It is good for the Saints to meet together; it is good to reflect upon
the work of God; it is good to be in possession of His blessings; it
is a great privilege to enjoy the light of eternal truth, and to be
delivered from the darkness, the error, the confusion, and the
iniquity that prevails generally throughout the world. There are but
very few men in the world who can realize the blessings which
we enjoy unless their minds are enlightened by the Spirit of the
living God. There are, in fact, comparatively few among the Saints who
realize their true position, and who can comprehend correctly the
blessings and privileges that they are in possession of; for men can
only grasp these things as they are enlightened by the spirit of
truth, by the spirit of revelation—by the Holy Ghost—which has been
imparted to the Saints by the laying on of hands, and through their
obedience to the principles of the everlasting Gospel. If men are in
the dark in relation to any of these principles, it is because they do
not live their religion; because they do not walk according to that
light which has been given to them; because, as we have heard here,
they do not pray sufficiently, they do not deny themselves of evil,
and cleave close enough to the principles of eternal truth. The Gospel
is calculated to lead us on from truth to truth, and from intelligence
to intelligence, until that Scripture will be fulfilled which declares
that we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known, until one
will not have to say to another, know ye the Lord, but all shall know
Him from the least unto the greatest, until the light and intelligence
of God shall beam forth upon all, and all shall bask in the sunlight
of eternal truth.
It is a blessing to have the privilege of meeting together in our
general Conference, where the Authorities of the Church can assemble
from different parts of the Territory, and of the earth, to learn the
law of God, to transact business pertaining to His Church and kingdom,
and to build up and establish righteousness on the earth. We cannot
realize the extent of the blessings that we enjoy. We are situated
differently from any other people under the face of the heavens. There
is no people, no government, no kingdom, no nation, no assembly of
people, civil, religious, political, or otherwise, that enjoy the
blessings that we are in possession of this day; for whilst others are
groping in the dark and laboring in a state of uncertainty in relation
to the position that they occupy, whether political or religious, we
are free from any surmises or doubts concerning these matters.
As it regards our political status, we are well acquainted with that;
we know the destiny of this Church and kingdom; we know the position
that we occupy towards God and towards the world; we know that the
Lord will accomplish His own purposes; and having this knowledge, we
rest perfectly easy in relation to the result. We know that the
kingdom of God, which is established among us, will continue to
spread, increase, and extend, until it covers the earth; and we know
that all the plotting, and machinations, and designs, and combinations
of men and devils will not be able to stop it in its progress; but as
it has begun to roll forth, its speed will continue to accelerate
until it has accomplished all for which it is designed of God, and
until the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God
and His Christ, and He shall reign with universal empire over this
earth, and to Him every knee shall bow and every tongue confess.
Therefore, we have no trembling, no feeling of fear, no anxiety or
care as to the result. All that we have to care about in relation to
these matters is, that we, individually and collectively, do our duty;
that we maintain our integrity before God; that we honor our
Priesthood and our calling; that we pursue a course that shall at all
times receive the smiles and approbation of the Most High, and then as
to the result we care not for we know what the result will be.
As it regards our religious status, we feel just the same in relation
to that, for everything is connected with our religion and our God. We
are not indebted to any church in existence for the position which we
occupy, nor for the intelligence we are in possession of. We have no
need to trace our authority through the Popes, or through any other
medium, we care nothing about them. We do not need either to go to the
Roman or to the Greek Church to find out whether we are right or
wrong, where our religion commenced, and whether we are placed on the
right or on the wrong foundation. We are not under the necessity of
searching the Jewish records, or any other records, in relation to
these matters. We are not indebted to any of the schools, academies,
or systems of divinity, or theology, or any of the religious systems
extant, nor to any of the heathen nations. There is no nation, people,
kingdom, government; no religious or political authority of any kind
that is of an earthly nature, that we have to go to in relation to
this matter. We disclaim the whole of them; claim no affinity to any
of them; are not of them nor from them; and, consequently, so far as
they are concerned, we are perfectly independent of them. Our religion
came from God; it is a revelation from the Most High; it is that
everlasting Gospel which John saw an angel bring to be preached in all
the earth, and to every people, nation, kindred, and tongue, crying
with a loud voice, fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His
judgment is come.
Then God is the author of our religion; He has revealed it from the
heavens; He has sent His holy angels for that purpose, who
communicated it to Joseph Smith and others. Having restored the
everlasting Gospel, He has sent it forth to all the world, and those
men who have delivered that Gospel to us have received it by
revelation directly from God, and have been ordained by that
authority. If God has not spoken, if the heavens have not been opened,
if the angels of God have not appeared, then we have no religion—it is
all a farce; for, as I have said before, we claim no kindred, no
affinity, or relationship with them—God forbid that we should, we do
not want it. This, then, is the platform we stand upon; this is the
position that we occupy before God; for this is God's work that we are
engaged in. If He has given any authority in the last days to mankind,
we are in possession of that authority; and if He has not, then we
have no authority, nor any true religion, nor any true hope. I shall
not this morning enter into all the arguments concerning these
matters. All that I can say to you is what Paul said in his day, "Ye
are his witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God
hath given to them that obey him."
Brethren, is your religion true, and do you know it? (Voices, yes).
Yes, you know and realize it; it is written in living, indelible
characters on your hearts, which nothing can remove. We are living
witnesses of the truth of God and the revelations which He has given
to His people in these last days. Well, then, we are not concerned
about what the nations of the world can do against it, for they will
crumble and totter, and thrones will be cast down, as it is written in
the Scriptures. The empires of the earth may be dissolved, and all the
nations may crumble to pieces, and wars, and pestilence, and famine
may stalk through the earth; this is not our affair; they are not our
nations; they are not God's nations. Religionists may squabble, and
contend, and quarrel, and live in difficulty, doubt, and uncertainty
in relation to their affairs; but that is none of our business, it is entirely their own affair. There may be written upon the whole
world, religious and political, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." (Thou
art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.) What is that to
us? It is none of our affair. We are not associated with them; our
interest is not bound up with them; they have nothing which we can
sustain. In relation to all these matters we feel perfectly easy. If
war goes forth and desolates the nations; if confusion exist among
religious denominations; and if they should continue to act as they
are doing, like perfect fools, it is their own business. The Pope may
tremble on his throne, and be afraid that France or some other power
will not sustain him; it is not our affair; we feel perfectly easy and
tranquil; all is right with us, for we are in the hands of God, and it
is his business to take care of his Saints; therefore, we feel
perfectly easy, quiet, and peaceable in relation to all these matters.
Would they try to injure us? Yes. They never tried anything else, and
we are not indebted to them for anything which we enjoy. Did any of
them help us along in our religious matters? Who are we indebted to in
this world? Is there a religious society under the heavens that we are
indebted to for any ideas or intelligence which we possess? Not one.
Is there any priest in Christendom that has helped us forward in the
least in our religious career? Not one. You cannot find one. Are we
indebted to anybody for our political status? We are not. Who is there
that helps us? There has never been a man yet who dared, at any time,
to advocate our principles and rights in the legislative halls of this
or any other nation; there has never been a man who has had the
honesty, and truthfulness, and integrity to do it; they dare not do
it, because it is unpopular. We dare advocate our prin ciples, and God
dare help us; and if we enjoy any rights, and privileges, and peace—if
there are any blessings of any kind that we enjoy—we derive them from
our Heavenly Father, and we are not indebted to any power, government,
rule, or authority, religious, political, or otherwise, throughout the
whole of this habitable globe, for any blessings or privileges we
enjoy, excepting sometimes, by a little persecution they help us to be
a little more united, that's all; and we do not thank them for this,
for it does not come with their good will. If their lies shall make
the truth of God abound to his glory, all right; they will lie on,
because they are of their father the devil, and his work they will do.
He was a liar from the beginning; he is the father of lies, and they
are his children. Therefore, in relation to all of these matters we
feel perfectly easy.
I was asked the other day if I would like to go and bear testimony
before the court in relation to whether polygamy was a religious
ordinance or not. I answered yes, if they subpoena me. They have not
done it yet, and I do not know whether they will or not. I am quite
willing to go and testify to that matter at any time. I think I will
testify to you here. To begin with, there is nothing that I know of,
or am acquainted with in this world, but what is a part of my religion
and mixed up with it. It is all religion with me. I was told that the
parties desired to know whether or not I believed that polygamy was a
religious ordinance or institution. If this question had been put to
me, I should have been inclined to ask the parties what they
understood by the word religion; because, if I could not find out what
their view of religion was, of course I could not tell whether I, in
their estimation, had any or not.
This consideration led me to a few reflections in relation to this matter. I had recourse to some of our dictionaries, to find out
what popular lexicographers said about it. I referred to the standard
works of several different nations, which I find to be as follows—
Webster (American), "Religion includes a belief in the revelation of
his (God's) will to man, and in man's obligation to obey his command."
Worcester (a prominent American). "1. An acknowledgement of our
obligation to God as our creator. 2. A particular system of faith or
worship. We speak of the Greek, Hindoo, Jewish, Christian, and
Mahomedan religion."
Johnson (English), "Religion, a system of faith and worship."
Dictionary of the French Academy, "La croyance que l'on a de la
divinite' et le culte qu'on lue rend en consequence."
Foi croyance.
The belief we have in God and his worship.
Faith—belief.
German Dictionary of Wurterbuch, by Dr. N. N. W. Meissner, a standard
work in Germany.
"Religion, glaube, faith, persuasion."
Here, then we have the opinion of four of the great leading nations of
the earth, as expressed by their acknowledged standard works, on what
they consider to be the meaning of the word religion.
The German has it—faith, persuasion. The French—faith, belief; faith
in God and his worship. The English—a system of faith and worship.
These three are very similar.
Next we have Webster, American, which is our acknowledged standard,
and he says, "Religion includes a belief in the revelations of God's
will to man, and in man's obligation to obey his commands."
This is, indeed, very pointed; and if this definition be correct, it
would necessarily lead us to inquire, as did Paul of old. "Whether it
is better to obey man or God, judge ye."
Worcester, another prominent American lexicographer, speaks of
"Religion as an acknowledgement of God as our creator, and a
particular system of faith or worship." Here he agrees with the
French, German, and English. He then quotes from a prominent work—"We
speak of the Greek, Hindoo, Jewish, Christian, and Mahomedan
religions." He might very properly have added Mormon.
Faith, belief, and worship seem to be the prominent idea advanced,
with the addition of our popular lexicographer Walker, who adds to the
faith in God, that it must be in the revelations of His will to man,
and in man's obligations to obey His commands.
Having now found out what the meaning of religion is, we shall be the
better prepared to inquire whether a plurality of wives, or, as it is
sometimes called, polygamy, is a part of our religious faith or not.
The Constitution of the United States says that "Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof." I have thought of the law which Congress has
made in relation to polygamy. The question, however, necessarily
arises, is it constitutional for Congress to interfere with religious
matters—with the establishment of religion, or the free exercise
thereof? The Constitution says no. Then is polygamy a religious
question or is it not? Is it a marriage ceremony or is it not?
Marriage is received by the Greek church as a solemn sacrament of the
church; the Roman Catholic church and the Church of England also admit
marriage to be a religious sacrament; and so it is admitted by the
great mass of religious sects now in the world. These are facts that
need no proof; everybody is acquainted with them. It is true
that in France and in the United States magistrates are authorized to
officiate in solemnizing marriages. But in France, to this day, unless
they are married by a minister of religion, many of the more
conscientious feel that they are living in a state of adultery.
Now, in relation to the position that we occupy concerning plurality,
or, as it is termed, polygamy, it differs from that of others. I have
noticed the usage of several nations regarding marriage; but, as I
have said, we are not indebted to any of them for our religion, nor
for our ideas of marriage, they came from God. Where did this
commandment come from in relation to polygamy? It also came from God.
It was a revelation given unto Joseph Smith from God, and was made
binding upon His servants. When this system was first introduced among
this people, it was one of the greatest crosses that ever was taken up
by any set of men since the world stood. Joseph Smith told others; he
told me, and I can bear witness of it, "that if this principle was not
introduced, this Church and kingdom could not proceed." When this
commandment was given, it was so far religious, and so far binding
upon the Elders of this Church, that it was told them if they were not
prepared to enter into it, and to stem the torrent of opposition that
would come in consequence of it, the keys of the kingdom would be
taken from them. When I see any of our people, men or women, opposing
a principle of this kind, I have years ago set them down as on the
high road to apostasy, and I do today; I consider them apostates, and
not interested in this Church and kingdom. It is so far, then, a
religious institution, that it affects my conscience and the
consciences of all good men—it is so far religious that it connects
itself with time and with eternity. What are the covenants we enter
into, and why is it that Joseph Smith said that unless this principle
was entered into this kingdom could not proceed? We ought to know the
whys and the wherefores in relation to these matters, and understand
something about the principle enunciated. These are simply words; we
wish to know their signification.
Where is there in the world a people that make any pretensions to have
any claim upon their wives in eternity? Where is there a priest in all
Christendom that teaches anything of this kind? You cannot find them.
Marriage is solemnized until death do them part, and when death comes
to either party, then there is an end to the whole matter, and what
comes after death is in the dark to them. It was so with us up to the
time of the giving of that revelation; we had no claim upon one wife
in eternity. They had obeyed the Gospel as we had; they had been
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins as we
had; we had been married to them according to the laws of the land,
and were living as other Gentiles were, but we had no claim upon them
in eternity. It was necessary that one grand truth should be unlocked,
which is, that man and woman are destined to live together and have a
claim upon each other in eternity. The Priesthood being restored, the
key was turned in relation to this matter, and the privilege was
placed not only within the reach of the Elders of this Church, but
within the reach of all who should be considered worthy of it, to make
covenants with their partners that should be binding in the eternal
worlds; that in this respect, as well as in other respects, we might
stand as a distinguished people, separate and apart from the rest of
the earth, depending upon God for our religion.
Previous to this revelation, who in all the world had any
claim upon their wives in the eternal world, or what wife had a claim
upon her husband? Who ever taught them any such principle? Nobody.
Some of the novel writers have noticed it, but they did not claim
authority from heaven; they merely wrote their own opinions and
followed the promptings of their own instincts, which led them to hope
that such a thing might be the case; but there was no certainty about
it. Our position was just as Joseph said: if we could not receive the
Gospel which is an everlasting Gospel; if we could not receive the
dictum of a Priesthood that administers in time and eternity; if we
could not receive a principle that would save us in the eternal world,
and our wives and children with us, we were not fit to hold this
kingdom, and could not hold it, for it would be taken from us and
given to others. This is reasonable, proper, consistent, and
recommends itself to the minds of all intelligence when it is
reflected upon in the light of truth. Then, what did this principle
open up to our view? That our wives, who have been associated with us
in time—who had borne with us the heat and burden of the day, who had
shared in our afflictions, trials, troubles, and difficulties, that
they could reign with us in the eternal kingdoms of God, and that they
should be sealed to us not only for time, but for all eternity. This
unfolded to us the eternal fitness and relationship of things as they
exist on the earth, of man to man, and of husband to wife; it unfolds
the relationship they should occupy in time to each other, and the
relationship that will continue to exist in eternity. Hence it is
emphatically a religious subject so deep, sacred, and profound, so
extensive and far-reaching, that it is one of the greatest principles
that was ever revealed to man. Did we know anything about it before?
No. How did we get a knowledge of it? By revelation. And shall we
treat lightly these things? No. The Lord says that his servants may
take to themselves more wives than one. Who gives to them one wife?
The Lord. And has he not a right to give to them another, and another,
and another? I think he has that right. Who has a right to dispute it,
and prohibit a union of that kind, if God shall ordain it? Has not God
as much right today to give to me, or you, or any other person two,
three, four, five, ten, or twenty wives, as he had anciently to give
them to Abraham, Isaac, David, Solomon, etc.? Has not the Lord a right
to do what he pleases in this matter, and in all other matters,
without the dictation of man? I think He has. Every principle
associated with the Gospel which we have received is eternal, hence
our marriage covenant is an eternal covenant given unto us of God.
Then, when poor, miserable, corrupt men would endeavor to trample us
under their feet because of the principles of truth which we have
received from God, shall we falter in the least? No, never. Its
opposers may croak against it until they go down to the dust of death;
God will defend his work which he has introduced in the latter days;
and, the Lord being our helper, we will help him to sustain it.
Associated with this is another important principle—the baptism for
the dead. One of the prophets has said that, "I will send you Elijah
the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the
Lord: And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the
earth with a curse." This Elias signifies a restorer. Jesus said of
John the Baptist, in his day, "And if ye will receive it, this is the
Elias (or restorer), which was for to come." "He that hath ears
to hear, let him hear." But they would not hear: they did not receive
it. They beheaded John, crucified Jesus, killed his apostles, and
persecuted his followers; and their temple, nation, and polity were
destroyed. But the times of restitution spoken of by the prophets must
take place; the restorer must come "before that great and terrible day
of the Lord." The hearts of the fathers must be turned to the
children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, or the earth
will be cursed. This great eternal marriage covenant lays at the
foundation of the whole; when this was revealed, then followed the
other. Then, and not till then, could the hearts of the fathers be
turned to their children, and the hearts of the children to the
fathers; then, and not till then, could the restoration be effectually
commenced, time and eternity be connected, the past, present, and
future harmonize, and the eternal justice of God be vindicated.
"Saviors come upon mount Zion" to save the living, redeem the dead,
unite man to woman and woman to man, in eternal, indissoluble ties;
impart blessings to the dead, redeem the living, and pour eternal
blessings upon posterity.
Let us now go back to the action of Congress in relation to plural
marriage, of which these eternal covenants are the foundation. The
Lord says, "I will introduce the times of the restitution of all
things; I will show you my eternal covenants, and call upon you to
abide in them; I will show you how to save yourselves, your wives and
children, your progenitors and posterity, and to save the earth from a
curse." Congress says, "if you fulfill that law we will inflict upon you
pains and penalties, fines and imprisonments; in effect, we will not
allow you to follow God's commands." Now, if Congress possessed the
constitutional right to do so, it would still be a high-handed outrage
upon the rights of man; but when we consider that they cannot make
such a law without violating the Constitution, and thus nullifying the
act, what are we to think of it? Where are we drifting to. After
having, with uplifted hands to heaven, sworn that they will "make no
law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof," to thus sacrilegiously stand between a whole
community and their God, and deliberately debar them, so far as they
have the power, from observing his law, do they realize what they are
doing? Whence came this law on our statute books? Who constituted them
our conscience keepers? Who appointed them the judge of our religious
faith, or authorized them to coerce us to transgress a law that is
binding and imperative on our consciences? We do not expect that
Congress is acquainted with our religious faith; but, as members of
the body politic, we do claim the guarantees of the Constitution and
immunity from persecution on merely religious grounds.
What are we to think of a United States judge who would marry a man to
another man's wife. He certainly ought to know better. We are told
that she was a second wife, and, therefore, not acknowledged. Indeed,
this is singular logic. If she was not a wife, then polygamy is no
crime in the eyes of the law; for Congress have passed no law against
whoredom. A man may have as many mistresses as he please, without
transgressing any law of Congress. The act in relation to polygamy
contemplates punishing a man for having more wives, not mistresses. If
she was simply his mistress, then the law is of no effect; and the
very fact of Congress passing such a law is the strongest possible
proof, in law, of the existence of a marriage covenant, which,
until that law was passed, was by them considered valid. If, then, she
was not his wife, no person could be punished under that law for
polygamy. If she was his wife, then the judge transgressed the law
which he professionally came to maintain.
In relation to all these matters, the safe path for the Saints to take
is, to do right, and, by the help of God, seek diligently and
honorably to maintain the position which they hold. Are we ashamed of
anything we have done in marrying wives? No. We shall not be ashamed
before God and the holy angels, much less before a number of corrupt,
miserable scoundrels, who are the very dregs of hell. We care nothing
for their opinions, their ideas, or notions; for they do not know God,
nor the principles which he has revealed. They wallow in the sink of
corruption, as they would have us do; but, the Lord being our helper,
we will not do it, but we will try to do right and keep the
commandments of God, live our religion, and pursue a course that will
secure to us the smiles and approbation of God our Father. Inasmuch as
we do this He will take care of us, maintain His own cause, and
sustain His people. We have a right to keep His commandments. But what
would you do if the United States were to bring up an army against you
on account of polygamy, or on account of any other religious subject?
We would trust in God, as we always have done. Would you have no
fears? None. All the fears that I am troubled with is that this people
will not do right—that they will not keep the commandments of God. If
we will only faithfully live our religion, we fear no earthly power.
Our safety is in God. Our religion is an eternal religion. Our
covenants are eternal covenants, and we expect to maintain the
principles of our religion on the earth, and to possess them in the
heavens. And if our wives and children do right, and we as fathers and
husbands do right in this world, we expect to have our wives and
children in eternity. Let us live in that way which will secure the
approbation of God, that we, his representatives on the earth, may
magnify our calling, honor Him, and maintain our integrity to the end;
that we may be saved in His celestial kingdom, with our wives, and
children, and brethren, from generation to generation, worlds without
end. Amen.