fit that be in any anxiety concerning our ances- any mortal should put hands upon Him. tors; we need not puzzle ourselves with It was not the privilege even of Mary, questions as to the fate of the heathen; closely connected as she was with Him— we need not be disturbed in our feel- it was not her privilege to put her hand ings to reconcile the justice of God with upon her resurrected Lord. He had not His mercy, or His mercy with His justice, yet ascended to the Father. to the children of men. None of these Thus you see the Scriptures corrob- questions need trouble us, for the rea- orate that which I have said in this re- son that by the revelation of these glo- spect. His body had lain, as I before rious principles God's mercy is reconcil- remarked, from Friday until Sunday, in able in the most perfect manner with His the tomb, and then it was resurrected. justice. We see by this that God will But during that period His spirit had not consign any soul to endless torment been engaged preaching to the spirits in without first giving him an opportunity prison; they heard the glad tidings of sal- of receiving or rejecting the Gospel. If vation from the Savior. His voice pen- he be consigned to torment it will be as etrated the depths of hell, the gloom of a punishment for violating law. Where darkness, and it awakened hope within there is no law there is no transgression their hearts. He proclaimed liberty to of the law. There can be therefore no the captive. He opened the prison doors punishment if a man does not compre- to those that were bound. He preached hend the law. If it is not made plain to unto them the acceptable year of the him, its binding force does not operate Lord: for the time had come for them to upon him; but when he understands it, be redeemed from their prison house in when his mind comprehends it, when it which they had been so long incarcerated is declared to him, then it begins to op- for the sins committed in the flesh. erate upon him, and if he reject it, then This is the Gospel of salvation that the penalty begins to operate also, and God has revealed. Every human being unless he repents and obeys that law he that has ever been born upon the face will receive severe condemnation. There- of the earth, every human being that fore in the spirit world there are grades ever will be born will hear these glad of punishment just as there are grades tidings of salvation proclaimed by those of spirits. Some are ignorant. Some men who have authority to administer it unto who never heard the name of Jesus have fallen man, whether they lived before Je- lived according to the light that God gave sus, whether they lived at the time of or them; for God has given to every man SPIRITS IN PRISON. 85 that is born into the world, according their desires were, you have known how to the revelations we have received, His they conformed to the law so far as Spirit. He has given unto every man and they understood it, how moral they were, woman His Spirit, not the gift of the Holy how exemplary, how correct in their con- Ghost, but His Spirit by which they are duct, in their conversation and in their led and guided. Some call it the light of dealings—when you think of these, you conscience, the voice of conscience. No need not be afraid that they have lost man ever committed a wrong that lis- anything because they died in ignorance tened to that voice without being chided of the Son of God. I tell you that God's for it, whether he be Christian or hea- providence is over all His children, and then, whether he has lived according to He will reward every man and every the light of the Gospel or been in entire woman according to his or her works, ignorance of it. Every man has within and He will reward those who have him a spirit which comes from our Great lived exemplary lives, those who have Creator, and if we grieve it not it leads been moral, whether they be heathen or us, guides us, though we may not know Christian, whether they have known the the Gospel, as has been the case with name of Jesus or not, whether they have many thousands and millions of human the Bible, or the Koran, or some other beings. It leads all the children of men book, or no book at all; whatever may when they listen to it; it leads them in have been their condition and circum- the path of peace, in the path of virtue, stances, if they have lived according to in the path of happiness; but if they vi- the light that God has given them, and olate that spirit or grieve it, if they go to laws that they understood, God will contrary to its monitions, if they harden reward them, and will eventually bestow their hearts against and sin against it, every blessing upon them which they are then it departs, and another spirit takes capable of receiving. Yes, those poor its place, namely, the spirit of the evil people who persecute us, those people One. who would, in their ignorance destroy us, Thus it is that the heathen, many of we can well say to them and concern- them have lived lives most exemplary, ing them that which Stephen said, when lives which are the admiration of poster- about to give up the ghost. They stoned ity. Men not confined to one race, not to him. They treated him most cruelly for one nationality, but men of every race, his belief. He had declared to them the men of every clime, men of every lan- Gospel; but they stoned him to death. guage, have received the same spirit and Before he died he said—and it's the spirit have been enlightened by it and their which every man of God, who compre- lives have been noble and admirable, and hends the purposes of God, and the plan no doubt have been acceptable to God of salvation will cherish and always give our eternal Father. Therefore, when you utterance to under all circumstances— think about your grandparents whom "Father, forgive them; they know not you have known, when you think about what they do." They were ignorant. He your parents or some other relatives therefore besought the Father to forgive whom you have known, who died in ig- them. They did not know what they were norance of the Gospel, you have known doing. They did it ignorantly. This was their lives, you have known how good 86 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. proved by the fact that the young man at mortal shall hear the glad tidings of sal- whose feet lay the clothes of those who vation. They shall be judged by this mes- committed this bloody deed, afterwards sage. They shall receive the blessings became a flaming light in the Church of God or His condemnation, according and Kingdom of God, and ultimately to their willingness to receive or their laid down his life for that Gospel which determination to reject the Gospel; and he had witnessed Stephen die for, and then when this life is ended, when this which at the time he thought was a righ- mortal is laid aside, we shall go into teous judgment upon Stephen. the spirit world, endowed with the same Priesthood and authority of the Son of God; clothed with that authority; en- My brethren and sisters, we can of veloped with it, even the fullness of it; all people be charitable. As the Apostle we shall go into the spirit world and Peter says: "Above all things have fer- continue this glorious labor of warning vent charity among yourselves: for char- our brethren and sisters who once were ity shall cover the multitude of sins." in the flesh, until throughout the spirit And not only among ourselves, but have world the Gospel of salvation shall be charity for an ignorant world who know heard from one end of it to the other. not what they do in fighting against God, It is a never-ending work that which we in fighting against His truth, in seeking have taken upon ourselves. It will never to destroy His Priesthood from the face terminate until this earth shall be re- of the earth: they know not what they deemed, until the power of Satan shall do. We would save them if we could. We be subdued, until wickedness shall be would carry the Gospel of salvation to banished from the earth, until He reigns them. We are ready, as we have been, whose right it is to reign, and every knee to endure all things for the sake of the shall bow and every tongue confess that souls of our fellow men. We have gone Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then from continent to continent, from land will this labor cease so far as the fam- to land, from island to island, wherever ily of man is concerned; but it will never there was a door open, to preach the cease until all who belong to this earth, Gospel. We have forsaken home, for- whoever were born upon it—no matter in saken wives and children, and all the en- what age, no matter what time, no mat- dearments of home, everything that men ter what nationality, shall be redeemed love and hold sacred, even to the sacri- who can be redeemed. ficing of our lives for the salvation of our Now, my brethren and sisters, you fellow men—gone without purse or scrip, have some little idea of the charac- gone forth in the midst of shame and ig- ter of the work in which we are en- nominy, in the face of persecution of the gaged. Do we set too much value most cruel and sometimes of the most upon our Priesthood—when we talk dreadful character. We have done this, about Priesthood and authority—when we are still doing it, we shall do it, un- these are the labors that attend the til every soul under the broad canopy of Priesthood and that devolve upon it? heaven shall hear the Gospel of the Son No, we cannot value our calling too of God, this message of life and salvation highly. And I say to you that which has been entrusted to us. Every you have entered upon a pathway THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS. 87 that leads back to God. You may dally the time of harvest, now is the summer by the wayside; you may fool away of your days. Let it not be said, the har- your time; you may be idle, indiffer- vest is past, the summer is ended, and ent and careless; but you only lose my soul is not saved. But let us bear thereby the progress that you ought to in mind that now is the probation that make. Unless you commit the unpar- God has given us. Let us make use of it donable sin, you will have to progress. by doing the works of righteousness, by It is written in the eternity of our keeping the commandments of God, by God that every soul must progress that having our eye on the mark of our high does not retrograde. Therefore, make calling in Christ Jesus; which may God good use of the time you have. Now grant in the name of Jesus. Amen. is the time of your probation, now is

HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD TO THE GOSPEL—REBELLION OF LUCIFER IN HEAVEN—SETH GIVEN IN PLACE OF ABEL—WICKEDNESS OF THE ANTEDILUVIANS—ENOCH'S ZION—NECESSITY OF OPPOSING POWERS AND PRINCIPLES, THAT MEN MAY BE TESTED—DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIGAMY AND PLURAL MARRIAGE—OUR MARRIAGE COVENANTS ARE ETERNAL—ENMITY OF RELIGIOUS TEACHERS—OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE CORRECTLY TAUGHT.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE ASSEMBLY HALL,SALT LAKE CITY,FEBRUARY 12, 1882.

REPORTEDBY GEO. F. GIBBS.

It is well sometimes for us to reflect beings it is for us to comprehend all truth upon the position we occupy before God; so far as we are capable of understand- it is well for us to understand the rela- ing it. tion we sustain to each other; it is well The Gospel is spoken of as being for us to comprehend the relation that light; and when it was introduced by we sustain to the Church and Kingdom our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ it of God; it is also well for us to know the was then said, that light had come position that we occupy in relation to the into the world. But while light had world in which we live. As intelligent come into the world there was a certain class of people that loved dark- 88 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ness rather than light, because their the father of lies. He rebelled against deeds were evil. Jesus, in alluding to God, and rebelled against his father, and himself, said: I am the true light. And instigated by the spirit of enmity which He is spoken of as being the light that proceeds from the evil one, he killed his enlightens every man that cometh into brother. the world. And again it is said of Him: These things are not always under- the light shineth in darkness, but the stood nor the reasons for them. But darkness comprehendeth it not. There it has been revealed unto us that Cain are many very significant sayings on loved Satan more than he loved God, and the same subject, that afford food for that he placed himself under his influ- thought and reflection. ence. And when Cain and Abel offered The Gospel of the Son of God has al- up their sacrifice, Cain offered his at the ways been obnoxious to a great portion instigation of the devil; and his sacrifice, of the human family. In it there is too of course, was not accepted. God knew much light, too much truth, too much in- his heart and the feelings by which he telligence; for the bulk of mankind; its was actuated, and therefore rejected his principles are too pure, too noble, too ele- offering. Then came Lucifer, the devil, vating to accord with the general feelings and says to Cain, "I told you the Lord of humanity and with that spirit that would treat you wrong; He has treated proceeds from the powers of darkness, me wrong;" and he instigated him to kill and which rules in the midst of the chil- his brother, which he did. And why? Be- dren of disobedience. And hence people cause his brother believed in God, and generally have been opposed to it, and obeyed God; and because he believed in they are opposed to it today. People op- the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, pose it, but they do not comprehend it. which had been made known to them; They speak against it; but they speak of because he believed these principles, and that which they know not of. And while because Satan was opposed to them, he they think we are superstitious and ig- instigated Cain to kill his brother. norant, we know that they are; there is no doubt on that question. We know that It looked a rather awkward thing for they "understand neither what they say, the world under these circumstances. As nor whereof they affirm." Therefore to us we read it—there were two sons, one they are objects of commiseration more of them righteous, the other wicked; than anything else. the wicked killed the righteous, and Talk of Christianity and of the Gospel the world was left under these influ- of the Son of God, in all the ages of ences to a certain extent. But then the world, whenever and wherever it Adam had other sons and other progeny, was proclaimed, there was a spirit of and he himself was there; and he be- hostility and antagonism manifested to- lieved in God, and blessed God for hav- wards it from the very first. We may ing revealed the Savior, and the plan go back as far as the days of Cain. We by which he and his children were read that Adam had two sons, named to be redeemed from the fall, which Cain and Abel. Cain lent himself to he had been an active participator in the enemy of all righteousness, and bringing about, which, probably, was became what is termed in Scripture, all right that it should be brought THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS. 89 about. And from that time the spirit the people to live to perpetuate their of antagonism existed between the two corruptions and infamies. And, there- principles; the power of God and the fore, God decreed that He would cut power of the adversary. It had com- them off from the face of the earth, that menced, in fact, before that time. Lu- they should not have the power to per- cifer and those that were associated with petuate their species, and thus become him were cast out of heaven because they the fathers and mothers of lives and be rebelled against God their Heavenly Fa- the media through which the intelligent, ther. They were not willing that He pure spirits that existed in the eternal should carry out the plan of redemption world should receive bodies or taberna- and salvation which He had devised be- cles. They were to be deprived of that fore the world was; and having been cast privilege. out of heaven, he, with them, became full But before this was done the Lord of wrath and of hostility against the pur- sent messengers among the people proposes and designs of the Almighty in re- claiming to them what was about to be- gard to the salvation and exaltation of fall them if they did not repent and turn the human family. And this spirit con- from their evil ways. Enoch was one of tinues to grow and extend; and the de- these; he stood at the head of that dis- scendants of Cain multiplied as did the pensation. He, as we are doing, sent other descendants of Adam. out missionaries among the people who had become very numerous. Their mis- By and by another seed was raised up sion was to call upon the people to re- to Adam, namely Seth, to stand in the pent and to obey the Gospel and to be- place of Abel. "For God (said Eve) hath lieve in the Son of God and to obey His appointed for me another seed instead law; and to tell them that God had pre- of Abel, whom Cain slew." And he be- pared a scourge for those who would came the representative of God, as Adam not repent, that they would be destroyed was the representative of God. He took from off the face of the earth by a flood; Abel's place as the representative of God and the people thus destroyed should and the laws of God; and he had revela- be cast into prison, a prison which God tion, and the Priesthood, and the Gospel, had prepared on purpose for them. And and was acquainted with the principles when these men went to preach this doc- of truth. Finally, there was a number of trine many believed on them and they prominent men of whom we read, but of were gathered together, as we are, unto whom a very short account is given; no a place which they called Zion. And matter, it is not necessary to enter into they were placed under the direction details on these subjects, but I wish to of the Holy Priesthood, men who were touch upon some of the leading points inspired of God, with whom He com- thereof. municated; and whom he taught in all After a while wickedness had spread the principles pertaining to the Gospel very extensively upon the face of the of the Son of God; and they continued earth; so much so, that we read in this condition for a length of time. that the thoughts of men were evil And as they gathered out from among and that continually; and it became the people, the Spirit of God was with- inexpedient to the Lord to permit drawn from among the people; and they 90 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. became exceedingly angry, angry at Many of these that were left, con- Enoch and angry at those who preached tinued to bear testimony to the truths the Gospel to them. And the nature of taught by their predecessors; and they men is just about the same now as then. themselves were caught up from time They spoke all manner of evil against the to time, according to certain revelations servants of God who ministered among communicated through the Prophet them; they rejected their testimony, and Joseph Smith. not only that, but, like some of the very The spirit of antagonism to the truths pious people in our day do towards us, of God, and to the order of God, and they thought it would be doing God ser- to the law of God, and to the Priest- vice to sweep these men off the face of the hood of God and the Gospel of the Son earth. And they thought so in earnest of God, continued to exist. By and by the for they gathered together their armies flood came, and the things spoken of by for that purpose. The Saints were under the men who had preached among them, the immediate direction and guidance of were fulfilled, and the people swept from the Lord, and were, therefore, governed the face of the earth. They were shut by revelation, and the power and Spirit up in prison, in the prison house which of the Lord rested upon Enoch. And had been prepared for them. A few peo- he rose up and prophesied and told the ple were left, eight only—Noah and his wicked of the fate that awaited them; wife, and his three sons and their wives. and the power of God rested upon him in a marvelous manner, so much so, that One of the great evils that existed the mountains trembled and the earth among the people was that the sons of shook, and the people were afraid and God married the daughters of men; or, in fled away from his presence, because other words, many who were connected they could not endure it. Their armies with the Church mixed themselves up were scattered, and they failed to accom- with those who were not; and thus their plish that which they in their wickedness hearts were drawn away from God, and had designed to do. in the sight of God they were no bet- But still the same spirit that ani- ter than those who rejected His servants; mated them continued to grow and in- and consequently they perished with the crease. And finally after the Saints of disobedient and wicked. that day had become sufficiently taught, There is something associated with they and their city—that is, the great these things that it may be necessary to majority of them and their city, as- refer to. It is necessary there should be cended up to heaven. We are told in the opposing principles, light and darkness, Scripture—which is a meager account of truth and error, virtue and vice, good and it, that—"Enoch was not; for God took evil, etc. It is necessary that man should him." And we may add, Enoch's city and go through a state of probation and trial, Enoch's people were not, for God took that he should have the opportunity of them; they were translated. The prin- receiving or rejecting correct principles, ciple of translation was a principle that or the Gospel of the Son of God. And at that time existed in the Church, and it is a further development to us, that is one of the principles of the Gospel, if men have not had this opportunity and which will exist in the last days. upon the earth, they will still have it. THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS. 91

There is a further principle exhibited body else's. But if such a personage here in relation to this matter. Those as Jesus existed, and if he spoke those very men who rejected the Gospel in words, He most assuredly spake the their day were visited by Jesus after He truth, and they will most assuredly be was put to death in the flesh and was fulfilled. quickened by the Spirit; He went, we Now, in speaking of the two great are told, and preached to those spirits in principles, the two opposites, it must prison who had been disobedient in the needs be that there be opposition in all days of Noah. And connected with that things; that is, darkness as opposed to there is another principle; it is to place light; error as opposed to truth; evil as all mankind on the same footing, that all opposed to good, etc. We are told by men of every age and nation may have one of the old Apostles that the "Fruit of the same privilege. And we are informed the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffer- they will have. And hence, the Gospel ing, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meek- is an everlasting Gospel; the Priesthood ness, temperance;" and the spirit of evil is an everlasting Priesthood; the work in is envy, hatred, malice, lying, slander- which we are engaged commenced with ing, uncharitableness, etc. We are told our Father in heaven, it has been re- also in the Book of Mormon the same vealed from time to time to man upon things precisely. Whenever we see ly- the earth, and it will continue in all its ing, slandering, enmity, hatred, malice, power, fullness and glory in the eternal we see the fruit of the spirit of dark- worlds, until all things that God has de- ness, no matter how pious the people signed pertaining to the welfare and ex- are who profess these sentiments and altation of the human family will be ac- who operate therein. And this is car- complished. ried out still further in the revelations of In relation to these things there are John; the Lord through him says: "For some remarkable passages contained in without [the city] are dogs, and sorcer- the Bible. For instance: ers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and "As the days of Noe were, so shall also maketh a lie." Such characters have no the coming of the Son of man be. place within; but those who fear God and "For as in the days that were before work righteousness, who have washed the flood they were eating and drinking, their robes and made them white in the marrying and giving in marriage, until blood of the Lamb, they will be intro- the day that Noe entered into the ark, duced into the presence of God, to participate with Him in the glories there re- "And knew not until the flood came, ferred to. and took them all away; so shall also the Hence, while these things here upon coming of the Son of man be." the earth make men feel exceedingly un- This is a very significant Scrip- pleasant, exceedingly unhappy and un- ture, and if correct is pregnant with easy, when they get through and ex- the greatest consequences to the hu- pect to get to heaven they will find man family; if not correct then ev- themselves outside the city, because the erything we believe in is a phan- pure would not have such society among tom and our worship and religion are them, neither would they here. It vain, and not only ours, but every- is necessary, I say, that those princi- 92 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ples should exist in order to test men, kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the to try and prove them. It was neces- will of my Father which is in heaven." sary that Jesus should be tried in this These are doctrines of the Gospel as I un- way. We are told that "it became him, derstand them. And it is not enough for for whom are all things, and by whom us to embrace the Gospel and to be gath- are all things, in bringing many sons ered here to the land of Zion, and be as- unto glory, to make the captain of their sociated with the people of God, attend salvation perfect through suffering." And our meetings and partake of the Sacra- again, when John saw an innumerable ment of the Lord's supper, and endeavor company clothed in white, one was heard to move along without much blame of to ask, "What are these which are ar- any kind attached to us; for notwith- rayed in white robes? and whence came standing all this, if our hearts are not they?" The answer was: "These are they right, if we are not pure in heart be- which came out of great tribulation, and fore God, if we have not pure hearts and have washed their robes, and made them pure consciences, fearing God and keep- white in the blood of the Lamb. There- ing His commandments, we shall not un- fore are they before the throne of God, less we repent, participate in these bless- and serve him day and night in his tem- ings about which I have spoken, and of ple." which the Prophets bear testimony. There is something very interesting However, to proceed in relation to for Saints to reflect upon in relation to these matters I said that it was neces- these matters. And there is something sary there should be opposing powers, that goes a little further than we think and that men should be tested and tried about sometimes; and that is, while we as Jesus was, and just as other people profess to be followers of the Lord, while have been. And why? Having passed we profess to have received the Gospel, through this ordeal that we may over- and to be governed by it, a profession come the evil with the good; for it is to will amount to nothing unless we have him that overcometh, saith Jesus, that I washed our robes and made them white will grant to sit down with me upon my in the blood of the Lamb. It is not throne, as I have overcome and sit down enough for us to be connected with the upon my Father's throne. It is not to him Zion of God, for the Zion of God must that puts on the armor only, but to him consist of men that are pure in heart that fights the good fight of faith, and and pure in life and spotless before God, overcomes the world, the flesh and the at least that is what we have got to devil; for him there is laid up a crown of arrive at. We are not there yet, but righteousness which the Lord, the righ- we must get there before we shall be teous Judge, shall give unto Him. prepared to inherit glory and exalta- That power and spirit that dis- tion; therefore a form of godliness will turbed the elements and affected the amount to but little with any of us, for people of the old world still operates he that knoweth the master's will and among the children of men, and it doeth it not shall be beaten with many is—I was going to say a necessary stripes. It is "Not every one that saith adjunct to the Gospel, in order that unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the men may be tried and proven. Jesus, THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS. 93 of course, understood these things when you are an eternal being having the prin- He said, "If they do these things in a ciples of the everlasting Gospel within green tree, what shall be done in the you; that you have received the everlast- dry?" Said He, "Blessed are ye, when ing Priesthood, that you are associated men shall revile you, and persecute you, with principles that will exalt and enno- and shall say all manner of evil against ble man in time and throughout the eter- you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be nities to come. There is something pleas- exceedingly glad: for great is your re- ing about it. ward in heaven: for so persecuted they And when these miserable "dogs" the prophets which were before you." howl and the coyotes yelp and exhibit There is something very pleasing in re- their folly and nonsense—I was going to flecting upon these things. To be thrown say, who the devil cares? Some people into a world of evil where strife and cor- would think it is impious to say a thing ruption exist, and to be mixed up with like that. Yes, and the same people think it; and then to have sent to them the it very honorable to lie in order to oppose principle of truth, a spark of intelligence the truth. No matter what men think of descending from the throne of God, the these things. I am not very precise in light of the everlasting Gospel, which if choosing my words in reference to such men receive in their hearts will bring matters. them into communication with God their But then, did we expect to get along Heavenly Father, and make them to feel much better? People are very much exer- that they are fighting on the side of God cised about us. Well, let them exercise and the right, for everything that enno- themselves. They are very much troubles and has a tendency to exalt man. bled. Let them trouble themselves. I There is something worth striving for in am pleased to witness the spirit of calm- a battle of this kind, and there is some- ness and quiet and unconcern that ex- thing glorious in being able to conquer. It ists among the Saints of God. It is the tries men's souls sometimes. Peter, you Spirit of God and the Gospel of the Son know, trembled under it; but Jesus said, of God that gives that. And it is for "Fear not them which kill the body, but us to continue to do right and keep the are not able to kill the soul: but rather commandments of God; and let us be fear him which is able to destroy both careful that when men tell these horri- body and soul in hell." I say unto you fear ble stories about us, that they are not Him; never mind the other power. You true. Blessed are you when men revile have drank from the river the streams and persecute you, and say all manner whereof make glad the city of our God. of evil against you, falsely, for Christ's The light of eternal truth has beamed sake; but if they should speak evil of us, upon your minds, and your hearts have and that evil be true, then there would been glad in the hopes of eternal life be no blessing connected with it. We which have been presented to you when could tell a great many things truthfully under the influence of the Spirit of against these same people that slander God. You have rejoiced in the hope that and lie about us; but it is a dirty busi- blooms with immortality and eternal ness, a business that reflects no credit lives. Filled with this Spirit you feel that upon anyone that is engaged in it. Let them take their course. We can afford to 94 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. move upon a higher plane, doing good to and maintaining sacredly his marriage them that injure us; and we can pray for vows. I would suggest either a little gas those who evil entreat us; that we may or electric light be turned on, and that be the children of our Father in heaven, it be allowed to shine upon the visions who makes His sun to shine on the evil of their dull understandings; it may help and the good, and His rains to descend them some. But it is evident that men on the just and on the unjust. Who, do not want the truth, therefore they let me ask, were to be pitied during the must believe as they choose in regard to time of the flood? The people that disbe- these things; it is really a matter of no lieved and disobeyed the Gospel, or the moment to us. But for the information people that were caught up to heaven? of such people, if there be any, let me Would you feel very sorry for those who say, their bigamy is deception and fraud were connected with the Zion of God, or and a breach of the marriage covenant; would you feel sorry for those poor, mis- while our polygamy, as it is called, is erable, little-souled, ignorant people who the fulfilling of the marriage covenant, rejected God and His law, and who in it is honorable and the fruits of it are consequence had to be swept off from the good; theirs is done clandestinely, ours face of the earth—which class would so- openly; we acknowledge ours, they repu- licit your commiseration? diate theirs. They judge us from their Today God has revealed to us great own standpoint, and their eye being evil, principles; and he is desirous that we of course they see nothing but evil in should do right and obey His law, and us. With them a man may have his wife keep His commandments. and also be mixed up with other women, Among other things there is a great and while he may be rolling in wealth, hue and cry about what they call at the same time, perhaps, his poor, un- polygamy and what they call bigamy; fortunate offspring, the product of his but our plural marriage is no more their vice and corruption, may be sweeping bigamy than white is black or than light the crossings of the streets of our large is darkness, but seemingly neither they cities, begging from his father a penny nor their judges nor legislators either to help to support a miserable existence. can or do want to comprehend the dif- This is compatible with their high state ference between the two, great as it is. of civilization and purity. God save us It would seem that they either do not from such "Christianity," from this time, know or do not want to know the differ- henceforth and forever. ["Amen" from ence between a man's marrying a sec- voices in the congregation.] We do not ond wife without the consent or knowl- want it. We would say in relation to edge of the first wife, and in doing so de- that what a Prophet said on a certain oc- ceiving the one he marries, who believes casion, "O my soul, come not thou into him to be a single man; and a man's their secret; into their assembly, mine marrying a second wife with the knowl- honor, be not thou united." We expect to edge and consent of the first wife, and be associated with more honorable prin- living with his wives in honorable wed- ciples, and with more honorable people lock, performing the duty of a husband in time and throughout all the eternities to them and of a father to their children, to come. THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS. 95

There is one thing I wish to say, we quite a difference, you perceive, between do not preach to them this very obnox- the one and the other. ious doctrine of polygamy for them to We are seeking to carry out the word practice. Our Elders are sent forth to and will of God, according to the reve- preach faith, repentance, and baptism lations which he has given unto us, all for remission of sins. The doctrine of of which are based upon truth, virtue, plural marriage does not belong to peo- purity and holiness, principles that are ple who are governed by such principles eternal, that always have existed and as they are, people who break their mar- always will exist. The Christian world riage vows and who wink at those who do make their covenants for time only; we it, people who violate their sacred honor for time and for eternity. They expect with the opposite sex and trample upon to be associated with their wives "until and destroy millions of the daughters of death do them part." We expect to be as- Eve, and drag them down to death and sociated with ours not only for time but destruction—it does not belong to such for eternity. They not entering into any people; it belongs to the people who have covenants for eternity, assume no obliga- obeyed the Gospel of the Son of God, tions beyond this life; but I am sorry to the people who are in possession of the say, it is quite a common thing among principles of life, and who are keeping them to violate the covenants they make the commandments of God; it does not pertaining to this life. But that I may belong to Latter-day Saints even unless not be misunderstood let me say further they are pure and virtuous; unless they with regard to this, there are many hon- are honorable and worthy they cannot orable people in our nation as well as be associated with any such thing, much other parts of the world, men who re- less can the class that I have referred to gard strictly the honor of their social ties, who are making so much noise about it; men who feel interested in the welfare so they need not trouble their heads. of society, who are desirous to see correct principles prevail; but with the un- These things you Latter-day Saints derstanding they have of us—they be- understand. When President Hayes was lieving that we are corrupt and are in- here, in conversing with him I told him troducing religious tenets for the pur- that it was not our intention to crowd our pose of gratifying the sensual passions peculiar ideas upon the religious world; of man; that all are vile and corrupt at that we had received the doctrine of plu- heart, and that we take the ground that ral marriage as a part of the Gospel, we do for the purpose of defending our and that it was only for pure men and position and of making it statutory—I pure women, that class, and that class do not wonder at such men entertain- only, could receive it and practice it, ing the feelings they do against us, be- and make it honorable; it was not for cause believing the lies that are circu- the licentious and corrupt, but for those lated about us, they, of course, think that who feared God and worked righteous- we are introducing that which will cor- ness, who were true to themselves and rupt and demoralize society; and they true to the female sex, and who would know the state of society now, and so do stand by and sustain them and preserve we. And they are desirous to stop a thing them in purity and honor. There is of this kind. The clergy, too, are very 96 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. much exercised, as a class, about us, and heaven: for so persecuted they the they appear to be the most incapable of prophets which were before you." all classes to tell the truth concerning us; Do we want to force the Gospel upon these pious people circulate all kinds of them? No. All religious classes, the falsehood about us under the name of re- Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Bap- ligion. I need not refer to those things, tists, the Catholics, and all others have the fact is well known to you. the right to worship God as they please, they have the right to either receive or Is it then to be wondered at that peo- reject the Gospel of Christ. If we had the ple generally who do not comprehend the power to force it upon them we would not true situation should come to the con- do it; freedom of the mind, and the free clusions they do about us? I think not. exercise of the rights of men is part of our Should we feel angry at such a feeling? religious belief; therefore, we would not No. Should we feel angry at those falsi- coerce them if we could. And if I would fiers? No; they are to be pitied because not coerce them in that I certainly would they yield themselves to work iniquity; not crowd upon them the doctrine of plu- they, therefore, become subjects of com- ral marriage, for it is well known that passion. What did the same class of per- after men join our Church they must sons say of Jesus? If he healed the sick, prove themselves sometime before they or opened the eyes of the blind, they per- are considered worthy of it. suaded the people to give God the glory When I reflect upon the terrible for, said they, "we know this man is a sin- degradation that exists in the land, and ner." If He cast out devils, this pious class the dens of vice and infamy that flourish said, He did it through Beelzebub the and keep pace with our boasted enlight- Prince of devils. And even when he was enment, I am not surprised that honor- condemned to die and the people were able people should feel horrified at the asked whether He should be released misrepresentations and lies that have or whether Barabbas, the thief, should gone forth concerning us. I received a let- be released, it was "the chief priests ter not long ago from Brother Cannon, in and elders," the pious clergy of that day, which he states that he was approached that led the popular clamor, that "per- on the subject by a gentleman, a mem- suaded the multitude that they should ber of Congress, who had visited here. ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus." The He told Brother Cannon that when he same spirit that moved upon the reli- was here he was told some very strange gious teachers of that day to incite the stories about the Mormon people, and he populace against Jesus and the Apostles, had made up his mind when he should is moving upon the same class today to meet Brother Cannon to speak to him do the same towards us; and they are about it. He said that a gentleman, or doing all they can do. They, notwith- at least, a person that had the appear- standing their piety, are of their father ance of respectability, told him when he the devil whose works they do. And was here that doings akin to a Saturna- what shall we do? "Rejoice and be ex- lia were quite a common thing among ceeding glad: for great is your reward in the people—the promiscuous mixing THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE ANTEDILUVIANS. 97 of the sexes indulging in unrestrained a position. Let us continue to go on in ev- license. This gentleman says that this ery good word and work. Let our young was told to him in the most solemn man- people's improvement associations, and ner, and that too by a resident of this our Sunday and day schools receive our city. He told Brother Cannon too that he encouragement and aid; and let our chil- was glad to hear him contradict it. You dren be taught by our friends and not know Latter-day Saints whether such a our enemies. Latter-day Saints, will you condition of things exists among us or send your children to be taught of people not; and yet such willful falsehoods are who would teach them enmity to their fa- fabricated and circulated by persons who thers and mothers, and who would sow pass themselves off as our friends. It in their young hearts the seed of enmity cannot be wondered at that honorable to the principle of religious liberty, men men should feel exercised in their feel- who, if they had the power, would de- ings against us; but when this class stroy the altars of freedom that the fa- of people—and there are thousands and thers of this country fought for? We do tens of thousands and millions of such not want our children to be instructed people—are correctly informed, they will by persons whose mission among us is to feel differently toward us. But then, endeavor to instil into their young hearts it matters not really what men's ideas enmity to the Gospel of the Son of God and feelings may be; and I do not feel as revealed by Him through His servant that we are called upon to contradict Joseph Smith. We have men quite as ca- all the infamous lies and misrepresenta- pable to teach as they are. We stand on tions that are circulated about us by men a platform as elevated as theirs, and a and women who are living in our midst. I great deal more so. And by and by we ex- say now, as I said to a gentleman not long pect to be as far ahead of them in science, ago who remarked, that a great racket art and literature, and everything calcu- was being made about us, meetings were lated to ennoble and exalt a people and being held and resolutions were being a nation, as we are now ahead of them passed, etc.—I said, they may work as in regard to religious matters. But as to they please and "resolute" as much as their religious matters, you may wrap up they please, this we could easily stand, the whole of them in a thimble and put but hands off. it in your vest pocket, and hardly know We are accused of being degraded and it was there. [Laughter.] Any ten-year- ignorant. I find that there is nearly twice old boy of ours who could not meet any of the amount of illiteracy in the whole of their ministers on matters of religion, I the United States pro rata, as there is should consider very ill-informed. in Utah; and this fact exists notwithstanding they have had millions of dollars to sustain their institutions of learn- Well, it is for us to keep the coming while we have not had a penny. I mandments, to train up our children in am grateful to God our Heavenly Fa- the fear of God, to live unto God, and I ther, that we stand in as favorable will risk the balance. Amen. 98 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

OUR LABORS ARE INTERESTING AND PECULIAR—CHARACTER OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—THE BLESSING AND PRIVILEGE OF PRIESTHOOD—THE PRIMARY ASSOCIATIONS—OUR WARFARE IS ONE OF FAITH—WE MUST IMPORTUNE FOR OUR RIGHTS—NECESSITY FOR GOOD LAWYERS—THE GIFT OF WISDOM—PERSECUTION WILL TEND TO UNITE US—WE SHOULD BE PURE.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE, OGDEN,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JANUARY 18, 1885.

It is always a pleasure to meet with work, as well as pointing significantly the Saints, and I always find substan- to the grand and glorious results which tial pleasure in bearing that portion of must inevitably follow the labor and toil the labor of the ministry which devolves that are now upon the Latter-day Saints. upon me. Of course there are times Any person whose bosom is warmed and when human nature is physically inca- whose intellect is lit up by the Holy pacitated from labors. Nevertheless I re- Spirit must rejoice greatly in the con- joice exceedingly in the contemplation of templation of the great last dispensa- the work that we are engaged in. Cer- tion which is now fairly before the world, tainly the review of our immense sub- fairly upon the Saints, like the harness ject, our great calling, our vast labor, that is upon those that are appointed to and the wonderful results that follow labor, to pull, to lift, and to toil. them—when they are reviewed as they were this morning, and called up before Where is there any people upon the our minds, must awaken deeply interest- face of the earth, except the Latter- ing and I should hope broadly expanded day Saints, who have from their reli- views and reflections in the minds of the gious convictions—or from any system Saints. of ethics or morals that they possess, We are, as a people, and also gone forth upon the face of the earth, our labors as well as the results of and, from honest, conscientious convic- them, a great outstanding witness to tions, and, from their most heartfelt ap- the world of the divine character of peals, taken hold of the honest in heart, the work we are performing—the high or of the vicious in heart; anywhere order of our calling to perform that upon the face of the earth, and gathered POWER OF THE GOSPEL. 99 together a people comprising twenty to their pockets, without letters of recom- thirty different languages and nations, mendation even to the people, without and brought them together to any place, means oft times to make them comfort- located them, and established a system able, abnegating themselves, deficient in of government that has been for their im- the comforts and necessities of life, they provement, for their benefit, for the in- have gone forth with their hearts full of crease of their influence, their peace, or love and blessing to the human family to their happiness in any sense, either spir- find other bosoms kindred to their own, itual or temporal? though strangers in appearance, ready You can look abroad upon the earth in to receive the glad testimony of these ser- vain to find any other example that has vants of God. It is not the learned and any kind of relationship, or bears any the noble, nor the wealthy of the earth kind of analogy or appearance like unto that have brought their hundreds, their the work that is being performed by the thousands and their tens of thousands to Latter-day Saints in the days in which this country. we live. It has been the potency of those prin- Who is it that is doing this work? ciples that have been taught by the sim- What is the character of this people? Are ple and many times silent testimony of they those that have been through the the Holy Ghost, by the still small voice, schools and been educated to appear in that has carried conviction to the hon- the most plausible and convincing man- est, the humble, laboring poor, and has ner in all classes of society? Are they brought them home here to Zion—they those that have been brought up in af- that want to know more of God, they that fluence and comfort; that can present ev- come from the crowded cities and other erything that is pleasing and engaging portions of the earth—find here a piece to the eyes, the ears and the minds of of a new world; they take hold and make those they address? Not at all. Not to themselves homes, all in the name of many learned or noble. It is often the Israel's God, and by the calling of the inexperienced boys that are picked up voice of the Good Shepherd. Oh, how from the plow, from the workshop, to beneficent and how munificent has the the humblest of laboring men, toiling, Lord our God been unto us! Behold! as I struggling, and many a time when they look abroad this afternoon in this house, have not been able, from persecution and I contemplate the great mass of this con- oppressive circumstances in which they gregation that are partakers of the Holy have been placed, to make a comfortable Priesthood. It is not a few that are par- livelihood, yet they have left the bosoms takers of the holy calling, the authority of their families and gone forth in faith to administer in the name of the Lord Je- carrying the principles of eternal truth sus Christ. It is the echo of that saying and administering them, with an honest that is written in the Scriptures where heart and clean hands and by the author- the Lord has said that He would take ity of the Holy Priesthood from heaven to of Israel and make of them a nation of the children of men. And what have they kings and priests unto Himself. Behold done? What has this simple, humble ye, my brethren and sisters, here they plan accomplished? Without money in are. 100 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Here is Israel gathering together, be- the house of the Lord, that it is her ing taught of the Lord, to learn of His privilege and duty to administer bless- ways and walk in His paths, that they ings, comfort and happiness to her hus- may receive the blessing and be clothed band, to her children, to her family and upon with power, as the Prophet said: household. Every one in all the Church "Awake, awake; put, on thy strength, should be filled with a spirit of blessing. O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, The authority of the Priesthood should O Jerusalem." What are these beauti- cause a gushing forth from the fountain ful garments? These beautiful garments of the heart, a bubbling forth of streams are the clothing upon with the author- of blessing, of consolation, of comfort and ity and power of the Holy Priesthood. of rejoicing, each should try to help and It is that which makes people beauti- benefit the other in every possible way. ful; it is that which makes people use- Contemplate the immense army, I ful; it is that which causes the Saints may say of Seventies and Elders we have to sing: "How beautiful upon the moun- among us; and what a work are they do- tains are the feet of him that bringeth ing in the nations, and what a work are good tidings, that publisheth peace; that they doing and ought they to do at home bringeth good tidings of good, that pub- in preaching the Gospel to each other, lisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, in encouraging and strengthening those Thy God reigneth!" It is that excellence whose hands sometimes hang down, and of the knowledge of God that makes whose knees tremble; speaking comfort- men and women beautiful, and makes ing words to the Saints, saying, "Dear their acts delightful when they are per- brother, thy God reigneth, trust in him." formed in righteousness in the name of Notwithstanding all that we see on the the Lord Jesus Christ. I rejoice when right hand and on the left, and all that I look around and contemplate this pre- we hear, the Lord God has not forgotten cious privilege—that there is scarcely an His people, nor has He forgotten to ed- individual that has come to years of judg- ucate and instruct them, in all that He ment and understanding but is a par- knows is for their greatest good, so that taker of some measure of the Priesthood, by and by He may come and find a na- if no more than the office of a Deacon tion of kings and priests who shall reign that can administer blessing by attend- with Him on the earth a thousand years. ing to the door, wait upon the tables, and We ought never to forget that we are in a also by attending to other temporal du- school of experience. Every brother and ties from time to time as they may occur. every sister should feel that they exert Here let me say, that every officer an influence that will tend for good or for in the Church, from the Deacon up to evil. the Apostle, should realize that it is his duty to endeavor to administer bless- We ought to feel concerned for our ings by the virtue of the calling of God little ones. How precious they are! which is upon him; he ought to feel Sometimes I hear the brethren tes- thus, and every sister that is the wife tify how much good is being done of such an husband should feel, if she by the Relief Society and the As- has received with him her blessings in sociations. I want to hear them POWER OF THE GOSPEL. 101 talk about the Primaries, and tell us how have done so but for the help of God that the little children are getting along. It sustained us in it. Then give Him the seems hard to get it into the heads of glory. some of the parents as well as some of the Bishops to realize the importance Every officer, then, in the Church of teaching and instructing these young- should be full of blessing to his fellow sters, some seem to consider it the sole man. Only think how many patriarchs duty of the Primary Associations, while there are. They should feel to bless all others think it the duty of the parents around. No doubt they do, sealing upon only to see after them. Now, I think we those to whom they administer the bless- miss it in trying to thus shirk the re- ing of eternal life in perpetuity. sponsibility. I think we should all try The school that we are being edu- to understand more perfectly the worth cated in is a strange one. You cannot of souls. Oh, if the sisters and brethren pick up the Bible and find anything that that have the charge of these little Pri- is like it. In ancient days, when there mary Associations could only realize that was a warfare, it was a warfare of car- every little child is a gem that they are nal weapons, many times. Not so, in our called upon to polish, to cut, to refine, to days; and as if the Lord were determined shapen, to burnish, to fit and prepare to to put carnal weapons far away from us, stand in the diadem of its father's crown. He even permitted the Gubernatorial or- This is the way in which we ought to der preventing us carrying firearms with look at these small but precious jewels. which to celebrate the 4th of July, and We should assist the little ones to grow then, on the top of that, He has given up to be mighty men of Zion, that shall us the abundant testimony of peace all come up to teach Senators wisdom, re- around, even with the hostile natives. Is buke strong nations, though they may be not this an overwhelming testimony that far off and become a wholesome terror to the Lord wants us to work with the other the ungodly. class of weapons—the sword of His Holy As Apostles, as Bishops, as High Spirit, the power of eternal truth—the Priests, as Elders, as well as fathers ammunition that wants to be kept alive, and mothers, we need to get more of the active and burning in our hearts. spirit of this great work in all its different branches, and keep it with us; al- When we come to contemplate this ways have a blessing to dispense; ev- matter, our warfare is entirely in another erywhere a word of comfort and conso- direction, it has to be carried on and ac- lation to bestow. We should seek for complished by the power of faith. We the Spirit of God and get that measure have to contend for our liberties and the of it that will bear us up, that they rights of the people before the courts, will make us feel the cares of life are wherein we strive to maintain the Con- trivial; that will sustain us under ev- stitutional rights to which we are enti- ery circumstance. We can bear won- tled, both civilly and politically. We have derful trials; we can live though and not gone to the authorities that are over outgrow them and look back on them us in the nation and supplicated them and wonder how we passed through saying: "Will you please give us some them, realizing that we never could extraordinary liberties or privileges—we 102 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. contend for the rights of every Ameri- instruction, and yet there is occasion, can citizen, which are our rights." We for all this is required in the Book of have not cut ourselves off from the rights Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord has of citizenship. Our fathers fought to said through the Prophet Joseph to us, help obtain and bled to help establish that we must importune at the feet of the blessings and privileges, the liber- the judges—do you remember it?—and ties and powers of this glorious govern- at the feet of Governors—do you recol- ment to all its loyal citizens; and when lect that—and at the feet of the Presi- this Church was established, it went dent, and then, says He, if your impor- on for more than thirty-two years—no tuning does not prevail, and you do not law of the Church conflicted with the obtain all things which you have a right laws of the land, until it became neces- to, He will come out of His hiding place sary in the opinion of some politicians and take the matter into His own hands. that the Saints should be made offend- So you see we have some importuning to ers in the eyes of the nation and of the do before, or at the feet of Judges, Gov- world. Then it was that Congress passed ernors, and Presidents, in order to main- a law—the law of 1862—prohibiting plu- tain the liberties guaranteed by the Con- rality of wives, polygamy, or bigamy, as stitution of our country. they choose to call it. Now, then, we have Right here I want to say a word or not risen up against the laws of the land; two especially in regard to the way we it is the laws of the land and the men have to do our importuning. I refer to a of the land that have risen up against discourse by President Young, in which the people of God, and have brought he said he wished he had five hundred their offensive warfare in this matter, young lawyers full of the spirit of the and we are thereby placed on the defen- Gospel who would rise up and help to sive. The nation have been pleased to maintain and defend our rights before say that we shall not worship God ac- the courts of our country. The discourse cording to the dictates of our consciences, was published in the Deseret News and as required by some of the laws and or- republished in the Journal of Discourses. dinances of His Church; and have made It is public matter for anybody to read laws to prevent us from so doing, if pos- that wishes to. But a few days ago, how- sible. Hence it is that, while we go be- ever, a Bishop remarked that it looked fore the courts we do not go as suppli- very singular for one of the Apostles to ants for something extraordinary, or for raise up a lawyer, and thought there something that other people have not must be a screw loose somewhere. It got. We ask to be preserved our rights, happens, however, once in a while that the rights that belong to every American some Bishop wants my son or some- citizen. It is for this that we go through one else's son to help defend them be- the courts, appealing from the District fore the courts. (Laughter.) I wonder Court to the Supreme Court of the Ter- if there is any screw loose there. Ex- ritory, and then to the Supreme Court of cuse me, brethren, for this reference; but the United States. I wish we could have a goodly number Now, is not this a great and an of substantial young men growing up in important lesson of experience and our midst who would become skilled and POWER OF THE GOSPEL. 103 mighty in the law, and who could go prison? As President Cannon con- into any of the courts and set forth the templated this morning, half a dozen true principles of justice and equity in would cover all such cases within the all cases. We need more of such men. last twenty-two years, and the persons We do not want men to become lawyers, connected with the most notable cases turn infidels, and live for nothing but the have come in and furnished the evi- little money they can make. We want dence for their own crimination, under to raise up a corps of young men armed the promise that punishment would not with the Spirit of the Gospel, clothed be inflicted. But like the Governor of with the Holy Priesthood, who can tell Illinois, who pledged his honor and the the judges in high places what the law honor of the state to protect our Prophet is, and what equity is, and can plead for and Patriarch, all such promises were the cause of Zion, and help maintain the broken. Nevertheless, in this manner we rights of God's people. Hence you see we have got to test the purity or impurity, have got to carry on these matters. Our the integrity or otherwise, of the differ- rights are infringed, and we have got to ent branches of the government under defend ourselves as best we can. We are which we live. told that we must plead with the digni- God is going to make His people a taries of the earth; plead with them until great people. He has designed them to be their position on our question is known; the means not only of revealing among they have got to declare themselves. themselves, what they are, and what they are here for, but of making them a standing testimony of the truth before There are different branches of the the whole world. The great knowledge government, which are considered coor- of which we have become possessed can- dinate. For instance—there is the leg- not be hid under a bushel, cannot be hid islative branch, namely, Congress. Then up in a dark place. Here we are in the there is the President, who represents heights of the continent, calling Israel the executive branch. Then there is home, ready to impart the light that is the army and navy, which is the arm of within us, to all of Adam's children who power to carry out and maintain phys- will receive it. Let us seek to be wise. ical defenses. And then there is the The Lord has told us of certain classes Supreme Court, the legal tribunal that of defense which are better even than stands at the very head, if you please, the employment of weapons of war. And and pronounces upon the constitutional- what is it? It is the gift of wisdom. "Wis- ity of the acts which Congress passes. dom is better than strength, or weapons Hence we see our case has not only to of war," said the ancient man, who tested be brought before and had cognizance of the matter and found it out. Now, let us in the Congress of the United States to understand that the "fear of the Lord is ascertain if they will make laws to op- the beginning of wisdom" and a good un- press us, but these laws can be taken to derstanding have all they who keep His higher courts, to see whether they will commandments. maintain the rights of God's people in My brethren and sisters: let us the land. And does it seem a terrible not be discouraged in the least. Re- thing that one or two should get cast into member that no great revolution 104 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. was ever achieved without some fight- the greatest affliction some of us have: it ing. Some battles have had to be fought, is some great fearful apprehension that some victories had to be achieved. It is something is going to happen. We natu- while the war is going on that some get rally borrow trouble. We should not do wounded, and other contingencies arise, that. Just consider that the work is the and some things necessarily happen that Lord's. Be certain you do your duty ev- are unpleasant. But after the war is ery day. And when you lay down at night over, and the new government is insti- do so with a clear conscience, and enjoy tuted, the grand improvement is then slumber and be refreshed, and rise up in felt, as it has been felt in this nation the morning, in the likeness of the resur- ever since the thirteen colonies fought rection, prepared to renew the contest of and maintained their independence from life. Thus we should go on step by step, the mother country. It is true we have adding faith to faith, keeping the com- been oppressed a little. But our enemies mandments of God, and purifying our- do not make very much at it. We live and selves all we can. The Lord will bless us thrive notwithstanding, do we not? How in proportion to the degree that we en- singularly the Lord works with men. The deavor to purify ourselves, and keep His people of the Southern States through commandments. That is the great secret the war and since, have been limited or of our full acceptance with God. We must deprived of some of their rights. And purify ourselves as He is pure. some few men—Senator Brown for one— are not afraid to rise up from their seat and defend the right whether in behalf of I do not consider it proper for me to Mormon or non-Mormon, and expose the occupy more of your time this afternoon. doings of self-righteous men in New Eng- I feel to say I rejoice in this work. And land, exposing the fruits of their monog- I say unto every brother and sister that amous marriage relations as compared keeps the commandments of God, be joy- with our marriage institution. The Lord ful and rejoice in Him. He has called us has raised up men sometimes to main- to the work in which we are engaged, and tain the rights of His people. He will al- He is educating us, as I said before, in or- low us to be pinched from time to time der that by and by He may have a nation as it may be necessary to unite us to- of kings and priests, judges and rulers gether, to make a wife love her husband to help Him bear government and rule a little better, to make a husband love over this earth in righteousness, when his wives and children a little better, and the curse shall be taken from it, and to strengthen the bond of union in every when truth shall prevail from one end heart. For my part I rejoice in this work, of the earth to the other. May it be our and seek continually to gather knowl- happy lot to be there and rejoice with fa- edge. I rejoice that I have lived to see ther Abraham and all his family, is my the work of God established on the earth. humble prayer, in the name of the Lord Let me tell you, my brethren and sisters, Jesus Christ. Amen. GREAT IS THE WORK OF GOD. 105

THE WORK OF GOD ONLY PARTIALLY UNDERSTOOD—MANIFESTATION OF THE FATHER AND SON TO THE PROPHET JOSEPH—THE PRIESTHOOD CONFERRED UPON HIM—KIRTLAND TEMPLE, AND THE MINISTRATIONS OF MOSES AND ELIJAH—BENEFITS AND USES OF TEMPLES—PUBLIC AND PRIVATE IMPROVEMENTS ADVOCATED—CHILDREN SHOULD BE PROPERLY TAUGHT—WIVES SHOULD BE KINDLY TREATED—EXHORTATIONS TO VIRTUE AND PURITY.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDAT MALAD,ONEIDA COUNTY, IDAHO,WEDNESDAY MORNING,OCTOBER 20, 1881.

I am pleased to have the opportunity those that are scattered abroad in the of meeting with you. We have been trav- different places throughout the earth, eling during the summer through many wherever a branch of the Church is or- of the various Stakes of Zion, and we ganized. We do not all comprehend this thought that our labor would not be com- work; in fact, comparatively a very few plete without visiting you. We have gen- do. It is a work in which not only the eral and Stake Conferences, but the cir- Latter-day Saints are interested, but ev- cumstances and numbers of the people erybody else, if they could understand it; do not allow of them attending these but they do not. And, indeed, we can meetings, and therefore we think it well hardly understand it ourselves. We get to come among you at your own homes, a faint glimpse, as it were, of certain to see you, and converse with you, and to truths, mixed up with many errors which feel after your spirits, and that you may we have previously entertained; but it is see and talk with us and feel after our very difficult for us to understand cor- spirits, that we may be mutually bene- rect principles; and if we would compre- fited and blessed; and that we may be the hend them at all, it must be by a life of better prepared to operate together; for if devotion to God, and by complying with we can comprehend it, we are engaged in His laws, some of which Brother Joseph a very great work. Not only we who are F. has spoken upon this morning, and here, for we form but a very, very small which the other brethren present talked portion of the Latter-day Saints; but the about yesterday. people that are Latter-day Saints in this The object that God has in view Territory and those that are in Utah, and is to benefit mankind as much as that are in Colorado and Arizona, and lies in His power. We talk sometimes about moving heaven and 106 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. earth, but God has moved heaven and In the commencement of the work, earth for the accomplishment of that ob- the Father and the Son appeared to ject. Men in most instances have been Joseph Smith. And when they appeared blinded by the adversary who leads them to him, the Father, pointing to the Son, captive at his will, but they do not know said, "This is My Beloved Son. Hear it. And he operates very frequently Him!" As much as to say, "I have not among us trying to lead us astray, and come to teach and instruct you; but I we do not know it. It is a very difficult refer you to my Only Begotten, who is thing for us to comprehend the position the Mediator of the New Covenant, the that we occupy to God and to His Church Lamb slain from before the foundation and Kingdom. of the world; I refer you to Him as your Redeemer, your High Priest and Teacher. God desires our welfare, and He has Hear Him." instituted laws for that purpose; He has What next? Then came men who had introduced the everlasting Gospel for held the Priesthood before. Who were that purpose; and He has restored the they? Moroni, an ancient Prophet who Holy Priesthood that existed anciently, had lived upon this continent and who together with all the principles, bless- had charge of the records from which ings, powers, rites, ordinances, and privi- the Book of Mormon was translated— leges that have graced the earth from the a fitting person to introduce the same commencement of time. We can hardly principles again. Afterwards it was nec- realize this important fact, but when you essary that the Priesthood should be reflect you will see some peculiar fea- conferred; and John the Baptist came tures associated with this work. and laid his hands upon Joseph Smith We all look upon Joseph Smith as and Oliver Cowdery, saying, "Upon you being a Prophet of God. God called my fellow servants, I lay my hands, and him to occupy the position that he did. confer upon you the Aaronic Priesthood, How long ago? Thousands of years which shall never be taken from the ago before this world was formed. The earth again, until the sons of Levi of- Prophets prophesied about his coming, fer an acceptable offering before me." that a man should arise whose name That was the Lesser Priesthood—the should be Joseph, and that his father's Aaronic—appertaining to the bishopric. name should be Joseph, and also that he And why was John the Baptist chosen to should be a descendant of that Joseph confer this Priesthood? Because he was who was sold into Egypt. This prophecy the last that held this holy Priesthood you will find recorded in the Book of upon the earth. And why did he come? Mormon. He had very great and pre- Because the Priesthood administers in cious promises made to him by the Lord. time and eternity; both the Aaronic and I have heard him say on certain oc- Melchizedek. And he, holding the keys casions, "You do not know who I am." of that Priesthood, came and conferred The world did not like him. The world it upon Joseph Smith. When he had did not like either the Savior, or the conferred this Priesthood upon Joseph Prophets; they have never liked revealed Smith, other things had to be conferred; truth; and it is as much as a bargain that is, what is called the Melchizedek for the Saints even to bear the truth. Priesthood. But you understand GREAT IS THE WORK OF GOD. 107 but very little about that, as the Indian others, and which created that anxiety would say, about so much (meaning the you all felt to gather to Zion. point of the finger). If you did you would What next? Elijah was to come to think and act differently from what you "turn the hearts of the fathers to the chil- do. Who held the keys of that Priest- dren, and the hearts of the children to hood? Peter, James and John, who were the fathers." This has not been the case three presiding Apostles. Did they con- with this world, generation after genera- fer this Priesthood upon Joseph Smith? tion, yet it must be, for the same Prophet Yes; and if you were in Salt Lake City says that, "If it is not, God will smite and should go into the Assembly Hall, the whole earth with a curse." There is you might see these things pictured out a very trite saying, "every man for him- on the ceiling of that building. self and the devil for the whole," and I What next? They built a Temple by am inclined to believe that there is more and by, as we are doing now, in Kirtland, truth than poetry in it. God feels inter- Ohio. And in that Temple the Lord Je- ested in the welfare of all mankind as sus Christ appeared to them again, the peoples and nations, white and black of account of which you may read for your- all classes and conditions, Jew and Gen- selves in the Doctrine and Covenants. tile, bond and free. He does not run on Jesus appeared there, and Moses ap- a narrow track as we do. We are too apt peared there, and Moses conferred upon to feel as the man did when he prayed, Joseph the keys of the gathering of Is- "O Lord, bless me and my wife, my son rael from the four quarters of the earth, John and his wife, us four and no more. and also the ten tribes. And you are here Amen." That is the way we feel. And if because that Priesthood was conferred anything is introduced among the peo- upon the Elders who came to you with ple that would be calculated to promote the Gospel; and when they laid their the general good the first thing we do is hands upon your heads, among other to screw ourselves up and begin to in- things you received the Holy Ghost and quire, How is that going to affect me, I the spirit of the gathering. But you did wonder? Who cares about you? It is not know what it was that was working not for you we are operating. It is not in you like yeast sometimes under cer- for you God is operating. It is not to tain conditions, producing an influence make you rich or to exalt you particu- causing you to come to Zion. Yet you larly that God is operating; but it is in could not help it; if you had wanted to the interest of the whole human family help it, you could not while you were that has ever lived or ever will live or living your religion and were governed that now live. That is the religion that I thereby, for that spirit brought that in- believe in. I do not believe in this narrow fluence and power along with it, and tucked up thing that you can pinch up it carries it with it wherever it goes. and stick in your vest pocket, and nobody And as men received the Holy Ghost knows where it is. We want something so they received the spirit of the gath- more liberal, something that will reach ering, which was conferred by Moses the wants of the whole human family. upon Joseph Smith, and by him upon But Satan has had so much power in 108 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the world; and God has been trying to What else? We will administer for frustrate his designs, and He will do it as them on the earth. Here is the turn- sure as He lives. He will accomplish that ing of the hearts of the fathers to the which He set out to do when He orga- children, and the hearts of the children nized this earth, and placed man upon it. to the fathers. The ancient Prophets And He will keep striving and working at and Patriarchs and men of God who held it until every knee shall bow, and every the Priesthood and preached in and la- tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ to bored in time are now operating in eter- the glory of God the Father. Until every nity; and those whose names I have men- person in heaven and on the earth and tioned came to Joseph Smith and re- under the earth shall be heard to say, vealed to him what? Why, the dispen- "Blessing, and honor, and glory, might, sation of the fullness of time, when God majesty, and dominion be ascribed to would not only gather all things in one, him that sits upon the throne, and unto but when Temples should be erected and the Lamb forever." And He will do it in the dead as well as the living should be His own way and in His own due time. looked after; when saviors should come And this principle that I have spoken of, upon Mount Zion, and the Kingdom be turning the hearts of the fathers to the the Lord's. Others had their time. They children, etc., is one of those methods by had the Mosaic time; and Moses who which He will do it. How many thou- stood at the head of it, came and con- sands and millions of people have died ferred his authority upon Joseph Smith. without a knowledge of the Gospel? Do They had their prophetic time: and the you know? No, you do not. But as Jesus Prophets came and conferred upon him has said, "Wide is the gate, and broad is the prophetic influences. They had the the way, that leads to destruction, and Aaronic Priesthood; and those who held many there are that go in thereat." They it came and conferred it upon Joseph. have found, as the antediluvians did, a They had the Melchizedek Priesthood, prison in which they are put, and in and the keys thereof, and they came and which they will stop until they are re- conferred it upon him. They had the deemed by the holy Priesthood. As Je- gathering dispensation; and Moses was sus went and preached to the spirits in appointed, who held that in his day, to prison after He was put to death in the confer it upon Joseph. This is not one flesh, to those spirits that were some- dispensation, but the dispensation of the time disobedient in the days of Noah; so fullness of times wherein all things are those men that go the broad way will go gathered together into one. Then the into the prison house, and they will have hearts of the fathers who are living in to endure the wrath of God. And what- the heavens are turned to the children; ever they think about it, after many, they are feeling an interest in their wel- many years shall have rolled away, when fare, like a great many men whom we the due time of the Lord comes, this know today, good men, but their sons do very Priesthood that the world have de- not do right. Adam had two sons, one of spised and refused to accept, will be whom was a wicked man, and the wicked their deliverers, by going, as Jesus did, one killed the good one. At this stage and preaching to the spirits in prison. of things I suppose the Devil thought he had a good thing. But he did not. And GREAT IS THE WORK OF GOD. 109 then he led the people into sin until they Mormonism is doing. Some of us hardly were prepared to be overthrown by the know. But, it is known that we are build- flood. I suppose the Devil laughed at ing temples; but the Christian world do the way things were going. But Jesus not know what temples are for. If tem- went and preached to those spirits in ples were built for them they would not prison. And the people that are indepen- know how to administer in them. And we dent, who think they can get along with- did not know until God revealed it. And out religion or without God, will find that unless Elijah had come and conferred in time or eternity they will have to come the keys it would not have been revealed. to the Priesthood of God. Hence I was showing you who and what Joseph Smith was. He has introduced I will go back to the things I was the Gospel together with the dispensa- talking about, concerning the hearts of tion of the fullness of times, which em- the fathers being turned to the children, braces all other things. etc. This, when fully accomplished, will Then again, did Enoch build up a reach all men that have ever lived. At Zion? So we are doing. What is it? the present time we are connected with The Zion of God. What does it mean? it to a certain extent, and the Spirit of The pure in heart in the first place. In God leads us to build temples. Why is it the second place those who are governed that you go to work and build temples? by the law of God—the pure in heart You hardly know. You see them; they are who are governed by the law of God. pretty nice buildings. We talk about be- Shall we build up a Zion? We shall; but ing saviors; but are we saviors unless we we shall not, every one of us, have our save somebody! No. But we build our own way about it. We shall feel that temples as the Lord has directed, and we need the will of God; and we shall then we administer in them for the liv- feel that we require the Priesthood, un- ing and the dead; and then we are sav- der His direction, to guide and direct iors upon Mount Zion. You here have us, not men who are seeking to aggran- this same kind of feeling—have they not dize themselves; but men who are seek- Bishop? [Answer: Yes, sir.] Moses ing to build up the Church and King- conferred that upon Joseph Smith, and dom of God upon the earth; men of clean Joseph conferred it upon the Elders, and hands and pure hearts, every one hon- they preached to you, and you received oring his Priesthood and magnifying it. the Holy Ghost. And when you gathered Then we shall feel that we want to act together they began to talk about these like little babes, to ask them for coun- things; and that Spirit rested upon you, sel and instruction, and then be gov- and you said, "I want a hand in it; I want erned by it, under the counsel and di- to receive blessings in that temple, and I rection of the Almighty and the aid of want also to look to my father's totally, His Spirit. Now, this is what we are and those I have been associated with building up, and they built up a simi- who have died without the Gospel." And lar thing before the flood; and the El- that is the meaning of the turning of the ders went forth in those days as they hearts of the fathers to the children, etc. now go forth; and they baptized people The world want to know what and laid hands upon them, and gathered 110 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. them to Zion; and after a while that Zion it is their especial calling to preach it was caught up from the earth. And we themselves or see that it is preached to will build up a Zion: that is what we all the world. And, then, the Seventies, it are aiming at. And that Zion also, when is their duty to go forth at the drop of the the time comes, will ascend to meet the hat, as minute men, to preach the Gospel Zion from above, which will descend, and to all nations, under the guidance of the both, we are told, will fall on each other's Twelve. And, then, it is for those who necks and kiss each other. are in Zion, the High Priests, and others to go and preach the Gospel. And we These are some of the things we are are doing this in spite of the opposition after. And we are traveling about to of men, and in the name of God we will teach the people. Why? Because we do it until He who directs us shall say, want all to have the spirit of Zion. We "It is enough: turn now to Israel." When sing sometimes and talk about Zion, that He says that, then we will quit. And if she shall arise, and the glory of God they love the devil better than God, they shall rest upon her. We want to lift can do so and sup trouble and sorrow and up Zion. And we want you Welsh and calamity and war and bloodshed. For other folks to work to this end—I sup- nation will rise against nation, country pose most of you are Welsh, and if you against country; and thrones will be cast are not, you are Latter-day Saints, and if down and empires will be scattered to you are not Latter-day Saints, you ought the four winds, and the powers of the to be. And you ought to be pure in heart, earth everywhere will be shaken; and too; you ought to be living your reli- the Lord will come forth by and by to gion, and if you are not, you had better judge the nations, and it behooves us to turn round and live right before God, and know what we are doing, and while we walk worthily of the high vocation that profess to be the Saints of God, not to he has conferred upon you. I have not be hypocrites, but be full of truth and time to talk upon these principles: but I full of integrity and magnify our call- have said enough to give you a general ing and honor our God. This is what outline. God expects of us. And then to build temples, and what then? Administer in God is interested in this work, and them. Send the Gospel to the nations the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Patri- of the earth. And then gather the peo- archs and men of God are interested in ple in. What then? Build more tem- it; and we are interested in it. And we ples. What then? Have men administer have a little of that spirit upon us; and in them. And when we get through with we would like you to drink of it too. Hav- our relatives and friends, and trace back ing been baptized by the same baptism our ancestry as far as we can, then we that you may all partake of the same will call upon God to give us information spirit, that we may build temples and as to who need to be administered for in administer in them; and having received the heavens; and we will work at it for the Gospel, to feel free to preach it to oth- a thousand years, until all the purposes ers. Our duty is to preach the Gospel to of God shall be accomplished, and every- all men. Who, the First Presidency? Yes, thing spoken of in the Prophets shall be if there is nobody else. The Twelve? Yes, fulfilled. GREAT IS THE WORK OF GOD. 111

Now, you who live in this little place, For if they can afford to do wrong, I can- look to it that you are found in the line not. of your duty. You have a beautiful loca- I will talk about some other things. tion, and I would like to see you make Go to work and build a meetinghouse the most of it. I would like to see at half an inch bigger than this. (Laugh- least a hundred times more apple, pear ter). Then you have a public square, and cherry trees planted out; and all of make some nice grounds in and about it. your streets lined with shade trees. And And then beautify your private squares improve your dwelling houses. If you at your own homes. Let every man make cannot find the style of a house to suit his own grounds pleasant and agreeable. you, go off to other places until you do And let every woman make her husband find one, and then come back and build as happy as she can. The sisters ought a better one. Beautify this place, and to be like angels, ought they not? Be make your homes pleasant and agree- full of good, kind, pleasant and agreeable able, that you may have nice places for feelings. And we men who profess to be your wives and children, and thus help saints of God—saints of God! What an to fulfill that Scripture which says, that expression! Do we understand it? There Zion shall become the praise of the whole is a peculiar form of expression in the earth; and that kings will come to gaze German language. The term Latter-day upon her glory. I have already had many Saint in the German is: der Heiligen der honorable men from many of the civi- Letzten Tage, which being interpreted is, lized nations call upon me, and they gen- the holy of the last days. There is some- erally express themselves in this way: thing very expressive about that. We "What a beautiful place you have here, should be the holy of the last days, under Mr. Taylor;" "O, yes, (I would say) it is the influence and guidance of the Lord. well enough for us, we can please our- We talk about the Kingdom of God. selves, it is very difficult to please others, God's Kingdom is not our kingdom. Who we do not profess much. You hear curi- manages, directs and controls? God. In ous stories about us; but we would rather whose interest? In the interest of the have our works speak for us." There is community, and for the happiness and nothing to boast of, and what there is the welfare of all Israel, and the whole we should not have if God did not give it of the human family, so far as they will to us. For we are dependent upon Him let Him. for all we have. We live and move in I want to talk about a principle here. Him, and through Him we have our be- We get up sometimes a very rash feeling. And if we can operate together upon ing against people who do not think as the principles of virtue and holiness, and we do. They have a right to think as have more brotherly feeling, we should they please; and so have we. There- feel much better. Some people say, I hate fore, if a man does not believe as I do, such a person. I would not like to have that is none of my business; and if I that feeling about me, I don't know of do not believe as he does, that is none a person upon the earth whom I hate. of his business. Would you protect a What, not the wicked? No, I would say, man that did not believe as you do? "the Lord judge between thee and me." Yes, to the last bat's end. He should 112 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. have equal justice with me; and then so. Who cares? I do not, and I do not I would expect to be protected in my think you care. And so in regard to rights. We have in Salt Lake City, other things. What will we do? Try Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Ro- to educate ourselves and our children, man Catholics, and all kinds. Do we in- and get good teachers who fear God, who terfere with them? No, not at all. No- are honorable men and women, and who body persecutes them, but they do us in take delight to instil honorable princi- their weak way. They get up meetings ples into our children. And set them and pass resolutions against us, poor, good examples at home, you fathers and miserable "cootes." They do not know mothers. You should never say a word any better; they do not know nor un- or do an act which you would not want derstand the rights of men as American your children to copy after. The idea citizens, much less about the Kingdom of men who profess to fear God, and of God. So let them "resolute." We be- some of them Elders in Israel, being ad- lieve in returning good for evil, right for dicted to swearing. It is a shame and wrong. Because they lie about us, that is a disgrace to high heaven, and this is no reason why we should lie about them; sometimes done before their families; it it would be bad enough many times to is a shame. And then some men give tell the truth about them, much less to way and say they have a bad temper: I resort to falsehood. On the same grounds would sell it for nothing, and give some- I would not wish to interfere with their thing to boot to get rid of it. I would political rights, nor have them interfere be careful that all my acts and doings with mine. I think that is correct doc- were right. And it is right for heads of trine; it is good democracy and good re- families to get their families together ev- publicanism which we can all subscribe ery morning and evening, and pray with to. But because I would treat them right them. Every man and woman to dedi- I would not want them to teach my chil- cate themselves to God; and in their se- dren. I want good, honorable Latter-day cret prayers to ask God's care over them Saints to teach my children because I during the day. That will not hurt any of want them taught correct principles and you. That was the doctrine that Joseph the fear of God along with their secular Smith taught me; and I have always ap- education. preciated it. I would look upon it as a It has been published in our papers very great trial if I were stopping at a about different religious bodies getting place and if I could not have my private up resolutions against the "Mormons" prayers. If we cannot lean upon God, to the effect that it is necessary somewhat is our religion worth! Not much. thing should be done to them. Well, We will treat our wives right. He is a what about it? Oh, let them "reso- mean man who would abuse a woman. I lute;" our corn and potatoes grow just never liked to see a big dog bite a little the same; so it makes but little dif- one; but if a little dog bite a big one, it is ference. All we say is, "hands off." not so reprehensible. And if a man abuse We do not want it to go any further a woman, who is the weaker vessel, it is than talk. And if blab-mouthed peo- an outrage to me. Have you not made ple who do not like the truth choose covenants with your wives for time and to tell falsehoods about us, let them do GREAT IS THE WORK OF GOD. 113 eternity. Yes, you have. Would you not not believe in our being led away by their like, when you get through, to be able evils. Keep yourselves pure. Do not to say, Mary, Jane, Ann, or whatever the let corrupt men ingratiate themselves name may be, I never injured you in my among you, to defile you. Preserve your life. And if you are wives, would you not virtue, you men and you women; pre- like to be able to say, Thomas or William, serve your virtue, and live uprightly be- I never injured you in all my life. And, fore God. For as sure as you do not the then, to spend an eternity together here- wrath of God will rest upon you; and after. the Spirit of God will be withdrawn from you. Keep yourselves, therefore, pure, Then, lay aside your covetousness; and be honest and virtuous, and be hon- that is idolatry. And while laboring to est with all men, and treat all men hon- be industrious, do not covet any man's orably. We can afford to do that; and not house, nor his farm, nor anything that be governed by their vices, nor permit is his; nor defraud one another, nor bite them to introduce them into our midst. nor devour one another. But love one an- We cannot afford to follow after the ways other, and work the works of righteous- of the Gentiles, nor to copy after their ness, and look after the welfare of all, illiberality. We want the principles of and seek to promote the happiness of all. liberty to extend and to expand so that That is what God is doing. That is why all men can worship God as they please, He has told us to go to the nations of without anyone to interrupt them. the earth—and many of us have been Brethren and sisters, let us be vir- hundreds and thousands of miles with- tuous and pure and holy, and God will out purse or scrip. I have seen you, lots bless us and lift us up and the power of you Welshmen, in Wales. And what of God will be with us; and we will re- was I doing there? Preaching the Gospel. joice upon the mountains; and we will How? Without purse or scrip. Did God build our Zion upon the principles of take care of me? Always, and at every righteousness, and we will love and fear time and place; and I bear this record for God all the days of our lives. And by God and His Priesthood and His King- and by when the dead that are in their dom, that I was never at a loss for any- graves shall hear the voice of God, the thing that I needed. He always took care Saints of God shall come forth to live and of me, and I could do it without begging reign forever among the just who have too. I believe in the same God yet. And I lived in different ages, and have the priv- believed then I was benefiting mankind; ilege to perpetuate the lives in the eter- and I believe in doing so now. But I do nal worlds, worlds without end. Amen. 114 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

COMMUNITIES ARE MADE UP OF FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS—THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP INSTITUTED BY THE ALMIGHTY—DESCENT OF THE HUMAN FAMILY FROM GOD—PLURAL MARRIAGE SYSTEM OF ANCIENT ISRAEL—POTENCY OF LOVE—ETERNITY OF MARRIAGE NECESSARILY LEADS TO PLURAL MARRIAGE—POLYGAMIC FORM OF MARRIAGE MOST PREVALENT IN THE WORLD—FROM WHENCE MONOGAMY IS DERIVED—MONOGAMY SOMETIMES NECESSARY—FRUITS OF MONOGAMY AND PLURAL MARRIAGE COMPARED—THE MARRIAGE COVENANT CHANGED FROM A RELIGIOUS RITE TO A CIVIL CONTRACT—MARRIAGE REQUIRES THE SANCTION OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD—THE SAINTS SHOULD NOT MARRY OUTSIDE THE CHURCH.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER HENRY W. NAISBITT, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,MARCH 8, 1885.

My brethren, sisters and friends: The There is a vast amount of experi- congregation is large, and I hope to be ence in the aggregate among the peo- so directed by the Spirit, that all present ple. Individual experience forms one who so desire may be enabled to hear of the treasure houses from whence a and understand. speaker can draw the supplies that are necessary and advantageous for a sym- pathetic audience. There is a great The Sabbath is the day provided ex- deal implied in a congregation like the pressly for the reception of spiritual food. present one; there is much more im- The speakers, or those who may be called plied in the aggregation of congregations upon to teach, need all the resources that forming a community, from communi- are within their reach in order to sat- ties to nations, from nations to mankind isfy a congregation of hungry souls, they at large. The most narrow as well as need particularly the faith and prayers most dense communities are made up of of the Saints, the inﬂuence and power of the family organization. There is found the Holy Ghost, the manifestation of the circle within circle, or as the Prophet authority of the Holy Priesthood, so that had it, "wheel within wheel;" and the there may be instruction upon the impor- homes of a community should be the tant topics and principles of the Gospel, outgrowth, not of theories alone, but of not the theoretical ones alone, but those the faith, knowledge, and understanding that are interwoven with our daily life. of those relationships which exist there. MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 115

When these family organizations are bilities should be mutual; and in thus based upon knowledge they are likely to helping and aiding each other they be more permanent. If they are only should train the posterity that God thoughtless or theoretical, or if they ex- might give them in His fear and in the ist without information, circumstances, practice of righteousness, so that His pressure, opportunities are very likely to rule and Kingdom might exist and pre- disintegrate them, to break them up, to vail upon the earth. dissolve them, and so through indifference for each other substitute an anoma- In all nations, from the highest civi- lous condition of selfishness amongst lized to the lowest tribal relation, among those members who otherwise should the wanderers of the earth, there is more form connected and interwoven circles. or less semblance of this organization, In Christendom the marriage this family compact, this united respon- covenant is the foundation of the home. sibility; garnished in many lands with The ideas which men hold concerning pomp and ceremony, and with all the ap- it, lay at the foundation of all social or- pliances and sanctities of religion. In der, all unity and all government, and others with less, and still less of this, even the welfare of future ages depends until we come to where with but little upon the theories cherished in regard ceremony the dusky Indian captures the to home and family associations. The maiden of his choice, and takes her to the thoughts held and the practice grow- tent which he has erected for himself. ing out of these, are surely higher than could be possible in the families of a The Scriptures give an account sim- community where the sexual relations ply of the woman Eve; declaring that remain undetermined, where they are this name was given her of Adam, be- without restraint and without order, cause she was "the mother of all liv- there will inevitably be chaos, disrup- ing;" but outside of biblical record there tion and contention, and the body politic has been handed down from time im- would speedily and inevitably under memorial the idea that Adam had two loose conditions, degenerate and pass wives, the narrators go so far, or rather away. But this marriage organization so near perfecting the tradition so as to and institution has existed from the be- give their names, Lilith being said to be ginning. It has been the binding and the name of one as Eve was the name of sealing power of the family; it has per- the other, and while it may be difficult petuated those families from the time to harmonize all the Rabbinical and Tal- that Eve was given to Adam to the last mudic versions of this matter, it is said marriage that took place in our own im- that Joseph Smith the Prophet taught mediate neighborhood. The Lord said that Adam had two wives. Without that it was not good that man should be however, assuming or basing anything alone. He gave to him as a helpmate upon this theory, or upon this tradition— one of His daughters by the name of which may be mythical in its character— Eve. This relationship was then, in- it is nevertheless, very evident that mar- stituted by the Almighty, and there- riage was ordained of God; and when fore a man and his wife should re- we take into our hands the record of the ally become one; their interests, their Holy Scriptures that have been handed labors should be blended; their responsi- down to us by our fathers, that have been 116 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. cherished in parts by the ancient peo- to stock, or to some of the most ancient ple of God, and in latter times consol- families of mankind, by the people of idated; passing through various chan- God, was looked upon as the one per- nels under peculiar circumstances, and fect chain to demonstrate hereditary de- with an apparent special providence con- scent. tinuing and protecting the same—we find throughout the pages thereof that We are told in tracing one of the ge- marriage everywhere for four thousand nealogies from father to son—or from years, at all events, was recognized as son to father, in a backward direction to of divine origin. One of the latest asser- Adam—that finally Adam was said to be tions in regard to it, as addressed to the the son of God, and by a close application early Saints by Paul, was, that marriage of the principles of logic, it may be as- was honorable in all, and further that it sumed that all the posterity of Adam are was typical of that union and headship by direct descent the sons and daugh- held by Jesus to the Church, and from ters of the living God. It will also be this comes an added force to the Savior's found in the prophecies of Isaiah regard- words, who, when speaking on this topic ing the Savior, that He should be called said: "What God hath joined together, let the "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty no man put asunder." God, The everlasting Father, The Prince The sanctity of the marriage relation of Peace." When we come to His own had another feature in ancient Israel: conversation, where His Apostles asked that great family of promise were di- Him if He would show unto them the Fa- vided into tribal relations, and by these ther, He said: "Have I been so long with their genealogical tables were kept per- you, and yet hast thou not known me? fect. Any marital connection or al- he that hath seen me hath seen the Fa- liance, outside of that order was vis- ther." This statement is reiterated time ited with indignation, condemnation and and again in the Book of Mormon, and punishment. Those who were guilty in the sacred writings that we have re- of violating the order of marriage were ceived. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the looked upon as guilty of something Redeemer of the world, was not the Son which destroyed the root and founda- only, but the prophetic declaration was tions of society. They were held to be fulfilled in Him—He was verily and in- guilty of introducing things and prac- deed the Everlasting Father. So by the tices which vitiated the value of ge- same application of logic and inferential nealogical record, and which made the evidence from holy writ, wherever you perpetuity of families a comparative find a man he is the son of somebody, impossibility and had it not been for and his existence is perpetual and eter- tribal carefulness in this direction, for nal. Every Father becomes, by virtue of this supervision which controlled and his position, an everlasting father. He regulated the people of God, it would in this respect represents the same char- have been impossible in the days of acteristic as that occupied by the Great the Savior for the Apostles to have Father of us all. And throughout the traced His genealogy back to the early countless ages of eternity, any man who Prophets and Patriarchs. That which has ever assumed or occupied the posi- men now apply only as a rule, in regard tion and continues faithful to its respon- MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 117 sibilities, will forever remain to his pos- probably all understand it, that the Bible terity "The everlasting Father." does not profess to give a perfect history As far as we can glean from the in detail of the habits and practices of sacred records, we find that this rela- the ancient people of God, for these are tionship was established for the bring- only secondary to the ever present as- ing upon this sphere of action a poster- sertions of divine interest in and regu- ity. The powers and functions which had lation of the human family. There are been conferred upon man and woman only revealings or incidental glimpses were exemplified in this direction, and here and there in regard to the princi- when a man's wife was barren, when any ples of social and domestic life, and hint- of these daughters of Israel in ancient ings of some which have been kept hid times were childless, it was considered from then to now; but that marriage was to be a reproach to them, yet in the ex- the heritage of man is certain, and that ercise of faith and by the blessing of the while under many circumstances it was Almighty, and by obedience to the pa- monogamic, there were also many cases triarchal order, many of these ancient in which it was of a polygamic charac- sisters, the progenitors of the Israel of ter, and in both instances it was given the latter days, were delivered from bar- by command and then received the ap- renness, and became the mothers of a probation of the heavens. It was reg- vast and ever increasing host of poster- ulated and sustained by the great law- ity. Those who are familiar with the sa- givers of ancient Israel, who were in- cred Scriptures will remember one of the spired to point out in detail the lim- wives of Jacob; they will remember the its of consanguinity, the times and sea- case of Hannah, the mother of Samuel sons of privilege, and what should be the the Prophet, and there are others which method of securing posterity under such are familiar to our minds which need and such circumstances; until the time not be quoted. The desire for offspring came when Israel as a nation enjoyed its among the wives of Israel was a prevail- highest glory, and then we find that this ing feeling, because it was understood principle (polygamy) formed one of the that from that lineage should come the leading features of the household exten- Messiah of the latter days, and every sion in the kings of that time. David is a daughter of Israel was anxious that in a noted illustration. Solomon was another, direct line she might be the honored of and in the comments of the Scriptures God, in being the medium through which regarding these two men, notwithstand- should come the Redeemer, the promised ing their multiplicity of wives, we find Immanuel. no condemnation save in the fact that It ought also to be remarked in con- they in other respects violated the fun- nection with this question, that mar- damental law of ancient Israel. David, riage was at times polygamic as well we are told, captured the wife of an- as monogamic—that is, right away other man by stratagem and because in the early history of the world he did this he fell under condemna- there were men who had more wives tion. The son that was born to him than one. Lamech was the first of that connection died a premature who is mentioned in Scripture. And death; but afterwards when he repented, here it might be observed, although he married and still retained that 118 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. self same woman, Bathsheba; the Lord of the Almighty, and through him, as blessed and acknowledged David's re- he stood in a representative position, we pentance and her position by giving her may surely assume what the feelings of for a son the great Jedediah, or Solomon, Israel were in regard to polygamy or the and finally in a direct line through her, plurality of wives. came also the Redeemer of Israel. The It is more than inferential evidence Scriptures in commenting upon David's in favor of this principle which grows practice say that in "none of these things from the consideration of the practice of did he violate the commandments save Solomon and David, and Abraham and in the case of the wife of Uriah" [1st. Jacob, and Moses and Gideon, and Je- Kings, 15, 5.] We are also told that hoiada and Abdon, and Rehoboam and Solomon multiplied wives and families Abijah, and Esau and Lamech, and unto himself, yet his reign formed an Jerubbaal and Jair, though some of these era in the national life of Israel. It was men were not examples in every act of during his administration as King and their lives, yet the facts are no more in Priest under the order of God, that that favor of monogamists as to this than in wonderful temple was built and dedi- the day and age in which we live. cated which received the sanction and approbation of the heavens; of the rest- Unfair advantage has been taken by ing upon it of the cloud by day so that opponents of this practice, because of the the Priests could not minister at the al- Adamic era, but the Rabbinical tradition tar, and the descent of fire from heaven, already mentioned, while not conclusive, which consumed the sacrifice presented, shows that no repulsion existed in the were both tokens of divine acceptance minds of the honored priesthood of Is- and recognition, and we have not found rael; and, as the Rev. Dr. Newman in reading the history of Solomon that quoted the words of Lamech, so we may his conduct was condemned save in the also have our opinion and that is that his fact that he took unto himself wives of declaration possessed no reference what- the outside nations contrary to the law, ever to his plurality of wives. which declared that the marriages of Is- However, in the Christian dispen- rael should be within their own imme- sation it has been assumed that this diate families (Deut. 7th, 3rd), and as practice had become almost obsolete; a result the record declares that it was some have said that it died away be- these heathen wives which he took, those cause it was deprecated by the Savior women that were captured in war or and by His Apostles, but there appears those that he had from choice or were to have been thoughts in the minds of given to him for conciliatory alliance the latter concerning marriage which from surrounding nations who led away open to our minds many things in re- his heart from the worship of the God gard to that institution. For instance of Israel, and turned him to the prac- we are told that man is not without tices of idolatry. With this exception the the woman in the Lord, neither the presumption is from the evidence that woman without the man. [1 Cor., 11, his other marriages were approved, and 11.] It takes the two, at least, to make in them was his posterity perpetuated. a complete and rounded man. When It was the direct result of the blessing the first pair were created the Bible MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 119 expressly declares, "Male and female in man's and woman's organization. To created he them," and called their name those who have been allured by its Adam. [Gen. 5, 2.] It included the two; power; to those who understand its force; it included the man and wife; and the to those who realize that it is the parent theory of the Gospel in Apostolic times of all action almost in life; how it leads was, that a man was an imperfect being men to sacrifice, to labor, to effort, no ar- without the woman, and that a woman gument is needed to show that it is the was also an imperfect being without the greatest power of the human heart. For man, and this perfect state could not be it men will endure any amount of sacri- realized or wrought out without the in- fice; for it women will endure and submit stitution of marriage. to almost any indignity. The fact is, it is the only element that will bind together It is, then, by this marriage relation in its original purity the family circle: that men and women were in the Lord it is that which leads a man to go forth according to the divine order, carrying in the battle of life to earn the bread out the examples of their great prede- that perisheth: it is that which enables cessors, and of their Father in heaven. him to look upon his wife as paramount It may safely be assumed that marriage to all else: it is that which enables her with them was an eternal principle; that to watch by her infant children, and in it was not meant for time only, but for the moment of sickness, with sleepless eternity; that it was a relationship that nights and days of vigilance, await un- was perpetuated, and that this not only til there is a restoration to health; it is included the man and wife, but of neces- this that glorifies the family circle and sity the entire family organization. For makes it a little heaven upon earth; and our God is not the God of the dead but of every man and every woman is cognizant the living, "and what he hath joined to- of the fact, that where love has died out gether, no man shall put asunder." To the from the altar of home, that home has older people here, who are familiar with lost its greatest attraction. A man does the facts made manifest in the human not go there and look upon it as his lit- organization, it may be said that there tle resting place from the care and anx- are certain elements of attraction which iety of the world when that feeling has lead the one sex towards the other. This died out. No. He finds his pleasure in attraction is designated by the name of the club room, on the race course, at the love. We are sometimes afraid to exhibit gaming table, in political life, in busi- this characteristic; we think it is unwor- ness, or in many other directions, rather thy of men or women; and that when a than in the little heaven called home. man is said to be in love, or a woman, it Ah! Sad indeed is the fate of those fam- is something that should be veiled from ilies where this beautiful, this benefi- the eyes and knowledge and understand- cent, this almighty, this glorifying prin- ing of everybody but themselves. But ciple has failed, or finds no resting place insomuch as love is one of the great at- therein. tributes of Deity, this idea does not rec- Now, this is the key to marriage ommend itself. It is not only a great in the abstract. It is its founda- attribute of Deity, but it is the greatest tion. It constitutes the glories of its and most potent attribute to be found architecture. It brings upon it its 120 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. capstone, and finishes the edifice that many families in our Israel, after years God Almighty hath ordained. Yet this el- of suffering of counsel and command- ement which lays at the foundation and ment, have become in a measure lost runs through the whole fabric of married through the influence of misdirected and life, in and of itself is not sufficient to disobedient love. produce and perpetuate that perfect hap- We all realize the influence that a piness which men and women desire in woman exerts over a man. A man, to this relationship. Man is a compound be- be sure, exerts a good deal of influence ing. Woman is a compound being. There over a woman. But I think the bulk of are other feelings of the heart beside experience will show that if even a good, affection and love, although these will devoted Latter-day Saint woman should cover a multitude of sins. But it is nec- be foolishly guilty of marrying outside essary for the best interests of the fam- of the Church, or marrying a man in ily relation that the tastes and habits, the Church who is half-hearted, that her feelings and thoughts of the high con- children will retain more of her indi- tracting parties should run pretty much vidual impress than they will of the fain the same direction—that is, so far ther's. I think observation will establish as intelligence is received. Hence we this fact: that where there is a devoted have the apostolic injunction given to father, and an indifferent, unbelieving the early Christians which said: "Be not mother, the probabilities are that disin- unequally yoked with unbelievers." This tegration will set into that family, and was one of the commands given to the that the majority of them will pass away early Christians; because it was realized from the influence of the Church and that though the fire of love may burn from the institutions of the Gospel. Not fiercely in the early years of wedded life, that either of these conditions is good— yet unless there is unity of sentiment, of that is, they are not the best conditions. thought and of action in regard to the re- The best conditions are where there is ligion that married couples should pos- a devoted man and a devoted woman, sess, and that should be imposed upon or women, all laboring in the interests the children there will ever be a probabil- of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, ity of disintegration and disruption, and and impressing their own individuality, this rule had its counterpart, or had its by the powers of an educational charac- origin, in ancient Israel. It was not inter upon the posterity that God may give tended, as already stated, that the sons them. of any of the tribes of Israel should take But in regard to this objectionable to themselves wives of the nations that form of marriage called polygamic, if were round about them; they were com- this marriage is an eternal principle, it manded strictly to keep with that family, follows almost of necessity that there and where they failed in this, whether will be a period in the experience of as individuals or in a national capacity, thousands when it must be essentially it brought down upon them the blight- and eternally polygamic. How many ing curse of the Almighty, and led them young wives are there who leave this finally to bondage, and to be carried stage of action sometimes without chil- away to the ends of the earth, and so dren, and sometimes leaving a little fam- MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 121 ily? And under these circumstances a it is precisely the one addressed to the man marries again; he takes another Savior by the Sadducees, who did not wife and raises up another family, and believe in the resurrection. He, how- for two or three times or more this may ever, without condescending to explain be the experience of some. Now, if mar- the sealing power to them declared that, riage is not for time only, but for eter- "when they rise from the dead they nei- nity; if the marriage relation is contin- ther marry, nor are given in marriage," ued, there is a condition of things which and the darkened inference of Christen- demonstrates that in the life to come at dom has been, that all family organiza- all events, marriage must be in many tions, all characteristics of sex, all pro- cases polygamic—that is, a man must be creation of the species would be obliter- possessed of several wives. ated as something pertaining only to the shores of time. Now, our theories of heaven are, that This polygamic form of marriage, there is nothing there save that which however, when we come to consider is pure, save that which is ennobling, humanity, is far in excess of the save that which is progressive, save that monogamic. Its influence and power and which is according to the order of God. practice are felt around the globe, and If, He, then, in the eternities that are be- we can judge of its nature by that which yond the veil can admit of this relation- we have seen and heard of in our own ship by virtue of the fact that marriage is experience. Ishmael, the son of Abra- eternal, does it not appear strange that ham, was of polygamic lineage. It was such an order is decried by His children prophesied of him that he should become upon the face of the earth. the father of many nations, and in the Nor need it be urged, that in some ex- eastern lands of the earth he has multi- periences there is a reversal of this order, plied exceedingly; and today we find that that a woman may be the wife of several the gigantic power of England with all men while in the flesh, and that as a con- its wealth, with all its appliances of sci- sequence, this arrangement must also be ence and civilization, is held in check by eternal. It has already been said that this selfsame Ishmael, the son of Abra- woman is subordinate to man, she was ham, the friend of God, so that assumed given to be his helpmeet, he was to rule degeneracy consequent on this system is over her, to be the head, as Christ is the not established by facts. head of the Church, that the man was In this land of ours, we find that not created for the woman, but woman monogamy is the rule; that there are for the man. [See 1st Cor., 1 to 12.] laws preventing a departure from this order, and that any departure from Besides in the keeping of genealogical that is visited with a good deal of record, in the tracing of family or tribal criticism, with some legislation, with relations, it is evident that a woman some pains and penalties, and is made must be the acknowledged wife of some to the nation a stone of stumbling, one man, and that to him alone pertains and a rock of offense. Yet we might the eternity of the marriage covenant here pertinently ask the American by the authority of the Holy Priesthood. nation—"From whence did you derive This query is however old in history, your monogamy? We might ask Old 122 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

England the same question. I would this matter when there is so much ex- like to ask if it has been accepted as the citement in regard to it? For the best result of an intelligent understanding of all reasons, that this is a free country, of the two modes of marriage? Rather that free speech has never been forbid- has it not been inherited without inves- den, has never been checked, has never tigation, without thought, without re- been curtailed. It is the heritage we flection, without understanding the mar- have received from our fathers, and we riage covenant? We all know it is the are at liberty to speak of the institu- outgrowth of tradition; that it has been tions that lay at the foundation of society, received from the fathers; and so far and to analyze and understand them. from having been an intellectual recep- There are thousands of our youth grow- tion of a principle, fundamental and eter- ing up that are not familiar with the fun- nal, it possesses nothing of that char- damental principles pertaining to mar- acter whatever. Monogamy was prac- riage; with the ideas and theories and ticed by the fathers, the same as the practices of the nations that have grown religions of mankind were practiced by out of this relationship; and it needs that them, it was received and accepted un- they should understand why this turmoil hesitatingly without comment or con- exists, and whether there is a good foun- sideration, without understanding as to dation for the position that men take ev- whether it was conclusively the best, or erywhere in regard to that principle, and whether it was the worst, or whether it which leads to the persecution of their fa- was of God, or whether it was of man, or thers, and the ostracism of their commu- whether anything different today might nity. or might not be of Him. When we come to the sacred books Now, here is a little community called that have been received by the Church Latter-day Saints, who believe in both we find that, in regard to this dual idea of orders. They have accepted marriage in marriage—marriage in the monogamic the abstract. They do not believe that so- form, and marriage in the polygamic ciety should run at loose ends in its sex- form—the Book of Mormon expressly de- ual relations. They believe that a viola- clares that it was necessary in the first tion of those laws is as much a wrong colonization of this country that mar- today as it was in the days of ancient riage should be monogamic, because the Israel, and they believe further that all sexes were equal, and the people real- sexual irregularities should be visited by ized that marriage was an indispensable penalties of divine sanction and appoint- thing to both man and woman; but there ment; and still more, that that which is also indication that necessity would was right, that which was commanded, give final enlargement to this practical that which was encouraged, that which question. was practiced, that which was regulated So it was when Noah came out among ancient Israel, and that which of the ark, and there are other peri- will be practiced and is inevitable behind ods in the history of mankind when the veil, cannot be an offense in the sight nothing but monogamic marriage could of God, in the day and age in which we prevail without doing an injustice live. to those round about them. But But it may be said, why speak of where there is no chance of this MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 123 injustice; where every man is free; where possibility and susceptibility and nat- every woman is free; where there are ural character of marriage in the thousands of mankind that never marry polygamic relation. During a certain de- at all, and thousands of women who by bate held in this house in regard to this law cannot marry, there is room for the very question, Doctor Newman asserted exercise of the polygamic form thereof; that there were evidences against this so that, in argument, the sacred books of practice in the Bible. I consider that old Israel, the sacred books of Christen- the Bible has been read by the Latter- dom, the sacred books of the Mormons, day Saints as much as ever it was read or Latter-day Saints, all tend to substan- by Dr. Newman, although they may not tiate the idea that marriage in the ab- have done so in the original tongue— stract is of God; and that it is or has they may not have Leviticus 18:18—as been of Him, both in the monogamic and he had it—but yet they have that great polygamic form. Still further, these writ- gift of God which is called common sense, ten revelations are not the only evidence to say nothing of the inspiration of His of the fact that monogamic marriage and Spirit, and they are just as well able to polygamic marriage are both susceptible understand the revelations of the past as of practice by the human family. Who Doctor Newman with all his knowledge is there that is acquainted with him- of the original rendition and meaning of self or herself—where is the man and the Hebrew character. where is the woman who does not real- And if a tree is to be judged by its ize, if they have attained to mature years fruits, what of the whoredoms, the adul- and experience, that all the functions of tery, the fornication, the prostitution of manhood and womanhood can be sub- women in monogamic nations? What served in both forms of marriage, and of sexual diseases, of blighted lives, of often better in the polygamic. If in this martyred women, of little graves dot- ever present revelation of the Almighty, ting every hillside and the resting places of the finger of God in man's organiza- of the dead? What of feticide, infanti- tion, and in woman's, it had been decreed cide and abortion? What of the deci- that polygamy was an immoral thing, mated power and numbers of the best so- and that it did violence to either, then ciety, what of their liaisons and their di- that would be evidence to go against the vorce courts, and other damning features sacred books that we have received from which cling closely to the skirts of mod- the past, and from those of the present; ern Sodoms, the paragons and promoters and if Joseph Smith had come forth of monogamic marriage? claiming to be a Prophet of God, and had given a revelation testifying to the Dr. Newman also made another re- necessity and advantage of polygamic mark something like this: that polygamy marriage, and this revelation had come was not intended for the poor man, that in contact with the revelation of man's it was intended for the kings of the earth, experience, with the revelation written overlooking the fact, however, that Is- in his own organization, then it would rael is a nation of kings and priests; have nullified itself; but it is in harmony so that when he said that polygamy or with such a revelation, and shows the the practice of a plurality of wives was 124 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. intended only for kings, it brought home that to me and to mine it was produc- a truth pregnant with thought; for God tive of good, although it came in contact decreed that he would gather His Is- with our tradition. Although it came in rael from the poor of all nations, and so contact with the practices of the fathers, in Rev. 5, 10, they are represented as and with our feelings, yet, in its experi- singing a new song, "Thou hast made us ence it demonstrated itself to be of God, kings and priests to God: and we shall and no better time have I had in thirty reign on the earth;" and this principle years of married life than when I had was to extend not through time only, but three wives given me of God, and occu- through the countless ages of eternity, so pying but one habitation. The power of that His people might occupy the posi- God was in that home; the spirit of peace tion of eternal fathers and eternal moth- was there, the spirit of intelligence was ers, and be indeed Kings and Priests for- there; and we had our ever present tes- ever and forever. timony that God recognized the patriar- There are also other avenues of infor- chal order, that which had been prac- mation besides those sacred records, and ticed by His servants ages and ages ago besides those revelations written in the and revealed to us in the dispensation organization of man and woman at large, of the fullness of times; and although and that is the revelation of individual two of these have gone behind the veil, experience. There are many men and they went there with a consciousness of women who have practiced this principle having done their duty in this life, and in the midst of Israel for thirty years and that they would meet in the life beyond upwards. I have heard their testimonies those who agreed with them in practice time and time again, and they declare and in faith; from this condition came that their experience corroborated the the discipline of life, the power of self- exhortation, commandments and prac- restraint, a tender regard for each oth- tices of Holy Writ, and the revelations ers feelings, and a sort of jealousy for written in their own organization; and each others' rights, all tempered by the they tell me that in this relation they consideration that relations meant to be have been blessed, they have been pros- enduring claimed more love and interest pered, they have had around them the and soul than did monogamy under its influence of the Spirit of the Almighty; best conditions. that peace has been upon their house- Here, then, are some of the evi- hold and habitation, and that they have dences in regard to this married rela- been enabled through that principle to tion that forms the foundation of civ- multiply their posterity upon the earth. ilization and of human life, and that Where are these? They are everywhere lays at the foundation of the Govern- throughout this Territory, and their ex- ment of God upon the earth; accord- perience, corroborating those other rev- ing to our ideas concerning this relation- elations which I have mentioned, forms ship so will our society and this com- a threefold cord that cannot by any pro- munity become. If we treat the mar- cess or by any power be broken. I will riage relation with levity; if we should say as the result of my own experience— believe that it was but a civil contract, for I have lived in that relationship— and for time only, we should be weak as MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 125 others and should not excel: if it is not and revolving around the great planets part of our religion and of God, then it is of religious organization in that coun- not of value to us. In my experience— try. And then as this so-called reli- and that is not a very lengthy one—I gious liberty increased in spirit, skepti- have marked the change in feeling that cism began to grow in the minds of many has come over the nations in regard to in regard to religious doctrines. There this marriage question. When I was a were thousands of people that had no lad it was very unusual for a man to more faith in Methodism than in the take to himself a wife without the sanc- Established Church, or in Catholicism. tion of religion. All the marriages of Old They had more faith in Tom Paine, and England had to be celebrated in the Es- Voltaire, and Rosseau, and such men as tablished Church, and a record was kept Ingersoll, and their liberty made it ap- of them there, and of the posterity issu- pear plausible to them that there was ing from that marriage, and when these no necessity to go to any church, or seek died, their death also was recorded, so the aid of any minister, or have any reli- that there was an unbroken chain of ge- gious ceremony in connection with their nealogical evidence in that respect of- own marriage or the marriage of their ten of immense value for legitimacy and families. So provision was made for this other purposes. But by and by the spirit ever increasing host of skeptics, and fi- of religious liberty, as it was called, be- nally it was decreed that marriage was gan to spread. It is but a hundred nothing but a civil contract, not need- years ago, or a little over, since Method- ing the service of a minister, or the sanc- ism was established—the now dominant, tion of religion, but requiring simply that or next to dominant religious organi- it could be entered into after due no- zation of Christendom. It began in a tion was given, in a public place and not small way; but it increased and spread before a worshiping assembly. In such abroad; it multiplied its converts, its cases marriage was entered into as "a ministers and its chapels; it became a civil contract," and when this stage was potent factor, in a political sense, in the reached, inasmuch as it was but a civil nation, and it was necessary that polit- contract, "only this and nothing more," ical parties should conciliate and cater the next step of necessity was, that it to this increasingly wealthy religious or- could be dissolved. Where is there a con- ganization; and when the Methodists tract of this nature that cannot be dis- wanted marriages performed in their solved? If I am engaged by an employer own, instead of going to the Established we can dissolve the engagement when- Churches, their power and influence, the ever either of us is dissatisfied. And so influence of wealth and numbers, their this feature was applied to marriage; the power as a political factor of the nation, laws of divorce were introduced, and that gave them favor in the eyes of the min- which was once considered discreditable, istry and the legislature. By and by difficult and expensive, and would have they were allowed the privilege of mar- been sounded from one end of the land to rying in their own churches and chapels, the other as such, became common and and by their own ministers. And as it unworthy of remark. was with this body, so it was with the smaller bodies, the satellites thrown off Thus the bonds of society are 126 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. loosened; the sanctity of the marriage re- In the carrying out of this relation- lation is destroyed; and the world is filled ship the Latter-day Saints are numer- with entanglements that are the prod- ous everywhere throughout this Terri- uct of this civil contract business, and tory: and it is incumbent upon the ris- even where this contract remains intact, ing generation that they should hold to there is a spirit made manifest to avoid those sacred views that are held by their the responsibilities of marriage as to off- fathers; that they should marry within spring, and to live together in number- the confines of the Church; that they less cases without any marriage at all; should seek for their husbands or wives, so that when the connection is broken it as the case may be, among those who may be swept to the wind with no results have been obedient to the principles of traceable or injurious to any of those con- the everlasting Gospel, and who com- cerned. prehend something of the nature of the Now, for the safety of society, for the marriage covenant. Those of our poster- welfare of the human family, for the ity should not depart from the ways of love of order and responsibility upon our Father; they should not be willing the earth, for faith in the revelations to take up with the practices of Chris- of God, and for high regard to the prac- tendom. They should be under proper tices of His anointed, I am in favor of restraint, proper control and direction the marriage relation. The Latter-day in all the relationships of life, because Saints are in favor of the marriage re- this parental relation among the faith- lation, and they are utterly opposed to ful is an eternal authority. Those chil- sexual intercourse outside of that. And dren of ours, they never can get away they do not believe that marriage is a from their father and mother in this life, civil contract alone. Whatever power nor in the life to come. If they should there may be in the courts to enforce the form connection with those outside of the claim of a wife against a husband, or Church and become aliens to the Gospel, the husband against the wife as a mat- after a long day of repentance they will ter of protection, in the main, marriage have to return and bow the knee if they is of God, is of divine origin. Marriage would have access within that organiza- requires the sanction of the authority of tion, if they would enjoy all that belongs the Holy Priesthood in order to give it to that relationship, if they would inherit force, in order to make it valid in this the glory with which that relationship is life and the life to come, and marriage— identified; they will have to repent, as it polygamic or monogamic, according to were, in dust and ashes and come back to the necessities of the case and the con- the family circle, compact and covenant, dition of those who enter therein—is in wherein the Almighty gave them a be- harmony with all the laws of life; and de- ing. And in this respect it may be well spite what the world may say, those that to drop a hint in regard to the prac- are of polygamic descent without know- tices of some of our sons and daugh- ing it are to be found among the rulers ters in this city—where they step out- of today—the most exalted and the side of what some call priestly authority. most prominent in a national sense— When they come to get up amusements even in repudiating Christendom. of their own, they should see that that MARRIAGE ORDAINED OF GOD. 127 only which pertains to good order and May God give us wisdom to so main- good government are introduced, for tain ourselves in this relation whether those inevitably tend to consolidation it be polygamic or monogamic—that we and unity. It would be well if our boys may gain His smile and approbation, would listen to their fathers' counsel; that we may feel His Spirit in our fam- would respect the authority of their fa- ilies, in our hearts, in our going out and thers and mothers who are good Latter- coming in, and may we realize that we day Saints; and when they want enjoy- have the approbation of heaven, and the ment they should seek to keep within the sanction of all the powers of the eterni- circumscribed limits of all reputable au- ties past, present and to come, as well thority. as the example of the Patriarchs and There are a great many thoughts Prophets. And when this life shall come arise in my mind, but I presume that to its end with us, may we be privi- I have occupied all the time desirable leged to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and I do not wish to weary the congre- and Jacob, in the kingdom of our Fa- gation. The subject I have touched upon, ther and God, and make part of a fam- however, is a very important one. It ily there, a great nation of Kings and lies at the foundation of things, and, as Priests, associating with those who have I said before, as it is comprehended by passed through much tribulation and the human family, by us as Latter-day washed their robes white in the blood Saints, so will be their position among of the Lamb through the ordinances of the nations, so will be their power in the Gospel; which I ask may be the case, renovating society, and so will be their through Jesus Christ, Amen. measure of approbation by the heavens. 128 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

PRIVILEGE OF MEETING TOGETHER—WE ARE HERE TO DO OUR FATHER'S WILL—ALL DEPENDENT UPON GOD FOR ASSISTANCE, GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION—THE LORD REVEALED TO ADAM THE PURPOSE OF SACRIFICE—ADAM, BEFORE HIS DEATH, CALLED HIS FAMILY TOGETHER AND BLESSED THEM AND PROPHESIED—MANY SPIRITS HAVE BEEN DESTINED TO HOLD CERTAIN POSITIONS AMONG MEN—WHY WE ARE GATHERED—WE MUST FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF THE SPIRIT, AND HONOR THE PRIESTHOOD IN ALL ITS CALLINGS—PREPARE OURSELVES TO ENTER HOLY PLACES—THE PRIESTHOOD MUST NOT TOLERATE INIQUITY—THE CHURCH MUST BE PURIFIED—CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDATA PRIESTHOOD MEETING, HELDINTHE SALT LAKE ASSEMBLY HALL,SATURDAY EVENING,OCTOBER 6, 1883.

It is quite a privilege for us to meet We are here as Jesus was here, not together in such assemblies as this— to do our own will, but the will of our to associate with the Priesthood of the Father who sent us. He has placed us Son of God, which Priesthood is also af- here; we have a work to do in our day and ter the order of Melchizedek, and af- generation; and there is nothing of im- ter the power of an endless life. It portance connected with any of us only is a great privilege for us to meet to- as we are associated with God and His gether, to talk over the things pertain- work, whether it be the President of the ing to the Kingdom of God, and to rea- Church, the Twelve Apostles, the Presi- son and reﬂect upon those things that dents of Stakes, the Bishops, or anybody God has revealed for our salvation in else, and we can only thus be of any ser- time and throughout the eternities that vice by placing ourselves in a position are to come. It is proper that we to act as God dictates us; as He regu- should comprehend the various positions lates and manipulates the affairs of His of men in relation to this Holy Priest- Church in the interests of humanity, in hood, and further that we should un- behalf of the living and of the dead, in be- derstand the various orders, callings, or- half of the world in which we live, and in dinances and organizations associated behalf of those who have lived before us, with the Church and Kingdom of God and who will live after us. We can none upon the earth; that we each of us of us do anything only as we are assisted, may be prepared to magnify our call- guided and directed by the Lord. No man ing, to honor our God, and to pursue ever lived that could. Adam could not. that course always which shall be accept- Noah could not. Even Jesus could not. able in the sight of our Heavenly Father. OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. 129

Nor could the Apostles. They were all of generations of time, and he prophesied them dependent upon the God of Israel of these things; and also upon those to sustain them in all of their acts. And who were with him, rested the spirit in regard to Adam himself, as we are, of prophecy, and he blessed them, and so was he very ignorant of many prin- they turned around and blessed him and ciples until they were revealed to him. called him Michael the Archangel, the And if they were revealed to him they Prince of Peace, etc. By what spirit then did not originate with him; and so it was did Adam prophesy, and under what in- with others. We find that Adam was di- fluence was he operating at that time? rected of the Lord to do a certain thing— We are told in Scripture that the testi- that is, to offer up sacrifices—and when mony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, the angel of the Lord came to him and and he in common with his sons who said: "Adam why do you offer up sacri- were then associated with him were in fices?" Adam replied, "I do not know; but possession of that spirit which enlight- the Lord commanded me to do it, and ened their minds, unfolded unto them therefore I do it." He did not know what the principles of truth, and revealed unto those sacrifices were for until the Lord them the things that would transpire revealed unto him the doctrine of the throughout every subsequent period of atonement and the necessity of the fall of time. Who manifested these things? The man, and pointed out to him the way and Lord. Who organized the world? The manner to obtain an exaltation. Then he Lord. Who made man upon it? The Lord. and Eve his wife rejoiced exceedingly at Who placed upon it the fowls of the air, the mercy and kindness of the Almighty, the beasts of the field, and the fish of the and realized that even in their fall they sea? The Lord. Who sustains all things were placed in a position to obtain a by his power? The Lord. Who controls higher glory, and a greater exaltation the affairs of the world? The Lord. To than they could have done without it. whom are we indebted for life, for health, Now, who revealed this to them? The and for every blessing that we enjoy? To Lord, through the ministering of an holy the Lord. He is the God of the earth, and angel; and in relation to the dealings of the giver of every good and perfect gift God with all of the human family it has which we enjoy, and He desires to gather been precisely the same. We are told, together a people that will observe His for instance, that when Adam had lived laws, that will keep His commandments, to a great age—that three years before that will render obedience to His will, his death he called together his family— that will submit to His authority, and that is, some of the leading branches for this purpose, in different ages of the thereof who held the Holy Priesthood, world, He has introduced the Gospel and mentioning the names of many of the has placed man in possession thereof. more prominent that had received cer- Now, what about the positions tain peculiar blessings from the hand of men? Why, it is a good deal of God—and there was manifested to as spoken of in the Scriptures and him all things that should transpire to in the revelations which have been his posterity throughout all the future given to us pertaining to these mat- 130 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ters—that many have been called and give them pastors according to mine own chosen, and that many were elected and heart, which shall feed you with knowl- selected to fulfill certain offices. It was so edge and understanding." That is what revealed to Abraham. He was told that we are here for. That we may be fed there were a great many spirits, many of with knowledge and understanding, that whom were noble, who were destined to we may learn the law of the Gospel, the hold particular positions among the chil- law of the Zion of God, the laws of the dren of men, and it was said to him, "And Kingdom of God, and that we may be in- thou, Abraham, wast one of these." structed in all things tending to promote the welfare, exaltation and happiness of Now, there are events to transpire ourselves, our wives, our children, the in this day as there have been in other people with whom we are associated, and days; and we, the Elders of Israel of the world in which we live and act; and the Church of the living God, have to that we may operate for the benefit of build up the Church of God, the Zion of those who have lived, and stand as "sav- God, and the Kingdom of God, and the iors upon mount Zion." Church has to be purified according to In all this, as has been said, there is the law, order, rule and dominion which an order. We are all dependent the one God has appointed. It is not for us— upon the other. The head cannot say as the brethren have expressed it—to re- to the foot I have no need of thee, nor ceive certain portions of light and intelli- the foot to the head I have no need of gence, and with regard to other portions thee, nor the hand, the arm, the leg to follow the desires of our own hearts, thus the body, I have no need of thee. We are laying aside God, His rule, His domin- formed into a compact body according to ion and His authority. "Having begun the law of God in the organization of His in the Spirit," as Paul said, "are ye now Church, and it is for us to magnify the made perfect by the flesh?" No, that is callings unto which we are called, and the wrong way about; but on the con- unless we all of us are placed under the trary we ought to add to our faith virtue, guidance and direction of the Almighty, to virtue brotherly kindness, to broth- we cannot do so—that is, those who do erly kindness charity, to charity godli- not yield themselves subject to the law ness, that we may be full of the light and of God, cannot do that thing. But those life, and of the spirit and power of God, who yield themselves subject to the law and approach more closely to the law of of God, can do it and do it quite eas- God, and be governed thereby. ily, for Jesus says: "Take my yoke upon Why are we gathered here to the you, and learn of me; for I am meek and land of Zion? This is called the land lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto of Zion. We are called the people of your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my Zion. What does Zion mean? The burden is light." Now, if we yield obedi- pure in heart. Why are we gathered ence to God and to the spirits that dwell here? One of the Prophets in talking within us, then will our light become like about it, says: "I will take you one of that of the just that shineth brighter and a city, and two of a family, and I will brighter unto the perfect day; but if we bring you to Zion." What then? "I will do not yield an obedience to the law and OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. 131 word and order of the Church and King- ings. Sometimes it will seem to you as dom of God upon the earth, the light though it was hardly the right way. No that is within us will become darkness, matter, follow its teachings, and it will and then, as it is said, how great is that always lead you right, and if you do so it darkness! We see sometimes men of that will, by and by, become to you a principle character. They are occasionally referred of revelation, so that you will know all to as cranks, or, as the Germans use that things that are necessary for you to be- term, sick. They lose the light, spirit and come acquainted with." Now, I know that power of God, and they do not compre- is true. I know that he spoke the truth. hend the order of the Church and King- And I would say that it is the privilege dom of God, nor do they place them- of every Elder in Israel who has received selves in the way to obtain knowledge the gift of the Holy Ghost, to follow its of these things. The first thing they be- teachings. What was said by one of the gin to do is to try to pervert the order of old Apostles? "As many as are led by the God, and to find fault with their brethren Spirit of God, are the sons of God." Fol- in the Holy Priesthood—with their Bish- low its teachings, therefore, and do not ops, with their Bishop's Counselors, with give way to your own feelings, nor to cov- the High Council, perhaps with the Pres- etousness, to pride, nor to vain glory; for idents of Stakes, as the case may be, we none of us have anything to boast of. or with the Apostles, or with the First We have none of us received anything Presidency; no matter which, or how, or but what God has given us. If we pos- when, or where. Now, if these men were sess light, or intelligence, or a knowledge walking in the light as God is in the light of the things of God—which we do—from they would have fellowship one with an- whence did it emanate? From God our other, and the blood of Christ would Heavenly Father, through the medium cleanse them from all sin; but when they that He has appointed. I do not wish begin to murmur and complain, to find to dictate to Him the way these things fault and to give way to improper influ- shall be done. I never did. While Joseph ences, they give place to the devil, and he Smith was on the earth I looked to him takes possession just as fast and as far as a Prophet of God, and I do not be- as he can, and forces upon them feelings, lieve I ever disobeyed Him in one solitary ideas and principles that are at variance thing that he ever required at my hands, with the law and order, and word and and I have been put in some pretty tight will of God. places. But that was my feeling, that What, then, are we here for? What was the idea I entertained towards the did Jesus come to do? He tells us that Priesthood of the Son of God. He "came not to do his own will, but the will of his Father who sent him." How are I have also lived in wards. I we to obtain a knowledge of that will? do not know that I have ever dis- I will tell you what Joseph Smith told obeyed the requests of a Bishop. Why? me. I have frequently mentioned it. Be- Because he presided over me in a tween forty and fifty years ago he said ward capacity, and if he had a right to me this: "Elder Taylor, you have re- to respect me as an Apostle, I had ceived the Holy Ghost. Follow its teach- a right to respect him as a Bishop, 132 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and I always felt a desire to comply with place, the First Presidency in their all the requirements that were made of place—each one yielding proper respect me by any of the proper authorities. I and courtesy and kindness to the other. feel and always have felt the same to- And when we talk about great big per- wards Teachers. If a Teacher came to sonages, there is no such thing. We are my house—or Teachers, they generally none of us anything only as God confers come two at a time—if I happened to be blessings upon us, and if He has con- there I have told them that I felt happy ferred anything upon us, we will give to meet with them, and I called together Him the glory. the members of my family that were within my reach, and told them that the Having been called to these positions, Teachers had come to instruct us. Per- God expects that we will honor them; mit me here to ask, have not I a right— that we will esteem it an honor to be say as the President of the Church, or as the messengers of salvation, the legates an Apostle, which I was for many years— of the skies, to the nations of the earth. have not I a right, or my family a right to We have a great work to perform both possess the same privileges that others at home and abroad. We are preach- possess, and to have the Teachers come ing the Gospel to the inhabitants of the to inquire after my welfare and that of earth. Israel is being gathered home to my family, and to see that there is no Zion. And in Zion we are rearing tem- wrong existing—have not I that right? I ples to the name of the Most High God. think I have. If they are the servants of And I will tell you how I feel—that as God, have not I a right to listen to them? these temples are advancing, while we Yes, I have, and I feel it my duty to re- are preparing holy places in which to ad- ceive them kindly, treat them properly minister the ordinances of God pertain- and listen to their teaching. ing to the living and the dead—I feel On the other hand, when the Teach- that we ought to begin to prepare our- ers got through, I might give them a selves to enter into these holy places, little instruction, say as an Apostle, or and to feel that we are the sons of God as a brother—put it any way you like; without rebuke in the midst of a crooked that while I and my family were receiv- and perverse generation. We ought to ing benefits from them, it was my duty, wake up and put our houses in order, on the other hand, to teach and instruct and our hearts in order; we ought to con- them in some things that I thought form to the word, the will, and the law of might benefit them. God; we ought to let God rule in Zion, to Now, these are correct principles in let His law be written upon our hearts, the Church and Kingdom of God. The and to feel the responsibility of the great Teacher occupies his place; the Priest work we are called upon to perform. We and Deacon occupy their places; the El- should see that our bodies and our spir- der occupies his place; the Bishop his its are pure, and that they are free from place; the High Councils their places; contamination of every kind. We are the Presidents of Stakes their places, here to build up the Zion of God, and to and every one in his position ought this end we must subject our bodies and to be honored—the Twelve in their our spirits to the law, to the word, and OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. 133 to the will of God. Being here in Zion into a telestial kingdom, or otherwise, we want to see that thing that Jesus as the case may be, etc., etc. Did you told His disciples to pray for take place. ever read in your Bibles that "Strait is "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done the gate, and narrow is the way, which on earth, as it is in heaven." How was leadeth unto life, and few there be that it done in heaven? God spake and the find it." Did you ever read of the parable worlds were formed according to His of Jesus, where He speaks of the sower word. God said let us do this, and that going forth to sow, and some seed fell and the other, and it was so. Was there by the wayside, some among thorns, and anybody in heaven to object and say, some on stoney ground, etc.? "But," says "Don't you think you had better put it off one, "we thought we had got it all." Yes: a little. Would not this be a better way?" but the thorns have grown up in many Yes, the devil said so, and he says so yet, places and choked the good seed. Some- and he is listened to sometimes by sin- times you keep down your weeds in the ners and sometimes by Saints; for we be- field, but do they come up again? Yes; come the servants of those whom we list fresh crops keep coming all the time; to obey. and I think, too, that the wheat and the There are besides these other consid- tares were to grow together for a certain erations in connection with these mat- length of time. ters. The brethren who have preceded me Well, what shall we do? Shall we this evening have referred to the celes- go to work and get angry against people tial, terrestrial and telestial kingdoms, that do not do exactly right? No. They and the laws pertaining thereunto. We can only do right as God helps them to are told that if we cannot abide the law do it. They can only do right as they of the celestial kingdom we cannot in- seek to God for His help to enable them herit a celestial glory. Is not that doc- to do so; they can only do right as they trine? Yes. "But," says one, "Are not are sustained by the power of God; and we all going into the celestial kingdom?" if we allow covetousness, pride, envy, I think not, unless we turn round and jealousy, hatred, malice, lasciviousness, mend our ways very materially. It is only drunkenness, Sabbath breaking, or any those who can abide a celestial glory and other influence to corrupt and lead us obey a celestial law that will be prepared astray from the light of truth and the to enter a celestial kingdom. "Well," sweet consoling influences of the Spirit says another, "are the others going to be of God, we shall get into darkness, and burned up, etc.?" No. Do you expect ev- then, as I said before, if the light that is erybody to walk according to this higher within us becomes darkness, how great law? No, I do not. And do I expect is that darkness! It is for us to do those that do not, are going into the ce- right—to observe the law and to keep the lestial kingdom? No, I do not. Well, commandments of God. It is right also where will they go? If they are toler- for the Presidents of Stakes and for the ably good men and do not do anything Bishops to see that none of these things very bad, they will get into a terrestrial that I have referred to be permitted kingdom, and if there are some that can- among the people over whom they pre- not abide a terrestrial law, they may get side. What! Shall we not let the drunk- 134 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ard wallow in his drunkenness? No; deal When I speak of these things, I do not with him according to the law of God. believe in any kind of tyranny. I believe Shall we not let the lascivious man wal- in long-suffering, in mercy, in kindness, low in his corruption? No. According to in gentleness, and in the love and fear of certain principles that are laid down in God. I do not believe that the Priesthood the book of Doctrine and Covenants in was given to man to exercise dominion regard to those things, those who have and authority over the souls of other entered into the new and everlasting men. Everything ought to be done with covenant, and have taken upon them- kindness and long-suffering, yet with fi- selves certain obligations, if they commit delity to God. The Church must be pu- adultery it is positively said they shall rified from iniquity of every kind, that be destroyed. Now, can you change that, we may stand before God "a glorious or can I change it? No, I cannot, and church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or you cannot; and you have no right to any such thing;" that when we get our permit men to break the Sabbath, nor temples finished we may enter therein, to do many of those acts that many of approach the living God, and call upon the Saints are doing. What are Apos- Him for blessings, for life and salvation tles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evan- for ourselves and others, for deliverance gelists, etc., placed in the Church for? from our enemies, and God will hear our What were they for in former days? For prayers if we will only be obedient and the perfecting of the Saints, for the work observe His law. God is on our side. of the ministry, for the edifying of the All heaven is on our side. The ancient body of Jesus Christ. What are the High Prophets and Patriarchs, and the Son of Councils and Bishops' Councils for but God and God the Father, are enlisted in to adjudge all these things? What are the cause of Zion. It is for us to be true to the Teachers and the Priests for? To ourselves, and I ask no odds of this world assist the Bishops in their endeavors to or of its powers. ("Amen.") God will take promote purity and virtue, holiness and care of His Saints, but we must be care- righteousness among the people. That ful to be Saints. is their office, and if they do not fulfill that office they are not magnifying Arise! therefore, ye Elders of Israel— their calling. They have no right to con- ye Priests, Teachers and Deacons, ye done the sins of men. The law of God Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and High is perfect converting the soul, and we Councilors, ye Apostles and First Presi- must be governed by that law and carry dency, and all of us—Arise! and let us it out, or be made amenable unto the go to work with a will to do the will of Lord our God for the course we pursue, God on earth as it is done in heaven: or for neglecting to perform our duties. for if ever that is done, where is it to That is the way I look at these things, start, do you think, if it does not begin and if that is not the case, why are these here among us? God expects it at our laws given to us. Are they the laws of hands. We are full of weaknesses and God? We so understand them. Then let imperfections, every one of us; but we us perform our duties and seek to mag- want to learn the word, the will, and nify our callings that we may stand ap- the law of God, and to conform to that proved and acknowledged of the Lord. word and will and law. Let that law be OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD. 135 written upon our hearts. Let us seek If we do this, He will bless us with life, to magnify our callings and honor our health and prosperity. He will control God, and the Lord will take care of the the efforts of our enemies in the future balance. We need not trouble ourselves as He has done in the past. And here much about our enemies. They have I feel to call upon every soul to bless and their ideas, we have ours. We will do magnify the God of Israel for His mercies as we have done. We will do the best extended to us in the past; for putting a we can with them, put our trust in the hook into the jaws of our enemies that living God, and pursue a course that is they have not had power to harm us, wise, prudent and intelligent. We will and He will continue to do it, if we will glory not in ourselves, but in the Lord continue to be faithful, only much more of Hosts. We will dedicate ourselves, so; and woe unto them that fight against our wives, our families, our houses and Zion, for the Lord God of Hosts will fight our lands, and all that we possess to the against them. Amen. Lord, and feel that we are His children. 136 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

IMPORTANCE OF OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS—THE GOOD WORK DONE BY THEM IN QUALIFYING YOUNG MEN TO BE MISSIONARIES—NECESSITY OF TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUE—DETERMINATION OF OUR ENEMIES TO DESTROY THE WORK OF GOD—THE LORD WILL BUILD UP HIS KINGDOM IN HIS OWN WAY—HE WILL STAND BY US IF WE ARE VALIANT—GOD RAISED UP MEN TO FORM THE CONSTITUTION AND ESTABLISH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES—SELF-PRESERVATION REQUIRES US TO BE UNITED—ALL REPUTABLE MEN AMONG THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD—WE HAVE TO CONTEND WITH MOBOCRACY IN LEGAL FORM AND GUISE—THIS WORK DEPENDS UPON GOD—OUR ENEMIES HAVE NO POWER TO INJURE US—NO ONE HAS PROSPERED IN OPPOSING THE WORK OF GOD—THE LORD WILL STAND BY US IN THE HOUR OF NEED—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE, OGDEN,SUNDAY MORNING,JANUARY 18, 1885.

I am pleased to have the opportunity members of these schools and associ- of meeting with the Latter-day Saints ations will in a very few years take this morning in Ogden, and of listen- their place as active members in the ing to the reports which have been made community, and the character of the by the brethren respecting the Sunday community be largely dependent upon Schools, and the Young Men's Mutual their characters and upon the develop- Improvement Associations. These insti- ment which they have made in the di- tutions furnish an index to the growth rections that these institutions seek to and development of the people, and the form them. I look upon it myself as future character of those who are now exceedingly important that our schools and who will be members of the Church should be properly conducted, and that in years to come. I think a very fair es- our associations should receive that at- timate can be formed of what our peo- tention from those who have influence ple will be by closely observing the con- and knowledge that will make a proper dition of the Sunday Schools and the impression upon the minds of those who Mutual Improvement Associations; be- are members. In whatever capacity I cause those children and those young might be acting in the Priesthood, with men and young women who are now the proper feeling of anxiety about the THE GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 137 growth and development of the people, I observation is concerned I am satisfied could not fail to take interest in all these that a great amount of good has been associations, and to see that they were accomplished. I have been on mis- properly conducted as far as my influ- sions when Elders have come from the ence would extend. I do feel this interest. valley—young men—and I have been I have for many years felt it. It has been very much ashamed to see their igno- one of the great delights, I may say, of rance in regard to the doctrines of the my life for many years, to see the growth Church, and of the history of the Church, and development of our Sunday School and their ignorance of the Scriptures. I interest. have felt that it was almost a shame that For many years, while laboring in the young men brought up in Zion should go ministry abroad I saw how small was the as missionaries and be so ignorant con- amount of fruit resulting from the labors cerning the most vital points connected of myself and other Elders in the world; with our religion. I am happy to believe that we labored sometimes for years and that that has passed away to a very great were only able to bring into the Church extent, and that those who now go out in a comparative few, and then, out of those the capacity of missionaries do so with that were converted and brought into a more thorough understanding respect- the Church, there was a large percent- ing the history of the Church, the doc- age who did not remain, but who lost trines of the Church, and a wider intel- the faith and fell away. I became con- ligence concerning everything connected vinced in my mind that more satisfac- with the Church than was formerly man- tory results and a larger amount of fruit ifested. In our Sunday Schools I have lis- could be obtained by devoting attention tened to children being catechized, and to the cultivation of our children, and their answers upon points of history of for years before I had the opportunity, I the Church, and other matters, have had resolved in my own mind that if I been given with a correctness that could were ever permitted to remain at home not be excelled, if equaled by many of the long enough I would devote attention to Elders of mature years if they were inter- the cultivation of the young. I think rogated upon the same points. Everyone that which has been done in this direc- who has visited Sunday Schools must be tion has amply rewarded every man and convinced of this. Therefore, when we woman who have taken interest in this hear, as we do today, that in some of your cause. You can better tell, probably, than settlements nearly all the children are I can—or at least some of you can—what enrolled in the Sunday Schools, it speaks the effect upon our community is—the well for the future of the children. If effect of the Sunday School, and of the these schools are properly conducted the teachings of the Sunday Schools. You effect must be immense in lifting them are familiar with the children. You can up from ignorance and giving them cor- contrast their present condition with the rect knowledge concerning the doctrines condition of children a few years ago, and history of the Church, and indoctri- and by making this contrast you can es- nating them in the principles which we timate, at pretty near its true value, that view as so important for men and women which is and has been done. So far as my to understand. It is therefore very 138 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. gratifying to hear such reports, and that and the increase of the evils that result which we have heard today respecting from the absence of virtue, are of such the schools in Weber Stake is a very fair a nature that, if you look outside this sample of the reports which are made in Church, the picture is a most discourag- other Stakes. ing one. God has established this Church We have today, so far as statistics in- and He has told us from the very begin- form us, nearly 50,000 children in Sun- ning that the chief cornerstone, it may day Schools. These 50,000 children will be said, of this great edifice that He has in a very few years be men and women, reared and is rearing, is virtue. Early taking their place in society, probably in the history of the Church the Prophet married, and their influence will be felt Joseph received revelations to this effect: upon the future families of the people, that he who looked upon a woman to lust and if they are properly taught in the after her should deny the faith, and un- principles of the Gospel and are fortified less he repented, he should be cast out. against sin, and are taught the evil ef- What an amount of purity is embodied fects that will result from the practice of in this statement of the Lord to us in everything that is wrong, we can imag- this revelation! A man must not only ine what an effect this will have on the refrain from doing that which is wrong entire body of the people! It is therewith the opposite sex; he must not only fore very encouraging to all those who refrain from carrying his lust into the ac- take an interest in the growth of Zion, tual commission of crime, but he must be in the development of the work of God, so pure in heart that he shall not look to know that our children, in Primary upon the other sex with a lustful eye Associations, in Sunday Schools, and in and a lustful desire. If he does so, we Young Men and Young Women's Mutual are told by the Almighty that he shall Improvement Associations, are receiving deny the faith. Now, I cannot imagine the instruction that is best adapted for how the Lord can make more plain to us their future good and happiness. than He has done in these revelations— There are a few points that I have for it is repeated more than once in the always deemed as of the utmost im- revelations that we have received—the portance that our children should be importance of virtue, the importance of taught; the more so because such teach- purity, purity in thought as well as pu- ing guards them against some of the rity in action. The frequent apostasies growing evils of the age in which we live. from this Church, the many who have It has seemed to me sometimes that if left the Church, denied the faith, lost the Lord had not established this Church the Spirit of God, the most of them, no at the time He did, the future of our doubt, are traceable to the commission race would be in some respects very dark of this sin. It is, as I have said, the and hopeless to contemplate. The growth crying sin of the age. Outside of this of intemperance, the spirit of infidelity Church virtue is not fostered as it should concerning God and concerning every- be. Of course there are exceptions. I thing pertaining to God and to righteous- do not mean to say that all people are ness, the wonderful spread of corrup- corrupt; I would not be so sweeping; tion, the low value placed upon virtue, but in society generally there is not that THE GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 139 value placed upon virtue that should be, edly be so grieved that it would forsake and in many circles the virtue of man is not only those who are guilty of these derided. A man who claims to be virtu- acts, but it would withdraw itself from ous, or who desires or seeks to be vir- those who would suffer them to be done tuous, finds himself alone, as it were, in our midst unchecked and unrebuked; among his fellows. Therefore, it is of the and from the President of the Church utmost importance that we, in training down, throughout the entire ranks of the our children, should lay deep and solid Priesthood, there would be a loss of the in their minds the importance of virtue. Spirit of God, a withdrawal of His gifts They should be taught that their whole and blessing and His power, because of lives as Latter-day Saints depend upon their not taking the proper measures to the cultivation and preservation of this check and to expose their iniquity. principle; and that if they are guilty of wrong in this direction, unless there is sincere and heartfelt repentance before My brethren and sisters: I sup- the Lord, He will undoubtedly withdraw pose you must be impressed, as I am, His Holy Spirit from them and leave with this truth, that our only source of them to themselves to become a prey to strength is, that we shall live so that those wicked influences that are seek- the spirit and power and gifts of our re- ing constantly to take possession of the ligion and the favor of our God shall be hearts of the Saints of God. extended unto us and be in our posses- Now, we can best do this in child- sion. There never was a more critical hood; we can teach our children in child- period in many respects in the history hood and in youth, and as they grow of the Church of Jesus Christ than that to manhood and to womanhood we can which we now witness. I never, in my fortify them against those evils. It recollection, or in reading the history of has been necessary, apparently—for the the Church have seen a time nor heard of Spirit has seemed to indicate the ne- a time when the adversary of God's King- cessity of this—that there should be dom was more determined, apparently, greater strictness enforced among our to destroy the work of God than he is at people. There has been a growth of the present time. On every hand there wrongdoing in many quarters that has are the most persistent efforts made to been most painful to all those who have check the growth of the Kingdom of God, the welfare of the Saints of God at and not only that, but to destroy this re- heart, and who desire the prosperity ligion, the religion of Jesus Christ, and of Zion. Many cases have come to to throw obstacles in the pathway of its the knowledge of the First Presidency progress; and to actually deprive mem- and of the Twelve and of other lead- bers of this Church of every right that ing men wherein people have been com- men and women value—every political pelled, in order to conceal their wrongdo- right, every civil right—to place us in ing, to marry, and even then have failed bondage, and to make it odious in the to cover it up. Now, such a condition eyes of mankind to be Latter-day Saints, of things, if permitted to continue in or to have any faith in the religion that our midst, unchecked, would be produc- God has revealed to us, and of which we tive of the most terrible consequences. are so proud, and for which we are, as a The Spirit of God would undoubt- rule, so thankful. 140 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Now, we do not have wealth with other reasons assigned for their dislike which to combat the designs of our en- to us—we are too united; we do not di- emies; we do not have numbers; we do vide into parties, wherever we go we not have influence; there is no strength cling together, and do not assimilate that we have that men value and that with the rest of our fellowcitizens, but men seek for in a contest such as that are a party of ourselves, and are danger- in which we are engaged. We possess ous because of this. And various accu- no advantage, none whatever, that men sations are made as justification for the place value upon. But we possess advan- treatment that is extended to us. Men tages that we understand, and which we whose lives are so vile that they would as Latter-day Saints highly value, and not bear the least examination, much they are the best advantages, however less exposure, make the charge against much they may be disliked by the world. us that we practice plural marriage, and However little importance they may at- therefore that we should be dealt with tach to the advantages that we possess, in the harshest and most severe man- we know that in a contest such as this ner. On the other hand, men who are in which we are now engaged they are of constantly seeking for political influence, the utmost importance. who do not scruple to use that influence To begin with we must, as I have in the most reprehensible manner, and said, be a virtuous people. We must to the utmost extent possible, and fre- love virtue better than we love our lives. quently preachers, too, charge that we We must be so pure, not only in our ac- unite Church and State. They would tions, but in our thoughts, that God's gladly use the influence that we have if favor will be with us, and His Spirit they had it, and use it in a manner so rest down upon us, and we must live obnoxious to individual liberty, that it the lives of Latter-day Saints, carrying would bear no comparison to the man- out in our lives the principles that God ner influence is used among the Latter- has revealed. This is our only strength. day Saints. That would be all right if Let us be deprived of this and we are they used it, but it is all wrong if we weak, because, as I have said, we pos- use it. And so it is with everything sess no other advantage. If we prevail, else. If they could unite a people to- as undoubtedly we shall, it must be be- gether as we are united that would be cause of God's help; it must be because perfectly justifiable; but because Latter- He is at our right and at our left, and day Saints unite together, that is exceed- His power is round about us and near ingly wrong, especially when they do so unto us. Looking at our position from as a religious community. a human standpoint everything looks For myself I want to do that which dark. Men today are calculating on the God directs. That is the wish of my destruction of this people. They think heart. I want to honor my God if I know that we shall at least be compelled to how to do it. I believe this entire peo- abandon some features our religion. In ple have the same feeling. They desire some places and with some people it is to do the will of God, if they can find out Church and State they complain of. In what that will is, and if He will commu- other places it is that we practice plu- nicate it to us, as I know He does, I am ral marriage. In other places there are satisfied that the great majority of the THE GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 141

Latter-day Saints will do that will re- God bestowed upon him. God gave him gardless of consequences. It is the at- great power because of his valor and tempt to do that, that has brought us fearlessness in His cause, and it is so into disrepute. with every Prophet and with every man of God of whom we have any record, and it is so with every people and generation God, in building up His Kingdom, who put their trust in the Lord, and are does not take pattern from men. He valiant for His cause. He will give them does not ask counsel from men as to how great blessings and power, and He will that Kingdom shall be built up, and the bring them off victorious. He has done methods that shall be employed to estab- so in the past. He is doing so now, and lish it. He is going to build His King- He will do so in the future; and when- dom up in His own way, and if it does ever you find a man or a people weak- not suit men or the nations of the earth, ened and limber-backed, nervous, their why, I suppose they will have to be, as hands shaking and their hearts trem- they have been and as they are some- bling, you will find a people that have times at present, angry with those who not very much of the strength and power strive to do that which He requires. I of God with them; but when they are know this that many things that men ad- full of courage, zeal and determination, mire are an abomination in the sight of God is with them, He strengthens them, God; many things that they think most and gives them victory. He will do it admirable God holds as an abomination. every time, with every individual. You Therefore, in building up His Church read the history of Elijah, and see how and His Kingdom He is going to take His valiant he was, and how God blessed own plan of doing it, and for one, so far him, and I might go on and enumerate as I can I feel willing to allow Him to a great many more men who have been dictate how it shall be done, and then distinguished in the world's history be- leave the consequences to Him. I know cause of their valor. God stood by them that He will bring off those who put their always, and will stand by us if we are trust in Him victorious, and He will ask valiant. Look at the men who have been no odds of the nations of the earth. He most valiant in this Church in defend- delights in a people who are courageous ing, advocating and practicing the prin- and valiant, who are not afraid. He de- ciples which God has revealed, and do- lights in people of this kind. The great- ing this, too, in the face of mankind who est blessing almost that we read of that have been determined that we shall not was ever given to a man in the flesh was do these things, and see how God has given to a man possessed of this courage. blessed and sustained them in so do- You will remember him, doubtless, when ing. Therefore, having had this experi- I mention His name. His name was ence in these matters, it is for us to be Nephi. He was the son of Helaman, valiant in the cause of God, to show our and had a brother named Lehi. He faith by our works, and not be Latter- was the grandfather of Nephi, who was day Saints with our lips alone, but be the President of the Twelve whom Jesus Latter-day Saints in all the acts of our chose on this continent. Read the life of lives, in all our words, and in every- that man, and observe the blessings that thing there is connected with us. Let 142 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. us not imagine that God has established Constitution which God gave to the land, His work to take pattern in its methods or which He inspired men to frame for of procedure and management after the the land. But in our contention for corrupt nations of the earth. He has not liberty—for we today are the defend- done so. ers of the Constitution, and we shall We live under a Government, the best have Constitutional principles to main- that ever was formed by man upon this tain and defend in the courts of the na- earth—a Government in which every hu- tion, we are being forced into this duty man being can live without interfering and position—God will bless us and pre- with the rights of others in the practice serve us, and carry us off triumphantly, of the principles which God reveals. God and the words of Joseph, which were in- has purposely arranged this. He raised spired by the Almighty, will be fulfilled up wise men to lay the foundation of to the very letter, namely, that the Elders this Government, and He defended them of this Church will be the men who will against the mother country, and enabled uphold and maintain the Constitution of them to achieve victory over the great- the United States, when others are seek- est power there was upon the face of ing to trample it in the dust, and to de- the earth—the power of Great Britain. stroy it. We are a free people—let oth- He gave them power to form a Constitu- ers seek to bring us into bondage as they tion under which every man and woman may—we are a free people, with the per- can dwell in perfect freedom—that is, if fect right to worship our God and to carry they wanted to do right. This land has into effect the principles that He has re- been dedicated to liberty, dedicated by vealed. And if the whole world array the Lord our God, and by men who have themselves against us, and the combined lived upon this land, to liberty, and as power of the nation pits itself against long as this land shall be a land of lib- this work, they must go down in the erty it will be a blessed land to the inhab- struggle, because they are occupying a itants thereof; but when it ceases to be a false position. If fifty hundred millions of land of liberty, then as sure as God has people were to say the contrary, no mat- spoken, this Government will go down— ter, the principle still remains true, that that is, any Government will, that will under the Constitution in this land, a war against the principles of liberty— man has a perfect right to do that which and the men who are now engaged in God requires at his hands as long as he their assaults upon us because of our re- does not intrude upon the rights of his ligion, are traitors to this Government, neighbor. and they are the most deadly enemies If one man stood alone in this posi- to the Government of the United States tion, and millions of men were to say that can be found anywhere upon the it is not so, that lone man would still face of the earth. They are laying the be right. We have that right. God has axe at the root of the tree, and are tak- given it to us under the Constitution ing measures to destroy this Govern- of the land in which we dwell, and if ment, because it can only, as I have said, men enact laws and pile one law upon be preserved by maintaining the princi- another until they reach to the sky, it ples of liberty that are contained in the would not change this. It is an eternal THE GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 143 principle, and it will stand—this prin- I believe there are millions of them in ciple of liberty, the liberty that God the earth, men and women, whose de- has given unto every human being—the sires are as good as the best Latter-day right to do that which seemeth good in Saints. They desire to do the will of his own sight, to follow the dictates of God, and to keep His commandments as his own conscience, as long as, in so much as any of us do, and are as sincere doing, he does not trespass upon the in it; but many people are ignorant and rights of his fellow man. We stand by do things through ignorance which are that fearlessly, and stand by it for our- wrong. But, as I say, self-preservation selves, and for our children after us. I demands that we should cling together; would not abate one iota, not a hair's that we should be united; that we should breadth, myself, in this feeling. I would sink all personal differences; that we feel that I was a traitor to myself and should have no preference that we would to my posterity if I were to yield in the not be willing to forego for the sake of the least upon this. We must maintain our Kingdom of God. It is an important time rights, not aggressively, not in any quar- with us. We have enemies all around us. relsome spirit, but in a spirit of quiet A determination is made manifest to de- firmness, quiet determination to main- stroy every one of our liberties, if possi- tain our rights, to contend for them, and ble, and to bring us into bondage. That to never yield one hair's breadth in main- is the design, if it can be accomplished. taining them. This is our duty as in- But it will not be accomplished. You will dividuals and as a people, and in thus see it will fail, it will signally fail, and determining, we band ourselves together God will preserve us in our liberties, and more closely. Complaints are made of especially will He do this if we keep His us that we are so exclusive. Why, in commandments, and do that which He the very nature of things we should be requires at our hands. fools to be otherwise than exclusive. We cannot help it. We are driven into ex- A great many people seem to think, clusiveness by the acts of our enemies, and some who are among us act upon and by the pressure that is brought to the thought, that because a man holds bear upon us. A flock of sheep when the Priesthood, and is a religious man, attacked by dogs or wolves, huddle to- and practices religion, that he should gether, and seek to protect themselves not have any voice in matters that be- by getting into a cluster. So it is with long to civil government. In Washing- us. It is the law of preservation, that ton the charge has been frequently made we should get close together when we that all the leading offices of the Terri- are assaulted as we have been. We tory of Utah were held by Mormon El- cannot put trust in others who are not ders, Mormon Bishops and others. I have of us to any extent. There are, how- frequently said, in answer to this, before ever, many honorable men, hundreds committees of the Senate and House, and thousands of them. If there were that if we did not take Mormon Elders not, we would not send missionaries out we would have no officers, for the rea- as we do. We believe they are just as hon- sons that, as a rule, every reputable man est as we are, just as sincere as we are, in Utah Territory, when he attains the and desire as much to do right as we do. age of majority, holds the office of an 144 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Elder, or some other office in the Priest- cannot dissever our religion from our hood. This explanation gave a very dif- lives. It is a part of our lives, and, of ferent view to men who did not under- course, because of this, we are exposed stand our organization, and whose igno- to those charges that are made against rance was taken advantage of. In the us. Yet at the same time, I do not be- world there are a few men in religious so- lieve there is a people to be found within cieties, who hold leading positions, hold the confines of the Republic who draw what we would call, if in our Church, the the line more strictly between religious Priesthood, and the rest are debarred, and civil affairs, and between Church and are mere laymen. But it is not so and State, than do the Latter-day Saints. with us. The bulk of the Mormon people hold the Priesthood, and every man We are living in peculiar times. I of repute of any age is an officer in the think the youth of this community— Church. It is said that the members of those who are growing up now—should our Legislature are men who are promi- closely observe that which is being done. nent in the Priesthood. How could it be It is an important epoch. Events are otherwise? If a man is energetic and has taking place now that are worthy of our any talent he of course holds some po- remembrance, and we are being put in sition in the Priesthood, and he is very a position to be tested thoroughly. The apt to hold some prominent place. But contest seems to be narrowed down to does this prevent him from acting in a this point—whether we shall be able to civil office, and from dealing justly and live as a people and enjoy our rights as wisely for the good of the people? No, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of we have proved to our entire satisfaction, Latter-day Saints, or not. Formerly, the that this is not the case. question was soon solved. A mob would When we look at Utah Territory to- form itself against us, and by force of su- day, and compare it with other Terri- perior numbers, and backed by a public tories it will be conceded by everybody opinion that was too strong for us to con- who is impartial that the position of af- tend with, we had to vacate our homes fairs here is equal to, if not much better and flee. The alternative was presented than the position of affairs in any other to us of flight, or the abandonment of our Territory and in many of the States. religion. This is not quite the alterna- Has that been because there has been tive now presented before us. The ques- a union of Church and State. No, it is tion is, will you abandon your religion? not due to that; for that has never ex- Will you renounce those principles that isted here. Has it been because there God has revealed to you, and which He has been one man dictating everything— has declared are essential to salvation has it been due to that entirely? No; for and exaltation in His Kingdom—will you no one man has done this. But it has renounce them? Will you renounce obe- been because the men who have acted in dience to the Priesthood of the Son of these capacities have been men of wis- God? If you will I expect you can enjoy dom, and the people have had confidence some sort of peace—a peace that would in them. Wherever we go as a peo- be the peace of death. Who will accept ple, we carry with us our religion. You it? Will any true Latter-day Saint? No; THE GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 145 no true Latter-day Saint will accept that. with those that will fall upon the men What next? You cannot have your rights who shall prove untrue and recreant to as citizens. You must be put under the principles of liberty and truth. bonds. You must have penalties affixed Now, I look forward myself with great to your practice or to your faith. If pleasure to the future. Every step of this you continue to be Latter-day Saints you kind that we take is an assurance of that must be discriminated against. That is which is to come. We cannot press for- another alternative presented to us. Will ward as a people; we cannot become the we accept that? Yes. I believe that I people that God designs we shall be, and speak your feelings. I believe I give voice that He has predicted we shall be, with- to them when I say that you are will- out having just such contests as these. ing, all of you, to take this choice and They are the natural consequences of these consequences. What next? Will a the position that we occupy, and of the mob come and drive us from our homes? growth and development of this people. Not yet. You will see fun whenever that But the same God that protected this occurs. That is not in the program as Church when it was but a small hand- I view it at present. No mobs. What ful, a few individuals, still reigns, and then, shall we do? We shall have to con- His promises are as much to be relied tend in the courts; we shall have to make upon as they were when the mob drove this a legal fight. It is mobocracy in le- the Latter-day Saints out of Missouri; gal form and in legal guise that now at- as much to be relied upon as when, tacks us. It comes to us in a shape that in that dark hour, the mob killed our we can meet better than we could the Prophet and our Patriarch, and after- old forms, when a mob banded together wards compelled the Saints to flee from and came in such overwhelming num- their homes; as much to be relied upon bers that we could not resist it. It may as when we came to these valleys; they be just as wicked. The present mode are just as reliable today as they were of attack may be just as cruel; the ul- then. It is for us to so live that when timate object may be just as bad in ev- we call upon Him that we do so with an ery sense and in every respect; but it can assurance that we have done our duty, be met in a different form and in a dif- that there is nothing lacking on our part ferent way. We have to contend now for so far as human and mortal beings can our rights in the courts of the land; we do. We have our sins, our frailties, our must see whether there is a willingness many weaknesses; but God looks down on the part of those who hold authority in mercy upon them when we repent of as judges, to give us our rights, and in them, and show a disposition to put them this way we shall test the nation, our away from us. When we are in this con- Government, and prove whether there is dition we can call upon Him and leave a willingness on the part of those who ad- ourselves to His mercy, with the full as- minister the government to give us those surance that He has always stood by His rights that belong to us as American cit- faithful people, His faithful servants and izens. If they do not, who will be the suf- handmaidens, and that He will not for- ferers! We shall suffer to some extent; sake them in any hour of extremity or but our sufferings will be light compared of peril. He will stand by them; He will 146 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. hear their prayers; and at the very time had a reign of judicial terror in the Third when it will seem the darkest, when it Judicial District for about eight months, will be as though there is no power to and no man knew when he was to be save, God's arm will be stretched out for pounced upon. Prominent men were in- our deliverance, and we shall be rescued dicted and put under bonds, some for one and be triumphant. He will so control thing and some for another. Who has circumstances and arrange affairs, that, been injured by this? Has anyone been at the very moment when the adversary injured? We have not. We have ate, and will be glorying in triumph, and gloat- slept, and enjoyed ourselves, and been as ing over the prospect before him, He will happy as men could be. I am sure Pres- then be ready to extend His arm of de- ident Young, when he was living, was liverance in our behalf, and rescue us a happy man. It did not interfere with from the power of those who desire our his happiness and enjoyment, and others destruction. who were indicted in like manner, they As I said in the beginning, if this enjoyed themselves, and the people have work depended on us alone we would not been injured. We have had a great soon go down. It depends upon God. He deal of this kind of experience. is at the head of it. He is behind it. He is all around it. He established it. He Now we are passing through a sim- has controlled circumstances thus far in ilar condition of affairs to some extent. a most wonderful manner; and when I We shall come out of this just as we look at that which has been done in this have come out of other perils and tri- country, with all the efforts that have als and ordeals. We shall gain experi- been made by the wicked, one act after ence, and it will increase our faith to another, one act of wrong piled on top of see the power of God manifested, and another, and see the meager results to to see how wonderfully He controls the show for their base course, I feel to praise acts of men for His glory and for the God with all my heart for His goodness accomplishment of His purposes. Look and mercy to us. at the hubbub that has been raised in A Governor of this Territory perjured Congress. There has been a tremen- himself to do us a great wrong. He gave dous amount of pressure brought to bear the certificate of election to a man who upon that body in regard to the Mor- was not elected, thinking, in so doing, he mons. Delegation after delegation has was dealing Mormonism—or the Church gone from Utah to Washington and ap- of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints— peared before Committees, for the pur- a deadly blow. What has been the re- pose of getting bills made into laws. It sult? Who is injured? Is anybody in- will be most interesting reading in years jured? I do not, myself, know of anybody to come, the various bills that have been that is injured, except the man who did presented to Congress against Utah. Ev- this perfidious act, who perjured himself ery sort of scheme has been resorted to. by violating his oath of office. I do not You cannot think of anything, scarcely, know of anyone else. Certainly the peo- that has not been embodied as a feature ple of Utah are not. Go back, and look in some of these bills. And with what at Judge McKean's rulings and acts. We result? Have we slept any less? Have THE GOOD WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 147 we been any more unhappy? Have we fought against this work. Watch the men had any less prosperity? Has the sun who have apostatized from this work. shone less upon us? Has Heaven with- Ask yourselves what their fate has been. drawn its smile from us? Have our fields Where are the men who have sought to been less fruitful? Have our children oppress the people of Utah? Where are been less numerous? Has any blessing they today? Who is there among them that we value been withheld or with- that has prospered in this work of op- drawn from us because of these things! pression? Go through the list of Gov- If they have I am not aware of it. I can- ernors, Judges, and other officers. Go not think of any evil that has come upon through the list of those who have held us as a people. I look over the past; I any office, and who have sought the op- review the acts of the wicked; I review pression of the people and the destruc- their combinations; I review the many tion of their liberties, through their spirit conspiracies that have been formed, the of antagonism to the work of God, and many determinations that have been their desire to destroy it—go through reached to destroy us, to cripple us, to de- the list of them, and ask, who among prive us of our rights, and I must confess them has had prosperity and has been to you this day, my brethren and sisters, blessed, and to whom we can look and in the presence of our Father, that I can- say, "Oh, how successful that man has not think of a single thing that has been been; how he has prospered in fighting done that we could call injurious to us the Mormons!" Is there any such man as a people; not a single thing. With all among them? You are familiar with the the force that has been arrayed against names of apostates who have left this us, with all the threats that have been work through fear or some other cause, made about us, we have lived, we have corrupt in their lives or for some other prospered, we have increased, we have reason? Can you recall among the long been blessed of the Lord. You know how list of men who have come out and pit- blessed you have been in your families, ted themselves against this work of our in your homes. You know how much God, any who have prospered and had peace has reigned there; how much you happy lives? Is there any of them with have had in your hearts, and in your whom you, the humblest of you today, meetings, and in your associations. You the humblest, the poorest of you Latter- know how free you have been from fear day Saints—is there one of them with and from trepidation. You have not suf- whom you would exchange places today? fered in your feelings, for God has given Not one. I am sure that I can reply for unto you a peace that the world cannot the whole of you—that is, there is not bestow, that the world cannot take away. one in that long list of names of men who The world has not given unto us those were once members of this church, who blessings; the world cannot take them have come out against it, with whom you away from us; they are ours, given unto would exchange places; not one. us by God our Eternal Father. They will Why then, should we fear? Why still be given unto us. God's promises should we tremble? Why should we will be verified to the very letter. be afraid of that which is threatened? I tell you in the name of the But you watch the men who have Lord He will stand by us, He will 148 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. stand by all His people. There is this children; then is the time that He stands peculiarity about our God. He is not by them. In the deepest waters He is like the devil. When the devil gets with them; in the midst of the heavi- a man in a tight place he leaves him est and sorest afflictions He is at their there; he encircles him in his net, he right hand and at their left; He is around lets him get entangled in its meshes, about to sustain and carry them off vic- and then leaves him to himself. That torious. is the devil's way. He deserts those God help us to be true and faithful to who follow him when they most need the cause that He has established, that his help. But with God, in the time of in the end we may be permitted to sit the greatest extremity, in the time when down with him and His Son in His King- help is most needed, then He is close dom, is my prayer in the name of Jesus, to His faithful servants and His faithful Amen.

VISIT TO THE SOUTH—PERSECUTION IN ARIZONA—AN AMERICAN SIBERIA—PERSECUTIONS IN MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS NOT THE RESULT OF POLYGAMY—AFFECTING REFERENCE TO THE MARTYRDOM OF JOSEPH AND HYRUM—JUDGMENT BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD—NO MAN HAS A RIGHT TO ATTEMPT TO CONTROL ANOTHER'S BELIEF OR CONSCIENCE—EX POST FACTO APPLICATION OF THE EDMUNDS LAW—ATTEMPTS OF THE SPEAKER TO CONFORM TO THE LAW AS FAR AS POSSIBLE—OUTRAGES HEAPED UPON THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—NO ONE EVER PUNISHED, ACCORDING TO LAW, FOR KILLING A MORMON—THE SAINTS COUNSELED TO ENDURE THEIR AFFLICTIONS, TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, AND SERVE GOD—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,FEB. 1, 1885.

I have been very much interested These are precious principles in the remarks made by Brother Eras- which only the Saints know how tus Snow, who has addressed us. to comprehend and appreciate. We are told "that the natural man PERSECUTION IN ARIZONA. 149 receiveth not the things of God: neither persecuting spirit had been manifested, can he know them, for they are spiritu- and that several of the brethren had ally discerned," and therefore those out- been sent off to a distant land from their side of that influence and spirit which is own. I did not know but that they communicated to the Saints of the Most were without a prison in Arizona, when High, through obedience to the Gospel of I heard of these things, and that there- the Son of God, find it very difficult to fore they had sent a number of honor- understand them. But we comprehend able men who differed from them in their them, because God has given unto us His religious sentiments off to Detroit. I Spirit, which takes of the things of God, had these things inquired into and found and shows them unto us. they had a good Penitentiary in Arizona, I and a few others have been away and that there was no necessity for any from here for some time, visiting among such outrage as this to be perpetrated our southern brethren; Brother Snow, upon decent men. I was sorry to find that who has just spoken to you, was one of things had been conducted in this un- the party. It appears rather an inclement usual and vindictive manner, and with- season of the year to go on a journey of out any ostensible reason for such extra- that kind; but circumstances seemed to judicial acts. Not only because injus- make it necessary that we should go and tice had been heaped upon honorable look after the interests of the people, so- men, but also because of the position cially and politically; for notwithstand- in which it places the nation which was ing our religious ideas, we still have cer- once the pride and glory of all lovers of tain rights, privileges and immunities, freedom and equal rights, and boasted which belong to us as individuals and of as being "the land of the free, the as citizens of the United States, in com- home of the brave, and an asylum for the mon with others. And seeing that things oppressed." These foolish men are now were quite loose in those far-off settle- seeking to carry out the enormities that ments, and that men and their families existed among what was called the civi- were being subjected to various kinds lization and intelligence of ancient bar- of outrage, usurpation and imposition, barism, then, as now, under the name in many instances under the form of of Christianity, and other euphonious ap- law, it seemed necessary that somebody pellations which are common to us, and should attend to these matters, and I that we are well acquainted with. I was thought it best for me to go, in company in hopes that things were not so bad as with others of our brethren, to ascer- they were represented to be, but I found tain what was the true position of affairs, that I was mistaken in that matter, and and to give such counsel as the circum- I was sorry to find myself so mistaken. stances might demand. We found that In relation to this anomalous form a great many outrages had been perpe- of proceeding they are now copying trated upon many of our brethren; that the example of Russia, which is gen- they had been dealt with contrary to law, erally considered an arbitrary gov- and in violation, as has been referred ernment, and where despotism has to, of the rules of jurisprudence govern- been supposed to reign supreme; ing such matters; that a vindictive and they have in that nation a place 150 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. called Siberia, to which they banish men, to violate the law, to trample upon hu- under a despotic rule, without much for- man rights, and desecrate the sacred mality of trial. I was hardly prepared to- term of liberty, and this is frequently day to suppose that we needed an Amer- done by the arbiters and minions of the ican Siberia under the form and in the law in the name of justice; but we profess name of liberty and the rights of men. to be governed by higher, by nobler and But this is the fact. We have herein more exalted principles, and to move on America today an American Siberia in a higher plane; and if Jesus could afford Detroit, to which place, upwards of two to endure the attacks of sinners against thousand miles from their homes, men Himself, we, if we have the Gospel that are banished for a term of years; and we profess to have, ought to be able to what for? Because they have the temer- endure a little of the same thing. There ity to worship God according to the dic- is nothing new in these affairs, noth- tates of their own conscience, and cannot ing strange in this at all. Many of you fall down and worship before the Moloch have had much to do with these mat- of an effete Christianity. ters. Some of these grey-headed men These extraordinary proceedings that that I see before me know a little more have been going on in this Territory, about those matters than some of the in Arizona and in other places, simply younger portion do. Many of you have exhibit the very principle that Brother been driven from your homes, robbed of Snow has been speaking of. I need not your property, dispossessed of your pos- tell you about affairs that have tran- sessions and had to flee from your homes spired here. You are quite as well ac- to these mountain valleys, and seek an quainted with them as I am, and ought asylum among the red savages which to be better: for I have been away was denied you by your so-called Chris- from here for about four weeks visit- tian brethren. Before you came here you ing the Saints in our southern settle- were banished from the State of Mis- ments, and we have had a most pleas- souri into the State of Illinois. What ant visit. Outside of these extraordinary for? Because you had the audacity to proceedings, we found the people pros- worship God according to the dictates pering very well, with pleasant homes of your own consciences. I have had to and bright prospects before them. We flee from bloodthirsty bandits time and had with us several of our best brethren, time again. Brother Snow had to do it, and we visited many of our settlements and many of you grey-headed men and in that district of country, the residents women have had to do it. What for? Be- of which were very much gratified at cause of polygamy? No, there was no our appearance in their midst, and for such thing then alleged. What for? Be- the counsels they received. But I found cause you had the hardihood, in this land that such had been the outrages com- of freedom, to worship God according to mitted that it was impossible almost for the dictates of your own consciences. For any man standing in an honorable po- this crime you had to leave your homes, sition to maintain his position unless and you were despoiled and robbed and he broke the law by resisting the offi- plundered, and had to flee as exiles cers, and they thought it not prudent to into another land. I had to do it, you do so, and so did I. It may suit others PERSECUTION IN ARIZONA. 151 have had to do it. You fled from Mis- spire. We have been told about secret or- souri to Illinois, and then from Illinois ganizations that should exist, and they to this land, and why? Why did you are beginning to permeate these United leave Illinois and come here? Did you States, and are laying the foundation for injure anybody? No. They killed your disruption, disintegration and destruc- Prophets, and I saw them martyred, and tion. It is not necessary that Congress was shot most unmercifully myself, un- and the Judiciary should set examples of der the pledge of protection from the tyranny and violation of Constitutional Governor, and they thought they had law, and attack the fundamental princi- killed me; but I am alive yet by the ples of free government and the rights grace of God (sensation). Why had you of man; for there is plenty of that kind to leave? Because they murdered your of spirit abroad; yet men who profess Prophets, and wanted to possess them- to be the conservators of the peace and selves of your property; murder and spo- the maintainers of law join in these ne- liation generally go together. And be- farious, unholy, tyrannical and oppres- cause they killed them, they accused you sive measures. There are any number of doing some wrong, said you must leave who are ready to follow in their foot- your homes, and there was nobody found steps, and the whole nation today is in all that wide land to check the outstanding on a volcano; but they do not rages of those red-handed assassins, to seem to comprehend it. Well, are we administer justice and to preserve you surprised? I am not. It is strictly in in your rights. I do not know any other accordance with my faith: it is strictly reason; I never did know any other, and in accordance with the Old Testament never expect to be informed of any other. Scriptures; and it is strictly in accor- The history of these things is quite fa- dance with the Book of Mormon; it is miliar to you as Latter-day Saints, and strictly in accordance with the revela- you do not think it anything strange. tions given to us by Joseph Smith, and Some of our young people think that the all these events that have been predicted present proceedings are very remark- will most assuredly transpire. But I able. But many of us, grey-headed suppose it is necessary that "judgment folks, have seen plenty of such proceed- should first begin at the house of God," ings, and have had many experiences of and if it does, "where will the wicked this kind; they are nothing new to us and the ungodly appear," when it comes at all. And did we ever expect them upon them? We are told that the wicked to get better? We have not so under- shall slay the wicked. We need not trou- stood it. We are told in the Scrip- ble ourselves about the affairs of the natures, and we have kept teaching it all tions, the Lord will manipulate them in the while, that "the wicked would grow His own way. I feel full of sympathy for worse and worse, deceiving, and being the nation in which we live, and for other deceived." That is doctrine which I have nations, in consequence of the troubles believed in for the last 50 years and with which they are beset and which are I have had a good deal of testimony now threatening them; yet they do not and practical confirmation on that point. seem to comprehend the position. I know We expect that these things will tran- a little of some of the things that will 152 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. transpire among them, and I feel sorry. in subjection to every law of man. What Do you feel sorry for yourself? Not at all, then? Am I to disobey the law of God? not at all. Do you feel sorry for your peo- Has any man a right to control my con- ple? Not at all, not at all. The Lord God science, or your conscience, or to tell me has revealed unto us great and eternal I shall believe this or believe the other, principles which reach beyond this earth or reject this or reject the other? No into the eternal heavens, and which have man has a right to do it. These prin- put us in possession of light and truth ciples are sacred, and the forefathers of and intelligence, and promises and bless- this nation felt so and so proclaimed it ings that the world are ignorant of and in the Constitution of the United States, do not and cannot comprehend. I feel ev- and said, "Congress shall make no law ery day to bless the name of the God of respecting an establishment of religion, Israel, and feel like shouting, "Hosanna! or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Hosanna!! Hosanna!!! to the God of Is- Now, I believe they have violated that, rael, Amen and Amen," who will rule and have violated their oaths, those that among the nations of the earth, and ma- have engaged in these things and passed nipulate things according to the coun- that law, and those that are seeking to sel of His own will. These are my feel- carry it out. Congress and the President ings in regard to these matters. But of the United States and the Judiciary, then I feel interested in the welfare of and all administrators of the law are as my brethren and sisters, and when I see much bound by that instrument as I am their rights interfered with and tram- and as you are, and have sworn to main- pled ruthlessly under foot, I feel that tain it inviolate. It is for them to settle there is something at work that ought these matters between themselves and not to be, and yet that is quite neces- their God. That is my faith in relation sary to teach us some of the principles to this matter. Yet by their action they of human nature, that we may be able to are interfering with my rights, my lib- discern between the good, the virtuous, erty and my religion, and with those sa- the upright and the holy; and the im- cred principles that bind me to my God, pure, the foolish, the vindictive, the cor- to my family, to my wives and my chil- rupt, the lascivious, and those who are dren; and shall I be recreant to all these trampling under foot the laws and prin- noble principles that ought to guide and ciples of eternal truth. God has revealed govern men? No, Never! No, NEVER! unto us certain principles pertaining to NO, NEVER! I can endure more than I the future which men may take objec- have done, and all that God will enable tion to. He has revealed unto us cer- me to endure, I can die for the truth; tain principles pertaining to the perpetu- but I cannot as an honorable man dis- ity of man and of woman; pertaining to obey my God at their behest, forsake the sacred rights and obligations which my wives and my children, and trample existed from the beginning; and He has these holy and eternal obligations under told us to obey these laws. The nation foot, that God has given me to keep, and tells us, "If you do we will persecute you which reach into the eternities that are and proscribe you." Which shall we obey? to come. I won't do it, so help me, God. I would like to obey and place myself PERSECUTION IN ARIZONA. 153

[Here the speaker vigorously struck the I did. I remember talking to Mr. Pierre- book on the desk, and the large audi- pont, who was Attorney-General under ence responded with a loud "Amen."] The President Grant's administration. He Constitution expressly says that no law with his son called upon me. They dined shall be passed impairing the obligation with me, and perhaps I can explain my of contracts. But we have entered into views on this subject by repeating our covenants and contracts in our most sa- conversation as well as any other way. I cred places, and that, too, in many in- have a sister keeping my house for me— stances, before there was any law pro- the Gardo House. When Mr. Pierrepont hibiting the same, and yet the attempt came in, I said: is now being made to give the Edmunds "Mr. Pierrepont, permit me to intro- law an ex post facto application and to duce you to my sister, who is my house- punish us for these contracts which were keeper. It is not lawful for us to have not criminal, even from the standpoint wives now. And when the Edmunds law of our enemies, at the time they were was passed I looked carefully over the formed. I myself married my wives long document, and saw that if I was to con- before there was any law upon the sub- tinue to live in the same house with my ject, and many of you did the same, yet wives that I should render myself liable by an ex post facto application of laws to that law. I did not wish—although I since enacted the attempt is now made considered the law infamous—to be an to punish us as criminals. I have never obstructionist, or act the part of a Fe- broken any law of these United States, nian, or of a Nihilist, or of a Kuklux, and I presume that some of you, whom or communist, or Molly Maguire, or any our enemies now seek to criminate and of those secret societies that are set on drag into court as violators of law, can foot to produce the disintegration of soci- say the same. Under the present sys- ety and disturb the relations that ought tem of things in this Territory, harlotry to exist between man and man, between and adultery are vindicated, sustained man and woman, or man and his God. and unblushingly protected, and honor- I desired to place myself in obedience or able and virtuous wedlock is trampled in as close conformity as practicable to upon, condemned and punished. Well, the law, and thought I would wait and what will you do? I will obey every Con- see what the result would be; and that if stitutional law so far as God gives me the nation can stand these things I can ability. What else will you do? I will meet or we can. These are my feelings. Men these men as far as I can without violat- and nations and legislators often act fool- ing principle, and I have done it. When ishly, and do things that are unwise, this infamous Edmunds law was passed, and it is not proper that a nation should I saw that there were features in that be condemned for the unwise actions of which were contrary to law, violative of some few men. Therefore I have sought the Constitution, contrary to justice and to place myself in accord with that law. the rights and the freedom of men. But I said to my wives: We are living in I said to myself I will let that law take this building together. We were quite its course; I will place myself in accor- comfortably situated, and we might so dance with it, so far as I can. Did I do it? have continued, but I said to them 154 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. that under the circumstances it will be institutions provoke the contempt of all better for me or for you to leave this honorable men, and the parties assum- place; you can take your choice. They ing such offices place themselves in a po- had their homes down here which they sition to be despised of their fellows. I now inhabit; which were quite comfort- might enumerate many other outrages, able. So I said to them, you can go there but time will not permit on this occa- and I will stay here, or you can stay at sion. No man's liberties are safe under the Gardo House and I will go there or such administration. What will be the somewhere else; for I wish to conform to result? The result will be that those that this Edmunds law as much as I can." sow the wind will reap the whirlwind. I am always desirous to let every- When men begin to tear down the bar- thing have its perfect working. We riers and tamper with the fundamental talk sometimes about patience having its principles and institutions of our coun- perfect work. If we have laws passed try, they are playing a very dangerous against us I like to see them have a fair game, and are severing the bonds which opportunity to develop and see what the hold society together, and the beginning result will be. These were my feelings of these irregularities is like the letting then, and they are my feelings today. out of water. The next step that followed Well, do you think, then, that the peo- the Edmunds Act, was the introduction ple have been outraged? I most certainly of a test oath. The legislation already do. The usage has been in all legal trials provided was not good enough for some among all civilized nations to presume of our officials here and another portion that all men are innocent until proven of the Constitution must be broken to guilty; but we now have test oaths intro- introduce a test oath without any au- duced, which is another violation of the thority. I think this was introduced by Constitution and by which an attempt is our Governor. Then comes another class being made to hold all men guilty until of men called Commissioners, rather a they prove themselves innocent. Again: new idea in American Government. Yet there is a usage which has existed among it was thought necessary that extraordi- the civilized nations, and in this nation nary operations should be entered into in also, that a man must be tried by a jury relation to the Mormons. Why? Because of his peers, selected from the vicinage, it is necessary that they should be dealt but the juries selected for our courts are with differently from anybody else. composed today of our bitter persecutors Now, I have seen some of my brethren and our most relentless enemies, and in shot to pieces in cold blood and un- many instances selected from the low- der the protection of the State Govern- est and most debased men who can be ment, and the promise of the Governor found or picked up from the gutters. We made to myself and Dr. John M. Bern- also have another class of courts impro- hisel, who is sometime ago dead. In vised for the occasion in the shape of Missouri a great deal of that thing was "U. S. Commissioners' courts," which are done. In Georgia lately, and in Ten- operated and run after the order of the nessee acts of the same kind have been ancient notorious "Star Chamber." Such perpetrated. Now, I want to know if PERSECUTION IN ARIZONA. 155 anybody can tell me—here is a large con- ing to seek an asylum in another land gregation, and many thousands of you away from the persecutions of free Amer- acquainted with our history—I want to ica, and I do not know but that we shall know if anyone of you can tell me of have a lot of pilgrim Fathers again here any individual that was ever punished in this country, fleeing, not from Eng- according to law for killing a Mormon. land by way of Holland, nor from France, Speak it out, if you know it. I do not nor from any of those countries where know of any such thing. Brother Snow they used to persecute people and pro- says there is not an instance on record. scribe them for their religion, but from Well, I would rather be on the side of the America, "The land of the free, the home Mormons in that case than on the side of the brave, and the asylum for the of those who are their persecutors and oppressed"—fleeing from there because murderers, for they have got something of their religious sentiments. What an to atone for yet, which we have not un- idea! Who could have thought of it? Peo- der those circumstances. We have got ple say that history repeats itself. It is through with our part of it. The other so doing in our day. Well, what would is not through with yet. There are eter- you do? Observe the laws as much as you nal principles of justice and equity that can. Bear with these indignities as much exist in the bosom of God, and He, in His as you can. But it would not be well for own time, will manipulate these things these men to perform their antics any- according to the counsel of His own will; where else than among the Saints, or and with what measure men mete, as they would dangle to the poles, lots of sure as God lives, it will be measured to them, by the neck, if they attempted any them again, pressed down and running such acts. No people would endure these over. things as the Latter-day Saints do. Will Very well, what would you advise us you endure them? Yes, a little longer. to do? Are we suffering any wrongs? Yes. Wait a little longer. And after you have Well, what would you do? I would do as I borne with a good deal, then endure "as said some time ago. If you were out in a seeing him that is invisible," and culti- storm, pull up the collar of your coat and vate those principles that Brother Snow button yourself up, and keep the cold out has so beautifully set before us, and feel, until the storm blows past. This storm "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile will blow past as others have done; and you, and persecute you, and shall say you will see that many of the miserable all manner of evil against you falsely, sneaks who are active in those measures, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceed- and who are crawling about your doors, ingly glad: for great is your reward and trying to spy into your houses, etc., in heaven: for so persecuted they the will be glad to crawl into their holes by- prophets which were before you." Well, and-by. Well, what will you do? Get what would you do? Would you resent angry? No, not at all. Let these men these outrages and break the heads of have their day and pursue their own the men engaged in them, and spill their course; we will protect ourselves from blood? No. Avoid them as much as you them as well as we can. Why, some of possibly can—just as you would wolves, our folks in the South were actually try- or hyenas, or crocodiles, or snakes, or 156 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. any of these beasts or reptiles; avoid ruse, for the purpose of embarrassing the them as much as you can, and take care incoming administration. What would they do not bite you. [Laughter.] And you do? Would you fight them? No. I get out of the way as much as you can. would take care of myself as best I can, What? Won't you submit to the dig- and I would advise my brethren to do nity of the law? Well, I would if the the same. Would you resist law? No. law would only be a little dignified. But As I said before, I can stand it if they when we see the ermine bedraggled in can. It is for us to do what is right, to the mud and mire, and every principle fear God, to observe His laws, and keep of justice violated, it behooves men to His commandments, and the Lord will take care of themselves as best they may. manage all the rest. But no breaking of That is what I have told people while I heads, no bloodshed, no rendering evil have been in the south—to take care of for evil. Let us try and cultivate the their liberties, to put their trust in the spirit of the Gospel, and adhere to the living God, to obey every constitutional principles of truth. Let us honor our God, law, and to adhere to all correct princi- and be true to those eternal principles ples. But when men tamper with your which God has given us to hold sacred. rights and with your liberties, when the Keep them as sacredly as you would the cities are full of spies and the lowest and apple of your eye. And while other men meanest of men are set to watch and are seeking to trample the Constitution dog your footsteps; when little children under foot, we will try to maintain it. are set in array against their fathers We have prophecies something like this and mothers, and women and children somewhere; that the time would come are badgered before courts, and made when this nation would do as they are to submit, unprotected, to the gibes of now doing—that is, they would tram- libertines and corrupt men; when wives ple under foot the Constitution and in- and husbands are pitted against each stitutions of the nation, and the Elders other and threatened with pains, penal- of this Church would rally around the ties and imprisonment, if they will not standard and maintain those principles disclose that which among all decent which were introduced for the freedom people is considered sacred, and which and protection of men. We expect to do no man of delicacy, whose sensibilities that, and to maintain all correct prin- had not been blunted by low associa- ciple. I will tell you what you will see tions, would ever ask; when such a condi- by and by. You will see trouble, trouble, tion of affairs exists, it is no longer a land trouble enough in these United States. of liberty, and it is certainly no longer And as I have said before I say today, I a land of equal rights, and we must tell you in the name of God, Woe! to them take care of ourselves as best we may, that fight against Zion, for God will fight and avoid being caught in any of their against them. But let us be on the side snares. I cannot think that this cru- of human liberty and human rights, and sade is aimed entirely at us; from many the protection of all correct principles circumstances that have transpired, I and laws and government, and maintain have been led to believe that whilst every principle that is upright and vir- we are made the victims, these pro- tuous and honorable, and let the world ceedings are introduced as a political MAORIS, A KINDRED RACE TO THE HAWAIIANS. 157 take the balance if they want, we don't Lord's sake so far as we can without vi- want it. We will cleave to the truth, God olating our consciences and doing things being our helper, and try to introduce that are wrong and improper. principles whereby the will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And we God bless you and lead you in the will obey every institution of man for the paths of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

THE WORK OF THE LORD IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND IN NEW ZEALAND—THE INHABITANTS OF THESE ISLANDS PROBABLY OFFSHOOTS OF THE NEPHITES AND LAMANITES, AND CONSEQUENTLY OF THE BLOOD OF ISRAEL—THE GENTILE NATIONS HAVE MEASURABLY REJECTED THE GOSPEL, HENCE THEIR DISUNION AND SKEPTICISM—WE CAN ONLY BE UNITED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS—IN GOD IS OUR ONLY TRUST—WE CANNOT COMPROMISE WITH EVIL—OUR MISSION IS TO DO GOOD—CAUSES OF OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL—EDUCATION CAN ONLY MODIFY, BUT THE HOLY GHOST CHANGES THE NATURE OF MAN—THE PRINCIPLE OF REVELATION DISTINGUISHES US FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD—THE PATH OF DUTY IS THE PATH OF SAFETY AND BLESSING.

REMARKSBY ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,MARCH 29, 1885.

I stand before you this afternoon, We have been interested in hear- my brethren and sisters, with the de- ing the report of Brother Edward Par- sire in my heart that while I do so I tridge, who has just returned from a mis- may speak to the strengthening of the sion to the Sandwich Islands, where the faith of the Saints of God, and, there- work of the Lord has been received for fore, I crave an interest in your faith many years, in a very gratifying man- and prayers, that whatever time I oc- ner by the remnant of the house of Is- cupy I may do so in a way and man- rael who dwell thereon. It is also no- ner that shall tend to the building up ticeable that the Maoris, a people of a of God's kingdom here upon the earth. kindred race to the Hawaiian, who in- 158 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. habit the islands of New Zealand, many by. The present is an age of unrest, of hundred miles to the southward in the turmoil, of contention, of a lack of faith, Pacific Ocean, are also receiving the glad not only in religious matters, but in al- tidings of the Gospel of Christ with joy, most everything else. We may be said and that hundreds are there being added to be living in a period of transition, and to the Church at the present time. It that transition does not always appear to has long been the belief of the Latter- be in the most desirable direction. But day Saints that these races are offshoots this spirit of doubt and incredulity, of un- of the great people who once flourished certainty and unrest is more manifest re- upon this continent; who were brought garding religious subjects than any other out of the land of Jerusalem under Lehi, questions that attract the attention of Mulek and others, and who have inhab- mankind; and is perhaps more manifest ited this land from about 600 years be- in those nations to whom the Gospel has fore Christ; that people whose remnants been preached for many years than in are now found scattered far and wide any other parts of the world. This is the over the North and South American con- natural result of the course the people tinents. There appears to be a great of those countries have taken. Having similarity in the habits, customs, man- rejected the principles that God in His ners and language of the natives of those kindness has caused to be revealed, His two groups of islands; which similarity, Spirit, which is the Spirit of life, light, in- in many respects, extends to some of the telligence and truth, is of necessity mea- races that inhabit this continent. And surably withdrawn from them, and they for these and other reasons we believe are left to themselves to serve God as that in these islanders flows the blood best they may when they will not serve of Israel to a great extent; and where it Him as He requires. The consequence is does, those who are thus blessed by being division and subdivision in the churches; the children of the fathers to whom the for every man's opinion is as good as that promises were made, as races receive the of his neighbor; and there remains no truths of the Gospel much more readily trustworthy, much less infallible, stan- and apparently, notwithstanding their dard by which to gauge the beliefs of many weaknesses, cleave unto them mankind; consequently every man walks much more devotedly than do very many in his own way and professes such a be- of those who embrace its saving princi- lief as best suits his fancy. But with us ples among the Gentile nations. It would it is different. And the very fact that we seem as though at the present time the are united with regard to that which God Gentile nations of the earth were turn- requires at our hands in all things is a ing from the truths of the Everlasting rock of offense to many; it is regarded Gospel; they have measurably rejected as an evil by those who do not love us; them; and the consequence is we find by those who make it their business to today that there is an increase of skepti- bring evil accusations against us. Our cism, that there is an increase of a spirit union is an opposite condition of affairs opposed to good order, to obedience, to that which exists among the sects in to faith, and to many other admirable the Christian world, and being contrary characteristics of generations gone they imagine ought to be stigmatized, MAORIS, A KINDRED RACE TO THE HAWAIIANS. 159 decried and derided. But in our union present it does not appear to be so; for lies our strength; because we cannot be this nation and other nations seem to be united on any other principle than obe- rapidly losing all trust in God. They are dience to the law of the Lord. There is willing to trust in themselves, in their no spirit but the Spirit of the Most High own strength, in their own wisdom, in God that will make this people one. They their own ways, in their own methods can trust in no one but in God our Father and their own plans, rather than trust in who has revealed His mind and will to the word of the Lord, for that the great them, and has established in their midst majority of their peoples will not have. the principles that will make them wise But we, the Latter-day Saints, are learn- unto salvation, if they will but give heed ing rapidly that we can trust no one, save to them. It is useless, worse than use- God our Father, and those whom He ap- less, for us to attempt to be united on points to be His representatives upon the any principle but the principle of righ- earth. Let us look around in the world. teousness and godliness. We can find no What do we find today? Is there any union in doing that which is displeas- power upon earth to which we can look ing in the sight of God; we can find no for succor or aid, for guidance or inspi- union in following any course other than ration under the circumstances through that which God has marked out. We can- which the Church of Jesus Christ is now not be united in anything but the truth. passing? If there is where is it? Where The truth will not only make us free, on the face of this wide world can we but it will make us united, and we can- look for sympathy, for help, for support? not be united, however much we may We cannot outside of ourselves. As has strive, on the principles of error, because ever been the case those that are not for there is no bond of union in them. There us are against us. But we are learn- is only one path that leads to exalta- ing the lesson that God is with us; that tion; one path by which we can become He will deliver us; that this is His king- like unto our Father and our God, and dom; and the nearer we live to Him the if we ever attain to that which we are greater will be the deliverances that He seeking—eternal life in His presence— will bring to pass in our favor. we must walk in the path which He has marked out, and in no other, for no other I have met a few in our midst who will lead us back into His presence. We seemed to have an idea that there was a must every one walk in that path, and Gospel of compromise, if I may so use the as we must all walk in it, therefore we term, that might be advocated. In all the must be united. Our union must be in history of this world, from its creation to God, our trust must be in Him. We are, the present, I have never read of, never I presume, from present circumstances, heard of the time when God Almighty learning that lesson very rapidly. I compromised with the Evil One; when have noticed on the coins of this nation he was willing that evil should have a the inscription, "In God we trust." Per- place in the midst of His people; when haps that motto may have been appli- He was willing that any of the principles cable at the time it was first placed on of eternal truth should be relinquished the money of the United States, but at by those of His sons and daughters, to 160 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. whom He had revealed them. No. The greater will be the manifestations of His word of instruction, the word of reve- power in our behalf, and the sooner will lation, the word of counsel has always be our triumph over those who seek to been for man to live by every word injure us. that proceeds from the mouth of God; We have no conflict with the world to keep inviolate the ordinances of God; only as they may bring it upon us. We to preserve the principles of truth and are the friends of all mankind. We are righteousness intact, and never to consent forth to preach life and salvation to sider for one moment that man can gain every soul who will hearken and obey. his salvation by giving up or resigning Our mission is one of good will to all men any principle or law that God has said the wide world over. We seek the hurt is necessary for the accomplishment of or injury of no people upon the face of His purposes, which purposes we under- the earth. The principles that we pro- stand to be the salvation of mankind and claim are those which the Savior Him- the redemption of the world. Any plan self taught to the sons and daughters of less than the one devised by Him is im- mankind when He was here upon the perfect; anything else will not save the earth, and which His disciples in after first one of us. It is God's law and God's years taught also. They are peace on law alone that will deliver Israel from earth and goodwill to all men. Does his enemies. It is by perfect confidence any man ever injure his brother or his in the word of the Lord, and by will- sister—be they members of the Church ing, humble obedience to all His require- of Jesus Christ, or of any church, or ments, accepting all His providences as of no church whatever—be they Chris- for our best good, that we shall be deliv- tian, Mahommedan, heathen or Jew—by ered. Do you ever recollect? Have you following the teachings which God has ever heard of a time in any age or dispen- given through His servants in this age sation since this earth first rolled forth in which we are living? I say emphati- from the presence of God, that men pro- cally, no; under no circumstances what- fessing to be His servants have gained ever. The Gospel that we preach will anything in this life or for the next by fal- do all men good. There are no excep- tering in their obedience to the require- tions to this rule. It will teach us all to ments of heaven, by laying aside the ar- be loving, to be virtuous, to be temper- mor of faith, by turning from that which ate; it will teach us to seek to live near they had espoused, and which they re- unto God, that we may become godlike; alized to be of God? If you have ever it will teach us to treat all men aright, to heard of such a people, if you have ever infringe upon the privileges or rights of known such a time, your reading and none, but to teach to them those princi- your experience have been different to ples that will make them better and hap- mine. Judging by the experience of the pier here on the earth, and bring to them Saints in the past, and judging by our eternal salvation in the world to come. own experience in this dispensation—as Then why are we maligned, as far as I know it has all gone to prove Brother Partridge has spoken of! that the closer we cleave to the Lord, Why are we hated? Why are we the nearer He will draw unto us, the misrepresented? For surely there never were people who were more MAORIS, A KINDRED RACE TO THE HAWAIIANS. 161 misrepresented than the Latter-day down upon the earth, by which over- Saints. I will tell you, it is because throw the warfare was transferred from the day approaches when Satan's reign heaven to earth—that same spirit has upon the earth will be brought to a close. instigated and carried on and continues He knows and realizes this fact and fills to carry on the same warfare against the hearts of those over whom he has the truth and against the Kingdom of power on the earth with hatred towards our Lord Jesus Christ to the present the principles that the servants of God day. Civilization and education are no teach. This is the great secret. This doubt potent factors in the present his- is the originating cause of the trouble. tory of the world; but mere education But then, some will ask why Christians, and mere civilization do not cause men believers in the divine mission of the to love the truth as it is in Christ Je- Son of God, act in this way towards us? sus, any better than they did in former Why should they attempt to overthrow times. They may learn philosophical that which we claim to be the Gospel truths; they may learn scientific truths; of Christ? For the simple reason that they may be educated to a very great the same causes produce the same ef- fineness, and to a very great extent be fects. Whenever the Gospel of the Son of versed in the learning of the world; but God has been preached upon the earth, it is only by the Spirit of God, as we are in every generation, it has brought forth told in the Scriptures, that man can un- antagonism from the great majority of derstand the things of God, and the best mankind, no matter whether they pro- educated in the things of the world alone, fessed to worship the true God, the Fa- appear to be no better able to under- ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, or whether stand the things pertaining to the Gospel they did not. It is no more remarkable of Jesus Christ than the most unedu- that those who call themselves Chris- cated who are equally honest in their tians should oppose the Gospel of Je- efforts to serve God, or equally dishon- sus Christ in this age than it was that est, as the case may be. Education does the Jews, who claimed to be the chil- not change the nature of men; it sim- dren of Abraham, should oppose those ply develops and polishes that which is same principles, in that which is com- in them; it makes the best of that which monly called the Gospel dispensation, there is. As the limestone when it is when Christ the Son of God Himself was polished is not changed into a diamond, here. The causes are the same; the re- but remains limestone still, though it sults are the same; men's natures are is more beautiful and can be used for the same; and though the civilization of more varied purposes, so it is with the today may be somewhat different from man who is educated in the learning the civilization of former ages, it has not of the schools only; his nature remains changed the nature of mankind. Men to- the same but the most is made of him; day as in ancient times are governed by but when a man receives the gift of the the same loves and the same hatreds; by Holy Ghost, it is then that his nature is the same antipathies and the same prej- changed. He learns to love the truth; he udices; they are influenced by the same learns to seek after it, he understands it. spirit; that spirit of evil which reared He sees things in a light so different to its head in the heavens and was cast that which he did previously, that it is 162 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. difficult for him to comprehend how it wish they could understand as we under- was possible that he could have been stand that this is the work of God, and so ignorant and so blind before times. that He has no pleasure in the death of The reception of the Spirit of God is, as the sinner, but desires the salvation of we understand it, a new birth. We are all His children. But all mankind will born to things eternal when we receive have to learn as we have had to learn it. It purifies our hearts, it enlightens that these things can be attained only our minds in regard to the things of God, by an observance of the word and will and gives us that knowledge, that testi- of God; by walking in that straight and mony, which comes to all those who lis- narrow path of obedience to which I re- ten to and follow its dictates. Herein is ferred a short time ago. That is the the great difference between us, the peo- only way by which they can obtain this ple of God, the Church of Jesus Christ knowledge; it is the only way that we of Latter-day Saints, and the people and obtained it; and all men must obey the the churches of the world. We have truth, for the love of the truth, or the this testimony, this knowledge given us testimony of Jesus Christ will not have of God, through the gift and power of a place within their bosoms. Other mo- the Holy Ghost, that none others pos- tives will not stand the test of God's sess. And this goes behind all argument, scrutiny. In this testimony, as I have all assertion, all attempts to convince said, lies the great difference between us that we are wrong. However wise, the doctrine, the principles and faith of however strong, however potent the ar- the Latter-day Saints, and the rest of the guments of the world may be in their world. God is to us a God of revelation; own estimation, they cannot go behind of constant and continued revelation, of the God given testimony that we pos- revelation today as much as in any other sess. We may say unto them, you ap- age of this world's history since Adam pear to be very wise in your own con- saw its prime. In this we can and do ceit with regard to these things, but we rejoice. In this we receive strength. In can go beyond and behind all your argu- this we have a power that surprises the ments, for we most assuredly know that votaries of uninspired creeds, that aston- that which we have received is of God, ishes unbelievers, that causes the world and your arguments amount to nothing to wonder how in the midst of all the when directed against that which we are varied circumstances of an untoward na- satisfied is God's word. And the rea- ture we have to pass through, we can son is because we have each of us the remain firm in our faith, firm in our word of the Lord for ourselves; it is a reliance upon the beneficent power and constant revelation to our own hearts goodness of God. It is because we know and minds. The word of the Lord is that this is His work; it is because we are the end of all controversy as far as we not dependent on the testimony or say are concerned. "We know that we are of so of any man or woman—we have the God"—to use the expression of the Apos- knowledge in ourselves that He will de- tle John—"and the whole world lieth in liver us, that He will cause the wrath of wickedness." We wish to God it were not man to praise Him, that He will restrain so. We wish they could see as we see. We the rest, and that He will accomplish wish they could know as we know. We MAORIS, A KINDRED RACE TO THE HAWAIIANS. 163 all His purposes in His own good time assurances we have all cause to feel con- and according to His own methods. fidence in God. Our dependence should Whatever He permits, be it little or be in the great I Am continually. We much, will be for the best good of those need not fear the arm of man; we need who put their trust in Him, of those who not fear what the world will do. If we are willing to abide by His laws, and who will but trust in God and rely upon His are desirous of doing His will and not arm continually, He will bear us off more their own. than conquerors. He will bring to pass all His righteous purposes and save us This principle of continuous revela- in His Kingdom. But the path of duty tion is one which finds great opposition is the only path of safety. It is the only from the wicked whenever it is taught. path wherein we can walk and have the We find there are many ways in which assurance of God's continued blessing, of they strive to cut off the voice of heaven. His continued deliverances. Any other Some stop at the Hebrew Scriptures; course does not carry with it this assur- some bring revelation to an end with the ance. Any other path leads to darkness, New Testament; others will admit that to contention, to evils of many kinds; for Joseph Smith was inspired of God, but it leads away from the truth and the say that with him it ended—that the right. But if we continue in the path that Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Book is marked out for us by divine instruc- of Doctrine and Covenants contain all tion, trusting implicitly in God, then the word of the Lord that we shall re- shall we be delivered from all impending ceive. Well, no matter where it ends, it evils that are sought to be brought upon is all of the same spirit. The object is us, no matter what they may be; and the to shut out the voice of God from man nearer we live to God the greater will today, to close the heavens against us, be the blessings showered upon us, and to prevent us who are now living from seeming evils will be changed to bless- receiving the word and will of God for ings of untold worth. Of this I am as- ourselves in this year of God's grace. sured, not only by the testimony of the But the truth is that God will continue Spirit of God in me, not only by the testi- to speak to His people through His ser- mony of the Spirit of God that is in my vants and in such ways as may seem brethren, but by the experience of the to Him good, as long as His Church people of God in all past ages, and the is on the earth, and that will be for- promises of God for the future. ever; for He has said that His Kingdom May God bless us and enable us to shall never be given to another people, be firm, true and faithful, relying upon but it shall reign and rule forever, and His arm at all times, trusting in Him for the greatness of that Kingdom shall be succor, for guidance and inspiration con- given to the Saints of the Most High tinually, that we may be His people and God, and they shall possess it without He our God, is my prayer through Jesus end. Therefore with these unchangeable Christ. Amen. 164 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

PRESENT CONDITIONS—THE HATRED OF THE WORLD TOWARD THE SAINTS—WHY THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH ARE ATTACKED—THE PURPOSE OF PERSECUTION—THE SAINTS NEED NOT BE AFFLICTED OR WORRIED ABOUT THE PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS—THE SIFTING PROCESS—THE EPISTLE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY—WORK OF GOD ALWAYS MET WITH OPPOSITION—THE GOSPEL REVEALED IN THIS DAY WAS THE GOSPEL THAT WAS REVEALED TO ADAM—MORE REVELATION TO BE GIVEN—SAINTS MUST NOT BORROW TROUBLE—WHEN A NATION PERVERTS JUSTICE, THEN COMMENCES ITS DOWNFALL—THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES—SAINTS MUST COMMIT NO OVERT ACT—EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDATTHE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, HELDINTHE TABERNACLE,LOGAN,CACHE COUNTY,SATURDAY AND SUNDAY,APRIL 4 AND 5, 1885.

It is very pleasing and it is also an If any evidence were wanting to indi- occasion of heartfelt gratitude to be per- cate to the doubtful, the unbelieving, or mitted to meet, so many of us, this the half-hearted, as to whether we are of morning and under such favorable cir- the world or the world of us, we are ob- cumstances as those which surround us; taining daily evidence of the fact that we even the elements conspire to make our are not of the world. The Savior told the coming together convenient and agree- brethren that sojourned with Him: "If ye able. Circumstances are such as pre- were of the world, the world would love vent our brethren of the First Presi- you: but because ye are not of the world, dency and several of the Twelve Apos- but I have chosen you out of the world, tles from being with us, and perhaps oth- therefore the world hateth you." The ers from among the people, who would be same reason essentially exists today that glad to be with us at this General Con- existed then. But the Lord has made ference, but who deem it advisable, or very gracious and precious promises to are so situated that they cannot consis- His people—that where only two or three tently attend. Let us that have come are agreed as touching matters pertain- together seek unto the Lord for His ing to the interest of His Kingdom and Spirit and His guidance, that we may re- the honor of His name, their prayers ceive that measure of grace and blessing shall be heard. There never was a at His hand which we need under the day since the Church has been orga- present conditions which attend upon us. nized in these last days that the Saints ADVERSE TIMES AND SEASONS. 165 had better reasons, or more of them, to absent, and pray for them; we will ask be strong and confident in God their liv- the Lord to bless and protect them, to ing Head, than they have this morning. strengthen and fill them with the wis- We need to know and realize that our dom of the Holy Ghost continually, that trust is in Him and not in man, for woe! the joy and comfort of the truth and of to him that putteth his trust in man and the holy Gospel shall be theirs, and that maketh flesh his arm. God has under- they shall be preserved from the hands taken to perform a work in the earth of their enemies. which is going to astonish the world, and We who are gathered together, in- which will give to His name honor, and stead of entertaining ill feeling of culti- glory, power and dominion. Now, all vating malicious designs towards our en- these things that occur—I need not go emies, will ask the Lord to strengthen into any enumeration of them, because us and to qualify us not only for what in all of your different settlements cir- is upon us now, but for what is before cumstances and conditions are more or us; for we do not know what there may less varied—it has been the studied plan be for us in the purposes of Jehovah. of our adversaries to spread snares for All this may be necessary and profitable our feet throughout the land; and it need to give us an experience that we should not be wondered at, of course, that they pass through trials, that may tend to who stand highest in authority should our improvement and qualification, en- be the objects more particularly of their able us in our different positions to bet- wicked designs. ter magnify our callings, and to bear off His Kingdom in the last days as He re- Take a look at this thing rationally quires. and in a commonsense view for a mo- There are times and seasons when ment. The forest trees that are shaken the hoary frosts of winter not only pre- with the wind sometimes almost seem vent the trees from showing forth their as if they would be uprooted by it, and foliage, from developing any bloom, but blown over. By this operation the soil cause them to cast their fruit to the is wonderfully loosened about the roots. earth, scarcely giving indications of life. By this storm the strength of a tree is It may not be wondered at then, if tested, and the trunk and the branches through the storms and blasts of adver- of it, as to whether they bear proper sity which come upon the Church from relation to each other and derive that time to time that its members are not support that sustains every part in its spreading forth and reaching out their natural position. It is also very nat- branches, or that the foliage shows no ural that in that grove, as the wind such immediate prospects of fruit, as passes over it, the tallest trees are re- we might, under more favorable sun- ally the most tried part of it, for the shine and with more beautiful weather, wind and storm will dash and blow upon expect. While this adverse season is them, while the smaller ones that are on and the leaves perhaps have blown protected by each other, scarcely feel it, to the ground, and all presents the ap- perhaps. Then you need not wonder pearance of barrenness and death it- if some of the tallest trees do not hap- self, the sap is at work down in the pen to be here today. We will, how- roots. Do you understand this? Gar- ever, remember our brethren who are deners and nurserymen especially will 166 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. understand that at the close of the to dabble in spirituous liquors and in adverse season, when the winds and those intoxicating drinks which inflame storms have loosened the soil, the roots the passions, which madden the soul, have extended themselves deeper into daze their intellects, destroy the facul- the earth, when the sun shines and the ties of man, drowning their souls in the gentle rain falls and the pleasant spring perdition of the ungodly; many who have appears, those roots, now greatly en- never sought to dig deep and lay their larged, will cause the trees to put forth foundation upon the rock of revelation larger leaves, with more abundant bud which is the only foundation of eternal and bloom, and with larger and more lus- truth. It is absolutely important that we cious fruit than before. So it is and will and they should know which side of the be with the great tree of Life which God fence they dwell on; that they make up has planted in the earth, and which is their minds either to serve God or the bringing forth and will yield more abun- devil; and this is a time that calls all peo- dantly the fruits of Everlasting Life. ple professing to be Saints to make up Well, then, we have nothing that we their minds determinedly whom it is best need be afflicted or worried about, except to serve, and if the Lord is their God, to our own unrighteousness. I know how get some oil in their vessels that they be the Saints feel about many things which not always in darkness. are menacing and intimidating them at Again, there are conditions which the present time; but brethren and sis- pertain to all animated nature, and ters, now is the best of all times to go which are incident to the great body of often into your closets, for secret prayer, the Church as well, and they are these: and there find that grace and help of God Notwithstanding it may be the choic- which is able to buoy you up in every est food we may eat, notwithstanding time of need. Men that are the heads of the most healthful or precious drinks we families need now to be filled with the may use—there are operations going on Holy Spirit, to be Prophets, Seers and in the system whereby those elements Revelators to their families, to their kin- that are not found of use are cast off dred and to those that are around them. as waste by the various avenues pro- You need to have your roots strike deep vided by nature for the expulsion of that into the soil of Heaven and stronger into which is not useful to the system. Just the soil of eternity, that you may derive so this principle of life exists with God's that nourishment and that strength that people. They who will not in their due shall bring to you greater, more abun- time and place become articles of nutri- dant and more glorious blessings than ment and health to the Church and the ever you have yet realized. Saints will become refuse and will be Among other benefits that will be pro- cast off. These are principles in nature duced by the strange conditions that at- and in life which all are conversant with; tend us is this: that while there are those we know and understand them. In this among us who have not known whether dispensation of Providence, wherein it they were following for the loaves and seems as though all the powers of dark- fishes, or whether they were following for ness were arrayed against us, we need the truth's sake—many who are ready to understand that it is to God and to ADVERSE TIMES AND SEASONS. 167

God alone that we must look. We need to the spiritual state of man's existence, be- understand the laws of all things well. fore the family of Adam came to dwell The Lord has borne us off in troubles in the flesh, that there was antagonism and in tribulations while in Ohio, in Mis- there between truth and error, between souri, and in Illinois, and the God that those that embraced truth and those has been with us through these trou- that embraced error, and following down bles will not forsake us at the present through the ages that same antagonism time. The great thing for us to do is to has existed and been made manifest in feel after Him, and repent of our sins, one form or in another, so that the people our waywardness, and of our weaknesses of the earth have never been in a position and sinfulness, and put away everything to see and understand the principles of that is unrighteous and that which is dis- the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of sal- pleasing in the sight of God and of an- vation, in the same light, and to under- gels and good men. If we do this His fa- stand it together and correctly. The prin- vor and His power will rest upon us, and ciples of the Gospel which have been re- He will allow nothing to come upon us vealed of God have been admitted by the but what He will sanctify to our greatest greatest moral philosophers who have good and to His own eternal honor and lived—aside from religious professors— glory, and we shall see by and by His in- to be the most noble principles, the most finite wisdom in all His providences to- calculated to exalt mankind, in the be- wards us. lief, in the exercise, and in the obedience I appreciate with you the many pre- of them, of any doctrines or principles cious sentiments that have been uttered of ethics that have ever been given to in our hearing since we have come to- the human family; great moralists, great gether at this conference, and also appre- scientists have been willing to give this ciate with you the consideration which credit to the principles and doctrines of our absent brethren of the First Presi- our Savior. Philosophers of this world dency have felt concerning us, and the have done this; and all they of the Saints work in which we are engaged. who have rendered obedience to these There is something about our labor principles know, truly, how a faith in that is strangely peculiar, but not more them exalts those that embrace them, so, perhaps, in our day than has ex- until it has come to be a truism among isted in former ages of the world when the people of God, "that righteousness the Gospel has been revealed to man. exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach It has always seemed to be the case to any people." that whatever period of time we take up to read concerning the work of God Therefore, let it be known to all the and its effects among the inhabitants world that it is one of the first principles of the earth—we always find that the of the Gospel of Christ that men should people of God and the people of the repent of their sins, that they should be world have been in direct antagonism; washed in the waters of regeneration for and when we get back to the most re- the remission of their sins, that then, mote items of history—or items of in- in pursuance thereof, they may receive formation which history is permitted the Holy Ghost from heaven, which is to furnish us—we find that even in promised unto obedient believers. 168 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

This is not only the doctrine of the they should have in this life the words of Gospel of this dispensation, and the doc- eternal life, and in the life to come eter- trine of the Gospel in the dispensation nal life itself. Mark the careful distinc- when Jesus and the Apostles of His day tion; that if they would keep the com- were upon the earth, but this is the very mandments they should in this life have principle and doctrine that was revealed the words of eternal life given to them, to Father Adam, after he was cast out and in the life to come they should have of the Garden of Eden, when the an- eternal life itself, and, added the Lord to gel of the Lord came to him and asked this great promise, "thus may all become him why he offered sacrifices. He replied my sons." that he knew not, only that the Lord Thus the plan of salvation was in had told him to do so. Then the an- brief laid out in plainness to our Father gel of the Lord proceeded to explain the Adam, that he and all his children might matter to him—told him that the ob- be thought meet to enter into the fa- ject of his offering sacrifices was to keep vor of God, receive the fellowship of the before his mind the great sacrifice that Holy Ghost, be born of water and of the must be offered up in the meridian of Spirit, and thus come to a knowledge of time. This was the only symbol and type the principles of eternal life. given to men to cause them to look forward through an ordinance they prac- We see from this that the first step ticed to the Savior, who was to come as to be taken in those days, when the a sacrifice for sin and to become the Sav- works of Cain had gone forth, and ior of the world. Thus early did God when the people had become exceedingly place this principle before the mind of wicked—so bad that the Scriptures say the great father of the human family the thoughts of their hearts were only when in that terrible dilemma, he hav- evil and that continually—the very first ing consented to partake of the fruit and thing to consider was how to deprive sin- go out of the garden with mother Eve. fulness of its power and make righteous- It was then that our first parents be- ness to take hold of the children of men gan to be taught this principle. Adam so that they might find favor with the was taught that he must be born of the Gods, and with all the righteous both in water and of the spirit, and in demon- heaven and on the earth. stration of this he was caught up by This was the principle, this was the the Spirit and placed in the water and doctrine, and this was the way by which brought forth out of the water, as the rev- the Patriarch Enoch—that great and elation of God to Joseph declares. Then ancient worthy of whom we know so he was baptized by the Holy Ghost and little—went forth and by the power of with fire. And the Lord told him to God reasoned with those wicked peo- teach those things to his children that ple and preached the Gospel to them, they might look forward with him to and baptized all who would receive it the time when the Only Begotten should and gathered them together into a place come in the flesh and should be made which he called Zion. It was a very an offering for the sins of the world. great and mighty work he had to per- Adam was further told that if he taught form; for the people had become ter- these things to his children he and ribly wicked, filled with the spirit of ADVERSE TIMES AND SEASONS. 169 murder and every manner of abomina- grey-headed fathers are bearing before tion that the human heart can conceive us today in the midst of Israel? It is of. the holy, high Priesthood of Melchizedek, This, then, is the foundation that all which is after the order of the Son of men have to lay in their hearts and God, and which is after the power of an lives before they begin to receive the endless life. Then, brethren and sisters, principles of eternal life as they are re- understand it. It is not a new Gospel vealed. You my brethren and sisters that revealed now for the first time—these are from Scandinavia, from the northern first principles are not new, because they countries, from the Cape of Good Hope, have been revealed from the beginning. New Zealand, Australia, and from the is- They are the same principles that Christ lands of the sea, including the frozen re- commenced to preach when He was upon gions of Iceland—every one of you were the earth. They were the first principles taught and embraced those first princi- that John the Baptist taught when he ples in the primitive part of your faith came to prepare the way for the coming and belief in the Gospel. It was the of the Son of Man; they were the very beginning; it was the step which ev- first principles that Joseph and Oliver ery son and daughter of Adam has had taught in this dispensation when they to take, from the days of Adam un- began to preach the Gospel. They were til now, in order to cleanse themselves ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. This before God, so as to receive the bless- is the beginning of the work of righteous- ings of eternal life. It was by carrying ness. out these principles and preaching that Adam was saved. It was by an obedience to the same principles that Enoch There are revelations and doctrines succeeded in gathering out the honest given unto us in our day, however, which in heart unto the city of Zion. He was were not given in former ages, because 365 years in building up that Zion and the people were not prepared and were in gathering into it a people on the same not in a suitable condition to receive principles that have been revealed to us such. Do not let us think that we have in these latter days. We are preach- got all the revelation there is. In the last ing the same Gospel that was given to great revelation which the Lord gave to those ancient worthies. You can trace Joseph, He told him that He had not re- the Priesthood by referring to the Book vealed all to him, but that there were of Doctrine and Covenants—the holy, many laws pertaining to His Priesthood high Priesthood that has come down which He would reveal hereafter. Do you from Adam to Noah, and down through remember it? But if the world is going to Enoch, Methuselah and the different get scared and terrified and ready to lay men of God who lived in ancient times— waste and destroy the Latter-day Saints you can trace it clear back to Adam before we have got so far advanced in who was ordained under the hands of the civilization of heaven as to under- God, who told him that that Priesthood stand the marriage laws and some of the should abide in his generations and that marital relations of the sexes—if they go it should be on the earth at the end of crazy over this what will happen to them time. What is the Priesthood that you when something more comes along? 170 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Now, I hope that none of the Saints In regard to the principles of the will grow weak in the knees; do not let Gospel which the Lord has revealed to us them hang down their heads, nor allow beyond what He has to other people, we their hearts to be troubled; do not let should remember that we shall be called the sisters lie awake at nights brood- to account for the use we make of them; ing over this and that that is going to remember that we use them, live them, happen, and getting a great deal of bor- and administer them in all righteous- rowed trouble. There is no promise of ness in our lives and conduct, and while grace to sustain them in such trouble; there are no two families whose condi- but the Lord has promised that His grace tions and circumstances are just alike, shall be sufficient for our day, sufficient still the same general principles will for the troubles we have to bear; but we have their general effect in all house- have no promise of grace to sustain us holds. We must cultivate righteousness. in borrowed trouble. Do not be alarmed We are learning the principles of the though the heathen rage and the people Gospel one after another; how to observe imagine vain things. While they are in and obey them. We want to know how to confusion and strife of every kind, you hold them in righteousness, because we will multiply upon the earth and estab- cannot hold these precious eternal trea- lish lasting peace upon the face thereof. sures in unrighteousness; if we think we The Latter-day Saints who are the ob- can we shall be deceived and will some ject of all observation from the four quar- day find out that they are not to be held ters of the earth, are the only people in unrighteousness, for they only take that have pure and settled peace in their effect with the pure in heart, they that hearts and in their midst. Do you re- are willing to keep the commandments alize this? Our missionaries go to the of God, and walk in the way of His coun- Southern States, and the North West- sels. ern States; they go to Europe, to Asia, Sin is a reproach to any people. It is Africa, and every point of the compass, better for us right here in this life that and when they return they tell us that we keep the commandments of God, even in no place do they find as true, settled if we did not look for any future reward and substantial peace, as there is right of glory. Don't you know it is? Why? Be- here in Utah, where one would think, cause we feel happy and strong within from all that is going on and all that ourselves when we lie down at night and is threatened, that the waves of the sea rise up in the morning; when we go out were going to roll over us. Our peace is and when we come in; we feel the sus- that which the Gospel brings. The fruit taining influence and approval of an hon- of the Spirit which the wicked can nei- est heart, of a pure conscience, and of all ther give nor take away. There is no use just people—a conscience void of offense being worried over these things. It is towards God and His people. This is the part of our heritage. They who will live greatest treasure that a person can pos- godly in Christ Jesus must suffer perse- sess in this life. And do you know that go cution; we have every reason to expect where you will—among those ignorant it. It is our duty to seek wisdom of the tribes that surround us, or to the high- Lord in all matters; seek for the Holy est civilized, and most cultivated por- Spirit, and attend to our own business. tions of the European or American na- ADVERSE TIMES AND SEASONS. 171 tions—the man that is obedient to world and you will see that the great- the holy principles of the everlasting est nations that ever existed, as soon as Gospel—if they do not know he is called they commenced to pervert justice, crush a Mormon—is respected above all men truth and right, persecute God's people who disregard the principles of righ- and exalt iniquity, then commenced their teousness and truth. If some of our downfall, and their way was down, down, brethren who work in the mining camps down, to demolition and destruction, un- behave themselves and live their reli- til more substantial and better elements gion, the very men around them respect were found in their ruins with which and honor them. Why? Because they to raise up and create something new. are reliable; because the principles they It was that excellence and purity which have embraced and put into practice ren- God saw in the Puritan fathers that der them substantial and trustworthy. came over to this country for the love of You go into the classes of the university the truth, and to worship God according or of the colleges where young men have to the dictates of their own consciences— gone in quest of an education, and you it was that excellence that preserved will find that the man who is pure and them and established them here, and as virtuous in his feelings, in his thoughts long as they maintained the principles of and in his ways, who does not delight liberty, allowed others to enjoy the same in folly, in sin and the secret works of rights that they themselves enjoyed, just darkness, but is at home attending to his so long did they prosper. They were pow- lessons and his duty—it is he that makes erful in that they had influence and faith his way to the head of the class, and gets to receive inspiration from God, to draw the highest honor among his fellows. It up and establish the greatest Constitu- is he that they look up to because of his tion that has ever been known on the upright conduct and all that is excellent earth—the grandest combination of loyal in man. That is the kind of men that principles and fundamental truths that go forth and make their way and mark has been established by man, since the among their neighbors and their coun- days of Noah, and that is the Consti- trymen. True virtue and righteousness tution with which politicians have be- exalt individuals, and it therefore must come so reckless, in construing its pro- exalt a nation composed of such individu- visions, and have gone outside of its lim- als. When a nation disregards the princi- itations to rule and regulate the people ples of justice, equity, righteousness and of this great nation as they please. That truth—so far as to fail or refuse the ad- glorious Constitution was made to regu- ministration of its laws equitably to any late rulers as well as the ruled. It was portion or class of its citizens, then the so constructed that those who should people have reason to fear the dread- be appointed to rule over the people ful consequences that must follow, unless should not be their masters, but their a reformation is effected; then the no- servants. How comes it now, that the ble, the honorable, the virtuous and the whole polity has been perverted to an- pure should be willing to make sacrifice other way; the rulers have come to be for that which is ennobling, exalting, up- masters of the people, and are undertak- right and praiseworthy. ing now to lord it over God's heritage. We Go back in the history of the 172 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ought to understand these things. It is reason to feel more thankful and lifted our duty to do so. up in our hearts before the living God I desire now to refer to a particu- than the present. Why? Because the lar expression in the epistle which has Savior said: "Woe unto you, when all just been read, wherein the brethren of men shall speak well of you! for so did the First Presidency have exhorted the their fathers to the false prophets." But Saints not to allow themselves to commit says He, "Blessed are ye, when men shall any overt act. No matter how much you hate you, and when they shall separate are worried, no matter how much you are you from their company, and shall re- aggravated by the acts of the ungodly, do proach you, and cast out your name as not do a thing that you could afterwards evil, for the Son of man's sake." be sorry for. Do nothing that could let I wish to exhort the Saints to fre- blood stick to one of you. Bear with every quent their closets more than they do; impious insult. Put up with it as Christ to neglect not their prayers night and did when he was hanging upon the cross morning, and in the season thereof fail and his life's blood oozing out from his not to bow the knee and call your sons heart, and his spirit ready to depart, and daughters around you. If you do and say, "Father, forgive them; for they this, by and by your sons and daughters know not what they do." That is the way will rise up and call you blessed; if you we want to look as far as we can upon do not they will get cold and depart from those who are oppressing and injuring truth and the faith of the living God, and us, breaking up our homes, and scatter- that will bring the greatest sorrow you ing our women and children to the four can conceive of. This is a time when we winds. It is something that could not be are called upon to bring our practical re- allowed in the old monarchial countries, ligion into use, to put on the whole armor which are looked upon as being measur- of God, and to trust in Him. The Sav- ably beneath the United States in the ior said He could call to His help more matter of a constitutional government, than twelve legions of angels; more than and yet we see men among us who are the Roman hosts; but He knowing the ready to demolish the very sanctity of great purposes of Jehovah could go like home, lay waste and destroy that which a lamb to the slaughter. He understood lies at the very foundation of all law, nat- those purposes, could curb His powers, ural and governmental. It is painful; it control His feelings, and could make a is sorrowful. Let us pity while they are manly fight for righteousness and truth, so blind, so ignorant, so ill-natured, and and carry out the decrees of heaven. Can so willing to depart from good govern- we do so? Can you and I do so? If we ment, even to enact laws to prevent their cannot, can we be counted worthy to be fellowcitizens from worshipping God ac- called His brethren, and Saviors upon cording to the dictates of their own con- Mount Zion? We have got to be consid- science. But, for my own part, I feel like erably more like him than we are before the First Presidency in this matter. Let we attain unto all those excellencies that us commit no overt act, which in any are promised. event we could be sorry for. Inasmuch as the work of God We never saw a time when we had spreads, and its influence and potency ADVERSE TIMES AND SEASONS. 173 are felt among the nations of the earth, it comes to the right time He will put a so long will this opposition and this an- stop to them. He knows how to do it, just tagonism exist, and we must expect it; at His good pleasure. it cannot be avoided. It is an eternal We should go to work and put trans- consequence of our faith. If we reck- gression from our midst, cultivate righ- oned upon anything else, we reckoned teousness and put away all sin, and by wrongly. Every true Saint, when he em- keeping His commandments and living braced this Gospel, felt to lay down his by every word that proceedeth from the good name, his earthly substance, and mouth of His servants the work of sanc- life itself—all was laid upon the altar. tification will go on in our hearts, our We need not think, however, that al- homes, and our habitations will be holy though the Lord permits certain things in His sight. He will not allow the acts of to come upon us, that He will not soften the wicked to come against us any longer the hearts of the wicked and ungodly. He than will be for His own glory and our has told us with a firm decree, that from greatest good. Let us feel that we are a time when the Saints commenced to be in the hands of the Lord, that He is our more faithful they should begin to pre- Father and friend. Let us draw near to vail against their enemies, and they have Him; find Him out, and walk with Him proved this in the deliverances that have here in the flesh, then we shall know been wrought out in their behalf from that it will be well with us hereafter. time to time. Have we any reason to doubt or lack confidence in the promises I pray that the good Spirit of God may of God for the future? Not a particle. Ev- dwell in our hearts; may write His law ery step of the way affords a greater, a on the tablets of our hearts; may im- more powerful confirmation and assur- press the principles of truth upon our ance that He is true to His promises, and minds, so that we may live them and will carry them out in our behalf. make them profitable to us in the future. Do you know, says one, how far That God may grant these blessings unto these things will go? Just so far us, I humbly ask in the name of the Lord as the Lord will allow them. When Jesus Christ, Amen. 174 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

LOVE OF HOME—VISIT TO FRIENDS—SENT TO PRESIDE OVER THE EUROPEAN MISSION—FORMER ILL-HEALTH IN ENGLAND—EXTENSIVE SYSTEM OF TRACT DISTRIBUTION INAUGURATED—TRIBUTE TO THE WORTH AND EFFICIENCY OF THE MISSIONARIES—REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF THE WORK IN VARIOUS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES—HATRED MANIFESTED TOWARDS US AFTER THE MURDER OF OUR BRETHREN IN TENNESSEE—AMERICA THE HAVEN OF FREEDOM—TRUTH HAS EVER MET WITH PERSECUTION—PROFESSED MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL OUR GREATEST ENEMIES—NO ONE INJURED BY OUR PRINCIPLES—PLURAL MARRIAGE—THE SOCIAL EVIL—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH, DELIVEREDATTHE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, HELDINTHE TABERNACLE,LOGAN,CACHE COUNTY,MONDAY MORNING, APRIL 6, 1885.

It affords me pleasure to meet again Such is the case this morning in aris- with the Saints in Zion, and to have the ing to address you for a short time. What privilege of mingling with the people of the Lord may have for me to say to you God in a general conference. It is some- I cannot imagine. For a few months past time since I had this privilege, and I I have not addressed any congregations; can assure you that I appreciate it very I have been visiting; I have been reason- much. I do not think it is possible for me ing with my friends upon the principles to express in proper language my feel- of the Gospel, and seeking to enlighten ings in regard to my mountain home. I them in regard to my position. Having never learned but one verse of poetry in accepted the Gospel, and dedicated my my life, and that one I have repeated life to the preaching of the same, I was many times, and I do not know but what desirous that my kindred should hear it. it would be well for me to repeat it this I have not been idle, but have been labor- morning. The verse to which I allude ing with zeal to impress upon them the says: nature of the latter-day work. I did not "There is a magical tie in the land go there expecting to make converts but of my home, That the heart can- to relieve my friends of prejudice. I have not break, though the footsteps may found, so to speak, that my utterances roam, Be that land where it may, at have fallen on stony ground outside of the line or the pole, It still holds my kindred and that while I was re- the magnet that draws back my soul." EFFICIENCY OF THE ELDERS IN EUROPE. 175 ceived with kindness, and trust that their hearts desired. After visiting vari- good may in time come from my labors ous conferences, and giving the brethren in certain directions, yet I cannot say, such instructions and counsel as the as many have said, that I have accom- spirit suggested as to the best method to plished much good, and that I have re- reach the people, getting their views and moved a world of prejudice. I trust, how- the result of their experience in the field, ever, that I may have done some good some of them having been there for a during the past few weeks among my year or two—it was decided, on the sug- kindred in the Eastern States. gestion of several, that an effort be made As you are aware, in 1882 I was sent to distribute more of the written word by my brethren to preside for a season than had heretofore been done. Com- over the European mission. I proceeded munications were addressed to the Pres- to my field of labor with some dubiety in idency of the Church, and by their con- regard to my own self. My former expe- sent a system of tract distribution was rience upon the island of Great Britain inaugurated and has been followed sys- had been such that I was really fearful tematically from that day to this. What in regard to my health. For five years af- the result may be in the future we can- ter my first mission to the British Isles, I not say. Nevertheless, we have done had never passed a night in sound and the best we could in our ministrations perfect sleep. I suffered from a cold among the people, and have striven with contracted on that mission. On my de- the power that the Lord has given us to parture in 1882, however, my brethren warn our fellow men of the reestablish- promised me I should go in peace; that I ment of the Kingdom of God. The Elders should enjoy good health; that the bless- that have been sent to labor under my ings of the Lord should be around me; watchcare and counsel, have been men and that I should be enabled to accom- of worth. It is a matter of pride to me plish the object for which I was sent that those who have been sent to labor forth. And while I went with some fore- under my direction have been good and boding with regard to myself, still it ap- humble men. Many of them have been pears I had to return to Great Britain, to young men, reared in these mountains— lose that which had seized upon me on a that were taken from the farm, from the former mission. stock range, from the store, and from I found upon my arrival in that the work bench. They had received com- land a corps of very excellent Elders. paratively little training in the ministry; The mission was in a very good condi- but a few weeks time has developed tion, with an earnest and determined them, and they have gone forward in lot of missionaries who were willing to faith; the Lord has blessed them in their do anything that might be required at administrations. I have had much joy their hands for the furtherance of the and satisfaction in laboring with them, purposes of the Lord. I found, how- and in all my ministrations and coun- ever, upon investigation and mingling sels to them I believe they have lis- with my brethren, that the road seemed tened to them and sought to the best of to be hedged up in a manner so that their ability to carry out these counsels, they could not accomplish that which and labor for the advancement of the 176 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. work of the Lord. to return home without another effort Since I returned home there has being made to open up the Gospel to nothing afforded me greater pleasure Austria, although the brethren had al- than during this conference to take into ready suffered considerable in that land. my arms and press to my breast the The authorities there do not treat our men that have been laboring in the same Elders as they should; but I trust that cause as myself; for I respect and honor by wisdom and prudence, the Gospel them as I would my own brother. These may be preached, and that the inhab- sentiments are from the heart in regard itants thereof—a fine race of people— to them, and I trust that their experience may sense their position and embrace with me and our acquaintance, and the the truth. We have also made an effort to friendship that springs up amid adver- establish ourselves in Turkey, and I trust sity and trials, may be as lasting as life that a work will be opened up there. A itself. few baptisms have already been made. I am pleased to report that in Great Britain we continue to do some bap- The brethren throughout the British tizing. During my administration in Isles have been making efforts to in- that land a little new ground, or rather troduce the Gospel in every corner and ground that had been worked years ago place where opportunity presented itself. and been abandoned, has been opened I would say, however, that the England up in various places. We have gained of a few years ago is not the England of a foothold in Finland, and a few have today. While the same spirit of liberty— been baptized in that land. Brother Fjel- the love of the rights of man—may ex- sted sent some native Elders into that ist among the English people, still that section of country. Some men that were spirit of hospitality that characterized inspired with zeal, and who were hum- them years and years ago, seems to be ble, and who were ready to meet any on the wane. Many people are out of em- trial and difficulty that might come in ployment, the numbers that are wander- their way, succeeded in opening a little ing around begging their bread, closes, door. Seed has been sown. Away north in a measure the hearts of the people, on the borders of Prussia and Russia, an and they feel that they cannot carry the opening has been made through a native loads that they have been carrying. Still, who had been ordained by Brother J. A. among the Latter-day Saints, the same Smith, of Cache Valley, and there is a hospitality is to be found. Their hearts prospect of the Gospel being introduced are as warm today as they ever were. in that country. We have also made a little effort to introduce the Gospel in Austria. Brother Beisinger has been We have made recently—through the there and labored some time. Brother labors of Brothers Wilson and Marshall, Hammer was there also, but was run two Irish brethren—an opening in the off by the authorities. Brother Beisinger north of Ireland, and we trust that and Brother Jennings are now, I sup- with care much good will result in that pose, in Austria, probably in Bohemia. neighborhood. Some very fine people I felt while in Switzerland, in Decem- have embraced the Gospel there, peo- ber, that it would be impossible for me ple in good circumstances, and who, EFFICIENCY OF THE ELDERS IN EUROPE. 177 inspired with zeal, desire to spread the attendance at the churches, that they principles of the Gospel. And thus lit- are usually well filled with priests and tle by little we accomplish the object beggars, and that few, comparatively of our mission, and the world is being speaking, of the well-to-do classes, or the warned. When I left England there were middle classes, or the better informed three valley Elders in Ireland, and I classes, were paying any attention what- hope others may be added to their num- ever to religious observance. ber before long, so that the work may I have also during my administration spread at least in the protestant portion in the British mission, sought to have of that country. I am inclined to be- the Gospel preached among the French lieve that there are hundreds and thou- people. Brother Bunot and Brother West sands of people in Ireland who will re- made an effort on the Island of Jersey. ceive the Gospel. My prejudices in re- Brother Bunot was sent to France, and gard to the Irish people have been wiped he stayed there just as long as he could away in mingling among them. I find possibly live, using his own means, and them among the purest of the stocks striving by every means in his power upon the earth. Virtue is held at a high to open some door to his countrymen. premium among them. The statistics of Brother Bunot is a man who was edu- Great Britain show this fact; that illegit- cated for the Catholic ministry, a man of imate births in Ireland constitute 3 per- intelligence and learning, and a humble cent. In England six, in Scotland nine. man who did everything in his power to I say this speaks volumes for Ireland, warn his countrymen. He was not suc- and I trust that the Gospel may spread cessful in accomplishing the desires of in that land and that thousands may re- his heart. On the borders of Switzerland ceive its truths. and France a number of the Elders have labored, and while we have not reaped as I have visited nearly all parts of the we could have wished to have done, still mission—at least where there are any there has been satisfaction in the labors Saints, and some portions where there we have performed; for we realize that it are none. I went to Italy in the hope is not only a day of gleaning and gath- that I might see some chance of making ering the people, but it is also a day of an opening in that country. I came very warning. near having two of the Elders starved by I will say here, that about the time staying there. I was determined, how- our brethren in the southern States ever, to try and introduce the Gospel. were murdered in cold blood, a wave There are some sections of the country of hatred seemed to have been en- that are Protestant, and I trust there gendered in the minds of the people may be a time come when the Gospel will in every direction. The press of Eu- spread among that people. But I regard rope teemed with the most horrid sto- Italy as in such a condition that there ries that can be imagined. Everything are but few chances at the present time that had ever been thought of every- for any opening to be made. The Italians thing that had ever been manufactured are bound up in the religious faith that for partisan purposes in our own land they have been reared in, or they are was scattered broadcast throughout Eu- infidel almost entirely. I noticed in my rope, and the masses of the people were 178 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. warned in every direction in regard to us. and they see in the Latter-day Saints the And not only were they warned through growth and development of a power that the newspapers, but lecturers began to will accomplish its object in the earth, take the field in every direction, and in- and that object Deity has designed it cite the people not to avoid our meetings, should accomplish—the gathering in of but on the contrary to follow us up and to the honest in heart, the establishment of mob us, giving us no chance to explain to righteousness, the combating of wicked- them the principles of the Gospel, or rep- ness, the driving back of the forces of evil resent ourselves as we should. This feel- as they cluster around the hearts of men ing has been growing in power from that and that are leading men step by step to time until the time I left that land. But inevitable shame and destruction. as heretofore a cool wave will by and by It affords me pleasure, my brethren come along and as a result of the heated and sisters, to again put my feet on the condition of the people over the Mormon soil of America. I recognize in it the problem, and the efforts that have been home of a free man. There may be made to impede the Lord's work, people those who desire to pervert this free- will begin to inquire, thoughtful people dom, who may seek to engender strife will look into the truth, and the work will and drive us from the soil upon which continue to grow in the future as it has we live; there may be those who seek to done in the past. It is true that people do trample upon the rights and liberties of not come by hundreds and thousands to man; but I believe from the bottom of hear the good word of life and salvation; my heart that Deity has stamped it upon but the eyes of the world are directed this soil, that He has written it through- to this our mountain home. They recog- out the universe, that in this land His nize the force of the utterance of Henry work should prosper. That it should go Ward Beecher, when he said: "Gentle- forward and increase until its great des- men, say what you will, but yonder in the tiny shall be accomplished; that this is Rocky Mountains is the phenomenon of the spot chosen, that here it will be nour- the nineteenth century." It is a living fact ished, here it will grow, here it will go that people in every land and clime are forward, and the nations of the earth turning their eyes towards this region will look upon it and recognize it as the of country, and wondering what will be great force that will conquer the earth the upshot of the problem that is being and bring subject to it the powers that worked out by the Latter-day Saints in exist thereon; and all this will be brought their western home. Men of intelligence about by the law of righteousness, the are traveling; they are mingling among law of truth, the law of God given to our people; they see their industry; they mankind for their guidance and control, recognize the perseverance they have and they will accept it and live in accor- manifested; they see the obstacles they dance with its principles. You and I may have overcome; they recognize in them tread a thorny path; it may be strewn a growing race that knows no failure, with rugged places; we may break the that meets no rebuff, that cannot un- flesh upon our hands, and be bruised derstand nor sense what defeat means; in our forward movement; but the work will advance and progress. Deity is our EFFICIENCY OF THE ELDERS IN EUROPE. 179 friend, our guide, our protector. All we of the truth of this Gospel. It is stamped need do as a people is to keep our eye upon every feature, upon every part of upon the mark of divine truth; move for- my being. I regard it as dearer than ward without fear, and ask no favors so life and everything else upon the face of far as mankind is concerned; only seek to the earth. Why need I be fearful, why do right by our fellow creatures. Hate no need I tremble, why need I be wrought one. I dare not hate any man upon the up at the prospect that is before us? No face of the earth. No matter how vile, great system has ever been established how wicked, how corrupt he may be, if upon the face of the earth without much I find him in want of a friend I would labor and perseverance. Look at the extend to him the hand of friendship; I inventions that have been brought out would give him bread if he was hungry; and the efforts that have been directed water if he was thirsty; clothing if he against them, even in those things that was naked; for I would recognize in him were to be utilized for our own cloth- the fact that he was a creation of my Fa- ing, for our own movements from place ther, and I would not dare to hate him, to place, or for the comfort and con- no matter how vile he might be. I might venience of our homes. The men that hate the principles he had espoused; the have invented these things have met wicked acts of which he was guilty; but with continual persecution. They have I would recognize in him something that struggled against nature itself; and why I should seek to benefit, bless and save, need we, who have had given to us the and I would use all the powers God had great plan of life and salvation, that bestowed upon me in that direction. which will bring us back into the presence of God, that which stamps upon "Brother Smith," some may say, our souls the prospect of eternal union "don't you feel uneasy over the condi- with our wives and our children, and tion of things that now exists in our Ter- of mingling with our friends and rela- ritory?" I have sometimes wished that tives that have gone before—why need things were not as they are. As I have we fear the hand of our enemies. Who wandered in the earth and stood up in cannot stand a few weeks of imprison- the streets and parks and halls preach- ment, a few months of torture, a few ing the Gospel, I have said to myself, years of difficulty, that they may offer I wish that my Father had not set me an offering in righteousness to that God to this work; I wish that these things that called them forth? Not one of us. were not required at my hands. I have Therefore, so far as I am concerned, my sometimes felt timid in being brought brethren and sisters as an individual, I in contact with the world, and the ef- am perfectly happy, just as happy as I forts that were being made against me can possibly be under the circumstances and my brethren. I have wished it in which we are placed. I have no worry could be otherwise, and yet when I stop nor concern. One of my uncles, whose and reflect, when I look over the his- home I left but a few weeks ago warned tory of the past, when I read the facts me that certain things were inevitable; as history brings them to us, I see no that it was impossible for us to hope to other way, I see no other road to travel. fight longer these things our pronounced Every fiber of my being is convinced enemies were seeking to bring upon 180 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. us. All I said to him was, "Wait and against them, for I have been away for see." That is what I propose to do—wait some time; but this fact is patent to every and see, just wait and see. I have been one—that the fervor against the "Mor- waiting from my childhood, and expect to mons" is worked up right from our own continue to wait. It is possible that a few homes, and largely by Christian minis- men like myself maybe hustled within ters. Letters are written to the minis- the prison walls; it is possible that a few ters of the country; the ministers work "Mormons" may be outraged and ban- upon their flocks. Go among many of ished from their native land; it is possi- the peoples of the east—among the old ble that men may follow us to the death; Puritan stock, of which my fathers are but while men die, systems continue to descendants—and you will find that the live and grow, and the powers of earth tales of the horrors of Mormonism are and hell can never check their advance- of the most startling character. This I ment and development. Such is the case discovered while visiting among my rel- in regard to the work we have embraced. atives in New England. It is a living work. It is one of the ac- They were all more or less prejudiced tive forces in nature. It is backed by the against Mormonism; but I trust that the powers of heaven, and ye are its emis- little light I was able to throw upon the saries sent here at this time to aid in question may result in good. The New its advancement. The Gospel must be Englanders as a rule, have but small preached; the nations of the earth must families, and the evil practices that are be warned, and this nation, or any other resorted to by many to prevent their hav- nation, will fall beneath the judgment of ing children at all, will be the means of an enraged God if they reject the mes- carrying them down to the pit. sage of glad tidings, which our Father Now, brethren and sisters, whom has offered them for their exaltation in have we wronged? Whom have we His kingdom. The work of God must wronged by peopling this desert land? conquer every foe, it must overcome ev- Nobody. If there was anybody wronged ery opposing force, and it will accomplish it was the red man, and he has not been that destiny as sure as there is a God in wronged but blessed; for we have tried to heaven. Write it upon the page of his- feed instead of fight him. The first prin- tory; stamp it upon your souls; for deity ciple of the Gospel is faith. Whom have has designed that it should be the case. we hurt if we have faith? Then there I find in mingling among the people is the principle of repentance. Whom in the east, that the moving force to- have we injured if we have repented? day against the Latter-day Saints is not Is anybody hurt? Is the government the politicians of the country. The politi- hurt? Does repentance beget hostil- cians, so far as they are concerned would ity to the government? If we make a care little about us, but there are be- covenant with God in the waters of bap- hind them the people. There are first tism that we will be pure, is anybody the ministers of the Gospel. I do not wronged? No! Have we plotted for the desire to speak harshly of the minis- overthrow and destruction of the govern- ters that live among us, or make charges ment in which we live because the hands EFFICIENCY OF THE ELDERS IN EUROPE. 181 of the servants of God have been laid have accepted we have accepted of our upon our heads and they have bestowed own free will and choice, recognizing the upon us the Holy Ghost, the witness of fact that Deity has required it at our the Spirit that shall guide us into all hands. Who is injured if my wife makes truth? No. Have you or I made a contract a sacrifice with me and takes into our with our God to wage antagonism to the home one of her sisters and makes her institutions of the country in which we my wife. If she makes the sacrifice; if live, or sign allegiance to any other gov- I shoulder the additional responsibility, ernment upon the earth? I have not. and open the door that will save one of I have sworn allegiance to the govern- Eve's fair daughters, who is wronged? ment in which I live. My labors as a Do I plot for the overthrow of the gov- man are in the interests of humanity— ernment, the breaking in pieces of the the freedom of man; that his conscience powers that be, because I desire that my may not be chained up; that his body sister or my daughter, my aunt or my may not be bowed down with the yoke cousin may be preserved from the evils of tyranny; but that before God he may thrown around them by the systems that stand erect, fearless and strong, deter- man has created? No. God has laid upon mined to benefit and bless the human every woman the decree placed upon family. Need we be fearful in regard mother Eve—multiply and replenish the to these things? I think not. There earth. In sections of the land in which we is one that will recompense at the last live, thousands of women today must be- day; and the man who denies the other come the play things of some vile wretch, his liberties, who binds him in chains, if they answer the design of their being. who ties him to the rack, is the man My whole being is convinced of the fact— who should tremble when the reckon- that it is a decree of God Himself that ing of Deity is made with His sons and these women should have a chance to daughters. We might go through all the marry, and that He Himself has opened principles of the faith we have espoused the door. He Himself has established the and then ask who is wronged? We have principle. I want my daughters married made grass grow where it did not grow as I desired to marry myself; I want them before. If we have built homes, if we honored wives, whether plural ones or pay taxes for the sustenance and gov- otherwise, no matter who may seek to ernment of the cities and towns that are brand their offspring as infamous. I to be found upon this once sterile spot, know—for God has given me the witness, and which was once the great American He has stamped it upon this heart that desert, who is wronged? No one. Who they who come through that lineage are has raised a standard against the gov- as much honored of God and approved of ernment in which we live? Not one of us. Him, as any that have ever walked His But you believe in the Priesthood. You footstool from the day that this earth was accept of a system of government that peopled until the day in which we live. is most perfect on the face of the earth. This principle was given for a purpose, Who is wronged if we do? You have not and that purpose is the salvation of the changed it. It has not changed you. It female sex as well as the male sex. Go to has not wronged you; and that which we 182 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Great Britain, and you will find a mil- established principle so correct that lion more women than men moving upon there was no necessity for such a thing. the streets of the great cities. Go up the It is man that has introduced it; it is Strand in London; Go up Lime Street, man that has overturned the condition in Liverpool; and the streets in Manch- of society; it is man that has turned his ester; go into any of the leading streets daughter into the street. I say again and of the great cities of the world, and gaze again that the "Mormon" people can wait upon as fine specimens of womanhood as the result of this thing without fear; they our Father ever put breath into. What can afford to suffer pains and penalties are their prospects in life? What is writ- if that will but open the door by which ten across their brow? Infamy, shame— the fair daughters of Eve can be re- going to their graves the victims of loath- deemed from the position in which they some disease. It is not one, it is not are placed and be made honored and re- two or three; but it is millions of them spected women of society. that are going this inevitable road. Who The speaker concluded by reiterating is responsible? Who placed upon them his allegiance to the American govern- the interdict, preventing them, from ful- ment, and exhorting the Saints to be filling the object of their creation? Not faithful in keeping the commandments God; for He made His law so liberal and of God in all things.

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ATTRACT MUCH ATTENTION—THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF SCANDAL AND FALSEHOOD, BUT HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED BY THE SPIRIT OF PEACE—GOD HAS REVEALED TO US THE PURPOSES OF OUR EXISTENCE—GOD IS THE FATHER OF OUR SPIRITS—HE HAS GIVEN US AN AGENCY—GOD FORESEEING THAT ADAM WOULD FALL PREPARED A REDEEMER—WE ARE HERE ON THE EARTH TO PROVE OUR INTEGRITY AND TO OBTAIN A KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL—THE CONSCIENCE OF MAN IS THE SPIRIT OF GOD PROMPTING US TO DO RIGHT—GOD IN HIS WISDOM HIDES FROM US THE GLORIES BEYOND THE VEIL—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,SEPTEMBER 28, 1884.

We are living in a very peculiar age, which attracts the attention of and as a people we are doing a work mankind. Our name is known for good THE SAINTS BLESSED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. 183 and evil in all lands. At no time in the these events, and there is nothing that history of mankind that we have any ac- has yet taken place connected with this count of, has there been a people of our work of our God that has not been made number who have attracted as much at- manifest through the revelations which tention and created as great an inter- He has given. This has been a great est in the minds of the public as these cause of strength to the people and has have who live in these mountains and prepared them to bear with some degree are known as "Mormons" or Latter-day of equanimity and fortitude, the trials Saints. and the afflictions to which they have The age in which we live is one in been subjected. It is well for us that which intelligence travels with great ra- this has been the case. It is well for us, pidity. Knowledge is communicated with also, that accompanying the work of our ease, and by means of the newspaper, God, there has been a spirit of peace be- the telegraph wire, and other facilities stowed upon those who have espoused which the age affords, everything con- that work. If this had not been the nected with us as a people is heralded case how unfortunate our lot would have from one end of the earth to the other been! How unbearable! We could never in common with all the acts of the chil- have endured that which we have been dren of men. Unfortunately, however, called to pass through had there not been with these facilities for the transmission this spirit of peace that God promised in of true knowledge, there are also equal the beginning to bestow upon us. I doubt facilities for the transmission of false- myself whether there can be found any- hood and misrepresentation. We have where within the confines of the globe been the victims of falsehood and slan- another people living in greater peace, in der. Herculean efforts have been made to the enjoyment of more happiness, pure create false impressions concerning the happiness, than can be found in these Kingdom of God and the Church which valleys from north to south. While all our Father in heaven has established. It manner of evil has been spoken against is well for us, however, that we have been the Latter-day Saints, while our names prepared for this. In the commencement have been everywhere cast out as evil, of this work of our God they who received God has given compensation to us by be- it were warned of the character of the stowing upon us these blessings to which warfare that would be instituted against I have referred. them. The Lord revealed in great plain- It is well for us to look at the cir- ness that it might cost them everything cumstances which surround us and to they held dear upon the earth, and that take a proper survey of all the events the warfare that would be waged against that lie before us, that are likely to them would be one of unceasing hatred. take place in the future connected with These difficulties and trials, therefore, us. God has given unto us the truth. have not come upon the people with- This we have received accompanied by out some degree of preparation for them. abundant testimonies. Those who have The Lord gave the spirit of prophecy entered into covenants with God, who and revelation unto His servants and have gone down into the waters of bap- unto His people to prepare them for tism in obedience to His requirements, 184 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. submitting to the ordinances that He has Now, if a man can only know whence instituted for salvation, and have done he came, why he is here, and that which this in sincerity and with purity of pur- awaits him after this life, it seems to pose, have received for themselves testi- me that he has abundant causes of hap- monies from God respecting the divinity piness within his grasp. Much of the of the work with which they have become unhappiness and uncertainty that pre- identified. It is of the utmost importance vail today in the minds of mankind that we should cherish this spirit and arise from ignorance upon these points. feeling, that it should be with us con- Hence, we see the course that many of stantly in our movements, in every act the children of men are taking. If a man of our lives, and that we should so live knew exactly why God sent him here, the that the Holy Ghost will rest down in object that He had in giving unto him a power and in testimony upon us. It is mortal existence, do you think that men not only necessary that those who stand or women who had this knowledge would at the head should know for themselves be guilty of suicide, would have any dis- concerning this work, its divinity and the position to cut off their own existence purposes of God connected with it, but and to destroy that gift which God in His that every member, however humble and mercy has given unto us? I do not be- obscure, should in like manner receive of lieve that any human being who prop- that spirit and enjoy its presence and its erly comprehends the object that God power, have its gifts resting down upon has had in placing man here upon the him or her. Each member should stand earth, and who has a desire to carry out as a living witness of the truth that the that purpose, would ever attempt self- Father has revealed, and which each of destruction. He would shrink from such us who have complied with His require- an act with horror, and would never dare ments have received. to destroy the earthly tabernacle given him by God. In these respects, as I have God has placed us here upon the said, we possess rare advantages. It is a earth to accomplish important purposes. great favor from God to have this light. These purposes have been in part re- There is no unwillingness on His part vealed unto us. Probably it is not pos- to communicate it; but there is an un- sible for men and women in this mor- willingness on the part of the children tal state of existence to comprehend of men to receive it when it is commu- all the designs of God connected with nicated. man's existence upon the earth: but The Bible tells us we came from much has been revealed upon this sub- God. The Bible tells us He is the Fa- ject to us as a people. In this respect, ther of our spirits. How is He the Fa- if in no other, the Latter-day Saints ther of our spirits? This is an im- should be the happiest, the most con- portant question, and one that each of tented, the most joyous of all people us should endeavor to understand. I that live; for not only has the knowl- think it is of the utmost importance edge of the past been communicated to that the Latter-day Saints should under- us, but the present, that which is con- stand and be able to comprehend this nected with our probation here, and also question thoroughly; because upon the much knowledge concerning the future. proper understanding of this, must, to a THE SAINTS BLESSED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. 185 great extent, depend their actions in this eyes. Would anyone have suspected from life. the appearance of the Savior, from His It has been argued that because we teachings, from His treatment of His dis- have no recollection of any previous state ciples, that He differed so widely from of being, our existence must, therefore, them as to be of an entirely distinct have commenced at our birth—that that species? Certainly not. He taught to was the inception of existence so far them and to others the great doctrine as we are concerned. This is the gen- of equality. If they would obey certain eral belief throughout Christendom. No laws, conform to certain requirements, body of worshippers who call themselves they were to be His equals, that is, be Christians, that we have any account of, one with Him, as He would be one with have any belief in a pre-existent state for the Father. In this teaching He offended man. They consider his birth into mor- the Jews. Their dislike to these ideas of tality as the beginning of life for him. His, found expression in the words: "that Yet the belief is universal among them thou being a man, makest thyself God." that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and His disciples had the right to think from the Redeemer of the world, had a pre- all that He taught, that if He had been existence. It is the cornerstone of their with the Father before coming into this faith. If Jesus did not have life till He mortal life, they also had been there. If appeared in mortality, then their faith they were to be so closely associated with in Him is vain, for He would not be Him in the great future what was there God. But they profess to believe that to suggest to them that they had not He is God, the Son; that He dwelt in been intimately connected with Him in the heavens and was the Creator of all the past? If He had been chosen from be- things before He took upon Himself hu- fore the foundation of the earth to do the manity. In believing this they are cor- work which He was then doing, what in- rect. But why they should be willing to consistency would there be in their being believe this concerning our elder brother chosen also, as His ministers and asso- Jesus, and at the same time be unwill- ciates, at the same time? To look at them ing to believe that the whole family of as they traveled and labored together man also existed in the heavens with throughout Jewry, there was nothing un- the Father before they came here, is not reasonable in the idea of their common clear. Those who saw the Savior while in origin. mortality saw nothing in Him to distin- The Lord Jesus was undoubtedly se- guish Him particularly from other mor- lected for the great mission of redeem- tals. Doubtless those who were enlight- ing the world, because of His great qual- ened by the Spirit of God could perceive ities and His peculiar fitness as one of evidences of His superiority over ordi- the Godhead. It is written of Him: nary men, and of His divinity. But did "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest Pilate? Did the Pharisees and Scribes? wickedness: therefore God, thy God, In the eyes of the latter classes He was hath anointed thee with the oil of glad- a common man and a vulgar impos- ness above thy fellows." tor who deserved an ignominious death. Who were his fellows? Were His divine glory was veiled from mortal not all the distinguished of heav- 186 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. en's sons there—they who afterwards woman in the shape of an infant, is it made their appearance on the earth as not equally possible that we all did the Prophets, Apostles and righteous men? same? Everything that we know con- If He was chosen above all His fellows, cerning the mysteries of this life justi- and anointed with the oil of gladness, is fies us in thus believing. But we are it not consistent and reasonable to sup- not left to speculation upon this point. pose that His faithful Apostles were also God has revealed this in great plainness. chosen and anointed to perform their The Bible proves to us that Jesus ex- part in the great drama of human existed with the Father, and that He de- istence for the enactment of which the scended from His high estate in the re- earth was to be prepared? If He had com- gions of glory to become a mortal man; panions in the heavens, or to use the lan- for He speaks Himself in praying to the guage of the Scriptures—"fellows," is it Father, of the glory he had with the Fa- reasonable to suppose that He left them ther before He came here, that glory hav- there while He came down here and took ing been revealed to Him. Now, is there upon Himself mortality? Does it violate anything difficult or incomprehensible in in the least any idea that we derive from the thought, that we all in like man- the sacred records, to think that His "fel- ner, existed with the Father, and with lows" also came here, and, as He did, also our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, before obtained mortal tabernacles? we came here? The Lord in speaking to If we grant that His "fellows" in the Jeremiah, reveals to him in great plain- heavens came here, as He did, and ob- ness, that he had a pre-existence. In the tained mortal bodies, what shall we say first chapter of Jeremiah, He tells him of the undistinguished millions who have that before he was formed in the womb crowded their way forward into mortal He knew him, that He chose him to be life from the beginning? Shall we divide a Prophet, that he had been designated humanity into classes, and say one class for the work that he had to accomplish; had a heavenly existence before coming and thousands of others among mankind here, while another class sprung into ex- have felt—though they knew nothing by istence at mortal conception or birth? If recollection of their previous existence— we are not justified, by either Scripture that they were called and designated and or reason, in placing the Redeemer of the destined to accomplish great works upon world in a class by Himself, so far as the earth. pre-existence is concerned, and in sepa- The revelations that have been given rating Him in this respect from His "fel- unto us as a people have communi- lows," how can we find warrant for divid- cated this doctrine unto us. We are ing the rest of the family of God, into two taught in the record of Abraham, which classes—one as having a pre-existence, has been translated and given unto us, and another as not having any life till that prior to man's coming upon the they arrive here? earth, he had an existence with the If it were possible for the Lord Father, and that we all, all the in- Jesus to descend from the mansions habitants of the earth, every man and of glory and take possession of a woman and child that has ever been mortal tabernacle, and be born of a born upon the earth, or that ever will be THE SAINTS BLESSED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. 187 born on the earth—have had an exis- come infidels, and rejected all belief in tence with the Father, before coming God and in any providence connected here. with man and with man's existence upon With these views that I have endeav- the earth. They have abandoned them- ored to set before you we can have some selves to complete unbelief upon this understanding concerning the object of point. But those who have sought af- man being placed upon the earth. If we ter God, those who have humbled them- are the children of our God, then God our selves before Him, and obtained knowl- Eternal Father has had an object, a great edge from Him in the way that He has object to accomplish in placing us here appointed—though to them all may not on the earth. Jesus had a mission to per- be perfectly plain—do perceive and ac- form. He came and took upon Himself knowledge the providence of God in all mortality. A mortal probation was as- the circumstances which surround them. signed Him. It was a part of the plan They perceive His hand and acknowl- of salvation, not only connected with His edge it in all the events connected with exaltation, but with the redemption of their mortal existence, and with the mor- the human family. There has been a pur- tal existence of their fellows. pose in all this. This earth has been created for a purpose. Man is here for a God has had a purpose in withdraw- purpose. Death is in the world for a pur- ing himself from man; it has not been pose, just as much as life, and all these a part of His purpose to reveal Him- are a part of the Divine plan connected self in His fullness, in His glory, in with man's existence in the past, at the His power, unto His children upon the present and for the future. earth. Many, not understanding why A great many have stumbled and this should be, and unable to compre- have questioned the justice of our God, hend any purpose in it, have stumbled and have also gone so far as to ques- and yielded to doubts and been ready, be- tion the very existence of God, because cause of this, to deny His existence. Now, of the earthly circumstances which sur- it has been a part of the plan of salvation, round the children of men. It has been as revealed in all the records that have said by those who have taken this view come down to us from the beginning— that if there were an all-powerful Be- from the days of our Father Adam until ing, such as God is described to be, He now—it is a part of the plan of salvation, would interpose in behalf of the chil- I say, connected with man's existence dren of men, and deliver them from the upon the earth that God should thus trying scenes and circumstances which withdraw himself, as it were, from man, they frequently have to pass through. and that a veil should be drawn between The fact that man is in such a condition himself and man, and that if knowledge and is surrounded by such circumstances of Him be obtained, it should be obtained is frequently urged as an evidence that by the exercise of great faith and contin- there is no God, that there can be no ued labor on the part of His children. But God, possessing such attributes as are why, it may be asked, is this necessary? ascribed to Him by those who believe in Why is it that God has not revealed him- Him. Many people have been deluded self with great fullness and power unto by this kind of reasoning; they have be- all the inhabitants of the earth, and left 188 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. them in complete possession of all the in the beginning—in the very commence- knowledge necessary to prove to them ment of the work of our God upon the that He is God? Questions of this kind earth when He placed Adam in the are frequently propounded by men. They garden and gave Eve unto him for a ask: Why does He not reveal Himself wife. He set before them the princi- fully to His creatures? Why should He ple of knowledge—that is, He told them leave them a prey to doubt? Why should what they should do; He told them what He leave them in darkness? Why should they should refrain from doing. He told He give opportunities to the adversary of them that if they did certain things, cer- their souls to assail them as He does for tain penalties should follow. Had such a want of that knowledge which He might thing been possible and consistent with communicate so easily. These are impor- the purposes of Heaven, He might, at the tant questions, and they are questions very beginning, have prevented Adam which as Latter-day Saints we should from exercising His agency. Instead of understand. saying to him, "Of every tree of the gar- We must remember, to begin with, den thou mayest freely eat, except the that God our Eternal Father has given tree of knowledge of good and evil," and unto each of us our agency. There leaving him free to eat of the fruit of is no human being born on the earth that tree, He might have put it out of from whom God has withheld his or her his power to touch or taste it. But agency. We have as much right to ex- not so; He gave him the opportunity of ercise our agency in our sphere as God exercising his agency; He told him he the Eternal Father has to exercise His could eat of every tree freely, except the agency in His sphere; just as much. It tree of knowledge of good and evil, but is not sacrilege, it is not any infringe- that he should not eat of it, "for in the ment upon the power of Our God to in- day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt dulge in this thought or to have this be- surely die." There was no attempt on the lief. It does not detract in the least from part of our Father to interfere with the His glory, from His power, nor from our agency of Adam in this respect. He left dependence upon Him as an infinite and him perfectly free and in the exercise of almighty Being to entertain this view that freedom Adam did partake of the of ourselves. Jesus said when He was tree of knowledge of good and evil. His upon the earth: "Be ye perfect, even as wife, Eve, was deceived in eating of the your Father in heaven is perfect." How fruit; she partook of it, being beguiled, could we be if man did not have the yet in the perfect exercise of her agency, power within him, through the agency and after she had partaken of it, and which God has given him, to be thus become subject to the penalty that God perfect. Everywhere throughout the di- had pronounced—the penalty of death vine record where God has communi- and expulsion from the garden—then cated His mind and His will to men, this she came and told Adam what she had principle is plainly manifest: that man done. Adam was fully conscious of has had given unto him, in the great- all the consequences that had attended est freedom and without limit, the power this act. He knew perfectly well that to exercise his own agency. It was so the penalty would be executed—that THE SAINTS BLESSED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. 189 that Eve had become mortal, that death tomb, and there would have been no had entered into her tabernacle, and the redemption therefrom because of the penalty that God had pronounced would penalty that had been pronounced by the be fully executed; that she would be Father upon him if he committed this thrown out of the garden and that they act—God knowing all this provided a Re- would be separated forever—that is, so deemer. That Redeemer was the Son of far as this life was concerned. He knew God, Jesus our Savior, in whose name we this, and, fully conscious of all the con- all approach the Father, in whose name sequences which should follow his par- salvation is given unto the children of taking of the fruit, he partook of it. In men. It was arranged beforehand that doing so he was not deceived. He par- He should come and perform His mission took of it because of his desire to ful- in the meridian of time—lay down His fill the commandments of God. God had life, as it was known that He would do given unto him this woman for a wife; through the wickedness of bad men. they were bound together by immortal ties; but because of this act of hers there Now, it may be said, why did not must necessarily have been a separa- God prevent man and woman from tak- tion that would have endured as long as ing this course? Because, as I have be- her mortal life endured. Adam under- fore said, it was right that they should standing this, partook of the fruit, and exercise their agency. God—shall I say as is said by the Prophet Lehi, "Adam could not? Do I detract from His majesty fell that man might be; and men are, and His glory by placing a limit on His that they may have joy." If he had not power? I will say that God would not, fallen; if he had not partaken of that because it would be in violation of His fruit, there would have been no human own laws; it would be in violation of race on the earth. He understood this, those eternal laws which our God Him- therefore he partook of it and accom- self recognizes, for Him to have inter- panied his wife. It was a part of the fered and deprived man and woman of plan that was understood in the heav- their agency. But, knowing the conse- ens before Adam was placed in the gar- quences of their actions, He prepared den. God by His foreknowledge under- a way for their salvation and their re- stood perfectly that Adam, in the exer- demption, and thus it is that we are born cise of his agency, would fall. There- on the earth. It was part of the design fore He prepared a Redeemer in the per- that we should be subjected to all these son of His Son Jesus Christ, who we afflictions and trials and ordeals that be- are told was "a Lamb slain from belong to this mortal state of existence. fore the foundation of the world." God This was part of the plan. having seen that Adam would fall, that death would come upon him, and that I have been told by objectors that a Redeemer would be necessary in or- God ought to reveal Himself in fullness. der to redeem man from the effects of Why does He not do it? Because if He the fall—for unless there had been a Re- were to do so, we should be deprived of deemer provided, Adam and all his pos- the opportunities of proving our integrity terity would have slept an eternal sleep, which we now have. He has marked they would have been consigned to the out the path for us to walk in. He has 190 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. designed that we shall struggle; that we them, and they saw him not; for they shall exercise faith; that we shall con- were shut out from his presence." tend with the temptations of the adver- That was one of the consequences of sary; that we shall overcome evil; and by the fall. They were shut out, and man a continued exercise of faith progress in has been from that time to this shut out the course that He has assigned to us. from the presence of the Father. It is absolutely necessary that we should be tempted and tried in order that we "And he gave unto them command- should receive the glory that He has in ments, that they should worship the store for us. What would our salvation Lord their God, and should offer the amount to; what would heaven amount firstlings of their flock, for an offering to if we had never been tried, if we were unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient to be placed in heaven without trial, unto the commandments of the Lord.* * without effort, without exertion upon our ** part to overcome evil and to contend with "And Eve, his wife, heard all these those influences that abound in this mor- things and was glad, saying: Were it not tal state of existence. It would not be for our transgression we never should such a heaven as God inhabits, and such have seed, and never should have known a heaven as He designs that all His chil- good and evil, and the joy of our re- dren shall inhabit. For let me say to you, demption, and the eternal life which God my brethren and sisters, God designs giveth unto all the obedient. that we shall be like Him. He designs that His children shall attain unto the "And Adam and Eve blessed the Godhead—that is if they will obey the name of God, and they made all things laws necessary to bring them up to that known unto their sons and daughters." exaltation, and before they can attain Now this couple blessed God because unto that, before they can enjoy that, be- of their transgression. Their eyes were fore they can be in a condition to appre- opened; they had become as Gods; for ciate that, they must pass through just the devil in tempting Eve, had told a such scenes of trial and tribulation and truth when he said unto her that when affliction as we are subjected to in this she should eat of the tree of knowledge mortal condition of existence. of good and evil they should become as There is an interesting passage in the Gods. He told the truth in telling that, new translation of the Bible, in the Pearl but he accompanied it with a lie as he of Great Price, that I have often been always does. He never tells the com- struck with. It shows clearly the feelings plete truth. He said that they should of our first parents after they had been not die. The Father had said that they thrust out of the Garden of Eden. I will should die. The devil had to tell a read a paragraph or two: lie in order to accomplish his purposes; "And Adam called upon the name but there was some truth in his state- of the Lord, and Eve also, his ment. Their eyes were opened. They wife, and they heard the voice of had a knowledge of good and evil just as the Lord, from the way toward the Gods have. They became as Gods; the Garden of Eden, speaking unto for that is one of the features, one of THE SAINTS BLESSED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. 191 the peculiar attributes of those who at- that does not drive it from him; for ev- tain unto that glory—they understand ery human being has a portion of the the difference between good and evil. Spirit of God given unto him. We some- In our pre-existent state, in our spiri- times call it conscience; we call it by tual existence, I do not know how ex- one name and we call it by another; but tensive our knowledge of good and evil it is the Spirit of God that every man was. That is not fully revealed. But and woman possesses that is born on the this I do know, that when we come to earth. God has given unto all his chil- earth and become clothed with mortal- dren this Spirit. Of course it is not the ity we do arrive at a knowledge of good gift of the Holy Ghost in its fullness; for and evil, and that knowledge prepares us that is only received by obedience to the for that future existence which we will commandments of God—to the Gospel of have in the eternal worlds; it will enable our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But us to enter upon a career that is never it is a Spirit that pleads with men to do ending, that will continue onward and right. The heathen have it. There is upward throughout all the ages of eter- no degraded Indian in these mountains nity. It is for this purpose that we are or valleys who does not have a portion here. God has given unto us this proof that Spirit pleading with him to do bation for the express purpose of obtain- that which is right. It pleads with all the ing a knowledge of good and evil—of un- heathen, the Pagan as well as the Chris- derstanding evil and being able to over- tian; the Methodist and Baptist as well come the evil—and by overcoming it re- as the Latter-day Saints. Everywhere ceive the exaltation and glory that He throughout the earth where man dwells has in store for us. Here we are sub- this Spirit rests upon him. It comes from jected to the power of the adversary. He God. It pleads with man to do right. can tempt us, try us. Satan has power It pleads with man to resist the blan- in the earth, and in the exercise of his dishments of Satan. No man ever did a agency he tempts the children of men. wrong but that Spirit warned him of it to He has rebelled against God in the ex- a greater or less extent. No man ever put ercise of his agency; for he was a great his hand forth to do a wrong to his neigh- and a mighty angel in the presence of bor without that Spirit telling him it was our Father and our God. But in the ex- wrong. He never put forth his hand or in- ercise of his agency he rebelled against fluence to wrong the gentler sex—to com- the Father and drew away with him one- mit sin in that direction—without that third of the hosts of heavens, who like- warning voice which is in every human wise exercised their agency and followed being telling him of the sin. On the other him in preference to following the Lord hand, there is the influence of evil, the God, their Father; and in the continued influence of the Adversary enticing men exercise of his agency he tempts us. He to do wrong, leading into paths of sin, has power over us to that extent in this leading them away from righteousness fallen condition. At the same time we and from God; infusing doubt, infus- have the sweet influence of the Spirit of ing unbelief, infusing hardness of heart, God pleading with us to do that which is infusing rebellion against everything right, pleading with every human being 192 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. that is holy and pure. We are all con- understand the glory we once had with scious of the existence of these two in- our Father in heaven we would be dis- fluences within us. There is no child contented in dwelling in this condition that has reached the age of accountabil- of existence. We would pine for the ity and in the possession of his or her home we left behind us. Its glory and faculties but what has had these two in- its beauty, its heavenly graces and de- fluences pleading with him or her—one lights were of such a character that we entreating to do right, the other entic- would pine for it with that homesick- ing to do wrong, to commit sin and to ness that men have some partial knowl- violate the commandments of God. If edge of here on the earth. It is said we cultivate the good influence it will that at one time in the French army, lead us into the truth (if we are not al- the bands were forbidden to play cer- ready in possession of the truth) when tain airs because of the effect they had we hear it. It was through this Spirit upon the Swiss soldiers whom they em- that you Latter-day Saints accepted the ployed. These Swiss airs would arouse Gospel in the various lands where you such sensations of homesickness as to heard it preached. That Spirit that came cause the Swiss to throw down their from God taught you by its sweet and arms and desert and go back to their heavenly influence that it was the truth native valleys and mountains. Now, if you heard, and when you espoused it you such a feeling of homesickness can be had a feeling in your hearts that you can- brought about in that way, how much not describe. It was the testimony of the more would it be the case if we could Spirit of God that this was indeed the recollect our association with our Father truth of heaven, and it led you to obey and God in the eternal world! Wisely, the commandments of God; and to re- in the providence of God, this knowledge ceive in greater fullness and power the is withdrawn from us. We can have a gift of the Holy Ghost, which you have glimpse occasionally, through the reve- received through obedience to the com- lations of the Spirit to us, of the glory mandments that God has given. there is awaiting us, and sometimes Time will not permit me to say a when men and women are approaching great many things that I have on my death—when they are ready to step out mind. I see the time is nearly expired. of this existence into the other—the veil But I wish to say that we had an exis- becomes so thin that they behold the glo- tence before we came here. "But," says ries of the eternal world, and when they one, "I do not remember anything about come back again—as some have, we all it." No, you do not. You do not remem- probably have met those who have been ber the day you were born on the earth, snatched from death—they come back to yet you will not deny that you had an this mortal existence with a feeling of re- existence at that time. When you were gret. They have had a foretaste of the a year old you do not remember begin- glory that awaited them; they have had ning to walk, yet you will not deny that a glimpse of that glory that is behind you had an existence then. God, in His the veil; and the love of life is so com- wisdom, has withdrawn the recollection pletely lost—the love of earthly home of these things from us. If we could and friends is so completely taken from THE SAINTS BLESSED WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE. 193 them, that they desire with all their with the most noble aspirations. We hearts to take their exit from this life should never condescend to commit any into that glorious life which they knew low, mean, unworthy act when we con- was on the other side of the veil. Has not sider who we are, and what we are, and this been the case in many instances? the glory that God has promised unto us Certainly it has. Therefore our God in if we are faithful to Him. Let us keep His wisdom has withdrawn this knowl- those things in mind. Let us bear pa- edge from us, and left us to seek for and tiently the afflictions that come upon us. obtain that aid and strength necessary to Let us contend earnestly for the faith enable us to successfully battle with and that God desires we should have, seek- overcome the powers of evil that assail ing unto Him for that knowledge which us on every hand. He has to bestow, and though we may not My brethren and sisters: it is for behold His face now, yet we will behold us to contend with the evils that sur- it, and will dwell eternally with Him and round us, patiently bearing all the af- His Son Jesus in the heavens, if we keep flictions and trials that belong to this the commandments He has given unto mortal life. We should remember our us. destiny, and at the same time look forward to that glorious future that God May God grant that we may do so, is has prepared for us. We should be filled my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. 194 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL INTELLIGENCE—MANKIND HIS OFFSPRING AND THE INSTRUMENTS OF HIS WILL—HE OVERRULES THE RESULTS OF MEN'S ACTIONS—PRE-EXISTENCE OF MAN AND PLURALITY OF WORLDS—THE GOSPEL ONE AND UNCHANGEABLE—CHARGES OF EXCLUSIVENESS, ETC., AGAINST THE SAINTS—THE CHRISTIAN WORLD DENY REVELATION AND REPUDIATE BIBLE DOCTRINE—THEIR APOSTASY PREDICTED AND FULFILLED—THE GOSPEL RESTORED AND THE LAST DISPENSATION—THE EARTH'S WEEK OF HISTORY AND MILLENNIAL SABBATH—WHAT "MORMON" TREASON CONSISTS OF—THE MISSION OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC—A FABLE AND ITS APPLICATION—A PROPHECY—THE PEACEABLE MISSION OF THE SAINTS.

DISCOURSEBY BISHOP ORSON F. WHITNEY, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,APRIL 19, 1885.

I have been called upon, my brethren creator of a part of the human race, or a and sisters and friends, to address you portion of earth's creatures, but He is the for a portion of the time which belongs creator of all things—the maker of the to this meeting, and I assure you that in earth, the maker of heaven, and that the responding to that call I have no desire children of men are the sons and daugh- in my heart but to be led to say those ters of one common parentage; that He things which will be pleasing and accept- feels for them all the day long; that He able to God our Father, and beneficial to has their welfare constantly in view, and ourselves. He makes no movement, so far as His I have always been taught to regard children upon this earth are concerned, our Father in heaven as the source of but He does it for their salvation and all intelligence, and that wherever in- their good here and hereafter. telligence is manifested throughout the The Latter-day Saints are said to be earth, among His creatures, it has its exclusive, and are called selfish and pre- primal origin in Him who is the fountain sumptuous because they maintain that of life and light; and that if men are qual- a certain mission has been given unto ified to perform any great or good work, them; that they have received revela- it must necessarily be by reason of the tions from God; that the Maker of the power from God which rests upon them. world has deigned to speak in these The Latter-day Saints take this view of last days, and raise up men and women the relationship of God with mankind; whom He knew beforehand would do that He is not simply the Father, or His will. This unfavorable view arises PRE-EXISTENCE OF MAN. 195 from the fact that our motives are mis- have the privilege to do right or do understood; that our mission, which we wrong, but the results of their actions continually proclaim to the world is not God will overrule to suit himself. "Man believed in, and we are looked upon as proposes but God disposes," and the his- an assembly of upstarts, enthusiasts and tory of this world, or any other world fanatics, who, in our blindness and our which has passed through a similar pro- narrowness think that God has only re- bation and been redeemed and glorified garded us; that we are His favorites, and by the power of God and obedience to that He cares nothing at all for the rest the principles of righteousness, is one of mankind. This is a wrong idea of vast exemplification of that great truth. our position, and it is because our po- While man is left free to propose, to sition is thus misconceived—one cause adopt what plans he chooses, to exercise at least—that we are persecuted and his agency, and to carry, so far as he is abused, derided, oppressed and tram- permitted, the thoughts and desires of pled upon as we are. However, I do not his heart to their conclusion, God has believe that we could escape the com- never declared that He would not over- mon fate of those whom God has cho- rule the results of men's acts to accom- sen for a peculiar work in all ages of plish His own purposes. the world. For, while we acknowledge We are placed in this world measur- that God is the Father of the human ably in the dark. We no longer see race, and interested in the salvation of our Father face to face. While it is all, we do maintain that our mission as true that we once did; that we once a part of the human family is peculiar, stood in His presence, seeing as we are separate and distinct from the missions seen, knowing, according to our intelli- which have been given to others. God gence, as we are known; the curtain has is the author of many plans and pur- dropped, we have changed our abode, poses, but all his plans, all his purposes we have taken upon ourselves flesh; the and designs converge to one point, have veil of forgetfulness intervenes between one focus, whether He uses the Chris- this life and that, and we are left, as tian world, the heathen world, or even Paul expresses it, to "see through a glass, this little handful of Latter-day Saints; darkly," to "know in part, and to proph- no matter whom He uses to accomplish esy in part;" to see only to a limited ex- His ends, these purposes blend and have tent, the end from the beginning. We but one grand object. They are like rivers do not comprehend things in their full- or streams of different kinds and sizes ness. But we have the promise, if we flowing towards one ocean into which will receive and live by every word that they all must empty. And though men proceeds from the mouth of God, wisely deem themselves independent—and it using the intelligence, the opportuni- is true that in one sense they are— ties, the advantages, and the posses- while they fail, many of them, to take sions which He continually bestows upon God into consideration, and seem to us—the time will come, in the eternal think they can do about as they please, course of events, when our minds will be and accomplish what ends they desire, cleared from every cloud, the past will all their independence, all their free- recur to memory, the future will be an dom, simply amounts to this; that they open vision, and we will behold things as 196 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. they are, and the past, present and fu- a reasonable pretext for the opposition ture will be one eternal day, as it is in it has ever manifested to the truths of the eyes of God our Father, who knows heaven. It is a characteristic of our Fa- neither past, present or future; whose ther, a principle of His divine economy course is one eternal round; who cre- to exact from every soul a fitting proof of ates, who saves, redeems and glorifies its worthiness to attain the exaltation to the workmanship of His hands, in which which it aspires. There are no heights He Himself is glorified. that may not be surmounted, but they The earth upon which we dwell is must be reached in the way that God has only one among the many creations of ordained. Man may think to accomplish God. The stars that glitter in the heav- his salvation by carrying out the self- ens at night and give light unto the earth ish desires of his own heart; but when are His creations, redeemed worlds, per- he fails to take God into consideration, haps, or worlds that are passing through his Creator, and the framer of the laws the course of their redemption, being whereby we mount unto exaltation and saved, purified, glorified and exalted eternal life, he knocks the ladder from by obedience to the principles of truth under him whereby he might climb to which we are now struggling to obey. that glorious state. Thus is the work of our Father made perpetual, and as fast as one world and The exclusiveness which the Latter- its inhabitants are disposed of, He will day Saints exhibit is this: they maintain roll another into existence, He will cre- that the Lord has but one way to save the ate another earth, He will people it with human race; that the term "everlasting His offspring, the offspring of the Gods gospel" is not a misnomer, but means ex- in eternity, and they will pass through actly what it says, and that it is eternal probations such as we are now passing as its maker or framer is eternal. It can through, that they may prove their in- no more change than He can change. A tegrity by their works; that they may man must obey the same principles now give an assurance to the Almighty that that were obeyed two thousand years they are worthy to be exalted through ago, or six thousand years ago, or mil- obedience to those principles, that un- lions of ages ago, in order to attain the changeable plan of salvation which has presence of His Father and God. There been revealed to us. is but one way, one plan of life and sal- It is one of the grandest attributes of vation, and there need be but one; for Deity that He saves and exalts the hu- God, being an economist, does not cre- man family upon just and eternal prin- ate that which is superfluous; and there ciples; that He gives to no man, or can be, in the very nature of things, only no woman that which they have not one true plan of eternal life, for if there been willing to work for, which they were two they must necessarily differ, have not deserved, which they have since no two things can be exactly alike, not expanded themselves to receive by and if one of these two things is perfect putting in practice the principles He that which differs from it, must be im- reveals, against all opposition, facing perfect. Of a necessity God is the author the wrath and scorn of the world—the of perfection; His works are not deficient world which cannot give a just cause, in any respect; and what He ordains for PRE-EXISTENCE OF MAN. 197 the salvation of man is the only way for ask which was the way to such and man to be saved. Thus it is that the such a place, and the guide should tell Latter-day Saints preach the everlasting him, and he in his self-will and obsti- Gospel, the unchangeable way of eternal nacy should persist in taking a contrary life, and to corroborate it, they point to course, how in the name of consistency the Scriptures which are now being ful- could he blame his guide if he did not filled. Among other things, to the vision reach his destination; or how could he of the Prophet John upon the isle of Pat- charge him with being selfish or pre- mos, who saw "another angel fly in the sumptuous, when he himself confessed midst of heaven, having the everlasting his ignorance and appealed to this man gospel to preach unto them that dwell who testified in all earnestness that he on the earth, and to every nation, and knew which was the right way? Yet this kindred, and tongue, and people, Say- is similar to the position of the world ing with a loud voice, Fear God and give in relation to the Latter-day Saints, who glory to him; for the hour of his judg- solemnly testify that the God of heaven ment is come." This is the exclusiveness has revealed to them the only way to life of the Latter-day Saints; it is as far as and salvation, a claim which no other it extends. There is but one way to eter- sect, church or party advance at the nal life, and while there are many sys- present time. They deny revelation; they tems extant called plans of salvation, yet say the heavens are closed; that God no they differ from each other as the stars longer speaks to the human family; that of heaven differ in magnitude, or as the He has left them with a Bible, the record sands of the seashore, or as the counte- of a people who are dead; which speaks nances of the children of men; nay, more of commandments given to an ancient than this, for most of them are lacking people, who like ourselves were the chil- in features which are necessary in order dren of God. This is the claim of the to form a perfect whole. If the Latter- Christian world—that this book is the day Saints are in possession of the ever- canon of scripture, and that it is full, lasting Gospel, all sects, creeds and par- and we need no more revelation, no more ties that preach a Gospel which differs light than is contained within the lids from it, must be wrong; or vice versa, of this book. They take that position, if the Saints preach any other Gospel and yet say we are exclusive, we are than that which was preached in the presumptuous, narrow-minded and con- days of the apostles, which was delivered tracted, because we testify that God does to them by the Sons of God, then the speak, and has revealed a newer revela- Latter-day Saints must be wrong also. tion than this Bible which I hold. It is true that our testifying of this The selfishness which this people ex- does not make it true, in and of it- hibit is of the same character that might self. Nevertheless, men are responsible be evinced in the case of a man who was if they do not carefully weigh and con- lost and had the right way pointed out sider the testimonies of those who claim to him by another. If a traveler had to have more light than they have. I lost his way and should meet one who would hold myself ready, as a seeker af- professed to know the direction he deter truth, if not certain that I already sired to pursue; or, if the traveler should possessed it, and I hold myself ready 198 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. now, while believing that my feet are to believe on the name of the Son of planted upon the rock of truth, and that God, and that constitutes salvation, tak- this is the only Gospel of the Lord Jesus ing I suppose as a basis for it, the Scrip- Christ; to pay due respect to the honest tural passage which declares that "God opinions of my fellow creatures, proving so loved the world, that he gave his only all things and holding fast that which is begotten Son, that whosoever should be- good. If the Christian world shall bring lieve in him should not perish, but have forth something better, if they have it, everlasting life." Now, we take this po- or ever will have it, than Mormonism, I sition. We hold that belief in God and hope I will not be so bigoted as to turn the Savior of mankind is absolutely es- a deaf ear to their honest testimonies, sential to salvation. But we do not stop claiming that I have light already, and there. We claim that if men believe in Je- that I want no more light. I would at sus Christ they will keep His command- least examine their professions, what- ments; they will live His laws; they will ever they were, and try them by "the law not repudiate any of the doctrines He and the testimony;" for if men "speak not preached; they will not say baptism is according to that, it is because there is no unessential; that Apostles and Prophets light in them." are no longer needed; they will not wrest The Bible is a blessing; we do not de- the Scriptures; they will not say the preciate its value, for it enables us to blessings of the Holy Ghost are done meet the Christian world upon their own away with; they will not say it is not ground, using this Bible as the touch- in the province of inspired men bearing stone of truth, in relation to their doc- the Holy Priesthood to cast out devils, trines and those that we advance, which to speak in new tongues, to lay hands are taught and confirmed by this very upon the sick and administer those spir- Book in which Christians profess to be- itual blessings as they are empowered lieve. There is no doctrine preached or by the Priesthood bestowed upon them believed by the Latter-day Saints, but for that purpose. The Christian world they can find confirmatory proof of its would not repudiate these things if they authenticity within the lids of the Holy believed their own Bible; for I nowhere Bible; and when their views are not re- read within the lids of this sacred vol- ceived, and they are laughed to scorn ume that the time would ever come, ex- and derided by the Christian world, it is cept through transgression and apostasy, simply an acknowledgment on the part when these things would be done away of those who mistreat them that they do with, and it would be said they were no not believe their own Bible, that they longer needed. have no faith in the record which they It is true that the Apostles of old pre- claim is all-sufficient—the be-all and the dicted there would come a time when end-all of revelation. They profess great men would wander from the truth, when reverence for this good Book, yet they they would heap to themselves teach- do not believe or practice what it incul- ers, and have itching ears, desiring to cates. It is a prevalent idea in the world, hear simply the things which suited with those who are in possession of their selfish natures; that the day would the Scriptures, that it is only necessary come when they would not endure sound PRE-EXISTENCE OF MAN. 199 doctrine, but would hire teachers to the Gospel preached in former days; preach for the commandments of God the claiming the same power, yet repudiat- precepts of men; when the world would ing and denying that power and tram- be turned upside down and be emptied of pling upon those who still maintain that its inhabitants, because they had trans- it ought to exist. This is the consis- gressed the law, changed the ordinances tency of the position of the opponents and broken the everlasting covenant. of "Mormonism," which claims to be the This was to be the condition of the world old Gospel brought back again, the old when these gifts and blessings would be Church resurrected, no new religion, no said to be no longer needed. They could new plan, but simply the everlasting no longer lay claim to them because Gospel revealed anew. they would persecute, oppress and put I might occupy your time citing evi- to death those who preached sound doc- dences almost innumerable to show how trine; and having destroyed the tempo- the Christian world have departed from ral Church from the face of the earth, its the teachings of this sacred Book. I spiritual counterpart would necessarily might appeal to it, also, to confirm the depart, just as naturally as the spirit of teachings of the Latter-day Saints. It man will depart when the body ceases to is an old story, many times told, and live. The body is but a lump of clay with- perhaps I had better not dilate upon it out the enlivening agency of the spirit this afternoon. Suffice it that we claim within it. When the body returns to dust, that God has spoken from heaven; that the spirit is free to soar away. When He has reopened the long-closed portals the body of Christ was dead, the spirit of eternity, and has raised up a people returned to God, passed into the spirit to usher in the dispensation of Gospel world. So it is with the Church, which is grace as He has headed every dispensa- called the body of Christ. Kill the tem- tion which has preceded it; raising up in- poral Church, and the spirit Church will spired men to do His bidding; to preach take its departure; it will be received into to the world the principles of everlasting the heavens. life; to establish upon the earth a sys- This is our belief; that the Chris- tem which will foreshadow and usher in tian Church, established in the days the millennial reign of universal peace of Christ and His Apostles, apostatized and righteousness. We believe that we and turned from the truth, it became are living in the last days; that these paganized, mixed up with the religion are the days when God said He would and traditions of pagan Rome, and that perform a marvelous work and a won- that is the cause of this wide diversity der; that He would set His hand the sec- of beliefs and conjectures, these many ond time to recover the remnant of his forms of godliness, denying the power people; that He would gather them from thereof; which are said to be the Church the north and from the south, from the of Christ, yet bear little or no semblance east and from the west, and would bring to the Church which He established; all them to Zion, and give them pastors af- claiming to be one, yet divided innumer- ter His own heart, to teach them the law ably; to have the same Gospel, yet not of the Lord, and that the law should go able to stand the test of comparison with forth from Zion to the inhabitants of the 200 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. earth, and the word of the Lord from is no room in this broad land for the Jerusalem. Kingdom of our God. They might as well We believe that we are living in the say there is no room in Christianity for evening of history, that we are closing the love of God. Why, this great govern- the Saturday of the great week, each day ment was established for the very pur- of which is a thousand years, the period pose of introducing this work. Inspired preordained in which this earth should men like Washington and Jefferson were accomplish the purpose appointed by its raised up to frame a Constitution lib- creator. We believe that when God spake eral in its provisions, extending the ut- to Adam and told Him he should die in most freedom to all men, Christian or the day that He partook of the forbidden heathen, who desired to make this glo- fruit, that He kept His word, and that rious land their home; that they might Adam did die within the day; but it was have the unrestricted right to worship not a day of twenty-four hours, one revo- God according to the dictates of their lution of our little earth; the day of which consciences. We believe that God raised He spake was based upon a revolution of up George Washington, that He raised the planet upon which God dwells, which up Thomas Jefferson, that He raised up we are taught revolves once in a thou- Benjamin Franklin and those other pa- sand years. This world was appointed triots who carved out with their swords a probation through which to pass, six and with their pens the character and working days, before it should have a stability of this great government which rest, or sabbath. We believe we are living they hoped would stand forever, an asy- in the Saturday night of this world's his- lum for the oppressed of all nations, tory, that we are closing the six thousand where no man's religion would be ques- years of its mortal probation, and that tioned, no man would be limited in his the dawn of the seventh day, or the sev- honest service to his Maker, so long as enth thousand years, now nearly upon he did not infringe upon the rights of us, will be the millennium, the reign of his fellow men. We believe those men peace, when Christ the Ruler and Lord were inspired to do their work, as we do of this world, who labored and suffered that Joseph Smith was inspired to begin and died to redeem its inhabitants from this work; just as Galileo, Columbus, and death, will be here in His glory to reign other mighty men of old, whom I have no upon the earth King over His people and time to mention, were inspired to grad- over the human race. ually pave the way leading to this dis- These simple truths, most of which pensation; sentinels, standing at differ- are plainly spoken of in this holy word ent periods down the centuries, playing of God, the Bible, are distorted by their parts as they were inspired of God; the enemies of the Saints to indicate gradually freeing the human mind from that they are treasonable to the gov- error, gradually dispelling the darkness ernment under which they live. They as they were empowered by their Cre- say we are traitors because we speak ator so to do, that in culmination of the of the Kingdom of God; that a king- grand scheme of schemes, this great na- dom cannot exist within a republic; that tion, the Republic of the United States, it is imperium in imperio; that there might be established upon this land PRE-EXISTENCE OF MAN. 201 as an asylum for the oppressed; a resting Zion will perish by the sword before place, it might be said, for the Ark of the she perishes; they who leave God out of covenant, where the temple of our God the question in dealing with the "Mor- might be built; where the plan of salva- mon problem" will find before they get tion might be introduced and practiced through that it is suicide to run against in freedom, and not a dog would wag his Jehovah's buckler. tongue in opposition to the purposes of We, to all appearances are helpless. the Almighty. We believe that this was We make no boast of our own strength. His object in creating the Republic of the We are only a handful in the midst of United States; the only land where his millions. But God has given us a mission work could be commenced or the feet of to perform. We can no more shrink from his people find rest. No other land had that mission than the fathers of the revo- such liberal institutions, had adopted so lution could shrink from theirs. That in- broad a platform upon which all men deed would be treason, treason to God, might stand. We give glory to those pa- treason to humanity, and we should jus- triots for the noble work they did; but tify the charges which are now so ut- we give the first glory to God, our Father terly false. We might be complimented, and their Father, who inspired them. We "patted upon the back," if we would play take them by the hand as brothers. We the part of traitors and recreants, but we believe they did nobly their work, even cannot afford to buy the compliments of as we would fain do ours, faithfully and the world, the good opinion of mankind, well, that we might not be recreant in at such a terrible sacrifice. Men who died the eyes of God, for failing to perform the to found this nation, have their names mission to which He has appointed us. held in everlasting remembrance, while the name of the traitor, who would have This is the "treason" of the Latter- betrayed his country, and deserted it in day Saints. They preach the coming of the hour of peril, is loaded with oppro- the King of Kings, whom all Christians brium. He lived while many of the patri- ought to worship; whom all Christians ots died; but who are living today in the ought to welcome; and instead of pass- true sense of the term? The name of the ing laws to prohibit, and prevent, if pos- patriot will live forever, because he had sible, the growth of this work, which has the courage to die for his convictions; but as its object the blessing of all mankind, the name of the traitor will go down to they should join hands with the Latter- oblivion, because to save himself he de- day Saints in consummating it; for as serted in the hour of danger the cause of sure as there is a God in heaven it is His his country, thinking it was of no use to work, and He will accomplish it. Hal- stand up against the great power which ing men before magistrates; immuring had lifted its mighty arm to crush out them in dungeons; driving them from the colonies. We think of these things, city to city, or shedding their blood, will but we do not propose to fight. We are no more stamp out this work than it a people who have peace as our object— will blot out the glory of the sun. They the ushering in of a reign of peace. We who take up the sword to fight against are a people who build temples. We 202 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. must not imbrue our hands in blood. and the great and mighty monarchs of But it is not through fear of man that the forest who had surrendered in their the Latter-day Saints take this position. pride, the rights of the humble ash. An They have shown their bravery; they old oak was heard to complain to a neigh- have proved their courage by coming out boring cedar, "if we had not given away of the world and forsaking it, patiently the rights of the ash we might have stood enduring its scorn and opposition; it is a forever; but we have surrendered to the braver part sometimes to live than to die. destroyer the rights of one, and now we are suffering from the same evil our- There are sacrifices which would try selves." the souls of some men more than to face This nation may think that it is death in a thousand forms. But the strong enough—powerful enough—to Latter-day Saints have taken a stand; treat the people of Utah as they please. they cannot recede from it with honor. They are; we do not pretend to com- They are prepared to meet the conse- pare with them so far as that is con- quences, and leave the result in the cerned. But if there is any truth in eter- hands of God. We do not look to man for nal justice; if there is such a thing as our preservation. If there is no God in retributions, woe! be unto this forest of "Mormonism" then it will fail, then will States if they surrender into the hands our minds be undeceived; but if there is a of tyranny the rights of the Utah ash! God in it, woe! to those who fight against It cannot be done with safety. If they Him, who fight against their Creator, trample upon the rights of their fellow and suppose that they can trample upon men, there must come a time in the eter- the rights of their fellow men and not en- nal revolutions of the wheels of justice danger their own rights and liberties as when their own necks will be beneath well. the tyrant's heel. They will suffer them- The old fable which Aesop tells of the selves from the laws they have passed woodman who went into the forest to get against the maligned, misunderstood, a handle for his axe, describes accurately downtrodden people of Utah. I hope to the position in which we find ourselves. God, as an American patriot, that this The woodman went and consulted the never need come. I hope the eyes of this trees of the forest, asking them to give nation will be opened, that they may him a handle for his axe. The other trees, see the danger in which they stand from the stronger ones, arrogating to them- afar; but if I were a prophet I would selves authority and ignoring the rights prophesy in the name of God that if they of others, thought that they could dis- give away our rights, if they trample pose of them as they pleased. They con- upon our liberties, and surrender us as a ferred together and decided to grant the sacrifice to popular clamor, the day will request, and they gave to the woodman come when their own necks will feel the the ash. The ash fell; but the wood- galling yoke; the laws they pass now to man had no sooner fitted the handle to deprive us of our rights as American cit- his axe, than he began upon the other izens, will deprive them of their rights, trees. He did not stop with the ash, but and they will drink the cup heaped up, he bowed down the oaks and the cedars, pressed down, and running over. I hope PRE-EXISTENCE OF MAN. 203 this never need be; but I dare predict it that He is coming to reign upon it as it is on that condition, in all humility, with His right to reign. I care not how soon it no spirit of treason, or of ill will to my is accomplished. The reign of Christ will country; but with a feeling of sorrow that rob no man of his rights; no righteous some of our fellow citizens have it in government need fear it; neither the their hearts to treat us in this cruel man- United States, nor the nations of Europe, ner. if their consciences are clear, need dread We are a people of peace. We only the coming of the King of Kings. They desire to be let alone to accomplish our must acknowledge if they are Christian mission in peace. God would not per- nations, that they owe their allegiance mit us to build temples, any more than to Him whose right it is to reign. They He permitted David, if we imbrued our should be proud to lay their crowns and hands in blood. David was forbidden to scepters at His feet, and acknowledge build the temple of God at Jerusalem, be- Him to be Lord of Lords, and crown Him cause he had been a man of blood. It was King of Kings. reserved for his son Solomon, a man of This is a glance at the mission of the peace, to build the temple. So it is with Latter-day Saints. These are some of the us. We will not need to fight, we do not views we cherish and which we cannot propose to take up arms, we do not de- recede from; we would be unworthy of sire and will not be compelled to shed our lineage as the sons and daughters of the blood of our fellow men. We may Abraham, the sons and daughters of Lib- have our own blood shed in instances, erty, if we should forsake the things for though the work of God will not be tram- which our forefathers lived and died, and pled out; but we will let them monopolize suffered all manner of persecution. We that part; they may shed our blood, but leave the issue with God. Let the world we must not shed theirs. We must build persecute us, if they desire to assume temples to the honor of our God, and that responsibility; we will seek to re- administer in them for the salvation of turn good for evil. When they come with the living and the dead; and thus go on- the sword we will meet them with the ward, spreading peace, pouring oil upon olive branch. We will say peace on earth the troubled waters; and while there will when they have war on earth. We will do be wars and rumors of wars, while nation our duty as God shall give us strength, will clash against nation and go down and leave the result with Him who over- in the whirlpool of fury, the Latter-day rules the acts of all men and all nations Saints must preach peace on earth and for the ultimate redemption of the hu- good will to men, and be exemplars in all man family, of which we are some of the righteousness; seeking to let their light humble representatives. so shine that the glory of God will radiate from them to others. May God speed the day. May This is the treason which we He bless those who are persecuted, preach. We desire to benefit our who are driven and imprisoned for country; benefit our fellow citizens; righteousness' sake. May He bless benefit our fellow men. We be- the honest, the good, the pure and lieve this world is the Lord's, and the patriotic among the American peo- 204 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ple; the honest and the upright among trample upon the rights of their fellow all nations, who desire to enjoy their own creatures, and oppose the great and glo- rights and liberties, and are willing that rious purposes which have been foreor- others should enjoy theirs. May God dained. This is my prayer in the name of bless all fair-minded people, and may Jesus Christ. Amen. He have mercy upon those who seek to

THE SPEAKER'S PLEASURE IN AGAIN MEETING WITH THE SAINTS, AND PARTAKING OF THE SACRAMENT—THE COMPANIONSHIP OF THE HOLY GHOST IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD—FUTURE DESTINY OF THE SAINTS—THEIR LOVE FOR THE MOUNTAINS—BLESSINGS ONLY APPRECIATED BY CONTRAST—NOBILITY AND SCARCITY OF MORAL COURAGE—TYRANNY OF PUBLIC OPINION—WE CANNOT LOVE GOD AND HATE OUR FELLOW MAN—MEN AND WOMEN DO WRONG WHEN THEY YIELD TO THE INFLUENCE OF SATAN—WHAT CONSTITUTES A SON OF PERDITION—AGENCIES WHICH MEN USE, COMPARED TO ELECTRICITY—TRUTH HAS EVER BEEN FIERCELY OPPOSED—OUR TRIALS ARE AGREEABLE TO GOD'S PURPOSES—CONCLUSION.

REMARKSBY APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER, DELIVEREDIN LOGAN TABERNACLE,SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 1885.

REPORTEDBY F. E. BARKER.

My brethren and sisters, I have choir, and rejoice in listening to the spoken but little in public during the testimony of my brethren; but be- past three months. And without the yond and above all these things, I assistance of your faith and prayers, am grateful for another peaceful oppor- through the medium of which I may en- tunity of partaking of the sacrament joy a portion of the Holy Spirit, to di- with the Saints; for as often as we do rect my mind and inspire my thoughts, so worthily, we renew our covenants I have no wish to address you this with our Heavenly Father, and re- afternoon. I believe, however, that ceive the promise of the Holy Spirit I appreciate the privilege of meeting through whom comes communion with with, and of enjoying your society once God. To us such communion is worth more, and I am especially delighted to more than all earthly things. Men devote hear again the sweet melody of the their time and talents—the best energy VALUE OF OUR MOUNTAIN TRAINING. 205 and deepest devotion of their lives in the pass through to exaltation, dominion acquirement of perishable wealth; and of and glory. which, when acquired, they often make Since the beginning of the new year golden gods to pay homage and soul- I have been almost constantly on the less worship to, imagining that in these move, having, during that time, traveled things are found fame, honor, worldly a distance almost equal to that of half glory and earthly happiness. Gold, when the earth's circumference; most of it be- compared with the riches of eternity, being by rail, but at least a thousand miles comes almost valueless, and yet it is was accomplished with teams, on horse- the creation of God, and no man has back and on foot. I have examined a ever brought an ounce of it into the country never before seen by me, con- world, nor can he take a grain of it sisting of waterless, timberless plains, out of the world. But notwithstanding and mountains rugged, wild, and unin- this fact known to all, men for its brief habited. During my absence, my reflec- possession willingly encounter untold tions have been mainly in reference to dangers, in traversing deserts, climbing the future destiny of the Saints of the mountains, navigating seas, and battling Most High. And these reflections have with angry waves; they willingly en- led me to note the striking attachment dure the heats of torrid and the colds of they have manifested of late years for frigid zones, often sacrificing the endear- countries "exalted above the hills." In our ments of home and friends, and some- choice of locations we cling to the moun- times truth and honor. Created by the tains as naturally as a child to the bo- Almighty, gold, when honestly acquired, som of its mother. As during our infancy becomes a means of ministering to the we have clung to them, learning to love comfort and convenience of man; but their crags, canyons and valleys, so, I there is that which the Lord bestows believe, we shall continue in them until upon the honest, obedient and good, of we grow strong, and be able not only to far higher value. The Holy Ghost, the stand erect, but to walk forth with god- Comforter, hath the power of peace and like dignity at least respected, if not hon- bestows salvation upon obedient human- ored by all peoples. We are not strong ity, regardless of their earthly surround- now. We are weak and few in numbers. ings. Let us, therefore, secure the Holy But there is much in the training we are Ghost, and in the testimony of the Fa- receiving calculated to make our poster- ther and of the Son which He alone be- ity strong physically and bright intellec- stows, we shall have secured the "pearl tually. In illustration of a part of this of great price," which the world can nei- training I am reminded of some of the re- ther give nor take away. Let us gain marks of the last speaker, Elder Villet, the constant companionship of the Holy who recently returned from an Italian Ghost, and the doctrines of the Priest- mission. On reaching his native land, hood will distil upon our minds as the according to his statement, he found dews of heaven, and the gates that lead the food offered him exceedingly dis- to peace and happiness in time and in tasteful, but later he ate it with relish. eternity will, by the power and author- Hunger changed and improved his ap- ity of his keys, stand wide open for us to petite. That hunger was the result of de- 206 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. privation. And in like manner, love of lib- stint from heaven, have not pampered erty and a keen relish for its blessings the average American's appetite or rel- are intensified by the constant encroach- ish for blessings that men of other ages ments made upon our rights by those have fought to establish and longed to who little dream that, in sowing to the enjoy. wind they will have to reap the whirl- Ponder this matter carefully, deeply, wind, when their rights will, also, not and you will find few truths more appar- only be invaded, but taken away from ent. Consult railway, banking and com- them; for the measure which they meet mercial kings; statesmen, philosophers, to others, will, in the eternal justice of priests and people, and then note the God, be measured back to them. The voice of pulpit and press, and you will Almighty hath decreed it. Who can pre- find an indifference born of pride that vent its fulfillment? plainly, unmistakably, indicates that the rights and liberties for the securing of which our fathers pledged their fortunes, In further illustration, I am reminded honor and lives, are now received by of a well known elder in the Church their children, in most instances, as whose name in this connection I feel not inherent blessings flowing as a natu- at liberty to mention, but who, gather- ral consequence rather than as gifts for ing with others from England to Zion, which daily gratitude is due. became, in the course of years, wealthy Not so with the Saints. They of all and cultivated, as many having abun- people on earth are most appreciative, dant means do. Luxurious habits of liv- most grateful. And why? The answer ing finally satiated his appetite, and he is simple: their most sacred rights be- went back to old England, anticipating ing daily encroached upon, their consci- among other things to enjoy, when there entious convictions sneered at, their re- again, the famous "roast beef" of his na- ligious privileges trampled under foot, tive land, the like of which, in his opin- and even the domain of their heaven- ion, this country did not, and never could inspired thought invaded, they could produce. After searching in vain he de- not if they would fail to regard with clared, on coming back here, that there intense appreciation and undying love was no beef in England half so good as the bequests of the fathers. The very that raised in Utah. Had the beef of that threats, as well as the attempts of country deteriorated? No, but our En- the wicked to deprive them of bless- glish brother's appetite, through being ings wrung from tyrants by revolution- pampered, had. Had he eaten it once a ary sires, will but teach the Saints week, as was doubtless his former habit, more accurately to estimate, by the cost, instead of three times a day, as is too their value; and your high estimate be- frequently the custom here, the differ- ing transmitted to your children, will ence in quality of English beef had per- bud, bloom and ripen into most glori- haps remained undiscovered by him un- ous fruit, as delicious and sweet as that til this day. In parallel, who shall declare produced when first the tree of liberty that blessings so abundantly flowing to was moistened with the blood of patriots. our nation from blood-bought freedom Let others therefore become pampered, and human liberty bestowed without gluttons, if they will, but for us and VALUE OF OUR MOUNTAIN TRAINING. 207 our children, fewer privileges well ap- courage is heaven-born and so precious preciated, are better than many, without that the world has at no period of its his- gratitude. tory ever been overstocked with it. It is Impress these things upon the minds a sentiment than which none is more no- of our children, and among these moun- ble, beautiful or grand, emanating from tains will grow up a race of free men God it abides not in an ignoble, quak- whose views will be broad, high, and ing heart. Demanding what the truly deep enough to appreciate liberty them- courageous alone can give, self-sacrifice, selves, and to wish to have all others en- moral courage numbers in her ranks at joy its blessings. By contrast, they will no time vast multitudes. It is a senti- learn this and much more. If they taste ment of which, at no time, even among the bitter, the sweet will be to them all us, have we had too much; but wherever the more agreeable. found it shines brightly like a star of the You who for years have had peaceful first magnitude, like a diamond of the possession of homes with society of fam- first water that cannot be successfully ilies and friends, can greatly increase imitated. your estimation of such blessings by go- A man with right convictions and the ing abroad occasionally. I have tried it courage to stand by them in life and many times, always, I trust, with profit. death hath moral courage, stamina, and And yet wherever I go it has been my the help of God. Testing its quality we good fortune to find friends. There may will find it here as elsewhere, good; too be present those who may think, "if good indeed to abide with those whose we have friends abroad, why don't they acts are predicated not on principles of speak out in our favor using their injustice, equity and truth. He who pos- fluence to stop the persecutions of the sesses moral courage weighs according wicked against us?" A pertinent query, to equity, unbiased by popular clamor, perhaps, but I am not quite sure that unswerved by private prejudice. In try- the Lord wants them stopped; indeed I ing cases he judges cases, not men, and rather incline to think otherwise. And on this principle Satan himself, tried be- while there are thousands and hundreds fore such a judge, would stand the same of thousands of people in the midst of chance to get justice as would an angel the Christian world who, if left to their of God. And, by parity of reason, an own agency, would be just, generous, angel would stand as good a chance to and good men worthy of the blessings of get justice as would a veritable devil, al- the Lord, but who today are surrounded though a discussion of that kind might by circumstances which they can nei- innovate modern jurisprudence as prac- ther control, nor have they the moral ticed in some countries not far distant courage to even combat. And for this from here. Now, let me, if I can, bring reason they dare not publicly express this matter home to your hearts. Sup- their sympathy for, nor utter a protest pose judgment without appeal was irre- against the wrongs heaped upon us. But vocably placed in your hands with none notwithstanding this condition, which to say, why do you so? Now imag- all must concede to be deplorable, let us ine in your midst a despicable charac- have charity, remembering that moral ter, a Judas Iscariot, ready to betray 208 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. for thirty pieces of silver, or to gratify a of envy, and malice, will beat and foam hatred born of hell, your best friends— harmlessly about you. And, when judg- the servants of the Lord, or, Benedict ment shall be given into your hands, Arnold like, sell human liberty, God's friend and foe, Pagan and Christian, best heritage, for gold. Popular clamor white and black, Saint and sinner, will demands punishment, and at the same alike receive evenhanded justice, which time brands the accused as traitor, apos- here let me say, never has been and tate; an assassin of good character, a never will be bestowed under the pres- murderer of peace and good order. Now sure and bias of public opinion, or by bring him to judgment without malice, men claiming to be a law unto them- without bias, protecting him from in- selves. Place moral courage in the judg- sult while giving him every right, ev- ment seat and the Saint, as to righ- ery privilege, every immunity guaran- teousness of judgment, has no advantage teed by the law of God and man and over the most wicked apostate sinner on pass upon his case, not upon him nor earth, their rights being held equally sa- his reputation, according to the rules of cred. equity without fear of popular criticism The reason this high moral, godlike or condemnation, and you have demon- plane has not long since been reached, strated in actual practice what a beau- is because of human imperfections and tiful and heavenly thing moral courage the darkness that clouds and narrows is. Without it God would cease to be the souls of men. We as the Saints of God. Without it we cannot be His peo- the Most High God, having received the ple. He who habitually sacrifices prin- light, should struggle upward until we ciple at the shrine of policy or power, reach it; and when we do, then, and cannot be a Saint. Unless those who not until then will the Almighty give us rule, govern, control and judge under the dominion, rule and government. When rules and restrictions of principle, the we are prepared to exercise judgment in liberties of those who are subject to them righteousness the Lord will mightily in- are constantly endangered. And here let crease our influence and power, and mil- me say that public opinion is often the lions will flock to the standard of Zion to worst tyrant this world has ever known. avoid oppression and wrong elsewhere. It crucified Christ, killed His disciples, This being among the greatest of all martyred Joseph and Hyrum, drove the the great lessons that God has decreed Saints into these mountains and contin- we shall learn, I say speed the means by ues to track them as persistently and un- which we may most readily accomplish relentingly as bloodhounds ever tracked the task. If persecutions, unjust judg- a fugitive slave. Avoid therefore at home ments, imprisonments and martyrdoms, and abroad, the seductive influence of be the means, let us receive them then the hateful tyrant, public opinion, which, not with feelings of delight because of the wrought to frenzy by popular clamor, is woes that will surely come upon those always dangerous, often destructive. who inflict these things upon us, but Planting your feet firmly on prin- because the standards of value are es- ciples of eternal justice, emanating tablished by the cost of things received, from God, the billows of hate, born and by this rule we know that no good VALUE OF OUR MOUNTAIN TRAINING. 209 thing has ever come into this world with- naturally vicious, nor would he of his out having cost the equal of its value. own inclinations seek to destroy human Nor has any great thought or noble idea agency. God made man, and he is, there- ever been introduced that had not to fore, naturally good. But, under the in- fight its way inch by inch. Think of what fluences of him who rebelled in heaven, the principles of the everlasting Gospel, his judgment warps, his heart hardens, that are freely given, has without money, his whole nature changes, and, while without price, cost? Agony that caused hatred misplaces love, envy, malice and the Son of God to sweat great drops of jealousy supplant in his heart the nobler blood. And that being too little, He must sentiments of justice, mercy and char- needs be insulted, spat upon, scourged, ity. The sea captain who unselfishly, and adjudged to die, and that, too, by a hea- without hope of earthly reward, placed then who knew Him to be innocent of the life boats and as many of the helpless crime, and finally He was ignominiously and weak as they would safely hold in crucified by those whom He came to save. charge of his under officer and, with the Humiliated, deprived of judgment and stranger, remained and nobly went down sacrificed, the Lamb of God descended with his ship, was the natural man. The beneath all things that He might arise ignoble, selfish, unnatural man would above all things, leading captivity cap- desire to save his own worthless life, at tive and giving gifts to men, while hold- the expense and sacrifice of untold num- ing the keys of death, hell, and the grave. bers of others. The natural woman clings to her Had Christ been unable to accom- husband, keeping sacred the covenants plish that foreordained work, this world made with him, and loving with undy- would forever have remained without a ing affection the fruits of the union. The Redeemer. Expiring on the cross, amid unnatural wife and mother is true to the taunts and jeers of the wicked, in the neither. Cain as the murderer of his agony of death, crying: "Why hast thou brother, was an unnatural man whose forsaken me," yet was He, being the spot- soul was sold to Satan under the provi- less Son of God, able to say, "Father, for- sions of an unholy alliance. And where give them; for they know not what they men steal, rob, commit whoredom, bear do." false witness, inflict unlawful, cruel pun- No shadow of hatred, no tinge of re- ishments, and kill, they, too, have listed venge, can be found in that inspired to obey him whom they serve. But, sentence. From its utterance, un- notwithstanding all this we should never der those terrible circumstances, let us forget that all such, however debased, learn what He then taught so clearly, corrupt, wicked and low, kept their first namely: That we cannot hate man, how- estate by fighting in heaven against him, ever wicked and cruel he may be, and whom, by reason of darkness and de- love God at the same time. As an structive influence, they now willingly aid to the comprehension of this great serve. Let us remember how the an- truth, it may be well to remember that gels' song of rejoicing when the "ac- man, however low and debased we may cuser of his brethren" was cast out of find him in this world of trial, is not heaven, was turned into lamentation 210 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. when they beheld the sorrows and woes endure eternal punishment, utter and he would bring upon the inhabitants of everlasting condemnation, and they are the earth, by reason of his treachery, de- the "sons of perdition." How few, thank ceit and cruel murders. When we look God, will be their numbers and, corre- upon the dark, sinful works of men ever spondingly how fruitless and barren af- tearing down and destroying but never ter all will be the efforts of Satan to frus- building up and saving, when we think trate the designs of the Almighty in his of these who rack their brains vainly glorious plan of human redemption! trying to stop the onward progress of God's work; when we think of proscrip- You, my brethren and sisters, know tive, special retroactive laws, and those what constitutes a "son of perdition." To who enacted them, of mission jurists who become such, a man, by the testimony condemn with malice, of test-oath com- of the Holy Ghost, must know that God missioners who fetter the innocent and the Father and Jesus the Son live, and free the guilty, of governors who tram- are the authors of salvation. Belief is ple beneath their feet the liberties and insufficient, positive knowledge is nec- rights of a people with whom they have essary. I say that this which I hold in no interest and for whom they have no my hand is a book. Do I base the state- compassion, of marshals who fraternize ment on belief or knowledge? I do not with criminals while putting spotters believe it to be, I know it to be a book. and spies on the track of men good and And my testimony to the fact would be true, who to save their lives would com- taken everywhere, because if required to mit no dishonorable act; of juries packed state how I know this to be a book I and pledged to convict, and of Christian could say I see the binding, paper, and ministers who gloat and glory in, and imprint of the type. I tap the lids and hound all this on, how should we feel? leaves and hear sounds. I smell the We should feel, while despising their binding, paper and ink. I put them to wicked ways, that they who do them are my lips and tongue and taste them, and the children of God upon whom Satan with my hands and fingers feel them. hath laid his hand hoping to ruin both Thus all my senses combined furnish ev- body and soul, and cast them down to idence that together give indisputable hell. Can we behold their wickedness, knowledge; and yet the testimony, the endure their aggressions, persecutions turning away from which, and there- and malice, without hating them? If so after denying the efficacy of the atoning we are Saints. If we cannot, are we not blood of Jesus, putting him, after having sinners? positive knowledge, to an open shame Read the vision of the three glories again, is as much stronger than my tes- and learn that a compassionate Father timony that this is a book, as God is has decreed that even these shall not be stronger than man. In the one instance, cast into outer darkness, but shall be knowledge is founded on the evidence of saved with a glory beyond, far beyond the five senses—seeing, hearing, tasting, the comprehension of the finite mind. smelling and feeling; in the other, ev- There is but one class of human ery faculty of the soul, every fiber of the beings whom God hath decreed shall body, receives testimony direct from God, VALUE OF OUR MOUNTAIN TRAINING. 211 through the Holy Ghost, and he who hatred as electricity consumes iron. after having received, denies it, sins While in the city of San Francisco against light just as much as Satan did recently, I witnessed an exhibition of when his ambition and pride led him the incandescent electric light, produced to rebel against God; and no power in from stored electricity previously gen- heaven, on earth or in hell can keep such erated and forced into vats, composed a man out of the realms of the damned, of substances unknown to me. These, where he has, in the exercise of his own though filled with the subtle power, are agency, elected to go. People without this cold and unresponsive to the touch of knowledge cannot be damned; those with the hand; but wishing to give a sample it should be if they turn away and deny of the destructive agency of the power it. Those who persecute and hate this sleeping in those vats, the professor in people, have it not, and while they may charge requested us to note the result have to dwell without the gates of the when touched with the piece of wire holy city, among dogs, liars, thieves and held in his hand. While explaining, the whoremongers, they cannot be damned piece of wire turned in his hands acci- in the literal sense, as we understand dentally, and fell about midway of its eternal condemnation, forever hid from length across one of the vats, and in- the face of a merciful but just Father. stantly, as quick as lightning, for it was Think of these things, ye Latter-day lightning, it became ten thousand flying Saints, who expect to come up through sparks, and that part in the professor's much tribulation while your garments hand like molten lead, was burning into are being washed white in the blood of the flesh before he could shake off the the Lamb. Chains and fetters may bind liquid mass. It is said that electricity your limbs, and the rack and wheel of once generated, remains electricity un- the Spanish inquisition may be revived til it comes in contact with substances to torture your bodies, but prison walls which, consuming, it returns to its origi- have never yet been made thick enough, nal ungenerated condition. Thus it may nor iron bars strong enough to keep a be seen how man plays, as a child with good man's prayers from ascending to his sharp tools, with agencies that may con- God. And if He wills to let trials and dif- sume him instantaneously. Subservient ficulties gather around us, they are but to his call he flashes thought around the for our good. Offenses must needs come, world by means of electric wires, conveys but woe to those by whom they come. I his voice thousands of miles, and rivals love my family and the Latter-day Saints the light of the sun, but when the uni- with my whole heart, and enjoy their so- verse shall roll up like a scroll, the earth ciety beyond measure, and yet as a test, melt with fervent heat, and mountains God may require the sacrifice of their run down like wax, unregenerate man, society temporarily, and that my heart full of pride, will learn what God hath remain unhardened. Let the wicked in reserve for those who hate Him and do what they may, remember we can- despise His works. As this earth was not hate man and love God at the same cleansed by a literal baptism of water, time. Love of God banishes or consumes so will it be purified by a literal baptism of fire, and all the proud and those 212 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. who love iniquity, will be burned up, undying truths, have in every age caused even as stubble is consumed by fire. great sacrifices, often human life to es- Happy then will ye be if you have been tablish them, but those who have had tried as gold in the furnace seven times the moral and physical courage to stand heated. Better welcome a few trials by their convictions in life or death, now, that tend to increase your love of shine as beacon lights along the shores God and of your fellow man, than to of time, and their works will bear glori- go heedlessly like the dumb brute, to ous fruits in eternity. the sacrifice. Let us pray only for de- Let us endeavor to imitate all worthy liverance from such trials as harden examples, following as nearly as we can the heart and wither the soul, but not in the footprints of our Master, who, if from such as, bearing patiently, testify we are faithful unto death, will give us of integrity. What matters trials, per- the crown of life with the keys of death, secutions, scorns, scoffs and contempt hell and the grave, by which we may deso long as we remain true to God, and scend down into the depth of darkness the covenants we have made with Him and misery into the abode of the damned, and each other? So long as we vio- and there bid those who have despised, late neither these nor our consciences, hated and persecuted us, look up, repent, which should be void of offense, we are and receive deliverance at the hands of a safe. But in our struggles to maintain compassionate Father, whose mercy and the right in a world filled with strife, salvation extend beyond the grave into we may draw consolation in reflecting eternity. Thus, in becoming mediators, upon the fact that every pure thought ministers to those who despitefully used coming to us from above, meets fierce us, we shall find the mystery of glory opposition, and our fallen natures con- that cometh from doing good for evil and tend against its permanent lodgment in loving those who have hated us. our hearts; and in like manner every heaven-born truth has in every instance, May God grant that we may speedily had to fight its way inch by inch before and thoroughly learn the great lessons it could bear abundantly the fruits of that He is now seeking to teach us, and righteousness. Nothing good has come which are of so much importance we into this world since the fall of man, that should learn. The trials through which has not met the fierce, concentrated and we are now passing are but a part of persistent opposition and hatred of the the great program of the Almighty, long wicked. Thus we find how true is the since predicted by His holy prophets. Let inspired saying: "there must needs be an us meet them in a proper spirit, trusting opposition in all things." Enlightened, in Him always, and our victory will be inspired thoughts crystallizing into complete. Amen. THE CREATION. 213

THE CREATION, MALE AND FEMALE—CALLING OF ENOCH AND NOAH—GOD SELECTED ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED TO BE A CHOSEN PEOPLE—HE COMMANDED HIS PEOPLE TO MULTIPLY BUT FORBADE ADULTERY AND WHOREDOM IN EVERY FORM—PLURAL MARRIAGE ENJOINED UPON ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED TO MAKE THEM A GREAT PEOPLE—THE PRINCIPLE OF LIFE AND ETERNAL INCREASE IS A SPIRITUAL POWER—MODERN CHRISTENDOM OPPOSED TO LARGE FAMILIES—LATTER-DAY SAINTS ENCOURAGE THEM—THE EDMUNDS LAW PASSED WITH THE PRETENCE OF REPRESSING IMMORALITY AMONG THE MORMONS—THAT MASK OF HYPOCRISY NOW THROWN OFF—THE RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS THE REAL OBJECT OF PERSECUTION—CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,PROVO, SUNDAY MORNING,MAY 31 (QUARTERLY CONFERENCE), 1885.

The speaker commenced by reading guage is limited, the information sought from the 1st chapter of Genesis—from to be communicated to them will be cor- the 25th verse to the end of the chapter. respondingly limited and defective. It is only by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost Proceeding, he said: In the writings that we are able to see clearly the things of Moses we have an account of the cre- of God; but the language employed by ation of this earth and the inhabitants the writer of the Book of Genesis and thereof, both man and beast and every by the translators of that work is per- living thing, as also vegetation. In the haps sufficiently clear for our purpose first verse we read, "In the beginning at this time, though the inspired trans- God created the heavens and the earth." lation rendered by the Prophet Joseph In attempting to communicate intel- Smith is somewhat clearer and more im- ligence upon any theme, if we attempt pressive than the present King James' to do it by using words and phrases, translation. In the inspired transla- we are obliged to use such language as tion by the Prophet Joseph Smith, it the hearers or readers are able to com- is written that in the beginning the prehend, and if the language be imper- Gods created the heavens and the earth; fect the ideas conveyed may be some- that the earth was empty and deso- what imperfect or defective, and if the late, and God said unto His Only Be- understanding of the persons to whom gotten, let us do so and so; let us di- this language is addressed is limited, vide the light from the darkness; let and their use and understanding of lan- us separate the waters and cause the 214 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. dry land to appear; let there be lights in our minds the idea of a Father suggests the firmament in the midst of the heav- that of a Mother: As one of our poets ens to give light to the earth; let us says: create animals to walk upon the earth, "In the heavens are parents single? and creeping things, and fowls to fly in No; the thought makes reason stare! the air and fish to swim in the waters, Truth is reason; truth eternal Tells me, &c.; and let us make man in our own I've a Mother there." image and after our likeness—that is Hence when it is said that God cre- the Father addressing the Son, taking ated our first parents in His likeness— counsel together. This rendering of this "in the image of God created He him; first chapter of Genesis is sustained by male and female created He them"— the writings of the Apostle Paul, when it is intimated in language sufficiently he says: "For of him"—speaking of the plain to my understanding that the male Only Begotten—"and through him, and and female principle was present with for him, are all things." Again, it is writ- the Gods as it is with man. It needs ten in the New Testament concerning only a common understanding of the or- the Savior, that He is "the brightness of ganism of man and of all living crea- his glory, and the express image of his tures, and the functions of this organ- person." So that when the Father said ism to show the primary object of the unto His Son in the beginning, let us Creator, and that is the multiplication of make man in our image and after our the species, the fulfillment of the com- likeness, it conveys to us the idea that mandment given, to multiply and re- man was organized in the same form and plenish the earth, given to both man general appearance of both the Father and beast. We need only to study the and the Son. This especially in relation anatomy and construction of the human to the man himself; for you will remark system, and to understand its powers the wording of the text which we have and capabilities, to comprehend the ob- read—"in the image of God created he ject and purpose of the Creator, even him"—referring to Adam—"male and fe- though the commandment had not been male created he them." You will perceive written to multiply and replenish the a difference in the language in regard to earth. The ancients who feared God, the creation of females. and kept His commandments, showed that they understood this principle and were willing to obey it. It is written of Now, it is not said in so many words the first fourteen generations, that each in the Scriptures, that we have a Mother succeeding generation of them lived so in heaven as well as a Father. It is many years and begat sons and daugh- left for us to infer this from what we ters, and some of them lived well nigh see and know of all living things in the on to a thousand years. They multiplied earth including man. The male and fe- and increased in the land until wicked- male principle is united and both nec- ness overran the land and it pleased essary to the accomplishment of the ob- God to check the growth of wickedness ject of their being, and if this be not by the flood, which swept the wicked the case with our Father in heaven af- off the earth. But before thus deter whose image we are created, then stroying the inhabitants of the earth, it is an anomaly in nature. But to He caused the righteous to be gathered THE CREATION. 215 out from among the wicked by the and from among them should be raised preaching of the Gospel. Enoch, the up Prophets and Seers and Revelators seventh from Adam, was a powerful in- to teach the people of the nations of the strument in the hands of God, of rebuk- earth, as the oracles of God. These cho- ing the wickedness of the times. He sen people were Abraham and his seed. taught righteousness, gathered the peo- Of Abraham it is written that God called ple together, and established a Zion. He him from his father's house when he labored we are told some 365 years, dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees, and com- in the which he communed with God, manded him to go out from his father's and taught the people and sanctified house because his father was given to his people, so that they were trans- the ways of the heathen and to the idol- lated to heaven. Many others who re- atry of the surrounding peoples. He mained upon the earth, who had ac- called him to go to another land where cepted the Gospel, but were not sancti- he should be separate from the tradi- fied and prepared to be caught up with tions and teachings of his father, and Enoch and his people, sought diligently where he would make of him a great to follow; they purified themselves so nation, and raise up from his seed a that angels ministered unto them, and holy people. God appeared unto him in they were caught up unto Zion before Canaan, whither He led him, and swore the flood; even all who remained and by Himself—because He could swear by kept the faith, except Noah and his sons no greater—that in blessing He would and their families, who were especially bless him, and in multiplying He would called and chosen and detailed to build multiply him; that his seed should be the ark and enter therein with a seas the stars of the heavens and as the lection of the beasts of the earth and sand which is upon the seashore for mul- the fowls of the air, to preserve seed titude. He renewed this promise to his through the flood. Thus did the Lord son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob, who gather a harvest of souls unto Himself, was also named Israel, and from them of those who believed and obeyed the sprang the house of Israel, and also the Gospel and worked righteousness, while children of Arabia, the sons of Ishmael, the wicked perished in the flood. Then and the chief tribes of central Asia. It again, the commandment of God to mul- was the seed of Abraham that dwelt in tiply and replenish the earth, was re- Egypt who were brought into bondage newed to Noah and his posterity, and to the Egyptians, and subsequently de- soon the desolate places became inhab- livered by the hand of Moses, after ited. But in the course of a few genera- wandering forty years in the wilder- tions, blindness and darkness and igno- ness, in the land of Canaan. It was rance again began to prevail; wickedness from among this people that God raised began to raise its head among the chil- up prophets from generation to gener- dren of Noah, and it became necessary ation to whom He revealed His mind that the Lord should select from among and will. It was this people that was the children of Noah the better and no- commanded to build first the taberna- bler seed with whom He would estab- cle journeying in the wilderness—a sort lish His covenant, and upon whom He of moveable temple and subsequently would confer the keys of the Priesthood, a temple in the land of promise when 216 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. they should become settled and located law prevailed in all ages among the peo- there. It was among this people the Sav- ple of God, encouraging honorable wed- ior was born, and labored and taught lock, and restraining illicit sexual inter- the Gospel, and was crucified, and rose course, and there are many physical as again from the dead. It was from well as theological reasons for this law. among this people that He (the Savior) It is especially binding upon mankind, selected and ordained His Apostles to because they are organized after the im- preach the Gospel to all the world. The age of God, and are His offspring. I whole tenor of the Scriptures shows us refer now to the spirit; for we under- that those who believed God and were stand that man in the nobler sense and counted His people multiplied and re- the true sense, is that immortal eternal plenished the earth and became numer- being which has come forth from God, ous as the stars in the heavens and as and that the earthly tabernacle is but the sands upon the seashore for multi- an outer clothing of that immortal being; tude, while many of the other unbeliev- that the earthly tabernacle is in the im- ing nations and peoples comparatively age and likeness of the heavenly or eter- dwindled away; and when the history nal being; in other words the body is in of the generations of Adam shall be re- the likeness and form of the soul or the vealed and comprehended by the human spirit, and that it is made conformable to race, it will be found that in the prov- any for the spirit to dwell in, and to fill idence of God He has greatly restricted every portion and particle thereof, and the more corrupt, while He has enlarged to direct its energies and powers to de- and multiplied the seed of Abraham, velop its capabilities and to guide its ac- who did abide in the covenant; and al- tions. Hence that immortal man is held though many of them have come short in responsible for the deeds of the body, and many things and have wandered in dark- it is written he shall be judged according ness and unbelief, yet as a people they to the deeds done in the body; because have maintained a degree of sexual pu- the body does not control the spirit, but rity unknown in the Gentile world, and the spirit controls the body. Still the for this reason has God multiplied them Apostle Paul says that there is a law of in the land. They have great and spe- the flesh—that wars against the spirit; cial promises that in the latter days God and, says Paul, "to be carnally minded would remember them. is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." He further says that this Now, while God commanded His peo- law of the flesh—that is, in our members ple to multiply and replenish the earth, and the lusts thereof—that wars against He gave strict laws against promiscu- the law of the spirit brings our bodies ous sexual intercourse. He forbade into bondage, even the bondage of sin; adultery, fornication, whoredom in ev- but it is made the duty of the spirit to ery form, and the same doctrine was subdue the flesh and the lusts and the taught by Paul, the Apostle, namely, desires thereof, and to bring it into sub- "Marriage is honorable in all, and jection to the law of the spirit. This the bed undefiled: but whoremongers is the warfare and the struggle of our and adulterers God will judge." This lives. This begins with the development THE CREATION. 217 of our physical power and the lusts and encourage them to the proper exercise of desires of the flesh. The spirit of man their powers and functions and to reg- is capable of receiving from the Spirit of ulate them and restrain them within our Father the Holy Spirit, which is in proper limits, such as are prescribed in connection with the Father and the Son, the written law, and in the law of our be- and is a minister of God unto men; which ing. Excesses of all kinds tend to death lighteth up our minds and giveth us un- and to sickness and misery, physically derstanding; for "the Spirit of man is the and spiritually; while temperance and candle of the Lord," says one of old. This moderation and the proper use of all our teaches us just as far as we will give heed functions tends to the glory of God and to it, how to walk in obedience to the law the welfare of His children. The chief of God, and how to resist and overcome study of man is to comprehend these evil with good, and as far as the writ- principles, and to apply them in their ten word of God is given to us, its object lives. and influence upon us is to restrain the I said there was a time after the flesh and bring it into subjection to the flood that the seed of Noah began to spirit. The lusts and desires of the flesh corrupt their ways, and God chose out are not of themselves unmitigated evils. from among them the seed of Abraham, On the contrary they are implanted in with whom He established His covenant us as a stimulus to noble deeds, rather that He might preserve unto himself than low and beastly deeds. These affec- the Priesthood and its ordinances, and tions and loves that are planted in us are a people who would receive His law, the nobler qualities that emanate from and among whom He would raise up God. They stimulate us to the perfor- Prophets, and through whom He would mance of our duties; to multiplying and send His Son in the meridian of time replenishing the earth to assume the re- to become the Savior and Redeemer of sponsibilities of families, and rear them the world. Thus Abraham was blessed up for God. They encourage and stimu- of the Lord to multiply and increase in late the woman to bear her burden and the earth greatly. When the Lord de- perform the duties of life because of the termined to bless and multiply Abraham hope of a glorious future, while it stim- and His seed, He commanded that they ulates the husband and father in like should take of the daughters of Eve for manner. Every instinct in us is for a wives and multiply and increase in the wise purpose in God when properly reg- land. I do not say that plural marriage ulated and restrained, and guided by the was not practiced prior to this time, but Holy Spirit and kept within its proper le- I say from and after Abraham it was gitimate bounds. But all these instincts enjoined upon Israel, the seed of Abra- and desires of the flesh are susceptible ham, for a wise and glorious purpose in of perversion, and when perverted result Him, namely, that of increasing them in sin. Whenever the Gospel has been and giving them the ascendancy among preached on earth, and Prophets and the nations of the earth, as I once heard holy men have been sent among the peo- the Prophet Joseph remark. In speak- ple, the burden of their lives has been to ing of these things, and inquiring wherefore God had enjoined plural marriage 218 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. upon Abraham and his seed, his answer purpose in all these things; that the was, because He had purposed to multi- Supreme Being is working with an object ply and increase them in the land and in view and for the accomplishment of an make of them a great people and give end, and that object and end is worthy of them the ascendancy over other peoples the God who has created us; that in infi- of the earth, and that because, as he said nite space He may cause to be organized of Abraham, He knew that He would innumerable worlds and glorious orbs to serve Him and command his seed after be filled with intelligent beings capable Him. of enlargement, of an expansion of glory and of happiness; for in their enlarge- We are aware that in modern Chris- ment and increase He is glorified, while tendom there are some people who forbid they in turn are glorified in and through to marry. In one of the Epistles of Paul Him in the performance of their labors [1 Timothy iv. 3] he states that in the and duties and the multiplying and in- latter times there would be those who creasing of their species, inasmuch as would forbid to marry. We know there they do it unto the Lord and keep His are some professing Christians who re- law, so that they can be sanctified before gard the union of the sexes as an evil, Him and be endowed with the power of as a sin, as the result of our fallen na- endless lives. tures, and as a form of the gratifica- I know it is supposed by some that tion of fleshly lusts which is offensive the power of increase is inherent in us before God. Hence we have the Shak- and in all living things, and in all plants, ers who, acting upon this doctrine, ab- but I do not view it in that light. I stain from marriage. If all were to em- view the temporal organism as the in- brace their faith, and carried it out in strument and not the creator itself; it their lives, the human race would soon is only the instrument by which it is be extinct, and the great purpose of Jeho- worked out and accomplished; that the vah in their creation would seem to have principle of life and eternal increase per- failed. But fortunately those who em- tains not to the flesh nor to the grosser brace this faith, and exemplify it in their elements of this earth, but it is the spiri- lives, are few. Yet there are many who tual power that has emanated from a no- are willing to gratify the lusts of the flesh bler sphere that has come out from God, but strive to avoid its consequences and or that had its existence previously in a responsibilities. But those who have re- first estate. Our Savior Himself is an ceived in good faith the commandment of example of this. We are told He was God to multiply and replenish the earth born of the Virgin Mary, in the merid- and assume the proper responsibilities of ian of time. Yet we learn He was with the household, and regulate their lives the Father from the beginning and was and household by the law of the Lord, with Him in the morning of creation. have always been blessed and favored of While he was here upon the earth 1,800 God, and the great difference between years ago, He said to the Jews, "You the Latter-day Saints at the present time speak of Abraham as your father. Ver- and modern Christendom, is this more ily I say unto you, before Abraham was, extensive comprehension of this first law I am." And again in John's revelations of God to man. We understand there is a it is written that He was as a lamb THE CREATION. 219 slain from the foundation of the world. true light; while many other writers and He is called a lamb of God typically speakers are either silent upon the sub- speaking, because the offering of a lamb ject or give their voice and influence in in sacrifice upon the altar was a type its favor. A few years ago I remembered of the crucifixion of the Savior, and the to have read a discourse of Brooklyn's commandment of God given to the chil- great orator, Henry Ward Beecher, in dren of men in the beginning to build which he took the ground that any con- an altar and offer sacrifice with a lamb siderable increase of the human species upon it, was typical of the Savior of the would be a positive evil, something to be world. Hence came the term that He was deplored; and he elaborately attempted the Lamb of God which the Father sent to portray the evils that would result unto the world to be an offering for sin. from it, and the whole tendency of the So also it is written in the Scriptures— discourse was to discourage the multipli- speaking of God—that He is the Father cation of the human species. Others have of our spirits, and, says Paul, it is neces- followed in the same train of reasoning. sary to be in subjection to the Father of They seem to have forgotten the com- spirits and live. mandment given to our first parents, and In modern Christendom—in these never to have comprehended the pur- United States especially, and in staid poses of Jehovah. Those who adopt these New England more than perhaps views have seemed to imagine that there any other portion of this American would be greater happiness in the grati- continent—is this commandment of God fication of fleshly lusts, and in pandering to multiply and replenish the earth nul- to pride and worldly pleasures, and the lified. The Latter-day Saints are looked increase of wealth, than to obey the com- upon with envy, with jealousy and re- mandment of God. They have resolved proach because they do not take the to avoid raising large families. The last same view as they do, and their numer- tour I took through New England (which ous families stand out in bold contrast is my native country), about twelve years with the New England families, where ago, I was more deeply impressed with you will find as you go through the land this state of things than I had ever been one, two, or at most three children in before. When I was a boy, in Vermont, a family, and many families with none. I knew not the ways of the world, and In some instances this apparent sterility comprehended not what was going on, may have resulted from various abuses, in our large cities and more populous but in most causes the result of devices parts of the country. I was born of hon- of wicked men and women to counter- est parentage, who reverenced the prin- act and prevent the fulfilling of the great ciples of life and salvation, and I under- commandment of God to multiply and stood not what was going on around me, replenish the earth, and in many in- nor do I think those evils existed there stances, feticide, infanticide and child to the same extent that they now do. murder are the result of this very gen- But as I remarked, when I made my last eral desire to avoid the responsibility of tour through New England, I was more families. It has become a crying evil in forcibly impressed with this state of so- the land. Some writers deeply deplore ciety than ever before. I spoke of it to this crying evil, and represent it in its 220 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. my aged aunt in Rhode Island. I said Sabbath school children in the Territory to her: "Aunt, when you were young, of Utah—nearly one-third of the entire and when my mother was young, rearing population, as shown in our statistics at large families, it was a source of joy and our various Conferences—are children pleasure to rear offspring. Now as I go under eight years of age. This is a through the land, I see the efforts of the startling fact to that class of the Chris- people are in an opposite direction." "Oh, tian world who are pursuing the oppo- yes," said she, "it is unpopular now, for site course. One of the Sabbath school people to have large families; it is consid- superintendents of the City of New York, ered vulgar, men and women now seek recently expressed himself very point- to avoid these responsibilities." This is edly and plainly upon this subject in a well known fact. The tendency of the relation to the wealthy portion of the age is to animalism, to the gratification church-going people of New York. In of fleshly lusts and worldly pleasures. several thousand families attending the popular churches of New York, there Well, the Latter-day Saints have ex- could be mustered only about eighty Sab- perienced in their own lives something bath school children, and he attributed nobler, and have learned to recognize it to this prevailing desire for pleasure, the wisdom of Jehovah in that order of wealth, and the shirking of the cares and things which He enjoined upon our first responsibilities of the household, until parents. This is the marked difference the rearing of families was left almost between the unbelieving world and the entirely to the poor, to what is termed the Latter-day Saints. I say the unbeliev- vulgar people. ing world, because I regard this doc- I need not harrow up the feelings of trine which I have referred to as a doc- the people with lengthy details such as trine of devils and not the doctrine of are found in police reports and statis- Christ; that the tendency of it leads, as tics from various sources, showing the I before remarked, to feticide, infanti- alarming increase of these crying evils. cide, child murder, and to the gratifi- Suffice it to say that the chief war- cation of fleshly lusts and worldly plea- fare against the Latter-day Saints at the sure without fulfilling the great object present time is an endeavor to compel us and purposes of our Father, and the to conform to their new state of things, effect in the end would be the wast- or to their ideas of social sins and so- ing away of the human species if it cial duties. In other words it is lacon- were generally adopted. It is high time ically expressed by President Cleveland that a voice from heaven should rebuke in the late interview he had with our it. It is high time that the Lord, who delegates that were sent to him with wishes to raise up seed unto Himself, the memorial and protest adopted by should command His people and renew the Latter-day Saints in mass meeting upon them the obligations placed upon a few weeks ago. President Cleveland our first parents. It is to the Latter- listened with courtesy to what our del- day Saints that this mission has been egation had to say with regard to the committed, and the result is the multi- feeling and desires of the people, and tude of school children that we find all expressed himself in this wise: that he over this Territory. Over fifty thousand would endeavor as far as lay in his power THE CREATION. 221 to give us honest men to administer the Well, now, the expounders of the fed- law, and he concluded with a smile upon eral laws in our midst—the Prosecuting his countenance, with this expression: "I Attorneys, Judges, Marshals, and other wish you people out there could be like federal representatives that have been the rest of us." This is a homely phrase, sent among us to enforce the special it might not attract any special atten- laws that have been passed by Congress tion under ordinary circumstances; but against the Latter-day Saints, seem to when we consider the facts as they exist, make the line of distinction more marked and the tendency of the age, and of the than has ever before been done. Dur- Christian world at the present time, and ing the great furor which swept over the the state of things in the east when com- land four years ago, which resulted in pared with us, the remark is very signif- the passage of the Edmunds law, the icant. It comes home to us, and we ask Christian ministers urged their congre- ourselves, can we, after the light that gations to send memorials to Congress we have received, after the experience for the passage of that law on the ground that we have had, and with the hopes of repressing immorality, licentiousness that are placed before us in the Gospel and crime among the Mormons, and it of a glorious future—can we relapse back was this hypocritical mask which they into that state of things and be like unto took on at that time that hoodwinked them? I would not say aught personal and deceived the great body of the people in relation to Mr. Cleveland, believing and lashed the country into a furor and him to be an honorable man of the world, crowded Congressmen to vote for the un- yet his enemies in the campaign accused constitutional measure, that wicked and him of some irregularities of life that malicious law known as the Edmunds are common in the world, and it is re- law. I may be accused of treason for ported that he knows something of sex- speaking in this way, in calling this a ual relationship, though he has not as- wicked and malicious law. I may be sumed the responsibility of a family and counted guilty of treason because I dare household; and in this respect, though to think; but yet, treason has never been perhaps among the most honorable, he defined by the Constitution of our coun- represents a large and respectable por- try nor the Courts, to consist in a free- tion of unmarried men. We do not un- dom of speech, much less in the freedom derstand that in thus expressing him- of thought, but has been defined as levy- self to our delegates that he desired us ing of war against the Government, or to exactly imitate himself, but that he aiding and abetting its enemies in time wished we could confine ourselves at of war. least to one wife. If however, the paral- The great furor in the Christian lel were carried out more fully, we would world, or at least throughout the Chris- not only confine ourselves to one wife tian denominations of America four as far as owning them in that capac- years ago, urging upon Congress the ity is concerned, but we would try like passage of the Edmunds law, was others have, to limit our children also on the ground of the immorality and and imitate the other vices of the age. licentiousness of the Mormons, and a desire to repress it. But now the federal representatives in their efforts to enforce it in our country, 222 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. have found themselves under the neces- sirable that their feet should be slipped sity of throwing the mask off themselves out of the trap and ours left in. Ac- and off the country—off the priests and cordingly their wits were brought to bear religious people. I believe some of you in this direction, and on the occasion of in Provo had something to do in bring- the trial of President Angus M. Cannon ing this about and rendering it neces- on the charge of unlawful cohabitation a sary for them to lay off the mask. I plan was concocted and carried out, with believe Commissioner Smoot was called all the leading attorneys of the land and upon to investigate a case of an outsider the Chief Justice upon the bench, to dis- seducing his wife's sister, and a child was cuss this question and decide upon it. the result; and he felt called upon un- In this connection the representative of der the law to hold him to answer be- the government boldly came to the front fore the grand jury for unlawful cohab- and threw off the mask and proclaimed itation. The assistant prosecuting at- at the outset of this trial that he knew torney unwillingly allowed the thing to he could not prove sexual intercourse be- go on until the man was committed for tween the parties at bar, and that he this offense; intimating at the same time should not attempt it. Furthermore he that he thought this was pushing the Ed- stated that he did not consider sexual munds law a little too far and beyond intercourse any element of crime; that what was the spirit and intent of the the Edmunds law, so called, was a blow law. If this case should be carried to aimed at the status of the Mormon sys- its legitimate end, and the man should tem of marriage alone, and that the third be sent to prison and fined for unlaw- section of that law relating to unlawful ful cohabitation, then the door would be cohabitation had no reference to sexual thrown wide open for many others to fol- sins; that it was not designed to repress low for the same offense. Hence such a adultery, fornication, lust, or any term of construction was considered an element sexual sin; that that was left to local leg- of danger to themselves, to the repre- islation; that the legislation of Congress sentatives of the federal government and in the third section of the Edmunds law, their aiders and abettors in this coun- as well as all other legislation upon that try; that such a construction of the Ed- subject was aimed directly at the status munds law as had been the popular con- of the marriage alone. In this regard, struction and the understanding of the therefore, he took precisely the ground masses, and as was the professed un- that Governor Murray did when he first derstanding of the Christian world—for issued his oath for notaries public, and they urged its passage to repress im- which was afterwards adopted by the morality and sexual crime—that if this board of Utah Commissioners and incor- construction was allowed to prevail in porated in their test oath for registra- Utah and the surrounding Territories, tion, referring to cohabitation with more and the District of Columbia, and other than one woman in the marriage rela- places where the United States exercise tion. Mr. Dickson took this view, that jurisdiction, it would operate very hard Murray was right; that the Utah Com- on a great many who would not be so missioners were right; that this was the well prepared to bear it as the Latter- sense of the country; that this was the day Saints. Hence it seemed very de- THE CREATION. 223 design of Congress; that the Edmunds they have taken this high ground that law was a blow aimed at the Mormon it is no longer necessary to prove even system of marriage, or to use Judge the first or second marriage, nor is it any Zane's term, the habit and repute of mar- longer necessary to prove sexual inter- riage, or the "holding out," to use another course in order to establish unlawful co- favorite phrase, of two or more women habitation, but the common habit and re- as wives of one husband—that the whole pute of marriage and the appearance of and only object of the third section of marriage is all sufficient. Thus the ordi- the Edmunds law relating to unlawful nary rules of evidence are set aside, and cohabitation, as well as all other anti- the mask of hypocrisy which governed polygamy acts of Congress was against the Christian world when they were urg- the institution of marriage. Finding, ing the passage of this Edmunds law however, it difficult to prove marriages through Congress is thrown aside. A because of the disinclination of people bold and important testimony is given to testify, and because of the difficulty to the world through our persecutors to of reaching any record evidence of these the morality of the Mormon people be- marriages, it was thought necessary to ing so far in excess of the rest of the take high grounds and assume this: that world of mankind, and to our integrity the Mormons are known to be a virtuous to the marriage relation. We wish in- people, are known to condemn in strong deed that all that is said in this re- terms and by every influence in their spect were strictly true, that there were power every form of sexual sin, and that no irregularities among us. We cannot they do not indulge in intercourse with quite say that, but we do rejoice and the sexes to any extent only in the mar- thank God for the general good testi- riage relation. This was the well known mony which has been given of us in truth and established character of the Mormon in this behalf. Not long since Presi- people, and was the result of their teach- dent Smoot and myself and some others ings and practice for a generation past. were congratulating ourselves, and Pres- Hence wherever children were found in ident Taylor was congratulating him- Mormon families, they are the result of self, and many others of our aged fa- marriage. If a woman is found pregnant, thers, in having placed themselves in she must be looked upon as a wife, and a condition to escape the operation of the officers are justified in seizing her the third section of the Edmunds law and bringing her before a commissioner, by confining themselves to one woman. or a jury or judge, and compelling her to I said to some of my brethren in a give the name of the father of her child, Priesthood meeting in St. George, and that is deemed sufficient proof that one time when they were very badly he is guilty of polygamy, or if two or more agitated and not knowing whom the women live in close proximity to a man, lightning—or the Edmunds act would and he is seen visiting them, and espe- strike next—I said to them, you old grey- cially if the children call him father, it headed men whose wives have grown is sufficient proof on which the jury may old with you and are past bearing chil- indict for polygamy or unlawful cohabi- dren, if you choose now to agree among tation, as the case may be. Consequently yourselves that you will live within the third section of the Edmunds law 224 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and allow the husband and father to con- dren, or if his wives are past bearing fine himself to one wife, while he cares children, and he has entirely separated for the balance and cares for and pro- himself so far as bed is concerned, and tects his children, I see not but what there is evidence of entire restraint on you may do this with honor to yourselves his part, still, unless he goes back on and without sacrificing any principles of himself and on his wives and children, the law of God, or going back upon your he comes under the law. In other words, covenants, providing this be agreeable if he continues to "hold them out" as among yourselves. I was somewhat with wives he is guilty of cohabitation. Hence, others, congratulating myself in being Brother Smoot and myself, and others, able to do this without sacrificing any have been congratulating ourselves a lit- special principle or going back on our tle too soon. You will find that the old families, but it would seem that these men and the young men are all coupled noble, aged sires in Israel were not to together, their feet still in the trap, while be let out quite so easily as this, for I the adulterer, fornicator, whoremonger, am a little inclined to feel it was a lit- harlot and libertine, the trap is open just tle dishonorable, and yet perhaps not enough to let their feet out. Now they altogether before God. The idea was can vote, they can hold office, they can that they might possibly escape, while raise children providing they do not do it their sons and others who might have in the marriage relation, and they hold taken wives and raised families, and en- out this inducement to you and me: "Be- tered into those sacred relations which come like one of us." "I wish you out there are to them dearer than life itself, would could be like the rest of us." "I wish you have to abide the consequences. But would only disown your wives, then do it seems that under Judge Zane's rul- what you will, you are secure—that is, ing it is not these who are raising fam- you must only own one wife, for this is ilies that are always liable; for you may the popular idea, the sentiment of the raise a family by your sister-in-law, if age." This is the voice of fifty millions of you don't call her your wife, as you un- people. You must listen to it. Congress derstand from the case I have referred has said it. If you hesitate (some go so to. No sooner had Judge Zane sus- far as to say), you will be held to an- tained Prosecuting Attorney Dickson's swer for treason. Treason against what? view of the case, than this Mr. Aimes Treason against the law. Well, then, of was brought before him on habeas cor- course every thief is guilty of treason. pus and discharged, and he (the Judge) Every man that steals an axe handle fully announced the doctrine that a man shall be tried for treason because he dis- could have as many children by sister- obeys the law, by the same parity of rea- in-laws as he pleased; that no mat- soning. Again, if you try to avoid the law ter how much a man might seduce his and we can catch you, why you are do- neighbor's wife, or neighbor's daughter, ing a terribly wicked thing. Yes; if spot- if he is not in the marriage relation with ters are hunting down some luckless fel- them, it is no offense against the Ed- low or his wife, and they slip out at the munds law. But with a Mormon, whether back door, or hide in a haystack, why, he is raising a family or not, if he is even so unfortunate as to have no chil- THE CREATION. 225 you must be held for treason, or some have given evidence to the world of our other crime. Now, I have always un- sincerity in this, and yet the world do derstood that catching goes before hang- not seem to accept it. I believe that ing; that it is the duty of the officers Mr. Dickson was honest enough to ex- to make arrests when indictments are press his conviction of our sincerity in found; and it is equally understood that this, and that the Mormon people, as there is a guarantee in the Constitution a people, were moral people, and that of the United States that no man shall their teachings and actions showed that be held to answer for any crime except on they did not indulge in these sexual sins presentment of an indictment by a grand outside of the marriage relation to any jury. Furthermore, when indictments great extent; while the great mass of are found, the parties against whom they mankind who know us not are not will- are found are known only to the jury ing to give us this credit. They have and public prosecutor; the general pub- raised the hue and cry all over the land lic are not supposed to know anything for so many years, that we were guilty about them, and the general maxim of of gross immorality, that it seems as if law is that everybody is innocent until the Lord intended in the way now be- they are proven guilty. Consequently, we ing done to give the world ocular demon- are not supposed to know that when any- stration and a strong testimony of the body is going out to the haystack that integrity of this people, of the sincer- they are fleeing from an officer, or that ity of their actions, of the depth and every tramp that comes along is a deputy strength of their faith, and their devo- marshal, or if he is that he has a warrant tion to their religious convictions, and in his pocket for that man, and if he has their integrity in carrying them out. It is it is his business to catch him and not a source of gratification and thanksgiv- ours. Does not the law forbid you to aid ing that but few, comparatively speak- in the escape of a criminal? Yes, if he ing, among us have felt to go back on has been found a criminal by a compe- themselves and to throw off allegiance tent jury and under sentence of the law. to God and to their families and friends, Then it is public notice to you that he is and to violate their consciences; but few a criminal, but not otherwise. I merely have been found to do this in order to make mention of this because of the fool- escape fine and imprisonment. How far ish threats that are sometimes made to it will become necessary that this testi- terrify ignorant people. Because it is mony should go forth to the world, and well known the world over, so far as any- how many should suffer so that their tes- thing is known of us, and of the legisla- timony should go abroad to mankind to tion of Congress against us as a religious convince the world and to vindicate God people, that there is an issue between and His people, I am not yet able to say, Congress and the Latter-day Saints, and for I am persuaded it will be as the Lord that issue is of a religious character and will; that whatsoever is necessary we relating to the social relations of the must submit to with the best grace possi- Latter-day Saints. The views which we ble. I do not mean to say that every one hold are founded upon the revelations who may be thought to come under the of God, both ancient and modern. We third section of the Edmunds law shall 226 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. go and complain on himself, or if com- tect the citizens against malicious pros- plained of by some spotter that he shall ecutions; but in our special case, un- go straightway and confess guilt, or if ar- der the operation of special laws enacted raigned for trial on an indictment, that against the Latter-day Saints, we are he shall plead guilty without a trial; I compelled to go to trial before a jury of do not say this. Every man must be left our avowed enemies; indeed, none are to choose for himself what course he will qualified to sit upon juries in our case pursue in relation to those matters; for unless they are pronounced against us; pleading guilty or not guilty when ar- because, as I said before, it is not a sex- raigned before the Court is a mere tech- ual crime that is on trial; it is a re- nical form and a liberty which every pris- ligious sentiment of the Mormon peo- oner enjoys, that of pleading guilty or ple; it is this status of their social rela- not guilty. The plea of guilty, of course, tions founded upon their religious con- saves the expense of a trial, while a plea victions that is on trial. Hence it is the of not guilty, means that the prosecutor pronounced opposition to our convictions must prove the charge made in the in- that is a qualification for a juryman in dictment. I do not say, therefore, that our case. in submitting as best we can to the op- Well, we were told by the Prophet eration of the law that we shall not avail Joseph Smith, that the United States ourselves of constitutional privileges and Government and people would come to the rights accorded to us. We have the this: that they would undermine one right to be tried by a jury of our peers principle of the Constitution after an- if we can get one, but we cannot get one other, until its whole fabric would be under this act. The act was purposely torn away, and that it would become the framed to cut off that right. The right of duty of the Latter-day Saints and those a man to be tried by a jury of his peers— in sympathy with them to rescue it from this term originated in Great Britain and destruction, and to maintain and sus- was guaranteed in the Magna Charta— tain the principles of human freedom for means simply a jury of his equals. If a which our fathers fought and bled. We man belonged to the nobility of the land, look for these things to come in quick he was entitled to be tried by a jury of his succession. When I first heard of the— equals. If he was a plebeian, a common what shall I call it? The somersault laborer in the humble walks of life, he of Judge Zane and Prosecuting Attorney was entitled to a jury of his equals, his Dickson, the question was asked, Now associates, neighbors, those that knew that the mask is thrown off, how will him best and were able to sympathize this take throughout the country? Will with him and comprehend his position the hireling priests throughout the land and circumstances and the motives gov- sustain this action? Will they consent erning his acts, so that a righteous judg- to have this hypocritical mask thrown ment might be rendered concerning him. off then, and will the Supreme Court of This guarantee was incorporated in the the United States and the people of the American Constitution. The right of a United States sustain the ruling? I un- man to be tried by a jury of his peers hesitatingly answer, yes, they will, and implied all that was necessary to pro- if ever it reaches the Supreme Court of the United States, they will sustain it; THE CREATION. 227 the hypocritical hireling priests will sus- or President Woodruff, because they do tain it; the people will sustain it and say, not rush into the Penitentiary, or go into "Crucify them, crucify them, they have court and plead guilty, and at once go no friends." to prison. Nor need we until the Lord It becomes us, then, to be better requires it, rise up and say, "build a Saints, does it not? Yes. It becomes new Penitentiary and let us all go in to- us to be more united than we have ever gether." We are not required to do this, been before. It becomes us to put away but may claim our rights under the law. our foolishness; to cease all sin; to ob- We may leave the Government officials serve the words of wisdom; to walk in to do their duty, and if they will honestly all humility before God; to be faithful and rightly act according to the rules and earnest in our prayers, and to im- of evidence within their prescribed ju- itate good old Daniel. Never mind the risdiction, it will take them some time lion's den nor the murderer's Pen, but to get us all into the Penitentiary, be- so live that we can be counted worthy cause under the law we can insist upon before God, and whatsoever He has de- a trial and upon a jury. Judge Howard signed should come upon us that we may was reported to have said that it took have grace given unto us according to very little law and less evidence to con- our day, and that the world may record of vict a Mormon in Arizona. Nevertheless us in future generations that we were an there are certain forms that they have to honest and a noble race, true to our God go through, all of which takes a certain and to our convictions, and worthy of the length of time, and a certain amount of high calling of God, which is in Christ labor on the part of the Prosecuting At- Jesus our Lord. We should not blame torney, and if he gets but $40 for each in- one another for not going to the Peni- dictment, give him the privilege of draw- tentiary. We should not find fault with ing up the indictment and proving the President Taylor, or President Cannon, charge therein. Amen. 228 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

IGNORANCE OF THE WORLD REGARDING THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—OUR DOCTRINES ARE CHRISTIAN AND ARE SUBSTANTIATED BY THE SCRIPTURES—NECESSITY OF PRESENT REVELATION—FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL—FAITH, REPENTANCE, BAPTISM FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST—ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST—"MORMONISM" IS A RESTORATION OF ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY—JOSEPH SMITH A TRUE PROPHET—PLURAL MARRIAGE PRACTICED BY MEN OF GOD IN MISS-CALLED DARK AGES—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY ELDER HENRY W. NAISBITT, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JUNE 7, 1885.

My brethren and sisters and friends: vanced, and whose citizens are pre- I arise to speak with a little embarrass- sumed to be intelligent, and to compre- ment, but I look to the Saints, asking for hend the questions which agitate the their faith so that I may overcome. public mind, there is an amount of ig- There is nothing that interests the norance which is, to say the least, dis- Latter-day Saints so much as the enunci- creditable. It has been my lot indi- ation of the principles which they profess vidually, to come in contact with many and literally accept; but it would seem who have visited this Territory and city, as if there was in the outside world, less and to hear their expressions of surprise comprehension and understanding in re- in regard to the religious faith of the gard to the principles that the Saints Latter-day Saints. To tell a stranger that believe in, than there is in regard to the people of Utah believe in the Bible, any other subject which has acquired the appears to be something altogether un- same prominence. looked for. The assertion of their faith The Church of Jesus Christ for a in God and in His Son Jesus Christ, ap- great many years has kept a large num- pears to be received with more or less in- ber of missionaries in the field; they credulity, and there are others who behave traversed the whole of Christen- lieve that the marriage customs of the dom, in a greater or less degree, visited Latter-day Saints are the beginning and also the heathen nations and lands that the end, and all there was and is or are afar off; but yet a traveler would will be, to give them distinction and pe- find that but little impression has been culiarity among the people of this na- made among the masses of mankind. tion. And yet if you were to sweep your Even among those which are most ad- eye over this congregation—which is pro- THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS. 229 bably an average one of the people of this from choice. They have left the institu- Territory, you would instantly say, that tions of their fathers because of the de- there does not appear to be much differ- fects which were discovered therein, be- ence in the appearance of the people here cause of the inconsistencies which pre- and the average congregations of wor- vailed there, and in thousands of in- shippers elsewhere. The facts are that stances have reached conclusions be- the people here—the older ones at all cause of the teachings that many of them events—have been called and gathered received in the religious organizations of from among mankind, and from Chris- the world. The Latter-day Saints, to the tendom, as a rule. There are in this surprise of many, call themselves Chris- Church many native-born citizens, who tians. Notwithstanding the opposition have come from every State of the Amer- that they have encountered; notwith- ican Union, and are fully acquainted standing the prejudice with which they with all its religious sects and creeds. have had to contend; notwithstanding There are those who have come from the ignorance that is everywhere man- the different nations of Europe, and they ifest in regard to them and to their in- have been familiar with the institutions stitutions, they claim to be Christians— which exist there; they have attended or followers of Christ; and in assum- the services and been identified with the ing this title, they accept it with all same organizations that you find today. that it implies. They defend with as They know all about the churches and much devotion and persistence the char- the ministers and the Sabbath schools acter and institutions and teachings that and the literature of the religious world. were given of their Lord and Savior as They have analyzed and compared and recorded in the Books that have been contrasted these until they understand handed down from the fathers as do the not only the differences that exist be- disciples of any system, either secular tween the several churches, individu- or religious, who follow out the dictates, ally, as they are known in Christendom, theories and ideas of those whom they but they understand also the vast differ- have accepted as their leaders. The fol- ences between those churches and that lowers of John Wesley are no more tena- record called the Bible. They have been cious of the teachings of their illustrious familiar with that, including the New predecessor, the founder of their church, Testament, from their childhood. They than are the Latter-day Saints in regard were taught it of their mothers and their to the teachings of the Savior, and of fathers. They read it in the Sabbath His servant the Prophet Joseph Smith. school. They listened to the exposition of Those who revere the name of Wash- its truths and doctrines in the churches ington and of the fathers of this repub- to which they belonged, and it was lic, and because of that reverence, cher- personal mental analysis and compari- ish the fundamental truths of the Con- son that gave conviction to their souls stitution, and the Declaration of Inde- and induced them to receive that order pendence, are no more tenacious of the which the world has designated "Mor- truths uttered by those whom they ac- monism." As a rule the people of Utah cept as leaders, than are the Latter- are "Mormons," from conviction and day Saints in regard to the teachings and ordinances as established by Christ. 230 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

They have accepted Him as their author- that which they might repeat—not fear ity; they have accepted Him as their ex- because they have any doubt as to the ample; they have accepted Him as their character of the truths they have re- leader; and while their claims to Chris- ceived, but with that trembling which in- tianity, or the epithet of Christians, may evitably grows in the feelings of those be ignored, disputed, or repudiated by who are ostracized by society and who others, still they are abundantly able to are vilified and repudiated by the world. prove that their position is correct. To It may be asked, what then as "Mor- those who would dispute this let it be mons" are your views in a religious said that they can find (if they so de- sense? What are your peculiarities? sire it) testimony in abundance in the Where do you get the doctrines that you publications which have been issued by teach? this Church; they can find testimony in I am of the opinion that the doctrines abundance if they will visit our Sunday of the Latter-day Saints can be easily schools; they can find testimony in abun- proved and established from the sacred dance if they will inquire of those who Scriptures, and I can further say that the are "Mormons" or Latter-day Saints by missionaries who have gone from Utah— faith and profession. It is not usual, how- the Elders who have labored in the midst ever, for inquirers to address themselves of the nations of the earth—have always to this class. It is well known that of been able to substantiate their testimony the thousands who travel this Territory, by the word of God. They have never and who visit the people in the capacity asked the world to receive a doctrine that of tourists every summer, that there are they could not read in their own Bible, but few, very few, who ever seek an inter- in their own study and in their own view with those who are believers in and homes. They have never asked mankind receivers of, that which they designate to accept any dogma, doctrine or princi- "Mormonism." They as a rule are more ple which they believed would be calcu- willing to receive all the flying rumors lated to work them injury, but they have and reports, and to listen to all who but- believed that the nature of man every- tonhole them, and believe anyone they where was of such a uniform character, come in contact with, in regard to the and the purposes of his creation were character of this community, in regard to of such divine intent, that those truths their faith and practice, their social the- which in their essential nature would ories, and the results of these, than they bless one man, were equally calculated are to inquire of Latter-day Saints; and to bless all mankind. yet there is not a man or woman within I presume that it is everywhere com- the confines of this Territory or else- prehended that man is a religious be- where, who is a believer in the Gospel, ing; that he has within him aspira- but who is more than willing to impart tions, feelings and thoughts in regard what information they possess and to to the Supreme, which unitedly declare give a reason for the hope that is within that he needs some assistance from out- them, though they might do it conscious side sources if he is to possess knowl- of their own weakness and with a mea- edge and understanding of the nature sure of fear—not fear as to the truth of of his existence. Knowledge in regard to the purpose of that existence, in re- THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS. 231 gard to its past, and in regard to the some two or three or four thousand years present and future of that existence. All ago. The Christian—I might emphasize the facts of a man's organization bear that and say the CHRISTIAN world— testimony to the necessity (and where have professed to have faith in the Sav- there is necessity there is advantage) ior of mankind as occupying an interme- of religious training, culture and educa- diate position between the Creator and tion. The soarings of his spirit, the dis- his children, They will take up the Scrip- satisfaction with earthly things, with its tures and point us to illustrations which failures, and lack of recompense, the con- establish his character in that respect. sequent reaching out into the future for They will tell us in quoting the same an assurance of compensation, are all so that "He was a teacher sent from God;" many evidences that there is somewhere that "He sought not his own will but the the material to satisfy these aspirations; will of the Father who sent him; that the same as the feeling of hunger and he declared that he spoke not of him- thirst is abundant testimony that some- self, but of his Father who sent him; where there are elements to minister that he did nothing of himself, but as to the gratification of that hunger and my Father hath taught me. I speak thirst. And when this conclusion is these things, for I do always those things reached it is very easy to advance an- that please him!" They will tell us that other step in religious science, and to un- even his enemies said, "He spoke like derstand that if there is that material, one having authority, and not as one that intelligence calculated to minister of the scribes." In all the churches of to his religious aspirations, its faith and Christendom they will repeat the mar- hope, it must come from a source outside velous parables that He gave to His dis- of himself—in other words it must pro- ciples; they will read to us the sermon ceed from that Being who is the origina- on the mount; they will tell us of His tor, the Creator, the Lord of man, that in miracles; they will endeavor ostensibly Him alone there must be that fountain of to carry out the institutions which He es- inspiration, revelation and intelligence tablished, all of which substantiates the which is essential in developing in man idea that they have at least some faith the purposes of his creation. This argu- in the mission which He claimed upon ment appears to me to be philosophical, the earth. But if you ask whether that to be sound, to be suited to every man's spirit of inspiration and revelation which condition, and there is implied in that He promised His disciples was to be con- conclusion the inevitable necessity and tinuous, or whether it has been continu- advantages of inspiration and revela- ous, or whether it is now necessary, the tion. The Christian world have accepted whole religious world, both priests and this idea, and they will tell you that people have reached the conclusion that the fountain of inspiration was open to it belongs to an era of the past; yet if ever man some 1,800 years ago. The religious the religious world needed teachers it is world hold to the theory that there was now. If ever mankind needed revelation a period in the history and experience it is today. If ever there was a necessity of mankind when this spirit of inspira- for inspiration, we feel and know that tion existed among men, but that it was it is in the midst of the nineteenth cen- 232 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tury. If ever there was a time when con- you, brethren, that the gospel which was fusion, contention and strife, when in- preached of me is not after man. For consistency and skepticism prevailed it I neither receive it of man, neither was is surely now, among the most advanced I taught it, but by the revelation of Je- nations of civilization and of Christen- sus Christ." Gal. 1:11-12. This assur- dom; there men are to be found laying ance is not to be found. It is not known. the axe at the foundation of religious The spirit of authority, the confidence faith, endeavoring to popularize their which grows from the possession of truth own doctrines, and to bring into disre- is not in connection with the churches, or pute and into contempt the teachings of enjoyed among the intelligent of Chris- the Book that for ages has been held sa- tendom. To be sure the world go to a cred. This is being done with that force great expense in order that they may se- of rhetoric, with that glow of imagina- cure religious instruction. Colleges are tion, and with that wealth of illustra- erected. Men of certain temperament tion which belongs to men of the type spend years and years in order that they of Ingersoll, and congregations every- may be fitted for the ministerial profes- where, hang with breathless suspense sion. The people delight to pour out of upon the words they utter, and thou- their wealth for the spiritual food that sands are grateful in their iniquity that they receive of their teachers; but with the myth of religion, the fear of God, the it all, that uniformity, that beauty, that certainty of punishment, the future life, simplicity, that consistency, that force, have been swept away by so ruthless and that assurance which pertained to the so untiring a hand. Ministers are par- primitive days of Christianity is not to alyzed and stand aghast in presence of be found in the religious world of today. the enemy, and before a sin-sick world, and now if there is one medicine needed Now, I might ask what was the or- more than another in this age, it is that der of things in the primitive church medicine which will minister to faith, as established by the Savior? There to peace, to order, to confidence, which are certain first principles which pertain will bring assurance, and will give men to all branches of science—chemical sci- that trust and satisfaction with and in ence, agricultural science, astronomical the doctrines that they teach and prac- science, or any other branch—there is tice, such as was possessed by the Apos- implied in connection with all these a tles and Teachers and Saints of olden possession and use of primary or funda- time. Where in the Churches of the mental principles upon which the super- world can you find men ready to say as structure is built, and it is the same in Paul said to his converts, "The gospel regard to the science of religion. There came not unto you in word only, but are certain fundamental and foundation also in power, and the Holy Ghost, and principles upon which the superstruc- much assurance?" 1 Thes. 1:5. Where ture is built, and it is the same in re- are those who have the same author- gard to the science of religion. There ity to say, "though we, or an angel from are certain fundamental and foundation heaven, preach any other gospel unto principles upon which the edifice is to you than that which we have preached be built, and upon which it must for- unto you, let him be accused." "I certify ever stand, and these principles did not THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS. 233 originate in any school in connection authority there. This is the idea which with any college, or really in connection prevails between God and man upon the with any organization or body of men. earth, and that again implies the princi- They are divine. They were revealed. ple to which I have already alluded, the They came through chosen messengers spirit of inspiration and revelation; for in who tabernacled in the flesh, who taught our present condition the Almighty can- and then transmitted them to their fel- not communicate directly, probably, but lows, who in turn taught others, and He has selected certain mediums of com- thus made them powerful by final dis- munication. Who are they? His servants semination among nations. This idea, I who—like His servants of Biblical note— think, is invulnerable. What, then, are teach in His name. He promised, and the primary or foundation principles of gave unto mankind a witness of Himself, religion? Faith in God, growing out of the even when there was no law, by His Holy necessities of man's nature, growing out Spirit, and He has sent that true light of the nature of his spirit, the origin of which lighteth every man that cometh his being, the history and memory of the into the world, while to every baptized past, the outlook into the future—these believer is given "the manifestation of all foreshadowing the necessity and ad- the Spirit to profit withal." 1 Cor. 12:7. vantages and blessings of faith in God. And this Spirit will bear testimony to the Hence every man who is a religionist truths, or laws, that are revealed by His has sought unto a Being of some kind; Son, and taught by His appointed ser- whatever his conception of that Being vants. may be, he looks upon it as fundamen- Well, now, how shall we ascertain tal that there is a God, and there are these truths? Why, through this chan- none but those that David speaks of, nel. Jesus Christ was the lawgiver. He namely, the fool, who has said in his established that system of things calcu- heart that, "There is no God." Having es- lated to bring man back into the pres- tablished this faith in God, we want to ence of His Father, and He commanded know what position we occupy towards men everywhere that they should seek Him. He is our benefactor. He is our after Him, that they should pray unto friend. We are His children. The Scrip- Him, "Our Father, who art in Heaven. tures tell us that we are created in His Thy will be done on earth, as it is done image and likeness. They tell us that the in heaven," and He communicated that Savior was "the express image of his Fa- will unto those who listened to His teach- ther's person." We, then, are like our Fa- ing. What was that will? He continu- ther. We are His posterity. We are His ously advocated and enforced the spirit sons and daughters dwelling and taber- of repentance. Why? Because men— nacling in the flesh. What is the posi- all men, had wandered from the path tion that a man's children occupy toward of rectitude. They lived in violation him as their parent? Every parent ex- of those laws which are divine; they pects obedience. Every parent expects failed to carry out that which would lead respect to his wishes. Every parent ex- them on toward perfection. Hence as pects that when he makes a law that a natural and philosophical conclusion that law will be carried out in his house- men are called upon to repent. What! hold; that there shall be order, rule and Does this generation need to repent? 234 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

There are many who think they need no they need salvation, but yet in the inner- repentance; that they occupy positions in most recesses of every man's heart and society too elevated; that they belong to every woman's soul, in the depths that the upper crust, the great "upper ten," no plummet hath sounded, not even the who are leaders in science, in art, and one made by themselves—there rests the in literature, and who are among the feeling that they need be sorry for many cultured of our nation and in other na- of the things that they have done in life, tions of mankind. They think they have and if not for those that they have done, no occasion to repent; they "thank God, at least for the thousand and one things that they are not as other men, not even that they have left undone, for there are as this publican," or as this "Mormon." sins of omission as fatal as those of com- But, brethren and sisters and friends, mission. there is no royal road to salvation in the Faith in God and repentance, then, economy of God. There are no princi- and faith in His servants, rests upon a ples in the science of religion that can philosophical as well as upon a scrip- be repudiated, or neglected, or disobeyed tural basis. It is rational and reason- by man, without his subjection to the able, it is easy to be comprehended, these penalty, repentance of all evil and a re- things are true, in and of themselves! turn to that which is right is one of the primary elements and evidences of true What shall we do after we have thus manhood and womanhood, and it is also repented? What say the Scriptures? an essential part of the Gospel of Je- What said the Apostles? Why, when sus Christ. When man has thus ac- asked the question, "What shall we do?" cepted and manifested his faith in God Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized by his repentance, having believed on every one of you in the name of Jesus and in the word of His servants, and Christ for the remission of sins." "Why," acquired active faith in them, he has say the religious world, "we don't believe made an advance. When I say His ser- in that?" I know it. I cannot help that. vants, I mean the Lord and Savior Je- If you choose to repudiate the author- sus Christ, in a primary sense, and those ity that you at other times profess to ac- whom He has delegated and appointed cept, I do not know that it is much of my in a secondary sense; for we read that business. If Americans choose to apos- the Apostles were commanded to teach tatize from the political principles of the that which He had taught them; they fathers of the Republic, I do not know were sent out to "Teach them to observe that I can help that. If any man belong- all things whatsoever I have commanded ing to any religious or social organiza- you;" they were not to teach their own tion chooses to neglect or repudiate the ideas, their own theories, their own con- principle of that organization, I do not clusions, but that they should teach the know that I can help it. I do not know principles taught by Him, when they that any community can help it, we can were asked the question, What is neces- only state the facts as they are, premis- sary for us "to do to be saved?" ing, however, that apostasy admissi- It is almost an insult to a great ble from the institutions of men in no many people now, to tell them that way justiﬁes the same action in regard THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS. 235 to that which is divine. Jesus as an ex- ness. Dr. Newman on this recovery ample went and was baptized of John immediately said, "Oh! our faith and in Jordan, and there is abundant proof prayers have saved the General again. in the New Testament, if I had time No, says the doctor." This incident I only to quote it, to show that all the early mention to show that there are theories Christians were baptized. Have you any in the Christian churches and among its record that all the early christians were most noted ministers in regard to the baptized? No. But we have a record ordinance of baptism, and probably the that many were baptized, and the fact great majority of Americans at some pe- that one or more were baptized is evi- riod of their lives have been baptized—as dence presumptive that the whole were, it is called, some having been sprinkled for we read of only "One Lord, one faith, in childhood, some in more mature years, and one baptism." "Well," says one, "I others by immersion, having been raised do not attach any importance to bap- among the persuasion called Baptists, tism." Probably not. I was amused just whether or no, there is some little impor- before I came to meeting in reading an tance attached to this ordinance of bap- account in the newspaper of a circum- tism, and this ordinance of baptism, the stance that occurred lately in the experi- Latter-day Saints accept in common with ence of General Grant. We have all sym- their fellow Christians, or with other so- pathized with General Grant in his af- called Christians. They believe in being ﬂiction. We have honored him for the po- baptized as a necessary consequence of sition that he occupied in the nation, and their faith in God and in His Son Jesus many of us have hoped that he would Christ! live long to do good among the people. Now, how were the early Christians But at one period of his sickness the doc- baptized? I do not think that there is tors asserted that the disease was likely a shadow of evidence in the New Testa- to prove fatal at any moment, and Mrs. ment that they were any of them bap- Grant was called into the room where he tized by sprinkling, or in any other way was. Dr. Newman, and two or three save by that of immersion. We read of the General's medical advisers were of some that were baptized in a certain present, and Dr. Newman in the ex- place "because there was much water cess of his religion, or of his soul, and there." We read of others who were con- probably with some faith in the cere- verted in the night time, and who went mony, got a little water and baptized straightway and were baptized. We read the General—that is, sprinkled the wa- that the Savior told Nicodemus that, ter upon him—in the name of the Father "Except a man be born of water and and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the General Grant was at the time uncon- kingdom of God." We read that Paul in scious and not expected to rally. But one writing to the Romans said that they of the doctors went out to an attendant were buried with Christ in baptism, and and asked if he had a little brandy? Yes. that their being raised from the water After procuring the brandy he injected was an illustration of the rising of the a little into the General's veins, which Savior from the tomb, and we are fur- speedily restored him to conscious- ther told by Peter that as the ark saved 236 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Noah, so also doth "baptism now save strangers to the advantages of organiza- us." Baptism, indeed, was a divine ordi- tion. They formed themselves into little nance. It was one of the steps in the sci- groups called churches. In some places ence of religion having its own special po- in the New Testament they are called the sition of power and blessing in the econ- "church," in other places "the Church of omy of God—one of the ordinances estab- God," in others "the Church of Christ." lished for securing a certain measure or In these organizations there were offi- portion of salvation. cers. There were men appointed to fill And after the disciples had thus been certain positions in these organizations. baptized they received the Holy Ghost by This implied rule, authority; their power the "laying on of hands." Numerous il- and authority to teach are everywhere lustrations of this fact might be pointed exemplified in the Acts and Epistles of out; but as we are not speaking to hea- the New Testament. So much so that thens, as we are not speaking to skep- one of the apostles tells us that God had tics, but to those who profess to believe set in His Church Apostles, Prophets, the Bible, they can at their leisure re- Teachers, Evangelists, etc., for the per- fer to these illustrations, where the early fecting of the Saints, for the work of converts had hands laid upon them for the ministry, for the edifying of the body the gift of the Holy Ghost. And they can of Christ. These were the officers, the also look at the practice of the churches most active members of the church— in our day, where in some denominations those who had charge of its interests— there is practiced the ordinances of con- those who had charge of the spiritual firmation and where the minister says and temporal education of these early unto those of his flock, "Receive ye the converts in the Church. There was a gift of the Holy Ghost." This was also Christian church, then, in the early his- one of the principles of the Gospel. This tory of Christianity. Men were organized gift of the Holy Ghost was the source of into groups—into churches and belonged life, the source of intelligence, the source to the true church of which Christ was of knowledge and understanding: it was the head! So there are organizations the power of inspiration and revelation called churches in our day, and in the age resting upon the baptized—the men and in which we live. But there is one great women who had accepted the Savior as difference between our age and that one. their leader and guide. And what is that? Why, there is diversity I might multiply these illustrations in our time. The Church of Jesus Christ, of the science of religion. I might go the Church of the former-day Saints, was on to show that there were other impor- an unit. There was no rebellion within tant elements in the teachings of those its ranks, no division in its councils, who were converted in early times to no clashing theories taught by its apos- Christianity. The world today is full tles. There was no rival or other orga- of organizations. It knows the weak- nization ostensibly Christian that could ness of individual effort. It is when stand up and presume to dispute or deny men and women are aggregated that that authority which the Church of God they wield large influence over mankind, maintained. Yet in our time we have and the early Christians were no every variety of Church organization THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS. 237

—the Mother Church; the Episcopal day Saints upon the religious world, and Church; Methodism in all its forms and because of this criticism, because of this phases; Presbyterians, Baptists, and a understanding, thousands and tens of host of others. These are diverse from thousands have been led to embrace that each other in doctrine and sentiment which is known to the world as "Mor- and organization and theory and prac- monism." tice, and consequently unlike the primitive church as established by Christ and What is "Mormonism?" It is a restora- His Apostles. Now, can they with these tion, a re-revealment of the same prin- differences, with these divergences, and ciples that were practiced by the early with this variety of teaching—can they Christians. They had not a doctrine, accomplish that designed by the founder they had not an ordinance, they had not of the original church? I hardly think so. an officer, but what is taught and found Common sense says this is impossible. If in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- the first church was divine in its order, day Saints. Now, the world have no idea divine in its ordinances, divine in its of- we have got away with them that far. ficers, divine in its institutions, if it was Has it come about by our own wisdom? to accomplish a divine purpose, nothing No, sir. Where did you get it? Right in short of that divine order could accom- the State of New York, through a cho- plish that purpose in this or any other sen man—a boy, rather—by the name of age of the world. That is why Sectari- Joseph Smith. Who was Joseph Smith? anism has failed to bring the people to a A man like you and I. Who were the old unity of the faith. That is why it has not prophets? Who was Elijah? He was a accomplished so much good as it might man with all the failings of his fellow have done upon the earth. It is like a men; subject to like passions with his rope of sand. Every minister fighting, brethren. Who were the Savior's Apos- and every congregation quarrelling for tles? Men like ourselves! Who was the ascendancy of their own special and Joseph Smith? A young man with many peculiar sect and faith. You go into any weaknesses and follies, it may be, of his little village of a few scattered hundreds own, and some akin to the failings of and you will find four or five churches those by whom he was surrounded. How there, each one endeavoring to perpetu- did he acquire this knowledge and infor- ate its own special idea, partly irrespec- mation? It was communicated from on tive of the salvation of the masses. In high. The spirit of inspiration and reve- fact they have become money making in- lation rested upon him. He held commu- stitutions. Ministers have become pro- nion with God and with His Son Jesus fessionals. "They preach for money, and Christ. He received the ministration of divine for hire." They are more content Angels, and the power and authority of to ask the congregation what they shall the Holy Priesthood from those who once preach than to stand valiantly for the exercised that authority in the flesh and truth as preached by Jesus Christ and he was ordained and dedicated to intro- His Apostles, and as recorded in the book duce this order again among mankind. which from first to last they profess to Do you believe that? We Latter-day reverence and sustain. Saints believe it. Nay, more, we know This is the criticism of the Latter- it for ourselves. We have had testimony 238 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. for year upon year in our experience that followed in his wake. "And," says one, God was with him in manhood; that He "you believe this, that he was a prophet enabled him to establish His Church, of God." Yes, we do. We will apply the and that He gave him power to ordain same test that was applied in former others to go forth to the nations of the days, the days of the Savior. Jesus said: earth and gather the obedient and the If any man will do his will, he shall know good from the masses of mankind. The of the doctrine whether it be of God or good I said. "Well," says one, "do you whether I speak of myself, and as was mean that you Latter-day Saints are any said of the Savior "we know that thou better than we are." I do not know that art a teacher sent from God, for no man I do in this sense of the word. I mean can do the things that thou doest except that there was found scattered among God be with him," so we can say of the the nations a people prepared of God for Prophet Joseph Smith. Though he was the reception of the truth. Individuals called in poverty and raised in ignorance, were looking for the salvation of Israel. yet the Lord made him mighty, and no They had been suffering under the incon- man unless he had been thus sent of sistencies, traditions and superstitions God, could have accomplished the work of the churches to which they belonged, that he has performed. You can find in and they were waiting for the coming this Territory people of every national- of the man sent of God. And when he ity almost. You can find them from ev- came or sent his representatives, there ery state of this Union. You can find were thousands everywhere that heard people that have been identified with the word gladly. Where? In enlightened every religious organization. You can America, in the land of Bibles, in the find people that are well up in the doc- land of churches, in the land of culture, trines of the religious world, and who in the land of religious liberty, where ev- comprehend the truths that are taught ery one is supposed to have the right to to them from time to time. These have worship God according to the dictates of been gathered from the nations by the his own conscience, and with none to mo- power of truth, by the influence that the lest him or make him afraid. They ac- Elders carried, and they have colonized cepted the teachings of this lad. Was and spread abroad until the population he an educated person? No, not in the is numerous in all the valleys of this sense that the world would call educa- mountain country. Strangers come here tion. He had not been raised in any very curious to know what kind of peo- college of our great country; he had not ple these "Mormons" are. They come studied the classics; he was not born filled with prejudice and with hatred, in Boston, or anywhere in its immedi- with contention and strife. Many envy ate vicinity; but he was taught of the our prosperity, and some say, "If we let heavens, he was inspired of God, and he this people alone, they will take away went forth in the strength of that educa- our place and nation." Well, as I have tion, and Utah Territory spreading from said, this has been done by the power the north to the south, from the east of truth, by the preaching of the sim- to the west is the product of his labors ple principles that you can find in the and the labors of the Elders that have Bible, and that can never, no never, be THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS. 239 overthrown. The Elders of Israel have that which was approved of God in the never been met successfully by the com- ages that are past, and which gave men bined learning of the ministers in Chris- prestige as the favored of our race. Men tendom. The Elders have gone for them whom we are told were the friends of like giants, while conscious of personal God. "Ah, well," says one, "that was in weakness; like little David, they have the dark ages." Just so. But it was when taken the sling and the stone gathered God made Himself manifest among His from the brook, until the heads of many children; when angels communed with Goliaths of our day have reeled and those that dwelt upon the earth; when fallen beneath the blow. the spirit of revelation was felt among This is what "Mormonism" is. It mankind; when the institutions of God's is nothing more, nothing less, than the house and the ordinances thereof pre- restoration of the old Gospel under the vailed among the chosen people of God! sanction and approbation of the heavens. And you call that a day of darkness! The Elders of Israel hold the authority of Boston was not known then, it is true. the Holy Priesthood to induct men into The great cities of this day had no ex- the Kingdom of God; to baptize in wa- istence in their present form. Civiliza- ter for the remission of sins, and to lay tion with all its concomitants were not hands upon them for the gift of the Holy then in existence, or like Sodom and Ghost, and as in olden times, the signs Gomorrah under the hail of brimstone have followed the believer. and almighty wrath, its cities might only With this knowledge don't you think have been found today, as great, dead, we can stand a good deal of this per- saline seas. The dark ages! The age secution to which we are subject? Do of Abraham! The age of Jacob and the you think that bonds or imprisonment or founding of the tribes of Israel. The death affects so sublime and decided a ages of Samuel! The age of the Judges faith? "But," say some, "you are not per- of Israel! The ages when God made secuted for these things: you are perse- Himself manifest among that great peo- cuted for other things. Here is that offen- ple in delivering them from the hand sive practice that you call polygamy, this of the iron rule of Pharaoh, and gave is the great trouble between you and the unto them a goodly land. The ages fifty-five million of the nation." Well, who that gave David and Solomon and the of that fifty-five million have we robbed magnificent Temple of Jerusalem. Dark in that? Have we taken any man's ages, that brought on to this stage of wife who may have passed through this action the Savior of mankind! Dark Territory against his consent? What ages, when the church which He estab- law have we violated in regard to this lished, flourished in the midst of perse- thing? Any law in this book (holding up cution, when its leaders suffered mar- the Bible) against it? Can you find it, tyrdom. Dark indeed, if they had not you ministers, you religious professors, had the light of the Gospel; if they had you widespread organizations? Have not had this sunshine of inspiration; if we done violence to the laws of God, they had not known of the power of God; or have we not honored the practice of if they had not had a testimony within the patriarchs? Have we not accepted themselves that they had received that 240 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. which would enhance their welfare not will have to find them in the Church of only in this life, but the life to come. Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Would to God we had again a renewal— poor, despised, derided, and as men be- nay, a glimpse of the dark ages of lieve everywhere, ignorant people in the the past, and that the same benignant valleys of the mountains, called "Mor- light was now spreading throughout this mons;" whose faith and institutions are our land with its Christian churches, now sought to be overthrown by their schools and colleges, that its corruptions enemies, by legislation of Congress, by and evils might hide their head and be proclamations of Governors and the ac- banished from the midst of sorrowing tion of the Courts, they will find salva- mankind. tion with that people just as assuredly This, then, as I have intimated to as in primitive Christian times the Phar- you, is "Mormonism." It is the power of isees, the Sadducees, and other sectari- God unto salvation to all those who shall ans, found salvation at the hands of the obey. And the promise is not unto us fishermen of Galilee. only, but unto our children, and our children's children, down to the latest gener- I presume I have taken up all the ation. And if men and women anywhere, time that is necessary; but I pray that want that salvation which comes of God, the power of God may rest upon this con- which comes of the Gospel, which comes gregation; that strangers may lay aside of the acceptance of Jesus as the Sav- their prejudices and preconceived no- ior of mankind, they will have to find it tions in regard to the Latter-day Saints; in "Mormonism" as the world call it, or that they may be willing to believe that in other words in the restoration of the some good may come out of Nazareth, Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; and if even from here; that every man and they want men to induct them into that woman professing to be a Saint of God, Kingdom, to baptize them in water for may be able to give "a reason for the hope the remission of sins, to lay hands on that is in them," in the name of Jesus them for the gift of the Holy Ghost, they Christ, Amen. PRIESTHOOD. 241

PRIESTHOOD—ITS AUTHORITY NECESSARY TO ADMINISTER IN THE ORDINANCES OF THE GOSPEL—THIS PRINCIPLE WELL ILLUSTRATED IN THE LIFE AND EXAMPLE OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH—JESUS OFFICIATED BY VIRTUE OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD—DESCENT OF THE PRIESTHOOD FROM ADAM—NECESSITY OF TEMPLES IN WHICH THE POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD CAN BE EXERCISED FOR THOSE WHO DIED WITHOUT THE GOSPEL—RESTORATION OF THE PRIESTHOOD IN THESE LAST DAYS—THE LEGITIMATE ACTS OF THOSE HOLDING THE PRIESTHOOD ARE ACKNOWLEDGED AND RATIFIED BY THE LORD—BINDING POWER OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD—OPPOSITION OF SATAN TO THE PRIESTHOOD—VIRTUES OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE, OGDEN,SUNDAY MORNING,OCTOBER 18, 1884.

I will read a portion of the 7th chap- thereof—that is, to minister in all things ter of Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews. pertaining to the Priesthood were confined to that tribe, and that no one had [The speaker read the whole of the the right outside of that tribe to offici- 7th chapter.] ate in the ordinances pertaining to God Proceeding he said: This chapter that and to mediation between God and the I have read in your hearing is the 7th people or the people and God. But Paul chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews. very clearly proved in his reasoning with In this entire book of Hebrews, Paul rea- them that there was a Priesthood higher sons with the Jews, unto whom the epis- than that which had been exercised by tle was addressed, to show them that the descendants of Aaron. Jesus, the Son of God, whom they had It is well for us, who, as a peo- crucified, was a Priest after the order ple, believe in Priesthood, that we of Melchizedek, and that the Priesthood should understand the nature and char- which had been taken away during the acter and power of the Priesthood days of Moses in the wilderness, had which God confirms upon man when been restored through Him. The Jews He calls him to act in His stead in entertained the idea that Priesthood nec- the midst of the people. As a peo- essarily came through the tribe of Levi, ple we differ in our views upon these and that the power and the authority points from almost every other church. 242 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

There are one or two sects in exis- not, he plainly perceived, authorize him tence which attach a great importance to to act as a minister of the Lord in the Priesthood, but the most of them which administration of ordinances. He never form the so-called Christian world reject attempted to do anything in administer- the idea of Priesthood, and deny that it ing ordinances, or anything that a Priest is necessary for it to he bestowed upon might do, until he had been ordained of man. This feeling has doubtless arisen God through the administration of John as a consequence of the abuses that have the Baptist. Then, and not till then, did grown up through the maladministra- he officiate in the ordinance of baptism. tion of what is termed the Priesthood. Much as he and his companion desired In rebelling against the Catholic Church that ordinance; much as they desired to and its pretensions men have gone to the become participants in the blessings that other extreme, and have discarded the flow from the reception of an ordinance of idea of Priesthood entirely, and claimed that holy character, he never attempted, that all men are alike before God; that until he had been thus empowered from all men are equally endowed with au- on high, to administer it. thority from God, and to exercise the Now, the prevalent idea in the world power and the authority that were origi- has been that if a man should be so fa- nally bestowed upon those who held the vored as to receive the ministrations or truth. visitations of angels, or to receive any In these last days, in the organiza- manifestations of what might be termed tion of this Church, God, in His infi- a supernatural character, he would be nite wisdom, impressed upon his servant completely invested with the power nec- Joseph Smith the necessity of there be- essary to preach the Gospel unto his fel- ing a rebestowal of the Priesthood, in or- low men and to administer all the ordi- der to give him the authority to officiate nances thereof. But the Prophet Joseph in the ordinances of the Kingdom of God. not only received the ministrations of an- This must have been impressed upon the gels, but actually had revelations from prophet's mind at a very early day, from God, which are written in the Book of the fact that, notwithstanding he had Doctrine and Covenants, and which are been brought up among the protestant now the word of God to the Church. He sects, and had doubtless shared in the received these revelations through the views which they entertained respecting inspiration of the Almighty. He also by the right of all men who were impressed means of the Urim and Thummim trans- by the spirit, and who were prompted lated the Book of Mormon; was, in fact, by an inward call to act as ministers a seer as well as a revelator; had the of God, he refrained from attempting in spirit of prophecy to predict those things the least degree to do anything in the that should take place in the future, and name of God or of Jesus Christ until many events that have since taken place he had received the power and author- were prophesied of by him before he was ity from on high through the bestowal really ordained of God to administer the of the Priesthood upon him. The reve- ordinances of life and salvation. I know lations he had received from the Lord, that this is an exceptional instance. It with the ministration of holy angels, did may be possible that there is not another PRIESTHOOD. 243 like it in the history of our race where he received the everlasting Priesthood. a man was so highly favored of God, en- When that was bestowed upon him; dowed with such authority, such power when he received the Priesthood after and had such manifestations of the mind the order of Aaron, and was ordained and will of God as he received without by the angel who alone held the keys, having the Holy Priesthood. But it ac- who was a literal descendant of Aaron, cords with the ideas so frequently ex- and by virtue of that descent entitled pressed by the brethren respecting the to the keys of that Priesthood, having Prophet Joseph and many others, that exercised the authority thereof while in they were ordained before the founda- the flesh—then and not till then did he tions of the world were laid to come forth administer the ordinance of baptism for and accomplish the labor and the work the remission of sins. And then he re- that they did. There is no room for doubt frained from acting in ordinances be- in regard to the truth of this statement longing to the Melchizedek Priesthood, that is so frequently made. In the early that higher Priesthood, by the authority boyhood of the Prophet Joseph, he was of which the baptism of fire and the Holy moved upon in a mysterious manner to Ghost is administered unto the children seek unto God. By the exercise of a faith of men. Having authority to baptize in that was uncommon, and in fact it may water given unto him, he did not go any be said unknown upon the earth, he was further, until the Lord in His kindness able to receive the ministrations of God and mercy bestowed upon him, through the Father, and of His Son Jesus Christ; the administration of those apostles who thus showing in the very beginning of held the keys after the death of our his career, that he was a man or a spirit Savior, the authority to administer in that was highly favored of God—a man those higher ordinances and to exercise to whom God desired to give particular the power and authority of this higher manifestations of his kindness and good- Priesthood. This illustrates most per- ness and power, and this was followed up fectly how careful men ought to be in act- from that time until his death by contin- ing in the name of God, not to overstep ued manifestations of the favor and the the bounds of the authority conferred will and the power of God unto him. But upon them, but to carefully keep within it is a remarkable fact—and I wish to im- those limits that are assigned to them in press it, I think it is worthy of remem- which to exercise authority. It is a les- brance by all of us—that notwithstand- son unto us as a people. We should be ing the Prophet Joseph had all these particular ourselves and should impress manifestations, and was, as I have said, every man with the great care that he a prophet and seer and revelator, he should exercise to confine his acts to the never attempted—notwithstanding the authority which he has received from the ideas that were so prevalent among Almighty. mankind, and especially in the region Jesus himself, no doubt, was equally where he lived and where he received careful in regard to the authority which his education—to officiate in any of He held. He was called to be a Priest the ordinances of the house of God, after the order of Melchizedek—that is, or of the Gospel of salvation, until this higher Priesthood. He exercised the authority thereof among the children 244 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of men. He still is a Priest after that It was bestowed upon him and upon his holy order. It was by virtue of that son Abel and upon his son Seth, and Priesthood that He officiated in the ordi- from them it has come down through nances that He administered unto men. the line of the Priesthood—from Seth to Though the Son of God, the Savior him- Enos, from Enos to Cainan, from Cainan self, did not attempt, because of His son- to Mahalaleel, and so on down until ship, because of His high descent, to of- the days of Noah, who received it from ficiate among the children of men aside his grandfather. These men were or- from and independent of the authority of dained in their various generations to the Holy Priesthood, that is, the Priest- this Priesthood, the Priesthood after the hood after the order of Melchizedek. It holiest order, the Priesthood after the was by virtue of that Priesthood and au- order of the Son of God. By virtue of thority that he officiated, that he admin- this Priesthood Noah and his sons minis- istered the baptism of fire and of the tered and labored, as we are told, among Holy Ghost, which John the Baptist an- the children of men to persuade them to nounced unto the people he would do forsake their sins and to turn to righ- when He came. Jesus in administering teousness, lest the Lord should over- that baptism and conferring that bless- whelm them with a flood. This flood ing, did so by virtue of and in the author- had been predicted long before it came. ity of the Melchizedek Priesthood. He Enoch had beheld it in vision, and he would not, as I have said, have dared went forth, as we are told in the record to do this independent of that authority; that has come down to us from him, so in laying His hands upon His Apos- and labored to the best of his ability tles He conferred upon them this power among the children of men to avert the and this authority. He commanded them dreadful consequences of this threatened to go forth and administer unto the chil- flood, which he had been informed by dren of men by virtue of that power and the Lord would overwhelm the inhabi- authority, and the Church that He built tants because of their wickedness. He up, and this Church of His that is now labored in this Priesthood for 365 years established in these last days, and the and upwards—that is, he walked with officers of it, derive their authority from God for that length of time—and by the that source. It has come down legiti- exercise of that Priesthood he obtained mately from the days of Melchizedek; in such great power from God that he and fact it has come down from our great fa- his people were translated. Zion was ther Adam. He received the Priesthood not. It was taken to the bosom of the of the Son of God; He was ordained to Lord. The Priesthood, however, was still that Priesthood, and it has come down left. His son Methuselah received it, by lineal descent from him unto all his and he bestowed it upon Lamech, and children who have that authority today Noah received it, from Methuselah, and and who exercise it upon the earth. It the sons of Noah received and exercised can be traced in the same manner as the authority of it in the midst of the the descent of man can be traced. It children of men in order to save them, can be traced to Father Adam. He re- but were unsuccessful. Melchizedek received it through angelic administration. ceived it, and because of his greatness and the power that he attained unto PRIESTHOOD. 245 with God, he became so distinguished Savior and the Redeemer of the world. that the Priesthood after the order of This Priesthood, as I have said, came the Son of God has been called after his down unto Moses, but the children of Is- name from that time until the present, to rael would not have it in their midst. We avoid, as we are told in the revelations, are told very plainly in the revelation the too frequent repetition of the name of that Moses sought diligently to sanctify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then his people and to lead them into the pres- Abraham received it, and he bestowed it ence of God by means of this Priesthood, upon his children. Moses, however, re- but they would not have it. The ordi- ceived it through a different line, as we nances of godliness that were adminis- are told. He received it from his father- tered by it were not acceptable to that in-law, Jethro, and exercised it among generation; they rejected them, and be- the people. It was the same Priesthood sought Moses to stand between them and that his ancestor Abraham held, and by their Father and God, for they could not it he performed the mighty works that he endure His presence. Hence the Priest- accomplished. hood was taken away, and there was no To return again to Melchizedek. We exercise of the power and the authority find here that Paul in speaking about of it among the Jews, except occasion- him says that he was "King of peace." ally, when Prophets received authority And he goes on to say, as we have it from the Lord, until the days of the Sav- translated, that he was, "Without father, ior, when it was restored once more in its without mother, without descent, hav- fullness and in the plenitude of its power ing neither beginning of days, nor end to the earth, and men began to exercise of life," and the whole Christian world the authority thereof. have gone astray over this expression of Paul, not being able to understand it, My brethren and sisters, we are thinking that that which I read in your building temples at the present time in hearing referred to Melchizedek himself, which we have ordinances administered when in reality it was the Priesthood he unto us for those who have died. Why bore. It was after the power of an end- is this necessary? It is because the less life. It had no beginning; no end. It Priesthood of the Son of God was with- is eternal as our Father and God, and it drawn for a long period of time from extends into the eternities to come, and the earth. The children of men have it is as endless as eternity is endless, been born, they have lived, they have and as our God is endless: for it is the died without any of the ordinances being power and authority by which our Father administered unto them by those who and God sits upon His throne and wields held the Priesthood of the Son of God. the power He does throughout the innu- It is true that many sought after God merable worlds over which He exercises in a certain manner and according to dominion. It is the power and author- the light they had, and many obtained ity by which the Son of God, our Lord some degree of knowledge concerning and Savior Jesus Christ, has attained God. Some of them had a testimony unto that which has been promised unto of Him through their faith and died at Him, and by which He has become the peace with God. Many of our ancestors 246 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. lived in this condition, and God bore wit- called, have been the most favored of ness to them by His Holy Spirit that God in this respect. No doubt they He was pleased with them. But what have, because they have had knowledge of that? Is that all that is necessary concerning the Savior that other lands to place them in a saved condition? By and other peoples have not had; but no means. Something more than that is in pagan lands, where the name of Je- necessary to obtain for them the full re- sus has never been heard, where men mission of their sins and to place them have sought after God and endeavored in a condition where they can be saved to live according to the light that He and exalted in God's presence. As I said has given unto them and the Spirit that to you in the beginning, something more He has bestowed upon them, and which was necessary for Joseph than that he He bestows upon every man and woman was a Revelator, a Seer, and a Prophet born into the world, He has accepted of to constitute him a servant of God em- them, and in the day of the Lord Je- powered to administer the ordinances of sus, the heathen will have part in the life and salvation. A Wesley, a Luther, first resurrection. Our ancestors have, a Calvin, a Wycliffe, and a host of oth- in common with others, been destitute ers who have arisen in the world, im- of the power and the authority of the bued with the highest and purest mo- Holy Priesthood. Hence we build tem- tives, and the highest and most intense ples; hence we go into these temples and desires for the salvation of their fellow attend to the ordinances of life and sal- men, have labored zealously to turn men vation for our kindred who have died in to God, and to bring them to a knowledge ignorance of this power, or were in a po- of the Savior; but they have not had the sition where they could not have it ex- authority of the Holy Priesthood. They ercised in their behalf. They could not themselves could not usher people into be baptized for the remission of their the Church of God. They could not le- sins; they could not have hands laid upon gitimately administer an ordinance per- them for the reception of the Holy Ghost; taining to the salvation of the human they could not have any other ordinance family. Yet God, in many instances, ac- administered unto them, because the au- cepted of them, where they sought unto thority to administer was not upon the Him according to the best light they pos- earth, and whatever might be done in sessed; He accepted of them and their the name of God or in the name of Je- labors, and He witnessed unto them, by sus, by those who thought they had the the outpouring of His Spirit upon them, authority, or who assumed to possess that He was pleased with them and He it, was of no avail so far as salvation whispered peace to their souls. In ev- was concerned; so far as acceptance by ery land, in every nation, and among the the Lord our God is concerned it was as people of every creed, men and women though nothing had been done. Hence of this kind have been found, and ac- it is that in these last days, God having cording to their faith and diligence their in His great kindness and mercy, opened works have been acceptable to our Fa- the heavens once more and sent from ther. Men have thought that the Chris- heaven that authority which has so long tian lands and the Christian people, so been withdrawn—God having done this, PRIESTHOOD. 247 we are put in possession of the author- importance in our Church that records ity to administer to each other the ordi- should be kept, and that every man nances of life and salvation, and not only should know whence he derives his to administer to each other, but to ex- authority—from what source, through ercise that authority in behalf of those what channel he has received the Holy who have lived before us, lived in ages Priesthood, and by what right he ex- that are past, so that we can connect gen- ercises that authority and administers eration unto generation until we reach the ordinances thereof. I believe this is back to the time when our ancestors did of extreme importance, and that where hold the Holy Priesthood. In this man- there are doubts as to a man's legit- ner the work of salvation will progress, imately exercising that authority, that until throughout the millennium, tem- doubt should be removed. Every man ples will be built, and the servants and should be careful on this point, to know handmaidens of God will go into these where he gets his Priesthood; that it has temples and officiate, until all who have come to him clean and undefiled, legiti- been born upon the face of the earth, who mately; and when men are cut off from have not become sons of perdition, will that Priesthood by the voice of the ser- be redeemed, and the entire family be re- vants of God, there is an authority on united, Adam standing at the head. the earth which God recognizes in the heavens, and that man is cut off from the You can see, my brethren and sis- Priesthood. He said in ancient days in ters, the importance there is in our hav- speaking to His Apostles: ing the Priesthood of the Son of God in "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are our midst. You see how necessary it remitted unto them; and whose soever is that it should be exercised and exer- sins ye retain, they are retained." cised properly. You can see how nec- "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth essary it is that the ordinances of life shall be bound in heaven: and whatso- and salvation should be administered by ever thou shalt loose on earth shall be those who are legitimately ordained to loosed in heaven." this authority. When a man lays his In these last days God has, in like hands upon the head of his fellow man manner, restored this same authority of and professes to bestow authority, the the Holy Priesthood. He has restored mere profession of that authority will to man the power to bind on earth and avail nothing unless he has indeed the it shall be bound in heaven. He has authority and has it legitimately. A man restored the authority to remit sins on who may profess to have the authority; earth, and He, the Great Eternal, our a man who may say I have ordained Father in heaven, says that when these this person or the other person, unless sins are remitted they shall be remit- he has the authority to do so is a mere ted, but when they are not remitted they pretender, and his acts cannot be recog- shall stand against those who commit nized nor acknowledged of God. I believe the sins. the time will come when it will be nec- Therefore, there is this authority essary for every man to trace the line in the Church, and you can witness in which he has received the Priesthood the exercise of it, and the power of that he exercises. It is therefore of great it, in your own experience. When- 248 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ever the voice of the people of God, and that eloquent man, that spokesman for the authorities that God has placed in the Prophet Joseph, of whom the Book of His Church, whom He has ordained— Mormon had spoken for hundreds, yes, whenever they lift up their hands it may be said for thousands of years be- against a man to cut him off from the fore his birth. He also, when the Priest- Church, to withdraw from him the au- hood and Church in Nauvoo lifted up thority of the Priesthood that he has ex- their hands against him, fell like Lu- ercised, in every instance without a sin- cifer, who once was a mighty angel in gle exception, from the beginning of this the presence of God, and exercised great Church until today, God has most sig- authority; like Lucifer he fell, and the nally and wonderfully manifested His authority and power that had attended approval of their acts and has withdrawn him were withdrawn, and he became like from that man (whosoever he may be, unto other men. This has been the case however great and mighty he may have in every instance. Can you point out an been in the Church), His power and His exception? Look at them wherever you blessing. It was so with Oliver Cow- see them, the men that have held the dery, the companion of Joseph, the man Priesthood, who were bright and influ- who received with him the Priesthood, ential and powerful, whom God blessed, upon whose head John the Baptist laid whose administrations God sealed when his hands, and upon whose head, also, they were in the possession of that au- the Apostles Peter, James and John laid thority, exercising it in purity and in sin- their hands. These glorious blessings gleness of purpose—when this was the and favors that God gave to him did not case He was with them; but when they prevent his falling into sin. When he went into transgression and fell and the did fall into sin and the Church and the Priesthood was taken from them, they Priesthood united in lifting their hands became weak, and their strength was to cut him off from the Church, and take gone. They are marked among the peo- from him the Priesthood and the au- ple wherever you see them. Thus show- thority that he had so powerfully exer- ing that God in these last days confirms cised and which God had favored him the promise that He made unto His ser- with so much, God recognized the ac- vants, that whatsoever they bound on tion. Other men fell, also. Six of the earth should be bound in heaven, and original twelve fell into transgression. that whatsoever they loosed on earth They were men of ability, men of talent. should be loosed in heaven. Some of them were greatly favored. Ly- It is by the exercise of this power in man Johnson had wonderful manifesta- our midst that we are preserved. God tions given unto him; but when he fell has given it unto us. It is true He has into transgression and the Church with placed this authority and power, it may the Priesthood united in lifting up their be said, in earthen vessels. He has cho- hands against him the power and au- sen weak men, fallible men, men who thority that had distinguished him be- are subject to all the failings and weak- fore was withdrawn and he became as nesses of human nature. But, never- other men. And so with all of them. So theless, it is the authority of God. It with Sidney Rigdon, that mighty man, is the authority by which He has built up His Church in all ages. It is the PRIESTHOOD. 249 authority, the only authority upon the stands on the earth and it stands in earth that can act in His name. When heaven recorded in favor of that soul if he a man has this authority and goes forth continues to observe the conditions un- and confines himself to its legitimate ex- der which that baptism and confirmation ercise and keeps within the bounds of are administered. There is no human his authority, God is with him; God con- power that can deprive that individual of firms that which he does; God places His the fruits of that blessing which has been seal and His blessing and approval upon thus sealed upon him by authority of the his acts; and though all the earth should Holy Priesthood. endeavor to undo them and to say they So with other ordinances. When men are of no effect, they will stand, nev- go forward and attend to other ordi- ertheless, and in the Courts of heaven nances, such as receiving their endow- will be recorded and confirmed. There is ments, their washings, their anointings, no power among men that can disannul receiving the promises connected there- these acts, that can revoke or invalidate with, these promises will be fulfilled to them in any manner. It is this that raises the very letter in time and in eternity— this Church beyond the power and reach that is, if they themselves are true to the of man. Courts cannot affect in any man- conditions upon which the blessings are ner the decisions or the acts or the ordi- promised. And so it is when persons go nances that are administered by the ser- to the altar and are married for time and vants of God. That which is done in the eternity. When the man who officiates name of the Holy Priesthood will stand says: "I seal upon you the power to come and will be fulfilled both in the world forth in the morning of the first resur- and out of the world, both in time and rection, crowned with glory, immortality, in eternity. Hence it is that when an and eternal lives," just as sure as that Elder goes forth in the authority of the promise is made, and the persons united Holy Priesthood, and baptizes a candi- (to whom the promise is made) conform date who has repented of his sins, God with the conditions thereof, just so sure confirms that ordinance; God remits the will it be fulfilled. There is no power any- sins of that individual; God by bestow- where in existence that can invalidate ing His Holy Spirit witnesses unto that the force, the efficacy, or that can pre- soul that his sins or her sins are remit- vent the fulfillment of that promise when ted. In like manner when an Elder lays it is pronounced upon a man and woman his hands upon the head of a man or a by the authority of the Holy Priesthood— woman who has been thus baptized and that is, there is no power but that which says unto that individual, "Receive ye they themselves can exercise. It is a the Holy Ghost," God in heaven, bound remarkable fact, that there is no bless- by the oath and the covenant that He ing that God has promised unto us that has made, bound by all the conditions any human being, that any angel, or any that pertain to the everlasting Priest- devil can take from us. There is no power hood, will cause the Holy Ghost to de- of that kind that can take it from us. But scend upon that soul, and he or she will a man himself, by sinning, can rob him- be filled therewith. He receives the bap- self of his blessing; he can prevent its tism of fire and the Holy Ghost, and it fulfillment; but no human being can do 250 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. it beside himself. Remember this, God will flow unto us. It is by this Priest- Latter-day Saints; remember it, and hood that we are bound together. God treasure it up in your hearts, that you has surrounded us by bonds that are in- have salvation within your own keeping. dissoluble. They cannot be separated. If you are damned, you damn yourselves; Time cannot wear them out. They will you will be the instrument of your own endure throughout eternity. It is a most damnation. It will not be because God wonderful tie, the binding tie of the Holy will damn you; it will not be because Priesthood. Never were a people upon Satan has such power that he can take the face of the earth since the Priesthood away every blessing from you; it will not was among men, so bound together as we be because of anything of that kind. How are being bound; and this is the glorious will it come about? It will come to every feature of the tie that binds us together; soul by wrongdoing on the part of that it can only operate upon those who are soul. He or she alone can bring condem- righteous; it can only have effect when nation on himself or herself. There is no righteousness prevails and where people other power can do it. Hence if we are live in such a manner as to receive the damned we shall have no one to blame promises of God. A man who practices but ourselves; we shall have no one to wrong may have all these blessings pro- condemn but ourselves; it will be the renounced upon him; he may have been sult of our own agency, the exercise of baptized and have had hands laid upon that power which God gave to Adam and him; he may go through the Temple and Eve in the Garden of Eden when he said, have wives sealed to him and have ev- "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest ery blessing promised unto him that is freely eat: But of the tree of the knowl- promised to the most faithful of the chil- edge of good and evil, thou shall not eat." dren of God, and yet if he does not live He gave them their agency. He said to so as to be worthy of these blessings he them: "You can eat of every tree but one, will not receive them; he will, sooner or and you can eat that also; but I forbid later, be bereft of them and left destitute. you to eat of it, the tree of the knowledge This is the glorious feature of this great of good and evil; if you do eat of that tree tie that God has restored to the earth. It you will have to endure the penalty." only binds the righteous. It does not bind In the exercise of their agency they the wicked to the righteous. It does not did eat of that tree, and the result bind the wicked to the wicked. Its power was expulsion from the garden of Eden and saving force can only be exercised and death. And so it has been with or enjoyed where righteousness prevails. all the rest of the human family from Hence when the people of God come forth that time unto the present. Every in the resurrection, they will come forth one of us will bring upon ourselves ei- pure. There will then be a separation ther salvation or condemnation as the of the wicked from the righteous. The case may be, according to the manner righteous will enjoy their own society. In in which we exercise our agency be- this probation it seems to be designed fore God. It is by this Priesthood and in providence of our God that we should the exercise of it, that the blessings of PRIESTHOOD. 251 all be mixed up together—no thorough Do you understand, then, why the separation. When we came to these val- Priesthood of the Son of God is hated; leys we thought we had left the world why the lives of the servants of God are behind us. We thought that because sought after; why it is that they are these mighty mountains, which reared sought to be imprisoned and ensnared themselves on every hand as an im- in various forms? It is because the ad- passable barrier between us and the versary of souls knows full well that if rest of the world, Babylon was left be- this Priesthood remains on the earth, hind. We thought we could live com- then farewell to his authority, farewell paratively pure lives, and that we would to his kingdom, farewell to the domin- be comparatively free from the associa- ion that he has exercised over the chil- tions of the world. But such ideas have dren of men. It cannot continue its exis- been dispelled—very rudely dispelled— tence. He knows that as well as we do. by that which has occurred. Babylon fol- He understands it perfectly. Hence he lowed us. We find that these mountains has ever sought to destroy from the face are not sufficient to divide us from the of the earth the men who have held the rest of the world; that we must share Priesthood of the Son of God. He was not with the rest of mankind the evils and satisfied until the earth drank the pre- the blessings that pertain to this mor- cious blood of the Savior of the world, tal condition of existence. We have these and the life of every man who has held circumstances to contend with. We are the Priesthood, and has exercised it from mixed with the wicked. The tares and the days of righteous Abel down to the the wheat grow together, and will grow present time, has been sought for to a until the harvest. This seems to be de- greater or less extent by they adversary signed in the providence of our Father. of souls. He has used men as his agents But the time will come when there will to accomplish this. He cannot himself be a separation, a final separation, of the come here and exercise his power in his righteous from the wicked, and that sep- own person, because it was forbidden aration will be brought about by the ex- him, and his angels who rebelled with ercise of the Priesthood which God has him, in consequence of their great trans- bestowed. That Priesthood will draw up gression, that they should have taber- from the earth the pure, the holy, the nacles of flesh. This was their punish- worthy. It will draw them up to the soci- ment, that they should not have taberna- ety of God. Everything that is not pure cles of flesh. But from the day he entered will be left behind. Then we will feel into the serpent in the garden of Eden to and know the value of that tie. By it the present he has sought, through the the man will draw his wives to him; by agency of man or beast, the lives of those it the father and mother will draw their who have held the Priesthood. In this children to them; by it generation will way he has sought to exercise his power be linked to generation, until all will be and authority among men. He did so united clear back to our father Adam, the with Cain. Read in the Pearl of Great father of the human race on the earth. Price what he did with him; how he All this will be accomplished by the tempted him, and how Cain succumbed power and authority of the Priesthood. to his temptation. He said to Cain, "Believe it not," and he has been using 252 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the same words to all the children of men can you find a people like them? There from that time to the present. "Believe it is no place upon the face of the earth not!" When the servants of God have pro- where these virtues are better exempli- claimed the truth Satan has ever been fied in the lives of the people than they ready to say, "Believe it not!" He has in- are in Utah Territory. What woman cries stilled into the minds of the children of aloud in our streets because of being de- men hatred for the truth—that is, every filed? What woman cries in vain for pro- one that has been willing to listen to him. tection in all our land, from east to west, He has entered into them, taken posses- from north to south? Has the cry of dis- sion of their souls, and has used them tress gone up? Has the cry of the poor to accomplish his wicked purposes. He and the oppressed ascended from these has done this through man. He could valleys unto God unheard by the people? not do it without he had some taberna- Do orphans and widows mourn and weep cle to operate through. He could not because of the circumstances which sur- deceive Eve—or did not deceive her— round them? No, not in any part of our except through the means of the serpent. land. Not a beggar to be seen throughout He entered into the serpent. The ser- all our settlements. No cry of distress ei- pent was willing, doubtless, to let him ther from man or beast. Virtue is upheld. enter, and he spoke through the serpent. Women are shielded as safely as they It was the mouth of the serpent, but it were when they were infants in their was the voice of Satan that beguiled the mother's bosoms—shielded from harm, woman. He was determined that God's shielded from the seducer, from those work should not prosper in the earth. He who would wreck their happiness. This has determined that the children of men is the case throughout all our society. shall do as he wishes. He has been an- Do drunkards flourish among us? Are gry from the beginning because his plan they encouraged? We know they are not. was not adopted; because the Father did Are persons encouraged in litigation and not see proper to select him to save man quarrelling? No; nowhere in the land is without the exercise of man's agency; be- there anything of this kind. Peace pre- cause of this he has determined that he vails; good order prevails; quarrellings will destroy the work. He has drenched are seldom heard; virtue is protected and the earth with innocent blood to accom- encouraged. Marriage is encouraged ev- plish his purpose. He is still engaged in erywhere. Yet on this land we are threat- that work. He would destroy us if he ened as a people because of these things. could. See what is being done all over Our liberty is jeopardized. All kinds of the Territory. See the agencies that are machinery are put into operation to de- at work. See how many men are be- stroy us, or to entrap and ensnare us, ing used by the adversary of souls to ac- and deprive us of liberty. complish his purposes in regard to this people—a people unexampled for sobri- Thank God, my brethren and ety, for temperance, for industry, for fru- sisters, for the restoration of the gality, for kindness, for good order, for Priesthood. Thank God for the all the virtues that men revere. Where blessings we receive every day. PROSPERITY OF THE SAINTS. 253

Thank God for the persecutions we are can separate a virtuous man and woman called upon to endure. As the Savior who have been united by the power of said, let us rejoice and be exceedingly the Holy Priesthood; no power can do it; glad because the wicked array them- they must do it themselves if done at all. selves against us in this manner. It These ties that bind us together will en- is a testimony to us that we are not dure through time and eternity. Let us so in harmony with the wicked; that we live that we shall never forfeit our claim are not taking the course that Belial upon the promises of our God, and that would like us to take; that we are pur- we may ever be faithful from this time suing the path that God has marked forward, until we receive the fulﬁllment out for us. We can do this with per- of all those promises in the presence of fect safety, and with the perfect assur- God and the Lamb, I ask in the name of ance that it will all come out right. Jesus, Amen. As I have said, there is no power that

PROSPEROUS CONDITION OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN THE VALLEYS OF THE MOUNTAINS—THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ONE OF PEACE, WHILE THOSE OF THE WORLD ARE KINGDOMS OF WAR AND OPPRESSION—EXHORTATIONS TO FAITHFULNESS—WE MUST TRUST IN GOD AND HE WILL PRESERVE US—THE SAINTS ARE NOT USING CARNAL WEAPONS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST THE INDIANS, NOR AGAINST THEIR ENEMIES—IF NECESSARY, WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE OUR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF TRUTH—THE BLESSINGS OF GOD INVOKED UPON THE SAINTS.

REMARKSBY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, HELDIN LOGAN,APRIL 6, 1885.

The Latter-day Saints have very consider the same carefully—whether great reason to rejoice and to be it be in temporal matters or in exceedingly glad before our Father spiritual concerns—we are better who is in heaven and before the and more comfortably situated to- people here on the earth. If we day than any other people of the take a look at our condition, and same number anywhere on God's 254 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. footstool. If we take into consideration countries there is a feeling of fear—fear our present condition as to the comforts of their rulers, terror in their minds of life, we are better situated today with caused by the dread of threatening war grain in our granaries and food in our which is liable at any time to come upon houses, than any other people of the them with all its horrors. In every na- same number upon the face of the earth, tional dispute that arises they see and or that can be found located together feel at once the liability that their sons, upon the same extent of territory any- fathers, neighbors and kinsmen may be where. If we take into consideration our drafted and sent off to the war, perhaps condition as to homes, there is a greater never to return. And their hearts are proportion of this people today who have filled with fear and anxiety over this and comfortable homes of their own than can other similar things. be found anywhere else; more of them We see in newspapers that in Egypt, have no need to strive for the privilege China, Central America, and almost ev- of earning a living, as a great many of erywhere else the air is thick with the our people had to do before they were mists and clouds of war. Where is the gathered when they often found it diffi- mother or sister, father or son among cult to obtain employment, and even if us that is today away from one of their successful were obliged to work by the kindred on account of war? The worst piece or by the day, receiving their pay you have to dread is a short imprison- regularly at the end of the week, and ment and a few hundred dollars fine; in this way measuring the conditions that is the worst thing you can find to of their living by the amount of means mourn and worry over. Why, bless your which they were permitted to earn. In dear souls, there is not another commu- this manner life or existence and its com- nity of the same number anywhere on forts were measured out to them. There the whole earth in which there is to be was comparatively no room for the exer- found such settled peace as right here cise of enterprise, of skill, of native wit, among this very people that are before and those qualities which God has placed me, and the people that fill this terri- in their nature, and which He designed tory all around us. And yet you think they should practice and thus become the times are terribly hard with your wise and skilled by their own ingenuity. granaries full of wheat that you can- We sometimes feel that we are op- not sell, with large quantities of pota- pressed, that we are pinched and per- toes and vegetables that you cannot dis- secuted by the people who are intrud- pose of, with flocks and herds about you; ing upon our rights, and trampling upon because you cannot sell your products our liberties, but as yet we know but and get as good prices as you would like, little, comparatively speaking about op- some of you think you are in a terribly pression. The people of the countries distressed condition (Laughter). of Asia and of Europe, with all of the I wish the Saints would put away liberty that they enjoy, are under the these foolish ideas. I want to have most severe daily oppression, contin- you realize that you are in a con- ued dependence and subordination to dition of peace and plenty, with lib- those that are over them. In those erty, too, for God has made you free. PROSPERITY OF THE SAINTS. 255

God has made His people free from the be raised here in Cache valley; but it bondage of sin and death; we are at lib- is not long since her enterprising fruit erty, and there is no power on the earth growers took the premium in the Territo- that has the ability to fasten the shack- rial Fair for the best collection of apples les of sin and Satan upon us. It all to be found in the Territory. depends upon our own conduct, as to Who has done this for us? It is the whether we are and shall continue free. Lord our God. He brought us to this land In almost all of the countries from as He brought the children of Israel to which you came and in the nations that the land of Judea, which He gave to them surrounded you in your former homes, and to their children after them, to be people are taxed with a taxation that is their inheritance forever. oppressive. On the green Isle of Ireland, where the poor and afflicted are numer- I want to have us consider these ous there are people who have to pay a things; and instead of being anxious and rent of five pounds an acre for land, and worried, troubled and filled with fear, they must raise sufficient off it to sup- learn to rely upon the arm of the Lord port their families, and raise the money and trust Him for His goodness; culti- to pay the rent. But here we can buy vate the peace of heaven and let the love or take up land, and have it, too, for the of God dwell in our hearts. Though our taking, but some of us consider it an aw- enemies may harass, trouble, and dis- ful job to fence it (Laughter). No, we turb us; the trouble that they will bring don't know anything about oppression, upon us will be but as a drop in the as compared with the Jews, the Poles bucket compared with what will come and the Irish. In older portions of the upon them by and by. They cannot stop United States, we never could have en- the work of God. His decree has estab- joyed the blessings we enjoy here; we lished it. We have the promise that it never could have located and built up never shall be overthrown or given to an- our towns and cities; as it was the mobs other people. Understand it. This form plundered us of our homes and drove us of government which the Lord has given out here to this part of the earth. It to us, is the strongest form of govern- was like a new world; it looked so enment that was ever revealed to man. The tirely new, that it seemed as if the work governments of the world have power to of creation was scarcely finished. By the oppress, annoy, make war upon and de- blessing of God we brought life with us stroy men from the face of the earth. But and life came from heaven; life that ani- this Kingdom that God has given to His mated the soil under our feet; that tem- people is to be a kingdom of peace, a pered and controlled the elements over kingdom of righteousness, and its righ- our heads; so that in these high val- teousness is going to exalt His people, to leys and canyons, where it was thought make them become the greatest people no grain or fruit could be raised, with on the face of the earth, filled with power, snow and frost every month in the year— wisdom and intelligence that all the sur- now we raise good crops and varieties of rounding nations will look up to. fruits. A few years ago it was a prob- The people that are around us in lem whether an apple or a peach could our midst, and who wish to dictate 256 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. to us; those who sit in the coun- manner that it will be astonishing to us cil chambers to make laws against us when we find out how He has done it. We and our holy faith, and thereby make cannot go to the Bible, Book of Mormon us offenders—are themselves filled with or the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, fear and anxiety at what is taking place to be informed how this, that and the in this and other nations. This spirit other thing will be solved and arranged. of fear will increase upon them. Look We can read how He did anciently ac- at the dread they experienced at the cording to the circumstances that sur- work of the dynamiters in the old coun- rounded His people then; but we cannot try, and that is but a beginning of what find out His methods and plans of today is to come. These secret societies will only as He manifests them to us by the work great mischief and death, with spirit of revelation. His ways are past frequent assassinations, and by and by finding out. He tells us that Zion shall be these things will come so thick and fast redeemed with judgment, and her con- that people will not know what way to verts with righteousness. We must re- escape. The Lord is gathering His people member this. If we would have power together that He may deal with them by with God and with the angels, it must themselves. The great trouble is, that we be because of our diligent attention to have too many among us who are care- God, to the work He has called us to do, less and indifferent; that are wicked and and we must see that we establish it in sinful; that ought to be dealt with and the earth. Every man should warn his cut off the Church. There are plenty who neighbor; should teach his children and are ready to sell their brethren into the his family, and establish righteousness hands of their enemies, but the day will in his household. Presidents and Bish- come, when they will realize the awful ops should deal with transgressors in the consequence of their acts. We have not Church, that they may repent, or be cut much to fear unless we offend the God off. It is that righteousness may be es- whom we agreed to serve. tablished in the earth that the Lord has commenced His work again, that it may Brethren and sisters, let not your be established not in a little place, but hearts be troubled. Obey the command- in all the land, and it shall spread un- ments of God, keep your covenants invio- til His righteous word and work shall fill late and learn to live by every word that the whole earth, as the waters cover the proceeds from Him and the constituted mighty deep. authorities of His Church—and if you Do not let anything divert you from find trials in your pathway you will find the path of duty; let nothing cause you help to endure them. Parents, cultivate to commit an overt act. Honor and re- affection toward each other, toward your spect the laws of the land as far as children and toward all included in your possible, consistent with the laws and households; do right by your wives, your commandments of God. Observe and husband, your children and your God. obey every constitutional law. When You will find that all the rest will come our enemies place us in violation of a right in its own due time. The Lord will law of the land, it is painful to us, bring it about in so strange and simple a and it is our trial, but the respon- PROSPERITY OF THE SAINTS. 257 sibility of it rests with them. Let us that people will be so far from having make up our minds to bear this cru- peace that they must either take up the sade of legal persecution with fortitude sword to contend against their neighbor, as Saints have had to do in all ages of or flee to Zion and gather with God's Gospel reform, because they believed in people. You will see this come to pass. the revelations of Jesus Christ. We have Mark my words. All kinds and condi- not revolted against any law of the land; tions of people will desire to come here we have not contended against any con- and make homes with us. You will see stitutional principle, law or doctrine that the day when it will be as hard to keep could benefit, improve or exalt the hu- the wicked away from us as it ever has man family, nor anything that could pro- been to get people to join us. Mark that, mote the pursuit of happiness—we seek too. I tell you that a people with full after all these things. But, our Con- granaries, a people of peace and prosper- gressmen, Governors and Judges, in the ity, is a people that will be sought af- supreme wisdom with which they imag- ter by the peoples of the nations of the ine they are endowed, impose penalties earth, and things cannot always go on in upon God's people for keeping His com- the way they are going with us, without mandments. Thus we see that when the bringing down upon our oppressors the wicked rule, the people mourn. retribution of an offended God. We ought to rely upon His promises. These experiences are well calculated to do us good, We ought to gain by all this experi- and teach us to trust in the Lord. ence valuable knowledge. We want to Nor should we forget that when a profit by it. Let every man question him- governor of unsavory memory forbade self: "Can I stand this or that without the use of the militia alike for defense getting angry?" Or can we be righteously against Indian depredations, as well as angry and sin not? If not we should for Fourth of July celebrations; that go into our closets and ask God for that since that date, no single predatory ex- measure of His spirit that is necessary cursion of the red man has been expe- to sustain us in a proper frame of mind. rienced by any one of our settlements. This is the kind of experience, the very On the contrary it would seem that all kind of discipline that is necessary for use of firearms for any kind of military us, to make us find out whether we will defense had become entirely obsolete— draw near to Him and have fellowship, gone into utter desuetude—so entirely and communion with Him. These things at peace have the Lamanites become, are all for our experience, for our profit. that instead of either noise of war, or The Lord has made known to us that even the apprehension thereof, there is the days we live in are dark with threat- given us of God to enjoy the most set- enings of war. The hour of his judg- tled peace from the red man on all ment is nigh at hand. We have seen one our borders round; and now having as- terrible war in our land—and it is well sisted to build our temples, they are that we should take heed to His counsels. enjoying with us the heavenly bless- Wars and rumors of wars are spreading ing bestowed therein. Instead of roam- abroad upon the face of the earth, and ing wild and lawlessly over the plains, it will come to pass before a great while numbers have renounced their tribal 258 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. relations, sworn allegiance to govern- hearing my brethren talk, and I am sure ment, have preempted or homesteaded you all have. The teachings which have lands of the public domain, are rais- been given are of a character to promote ing crops, cultivating their flocks and good feelings between brethren and sis- herds, are building and occupying com- ters, fathers and mothers, parents and fortable dwellings, as good neighbors children, and it is pleasant to hear of among their white brethren, as is ev- each other's welfare. idenced at Washakie in Oneida Stake, When we go to our respective homes and at Indianola in the San Pete Stake. let us go with the determination to stand Their schools are turning out scholars steadfast in the faith. I am sure that in the elementary branches of good com- after such a conference as this every mon school education. honest soul who has met with us, if he Not only has the need of firearms wanted a portion of the bread of life, been done away as between us and the has received that portion, has received natives, but we have very great reason something which he can take home for to be thankful that in the present un- his own use—some words of encourage- holy crusade against the Church the on- ment, some strengthening exhortation, slaught has not been with fire and the some good words that will help to put sword as in former times, but with mind away weakness and enable the feeble to and moral suasion in the application of say I am strong in the Lord. the law by a perversion of many of its well-settled methods of interpretation, I pray God to bless you, to comfort construction and application. These con- your hearts; to increase your faith to- clusions have been the implements and wards Him; to strengthen you that you the tactics of the present warfare. may not be overcome of sin, and that you It is devoutly to be hoped that no may seek in all things to overcome evil one with a zeal which is not according with good. Remember and pray for the to knowledge shall commit an overt act brethren—our leaders. We do not know that shall precipitate a conflict with car- what awaits us; we care but little. The nal weapons and give the enemy an oc- main thing devolving upon us is to do casion or opportunity to shed the blood our duty acceptably day by day. We will of the Saints or to increase their unhal- trust in God and go forward. What if lowed oppressions upon us. it were necessary that some of our lives Since, then, the weapons of our war- should be taken? There is no need for fare are not powder, lead and fine steel; fear or worriment about it. It has al- let us put on the whole armor of God; ways been so when God had a people on banish unrighteousness from our midst, the earth. Some of the best lives have and we or our children shall see the gov- been taken—taken as witnesses in yon- ernments of this world become the King- der heavens to testify to facts as they dom of our God and of His Christ in His exist here. Do you understand this? It own due time, for which all Saints should is in accordance with the great princi- ever labor and pray. ples of eternal justice which rule and We have had a great deal of good regulate in heaven with a great deal instruction during this conference. I more precision and certainty than here have been much edified myself in on the earth. The Lord has told us PROSPERITY OF THE SAINTS. 259 how He does business in some of I pray that God may bless us all; these matters before the councils of the you who are parents, should bless your Church, namely by the voice of two or children—that they may render more three witnesses every word is to be es- loving obedience to you, that you may be tablished, and so it has to be up yonder. more affectionate to them, remembering Perhaps it is necessary once in a while to the union in which you have been united have some go in that kind of a way. Well and in which you have been sealed; that don't get scared about that. We have you may be strengthened of the Holy all to die some day. It will be all right Ghost, and be enabled to go into the holy whether it shall be tomorrow or next temples and set yourselves in order be- week, if we keep the commandments of fore the Lord; that you may obtain those God in all matters. Choose the wise and eternal gifts that shall bring an eternal the perfect way, and if we are right we weight of glory to your household, fam- will be willing to say, "O Lord, thy will be ilies, friends and kindred; that you may done." If when we embraced the Gospel have the full assurance of the promises we placed our all upon the altar, it is of God, and have joy to animate, stimu- of very little consequence about all these late and sustain you through every try- things. For if we seek to save our lives we ing circumstance in life, and bring you may lose them, but if we lose them in the safely back into the presence of our heav- service of God, we shall find life eternal. enly Father. Amen. 260 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

PROPHECY OF JOHN THE REVELATOR—MISSION OF THE ANCIENT APOSTLES—THEIR RECEPTION AND FATE—THE GREAT APOSTASY—PRESERVATION OF THE APOSTLE JOHN—HIS REVELATION—RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL—THE EARTH TO BE BAPTIZED BY FIRE AS IT WAS ONCE BAPTIZED BY WATER—WE ARE SENT TO THE WORLD WITH A WARNING MESSAGE—THEY CAN RECEIVE OR REJECT IT—TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH OF "MORMONISM."

DISCOURSEBY BISHOP ORSON F. WHITNEY, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JUNE 21, 1885.

Having been called upon, my "These are they which were not de- brethren and sisters and friends, to ad- filed with women; for they are virgins. dress you this afternoon, I feel as though These are they which follow the Lamb I would like to read a portion of the word whithersoever he goeth. These were re- of God. I will therefore read to you a part deemed from among men, being the first- of the 14th chapter of the Book of Rev- fruits unto God and to the Lamb. elation, from the Bible known as King "And in their mouth was found no James' translation. guile: for they are without fault before "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood the throne of God. on the mount Sion, and with him a hun- "And I saw another angel fly in the dred forty and four thousand, having midst of heaven, having the everlasting his Father's name written in their fore- gospel to preach unto them that dwell on heads. the earth, and to every nation, and kin- "And I heard a voice from heaven, dred, and tongue, and people, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, the voice of harpers harping with their and give glory to him; for the hour of his harps: judgment is come: and worship him that "And they sung as it were a new made heaven, and earth, and the sea, song before the throne, and before the and the fountains of waters. four beasts, and the elders: and no "And there followed another an- man could learn that song but the gel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is hundred and forty and four thousand, fallen, that great city, because which were redeemed from the earth. she made all nations drink of the MISSION OF THE ANCIENT APOSTLES. 261 wine of the wrath of her fornication." and of the end of the world. Among other It has been charged to the Latter-day things He told them that this Gospel of Saints that they set but little value upon the Kingdom should be preached in all the Christian Bible; that they criticize the world as a witness unto all nations its translation and the revisions through and then should the end come. The Apos- which it has passed, and that it is our tles set out upon the mission which had endeavor to belittle the importance of been given them, and we read in the Acts this holy book. The words which I have of the Apostles, and in their Epistles con- read are a portion of that sacred record tained within the lids of this holy book, which we are charged with undervalu- of the adventures which befell them, and ing, and I choose them as a basis for my the persecutions which they endured. It remarks, in order to show how ground- had been said of them by their Lord and less is that charge, with many others, Master, that they should be hated of all which are made falsely against this peo- men for His name's sake; but "Blessed ple. The words you have heard include are ye," said He, "when men shall revile a prophecy uttered some 1,800 years ago you, and persecute you, and shall say all by an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, manner of evil against you falsely, for my one of the Twelve whom He chose in the sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for days of His personal ministry upon the great is your reward in heaven: for so earth. He had delivered unto them the persecuted they the prophets which were keys of the kingdom of heaven, promis- before you." And the day would come, He ing them that whatsoever they bound on said, when they that put His disciples to earth should be bound in heaven; what- death would think they were doing God's soever they loosed upon earth should service. be loosed in heaven; whosesoever sins they should remit should be remitted, Thus were the minds of the Apostles and whosesoever sins they should retain prepared for the fate which afterwards should be retained. He gave them power befell them. They embraced the truth, to go forth to all nations and preach the knowing that it might cost them their Gospel of life and salvation, telling them lives; for they had been told that if a among the last things He said that, "He man loved his life, or loved earthly pos- that believeth and is baptized shall be sessions of any kind more than he did his saved; but he that believeth not shall be God, more than he loved the work of that damned;" and that certain signs should God, he was in no wise fit for His king- follow them that believed. The Apostles dom. They went into it with their eyes went forth baptizing in the name of the open; they knew what would befall them; Lord, and confirmed His word by signs but being men of integrity, men who following. loved truth, who based themselves upon On a certain occasion, towards the principle, and thought more of doing the close of the career of the Son of God will of Him who sent them than they did in the flesh, His disciples asked Him of doing their own, they embraced their if He would at that time restore the glorious mission and were willing even to Kingdom to Israel, and what would lay down their lives for the sake of that be the signs of His second coming Kingdom for which they were laboring. 262 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Their expectations were fulfilled. The assured by the prophecies of the Apos- truth was not popular. Although dev- tles which they have left on record. Paul, ils were subject to these men; although one of the most faithful laborers in the they performed mighty miracles in the vineyard of our Lord in that day, said name of Jesus, yet they were despised, the time would come when the people persecuted or ignored by the great mass would not endure sound doctrine; but of humanity. A few believed in their after their own lusts should heap unto words; a few rejoiced exceedingly that themselves teachers, and having itching the Church of God was established on ears, should turn away their ears from the earth; that the Savior who had been the truth, and should be turned unto fa- promised as a lamb slain from before bles. the foundation of the world, had at last If we follow the history of the Apos- come in fulfillment of the prophecies of tles, we will see how their words were old. Their minds were prepared to re- fulfilled. Nearly every one of the Twelve ceive Him, and they rejoiced in the work whom Jesus chose, met with a tragic of God. Churches were formed in dif- death in defense of the principles which ferent lands. The Apostles went forth they proclaimed. Some were dragged from Jerusalem, after they had been "en- to death, some beheaded, one was cru- dued with power from on high," and built cified with his head downward, others up churches in many of the surround- were thrown into cauldrons of boiling ing nations, perhaps in all the nations oil and others to wild beasts; so that that then existed. But although they at the end of the second century af- were successful in planting the tree of ter Christ, the Church of God in its life upon the soil of a fallen world, it purity no longer existed upon the face seems that the time had not come for it of the earth. It had been torn asun- to remain there and bear fruit through- der; it had apostatized from the truth; out the ages of eternity. It was destined they who were faithful had been put to to be uprooted, and there was to come death, and in their place sprang up a another time when the truth should be race of compromisers, who were willing transplanted once more, and should bear to barter away to the world the princi- the fruits of righteousness forever. The ples of truth, being too weak and cow- glory of God was not destined in that ardly to stand and die for their convic- day to cover the earth, as He has said it tions as their fellow laborers had done. would in the latter days, "as the waters They were willing to give up this prin- cover the mighty deep." The Apostles la- ciple, and concede that point, to amal- bored faithfully; they went forth baptiz- gamate for the purpose of making them ing in the name of the Father, and the popular and palatable the doctrines of Son, and the Holy Ghost; but the power the pure Christian faith with the pagan of sin, the power of the evil one was so ideas of ancient Rome. So that the tem- great that it did not please the Almighty poral body of Christ, the Church, became to establish upon the earth in that day a corrupt, deformed by this departure from work which should endure forever. He first principles. Apostles, Prophets, permitted it for a wise purpose to be were done away with; spiritual gifts be- thrown down, and of this fact we are well came extinct and were said to be no longer needed; Bishops were put into the MISSION OF THE ANCIENT APOSTLES. 263 places of Apostles, and a multitude of he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" new offices, unknown to the original "Then went this saying abroad among church, were created. Finally two Bish- the brethren, that that disciple should ops appeared, the Bishop of Rome and not die." It is vaguely given, I admit, in the Bishop of Constantinople, contend- the Bible from which I have quoted, but ing as to which was the greatest, and modern revelation has made it plainer, striving, in a Church professing to re- and shown us that the Apostle John ob- gard unity and brotherly love, to divide tained a promise from the Savior that the dominions of the Christian world be- he should remain upon the earth to wit- tween them. More attention was paid ness the downfall and the rise of na- to outward forms, to grand and imposing tions, that he should live to perform a ceremonies, than to the simple beautiful mighty mission in the midst of the chil- principles of the Gospel, and, in course dren of men; that he should prophesy be- of time were fulfilled the words of Isaiah, fore kings and rulers, and should tarry who said that they would "transgress the upon the earth until the Son of God came law, change the ordinances, and break in His glory. This Apostle was the only the everlasting covenant." The result of one who escaped the tragic fate of his fel- this widespread departure, this apostasy lows. He was the only one of the orig- from the primitive faith, was the with- inal Twelve who was not put to death. drawal of the power of the Priesthood, An attempt was made upon his life by typified by the "manchild" of the Apoc- throwing him into a cauldron of boil- alypse, which was taken into the heaving oil, but he escaped miraculously, and ens to preserve it from the mouth of his enemies, not having the power to the Dragon which sought its life; there put him to death, banished him to the to remain until a more auspicious time desert island of Patmos. It was dur- should arrive for the establishment of ing his exile upon this lonely spot, that the work of God, and the winding up of God condescended to reveal to him what the great plan of human redemption. should come to pass in the last days, and the book which is called the Apoc- But one of these original Apostles was alypse is a record which the Apostle left left. The Latter-day Saints are taught of the great things that were shown him, that Jesus, on a certain occasion, speak- and which he should remain upon the ing to the Twelve, wished to bestow upon earth to see. An angel appeared unto them each a gift, to grant the desire of him; John mistook him, it seems, for the their hearts, and He asked them what Lord, and fell down at his feet to wor- they would He should do for them. They ship him, his person was so glorious. But all but one requested to be taken home the angel reproved him and said, "See to Him in heaven when they should thou do it not: for I am thy fellowser- have filled the allotted age of man. But vant, and of thy brethren the prophets." one turned away sorrowful, feeling that Here was one of the prophets who had the wish he cherished in his heart was been slain for the testimony of Jesus, too great to be granted. Peter asked who was so glorious when he appeared the Savior, "What shall this man do?" that John, who perhaps had labored and received the reply, "If I will that with him, did not recognize him. He 264 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. had been sent unto him to show him hour of his judgment is come: and wor- what should come to pass thereafter. ship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of wa- But not only was John shown what ters." should occur after the time in which he Showing conclusively, as well as lan- was living, but he was shown what had guage can show, that this was to be already taken place; not as the imper- an event of the last days—the hour of fect records of profane history have given God's judgment, which Christianity it- it to us, but he saw it typified in its self, in its perverted state, will admit is fullness. The events of the seven thou- at the end of the world. John saw the sand years of the world's temporal exis- angel restoring the Gospel shortly be- tence passed before him, like the scenes fore the hour of God's judgment, saying of a mighty panorama. If you will read with a loud voice to all nations, kindreds, the book which he left, you will there tongues and peoples—not only to the find portrayed symbolically each of the heathen nations, but to those who pro- seven thousand years. He saw the events fessed to have the true Christian faith— which had followed the creation down "Fear God, and give glory to him; for until one period had passed; he then the hour of his judgment is come." This saw the events of the second thousand to us is another proof of the apostasy years or until two periods had passed, of the Christian world; for if they had and then the third and the fourth peri- the truth, as they claim, by apostolic ods at the end of which Jesus came as the succession, from St. Peter down to the Savior of mankind, to perform a personal present day—what need of restoring the work in the flesh. John saw, further, the Gospel in its fullness to preach to them? events of the fifth thousand years. He It would be superfluous, unnecessary, saw the great apostasy that was to take a work of supererogation, to preach to place in the Christian church, when they those who were living in the full blaze put to death every inspired man; when of Gospel light, and call upon them to re- they did away with the gifts and bless- pent of their sins. ings of the Holy Ghost; when they said I never like to wound people's feelings they were no longer necessary; when in regard to religious matters. I never they engrafted upon the olive tree of the like to have my own feelings wounded. I Christian faith the wild branches of pa- try to have charity for the sincere sen- ganism. He saw all this taking place timents of all men; but it is needful down to the sixth thousand years, and af- that the truth be spoken in plainness. ter the world had wandered in darkness It is no act of friendship to flatter, to for centuries, he says: deceive and to gloss over error, when "And I saw another angel fly in the by exposing it the souls of some hon- midst of heaven, having the everlasting est people may be saved. The Latter- gospel to preach unto them that dwell on day Saints erect a nobler structure be- the earth, and to every nation, and kin- fore they tear down that which is old. dred, and tongue, and people, They do not wish to ridicule the opinions of their fellow creatures, it should never "Saying with a loud voice, Fear be done except where good will be the re- God, and give glory to him; for the sult. All men have the right to believe MISSION OF THE ANCIENT APOSTLES. 265 as they please. They have a right to wor- of the kingdom should come back to the ship where, how and what they please. earth to be preached as a witness unto God has made us free. We are in bondage all nations, and then should the end to no man, to no power. His children, come. from the rising to the setting of the sun have been made free. Therefore I do not feel to ridicule the religion of my That these are the last days very few Christian friends; but I desire to lay people will deny. The earth has almost before them and before this congrega- fulfilled its mortal probation, its working tion the religion of the Latter-day Saints. time. It is closing the six thousand years We claim that the Christian world is in of its temporal history. It has worked a state of apostasy, and though thou- nearly six days; for "a day with the Lord sands and millions of them are perfectly is as a thousand years." When God said sincere—just as sincere in their belief as to Adam, "in the day thou eatest thereof we are in ours—still, it devolves upon thou shalt surely die." He did not mean me as a servant of God to preach what a short day of twenty-four hours, a day I know to be the truth, and you can take made by one little revolution of the little your choice whether you accept or reject earth upon which we dwell, but it was it. The responsibility ends with me here; a day of a thousand years, correspond- it is assumed by those who listen, who ing to one revolution of the great and can act as they feel led; they will be ac- mighty planet upon which God our Fa- countable whether they give heed to the ther dwells. "In the day that thou eat- warning message, or whether they ig- est thereof thou shalt surely die." Adam nore and reject it. lived to the age of 930 years, so that he At any rate John saw the time when died within the day that God had refer- an angel would come and restore the ence to. The earth has labored nearly everlasting Gospel—not another Gospel, six days—six days of one thousand years not various kinds of gospels, not the each. It is yet to have its sabbath, its mil- precepts and fables of men, but the lennium of peace, when the Savior of the good, old, "sound doctrine" of ancient world will come to take the reins of gov- times. The Gospel of Christ in its full- ernment, to reign upon the earth King of ness was to be preached to all the na- kings as He now reigns king of Saints; tions of the earth. What for? To ful- the seventh period, whose dawn is al- fill the prediction of the son of God, most upon us, is the sabbath, the day who said that, "this gospel of the of rest which God has ordained for the kingdom"—that Gospel which had Apos- planet upon which we live, and He will tles to preach it and Prophets; which celebrate that sabbath by coming in per- had gifts and miracles and signs follow- son to reign upon the earth over all na- ing; a gospel of faith, repentance, bap- tions. It is for this that the Latter-day tism by immersion for the remission of Saints are preparing; having fulfilled, as sins, and laying on of hands for the the instruments of God, the prediction of gift of the Holy Ghost, and other prin- John the Revelator; an angel in this day ciples to be revealed one after another having restored the Gospel, which is now as fast as the people were able to re- being preached as a witness unto all na- ceive them—that this old original Gospel tions, and then shall the end come. 266 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

It is a merciful characteristic of our fool, or anything else; but he had re- Heavenly Father that He brings to pass ceived a revelation and God made good upon the human family no event affect- the words which he proclaimed. ing their eternal welfare, but He first The earth underwent a baptism by sends Prophets to prepare the way, to being immersed in water, for the remis- give the people a warning that such and sion of its sins, the washing away of its such things are coming to pass, that they iniquities. "As it was in the days of Noah, may be prepared for them and not be so shall it be in the days of the coming of caught napping by the suddenness of the Son of man." Is the world to be del- their coming, even as a thief in the night. uged in water again? No; because God We read that as it was in the days of gave a promise to Noah and set his bow Noah, so shall it be in the days of the in the clouds as a sign that the world coming of the Son of Man. What was should never again be drowned in wa- done in the days of Noah? A prophet— ter; but in the day of the coming of the Noah himself—was raised up and sent Son of Man it will receive the baptism forth to preach a warning message to the of fire and of the Holy Ghost. John the children of men. What was his warn- Baptist said: "There cometh one might- ing? That the world was about to be del- ier than I after me, the latchet of whose uged. Its sins had cried unto heaven, shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and and God had remembered its iniquities. unloose. I indeed have baptized you with He was about to baptize the earth in water: he shall baptize you with the Holy water, to wash away its sins, that they Ghost and with fire." Not only man, but should no longer smoke to heaven, an the earth itself, which is a living crea- offering of wrath to an offended God. ture, must undergo this ordinance—this Noah preached this warning, and, as dual baptism, and Jesus, when He comes usual, was met with ridicule and scorn. in the clouds of heaven with power and Never did a prophet come forth that was great glory, to take vengeance upon those not ridiculed and persecuted, and the who know not God, who have not sought message that he proclaimed considered to know Him, who have persecuted His foolishness by the wisdom of the world. people, and set aside the Gospel as a But how did it result? Did the supe- thing of naught, will deluge the earth rior (?) wisdom of the world in that day with fire and the Holy Ghost. Then will save them from the truth of the words the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that of Noah? Or did God stand by that the glory of God shall radiate from the prophet? Did He make good His words? rivers to the ends of the earth. Did He drown the world? Did He sweep the wicked from its surface? History will Nor is this all. The earth and its tell you what took place. It sees that elements will melt, as Peter the Apos- Noah and the few souls that clung to tle said, "with fervent heat, and all the him were right, and the world at large proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, were in the wrong. Noah had really re- shall be stubble: and the day that ceived a revelation from God. He was cometh shall burn them up, saith the pointed at, despised and derided, doubt- Lord of hosts." These things are coming less called visionary and fanatic, an old to pass. God only has to turn upon this MISSION OF THE ANCIENT APOSTLES. 267 world the glory of His presence to con- like this, when such mighty and terri- sume it from before His face and cause it ble things are coming upon the earth, to vanish like chaff in a flame. We are God would leave the world in darkness; not prepared for the glory of His com- that he would shut the heavens, as our ing. But this work which has been estab- Christian friends say He has done; and lished in our day, is one that will prepare send forth no more prophets to prepare us for His glorious advent. All who be- us for these great events which are at lieve and are baptized into this Church our doors? I for one would have a very have been promised the gift of the Holy poor opinion of a God who would leave Ghost. What is the Holy Ghost? It is His children in that cruel manner. But the Spirit of God. God dwells in the the God we worship is just and merciful. pure element of fire; it is the atmosphere He never brings upon the earth any judg- which the holy angels, the spirits of the ment but He sends first a warning mes- just, the Gods in eternity breathe and sage to prepare the people for its coming. live within, but which would consume This is our warning today—that the us if we came too suddenly upon it, or Gospel of the kingdom is being preached it upon us. We must needs approach it unto all nations as a witness, and then gradually. We read that in the days of the hour of God's judgment, or the pre- Moses, when God wished to commune dicted end of the world shall come. It with him, He called him up into a high is a message of mercy, not one of anger, mountain, and filled him with the Holy not one of cruelty. It is not cruel to tell Ghost. Moses, therefore, could endure men the truth. If we see a man on the His presence; but when he came down brink of a precipice and tell him that if from the Mount his face shone like an he takes another step forward he will be angel's, and he had to put a veil upon dashed to pieces, is that cruelty, or is it it lest the children of Israel should be charity of the truest kind? It may hu- consumed before him. This shows what miliate him to be told of his danger; it we may expect when God comes in the may cast reflection upon his eyesight; he clouds of heaven, if we do not rid our- may not see the precipice; men do not al- selves of iniquity and prepare our souls ways see things which are immediately to meet Him. But ere that day comes near them; they who are at a distance there shall be wars and rumors of wars, sometimes observe the danger first and thunders and lightnings, famines and give warning. It is not uncharitable, it pestilences; the sea shall heave itself be- is not intolerant to tell men the truth; yond its bounds, and all things shall be we must sometimes be cruel in order to in commotion; the sun shall be darkened, be kind; and hurt men's feelings if nec- the moon shall be turned to blood, and essary in order to save their souls. I do the stars shall fall from heaven like figs not mean the saving of their souls by the from off a fig tree. The judgments of God killing of their bodies. Heretics used to shall stalk through the earth, decimat- be punished on that theory. The object ing the human race, before the great day of "Mormonism" is to save the body and of the Lord shall come. the spirit, which together constitute the Are we to suppose that in a day soul. 268 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

This is the message we bring, the It is that the world may escape these olive branch that we extend to the world, terrible judgments and plagues that will and for so doing we are despised and desolate the wicked, that we put our persecuted and trampled upon. But we lives and liberties in jeopardy in preach- know that we need expect no different ing that which is unpopular, and which fate from that which our predecessors brings upon us the wrath and hatred of have experienced. They laid down their the world. We desire, as much as men lives in preaching this same Gospel. We can desire, the salvation of our fellow must be willing to lay down ours, if need men. Our mission is to save, not to con- be, to establish these truths upon the demn. This is the Gospel of salvation, earth. not a Gospel of damnation. Damnation God does not punish except to save, follows as a necessary alternative of the He never chastens except to purify. In rejection of the truth. Men who reject the sweeping the antediluvian races from truth damn themselves. The man who the earth, it was an act of mercy to them, will shut the door in his own face keeps that they might not add sin to sin and himself out from the Kingdom: it is no- heap up iniquity until they could not body's fault but his own. The waters of have been pardoned. He swept them off life are free; come and partake of them, when their cup was full, and imprisoned without money and without price! If you their spirits while their bodies moldered will not partake of them, how can you in the grave. Jesus, however, while His blame anyone but yourself if you die of body was lying in the tomb, went and thirst in the desert? If you put out the preached to the spirits in prison; those light by persecuting the Saints of God, who rejected the message that was of- how can you blame anybody but yourself fered to them by Noah, and were swept if you are left in darkness? Could the an- away by the ﬂood. So it will be in this cients blame God for taking His Church day, if this message is rejected; God will from the earth, when they took every bring judgments upon the world until pains to exterminate it? They destroyed He has humbled the people to a state the body of the Church, and the spirit where they will be glad to receive it. departed, just as naturally as when the He says to His Elders: Go ye into all body of a man is killed; his spirit has no the world and preach the Gospel to ev- longer any business upon the earth. It ery creature; and after your testimony, returns to God who gave it, to come again comes the testimony of earthquakes and at a more auspicious time, with the Son tempests, of thunders and lightnings, of of God in clouds of glory, provided it be the sea heaving itself beyond its bounds, one of the 144,000 faithful ones who fol- of wars and rumors of wars, of famine low the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. and pestilence. Says He, the time shall If condemnation follows the re- come when he that will not take up his jection of the Gospel, God cannot sword against his neighbor must needs help it, His servants cannot help it. ﬂee unto Zion for safety, for there shall If we invite men to come out into be gathered to it of every nation under the sunlight and they prefer to stay heaven, and they shall be the only peo- in the shade, who is to blame but ple who are not at war one with another. themselves? They prefer darkness TESTIMONY. 269 to light. They have their choice. Light Brigham Young was a Prophet of God; has burst forth in the midst of darkness, that John Taylor is their legally ordained but the darkness comprehendeth it not. successor; that there are Prophets and Men love darkness rather than light, be- Apostles in this Church today; that cause their deeds are evil. If, however, we preach the same Gospel that was we extend the message of mercy and preached in the days of Paul, for if we of peace, our responsibility ends. Men preached any other we should be ac- will be judged by the light they possess. cursed. My testimony is that "Mor- The heathen nations will be redeemed monism" stigmatized and hated as it is, and will obtain a higher exaltation than is the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus those who receive the truth and turn Christ, the only plan of life and salva- away from it, or refuse to accept it when tion, the only one that will exalt man in it is offered to them. God is merciful to the presence of God; and the world reject ignorance and lack of opportunity; but it to their condemnation. I pray God to responsibility rests like a mountain upon bless this congregation, and grant that those who hear the truth and then reject the words I have spoken may sink into it. some honest hearts, like good seed upon My testimony to this congrega- fertile soil, to spring forth and bear fruit tion is that Joseph Smith was a for their salvation to the honor and glory Prophet of the living God; that of God. Amen.

REFUSAL OF SO-CALLED CHRISTIANS TO RECEIVE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST—THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS DESIRE INVESTIGATION OF THEIR PRINCIPLES—THE TRUTH CANNOT BE DESTROYED—WE HAVE EVERY REQUISITE FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT—WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR FIDELITY TO THE TRUTH—RARITY OF CRIME AMONG THE "MORMONS"—PURITY OF "MORMON" HOMES—CHARACTER OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

REMARKSBY JUNIUS F. WELLS, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JULY 12, 1885.

It is with pleasure that I arise and to bear my testimony to the to speak to you for a few moments, truth of the work in which we are 270 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. engaged. I desire while I am before you open today. We ask the investigation that I may have the support of your faith of mankind. We ask our fellow men, and prayers, that what I may say may be brethren and sisters, sons and daughters dictated by the spirit of truth. of the same God, to listen to the truths I rejoice in assembling with the of heaven, eternal truths that God has Latter-day Saints, in looking upon their revealed. But mankind prefers, appar- faces, in mingling with them in the ex- ently, even in this enlightened age, the ercises of devotion which we are accus- truth that men by their own wisdom are tomed to pay our Father and God. I re- enabled to discover to the truths which joice in the society of Latter-day Saints, God by His infinite wisdom reveals. This because in their society I recognize a is true to so great an extent that the fore- spirit of purity, of holiness and virtue, most thinkers even among what is called that in contrast with the state of things the religious world, have concluded to that predominates in the world is as the lay aside the old truths of Christianity— heavens to the earth. I love to be with the old doctrines of Christianity—as un- our people in times when the wicked as- fitted to the age in which we live. I sail them, for I feel among them a sense had the pleasure, I think eight weeks of safety, a feeling of security, of con- ago today, to listen to the first of a se- tentment, of happiness that I do not be- ries of sermons by perhaps the fore- lieve can be realized to so great an extent most clergyman of this age, certainly of among other people. the country, in which, in his inimitable We have among us our differences manner, he said he had concluded, after and evils. We have causes to mourn; oc- the profoundest thought and research, casions that make us feel sad; but I know that people should wipe out many of of nothing that produces this feeling to the old ideas of religion that have pre- so great a degree among the Saints as vailed in Christendom for 1,800 years, so the growing consciousness among them as to maintain harmony with the mod- that what is called the Christian world ern discoveries of science—with the Dar- has concluded not to receive Christian- winian theory and philosophy. He has ity as it was revealed in the ministry of also sacrificed the book upon which their Jesus Christ. We know that God has re- faiths and beliefs are founded, and as vealed in the day in which we live the the surest possible evidence that faith principles of truth as they were in the be- in that sacred record, the Holy Bible, is ginning, as they ever have been, as they a thing of the past, Rev. Henry Ward ever must be in time and all eternity. We Beecher declares that if it is true then know that that which He has revealed in "Mormonism" is true! We are exactly our day and generation is identical with of the same opinion as Rev. Beecher in the truths that fell from the lips of our that respect. But it does not prove al- Savior in the meridian of time, and chal- together the falsity of that which has lenge the world to a comparison of the been accepted in the world as Christian- doctrines to convince themselves. This ity. The Bible contains the doctrines that challenge has been sent abroad to almost the Latter-day Saints preach, that the every nation, and kindred and tongue Latter-day Saints have the courage in and people, of the whole earth. It is the face of all the world to practice. They TESTIMONY. 271 are doctrines of truth, of holiness, of have been revealed from Him; that we progress and advancement, designed to must put our trust in God who has de- save men, to build them up, to delivered His people in times that are past velop the best thoughts in them, and and gone; that we must rely upon His prepare them for greater light and direction and walk in the path that He greater knowledge and understanding shall lead us in, fearing only Him, fear- than dawned upon mankind in ages ing not man who can destroy the body past; to prepare a people by their in- but fearing God who can destroy both telligence, by their fully developed char- body and soul. In our endeavor to keep acters, for that glorious day when the the commandments of God, to practice Son of God shall come among them and them, to heed the teachings of angels dwell with them. It is true that it is im- sent from the throne of grace, to put possible for the Christian world to har- away our sins, to live pure lives, holy and monize many of the doctrines that are righteous in the sight of God and our fel- growing in favor with them today with low men, to enter into sacred places and the holy Scriptures, and for that reason administer the ordinances of everlasting the Latter-day Saints mourn that their life for ourselves and for our dead—in brethren and sisters of the world, though endeavoring to do these things we have professing Christianity, should be averse incurred the displeasure of an unbeliev- to receiving the principles of Christian- ing world, of those who have substituted ity as they were revealed by the Savior something else as the first principles of Himself. Today with all the Christian- life and salvation for those which were ity that prevails in the world, where do given 1,800 years ago by the Savior of you find men who are willing to receive the world. The world has assumed to sit the very first, the fundamental princi- in judgment upon us for this belief. The ples of the doctrine of Christ? Where world has assumed to say that we have are those who will receive the ministry done wrong in accepting these truths of such as conveyed Christian principles and living according to the law which in the meridian of time to the under- God has revealed for our guidance and standing of men? What! The adminis- our government. Now, for one I do not tration of angels in our day and age of believe that the judgment, in this re- the world? A greater absurdity could spect, of the world will materially af- not be proposed. What! Faith as the fect us in practicing and carrying out first principle of salvation? No, reason the purposes of Jehovah. Certainly it is the first principle of salvation in the cannot change the truth. If Mormonism day and age in which we live. But it is is truth the adverse criticism and judg- not so written in the doctrine of Christ. ment of mankind cannot materially af- "Believe and thou shalt be saved," is the fect its practice. They certainly can- doctrine of the Savior. It is belief, it not stand against that power which ever is faith, that underlies that knowledge accompanies the promulgation of truth. which secures mankind an entrance into Because of this Latter-day Saints have the Kingdom of God. We teach and no fears of the future. We are daunt- have been taught that we must have less in our advocacy of these principles faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: that we because we know that they are true and must believe in the words of truth that must therefore prevail. 272 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

There is very little endeavor, I may the truth. If we were of the world here remark, on the part of those who the world would love its own; but we seek to abuse, and misrepresent us and have come out of the world, therefore to bring down upon us evils—there is the world hate us. They have in var- among them very little disposition to ious ways manifested their evil dispo- examine the principles that we profess sition towards us, since the commence- and teach; there is very little disposi- ment of the Church and Kingdom of God tion among them or desire to ascertain upon the earth in this generation. Since if these things are not true, or to find the day that Joseph Smith received the anything in the way of argument against revelations of God through the admin- that which we teach and practice before istration of angels from heaven, there the world. They have sent up the strong has been a hue and cry raised against religious men of the nation to show us our people—an endeavor to blot out the the error of our ways. We have gladly work that the Saints have been engaged met them. We have met them in this in. But let me tell you, my faith and building in discussion for the purpose of belief and testimony is that the world having them bring forth their reasons to has lost its opportunity to destroy that show that we are in error and that the which is called "Mormonism;" that God's judgment of the world is right. What eternal truth, as received and practiced has been the result? The faith of the by the Latter-day Saints in these moun- Latter-day Saints has been increased; tains, is rooted and grounded so deeply they have been confirmed and strength- and firmly that it will never, while time ened in their belief; and we have heard and eternity lasts, be uprooted or de- very little boasting of the success of those stroyed. I cannot conceive, my brethren who were sent to show us the error of our and sisters, of the destruction of a truth. ways. I imagine that if there had been If mankind will assume that there is success we would never have heard the an error here that needs to be rooted last of it. out—if their assumption were correct—I would not deny their power to succeed in This judgment of the world against the effort. They have said—that which us, assuming that we are wrong, as- they say most is—that our homes are suming that there is something up here not pure, that our homes are not con- in Utah that is not right, that is not structed upon the right plan. They for- consistent with Christianity, or the en- get that the homes that God most hon- lightenment of the age, has caused, per- ored in ages that are gone by, were con- haps, some distress, caused us to witness structed upon the plan that the Latter- scenes that have a tendency to try the day Saints advocate and hold out to faith of the Latter-day Saints, to prove the world as the plan of God. They their integrity. For one, viewing the mat- forget that Jesus Christ, the Son of ter in that light, I thank God for it. I God, delighted in tracing His earthly lin- thank God that we are permitted to live eage through the homes of polygamists. in a day and age of the world when He They have undertaken to destroy such has not forgotten His people, and has homes. I feel in my heart sorry for demonstrated to them and to mankind the man who conceives that he has the as well, that they are in possession of power to succeed in such an unholy work. TESTIMONY. 273

But they say fifty millions have declared that I trace my lineage back through a against us. I do not take any stock in this race of independent men, who had the assumption on the part of a few that fifty courage over 200 years ago to stand up millions have condemned us—have said in the face of inimical laws against their that we are wrong, and that we must go. religion and say, "My conscience is my There are those who have been throwing own. If need be I will leave my na- dust in the eyes of the fifty millions who tive land that I may serve my God." And say so. But let me tell you how it can they did so, and helped to form a gov- very readily be discovered whether we ernment upon this land that God in His are wrong or not. We have petitioned, we infinite mercy and wisdom had held in have plead with the powers of this gov- reserve for many ages for a people that ernment to send among us a commission would accord to his sons and daughters of honorable men to investigate the situ- the right to worship and honor Him ac- ation here, and to let all the world know cording to the light that was in them. what the great error and crime is that we We do not see, unless "there is something are accused of. rotten in Denmark," why the American people should fear the independence of The kind of commission we want is the "Mormons." I do not see why there this: We want the government—if it should be any dread at giving us our is possible in all this land of enlight- equal rights—the privilege to elect our enment, among all these people that officers and administer the laws accord- are offended at the immorality of the ing to the wisdom that is in us. God "Mormons"—to select a commission of knows, our fellow men know, these hyp- men who are perfectly true to their mar- ocrites and liars who are misrepresent- ital relations, who are virtuous, and ing us to the world know we are ca- we challenge the commission of men to pable of self-government, and of insti- prove us an immoral people. Let them tuting and preserving the securest and go into our homes and what will we show safest government, and the most eco- them there? We will show them respect nomical of any people in this land. I of husbands for wives, wives for hus- say that without boasting. But we would bands, parents for children, children for not have that reputation if we elected parents and for each other. We will show our vilifiers to the offices, and I do not them faith; we will show them virtue, think we will do it. I cannot see, my and we challenge them to deny the truth heart cannot conceive, my understand- of our showing to the American people. ing is not broad enough to fathom the Then if we are not immoral, why this reason why we should not, because of hue and cry raised against us? Can you our religion, be accorded equal rights answer who have passed laws to send with our fellowcitizens of this country. men, whose lives are above reproach, We have the stability of commerce and into prison, and to scatter their families? society; we have the wealth; we have Can you who have passed such wicked the population; we have every requisite laws answer if we prove that we are a qualification for self-government, and in moral people? the light of freedom I have yet to hear They may say that we are inde- a reason assigned for withholding from pendent. Well, I thank God for one us our rights. The nearest thing to a 274 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. reason I have heard is that we are an un- of enlightenment, of civilization—all popular people with the rest of the citi- these ought to sustain us in maintain- zens of this country, and then the next ing our fidelity to that which our con- reason is—and that which I really be- science teaches us is truth. If we quail, lieve is deeply felt—the jealousy of the if we vary one iota from that which we east with respect to the west—the feel- know to be true, we should be undeserving that the great commercial interests ing of support; but if we maintain our in- of the east should have greater represen- tegrity in the opposition we may meet, tation in the halls of Congress than the God will not forsake us, and the better sparsely-settled regions of the west. sentiment, the genuine and true civilization that is to be found in the world— But I look forward, my brethren and for the world is full of truth, notwith- sisters, to the time when the truth will standing there are errors and wicked- dawn upon this nation with respect to ness alongside of it—will aid us in main- this people. I look forward to the day taining our integrity. I have yet failed when they will discover that there has to meet the man of honor, the man of been "a great bugaboo" raised over this sense, the man of discernment, the man question of "Mormonism," which they of good judgment who would condemn will be ashamed to think they have paid me for maintaining the position that in much attention to, or taken much no- my heart I feel to take respecting this tice of. I may say in a word that I look question, even in these times. I have but forward to the time when the powers recently returned from visiting among that be in Washington, having raked and men in various classes of society in the scraped the country as with a fine-tooth east, and I have talked over this ques- comb, will perhaps find half-a-dozen men tion of "Mormonism" in various forms. I of the character I have referred to, who have put the question in this manner to will look into this question out here in a great many, and the reply I have re- the mountains. And when that time ceived, I must confess, has been one of shall come perhaps we shall be vindi- encouragement, and one that has been cated in the eyes of our fellow men; per- gratifying to me. haps there will be a blush of shame man- There have been gross errors com- tle the cheeks of some; and perhaps they mitted in regard to Utah. For some will discover some slight improprieties cause the nation has received the idea nearer home that it will be well to regu- that the "Mormons" are a wicked peo- late before mending all creation up here ple. Their record disproves it. There to set as right. has been a law passed which makes a There is one thing and only one thing crime of a principle of the Latter-day for us to do that I can see, and that Saints' religion, but there is no peo- is to maintain our fidelity, to be true ple in this land who have so free a to that which we know is true. We record in the criminal courts. What was ought not to be threatened or put in the percentage, as shown by the crime jeopardy for that. We ought to be pro- records in this territory, before the oper- tected in that. All the strength, all the ation of this law against the "Mormons?" power, all the influence of the land, of I believe, as nearly as I remember, the government, of Christian sentiment, while five-sixths of the population of this TESTIMONY. 275 territory are "Mormons," and one-sixth homes as they were before they showed non-"Mormons," eighty-five percent of the cloven hoof, before they proved them- the criminals were from the ranks of selves ravening wolves in sheeps' cloth- the one-sixth, and fifteen percent of the ing, going about seeking whom they may criminals were from the ranks of the five- devour. Their aim, purpose and ambi- sixths, who are "Mormons." Now it is in- tion is to bring reproach upon this peo- tended, it appears to me, to change that ple; to see if they cannot in their insidi- by making a feature of the "Mormon" re- ous efforts introduce sin in the midst of ligion a crime, and sending just as many our pure homes and society. Think you as possible into the ranks of the crimi- they would hesitate to lead the women nals, so-called, for practicing that prin- of "Mormondom" astray? No, not they. ciple. I maintain that it is a mistake to Think you they would hesitate to de- say that the Latter-day Saints are crimi- stroy the virtue of the sons of "Mormon- nals, and have asked men everywhere to dom?" No, not they. They have the ef- carefully, candidly, and honestly exam- frontery, they have the shamelessness to ine the situation for themselves. I would advocate lechery, to advocate prostitu- undertake to show that in our homes tion as a remedy for "Mormonism," as there is not the element of crime or sin or a corrective of "Mormon" society, as a wrong, but that they will compare favor- means of liberation from "Mormon" in- ably with the homes of any. But to call fluence. Oh, freedom at such a price! that which I owe my being to, a crime— Give me the thralldom that the world to take that position, when I know it is thinks the "Mormons" are subjected to, God's eternal truth, I would be a coward and let such freedom be embraced by and a poltroon, I would be undeserving those poor slaves to passion and to sin. the respect of any man if I should thus God has given us the truth, and the truth reflect upon the holy institution to which has made us free. And we are indeed I owe my being. I know there is virtue free if we have that freedom which comes in it; I know there is purity in it; that through obedience to the will of God. it is right in the sight of my God and If we are pure men; if we are virtuous my conscience, and when I deny that, women, though chains should bind us, put a stone round my neck and cast me or prison walls hold us, yet we are free into the sea. I would have no courage in the sight of God, and are better pre- to live and meet face to face any hon- pared to judge our persecutors than they orable man; I would slink and cower as us. I know that is the prevailing condi- a miserable lying hypocrite. So I con- tion among the Saints; I know that we sider those who deny "Mormonism." The are a pure people in the main. We have homes of the "Mormon" people are homes those among us who sin; we all have our constructed upon the principles of purity imperfections and weaknesses; but God and virtue. Those men who are abusing knows we are pure in our intentions and us and sending lies broadcast through desires. He knows that this people, gath- the land concerning us know that I speak ered from the four quarters of the earth, the truth. Of course the facilities are have been brought out from Babylon not so good today for them to enter our through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, entering into holy and 276 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. sacred covenants not to repeat them; a people, clothed upon with the power and people gathered here for the purpose of favor of Almighty God, shall go forth in honoring and serving God, and not for the world promulgating the principles committing sin of any form, shape, or of peace, preaching true holiness as it description. That is our character. The comes from the Eternal Father; and the world, so far as they will judge us can- honest, the pure, the upright among men didly, gives us the reputation for sobriety, shall lift up their hearts and rejoice, and temperance, industry, frugality, virtue; shall say, Welcome, welcome, thrice wel- but still we are called the most immoral come are those who come to us in the people that the sun ever shone upon. name of the Lord. May He bless and What absurdity! preserve us that we may be among that Brethren and sisters, I look to valiant throng is my prayer and desire in see the day when the refuge of lies the name of Jesus, Amen. shall be swept away, and we as a

VALUE OF LIBERTY—PERSECUTION EXPECTED—MORSE AND OTHERS WERE AT FIRST DESPISED—GOD OVERRULES FOR GOOD—FAITH AND WORKS—REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM—REVELATION—WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT—MISSION OF JOSEPH SMITH—THE WHEAT WILL REMAIN—NO MALICE TO MEN, BUT HATRED OF THEIR WICKED ACTS—PLURAL MARRIAGE.

REMARKSBY APOSTLE JOHN H.SMITH, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY,JULY 27, 1885.

If there is any one thing in duties and obligations of life with- this world above another that I out regard to the frowns or favors of prize it is my liberty—liberty to anybody in the world. I rejoice in speak, liberty to act, liberty to move the fact that, so far as I am indi- among my fellows, discharging the vidually concerned, my faith in God PERSECUTION EXPECTED. 277 and in His promise to us, His people, was of all men, we have consolation in the never better than it is today. And al- promise of the Lord that He would from though the dark cloud may hang over us, time to time soften the hearts of our ene- and the storm of opposition beat against mies, and that nothing should intervene us, I am as confident as I am that I stand to destroy this work, or to frustrate the before you that God will vindicate the purposes that it is designed to accom- righteousness of His Saints and bring plish. them off conquerors in the end. So far The doctrines which we believe in as I am concerned I see but little cause and practice should not, in my opinion, for mourning. It is true that some of create the feelings against us which now our brethren are serving out terms of exist. When it is borne in mind that we imprisonment, but it is also true that believe in faith as the primary and fun- they are thus afflicted not for wrongdo- damental principle of the Gospel: that ing but for conscience sake; and they do we believe in working out our salva- not mourn, so why should we. If they tion with fear and trembling before the or we should put on the garb of mourn- Lord, through keeping His commanding, it would not be because of any in- ments and observing the laws and ordi- flictions we may have to endure in con- nances which He has made known to us sequence of our religious convictions, for for our guidance, and which when car- such things we may expect, and have ex- ried out, produce the fruits of righteous- pected; our cause of mourning would be ness, it does seem singularly strange and is in man's inhumanity to man, in that men professing Christianity should the tearing away of the barriers of civil be found among our most bitter oppo- and religious liberty, the results of which nents. none may be able to divine. Brother Moyle, who has just addressed you, referred to some of the fa- I have preached in many lands and to mous characters of earth, among them many peoples that the little stone cut out our own Morse, and his struggles to of the mountain without hands would make men believe in the inspiration cause a commotion in the earth, excit- with which he was possessed. Al- ing the jealousy of the people, not only of though he has since demonstrated to the our own land, but eventually of all lands; whole world that he was most wonder- but that while this would be the case, we fully wrought upon in producing mar- would be able at all times to give tangible velous results from the workings of elec- reasons for the peculiar position we oc- tricity, yet when he appealed for as- cupy, and for the hope and faith we have sistance he was regarded as and even in the God of heaven, who has called us called mad. He, however, was not to it. daunted, but persevered in his work, I did not design at all to refer to the a work that has since brought bless- persecutions of the Saints; they are no ings and benefit to mankind generally. cause of surprise or wonderment to me; I The experience of Morse has been the have expected such things, having been common lot of men who have been the taught in my youth that such a condi- means of introducing new truths into tion of things would come. But while we the world; and who is able to say, may expect to be persecuted and hated that history will not yet record the fact 278 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. that the sons and daughters of our most One of the most striking points of bitter opponents have recognized the difference between the religion of the Latter-day Saints as benefactors to the Latter-day Saints and that of other peo- human family. ple is our belief in revelation. We not The principle of faith has been the only believe that the Lord did in ancient great motive power by which all reform- days reveal Himself to man, but we ac- ers have been actuated; it was faith that cept the doctrine of revelation as nec- impelled us to gather to this land, and essary for the guidance of the Church it is faith, in connection with the knowl- today; that the same Lord who so sig- edge we now possess, that inspires us nally blessed and sustained His people to steadfastly and firmly move on in our anciently can bestow similar blessings in work of redeeming the land and building our day; and our faith is just as firmly up towns and cities, and bringing order fixed in the goodness and power of the out of chaos. Thus, so far as the princi- Almighty to move in our behalf as in that ple of faith is concerned, we do not differ of any other people. If it were not for the from Christians generally, except in be- fact that our heavenly Father has spoken ing more practical, believing, as we do, and revealed to us certain fundamental that faith without works is dead. There truths, and that He does, through His are no doubt many people who are as servant, to the Church as a body, and practical in their views as the Latter-day through His spirit to the people individu- Saints, and cling to their views as tena- ally, we would be as others are—without ciously as we, and perhaps, so far as that any living distinctive faith. To do away goes are similarly treated, but their faith with revelation would be to refuse to rec- is centered in other matters than reli- ognize the Author of our faith as our gion or spiritual things, as was the case guide and teacher. Who can find out the with Morse. things of God except he is taught either We turn to the principle of repen- of the Almighty Himself, or those who tance, that principle that prompts men are taught of Him? It is a matter of utter to cease doing wrong and to mend their impossibility for man through his own ways. In this we are in harmony with wisdom to either find out God, or to act active Christians generally, although we in the things of God, without first having may not place this principle in the been taught and authorized so to do. same relative position in the category of tenets, as others do. We also ac- Thus might we compare these prin- cept and regard as essential, the ordi- ciples and reason upon them. We have nance of baptism, and could furnish am- done this abroad whenever opportunity ple testimony to show that this, as well has been afforded. But when we have as the other ordinances, principles and declared the fact that present revelation laws of the Gospel, as believed in and was and is essential for the guidance practiced by us are Scriptural; that it of man, and that the Church of Christ is ordained of the Lord; that He has never did or could exist without it, and declared that except a man is born of that the Lord had again revealed Him- the water and of the Spirit, he can- self to man, our hearers would gener- not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ally either turn aside or perhaps show PERSECUTION EXPECTED. 279 some sign of pity for "the poor deluded spiritual force. The spiritual desires of Mormons," for this is the light in which men are not gratified to satiety, their we are held for believing in such things. souls are not fed; it is the letter without It is a singular thing to me that men and the spirit, the body without the soul. I women can take their Bible and sit down do not say this by way of disparagement with the Elders of our Church and com- to the names of these illustrious heroes; pare the doctrines of the scriptures with they did their work and did it nobly, but those taught by our Elders, and fail to it was not for them to reveal to man a sense their truth. It does seem singular perfect system of church government. In to me—and yet I should not regard it as later times, however, we find a boy with- strange for this reason: whenever there out experience or education, presenting has been a Gospel dispensation a man to the world a system of government pro- having the Holy Spirit could bear wit- nounced by statesmen of eminence to be ness of the correctness of these things. superior to anything known among men. When that spirit of testimony rests down Our organization is admitted to be with- upon a man it begets conviction in his out a parallel; and this through a mere heart, whether he is willing to acknowl- boy. But the fact is, he was not the au- edge it or not. Nicodemus could find his thor, neither did he ever claim its author- way by night to Jesus, and acknowledge ship; he was merely the honored instru- that there was a power with him that ment under God to reveal it to and in- other men were not possessed of. Oth- stitute it among men. And although the ers received the witness of the Spirit, press and the pulpit unite in denounc- and were able to abide by its dictates, re- ing him as a crazy fanatic and a vile nounce their former ways, and take up impostor, his work challenges the admi- the cross unpopular though it was. Oth- ration of the best thinkers of the age. ers again treated the whole thing with The principles that he unfolded are in ridicule, not being able to see anything harmony with the scriptures and with in it. Such doubtless would be the case reason; they are in harmony with true were the same persons to teach the same science and with the laws of the uni- things now. verse; and he has presented them clearly and distinctly so that none need mis- To me it has always appeared singu- understand them. It is most singular lar that there should be any reflecting that the intelligence of the 19th cen- honest-hearted person unable to believe tury can look upon this boy and mark in the mission of Joseph Smith. We may him as being so infamous a being as take such men as Luther, Calvin and they say he was, when the fruits of his Wesley, and others equally learned, who labors are before the world and none can are recognized by all Christians as bea- gainsay them. This is the work of the con lights, and yet notwithstanding their Divine Master, and Joseph Smith was education and ability to act in the roles His servant. The Lord God stands at they so nobly played, not one of them the helm. We need not feel concerned nor any other orthodox Christian has about what is termed "Mormonism;" He been able to evolve a perfect system of decreed it, and He is carrying it out. Church government. Their productions It is true, it may take us through per- are as a rope of sand, void of strength or secution and tribulation, but it is true 280 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. all the same; this I know as well as I in the flesh. I hate the misdeeds of men, know that I live. Having received the especially when they are aimed at the witness of the Holy Spirit, neither you liberty of their fellows; but I hate none of nor I need entertain any doubts or fears the sons and daughters of God. I would as to the result. And I bear witness be- bless them and do anything in my power fore you and before my Father in heaven, for their good; but I would not yield my whom I expect to meet at the latter day, soul into their keeping, or turn traitor to that we possess the fullness of the new the principles of my faith for the satis- and everlasting Gospel, and that God re- faction of any living being. vealed it unto us; and I further testify I have been reared among the Latter- that it will remain firm as the rock of day Saints. My father and mother were ages, that its course will continue on- as old in citizenship of the United States ward and upward, gathering strength as and as honorable in their ancestry as any it goes, until it shall at last fill the whole that call be found in the land. I love my earth, as Daniel foresaw that it would. religion, I love my country, and I have no It seems that the people of the Lord other desire than to honor my God, and in every age have had to pass through do good to my fellow man. certain ordeals in order to accomplish There is no necessity for us to be con- certain results; they would become care- cerned or worried in the least. It is less and negligent of duty and worldly- true we may have difficulties to meet; minded and, in many instances, forget- but with patient forbearance, pursuing ful of their sacred covenants; and we, it an earnest determined course, time will would seem, need to pass through the prove to the truly loyal citizens of this same purifying process as they before us. great nation, that we are the friends of And, in order to develop a better state of liberty; that to be free, free from the things for Zion, some will pass through power of wicked men, and free from the the prison house, and others may suffer power of the destroyer of men's souls is death, as some have already; but what- the aim and object of our lives. There is ever the infliction, the wheat will yet re- no necessity for overt acts of any kind, main and the chaff will be blown away. or indulging the spirit of revenge; our One may ask. Have you any feel- course is one of peace and good will to ings of hatred in your heart toward those man, blessing all with whom we come who delight in persecuting and oppress- in contact. And as long as we observe ing you? If they were hungry, and it was strictly the principles of our religion, the in my power, I would feed them; I desire way will open up before us, for God is not to bear malice or hatred towards any our Father and friend. He has been our of the children of my heavenly Father. guide in the past; and He in His own We must fight the battles of truth, with way has cast down every man, from the a desire for the ascendancy of truth, and commencement of this work until the not personal gratification, remembering present time, who has raised his hand that those who oppose us are of the same against us, and their lives have ended family, hereafter to be rewarded for the in disgrace or been clouded by some mis- good or evil which they may do while deed. PERSECUTION—FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. 281

While in distant lands I have had Referring for one moment to the ques- joy in gazing upon the stars and stripes tion of plural marriage, I will here say as they have floated on the breeze from that it is my candid opinion, freely ex- the mast heads of American vessels, or pressed, that if fifty million of the peo- wherever my eye has happened to see ple of the United States believed in pa- the flag of our country. I have hon- triarchal marriage and only twenty in ored and revered my parents who, in monogamic marriage, that the judges harmony with their convictions, taught placed in power by the majority would me to obey the laws of the land; and I decide in favor of the plural form of mar- trust ever to be found true to my coun- riage, being religion. That prejudice and try, and true to my religion and my political influence affect to a great extent God. The laws of Heaven, as revealed the judgment of men in deciding such through the Prophet Joseph Smith, are questions, no person can deny. Amen. grounded in my heart, and I can acknowledge the power of no man, however great, to stand between me and my God.

THE WAY TO FIND OUT GOD—TESTIMONY OF THE ELDERS—"WHOSO RECEIVETH YOU RECEIVETH ME"—THE MISSIONARY LEARNS TO KNOW GOD IS HIS FRIEND—WE MUST SUFFER PERSECUTION—FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT—"MORMON" SOCIETY—TROUBLE FOR THE WICKED IN THE FUTURE—SAINTS TO MAINTAIN FREEDOM AND TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,NOV. 23, 1884.

There are a few moments remaining, turned therefrom as our brethren which it is desired I should occupy. who have spoken this afternoon, and to me particularly so in the case of It is very interesting to hear the young men like Brother Leo Claw- testimony of the Elders who have son, whose voice we have heard been on missions and who have re- and whose testimony has been given 282 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. to us. Sending young men upon mis- that I learned most convincingly in my sions is an excellent method of testing youth that this was the work of God. I their integrity and also of giving them believed it, yes, I may say I knew it to an opportunity of proving for themselves be true, but when I was sent out as a whether the testimony they have heard missionary without purse and scrip and from their parents and others is true. compelled to feel after God and ask Him When a young man leaves home to go for those things that I wanted, I learned to a foreign land, in the midst of a cold- to my entire satisfaction that when I did hearted and prejudiced world, without need God's blessings He was at hand to purse or scrip, with no funds in his confer them upon me according to the de- pocket to depend upon to pay his way, sires of my heart and the necessities of and has to depend upon his Maker, and my case. In this manner men who are upon the promises which He has made, now of middle age have grown up with he is in a most excellent position to learn this knowledge, and the youth today are for himself the truth of the words of the in their turn acquiring the same knowl- Savior and the truth of the testimonies edge, obtaining it through the means that he has heard from his parents and which God has appointed and in the friends. I rejoice exceedingly that our manner He has designed. young men have this opportunity, be- There are two objects to be accom- cause it brings home to them in a most plished by the Elders going out with- unmistakable and convincing manner out purse and scrip upon the apostolic the truth of those testimonies they have plan. In the first place, they learn for heard. When a man has no food to eat, themselves that God lives and that He when he has no friends, and is a stranger hears and answers prayer; in the second in a strange land, traveling as a ser- place, they test the world. The Savior vant of God, he has a good opportunity says: "Whoso receiveth you receiveth me; of testing for himself whether there is a and the same will feed you, and give you God, and whether that God hears and money. And he who feeds you, or clothes answers his prayers. In this way faith you, or gives you money, shall in no wise becomes knowledge; because if a man lose his reward. And he that doeth not prays to God and asks for that which he these things is not my disciple; by this wants and God gives it to him, he then you may know my disciples." knows for himself that God hears and We test the world in this man- answers prayer. It is in this way that the ner and prove whether they will re- knowledge of the Gospel that we have ceive the servants of God and supply received is perpetuated in our hearts their simple wants when they travel and in the hearts of our children— preaching the Gospel without salary transmitted from one generation to an- or pay of a pecuniary character; but other, as it has been and is being done looking unto the Lord for the re- at the present time among these Latter- ward that He has promised to be- day Saints. Today there is a host of stow. When a man has been gone as young men growing up in this coun- Brother Clawson has, and as Brother try who have in this manner proved for George Goddard has—Brother Claw- themselves the truth of that which I am son for two years and upwards—he now speaking of. It was in this manner becomes acquainted with the Lord, PERSECUTION—FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. 283 he learns to know God is his friend, and mountains that will yet astonish the he through his life afterwards, if he cher- world by the exhibition of those grand ishes that knowledge which he has then virtues that God is developing in our acquired, is a faithful servant of God. midst through the teachings of the ever- There are today hundreds of our youth lasting Gospel that we have received. A scattered throughout the various fields union unparalleled, unexampled at this acquiring this knowledge of God, be- time upon the earth exists throughout coming familiar with the things of God, our settlements and in all our associ- learning for themselves that which they ations from north to south, from east have been taught in theory, and having to west—a people dwelling together in it so thoroughly instilled into them, and peace and in love, loving each other with becoming so indoctrinated in these prin- an intensity of love, begotten of God, and ciples, that they never will forget them. that is unknown elsewhere—the fruits of My brethren and sisters, we can re- the outpouring of the spirit and power of joice exceedingly in the prospects before God upon us. Men say that this is im- us. We may be hated as our brethren posture; that these are the fruits of igno- have described; we may be maligned rance; that the binding of this people to- and calumniated and called all man- gether in the manner in which we are as- ner of evil names; but with all these sociated in these valleys is merely the re- things we can rejoice, because it is the sult of the combination of shrewd men. A legacy that was left to us and left to most extraordinary spectacle this! That every follower of Jesus Christ by him- wherever you go throughout our settle- self when he was upon the earth. He ments, in whatsoever house you enter, that lives godly in Christ Jesus, Paul if the owners are Latter-day Saints, you says, shall suffer persecution. He did will find there the spirit of peace and not say that they might suffer it—He of love; a willingness to do everything did not put it in a doubtful manner—but possible for each other. And then when He said they should suffer—"they shall we contemplate the growth of the peo- suffer persecution." We have proved the ple in intelligence, to me it is something truth of that saying of the Apostle's. marvelous what God is doing for us in But notwithstanding all this, we can this direction. There is no community look around us, and see what God is upon the face of the earth today among doing for us. We have the most abun- whom you will find so many men who dant causes for thanksgiving and praise. have traveled, who have mingled with He is blessing us as no other people people in foreign lands, who are so fa- today upon the face of the earth are miliar with the religious and social us- being blessed. Outside of our commu- ages and with the history of the people of nity there is hatred, there is animosity, other lands, as you will find in this com- there is a feeling of wrath entertained munity of Latter-day Saints. Scarcely a against us. We are hated by those who man among us now of middle age who know us not. But inside there is peace, has not been in foreign lands, who has there is happiness, there is joy, there not traveled throughout his own coun- is health, growth and development— try, and acquired a knowledge of hu- a people growing up in these man nature such as cannot be acquired 284 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. under any other circumstances. The ef- mind, from what he has read, or from fect of this upon the community I can what he has been told, as to the kind of perceive; we all can observe it wherever people he will meet when he sees them. we go. It is uplifting the people—not But he is thrown into "Mormon" society. very rapidly, it is true, but still in such He finds that they have no horns; that a manner that it is easily perceived. You they have no cloven feet; that they do not can perceive the effect upon the people of garnish their conversation with oaths; the education thus gained by the Elders and that if he had not been told these in traveling and preaching the Gospel were "Mormons," he would not have dis- abroad. Nearly all returning missionar- covered it by any outward sign. When he ies express themselves as our brethren comes into our cities, instead of seeing have this afternoon. Brother Clawson drunkenness, instead of hearing blas- has said that he is determined from this phemy, instead of seeing the profana- time forward to do his share in help- tion of all that is holy, he sees a peo- ing forward the work of the redemption ple dwelling in peace, he sees quietude of the human family. When such men prevailing, and the contrast strikes him return, bringing with them the spirit very forcibly. "Why," says he, "this is that they have upon their missions— not what I expected to see; these are the Spirit of God—what a strength it not the people I expected to meet; this is to their Bishops, what a strength it is not the society for which I looked is to their Teachers, what a strength it when I came into the settlements of the is to the entire Priesthood in the Ward Latter-day saints in Utah." These very where they reside, or the Stake to which falsehoods, therefore, have the effect of they belong. And when they come back, impressing—where men have the oppor- as they do by scores, this effect is felt tunity of mingling with the people, more throughout the entire body of the peo- forcibly upon the mind than otherwise ple, and excellent results follow, a higher would be the case that which they see. tone is developed, a higher standard is It takes time, however, to remove preju- aimed at, and there is an uplifting of the dice, to disabuse people's minds. They people, as it were, to that higher stan- think that there is something hidden, dard. something that is very bad, that they This is going on all the time, and have not yet discovered, and this some- the effect is marked and already felt. times remains in the mind a good while. Those who travel through our settlements see many things that strike But, as sure as God lives so sure will them, and strike them more forcibly be- we live down these false charges and im- cause of the different impression cre- pressions, and the day is not far dis- ated by the falsehoods told concerning tant when lovers of good government, us. These falsehoods have their good lovers of peace, will turn their atten- effect in this respect; for when a man tion to these valleys in which we dwell hears so much about the "Mormons," he and to this society of which we form a naturally pictures to himself the kind part. For there is trouble in the fu- of society that he will meet when he ture; there is perplexity not very far goes among them. If he has never off. We can hear a faint rumbling of it, met "Mormons," he has an idea in his as it were, in the distance. The time PERSECUTION—FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. 285 will come, as sure as we live, when disin their midst and trust to their mer- tress and calamity will fall upon the cies, savages though they were, than to wicked, and our own nation has a great remain among civilized men, men who deal to answer for. They have to answer called themselves Christians. We did for deeds that cannot be easily paid. The this thirty-seven years ago. blood of innocence has stained the soil of Fifty-four years and a half have free America—the blood of a Prophet, of passed since the organization of the a Patriarch, and of other righteous men Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day and women who have suffered for their Saints, and in this land there has never religion, and for no other cause than that been a man punished for killing a "Mor- they chose to espouse the truth and to mon," never been a man punished for advocate it, living lives of purity, offend- burning a "Mormon's" house, never been ing no one—that is, no one who should a man punished for engaging in mobs be offended—breaking no law, trampling and banding together for the extirpation upon no human right. They were cru- of the "Mormons" and the destruction of elly murdered, and we as a people were their property. And this, too, in this driven out by violence, driven out from land of boasted liberty; this in this land, the midst of civilization, driven out from the most glorious under the canopy of our homes and our hard-earned posses- heaven, the most free that ever existed, sions, and our track is marked with the the best government ever formed by hu- blood and with the graves of our own man wisdom; this in this land with the people from the borders of civilization constitution as free as God Himself has till we reached these Rocky Mountains, revealed it, so free that every human be- and for no other cause for which we ing may dwell under it without let or could be punished legally. We broke no hindrance, without interfering with the law; we committed no offense against the rights of his fellow man, giving me the majesty of the law. We have lived lives of perfect freedom to worship God accord- purity as we do here in these mountains. ing to my own conscience, and giving But prejudice was created; men became no man the right to interfere with me excited; mobs were formed, and extermi- in that worship, and giving every other nation was decided upon, and there was man the same right, and depriving me of no alternative presented to us but this: the right to interfere with any other man either to submit to be killed off, men, in his worship, if he worship according women and children, from the face of the to the dictates of his own conscience and earth, or to take our flight as best we does not interfere with the rights of his could in our poverty to some remote land fellow man. But in this land Latter-day where we could worship God according Saints have been murdered, murdered to the dictates of our own conscience in for no other cause than because they be- peace and in quietness. We chose the lat- lieved in God and believed He was a God ter alternative. We preferred to face the of revelation, and today Utah exists be- wilderness with all its untold terrors. We cause of this. Because of this spirit of preferred to come out among tribes of In- persecution today, Utah is a Territory, a dians of which we knew nothing, and live grand Territory, and we as a people are living in these valleys of the mountains 286 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. for that very cause. We are a stand- into bondage; but we shall be free ing monument before God and before all through the help of our God, and our men of the inhumanity of man to his fel- country shall be a free country; for if oth- low man. This is the position that we oc- ers trample upon the Constitution, we cupy. will elevate it, we will bear it aloft, we Will not these things be remembered? will invite the men of all cities and all Yes, they will, and they will bring down parts of our lands to come and dwell in the anger of a just God upon the na- peace and safety protected by that glo- tion. Not for this alone. There are other rious instrument, and the principles it things; and the time will yet come when contains, that God helped the founders men will flee for safety to the land where of this government to frame. the Saints dwell; for we design, by the Therefore I say, my brethren and sis- help of our God, to maintain freedom, ters, let us be encouraged; let us culti- freedom for every man, freedom for ev- vate the virtues that belong to our reli- ery creed, freedom for every race wher- gion; let us love each other; let us culti- ever we live and can have power. All men vate peace wherever we go, and extend shall have equal freedom with us, they its blessings as far as our influence will shall be protected with us in every hu- permit. man right, in the exercise of every belief that they choose to indulge in as long as May God help us to endure all the by its exercise they do not trample upon trials that we may be called upon to the rights of their fellow man. And we pass through, and may He bless you my shall maintain organized government. brethren and sisters, and all who are Others may trample upon the laws of seeking to do His will, I ask in the name the land; others may seek to bring us of Jesus, Amen. DEVOTION TO GOD. 287

DEVOTION TO GOD—HOW IT IS MADE MANIFEST—DIVERS OPINIONS—LIBERTY TO WORSHIP GOD—JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD—HIS APOSTLES WERE UNLEARNED MEN—THEY WERE REJECTED BY THE MASSES—WRITINGS OF THE PROPHETS—PERSECUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE—SELFISHNESS—LOVE OF DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT—COMPROMISE OF PRINCIPLE—INFAMY OF SACRIFICING TRUTH TO GAIN PLACE—GOD MUST BE OBEYED RATHER THAN MAN.

DISCOURSEBY GEORGE G.BYWATER, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY, SUNDAY AFTERNOON,AUG. 2, 1885.

Brethren and sisters and friends: We ther of the human race, are an unciv- have met this afternoon to commemo- ilized people. While we admit this to rate the death and suffering of our Lord be true there are other facts associated Jesus Christ in His crucifixion on Cal- with and belonging to this subject of the vary's cross as an atonement for the sins worship of the Deity, that present them- of the world. We have met here to wor- selves very forcibly to our view, and I ship God. The spectacle of a worshiping may enumerate a few of them. congregation is not new either in Utah As I have already said, the assem- or throughout Christendom at large. A bling together of a people in a congre- country or a people who are devoid of gational capacity to pay their adora- the sensibilities of the obligations which tions to God their Heavenly Father is they owe to the Supreme Ruler of the not a strange or an exceptional spec- universe, to the creator of the world and tacle, but is common throughout the all things that in it are, would be con- world. Nevertheless there is great di- sidered pagan, would be considered an versity of opinion regarding divine wor- uncivilized people. In speaking of civi- ship; there are varied methods of pay- lization Emerson once said that a nation ing those adorations to the Supreme Be- without a well-defined language, with- ing. The worship that they offer to De- out clothing, without a system of mar- ity is presented in ritualistic forms and riage we call heathen, we call barbarous, described methods, in systematic modes; and he might have added with propri- in the form of homilies, in the exercise ety and like truthfulness, that a peo- of prayer, of singing of psalms, of the ple who assemble not to pay their de- administration of sacraments, that dif- votion to the Great God, the architect fer very widely the one from the other. of the universe, and the common Fa- But who on account of this diversity 288 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of opinion, who on account of this pre- the development of which the spirit of sented variety of modes of bowing before, persecution, the spirit of intolerance, the or of lifting up unto the Supreme Being spirit of tyranny and oppression has our hands in adoration and praise, or in manifested itself. It is a well known the discharge of our devotional obliga- and universally recognized fact through- tions would say, that, but one, two, three, out all Christendom today, that, Jesus or any restricted number should be guar- Christ is the Savior of the world; that anteed the liberty, the freedom, the reli- Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, the gious toleration, the political and moral redeemer of the human race, is the cap- right of bowing the knee before God, and tain of our salvation, and that there of lifting up their voices in praise and is no other name given under heaven prayer to Him who made the sun, the whereby man can be saved but the name moon and the stars, and who created all of Jesus. This will be readily and clam- things that live and move and have a orously conceded, persistently avowed, being? Show me a people, cite to me a and zealously declared, by every church nation or a family of nations that have that lays any claim to the name of Chris- come to the conclusion, that have made tian throughout the whole world; that a predetermined decree that none shall he was the founder and finisher of that worship the God of Daniel, or none shall faith which can alone save the family worship the Diana of the Ephesians, or of man; that through His life, death none shall worship the golden image and resurrection, in connection with the made by Nebuchadnezzar—you show me principles of immortality and eternal life a people, a community, or a nation, or which He brought forth to the knowl- family of nations, that are fettered and edge of the world, in His own person, ful- bound by this proscriptive spirit and the filling very many of the prophecies rela- dogmatic institutions and traditions of tive to the dispensation of the fullness of their times, and I will show you a peo- times—that through Him, and through ple that are fettered with chains forged Him alone, should salvation come unto in the fires of bigotry and superstition Israel, and a fallen world be redeemed. and that will prove to them a barrier to The Apostles he was pleased to select national and universal progress. from among the unlettered, the uncul- The subject that we have had pre- tivated and the undistinguished among sented before us by my respected brother His fellow men, were called to be minis- who preceded me is a very interesting ters of his word, to be ambassadors of the one, interesting from more sides than message of salvation, to be His heralds one, interesting from every side, inter- of peace—peace on earth and good will esting from center to circumference, in to all men. It is true He selected them part and in entirety. It is the sub- from among the humble fishermen that ject of the liberty to worship God ac- were following their occupation of fish- cording to the dictates of a people's ing on the sea of Galilee. It is true He own conscience, unrestricted and un- did not select them from the learned doc- restrained by arbitrary or compulsory tors of the law. It is also true that they measures. He has referred to histori- were men that had not attained to any cal instances related in sacred history high repute, or had been elevated to any to circumstances under which and by DEVOTION TO GOD. 289 dignified or scholastic position in the and Martha; oh that we had had the op- land, either ecclesiastical or political. portunity of surrounding Him when the They were graded as the offscourings precious words of life fell from His hal- and dregs of the human race. They were, lowed lips—the lips of Him who spake so to speak, the dregs of human soci- as never man spake; oh that we had ety. Yet today, in this age of boasted had this privilege." And the tears of pen- Christian enlightenment, in this age of itence for the sins of the dead who had boasted Christian freedom—pardon me gone centuries before them trickle down for the remark—they claim that these their face and stain the pages of the men were the servants of the Lord, men sacred scriptures from which they se- that bore in their possession the prin- lect their texts when they refer to the ciples of life and salvation unto all the blindness and hardness of heart of the world, and these men were in their people who treated with ignominy and day bold to make affirmations such as contempt the world's greatest reformer, fell very unwelcomely, very unacceptably the world's universal redeemer, the Son upon the ears of the elite, of the edu- of God Himself. What do they say of cated, of the refined, of the professional them? "Oh," say they, "how strange classes of Jewish and of Roman society, it is, how remarkable it is that those and also upon those who were cultivated people with the writings of the blessed in Greek literature, and constituted the Prophets—with the writings of Hosea, of most refined element of human society. Jeremiah, of Amos, of Joel, of Habakkuk, Yet they were bold to declare, "We know of Zechariah, of Malachi, and of all the that we are of God, and the whole world prophets in their possession, wherein are lieth in wickedness." What do our Chris- found so many prophecies relating to tian friends say? What do our pulpit the coming of the Messiah, relating to declaimers announce to their congrega- the ushering in of a new dispensation, tions when they select such positive dec- relating to the inauguration of a reign larations, such strong doctrinal enuncia- of peace such as the world had never tions as the one I have quoted and many seen, such as God had not promised unto more like unto them—what do they say? the children of men, until the period of Oh, they tell their Christian friends that the world's history when Shiloh should they lament the darkness, the moral come—how remarkable with all this that blindness, the intellectual and doctrinal they did not receive the Son of God." "If opaqueness of that age; that had they we had lived in these days," say they, lived in the days when Jesus sojourned "we believe that we would have been able among men, when He went about speak- to see the hand of God; we would have ing words of kindness, uttering sen- marked His divine footprints among the tences of love and mercy, expressing His people; we would have recognized by our good will to the whole human family, ears the voice of the Good Shepherd; we and seeking to promulgate the principles would have listened with hearts subdued of peace in a distracted age; say they, with humility, with minds illuminated "Oh that we had lived in the days of Je- by inspiration, to the marvelous and sus; oh that we had had the privilege inimitable truths uttered by the Savior of bowing down at His feet like Mary of the world. Oh, how wicked it was for 290 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. those people to be so hardhearted; how We learn from these declarations that wicked it was not only for the common Jesus Christ and his followers had their people but for the rulers of the Jews, names cast out as evil. If these histori- for the members of the Senate, for the ans record veritable facts—and we have doctors of the law, for the lights of the no right to question the historical ver- generation, the leading men of the pe- ity of these statements, because they are riod in which they lived that they should established and verified by secular his- be guilty of such inhuman, such unnat- tory: if then, they are true it becomes ural, such unjust conduct as to perse- every thinking student of history, every cute men against whom no charge in earnest and avowed student of natural truth and in verity could be found ex- theology or sectarian lore, to understand cept it was that they were pleased to pro- what it was that constituted the essence claim the acceptable year of the Lord, of the disagreement, what constituted to announce unto the world of mankind the gist, the kernel, if you please, the that a dispensation of divine providence special reason why the existing spirit, had been ushered in, wherein a change faith and teachings of the Jewish peo- should take place over the minds of the ple, and of the Roman people, in the com- people; wherein a new order of things mencement of the Christian era, were so should be developed, and wherein the opposed to the doctrines of Jesus Christ Mosaic law with all its sacerdotal rites and His apostles. I have already re- and ceremonies were to be consummated ferred to the general recognition by the and brought to a termination in the ful- Christian world of the doctrines of Christ fillment of the prophecies, and in the in- and His apostles as being the founda- troduction of a higher and a purer law." tion of the hope of all enlightened na- These are their feelings; the ministers tions for salvation before God; for salva- preach to the people after this fashion, tion in eternity, for the redemption of the and read to them such passages as these: human race. What, then, was it that was "Blessed are they which are perse- the cause of the opposition which was cuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs so pronounced, so persistent and so pro- is the kingdom of heaven. longed against Jesus Christ and His fol- "Blessed are ye when men shall revile lowers. This opposition was not confined you, and persecute you, and shall say all to a narrow region. It was an opposition manner of evil against you falsely, for my that was not limited within any special sake. circle; for we read of one inquirer who ap- "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for pears to be a man of very general infor- great is your reward in heaven: for so mation addressing himself, in the term persecuted they the prophets which were of an inquiry in his own behalf, and in before you." behalf of those whom he represented, to This language, my beloved friends, the Apostles, saying: is of a very forcible character. Prob- "We desire to hear of thee what thou ably a few reflections upon the sen- thinkest: for as concerning this sect, timents incorporated in these dec- we know that everywhere it is spoken larations of uninspired men may against." not be altogether uninstructive or unprofitable unto us at this time. It was not a matter of conjecture DEVOTION TO GOD. 291 with him. It was a matter of conjec- had attained unto the period of old age. ture with him as to what the Apostle They had manifested within them the el- Paul thought: for Paul was a man of let- ements of social, moral and organic de- ters, a man of a very extended range of cay. Their deteriorating effects were be- experience and observation; so much so coming painfully apparent. They were that one of the learned rabbis of his time becoming ill-adapted to the newly devel- told him that much learning had made oping condition of things; inapplicable him mad. But he was inquiring respect- to the unfolding environments of those ing his (Paul's) information concerning times; and God, who sits enthroned in the Church of Christ, a body of religious the realms of purity and of truth, had worshipers with whom he was identified, given these systems for the sake of His and in the midst of whom he was an au- people. Whatever there was of a re- thorized Apostle. generating progressive nature in these "We desire to hear of thee what thou systems, God sustained. He sustained thinkest: for as concerning this sect, them until the day star had dawned for we know that everywhere it is spoken a brighter and more glorious epoch in against." the world's history, when the shepherds "We know!" "What do you know, sir?" were visited by messengers of light from "We know that it is spoken against." the realms of the Eternal Gods, crying, "Where is it spoken against, sir?" "It "Peace, peace on earth, and good will to- is everywhere spoken against." Hence ward all men." we see the universality, the general But my brother who preceded me character of the opposition that was spoke of selfishness. He touched a chord raised against the doctrines of the hum- that seems to me to be unbroken and of a ble and despised Nazarene. Why was very extended length. I think it reaches it, my friends, that they were opposed over all the ages. I think it has come to Him? Why was it that His cause down from the border times of prehis- was so much misrepresented; that he toric history. I think it is found right was charged with keeping company with through human nature, crude and culti- publicans and sinners, and considered vated, civilized and uncivilized. worthy of death? Simply because he introduced an organized system of prin- The doctrine which the Savior taught ciples, of ordinances and divine insti- touched this feeling of selfishness. It tutions that were antagonistic, not in touched the personal vanity of many. their essential nature to the welfare of The supporters of the systems that I mankind, but antagonistic to the ex- have alluded to—I have no time to isting dogmas, theologies and schools name them; there may be many of of philosophy that were then in exis- you who are historically well informed tence. They were, moreover, systems and know all about them; you know of theology, and schools of philosophy there were a number of philosophi- and organized methods of procedure— cal schools in existence in Athens and in matters theological as well as mat- elsewhere at that time; you are acters doctrinal and political—that were quainted, no doubt, with the dogmas becoming exhausted. They had reached of the period. Suffice it to say that the period of their decrepitude. They the most violent and determined opposi- 292 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. tion that Jesus of Nazareth met with in our Christian friends when we ask them, His day and generation was from the Why did Jesus and His Apostles receive very class of men that the Christian persecution at the hands of the Jews and world today have supposed and thought of the Romans in their day, both as re- He ought to have derived the greatest ligious and political communities? Why possible support. Our Christian preach- did they do it? The answer would be ers and ministers tell their congrega- freely given. Because they loved dark- tions that the learned doctors of the law ness rather than light; because they who had little else to do but study the would not purify their lives by the re- technicalities of the laws, to familiarize generating principles of Christianity; be- themselves with the genius of their con- cause they would not deny themselves of struction, with the wisdom that promul- those forbidden fruits and of those un- gated them, with the necessities under- restrained passions which ran riot, and lying the need for their legislation; these which the adherents of the Christian ministers tell us that they of all other religion pronounce against; because Je- men ought to have discovered the signs sus upbraided them for sin and iniquity. of the times, ought to have been able to It was because he told them the truth read them, and in reading them to have against themselves that they were op- discovered that the set time had come for posed to Him. What were the princi- God to bring forth His Son Jesus Christ, ples He taught? "Oh," says our Christian and to usher in a reign of peace. But it friend, "they are to be found in the writ- was from this class of people that Jesus ings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, met with the most violent and persistent and in the epistles of the Apostles." You persecution. will find there the teachings that Jesus And how is it today, my friends? How and His Apostles taught, and there, too, is it today with the Latter-day Saints? are found the reasons for all the opposi- I want to propound a few questions to tion and persecution which they endured my friends, as well as to those who have even unto death, even to the ignominious no desire to be considered our friends. death of crucifixion. I have one word to say to them. I Well, suppose we were to ask the would say, as my brother before me has question now, what is the reason that said, would to God that they could be in- the Latter-day Saints are everywhere spired by the same divine intelligence, spoken against? What is the answer? by the same supreme wisdom and en- Well, we would be answered variously, lightened by the same heavenly under- but all in harmony with one certain standing that chased away the dark- note of disapproval. The answer would ness of ages, cleared up the obscurity in be: "You are unlike us. You choose to which the human mind was enveloped profess a religion and a polity differ- in the days of Jesus; would to God ent to us. The constitution of your so- they were sincere and devout and hon- cial structure is at variance with our est, consistent believers in the Bible, ideas of morality. We are enthusias- the word of God. Then we would not tically, frantically, and mercilessly in- have so much trouble in reasoning with censed against your social system. We our friends. We have no trouble today cannot endure it. You must believe as in obtaining an intelligent reply from we do. You must think as we do, and DEVOTION TO GOD. 293 if you don't choose to think and believe remove from your religion every objec- as we do, you must act as we do, or you tionable feature that it now presents to cannot be in fellowship with us." Now, the Christian world we would hail you my friends, this is the spirit of the age as brethren, as fellow Christians." What in which we live, and I am respectfully did the Jewish people do? What did at the whole world's defiance to present the Roman people do? They told Jesus to me or any other intelligent Latter-day of Nazareth in effect that if he would Saint a solid, logical or truthful argu- strike out of the constitution of the new ment of a contradictory nature. There faith every principle and doctrine that never has been and there never will be was uncongenial, if not with the prophe- an opponent whose acumen is equal to cies which they professed to believe in, the task of formulating reasons rational at all events, with their construction of and sufficiently cogent to overthrow the them; if they would only put these away, doctrines of the religion of the Latter-day then they could live with them. What Saints. would our divines today think of Jesus Now, then, if the people in the and His Apostles if they had permitted days of Jesus and His Apostles were to be handed down to history that in con- as consistent—or, pardon me, rather sequence of the opposition which the rev- inconsistent—as the people of our day elations of God had evoked in the human are, they would persist in maintaining mind, and had caused the public pulse that these doctrines should not be taught to beat high, to arise to feverish tem- in Judea, nor in the regions round about, perature, until they came to this conclu- nor in Pamphilia, nor in Rome, nor in sion: if we let these men alone they will Galatia, nor anywhere. You must re- take away our name and nation; we can- nounce these doctrines they said. But not stand it; crucify him! crucify him! they did not renounce, and they put release unto us the thieves—Barabbas, them to death. Ah! That is the secret. anybody except Jesus of Nazareth; Cru- Do you, then, Christians—the professed cify him! crucify him!—His blood be promulgators of Bible Christianity—do upon us and upon our children forever; you choose to repeat the deeds of your this was the cry of the populace; and forefathers? Do you choose to imitate had He made this affirmation, that in the examples of the persecutors of the consequence of the determined opposi- humble and despised Nazarene by per- tion, of the broad and deep-seated en- secuting, imprisoning and putting to mity that was engendered in the hearts death men and women who profess pre- of the people against the revealed will cisely the same theology, who worship of God, it was best to cease to pro- the same God, who bow at the same claim His glorious principles, it was best sacred altar as Jesus and His Apostles to stop the administration of His ordi- did, who advocate the same doctrines, nances, it was best to surrender their who administer in the same ordinances, allegiance to Almighty God, and bow in and who in every doctrinal particular crouching servility to their fellow men, are following their divine Master and fel- in deference to them and rebellion to the low laborers, the Apostles of old? "Ah!" God of heaven. What would our Chris- says one, "it is not that exactly. If tian ministers think of such a body of you would only promise that you would 294 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. men as that of Jesus and His Apos- man in this city was known to say—and tles assuming a position of that kind he said it in language more forcible than before them? How well they have eloquent, and you will excuse me for not declaimed in favor of the martyrs of repeating it, because it might be con- Christianity. With what burning elo- sidered sacrilege in a sacred desk to do quence they have extolled the heroism, so—he was known to say: "If I knew the stoutheartedness of the men and what you say to be true, I would go to women who were willing to go as lambs prison—I would not deny it for anybody." to the slaughter, like their divine Mas- Well, what would you think of a man who ter, rather than prove recreant to the would deny that which he knew to be sacred obligations they had assumed. true, or say no when the truth required What would they say of such a Chris- him to say yes? Could you trust him as tianity? They would say, Fie! upon a Free Mason or an Odd Fellow, or in such miserable stuff; fie! upon such any other capacity where true hearted- men and women who should attempt to ness and genuine human worth is to be lay hold of such glorious and benignant appreciated and sought? Certainly not. principles as those of Christianity. They Well, now, my friends, we have made would say, the touch of such men and some very plain remarks this afternoon. women upon such principles was a con- Permit me in conclusion to say that I am taminating touch; it would have been very sorry that we are forced into this an upas breath that they would have uninviting situation; but being forced breathed when vindicating Christianity; into it, pushed into it, if you please, while they themselves were so inade- driven into it, legislated into it, what quate to the responsibilities—being de- can we do? What would you advise us void of the inspiration pertaining to the to do? Your advice would be this pos- truth—and so indisposed to live a life of sibly: "We believe that you people only purity which those principles required at say that you know this work in which their hands. you are engaged is of God. We do not If you would so judge of the former- believe you do know. We think you are day Saints, how would you judge of the like the rest of the Christian world, and Latter-day Saints? What would you that your knowledge is no more divine, think of us if we were to tell you that or that you have any closer communion we would cease to believe in the reli- with God than the rest of the sects of the gion of Jesus Christ? It is true you do Christian world, and they don't profess not know what it means, and hence we to know, only to believe. Therefore you pity you. It is true that we know we are very presumptuous to say you know are of God: we know that these princi- these things. You ought to know bet- ples and revelations are divine; we know ter. You had therefore better place your- that they have emanated from Him who selves in accord with us, come a little cannot lie; we know these things, and nearer to us, and just say you don't be- if you knew them would you ask us lieve certain principles in your religion, to deny our faith, to prove recreant to and we will tolerate the other portion." our trust, to become unworthy the confidence of our families and of honest men My friends, if we were placed in around us on every hand. A gentle- this position of our own doing, we DEVOTION TO GOD. 295 would gladly come to terms, we would yond their power—they can do nothing gladly settle this question before the set- more. As Jesus said, "Fear not them ting of another day's sun. But when we which kill the body, but are not able to know that God has spoken from heaven; kill the soul: but rather fear him which when we know as well as we know that is able to destroy both soul and body we live that the revelations which we in hell." Now, if we are philosophers, if have received—against which the world we are men of wisdom, if we are stu- are now fighting—are of God, born of dents of the principles of intelligence and heaven, of heavenly descent, we can but of truth, why certainly we will make a say in conclusion that we will do all we wise selection, we will elect to serve Him can, we will keep every law that it is who created us, and we trust that God possible for us to keep, we will honor our heavenly Father when He has so far our government to the best of our abil- matured His purposes, which are essen- ity; but if we are asked to choose this day tial to the consummation of the end for whom we will serve, God or Belial, what which He has permitted this crusade to do you take us for? Hypocrites, knaves, be waged against us, will be pleased to fools, asinine actors in the drama of life, soften the hearts of those around us as or what? No, my friends, I will say as He did in former dispensations, and as one of old said: "Though he slay me, yet He has done with our own nation in our will I trust in him." We know the prin- own day—that He will mold and temper ciples are right; we know they are eter- the dispositions of men, and that He will nal, no matter what may be the conse- make the wrath of man to praise Him, quences. Suppose some of us are put and the residue He will restrain. May to death, what of that? By putting God grant this is my prayer in the name us to death they simply place us be- of Jesus. Amen. 296 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS—RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES—THE LORD HASTENING HIS WORK IN ITS TIME—ENMITY BETWEEN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AND THE WORLD—THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF PEOPLE FROM EVERY NATION AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO ONE SPIRIT—THE LAW OF TITHING—BLESSINGS WHICH FOLLOW OBEDIENCE THERETO—BINDING UPON ALL, RICH AND POOR ALIKE—GIVING TO THE POOR—POWER OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL AND EFFECTS OF THEIR OBSERVANCE—JEHOVAH—JESUS CHRIST—HIS MINISTRY—HIS FOLLOWERS—THEIR MISSION—PREACHING TO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON—BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD—SAVIORS UPON MOUNT ZION—RESPONSIBILITY RESTING UPON THE SAINTS—A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE MISSIONARIES.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDINTHE NEW STAKE TABERNACLE,PROVO,SUNDAY AFTERNOON,AUG. 30, 1885.

Occasions of this kind have a very Professor Maeser, with several others, precious significance to those who are in- in the City of Dresden, the capital of terested in the great work of the last Saxony, strolled away one night, and dispensation. They awaken the better finding ourselves beyond the surveil- feelings of our natures to commune to- lance of the police, a mile or more, gether as the people of God, to contem- down to the banks of the river Elbe, plate His providences towards His peo- we there had the pleasure of seeing ple, the experiences through which they him enter into the covenant of the ev- have passed, and are passing. It is very erlasting Gospel with us. This and pleasant to the Elders who are called to like circumstances cause me to thank speak to the people in going from place the Lord for His grace that has pre- to place, to meet those with whom they served, helped and sustained us, and associated in earlier times and in far kept us in the truth until this present distant countries. In this respect my time, while many who have been bap- journey was made pleasant this morn- tized into the Church have fallen out by ing upon finding myself in the carriage the way. When we contemplate the para- with brethren whom I labored with al- ble of the Savior in reference to the ten most thirty-five years ago in the British virgins—five of whom were wise and five Isles. foolish—behold, we are seeing in part Thirty years ago, in about one the fulfillment of that parable. When month, our brother and friend, we consider how many have turned WHY THE SAINTS GATHER. 297 away at one time and another because from the 18th of February till the 19th the way was too straight or the road of October, coming from Liverpool to this was too rough for them, we have reason Territory. Now the Saints start from the to be very thankful that the love of the old country and come here by steam in truth has continued and increased in our about three weeks, a journey that for- hearts. It is fitting that we should la- merly took nine months to perform. This bor with diligence and faithfulness and is one of the ways in which the Lord is with our mights to bring to pass the shortening His work—cutting it short in purposes of God, inasmuch as they are righteousness—and furthermore He has rolling upon us rapidly, and seeing that said He will hasten it in its time. He has promised that He will cut His work short in righteousness. Now, there must necessarily be, as Since the Father came forth from the there always has been, the same enmity heavens with His Son and spoke to the between the Church of Christ and the Prophet Joseph—then a boy only about world that ever has existed. And what fourteen years old, and told him that all is the great reason why there must be the people of the earth had gone astray such opposition? I can tell you one rea- from His ordinances and had broken the son. It is because that we, by the bless- everlasting covenant—I say since that ing, power and requirement of God, have time what wonderful progress has been been enabled to go forth and preach the made in developing the arts and sci- Gospel, gather the believers together, or- ences. Those were the days of the stage ganize churches, build cities and tem- coach instead of the railroad. Then ples, and establish a church and king- postal facilities were very slow. It re- dom unto God, and that the world cannot quired mouths for communications to go do. That is one reason why they feel en- from this country to Europe and back mity toward us. This is a great testimony again. Now it is done in an instant, to the whole world—the work of gather- steam and electricity enable people to ing the people of every language under transact business in one day or an hour, the sun, from the frigid, the temperate perhaps, that used to take months to ac- and the torrid zones. From Iceland on complish. The Lord is in this way ful- the North, as well as from New Zealand filling His promise that He would hasten and the Cape of Good Hope on the South, His work in its time. He has increased and all countries intermediate, where facilities during our day and generation the Gospel has been preached. for the accomplishing of work and bringing about His purposes which it would It is a subject that is an enigma for take many times as long to accomplish the greatest statesman of the earth; this under the old regime—the slow-coach or- gathering together of people of differ- der of things. ent languages, different education and Thirty-eight years ago, when we habits, and harmonizing them all. The came across the plains, it took us great secret is that they are first bap- all summer to get from the Missouri tized into the same spirit, one bap- River to Salt Lake. We had to walk tism, one faith, and one Lord. They and toil by the road; our teams gave come here and being taught correct prin- out and died by the way. A com- ciples they govern themselves. That pany of us in the year 1848 were is just what we want; and is what 298 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. every family needs, that those who be- He promised they should live and have come rulers in Israel, or heads of fami- an everlasting inheritance if they would lies, shall be men of God, filled with the keep His law, He gave it them with this knowledge, the revelations and power of reserve, that a tenth of the people's pos- God. sessions should be paid to Him: I am thankful that I live with you "And all the tithe of the land, whether to see the great and mighty operations of the seed of the land, the fruit of the of Jehovah's purposes going on in the tree, the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, earth. I feel thankful that I am per- is the Lord's: and shall be holy unto the mitted to perform any humble part in Lord." (Lev. xxvii, 30-32.) this marvelous work. The Saints, even If they did not do this they would be those in the humblest station, should robbing the Lord. The fact was, all they feel thankful that they can contribute possessed was the Lord's, and when they one way or another by their efforts or appropriated all to their own use, pay- their means to help advance any of the ing nothing into the Lord's storehouse, interests of the Church or Kingdom of they did that for which He afterwards, by God. the Prophet Malachi, charged them with Former speakers have referred to the robbing Him, "even their whole nation." principle of tithing. This is one of the (Malachi iii, 9.) very important features of the faith of the everlasting Gospel. It always was The Lord has said unto us, very em- when there was a people of God on the phatically, if we do not sanctify this land earth. Go back to our Father Abraham— and make it holy unto Him by keeping whom all professed Christians would this and all other of His commandments like to claim heirship with—and we find that it shall not be a land of Zion unto that he was very tenacious in paying his us. Let us hearken to it, take it to heart, tithing, his whole tithing. When he went think of it, study it prayerfully, and learn to war against the thirteen kings, with what it means. his company of three hundred and eigh- Says one, "Here is a poor widow that teen trained servants, followed them all does not owe any tithing; there is a poor night, overtook them, and became their brother who is lame and cannot work victors, he brought home the spoils, and who does not owe any tithing." Don't when he reached Jerusalem he found they? Let us see. The paying of tithing, there Melchizedek, the ruler of the coun- like every other ordinance, has its pecu- try, the minister of the Lord, the king of liar blessings, and what are they? In the peace; one of the first things he did was receipt which the Prophet Joseph Smith to pay his tithing of the booty, and he re- gave to me in Nauvoo, signed by him- ceived a blessing at Melchizedek's hands. self and the tithing clerk, he stated that So it was with Isaac and Jacob. We are having paid my tithing in full to date, I informed in the Scriptures that Jacob was entitled to the benefits of the bap- covenanted with the Lord, saying: "Of tismal font, which had just been dedi- all thou shalt give me I will surely give cated in the basement of that Temple. the tenth unto thee," which he did. And Do not this poor widow and that lame, when in after years the Lord brought Is- unfortunate brother need the benefits rael back from Egypt to Canaan, where of the baptismal font for their deceased WHY THE SAINTS GATHER. 299 kindred just as much as the rich, the to the law of my gospel, unto the sound and the fortunate? I think they poor and the needy, he shall, with the do. How then can they obtain a right and wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in title to their blessings? The Lord has in- torment."—(Doc. & Cov., Section 104, stituted a means by which they may re- par 18.) ceive their blessings by the payment of He directs all these things. If we their tithing. The first Thursday of ev- learn His way and walk in it, we shall be ery month is a Fast day, for the Saints abundantly blessed, and those who are to gather together in prayer and fast- too poor to walk in the right way of the ing, and to bring their offerings for the Lord, will become so poor that they will poor, that the afflicted and unfortunate perish from the land by and by. may not lack for food or clothing, and What has brought you here from dis- the comforts of life. Now, if a poor man tant lands? It is the potency of those received one hundred pounds of flour or principles you have embraced. What has any other gift, it is his privilege to pay inspired you to labor and make this part one-tenth of it as tithing, and have it of the wilderness so beautiful? I recol- credited to him on the book as a tithing lect, when I first came to Provo on the payer, and in this way he pays just as 4th July, 1849, we had a sort of cele- much as the man who pays one hundred bration; some of the authorities of the dollars. The same with the poor sister Church were here, and arrangements who receives her aid from the Relief So- were then made and directions given for ciety. She can pay her tithing in the the location of this city. Since then, see same way—have her name recorded on what has been accomplished! See this the books, and thus acquire the right to meetinghouse, court house, bank build- be baptized for her dead kindred. These ing, your woolen factory—the greatest rights and privileges are not confined to one of the Territory, and one that would the rich. They are for people of all con- be a credit to any part of the continent— ditions in life, provided they comply with what has done all this? It is the potency the requirements of the Lord. The Savior of those principles God has revealed to said that the widow, with her two mites, you. It is this that induced you to leave paid in more than the rich out of their your native lands and come to this coun- abundance. Some have been inclined to try, strangers in a strange land, as Abra- practice this principle on a kind of slid- ham was when he left his home and ing scale. If they donate an amount to went down to Canaan. These principles the building of a Tabernacle or a Temple, are known by you, my brethren and sis- they must take that out of their tithing. ters. They, however, are principles the This is not the correct way. world do not know anything about, especially this principle of tithing. They God has given us commandments have their own way of making contribu- concerning the law of tithing. He has tions, etc., but they do not understand also given us instructions in regard to tithing as a law of God. We, who do our offerings for the poor, as follows: comprehend these things, must follow "Therefore, if any man shall take out heaven's requirements, that the fa- of the abundance which I have made, vor and strength of the heavens may be and impart not his portion, according with us. 300 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

While we have been in this land what ment of this heaven and this earth. else have we been doing? We have been But up to the time that He came and sending away missionaries by scores and dwelt in the flesh and was born of Mary, hundreds, year by year, to inform and His Mother, He dwelt in the spirit life. if possible to convince the people of the He was the spirit Being that directed, truth of the Gospel. They will not, how- governed, and gave the law on Mount ever, receive it. It seems as though Sinai, where Moses was permitted to see mankind now, as in the days of Jesus, Him in part. He is the Being that ap- have ears to hear, but they will not hear; peared unto the brother of Jared, when eyes to see, but they will not see; hearts he brought the stones that were to be to understand, but they will not under- put into the barges, and asked the Lord stand. When we tell them that certain to touch them with His finger that they principles and views we hold are our re- might receive and emit light. When the ligious convictions, or our conscientious Lord drew near and touched the stones understanding of the word of the Lord, with His finger, the brother of Jared's we are told at once that there is no re- eyes were opened, and he saw the finger ligion about it, as if others had a better of the Lord. He was afraid and fell down right to know what our religious convic- before the Lord. The Lord asked him, tions should be than ourselves. "Why hast thou fallen? Arise!" And he We have a great and marvelous work said that he was afraid, for he beheld the laid upon us, and its more marvelous fea- finger of the Lord, and he did not know tures are still to be developed and made that the Lord had flesh and blood. Jeho- manifest. We yet see but a small part vah then showed him His whole person, of it. The Lord has shown us all we can saying, "This is the body of my spirit"— bear; all we can, in our present state of He that should come in the meridian of development, comprehend and apply. time and take upon Himself a body of The Savior said, when He was upon flesh and blood. When that time arrived, the earth, "I am the way, the truth, and he attained the age of thirty years, and the life." Now, if we can find out He began to officiate in the ministry, af- sufficiently about our Savior, His views ter He had been baptized by John the and doings, we shall be able to under- Baptist. stand generally the principles of the glo- Without stopping to detail as much rious Gospel, which has been revealed as I would like, I want to call attention and something of its outcome. We learn to two or three leading features of His that our Savior was born of a woman, work. The Savior commenced to labor and He was named Jesus the Christ. in the ministry, and found men here and His name when He was a spiritual be- there of the right spirit, whom He coming, during the first half of the exis- manded to follow Him. To one of these tence of the earth, before He was made he said, "Before Philip called thee, I saw flesh and blood, was Jehovah. He was thee." So He continued to find and se- in the beginning of the creation, and lect choice spirits whom He knew before He had to do and has had to do con- the foundation of the world. He ordained tinually with the creation and govern- twelve of them to be His ministers, WHY THE SAINTS GATHER. 301 and then He sent them abroad. But did great multitude that were destroyed He send them all over the world? No. He through disobedience before the flood first told them to go only unto the lost and by the flood. He unlocked the sheep of the house of Israel, and they prison doors to those that were bound. went. They worked with great success, While upon the earth the Savior and His healing the sick, casting out devils, etc. brethren of the Twelve labored to im- They neither lacked food nor raiment; part the Gospel to those that were liv- freely they received, freely they gave. ing. The Savior set the Priesthood in or- Thus they reported their mission. The der and offered the Gospel to the people, Savior not only sent the Twelve Apos- but they would not receive it. Still this tles, but other seventy also, missionary was the great work that had to be per- men, sending them forth to teach Israel formed. The Gospel had to be preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. to mortals first, and next to those in the During His mission and long before He spirit world. was crucified He taught them that He What are our condition and labor would be crucified, and on the third day now? In this last dispensation the he arose from the dead, but they did not Prophet Joseph Smith, in the year 1820, seem to understand it. first received revelations from the heavens, and it was only until 1844 that he After His resurrection He said to was permitted to live. By 1830, the Book them, hitherto you have asked nothing of Mormon was brought forth from the of the Father in my name, but now, said mountain Cumorah, was translated and He, whatsoever you shall ask the Fa- printed, and fourteen years from that ther in my name it shall be granted unto time the Prophet Joseph was taken from you. Now is all power given into my us. hands both in heaven and on earth. Af- When he went away he went with ter His resurrection He called His Apos- the keys of this last dispensation to tles together and commissioned them, the prison house of the dead, who had saying, "Go ye into all the world, and died in times that were past; and he, preach the gospel to every creature. He his brother Hyrum, the brethren of that believeth and is baptized shall be the Twelve Apostles—for there are now saved; but he that believeth not shall nearly a quorum of the Twelve Apos- be damned." That was another feature of tles with them—constitute a great and the work wherein He sends the Gospel— mighty church in the spirit world, labor- now that Israel had proved themselves ing and preaching the Gospel to the spir- unworthy of it—to all the world. We its of our fathers who are in prison. They see, then, that the great work of the are called upon to do the work Brother brethren was to carry the Gospel to the Smith has been speaking about this af- whole human family first. But the Sav- ternoon. The prophet Elijah came and ior told them that if He went away, delivered his message on the 3rd April, they should do greater works than He 1836, in the Temple in Kirtland, and he had done, because He went to the Fa- has been at work, ever since then, turn- ther. What did He do? After He ing the hearts of the children to the fa- was crucified He went and preached thers and the hearts of the fathers to the to the spirits in prison, even to that children. 302 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Referring to this work the Apostle every iota. Paul makes this declaration: "For to this In conclusion I would say a word of end Christ both died, and rose, and re- encouragement to the brethren who are vived again, that he might be Lord both engaged in the ministry. In the early of the dead and living." times of the Church in foreign lands the So it is with the Prophet Joseph work of the Lord spread rapidly when Smith. He has gone before with the keys the Elders labored with unity of purpose of this dispensation, after having lived and faith, and a great many were added and conferred them upon the authorities to the Church. Many were brought to of the Church, even all that was neces- this land. Now we have come to a time sary until he shall come again to build when but few come into the Church. up this kingdom preparatory to the com- Some of the doctrines that have been re- ing of the Lord Jesus Christ. He with vealed are a stumbling block to the peo- others are helping to carry out the great ple. It was so in the days of Jesus and work of the redemption of the dead. And His Apostles. He taught the doctrine of this part of the work we are called upon the cross and of the resurrection, which to perform in the temples. To be bap- was a great stumbling block to them— tized for them, to be confirmed for them, a rock of offense, as is the doctrine of and to perform all those holy ordinances eternal and plural marriage. Through for your righteous dead, for your worthy the opposition that the Elders have to ancestry, which you have done or shall meet, owing to that doctrine, they some- do for yourselves, makes you to become times feel that their labors are very tri- saviors upon Mount Zion. The responsi- fling when they baptize but few. I want bility resting upon the Saints in regard to say to the brethren, that you do a to these matters is very great. I heard great deal of good, be not discouraged, the Prophet Joseph say, in a sermon he nor of a doubtful heart. You do a vast preached before he was killed, that no deal of good you cannot see. Your testi- greater responsibility rested upon the monies to the world are a savor of life Saints than the work of attending to unto life or of death unto death—life ordinances for their dead. This then, unto life to those who receive and ren- ought to be taken into serious considera- der obedience to the Gospel; death unto tion. Brethren who cannot go abroad and death to those who reject it. The world preach the Gospel, may labor in the tem- is filled with lies concerning God's peoples, and thus bring to pass the purposes ple and the truths they teach. The influ- of God. ences of the press and pulpit seem con- When we contemplate this great centrated for the publication of lies in work, shall we wince at persecution? reference to the Latter-day Saints. The Though we are persecuted, though our world seems inclined to believe lies and enemies are hunting and harassing and be damned rather than receive the truth. breaking up our families, shall we be A painful thought. Still, there is this frightened and be any less wise and dis- good you may do: you should be assid- creet, or adopt unworthy measures to uous in your labors to correct the errors keep out of prison? Certainly not. Let and lies that are circulating among the us be true to the truth. Let us be true people; you may soften the people's sus- to what God has committed to us, in ceptibilities and prejudices; and perhaps NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 303 you may be the means of preventing they will have the privilege and be will- a great many men and women, who ing to receive the Gospel in the spirit might otherwise be guilty of the shed- world. You know not, therefore, the good ding of innocent blood, from entering that you may do in this respect. into anything of that kind, or consent- ing to it in their hearts, and though I pray God to bless every interest of they may not be willing and ready to re- this Stake of Zion, temporal and spiri- ceive the Gospel in this life, yet, by not tual, present and future, in the name of imbruing their hands in blood, maybe the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE SPEAKER'S DEPENDENCE UPON THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY GHOST—COMPREHENSIVE AND EXALTED NATURE OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION—SATAN'S COERCIVE SCHEME—THE SONS OF PERDITION—THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS—PHYSICAL AND MORAL COURAGE—TRUE RELIGION IS PRACTICAL—ONE STRAIGHT AND NARROW WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE—TRUE RELIGION COMPARED TO GENUINE COIN—TRUE FAITH IS INSEPARABLY CONNECTED WITH WORKS—BAPTISM OF WATER AND OF FIRE—APOSTLES, PROPHETS, ETC., PLACED IN THE CHURCH—GOD'S IMPARTIALITY TO HIS CHILDREN—TESTIMONY OBTAINED BY OBEDIENCE—ALL WILL BE SAVED EXCEPT THE SONS OF PERDITION—GOD HAS PREPARED A PLACE FOR ALL—PARADISE—SALVATION BEYOND THE GRAVE—THE SAINTS WILL HAVE TO ENDURE PERSECUTION—PATRIARCHAL MARRIAGE—CONCLUSION.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,LOGAN, SUNDAY,AUG. 28, 1885.

REPORTEDBY F. E. BARKER.

In seeking to address the audi- the guidance and inspiration of the ence this afternoon I feel a degree Holy Ghost to direct me what to say, of weakness and of dependence upon I desire an interest in your faith the Holy Spirit, known to the El- and prayers. Nothing to my mind ders of Israel; and that I may secure can be greater sacrilege in the sight 304 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. of the Almighty than to undertake to earthly parents. Their child may stum- speak in His name without the inspira- ble and fall, his feet may traverse bye tion of His spirit. We may talk upon the and forbidden paths, he may do ten thou- branches of human learning and knowl- sand wrong things, but in the midst of edge, speaking after the manner of men all, the love of father and mother reaches with but little of this feeling of timid- out and yearns for the reclamation and ity, but not when we undertake to speak redemption of the wayward one. This of the principles of life and salvation, of love, implanted in the human heart, is of the plan of human redemption as it has divine origin. It is the mainspring that always existed—as it existed before the prompts saving efforts. The plan of sal- foundations of the world were laid, as it vation being permeated with it, strikes will continue to exist until every child unerringly at human selfishness, and of God except the sons of perdition shall bidding us do unto others as we would be brought back and exalted in a degree have others do unto us, cannot possibly of glory far beyond the comprehension of be narrow. the finite mind. It has sometimes been Whatever may have been the efforts said that Mormonism, so called, is nar- of Satan and the hosts that follow, what- row, proscriptive and selfish; yet those ever they may do in the future to destroy, who comprehend it, even in part, have a merciful and loving heavenly Father's never made such an assertion. plan is broad enough to save and will God so loved the human family that save, in some degree of glory, every hu- He gave His only Begotten Son to die man being that has or ever will breathe for the sins of the world, and in all the the breath of mortal life except the sons dealings of God with the human fam- of perdition who, sinning against light, ily, the careful student will find that put Jesus to an open shame by deny- the deepest, the strongest, the chord ing the efficacy of His atoning blood af- that gives forth the sweetest music, is ter knowing of its power. Thank God that which vibrates under the touch of these will be few in number. What- this infinite, almost incomprehensible, ever may be the views of uninspired love of the Almighty. The chief cor- sectarians as to the utter condemna- ner stone, the foundation of our faith is tion of the heathen, and of the unsprin- built upon the doctrine of vicarious sal- kled infant who dies before the dawn- vation, founded in the deepest philoso- ing of reason upon its intellect, none phy of love. The doing by others the but those mentioned will be consigned things that we are not able to do for our- to eternal condemnation and to the mis- selves, is a divine principle the practice ery and torments of what is called hell. of which saps the very foundations of hu- Men will be judged by the deeds done in man selfishness, and it exalts, glorifies, the body. If, therefore, a man, in full and so far as understood and practiced, possession of intellectual faculties sins brings those who obey it into a nearness against light as the son of the morning, with God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ Satan, sinned against light, no power is in no sense narrow. It is broader on earth or in heaven can save him. than eternity, deeper than earth, higher For he has deliberately, while freely ex- than the heavens. Note the affection of ercising his own agency, elected to be NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 305 damned. To such the sealing powers, of God, joint heirs with Christ; and, hav- the keys of which were restored to the ing abiding in them eternal lives shall Prophet Joseph by Elijah, are of no more beget, throughout the endless ages of avail than were they when Satan, fol- eternity, the souls of the children of men lowed by a third part of the hosts of to the honor and glory of God, and create heaven, sought to enforce against the and have dominion over worlds. decree of God and His Son Jesus, his Such is the high destiny of obedient coercive scheme of human redemption, man. But Satan was an accuser of his which scheme in its very nature was cal- brethren from the beginning, hence the culated utterly to destroy the agency of rejoicing of angels when he and his kind man, thus denying him the means of were cast down to earth bodiless, estate- growth and final intelligent exaltation. less and powerless, except for evil. Wan- Satan knew of the existence of God and dering spirits in the realms of darkness, of His Christ, His firstborn, and he knew seeking everywhere and under all cir- of their power, honor, glory and domin- cumstances to enter, defile and destroy ion. But being envious and full of ambi- the souls and bodies of men. Where God tious pride was anxious to supplant all is he can never abide, nor can those hav- for his own advancement. He fell, and ing received the testimony of Jesus who was cast down as those will be who fol- deny it. Such can never, if they reject the low him and do the works of their mas- truth, sin against the light and put Je- ter, sinning against knowledge and the sus again to an open shame, abide the light of heaven. presence of God. When through the aton- The coercive, agency destroying plan ing blood of Christ their spirits and bod- of Satan, having been rejected by the ies are brought together in the resurrec- councils of heaven, a better, more no- tion of the wicked and are judged accord- ble plan, one founded in unselfish love ing to the deeds done in the body, the that distills the mercies of God in the second death will pass upon them. The human heart, as the dews of heaven first death resulted in a temporary sep- moisten and gladden the parched earth, aration of body and spirit, but the sec- was adopted. This plan, while holding ond will result in eternal separation. As the keys of the Godhead in the author- the rebellious in heaven lost their first, ity of His priesthood, is yet simple and so these will lose their second estate and easily understood—so plain is it that a become like the first. wayfaring man need not err. There is How many people in this world to- a spirit in man and the inspiration of day are capable of becoming the sons the Almighty giveth it understanding; of perdition? And those are the the sinful who listen and obey are led only ones of the human family who to repentance, and, through the doors will not be saved in some degree of of baptism of the water and spirit are glory. Are there two hundred thou- brought out of wickedness to the enlight- sand mature, intelligent human beings enment of pure knowledge, until in obe- throughout the Christian world today dience to heavenly law they secure the who have knowledge enough to en- keys of power authorizing them to pass able them to become the sons of perdi- by the angels, inherit glory, become heirs tion? How many in the Christian world 306 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. have that testimony of Jesus which scornful egotist, whose sneer to many the Apostle declared was the spirit of is like the poison of asps. But he who prophecy? Such a testimony is stronger has the testimony of Jesus springing up than can be the testimony of the exis- in his heart like a well of living water tence of any earthly thing as evidenced hath that higher courage which tends by the five senses. As the heavens are upwards, step by step, to a compre- higher than the earth, so is the testi- hension of the inspiration that enabled mony of Jesus above earthly information the Savior while suffering the agonies for it penetrates every fiber of the human of death to utter the heaven-born sen- organism. A slight degree of inspiration, timent of divine love expressed in the without such a testimony enabled the words, "O, God, forgive them; for they Waldenses about whom Brother Leish- know not what they do." man has been speaking, to endure, while No man without the Holy Ghost can singing songs of joy and rejoicing, the testify that Jesus is the Christ; neither horrors of fagot, wheel and rack. A could any men under similar circum- comprehension of the testimony that re- stances utter from the heart such senti- wards, in time and eternity, enabled the ments of forgiveness without the direct Apostle Peter to meet undismayed the inspiration of the Almighty. Christians death of crucifixion. It caused the dis- may assimilate, preach about, and praise ciples of Jesus to take gladly the spoil- a love that passeth the comprehension of ing of their goods and bear patiently the the finite mind, but no mortal can love contumely heaped upon them. How few his enemies and pray for the forgiveness can comprehend it! Physical courage is of those who despitefully use and would common enough even in this degener- kill him, without the testimony of Jesus, ate age. Exhibitions of brute force can and the knowledge accompanying it. be witnessed on every hand. The crawl- God will forgive whom He will for- ing worm as it drags its slimy term, will give, but for us it is required that we turn and fight for existence, and the low- forgive all men. Whether they ask forest of God's creatures struggle for life. giveness or not? Yes, whether they ask A sensitive, refined human being, made it or not! This doctrine is founded in in the image of God, may face physical the deepest philosophy and leads up to danger in every form, meeting without final victory for all who through obedi- fear the wild savage, while the dark mes- ence to the commandments, have gained sengers of death whistle by his heedless for the spirit ascendancy over the pas- ears. Without a tremor, he may listen to sions of the body and are thus enabled to the whir of grape and canister, and the love even their enemies. Scribes, Phar- shriek of shell, as they scatter desolation isees and hypocrites love each other. The and ruin all around; but a sneer of con- distinguishing characteristic of a Saint is tempt from the lips of the scornful, or en- that he can do more. And his ability to vious hate expressed in fierce sarcasm, do more comes of the knowledge that the may dull the very marrow of his bones, love of God abides not in the heart that causing him to quake like an aspen leaf. harbors hatred of a single human be- Thus the physically brave may quail, ing. He who preaches and practices the falter and fall under the attack of the doctrine of hate knows not God. As we NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 307 judge of the quality of a tree by the fruit practice of which the grinding monopo- it bears, so also may we judge of the qual- lies, cruel wrongs and awful sacrifices ity of a religion by the fruit it bears and known throughout the Christian world not by the professions of its adherents. would melt away as snow before the rays I say to the Latter-day Saints, if the of the sun. Millions may profess to fol- religion you have received fails to pre- low the meek and lowly Jesus, but if the vent you from bearing false witness, it misery and sorrow of Christians is the is either untrue and not the religion of fruit they produce, their religion is life- Christ, or it is not grounded in your less, untrue, or has failed to act upon hearts. True religion is bound to be prac- their hearts. Strait is the gate and nar- tical religion, teaching the merchant to row is the way, and few there be that find give sixteen ounces to the pound, thirty- it. Simple, unmistakable, yet how few, six inches to the yard, and in every way how few indeed, seem to understand that to be honest and truthful. It will teach unchangeable declaration of Christ. the laborer to do honest work and the employer to give honest and fair wages Ministers claiming to speak in His for the work. It will unveil hypocrisy name daily contradict and seek to nullify and place a premium on the execution its force. Some years since I remember of equity and justice; it will supplant to have read a sermon preached by the malice with charity, hatred with love, Brooklyn divine, the Rev. Henry Ward distrust with confidence. It will silence Beecher, in which his mighty intellect— the voice of envy and remove the foot he is conceded to be one of the fore- of oppression from the neck of the poor. most thinkers of the age—seemed to Its church steeples will cast no shad- grasp material with which to bridge the ows over the homeless, starving, shiver- gulf separating the various Christian ing child of God, left miserably to per- denominations, by comparing the king- ish under the very droppings of the sanc- dom of heaven to the City of Philadel- tuary. True religion will do these and phia, leading into which were many rail- ten thousand kindred deeds of charity, ways, over each of which many trains, whenever and wherever practiced. The with many cars containing many peo- fearful wrongs everywhere seen in the ple, passed daily. All starting from dif- Christian world were not foreordained, ferent points, traversing different roads, nor are they any part of heaven's econ- but all going to Philadelphia—that is, omy, but are the fruits of the acts of sin- heaven. How generous, how charitable, ful man, the results of God's laws bro- how humane! But however pleasing the ken and trodden under feet of men whose doctrine it lacks one important ingredi- wicked injustice blotch and mar the har- ent, it is not true. Beecher says there mony and peace of the universe. are many ways. Christ said, straight is True religion refreshes the heart as the gate, not gates, and narrow is the gentle rains the parched and thirst- way, not ways, etc. As they separate, ing soil. The law and prophets and disagree, let us leave Beecher and hang upon perfection—the doing follow Christ. One is an authority, the unto others as we would that oth- other is not. Jesus, the Mediator of the ers should do to us, under the Covenant, the Captain of our salvation, 308 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. through whose atoning blood our sins (on certain silver coins of more modern are washed away, and by whose merits issue "Liberty" is printed on the shield and our faithfulness we shall be brought upon which the Goddess sits). These, again into the presence of God the Fa- with date of issue and a small letter in- ther, has declared that a man cannot en- dicating the mint that coined the issue ter the Kingdom of God except he be born are the distinctive features of the coin of the water and of the Spirit; and yet alluded to. Now supposing any person, think of the audacity, the blasphemy of high or low, ignorant or wise, should of- those claiming to act in His name and fer you a coin in exchange for twenty dol- for Him, while denying His statements lars value lacking any of these distinc- and rendering His laws, in the estima- tive features, would not your suspicions tion of those whom they teach, nugatory. be aroused? If so, what would you think And yet these same people are quick to of a person offering you a coin as gen- brand as nullifiers all who seek to test in uine bearing none of the distinctive fea- a peaceful way the special, proscriptive tures named except the words, "In God laws of man. These things indicate that we trust?" And what would you think of which is genuine and detect that which anyone who would receive it, as an au- is spurious. Let us obey the laws of God, thorized coin? Do you think our Govern- the laws of no Christian nation should ment would acknowledge such as gen- conflict therewith. uine? What would be the penalty for is- As the value of a coin is largely de- suing and attempting to circulate such termined by its purchasing power, so the an authorized and genuine coin? Let the value of a religion may be partly de- thoughtful reflect upon these questions. termined by its cost and largely by the Now examine the genuine plan of hu- blessings it will bring. Becoming fa- man redemption impressed by the die of miliar with the coin issues of our coun- inspiration, issued by the Almighty and try the careful, prudent man is able in endorsed by His Son; Faith, a principle of many ways to detect counterfeits. Note power; Repentance, turning away from for instance the authorized issue of gold sin; Baptism, being buried in the water; twenties. Above the eagle, the na- and the Gift of the Holy Ghost conferred tion's emblematic coat of arms, and sur- under the hands of those having the au- rounded by stars and rays of light are thority of the Holy Priesthood to offici- the words, "In God we trust;" around ate in the ordinances of the Gospel, are the face margin "United States of Amer- distinctive features of that plan, obedi- ica" and "Twenty Dollars." On right and ence to which shows its value in signs left scroll connecting at top of shield we following, casting out devils, healing the find the words, "E pluribus Unum;" in sick, speaking in tongues, testimony of its left talon the eagle grasps a bun- Jesus, the spirit of prophecy, the seal- dle of three arrows. On the reverse ing powers, keys and tokens of endless side we find the impress of the head lives, thrones, dominions, all heights, all of the "Goddess of Liberty" surrounded depths, heir with God, joint heir with by thirteen stars representing the thir- Christ. teen original States. Across the dia- Think now of an offer as genuine dem on her head, is the word "Liberty," of a plan having none of these ex- NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 309 cept, "Believe in Christ, and you shall be decree. Again He said: "Verily, verily, I saved." Accept it, try it, and see if it will say unto you (speaking to Nicodemus), purchase those gifts and blessings men- Except a man be born again, he cannot tioned, or any of them. Failing in this it see the kingdom of heaven." How forcibly would not be genuine though the form, in can thousands realize this truth among every particular, corresponded with the this people. How true, how potent, and authoritative plan. Hence none need be yet how little comprehended is that say- deceived. ing Christ further declared to Nicodemus Brother Leishman indicated by his that, except a man be born of the water remarks that salvation predicated alone and of the Spirit he could not enter the on belief was nowhere taught in the kingdom of heaven. Scriptures. This needs qualification for It would seem that not only man, but it is written: other creations of God respond to this "For God so loved the world, that he law. The earth upon which we dwell had gave his only begotten Son, that whoso- its birth out of the waters. And, when the ever believeth in him should not perish, debasing, corrupting sins of man defiled but have everlasting life." the face thereof, they were remitted— This being in the same chapter and swept away by immersion. The win- in connection with the same subject, it dows of heaven being opened and the is clearly seen that the belief spoken of fountains of the deep broken up, the contemplated works. Now what is faith earth was literally baptized in water, or belief? It is a principle of power by as hereafter, abiding the law of its cre- the exercise of which worlds were made. ation it will be literally baptized in fire Christ Himself declared that he that said and the Holy Ghost. Thus, though men he believed in Him and kept not His com- may lightly consider the foundation upon mandments had not the truth in him. which rests the plan of human redemp- True faith, then, merges into, and is in- tion, heaven and earth testify of it. separably connected with works. The God dwells in eternal fire, and no Apostle James testifies that faith with- human being who has not been bap- out works is dead. In the sense that tized in water and Spirit can abide that true faith leads to true works, we un- which will come, when the earth is im- derstand the sayings above quoted. And mersed in flames, mountains melt with that, I presume, is what Brother Leish- fervent heat and run down like wax. man meant. Now I believed that I would To prepare humanity for the great day come to this Tabernacle today. In this re- of the Lord Almighty, He placed in his spect I had a living faith and it prompted Church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, to the work necessary to bring me here, Teachers; that they might do the work hence I am in your presence. Had my of the ministry and bring us to a one- faith been dead, how long do you suppose ness of faith in Christ Jesus. Any I would have remained absent? church with less than these should show If you believe in Jesus you will the command authorizing the change. keep His commandments, and the as- If the Savior has made such change, sertions of man or any number of or any change, it is important for us men can never change this divine to know it. But if He has made no 310 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. change, He will surely hold us respon- Presbyterian, with equal sincerity, bade sible for accepting any that men have him follow them, while the Baptist called made. Can a church not even bearing on him to seek Jesus, in their way. In the name of the Redeemer, and having the midst of all this confusion and con- neither Apostles nor Prophets, bear the flict, obeying the injunction of James, he fruits enjoyed by the disciples of our Lord sought wisdom direct from God, and got in the days of and subsequent to His it; receiving in time authority to organize ministry? Do any of them ever claim to the Church of Jesus Christ, perfect in all have such fruits? Who among them have its parts, as it existed anciently. By the the endowments of the Comforter, whose knowledge of the things of God revealed mission it was and is to bring the teach- to him, and by the authority of the Aa- ings of Jesus to the memory, show things ronic Priesthood received from John the to come and lead into all truth? God nei- Baptist, and of the Melchizedek Priest- ther changes nor is he a respecter of per- hood received from Peter, James and sons; the causes, therefore, which lie or- John, and not by the learning of man, he dained to produce certain results in one did this great work which is genuine— age will produce them in another. What the Gospel of Christ with all its gifts and would we think of an earthly father who, blessings. And, as Jesus testified, so we having bestowed every care in the educa- testify, if any will do the works of the Fa- tion, advancement and exaltation of his ther he shall know whether the doctrine firstborn; giving instruction, encourage- be of man or of God. ment, sympathy and love, but to children born later only the history of his doings In the things of this world men are with their older brother? Quick to hear on the testimony of their fellow men, ad- and answer the prayers of the first, deaf judged innocent or guilty; and if the in- to the supplications of others. A living ducements of wealth are offered as a re- testimony to one, doubt and despair to ward for testing the statements of men the rest. The fruits of knowledge to one, few refuse, but when eternal life through dead forms to the others. Could such a a knowledge of the plan of human re- father be considered impartial, generous demption is promised on simple condi- or just? No. And yet men would have tions, how few are willing to test it. us believe that God deals with His chil- Thus are the words of the Savior verified, dren in just this way. I bear my testi- "many are called, but few are chosen." mony that it is not true. The Apostle James declared that, "If any of you lack When less than fifteen years of age wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth an humble, unlearned (in the knowledge to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; of the world) Elder promised me in the and it shall be given him." Men tell us name of the Lord that if I would obey the that He has ceased to communicate with first principles of the Gospel as taught His children. Thus Joseph, the unlet- and administered in the days of Jesus, I tered boy, was confused, perplexed and should know whether the doctrine was of made most miserable. The Methodist, God. I obeyed and proved his words true. with good intentions no doubt, said I received a testimony and the spirit of to him, "Lo, here is Christ." The prophecy. Not from Joseph Smith or NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 311

Brigham Young or John Taylor, but from vice to drive the "Mormons" from the God. Unhappy is the condition of the land. Saint who has not received it, for in the Let us remember that all these, and midst of scorn, hatred, ostracism and those also who judge us wrongfully, persecutions of the world, it is the lamp harshly, cruelly and with malice afore- that shines along the narrow way that thought, having knowledge of their in- leads to the presence of the Creator. It justice, were true to God in heaven when is the well of living water springing up Satan and a third of the hosts there unto eternal life, the inspiration that tes- fought against Christ and Michael. They tifies of a love stronger than death; will- kept their first estate, and whatever in ing to endure all things while pleading their blind wickedness they may be led with humanity to receive the message of by the power of darkness to do here, let a merciful, long-suffering and loving Fa- us pray for them, and, as far as possi- ther. For this reason the Elders of Israel ble returning good for evil, treat them gladly take the spoiling of their goods, with kindness, for they are the children and, as it were, their lives in their hands of our God. Deceived now and inspired and go to the ends of the earth deliver- by the Prince of Darkness, but they will ing their message while patiently endur- be saved hereafter if they sin not against ing the whips and scorns, derision and the Holy Ghost in shedding innocent insults of those whom to save they would blood. Ignorant, low and wicked, they perish. With such love as this in their may be drunken, blasphemous, bearers hearts, how many have wandered with- of false witness whose testimony may out sympathy, friendless and alone save lead to the imprisonment of the innocent; the companionship of the Holy Ghost, in defilers of men and women and the work- the streets of London, Liverpool, Paris, ers of all manner of iniquity; if they shed New York, and other large cities and not innocent blood God will save them, densely populated regions of the world! though in the fitness of things, many will And how truly have they verified the be outside the walls of the beautiful city words: "If they hated the Master, so also among that class in whose society alone will they hate you." they are prepared to go. When persecuted, driven, and many killed, the Saints implored the President Read the fierce resolutions and burn- of this great nation for redress: He an- ing expressions of hate issuing from re- swered: "Your cause is just, but I can do ligious and other societies and organi- nothing for you." Another President or- zations. Do they inspire you with feel- dered, on misrepresentations, an army ings of bitterness in return, or with pro- to Utah. How will the Almighty deal found feelings of sorrow? Can you mourn with these? They will be judged as you for those who do these things ignorantly? and I will be judged, according to the Can you think of Paul as he persecuted deeds done in the body. According to the the early Saints in the belief that he was light they had, will they be held respon- doing God's service, and pray for these sible. too? Thousands who have been deceived To an extent our history as a by those who love and make lies, hon- people is but a repetition of the estly believe that it would be God's ser- history of the early Christians. 312 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Paulines, Waldenses and Huguenots to death in the flesh He was quickened knew the cost of being true to their con- in the spirit by which He went and victions. We speak of them now as re- preached to the spirits in prison that formers, brave, valiant, Godfearing men were disobedient in the days of Noah. and women. They were not so regarded Thus it would seem that paradise is a by those who delighted in killing them. place where the spirits of the disobedient God has prepared a place for all. Out- are imprisoned, and as Christ preached side the gates will be sorcerers, adul- His Gospel to them, it is not unrea- terers, the lover and maker of lies, and sonable to suppose that the thief also those that lay in the gate making men heard there, the conditions upon which offenders for a word will be there among he could be saved, for, says Peter 4:6, "for dogs, but the means of increased knowl- this cause was the Gospel preached also edge and a power will be within their to them that are dead, that they might be reach. Thousands of honest men are judged according to men in the flesh, but anxiously watching the issues of our day, live according to God in the spirit." Now and while they have not moral courage in connection with this clear and compre- to express interest in our sympathy for hensive doctrine, which plainly shows the Saints in their hearts, they feel both. that there is salvation beyond the grave, The Lord will reward such according to how easily understood is the saying of their merit, for He is just. But those Paul on the same subject—"If the dead alone who have obeyed or will hereafter rise not at all, then why are they bap- obey the Gospel in its fullness, can pass tized for the dead?" Thus verifying and into the presence of God, and dwell for- testifying to the unmistakable declara- ever in the celestial kingdom. tion of the Master that no man, whether The doctrine of salvation by faith alive or dead, can enter the kingdom of so extensively taught and believed is God without the baptism of water and founded on a misunderstanding of the of the spirit. Baptism of the living for sayings of the Savior to the thief who re- and in behalf of the dead is founded in quested Christ to remember him when the doctrine of vicarious salvation—the He came into His kingdom and was doing for us that which we cannot, un- answered, "Verily I say unto thee, To- der certain conditions, do for ourselves. day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." So also is the blood of the Lamb, with- (Luke 23:43) out effort of ours, the vicarious means by The expression of the thief brought which our bodies and spirits shall be re- no promise that he should be saved. united after death. Where and what is paradise are important questions. It is not heaven, nor The opinions of men as to where and is it where God dwells, for on the third what paradise is, are of but little value. day after the crucifixion, Christ declared It is at least the abode of spirits, good to Mary that He had not yet ascended and bad. A place of peace and rest for the to His God and her God. Where then good, of imprisonment and punishment did He go on that day in which He for the bad. Referring to the Territory promised to meet the thief in paradise? we might say we are in Utah, yet those The Apostle Peter says that being put who are here in Logan are not in Salt NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 313

Lake City, nor are any of you in prison have had and by the deeds done in their though you are in Utah. bodies; and His judgments will be full If every human being who has, or of mercy for those who have ignorantly ever will live is to be judged by the erred. As for innocent children Christ law of redemption as Christians believe, has fixed their status: they are of the and there be no repentance beyond the kingdom of Heaven. Wicked and fool- grave, how then shall infants and hea- ish men may teach to the contrary, but thens who never heard of Christ or his they cannot effect the result. Mortals law be redeemed? To say nothing about entrusted with a little brief authority, the dead what is to become of the four as they suppose, may exercise unrigh- hundred millions of Chinese now inhab- teous dominion over the bodies and souls iting the empire of China, who do not, of men, imprisoning many, killing some. and in all probability will not in this life, Many a saint may hereafter be com- know anything about the Gospel? What manded to worship the golden image or about the two hundred and eighty mil- perish in the fiery furnace, deny his faith lion followers of Muhammad, who, like or be cast down into the lion's den. You the Chinese, have never heard of water have among you Latter-day Saints some and spirit baptism! Then think of the who would, if necessary, give their lives billions who have died equally or more for you and the cause which they have ignorant of these vital questions, and tell espoused. They are willing to die for the me that God intends to mix them up with testimony of Jesus. It would seem from infants a span long, who died without prophecy that such an event is foreshad- being sprinkled by some poor, narrow- owed. For when the souls of those whom minded priest without authority from the Revelator John saw under the altar heaven, and I will tell you that I don't of God, and who had been slain for the worship that kind of a God. Christians testimony which they held, cried: "How may do so, and speak of him as bodiless long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou and passionless; he certainly would have not judge and avenge our blood on them no passion either of justice or affection. that dwell on the earth?" They were an- The God we worship is full of compas- swered, "until their fellowservants also sion, justice and love. Hence the broad and their brethren, that should be killed scope of His plan of human redemption, as they were, should be fulfilled." reaching the living and the dead, in time If violent death comes to some—and and in eternity. I can comprehend how a it will—can they meet it as others have, demon might want to consign to eternal rejoicing in the truth. Can those in punishment without a hearing, without whose hands the scales of judgment bal- law, His creatures, but how men can pre- ance unevenly, change the color of your tend to worship a God possessed of such hair, add one cubit to your height, slow attributes is a mystery. or quicken your pulse? Can they remove The God of Abraham, Isaac and pain, rebuke death and increase your Jacob—He who created the heaven and years? No. What can you do for them? earth and is the father of all spir- You can't change the decrees of God who its, will not thus condemn. He has written on the archives of heaven will judge men by the light they that with what judgment we judge 314 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. others so shall we be judged, and that we that the voice of the people is very often shall, receive the measure that we have far from being the voice of God. measured to others, but we may pray Him to defer the day when this shall be, As to patriarchal marriage its results in hopes that men may repent and make are said to be bad and that there are, restitution here. How little did those in consequence, many breaking hearts in who caused the enactment of the spe- Utah. In reply to these assertions I have cial decree that entrapped the Prophet to say, in reference to results it is not Daniel, think of the consequences! How true, for its fruits are good. The men- little did they think of the fasting, sleep- tal and physical condition of the issue of less king whom they had deceived and such marriages bear this out unmistak- made the instrument of betrayal. How ably. If, however, the cry of a single "Mor- gladly did that king, who dreaded the mon" wife in Utah or elsewhere, whether weight of innocent blood, hear the voice in the monogamic or polygamic relation, of the Prophet testifying of the temporal falls upon deaf ears and unresponsive salvation which God had wrought in sub- hearts, God will hold the responsible par- duing and rendering harmless the lions. ties answerable. Should the day ever How sorrowful, how pitiable on the other come when the cries of the daughters of hand, the condition of Daniel's accusers Zion pass their husbands unheeded and when the decree, the passage of which reach the ears of the God of Abraham, it they had caused, was turned on them. will be a sorrowful day for the elders of They, their wives and children being cast Israel. And further let me say, I know of into the den, the touch of God removed no Mormon husband whose wife's body from the fierce beasts, the bones of the or soul is subject to him except in love, hapless victims of their own works, were as he, in like manner, is bound to be sub- crushed and broken even before their ject to Christ and His laws. Nowhere bodies reached the bottom of the den. So in the world are women freer than in shall it be with all such. God hath de- Utah. As God hates putting away, hus- creed it, man cannot change it. bands among this people can put their Well, says one, "these doctrines are wives away only for causes mentioned in scriptural and all right, but the Mormon the holy writ; but wives, on the other church is nothing but a Polygamic Theoc- hand may claim freedom and support racy, alien to the Government that per- on other and more numerous grounds. mits its existence." Under certain con- Here, man regards his wife as a help- ditions, and regulated by revelation, we meet, companion and part of himself, believe it is true, in plural marriage, with whose assistance alone he can pass and so far as the word theocracy con- by the angels and inherit eternal, celes- veys the idea of the government of God tial glory. She is not to rule over him in the affairs of men, we are willing to nor be trampled upon, or abused by him, be called theocratic, and we confess that but, having been taken out of his side we prefer the motto, "Vox Dei, vox Pop- her place is near his heart, to be loved, uli" to "Vox Populi, vox Dei," for we think cherished, protected. Husbands, be ye that the voice of God should be the voice therefore kind to your wives. When they of the people, but we very well know ask for bread give not a stone, for love NECESSITY OF INSPIRATION TO A SPEAKER. 315 give not hate, for as God lives, if you are tions. Better practice what we preach harsh and cruel to them so shall you, and preach what we practice, leaving no in return, receive harsh and cruel treat- room for distrust; for, as between man ment until the utmost farthing be paid. and wife, where confidence dies, there We were not sent here to manifest the you may dig the grave of love. Destroy fruits of the flesh but those of the spirit; one and the other cannot exist. and if the hearts of any of the wives In conclusion, let us be considerate of the elders of Israel are breaking, by of others, kind and courteous to all. By reason of their husbands' conduct, may your fruits shall ye be known. A number God have mercy on such husbands, for belonging to different Christian organi- knowing better, they sin against light in zations have, I understand, been and transgressing their covenants. The alle- are holding conference meetings in Lo- giance of a wife in this Church is not due gan. Every facility for their peaceful en- to an unfaithful, deceiving or cruel hus- joyment while here, should be extended, band. And he who regards his wife as and those having an inclination to hear the creature of his sinful pleasure, made should hear them, conforming, in a re- and given to gratify his fallen nature is spectful manner to the rules that govern unworthy of a wife or to be the father of their gatherings. Whatever truth they children. Were I to seek to find happi- have is of God, and belongs to the Gospel, ness in the marriage relation, I should which is a perfect law of liberty. expect to find it most abundant, perfect and pure in Utah, notwithstanding all Note carefully the predictions of the that is said to the contrary. And this con- Prophets, watch the signs of the times, clusion is reached after years of observa- remembering that the end will not come tion here and abroad. Nowhere exists until the Gospel is preached as a wit- so great confidence between husbands ness to every nation and people. With- and wives as in Utah. Nowhere is sex- out apprehensions as to the final result, ual impurity regarded with greater dis- let us not forget that while God will for- gust, or chastity esteemed more highly. give whom He will forgive of us, He has Philosophers, preachers and moralists required that we shall forgive all men. may insist on the enforcement of Ro- In the knowledge of the use of this key, man instituted monogamy, but its prac- there is happiness here, and exaltation tice throughout the Christian world is hereafter. May a full comprehension of fraught with all manner of deceivable- its meaning be granted to every honest ness, of iniquity and sexual abomina- heart, is my prayer. Amen. 316 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

GROWTH OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—NECESSITY OF THE SPIRIT OF REVELATION—CONDITIONAL PROMISES—THE LORD DESIGNED ISRAEL TO BE A PECULIAR AND HOLY PEOPLE—AND HE HAS THE SAME DESIGN CONCERNING US—WE WILL HAVE TO PASS THROUGH THE SAME ORDEALS AS THEY—WE SHOULD NOT INTERMARRY WITH THOSE NOT OF OUR FAITH—WE SHOULD BUILD UP NOTHING THAT IS OPPOSED TO ZION—THE FAVOR OF GOD IS BETTER THAN EARTHLY RICHES—EXHORTATIONS TO FAITHFULNESS.

DISCOURSEBY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q.CANNON, DELIVEREDINTHE MEETINGHOUSE, HEBER CITY,SUNDAY MORNING,AUGUST 26, 1883.

We are becoming a great people— Our position is in many respects crit- that is, compared with what we have ical. We are surrounded by enemies who been—not very great compared with the are constantly on the alert, and who are world; but, nevertheless, we are increas- doing all in their power to thwart the ing very rapidly; the rising generation work of God, and to destroy its influ- is very numerous; and it requires ex- ence on the earth. This being the case ceeding diligence and watchfulness on it is exceedingly necessary that every the part of those who have the people means which God has placed within our in charge as shepherds to see that the reach for our improvement and for the means of instruction and counsel are in advancement of His work should be used proportion to the growth of the people. by us. If this were not the case we should soon The prophecies concerning Zion have a generation of young men and which are on record are full of promises young women ignorant of the principles concerning the future growth of this peo- of life and salvation, and of the policy ple, concerning the glory that shall rest and polity of the work of God that He has upon Zion. But these predictions and established on the earth. promises are all conditional. They will be fulfilled if we place ourselves in a It is very necessary that as a people position to merit their fulfillment, or we should have with us the spirit of rev- to bring them about. If Zion fails to elation from God, and not only should come up to the requirements which God we have it ourselves, but it is also nec- has made of us, then the fulfillment of essary that we should be taught by those these glorious promises will undoubt- whom God has called to preside over His edly be deferred. It is therefore of impor- Church and to lead in the affairs thereof. tance that the Latter-day Saints should GOD DESIGNS US TO BE A DISTINCT PEOPLE. 317 come up to the standard that God has the wilderness except two. You remem- given unto us—that is, fulfill the require- ber, doubtless, the circumstances which ments which He has made of us. brought about the preservation of the Now, there are many points upon lives of these two. The rest over 20 which we need correction. We are guilty years of age all perished in the wilder- of many things that are not in accor- ness, they not having faith sufficient to dance with the mind and will of God. receive the promises and to gain the end There is a certain policy—if I may use that they started out for when they left that phrase; I use it to convey the idea to Egypt. A new generation grew up during your minds—connected with the build- the 40 years of travel in the wilderness— ing up of Zion, a policy which God has a generation that had to a great extent sought to enforce upon us from the be- forgotten the traditions of Egypt, that ginning until the present time. It is to had forgotten the idolatry of Egypt and a great extent the same policy that He the evil practices of Egypt, and then urged upon and endeavored to enforce when this was brought about, God led in the midst of Israel, when He led Is- them unto the promised land, and He rael out of Egypt. When He inspired made of them a nation, a peculiar people. Moses to take the steps that He did to- They became His people. He placed His wards the emancipation of the children name upon them, although they failed as of Israel from the thralldom of the Egyp- a generation to come up to the fullness tians, He had a definite purpose in view, of power that He designed they should and that was to make them a nation of have. In other words, they failed to come His own, a people who should acknowl- up to the possession and exercise of the edge Him as their God, and He wished to Melchizedek Priesthood. make a distinct race of them. For forty years He led them through the wilder- Now, God in like manner has de- ness teaching them, counseling them, signed in these days in laying the foun- pleading with them, training them, in dation of Zion to establish a new order order to relieve them as far as possible of things on the earth; to gather us out from the old traditions with which they from the nations of the earth; to make us were burdened. There was no other ob- a peculiar people; to make us a holy and ject in view than this—that is, I may say a pure people upon whom He could place this was the principle object. He wished His name and through whom He can ac- to separate them entirely from all the complish His great designs and purposes nations of the earth by whom they had on the earth; to make us a distinct peo- been surrounded, and to make them a ple from every other people that lives peculiar people, a people who would look upon the face of the earth, and through upon Him as their lawgiver, and who us to establish and perpetuate a new or- should look to Him for all the instruc- der of things on the earth which shall be tions and counsels and directions that preparatory to the ushering in of the full they needed; but because of their rebel- reign of righteousness through our Lord lious, and their unwillingness to be thus Jesus Christ. It is for this that the heav- submissive, He caused every man over ens have been opened. It is for this that 20 years of age who left Egypt, to die in God the Father and Jesus the Son have 318 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. descended. It is for this that angels have has governed us in our policy, and it come and ministered unto men. It is for has been the great labor of the lead- this that the Gospel has been restored; ers of this Church to endeavor to uproot that the Priesthood has been given to this accursed lust that has been in the men; that the authority to administer hearts of those who are called Latter- the ordinances of life and salvation has day Saints for that which they have been been restored from the heavens. It is commanded to forsake. God has com- for this that the spirit of gathering has manded us to forsake Babylon. He has been poured out upon the inhabitants of called us out from Babylon; but though the earth who have received the Gospel, we have come out from Babylon we have which has impelled them to do as we brought to a great extent Babylon with have done, to gather together as we are us, the love of Babylon, the love of that gathered together at this time in these which God abhors, and which He com- valleys, and it is for this that all that mands us to forsake. We have brought it you witness connected with this work, with us, and to a great extent we cher- the power that is manifested, the deliv- ish it. And this is the great obstacle erances that have been wrought out—it in the way of building up Zion. At the is for this that these have all been ac- same time I do not wish to speak dis- complished. God has chosen this peo- couragingly to my brethren and sisters ple and has given unto them a mission. upon this point. I know that there are But I ask myself, who of us comprehend many, very many in this Church, who it? Who of us rise to the full conception have sought with all the faith and dili- of its importance, and who understand gence of which they are capable to love the mind and will of God in these mighty the Lord, to love Zion, and to do every- works of which we are the witnesses and thing they could to build it up in the connected with which we are actors? We earth. I know this. We have constant tes- have been pleaded with all the day long timonies of this in looking at the Saints, by the voice of Prophets, by the voice of in mingling with them, and in witness- inspiration, I may say by the voice of God ing the spirit they possess. But, my through His servants. We have been told brethren and sisters, I sometimes feel with the greatest plainness, the mind that it is with us as it was with our fa- and will of God concerning us and the thers whom God led out of Egypt, for we objects that He has had in view in gath- are the descendants of that people. Like ering us out and placing us in the posi- our fathers we shall have to undergo the tion which we occupy. But, like the Is- same ordeals—that is, ordeals that shall raelites of old, the flesh pots of Egypt have for their object the accomplishment have been sweet to us; the leeks and the of the same ends, and I do not believe onions of Babylon we have hankered af- that He will allow a generation of people ter. We have lusted after these things. to grow up and witness the accomplish- We have lusted after that which God has ment of all that He has spoken concern- commanded us to forsake, and we have ing Zion who are not perfectly willing to not become emancipated from the love do that which He requires at their hands. of Babylon. It has been in our hearts. I believe the old generation will pass It has influenced us in our actions. It away. I believe that like our fathers the GOD DESIGNS US TO BE A DISTINCT PEOPLE. 319 bodies of the Saints of God will be laid by God intended when He led Israel out the wayside in the various places where of Egypt, that there should be no inter- they live if they do not exercise faith to marriages between Israel and the na- receive the blessings that God designs to tions which surrounded them, and a bestow upon us as a people, and that He great many of the evils that came upon will raise up a generation as He did in Israel were due to this. I may say, how- the case of our fathers, which shall have ever, for the men of this Church, that the necessary faith, which shall be di- there have been but comparatively few vorced from the old order of things suffi- instances (probably because there have ciently to go forward and accomplish the not been so many temptations for them) mind and will of God concerning Zion. of their taking wives who were not of the Saints. They have not married strange Today look over the entire field that women as did many of the Israelites, we occupy. Examine the condition of as did Solomon the wise king, which the Latter-day Saints from the far north God gave to Israel. He married strange to the extreme south; examine the evils wives, and through these marriages he which surround us and with which we was led away into idolatry in his old age, have to contend, and that threaten the and the anger of God was brought upon perpetuity of the institutions of Zion. Ex- him and his house because of this. Many amine our condition in its true light, of the evils that fell upon Israel were in all its aspects and in all its partic- due to intermarriage on their part with ulars, and what will be the conclusion women who were not of their faith, and that will be reached respecting our cir- who were from nations who did not have cumstances? It will be this: that there the same worship that Israel had. Mar- is no evil today that menaces Zion that riages of this nature are contrary to the we feel it difficult to cope with, that command of God. We are commanded threatens the supremacy of our rule in not to marry with those who are not of this land to which God has led us, that our faith, and no woman ever did it, no is not traceable to ourselves and that girl ever did it that has not sooner or does not have its origin in the reluc- later had sorrow because of this. God is tance of the people to comprehend and not pleased with such marriages, and it to obey the counsel which God has given is not in the nature of things to expect through His servants ever since we came blessings to follow such intermarriages. to these valleys. I leave it to everyone I have not time to dwell upon the of you to decide for yourselves under the many points wherein we have failed. To spirit of God if this statement which I build up Zion should be the thought of make is not abundantly true and sus- every heart—to labor to establish the tained by facts. It is a sorrowful state- cause of God in the earth, to be a comment to make, but it is nevertheless a pact people. But we have violated this true statement. We have no dangerous counsel, until today, in some places, or threatening evils to contend with that it is questionable who shall rule—the have not had their origin in the disobedi- Latter-day Saints or those opposed to ence of some of the Latter-day Saints to them. Now, you all know that the pol- the counsel which God has given them. icy of this organization which God has 320 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. given us is not one that is hostile to was the duty of the Elders of this Church strangers. I would not be understood in to labor constantly to build up Zion and making the remarks that I do on this oc- not to build up that which is opposed casion as having any disposition to ex- to Zion. That embodies in these few cite hostility in the minds of my brethren words the policy that we should observe. and sisters against those who are not It is not my business; God has not re- of us. We never have had that feel- quired it of me that I should build up ing. No man who has any of the spirit anything that is opposed to Zion, but on of God within him, and comprehends the contrary that I should always keep the nature of God's work, will have that in my thoughts and be influenced by it spirit. But there is a great difference, re- in my actions that which will advance member, between hostility to those who the cause of Zion, and that which will are not of our faith, and our sustain- not retard it or operate against it in any ing and upholding and taking them in manner. We have erred in this direc- our arms and caressing them and be- tion in the past. There is a class of peo- stowing favors upon them that should ple among us who have thought more only be bestowed upon the household of of money than they have about Zion. faith. For instance, if there were two They have gone where they could get the stores in this town, one occupied by a best bargains regardless of the effect it man who is not of our faith, and another would have on the public weal. They occupied by a man who is of our faith, only looked to their individual benefit a man whose whole interests were iden- and aggrandizement. There are many tified with Zion, whose whole thought such among us throughout our settle- was to build up Zion and to advance ments, and particularly in Salt Lake the cause thereof on the earth, would I City. They have bought and sold, they be an enemy of the man not of us behave traded, they have done that which cause I did not patronize him, but pa- seemed right in their eyes, that would tronized and sustained the man who is promote their own personal benefits re- of us? Certainly not; it would be no gardless of the effect it would have upon mark of enmity on my part to him. I the public, and I believe that that is a might have and would have a prefer- sin in the sight of God with the light ence for my brother, for the man who and knowledge that we have. I believe was identified with me and who was la- that the man who does that grieves the boring for the same end; and this is spirit of God, whether he does it on a the spirit we should have. There are a large scale or on a small scale. I believe great many Latter-day Saints who have that such a man, unless he repents, will not been able to discriminate sufficiently not live to reap the blessings and bene- between these two spirits. They have fits that God will bestow upon those who imagined that because we are not hos- labor for the building up of Zion. I be- tile we must therefore be very loving, lieve he will perish just as our fathers and they do not see the line of demar- perished in the wilderness, and will not cation which God has drawn and which live to enjoy the blessings God has in He wishes us to observe. There is a line store for the faithful. I would rather and that line ought to be observed by my brethren and sisters, stand before us. Joseph said in the beginning that it you clothed as these Indians are who GOD DESIGNS US TO BE A DISTINCT PEOPLE. 321 wander through our settlements; I would the earth shall stand, so long as time rather be clothed in deerskins or in shall endure, he will never be destitute goatskins; I would rather be destitute in any generation of a man who will of those things that men place so high bear the Holy Priesthood; that he will a value upon and be sure that I had have a representative in all the gen- the blessing of my God, be sure that I erations to come, the generations from would secure, by continuing faithful, ex- now until time shall cease. In order altation in His kingdom, than to have all to obtain this promise and this bless- the wealth that this world can furnish. ing men must be faithful unto God; men I would rather have the peace of God in must labor and struggle as our fathers my heart; I would rather have the bless- did through whose faithfulness we have ing of God and His Holy Spirit resting received those promises, and through upon me than to have a thousand things, whose faithfulness, also, we have re- however grand they might be, bestowed ceived the Holy Ghost that we now en- upon me and be destitute of the favor of joy this day; that we, like them, shall our God. That is the feeling I have. I gain the favor of God so effectually that know it is pleasant to have good things; he will confirm upon us and our posterity I know it is pleasant to have beautiful after us the blessings he confirmed upon surroundings; I know it is a sweet thing Abraham our father, those blessings that for us to be able to supply our families' shall be felt throughout all the genera- wants, and when they ask to have it in tions to come as long as time shall en- our power to give; but there is something dure. That is our privilege as Latter-day higher, something nobler, something bet- Saints, and we should live for it, and God ter than this, and that is the favor of will help us to obtain it, if we are faithful, our God. We should labor so as to have if we do that which is right before Him. this, and at the same time if we do, we In conclusion, my brethren and sis- may rest assured that all the rest will ters, I entreat you as a servant of God, be added to us. He will not leave us in the name of our Lord and Master, to destitute. He will not deprive us of the love Zion with all your hearts, and not al- blessings of the earth. On the contrary low any other love to enter therein. Love he will impart those blessings to us, and this work. Devote yourselves to it. Love not only to us but to our children after our God. Love Him supremely and He us. For we live not for ourselves alone, will never desert you. Keep His com- but we live for our posterity. We hope mandments, no matter what the sacri- to be faithful so as to gain the favor of fice may be. Keep every commandment God, that our posterity after us will be of God, and stand before the Lord blame- remembered in the days of trial and in less, so that you will not be condemned, the days of tribulation and of calamity and if you will do so He will lead you that are to come upon the earth, a de- and all of us back into His celestial pres- sire that every faithful man connected ence and crown us with glory, immortal- with this Church must have if he unity and endless lives, which I pray may derstands the promises and blessings of be our happy lot, in the name of Jesus God. His desire must be that, so long as Christ. Amen. 322 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

NATURE OF THE GOSPEL, AND OF OUR POSITION AND CALLING—RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS—THE RIGHT OF ALL MEN TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM—HONORABLE MEN OF THE EARTH—WE AIM AT A HIGHER EXALTATION THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,OGDEN, SUNDAY AFTERNOON,JULY 20, 1884.

We are occupying a very peculiar po- The Gospel, we are told, brings "life sition in the world, and in many re- and immortality to light"—life for our- spects different from the position that is selves, life for our families, for our wives occupied by any people that at present and children, life for our progenitors, and live upon the earth. Our ideas, and life for our posterity; and consequently views, theories and doctrines; our prin- it is pregnant with greater events than ciples and our mode of life generally are anything that has yet transpired upon very distinct from that of other people. the earth. It goes back, back, back We look at things from another stand- into the eternities that were, it unfolds point to that which the world gener- things that now exist, and are on the ally do. Our ideas are predicated upon eve of fulfillment, and it develops things the work that God has commenced, by which are to come. Consequently, as the ministration of holy angels, by the I said before, we are in a different po- opening of the heavens, by the voice sition from that of other people. We of God, and by the revelation of His do not look at things from the same will to the human family; in which standpoint which they do. We have all mankind, whether they comprehend other ideas and feelings and anticipa- it or not, are very much interested. tions, and are in possession of another The Lord has been pleased to make spirit and principle of intelligence other known unto us certain things of which than that which is generally diffused in we were ignorant; and certain things the world. Men in the world talk about of which also the world of mankind the Gospel, but they do not comprehend are ignorant; and of which we know it. We as Latter-day Saints talk about nothing, and could know nothing, only the Gospel, yet we understand only very through the revelation of God to man. little about it. Just in proportion as OUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 323 we live our religion and possess the Holy duties and responsibilities that devolve Spirit, do we comprehend the position upon us pertaining to all of these mat- that we occupy and no more. ters, both to the living and the dead. We read, in the Scriptures, of a dis- We have a fight to fight. We have pensation of the fullness of times, when a faith to contend for. We have princi- God would gather together all things in ple to learn, and to develop to others. heaven and all things in the earth— We have our relationship to God, and to that is, a certain dispensation which holy angels, and to the world to main- would include everything that has ex- tain. We have duties and responsibil- isted in other times, and in other dis- ities devolving upon us that mankind, pensations, and would embrace in one and that we ourselves comprehend only dispensation what has been scattered very little. It has been thought gener- throughout the world in different dispen- ally that if men could secure in some sations, from the commencement of time way or other their salvation, and get to until the present. Hence this is a mat- heaven, as it is called, that they were do- ter that affects the earth and the heaving a great work. We have, however, got ens; it is a matter in which those who a great deal more than that to do. We are in the heavens are concerned, and have first to learn ourselves the way of also those that are upon the earth. It life; and then to teach others that way. reaches back to the commencement of Hence, what mean our Seventies and our time and goes forth to the final winding- High Priests, our Elders and our Apos- up scene of all things pertaining to this tles and men holding the Priesthood of earth whereon we dwell. Hence, as God? What mean those various missions I said, we occupy a very peculiar po- they take to the nations of the earth? sition before God, and also before the What mean our gathering together here, world. The world do not comprehend and the efforts that we make for that our position, and hence they reason very purpose? What mean the building of strangely and very vaguely about us, and Temples and the administering therein? they get some very strange notions per- What mean some of those things that we taining to us. That is not surprising. begin to have a slight glimpse of regard- It is as much as we can do ourselves to ing certain duties and responsibilities comprehend our position. It is as much resting upon us, pertaining to the dead as the Elders of this Church can do to as well as the living? What mean those magnify their callings. It is as much Scriptures that speak about saviors upon as the Apostles or the Presidency of the Mount Zion? What mean our dedica- Church can do to comprehend their po- tions to God, and the ordinances that we sitions, and it needs continual watchful- administer in His house? What means ness, and prayer, and self-abnegation, the development of those great princi- and devotion to God, and the continual ples pertaining to eternal lives that be- guidance of His Spirit, that we may com- gin to enter into our minds partially? prehend the relationship which we sus- Man is a dual being. He pos- tain to each other, to our heavenly Fa- sesses a body and a spirit. He is con- ther, to the world in which we live, to the nected with eternity as well as time. nation with which we are associated, to He existed before he came here. He the world of mankind generally, and the exists here. He will exist after he 324 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. leaves here. Before he came here he had and that is if we are not governed by to do with intelligences; he has here, if he the celestial law and cannot abide a ce- will only fulfill his part; and he will have lestial law, we cannot inherit a celestial to do with them hereafter. We are here kingdom. What is it to obey a celes- on a mission. What does that consist of? tial law? Where does the celestial law That is the question. Some of us have come from to begin with? From the heav- to go to the ends of the earth and preach ens. Very well. What have the peo- the Gospel to every creature under the ple here to do with it generally—that is, heavens. That is something which God outsiders? Nothing. They do not say requires at our hands. Some of us have they have had any revelation. They have to assist in establishing the Kingdom of had no principle of that kind unfolded to God upon the earth. Some of us have them. They are living under what might to aid in purifying the Church of God. be termed a terrestrial law; and many of We have the same kind of material now them, I think, under the circumstances, that they had in former ages for this very do quite as well as we do under our cir- purpose. In former times God placed in cumstances. We profess to be moving on His Church Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, a more elevated plane than they are. We Teachers and Evangelists for the perfect- profess to have come out from the world; ing of the Saints. These officers were req- to have separated from the ungodly. We uisite to the Church then, and they are profess to be under the guidance of Apos- requisite now. We all have our follies and tles and Prophets, Pastors and Teachers, weakness. We all need the assistance of etc., and to be living under the inspira- the power and Spirit of God. tion of the Most High. They do not pro- We talk sometimes about the world, fess anything of the kind. we Latter-day Saints, and we are very These are some of the things we pro- flippant in referring to their follies and fess to believe in; and some of the things foibles. We have enough follies of our that the world do not believe in. We own; and I often very much question have, however, enough to do in attend- whether they do not live as near to their ing to the duties of our Priesthood and religion as we do to ours. "How is calling without troubling ourselves with that," says one, "we are a much more the follies and foibles of those who are moral people than they are?" We ought not of us. As I have already said they to be. We make greater professions than do not profess what we do. We pro- they do. They do not talk about hav- fess to be governed by higher princi- ing revelation. They do not talk about ples and nobler motives, and by more having any special mission to the na- exalted ideas. Let us try and live up tions of the earth, and we do. They to our profession. So far as the peo- do not talk about any celestial glory, ple of the world are concerned, I look and know nothing about it. We pro- upon them very charitably, myself. I do fess to know a little about it. They do not entertain any vindictive feelings to- not aim at a celestial glory, for they do ward them. "Well," say you, "have they not know what it is; and we understand not got curious ideas pertaining to reli- a very little about it. One thing we gious matters?" Yes, they have; but they do know; one thing is clearly told us, have as much right to their ideas as OUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 325

I have to mine. I have no right to in- have the rights and privileges of free terfere with them. They have a right men, and then there are thousands, and to worship whatever kind of a God they ten of thousands, and millions of oth- please, or in any form that suits them. If ers who want to trample the principles a man has a mind to worship a red dog it of freedom under their feet and deprive is none of my business. It is for me and men of their liberties. In relation to the for my brethren to fulfill the duties that people of the United States, I have noth- God has placed upon us. He has revealed ing myself but kindly feelings. I feel certain principles to us from the heavens sorry for them. I am sorry to see peo- for the benefit of the whole human fam- ple act under wrong influences, influ- ily, and we will do that which God has ences that will lead them to destruction. commanded us. Will they persecute us? The people of the world are placed un- No matter about that. God has told us der influences that they do not compre- to do certain things, and we will carry hend. What is the matter with them? them out, persecuted or not persecuted. I have numbers of prominent men call We must perform our duty. At the same upon me from the United States, and time we have rights and privileges that from all parts of Europe, prominent men belong to us in common with everybody of all classes and grades, and when we that lives in the United States. We have meet together they talk very kindly and as many rights in these United States as very pleasantly. They admire our beau- any other people have, and no man has tiful city and improvements, and they the right to deprive us of them. They are do not believe one-hundredth part of trying to deprive us of them all the time. the stories that are circulated about us That makes no difference. The principle broadcast throughout the earth. They is still the same, and it is for us to look af- say, "We know better than that." There ter our rights. God has given us a goodly are a great many honorable men among land here, and we have paid for it. It is the peoples of the earth, and we do not ours by right of purchase and possession. want to get a spirit of enmity and ha- If we have got farms, or city lots, or in- tred against anybody because of the in- heritances of any kind, we have paid for famous acts of a few unprincipled men. them according to the laws of the United We are here as saviors upon Mount Zion; States. We have complied with all the and the time will come, and it is not requisitions of the United States that are very far distant, when, in consequence of constitutional, and mean to do that all the evils, the corruptions, the adulteries the time. We simply contend for our and licentiousness that prevail through- rights. We simply contend for the princi- out the land, that God will bring the ples of human liberty, not only in behalf people to judgment. Then the time will of ourselves, but in behalf of thousands come, and it is not very far distant, when who are in these United States. There the sinners in Zion will be afraid, when are thousands of honorable men in these fearfulness will surprise the hypocrites. United States—in the Senate and House We are here to build up the Zion of Representatives, and all through the of God, and not to build up our- land—who are quite willing men should selves. We are here to establish righteousness, and to establish it first within ourselves; to feel that 326 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

"as for me and my house, we will fear aiming, as I said before, at a higher exal- God." We should prepare ourselves for tation and a greater glory than the world glory and for eternal lives, that we may know anything about, and that we our- associate with the Gods in the eter- selves at present comprehend, but very nal worlds. We are the sons of God; little. But we shall improve from time to but we occupy a different position in time and become better instructed in the many respects to the rest of the world, laws of life and in the principles of eter- because we have obeyed the new and nal truth. We are gathered together for everlasting covenant; been baptized in that purpose. the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and had hands laid upon us for the reception of the Holy Well, brethren and sisters, God bless Ghost, and have lived up to our privi- you and lead you in the paths of life, in leges, many of us. Consequently we are the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. THE FAITHFUL SAINTS ENJOY REVELATION. 327

THE LORD IS TEACHING US VALUABLE LESSONS IN OUR PRESENT EXPERIENCE—HE IS TEACHING US TO RELY UPON HIM AND TO EXERCISE THE FACULTIES HE HAS GIVEN US—NATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES—THE ELEMENTS OF A VARIETY OF GOVERNMENTS ENTER INTO IT—PHYSICAL AND MORAL COURAGE—THE JUDGE OF THE THIRD DISTRICT COURT NOT A CHRISTIAN—A CONCUBINE WAS A WIFE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE A TERM OF REPROACH—THE CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM VINDICATED—SYMPATHY FOR OUR ENEMIES—WHEN THE SAINTS LEARN TO BE STRICTLY IMPARTIAL, JUDGMENT AND RULE WILL BE GIVEN THEM—NOT ALL IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ARRAYED AGAINST US—WEAKNESS OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT—POWER OF SECRET SOCIETIES—ZION TO BE A PLACE OF REFUGE AND SAFETY—PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S OPPORTUNITY TO BE JUST AND GREAT—WE MUST PURIFY OURSELVES THAT LIBERTY MAY COME.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,LOGAN, CACHE COUNTY,SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE,THURSDAY AFTERNOON,OCTOBER 8, 1885.

There have been a great many very during the meetings of this Conference, excellent things said at this conference, and they find in my heart a responsive and in attempting to add thereto, I de- chord. I do not feel that we are liv- sire the assistance and aid which come ing in unprofitable times, and notwith- through the faith and prayers of the standing the trials, temptations and in- Saints—that I may be inspired by the justice with which we are surrounded, Spirit of God to utter such things as may I view the present as times in which tend to our edification and good. It will the Lord is teaching to His people very doubtless be somewhat difficult to make valuable lessons. It has often been as- all hear unless a goodly degree of order is serted, by our outside friends, that the maintained. Of course I am aware that union of this people was maintained by it is not an easy task for mothers to keep reason of the influence which their lead- their nursing babes quiet in a crowded ers hold over their minds. If this state- house like this and upon a warm day; but ment were true, and the influence ex- we hope to have as good order as possible ercised is unrighteous, the leaders of under the circumstances. the people should be removed. But if the influence which they exercise over I have rejoiced very much in the the minds of the people is for good, testimonies which have been borne it ought to be maintained. As an 328 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Elder in Israel, I hold that the influence dency of the Church. We receive not which binds together this people to be their counsels with that facility that we the spirit of God, and that the Almighty, have done in the past. And although we the creator of the heavens and the earth, miss their presence much—for this peo- is not dependent upon one man or many ple love their leaders—in their absence men, and that the Lord will demonstrate the channel of communication between to all the Christian world, that the re- the heavens and the earth is open to this ligion which is called Mormonism is the people as it never could have been under religion of the heart for the masses of former circumstances. Men and women the people who have espoused its cause; are now learning that their prayers can and if, in the experiences of the past few be heard, and that if they are not able months, and that which is yet in the fu- to receive the counsels of their brethren, ture, the Latter-day Saints learn to rely they can in all places and under all cir- on God, learn to receive for themselves cumstances, receive the counsels of God, heavenly communications for the guid- their Heavenly Father. ance of their feet, though it may cost the Men, communities of men, govern- exile of our leaders or the imprisonment ments, nations, powers, and principali- of those who have worked as their ser- ties have never yet been able to build vants, they will have received that which walls so strong, or make iron doors so is of much value; and although it cost thick as to prevent the prayers of a much, it will be worth more than the righteous man ascending unto his God, cost. We can see now that a few who have hence every man and every woman who relied upon others, who have sought the keep the commandments of the Lord can counsel of their file lenders and have de- have a light and a lamp for their feet, pended upon that counsel when they can and those who have oil in their lamps no longer reach those leaders, falter and will not be uncertain as to the course fall by the wayside. I believe that God in- they should pursue. The revelations of tends that every man and every woman the Lord will inspire them and direct in His Church and kingdom shall exer- them in the ways of truth and right. cise the faculties which He has given them, that in the exercise of their agency When we reflect on the growth of gov- He designs to exalt them in eternal glory. ernments, civilization, the rights of men So long therefore as the people rely upon and the liberties which we so much en- their leaders they are not manifesting joy, to what source do we look as the that degree of faith, they are not in a po- one from whence they came? The great sition to think and reflect for themselves government of which we form a part— as they should. I have known the time of the most liberal, the broadest and the the Presidency of the Church and of the deepest in its foundation, the greatest Apostles taken up in frivolous matters government which God has ever smiled that ought never to have gone beyond the upon—except when he has administered family circle, at least ought not to have according to His own will in the affairs gone beyond the confines of the Ward or- of men—to whom is due its birth and ex- ganization. But times have changed. We pansion. To men who were willing to bow approach not now so easily the Presi- in obedience to the mandates of kingly THE FAITHFUL SAINTS ENJOY REVELATION. 329 governments? No! But rather to men expressing the wishes and wants of the who were inspired by God, their heav- people, and they may frame laws by enly Father, to reach forward to a higher which the people might be governed ac- and a grander civilization and liberty. cording to their choice, but by a single Had the Pilgrim Fathers and others who stroke of the pen the Governor of the were unwilling to bow to the mandates Territory of Utah can veto every act of of European powers not fled to the land the Territorial Legislature. Is not this, of America, we should have had no gov- then, monarchial, and is it not in a very ernment like this. It was founded as strong sense a one-man power? It would a refuge in which the oppressed of ev- seem to be at least autocratic. And in ery land and clime should find a rest- the sense that the people of the Terri- ing place. Not Republican altogether, not tories have no choice in the governor or Democratic wholly, not theocratic, not in the judges who administer the laws, aristocratic, not monarchical, but a com- or in the marshals who enforce the pro- bination of them all. For this govern- cess of the courts and in every other way ment, in the strictest sense, is not a re- wherein the government takes upon it- public, as I understand it. The laws of self the government of the people, with- a republican government are enacted by out the consent of the people, is it not a central power. Were the United States an aristocratic government—the govern- such a government, the laws which gov- ment of the many by the few? Thus, ern the citizens of all the States and Ter- if my conclusions are correct, the gov- ritories would be enacted by Congress, ernment of the United States is theo- instead of by their several Legislatures. cratic insofar as the people trust in and In the purest sense, democracy consists obey the laws of God; it is republican in of a government in which the people are a partial sense; it is democratic in an- governed by laws enacted with their mu- other sense; and it is certainly, so far tual consent and by their direct vote. as the Territories are concerned, monar- We cannot consistently call the govern- chial and aristocratical. Thus we have ment of the United States theocratic only a combination of the elements of a vain so far as the people acknowledge the riety of governments entering into this rule of God. If we pick up a coin, a great Union. But, as was clearly shown $20 gold piece, we can see impressed this morning by Brother F. D. Richards, upon its face the words, "In God we in the disposition of the people to have trust," and insofar as this is true, and Congress enact certain proscriptive laws, expresses the sense and feelings of the we as a people are being deprived of people, this government is theocratic, many of the rights and privileges for but in no sense beyond that. A Terri- which our forefathers contended, for torial government may be said to be in which they pledged their sacred honor, a large sense monarchial, in that the and for which many of them devoted governor of the Territory has conferred their lives. But, knowing the manner in upon him by act of Congress absolute which public opinion is manufactured in veto power, and the legislators who are this great land of ours, I have person- chosen by the people, may labor for sixty ally a degree of charity and of sympathy, days, unite their profoundest thought in not only for Congress, but for the Pres- ident, his Cabinet, and for the supreme 330 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. judiciary of our nation. It is no unlike Charles Sumner, who stood up in the usual thing to see men manifest physi- Senate of the United States and fought cal courage. You can see it in all nature. slavery. He stood there singly and alone, Tread upon a worm and it will turn and but he espoused a righteous cause, and sting you if it can. Men, for the love of by degrees he made adherents until this the things of this world, will often face nation was converted and the Supreme physical danger in every form. They will Court of the United States that declared dig down into the bowels of the earth, that a black man had no rights which navigate the raging seas, and penetrate, a white man was bound to respect, was as it were, to the North Pole—they will overturned at the point of the bayonet face the cannon's mouth when it belches and the sword. Such men as Washing- forth death and desolation in all its hor- ton, Jefferson and Adams—such men as rid forms; they will face death and de- Cromwell, Knox, Luther, Wycliffe, Huss struction in all its horrid forms; they will and Jerome, stand along the shores of face death and desolation in every shape; time as beacons that have lighted the but when you call upon them to manifest way to the higher liberty we ought to en- moral courage, when you call upon them joy in this glorious land today. When I to stand up and maintain the right be- say we, I refer to the nation as a whole, cause it is right, when that right is un- and not to the Latter-day Saints as a popular, you appeal to something that community. If we could enjoy our consti- gives but weak response. I have seen tutional rights, we would be of all people men that would face danger in almost ev- upon this earth the most happy; because, ery conceivable form, shrink and cower with all our faults and failings, God before one breath of scorn. They could smiles upon no people upon the earth as not bear it, and hence you see them make pure as are the Latter-day Saints, and promises and apologies because of the in- happiness consists in purity—the living fluences that surround them. Now, this of a holy life before the Lord. is a popular government, and it would I was very forcibly struck, a few take a very courageous President to do days ago, with the remarks made by justice to the Latter-day Saints. Why? the Judge of the Third Judicial Dis- Because the great majority of the na- trict. I don't think him to be a Chris- tion are prejudiced against us. Not that tian; if he is, he does not understand they are aware of any harm or wicked- the Scriptures as I understand them. ness having been done by this people, In referring to remarks which had been but because of falsehoods that have been made by an individual who had been circulated against the Latter-day Saints. convicted by the jury, the judge re- Therefore, I say that were Mr. Cleveland marked that he did not wish to hear to administer, or cause to be adminis- any more hypocritical cant, and in refer- tered all the laws in Utah impartially, he ring to the wives of the Latter-day Saints would be manifesting a degree of hardi- on one occasion he mentioned them as hood, a degree of moral courage that concubines; and some of our brethren certainly has not been exhibited by any have looked upon that as being a re- recent President of the United States. proach. Well, of course, you can con- This country has produced few men vey contempt in the manner in which a word is uttered. But I do not look THE FAITHFUL SAINTS ENJOY REVELATION. 331 upon the word concubine as being a shall be sorcerers, adulterers, liars and contemptuous term by any means. All whoremongers, and those who love to concubines, anciently, were considered make a lie. Jesus bore testimony to the wives, but all wives were not concubines. virtues of Abraham. He proclaimed him- A concubine, then, was a maid servant self to be a literal descendant from him, married to a free man; and although tracing back his lineage to the loins of her mistress still maintained some ju- David, another polygamist; and when risdiction over her actions, the fact that he, Jesus, spoke of Lazarus, who picked she was a wife gave her an honorable up the crumbs that fell from the rich position—made her a legal wife in the man's table, and who was so poor and sight of God. wretched, whose sores the dogs licked Again, the judge, in referring to what to his ease, delight and comfort—when father Abraham did, said, "Abraham not Jesus spoke of this Lazarus, he spoke only lived with his wives, but also with of him as being in the bosom of Father his wife's handmaids; in other words," Abraham. But the rich man, who per- said the judge, "the same as though you haps had had control of him, and who were to live with your hired girls. Now, had kicked and cuffed him, and looked while that might do for Abraham," said upon him with scorn as he picked up the he, "it will not do for this enlightened crumbs—as we pick up the crumbs of age." Now I desire to show by these re- liberty grudgingly dropped from the ta- marks that the judge of the Third Dis- ble which our fathers made in the day trict Court is not a Christian, and that of oppression and dread—I say, when if he has any hopes of eternal life, he that rich man looked upon Lazarus in does not understand the plan and the his degradation, he was then but his promises of the great Jehovah; for Abra- serf and slave; but when he looked ham was a friend of God; Abraham upon him over that wide gulf that sep- talked with God face to face, and al- arated them, he saw him in the bo- though it may be thought that he lived som of Abraham, and he pleaded that in the dark ages, would to God that Lazarus might be sent to dip his fin- the Christian world would walk in such ger in one drop of cold water, that the darkness today! If, then, the acts of thirst might be slaked in his throat, and Abraham would not do for the Chief Jus- that his burning tongue might be re- tice of the Territory of Utah, neither lieved. The answer was, "Lazarus had would the city in which Abraham dwells his ill things while upon the earth and do for that judge; and when he passes thou hadst thy good things. Now, be- into eternity and behold the names of hold Lazarus has the good things and the twelve apostles written upon the thou hast thine evil things." "Well, said twelve foundations of the Eternal City he the rich man, if he comes not to me send may admire their beauty and grandeur, him to tell my friends and my neigh- but when his attention is drawn to the bors of the condition of affairs here." The twelve pearly gates, he will find en- answer was made, "They have Moses graven thereon the names of the twelve and the prophets, and if they heed sons of Jacob by his four wives, and not these, neither would they listen to their great grandfather Abraham will one, though he rose from the dead." be within that city. Without its walls If the Judge of the Supreme Court of 332 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. the Territory of Utah is a Christian, how their eyes are closed against the things will he feel when he comes into the pres- of God, and if the judgments of God are ence of Father Abraham, whom he has to come upon them according to the pre- sought to cast reflections upon? Will not dictions of the prophets, we can well af- the blush of shame be upon his cheek? ford to have charity and sympathy for And if there is an eternal God, and if that them, and we do as a people. I tell you eternal God is the creator of the heav- that I can pray for my enemies; I can ens and the earth and all our spirits; pray that God may lead them away from and is the friend of Abraham, how can darkness, that He may touch the eyes of that Judge bear his presence? I would their understanding that they may see, rather be the poorest Latter-day Saint on and in their hearts repent. earth and bear chains and fetters upon It is awful to think for a moment my limbs until my flesh dropped from my of the terrible condemnation that will bones than to be in the attitude of the surely come upon men who endorse the man who must bear, without the spirit shedding of innocent blood; but we must, of God, the measure of unjust judgment at last come to love our enemies and which he has measured to others. For pray for them who despitefully use us. this reason, my brethren and sisters, I And when we are prepared to do this say I have the most profound sympathy from the heart, we are prepared to say to for all those whom we sometimes denom- this world, "I am not afraid of anything inate our enemies, and I am not able to you can do." The power of the Spirit lifts forget the fact that whatever their con- the body out of the reach of harm, the dition in this life may be, they fought spirit of Christ has gained the victory, not on the side of Satan in the eter- and we can say when under the influ- nal worlds when Satan rebelled against ence of that spirit, "O death, where is God because the Almighty was unwilling thy sting? O grave, where is thy vic- to adopt his coercive plan of human re- tory?" I can pray for the President of the demption. God was determined that ev- United States, with a desire in my heart ery man, woman and child born into the that God will direct him aright, that world should be free. I say, because God he may have moral courage sufficient to would not adopt his coercive measures do that which is just; because, unless he rebelled against Christ, and one-third the rulers of this nation are actuated by part of heaven followed him, and he the spirit of justice, they cannot be sus- fought against Michael and the hosts of tained by the Almighty. And although heaven, and was cast down to earth with we may find prejudice on the right hand the hosts that followed him. But you can and on the left, we shall never have given find no living man or woman that ever unto us the victory until we learn how breathed the breath of life that fought on to govern upon principle. When men are his side; for the condemnation that came tested, when they are brought before the upon them was a loss of opportunity to courts, cases should be tried, not men. take a body. Therefore, those people who Whenever the Latter-day Saints shall seem to be our enemies are such only by have reached that high degree of excel- reason of their blindness, and because lence in the administration of the laws of THE FAITHFUL SAINTS ENJOY REVELATION. 333

God as to judge impartially between Saints is, let us be of good cheer. I never the Saint and sinner, when they shall have seen a better day than this. The be willing to give Satan his rights as kingdom will come off victorious, and quickly as a Saint or a brother, then will those who have hated us will see the day judgment and rule be placed within their when much woe and afﬂiction will come reach, and I pray that it will never come upon them. before that time. We hear talk about 55,000,000 of Whether a man is a heathen or a people being opposed to the Latter-day Christian, when the kingdom of God is Saints. I offer to you this afternoon my established, he will have his rights and testimony that this is not true. There liberties extended to him. There will are not 55,000,000 in this glorious gov- be no bias, no prejudice, everything will ernment of ours who are opposed to the be done according to the laws of justice Latter-day Saints; it is a great mistake; and equity. Have we always, as a peo- there are thousands in the United States ple, I may ask, manifested a disposition today, who are anxiously waiting for the to act upon the basis of principle? You solution of the "Mormon" problem, who can answer the question for yourselves. are praying for the deliverance of this Have you been willing, as Latter-day people. It is a great mistake to sup- Saints to extend to the Gentile as read- pose that every man, woman and child ily his rights, under your municipal, your in this nation are opposed to this peo- county or your Territorial government as ple; there are scores that, while they you would extend them to a Latter-day have not courage to come out and speak Saint? If you have, then have we admin- a word for them, have a warm throbbing istered upon the basis of principle; but in their hearts for the victory of this peo- if we have not, then have we not come ple and their cause, and they are not to an understanding of that which the blind to their surroundings either. As Lord has revealed; for when His king- an American citizen I deplore it, but I dom bears sway there will be thousands tell the Latter-Saints this afternoon that and millions of people who do not sub- this great government is not strong, and scribe to our religious views, who will the reason is, they have torn up the foun- be gladly governed by the laws of God's dations of the structure that was built kingdom; and the Chinese in the empire by our fathers. They have tipped up the of China, the Hindoo in Hindoostan, or moorings of the great ship. They have al- the Christian in Europe, may read the lowed mob rule to get power in this land, laws that govern Zion, and, with math- and like a dark cloud, secret societies ematical accuracy, ﬁgure out the liber- are gathering around. And while it may ties they can enjoy under the laws of the be smiled at, yet I tell you this nation kingdom of God. There will be no prej- stands as it were upon a mine. When udice or packed juries in the kingdom of the Knights of Labor and the different God that will bind the innocent and set brotherhoods can say in calm language the guilty free. God will govern His king- that within thirty minutes they can stop dom as He governs throughout His uni- the motion of every car wheel between verse, by the laws of justice and equity. Omaha, Nebraska, and Butte, Mon- What I say to the Latter-day tana, I say to you there is power there. 334 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

More than five years ago, certain se- sentiments; I thank you for the kindly cret societies instituted what were called feelings that you entertain," and as an the Pittsburgh riots. The State militia evidence that I feel it, I will say when was called out to quell them, and they this nation, having sown to the wind, were not able to do it. The army of the reaps the whirlwind; when brother takes national government was appealed to, up sword against brother; when father and a United States officer told me that contends against son, and son against fa- when he led his soldiers to Pittsburgh he ther; when he who will not take up his feared to give the word of command to sword against his neighbor must needs fire upon those insurgents, "for," said he, flee to Zion for safety—then I would say "I did not know whether they would obey to my friends come to Utah; for the judg- or turn round and fire upon their offi- ments of God, commencing at the house cers." I have heard merchants of Chicago of the Lord, will have passed away, and and New York declare that they had pri- Utah, undisturbed, will be the most de- vate arms stacked away in their business lightful place in all the Union. When houses because they could not trust the war and desolation and bloodshed, and municipal, the county, the State, or the the ripping up of society come upon the national means of protection; will you nation, I have said to such, "Come to tell me that a nation is strong thus sit- Utah and we will divide our morsel of uated? It is not. The iron heel of the food with you, we will divide our cloth- monopolist has long been upon the neck ing with you, and we will offer you proof labor, and the great question which is tection." I will tell you, my brethren and looming up in this nation today is that sisters, the day will come, and it is not of labor and capital. Would to God we far distant, when he who will not take had statesmen with eyes clear enough to up his sword against his neighbor, will see! Would to God that they would pull have to flee to Zion for safety; and it is out of their eyes the "Mormon" mote and presupposed in this prediction that Zion behold the beam that threatens the na- will have power to give them protection. tion. The occurrence at Rock Springs, We are not going to do it outside of the and the mutterings we hear from the At- government, either; we are going to do lantic to the Pacific ought to be a warn- it inside the government. There is no ing that the day is not far distant, unless power in this land to turn this people the Democratic and Republican parties against the government of the United open their eyes to the situation, when States. They will maintain the Consti- desolation and war will be in this gov- tution of this country inviolate, and al- ernment. When men who live in San though it may have been torn to shreds Francisco, Chicago and New York, have they will tie it together again, and main- said to me, "Mr. Thatcher, why don't tain every principle of it, holding it up you renounce this objectionable feature to the downtrodden of every nation, kin- of your religion, the nation is opposed dred, tongue and people, and they will to it, the civilization of the age does do it, too, under the Stars and Stripes. not want to permit it—why don't you They will stand with their feet firmly renounce it and live in peace?" I have upon the backbone of the American said to them, "I thank you for your kind continent and maintain the principles THE FAITHFUL SAINTS ENJOY REVELATION. 335 which cost their fathers so much, and until the Almighty grants them unto us. those principles cannot be taken away by May the spirit of the testimony of the men who violate their oath of office, and Lord Jesus Christ be in your hearts, for betray their trust. above all things it is the most precious; I tell you that there are boys grow- and when you come before the judges ing up in these mountains who have take no heed of what you shall say or the the principles of human liberty grounded answers you shall give, but trust in God, deep in their hearts, and they will and if you go before the judges silent as maintain them, not only for themselves, did your Lord and master, if they choose but for others. God speed the day I to nail you upon the cross or stretch you say—if the nation pursues its downward upon the wheel or the rack, or if they course and tears up these fundamen- thrust you into dungeons or prisons, it tal principles of government which have is nothing more than was done to your made them strong—when the Constitu- Master before you. Let us trust in God. I tion may be rescued and all men and tell you nothing of importance has ever women shall be free again. I pray that been attained in this world without a Grover Cleveland may stand up as the hard struggle against the opinions and chief executive of the greatest nation prejudices of men. that there is on God's footstool today and say to the waves of public opinion and God grant that we may soon regain public pressure that the nation must be and forever maintain our liberty. But ruled upon the principles of righteous- may it not come as long as we have an ness and justice. If he would do that, he adulterer, a fornicator, or whoremaster would make himself a name that would who professes to be a Latter-day Saint. be embalmed forever upon the pages of As long as such as these partake of the history. But if he will not do it—if he Holy Sacrament with this people, let is not morally strong enough to do it, bondage continue. But let us purge out and if Congress will not come forward these things, let us be pure and holy be- and help him do it, we will say, "O, fore God, cherishing the principles of jus- God, we put our dependence in Thee," tice in our hearts, and the day of liberty and where Thou leadest we will follow, will surely come, which may God grant, and we will seek to maintain our rights, is my prayer. Amen. 336 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

OUR EFFORTS TO INFORM THE WORLD OF OUR DOCTRINES—WE MUST EXPECT PERSECUTION—MAN HAS NO RIGHT TO MAKE LAWS CONTRARY TO THE LAW OF GOD—PLURAL MARRIAGE IS NO CRIME—BIGAMY A CRIME—THERE ARE MORE FOR US THAN AGAINST US—THE WORK OF GOD NOT UPHELD BY NUMBERS—THE BLOOD OF THE PROPHETS IS UPON THE AMERICAN NATION—GOD WILL TEST US.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D.RICHARDS, DELIVEREDATTHE GENERAL CONFERENCE, AT LOGAN, HELDIN OCTOBER, 1885.

Providence seems to smile upon our tired at it yet; we are still sending mis- gathering together for a conference at sionaries to the four quarters of the this time. Indeed, as a people, if we earth. We have sent them without stint take into consideration all of the bless- of numbers to the people of this great na- ings of our common salvation, we are to- tion, the United States; have endeavored day highly favored of the Lord, in every to inform them ever since the year 1830, general respect. I think our hearts ought and especially since the endowment at to be moved by a sense of gratitude for Kirtland in 1836, when the Apostles, all of His many blessings to us, both tem- High Priests and Elders went forth into poral and spiritual. Our brethren here all parts of this nation, as far as per- have gone to and improved the condi- mitted, and as fast as they had oppor- tion of their tabernacle, so that we are tunity, to inform the people of the prin- very comfortably situated. The singers, ciples of our faith. But it seems al- I think, feel that they have got into the most impossible to get to their ears, and right place; a good table is also provided much less likely to reach their hearts. for the reporters. I take this opportunity It appears to have been easier for us to invite reporters of any and all newspa- in an early day to receive that mea- pers that may be present, who wish to do sure which the Lord had revealed for so, to come forward, take a seat at this our benefit than it is now when He is table and report the proceedings of our giving us so much that the new wine conference. The only favors we ask at cannot be received into the old vessels, their hands is that they will please re- and if it could we do not know what the port us correctly. results would be. In these our times, We have been striving half a cen- some of the feeble and fainthearted, tury to inform the world of the prin- will no doubt think that because of ciples of our faith, and we have not the efforts at persecution against us we OPPOSITION IS TO BE EXPECTED. 337 have reason to be very sad, to pull long These things, however, should not faces and be cast down because we are move us, or they should only, if they oppressed. Brethren, not so. Do not move us at all, strengthen us to stand think of it a minute. So long as we are true to the holy faith of the Gospel, to the dealt with in a milder manner than our principles, ordinances and institutions Master was, we have reason to be thank- which the Lord has revealed unto us. We ful and ought to go on our way rejoicing. may expect to meet opposition on every So long as we are not dealt with more hand, but our opposition may come in harshly than our brethren have been in a different form from what our brethren former periods of time and in this dispen- have formerly had to endure; we should, sation in which we live, we have reason however, be armed with the spirit of di- to be thankful. vine truth, so that we may comprehend We lament the absence of our our duty under every circumstance and brethren of the First Presidency, and every condition in life. I know some of several of the Council of the Twelve the brethren feel that it is a very serious Apostles. We would be glad and thankful thing to be cast into prison. Why, there if we could have them all with us, but we is many a thing worse than that. It is are pleased that so many of us can be a thousand times better to go to prison with you as are here. We hope that the than to deny the principles of the Gospel, conference will result in the strengthen- and to be forsaken of the Holy Spirit. ing the good resolutions of every Latter- What did Brother Brigham say before he day Saint—in invigorating the energies left us? When Congress passed the law of all who are in anywise afflicted, or op- of 1862, I heard him make this remark— pressed with temptations and trials of rather startling at the time—that a man any kind. The Lord told the brethren who would not be willing to pay his fine in his day—those whom He appointed, and take a term of imprisonment for a laid His hands upon and ordained to the real good, virtuous woman was not wor- Apostleship—that this would be their thy of a wife at all. Well, let us learn to heritage; that they would be vilified and look at these things in a proper manner, hailed to prison, and that men would and be thankful that our conditions are think they were doing God service in tak- no worse. Let us look to God continually; ing their lives from the earth. And, said He will guide and control all things for He, is the servant greater than His mas- the good of His people. ter? No. He told them that when they There is a portion of the writings of experienced these things, they were to the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, that lift up their heads and rejoice; for great seems so appropriate to our condition, was their reward in heaven. Therefore, that I propose to read in the hearing of we have the assurance that if we are the congregation a part of the 6th chap- true and faithful, we shall suffer tri- ter, commencing at the 10th verse: als and temptations as they did in former days, and as Joseph and Hyrum, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in and the brethren of the Apostles, with the Lord, and in the power of his might. a host of Elders, have done in these lat- "Put on the whole armor of ter days for the principles of the Gospel. God, that ye may be able to stand 338 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. against the wiles of the devil. It would seem that after the very "For we wrestle not against flesh and elaborate and comprehensive epistle blood, but against principalities, against that has been communicated to us by powers, against the rulers of the dark- our brethren of the First Presidency, in ness of this world, against spiritual which they seem to cover many of the wickedness in high places. circumstances which now attend upon God's people, and in which they also give "Wherefore take unto you the whole to us such words of exhortation and in- armor of God, that ye may be able to struction as, if followed by us, must not withstand in the evil day, and having only make us understand better our condone all, to stand. dition, but know better how to occupy "Stand therefore, having your loins our positions with credit to ourselves and girt about with truth, and having on the to the acceptance of God our heavenly breastplate of righteousness; Father—I say it would seem, after read- "And your feet shod with the prepa- ing that epistle, and having it impressed ration of the gospel of peace; upon our minds, as I am sure it must "Above all, taking the shield of faith, be upon all who listened in spirit and wherewith ye shall be able to quench all in truth, as if it were scarcely necessary the fiery darts of the wicked. that anything more should be said to "And take the helmet of salvation, put us right in regard to our duties and and the sword of the Spirit, which is the give us understanding concerning them, word of God: or strength in the performance of them. But we each of us have a testimony of "Praying always with all prayer and the truth of the Gospel and of the work supplication in the Spirit, and watching of God to bear to our brethren and sis- thereunto with all perseverance and sup- ters, and I feel a desire myself, in com- plication for all saints." mon with my brethren, to communicate I have read these words because such things as may be given to me, so of their remarkable adaptation to our that we may be encouraged in the work present condition and circumstances. in which we are engaged; that we may I feel, in attempting to address the feel our good resolutions strengthened Saints, a very great degree of helpless- within us, that we may be led to real- ness, and of dependence upon the en- ize in whose name we trust, in whose lightenment and aid of the Holy Spirit strength we stand, and that we may be in order that I may speak to you a able also to realize, as the Apostle Paul short time unto edification; for without did, when he wrote, "We wrestle not the spirit of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit against flesh and blood, but against prin- of divine truth which is sent forth to cipalities, and powers, against the rulers testify of God and of the truth to the of the darkness of this world, against hearts of the honest in the earth, our spiritual wickedness in high places." labors will be of very trifling account. Our condition is a very peculiar But if we have the aid and help of that one in regard to this nation, and Spirit, then we may be edified and rejoice yet it is no more strange or peculiar together as the children of God—both than has been the condition of God's he that speaketh and he that heareth. people in other ages which are re- OPPOSITION IS TO BE EXPECTED. 339 corded in history for our comfort, encour- This celebrated gentleman who is agement and consolation. Therefore, I considered to this present day as one of feel this morning like speaking a little the greatest, if not the very greatest le- about the nature of that which is called gal light of the age, laid it down plainly crime, which is charged upon us. and emphatically, that man had no right We are told by men in high places to make any laws contrary to or in con- that it is the highest duty of good citizens flict with the law of God. I wish ev- to render obedience to the laws of the ery lawyer throughout the nation would land in which we live. Now I can scarcely read it and understand it; for when they believe that any professor of religion— depart from that rule they become apos- any honest religious professor of any tate from the faith of true legal jurispru- Christian denomination in these United dence as laid down by this distinguished States—can honestly and solidly endorse apostle of the law; and furthermore, he that sentiment, much less anyone who held that the laws which should regu- is clothed with the ermine and is hon- late or constitute the jurisprudence of ev- ored with a seat upon the judicial bench; ery nation were derived from and based yet it is from judges that we hear this. upon the laws revealed by God, through A great apostle of the law, the greatest, the Prophet Moses. This gentleman the ablest and most popular delineator of stated and laid down as a fact that the the law from the days of Justinian of an- Ten Commandments, the ancient law of cient Rome down until his day, was the God, were held by him to be the basis, renowned Mr. Blackstone himself. When and fundamental principle of all law, jus- portions of various nations had settled tice and administration that should be together in the island of Great Britain— had among the human family. He claims some from the northern states of Scan- that as the basis of his work. Then no dinavia, others from Brittany, and the man who is a true lawyer, after the or- different parts of the German or Saxon der of the celebrated Blackstone, can say nations and had collected the laws of in truth that it is the highest duty of a those countries for the purpose of hav- good citizen that he should observe in all ing them assimilated, so that those peo- things the laws of the land, unless it be ple who came from their various coun- first established that those laws are con- tries should have one established usage sistent with the laws of God. of law for the regulation of all their civil Now, then, wherein are we trans- and criminal procedures in the adjudica- gressors? I wish to call your attention tion of their difficulties with each other, to this a few minutes, because I de- the learned Chancellor Blackstone un- sire my brethren and sisters to under- dertook this great task, and from the stand whenever they are called in ques- alembic of his intelligent and powerful tion before the tribunals of this nation— mind brought forth and enunciated his I want our boys and girls that are grow- views of the law. These views have been ing up around us to understand what is held to be the basis of all legal admin- the nature of that which is called crime, istration; the fundamental principles of which is alleged against their fathers, jurisprudence among all Christian na- and in which their mothers are partic- tions ever since he published them. ipants. It was never alleged against 340 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. us as men of Israel, as "Mormons," if nant." Therefore, all had to go forth, who you please, that we were violators or had had been baptized by men having no au- been, violators of the law of the land un- thority to administer, and be baptized til July, 1862. It was never proven and by one who had authority, in the name cannot now be shown that we, as a peo- of Jesus, for the forgiveness of sins, and ple were violators of any law of the land for admission into the Church of Christ. whatever. In 1862, a law was enacted By and by, when we had walked before against bigamy, or polygamy. The term the Lord for a number of years, He re- bigamy had always been used before, but vealed to us the laws of marriage. Well- now it was coupled with polygamy in or- regulated parents do not teach their chil- der that it might be made to reach, and dren when they are dandling them on be understood by everybody as intended their laps the nature of the covenant, for, the Latter-day Saints. or the ordinance, or the duties of mar- Now, then, to come at the matter riage. They wait until they grow up. in question, what is the crime, if any It is proper that they should wait until there is, in this doctrine of heavenly mar- their children have attained to years of riage as we hold it, the doctrine of the judgment, understanding, and perhaps eternal covenant of marriage, incident to the age of puberty. So the Lord, in to which is plurality of wives? When dealing with his children did not reveal we married our wives at the first—we this eternal covenant of marriage until were New Englanders, Britons, Scan- his people had lived a while in keep- dinavians, &c.—we were married un- ing the first laws and ordinances of the til death should us part. That was Church, and learned to walk in the light the period for which we made contract, of the Holy Spirit, and to purify them- whether we went into the church and selves from the various besetments with had the ordinance solemnized by an ec- which they were attended when they clesiastic, or whether it was done be- went into the waters of baptism, and before a justice of the peace, judge, or any come better prepared for more exalted civil magistrate. When the law of God principles and truths. One of the last came, before the doctrine of the eternity great principles that the Prophet Joseph and plurality of marriage was taught to was commanded of God to teach us, was us, the Lord gave us a revelation, in a the law regulating the eternity of mar- very early day, in regard to members of riage; that whereas, we had taken our other churches being rebaptized. Some wives only until death should us part, of them doubted the need of being rebap- we should now understand that we were, tized. They said we were baptized into while in the flesh, laying the foundation the Baptist church; we were sprinkled for eternal dominions, crowns and ex- in the Methodist church, in the Presby- altations; that our wives and our chil- terian, in the Congregational: why be dren were given to us of God for the pur- baptized again? The Lord in answer pose of laying the foundation of a king- to this question told His people that all dom; that we shall have, if we are faith- old covenants He had caused to be done ful and obedient, the covenant of eter- away; but "Behold!" He said, "I give nal life ourselves and the power to seal unto you a new and everlasting cove- the same upon our generations, that they OPPOSITION IS TO BE EXPECTED. 341 may become, as Abraham's, like the is charged upon us. This crime of tak- sands of the seashore for number. ing another wife when a man has one is The Latter-day Saints claim to be the called bigamy; and there are laws and children of Abraham, and if they are the penalties against it. With the Latter- children of Abraham, they will do the day Saints there is no fraud practiced, works of Abraham. It was difficult for the second wife being accepted with the men and women from all parts of the mutual consent of the first, and in accor- world, who had lived in the monogamic dance with the revelations of God. There order all their lives to accept this doc- is in that no crime at all, unless some trine of the eternity and plurality of law of God is violated, or somebody is in- marriage. It was "a new and everlast- jured in the matter. If this transaction ing covenant; and if ye abide not that that I have just named violates the law of covenant, then are ye damned, saith God, or if it injures or infringes upon the the Lord." This was the obligation that rights of a brother or a sister, then there was laid upon the Prophet Joseph, and may be some ground for pronouncing it a through him, upon the true believers of crime, but belief in, and practice of, the the Church, even all who were worthy to eternity and plurality of the marriage accept of these obligations. It was herein covenant do not violate the law of God, that the Elders and their wives extended because He has commanded His people their faith, enlarged their obedience, and to accept and obey it. Neither is it an accepted the terms of the new and ever- infringement upon the rights of others, lasting covenant extending not through neither men nor women, but gives all time only, but eternity also. women an opportunity to become honor- Now, I ask, who is injured by a man able wives and mothers, and thus to shut taking a second wife, when the wife he out what is politely called the social evil, now has is agreeable and it is mutually with all its horrid concomitants of se- understood between her and him and the duction, feticide, infanticide and all the newly affianced; it being entered into train of sexual monogamic evils which with a mutual understanding and a mu- haunt and infest Christendom. tual agreement according to the law of If, then, we violate no law of God nor God—I ask, who is injured? right of our fellows, wherein, I ask again, Wherein consists the crime of consists the crime of our religious faith? bigamy? It is this. When a man takes It is in this: that Congress forbids it; one wife he covenants to adhere to just as Darius forbade Daniel praying her until death do them part. He vio- to God, and because he persisted, cast lates that covenant when he takes an- him into the den of lions; the same as other woman, unknown to his wife; he Herod caused all the male children to thus practices fraud upon her. This be slain, hoping to kill Christ our Sav- is where the crime comes in. Fraud ior in his infancy; the same also as Neb- is perpetrated upon his own family. I uchadnezzar cast the Hebrew children want the old and the young to under- into the flames because they worshiped stand it; I want to come down to the the living God rather than his idol. root of the matter, and find out and Wherein consists the crime of Daniel show up what the crime is, if any, that praying to the God of Israel? Simply be- 342 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. cause King Darius forbade him doing it. cause they are faithful to their families; because they have taken wives in order What constituted the crime of the that they may rear up children, have a Hebrew children in worshiping the God generation to bear their names and their of Heaven? Solely because Nebuchad- priesthood, and to become a people de- nezzar commanded them to worship the voted to the living God. golden image, which they would not do. I want to say in this connection, as What is the intrinsic nature of our crime I wish all to understand it, that when in believing and practicing the eternal we adopted this principle by the revela- covenant of plural marriage as revealed tions of God, there was no law in the land by the Almighty, and as we are com- against it. Understand it, brethren and manded to do? Simply and solely this: sisters. But it is now as in ancient times, Congress passed a law making it a penal when the captives of Judea were carried offense to do so. This is all the criminal- into Babylon. Their captors found ex- ity there is about it; and the question re- cellent qualities in them, as some say mains for each one to answer, Shall we now they like our industry, our enter- obey God or man? prise and our virtue "outside the marriage relation," but we want you to put What is liberty—the liberty that you away this commandment of the Lord and and I and all men are entitled to enjoy? "become like us," "be as we are," then we It is that we do not violate the law of will like you, and we will be hail fellows God, or that we do not infringe upon the well met. rights and liberties of our fellow crea- The representatives of the country tures. That is true liberty. Upon that at Washington have discovered some- hang also the law and the prophets. thing or other in these mountains that is displeasing to them; that we are in- In the establishment of this principle creasing; that we delight in our chil- of the Gospel, the marriage covenant, it dren, and do not take measures to pre- is intended only for God's people, and not vent their coming forth, as is very fre- for the people of the world. They do not quently done in the world; that we want it. They would like to have that are willing to take wives and support liberty which is not liberty but license— them rather than to indulge in whore- by which they can continue and per- dom and the like; and they said, "This petuate seduction and adultery among won't do." Hence they went to work and them—keep up their houses of prostitu- passed a law against us, that would pre- tion and their places of assignation. It is vent us carrying out the principles of a part of the business of both high and our religion. I want these young boys low to keep going this degradation and and girls, as well as the older ones, to destruction of the female portion of the know that God has never given us a race, and it is because the people of God law that was in conflict with any law of have taken a course that every righteous the land; but that Congress has enacted woman may have an honorable husband, laws to make us criminals. There is no become an honorable wife and have a po- crime in that which we practice, inas- sition in the family and household, that much as no man is injured, no woman our brethren are hailed to prison; be- injured, and no person's rights are OPPOSITION IS TO BE EXPECTED. 343 invaded; on the contrary, our people are to come and dwell among us; they de- called upon to exercise a great amount of sire a parentage among the Saints of the self-denial and self-abnegation, that all living God, where they can be welcomed may be blessed, and that the charity of with filial love and not repulsed by feti- the Gospel may be extended to all the cide, where they can be brought up in human family, as God has designed and the fear of God, with a hope of return- ordained. Thus, we are not violators of ing pure to the Father's presence, with- the law of the land, but the lawmakers out being lost by blood guiltiness or other of the nation make us transgressors. God crimes while in mortality. commands us to keep His law. The peo- How do you think the spirits contem- ple through their representatives say we plate the necessity of a birth in the na- shall not. That is all there is in it. They tions of the earth where so much har- undertake to say that we shall not ob- lotry and whoredom exist? I tell you serve the law of plural marriage, and in this very presumption of the country in consequence of this they are hailing us to which we live, that we shall not have prison. Our outgoings and incomings are these children to dwell in our midst and watched by marshals, so as to find some- bear the name of Christ in the earth, is thing upon which to bring us before a a presumption against the very heavens, commissioner or before a grand jury; not and against those spirits of the just who for any crime we have done, but because are waiting to be made perfect through we have obeyed God, which Congress their sufferings in the flesh. has said we must not do—making a law Ah! says one, you folks in the moun- against us—whereas we are violating no tains, numbering only one hundred and law. fifty thousand to two hundred thousand, need not talk in that kind of way; for I do not love to talk against my fel- here is a great nation of fifty-five mil- low men; I simply present these things to lions of people who say you shall not you to show up the real state of the case. do this thing, or, if you do, you cannot It is unpleasant for me to say that the have a home with us. Well, we will ad- men of the Congress of 1862, and that of mit that about two hundred people of 1882, were not men of the most immacu- the United States say to everyone of the late virtue. It is understood throughout Latter-day Saints that we must put away the land that nowhere on this continent this doctrine, or we cannot dwell in this is the practice of whoredom and of the se- land. Well, that is a terrible majority duction of women carried on to a greater against us: but let us look at this a extent than in the city of Washington, little. I do not think that we need be and by those men who go there to make very badly scared. You recollect at one laws against this people. What attitude time a young man was with Elisha the does it place the people of this nation in, Prophet, when a large host compassed and the Congress of the country, in rela- the city, both with horses and chariots, tion to us and this law we are undertak- and a battle was imminent. It was turbu- ing to keep? Why, as soon as the Lord has lent times with Israel then, worse than it established His Gospel and covenant, is with us now. The defending army was the spirits of the other world are seeking a very small one, and the heart of the 344 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. young man began to falter. He could and to three hundred, which was all the not see how the few of Israel were go- Lord wanted. The others were told to go ing to prevail against their numerous en- home, and Gideon, by following the in- emies. Whereupon Elisha prayed, and structions of the Lord, put all the hosts said, "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, of the Midianites and Amalekites, who that he," the young man, "may see." And were said to be "like grasshoppers for the Lord opened the eyes of the young multitude," to flight. man; and he saw: and behold, the moun- That is just what is the matter with tain was full of horses and chariots of fire us. There are too many with us who are round about Elisha. Fear not, said the not living as Latter-day Saints ought to Prophet, "for they that be with us are live. Again, there are many who walk more than they that be with them." in other men's light. If they whose duty Now, it is so with us exactly. All it is will only put away from us those the fathers who have gone before, the who will not serve God, we shall find our- Prophet Joseph, and Hyrum, the Apos- selves strengthened in the work in which tles and Patriarchs, the Elders, High we are engaged. If we will but do what is Priests, and hosts of others, say noth- right, we need not fear what our enemies ing of the fathers of our generation can do. The Lord only wants the honest, hundreds of years back, are all around the obedient, the faithful, and He will us, waiting and watching and anxious "turn the world upside down, waste the to see us go forward and triumph; so inhabitants thereof," and glorify Himself that we have many more for us than by His people. against us, the fifty-five millions to the I have referred to the instance of contrary notwithstanding. Therefore, Gideon on purpose to remind you that we have no occasion to let our hands the work of the Lord is not upheld by hang down from fear, or our knees to strength of numbers, but it is by the tremble; not a bit of it. On the con- Spirit of God—the spirit of obedience, trary, I tell you, my brethren and sis- which is better than sacrifice or the fat ters, that one of the greatest evils exist- of rams, and that the wisdom of God is ing in our midst today is that there are better than strength or weapons of war. too many of us. You may think that is Men of intelligence—politicians from a hard saying; but there are decidedly European countries as well as our own— too many of us. There are people among have visited this country, and I have us who are committing all manner of heard them tell President Young that we sin and transgression—people who drink had a very strong government in this with the drunken and spend their sub- Territory. We all know that: but it is good stance with harlots and in riotous liv- to have wise men visit Utah from abroad ing. All such should be severed from and see the excellence and strength of its the Church, unless they repent speed- government. ily. The numbers should be reduced, I would say to the people of the like unto the army of Gideon. The Lord land—inasmuch as they are mak- told Gideon that he had too big an army, ing this bugaboo about polygamy— and it was reduced, (in the manner re- not to be deceived. The Governor lated in the seventh chapter of the Book has told men upon the streets that of Judges) from two and thirty thous- he did not care anything about poly- OPPOSITION IS TO BE EXPECTED. 345 gamy; (we knew very well that he did Edmunds law against us. But they do not by his conduct;) but it was the these things because their hearts are power of the Church that must be bro- hard, and because the blood of innocence ken. Must it? This is the work of rests upon them this nation have yet to the Lord, and there need not anybody rise up and rid themselves of this blood, mistake it. The order of God's church and place the responsibility where it be- and kingdom is the strongest govern- longs, or they will have to suffer as ac- ment ever known on this earth, and if complices after the fact for these terri- the people of this great nation enter- ble things done in their midst—this peo- tain any fears of the consequence or ef- ple driven from city to city, despoiled of fects of such a government, why, I ask, their goods; driven into the wilderness to don't you of the nation, you of Congress, this country, to find a home in which they you of the Cabinet, if you please, em- could dwell in peace. Blessed be God for brace this order of government and es- enabling us to find it out! We have had tablish it over the nation! You can do a home of peace and rejoicing, and we it. You can repent of your sins, every have been blessed in all things. Have we one of you, and be baptized for a re- need today to be terrified? Do our hearts mission of them. You can adopt and need to palpitate for fear? We have had extend this strong government which a United States army camp in our midst God has established in these mountains, already, and we have no occasion to fear and if you will do it, God will establish now; God will work out the deliverance you and the government and this nation of His people. never to depart from before His face; and The Lord never more thoroughly frus- you shall be made the means of help- trated the design of an army than in the ing to bring everlasting righteousness— instance of that which came out here, the millennium—upon this land, and of and never was there a time when He causing the Spirit of God to rest down caused the gain of the Gentiles to be scat- upon all flesh. Is it not worth your while tered among His people more effectually to engage in a thing of this kind? than He did with the goods the army But, ah! The terrible fact exists that brought to this country. the blood of the prophets is upon this na- Shall we fear today? Let us look back tion, although the nation has not shed to Israel and see their deliverance— their blood, yet a sovereign state permit- as related in the Bible and Book of ted it, and the nation have not washed Mormon—see what He did in former their hands from it. This accounts for times. The secret of success is obedience the terrible hardness of heart that is to to the commandments of God, and to the be found in this country. covenants we have made with Him. Were it not for a lying press and a cor- It does not become me to say what rupt people in our midst, who incite igno- I will do when I am brought to the rant people to send petitions against the judgment seat to be tried and sen- "Mormons" to Congress by the bushel, tenced. A man don't know what the nation could not be wrought up to he will do. Let us recollect the such frenzy, nor to make such laws as the instance of Peter, who walked with 346 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Jesus by day and by night. In the light God, and let us teach our families to do of these things it does not do to boast so also, that we may grow strong in His what we will do; but I hope by the bless- righteousness; then we shall find it is ing of God to remain firm and immovable no matter how many there are against when these things look me in the face. I us, we shall know that there are more ask God to give me grace sufficient that I for us than against us. He will bring may keep His commandments, honor ev- us all right up to the test, and will find ery law He has given, or shall give, and out what is in every man and what every stand firm to the truth under every cir- man is able to endure. Our sisters think cumstance in life. that they had all the hurt of this matter, I pray that the blessing of God may that the men had it nice and fine; but I be upon you. Be true and faithful tell you the men will get their full share, to God. Let the brethren attend to and you sisters will get even with them, those things which the First Presidency if you will only abide true and faithful. have pointed out in their epistle in regard to transgressors, and they that May the Lord grant His blessing upon fear not God neither regard His precepts each as we have need; I ask it in the and laws. Keep the commandments of name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

REMARKS.

REMARKSBY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, BEFORETHE HIGH COUNCILOF SALT LAKE STAKEOF ZION,FEBRUARY 20, 1884.

The case of the officers of the Deseret Cannon. President John Taylor on that Hospital versus Dr. Ellen B. Ferguson occasion, made lengthy remarks which was heard before the High Council of were applicable to the case in question, the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, on the 20th and upon the general principles of jus- of February, 1884, and a decision was tice. The request has been made that rendered therein by President Angus M. they should be published, as they would REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 347 be of benefit for the guidance of other gation; for I think it was more an inves- High Councils. For this reason, his re- tigation than a trial. marks and the proceedings in the case The investigation was instituted to are now published. Mr. President and find out the true status of certain things Members of the High Council: whereby injury had been received by certain parties, and, on reflecting further I listened with a good deal of inter- upon the subject, I have had some leadest to a trial that you had before you, ing items put down, which, as I have yesterday and the day before, in which said, Brother Reynolds will read, after there were certain principles developed which I will make some remarks. that I thought it might be necessary and I speak of these things before Brother advantageous to reflect upon, and to give Reynolds reads my views, otherwise the you some of my views thereon. attitude that I take might seem strange I should have been pleased to have to you. done this had there been time when the In the few remarks I made before High Council was before in session; but I the High Council, at the conclusion of thought as I had not then an opportunity the investigation, I stated that I was I would take the opportunity tonight, pleased to see the harmony and unity, this meeting having been convened for the kindly feelings, care and anxiety that that purpose. you manifested to all parties, both for and against, with a view to arriving at There are a great many principles un- a just conclusion in relation to this mat- derlying the subject that was presented ter. I also spoke of the Board of Direc- before you, and acting as you are in the tors of the Hospital, stating that they capacity of a High Council, and having also had done as near right as they many cases to adjust, I thought it might knew how. Then I spoke of the ac- be proper to touch upon some of the lead- cusers of the party in question—Sister ing principles pertaining to government, Ferguson—and I thought that although rule, authority, dominion, the conflict of there were some errors associated with opinion, the necessity of being prepared the action taken, that they were quite to act wisely, prudently and intelligently, sincere in their intention to correct a and to discriminate between right and supposed evil, and I would not except wrong: so that upon general principles Sister Ferguson from the same rule, and we might be able to comprehend things the question is, with such a diversity of that would be calculated, in many in- opinion, with so much commotion in ex- stances, to help us to avoid a great deal istence, with so many severe charges be- of difficulty. I have been very much hur- ing made, how it is possible for all to ried for time today, or I would have liked be right, and yet all acted upon princi- to have had some of my views prepared. ples that they conceived to be right; but As it is, I have had a few items put which were in many respects incorrect. down very hastily, and I will get Brother This I may explain more fully hereafter; George Reynolds to read what I have and it is for this purpose that I wish to stated on this subject. talk a little to lay my views more fully I made a few remarks at the con- before you. clusion of the investigation you have Brother George Reynolds then read had here. I call it an investi- as follows; 348 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

I. The care, justice, equity and proper as the United States, France, Switzer- deference to all manifested by the High land, Mexico, and the South American Council. Republics and others. These are sup- II. The care and zeal manifested posed to be governed by the people and by the Directors, the President and are said to be "governments of the peo- associates in the interests of the ple, for the people and by the people," Institution—the Deseret Hospital. their general motto being Vox populi, vox III. The zeal, energy and competency Dei, or the voice of the people is the voice of the resident surgeon, as vouched for of God. These governments assume dif- by the testimony of other eminent physi- ferent phases according to the nature of cians. the government, varying from absolute IV. The diligence and zeal manifested despotism, wherein the will of one man by the matron and the assistants. governs the whole, to that of the freest Whence then originates this diffi- and fullest and most unrestricted will of culty; these hard feelings, sayings and the people; and to prevent usurpations doings, this bitterness, acrimony and os- in the republican forms of government, tracism? as well as in some of the limited monar- These arise partly from misunder- chies, constitutions are introduced and standing, partly from ignorance, and subscribed to, which are an agreement partly from a misconception of law, order, or compact between the rulers and the precedence and jurisdiction, with proba- people, or the governors and the gov- bly the best possible motives. It will be erned, and such governments whether found on a careful examination of this monarchical or republican are called con- subject that there is a great principle in- stitutional governments. These constitu- volved that affects in some respects all tions prescribe the powers and author- institutions, associations and nations. ity of the various officers in the gov- Among the nations of the earth ernment, and how and in what man- there are various forms of government. ner the several officers of the govern- There are what are called absolute ment shall be selected, elected and qual- monarchies—such as Russia, Turkey, ified. In our government, whether in a China, Persia, Morocco and others; National, State, or Territorial form, all then there are limited monarchies, such officers, of every grade, are requested as England, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, to take a solemn oath to sustain and Greece, Portugal and others; these are maintain the constitution of the United governments which are called represen- States, and of the State, or if a Terri- tative, having a monarchy, but that tory, the organic act of the Territory as monarchy partially under the power of the case may be. If these things are not the representative of the people. There is a fiction all these officers and author- another species of government which is ities throughout the land in every de- called oligarchical, which is under the di- partment of National, State or Territo- rection of notables, who manipulate the rial government, are as much bound by affairs of the country for the benefit of their obligations and oaths as the people the people. Then there is what is called are bound to be subject to all constitu- the republican form of government, such tional laws, and the people are not one REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 349 whit more bound to the observance of governments, such as educational insti- the law than these men are bound to tutions, hospitals, infirmaries, asylums, the observance of the sacred and solemn railroads, canals, steam boat lines, etc., covenants which they have entered into. all of which are more or less sanctioned And if the people have given up to gov- by law, and are more or less of a quasi ernors, legislatures, the judiciary and to public character. These institutions gen- the officers of the law certain powers, erally have usages of their own, and op- rights and privileges, this authority com- erate under certain stipulations speci- ing of or from the people, it is expected fied in charters granted to them, each that they shall act for and in the inter- having their own regulations and by- ests of the people; and furthermore, that laws, as their directors, boards of man- while they possess those rights ceded to agement, or other officers may dictate. them by the people, whatever is not thus These are all subject to the common laws ceded and placed in the hands of their of nations and the usages of the peo- rulers is emphatically stated to be re- ple. Then there are other laws, there are served to the several States or to the peo- laws that pertain to the physical world ple. in which we live, and those that gov- There are again other branches of ern the sun, the moon, and the countless government among the several nations, stars that shine in the dome of heaven. or States in the nations, as well as in With all these man has nothing to do. this nation; there is martial law and civil He never has been and in the nature law; also the governments of cities act- of things never can be able to change ing under the directions of the authori- what are called the laws of nature. If ties or legislators of the nations or of this any congress, parliament, or convocation nation; to whom certain rights, immuni- was to pass a law changing the period ties and privileges are given in the shape of the earth's revolution, or the phases of municipal regulations or of charters. of the moon, or the rising or setting of But it must be understood here in mat- the sun, or if all the congresses, parlia- ters pertaining to our government, that ments, or legislative bodies in the world no charters or grants of any kind can were to unite to pass such a law, it be given by any parties, in excess of the would be of none effect, or utterly use- rights which they themselves possess, less, for the simple reason that these and that the same obligations which vest laws are entirely independent of man's in regard to constitutional rights and action and outside of his control. So with guarantees must be observed in all those the laws governing man's physical be- municipal regulations by the recipients ing or that of the brute, or those natu- as of the grantees of those charters. ral to the animal, vegetable and mineral These rights and privileges in kingdoms, all these are irrevocably fixed our government are formulated upon and unchangeable so far as man is con- the idea that our government is "of cerned. All beings, all things, from the the people, by the people and for Great Creator to the minutest form of the people." There are other insti- life are governed by the law of their ex- tutions which receive more or less istence. The laws by which all created the patronage and sustenance of the things fill the measure of their existence general, the State, and Territorial were placed there by a superior power to 350 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. that of man, and he is impotent to longs to all mankind, and is justifiable change or annul them. All these are before me. called natural laws. Then there are ce- "Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, lestial laws, adapted and suited to ce- and your brethren of the church, in be- lestial beings; terrestrial laws adapted friending that law which is the constitu- to things of the earth, and other lower tional law of the land; laws called telestial. As we are taught "And as pertaining to law of man, in the Doctrine and Covenants; in all the whatsoever is more or less than this, universe there is no space where there cometh of evil." is no kingdom, and where there is no That is taking this nation as an ex- kingdom, there is no law; and all things ample, all laws that are proper and cor- that are governed by law are preserved rect, and all obligations entered into by law, and sanctioned by law; also even which are not violative of the constitu- the law or laws of the state of existence to tion should be kept inviolate. But if they which they belong, be it higher or lower, are violative of the constitution, then much or less. the compact between the rulers and the ruled is broken and the obligation ceases There are again celestial laws as be- to be binding. Just as a person agree- fore referred to, and terrestrial laws, and ing to purchase anything and to pay a the question arises, what is the mean- certain amount for it, if he receives the ing of a celestial law; and what again is article bargained for, and does not pay the meaning of a terrestrial law; a celes- its price, he violates his contract; but tial law pertains to the law of heaven; if he does not receive the article he is and is a principle by which the intel- not required to pay for it. Again we ligences in the celestial world are gov- ask, what is this celestial law? The ce- erned. The Gospel in its fulness places lestial law above referred to is absolute those who obey it, under its influences, submission and obedience to the law of while at the same time it does not relieve God. It is exemplified in the words of them from other obligations of a terres- Jesus, who, when He came to introduce trial nature. It is said in the Doctrine the Gospel said, "I came not to do my and Covenants, that he that keepeth the will but the will of the Father that sent laws of God, hath no need to break the me;" and His mission was to do the will laws of the land. It is further explained of the Father who sent him, or to fulfill in section 98, what is meant in relation a celestial law. And when His disciples to this. That all laws which are constitu- asked Him to teach them how to pray, tional must be obeyed, as follows: He said, "When ye pray, say: Our Fa- ther who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy "And now, verily I say unto you con- name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be cerning the laws of the land, it is my will done on earth, as it is done in heaven." that my people should observe to do all This it would seem was the celestial law, things whatsoever I command them. or the law of the Gospel. Thy kingdom come. What king- "And that the law of the land dom? The kingdom of God, or the which is constitutional, supporting government of God, or the rule and that principle of freedom in main- dominion of God, the will of God— taining rights and privileges, be- thy will be done on earth as it is REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 351 in heaven. This seems to be the grand The case that you have had here be- leading feature of that celestial law. Con- fore the High Council is one of these nected with this are all the blessings, cases. rights, privileges, immunities, promises The question is, how far shall rule, of exaltations, promises of blessings in dominion, authority and power be used, this world, and of exaltations, thrones and how far shall mortal suasion, indi- and powers in the eternal worlds; be- vidual and special rights, and a judicious ing heirs of God and joint heirs with Je- and intelligent policy obtain. sus Christ. While such persons do not It is rather a peculiar case and re- neglect the lesser duties associated with quires an understanding of the position the responsibilities of life, and do not vi- occupied by the various parties. It will olate any correct principle or law, they be observed that there are two usages still feel a responsibility resting upon or laws in existence—one of these would them to yield obedience to the mandates be the general law, regulating an insti- of Jehovah; and thus as good citizens, tution of that kind, which would be ap- loyal and patriotic to the country and plicable to a university, a cooperative in- its institutions, fulfilling all just and eq- stitution, a shoe establishment, such as uitable requirements, whether civil or we have, or any other well regulated in- political. They have at the same time stitution. In our cooperative institution the same inalienable right as men, to here in the city, there is a President and worship their Creator, and yield an obe- Board of Directors; they appoint the Su- dience to His laws, without infringing perintendent. He has the charge of the in anywise on the rights and privileges buying, selling, engaging, or dismissing of others, and that right is guaranteed men, making contracts, and generally to them also by the constitution of the supervising and manipulating all the af- United States. fairs of the institution. The Directors I have before spoken of certain asso- would be empowered to remove him, if ciations, such as educational establish- thought advisable. In the University the ments, cooperative institutions, hospi- Board of Regency stands in the place of tals, and other organizations, which leg- the Directors, and they appoint Dr. Park islatures, private bodies of men, or inas President, and he has general con- dividuals may establish. These institu- trol of the studies and the internal man- tions must be governed by their consti- agement of its affairs. In like manner, tutions and bylaws as shall be agreed Mrs. Ferguson held the position of res- upon among themselves. And any par- ident surgeon, and is supposed to ma- ties entering into those compacts, take nipulate the affairs of her department in upon themselves the responsibilities of the hospital subject to the hospital physi- the conditions associated therewith. But cians and the directory. Of course Sis- as in National or State affairs, these du- ters Van Schoonhoven and Beck would ties and responsibilities are often very be under her direction as they belong imperfectly understood; and hence in to the medical department; while Sis- consequence of the weakness and imper- ter McLean, being matron, would have fections of men, many misunderstand- charge and control of the domestic ar- ings and difficulties are liable to occur. rangements. It does not appear that any 352 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. one of them was derelict in her sev- are very many nice points of discrimi- eral duties; but that a misunderstand- nation associated with a subject of this ing had arisen between Dr. Fergu- kind. When we talk of law it is a very son and these officers of the hospital, comprehensive subject, and enters into she being charged with being austere all the ramifications of human life, and, and dictatorial in her intercourse with as has been remarked, through all na- them, and she on the other hand charges tions. Generally among the governments them with insubordination and plotting of the world—and also among many of against her. Bitter feelings and acri- the institutions referred to, there is a monious remarks passed between them, kind of neutral ground, a sort of neutral crimination and recrimination, until it zone, something similar to that which culminated in those three ladies draw- sometimes exists between one State and ing up specific charges of a most serious another in order to prevent collision and character against the resident surgeon. difficulty, and it is upon this ground These charges, it would seem, were cred- that a great many troubles and difficul- ited by the directory and she was re- ties frequently exist on various matters. quested to resign. It is evident that the The people on their part occasionally directors did this sincerely for the ben- claim things that they have no right to efit of the institution; and to prevent a claim, and those who govern sometimes person whom they considered incompe- go beyond the bounds allotted to them. tent, as an opium eater, a drunkard and And hence arises difficulty and trouble. a thief (for these were the charges made Courts are appointed generally for ad- according to their ideas), to officiate any judication of these matters, and some- longer in that institution. times it is very difficult for these courts But here arises another phase of the to decide correctly, justly and equitably matter which is this; that while they the cases that come before them. Among had authority to dismiss her from the in- the nations they are very frequently sub- stitution on these alleged charges, they mitted to what is termed the "arbitra- had no right to malign her private char- ment of the sword." That, however, is a acter and reputation which it does not very poor thing when put into the scales appear that they desired to do, but to of justice. I have heard it said, for avoid, as far as possible. Yet these things instance, when certain questions have having taken place, and these allega- arisen in the United States—that is, in tions having been made on paper, and regard to States rights and in regard to she having been dismissed from the hos- the rights of the people, and in regard pital, they leaked out without her hav- to how far they should be sustained in ing any opportunity to defend herself their privileges, rights, etc. I have heard against these statements, and her repu- some people very flippantly say, "Oh, tation has been seriously injured; hence that has been decided by the sword." A comes in another law—the law of the very singular piece of justice is a sword Gospel, above referred to, or under other with which to administer one's social, circumstances, the celestial law, or what political, or national affairs. When we is sometimes substituted for it here, the come to put it in the balance of the law of equity. goddess of justice—who is supposed to President Taylor resumed: There REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 353 be blind and to hold the scales evenly—it of the institution. In his hands is placed will not stand the test. Hence when peo- the power to manipulate and regulate ple make this remark it shows that they the affairs thereof. If some person in that are very ignorant of the principles of ju- institution—he may be a good man—is risprudence, of the rights of man, of the incompetent, he uses his discretion in re- obligations that the nation sustains to its moving that man. He requires men that people, or the people to the nation. are acquainted with the business that But what I wanted particularly to ar- he is associated with: and although this rive at are the principles associated with may be a very good man, the superin- this case that has come up before you, tendent may think it proper, in the in- and I will try and show you why and how terests of the institution to have him re- these difficulties have occurred between moved. He uses his authority and has these parties. him removed because of his incompe- Sister Ferguson—who according tency. The man who is dismissed may to the evidence we have had, and feel aggrieved. He may think he is com- from questions presented, and remarks petent: and it is difficult in all such made—evidently is a lady of intelligence circumstances to meet the wishes and and very well acquainted with medical views of all these people. Hence the ne- affairs, and as such she was appointed cessity of a wise discretion. "But," says House Surgeon of the Deseret Hospi- the man, "I am a good Latter-day Saint." tal. From this position she was removed. "Very well, that may be; but, then, be- And here comes in a principle that I wish cause you are a good Latter-day Saint, to speak upon. you may not be a good blacksmith, a good In this city we have a cooperative in- carpenter, or a good shoemaker, or you stitution. I refer to it because it is an may not be—to come to their terms— institution with which we are all famil- a good salesman, one who comprehends iar. I have already referred, in what has the value of goods and the wants and in- been read, to the nature of its organi- terests of the business." zation, and the kind of government by Now, a great many questions arise which it is carried on. There are quite a out of these things, and how far they number of employees in the institution— shall go and how far they shall not. On some 150 or 200. There is a Board the other hand there may be a man of Directors, and there is a president who is very competent. I could refer to and a superintendent. The superinten- some of these and yet they are not good dent seems to be the man upon whom men. "Well," says one, "we don't want rests the greatest responsibility, and he such persons as these in our institution. is responsible to the directors for all his Although they are competent men and acts. As stated already, he makes the well acquainted with the business, I am purchases or orders them made; he dis- afraid their example and influence would poses of the goods, or orders them disbe pernicious, and we don't want them; posed of. He makes arrangements for all and we think we would have a right its business transactions, and he reports to act in such a case." So they would to the directors, monthly, the status think anywhere. The same thing would 354 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. apply to the institution I have men- no right to interfere with the privileges tioned. belonging to others. If these things had Then another question arises asso- been specifically defined by the Board in ciated with these matters, and it has this Hospital, and each had known her come up before you here. We have a proper duties, and each fulfilled them, hospital. There is an Executive Board, difficulty might have been averted; al- which amounts to the same thing as the though according to the evidence we had, Board of Directors in the other institu- all were very diligent and sincere in car- tion. Then there is a resident surgeon rying out their several duties. If a set of or physician, and it becomes her duty rules had been adopted and lived up to, to attend to certain rules and principles a great amount of difficulty arising out of that are laid down to use medical talent this subject would have been avoided be- and ability for the benefit of the patients tween the parties, and which has more and the hospital, and to manipulate cer- or less involved you and I and others, tain things committed to her charge. I and caused us to look into these matters. suppose they have some rules associated Well, was there anything wrong in that? with these matters, although I cannot No. At the college in which Sister Fer- state them definitely. Sister Ferguson, it guson obtained her medical knowledge— would seem, got up a set of rules. They and a diploma as a mark of that knowl- might be very good; I do not know, but it edge or education—she also obtained a would seem they were not adopted by the knowledge of the rules and usages of Board, and it would also seem that the that kind of an institution; consequently Board held the power in its own hands it became almost part of her system. Is to manipulate these affairs. So that, al- not that so, Doctor? That is the way I though the rules drawn up by Sister Fer- understand it. Well, now, Sister Fergu- guson might have been very good and son comes here and she gets among a lot very advantageous if adopted, it appears of us novices. At least I should call my- they were not. self a novice; for I have never been in any Let me refer to another thing. Sis- of these establishments; I have never ter Ferguson received her medical educa- attended medical lectures, etc., conse- tion in some medical college in the east. quently I should consider myself a novice All such institutions, it was stated yes- in these things. At the same time, in- terday, both in England and this coun- dependent of this, there is a principle of try are governed by certain rules and rule and propriety that ought to exist ev- the general usage is that the resident erywhere, that does exist among all the physician takes charge of and manip- nations of the earth, and that does ex- ulates the general affairs of the insti- ist among all those various institutions tution; and what are termed by some of which I have spoken. But for want of the inferior officers—I merely make use a better knowledge of these things, I am of that term for want of a better one— not surprised if, with her superior knowl- are under the direction of the resident edge, Sister Ferguson did assume a dic- physician or surgeon as the case may be. tatorial air and said, when interfered This was Sister Ferguson's experience. with, "I do not know that that is any Those acting in one department had of your business. I think that is mine." REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 355

And then, again, those other sisters have but he had been in the Nauvoo legion got their feelings on the same question, and an officer in the Mormon Battalion, and no law being laid down in relation to and there he had got a smattering of those matters, they carry out their ideas military tactics, military ideas, military according to their theories, and they do rule and authority, and when he saw all not think it is proper for any kind of airs kinds of curious doings among the boys— to be put on by anybody whether right- as they called themselves—who were fully or assumed. They do not compre- not strictly under military rule, etc., he hend that, and neither do we, generally, wanted to straighten them out. But they, in our republican institutions. It is a like the associates of Sister Ferguson, good deal the same in our Church affairs. felt that "Jack was as good as his mas- We are apt to think that "Jack is as good ter." They didn't want too much mili- as his master," and a little better. That is tary rule; they wanted a great amount about the feeling that exists. And if peo- of latitude, that they might be able to ple should sometimes see their authority carry out their ideas and enjoy them- interfered with, it creates feelings of irri- selves and kick up their heels and feel tation. To a person accustomed to be gov- like a lot of wild colts. Well, General erned by correct rules, and to see things Wells wanted me to go down, as his coun- carried out intelligently, it is painful to selor, and see if the difficulty could not their feelings to see them carried out oth- be put right. I was not even a corpo- erwise; they feel as though something ral; I don't know what office I did hold; was wrong and wanted putting right. but he wanted me to go down and ad- I will relate a little circumstance of just matters. So I went. I examined into that kind; for we have all kinds of things things generally; talked with the officers, among us Mormons. We had a war and mixed up with the men, and found here a while ago. Brother Wells here out how things were exactly. There were was appointed a Lieut. General, and Captains, and Colonels, and Generals, then myself and George A. Smith were and all kinds of big men there, and they appointed his counselors—(laughter), if each had men in command; but Colonel anybody knows what that is in a mil- Jones, whenever he saw anything wrong itary capacity. I never was able to anywhere, wanted to go to work him- find out. Well, we went out and did self and put it right. I soon found the best we could, and I must say that out the feeling that was against him. General Wells displayed a good deal of The men considered him too straight- knowledge, tact, vim, life and fidelity, laced, and as they expressed it, "had and we tried to step up to him as too many epaulets on his shoulders," be- near as we could—being his counselors. cause they saw in him a disposition to (laughter.) There was a little difficulty exercise authority, and the officers of the arose about Brother Nathaniel Jones— several companies did not object to that or Colonel Jones—a very excellent, good because it relieved them from responsi- man, and a thorough disciplinarian; bility. "Now, Brother Jones" (said I)— and he had not been rubbing his back I called him brother; I had not got the against that medical college wall and length of calling him colonel, I called him become familiar with all its usages, plain Brother Jones—"let me tell you 356 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. how to fix these matters. Such and such law of the Gospel, that places us alto- a man is a captain, is he not?" "Yes." gether in another position. And the law "Another, there, is a lieutenant?" "Yes." of the Gospel and the law of the needs of "And another is major?" "Yes." "And you the world do not always altogether har- are in command here?" "Yes." "Well, now, monize. Sometimes we require to exer- instead of going to work to regulate all cise a good deal of forbearance, a good these matters yourself, why do you not deal of kindness, and a good deal of that detail lieutenant so and so, captain so kind of feeling expressed by the poet in and so, and major so and so, to look af- speaking of his wife: ter the men who are acting improperly?" "Be to her faults a little blind, Be to He thought the advice was good, and fol- her virtues very kind." lowed it, and order and harmony were I have had a good deal of experience restored. of this nature. I have to meet with all kinds of men and all kinds of women. Now, this would apply to Sister Fer- We are all surrounded with a good many guson. There was nothing particularly infirmities, and I feel as the old lady wrong about her; there was nothing par- said, "we are all poor, miserable, inde- ticularly wrong with the Board; the di- pendent sinners." We all make egregious rectors did not wish to harm Sister Fer- mistakes sometimes when we think we guson; they were simply seeking to rem- are acting for the very best. There is edy what they thought was an evil. nothing new about that. The same thing Now we come to another principle exists in the nations. The same thing ex- which is this: if in an institution like ists among the leading men of this gov- that, without any regulations pertaining ernment and in other governments. to these matters, there was any kind of— Let me here refer you to a case that shall we call it arbitrary feeling? I do took place in New Orleans. General not know that much of that feeling was Jackson when he was in command had displayed. There may have been a little some difficulty with the mayor of that of it; I do not know; but when we come city. To make defensive works he called down to the Gospel, which we profess to for cotton. One man, I think objected, be governed by, it places us in another and said, "General, that is my cotton, position. This Hospital was started, I and I don't choose that you shall use it believe, as an institution for the bene- in this public way." "Well," said the Gen- fit of the members of the Church of Je- eral, "if it is yours why don't you take sus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These your gun and help defend it?" He ordered sisters, I suppose, were selected because the cotton bales to be rolled up, and it they were considered competent, and was necessary, as he thought, under the then, on the other hand, because they necessities of the case, that military au- were considered good Latter-day Saints. thority should be obeyed; in other words, Now, I believe that about them, and that martial law should be exercised. He they desired to do right, and then sis- got the cotton. He drove back the British. ter Ferguson desired to do right too. But He accomplished his object. And after he then there were these discrepancies ex- was done he was fined, I believe, $1,000 hibited. But when we come down to the for interfering with the civil authorities, REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 357 and resisting the writ of habeas corpus. a danger of their being violated. I might He thought he had a right to do what mention other instances, but I do not he did, and he assumed the responsi- wish to occupy too much time in rela- bility. But they fined him for it, and tion to these matters. From what I have that fine stood against him until pretty said it will be seen that these folks, to near his death. He had transgressed the whom I have alluded, were pretty decent civil laws of the land, and if he could people. I do not know but the Mayor of do that with impunity, it was considered New Orleans was a pretty good man, and that others could do the same, and they General Jackson had a pretty good repu- did not want to set such a bad exam- tation, and was afterwards President of ple. In this we see a conflict between the United States. I expect Fitz John military and civil authority. The mayor Porter is a pretty good man; I expect thought he was doing his duty; the gen- that General Pope is a pretty good man; eral thought he was doing his; but when yet they have disturbed the nation and it was brought before the courts the gen- Congress with the difficulties that have eral was fined. He paid the fine, but it existed between them in spite of all those was remitted some little time before his laws. As I said before there is a kind of death. neutral zone, and yet men come in con- Then there is a case of a similar flict. nature right before this nation at the present time. I refer to the case of Fitz Here as members of the Church of Je- John Porter. I am not competent to en- sus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we pro- ter into the full details of it. However, fess to be governed by a law that is differ- suffice it to say, that his superior officer, ent from others. I have mentioned it al- General Pope, had ordered him to make ready. It is the law of the Gospel. Then, a certain movement, and, it is alleged, as has been stated, we have our insti- he disobeyed the order, thinking that if tutions separate and distinct from the he did obey the result would be injurious. States, the same as others have. Other In this he committed a breach of military religious bodies have the same. We have etiquette and military law. They had the our religious usages, our ideas, and our law there—not like this hospital—and theories. We believe—and hardly I was he violated it. For this he was censured. going to say we believe in a celestial law. I merely want to show that there Hardly. What is it? "Thy will be done on is nothing in these kinds of misun- earth, as it is done in heaven." That is derstanding for they exist everywhere the way I understand it. As I have said and have existed from time immemo- before, Jesus came not to do his own will, rial. And it is not uncommon for par- but the will of His Father that sent Him. ties when their dignity is insulted to And when He told His disciples to pray, settle the matter by pistols or swords, as I have stated, He said, say, "Our Fa- as the case may be, and frequently ther which art in heaven, Hallowed be one or the other is killed, and "honor thy name. Thy kingdom come," what! is satisfied." I merely introduce this to thy kingdom! whose kingdom? the king- show how such things operate, and that dom of God. What! The kingdom of God you make the very best rules you can, come upon the earth? Yes, that is what and the very best laws, and there is it says—the rule of God, the govern- 358 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. ment of God, the dominion of God. "Thy to give, and it would have been well if kingdom come. Thy will be done on it had been obeyed, but, it was not, and earth, as it is in heaven." When that is things have resulted as they have done. done we shall have a celestial law here. Now, what would you do? These sis- We have not got it yet quite, and we are ters prayed, etc. I presume they did, not prepared for it quite; but we are try- and certainly I do not want to set them ing to introduce those things, and the down as hypocrites. They had seen Sis- Gospel has been restored for that pur- ter Ferguson take opium once or twice. pose, and revelation has been given for She alleged that she took it for neural- that purpose, and the heavens have been gia of the heart. Being afflicted with a opened for that purpose, and the Priest- disease of that kind she had consulted hood of God has been organized for that some eminent physicians, and they had purpose in all its various forms and ram- advised her to take morphine for an af- ifications, and predicated upon that prin- fliction of that sort. It was supposed to ciple, the High Council has been orga- be a proper thing to take under the cir- nized, and other officers and peoples as- cumstances. Now, while the taking of sociated with the Church and kingdom of this morphine might look a little suspi- God. cious, yet if they had had that same neu- Now, then, as has been stated here, ralgia, would it not have been the proper the Executive Board of this hospital were thing to have said, "Oh, my sisters, won't desirous to be set apart by the Priest- you be merciful to me. And while I am hood that they might act under the sick don't attribute my sickness to any blessing of God. They came to consult wrong or any evil, but won't you come me about the hospital in general, and and pray for me and be my good, kind wanted to know if something could not sisters and friends and help me in my af- be done in the interest of the sick and fliction." That would have been the right afflicted of the Church of Jesus Christ thing to have done instead of trying to of Latter-day Saints. They were de- find out something bad. There was noth- sirous of having a house that was ded- ing that could be brought against Sister icated to God, a house where the El- Ferguson here. She had to stand the fire ders could go in and administer to those of all kinds of witnesses, and not one soli- who were afflicted as well as the physi- tary thing could be proven either against cians, and that all these things should her moral conduct or against her actions, be conducted under the direction of the or against her reputation in regard to Almighty. Now, while I am a strict be- these things—either as a brandy drinker liever in discipline and rule, yet I could or as a morphine taker under those pecu- not but believe, on the other hand, in liar circumstances. the feelings that were exhibited by Sis- ter Eliza Snow and others, in relation to Well, now, it would look natu- these matters. It has appeared in this rally cruel to me to throw out reflec- investigation that some difficulty arose tions, especially when a person was among those in charge of the hospital, laboring under extreme pain, and we and Sister Eliza and others tried to get ought not to give way to that kind them to harmonize and act as Latter- of feelings, any of us. Why, if I day Saints. That was very good counsel were to see the lowest and most de- REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 359 praved suffering under an influence of and read those charges, I felt ashamed. I that kind, I would want to follow the could hardly believe it at first. I said to teaching given by Jesus in regard to the them: "These are grave charges you are man that had fallen among thieves and making. Do you know that these things had been abused and robbed. The Priest are so?" They answered they thought passed by on the other side of the road, they did. "Well," said I, "If these things thinking doubtless it was only some poor are true, Sister Ferguson is not fit to devil. Then came a Levite, and he passed hold that position, nor to be a member by, thinking no doubt, "he is only a poor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- outcast; let him die and be damned or day Saints." For she was accused, you anything else." But a certain Samaritan know, of being false—in other words, a came along, and his feelings seemed to liar. Some things, too, were said to be be this: "You have fallen among thieves. strangely disappearing, so that she was Won't you allow me to administer to accused of being a thief; but when we you." That would be proper. That is the come to inquire into these things we find way I look at it. I would do the same there was no foundation for the charges. thing to anybody that I saw in distress. They seem to have arisen from unworthy I would not seek to injure their reputa- jealousies. We should not be too ready in tion or to malign their character. harboring such feelings. Now, I will tell you of a principle Now, I suppose that these sisters taught by Joseph Smith. It may be of were mistaken in their ideas. I do not use to you as a High Council, and it will think that they have bad hearts; but not hurt anybody else. In speaking of the sometimes when people allow their prej- discernment of spirits, said he, a man udices to run against a person, they may have the gift of the discernment of carry these things too far. While we are spirits; he may see what is in the heart; desirous to put down iniquity we must but because that has been revealed to not go to work and act a cruel part to- him he has no business to bring that as ward anybody. God does not do it. He a charge against any person. The man's sends His rain on the evil and on the acts must be proved by evidence and by good. He causes His sun to shine on the witnesses. just and on the unjust. A wicked man's I speak of these things for your in- field may lay alongside a righteous man's formation, and I do not know but I have field. He don't take His sun off the field talked long enough. of the wicked man. He makes no dis- Suffice it to say that as Latter-day tinctions of that sort. He pours blessings Saints we ought to be under the law of upon all, and He has to be merciful to us love, of kindness, and of mercy. And all, otherwise we would not be as we are yet at the same time we cannot overlook today, surrounded with the blessings we the wrong. It is right to probe certain enjoy. things to the bottom as you have done In regard to all these matters, it this thing. I was pleased to see the en- requires great care and great dis- ergy displayed all the way through on crimination. When those sisters both sides, and I think this is the gen- came to me and reported that Sis- eral feeling that prevails—a determina- ter Ferguson had got out of the way, tion to ferret out wrong and to correct 360 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. evil. One thing is just as necessary as with them according to the law of God. the other. Treat them kindly; do the best you I have already published a statement can for them, but do not condone their about a woman who had committed an crimes. Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, act of adultery while her husband was Teachers, Deacons, and High Councils away from home. I was written to about are placed in the Church as they for- it. Why, said I, cut her off from the merly were, for the perfecting of the Church. We cannot have such people Saints; not to pass over iniquity because in the Church. Ultimately I requested of certain influences. No influence of any the husband of the woman to come and kind ought to control you, only the pure see me, but instead of coming himself principles of eternal truth as laid down he brought along the seducer of his wife in the law of God. No man can inherit and three beautiful children—three as a celestial kingdom who does not keep beautiful children as I had seen any- a celestial law. No man can inherit a where and as promising. It made my terrestrial kingdom unless he abides a heart ache to see the position that that terrestrial law, and no man can inherit woman had placed her family in. But I a telestial kingdom unless he abides a could not help it. She had entered into telestial law. And it is for us to see that covenants which were sacred. She had these laws are executed. We must purge violated those covenants. The Book of ourselves from sin. Covenants says that such people shall be Then, in regard to this affair. As I destroyed. I could not change it. I did have already said, I think there was a not make that law. When they told me little weakness in Sister Ferguson and that the seducer was there, I said, I do in those sisters. And is there not a lit- not want to see him. I can't have any- tle weakness in all of us? I have many thing to do with such a wretch—a man weaknesses and infirmities. Shall we that would enter into a family and de- condemn one another? No. But I wanted bauch another man's wife while he was to point out some of these things for the away, thus taking advantage of the cir- benefit of this Board of Directors, of Sis- cumstances in which she was placed. I ter Ferguson, of this High Council, and do not know who the man was; and I of all concerned, that we may be enabled don't care. I don't want to see him. The to look carefully, dispassionately and in- woman wept. "Can I stay in the Church," telligently into all of these matters, and she asked. "No, madam, you can't." I seek for the Spirit of the living God. It could not assume the responsibility, the is your privilege as a High Council al- Bishop could not assume the responsibil- ways to know the right, if you are liv- ity, the High Council could not assume ing your religion and keeping the com- the responsibility without becoming par- mandments of God, and to have the in- takers of the crime. I have seen other spiration of the Most High to guide you things of a similar kind and have had in your acts, and if you have that and to deal with them. This High Coun- seek unto the Lord, He will bless you and cil has no right to condone sin. This guide you in all of your doings. And so He is an error that people fall into. If will bless all men who seek unto Him, men transgress and violate the laws of for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they have no right but to deal God they are the sons of God. And we REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 361 have to discriminate between the laws of will try and do better; and Sister Fergu- the world and the laws of God. We have son, if she has walked a little too strait, no need to break any just and equitable she will try to be a little more pliable; laws, and never mean to. and we will all try to move along and feel Now in regard to the position of the that we are living among the Saints of United States today. What a pitiful ex- God, and that we are of one family and ample we have when we come to look one household. at it. They talk about our debauchery God bless you all and lead you in the and corruption. Why they have twenty paths of life, in the name of Jesus, Amen. criminals right among us to our one, and Brother Angus M. Cannon asks: Do more than that. I have read that in we understand you to sustain the deci- Springville, out of the outsiders there, sion of the Council? Certainly I do. I feel 45 percent of them are in some way or always like sustaining such things. And other, some lesser and some greater, vio- I will say, moreover, that it is very sel- lators of the law. Yes, according to statis- dom I find it necessary to change what tics that are clear, pointed and plain they has taken place and been decided by the have from 20 to 80 violators of the law to High Councils, among all the High Coun- the Latter-day Saints one. Well, that is cils there are in the Church. And why not much for us to boast of, for we ought should they not do right? Men that are not to have any. But, then, the idea of disinterested, men who are working for our being accused of licentiousness and nothing, men who are seeking to adjust crime, and these pure people being sent difficulties among their brethren, and out here to correct our morals! who meet together from time to time and But it is all right. We will try to do spend hours and days and weeks in ad- right, maintain the law and sustain all justing these difficulties, simply for the correct principles. We put up with a good love of God and humanity and to correct deal of indignity. Still we will do right error and establish the principles of righ- and leave ourselves in the hands of God; teousness, etc. for if we do right and cleave unto Him, In regard to Sister Ferguson, I give He will take care of us; He will avenge you my right hand of fellowship and say the cause of Zion, and judge the men who God bless you, and try and be a little are fighting against her; and I say now, more humble. And I will do the same as I have before, over and over again, to those other sisters. God bless you all. Woe! to them that fight against Zion, Try to ameliorate the wants and suffer- for God will fight against them. We will ings of humanity, and seek to do all the pursue our course and observe the law of good that lays in your power; for as you God, and keep His commandments. do good to others God will be good to you. And I say God bless this High God bless you all in the name of Jesus Council with the President and his Christ, Amen. councilors; God bless the brethren The following are the remarks and sisters associated with the Hos- made at the investigation, or pital; and those sisters who may trial, by President Angus M. Can- have unwittingly done wrong; they non, and the decision of the High 362 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

Council in the case above referred to: she took this medicine as was her right, President Angus M. Cannon pro- for the use of outside patients. And as ceeded to review the evidence which had to the taking of brandy—about which so been adduced in the investigation. He much had been made—all the evidence took the charges seriatum. With respect upon that point was that Sister Ferguson to the ﬁrst charge—that of taking mor- had asked the nurse once for a "sling" of phine to excess—he held that there was brandy to be brought to her room, and no evidence to support the allegation. It she felt that she had need of it. Was it was admitted by Sister Ferguson that criminal for her to take a little brandy she had been accustomed to take mor- under those circumstances? Was she to phine to relieve her from pain induced by be proclaimed as a drunkard? Not by any neuralgia of the heart; but never, except means. upon one occasion, was she rendered in- Fourth charge—that of malpractice capable of attending to her duties by the in the case of an old woman by the al- taking of this drug, and it was very sup- leged administration of morphine—was posable that severe pain was the cause held to be entirely unfounded. The old of her administering what appeared to woman referred to was in a bad state of be an overdose. But was she to be de- dropsy, and in a dying condition when nounced as a conﬁrmed morphine taker brought to the hospital; she suffered because upon this one occasion she had great pain; and doubtless, as a doctor, administered an overdose of this drug? and considering it the right thing, sis- Was that circumstance to be used as a ter Ferguson did administer morphine means to destroy her communion with for the purpose of relieving the patient the Church, to destroy her reputation, from pain and getting her to sleep. The and to brand her as being an habitual patient subsequently died. But because slave to this terrible medicine? By no of this was sister Ferguson to be accused means. of causing her death? No. With regard to the second charge— The very fact of the sisters having that of being false—President Cannon signed those charges showed that they said he had not discovered anything in conceived them to be right. They ex- the evidence to substantiate that Sister pected this matter to be investigated. Ferguson was false. She might have ap- They expected to meet Sister Fergu- peared to be arbitrary, commanding, in son face to face. The question had her desire to have respect and obedi- been asked, did Sister Snow prompt ence from those under her charge; but a the sisters to write those charges. good deal of this kind of feeling appeared The reply was elicited that Sister Van to have arisen from jealousy and from Schoonhoven made a draft of the com- watching for faults, and when found, plaints and that Sister McLean copied it. magnifying them to a great extent. Sister Snow took it for granted that the In reference to the third charge— charges were true, not thinking, proba- that of stealing medicine from the bly, the damaging effect they would have Hospital—it had been proved that upon the character of Sister Ferguson. Sister Ferguson took some pills This being the case it was concluded that once, and they were administered to it would not do for Sister Ferguson to an outside patient of the Hospital, be allowed to continue in her position. REASON OF INVESTIGATION. 363

He (President Cannon) had no doubt bless her, and the Lord would bless those that Sister Snow believed every word of sisters who had erred in this matter un- the charges, and after considering the wittingly, if they would take hold of Sis- easiest mode of letting Ferguson down, ter Ferguson and help her along, and the Executive Board asked her, finally, thus promote union and fellowship in to resign. They did not see, apparently, our midst as the sons and daughters of that this would come out and damage, God upon the earth. as it had done, the reputation of Sister Ferguson; but having become a party to The decision therefore in this case this thing, they shouldered the respon- will be: That these charges are not sus- sibility. On the other hand, while he tained against Sister Ferguson before maintained that these charges had not this council; but I do think the sisters been sustained, still, under the circum- acted wisely under the circumstances in stances, he thought the wisest thing the asking her to resign. That is my judg- Board could do was to ask Sister Fergu- ment. But that the evil one has magni- son to resign her position in the hospi- fied these charges to the injury of Sister tal. Her resignation was not asked with Ferguson in that investigation was not the intention to hurt her. But the devil had at the time. And I would say to these took advantage of the position and used sisters, take hold of Sister Ferguson by it to the injury of Sister Ferguson. He the hand and help her to sustain her rep- would say, however, that if Sister Fergu- utation and practice before this people, son would live humbly before the Lord and as you seek to build her up so the and take what had transpired for good, Lord will build you up and bless you by and listen to counsel, the Lord would increasing your influence for good. 364 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES.

NO PROMINENT LATTER-DAY SAINT WHO LIVES HIS RELIGION NEED EXPECT JUSTICE IN THE COURTS—THE SAME SACRIFICES MAY BE REQUIRED OF MODERN AS OF ANCIENT APOSTLES—THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS ESTABLISHED BY DIVINE REVELATION—WE WILL BE MADE PERFECT BY SUFFERING—OUR CHARACTER AS LATTER-DAY SAINTS MUST BE PRESERVED INVIOLATE—VISIT OF JESUS TO KIRTLAND TEMPLE—FAREWELL.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW, DELIVEREDIN BRIGHAM CITY TABERNACLE, ON SUNDAY, PREVIOUSTOHISSENTENCEBY JUDGE POWERSINTHE FIRST DISTRICT COURT,JAN. 10, 1886.

REPORTEDBY JOHN BURROWS.

I am thankful for the opportunity sulting in verdicts of guilty, without one of addressing this large audience, most particle of evidence by which to justify of whom, I recognize as my intimate such verdicts—the very singular and ex- friends and associates, for whose spir- traordinary charge to the jury by Judge itual, moral, and intellectual advance- Powers—the urgent appeal of the Prose- ment and temporal prosperity, I have la- cuting Attorney, for the jury to assist in bored diligently through a period of over convicting the defendant—the eloquent thirty years, ever since the establish- and forcible arguments of my counsel— ment of its first dwelling or hamlet. the intense anxiety of Judge Powers and This, I presume, will prove my last the prosecution to impress the jury that opportunity, for some length of time for it was their imperative duty to convict addressing you, being now under bonds the defendant, as (in the language of the of six thousand dollars, to appear next attorney), "He was a high official in the Saturday, the 16th inst., at Ogden, to Mormon Church, and therefore it was receive sentence for cohabiting with my expedient in the warfare against that wives—having been pronounced guilty Church, that he should be made a vic- for the same offense, under three in- tim." All these matters and proceedings dictments. Undoubtedly my sentence will be recorded, and published to the will embrace the extreme limit the law world; they will be preserved and handed allows—eighteen months imprisonment, down as items of history for the consid- nine hundred dollars fine, with costs of eration and judgment of future genera- prosecution added. tions. I do not now propose to en- In passing, I will observe, how- ter into details respecting the three ever, that in the progress of my trial, trials under those indictments, re- and in the outcome, this FACT was ANIMUS OF THE PROSECUTION. 365 demonstrated—it is needless for a Attorney, when addressing the jury, Latter-day Saint, occupying any position said: "This case of a prominent of prominence, and living his religion, to leader of the Mormon Church is un- expect justice in the tribunals of this once der investigation—he is one of the most boasted land of civil rights and religious scholarly and brightest lights, and we liberty; but now, under the blighting, require your encouragement and assis- merciless influence of religious bigotry tance. The eyes of the nation are now and sectarian fanaticism of an apostate upon you, and as loyal citizens, from you Christianity. It is even better to look for a verdict of guilty will be expected; and justice in courts under the ruling powers if you heed this appeal, I can assure you, of a moral and honest infidelity. and predict emphatically, if the defen- I was pronounced guilty of violating dant, Mr. Snow, with a few other Mor- the Edmunds law. Previous, however, to mon leaders can be secured, it will not its enactment, my wives (except the one be long before a new revelation will fol- with whom I was living) having passed low, calling for a change in the law of the period of maternity, by mutual con- patriarchal marriage." sent, we were living in accordance with Last year one thousand sectarian the requirements of that law, and this, ministers petitioned Congress to legis- too, without violating any principle or late more severely against the "Mor- object embraced in the law of celestial mons," and punish them with greater marriage. cruelty; and this has been the cry and To "multiply," was the first command- watchword of priest and people through- ment given to our first parents. Pu- out the length and breadth of our un- rity in matrimonial intercourse, I always happy country, arousing and fostering believed, should accompany that com- a popular feeling and sentiment that it mand, and I have always endeavored to would be right, and doing the will of God, observe faithfully its practice. I married to overthrow and destroy this kingdom because it was commanded of God, and which the Prophet Daniel foresaw, and commenced in plural marriage. I con- which God has now established. tracted marriage with four women about For many years past, my heart and the same time, and with a mutual un- feelings have been devoted to the promo- derstanding with each that they were to tion of your interests—your welfare and be equal—neither was to take or assume happiness; with what success, you, my the status of a first or legal wife. Two friends, are the proper judges. I shall of them were united to me in the sacred soon depart from your presence, and sub- bonds of matrimony at one and the same mit myself to the officers of the law, and time, by the same ceremony. The other whether I may be permitted again to ad- two shortly after, also at one and the dress you from this stand, I cannot say— same time and in like manner. a matter, however, about which none Of all the witnesses introduced need have the least anxiety. by the prosecution, the testimony I go to prison with the full as- of each tended directly to estab- surance that I can serve God and lish my innocence. The Prosecuting His purposes—magnify my calling, and 366 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. prove to the world, my faith and sincer- with our neighbors, together with love ity in the principles I have taught, dur- and affection for our wives and children ing fifty years, among many nations— that peace may dwell in our households, that Jesus is the Son of God—that He and confidence in the midst of the people. has revealed His Priesthood, and the fulness of the ancient Gospel, and estab- "Fifty millions of people" are said to lished His Church by revelation. be calling loudly for the extermination When I received the Apostleship, I of the "Mormons." If it be a FACT that well remember saying to my brethren, our religion is divine, established of God, who were present, that very possibly there is no cause for alarm, nor even anx- the same sacrifices would be required iety or uneasiness. Tens of thousands, of the modern Apostles as were experi- through obedience to the sacred Gospel, enced by the Apostles anciently, includ- know it to be true—a FACT, by immedi- ing their persecutions and martyrdoms. ate revelation to themselves. Therefore, I said, in receiving this sacred calling, I these "Fifty millions of people," are not felt as though it were ascending an al- fighting the "Mormons," or their religion, tar where, perhaps, life itself would be but they are fighting God and His pur- offered. The Lord has said: "I have de- poses. creed in my heart, that I will prove you Israel, on the banks of the Red in all things, whether you will abide in Sea, were God's people—a fact perfectly my covenant even unto death. For if ye known to Moses; and he knew, also, will not abide in my covenant ye are not what were the purposes of God concern- worthy of me." Seriously considering all ing them. Hence, there was no occa- this, I asked myself: Am I willing to ac- sion for alarm or anxiety in view of cept these conditions—to so deny myself the overwhelming forces of Pharaoh's and suffer for the glory of God, and to army, threatening immediate annihila- honor and magnify this Apostleship? tion. God's eye was upon Israel—they God is now feeling after us, and will were there by His direction—a FACT— disclose our secret thoughts. It would a revealed FACT, known to Moses and be well to purify and prepare ourselves, Aaron, and doubtless to many others, and in the language of the Psalmist, call by direct communication from God. It upon God, saying, "Search me, O God, is true, they were placed in a fright- and know my heart: try me, and know my ful situation—naturally, a hopeless one, thoughts: And see if there be any wicked from which no human power or ability way in me, and lead me in the way ever- could extricate them. lasting." If we succeed in passing through the Israel was there, not from choice, but approaching fiery ordeals with our fi- by the command of God; and He had ar- delity and integrity unimpeached, we ranged His own program; yet Pharaoh may expect at the close of our trials, with his armed hosts, sought to thwart a great and mighty outpouring of the His purposes, and in the end was over- Spirit and power of God—a great endow- thrown and destroyed; and the result of ment upon all who shall have remained this ignorance and folly stands recorded true to their covenants. We must be on the page of history as a lesson to all more eager to cultivate friendly relations generations. ANIMUS OF THE PROSECUTION. 367

God established the Church of Jesus you will have similar opportunities, to Christ of Latter-day Saints, by direct your heart's content. You and I cannot revelation; this is a FACT, clearly and be made perfect except through suffer- distinctly revealed to thousands. The so- ing: Jesus could not. In His prayer and called "Mormon" people, in these valleys, agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, He are the acknowledged people of God, and foreshadowed the purifying process nec- are here, not by their own choice, but by essary in the lives of those whose ambi- immediate command of God. The work tion prompts them to secure the glory of and management is the Lord's—not the a celestial kingdom. None should try to people's—they do His bidding, and He, escape by resorting to any compromising alone, is responsible for the result. measures. All who journey soon or late, Must We have no occasion for fear or cause come within the garden gate, And kneel for trembling—the purpose of God will alone in darkness there, And battle hard, be accomplished—what He has recom- yet not despair. menced will be consummated though the It is now proposed to enact laws to combined armies of the earth should rise govern the "Mormons" in Utah, similar up and oppose. It is a FACT that God has to those passed in Idaho to afflict our spoken, and called latter-day Israel from people, viz: "Whoever claims member- among the nations, and planted them in ship in a church or organization, teach- these valleys; therefore this work is His, ing or practicing the principles of Patri- and although He may lead us as He did archal Marriage, shall be deprived the Israel of old, into seemingly desperate right to vote or hold office." Thus we situations, requiring serious sacrifices— understand the time is at hand when, the despoiling of homes—incarceration whosoever admits he is a Latter-day in prison, and even jeopardizing our very Saint, must feel the oppressive grasp of existence; and yet, it will be but for a persecution. How many now here, are moment, as it were, and then those tri- ready—having oil in their vessels, and als will terminate as did Job's, in an in- lamps trimmed, and prepared for coming crease of possessions; and as ancient Is- events? rael's, in a kingdom and country—honor, I am not sorry, nor do I regret on glory and dominion. account of the near approach of these fiery ordeals; the Church, no doubt, Some of our brethren have queried needs purifying—we have hypocrites whether hereafter, they could feel them- among us—milk-and-water Saints— selves worthy of full fellowship with those professing to be Saints, but do- Prophets and Saints of old, who en- ing nothing to render themselves wor- dured trials and persecutions; and with thy of membership; and too many of Saints of our own times who suffered us have been pursuing worldly gains, in Kirtland, in Missouri and Illinois. rather than spiritual improvements— The brethren referred to have expressed have not sought the things of God regrets that they had not been as- with that earnestness which becomes sociated in those scenes of suffering. our profession. Trials and afflictions If any of these are present, I will will cause our hearts to turn towards say, for the consolation of such, you our Father who has so marvelously have to wait but a short time and wrought out our redemption and 368 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. deliverance from Babylon. where we partook of His nature as chil- I wish to offer a word of caution to my dren here partake of the likeness of their brethren that you may beware, and com- parents. Our trials and sufferings give mit no grave errors when brought into us experience, and establish within us positions of trial and temptation. Some, principles of godliness. unfortunately, have disregarded this in- Jesus has, in our day, visited this junction, and have imprinted a stain world, and been seen of men on differ- upon their character, and a blot upon ent occasions. He appeared on the 3rd their record which cannot be erased in day of April, 1836, to the Prophet Joseph time—perhaps not in eternity. These are Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, in the Tem- fearful mistakes. Better suffer a thou- ple at Kirtland, Ohio. This important sand deaths than succumb to the force visitation is described as follows: of persecution by promising to discard a "The veil was taken from our minds, single principle which God has revealed and the eyes of our understanding were for our glory and exaltation. Our char- opened." acter, as Latter-day Saints, should be "We saw the Lord standing upon the preserved inviolate, at whatever cost or breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and sacrifice. Character approved of God is under his feet was a paved work of pure worth securing, even at the expense of a gold, in color like amber." lifetime of constant self-denial. "His eyes were a flame of fire; the hair While thus living we may look for- of his head was white like the pure snow; ward far away into the spirit land, with his countenance shone above the bright- full assurance that when reaching that ness of the sun; and his voice was as the happy clime, we shall be crowned with sound of rushing waters, even the voice the sons and daughters of God, and pos- of Jehovah, saying:" sess the wealth and glory of a Celestial "I am the first and the last; I am he kingdom. who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am Apostle Paul in his time, taught the your advocate with the Father. Behold, Saints to have the same mind in them as your sins are forgiven you; you are clean was in Christ Jesus, who, finding Him- before me; therefore lift up your heads self in the form of God, thought it not and rejoice." robbery to be equal with God. Apostle "Let the hearts of your brethren re- John, on the same subject says, "When joice, and let the hearts of all my people Jesus appears, we shall be like him." rejoice, who have, with their might, built "Every one that hath this hope in him, this house to my name." purifieth himself, even as God is pure." I now will bring my remarks to a As man now is, God once was—even close. In a few days I must leave family, the babe of Bethlehem, advancing to kind friends and associates with whom childhood—thence to boyhood, manhood, I have spent so many pleasant hours then to the Godhead. This, then, is the in "The City I love so well"—proceed to "mark of the prize of man's high calling Ogden—receive my sentence, then retire in Christ Jesus." to private life, within my prison walls, We are the offspring of God, be- for "The word of God, and testimony of gotten by Him in the spirit world, Jesus." THE GOSPEL. 369

I hope to address you again, many suffering shall have ceased—when tears times in this life, though this may be will no longer moisten your cheeks, and my last—however this will be, I shall ex- sighs and moans no more be heard; but pect to meet you in yonder world clothed where, peace and joy forever reign, in in robes of celestial beauty, amid the those realms of glory, honor and immor- glory of the Sons of God, where grief and tality.

THE GOSPEL—IT BRINGS TEMPORAL AS WELL AS SPIRITUAL SALVATION—THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH—PERSECUTION—OUR RELIGION CANNOT BE DESTROYED.

DISCOURSEBY APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW, DELIVEREDINTHE TABERNACLE,SALT LAKE CITY

REPORTEDBY DESERET NEWSOF MARCH 6, 1886.

In addressing an assembly of Saints I principles, the nature of its require- expect the benefit of their prayers, with- ments, and the precise kind and charac- out the ceremony of asking; being as- ter of its blessings and promises, no one, sured they are aware, as well as I am, however ignorant or unlearned, needs that our teachings and administrations to be left in the dark; but may disin the Gospel of life are blest according to cover its golden truths, and the embla- our faith and prayers, and the diligence zoned mark of divinity in its arrange- and patience we bestow. ments as distinctly and as speedily as I propose to make some general ob- Naaman, the captain of the Assyrian servations upon the Gospel and its ad- host, found divine virtue and the hand ministrations, and in relation to its ef- of Divinity in the order prescribed to fects when received, and the impor- him by Elisha, through which his lep- tant blessings derived by this commu- rosy was removed. In his case, the or- nity, through its divine power and virtue. der of obtaining a miraculous blessing, This Gospel, which God has commanded viz: to immerse seven times in Jordan, us to offer to the world, is an order or as prescribed by Elisha, was so simple, system of things, simple, plain, and may so plain, and in regard to its divine ef- easily be understood. In regard to its ficacy so easy of ascertainment, that the 370 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. great captain at first, was exceedingly But, in the provisions of the Gospel wrathy at the idea that God should pro- which was offered to us, there were fair- pose to work upon him through such ness and safety; it proposed to give, easy and simple forms; but the order through obedience to its requirements, through which he could be healed of his a perfect knowledge of its divine au- leprosy was prescribed of God, through thenticity; so that, in leaving our kin- the Prophet, and finally the Assyrian of- dred, breaking up our social relations, ficer, through the plain, commonsense and going forth from our native lands, reasoning of his servant, concluded to we should first become perfectly assured waive his objections and comply with the that it was no human contrivance— requirements; and having done so re- something gotten up to effect a politi- ceived the promised blessing. cal purpose or satisfy some worldly am- The first principles of the Gospel bition, or to achieve some private end which we offer, and which put men in through human cunning or craftiness. possession of the revelations of God, and The Gospel was plain and simple in a knowledge of this work, are precisely its requirements, and there could be no as simple, plain, and as easy of under- mistaking the precise nature of its bless- standing as the order before alluded to, ings and promises, nor the manner and through which the heavens were opened time in which they were to be secured. to Naaman. The first feature, in this system, The Gospel was brought to our re- which struck us with surprise and ar- spective locations, far remote from these rested our attention, was its perfect sim- mountain vales. It found us citizens ilarity, in all its parts, with the Gospel of various nations, speaking our respec- as recorded in the New Testament. It tive languages, each possessing his pe- required repentance, and a forsaking of culiar notions and prejudices, with his sins, immersion in water for the remis- associations, and a strong attachment sion of sins, with a promise that, through to kindred, friends and country. How- the laying on of hands by those having ever unpleasant, unkind, unjust, and authority, people should receive the Holy inconsistent it might appear at first, Ghost, by which the knowledge would be we clearly foresaw that in receiving the obtained of the truth of the doctrine. An- Gospel we should be compelled to break other remarkable feature, which called off those associations, and sever those into exercise our most serious consider- attachments, leaving the lands of our ation, was the solemn testimony of the nativity, and go forth with our wives Elders, that they possessed the right to and our children to a distant land of administer these sacred ordinances, by which we had but little knowledge. Yet, virtue of the Holy Priesthood committed a similar requisition was made upon to Joseph Smith, through the ministra- the House of Israel, in the land of tion of the Apostles, Peter, James and Egypt; also upon Noah and his fam- John. And furthermore, that this solemn ily, and upon Abraham, and the fam- and most important fact should be re- ily of Lot in the city of Sodom, and vealed to every man, upon his faithful upon the families of Lehi and Ishmael, obedience to the Gospel requirements. as mentioned in the Book of Mormon. In these propositions, though at THE GOSPEL. 371

first seemingly strange, we saw that ev- find within ourselves a fixed purpose, an erything was plain, fair and honorable. unalterable resolution to do, if need be, In doing what they required, we should what many of us have already done, viz: only do, in fact, what, as true-hearted be- show the sincerity of our convictions of lievers in the ancient Gospel, we ought these solemn truths, through sacrificing to do; and if we failed to receive the all we possess—not even holding our- promised blessing, and thereby proved selves so dear to us as this religion. the Elders' testimony false, our religious There was yet another prominent fea- condition would, nevertheless, be then as ture embraced in this order of things, viz: good as other Christians, and a little bet- where it found the people in poverty, mis- ter, perhaps, because we should have ap- ery, in a condition but a little above star- proached a little nearer to the doctrine vation; it spoke in positive terms of fu- of the Scriptures, so far as their true ture relief, and effectual deliverance. It forms and ceremonies were concerned. did not simply say: "Be ye warmed, and Of course, in this case, having proven to be ye clothed," but it declared plainly, our satisfaction, that there was no Holy and in distinct terms, that the Lord had Ghost, no supernatural manifestations, seen their bondage and oppression, and no knowledge, no revelations accompa- heard their cries of sorrow and affliction, nying the Elders' administrations of the and now had sent His Gospel for their Gospel; no human persuasion, no cun- deliverance, and would lead them into ning sophistry could have induced us to circumstances of independence. There, leave our homes and friends to embark again, was something consistent, and in a scheme which our common sense worthy of admiration, and characteristic taught us would eventuate in bitter dis- of our Great Parent, discoverable in all appointment and inevitable ruin; but, His dispensations, when in actual work- like other Christians, we should have ing order, as they were in the case of continued in the enjoyment of friends Noah, and in the calling of Israel, mak- and home, still groping our way through ing them an independent people; like- religious darkness, expecting nothing, wise in calling Lehi to establish a people hoping nothing, and receiving nothing. upon this continent, as well as in many But the fact that I am now speak- other instances. ing to assembled thousands of intelli- A religious system is of but little ac- gent and enlightened people, who re- count when it possesses no virtue nor ceived this Gospel with the aforemen- power to better the condition of peo- tioned fond considerations and lively ex- ple, spiritually, intellectually, morally pectations, gathered here by their own and physically. Enoch's order of the free will and choice, out of almost every Gospel, did for his people all this, and nation, demonstrates most clearly, most it has done the same in every in- forcibly and most solemnly, that this sys- stance when preached in its purity, and tem of life, this Gospel as proclaimed by obeyed in sincerity. Many thousands Joseph Smith, has been made known to of the persons in these beautiful val- us by the revelations of the Almighty— leys, who formerly were compelled, with that it is undeniably His will, His word their wives and children, to subsist in and His message: not only this, but we a half-starved condition—not owning a 372 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. habitation, or a foot of land, a horse, a to accomplish, and often attempted, the cow, pig or chicken—nothing they could Lord is now doing on a magnificent call their own; subject at any moment, scale in this American Desert. Flourish- through the whim of their employer, to ing settlements, towns and cities have be turned into the streets, miserable sprung into existence, extending over a beggars; now own cabinet shops, facto- distance of five hundred miles in length, ries, mills, flocks and herds, beautiful and hundreds of miles in width, through gardens and orchards, and productive the untiring energy and perseverance farms, wagons and carriages, dwelling of a people, formerly totally ignorant of in their own houses, in comfortable and such labors. In these cities people live easy circumstances. No one has any ap- in harmony; and poorhouses, grog shops, prehension of starvation within the ju- gambling hells, houses of ill fame and risdiction of the Latter-day Saints. prostitution are not known in any of The Gospel proposed these blessings our numerous towns and cities, except at its announcement, and they have in some instances, where Christians (so- been most miraculously accomplished. called), possess a footing and influence. No other religious system could have No one, however prejudiced he may achieved such things, nor dared any be, can scarcely avoid acknowledging the other Christian denomination venture palpable fact, that this system has con- to send out its missionaries "without ferred miraculous blessings upon thou- purse or scrip," and without a college sands and tens of thousands, in the way education, to declare to the people that of putting them in possession of the they had authority from God to adminis- means for sustaining themselves, after ter the sacred ordinances of the Gospel, having delivered them from oppression through which should be revealed tan- and tyranny, little better than African gible evidence and knowledge of its di- slavery; and, no doubt, our legislators vinity and of their authority to admin- at Washington, one and all, would give ister it; and to take people from a state us credit for our indefatigable and suc- of poverty, and lead them thousands of cessful labors, in establishing an exten- miles, and, despite every obstacle, es- sive and flourishing colony, on a portion tablish them a comparatively indepen- of our Government domain, formerly in- dent people in the midst of a wild, desert habited by savages and wild beasts; pro- country. Had they found them poor, vided we would admit this work to be friendless, without the means of living, the work of man, and not of God—that it and in servitude little better than Egyp- had been accomplished through the arti- tian bondage, as we found many of them; fice and wisdom of man, and not by the they would have imparted no cheering power, wisdom and revelations of God. news of an approaching salvation from Joseph Smith, whom God chose the God of heaven; but could only have to establish this work, was poor exhorted them to be contented and rec- and uneducated, and belonged to onciled with their unhappy lot, and in no no popular denomination of Chris- case must they look for any new revela- tians. He was a mere boy, honest, tion, or miraculous interposition. full of integrity, unacquainted with What philanthropists have wished the trickery, cunning and sophistry THE GOSPEL. 373 employed by politicians and religious giving your sanction to the truth of a sys- hypocrites, to accomplish their ends. tem which promised you divine manifes- Like Moses of old, he felt incompe- tations, but which you failed in experi- tent and unqualified for the task, to encing? Being honest ourselves, if we stand forth as a religious reformer, in cannot bear a truthful testimony of hav- a position the most unpopular—to bat- ing received divine manifestations that tle against opinions and creeds which God, Himself, has founded this order of have stood for ages having the sanction things, then it becomes a serious fact, and support of men, the most profound that we are witnesses, and in truth the in theological lore; but God had called only proper witnesses, that this whole him to deliver the poor and honest- plan and pretention of Joseph Smith is a hearted of all nations from their spiri- sheer falsehood, a miserable fabrication. tual and temporal thralldom. And God It will be recollected that this Gospel promised him that whosoever should re- message proposed to give us divine man- ceive and obey His message—be bap- ifestations through our doing certain tized for the remission of sins, with hon- specified acts; we have performed those esty of purpose—might receive divine acts in precisely the manner indicated. manifestations, should receive the Holy None but ourselves have attempted to Ghost, the same Gospel blessings which conform to this arrangement; conse- were promised and obtained through quently, no other people are prepared to the Gospel, when preached by the an- be witnesses either for or against this cient apostles. And this message, this system. * * * * * promise, was to be in force wherever When the Gospel, or order of things and to whomsoever it should be carried which we have received, was presented by the Elders, God's authorized messen- to us, we carefully compared it with the gers. So said, Joseph Smith, the une- Gospel recorded in the Scriptures, and ducated, the unsophisticated, the plain, found it alike in every particular, as re- simple, honest boy. gards its forms, ordinances, and the au- It is through the virtue and force of thority to administer them; its promise this boy's statement, that I speak this af- of the Holy Ghost, and the signs that ternoon, to assembled thousands. should follow, together with the promise In the integrity of my heart, with of a knowledge of its divine origin. In honesty of purpose to know the truth, many instances it was brought to us by I received this message—I obeyed this men with whose character we were fa- form of doctrine and I received, in the miliar, and for whose honesty and in- most tangible and satisfactory manner, tegrity we could vouch, who solemnly a divine manifestation—the promised stated that, through an obedience to blessing—a knowledge of this work. Am its requirements, they had obtained a I the only witness? How is it with the knowledge of its heaven-born principles. experience of thousands whom I now ad- This was my experience, and af- dress? Are you also witnesses? If you ter having complied with its de- are not, I ask you in the name of commands, and thereupon received a mon sense, why are you here? Why knowledge of its genuineness, and did you leave your homes and country, having obtained authority to preach 374 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. and administer its ordinances, I com- and infamous of impostors, but his fol- menced forthwith to proclaim it to the lowers, the Latter-day Saints, in gen- world; and undoubtedly there are per- eral, though deceived, were very good sons in this congregation, out of different people, and scrupulously honest in their nations, to whom I have administered religious opinions. this Gospel, who can witness to its virtue From what I have already said in re- and efficacy. Many years I have been en- gard to the operations and effects of this gaged in forwarding the interests of this work, it may readily be seen that, if it order of things, and you are the proper be an imposition, it is not confined ex- judges whether it be of God or of man. clusively to the leaders of this people, but this whole community are actively, We have the same Gospel the prim- and knowingly engaged in a stupendous itive churches had, and the like knowl- scheme of deception and hypocrisy; and, edge and evidence they had of its di- by the way, as I before hinted, if this vine authority; and we have just as brave could be proven to be the case, we should and honest Elders to preach it; men who be driven to the belief that the former- have proven their integrity through sac- day Saints, also, had been engaged in the rifice as great as the Elders of the primi- same disgraceful imposition. tive churches ever made. The testimony More than one hundred thousand of our Elders is as valid and worthy of people now dwell in these valleys, many credit as the testimony of their Elders. of them having come from distant climes Our present Apostles are as honest as and nations. In this great fact they will- the Apostles of the New Testament, and ingly and understandingly exhibit to the our testimony is as worthy of credit, so world a powerful testimony more expres- far as we live and speak according to sive than any language could command, the Scriptural law and testimony. If this that they did, undeniably and posi- order of things which we have obeyed tively receive, through the ordinances of is not the Gospel—if these evidences, this Gospel, administered unto them by these manifestations, this knowledge, our Elders, a knowledge of this work, this Holy Ghost, these deliverances from through divine manifestations. misery and bondage, and being placed But it may be objected that, whereas, in comfortable and happy circumstances, members of our community were found living together in peace and harmony, by our missionaries in great poverty building beautiful towns and cities, free and distress, therefore, they obeyed the from demoralizing institutions, be not Gospel and migrated here, to better the legitimate fruits of the working of their circumstances financially, without the pure and holy system established by regard to its truth or falsity as a divine God, through Joseph Smith, we shall be system. Although this might be true in compelled to question the genuineness of isolated instances, it is impossible as re- the Gospel of the former-day Saints, as gards its application to our people as a recorded in the New Testament. community. Those persons who received By some, it has been argued, that this work without religious motives, and Joseph Smith and the prominent El- without an honest conviction of its divine ders were the most corrupt, wicked requirements, but solely for the "loaves THE GOSPEL. 375 and fishes" cannot possibly abide the test in religion, and thus fasten irresistibly to which everyone's faith, sooner or later, upon the minds of our children and fu- must be brought, but will have his dis- ture generations a system of falsehoods, honesty and hypocrisy exposed, and will for a divine religion. sooner or later apostatize. Joseph Smith affirmed that Peter, James and John visited him, and con- Hundreds of our Elders, full of Godly ferred on him authority to adminis- zeal, animated with the purest motives, ter the holy ordinances of the Gospel having obtained a knowledge of the will through which every honest-hearted of God, have left their wives and chil- man and woman was promised the Holy dren, whatever the heart holds most Ghost, and a perfect knowledge of the dear, and gone forth to the nations with- doctrine. out worldly compensation, calling on all I had been a member of this Church to repent and turn their hearts to the but a short time when I obtained, by Lord—obey the Gospel, with a promise a divine manifestation, a clear, explicit that they should receive the Holy Ghost, and tangible demonstration of the truth which would "lead unto all truth, and of this work. Thousands and tens of show things to come," and would be their thousands of Latter-day Saints, men and guide and monitor—a principle of revela- women, in private life, can testify to tion, remaining with them through life, the same experience; and though I may inasmuch as they preserved their hon- know many principles in regard to this esty and integrity, continuing faithful in doctrine, which in their limited experi- keeping the commandments of God, and ence, they may not understand, yet in devoting their time, their means, their that one fact, they are equal to me in talents, their all in building up the King- knowledge, equal to the messengers who dom of God. These duties were required, have administered to them this Gospel. these blessings promised by our Elders I now wish to examine another promi- in the preaching of the Gospel. To obtain nent feature of our religion. An impor- light—a knowledge of the will of God, to tant item which was prominently held secure the true religion—divine manifes- forth wherever this Gospel was pro- tations regarding the truth of the doc- claimed, was, that its followers should trine as taught by Joseph Smith, was the have an abundance of persecutions, and first, and all-absorbing proposition pre- probably, in the progress of this new life, sented to the people. be compelled to suffer the most trying Now, whether these Elders and mis- sacrifices, as wife, children, houses and sionaries were base impostors, promul- lands, despoiling of goods, and perhaps gating sheer falsehoods, or not, is of even, of life itself. No persons are prop- course a question of grave considera- erly prepared to enter upon this new life, tion; yet it is a matter of far greater im- until they have formed, within them- portance, and of more serious inquiry, selves, a fixed resolution to abide this or- whether our people, as a community, deal. having failed to receive those divine tes- The Savior, the Apostles, Joseph timonies, keep silent as to that most vi- Smith, and the Latter-day Elders, tal and important question, and come when offering this system to the here to practice fraud and deception people, told them clearly and em- 376 JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES. phatically, that it required sacrifices should be established; and we con- of the most serious character—that it stitute the only religious community would bring persecutions, change our which dares assume this Scriptural po- warmest friends into bitter and relent- sition; and our realization of the Sav- less enemies, and that instances would ior's promise, "that hell shall not pre- occur when the world in the confused vail against" a people thus established, ideas of right and wrong, would even affords us peace, tranquility, unshaken conceive they were doing God's service in confidence, and a cheering and happy as- taking our lives. These were dark and surance of security in the midst of all forbidding prospects to a rational person kinds of threatened ruin and overthrow. in allowing himself to be proselyted to a It is the people, the masses—not exclu- system whose truths he could not know, sively their leaders, who possess this but only guess at by what he was told, knowledge, and boldly testify to its pos- or of which he had read. Every man and session. every woman, before receiving a system The astronomer may know of many that called for such sacrifices, would re- laws and phenomena relating to the quire a positive assurance that submis- sun and its movements through ethereal sion to its requirements would bring in- space; but as regards the simple fact that disputable knowledge of its true divinity, it exists, and shines upon the earth, mil- so that, after having obtained a divine lions know as well as himself. Presi- witness of its genuineness, they could dent Brigham Young and even Joseph willingly, cheerfully and with a resolu- Smith, so far as respects the fact, that tion, inspired by the Almighty, move for- this Gospel which we preach as a divine ward along the pathway of persecution institution, never professed to have a and sacrifice, traversed in all ages by knowledge more convincing and satisfac- martyred Saints and Prophets. tory than tens of thousands in these valleys who never arose to address a public On this point permit me again to audience. quote what Jesus promised, viz: "Blessed This system of religion, in its nature, art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and in the character of its origin, the man- blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but ner of its operations, and in the purposes my Father which is in heaven. And for which it was designed, coupled with upon this rock I will build my church; the fact, that people of honest hearts, can and the gates of hell shall not pre- and will appreciate divine truth, is such vail against it." Peter had obtained a that it cannot be destroyed. A man who revelation which Jesus called a Rock, is honest, full of integrity and love for the which every man might receive individ- interest and happiness of mankind, hav- ually for himself to build upon, with pering explored this long untrodden path, fect assurance and safety—on which he and made this glorious discovery, will could anchor his hopes and prospects not and cannot keep silent, but despite of salvation. Peter, on the day of of threats and opposition, however fierce Pentecost, promised the Holy Ghost to and terrific, will boldly declare the glori- those who would repent and receive ous fact, spreading and multiplying this baptism. That principle imparts the divine intelligence, and if so required, knowledge or the rock of revelation upon seal this testimony with his own life's which the Savior declared His people blood.