I have not language, my brethren and sisters, to express the feelings
and emotions of my heart on coming into this Temple yesterday morning;
I could not describe them if I were to undertake to do so, and
consequently I will sum up in short by saying, that the sentiments of
my heart were, Thank God for such a place in which to worship and to
reverence his high and holy name.
We have been listening this morning to some very interesting and
truthful remarks, and I have felt edified, instructed, and comforted
in my feelings. And I think, if we all remember our prayers in the
season thereof, in sincerity and truth, that our light would shine
before us according to our needs and wants. It is too often the case
that this important duty is neglected. I look at the rivers of water,
I trace them to their source, and I find that many times the places
where they originate are small and ofttimes hidden from the popular
gaze. But, notwithstanding, they flow down and the waters increase,
until by tributaries the main channel becomes a mighty river. So our
prayers in private and family circle are secret and retired from the
public, but they keep the fire burning upon the altar of our hearts.
And it is not often that persons who faithfully attend to this duty
walk in darkness, it is seldom that they apostatize and turn away from
the faith, especially when we couple our solemn prayers with a short
sermon or lecture of comfort and of peace to our wives and children,
sanctifying our prayers by words of consolation, and then we have a
little heaven on earth. And I have noticed that those who do
this can generally give a reason for the hope that is in them. Where
these things are neglected, however small they may appear in the
estimation of some, there is a want of the vital principle that feeds
the soul, that keeps the leaves and branches green, that imparts
beauty and loveliness to all nature.
I have thought that if we were a little more punctual in the discharge
of our obligations one with another and to all men, it would be the
means of opening wider the door of light and truth to all pursuing
that course. It is too often the case that we sometimes contract
duties and make promises to discharge them, when our present condition
and future prospects are altogether too slim to justify our doing so.
Yet we feel we must go in debt to supply our immediate wants. And when
the time comes for payment to be made, it is not at all an infrequent
chapter in our lives, that at that particular time we were not so well
prepared to meet the obligation as we were the day we made the
contract. This I apprehend is a barrier to our success and our
prosperity. And I feel that if there was more punctuality manifested
by us in paying our obligations than now exists, we would have more
confidence in one another than we already have. I do not recommend any
person to take his neighbor in hand and say, "Pay me that which thou
owest me." So far as my memory serves me, in such cases as when
persons owed me who failed to pay me according to promise, and I
believed them honest and upright in their feelings, seeking not to
take advantage, I do not recollect ever having crowded such persons,
or putting them to the least inconvenience. I think it is good and
honorable on the part of the creditor to establish his name and
character by showing mercy and easing the burden of those who may be
indebted to him. For there should be a disposition on one part to
avoid contracting debts, and a disposition on the other to be as
lenient as circumstances permit, to move away all the obstruction we
can from the path of each other's prosperity. However small these
matters may seem, they are important.
At the time our Prophet and Patriarch were killed, or at least soon
afterwards, when the Twelve returned to Nauvoo, their immediate
circumstances were not altogether agreeable and pleasant or
profitable. But suffice it to say we had a meeting, a Conference, at
which President Young was the center of attraction. On his rising to
speak, and as soon as he opened his mouth, I heard the voice of Joseph
through him, and it was as familiar to me as the voice of my wife, the
voice of my child, or the voice of my father. And not only the voice
of Joseph did I distinctly and unmistakably hear, but I saw the very
gestures of his person, the very features of his countenance, and if I
mistake not, the very size of his person appeared on the stand. And it
went through me with the thrill of conviction that Brigham was the man
to lead this people. And from that day to the present there has not
been a query or a doubt upon my mind with regard to the divinity of
his appointment; I know that he was the man selected of God to fill
the position he now holds.
I have found in my experience that there is a good deal in a man's
having confidence in himself. A person having little confidence in God and more in himself is not good; the capital stock should be in
the Lord our God, and the smaller portion in the creature operating.
When the Lord created man, I believe he placed in him a portion of
himself, that is a portion of every qualification that he himself
possessed. And in our sphere we are to act independently; but under
and by the power of those principles of natural inspiration. There is
a good deal of natural inspiration in man; and when that is touched by
the finger of the Almighty, it makes the cup a delicious one, it makes
the mind truly enlightened.
Brethren and sisters, I have all confidence in the Lord our God—I say
all confidence, perhaps that calls for a little qualification. At any
rate I believe in him, and that he is just, wise and merciful. If I
did not believe he was merciful, I could not believe my own eyes while
looking upon this vast congregation of his people, assembled in this
isolated place, here in the southern portion of our Territory.
I tell you how I feel in relation to the matters that have been spoken
of here today. If I had more confidence in myself, and in my own
ability, limited though it may be, I could venture farther and do
more, and perhaps overcome my natural timidity and become a more
efficient agent in the hands of our Father of doing good. This I
desire with all my heart. I can say that what little I possess of this
world's goods are subject to the orders of my superiors in the
Priesthood, myself and all that I command are at their dictation to be
used in the service of our God for the advancement of his kingdom. I
labored with my hands until I reached my seventieth year, when I had
to cease working; and for the last two years I have not been able to
do anything, not even to cut a stick of wood or fetch a bucketful of
water. But I feel thankful that my health is as good as it is, and
that I have lived to see this day, and to behold this elegant
structure reared to the honor of our God, and to have the privilege of
meeting and joining with so many of my brethren and sisters to worship
within its walls.
Brethren, I rejoice in the service of God, and I want to continue in
it; and if our religion had no more consolation than it now affords,
it would be ample to inspire us to honor it, and to live it. I look
around me and see a great many heads as white and many whiter than my
own. I ofttimes wish, Oh, that I were again active and able to work
manfully and energetically in the cause of truth! But no; like many
others of my age, I am subject to rheumatism and pains in my limbs,
which at times disable me; I have commenced to feel the infirmities of
increasing age and years; and so many of us now, after these many
years of toil, have to struggle with the going down sun of our earthly
existence. But we have the consolation of knowing that our mortal body
will not always impede our progress, we shall not forever suffer its
inconveniences; we are gladdened in the hope of either laying down
this mortal tabernacle or undergoing that welcome change which will
free us from all afflictions and annoyances. And we hail the day when
we shall be free from sorrow and death, to forever rejoice in the joys
of everlasting lives. But while we remain let us struggle on, and
continue the good fight of faith until we are called home. I
calculate, the Lord being my helper, to do the very best I can. How
long I may live I know not, neither do I feel much anxiety,
feeling as I do that I am in the hands of my Heavenly Father, who will
do with me as seemeth him good. But yet if I could be spared in
health, I would like to see the adversary bound, to trouble and harass
no more the children of our God. I would like to live to see myself
entirely redeemed from the tradition of our forefathers, which we have
inherited through entailment, and completely baptized in the element
of life everlasting. These are my heart's desires. I pray that God may
continue to bless us and help us to walk day by day in obedience to
the requirements of heaven. Amen.