I fear I shall not be able to make myself heard by this vast
congregation. I have not been accustomed lately to address so many
people; but on the contrary, a very few in a place at a time. It is
difficult for me to speak so that all may hear me distinctly, in this
immense house. Besides, I have not been in very good health of late,
having had an attack of sickness since my return home, which has drawn
heavily upon my strength.
I am thankful that I have been privileged to meet with you today,
under so favorable circumstances as those which surround us; although
in common with the Latter-day Saints, I cannot but regret the cause of
my presence among you. I left my home and friends here, but a few
months ago, for Europe, expecting to fill a mission there of two years
and perhaps much longer. But soon after hearing of the death of our
departed President, Brigham Young, Brother Orson Pratt and I received
a cablegram from our Brethren, the Twelve, inviting us to return home.
As soon, therefore, as circumstances permitted, we were on our way
hith er, making the journey from England to this city in about fifteen
days. We had rather a rough passage across the Atlantic, having
experienced equinoctial gales and heavy seas for the first few days,
which made it very disagreeable; the remainder of the voyage, however,
was comparatively pleasant, and the trip from New York here very much
so indeed.
For the past few months I have been engaged preaching the Gospel in
England, as opportunities presented for me to do so. I did not travel
very extensively, as my limited time and other circumstances did not
warrant it.
I was pleased, in July last, to meet in Liverpool Brother Orson Pratt,
who came to England to publish the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and
Covenants in phonetics, or phonotype. He was diligently engaged
prosecuting this work at the time the sad news of the death of the
President reached us. Arrangements had been so far completed that the
type was mostly obtained and delivered at our office, and preparations
were nearly made for the commencement of this work. But as Brother
Pratt is here, I will leave his mission and labors for him to
narrate himself.
I can say, in all consciousness that during the time I have been
absent from home, I have felt as strong a desire in my heart as I ever
did, for the advancement of the kingdom of God, and the spread of the
Gospel among those who sit in darkness. And I feel that I have done
the best I could under the circumstances to carry out my desires.
As missionaries we have labored unceasingly through England, Scotland
and Wales during the past summer, availing ourselves of every
opportunity of holding meetings in the streets, on the squares, and in
whatever places we could procure for the purpose; the Elders going
around from house to house to notify the people and invite them to
attend. The brethren have labored diligently and unceasingly the past
summer, endeavoring in this way to spread the Gospel. In many places
very encouraging success has crowned their labors; in many instances
congregations, numbering from one to three thousand persons, have
assembled in the public parks, and upon the commons, to listen to the
Elders preaching. It is true, that so far we have seen but little
immediate fruits of this labor; but we feel that the seed is being
sown, that it will fall in more or less good soil, and in due season
it will bring forth fruit meet for repentance.
The European mission today if I am to speak my feelings plainly upon
the matter, is in a very low condition—that is, speaking of Great
Britain. Whereas, on the Continent and throughout Scandinavia, the
work is flourishing. In some places in Germany, which have been
impenetrable heretofore, the Gospel is now preached. There have been
recently a number of baptisms in and adjacent to Berlin; and we feel
encouraged in our labors in that country, knowing that efforts have
been made so long and so persistently to open up the Gospel to that
nation, without accomplishing anything.
The object of sending Elders forth to the nations of the earth is to
preach the Gospel, that the world may know the truth as it is in
Christ Jesus, and through obedience thereto be gathered to the people
of God, and be saved in His kingdom. We are thankful that we are
engaged in the great latter-day work, that God our heavenly Father is
at the head, and has decreed to carry it forth to a successful
consummation. Therefore, so long as we put our trust in Him, doing the
best we can to accomplish His purposes, we may rest content that all
will be well.
I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints from my childhood; and ever since I began to investigate for
myself, I have been satisfied with my religion; I have been perfectly
confident that I was engaged in a righteous cause, having had every
assurance that it is the work of God and not of man; and that it is
the business of the Almighty to sustain it, choosing and using the
instruments best suited to accomplish His purposes that were at His
command. I believe He has ever done so, and will continue to do so
until He completes His undertaking. As Latter-day Saints we have every
reason to rejoice in the Gospel, and in the testimony we have received
concerning its truth. I repeat, we have reason to rejoice and to be
exceeding glad, for we possess the testimony of Jesus, the spirit of
prophecy, which the world know nothing about, nor can they without
obedience to the Gospel.
Jesus thoroughly understood this matter, and fully explained it when he said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God." On first reflection, it would seem that anything so
clear, reasonable and tangible could be easily made plain to the
understanding of all men. Hence the feeling that has prompted many of
the Latter-day Saints to believe, after their minds have been
enlightened by the Spirit of God—everything being made so plain and
clear to them—that they had only to tell their friends and kindred
what they had learned and they would gladly receive it. But how
disappointed, after they had presented to them the truths of heaven in
simplicity and plainness, to hear them say "We cannot see it!" or "We
do not believe it!" Or perhaps bitterly oppose it, which is by far the
most common practice of the world. They cannot understand it. Why?
Because, as Jesus has said, no man can see the kingdom except he is
born again. You may preach the Gospel to the people, but unless they
humble themselves as little children before the Lord, acknowledging
their dependence upon him for light and wisdom, they cannot see or
sense it, although you may preach to them in as great plainness as it
is possible for the truth to be conveyed from one person to another.
And should any believe your testimony it would only be belief. They
would not see as you see—nor comprehend it as you do—until they yield
obedience to the requirements of the Gospel, and through the remission
of their sins receive the Holy Ghost. Then they, too, can see as you
do, for they have the same spirit; then will they love the truth as
you do, and may wonder why they could not comprehend it before, or why
it is that there can be anybody with common intelligence that cannot
understand truth so plain and forcible.
I have been preaching for a
few months past to the world, and perhaps it would not be amiss to
dwell for a few moments upon some of the principles of the Gospel, as
though I were talking to strangers, notwithstanding I feel I am in the
presence of the Latter-day Saints.
About the first question an honest inquirer would ask would be: What
is your religious belief? Or, What are the principles of the Gospel as
you understand them? I do not propose to tell you all about the Gospel
in one discourse, but I may tell you a few of my thoughts upon some of
its principles, which are essential not only for the Latter-day Saints
to know, but for all the children of men, in order to be saved in the
kingdom of God.
First, then, it is necessary to have faith in God, "faith being the
first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all
righteousness."
Faith in God is to believe that he is, and "that he is the only
supreme governor and independent being, in whom all fullness and
perfection and every good gift and principle dwells independently,"
and in whom the faith of all other rational beings must center for
life and salvation; and further, that he is the great Creator of all
things, that he is omnipotent, omniscient, and by his works and the
power of his Spirit omnipresent.
Not only is it necessary to have faith in God, but also in Jesus
Christ, his Son, the Savior of mankind and the Mediator of the New
Covenant; and in the Holy Ghost, who bears record of the Father and
the Son, "the same in all ages and forever."
Having this faith, it becomes necessary to repent. Repent of what? Of
every sin of which we may have been guilty. How shall we repent of
these sins? Does repentance consist of sorrow for wrongdoing? Yes;
but is this all? By no means. True repentance only is
acceptable to God, nothing short of it will answer the purpose. Then
what is true repentance? True repentance is not only sorrow for sins,
and humble penitence and contrition before God, but it involves the
necessity of turning away from them, a discontinuance of all evil
practices and deeds, a thorough reformation of life, a vital change
from evil to good, from vice to virtue, from darkness to light. Not
only so, but to make restitution, so far as it possible, for all the
wrongs we have done, to pay our debts, and restore to God and man
their rights—that which is due to them from us. This is true
repentance, and the exercise of the will and all the powers of body
and mind is demanded, to complete this glorious work of repentance;
then God will accept it.
Having thus repented, the next thing requisite is baptism, which is an
essential principle of the Gospel—no man can enter into the gospel
covenant without it. It is the door of the Church of Christ, we cannot
get in there in any other way, for Christ hath said it. "Sprinkling,"
or "pouring," is not baptism. Baptism means immersion in water, and is
to be administered by one having authority, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism without divine
authority is not valid. It is a symbol of the burial and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, and must be done in the likeness thereof, by one
commissioned of God, in the manner prescribed, otherwise it is illegal
and will not be accepted by him, nor will it effect a remission of
sins, the object for which it is designed, but whosoever hath faith,
truly repents and is "buried with Christ in baptism," by one having
divine authority, shall receive a remission of sins, and is entitled
to the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Only those
who are commissioned of Jesus Christ, have authority or power to
bestow this gift. The office of the Holy Ghost is to bear record of
Christ, or to testify of him, and confirm the believer in the truth,
by bringing to his recollection things that have passed, and showing
or revealing to the mind things present and to come. "But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your
remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you." "He will guide you into
all truth." Thus, without the aid of the Holy Ghost no man can know
the will of God, or that Jesus is the Christ—the Redeemer of the
world—or that the course he pursues, the works he performs, or his
faith, are acceptable to God, and such as will secure to him the gift
of eternal life, the greatest of all gifts.
"But," says an objector, "have we not the Bible, and are not the Holy
Scriptures able to make us wise unto salvation?" Yes, provided we obey
them. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works." The "good works" are the great
desideratum. The Bible itself is but the dead letter, it is the spirit
that giveth life. The way to obtain the Spirit is that which is here
marked out so plainly in the Scriptures. There is no other. Obedience,
therefore, to these principles is absolutely necessary, in order to
obtain the salvation and exaltation brought to light through the
Gospel.
As to the question of authority, nearly everything depends upon it. No
ordinance can be performed to the acceptance of God without
divine authority. No matter how fervently men may believe, or pray,
unless they are endowed with divine authority they can only act in
their own name, and not legally nor acceptably in the name of Jesus
Christ, in whose name all these things must be done. Some suppose this
authority may be derived from the Bible, but nothing could be more
absurd. The Bible is but a book containing the writings of inspired
men, "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and
instruction in righteousness;" as such we hold it is sacred; but the
spirit, power and authority by which it is written cannot be found
within its lids, nor derived from it. "For prophecy came not in old
time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost." If by reading and believing the Bible this
authority could be obtained, all who read and believed would have
it—one equally with another. I have read the Bible, and I have as good
reason for believing it as any other man, and do believe it with all
my heart; but this does not give me authority to teach men in the name
of the Lord, nor to officiate in the sacred ordinances of the Gospel.
Were the Scriptures the only source of knowledge, we would be without
knowledge for ourselves, and would have to rest our hopes of salvation
upon a simple belief in the testimonies and sayings of others. This
will not do for me; I must know for myself, and if I act as a teacher
of these things, I must be clothed with the same light, knowledge and
authority those were who acted in a similar calling anciently. Else
how could I declare the truth and bear testimony as they did? What
right would I have to say "thus saith the Lord," and call upon man to
repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord? Or, that "This Jesus
hath God raised up (from the dead) whereof we all (the Apostles) are
witnesses." And, therefore, let all men "know assuredly that God hath
made that same Jesus," who was crucified, "both Lord and Christ." No
man, without the Holy Ghost as enjoyed by the ancient Apostles, can
know these things, therefore cannot declare them by authority, nor
teach and prepare mankind for the salvation of God. God Almighty is
the only source from whence this knowledge, power and authority can be
obtained, and that through the operations of the Holy Ghost. The
Scriptures may serve as a guide to lead us to God, and hence to the
possession of all things necessary to life and salvation, but they can
do no more.
Having profiled by this example, and done the works commanded by both
Christ and his Apostles, ancient and modern, I am happy of the
privilege to declare to the inhabitants of the earth that I have
received this testimony and witness for myself. I do know that these
things are true. Jesus my Redeemer lives, and God hath made him both
Lord and Christ. To know and to worship the true God, in the name of
Jesus—in spirit and in truth—is the duty of man. To aid and qualify
him for this service is the duty and office of the Holy Ghost. Man may
fail through faltering and unfaithfulness, but the Spirit of God will
never fail, nor abandon the faithful disciple. I can say as one who
has tried the experiment—for it may be called an experiment to the
beginner—that all who will take the course and accept the doctrine
thus marked out will, through faithfulness, become acquainted with the
truth, and shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or
of man, and will rejoice in it as all good, faithful Latter-day Saints do.
Here is an ordinance which we are now administering, the Sacrament of
the Lord's Supper; it is a principle of the Gospel, one as necessary
to be observed by all believers, as any other ordinance of the Gospel.
What is the object of it? It is that we may keep in mind continually
the Son of God who has redeemed us, from eternal death, and brought us
to life again through the power of the Gospel. Before the coming of
Christ to the earth, this was borne in mind by the inhabitants of the
earth to whom the Gospel was preached, by another ordinance, which
involved the sacrifice of animal life, an ordinance which was a type
of the great sacrifice that should take place in the meridian of time.
Hence, Adam, after he was cast out of the Garden, was commanded to
offer sacrifices to God; by this act he, and all who participated in
the offering of sacrifices, were reminded of the Savior who should
come to redeem them from death which, were it not for the atonement
wrought out by him, would forever exclude them from dwelling in the
presence of God again. But in his coming and death, this commandment
was fulfilled; and he instituted the Supper and commanded his
followers to partake of this in all time to come, in order that they
may remember him, bearing in mind that he had redeemed them, also that
they had covenanted to keep his commandments and to walk with him in
the regeneration. Hence it is necessary to partake of the sacrament,
as a witness to him that we do remember him, are willing to keep the
commandments he has given us, that we may have his spirit to be with
us always—even to the end, and also that we may continue in the
for giveness of our sins.
In various dispensations there are various differences in regard to
certain requirements of the Gospel. For instance, in the day of Noah,
when he preached the Gospel to the antediluvian world, he was given a
special commandment, to build an ark, that in case the people would
reject him and the message sent unto them, that himself and all who
believed on him might be saved from the destruction that awaited them.
In this dispensation there is a principle or commandment peculiar to
it. What is that? It is the gathering the people unto one place. The
gathering of this people is as necessary to be observed by believers,
as faith, repentance, baptism, or any other ordinance. It is an
essential part of the Gospel of this dispensation, as much so, as the
necessity of building an ark by Noah, for his deliverance, was a part
of the Gospel of his dispensation. Then the world was destroyed by a
flood, now it is to be destroyed by war, pestilence, famine,
earthquakes, storms, and tempests, the sea rolling beyond its bounds,
malarious vapors, vermin, disease, and by fire and the lightnings of
God's wrath poured out for destruction upon Babylon. The cry of the
angel unto the righteous of this dispensation is, "Come out of her O
my people, that ye partake not of her sins, and that ye receive not of
her plagues." We believe also in the principle of direct revelation
from God to man. This is a part of the Gospel, but it is not peculiar
to this dispensation. It is common in all ages and dispensations of
the Gospel. The Gospel cannot be administered, nor the Church of God
continue to exist without it. Christ is the head of his Church and not
man, and the connection can only be maintained upon the principle of
direct and continuous revelation. It is not a hereditary
principle, it cannot be handed down from father to son, or from
generation to generation, but is a living vital principle to be
enjoyed on certain conditions only, namely—through absolute faith in
God and obedience to his laws and commandments. The moment this
principle is cut off, that moment the Church is adrift, being severed
from its everliving head. In this condition it cannot continue, but
must cease to be the Church of God, and like the ship at sea, without
captain, compass or rudder, is afloat at the mercy of the storms and
the waves, of ever contending human passions, and worldly interests,
pride and folly, finally to be wrecked upon the strand of priestcraft
and superstition. The religious world is in this condition today,
ripening for the great destruction which awaits them, but there is an
ark prepared for such as are worthy of eternal life, in the gathering
of the Saints to the chambers of the Almighty, where they shall be
preserved until the indignation of God is passed.
Marriage, is also a principle or ordinance of the Gospel, most vital
to the happiness of mankind, however unimportant it may seem, or
lightly regarded by many. There is no superfluous or unnecessary
principle in the plan of life, but there is no principle of greater
importance or more essential to the happiness of man—not only here,
but especially hereafter, than that of marriage. Yet all are
necessary. What good would it be to one to be baptized and receive not
the Holy Ghost? And suppose he went a little further and received the
Holy Ghost, thereby obtaining the testimony of Jesus, and then stopped
at that, what good would it do him? None whatever, but would add to
his condemnation, for it would be as burying his talent in the earth.
To secure the fulness of the blessings, we must receive the fulness of
the Gospel. Yet men will be judged and rewarded according to their
works. "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is
sin." Those who receive a part of the Gospel with light and knowledge
to comprehend other principles, and yet do not obey them will come
under this law, hence condemnation will be added unto such, and that
which they did receive may be taken from them and added to them who
are more worthy.
Obedience is a requirement of heaven, and is therefore a principle of
the Gospel. Are all required to be obedient? Yes, all. What, against
their will? O, no, not by any means. There is no power given to man,
nor means lawful to be used to compel men to obey the will of God,
against their wish, except persuasion and good advice, but there is a
penalty attached to disobedience, which all must suffer who will not
obey the obvious truths or laws of heaven. I believe in the sentiment
of the poet:
"Know this, that every soul is free,
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is given,
That God will force no man to heaven.
He'll call, persuade, direct aright,
Bless him with wisdom, love and light.
In nameless ways to be good and kind,
But never force the human mind."
Is it a difficult task to obey the Gospel? No. It is an easy matter to
those who possess the spirit of it. Most of this congregation can
testify that the Gospel "yoke is easy and the burden is light." Those
who have embraced it will be judged according to their works therein,
whether they be good or evil. To such as are untrue to their covenants, it may be said by and by, "depart from me!" In vain
will they plead their former good works, and faith. Why? Because the
race is not to the swift nor the battle always to the strong, but to
him that endures faithful to the end. We must save ourselves from this
untoward generation. It is a continual labor, but the strength of the
righteous will be sufficient for their day. Jesus said, "in my
Father's house there are many mansions." There is a glory, or mansion,
of which the sun is typical, another of which the moon is typical, and
still another like unto the stars, and in this latter the condition of
its occupants will differ as the stars differ in appearance. Every man
will receive according to his works and knowledge. "These are they who
are of Paul and Apollos, some of one and some of another, some of
Christ, some of John, of Moses, Elias, Isaiah and Enoch, but receive
not the Gospel nor the testimony of Jesus." Thus impartial justice
will be meted out unto all, and none will be lost but the sons of
perdition.
Let us treat with candor the religious sentiments of all men, no
matter if they differ from ours, or appear to us absurd and foolish.
Those who hold them may be as sincere as we are in their convictions.
It is well to prove all things, so far as we can, and be sure to hold
fast to that which is good, no matter where we find it. Ridicule is
not likely to convince a man of his error, or if it does, it may
destroy his respect and love for its author, and if he has truth, his
victim will most likely spurn it.
I desire to say that my faith in this work is as firm or firmer than
ever. My heart is in it, and I know truly it is the kingdom of God.
These things of which I have been so imperfectly speaking, I know to
be the truth—Bible truth, Gospel truth, and are essential to the
salvation of mankind. I am not deceived in this but know whereof I
speak. My religion teaches me to do good, to be at peace with my
neighbors, at least not to infringe upon their rights nor trespass
upon their property, and even to endure wrongs from them rather than
do them wrong, or even demand from the trespasser what I might deem
full justice. It teaches me to trust in the justice of the Almighty,
and to rest my cause in his hands. It enjoins honesty, sobriety and
industry. It forbids profanity, lying, adultery, deceitfulness, and
vile cunning.
It gives true enlightenment to the mind and exalts the low and debased
who will hearken and obey it. The observance of the Gospel will make
good men of bad ones, and better men of good ones. It will make good
citizens, good fathers, husbands, wives and children, good neighbors,
a good people, an enlightened, pure and high-minded community, a
blessed state and a prosperous nation. Obedience to the Gospel will
save the world from sin, abolish war, strife and litigation, and usher
in the millennial reign. It will restore the earth to its rightful
owner, and prepare it for the inheritance of the just. These are all
principles of that same Gospel of Christ, and the effects which will
flow from their acceptance and adoption by mankind. Jesus taught them,
and on one occasion the people took up stones and were about to stone
him for it. When he said, "Many good works have I showed you from my
Father, for which of those works do ye stone me?" He had done many
good works, taught them many good things, and for this they were about
to stone him. The Latter-day Saints could with propriety
address themselves in like manner to the world, but more especially to
our own nation. We have done many good things, have tried to do no
harm, have suffered the spoilation of our goods without retaliation,
have been driven from place to place. Our Prophets and leaders have
been slain, and you still persecute us, and are not satisfied. For
which of the good works we have done do ye these things? I know they
will say, "for your good works we do not hate or persecute you, but
for your blasphemy, and because you say you are the people of God."
This was about what the Jews said to Jesus, but it did not change the
fact that he had told them the truth, or that he had done the many
good works among them which he did, nor that it was for these they
hated and crucified him. What did the Savior or his disciples do to
injure mankind? Nothing. But much to benefit them; yet they were
hated, persecuted, hunted and destroyed. What have the Latter-day
Saints done to injure anybody? Absolutely nothing, but a great deal to
benefit humanity. I am at the defiance of the world to prove to the
contrary. We have gathered our people by thousands out of poverty and
distress from many nations to these valleys where they are now
enjoying good homes, the sweets of liberty and plenty. Aside from
religion, that is an inestimable blessing to them. But we have also
taught them good principles and doctrines, and they are happy, honest,
industrious and prosperous.
We have labored diligently to advance in the scale of intelligence.
Our schools compare favorably with any in our broad land; our children
are as intelligent, and we are the pioneers of true and enlightened
civilization in the Western States and Territories. Through our
industry and enterprise, cities, towns and villages have sprung up in
the wilderness, and the deserts and waste places have been made
fruitful and to blossom as the rose. Can there be any wrong in all
this? "But," says one, "it is not for this you are persecuted, it is
for your religion." What, then, in the name of reason, is there in our
religion that we should be persecuted for it? Is it because we believe
in the Lord Jesus Christ? The Christian world also profess belief in
him, and we believe in him as much as they do and a little more. Is it
because we believe it is necessary to repent of sin? Certainly we have
a right to do this. Is it because we baptize for the remission of sin?
Christ commanded it, and laid it down as the law. Then what can it be
that so distinguishes us from the people of the world, and that moves
their hatred toward us? Is it revelation from God to man? Perhaps so.
Some forty years ago, the great cry against Joseph Smith was "He
believes in revelation!" and this was considered a crime. But very
soon after, others who were not "Mormons" commenced to have
"revelations," and seemingly the stream has so enlarged that today
the world is full of "revelation." So our belief in revelation is not
now considered so much of a crime as formerly, and therefore it can be
no longer the object of persecution, for we would have as good a right
to persecute them, as they would to persecute us on that score. We do
not believe in these "revelations" of the world, no more than they do
in ours. We believe them to be bogus, but we are quite wil ling that others should enjoy their opinions. We believe that while they
have rejected the true light, they are found willing and ready to be
thus deceived, by false and delusive spirits, just as the Prophets
have foretold would be the case. (See 1 Tim., 4th chap., 1st verse,
and 2 Tim. iii, 1). The revelations given through Joseph Smith are
full of light, knowledge and wisdom, because they emanated from God.
What has Spiritualism done for the world? Can it boast of bringing
life and immortality to light? I have yet to learn that a single
principle has been developed from this source that will save mankind,
or exalt them to the presence and glory of God. Yet they have a right
to their convictions, and we grant it cordially. We have the same
right.
But says one, "You have dodged the main question; it is polygamy that
causes all the trouble!"
This is the mind of our enemies generally, yet nothing can be more
fallacious; those who assert this only expose their ignorance. The
fact is that since the announcement and practice of that principle by
this people, their persecutions have been comparatively trivial and
harmless to what they were, before it was even known to themselves.
But the plural marriage of the "Mormons" now seems to form one of the
strongest pretexts for the bitterness of our enemies, and the
thoughtless readily fall into the ranks of the maligners of this
principle. Did they ever stop to reflect as to what harm this
principle and practice has done? Let me ask the ladies in this vast
audience, Have any of you, or do you know of any woman who has been
compelled to practice polygamy among this people? Or who has been
compelled even to marry at all? I think not. Has plural marriage
deprived any woman of a home, of husband or children? Has it promoted
immorality or vice? No, it has not. Has it sown the seeds of
corruption and death among the people? On the contrary it has promoted
healthy, robust and vigorous increase, and the laws of life and
health. Can the Elders of this Church be accused of going to the
Gentiles for their wives and daughters? No, for we think we have
better ones at home, we have not the least occasion to go abroad. So
far as relates to this matter we are independent of the world. We are
willing to let them and theirs alone, and mind our own business, while
we respectfully request them also to attend to their own affairs.
The real facts are, the Latter-day Saints have embraced the unpopular
doctrine of Jesus Christ, have received the keys of the Holy
Priesthood—heaven's delegated authority to man, and are not ashamed of
the gospel, knowing it to be the power of God unto salvation. Hence
the Devil is enraged, and although they will not believe it, this
professedly pious, hypocritical world are moved with hatred towards
the work and the people of God, instigated by the spirit of him whose
servants they are. "By their fruits ye shall know them."
They predict our downfall, but they will not live to see their
predictions fulfilled. The wicked may rage and imagine they can
successfully measure arms with the Almighty, but he will hold them in
derision and laugh when their fear cometh, while the kingdom of God
will continue to progress until his purposes are consummated as has
been decreed.
It is vain for the world to hope that "Mormonism" will die with
President Brigham Young. When the Prophet Joseph Smith was
assassinated the press and pulpit universally joined in predicting the
end of "Mormonism." But instead of their being any truth in their
predictions, "The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church;"
for the church grew as fast as it had ever done before, and it took
deeper and firmer root. Men were no longer dependent upon the Prophet,
the man of God to guide them; they began to stand upon their own
foundation, to seek more earnestly after God themselves, and to know
for themselves, and not to be dependent upon the voice of man. Hence
they grew in faith and in power, the truth sinking deeper into the
hearts of the people who remained true to the Lord, and they a
comparative handful, have succeeded in building up the church as it
exists today in these valleys. Are we now going to be scattered to
the four winds because one or two distinguished men should pass away?
No, the seed has fallen into good ground, and it will germinate and
mature; the priesthood itself is still with us, the authority is here,
and in obedience to the command of God, we will continue to go forth
and organize and establish the kingdom, never more to be thrown down
or given to another people, until all is consummated and finished.
This is the work of God, and not of man. Man is incompetent to direct
and manage it. He will not suffer man to arrogate to himself the honor
of doing it. The honor belongs to him and he will take it to himself.
This is my faith in the Gospel. It fills my soul with joy and
gratitude to God my heavenly Father, and I desire to increase in the
truth, to become better, more faithful and diligent in overcoming
every weakness, that I may be worthy to stand in the position I occupy
in the Church of the living God. This is the way we should all feel;
and we should, above all other considerations, be determined to cleave
to the gospel, building our faith upon the rock, not upon the arm of
flesh. Let us humble ourselves before God, seek unto him continually
with prayerful hearts, be diligent in the observance of our covenants,
and he will bear us off triumphant over every opposing foe and every
power that undertakes to measure arms with him and his cause. This is
my testimony, and this is my exhortation to the Latter-day Saints. I
pray God to bless his people, and to bless his servant brother Taylor,
who stands at the head of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who now
preside over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all
the earth. May the Lord bless him, prolong his life and give him power
and wisdom to stand in his place and calling and to magnify the
priesthood conferred upon him; may his brethren stand with him in one
solid phalanx, united as one man, even as God the Father and Jesus and
the heavenly hosts are one, and I tell you the whole people will be
united and rejoice in the truth. That God may bless the faithful
everywhere and enable them to keep sacred the covenants they have made
with him, is my earnest prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- Joseph F. Smith