By the request and permission of my brethren, I have the pleasure of
rising up in the midst of the Saints to say a few words to them this
morning. I feel very thankful to the Lord our God that I still have a
name and a place among his people, that I am permitted to meet with
them in General Conference, to speak of the goodness of our Father in
heaven, and to join in worship with the general assembly of the Church
of God. We are favored, truly, with fine weather; this is not only a
great blessing to us, but it is a great blessing to our friends and
brethren who are journeying on the plains to join us in our localities
here.
First and foremost, brethren and sisters, I will say that, on Thursday
evening I arrived in this city from the south—from my field of labor.
As I came near the borders of the city I came in contact with a very
disagreeable smell, arising from the decomposition of some animal that
had been hauled out on the outside to remove the nuisance from the
city. When I passed a certain line I entered the city and beheld shady
trees and fruit trees laden with fruit, and experienced with delight
the agreeable odor from the ripening fruit. The contrast was as
agreeable as it was great. It immediately occurred to my mind that our
brethren who are crossing the plains might come in contact with dead
bodies that had been removed from among the Saints, I mean dead as to
the spiritual life of God in them, for they must of necessity come in
contact with these ere they could reach the city of the Saints. I
believe that the evil things that could be said of the Saints are said
around the borders, and those that are coming here to find a home have
these things to encounter, that are quite disagreeable, and it
requires not a little perseverance and faith to force their way
through and to arrive here untarnished by the evil that meets them on
the way. But when they can come with the Spirit of the Lord—with the
spirit of the Saints in them—they forget all those disagreeable things
on the borders, and their minds are charged with a heavenly influence,
when they find themselves among the Saints here in peace and in truth.
Five years ago, the 10th of last June, I left this city to bestow my
labors in another part of the heritage of our God, in the county
generally known as that of Sanpete. At the time I went there, there
were six efficient settlements, the largest of which would not exceed
125 or 130 families. According to the ability which the Lord has given
me, in connection with my brethren who have been laboring more or less
with me, the industry of the Saints, and the blessings of the Lord,
the settlements have now increased to fifteen in number. They advanced
southward until it was deemed expedient and necessary in the
Legislature of last winter to organize two new counties, namely, the
Sevier County and Piute County. The land in these counties that is
susceptible of cultivation is mostly occupied with settlements, which,
in several places in these new counties, are quite large.
We have had some difficulties to encounter, and all those who are
acquainted with the establishment of new settlements in new
localities, are not ignorant that there is always more or less
difficulty to contend with; especially when they are so remote from
what may be termed headquarters, or from the sources of aid and
succor. We have enjoyed, generally, very good health; we have had some
little sickness among children, and several have died.
There is a good deal of ambition among our people to cultivate a great
quantity of ground, the result of which is, that we cultivate our
lands poorly in comparison to what we would if we were contented with
a smaller area, and would confine our labors to it. We have found some
difficulty with regard to water, and complaints have been made about a
scarcity of water in many places, when, indeed, I suppose the Lord has
apportioned the water to the amount of land he intended should be
cultivated. I do not think that these things are passed over unnoticed
by Him without some kind of arrangement or calculation. He understands
perfectly well what the elements are capable of producing, and how
many of His people may be established here or there with
profit and with advantage. I have labored most industriously since I
have acquired a little experience myself, to induce my brethren to
direct their energies upon smaller tracts of land; for I have noticed
where men would attempt to raise a crop off forty acres of land, that
they could not get their crops in in season, and frequently the frost
came early and destroyed a great portion of them. This is bestowing
our labor for that which does not profit. Now, would it not be better
to confine our energies to a small tract of land, put in our crops in
due season, have ample time to do it, do it well, and then it would
only require one-half or one-third the amount of water to mature them,
and they would mature in advance of the frost?
I do not know how it is in other sections of the country, but I
presume it is more or less with them like the circumstances I will
relate. I have known men, single handed, attempt to raise twenty-five
and thirty acres of grain when it is more than any one man can well
do; the result is, they find themselves troubled to get the water;
they run from break of day until dark at night, wearing themselves
out, and with all they can do they cannot bestow that attention upon
their fields which they need, and they only get from eighteen to
twenty bushels of wheat to the acre. When men have confined
themselves to ten acres of land, having plowed it well the season
before, all the foul weeds killed out and the soil left clean, the
seed sown at an early day in the Spring, and put in in good order, I
have known such fields to produce from forty to sixty bushels of good
plump wheat to the acre. Besides, when fields are so cultivated, less
water is used; the necessary labor can be performed without being
hurried, and a plentiful harvest of golden sheaves reward the toil of
the laborer.
This season, in all probability, our crops will fall short of other
years some thirty thousand bushels of wheat, by reason of the early
frosts. While I regret this loss, I am happy to say that there is
plenty of good wheat in the granary, or in the Egypt of Utah; and I
think the loss this year, through early frosts, will aid very much in
enforcing the principles which I have endeavored to advance, namely,
to confine our labors to smaller tracts of land and put in our crops
in good time; that while they are growing luxuriantly and yielding
bountifully, filling our bins with golden grain we are not worn out
with toil before the days allotted to us to live are expired; but we
still have our strength, time to build comfortable houses for our
families to live in, barns and sheds, and to prepare shelter for our
stock.
I find the longer we live in these valleys that the range is becoming
more and more destitute of grass; the grass is not only eaten up by
the great amount of stock that feed upon it, but they tramp it out by
the very roots; and where grass once grew luxuriantly, there is now
nothing but the desert weed, and hardly a spear of grass is to be
seen.
Between here and the mouth of Emigration Canyon, when our brethren,
the Pioneers, first landed here in '47, there was an abundance of
grass over all those benches; they were covered with it like a meadow.
There is now nothing but the desert weed, the sage, the rabbit bush,
and such like plants, that make very poor feed for stock. Being cut
short of our range in the way we have been, and accumulating stock as
we are, we have nothing to feed them with in the winter and they
perish. There is no profit in this, neither is it pleasing in the
sight of God our Heavenly Father that we should continue a
course of life like unto this. Hence, in my labors I have exerted an
influence, as far as I have been able, to cultivate less land in grain
and secure to ourselves meadows that we might have our hay in the time
and in the season thereof, shades for our stock, barns, and stables
for our horses, and good houses for our families, where they may be
made comfortable and happy, and that we may not be everlasting slaves,
running, as it were, after an ignus fatuus, or jack in the lantern,
following a false light, but that we may confine ourselves to a proper
and profitable course of life. I do say, that a man's life consisteth
not in the abundance of the things that he possesses, nor upon the
vast amount he extends his jurisdiction over, but it consists in a
little well cared for, and everything in order. When we confine
ourselves and our labors to small tracts of land, we shall then find
time to do everything that is necessary to be done; but if we branch
out so largely in plowing, sowing and reaping, we have no time to make
necessary improvements around our homes and in our cities; in fact, we
have so much to do that we can do nothing at all.
Now I speak of these things, my brethren, not because I think that
they are the most edifying to you, but I speak of them because I
consider that a temporal salvation is as important as a spiritual one.
It is salvation in every respect that we are laboring to obtain, not
only to make ourselves comfortable and happy, so far as the physical
energies of the body are concerned, but, also, that the mind should
not constantly be on the strain day and night. There should be a
little time for relaxation and rest to both body and mind, that while
our bodies are resting the mind may be fresh to plan and arrange for
our personal comfort and how to make everything snug and tidy around
us. How much more agreeable is life when everything is in order and
good regulation is maintained in and around our homes and cities. This
is what I have endeavored, in my weak way, to instil into the minds of
the Saints. In some instances I have been successful, and where men
have adopted the course I have suggested, they have invariably borne
testimony in its favor. I would rather have half a dozen cows in the
winter, and have them well taken care of, than to have twenty and have
fourteen of them die for want of feed and proper attention, which
would leave me only six. I would rather only have the six to begin
with, then I would not have the mortification of seeing so many suffer
and die. In the present condition of the ranges, we cannot indulge in
the hope of raising such large herds of stock as we have done
heretofore; but we have got to keep about what will serve us, and take
care of them well; then we can enjoy ourselves, and we are not the
authors of misery to any part of creation.
We are trying to get into this way; it is a slow operation, and it
seems that men's inordinate desire for wealth and extensive
possessions is hard to overcome. They hate to be limited; they think
their fields are not large enough for their strength; but it is a good
thing to have a little strength on hand all the time, and not let out
the very last link, because there might be an emergency that would
really require it. If we drive a pair of horses all the time at their
utmost speed they are soon worn out; and if you want to make a trip
very speedily, you cannot do it, your animals are run down, you have
not husbanded their strength, and they are not capable of performing
the journey you wish; whereas, if they are properly driven,
judiciously fed, and their strength properly husbanded, when
you want to make a sudden dash you have the power to do it. We are not
unlike, in this respect, to other portions of the animal creation.
Perhaps I have said enough upon this subject.
We have had our difficulties to encounter in the south; it has not all
sunshine and fair weather with us, but we have got along as well as we
could. Perhaps that is saying too much, it is saying a good deal; I do
not know that I dare say it. I look back frequently upon my past life
and find many places that I think I could have bettered; but were I to
live my life over again I do not know that I could do any differently.
I will, however, let the past take care of itself, and for the future
seek to do the will of God and keep myself in subjection to it.
I have no objections to men obtaining wisdom and learning from books,
whether old or new; that is all right and good enough; but I consider
it is better to have the Spirit of God in our hearts, that we may know
the truth when we hear it; and not only know it when we hear it, but
be capable by that Spirit of bringing forth things that we never
heard. I feel that it is our privilege, brethren and sisters, to have
this principle dwelling within us; and when I see men laboring through
books, ancient and modern, to find but little that is good, I am
reminded of those who run over forty acres of land in a superficial
manner, and only reap a little, when a small quantity of land, well
watered and well cultivated, would be sure to yield a rich harvest.
I want to speak a few words now in relation to our position. We look
back to the days of Abraham, and we consider him to be a great man.
Truly, he was a great man; he was among the first of great men in this
world, according to our limited know ledge. There were great men before
his day, but we are not so well acquainted with the revelations given
previous to his time, nor with the men that lived before him, as we
are with Abraham, and with the revelations given to him and to
prophets subsequent to his time. The Lord called him away from the
worship of idols, telling him to separate himself and go into a land
He would show him. He was guided by that Spirit that always guides
aright, so he came into the land of Canaan. The Lord told him to look
"northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; For all the land
which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man
can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be
numbered." The Lord promised to make him a great ruler, a prince, and
the father of the faithful. I want to ask the Latter-day Saints if the
field is not wide enough, and if it is not the good will of our Father
in heaven, to make Abrahams of every faithful man of God that lives on
the earth at this day? If it is not according to the
loving kindness of our Heavenly Father to bless every faithful man of
God as he blessed Abraham? It seems so to me. Abraham had several
wives, and he had children. Is not the same blessing extended to us?
That if Abraham was to be a prince and a ruler, and his posterity
become numerous, may we not, if faithful to our God and to our
covenants, be as Abraham? Shall there be any end to our posterity? May
they not be as numerous as the stars in the firmament, and as the
sands upon the seashore? Abraham may be in advance of us; he lived in
an earlier period; but we are following up in the same track. Although
we may not be called upon to yield up an only son, as Abraham was,
yet, may we not enjoy through faithfulness the blessings, and
honors, and privileges that he did? I see nothing in the way of it. I
believe it is according to the goodness, and generosity, and loving
kindness of our Father in heaven. Now, the Jews boasted that they were
the literal descendants of Abraham; and, notwithstanding their
unrighteousness, stubbornness of heart, blindness of mind, and
unbelief, they considered themselves heirs to all the promises made
unto Abraham, and a distinguished and honored people. Jesus came to
them, and taught and instructed them, and would have saved them, but
they would not allow him to be their Savior; hence he said, "O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children
together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye
would not!" The Savior began to reason with them on one occasion; they
answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto
them, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of
Abraham. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father
ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him," etc. Now, they are the
people to whom the promises were made, of whom it is said they should
be remembered forever, and that too with loving kindness and favor.
It was understood that they would be chastened if they went astray,
but the Lord would always remember them on account of their fathers.
They that are the children of Abraham do the works of Abraham. What
did Abraham do? The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and the voice of
the Lord was heard by him, and when the Lord commanded him he obeyed;
when he was commanded to offer up his only son, his darling Isaac, he
prepared to do so. Abraham, no doubt, felt all the sympathies of a
kindhearted father, but still the voice of God to him was paramount
to all things else, and he laid his son upon the altar and was about
to slay him; and while the knife was aimed at the life of the lad,
showing that Abraham was fully bent to do the will of God, and follow
out the instructions given him, an angel's voice from on high said,
Abraham, spare thy son; I have tried and proved you; now I have the
evidence that you will not withhold anything from me; there is a ram
in the thicket, take him and offer him up instead; and Isaac was
accepted in a figure and was saved. Abraham went on in obedience to
the requirements of Heaven and faltered not. Now, then, if we will do
the works of Abraham, we are the children of Abraham. The natural seed
of Abraham rejected the offers of mercy, and it was said of them,
"Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected
them." Again, Paul says, "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly;
neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh." Their
true line of connection with Abraham was broken because of unbelief,
and Heaven regarded it no more. But here is a new institution, hence,
says Jesus, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of
God, and except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God. To be born again is necessary to be a
child of Abraham—to be a child of God. We are to be born of water and
of the Spirit. What will the Spirit do for us if we give place to it
and allow it to act according to its office in our own bosoms, and
oppose it not, doing nothing to grieve it and to paralyze its force
and influence upon our systems? Will it not create us anew in
Christ Jesus, making our flesh, blood, and bones anew, creating the
whole creature anew, being born from above and sanctified unto God? It
seems so to me. It was said to Jesus, "Behold, thy mother and thy
brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But he answered
and said unto him who told him, "Who is my mother? and who are my
brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and
said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the
will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and
sister, and mother." I do not know that I understand the exact meaning
of the word sanctification, it is a very commonly used word; what I
understand by it is, that the sanctifying influences of the Spirit of
God is that influence which purges us from everything that is
worldly, selfish, and contrary to the mind of God: and the creature
who is sanctified can say, "Our Father who art in heaven," because he
is born from above. Now, the presumption is, if a child is born to me,
that that child inherits my spirit—my nature—by virtue of his birth
and "being begotten by me." If we are, then, begotten of God and born
of his Spirit, we inherit the qualities of the Deity himself. Then may
we not all become Abrahams? It seems to me that the Almighty can
furnish territory enough, room enough: for He is not limited: and this
world and all other worlds are subject to him. He controls, governs,
and manages them, and they are to provide ample room for the existence
and increase of His faithful children.
I do not pretend to understand the secret springs that are subject to
the Almighty's touch, but suffice it to say that I know they exist,
and that He can touch them aright; and that if we will serve Him and
honor Him and keep His commandments, He will touch them every time in
our favor. I do not feel that the kingdom of God is going to be
overthrown, that the wicked are going to prevail against it. I would
have great mercy upon the wicked, so far as they will repent and obey
the Gospel; but if they will not repent and obey the Gospel, if they
will love unrighteousness and practice it all the day long, they
cannot be acknowledged as the children of God, but will be accounted
enemies of the Most High, and will be overthrown.
I wish to put the most charitable construction upon the purposes of
all men. When the army was sent up to Utah under Johnston, their
design was to overthrow the "Mormons" in these valleys; for they
considered our religion a dangerous error, though this was not their
manifest and avowed reason. They, however, did us no harm, and that
great army, the flower of the United States, was broken to pieces and
scattered hither and thither. They exhibited to all men and to the
heavens their purpose, but God saved his people. What did they get for
their reward? Look at the fields of Virginia and Tennessee. Look on
the battlefields in the South that have been drenched with blood; the
nation has been clothed with mourning, sorrow, and wretchedness, and
this is their reward for seeking to fight against God and to overthrow
his kingdom. Do they look at it so? They do not. And they will spurn
this testimony as they would the testimony that Joseph Smith was a
Prophet of God, was armed with the Spirit of God, and carried life and
death on his tongue. The nation has had a bloody war and a sore time
of suffering, and many a heart will ache and be filled with sorrow
after this day; it will take a long time to heal up the deadly wound
it has inflicted upon the nation, a long time to cure up the
sore, and while it is being cured up in one place, I have
thought there is danger of it breaking out in another place. The whole
organization of the nation has been infected with a disease that seems
to be incurable: perhaps it may be cured, but I cannot say how this
may be. Is the trouble ended? I do not apprehend that it is; they may
cry peace and safety, but I do not think there is a good foundation
for it. If they will provoke further calamities, after the severe
reproof that has been given, further calamities will come upon them.
It is perfectly right to look at things as they really are. Here is,
perhaps, a million of men to be disbanded that have been accustomed to
live not by agricultural and mechanical pursuits, but they have been
accustomed for the last few years to live by destroying the fruits of
the ground and the productions of mechanical labor; by destroying men,
women, and children, and laying towns and cities in flames, and they
have had joy in the work of their hands. When this multitude of men
are turned loose, are they going to adopt their former course of
industry? Some may, but I fear the majority of them will not; the
great mass of them have learned to do otherwise, and they are like so
many firebrands scattered over the land.
When I was young I used to read about a day that should burn as an
oven, and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble.
I then had an idea that a sheet of fire would come down from heaven
and burn up the ungodly; that the sun would be darkened and the moon
turned to blood and the stars fall from heaven. I look at things in
another point of light now; I now consider that the elements, the
agents of destruction, are right here to accomplish that work, and the
revelations of God will be fulfilled; for God has put in their hearts
to fulfil his will, and they shall make the whore of all the earth
desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
That great day of burning is beginning; we have had a few drops before
the shower; it will wax worse and worse, and men will continue to
deceive and be deceived until the earth shall be burned up. The word
of the Lord is, "Come out from her, my people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and receive not of her plagues."
In conclusion, let me say that I know this is the work of God, I know
it to be the truth of heaven, I know that Joseph is a Prophet of the
Most High God, and I know that he gave the mind and will of Heaven to
the world in the days of his mortal life. I know that President
Brigham Young is the man now chosen of God to guide the destinies of
this people, and I say, May the Lord bless him, and those that are
connected with him, and those that listen to his counsel; and may the
blessing of God be upon all Israel, and His wrath and indignation be
upon all that hate Him, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.