It is with great pleasure I rise to bear testimony to the great truths
that have been announced here this morning. The President has given
some reasons for the testimony that he has borne, and the testimony
that the servants of God bear to the truths of the everlasting Gospel.
I, too, can say that I know this to be the Gospel of the Son of God,
which is the power of God unto salvation. The great plan of salvation,
devised by our heavenly Father before the world was organized,
when it is said the stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted
for joy, has again been revealed in accordance with the prophecies of
the servant of God. The Lord made his own selection, he chose from
among the children of men whom he would, and Joseph Smith was the
favored individual who received the visit of the angel bearing to this
generation the Gospel of salvation to be preached unto those who dwelt
on earth. It was taken away in fulfillment of prophecy. If it had not
been taken away what necessity would there have been to restore it? If
it had not been taken away the Apostle could not have seen in the
future the angel flying through the midst of heaven, bringing it back
to earth to preach to all nations, kindreds, tongues and people. We
bear testimony that it has been restored. It is not a new Gospel—it is
that which existed from the beginning, and which was devised before
the world was made for the salvation of those who should come to dwell
upon the face of the earth.
It is true that the terms of the Gospel are inexorable. Every son and
daughter of Adam will have to bend the knee to this plan of salvation,
either here or somewhere else. The ordinances of the Gospel pertain to
this existence, and they have to be attended to in the flesh or by
those in this state of existence. Except a man is born of water he
cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. There is no getting around
this, it is the declaration of the Savior, the Son of the living God,
and I count that this is pretty high authority. Every man and every
woman, including those who have died and passed behind the veil
without hearing the Gospel, before they can enter heaven, will have to
render obedience to the Gospel ordinances, and as they cannot be
administered to in the spirit, those in the flesh will have to
administer for those in the spirit. You cannot grapple a spirit to
baptize it, neither can you perform the sealing ordinance in the
spirit, hence the Savior said there was neither marrying nor giving in
marriage in the resurrection. It is an ordinance pertaining to this
state of existence, and by those dwelling in the flesh upon the earth
have all these ordinances to be performed. If they are not by
ourselves during this life they must be done by someone acting for
and in our behalf still existing in the flesh, and in the authority of
the holy Priesthood, which has come down from heaven.
The acts and ordinations of that Priesthood are just as legitimate
here as in any other state of existence. It is the same authority as
exists in the heavens. Through the authority of the everlasting
Priesthood, channels have been opened up between the heavens and the
earth, by which we may seal upon earth, and it is sealed in heaven.
This is the same authority that has always existed in the Church and
kingdom of God when it has been upon the earth. Why? Because it is the
same authority that exists in the heavens; it is the authority by
which the Gods are governed, and by which the worlds are organized and
held in existence. It has been conferred from time to time upon the
servants of God in the flesh, to enable them to perform the ordinances
which pertain to this state of existence, and reach back again within
the veil.
Having been called of God we stand ready to administer the ordinances
of the Gospel and of the house of God to the children of men; we stand ready to bear off this Gospel to the nations of the earth,
this great plan of salvation devised by our Father. There has never
been any other, and there never will be. Men have tinkered at it; but
their efforts do not change God's plan, it is like its author—the same
yesterday, today and forever. God is the fountain of truth,
righteousness and grace. All true science and every good thing emanate
from him. It is from this heavenly source we draw our information and
our inspiration, and, as a matter of course, it comprehends
everything good and worth having. Within the kingdom of God is
everything enjoyable that is lasting. If we do not build upon this
basis, then are we lost, because it is the only foundation that will
stand. Everything else will be swept away in the due time of the Lord.
The people are suffered to go their own way, to walk after the
imaginations of their own hearts, to do this and do that, because they
are agents unto themselves, to do as they please. We can accept these
principles or reject them; it makes no difference in regard to their
truth. They are true, whether we receive or reject them, and they are
calculated to save all the children of men. The plan is ample and will
save all who will let it; and if we are not saved by this, we shall be
condemned.
Now may God help us and all the nations of the earth to see the light,
that we may all come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved in his
kingdom, is my prayer for Jesus' sake. Amen.
- Daniel H. Wells