I have felt very much interested, as doubtless you all have, in the
remarks which we have heard from those brethren who have addressed us
this morning, and who are going abroad to proclaim the everlasting
Gospel of peace. I never see the Elders go forth on missions to preach
the Gospel, but I consider that they are going forth to take part in
one of the greatest works ever committed to the human family.
Whatever their feelings may be, they go forth as the angels of mercy
bearing the precious seeds of the Gospel, and they shall be the means
of bringing many from darkness to light, from error and superstition
to life, light, truth and intelligence, and finally, to exaltation in
the celestial kingdom of our God.
When these brethren go forth, it may be a new work to them, but they
will have to combat the errors of ages, to contend with the prejudices
which they themselves stated to you held such a powerful influence
over them; they will also have to preach to and reason with men who
have no regard for truth, much less for the religion which we have
embraced, yet these Elders go forth as the sent messengers of the Lord
Jesus Christ. They go to proclaim that God has established his work
upon the earth, that he has spoken from the heavens, and that the
visions of the Almighty have been opened to our view; the light of
ages is being revealed to the servants of the Most High, the darkness
which has enshrouded the world for ages is being dispersed, and these
chosen Elders of Israel are sent forth to proclaim these glad tidings
of salvation to the dark and benighted nations of the earth. I
consider it a great privilege for any man to be set apart to so
honorable, so praiseworthy and so important a mission; and I am glad
to find that these brethren who have spoken to us this morning
feel the importance of the mission in which they are soon to be
engaged. They go forth and they shall come back rejoicing, bearing
precious sheaves with them, and they will bless the name of the God of
Israel, that they have had the privilege of taking a part in warning
this generation.
As regards the circumstances of their families, it is proper and
correct that men should have some feelings for those they have left at
home. It is true there ought to be sympathy and some care for those
with whom they have been immediately associated; yet their families as
well as our families, and all of us and our affairs, are in the hands
of God, and, inasmuch as they go forth putting their trust in the
living God all will be peace, and they will find peace and contentment
from this time forth until they return, inasmuch as they will magnify
their callings and lean upon their God. In this is their safety, in
order that they may be enabled to bear a faithful testimony to the
world among whom they may travel to deliver their message of warning
and of glad tidings of great joy to the honest in heart.
There was one remark made by brother Shearman that would be a lesson
to any man going on a mission. If they possess the principles of
intelligence and truth, there will be a power and an influence
manifested in and accompanying all their words, and it will be just as
he felt when he went to brother Spencer's, he was convinced that
brother Spencer was sincere, and believed him to be a man of God. If
you go forth with the same sincerity it will manifest itself to
others. Just so with brother Richard Attwood, he first heard the
Gospel preached in an unknown language, a tongue that he did not
understand, and yet he knew there was a power accompanying the man who
was preaching, and that power accorded with his own feelings and
spirit, and if we live as we should there will be a halo around us
continually, and wherever we go, if there is a spark of sincerity in
men's bosoms they will know that whether "this man is a sinner or not,
the power of God is with him." They will know, whether they know that
the doctrine is true or not, that the influence is good, and that
whether they have much language or little they have the Spirit of God
with them, and it will accompany every faithful Elder of Israel. And
if there are sheep they will hear, because, says Jesus, "My sheep hear
my voice, and they follow me, but a stranger they will not follow."
I feel to bless these brethren in the name of the Lord, and I would
say to them, brethren, be faithful and true to your missions, to God
and to his work, preserve inviolate your integrity and not a hair of
your heads shall perish; your families shall be comfortable and happy
during your absence.
Brethren, God bless you all, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.