We have had a very interesting journey to the southern settlements. In
twenty-five days we have traveled nearly eight hundred miles, held
thirty meetings, and spoken to thousands and thousands of Saints. I am
somewhat fatigued, and would like to be excused from speaking long
today.
My heart is full of blessings for the people; I feel to bear them
continually in my prayers before my Father in heaven.
I trust we shall be benefited by the discourse we have just heard from
Elder Amasa M. Lyman. We should seek to understand and know the
principles he has advanced, striving continually to know the things of
God for ourselves. All the works of mankind amount to but little,
unless they are performed in the name of the Lord and under the
direction of his Spirit. Let every man seek to learn the things of God
by the revelations of Jesus Christ to himself. The Gospel we have been
hearing this morning I am seeking continually to understand. I reduce
the Gospel to the present time, cir cumstances and condition of the
people, and I can say truly, that the longer I live, and the more
experience I gain, the more I see the weakness of humanity. We are but
children, and are far from being capable of beholding the great things
of eternity.
As far as we can compare eternal things with earthly things that lie
within the scope of our understanding, so far we can understand them.
We can think of the greatest earthly wealth, grandeur, magnificence,
and power that it is possible for mortals to attain, and somewhat
understand how great a blessing it would be to be entitled to the
possession of all this throughout eternity; but, to be told that there
never was a time when there did not exist an earth like this, peopled
with men and women as this is, is a declaration that reaches far
beyond the limits of our comprehension. No man can comprehend that
there never was a time when there did not exist an enemy to God, that
there never was a beginning to the order of creation in which we find
ourselves situated. Who can com prehend the duration of time? To
return to our friends after an absence of some time and greet them
with a glad heart, to mingle our mutual joy, happiness and
congratulations, is one of the sweetest phases of human bliss, and
were we told that there never would be a time when this heaven of
happiness cannot be enjoyed, we could partially understand it; we only
understand it so far as we are capable of appreciating the comingling
of kindred joys at the reunion of parted friends. The present is that
portion of time that more particularly concerns us, and the greatest
and most important labor we have to perform is to cultivate
ourselves. That man may know his fellow creatures, it is necessary
that he should first know himself. When he thoroughly knows himself,
he measurably knows God, whom to know is eternal life.
We have been hearing that Jesus Christ is our elder Brother. Yes, he
is one of us, flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, and became a
partaker with us of all that is earthly. He also inherited a greater
portion of the divine nature than we can possess in this life. He was
the Son of our heavenly Father, as we are the sons of our earthly
fathers. God is the Father of our spirits, which are clothed upon by
fleshly bodies, begotten for us by our earthly fathers. Jesus is our
elder Brother spirit clothed upon with an earthly body begotten by the
Father of our spirits.
Our heavenly Father delights in his good children, he delights
continually to bless them, yea, "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." All
are equally his children. We are all the children of our common
Father, who has placed us on the earth to prove ourselves, to govern,
control, educate and sanctify ourselves, body and spirit, unto him,
according to his will and pleasure. When all that class of spirits
designed to take bodies upon this earth have done so, then will come
the winding-up scene of this particular department of the works of God
on this earth. It is his will that we should prepare ourselves to
build up his kingdom, gather the house of Israel, redeem and build up
Zion and Jerusalem, revolutionize the world, and bring back that which
has been lost through the fall.
The inhabitants of the earth are ignorant of the way to secure their
present and future happiness, but, if we are faithful, we shall see
the time when we can speak to the understandings of the people. It is
now very difficult to do that. Their minds are closed against every
conviction that would lead to their present and eternal welfare. They
take the downward road. This is very lamentable. Let all who call
themselves Latter-day Saints walk in the path that points to eternal
life. I mourn and lament when any of my brethren come to me and
confess that they have been guilty of this or that crime, especially
when I learn that they have been in the Church for years. We are yet
subject to sin, and more or less give way to it; and in so doing we
more or less disgrace the Priesthood and the high vocation to which we
are called. Latter-day Saints should live their religion, as they
would that their neighbors should live it. If I delight to see my
brother walk in the path of obedience, let me pursue the same path,
saying come, brethren and sisters, walk as I walk, and follow Christ
as I follow him. Were this the case, but few could be found who would
raise their voices against the kingdom of God upon the earth.
To say that sin is necessary is an unusual saying. Sin is in the
world, but it is not necessary that we should sin, because sin is in
the world; but, to the contrary, it is necessary that we should
resist sin, and for this purpose is sin necessary. Sin exists in all
the eternities. Sin is co-eternal with righteousness, for it must
needs be that there is an opposition in all things.
I exhort the Latter-day Saints to live their religion and learn to
take care of themselves. The elements with which we are surrounded are
as eternal as we are, and are loaded with supplies of every kind for
the comfort and happiness of the human race. It is designed by the
Great Architect of the universe that our bodily wants shall be
supplied from the elements, and by judicious and well-directed labor
and a reasonable amount of industry, the wealth of food, clothing and
shelter can be obtained by all.
It has been supposed that wealth gives power. In a depraved state of
society, in a certain sense it does, if opening a wide field for
unrighteous monopolies, by which the poor are robbed and oppressed and
the wealthy are more enriched, is power. In a depraved state of
society money can buy positions and titles, can cover up a multitude
of incapabilities, can open wide the gates of fashionable society to
the lowest and most depraved of human beings; it divides society into
castes without any reference to goodness, virtue or truth. It is made
to pander to the most brutal passions of the human soul; it is made to
subvert every wholesome law of God and man, and to trample down every
sacred bond that should tie society together in a national, municipal,
domestic, and every other relationship. Wealth thus used is used out of
its legitimate channel. If a man wishes to stamp an honorable fame
upon the tablets of eternity, he can do so only by living a holy and
virtuous life. While stations, emoluments, scepters, thrones, or any
honor this world can give, do not in the sight of God raise the
possessor above the standing of the poor, humble, hungry supplicant
for bread at his gate. God is cognizant of the acts of all men, and
dictates the results thereof to his glory, to the salvation of his
people, and to the interests of his kingdom on the face of all the
earth. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them
shall not fall on the ground without your Father's notice. But the
very hairs on your head are numbered."
There cannot be a more truthful saying than that this people do not
yet fully know how to take care of themselves, and hence they expose
themselves to many unnecessary sufferings and inconveniences. After we
have smoothed the path through this life all in our power, by
accumulating around us all the common creature comforts, and done all
in our power to make those who depend upon us happy and comfortable,
still, there is enough of trial to sufficiently prove to God and the
faithful ones, whether we will be true to him and to our holy
religion, or false to him and to our best interests. Let God be first
in our thoughts when we awake in the morning, and let our actions
through each day reflect honor on ourselves, credit on the cause of
God, and secure to us the confidence and goodwill of all good and
holy beings. While we should be diligent and industrious, filling
every moment of our time to some advantage and profit to ourselves and
others, we should not suffer a covetous and grasping spirit to take
possession of us. It is lamentable to see the ignorance manifested by
many of this people in that respect, for no man who possesses the
wealth of wisdom would worship the wealth of mammon. Let the people
build good houses, plant good vineyards and orchards, make good roads,
build beautiful cities in which may be found magnificent edifices for
the convenience of the public, handsome streets skirted with shade trees, fountains of water, crystal streams, and every tree,
shrub, and flower that will flourish in this climate, to make our
mountain home a paradise and our hearts wells of gratitude to the God
of Joseph, enjoying it all with thankful hearts, saying constantly,
"not mine but thy will be done, O Father."
The earth must be redeemed, and it and all that have dwelt upon it be
brought back into the presence of God, for all have suffered more or
less by the sin that has entered into the world. This is indeed a
great work, and our God has given us the privilege of taking part in
it; then let us prepare ourselves for this stupendous undertaking by
seeking above all things to understand the things of God, by seeking
studiously to understand ourselves, remembering that no man can know
himself without so far knowing God. There is no mystery in the Gospel
of salvation for those who are heirs of salvation, and they can
readily comprehend the truth in many places of the Bible where the
language does not do justice to the principles designed to be set
forth.
Brother Amasa M. Lyman, this morning, quoted the following passage,
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, he also called: and whom
he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified." The Apostle understood full well the principles here
advanced, but it would have filled volumes to have written them out in
full as they were revealed from God by the power and gift of the Holy
Spirit. God foreknows all, and has predestinated all who believe the
truth to the possession of eternal life, and this in short is all
there is of it. He foreknew Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and placed him
upon the throne of Egypt for the express purpose of showing forth his
power to Israel, and to the wicked nations of the Gentiles. The Lord
hardened Pharaoh's heart in the same way that he hardeneth the hearts
of his enemies at the present day, after they have rejected the
testimony of his servants and oppressed his elect.
The Lord has led this people out of bondage with a high hand and an
outstretched arm. No man acquainted with the history of this people is
ignorant of the almighty power of God that has been manifested in the
organization, growth and present condition of the Church, though they
may be unable naturally to account for it. And the more we grow and
prosper, the more our enemies are angry with us. They are angry with
us because we told them, thirty years ago, that calamity would come
upon this nation. Their anger still increases, while they are
drinking of the bitter cup; and at the same time the Saints are
increasing in numbers, in faith, in hope, in wealth, and in power. I
have talked with men who professed to be gentlemen and dispensers of
life and salvation to the people, who, Pharaoh-like, declared that
they would rather be damned than believe that Joseph Smith was a true
Prophet of God. I promised them they should have their choice. Who is
to blame for this? Moses was not to blame because Pharaoh's heart
became more and more hard. He was not to blame because an overwhelming
destruction came upon that devoted army. Neither is God, Jesus Christ,
Joseph Smith, myself, or the Apostles and Prophets of this last
dispensation to blame for the unbelief of this nation, and for the
dark and lowering tempest that now threatens to overthrow them with a
terrible destruction. Still, as Pharaoh's heart became harder and
harder, so will it be with the persecutors of God's people and
purposes in the latter times, until they are utterly destroyed.
Not only did God foreknow the wicked and predestinate them, but he
also foreknew the righteous and predestinated them; he knew that they
would be conformed to the image of his Son and live according to the
words of Christ, while he knew that the wicked would not fulfil the
terms requisite to be conformed to the image of his Son, but would do
the works of the Devil whom they would list to serve. It is written
that God knows all things and has all power. He has the rule and
command of this earth, and is the Father of all the human beings that
have lived, do live and will live upon it. If any of his children
become heirs to all things, they in their turn can say, by-and-by,
that they know all things, and they will be called Supreme, Almighty,
King of kings, and Lord of lords. All this and more that cannot enter
into our hearts to conceive is promised to the faithful, and are but
so many stages in that ceaseless progression of eternal lives. This
will not detract anything from the glory and might of our heavenly
Father, for he will still remain our Father, and we shall still be
subject to him, and as we progress, in glory and power it the more
enhances the glory and power of our heavenly Father. This principle
holds good in either state, whether mortal or immortal; "For unto us a
child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish
it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever."
There will be no end to the increase of the faithful. What a pleasing
thought! We shall enjoy each other's society in purity, in holiness,
and in the power of God, and no time will ever come when we may not
enjoy this. Such great happiness is beyond the comprehension of
mortals.
There never was a time when man did not exist, and there never will be
time when he will cease to exist. Eternity is without confines, and
all things animate and inanimate have their existence in it. The
Priesthood of God, that was given to the ancients and is given to men
in the latter days, as co-equal in duration with eternity—is without
beginning of days or end of life. It is unchangeable in its system of
government and its Gospel of salvation. It gives to Gods and angels
their supremacy and power, and offers wealth, influence, posterity,
exaltations, power, glory, kingdoms, and thrones, ceaseless in their
duration, to all who will accept them on the terms upon which they are
offered.
It is very pleasing to dwell upon the glory to be revealed in the
future, but while our thoughts are thus occupied we should not fail to
give our attention to our present wants and necessities. Do we know
how to procure the means for our present subsistence? Have we learned
how to handle the things of this life in the name of Israel's God to
his glory, for the building up of his kingdom, for the bringing forth
of his Zion, for the redemption of the earth, for the establishment of
everlasting righteousness, and for the endless happiness of those who
will thus be made happy? I am satisfied that there are hundreds of
people in this community who would starve to death, if they were not
continually told how to obtain the means of subsistence. Do they know
how to cultivate the earth and draw from its bosom beauty and
embellishment? No; they would do no more towards this than the Indians do, unless some person not only tells them how, but also shows
them by his own works. How many of the ladies present have made the
ribbons they wear? How many of them have made the bonnets and hats
they wear? The time is at hand when you must make them or do without
them.
I love to see the human form and the human face adorned, but let our
adorning be the workmanship of our hands, from the elements with which
we are constantly surrounded. I love beauty whether adorned or
unadorned. I love chaste and refined manners, especially when they are
founded upon virtue. The etiquette that is of the world is not after
God and godliness. It bears upon it a false gloss; it has not for its
purpose the happiness of mankind. The etiquette which is after God is
to make my brother or my sister as happy as I am, if they will accept
of it. It is to teach men how to rise from a state of degradation to
an honorable standing in the society of the just.
In the days of the Apostles it was written, "And all that believed
were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart, &c." This was all right in the Apostles, to show a certain
principle that was hereafter to be acted upon. It does not require
more than common enlightenment to discover that such an order of
things, if persisted in, would result in poverty, hunger, nakedness,
and destitution. I say to my brethren and sisters, come let us learn
how to gather around us from the elements an abundance of every
comfort of life, and convert them to our wants and happiness, filling
our storehouses with wheat, wine, and oil, filling our wardrobes with
woolen cloth and fine linen, with silks and satins of the finest
quality and patterns from the looms of Deseret, going onward and
upward until the whole earth is filled with the glory of God. Let us
not remain ignorant with the ignorant, but let us show the ignorant
how to be wise.
I am constantly trying to teach the people how to extract from the
elements the means for their present comfort and independence, and how
to first become perfectly obedient to the Gospel of Christ, and then
children will be obedient to their parents, and in the Church and
kingdom of God every person will learn to act in his order and
station, and wisdom will take up her abode with us. Let fathers be
willing to be taught by the Holy Priesthood, then let them in all
mildness, by example and precept, teach their families; and let wives
be one with their husbands in this labor of salvation, that the rising
generation may be a better class of people than is the present.
I have promised the people South, that if they will cultivate the
ground and ask the blessings of God upon it, the desert shall blossom
as a rose, pools of living water shall spring up on the parched
ground, and the wilderness shall become glad. The Lord has planted the
feet of the Saints in the most forbidding portion of the earth,
apparently, that he may see what they will do with it. I may
confidently say that no other people on the earth could live here and
make themselves comfortable. If we settle on these desert and parched
plains, upon the sides of these rugged and sterile mountains, and
cultivate the earth, praying the blessing of God upon our labors, he
will make this country as fruitful as any other portion of the earth.
May the Lord bless the people. Amen.