It seems, my brethren and sisters, that an occurrence of
circumstances has brought us together again; and the occurrence of
circumstances has taken away from you, for a time, those who have
been more with you than I have myself. But there is one thing that
has not changed, viz: our in terests—the nature of the object to be
gained by us as Saints.
The simple fact of the Presidency having left us for a brief period of
time, has not effected, legitimately, any change in those things that
should interest us, and engage our attention. If we are Saints at all we have the same interest to sustain, the same knowledge to
gain, and the same fountain from which to draw that knowledge as those
have who have gone from us for a season. It is our right, our
privilege, and a duty that we owe to ourselves; to those with whom we
stand connected by the ties of the Everlasting Covenant, as well as by
all the relationship that binds us to each other as intelligent human
beings, to continue our labor, and so labor that our efforts may be
continually in the acquisition of that knowledge that is requisite to
our salvation; for this comprises all that should interest us, by
whatever name you may call it, or how many divisions or subdivisions
you may make of it, and yet when all is considered in connection, the
one part with the other constitutes but simply the salvation which we
seek. That alone will render us happy; that alone is capable of
accomplishing for us that, that is necessary to our peace and comfort
here, and hereafter. We may perhaps think that there are many very
nice distinctions which might be made between different things, as we
may consider them, that may constitute in us, with us, or for us the
means of happiness and comfort, and that one thing considered is one
thing, and something else is salvation.
I do not know of anything that exists, as a means of happiness and
comfort within our reach, or that can be made available, but that
belongs to our salvation.
These things are so various and so numerous that we might fill up a
short lifetime in recounting them, and still the sum of them would
then lack much of being told; but the great business of our life
should be to have them and enjoy them, and then, perchance, we should
be able, to some small extent, to appreciate them, and our happiness,
and comfort, and glory will be determined in its extent, and defined
precisely by the extent to which we appreciate the great truths that
exist around us, in the midst of which we have our being.
So that when we have gained the salvation we seek for, in all the vast
infinitude to which it may extend, with the experience of untold
ages—when the experience of almost numberless ages shall have added
their contribution to its stores of wealth and enjoyment; when these
shall be circumstances that surround us, we will find that it is all
constituted of one thing, which is simply learning to comprehend the
truth that exists around us, in the midst of which we live, move, and
have our being.
To effect this is the object of the Gospel—the plan of salvation—that
is good for us to reason upon and speak of often one to another; to
reflect upon, that we may understand the object for which the Gospel
is revealed to us, that we may be enabled to appropriate the things
that are rendered available to us—those appliances that are thrown
within our reach, in such a way as to conduce to the accomplishment of
this object. Then, in order to the proper appropriation of those
things, it is needful that we should understand what is to be affected
by it; it is needful we should be correct on this point, lest we might
be seeking after something that does not exist, and, consequently, we
should never find the reality; lest we should be exploring some
country to find jewels of our happiness where it is not.
All of us have experience enough to give us comprehension of the
truth, sufficient to be satisfied, that our search for a thing where
it does not exist, must ultimately prove a fruitless one, one that
will not bring to us a reward for our labor and toil, that will not
give us comfort for the anxiety we have cherished, while in search for
something we should fail to find.
Well, then, what is it, my brethren and sisters, let us reason a
little this morning, what is it the Gospel has to do for us? What have
we calculated in our own minds it is? Has something that does not now
exist to be created? Has our natural constitutional being to become
changed by our becoming the recipients of salvation? Are we to be
saved as we are, constituted as we are, or are we to be saved as some
other kind of beings? What are we to be when we are saved? Do we
suppose that we will be seen and known, that we will be recognized as
the same individuals that we are now?
If we are not, I would like much to know what I would be, and who I
might be, because there are somethings that, could I avoid it, I
would not be. But, in fact, I do not know that there are any reasons
that have ever commended themselves to my judgment, as being good
ones, for me to entertain a wish to change my identity at all.
The enjoyment of salvation with me, this far, has been ever cherished
and understood in connection with my own identity, that when I am saved
I shall be, simply, brother Lyman saved, and nobody else; I should be,
simply, brother Lyman in possession of all the knowledge requisite to
salvation, and the consequent participant of all the blessings
accruing from having that knowledge in possession. If I am not that, I
shall be disappointed, I shall not be happy, or satisfied, unless I
lose all my present expectations and faith.
Then it is, simply, we who are here today that are to be saved; and
what is it all embraced in? Simply, in a change of our condition, and
not of the condition of some other individual. In the place of
ignorance, we will possess that principle of knowledge and
comprehension that makes us free. What from? From ignorance. That is all.
Well, says one, "Are there not many other things besides ignorance?"
If there are calculating men and women in this room, who can think and
reflect, I wish that class particularly, if they never have done it,
to make it their study, for a little time, to determine one thing for
their own benefit, and for the benefit of others, as far as their
influence may extend, to find out how much of the ill that afflicts
mankind is not truly attributable to ignorance, to the existence of
darkness that pervades the human mind, and in consequence of which
they fail to comprehend the truth. By reason of it they know not God,
nor understand the principles upon which He acts.
When you find out an evil that is not traceable, legitimately and
truly, to this great cause—this great apparent fountain of evil and
wrong that exists in the world, just mark it down, name it, and let me
see it; if there is any other source for evil, I want to know it.
Jesus, we understand, came into the world to save sinners; he came to
save, as we say, lost and fallen man; he came to restore the sinful
sons of earth to the enjoyment of the mercy, and the favor, and the
blessing of heaven.
What did Jesus propose to do, any more than, simply, to save men? The
Gospel that he sent into the world proposes to do no more than to save
men; and it does just as much for the poorest man as for the richest,
it saves them, and that is all it does do.
"But," says one, "does it not damn men also?" Do you think it
does?
Did you ever find anything about the Gospel that would damn any of
you? "But does not the Scriptures hold out such an idea?" I do not
know whether they do or not; you ought to know your own experience
better than the Scriptures, because it is nearer to you, it is your
own property. I would rather have my own experience than to
have the Bible thrown in my face, it is richer far to me.
What has the Gospel done for you, and for me? It has never done us
anything but good. "But," says one, "Here is a man that has embraced
the truth and then has gone from it, left it, and is now damned." What
has damned him? Is it the Gospel? Nothing has damned him but his own
mean conduct; his own misdeeds that have influenced him thus against
his own interest. Does the Gospel require him to commit sin? Does it
require him to utter falsehoods, and cherish a principle of hypocrisy
and practice deceit with his neighbor? No. The Gospel requires of him
practical virtue, righteousness and truth in all his conduct.
Then let us not charge the Gospel with damning anybody, until we find
out it has actually done it. The Gospel was sent into the world, by
the Savior of mankind, to place the means of salvation within the
reach of mortals, to give to those who should believe, the power to
become the sons of God. That was the object of this proclamation
throughout the earth, and was the reason why it was taught in that
simplicity that marked the teachings of the ministers of truth. The
Scriptures promise salvation to those who believe; and those who do
not, we are informed, shall be damned. What damns them that do not
believe? The same thing that damned them before they heard the Gospel.
They were in darkness, and what was their condition afterwards? They
were in darkness.
Then the object of this Gospel being sent unto the world was, simply,
to give men a knowledge of the truth, and open their eyes, it was to
cause the light to shine in the midst of the darkness that surrounded
them; that in that light they might discover things as they exist
around, that they were before ignorant of, and entertain conceptions
of things that before did not reach or occupy their minds at all; all
this was to effect man's salvation. From what? From the fall, or any
other of the evils that surround him. I do not care whether you regard
them as the consequences of the fall or not, I care not what you name
the ills that afflict men, and keep them from the enjoyment of a
fulness of happiness and glory; from them mankind have need to be
saved; they constitute the chains with which men are bound—the clouds
of darkness which obscure the light of truth, that prevents the
sunlight of truth from rendering the whole sphere of man's being,
radiant, glorious, and resplendent. In what? In that which the great
architect of nature has placed there, and made all creation rich with.
We live in the midst of it, and are insensible to the beauties around
us, to the excellencies within our reach. We tread the blessings that
cluster around our path, like the flowers of spring, under our feet,
not appreciating their worth, instead of feasting upon the glory,
power, skill, and judgment that are manifested in the combinations
that have been associated together, to present this beauty to the eye.
Well, so it is with truth and its excellency in all the various
departments of nature's works and its glory. We live in the midst of
it, and are starving; we are a poor, starving, miserable, wretched,
beggarly set of creatures in the midst of plenty.
Now it is from these chains, that bind us in this condition, that the
Gospel proposes to set us free—that the plan of salvation is to snap
asunder, and give unto us an abundant deliverance, and a
correspondingly abundant entrance into the kingdom of God, and to make
our future as glorious, as luminous, and as broad, as the path in
which we have walked has been dangerous, dark, and gloomy.
This is what the Gospel proposes to do for us. How is it to be
effected? Upon this simple principle—by learning us the truth, and
this is the reason why, that to know the only living and true God and
Jesus Christ whom He has sent is eternal life. There is a reason for
that as well as for every other truth that extends, as such,
throughout the wide range of creation. It is eternal life, because it
is freedom from the chains of darkness, from the dominion of error—an
emancipation from that bondage that makes man, in his existence,
wretched and miserable.
Then, if this is actually salvation, where should we seek to know its
blessings? How shall we come to the enjoyment of them? Simply, in the
acquisition of knowledge. Says one, "Is this all?" Yes, this comprises
all. "But must we not do right; and is it not important that we
should?" Yes; but how can you do right before you know what right is?
What do you Latter-day Saints do? I can see that miserable confusion
among them that characterizes the men of the world; everything must
give way to the pursuit of this world's wealth and honor; in their
eyes this seems to be the only thing that can make them happy. And
there are as many ways in which men seek out happiness, as there are
men to seek it; and there is as great a variety of interests to be
served in the world of mankind, collectively, as there are men who
embrace those interests, and labor to save them, and these will be
constantly in contact with each other, and what one man labors to
build up, another labors to pull down; that which is the wealth of one
is the poverty of another; what is the filling of one man's pocket is
the draining of another's pocket to the last dime—the last dollar
leaves him, and gets into his neighbor's purse. This is the way the
world get rich, and imagine themselves happy, and this is the way many
of the Latter-day Saints would find salvation—in undertaking to do
right without first knowing what is right.
The Savior spoke sensibly and reasonably, when he said, "This is
eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath
sent." Without knowing Him, what can you know rightly? What do you
understand and comprehend of truth, rightly? Like geologists and
chemists in the world, they dig a well, and find a great many crusts,
that is when you apply the term crust to something that is a riddle to
them, they find many kinds of material that enter into the combination
of the earth. The alchemist analyzes portions of the earth, that are
thrown out, to discover the different proportions and kinds of matter
of which it is composed. What do they learn? Some truth. But what is
it like? They cannot tell. If it possesses the property of an acid or
an alkali they know it. But do they know anything about who combined
its various parts, do they know anything about the active mind
shadowed forth in the combinations they find? They do not. So we may
search for truth in the earth, on the earth, and above the earth, and
we may find a great deal, but we do not comprehend anything of it,
from the fact that we do not know God; we have not commenced at the
beginning of our lesson.
Many men have become satisfied there is a God, but they do not know
Him, where He lives, who He looks like, or whether He is like anybody
or anything that is seen, heard, handled, or comprehended by us. Now
the Gospel simply proposes to teach the world of mankind the truth in
relation to the great fountain of truth, that is at the beginning of
all things that we can see as a beginning; to lead them to a
discovery of facts in relation to that truth which pervades
universal creation—that exists as far as existence is known, or not
known, where it actually is. There is a truth that is co-equal in
extent with it. If there is light there, it is its light, if glory, it
belongs to truth.
"Well," says one, "is it great as God? Does it comprehend God, or is
God comprehended of it?" You know the great principle of eternal life
is to know the only true and living God, &c. In our childish
speculations we talk about a great many Lords and Gods, and you can
get the doctrine made holy by applying the Scriptural language to it.
But, supposing the Scriptures had said nothing about it, what man that
has looked abroad upon the face of universal nature, as it is
presented to us, who has lived in this being, and breathing world for
only a few years, who has not learned and understood for himself,
perfectly, that there is a principle of truth which pervades every
thing which is in itself immutable, that is the same everywhere, in
every land, country, and clime, whether we speak of a single atom, the
crawling insect, or the clustering universe of worlds, all are moving,
and existing, and are controlled by the same great law—the same great
principle that causes them to have their existence in truth and
harmony with each other.
Let us return from traveling abroad—from this wandering, and see if
we can find the same applied here at home with us. Is there a
principle that does control us, and that we can control, a principle
which is in all things, in which we live, move, and have our being,
that is greater than the greatest thing we can conceive of, and
embraces all things? Yes, the simple principle revealed in this small
thing—two multiplied by two makes four, is one that we cannot change,
or conceive of a principle by which it could be changed.
We cannot entertain a conception of what it would be, if it was not
what it is. It is all the time the same in every land, country or
place. It is the same whether we apply the principle to determine the
number of apples in the market basket, or whether we apply it in more
extended calculations, in determining the magnitudes, times, and
distances of the planets.
Here is a principle to which we must yield; to which we must bow. Why?
Simply, because it is greater than we, it defies our efforts to change
it; it controls our actions, influences our being; it determines
things, and we with other things are determined by it. What can we say
to it? Can we treat it with indignity? No; for it will rule us; it
governs us. What is it? It is the light that is within us. The
revelation says, "It is the light of our eyes that enlighteneth our
understandings." And what is this? It is the God we see in the sun, and
in the moon, and in the stars, for He is the light thereof, and the
power by which they were made. It is, simply, what the Apostle talked
about anciently, as recorded in the Scriptures; he exclaims, "Great is
the mystery of godliness: God manifest in the flesh."
Some may have supposed that the revelation of God is confined to some
few things only—some few specimens of what we look upon in the wide
range of nature's works, as they are called; I do not know as nature
has any works. While we look upon these, we find that all we do see,
read of, and can reach, by the means that we can render available for
the acquisition of knowledge, and for the awakening of conceptions
within the mind, in relation to the vast infinitude of the work of the
Almighty, we find that it is simply the shadowing forth of—what? Of
this great principle of truth, this God that we adore, that we seek to
know, whom to know aright is life everlasting. Why? Because it
bursts the chains of ignorance asunder that have held us in bondage;
it dissipates the clouds of darkness that obstructs the sunlight of
truth from shining around us, and then, in the light of truth, we
begin to see and comprehend what exists around us, and the
relationship we sustain to nature, to God, to one another, and the
object for which we live, and for which we are constituted, and the
end to which we are tending.
Until we begin to learn this, we are benighted and darkened; we are as
effectually lost as is any man in a swamp without light, or without a
guide, he is no worse off than we without the light of truth, for we
know not which way to go, or in what direction to look for succor;
we know not from whence deliverance is coming, or if it is coming at
all.
Then what do we need to save us? Simply, a knowledge of the truth.
Says one, "I do not know but that God will save me." I know but little
about Him, but I know more about Him than I do about any other God.
Why? Because I have seen more of Him. Any of you that have gazed on
the heavens, have seen the light of day, been cheered by the light of
the sun, and comforted by its genial rays, have felt the exhilarating
influences of it.
Here is a God that I see, a God that I have heard, whose voice is
uttered by all time, and millions of earths, and suns, in the
magnitude of the universe, and thousands of universes, associated
together, shadow forth His greatness and glory. Then there is a God
who is gentle and kind, easy to be entreated, full of compassion and
tender mercy, whose storehouse of good is richly filled to make—who
happy? Those that seek for happiness. Where does He live? Everywhere.
Which of the Gods is it? It is that God that lives everywhere; that
lives through all life, and extends through all extent; that spreads
undivided, and operates unspent; that is the God I am talking about
now.
What other God is there? You may talk about the Lord Jesus Christ, and
about his Father; what did Jesus say of himself—that man who came into
the world, and, as the Scriptures say, became the author of eternal
salvation, to as many as would believe? What did he say that he came
into the world to do? No other work but what he saw his Father do.
He came to do his Father's will. What is said of him? "Thy throne, O
God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter
of thy kingdom." It was because he loved righteousness, and hated
iniquity, that he was preferred before his fellows, and was anointed
with the oil of gladness above them. What had been done with his
Father? Did Jesus say of himself that he was in the sun, and in the
moon, and that he was the principle that enlightened our
understanding? No, he did not say so, but he said, that any man who
had looked upon these, had seen God moving in majesty and power.
What does he say of himself? Says he, "Holiness is my name." Suppose
we change it a little, and say he was a holy man, does it change the
facts in the case any? No he was, simply, a holy man. How came he to
be holy? Just as you and I shall come to be holy, if we ever are. What
constituted him a holy man? Simply, his being guided by holy
influences, his being engaged continually in the perpetration of holy
and righteous deeds; this made him a man of holiness.
Again he said, "Man of Counsel is my name;" because that he had been
subject to counsel always. He came into this world to minister unto
man, and laid down his life for him, because he was a man of counsel.
He came to save man, because he was a man of counsel; and he
preached the truth because he was a man of counsel. Were the
perfections with which he was clothed inherent in him? I say no,
because the Scriptures say no; he was made perfect through suffering,
they inform us.
We might call it experience, for he learned obedience by the things
which he suffered. Well, then, we are required to be perfect even as
he is perfect, and he required his disciples that were with him to be
perfect, even as their Father in heaven was perfect. It opens to us
this view of the matter. Jesus had nothing but what he gained, as vast
and extended as might be the power with which he was clothed. The
ability that rendered him sufficient for the accomplishment of the
great work he accomplished, was the result of his gathering around him
from the great fountain of truth, that amount of comprehension of the
vast infinitude of truth, that vested him with the ability he
possessed.
This is the path in which we are to travel as Saints of God, in which
we are to look for salvation, and gather from the same rich store the
sum of our happiness, greatness, and glory. God was not too great to
drink from the same fountain, and draw from it all He possessed of
power, greatness, and glory. That which constitutes His glory,
constitutes the greatness, power, might, and majesty of all who
progress, and are clothed with the same principle. That the Father of
Jesus Christ was in no way very different from himself is evident from
what he said; he came to be nearly equal with his father, and is
declared, by virtue of his obedience, heir of all his Father's
inheritance. He says he came to do the same things he saw his Father
do.
Then if we wish to read the history of his Father, we have only to
read the history of the son; for in reading the history of the son, we
also read the history of the Father; and Jesus Christ has told us, his
brethren, that this is eternal life to know the only living and true
God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. What does that lead to? Not
only to know that they had the truth, but to understand and comprehend
the principle upon which they possessed it; whether it was truth
inherent—that dwells in them from all eternity, without beginning or
end, in the history of their existence—when they commenced to acquire
knowledge, and whether they acquired knowledge of this great truth as
we are taught to acquire it.
Now that this was the highest object that was had in view in the
proclamation of the Gospel—in its revelation to mankind—is obvious to
me, it is as plain to me, as I can see anything else. Because, when
man has learned the truth, in relation to all these things, is there
anything more which he can learn? No. It is the vast infinitude of
truth that has reflected light enough around us to open our minds, and
enable us to entertain a conception of nothing higher, more noble,
nothing possessing greater excellencies than simply the truth itself.
We talk about holiness, and glory, and power, and might, but there is
no power, but what is of truth, no greatness, no uncontaminated bliss
but what is of truth. It embraces the sum of all the excellencies
combined in the wide range of universal existence; whether applied to a
mote or a mountain; to a single planet, to a universe or to an
association of universes.
To learn the truth is the best thing we can do, it is a pursuit
fraught with the greatest good to us, for it will bring salvation to
us, and bestow upon us the bliss, and blessedness of that state in
full; and enable us to appreciate it, for we shall have the light of
truth to discover things as they exist around us. And this is in fact
our happiness, glory, and strength. What can we see more, than
when we first heard the sound of the Gospel?
Let us consider—those of us who have had the privileges and blessings
that a great many have not enjoyed; we who have had the experience of
a score of years since we first heard the Gospel explained, talked
about; since it was first suggested to us that the heavens have been
propitious, in sending an invitation to the erring sons of earth, to
return from their wandering, and place themselves under the tuition
which heaven has instituted, to develop in them a perfect knowledge of
the principles of truth. I say, what do we know more today than then?
What capacity do we possess more? Says one, "I know a great deal more,
and we are enabled to accomplish more now than we could then." It is,
simply, because we know more truth and in the application of it we can
occupy a wider field, and are prepared to encounter a greater variety
of circumstances, and under them all to be enabled to apply the truth,
and create circumstances that are good and acceptable to God, to our
increase in the truth, and to the increase of the kingdom of God upon
the earth.
The kingdom of God is being developed under the influence of the
Gospel. How fast? Just as fast as true principles are developed in the
hearts of men and women. Just so fast, and just so far the kingdom of
God is actually developed, possesses strength, and is built up with
sound, substantial materials that will outlive the waste of time,
continuing to grow in strength and might when sublunary things have
passed away. Taking this view of salvation, we see its object is to
put that in our possession without which it is impossible for us to be
happy.
Well then, should we be subject to counsel, and be advised? Yes. Men
here stick up their noses, and com plain because they are required to
be subject to counsel. Says one, "I know enough to attend to my own
business; I don't wish any man to manage for me, I cannot endure it; I
am too independent." Now you poor independent soul; you that are too
independent to learn the truth; to be taught your duty; what
independence have you got? "O, I have the privilege of moving round in
this breathing world as I please; and I won't be controlled?" You won't;
but I say you will, and you are controlled, and that is the very
reason you say as you say, and do as you do, you are controlled every
moment of your lives and still you say you are not. You are not
independent, you never were, and you never will be. That being does not
exist within the range of man's history. The very principles upon
which we exist make us the objects of dependence.
I know the history of that independent man. What is it? It is the
history of every man that comes into the world. Man comes into the
world a beggar, naked, destitute, and the veriest specimen of
dependence and poverty that ever was laid out on the stage of human
existence. Could he help himself, clothe his nakedness? No. The very
first thing he needed, when he looked upon this earth, he had to
borrow from the atmosphere that God had provided for him before he
came here.
And had it not been for the provisions of his great benefactor, he
would have been born only to perish in the morning of his days. Such
is the man who tells us he is independent. He is too independent to be
taught and instructed. I say what did he know, or what could he do in
the days of his infancy? The veriest crawling insect that wiggles its
way along through the dust of the earth was as independent as he, and
had more help for itself. Talk about independence; he has
forgot that he was born, and that is the difficulty. He is not only
ignorant of the truth, but he has been shutting his eyes against it
all the time, since he has been in the world.
He has forgot he was born naked and helpless. I suppose he thinks he
was born in silken robes, when he does think about it, because he may,
perchance, have worn them ever since. I don't know but he thinks he
was born in the jewelry that bedecks his body since he has been on the
earth, or, as the old saying has it, with a silver spoon in his mouth.
He is independent, he says. What does he do in the first place? He had
to be cradled in helplessness, and cared for. It is to a mother's
anxiety and tender care he is indebted for his life, for the
perpetuity of his being on the earth. When he became of sufficient age
to draw his nourishment, and means to sustain his being from other
sources, he ate the bread that the earth produced—that was here before
him—he had no hand in preparing it, he eats it, enjoys the blessing
flowing from it, and still looks up to heaven, and like Nebuchadnezzar
of old exclaims, "I have made all these things," he is so independent.
Supposing there had been no earth to have produced bread for his
nourishment, how could he have lived? Supposing there had been no hand
that had tilled the earth, and produced bread as the result of labor.
He was not able to travel abroad to find it, and could not manufacture
it. He is dependent all the time. Here we find him clad in fine robes,
enjoying the place his fellows occupied, and men on the right hand,
and on the left that go at his bidding, and come at his call.
But what could he do, supposing they were not there, and he the only
tenant of this wide world? How much could he accomplish in providing
means for his enjoyment? Who would be his farmer, his gardener, or his
mechanic? Who would build his palace, serve him, and administer to his
wants? Nobody. He would be poor, destitute, naked, without a house in
which to dwell, destitute of the blessings of association, and kind
attention of friends.
Still he says, he is independent. If he is, let him live alone; and
when he has lived alone six months, he will be apt to come to his
senses, if he has bread enough to keep him until then.
At the end of that time he would be wishing for the society of the
negro baboon, or anything at all like the human form. He would hunger
and thirst for an association with his fellow being; he would find
himself wretched without it, and he would exclaim like Nebuchadnezzar
in the bitterness of his soul, "God is great and good."
Jesus Christ never declared his independence at all. He said he came
into the world—on his own business? No, but he came to do the will of
his Father. In this we have an example of what we should seek for,
and how we should value the principles we should cherish within us.
The truth is before us, and it is for us to learn it. This is the
great key to our happiness; and when we have learned all the truth, we
shall get all our salvation. That which does not learn us the truth
does not bestow salvation on us; it is that which learns us the truth,
and enables us to comprehend it, which is salvation to us.
I do not care how it is gained, or where it is found, whether at our
labor, or in our moments of rest, and hours of reflection, study, and
contemplation. The voice of truth is everywhere. It is but the voice
of that Holy Spirit that was to do—what? To lead you and me, and all
others who have covenanted with God to keep His commandments, into all
truth.
How much of a teacher is that Holy Spirit? What is its capacity? The
capacity it is obliged to have; unless there is a falsehood connected
with the declaration to do what it promises to do. What is that? Not
to lead me into a portion of the truth, and then stop until it has
learned the balance, but to lead me into all truth. That is what is
promised, and what is declared to be the office of the Holy Spirit.
Can you think of a principle that is universal, and infinite in its
extent; there being no space that is not filled with it; no creation
that does not owe its existence to its power and influence? Think of
that, and ask yourselves the question, who is it, and what is it that
can lead you into all that vast infinitude of truth, but that
principle.
Can you have any idea what the Holy Ghost is that is to perform this
office for you and me, to lead us into all truth; or in other words
the Holy Spirit? If it leads us into all truth, it must itself
comprehend all truth, or it could not lead us there.
When we have this Spirit dwelling in us, to be our constant companion,
and our instructor, we will grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the
truth; because it will each day unfold to us new treasures of truth;
our field of truth will become broader and broader, and consequently
will embrace more of the facts in nature, as they exist today, than
yesterday; and in this way we will add knowledge to knowledge, truth
to truth, to make up that sum that will constitute us equal to the
accomplishment of all that is requisite to our happiness, until it may
extend to a vast illimitable infinitude.
Now I want you to cultivate and cherish within you a love and regard
for His Spirit. You have been exhorted again and again, so to live,
that the Spirit of truth—the Holy Ghost, may dwell within you, and be
your constant companion. You should cultivate that condition of
feeling that is congenial with the Holy Spirit.
You should banish all littleness of soul; and banish all scanty,
meager conceptions; and learn that the infinitude of truth is
boundless. And when you have cherished that conception, do not
calculate there is something else bigger; for there can be nothing
bigger, than that which is boundless—that fills the immensity of
space. Why? Simply, because there is no room for anything bigger.
That is the reason why "Mormonism" is bigger than everything else. Now
go to work and apostatize, will you, you poor, independent class of
Latter-day Saints. But where will you go to, for you cannot get beyond
the range of "Mormonism," if you die and go to hell?
Old David was satisfied as to this, for he said, "If I take the wings
of the morning, and fly to the uttermost parts of heaven, thou art
there; if I go down to hell, to get out of sight, behold, thou art
there." You will apostatize, thinking to find something better than
"Mormonism." Where does that something hang? I would like to see the
foundation upon which it is based.
"Mormonism" extends to a boundless infinitude; there is no place where
it is not; no existence that does not exist by its influence and
power. If it has life, it is enlivened by it. If it possesses light,
it is enlightened by it. I will continue with "Mormonism;" though I
know but little of it, I have learned enough to satisfy me that there
is no room for anything else. All I have to do is to live, and extend
my acquaintance with it; increase my explorations through its various
ramifications.
I expect to range in them through the vast future of my being,
gathering knowledge. I never expect to get outside
"Mormonism;" I have given up the idea long ago of ever apostatizing to
get out of the way of it.
I would advise you who have such thoughts to abandon the idea, for it
is a long journey; you will never get to the end of it. After you have
fought many hard battles against the rights of truth and its
convictions, I shall meet you in your wanderings, and still find you
inside of "Mormonism;" and you will live inside of it; I do not care
where you go you cannot get rid of it.
I would advise you to give up all ideas of apostatizing. Suppose you
wake up from your slumbers, and try my plan of getting a thorough
knowledge of the truth. Suppose you try it for twenty years; be
faithful to God, deal honestly with yourselves and your neighbor that
long; love God that long, and cultivate a love of the truth that long,
and it will effect quite a change in you. And probably you may be as
much attached to the truth, by that time, as you are to your tea,
coffee, and tobacco; not because they loved them when they were born,
or had a natural taste for them, but because they have loved them ten,
twenty, or thirty years.
They do not wake up and forget them, nor go into the field, and return
home and forget them, because the recollection of them is fixed by
long using them; they have become a principle of their life and being,
as it were. Do you not wish the plan of salvation had become so fixed
in you? Would you not be a great deal happier than you are now?
I suppose this is the case with some. I hope so at least. You want a
love of the truth, which is the only thing that will ensure you
success as Latter-day Saints, for if you have not the love of it in
you, you cannot appreciate it; and if you do not appreciate it, you
would give it away for a little sweet cake, or some trifling thing,
because the love of it was never fixed in your affections.
When you appreciate the truth so—as it is worth everything you can
give or exchange for it—then you are secure; and as long as you
continue to love it, you will not apostatize. But if you begin to be
discontented, look out or you will apostatize. You say, "I like
"Mormonism" as well as ever I did, but I do not like this country."
You tell the truth, I believe, but you never believed it firm enough,
if you had you would have loved this country where duty has called
you; or any other country where the interest of the cause of truth
calls you. Why? Because your interest is there; that which you love is
there, and the reward you seek is there. You ought to have "Mormonism"
get fast hold on your affections, so as to occupy the entire
affections of the soul, until the love of the truth is disseminated
throughout your whole being.
I want you to watch these things, and not apostatize. It is a bad
business, and don't do you any good. Stand firmly in the covenants you
have made, and learn the truth day by day, and gain knowledge
continually. If I thought there was anything more or better than
"Mormonism," anything that would do you more good, I would talk about
it.
I have not addressed you precisely as I would another people, under
other circumstances. A great many of you have been a long time in
"Mormonism," and have had considerable experience in it, and again
some have had but a few years experience, in which to learn and be
instructed.
Well, as Latter-day Saints, you should learn that you are not
independent, but dependent all the time, that you have the truth to
learn. You have merely adopted it, and said in your hearts that the
testimony of the servants of God is true. You may have
received the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that have borne record
to you, and brought to your understanding things that were promised
you. But this is just at the beginning of truth, it is yet all before
you, you only comprehend but a little of it; you simply comprehend the
fact, that there is a system of salvation.
Are you living today in the enjoyment of that freedom from darkness,
doubt, and dubiety that is only the result of a perfect comprehension
of truth, that satisfies the soul, and relieves it of all its
anxieties and cares? Are you enjoying that today? Do you fully
understand the principles of "Mormonism?" When you speak honestly, you
will tell me you do not.
Seek to learn them. This is the duty which lies before you; your
future labor consists in this. You have been baptized for the
remission of sins, as a sign of the covenant you have made, that you
would put off the old man and his deeds; that you would die according
to the rudiments of the world which influenced your former life, and
follow the rudiments of Christ.
Are you growing in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth? Are you
becoming more and more intelligent? Do you live the truth more today
than last year, last week, or five or ten years ago, when you first
heard it? Do you comprehend more of it? If you do not, you are not
growing in grace, and in the knowledge of God, and of the truth.
Obey the Word of Wisdom. "Do you mean I shall not drink tea, or
coffee?" I do not care whether you do or not. I do not consider that
you obey the Word of Wisdom, simply, because you do not drink tea and
coffee. Maybe you cannot get it. I have seen the time that I drank it
when it was hard to get, and when I did not use it, when I could have
got it.
Do not work yourselves to death, but try to live a long time, and
learn to run and not weary, walk and not faint. Do you think of
leaving off tea and coffee, alone, will enable you to scale the
mountains, and outstrip the mountain goat in fleetness. It is just as
true that weariness is the consequence of excessive toil as that God
lives and reigns. It is manifest in you and me, and in every other
part of His work. Keep the Word of Wisdom; and if you want to run and
not weary, walk and not faint, call upon me and I will tell you
how—just stop before you get tired.
The Word of Wisdom was given for a principle, with promise; as a rule
of conduct, that should enable the people so to economize their time,
and manage and control themselves, as not to eat and drink to excess,
or use that which is hurtful to them; that they should be temperate in
all things, in the exercise of labor, as well as in eating and
drinking. Clothe yourselves properly if you can. Exercise properly if
you can, and do right in everything.
Do not stay the work of improvement and reform to pay attention to
small things that are beneath your notice, but let it extend through
the entire circle of your being, let it reach every relationship in
life, and every avocation and duty embraced within your existence.
Let it affect your thinking, and the feelings which you cultivate, and
let there be nothing pertaining to your being but what shall be
influenced by it. The Word of Wisdom would itself save you, if you
would only keep it, in the true sense and spirit of it, comprehending
the purpose for which it was given.
It reaches everything that affects your happiness. Go on then and
observe the Word of Wisdom. What does wisdom tell you? Let tea and
coffee alone, and abstain from that which would overtax the
strength of your system, and favor the innovations of disease, and
shorten your lives, and thereby limit the extent of your usefulness.
Study to save yourselves. That which saves your life, and lengthens
out your days is salvation. And that which fills out your days with
the perpetration of good is salvation—it helps to make up the sum of
your salvation.
I want you to look at it in this point of view, and be influenced by
the spirit of truth, foster it within the fountains of your feelings,
and it will give a good character to your conduct.
This will be living your religion every day, in everything you do;
you will have nothing to do outside of your religion.
Now that you may have wisdom to adopt this course of life, and live to
enjoy the blessings that will accrue from its adoption, is my prayer
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Amasa M. Lyman