Brethren and sisters—I have a few remarks to make to the Saints this
afternoon, and I trust I shall have your prayers and attention. I feel
my weakness and that I am unable to benefit the Saints without the
Spirit of the Lord. And the same applies to all who stand before the
Saints, to minister in word and doctrine. We are taught by the
revelations given us through the Prophet Joseph, that we should not
undertake to teach without the spirit, and I feel that I need its
influence and power, that I may speak such things that will be
pleasing to the Lord. If I have any pride it is in being an Elder in
the Church of Jesus Christ, and having the privilege of presenting the
principles of life and salvation to the people, and in preaching the
fulness of the Gospel that has been restored to us in the last days.
Many seek after the honors of the world, none of which are worthy to
be compared with the honor of serving God, in proclaiming His Gospel
to the inhabitants of the earth. I have had the honor of being in this
Church for many years. It has been organized upwards of forty-seven
years. When I first re ceived the Gospel I did not expect forty-seven
years to pass away before the prophecies would be fulfilled concerning
the second coming of the Savior, and the end of the world. I expected
the Savior would come and reign upon the earth, before this time, as
the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In the revelations given to the
Prophet Joseph, Jesus said it would be but a short time before he
would come and take the Kingdom. We are not accustomed to hear the
Lord speak, and when he spoke of a short time, we understood it
according to our use of the language. Forty-seven years may appear a
long time with us, but a thousand years is not a long time with the
Lord. A few moments with Him is a long time with us. It takes a long
time according to our reckoning to do the work the Lord has decreed
concerning the children of men in this last dispensation. It is no
small matter to preach to all nations and kingdoms of the earth; this
has to be done; all people must be warned of the judgments of the Lord
that are coming upon the earth. The sound of the everlasting Gospel
must go forth to all nations. It is a great work for us to
perform individually and collectively, to preach the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to all nations, and to prepare for his coming. Some may think
it a small work to prepare for his coming. I do not think so. I find
myself far from being prepared. Are we worthy to be received and dwell
where our Savior dwells? No one can dwell with him but those who
overcome and endure to the end. It should give us more energy and more
determination to overcome our sins when we find everything depends on
our perseverance to the end. We should be energetic in doing the will
of God. We find we have many things to learn, and we learn daily by
our experience something we did not know before, and thus we feel our
dependence upon the Lord for wisdom to lead and guide us into all
truth. It is important we put our trust in God. We may have imagined
that we were safe from danger and would stand, but difficulties crowd
upon us which we had never considered, and we are tempted and tried to
prove whether we are willing to stand the trials or not. It is with us
like the parable of the sower; some seed fell on stony ground, some
fell among thorns and so perished. So it is in the hearts of many who
join the Church of Jesus Christ. Some seed has fallen on good ground,
and has brought forth fruit. The Lord has said He seeks those who
worship Him in spirit and in truth. He is no respecter of persons. He
has no favorites—only on the principle of righteousness. We are all
His children, one as well as another. His sun shines on the just and
the unjust, and He causes the earth to bring forth fruit for the
benefit of all. He is impartial in His character, and those who love
Him and keep His com mandments are accepted of Him. If you will not
accept His kindness, if you will not receive His blessings, He is not
to blame. They are offered free to all without money and without
price. When Jesus came into the world and died for the sin of the
world, he blotted out original sin. He did not die for us only, but
for every creature. These are some of the characteristics of our Lord
and Savior. We do not receive His counsels as we should. We are called
upon to be perfect like unto Him, and to walk in His footsteps. To be
perfect and godlike, we must do as He did while upon the earth, for He
said, "I came not to do my will but the will of my Father who sent
me."
I want to say a few words on another important subject. We are a
people who profess to believe in revelations. I have thought many
times that this principle was very little understood. If I can have
the spirit to sustain me I will instruct the Saints this afternoon in
this principle. What is the spirit of which we are speaking? It is
neither more nor less than the Holy Spirit. I don't know of two kinds
of Holy Spirit. It is the spirit of promise, the same that imparts
revelation from heaven. I have many times heard persons deliver
revelations, in which I had no faith whatever. It is difficult to be
deceived, if we know the proper channel through which they are to be
received. We, as the Church of Jesus Christ, cannot live without
revelation. If we had no revelations in this Church, we would not be
the Church of Jesus Christ. It is important when we need revelations,
that we understand what channel they should come through. We read in
the early history of this Church that Oliver Cowdery, who was the second Apostle in this Church, was instructed on this subject, and
it is written for our learning. The Lord told Oliver that Joseph was
the man to receive revelations for the Church; he might receive
revelations for himself, but those to the Church must come through
Joseph Smith, or the leader. If we need revelations for our guidance,
what channel should they come through? You have just voted to sustain
the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. Brother John
Taylor is the President of that Quorum, therefore when revelations are
needed for the government of this Church, they will come through
President John Taylor, as long as he lives, because he holds the keys
of the Apostleship. He does not hold any keys or powers that he did
not hold when President Brigham Young was alive, or any other keys
than are held by his brethren of the Twelve; but the Lord will speak
to us through the head of his Church, through him who holds the
Presidency. We should all understand these principles that we may not
be deceived, and if revelations are given from any other source
professing to guide the Church, we may know they are not from God. All
of us have the privilege of receiving revelations. For the Church? By
no means; we cannot receive all that are necessary for the performance
of our duties. We have here a Stake of Zion, and a presidency of this
Stake. Can anybody receive revelations for the government of this
Stake? Certainly not. If any person other than the Presidency should
profess to receive revelations for its government, would you consider
them genuine revelations? If so, you would be mistaken. We are
entitled to the Holy Spirit to help us in the dis charge of our duties
and to teach us all that is necessary for our guidance. The Bishop is
entitled to the spirit of revelation to teach him his duties, and when
guided by that spirit he will never come in collision with those who
preside over him.
Some years ago, when I was presiding in California, evening meetings
were established. I think it was about the time of the reformation. On
one occasion I had been away for a short time, and on my return I
found a large crowd on the water's edge, some of whom were being
baptized. I think brother Hopkins was there, and I asked him,
subsequently, what induced the people to turn out so suddenly; he
replied that some sister had received a revelation the night before,
commanding them to be baptized. I told him that if any revelation had
been given on that subject, I should have known it. We should seek to
be governed by these principles, and learn to discern the spirits, and
discriminate between that which is from God and that which is from
beneath. If we seek unto the Lord he will give us wisdom to lead us
into all truth. It is a serious thing to say the Lord has spoken
through us if he has not. To say thus saith the Lord, when the Lord
has not spoken, would subject us to his wrath and displeasure. It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. If we receive
revelations we should be sure they are not leading us outside of our
duties, but tend to our instruction and improvement, and lead us to
perform those duties devolving upon us.
There is another matter important to the Saints, of which I would like
to speak this afternoon; it is the subject pertaining to marriage. It
was the first great commandment given to our parents in the Garden of Eden. The Lord said: "Be fruitful and multiply and
replenish the earth." This principle, like the principle of
revelation, should be properly understood and rightly and legally
administered. Some persons rush into marriage hastily and
inconsiderately, with no other consideration than that they call love,
which frequently brings misery and unhappiness. We have to tell them
what is wrong in relation to this principle. It would be unwise and
unpleasant for an Elder in Israel to perform a marriage ceremony that
could not be acknowledged in heaven. Since the endowment house has
been closed in Salt Lake City, those wishing to be married according
to the laws of heaven have had to travel down to St. George, where
they can be sealed together for time and all eternity; for a Temple is
the proper place in which to perform these sacred ordinances. We learn
from our past history and experience that there have been deviations
from this rule from time to time, according to the circumstances of
the people, and the attention of the Twelve has been called to the
subject, and it has been taken under advisement. We learn that
although a Temple stood in Kirtland, still the Prophet Joseph gave
endowments and performed marriages in Nauvoo before the Nauvoo Temple
was built. The same was done in Salt Lake City for many years, and
those endowments and marriages were legally administered; and the way
may be opened by which these ordinances can be performed among us
without having to travel to St. George for that purpose. This no doubt
will be gratifying to the Saints, particularly to the young. There are
ordinances that can only be administered in a Temple, hence the
importance of completing the Tem ple so that these ordinances may be
administered for the living and for the dead. In relation to this
deviation from this rule pertaining to sealings and endowments, we
understand that the Priesthood is greater than the Temple, and that
which is sealed on earth by those holding the keys, is sealed in
heaven. Many cannot go to St. George to receive their marriages and
endowments, and should the way be opened by which they may be
performed without going there, it will be appreciated, for all who
understand the Gospel and the sacred ordinances pertaining thereto,
would prefer to be married in the proper manner. I don't know how far
these privileges may extend, whether they will extend to plural
marriages or not; it will be as the Lord wills; should it be the case
that we obtain these privileges, it will be no cause for slackening
our labors on the Temple. Our dead friends are waiting for their
baptisms and other ordinances, which can only be administered in a
Temple. I cannot say any more on this subject until arrangements are
more fully perfected.
There is no blessing that our heavenly Father is not ready to bestow
upon us on condition that we observe the laws and ordinances
established for the salvation of his Saints. We are brought together
from time to time that we may be instructed and learn our duties.
There are many things to talk about, we have to select a few and pass
by the rest. The principle of marriage is one of great importance; our
young men and maidens are called upon to become united and to learn to
live together and accomplish all the Lord has commanded.
One of the Bishops remarked yesterday that the people liked
cooperation very much when they obtained big dividends, which
principle is very good if it is right. As Latter-day Saints we have to
deal with the Lord; he knows our hearts and comprehends our thoughts,
and we cannot cover up the secrets of hearts from him. What we do that
is right will be approved; that which we do that is wrong will be
disapproved. If we are willing and obedient we shall find very little
trouble in cooperation. We have embraced it in a small way, and we
are expected to handle it honestly; and if we do not handle it
honestly, it would be better if we never embraced it at all. We should
seek to the Lord for knowledge and wisdom that we may deal with each
other righteously, that we may establish confidence in each other that
cannot be shaken. The Lord wishes to introduce and perfect among his
Saints the principles of union. He intends to lift his people up, and
to make them wealthy. When his will is done among the Saints there
will be no poor among them. When this time comes all will form one
kingdom and serve one God. We are all entitled to his blessings and
all should be devoted to his service.
It is not his will that one should be lifted up and another put down,
one be made rich and another poor. We have to keep this principle in
view in our cooperative labors and be one, or we are not the Lord's.
It is the purpose of the Lord to build up the poor, and these
principles are revealed for its accomplishment. If twenty or thirty
persons engage in business and we make them more wealthy, and others
poor, what difference is there between us and the gentile world? If we
do as is done in the world, wherein are we better than they? If we
carry out the principle of cooperation with unselfishness of spirit
and singleness of heart, it will build us up, and the poor also. We do
not want to take one man's means and give to another; that is not the
principle intended; but by uniting our means we can establish a store,
a tannery or other business that will be profitable. If we do not so
cooperate, others may come in who have no interest in our prosperity,
who will trade and traffic, and when they become wealthy would leave
us and spend their means elsewhere. This has been our experience in
years past with those who have come among us with their merchandise.
We can prevent this in the future by our cooperative institutions. It
is right and proper that we should combine for self-defense against
this world, and so protect our general interests.
I cannot say much in favor of stores although it is necessary that we
have such institutions. The grand object before us is to make what we
need, and dispense with outside importations, as much as possible. We
must not be content to buy and sell what we get abroad, we want to
establish a factory, and make our own clothing. We don't want our wool
to go abroad to be manufactured for us; but we must make the necessary
preparations to make it up ourselves. We find occasionally among us
one who wants to strike out in business on the gentile principle, and
a few are always ready to feed and encourage an institution of that
kind; but we must learn better and do better, and show by our faith
and works that we will not sustain such institutions, but that we will
serve the Lord, and sustain our brethren, and discard everything that
is set up in opposition to the institutions of Zion. When the Saints
are governed by these principles, then you will find a people who are
willing to devote their energies and means to establish and advance
our home institutions.
I will say a few words on the subject of counsel. We are a people who
profess to be governed by counsel. It never hurts anyone to obey the
counsels of the servants of God, but we should never ask counsel
unless we intend to receive it; you should never ask counsel when your
mind is made up concerning the thing you ask. The most important
counsels are given us from the pulpit or stand, and it would be well
with us if we obey them. King Saul inquired of the Lord through his
Prophet concerning Israel. They had already determined to go to
battle. The Prophet Samuel told them to go; they did so and got
whipped. We should understand that there is safety in counsel, but we
should seek for it in the proper manner, and from the proper source.
We should go for counsel where we have the right to go. When you need
counsel you should go to your Bishop or President, and he will give
you good counsel if he has any to give. If the Bishop does not
understand the matter and cannot give counsel understandingly, let him
tell the applicant that he don't know how to counsel in this matter;
for we shall be held accountable for our acts and counsels and for
everything we do or say. If any persons want to know anything you do
not know, tell them to go to someone who does know, so that they may
not take a leap in the dark. If I were counseled to leave Bear Lake
Valley I would leave. It is right for me to be governed by counsel,
and if it is right for me it is right for you also, for this principle
will apply to us all. Some have left Bear Lake Valley without asking
counsel; I do not condemn them; let them do as they please; if they
want counsel of me I will give it if I have any to give, if they do
not, I wish them well; but I am mistaken if they do not find more or
less difficulty where they go, but that is their affair; they are
gone, and may they prosper.
I have a few words to the sisters, Ladies' meeting was announced for
Thursday next; the general report given at this Conference concerning
the Ladies' Relief Societies, is, that they are a great help to the
Bishops. One of the Bishops stated that they rendered assistance in
substantial means in helping to build a meetinghouse. I am glad to
learn of their efforts in laying up grain. It is gratifying to see
this disposition manifested among the sisters. If all the sisters
advocate the laying up of grain it would not be graceful for them to
say to their husbands, let us have a few bushels to trade out at the
store. When in Salt Lake some time ago, a lady came round and wanted
to sell some notions; she said she had just sold a sister twenty-five
yards of lace, only one dollar per yard. When I see such things among
the Saints I think it a little extravagant; it needs a great amount of
means to support a wife who indulges in many such purchases. Some
people have extraordinary notions concerning marriage; they think they
must have everything to start with; they don't want to marry unless
they can have a carriage, horses, and servants, and many things
besides; these are extravagant notions. I have heard it taught by the
Presidency that young people should marry, and to commence they should
have a straw bed; they should have at least a bed tick, and fill it
with straw, and commence any way. I remember hearing that my great
grandfather and his wife, when they started in married life had but
one or two blankets to start with. They took up some land, both went
to work with a will, and they were successful, and before they died
they had become wealthy. They owned two large farms, good rock
houses and property worth sixty thousand dollars, all accumulated by
their labor, industry and economy. Many persons marry those possessing
fortunes and soon become poor; they are almost sure to run through
their property; they did not earn it, and they don't know how to use
it. Concerning marriage, it must be an important matter for God to
teach and command obedience to it. What constitutes its importance? In
the first place a man cannot have an exaltation without a wife. It was
some years before I learned the fact that I could not do much good
without a wife and without posterity. I therefore concluded to marry.
And you ladies cannot wear a celestial crown without a husband; if you
happen to get a husband who is not entitled to a crown, what are you
going to do? If I were a lady I should be careful whom I married: I
should want to be pretty sure that the man tried to live his religion
as revealed to us. Young folks generally marry because they love,
sometimes because they are pretty. It is said that beauty is "only
skin deep," and I believe it is so, it will shortly fade away. We
should be reasonable on this subject, as well as on others; but when a
person is love struck, there is no reason in them. We should never be
struck very bad. We should love so that we could throw him off at any
time if he does not do right. Where is the man who understands the
principles of the Gospel who does not want to lay a foundation for a
kingdom? Some young people, and some older ones, appear to have but
little judgment of marriage. When we marry it should be for time and
eternity. I have thought many times that if a man or woman could get
the Lord to tell them who to marry they would do well, if not, I would
do the best I could. Father Abraham married Sarah and Hagar many years
ago, and great nations have sprung out of this marriage. If we do as
well as he did we shall be blessed as he was blessed. I want to
impress this upon the minds of the young and old, that we should labor
to accomplish all the good we can in this world. We have encountered
many things and have learned many things. We have learned that there
is an immense amount of selfishness in this world, and that it is a
very bad thing, and we should get rid of it as soon as possible. We
should be as willing that others should enjoy the blessings of the
Lord as ourselves. We should be as willing to bless other people as we
are to be blessed ourselves. I want you, my brethren and sisters, to
think of these things and treasure them up in your hearts. Whatever
the Spirit will allow me to say to you I will say to the best of my
ability. When Jesus came to the Nephites he found them unprepared to
receive his words, and he said to them, "I will come again tomorrow;
you are not prepared to receive my words." He came to them several
times; and they became prepared, finally, to hear and learn, that
which they were not prepared to learn before. If we are not prepared
to receive the word of the Lord today, we may possibly be prepared
tomorrow.
I am glad to meet you, my brethren, to behold the manifestation of
good feeling and witness your willingness to build up Zion, and
establish righteousness on the earth. And may you continue faithful,
that you may be happy and prosperous and realize all the promises. It
is promised that the Saints shall be the richest of all people, and to
realize this promise, we must be guided by those placed to lead us.
This is the principle of safety and success. Any other course
will produce sorrow. That God will bless the Saints in this Stake of
Zion and all his people, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
- Charles C. Rich