It is the first time that I have been permitted to meet with you since
the death of our beloved President and Prophet. We all feel sad and
sorrowful on account of our bereavement. He had been our guide,
director, Prophet, Seer and Revelator for the last thirty-three years,
and his departure caused feelings of gloom and sorrow throughout all
the Territory. We all felt to appreciate our President and mourn his
loss, and we still have some feelings of sorrow lingering about us;
yet, at the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that there are
certain duties and responsibilities resting upon us that call into
operation our best energies, thoughts, reflections and actions. And
while we mourn his loss we are impressed with the responsibilities
that rest upon us as individuals, in connection with the work of God,
and are led to reflect upon the changing vicissitudes of human life
and the various events that have transpired among us.
There is a satisfaction in the reflection that God is at the helm and
guides, controls and dictates according to his own plans and designs,
and that the Priesthood is not confined to this earth alone, but that,
after having performed our various duties here and passed away, we
shall be called upon to operate for the same grand purpose in another
sphere. The Priesthood we have received on the earth is everlasting,
it administers in time and eternity, and to that Priesthood are we
indebted for the revelations of God's will to man; for with the
introduction of the Priesthood to men on the earth came the
development of the principles of truth and, by that means, light,
knowledge and intelligence were communicated to this people. We cannot
do anything of ourselves, unless aided by the spirit of the Lord. We
are in communion with not only the Prophets and Apostles who lived
anciently, but with brother Joseph, brother Brigham, brother Heber C.
Kimball, brother Geo. A. Smith and others who held the holy Priesthood
and have passed away, and are operating with them in behalf of fallen
humanity, in behalf of the people who live now on the earth and the
myriads of dead who have left us. We are engaged in a work that
nothing but the combined action of the Priesthood on the earth and in
the heavens can bring about. It is not in the power alone of any one man, whether it be brother Brigham, brother Joseph or any that
exist, to accomplish the redemption of the human family, unless aided
by the Almighty. We are not only working in our own interests, but in
the interests of mankind, and we should seek that light, intelligence
and knowledge necessary in the carrying out of the designs of Jehovah,
and associate ourselves with that grand combination and union between
heaven and earth for the accomplishment of His purposes.
We have lately been organizing ourselves according to the revelations
of the Almighty. Our organization is not entirely perfect, but we
shall continue to approach nearer to that condition until every man is
placed in his right position and we are properly organized, whereby
all matters connected with the work of God can be placed in their
proper working order, all of which will be accomplished if we follow
the directions of our late venerated President. By continuing in this
good work we shall go on from intelligence to intelligence, and from
knowledge to knowledge, until we shall see as we are seen and know as
we are known. These organizations of Stakes and Wards are not made for
the purpose of putting men in positions, neither are positions in the
Priesthood given to men to enable them to strut about and lord it over
their fellows, but in all their administrations, men should have the
fear of God, understand His mind and realize their responsibility to
Him for their acts and doings. Men holding the Priesthood should not
be governed by personal ambition, but feel full of the love of God,
the Holy Ghost, light, revelation, mercy, kindness and long-suffering
toward all with whom they are associated. These are the kind of
feelings that ought to be expressed and manifested by all those
holding the Priesthood. We are not to act as lords over God's
heritage, but ought to act in the fear of the Almighty, aided by the
Holy Spirit, in seeking to carry out the various duties devolving upon
us, for little or insignificant as these things appear to us, they are
of the greatest importance. God understands better the wants of the
people than we do, for he has had experience that we have not yet
acquired. In all his operations He is governed by love, and he desires
to see those who hold his authority here on the earth exercise it for
the welfare of the human family, and to act as he would, with the same
parental solicitude. For this purpose He has delegated his authority
to man, as described in the Scriptures, "first, Apostles, secondarily
Prophets," etc., that the Saints might be perfected, "until we all come
to the unity of the faith." This was said in former times for the
organization of the former-day Saints, and is applicable to the case
of the Latter-day Saints. Through these ordinances come the blessings
of the Gospel, and without them the power of God cannot be made
manifest to man in the flesh. Now there is more in this than is
apparent to the superficial observer.
We have and have had various organizations of the holy Priesthood. We
have had a First Presidency, and sometimes we have not. It was
sometime before a First Presidency was organized in the early days of
the Church, and then it was quite a number of years before the Twelve
Apostles and the several quorums now in existence were organized. The
Lord has been developing us in these matters, and there is a beauty
and a harmony in the organization of the Church that cannot be found
in any other community in the world. Before the Prophet Joseph
departed, he said, on one occasion, turning to the Twelve, "I
roll the burden of this kingdom on to you," and, on another occasion,
he said their place was next to that of the First Presidency, and he
wished them to take their place that he might attend to other duties,
such as translating, etc. At the time he was taken away he was in the
bloom of life and the vigor of health, and although his departure was
sudden and unexpected our organization rendered it no difficult matter
to decide who should assume the leadership of the Church. There was no
difficulty in the matter; it was understood that the duty rested on
the Twelve. Why? The revelation stated that the Twelve were to hold
the keys of the kingdom in connection with the First Presidency, which
were handed down under various circumstances. You will find in the
history of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that this matter is made
perfectly plain. He said there was no authority or power of presidency
over the Twelve except the First Presidency, and where he was not
there was no presidency over the Twelve. Hence President Brigham Young
said, when the Prophet Joseph was taken away, "Thank God the keys of
the kingdom are not taken from us," and being head of the Twelve, he
assumed his position and so acted on the authority he held and
according to the rules laid down. Thus there was no scattering,
confusion or difficulty that might otherwise have existed if the
organization of the Church had not been perfect. When President Young
was taken away the same condition of things were presented again, the
circumstances being similar. There is no contention, strife or
difficulty, because we all understand the principles that God has
ordained for the government of his people. The Twelve have not assumed
the Presidency of the Church to suit themselves, but as a duty which
they could not ignore. Men of the world cried out, "The Mormons are all
scattered now," but they don't know anything about the character and
mission of this Church. I don't think we have been much scattered. Our
last General Conference in Salt Lake City proved how much scattered we
were. Our voting on that occasion showed a cementing—a uniting
together of the people, that could not be equaled by any other people
on the earth. It may be asked why we voted at Conference in the manner
we did. Because it was the way that God ordained. Under the
inspiration of the Almighty, Joseph Smith organized this state of
things at a General Assembly held in Kirtland, when the people were
called upon to vote, and they did so in the same manner that we did at
our last General Conference. You will recollect that about the 19th of
January, 1841, a revelation was given defining the various positions
of men called to act in the Priesthood. First, the Lord gave to the
Church Hyrum Smith to be Patriarch, then Joseph Smith, Jun, to be
Prophet, Seer and Revelator to the people, and Sidney Rigdon and
William Law for his Counselors, Brigham Young as President of the
Twelve, which Twelve he called by name—then the High Priests,
Seventies and Elders—then again the Bishops and lesser Priesthood.
Now, says he, at the next General Conference present this organization
to the Conference for its acceptance or rejection. At the next
Conference the various quorums were presented in that form and the
people voted as quorums and with uplifted hands. Some of these men
that the Lord had named, however, were rejected: One man named Hicks,
and another Bishop Ripley. John E. Page, one of the quorum of
the Twelve, was also rejected, but after a hearing was afterwards
restored. The Prophet Joseph told the people to vote in that manner,
as the majority of the several quorums would form a quorum or
authority that would be decisive. This manner of voting was observed
at Far West also; and even after Joseph's death this same rule was
observed, though not with the same unanimity as at our General
Conference. There is no logrolling—no seeking for office, but our
idea is that the voice of God should dictate and then the voice of the
people. He respects our rights, as he did the rights of the people
thousands of years ago, when the congregations of ancient Israel stood
up and said Amen to the voice of God through his Prophets. There is no
compulsion—no forcing the human mind—no driving; but everyone should
have a full, frank, free and unfettered opportunity of expressing his
wish for or against, but we always ought to consent to that which is
right. I never saw more unanimity on the part of the people than was
displayed at the General Conference two weeks ago; there could not
possibly be more. The Twelve stand as they did after the Prophet
Joseph was taken away. I and others of the Twelve, now living, were
with them. Now a second time it devolves upon the Twelve to take the
presidency of the Church. Will there be anything else? I cannot say;
there may be, when the Lord deems it necessary. We should feel as
Jesus did when he exclaimed, "Lord, not my will, but thine be done."
It devolves upon the Twelve to attend to the duties the Lord has
placed upon them, but they need the faith and confidence of the Saints
and the sustenance of the Almighty, for they will not be able to do
anything of themselves.
I would like to have been at the High Priests' meeting held here last
evening, but could not attend in consequence of ill-health. There is a
quorum of High Priests in this Stake, and it is proper that they
should fully understand the duties of their office and calling, which
the Book of Doctrine and Covenants plainly states. It is an
ordinance, as therein shown, that has been instituted for the purpose
of qualifying men for Presidents of the different Stakes scattered
abroad. Many circumstances have occurred since the commencement of our
recent organizations which show how little prepared the High Priests
were to take upon themselves the duties of their office, in presiding
over Stakes, Wards, etc. We have had to take hundreds from the Quorums
of Seventies and Elders and ordain them High Priests and make Bishops,
Bishops' Counselors, Presidents of Stakes and High Councilors of them.
Now it seems to me that if the High Priests had understood and
performed their duties, we should not have been in the position we were
and compelled to go outside of these quorums to find men suitable for
presiding. I draw their attention to this matter; and you Presidents
of High Priests should instruct your quorums on the principles of
Presidency, that when called upon they can be used in positions of
that character. Let us not be negligent in time to come. I say, get
your people together, instruct them in the duties of their calling,
have them seek after light, knowledge and intelligence as to the
requirements of their exalted positions, that when we want qualified
and capable men we may know where to find them. Now, then, is it wrong
to take others? If one, who by the Priesthood he holds has a
priority of claim in a case of this kind, is otherwise unqualified, we
must select the wisest and the best, whether he be a Seventy or an
Elder, to fill such position and to administer correctly in the things
of God.
Now let us go on to the Seventies. There are large numbers of them,
and there has been a great desire to push men into quorums, without
regard sometimes to their worth and fitness. Now what is their duty?
Why, to go abroad and preach the Gospel to all nations. How many do
this? Very few. Well, say some, we go when called upon. That is all
true; the Seventies have, as a rule, been on hand to go forth and
preach; but I am speaking more particularly, of the nature of the
Priesthood they hold and the duties which devolve upon them. They
should be always ready, a kind of minutemen, under the immediate
direction of the Twelve, to go forth as the messengers of life and
salvation to all nations on the earth. Are you Seventies preparing
yourselves for this? Are you prepared to stand forth as men of God,
clothed upon by the power of the Holy Ghost, to go into the world to
warn the people, calling them to repentance? A great deal has been
accomplished for the salvation of the human family, but we are only
starting in. We have sent a few here and there, and although we think
we have done a great work, there is but a small handful of people to
show for it. There will be great and wonderful changes on the earth;
war, bloodshed and desolation will stalk through the land, and we have
got to pursue our work and seek after the light of revelation to guide
us. We talk about and wonder who the biggest man is—the Seventy or the
High Priest? Let us seek to know who of us is living nearer to God and
acting in such a manner as to call down upon us the power of God, and
angels will administer to us. We cannot tell which member of the body
is most useful to us, which we can best afford to spare—the leg or the
arm, the eye or the nose. All are necessary to render the body
perfect.
Moses appeared to the Prophet Joseph to confer upon him the keys for
the gathering together of the dispensations and the house of Israel
from all portions of the earth. We have got to preach to the
Lamanites, to the house of Judah and by and by the ten tribes. We
must be prepared for these things and realize the importance of this
duty and the responsibilities resting upon us as God's holy
Priesthood. Now, Elders, you ought to be diligent in observing the
laws and keeping the commandments of God. These are the leading
features of the Melchizedek Priesthood, including the Patriarchs. In
England we ordained a few Patriarchs, and I remember that the people
on occasions used to get together and have a feast, and then the
Patriarch would bless them. This is the way some of the ancient
Patriarchs did. The people ought to be liberal with them, but men
holding the Priesthood should be governed by higher and more exalted
feelings than that of using their callings for the purpose of
merchandising. The Elders should stand in their positions as men of
God. We are really today a kingdom of Priests, and ought to wield a
powerful influence for good in the earth. We should get our spirits
right and act in righteousness.
The Presidents of Stakes have important positions; they preside over
all the interests of the Church where they are placed, and they should
feel like acting for God, and they and their counsel should
have continually with them the light of revelation, be full of the
Holy Ghost, and quick to discern. There is no officer in the Church,
who acts with a single eye to the glory of God but what will have
wisdom given him according to his capacity. The President of the Stake
presides over the High Council, a set of men appointed and ordained to
adjudicate all matters in dispute that may come before them, and they
should act in all meekness, humility and wisdom, seeking intelligence
from the Foundation of Light, so that they can act in righteousness
and give righteous judgment. Then the Bishop is a common judge in
Israel, acting in the interests of the people; his duty is to put down
evil and root out iniquity. What is the duty of the Priests? Only to
hold office? No; it is to visit the members of the various Wards, and
to see that there are no hard feelings, troubles or difficulty among
the people, to anticipate the occurrence of anything of that sort, put
things right and see that the ordinances of the Church are carried
out. Then the Teachers, who are helps to the Priests, whose duty it is
to go among the people and talk to them on their duties—not like so
many parrots, but full of the spirit of God. And where there may be
difficulties to settle, and it is not within the power of the Teachers
to satisfactorily adjust them, report them to the Bishop, who sits as
a common judge in Israel, and to adjudicate all such matters. If thy
brother offend thee, go and say to him, "Brother, you have done so and
so," and if he will not listen to you nor ask forgiveness for the
offense he has given you, take another man with you—one whom you think
has influence with him, and one whom you think he will listen to—and
let him talk, and if the offending person will not listen to him,
report him, to be dealt with according to the order of the Church, and
if he continues obdurate and stubborn, then he does not belong to us.
Let us always feel like operating together for the good of each other
and for the kingdom we are identified with.
We have other societies—the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual
Improvement Associations and the Female Relief Societies. A great deal
of credit is due to our sisters. God has provided them as helpmates to
their husbands, and it is the duty of the latter to cherish and
protect those whom God has given unto them, and show them how to make
themselves happy—teach them—our wives and daughters—the pure
principles of the Gospel, that the daughters of Zion may be lovely and
shine as the light and glory of the age in which we live. Sisters, put
away from you the vanities and frivolities of the world, administer to
the poor and the afflicted. The sisters know how to sympathize with
and administer to those who are poor, afflicted and downcast; and let
the brethren help them in their kindly ministrations. The young men
should be encouraged in the work they are engaged in, and their Mutual
Improvement Associations ought to be nourished and their interests
promoted. The Lord has encouraged these things from the commencement.
The first sister's relief society instituted in the Church was
presided over by sister Emma Smith; sister Whitney was her Counselor,
and sister Eliza Snow was the Secretary.
The spirit of Temple building seems to have taken possession of the
people. One Temple has already been built, and it is designed to build
three more. We are prompted by holy influences to embark in
this labor. The Lord said he would send his servant Elijah to turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children
to their fathers, and this matter of Temple building is in fulfillment
of his word. We are seeking not only to administer for the living, but
for the dead. There are many queries come up in relation to the manner
in which the various works we are now engaged in shall be
accomplished. Shall we pay our Tithing? Yes. Shall we sustain the
building of Temples? Yes. And anything outside of this? Yes, we should
do the best we can to build up the kingdom of our God. A case came up
recently in Cache Valley, where a leading man wanted to know if he
could not have the Tithing for putting up the Temple in that Stake.
Now, if this privilege is given to them in Cache County, they will
want it in Sanpete, and if they have the privilege there, they will
want it in other places where Temples are being erected, and what
next? What are we going to do to meet all the expenses, and they are
various, which occur in the carrying on of the work? By and by the
Tithing may be sufficient to meet all requirements. We do not wish to
oppress and crush the poor and faithful of God's people—we would
rather say, "Break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free!" There
is nothing contributed for the work of God but what should be
accounted for. We intend to tell you all what becomes of your Tithes
and offerings. Through these ordinances come the blessings of God.
Brotherly love should prevail among all the people of God, and we
should be more united in our temporal and spiritual matters, and
thereby claim the promised blessings.
May God bless you and lead you in the paths of right. Amen.