I do not wish to monopolize the time to the exclusion of my brethren,
and I do not design to detain you long, still a few remarks, perhaps
may not be unacceptable. I thank my Heavenly Father for the privilege
and blessing of meeting with the Saints, and for allowing my spirit to
mingle with yours, to increase each other's joy.
The words of edification and instruction we have had from our brethren
are truly cheering to all of us, and I trust that the spirit of the
living God may continue to abide with us, that wherein we have
received an increase of light and truth we may carry it to our homes,
and revive the work of the Lord in our towns and villages, and in
short carry this feeling and influence to every quarter and part of
the kingdom of God. Truly the remarks made this morning were cheering
and good. The spirit of the Lord is calculated to remove everything
that may be in the heart which is opposed to that which is good, to
Godliness and peace.
Much is said about the tribes of Israel from which most of us are
supposed to have descended. With some there is quite a feeling of
choice in regard to the tribe from which they sprang, but let me say
that whether we sprang from Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh, or from a family
of Gentile origin, that of all these tribes and classes, whoever
receive the Gospel and are molded and fashioned by the spirit of the
living God, will be entitled to a place in the kingdom of our Heavenly
Father. Hence it is written "For by him were all things created, that
are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether
they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all
things were created by him, and for him." And again it is written,
"And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:
but Christ is all, and in all." —Col. i. 16 and iii. 10, 11.
I feel that in these two particulars we are distinguished from the
world, while we are made one by being baptized into one spirit and all
embracing the one faith, becoming members of one body, having one
common father, even the King of Heaven. And by submitting to be guided
by his spirit, and obeying the precepts that are given by him in our
daily deportment we are transported into the image of that lovely
being of whom it is said, that at his name every knee shall bow and
every tongue confess.
Brethren, I feel happy and childlike in your presence today, and I intend to continue in well doing that I may ever have the
Spirit of the Lord to guide me aright. If, by my labors, I can make
others feel as well as I feel myself, it is the joy of my heart, it is
that for which I labor and toil. I feel at many times that I would
rather sit down and muse in silence than to speak.
When I think of our friends in the east I feel sorrowful; their
condition is deplorable. I have no enmity towards anyone, but my
general feeling is, Heaven bless the Saints and may Heaven destroy
every influence that is arraigned against Zion. And the Lord will do
this; and I will prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Hosts that if
we continue to walk in the light of truth, to labor to build up Zion,
that cup of trembling spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah shall never
return to your lips nor to our habitations, but we will float along
increasing in power and strength from day to day, continually
rejoicing in the truths of our holy religion.
God bless you all forever: Amen.