The plan of salvation, or, in other words, the redemption of fallen
beings, is a subject that should occupy the attention of all
intelligence that pertains to fallen beings. I do not like the term
fallen beings, but I will say, subjected intelligence, which term
suits me better—subjected to law, order, rule, and government. All
intelligences are deeply engaged in this grand object; not, however,
having a correct understanding of the true principle thereof, they
wander to and fro, some to the right, and some to the left. There is
not a person in this world, who is endowed with a common share of
intellect, but is laboring with all his power for salvation. Men vary
in their efforts to obtain that object, still their individual
conclusions are, that they will ultimately secure it. The merchant,
for instance, seeks with unwearied diligence, by night and by day,
facing misfortunes with a determined and persevering resistance,
enduring losses by sea and by land, with an unshaken patience, to
amass a sufficient amount of wealth to enable him to settle calmly
down in the midst of plenty in some opulent city, walk in the higher
classes of society, and perchance receive a worldly title, or worldly
honor, and enjoy a freedom from all anxiety of business, and
constraint by poverty, throughout the remainder of his life. He then
supposes he has obtained salvation.
Descend from the busy, wealth-seeking middle classes, to the humbler
grade of society, and follow them in their various occupations and
pursuits, and each one of them is seeking earnestly that which he
imagines to be salvation. The poor, ragged, trembling mendicant, who
is forced by hunger and cold to drag his feeble body from under some
temporary shelter, to seek a bit of bread, or a coin from his more
fortunate fellow mortal, if he can only obtain a few crusts of bread
to satisfy the hunger-worm that gnaws his vitals, and a few coppers to
pay his lodgings, he has attained to the summit of his expectations,
to what he sought for salvation, and he is comparatively happy, but
his happiness vanishes with the shades of night, and his misery comes
with the morning light. From the matchmaker up to the tradesman, all
have an end in view, which they suppose will bring to them salvation.
King, courtier, commanders, officers, and common soldiers, the
commodore, and sailor before the mast, the fair-skinned Christian, and
the dark-skinned savage, all, in their respective grades and
spheres of action, have a certain point in view, which, if they can
obtain, they suppose will put them in possession of salvation.
The Latter-day Saint, who is far from the bosom of the Church, whose
home is in distant climes, sighs, and earnestly prays each day of his
life for the Lord to open his way, that he may mingle with his
brethren in Zion, for he supposes that his happiness would then be
complete, but in this his expectations will be in a measure vain, for
happiness that is real and lasting in its nature cannot be enjoyed by
mortals, for it is altogether out of keeping with this transitory
state.
If a man's capacity be limited to the things of this world, if he
reach no further than he can see with his eyes, feel with his hands,
and understand with the ability of the natural man, still he is as
earnestly engaged in securing his salvation, as others are, who
possess a superior intellect, and are also pursuing the path of
salvation, in their estimation, though it result in nothing more than
a good name, or the honors of this world. Each, according to his
capacity—to the natural organization of the human system, which is
liable to be operated upon by the circumstances and influences by
which it is surrounded, is as eager to obtain that which he supposes
is salvation, as I am to obtain salvation in the Eternal world.
The object of a true salvation, correctly and minutely understood,
changes the course of mankind. Persons who are taught by their
teachers, friends, and acquaintances, are traditionated, from their
youth up, into the belief that there is no God, or intelligent beings,
other than those that they see with the natural eye, or naturally
comprehend; that there is no hereafter; that at death, all life and
intelligence are annihilated. Such persons are as firm in their
belief, and as strenuous in argument, in support of those doctrines,
as others are in the belief of the existence of an Eternal God. The
early customs and teachings of parents and friends, to a greater or
less degree, influence the minds of children, but when they are
disposed to inquire at the hands of Him who has eternal intelligence
to impart to them, when their understandings are enlarged, when their
minds are enlightened by the Spirit of truth, so that they can see
things that are unseen by the natural eye, they may then be corrected
in their doctrine and belief, and in their manner of life, but not
until then.
How difficult it is to teach the natural man, who comprehends nothing
more than that which he sees with the natural eye! How hard it is for
him to believe! How difficult would be the task to make the
philosopher, who, for many years, has argued himself into the belief
that his spirit is no more after his body sleeps in the grave, believe
that his intelligence came from eternity, and is as eternal, in its
nature, as the elements, or as the Gods. Such doctrine by him would be
considered vanity and foolishness, it would be entirely beyond his
comprehension. It is difficult, indeed, to remove an opinion or belief
into which he has argued himself from the mind of the natural man.
Talk to him about angels, heavens, God, immortality, and eternal
lives, and it is like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal to his
ears; it has no music to him; there is nothing in it that charms his
senses, soothes his feelings, attracts his attention, or engages his
affections, in the least; to him it is all vanity. To say that the
human family are not seeking salvation, is contrary to my experience,
and to the experience of every other person with whom I have any
acquaintance. They are all for salvation, some in one way, and some in
another; but all is darkness and confusion. If the Lord does
not speak from heaven, and touch the eyes of their understanding by
His Spirit, who can instruct or guide them to good? Who can give them
words of eternal life? It is not in the power of man to do it; but
when the Lord gives His Spirit to a person, or to a people, they can
then hear, believe, and be instructed. An Elder of Israel may preach
the principles of the Gospel, from first to last, as they were taught
to him, to a congregation ignorant of them; but if he does not do it
under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord, he cannot enlighten
that congregation on those principles, it is impossible. Job said that,
"There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth
them understanding." Unless we enjoy that understanding in this
probation, we cannot grow or increase, we cannot be made acquainted
with the principles of truth and righteousness so as to become
exalted. Admit that the Spirit of the Lord should give us
understanding, what would it prove to us? It would prove to me, at
least, and what I may safely say to this congregation, that Zion is
here. Whenever we are disposed to give ourselves perfectly to
righteousness, to yield all the powers and faculties of the soul
(which is the spirit and the body, and it is there where righteousness
dwells); when we are swallowed up in the will of Him who has called
us; when we enjoy the peace and the smiles of our Father in Heaven,
the things of His Spirit, and all the blessings we are capacitated to
receive and improve upon, then are we in Zion, that is Zion. What will
produce the opposite? Hearkening and giving way to evil, nothing else
will.
If a community of people are perfectly devoted to the cause of
righteousness, truth, light, virtue, and every principle and attribute
of the holy Gospel, we may say of that people, as the ancient Apostle
said to his breth ren, "Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus
Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates;" there is a throne for the
Lord Almighty to sit and reign upon, there is a resting place for the
Holy Ghost, there is a habitation of the Father and the Son. We are
the temples of God, but when we are overcome of evil by yielding to
temptation, we deprive ourselves of the privilege of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, taking up their abode and dwelling with us.
We are the people, by our calling and profession, and ought to be by
our daily works, of whom it should be truly said, "Ye are the temples
of our God." Let me ask, what is there to prevent any person in this
congregation from being so blessed, and becoming a holy temple fit for
the indwelling of the Holy Ghost? Has any being in heaven or on earth
done aught to prevent you from becoming so blessed? No, but why the
people are not so privileged I will leave you to judge. I would to God
that every soul who professes to be a Latter-day Saint was of that
character, a holy temple for the indwelling of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, but it is not so. Is there any individual within
the sound of my voice today, that has received the Holy Ghost through
the principles of the Gospel, and at the same time has not received a
love for them? I will answer that question. Wait and see who it is
that falls out by the way; who it is in whom the seed of truth has
been sown, but has not taken root; and then you will know the
individuals who have received the truth, but have never received a
love of it—they do not love it for itself. What a delightful aspect
would this community present if all men and women, old and young, were
disposed to leave off their own sins and follies, and overlook those
of their neighbors; if they would cease watching their neighbors for
iniquity, and watch that they themselves might be free
from it! If they were trying with all their
powers to sanctify the Lord in
their hearts, and would prove, by their actions, that they had
received the truth and the love of it! If all individuals would watch
themselves, that they do not speak against the Father, the Son, the
Holy Ghost, nor in short against any being in heaven or on earth.
Strange as this may appear, there have been men in this Church that
have done it, and probably will be again! If this people would be
careful not to do anything to displease the spirits of those who have
lived on the earth, and have been justified, and have gone to rest,
and would so conduct themselves, that no reasonable being upon the
face of the earth could find fault with them, what kind of society
should we have? Why every man's mouth would be filled with blessings,
every man's hand would be put forth to do good, and every woman and
child in all their intercourse would be praising God, and blessing
each other. Would not Zion be here? It would. What hinders you from
doing this? What is the Lord or the people doing to cause this one
and that one to commit sin with a
high hand, in secret and in the open streets?
If Elders of Israel use language which is not proper for the lips of a
Saint, such Elders are under condemnation, and the wrath of God abides
upon them, those who do it have not the love of truth in their hearts,
they do not love and honor the truth because it is the truth, but
because it is powerful, and they wish to join with the strongest
party. Do they love light because it is light? Virtue because it is
virtue? Righteousness because it is righteousness? No. But these
principles are almighty in their influence, and like the tornado in
the forest, they sweep all before them, no argument can weigh against
them, all the philoso phy, knowledge, and wisdom of men may be set in
array against them, but they are like chaff before a mighty wind, or
like the morning dew before the sun in its strength such Elders
embrace truth because it is all-powerful. When a man of God preaches
the principles of the Gospel, all things give way before it, and some
embrace it because it is so mighty. But by and by those characters
will fall out by the way, because the soil has not depth to nourish
the seeds of truth. They receive it, but not the love of it; it dies,
and they turn away. If every person who has embraced the Gospel would
love it as he loves his life, would not society wear a different
aspect from that of the present?
I do not intend to enter into a detailed account of the acts of the
people, they are themselves acquainted with them; people know how they
themselves talk, and how their neighbors talk; how husband and wife
agree in their own houses, and with their neighbors; and how parents
and children dwell together. I need not tell these things, but if
every heart were set upon doing right, we then should have Zion here.
I will give you my reason for thinking so. It is because I have had it
with me ever since I was baptized into this kingdom. I have not been
without it from that day to this. I have, therefore, a good reason for
the assertion I have made. I live and walk in Zion every day, and so
do thousands of others in this Church and kingdom, they carry Zion
with them, they have one of their own, and it is increasing, growing,
and spreading continually. Suppose it spreads from heart to heart,
from neighborhood to neighborhood, from city to city, and from nation
to nation, how long would it be before the earth would become
revolutionized, and the wheat gathered from among the tares? The
wheat and tares, however, must grow together until harvest. I am not, there fore, disposed to separate them yet, for if we pluck up the
tares before the harvest, we may destroy some of the good seed,
therefore let them grow together, and by and by the harvest will
come.
There is another thing, brethren, which I wish you to keep constantly
before your minds, that is with regard to your travels in life. You
have read, in the Scriptures, that the children of men will be judged
according to their works, whether they be good or bad. If a man's days
be filled up with good works, he will be rewarded accordingly. On the
other hand, if his days be filled up with evil actions, he will
receive according to those acts. This proves that we are in a state of
exaltation, it proves that we can add to our knowledge, wisdom, and
strength, and that we can add power to every attribute that God has
given us. When will the people realize that this is the period of time
in which they should commence to lay the foundation of their
exaltation for time and eternity, that this is the time to conceive,
and bring forth from the heart fruit to the honor and glory of God, as
Jesus did—grow as he did from the child, become perfect, and be
prepared to be raised to salvation? You will find that this probation
is the place to increase upon every little we receive, for the Lord
gives line upon line to the children of men. When He reveals the plan
of salvation, then is the time to fill up our days with good works.
Let us fill up our days with usefulness, do good to each other, and
cease from all evil. Let every evil person forsake his wickedness. If
he be wicked in his words, or in his dealings, let him forsake those
practices, and pursue a course of righteousness. Let every man and
woman do this, and peace and joy will be the result.
A few words more upon the subject of the eternal existence of the
soul. It is hard for mankind to comprehend that principle. The
philosophers of the world will concede that the elements of which you
and I are composed are eternal, yet they believe that there was a time
when there was no God. They cannot comprehend how it is that God can
be eternal. Let me ask this congregation, Can you realize the eternity
of your own existence? Can you realize that the intelligence which you
receive is eternal? I can comprehend this, just as well as I can that
I am now in possession of it. It is as easy for me to comprehend that
it will exist eternally, as that anything else will. I wish to impress
upon your minds the reality that when the body which is organized for
intelligence to dwell in, dies, and returns to its mother earth, all
the feelings, sensibilities, faculties, and powers of the spirit are
still alive, they never die, but in the absence of the body are more
acute. They are organized for an eternal existence. If this
congregation could comprehend that the intelligence that is in them is
eternal in its nature and existence; if they could realize that when
Saints pass through the veil, they are not dead, but have been laying
the foundation in these tabernacles for exaltation, laying the
foundation to become Gods, even the sons of God, and for crowns which
they will yet receive—they would receive the truth in the love of it,
live by it, and continue in it, until they receive all knowledge and
wisdom, until they grow into eternity, and have the veil taken from
before their eyes, to behold the handiworks of God among all people,
His goings forth among the nations of the earth, and to discover the
rule and law by which He governs. Then could they say of a truth, We
acknowledge the hand of God in all things, all is right, Zion is here,
in our own possession.
I have thus summed up, in a broken manner, that which I desired to
speak. We are not able to comprehend all things, but we can
continue to learn and grow, until all will be perfectly clear to our
minds, which is a great privilege to enjoy—the blessing of an eternal
increase. And the man or woman who lives worthily is now in a state of
salvation.
Now, brethren, love the truth, and put a stop to every species of
folly. How many there are who come to me to find fault with, and enter
complaints against, their brethren, for some trifling thing, when I
can see, in a moment, that they have received no intentional injury!
They have no compassion on their brethren, but, having passed their
judgment, insist that the criminal shall be punished. And why? Because
he does not exactly come up to their standard of right and wrong! They
feel to measure him by the "Iron Bedstead principle" —"if you are too
long, you must be cut off; if too short, you must be stretched." Now
this is the height of folly. I find that I have enough to do to watch
myself. It is as much as I can do to get right, deal right, and act
right. If we all should do this, there would be no difficulty, but in
every man's mouth would be "May the Lord bless you." I feel happy, as
I always told you. Brother Kimball has known me thirty years, twenty
one of which I have been in this Church; others have known me twenty
years; and there are some here who knew me in England; I had Zion with
me then, and I brought it with me to America again, and I now appeal
to every man and woman if I have not had Zion with me from first
entering into the Church, to the present time! Light cleaves to light,
and truth to truth. May God bless you. Amen.