I do not arise with any desire to interfere with the call of brother
George A. Smith for brethren to go to the cotton district of our
Territory, for I am very much in favor of brethren going to locate in
the different settlements of Washington County to raise cotton and
such other staple articles as are necessary for the welfare and
prosperity of the Saints, and for the building up of Zion in the last
days.
I live in the north part of the Territory, in Cache Valley, as most of
you are aware, and I wish to say to those who are not wanted to go
south, that if any of you feel like moving into the country, we would
like to strengthen the settlements in our valley, and especially in
the northern part of the County. By way of inducement we can promise
you plenty of bread, if you will go there and help to till the earth
and put in the seed in the season thereof, paying proper attention to
your crops in the season when irrigation is required. It is a new
country, possessing good facilities for stock raising, and in fact
every facility for making home and friends comfortable and happy.
So far as I am individually concerned, it matters not to me what part
of the Territory I go to labor or to reside in, if I can know and feel
that I am doing the will of Heaven and carrying out the counsel and
instruction of my brethren who preside in the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. From the experience I have had in traveling
with the President on his last mission south, I am able to say in all
sincerity before God and my brethren, that all my prejudices are
removed, and I feel perfectly willing to labor in any part of the
Lord's vineyard wherever my services are required.
Now we want about a hundred good sturdy fellows that feel themselves
able to go to work to raise wheat and cattle, and to do all that is
necessary for the beautifying and building up of Zion. It is a good
place to raise flax, hemp, and vegetables. To be sure the altitude is
considerably greater than it is in many other parts of the Territory,
but this should not prevent us from performing our duties. If we are
called to labor there that is the place for us to exert ourselves. It
is sometimes argued that there is too much water there, and others
will urge that there are too many Indians there; but, my feeling and
the feeling of the brethren up there is to follow the counsel of our
President and leader, and to labor in concert with all those who are
set to guide our footsteps in the building up of Zion. We feel
perfectly satisfied in doing this, for we know that while we pursue
this course we are performing the duties that devolve upon us as
Saints of God. We feel satisfied with our lot and place, and rejoice
in the blessings that are bestowed upon us in that portion of our
mountain home, and we feel to pray that we may ever be so in whatever
position we may be called to labor for the accomplishment of the
purposes of the Almighty.
May the Lord our God bless us and enable us to carry out the
instructions that have been given us this day. This conference has
been a happy time, and I can truly say that I have never felt better
in our holy religion than I do today, and I know that the counsel
that has been given to us is for our salvation.
You all know when you feel well, and you all know the Gospel of the
Son of God, and there is nothing will give you satisfaction but the
doctrines taught by the servants of God.
I bear my testimony to the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as
revealed by the Prophet Joseph, and to the correctness of the
organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; also
to the revelations given through the prophets of God both ancient and
modern.
May God Almighty preserve us in the faith, enable us to round up our
shoulders, and assist in bearing the burden of the kingdom. When we
have anything to say to our families let it be according to the
counsel of the Spirit of God, that union may prevail. We all know that
there is plenty for the Saints to feast upon, but some are too apt to
look upon the dark side of the picture, instead of remembering the
blessings promised to us by the Prophets of God. Why should we shrink
from our position for one moment, when we have so many glorious
blessings promised unto us?
Let us strive to be of one heart and one mind and all will be well
with us. God bless you, my brethren and sisters, is my sincere prayer
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Ezra T. Benson