We are met together on this occasion, as we frequently are called upon
to do, to pay our last respects to the departed dead. This is one of
the incidents connected with humanity, and one that always commands
our serious attention. There has an immutable decree gone forth from
the Almighty, that man must die; and it matters not what our standing
in society or station in life may be, all alike must submit to the
divine behest.
When we look back to the generations that have passed, letting our
minds wander through the various ages that have transpired since the
commencement of the human family upon the earth, we see, as it were,
multitudes of human beings who have had their entrance into and exit
from this world, a great rolling wave of human life coming and going.
They have existed simply for a short time, mingling with and operating
among their fellow beings, and then they have faded away, their bodies
have decayed and returned to mother earth, while they themselves have
left this world and gone into another state of existence.
We might bring this reflection a little nearer home, by inquiring, How
many are there yet living of my acquaintances who were in existence
when I was born? But few comparatively; and so it is with a great many
others. We come into the world, we think and reflect, we act and
operate, we carry out certain ideas, plans and calculations, we live
but a short time and then die, leaving all things with which we were
connected pretty much as they were when we came here.
We frequently talk of the advancements made in society and the
progression of the world generally in intelligence, in science, in
literature, etc. But what is all that to the man when he is about to
leave his earthly tenement, to go hence? Of what moment is it
to him how bright his genius, or how expansive and varied his learning
may be? It makes no difference, he is gone, and is apparently helpless
and inanimate, at least so far as the body is concerned. We struggle
sometimes while we are occupants of these mortal bodies, for riches
and position, for fame and honor. We jostle one against another,
entertaining various conflicting sentiments, ideas and theories, but
they are all leveled with the balance in the grave. Such has been and
such is the position of the human family.
There is a scripture which reads, "And as it is appointed unto man
once to die, but after this the judgment." If we are only to be
associated with this world, if, when this vital spark expires, we end
our entire existence, it would be scarcely worth while to pay that
attention to its affairs that we do, merely for so short a time. But
when we reflect, we are reminded that man is a dual being, possessing
a body and a spirit, and that he is associated with this world and the
next, that he is connected with time and eternity. It then becomes a
matter of more grave and serious importance. These are things which we
cannot ignore, even if we would. According to our ideas of things as
they have been revealed to us, we had an existence before we came
here. We came here to accomplish a certain purpose which was decreed
by the Almighty before the world was. We came to receive bodies or
tabernacles, and in them to pass through a certain amount of trial in
what is termed a probationary state of existence, preparatory to a
something to be developed hereafter. Hence this world is the state of
our probation, and we look forward to the future as something with
which we are as much connected as we are with anything pertaining to
time. We look forward to another state of existence with that degree
of certainty and confidence that we do when we go to bed in the
evening expecting to see the light of the sun in the morning, or that
we do with anything else that is associated with any of the affairs of
this world upon which we place any degree of certainty. Were it not
so, it would be, as I have already stated, of very little importance
what our struggles were, or what we had to do within this world. We
would feel, as Paul philosophically describes it, namely, "If in this
life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
And then he further says, "If the dead rise not, let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die." Or, in other words, if in this world only we
have hope, let us seize upon any and every opportunity presented to us
and enjoy life, mingle with and join in the giddy strife of the world,
and glide along with the stream, for our days are but a span, as a
shadow they pass away and we are no more.
But it so happens that we regard these things in a very different
point of view, it having been revealed to us from heaven what the
position of man was, what it now is, and what it will be. In relation
to this, no matter what our religious sentiments may be, or what the
views of men are pertaining to these matters, there is a kind of
inexorable fiat that comes down the stream of time, that sweeps away
the human family one after another—the good and the bad, the righteous
and the unrighteous, the rich and the poor, all classes, all grades
and all conditions must submit to it. It is true, we read of some very
few individuals who have avoided it. For instance, Enoch and his city
were caught up without seeing death. We read that when Moses
departed this life, his body could not be found. Elijah, too, ascended
up to heaven without dying. Also John, the revelator, was permitted to
live upon the earth until the Savior should come, and the Book of
Mormon gives an account of three Nephites, who lived on this American
Continent, who asked for the same privilege and it was granted to
them.
I am not now talking to the dead; she is gone, she has left us, her
ear is not sensitive to our voice, her faculties are dormant; but I am
speaking to the living. In reflecting upon these matters we must see
that in a short time we shall be in the condition that our sister is,
whose remains now lie before us. The question that necessarily arises,
and it is one that engages the attention of all people of every age
and country, is, What of the future? Men have had their various
theories in relation to these matters, which have differed more or
less according to the day and age in which they lived, according to
the intelligence they possessed, and according to the circumstances
with which they were surrounded, over which, perhaps, they had very
little control. All men, more or less, however, have had a desire to
aim at exaltation in the hereafter, or happiness of some kind. They
have had feelings in their bosoms that would naturally lead them to
this. I do not remember reading of any people, no matter how low and
degraded they were, but what had some kind of ideas, more or less
distinct, in relation to the future, though they were and now are very
much confused in some particulars, worshiping, for instance, gods made
of gold, silver, brass, etc., and in some ages they had thousands of
gods. But why did they worship them? Because they believed they had
something to do with their destiny, and they wanted to secure their
favor and approbation. There are a great many of these feelings
existing at the present time among the heathen nations. There are some
who believe that when they die they go into the bodies of beasts and
various animals and occupy them; and others, that there is some kind
of happiness provided for them. They used to talk in early days about
the Elysian Fields, after having passed the river "Styx," where they
anticipated some kind of pleasant enjoyment, the nature of which they
knew not. There is a very large body of men at the present time who
are what is called Muhammadans, and they have their peculiar ideas of
heaven. Then we have Christianity in all its phases, with all its
ideas, theories, opinions, plans and calculations, which are as much
diversified perhaps as anything in existence upon the face of the
earth today. There is, too, a lack of certainty and intelligence
generally in relation to these matters. Some of the Indians believe
that when they die they go to some pleasant hunting grounds, where
there is plenty of buffalo, elk and deer, and where they can revel in
the enjoyment of the chase, and where they can possess everything
necessary to make them comfortable.
As Latter-day Saints we differ from all of them. We are dependent upon
the revelations which God has given unto us pertaining to the future,
and which are in strict accordance with revelations which he gave at
different times to his ancient Saints. Our faith and opinion are that
being dual, immortal beings, possessing a body and a spirit,
associated with time and eternity, it is proper for us to know and
comprehend something pertaining to the future; and not, as is
generally done by mankind, take a leap, as it were, in the
dark; or as I have frequently heard people say, and Christians at
that, "We do not know anything about the future, we have got to leave
ourselves entirely in the hands of God." Of course we have all got to
do that, and that too is proper in one sense of the word. But there
were men in former times that had very different ideas from this; they
lived back, away back, in what they now call the "dark ages." For
instance, I will name Job and quote you language expressing his mind
on this point. "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms
destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see
for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not for another." There is
something expressed in that very different from the vague, indefinite
idea that many Christians seem to entertain in relation to these
things. There is something definite and certain about it. I know, said
Job. How did he know? A man could know nothing pertaining to the
future so far off, could know nothing about the vitalizing, quickening
influence of certain powers, that could so operate upon the remnants
of humanity that had been buried in the grave, as to bring them forth
to life, causing them to see, to hear, and to understand. How and by
what principle could he see these things develop, unless by some
super-human influence which had been manifested to him? He could only
know it upon this principle—that "the things of God knoweth no man,
but by the spirit of God," and being, too, in possession of that
spirit and possessed of life and light and intelligence that flow from
God, he looked through the dark vista of future ages and comprehended
the pur poses of God in regard to the human family and in regard to
himself. John the revelator, too, "saw the dead, small and great,
stand before God;" he saw the sea give up the dead which were in it.
Others saw, by the same spirit, the grave open and the power of God
rest upon the people therein, and then burst the barriers of the tomb,
coming forth again with health and vitality. There is no human reason,
no human intelligence, with all its boasted enlightenment and
scientific research, that could unravel a mystery of this kind. Yet,
away back in the dark ages, a man inspired by the spirit of God is
heard to say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand
at the latter day upon the earth;" and he knew too that in his flesh
he would see God. Such language has a tendency to bring certain ideas,
thoughts and reflections to our minds. An intelligence of this kind is
not a phantom, it is a reality.
If we follow out the Scriptures in relation to these things, we find
the same principles developed and the same ideas entertained wherever
they had the Gospel of the Son of God, wherever they had the light and
intelligence that flow from him. Amongst all peoples wherever the
Gospel existed this intelligence prevailed, and it was that which
buoyed them up and sustained them amidst all the vicissitudes and
changes which they had to battle with in passing through time. Men of
such persuasion were generally considered visionary. They were scouted
at by others who were considered more practical, but whom I should
call fools. They had to endure all kinds of ignominy and reproach; in
fact it was and is so ordered that it becomes necessary, in this
probationary state, that they should pass through certain ordeals in
order to prepare and qualify them for something that was to
come. They had these things to pass through and they could not avoid
it. Job was upbraided by his friends and persecuted by his enemies; he
was robbed and stripped of everything he owned in the world, even
bereft of his children, and his wife, his bosom companion, turned upon
him, saying to him at last, "Curse God and die!" But said Job, "What?
shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive
evil?" "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the
name of the Lord." Why was it that he had to be thus tried? That he
might, as stated elsewhere, be made perfect through suffering. (1
Peter, 5, 10.)
We read again of a certain man who, while enwrapped in vision, saw many
of the purposes of God roll forth; and among other things he saw a
number that were clothed in white raiment, and who were engaged in
singing a new song. Upon inquiring who those persons were, he was told
that they had come "up through much tribulation." What, men having to
endure tribulation for fearing God and keeping his commandments? Yes;
and it was necessary, in the wisdom of God, that they should. Those
were they that came up through much tribulation having washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. And therefore are
they next the throne and serve their Maker day and night.
There are some peculiar lessons and important instructions developed
in many of these things, as we see them portrayed. I speak now to the
Latter-day Saints. We, a few of us, have had our share of these
things. I have seen people, in the early days, who had to pass through
a good deal—stripped, robbed, pillaged, beaten, killed, murdered for
their religion's sake. They were driven from their homes, they
wandered about as exiles. They could truly say as Jesus once said,
"The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay his head." They had not where to rest
themselves except on the bare earth, whereon I have seen hundreds and
thousands of Latter-day Saints find their shelter, when they were
fleeing from the hands of merciless, ignorant Christian people. Did
they know what they were doing? No. Did the Saints know what they were
doing, and the object of their suffering? Yes, and they do to this
day. They had implanted in them a hope, which comes through obedience
to the Gospel of the Son of God, that blooms with immortality and
eternal life. It was in view of these things, like it was with some
that Paul speaks of—they "were tempted, they were tried, they were
persecuted, they were whipped and sawn asunder; they wandered about
in sheepskins and goatskins, finding their homes in dens and caves
of the earth, of whom the world was not worthy." These very people
that endured these things the world was not worthy of; and they
declared plainly that "they sought a better country, even a heavenly,
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he hath
prepared for them a city, a city which has foundations, whose builder
and maker is God." The very thing that Jesus said they should have
when he spoke to his disciples and said, "In my Father's house are
many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am ye may be also."
There is something about these ideas, animating and cheering, that
gives life and vigor to the human mind while traveling
through the world, and having to meet with the various conflicts and
difficulties that frequently obstruct our path.
Looking upon ourselves as eternal beings, connected with heaven as
well as earth, with eternity as well as time, what difference is it to
us what our lot may be, whether we abound in wealth, or whether we
have to struggle with grim poverty; whether we possess the good things
of this world, or have to crawl around like Lazarus did, and be glad
to eat of the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table? It will soon
be with the rich as if they were not rich, and with the poor as if
they had not to struggle—all will find a level in the grave.
What are our views pertaining to the future? What claim have we on the
Almighty? Can we say as one did, "For we know that if our earthly
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens?" If we can say
that, it is all right; no difference what our position, no difference
what our circumstances, if our hearts are pure before God, and our
spirits are upright, and we conscientiously feel that we are in the
line of our duty, living in the fear of God and are enabled to cleave
to him and keep his commandments, and walk in accordance with his
precepts, all is right. No matter whether we live long or short, it
makes no difference, God takes care of his people, and all is well.
Do we have trials? Yes, and it is necessary that we should; but
whatever you do, let not your trials interfere with your duties and
responsibilities to God. If troubles do come along, and we find it
hard to battle with the things of life, never mind, let us cleave to
God, to truth, to virtue, to righteousness, and main tain our
integrity, and we will always feel that God is our friend, and that
all is well. We will feel like saying, let the winds blow, and the
rain descend, and the storms come, no matter what position we occupy,
if God gives us power to breast the conflict, if we keep the
commandments of God, and have our faith and hopes centered in the Lord
beyond the veil, we shall feel that God is our Father and friend, and
we are his children, and that he will own us and take care of us in
time as well as in the eternities to come.
Well, what about others? Are you not very proscriptive in your
feelings? No, not at all. I am willing, as an individual, to endure
anything that God may be pleased to place upon me, inasmuch as I have
his grace to sustain me. I can do nothing of myself, neither can you,
without the divine assistance. Have I my weaknesses? Yes. Have you
weaknesses? Yes. Are any of us perfect? No. We are placed in this
world to prove us. What shall we do? Why, fear the Lord and do the
best we can, trusting in him. If we do that, all is right pertaining
to the future. But what are we all aiming at? I am looking for a
celestial glory. I want to be associated with the Church of the
Firstborn, whose names are written in the heavens, and with Prophets
and Apostles, and with all the holy men of God who were inspired with
the same hopes, who lived generations ago, as well as with such men
who now live. If I can only fight the good fight of faith, and lay
hold of eternal life, then all is right. What of others? They are in
the hands of God, and so are we. But are we all going to get into the
celestial kingdom? I am afraid not. Not all the Latter-day Saints? I
am afraid not. We read that many are called, but few are
chosen. We read also that there were five wise and five foolish
virgins. The wise virgins, we are told, had oil in their lamps, and
their lamps were trimmed and burning. They were prepared to meet the
bridegroom whom they expected. The others had no oil in their lamps at
the time the cry was raised for all to go forth and meet their Lord.
They had become careless and indifferent, and while the foolish
virgins were away trying to procure oil for their lamps, the bridegroom
came, and only those who were prepared to meet him went in with him,
when the door was shut. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of
my Father which is in heaven." That is the way I read these things.
Now, then, we have these principles before us, and it is for us to do
right, and act honorably and virtuously, uprightly and consistently,
and all will be well. If we do not, it will not be well, for every man
will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. And in regard
to others who receive not the Gospel, they too will be judged
according to their works. Did God make any of his children for the
purpose of destroying them? I think not. I think he will do the very
best he can with all of us. But will he take the disobedient and the
careless and indifferent ones into the celestial kingdom, to dwell
with him and with the just who are made perfect? I think not. There
are bodies celestial, bodies terrestrial, and bodies telestial. "There
is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another
glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead." To judge from these facts,
does it look to you reasonable that all the Latter-day Saints will get
into the celestial kingdom of our God? To me it does not. But the Lord
has revealed to the children of men many great things, and has taught
them many great principles; if they do not receive those principles,
and adhere to them, and keep his commandments, are they to be damned
and buried in hell forever? I think not.
Some of our sectarian friends think that we have curious ideas about
them. I tell you what it arises from. We are aiming at what we term a
celestial glory. They do not understand this. Will they get a glory?
Yes, they will get all that they are looking for, just as much as they
can abide, as much as it is possible for God to center upon them under
the circumstances. And will the heathen be saved? Yes, all the
children of God, no matter by what name they are called, will be
saved, receiving as high a glory and salvation as they are capable of
receiving. But are all going to inherit a celestial glory? No, but the
degree of their glory will altogether be ahead of their ideas with
regard to it. It may doubtless be said of them, as it was said of
others, that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him." These are facts which we all Latter-day Saints entertain,
and God does, and who would raise an objection?
Because we have been persecuted and maltreated, should we entertain
feelings of hatred and animosity for the human family? No! All good
Latter-day Saints who possess the light and life of Christ, who have
thus suffered, feel as Jesus did during his moments of bitterest pain,
when he said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
God is the God and Father of all the spirits of all flesh that
now live, that have lived through all the ages of time, and he is
interested in the welfare and salvation of all; but he, as well as we,
is governed by law, and hence he is no respecter of persons, but gives
unto all according to their works. I have set my mark high, and if God
will give me grace sufficient to overcome every evil and to surmount
every trial, I intend to continue to fight the good fight of faith,
and lay hold of eternal life.
With regard to sister Bourne, to whose remains we now pay our last
respects and which lie before us, it is all right, all right! I too have
had my friends leave me. Do I feel sorry? No. They have gone and they
rest from earthly trouble, and I expect to follow after them. I well
remember the conversation I had with my father when he was about to
depart this life. I said, "Father, you are going?" He said, "Yes."
I
then said, "That is right, father you came into the world a little
before me, and you are leaving a little before. I will not try to
disgrace you, and by and by I will come too." It is true, we do not
like to lose a good, kind companion, a wife, a husband, a child, a
brother, a sis ter, or any of our near and dear friends or relatives;
but we have to do it, and it is right and proper that we should. They
go a little before us; when we get there they will receive and welcome
us, and say, "God bless you, you have come at last." That is the way I
look at it. I expect to strike hands and embrace my friends who have
gone before, who have proved themselves faithful and true. Why should
I mourn when they leave? Of course, I like their company and
association, but it was not designed that I should always have it
here. We came here to live, and to die that we may live; and we are
all moving, moving, passing off this stage of time. It is for us to
prepare for the eternities to come.
I pray God to comfort the hearts of the husband, children, relatives
and friends of this our departed sister, and say, May the peace and
blessings of God be and abide with you, and may he lead us in the
paths of life, and enable us to struggle for the glory and exaltation
that are within our reach, until we shall have overcome, and be
prepared to enter into the celestial kingdom of the Father, which may
God grant for Christ's sake. Amen.