I can say truly that I have been very much interested in the remarks
made by the brethren who have addressed us during this Conference, thus
far, for the speakers have all treated upon subjects that are
calculated to interest us as a people. All people that I have been
acquainted with interest themselves in something, and so it is with
us, we interest ourselves in such subjects as are most congenial to
our feelings and dispositions, and the subjects that have been brought
up before us for our consideration are subjects that we cannot pass by
with indifference and do ourselves justice. If we look at these
improvements that are before us in a point of light that would be
selfish, as the world generally do, and think that we will benefit
others more than we do ourselves, and that we must have an eye single
to the almighty dollar and work for own glory, we shall make ourselves
the most miserable beings upon this earth, and we shall have nobody to
blame but our own dear selves. But if we do that which is pointed out
for us to do, having an eye single to the welfare and advancement of
the kingdom of God upon the earth, we shall all the time be doing that
which is and will hereafter be for our best good in this life and in
that which is to come.
If we desire to obtain the bless ings of the Almighty in a Temple
prepared for that purpose; if we esteem these blessings to be of any
importance, and if we do not feel to do without them, what should be
our policy and course in such a matter? Why, I should say, let us
build the Temple, in which we may receive our blessings from the
Almighty. We have no interest with other people; we have a separate
community, and our interests are our own; then let us build the
Temple.
What shall I say in regard to the Tabernacle? We can see at once that
we can enjoy the comforts of a new Tabernacle; we need the blessings
of such a house at the present time. If we put it off, when will it be
built? When that house is built we can then enjoy the benefits and
blessings which it will afford. The same principle may be applied to
everything we take in hand and with which we have to do, whether it be
to build a Temple, a Tabernacle, to send teams to the frontiers to
gather the poor, or to do any other work that is required of us.
Nothing that is required will be performed until we go to work and do
something ourselves. We have no other people to lean upon, and,
therefore, it remains for us to go to work and perform well our part.
In one respect we are highly favored; that is, we can have pointed out to us the work that should be performed and that will be
acceptable in the sight of our heavenly Father. All the works that he
requires us to perform are for our benefit and salvation. Then, seeing
that this is the case, cannot we perform cheerfully that which is laid
upon us? I think we should take courage and do all we do with a
cheerful heart. The Work in which we are engaged is to prepare us and
to exalt us to enjoy the blessings that are promised to the righteous
in this world and in that which is to come.
This is the view that I take of these matters, and I believe that it
is the view generally entertained by all good brethren and sisters.
Then let us go on cheerfully and harmoniously, remembering that we are
free to do good, but that when one party moves in one way and another
in a different one, that produces division.
We are a people that profess to be the people of God; and, if we are,
we cannot be divided, for his people are always one, and if we are
one, of course we will act upon the principle of oneness, and in all
things do as we are directed, working for that which will be for our
best good both for the present time and for the future. I know very
well that there are a great many people who speculate in regard to the
future and calculate what is to take place; but, so far as we are
concerned, it should satisfy us to understand the duties of the
present. We cannot reasonably, without assuming new responsibilities,
know the truth any faster than we are ready to believe and willing to
perform it. If we knew and understood the labors required of us
today, that is sufficient for us to know; then, if we are ready and
willing on our part to perform, that is all that is requisite and all
that will be required. Then, I will say to one and all, let us be
awake to our own interests and welfare, and ever be ready to perform
the work that is necessary to be done for the building up of the
kingdom of God, and we shall never be sorry for having taken the
industrious part, but if we have any fault to find, it will be for not
having done more in the work of righteousness. In order that we may
have no regret of this kind, let us be awake to the labors and duties
of today. I know very well that there are some people that never get
it into their minds, they do not seem to comprehend that they can
perform as much as they really can. When we look at the history of men
in ages that are past and gone, we can see that there were men called
at many times to perform important works that had but little ability;
but we also see that if they put that little ability into exercise and
labored as faithfully as they could, they were enabled to bring about
much righteousness. We want the same feeling and influence with us,
then we can perform the works that are required of us, and do what we
do cheerfully and with a good heart and in that manner which will be
acceptable in the sight of High Heaven, and in this way we shall
prosper in all our laudable undertakings, and we shall receive the
blessing of our heavenly Father and the approbation of all good men.
From the time this Church and kingdom was established upon the earth
to the present day, we have never been at a loss to know what to do;
but we have, at all times and under all circumstances, had the path of
duty made plain unto us and our individual line of duty marked out
unto us; and whenever we have taken the counsel given, we have been
prospered and made happy, while those that have taken a contrary
course have met with disappointment and been thereby rendered very
unhappy. We are all probationers, passing through a state of
trial; but still there is a labor that we can perform in this
probationary existence that will aid in the rolling forth and building
up of the kingdom of God, and we can thereby obtain the blessings that
pertain to that kingdom.
We are all looking forward to a time when we shall receive in that
Temple that is to be built, but which we do not expect to see finished
for a short time to come, all the blessings of endowments and
Priesthood that have been promised unto the faithful. We are called
upon to engage in this all-important work; and while we are laboring
at this, let us consider well the endowments that we have so much need
of between this and the time the Temple of our God is finished and
made ready for the additional outpouring of the Spirit of the Most
High. If we do not gain experience and obtain the necessary endowments
as we pass along, we shall find ourselves very poorly prepared for the
great and glorious endowments that are to be received in that Temple.
If we do not prepare ourselves, those endowments, if we are permitted
to receive them at all, will be no better for us than the endowments
given to some men in Nauvoo—that is, they will prove a curse instead
of a blessing.
For one, I feel to rejoice in the blessings of peace that we enjoy and
in the union and fellowship of the Holy Spirit which prevails in the
midst of this people, and I know that these good fruits which are
amongst us grow out of those glorious principles we have embraced. We
are united in the truth, and it is by the truth that we are kept
together and that this oneness is made to abide with us continually;
and it is this truth and the Spirit thereof that leads us in the right
direction. By this Spirit we are led in the way of peace, of salvation
and of happiness, while principles that are adopted by the world do
not bring with them salvation.
I have noticed in my experience with this people that the principles
of our faith, revealed through the Prophet Joseph, produce joy and
peace such as the world cannot give, for our principles bring with
them present salvation, and all the principles of the Gospel that have
been and that are to be revealed do and will continue to bring a
present salvation.
This is the way to be saved, and if we continue to act upon this
principle all the time we shall obtain salvation in this world and in
that which is to come. It makes very little difference to the faithful
Saint whether he be called to labor in this world or in the world of
spirits, so that he embrace and live by those principles that will
bring a present deliverance from bondage and sin and produce within
our own bosoms peace and happiness.
We are blessed with the power to know the right way, for we have
around us and in our midst those men that can point out to us the
course to be pursued in order to secure life and light, and to obtain
the blessings promised by the practice of the truth. We wish to be
freed from the error and from the evils of the world, in order that we
may be happy in this life and prepare ourselves for glory and
exaltation in the life which is to come.
There is one thing that is positive and certain, and that is, that it
will require some labor and exertion on our part in order to secure
the great blessings that pertain to the kingdom of our God. We must,
therefore, reflect and apply our minds and our energies to the
acquirement of knowledge, or we shall not receive the promised
treasures. I repeat, we must apply our minds to the principles of life
if we ever expect to obtain their benefits and blessings.
I have often thought that there were a great many people who thought
too much of other matters; their minds seem to be upon gold and silver
and worldly riches, instead of devoting their time to the obtaining of
that eternal store of knowledge which is necessary for every man and
woman to enjoy who are preparing for the society of the sanctified.
The principles of life that we are being taught are better than the
gold that can be found in the mines, for they will teach us the way of
salvation, and by observing them we shall be made to partake of the
benefits and blessings that flow from them.
If our minds are led to look at matters in this light, our thoughts
and feelings will be to obtain the richest treasure there is within
our reach, and when we obtain that treasure it will be the means of
doing away with the evil that is in the world. If there was no evil
amongst mankind there would be no corruption to encounter; therefore,
let us practice the principles of truth and thereby do away with the
influence and power of evil. Let us learn and thoroughly digest the
principles of truth, and then we shall be blessed with all those
choice and desirable blessings which flow from obedience to the pure
and holy principles we practice.
Now, that each one of us who profess to be Saints may be ready to do
these things in faith and full assurance of having a part in the first
resurrection, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus: Amen.
- Charles C. Rich