We have been listening to a very interesting discourse from brother
Pulsipher. His remarks were truly appropriate when speaking upon the
subject of sanctification.
I want to say a little more touching that principle. If I understand
it correctly, it means a purification of, or a putting away from, us,
as individuals, and as a community, everything that is evil, or that
is not in accordance with the mind and will of our heavenly Father.
Sanctification has also an eye to our own preservation for
usefulness—for executing, carrying forward, and perpetuating the work
of the Most High God.
We have been hearing that this is a fruitful valley. The blessing of
the Lord descends upon the mountains, and abundantly flows into the
Valley, causing it to spring forth, and produce whatever is necessary
to sustain life.
I wish to observe here, that so bountiful have been the productions of
the fields of our farmers, that after they have harvested their grain,
they have not taken care of it, but have thrown it together in a very
loose and careless manner. From want of proper respect for the
temporal blessing of heaven, hundreds of bushels of grain have been
wasted, to which many who are here today can testify. In consequence
of this, and some other causes, flour can scarcely be bought for six
dollars per hundredweight. A short time ago it was sold in great
quantities at the rate of three dollars per hundred to the stores, and
now there is hardly bread enough in Israel to supply the wants of our
children. Why is this waste? A little more care should be exhibited by
the farmers for the products of the soil.
If God our heavenly Father has given us temporal blessings in the due
course and order of nature, we ought to hold them sacred, and be as
prudent and economical of them as we are of a precious truth revealed
from heaven by the agency of an holy an gel from the presence of
God. I know not which to prize the most, the blessings of the earth
which pertain to the sustenance of these bodies, or the blessings of
heaven that give food to the mind; for they are all the blessings of
heaven to me and to you. I look upon every blessing as the gift of
Jehovah, as the Apostle James wrote anciently, "every good and perfect
gift cometh from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning," whether it be wheat, corn,
flocks, herds, houses, lands, wives, or children; we can obtain none
of these things independent of this blessing; neither can we make one
hair white or black, or add one cubit to our stature, without it is by
the blessing of our Father in heaven.
Sometimes for want of proper care in keeping a secure fence, cattle
break through, and destroy the fruits of our toil. I hope, as the time
of sowing seed is at hand, that we shall remember these things. And
let me say further, that a good fence is the most effectual "Stray
Pound Law" that can exist. If there are any so circumstanced as not to
be able to walk up to the full extent of these instructions, let us,
however, try to do a little more than we have done heretofore, and by
a little extra exertion secure to ourselves an additional amount of
comfort, and have a little more to contribute to the building up of
the Temple of God, in which operation we may be sanctified. Brethren,
bear these things in mind.
We have heard, of late, a great deal about stray cattle, stealing,
dissension and apostasy. I have not spoken upon the subject, I
believe, from this stand; at the same time I have my feelings and
views in relation to these matters, and I wish now to express them by
introducing a figure, from which you may draw your own conclusions.
Now sanctification means, not only the purifying of the heart by
prayer, and by acts of obedience to God, but it means also to purify a
people, and purge from their midst that which is evil. I will suppose
a case, viz., that here is a large flock of sheep out on the prairie,
and here are shepherds also to watch over them with care. It is
generally the case that shepherds are provided with most excellent
dogs, that understand their business—their duty in relation to the
flock. It has been said by some, that shepherd dogs should be reared
with the sheep, and suck the milk from them, and thus partake of their
nature; that the child not only draws its nourishment from the woman,
but from the same source conceives a strong attachment, a kindred
feeling and sympathy, for the fountain of its life. How this is I
cannot say; I have heard the observation, but those who understand
and know concerning this matter, can properly appreciate the remark in
relation to it.
Suppose the shepherd should discover a wolf approaching the flock,
what would he be likely to do? Why, we should suppose, if the wolf was
within proper distance, that he would kill him at once with the
weapons of defense which he carries; in short, that he would shoot
him down, kill him on the spot. If the wolf was not within shot, we
would naturally suppose he would set the dogs on him; and you are
aware, I have no doubt, that thence shepherd dogs have very pointed
teeth, and they are very active, very sensitive to know when the flock
is in danger. It is sometimes the case, perhaps, that the shepherd has
not with him the necessary arms to destroy the wolf, but in such a
case he would set his faithful dogs on him, and by that means
accomplish his destruction.
Is this true in relation to the shepherd, and the flock, and the dogs?
You can all testify to its truth. Now was Jesus Christ the good
shepherd? Yes. What the faithful shepherd is to his sheep, so
is the Savior to his followers. He has gone and left on earth other
shepherds who stand in the place of Jesus Christ to take care of the
flock. When that flock is out on the prairie, and the pasture range
extending broad and green before them, and completely cleared of
wolves, is not that sanctified and cleansed, when there is nothing to
hurt or destroy them? I ask if one wolf is permitted to mingle with
the flock, and unmolested proceed in a work of destruction, will he
not go off and tell the other wolves, and they bring in a thousand
others, more wicked and ravenous than themselves? Whereas, if the
first one should meet with his just desserts, he could not go back and
tell the rest of his hungry tribe to come and feast themselves upon
the flock.
Now don't say that brother Hyde has taught strong things, for I have
only told you what takes place between the shepherd and the flock,
when the sheep have to be protected.
If you say that the Priesthood or authorities of the Church here are
the shepherd, and the Church is the flock, you can make your own
application of this figure. It is not at all necessary for me to do
it.
It is all the same to me whether they want to destroy the flock, or
destroy, steal, and carry off the property of the flock. If you steal
my team, which is my means of living, you might just as well kill me
at once. It is like this—"Brother Hyde, I will not disturb, molest, or
harm you, or any of the rest of your brethren; but we will take you
out on the bleak and comfortless prairie, and leave you there to
starve or freeze to death, and take possession of your property." You
might as well destroy us at once as take us where we should starve. It
would be much better to take our heads off at once than to subject us
to a lingering death. Says the Apostle, to the flock over which the
Holy Ghost had made him overseer—"The time will come when grievous
wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock, and even of
yourselves will men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples
after them." &c.
I will tell you a feeling that I have ever cherished, though some may
think I speak contrary to my real sentiments; because in certain
circumstances I spoke in defense of a certain individual, which heaven
knows whether he be guilty or innocent. Perhaps my zeal carried me
beyond mediocrity, if it did that will be overruled for my good, for
it may show me who among my friends are my enemies. At the same time
my feelings are these—the best way to sanctify ourselves, and please
God our heavenly Father in these days, is to rid ourselves of every
thief, and sanctify the people from every vile character. I believe it
is right; it is the law and practice of our neighboring state to put
the same thing in execution upon men who violate the law, and trample
upon the sacred rights of others. It would have a tendency to place a
terror on those who leave these parts, that may prove their salvation
when they see the heads of thieves taken off, or shot down before the
public. Let us clear up the horizon around us; and then, like the
atmosphere after the thunderstorm has spent its fury in the tops of
the mountains, becomes purified; and a calm sunshine pervades the
whole. I believe it to be pleasing in the sight of heaven to sanctify
ourselves and put these things away from our midst.
I have delivered the sermon I wanted to preach. I told the President I
wished to preach a sermon of about twenty minutes long, and I believe
I am at an end of it, inside of the time. I bequeath these remarks to
you in the name of Jesus my master, with the best feelings of a heart
devoted to your good. Amen.