[This report is from longhand notes, and though not verbatim, is as
nearly so as possible.—ED.]
I am happy to meet my brethren and sisters at this Conference. Since I
was last here, we have had to mourn the loss of our venerated
President, Brigham Young. It has cast a gloom over the Saints
throughout the Territory, and all feel sorrowful. He led Israel for a
long time—the past 33 years, and in leaving us we have felt
his loss. His demise was among the events necessarily associated with
human affairs, for the Lord manages such things by his own will. I
remember when Joseph was taken, but his death was not like that of
Brigham Young, but by the hands of a ruthless mob. It was a matter of
great importance to us relatively, but not great with the work in
which we are all engaged. When the Lord revealed the gospel unto
Joseph Smith, and unfolded His purposes and designs to the earth—when
He gave us a knowledge of the laws, ordinances of the Gospel and
doctrines, it was not for the object of elevating him as a man, but
was done in the interest of society and the world in which we live—in
the interest of the living and the dead, according to the decrees of
Jehovah before the world was rolled into existence, or the morning
stars sang together in joy. In the last days He saw it was proper to
restore the new and everlasting Gospel—new to the world because of its
traditions, follies, weaknesses, etc., but everlasting because it
existed with God, with Him before the world was, and will continue
when change shall succeed change, and when all things are made new the
things of God will endure on and on forever. So it is an everlasting
Gospel, though new to the world. It was introduced in the interest of
humanity: our fathers, the Prophets and men of God who once
administered on the earth and are now administering in the heavens, and who
had a hand in introducing this work. Today they feel interested in
rolling forth the work and purposes of God assigned to them before the
foundation of the world. It is to them, to God, to Jesus, that we are
indebted for the light, life and intelligence communicated, and we
shall look to them throughout all time for instructions to sustain and
direct us. We talk about the organization of the Church being better
attended to lately than formerly; but from whom did we receive it?
What did we know about the Apostles till God revealed it? Nothing. We
talk about the Patriarchs, the First Presidency; who knew of them till
God revealed it? No one. The High Priests, Seventies, Elders—who knew
about them or their calling, duties and labors till God revealed it?
No one. It is the case with the Bishops, Counselors, High Councilors,
the Lesser Priesthood, and with all the organizations and Quorums; the
light was all from God, and not from man. It came through revelations
from God to Joseph Smith, the Prophet of God; hence we are indebted to
the Lord for all these things, for all the knowledge we have in
relation to those principles. Who taught the gathering principle and
why are we here today? Under what influence did we come? Many
Latter-day Saints themselves hardly realize it. We read in the history
of the Church that, at a certain time there was a revelation given, in
the Temple which was built at Kirtland, Ohio; when Joseph Smith and
Oliver Cowdery were seated in it, several important personages
appeared and gave certain keys, powers and privileges; among them was
Moses, who represented what is termed the Gathering Dispensation,
which was to gather Israel from the four quarters of the earth; you
will find it in the edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, and I refer
you to that, where it is positively stated. Why did we gather? Because
the keys of this dispensation were given to Joseph Smith, and
conferred by him on the Twelve, the Seventies and others, and they
received this as a part of their ministry, their endowments, if you please, and when they called upon the people to repent and be
baptized, and they did so, they received the Holy Ghost, and among
other things received was this principle of gathering, and I defy all
Israel to have so gathered without these keys and been brought
together as they are today. But we had no trouble in gathering
because we had the keys. I have seen the time when the people were
almost willing to sell themselves in order to get here, and you know
this to be true; it is all from God.
Our Temple building is of the same nature; we are living in the
dispensation of the fulness of times, embracing all the powers,
principles, doctrines and covenants since the world was, and among the
rest is Temple building. The speaker here read from the Doctrine and
Covenants, concluding with, "Before the great and terrible day of the
Lord shall come, I will turn the hearts of the children to the
fathers, and of the fathers to the children, etc., lest I come and
smite the children with a curse." Did Elijah hold these keys." He did.
Did he give them to Joseph? He did. You will find it in the same
revelation as that quoted; a feeling of that kind sprang up in the
breasts of the Latter-day Saints, till we hardly know sometimes why we
do so, but we do. We built our first Temple in Kirtland, then one at
Nauvoo, and laid the foundation for one at Far West, Missouri; we have
also built one here at St. George; it is a beautiful building, and we
are performing the ordinances there for the living and the dead. Do
any of us regret the part we have taken in it? I think not. Then we
have been doing work on another in Salt Lake, another in Sanpete, and
another in Cache Valley, all of which will be magnificent buildings
when completed; not less than 500 men are at work on them. It looks
odd to some people who don't know what it means, but we know because
God revealed it to us; we are always on hand.
The year past, 1876, feelings were stirred up in the mind of the
President, and he called on the Twelve, the High Priests, the
Seventies and Elders to subscribe to build the Temple at Salt Lake.
Did they do it? Yes. You, here, did your share and gave means freely,
as thousands did throughout the Territory. Why did he feel like this?
Because the spirit of God prompted him. Why did the Seventies,
Priests, Teachers, etc., respond so promptly? Because the spirit of
God rested on them and all hands wanted to help build the Temples to
the name of God, that we might administer the ordinances necessary to
be performed for the living and the dead. If we turned our Temples
over to the world today, they would not know what to do with them;
they could not administer in the ordinances, and we should not know if
God had not taught us; but the Gospel brings us light and places us in
communion with the heavens through time and eternity; they tell us to
build Temples and then instruct us how to administer in them for the
living and the dead—that men who are placed here are for a certain
work, and they are helping us to do our work and are operating with
the Gods in the heavens in our behalf, and we for them—they without us
are not made perfect, nor are we perfect without them. It requires
union—union cemented by indissoluble ties; it unites us to each other
and to them, and enables us to act intelligently, and when we get
through with our affairs, to assist others in the accomplishment of
theirs in the interest of God and humanity. This is not our work,
nothing that we have done; God has done it, He wants us to
help Him and He will help us. We can do nothing in and of ourselves,
for we are weak and frail and need the guidance and revelation of God
to uphold us.
We have had a Conference here today, and you are more perfectly
organized than before. The Lord some time ago wrought on the mind of
President Young to have a more complete organization in the Church,
and the Twelve were called on to visit the settlements and explain the
order of the Priesthood, etc.; to organize the Stakes with all the
officers—President and Counsel, the High Council and Priests under the
President and the Counsel over the Stake—Bishops, Elders, the Lesser
Priesthood, and all those called local authorities in their several
places, and have everything in order; the Twelve went through the
Territory, and assisted by the Presidency, the work was accomplished,
and has been for some time. The quorums before you today are the
result of their work. What did he know of this only as God revealed
it? Nothing. Did Brigham Young or Joseph Smith know it? No, only as
God revealed it. But the necessary information has been given, and
today the Church is more perfectly organized than ever before,
perhaps with the exception of the general assembly at Kirtland, but in
some things now we are more stable and complete than they were even
then. It is proper at the present time to refer to such things for
instruction, though brother Richards is well posted in respect to
these matters, and has taught you much in relation to them.
In Kirtland, Ohio, we had many things revealed through the Prophet
Joseph; we had the First Presidency over the High Council, and another
in Missouri. Joseph Smith and his Counsel presided over that in
Kirt land; hence some things at times took place that were peculiar to
some people; when they were at a loss to find out anything pertaining
to the principles and doctrines, the Presidency inquired of the Lord,
and would get the desired information. Now, I would make a remark in
regard to these things here. All the High Councils and all those
holding the Priesthood, the Presidents and all the Bishops and their
Counsel, and all holding positions in the Church and kingdom of God
that are faithful, honest, diligent and upright, if they seek unto God
they will have wisdom imparted to them under all circumstances and on
all occasions, as to what course they should pursue, and it is the
order of God that all should have His Spirit in proportion to their
integrity and faith; and if one does not have it is because he is not
diligent in seeking after such things. As brother Joseph F. said this
morning he could have revelation for himself, though not to regulate
the Church; it would be the privilege of the President of the Twelve
to regulate all things in relation to Zion; but the other principle
extends to all grades and all men in the Church and kingdom of God,
each in his place, if he lives his religion and is faithful and
prepared to receive the truths from God so that he can instruct the
children of men. There appears at times to be a discrepancy among all
of us, for we are all weak and infirm; and God made it so on purpose,
that man might not glory in himself but in the God of Israel.
I will say something in relation to High Priests, and what their place
is in the Church. They came conspicuously before us in the late
organizations. The speaker again read from the Doctrine and Covenants,
"And, again, I give unto you John C. Smith," etc. What are
they organized for? The purpose is set forth in the Doctrine and
Covenants. They are a sort of normal school to prepare the people to
preside; they have hardly fulfilled this; perhaps if they had been
more active, and become acquainted with principles for which they are
organized, we should not have to ordain so many High Priests from the
Elders' Quorum to make Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, High Councils,
etc.; but as it was we had to pick up the material where we could, and
I hope we will have better material next time.
I hear a great deal said about which is the "biggest" man. The
"biggest" man makes no difference whatever. I think that the man who
can be most like a little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of
God. Greatness does not consist of talking of things, but in doing
them. We are now just beginning to move; Zion is stretching forth and
lengthening out her cords; we want no more baby's play, but let us
have wisdom, light, revelation, and let the power of the Priesthood of
God burn in the hearts of the people to waken them to a knowledge of
truth; then when other Stakes are to be organized we can apply to this
normal school and get men prepared. We have got a great number of
Seventies, and the question has often arisen, Which is the biggest,
they or the High Priests? I say I don't think it makes much difference
as to which is the greater or smaller. I think the body of Christ was
not one member, but composed of many parts. Now which member of your
body would you like to be without? An arm or a leg? No, you want both.
So does the Church. But which is the most useful? If you can tell me
which of those members is most useful to you, I will let you know
which is the most useful to the Church, the High Priests or
Seventies. We ought to magnify the Priesthood we hold, and be
satisfied with the positions we hold. We have sent a number of Elders
on missions, whose duty it is to preach to the people of the earth.
They go when they are called, but it is often hard work; they make a
great many excuses—they have debts to settle, families to support,
etc. In meeting they will talk about who is the "biggest," and when
they are gone for a while they get homesick and want to return; they
say "there is no place like home." They meet difficulties among the
people, who don't believe much that is told them. Did they ever? Not
much. We don't expect to gather all, we will take one of a city and
two of a family, and bring them to Zion; and if our Elders abroad
would be more particular, and realize that they are messengers of the
Lord—exhibit more of the Apostolic power, and have the light of the
Spirit of God, they would realize that they are sent to teach, not to
be taught; they would measurably control circumstances, not be
controlled by them altogether. Here are the Lamanites to attend to;
when we are through with them, then the Jews, then the Ten Tribes, and
then the earth is to be redeemed and the power of God prevail, and we
must take a part, for we are not here to look so much after our own
affairs as to build up Zion. The Elders ought to reflect and say, "What
can I do to help on the work? God inspire my heart and mind and soul,
that I may help to build up the kingdom of God." That is the way to
feel. Then to the High Councils of Stakes and to the Presidents of
Stakes I would say, you ought to feel that you are servants of the
living God, that the eye of the great Jeho vah is over you, and
be working in the interest of the Gospel. We are not here to build up
ourselves, but to build up Zion and the kingdom of God on the earth,
that we may magnify our calling and honor our God. As brother Joseph
F. said, we should not allow ourselves to be bartered or sold, but
work for the interests of Israel.
The Bishops of the various Wards have their place; it is their duty to
attend to the interests of their Wards, to look after the temporal
affairs principally, not for their own benefit, but that of the
people. They should set patterns of all that is good and praiseworthy;
their duty is to do justice and adjudicate in all matters pertaining
to a Bishop's court, as a common court in Israel, and they ought to
judge in all righteousness, fidelity, and truth. The Priests ought to
be full of the Holy Ghost, and should be full of intelligence to act
as watchmen over the people, trying to stop ill feelings, evil
actions, etc. The Teachers ought to assist them, and visit from house
to house, and see that no iniquity prevails. The Deacons should assist
the Bishops in temporal affairs, and be faithful in their calling.
Let us act together as a family in the interest of the Church and
kingdom of God, for thereby come the blessings promised. We are now
operating for these things, and these organizations are for that
purpose. The Deacon who honors his calling is more honorable than the
Apostle who does not. Can we find High Priests, Seventies, and Elders
who don't pray? Yes, I am afraid so. And further, in relation to the
Teachers, I will tell you my rule. When they come to me, I call in my
family and ask them to instruct us and impart such information as is
their duty. That is the way I feel to wards the men who come in that
capacity. They have a perfect right to do it, it is their duty, and
they are always at liberty to visit my household.
We all have a great Priesthood if we magnify it, and there is no
little Priesthood. In relation to the young men, I would say that in
their associations a good spirit is growing—they are waking up. The
Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations and other organizations of
our young men are very praiseworthy. Young men, the burden of the
kingdom will yet roll on your shoulders, and you must prepare for it.
If you will go to God and ask for wisdom, he will give it to you. Get
the best books, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and read
our own publications, you will find such intelligence as you never
dreamed of. Ask God for faith. Get all the sciences, arts, and useful
learning you can from schools; get nothing false, but the things
pertaining to earth and the elements, and how to use them; when you
meet let it be in the fear of God, and he will bless you.
A word to the sisters. They have their associations and societies—all
of which are good and praiseworthy. They form a part of us, for the
man is not without the woman, nor the woman without the man. It takes
a man and a woman to make a man; without woman, man is not perfect;
God so ordained it. We are aiming at celestial glory, and when we
reach that exaltation, will we have our wives? Yes. The women have to
manage household affairs; they must rear the children properly, and
cultivate those principles which exalt and beautify, that all may move
on pleasantly and harmoniously. In the Relief Societies they discharge
their duties better than we could, because of their tender sympathies and gentler natures. Joseph Smith organized a Relief Society
in Nauvoo as far back as that; Emma was president, sisters Whitney and
Cleveland were her counselors, and Eliza R. Snow secretary, who has
visited you often, and whom you well know. They allowed the society to
sleep for a while, but they are now waking up. What should they teach?
I can't go into details, but they should teach dress, speak and act
aright, diffuse correct principles, and let us have sisters growing up
fit to associate with the angels of God. I want you to make home a
heaven for your husbands, that when they come there they will feel
happy, cheerful, and comfortable in their households. Do away with
evil speaking—let love, kindness, and friendly feelings prevail; and
if the sisters want the brethren to give them a few bushels of wheat
to take care of, let them have it, it is not much, and we may some day
be glad we did so. I have read of an extravagant man, whose wife
proposed that he give her so much—ten or twenty dollars to keep house
with, and instead of spending it she saved it in the Bible. Finally a
financial crash came, and he went to his wife for consolation. She
told him to read the Bible for comfort, and when he opened the leaves
the money dropped out. What does this mean? he said. His wife said,
you were careless, and I took care of the money you gave me; and this
money saved him from ruin. Therefore let the sisters take care of the
wheat.
The speaker here referred to the question of using the Tithing for
Temple building, saying if it were all paid in that was owing, we need
ask nothing further, but such was not the case. He then referred to
the Perpetual Emigration Fund, saying there was over $1,000,000 due it
from those who had been emigrated, and he hoped it would be paid
without further delay. At present no radical changes would be made in
the matter of Temple building. May God help Israel and prepare us for
an inheritance in his kingdom, in the name of Jesus. Amen.