Brethren and sisters, I am pleased to have the opportunity of meeting
with you in Conference. I have enjoyed myself very much while
listening to the reports of the Bishops, and also to those who have
addressed us. We have had some excellent instructions during the
Conference. I am glad to meet so many of the Saints. I will say,
however, that I feel of myself very weak, and I desire the prayers of
the Saints, that I may be able to instruct you. I desire to speak to your edification, but that depends upon the Holy Spirit,
without which no one can instruct and edify the Saints. I trust the
Spirit of the Lord will be with us this afternoon, that I may,
peradventure, be a means of blessing and building you up in the
principles of the Gospel. I will read, for your instruction, from the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and will give you some keys by which
you may unlock the treasures of the Gospel. Page 424, new edition:
"Mine house is a house of order, and not of confusion," etc. Page 421:
"All blessings are predicated on law," etc. I have read these passages
because to me they are important, and they are important to you also.
We learn from the revelations we have just read, that it was ordained
before the foundation of the world how the blessings of the Gospel
were to be obtained, and why some people could not attain to certain
blessings. We are told they could not obtain these blessings because
they did not abide by the law. As Latter-day Saints, it is important
that we understand the principles of salvation, that we may be enabled
to comprehend and obtain all the keys, principles, and blessings
pertaining thereto. It was a long time after the Prophet Joseph Smith
had received the keys of the kingdom of God, and after Hyrum and
others had received many blessings, that the Lord gave Joseph a
revelation, to show him and others how they could ask for and receive
certain blessings. We read in the revelations of St. John, that the
Saints are to receive a white stone, "and in the stone a new name,
which no man knoweth save him that receiveth it." Joseph tells us that
this new name is a key word, which can only be obtained through the
en dowments. This is one of the keys and blessings that will be
bestowed upon the Saints in these last days, for which we should be
very thankful.
In the first instructions we received from the Elders, we were told we
must repent of our sins and be baptized, in order to receive the Holy
Spirit, and that we had no claims upon the Lord for his Spirit, until
we had complied with the requirements made of us. I remember very well
my feelings upon this subject before I obeyed the Gospel. I studied
carefully, anxiously, and prayerfully, that I might know if it were
the Church of Jesus Christ. I did not want to run any risk in the
matter, and remain in uncertainty. I was willing to do anything that
would give me a knowledge of the truth. I was willing to receive it
through the ministration of an angel, through direct revelation, or by
any other way, but I did not want to be deceived. Every time I
reflected carefully upon the subject, I came to this point—the
conditions upon which the promises have been made are, repentance,
baptism, and imposition of hands. The spirit would then whisper, you
have not been baptized, you have not obeyed the Gospel; but when I had
complied with the law, then I had a perfect claim to the blessings and
the promises, and did receive them, and obtained a perfect knowledge
of the truth, and could then bear a testimony of it to all the world.
I mention these things to show you the principles we have to act upon
in order to obtain the blessings of salvation and eternal life. And I
can testify that the Lord has fulfilled his promises, and has poured
out his Spirit upon the people, through baptism and the laying on of
hands. So we see that the keys given for our introduction into
the Church of Jesus Christ, are as effectual in this our day as they
were in the days of the former Apostles. Some might say, Why would not
some other ordinance do as well? Simply because these were the
principles ordained for that purpose before the world was. It is not a
new feature in the Gospel, something started a few years ago. From
what I have read, we find they are eternal principles; that they
existed and were ordained for our salvation before the foundation of
the world, and cannot be changed. We must comply with the principles
of the eternal law, in order to obtain eternal blessings. I want to
impress these principles upon your minds, for there is no "think so"
and "guess so" about these things, for the Lord himself has decreed
them, and I bear record that they are true. I hope these principles
will make a lasting impression upon your minds, that you may devote
yourselves more fully to the service of the Lord, and faithfully obey
all the commandments which he has given us, and may give us hereafter.
There is another principle to which I will call your attention; that
is, the pre-existence of spirits. Before we came into this world we
had an existence with the Father in the heavens. We are eternal
beings. How do you know that? one might say. We know it by the
revelations of Jesus Christ, which bring life and immortality to
light. It was revealed to Abraham and many of the ancient Prophets,
and it has been revealed unto us in these the last days. We are told
that before the inhabitants of the earth had an existence in the
flesh, they had an existence in the spirit world; and that it was
necessary to come into this world and be clothed with mortality. And
why was it necessary? Because we could not attain to an exaltation
without coming here. Many people think this is a world of sorrows, and
a very horrid world to live in. So it may seem to some people, but I
think that it is a glorious world, for it is here we are enabled to
obtain our blessings and endowments. We come into this world weak and
frail mortals. We have an agency given us, with an opportunity of
doing good and evil. We are invited to obey the Gospel, which embraces
principles that will endow the willing and obedient with exaltation
and eternal life. But our agency is not taken from us. We have placed
before us light and darkness, the bitter and the sweet, exaltation and
degradation, life and death, and we have reason and intelligence given
us, by which to judge and choose for ourselves. By choosing the good
and obeying the principles of truth, we are entitled to the spirit of
revelation, and by that spirit only can we know God the eternal
Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. Is it not important that we should
know God? Surely it is; for to know God, and his Son Jesus Christ, is
eternal life. So notwithstanding we have our trials and sufferings
here, we have joys and happiness likewise, and we learn to discern and
appreciate the difference between good and evil. An opportunity is
also afforded us in this world to increase in faith and wisdom, and in
all that leads to exaltation and eternal life. And we are told that
all the intelligence we gain in this world will rise up with us in the
resurrection. Now, who is there among the Saints that does not want to
learn something concerning the principles of life and salvation? We
should, above all people, be diligent in seeking to know the
principles of truth, that we may obtain eternal life. We can
use the keys and principles that we have received to obtain this
knowledge, and what is there pertaining to the Gospel that we cannot
learn if we are faithful? If we do not know all that is necessary for
our advancement, it is our privilege to go to some person who does
know. And when we understand how to use the keys and principles
ourselves, we can then teach others, for all who have received the
Gospel are expected to practice its principles in their lives, and to
devote their energies and lives to the establishment of truth and
righteousness upon the earth. Are we doing this? Are we doing our duty
as Saints of God? Or are we passing away our time idly and
indifferently? If so, we are doing ourselves an injury, and we thus
deprive ourselves of the blessings promised to the faithful.
There is another great principle often brought before us, that may be
considered a very common principle. It is the principle of Union. We
are told by the Savior that we must be united, or we are not his. Does
this concern us as Latter-day Saints? I think it does, but some do not
seem in any way concerned about it, notwithstanding the word of the
Lord, that otherwise we "are none of his." How can we be united so as
to be acceptable to God? We have to be united, not merely in doctrinal
matters, but in every other way. So far as doctrine is concerned, we
are pretty well united, but not so in our temporal affairs. But we may
become united in our temporal affairs, if we are willing to learn some
practical lessons that have been taught us, and uniting in their
execution; by entering into them with all our heart and our means, we
may then be united in temporal matters also. There is but one way to
be united, according to the will of God, and that is by being dictated
in our affairs by the Spirit of the Lord. When we were baptized we
received the spirit of the Gospel, and by that spirit we obtained a
knowledge of its truth. And the same spirit we then received, if it
continues with us, will lead us into all truth and reveal to us things
to come. We have need of revelation at every step after we are
baptized, for when we take a step it ought to be a right step, and the
only right step we can take will be one that is in accordance with the
principles of truth, as dictated by those authorized to teach and
instruct the Saints. This is the only principle on which we can be
united, and when this principle fully is carried out, then perfect
union will exist among the Saints.
I remember once being sick, but I scarcely realized that I was sick,
for my mind was bright and active. During the night the Spirit rested
upon me, and the principles of the Millennium were opened up to me. It
seemed to me that all was happiness and union. Now what will it
require to bring about the Millennium? In the first place every man
will have to learn his duty, and do it. Each one must study his
neighbor's interest as well as his own. No one will do that which
would conflict with his brother's interest, and no man would willfully
infringe upon his neighbor's rights and privileges. Now if all had
learned their duty and were doing it faithfully, it would bring about
a reign of peace and righteousness, and knowledge would cover the
earth. If these principles were understood and carried out, we should
have no reason to find fault with each other. Are we seeking after
these things? I trust we are, and I feel rejoiced at the progress we are making as a people, although we come far short of that
we should attain unto. We must have our minds fixed on this subject,
and be determined to receive these truths, and live for them. This
should be our first and last thought every day, and we should not be
contented till we realize our desires in righteousness. Some persons
think that a few prayers offered to the Lord will be all-sufficient in
securing their salvation. It is very good to pray, but something is
required besides praying; for example, we must be baptized, for that
ordinance has been instituted for the remission of sins. We need
endowments and ordinations, and they can only be administered by those
holding the Priesthood, for without these gifts we could not obtain a
celestial crown. We bestow the Priesthood on many young men, to bring
them up and qualify them for future usefulness. We want our washings
and anointings, and how can we receive them without someone to
administer them to us? And no one could give them without divine
authority. The same words might be used, and the same ordinances
administered in the same way precisely, but they would be of no avail
whatever, without the priestly authority. Our baptisms, confirmations,
ordinations and endowments can only be administered by those who are
ordained and set apart to administer them. The law must be complied
with concerning these things or the ordinances are void and of no
effect. Temples have to be built in which some of these ordinances
must be performed. Who is to dictate concerning their construction and
management? The Lord himself controls these things, and authorizes
whom he will.
Some might ask, Why not baptize for the dead, and give endow ments in
this meetinghouse? Just simply because the Lord has not so ordered
it. The way and manner in which these ordinances have to be performed
have been determined in the eternal world, and unless you comply with
the requirements and obey the law, you cannot obtain the keys, and
without the keys you cannot pass by the angels and the Gods in the
eternal worlds. For example, you cannot attain to an exaltation
without a wife, or wives; and you ladies cannot be exalted without a
husband. "For man is not without the woman nor the woman without the
man in the Lord." So said the Apostle Paul. What, then, will be the
situation of those who remain single, and do not attain to an
exaltation? We learn from the revelations that they will be angels.
Some people think that angels are the most exalted and glorious beings
in the eternal world; but this is a mistake. If it will satisfy any of
you to receive that glory it will not satisfy me. Now we understand
that in order to obtain an exaltation we must have a wife, and we have
to comply with the celestial law, so as to have her in the eternal
world. In the first place, we must receive her from the man whom God
has authorized and appointed to seal for time and eternity, otherwise
we have no claim on her in the eternal world. Perhaps some do not care
much about the other world. Such persons remind me of a man I knew in
California, who became acquainted with and courted a lady whose
husband was dead. He was told that the lady was sealed to another man
for eternity; he replied he did not care, all he wanted was to marry
her for this life, he did not care about the other world. Such a man
will not attain to an exaltation. Some persons may be satis fied without a complete exaltation. I do not feel so. I feel my
unworthiness and my inability to speak as I would like, and if I did
not know it was my duty, I would shrink from this undertaking; but I
feel it my duty to declare faithfully the counsels of God, to instruct
the Saints in their duties, and tell them how they can obtain
salvation. When I have done this I have done my duty. Every man and
woman can obtain and enjoy the spirit of revelation, so as to guide
them in the path of duty, and if we are all guided by the same spirit,
and all our actions are dictated by its influences, we shall then
enjoy happiness and peace.
We have cooperative institutions established among us, and if they
are conducted properly they will be a blessing to us. How shall we
carry on our cooperative institutions so as to be approved of heaven?
They must be dictated by the spirit of revelation, for unless they are
dictated and controlled by that spirit they are in danger of being
overthrown. If we build up institutions on any other foundation they
will be overthrown sooner or later. If we establish our institutions
according to the principles of revelation, they will he approved by
the Almighty, and they will be preserved when he overthrows the
kingdoms of this world. Who would not like to see the cooperative
institutions growing up among us, built upon a firm foundation? We
should look well to the foundation on which we build, for unless we
act upon correct principles we cannot expect to prosper. The building
that is reared properly will stand the winds and storms and will be
firm and solid. Time will tell whether we build by the spirit of
revelation or otherwise. You may be assured that if we do not our
building will be overthrown.
We are dependent on the Almighty for the breath of life, for the bread
we eat, and for every blessing we enjoy. We need not feel in any way
troubled when we see a man lifted up in his feelings, and act as
though he was some great person. We are all of us, mere worms of the
dust, and at best are poor dependent creatures; but some men appear to
grow larger and larger in their own imagination, and when we see a
man ascending higher and higher in his own conceit, it is not always
wise to pull him down suddenly, but give him a lift, and when he gets
so high that his head swims, we can then help him gently down. We must
learn to be humble, meek and lowly, or we cannot enjoy the spirit of
the Lord.
There is another thing I wish to mention, and that is the manner in
which we should treat each other. The principle was advanced
anciently, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." This
principle is as binding upon us, as it was upon the people in former
days, and we need as much urging to observe it as they did. How would
we do with the Lord if he were here? We have his word for it, that
forasmuch as ye do it unto one of the least of these my disciples, ye
do it unto me. If we see a brother mistreated, we do not like it, and
we feel to take his part. If we do not like to see a brother
mistreated, we should be the more careful not to mistreat each other,
for it is displeasing to the Lord. What can we say concerning these
things? We can say "strait is the gate and narrow is the way that
leadeth to the lives, and few there be that find it." Do we all want
to find it? I do. And you do, then let us seek diligently that we may
find the right way—the way God has pointed out. He has made it plain
before us, and has told us the manner in which he is willing
to bestow his blessings upon us. And if we do not obtain them it will
not be his fault. What would be the condition of society if these
principles were fully carried out? We would find a brother and a
friend in every place where God is known. No one would have any
disposition to wrong his neighbor. No one would seek to injure his
brother or sister. Would it not be good to live in such society?
Instead of men striving to take advantage of their fellow men, and
seeking to aggrandize and build up themselves at the expense of
others, they would seek to build up and enrich others as well as
themselves, and instead of hungering and thirsting after the
perishable things of this life, they would hunger and thirst after
righteousness.
We read in the "Book of Mormon" that Jesus told the Nephites to return
home, for they were not prepared to receive his words. They went home
and they did prepare their hearts for the reception of the truth. Why
do we not receive more truth than we do? We hear a great many
teachings and counsels from the servants of God. And why do we not
receive more? Peradventure we are not prepared to receive it. Why does
not the Almighty bestow on us more light, truth, intelligence and
other blessings he is able to bestow? It is because we are not
prepared to receive them. We have more offered now than a great many
can receive because their hearts are unprepared, they are filled with
the spirit of the world, they have lost sight of the principles of
salvation, and do not comprehend them. You may have heard these things
preached many times before, but if you have not received them and made
them your rule of action, it would have been better for you if you had
never heard them.
We have been taught that we have a great work to perform in working
out our salvation, in promoting that of our families, and securing the
salvation of our dead friends. We cannot leave any of these things
undone and feel justified before God, and before our dead friends when
we meet them in the other world, and if we do not feel justified we
shall not feel very happy.
An opportunity is now offered by brother Cummings, by which some of us
may obtain our genealogies, and we should improve it as much as
possible. I feel happy in being able to send to the States where many
of my ancestors have lived and died, so as to get the names of many of
my dead friends, that I may do a work for them that they had no
opportunity of doing for themselves. We have the privilege of being
baptized for our dead, and performing other ordinances for them, and
thus become saviors on Mount Zion. There is a great labor to be
performed by every faithful Saint. There is no time to waste in
foolishness. There is too much time wasted in frivolity and nonsense.
It is important that we make good use of the time allotted us in this
probation, for we understand that we shall be judged according to the
deeds done in the body. We have placed before us good and evil—that
which tends to exalt and dignify, and that which tends to corrupt and
degrade. And we are expected to overcome evil, and not allow the evil
to overcome us. For example, we find too often persons who can be
overcome with whiskey, and by that means they destroy their usefulness
in the Church of Jesus Christ; they have been tried in this matter,
and have made a failure. I would say to such, do not receive
nor partake of that which leads to destruction. Hundreds and thousands
have been overcome by this evil, and are now suffering the
consequences of their folly. We should be prepared to resist every
evil, if we do not we shall bring trouble upon ourselves. It will not
be because we do not understand the laws of God, but because we do
not observe them. I trust my brethren will remember these things, and
that they will make a lasting impression on your minds. I want you to
remember that you are eternal beings, that God is eternal, and that
the principles he has revealed to us are eternal—that you have an
opportunity of receiving them, and that you must give an account of
all your actions, and will be rewarded according to the principles of
righteousness.
We have learned that there is a warfare between good and evil, and we
are free to choose the one or the other. We have learned what is
required of us, and what our privileges are as Saints of God; and if
we do not receive and obey the principles of truth, and secure the
blessings of salvation for ourselves, and for our dead, we shall know
it when we get into the eternal world; we shall know that we have
failed to comply with the condition on which they are promised. Don't
you think we shall be sorry when we discover what we have lost? I
think we shall. And how long shall we be sorry? Can we think of any
time in future ages when we will not be sorry if we lose this
opportunity of obtaining salvation? When we have sorrowed for
thousands of years, we shall still be sorry if we neglect this great
salvation; we shall forever sorrow if we do not improve our
opportunities and lay hold of eternal life. I want you to think of
these things, for now is the time to avoid the trouble that might come
upon us, and to secure our future happiness and exaltation, by
carrying out the principles revealed for our salvation.
The Lord has greatly blessed us, and we have great reason to thank him
for our homes in these mountains. We have been led by him in all our
travels, and he has blessed us in all our labors. We have reason to
thank him more abundantly for the fullness of the Gospel, and for the
promise of eternal life. We are told by him that it is his business to
provide for his Saints. Now the better Saints we are, the better the
Lord will provide for us. He has told us through his Prophet, that his
Saints shall be the richest of all people. But here comes the
question, are we his Saints? It should be remembered that we must be
one, or we are none of his; and to become one, we must allow the Lord
to dictate all our actions and lead us in his way. If we have our own
way we shall do as the world does. The Lord wants to build up a people
like the people of Enoch, who had no poor among them. If it was
necessary that such a condition of society should exist then, is it
less so now? The nations of the earth, and the large cities of the
United States, are crowded with the poor and indigent, thousands and
millions among them suffer for want of bread; how thankful we ought to
be for our condition in these mountains, where we enjoy peace and
plenty, and if not very rich we are not very poor. It is written that
against none is the Lord displeased, but against those who do not
acknowledge his hand in all things. And those who feel themselves
poor, should acknowledge in it the hand of the Almighty and be
comforted, for poverty is a most excellent thing; 'tis the poor in this world's goods, but the rich in faith, who are the heirs
of the kingdom. Poverty has been one of the greatest blessings that
could be conferred upon us. If we had been rich we might have gone to
the devil long ago. But being poor we had to hold on to the kingdom of
God, or nothing. Many men, when they get wealthy, apostatize, because
they love their money more than the Almighty. When we love the
Almighty more than we love money, or anything else, then perhaps he
will entrust us with riches, but may the Lord keep us from becoming
rich, if riches would tempt us to forsake the truth, and hinder us
from serving him and keeping his commandments. Poverty is a great
blessing, if in our poverty we learn to serve God. And riches are also
a great blessing if we make a good use of them. When the time comes
that the Saints can be entrusted with riches, the Lord will give them
all they need, for they all belong to the Almighty. I am blessed with
a Rich name, but I have been through poverty myself, and I know how it
feels. I trust I have gained some good by my experience. Have I
anything to complain of? Certainly not. I have no fault to find with
the providences of God, who doeth all things well.
Soon after my return from a mission to England, I was called to Bear
Lake Valley to superintend the settlement of the Saints in this
country. I felt that it was right that I should come here, not because
I could live better here than any other place, but because this was my
place and field of labor. And there is one good thing we should all
learn, that is, always to be contented where the Lord has placed us.
But I want to be in a better country says one. Well, I think you will
get into a better country by and by, but I would recommend you not to
be in too great a hurry. I don't want to dictate the people too much,
but I am willing to counsel you for your good, if you are willing to
take my counsel, all right, you will be blessed in your obedience. I
would like to pour out blessings upon the Saints. There are many
things that occur to my mind that I cannot say to you, but that which
the spirit dictates that I will communicate. I have nothing in my
heart but the best of feelings towards the Saints.
Some people think I am a poor financier! Perhaps I am. There are some
persons who are such good financiers that they take all the wool and
part of the hide with it. Now I would not like to financier in that
way. And if I don't fleece anyone, and take an advantage of those
with whom I deal, I shall have nothing to regret, and shall enjoy a
clear conscience; but if I do these things it will have a bad effect
in this world and worse in the next. Perhaps those who financier so
closely to the injury of their neighbors will not feel so well about
it in the next world. If they have deceived and taken advantage of us
in our necessities, they will not feel so well about it, if they
should meet us in the other world. I could tell a story. I think I
will do so. I could mention names. You understand that when a man dies
and leaves this world, he don't take his family with him, but they are
left to the care and protection of others. A certain good man died and
left a large family. A near relative took charge of the family and
removed them to a certain town, built a grist mill, from which the
family was supplied with the necessary bread. He built the first mill
in that town, and it was a blessing to the people as well as to the family of our deceased brother. By and by a few persons
concluded to build another mill, and in order to get the grinding they
resolved to build another mill. The consequence was the first mill
failed to supply food for the widows and fatherless children. These
brethren expect to go into the eternal world. Will the head of this
family be there? He certainly will. And how will these brethren feel
when they meet him? I don't think they will feel very happy.
The effect produced by their financiering was that of taking the bread
from the fatherless children. Will they feel as well as though they
had not done it? I think not. I was always sorry when I thought of
these circumstances and their effects. These things will have to be
met somewhere. The God we profess to serve lives and takes notice of
our actions, and if we do wrong we shall have to meet it sooner or
later. Then let us do to others as we would have others do unto us.
But do not suffer transgressors to deprive you of any blessing, but
rather suffer wrong than do wrong. Deal righteously with each other,
and so establish confidence by your good works. Do not take any right
or privilege from any man or woman. Not from a Gentile? No! Take no
right from any man. I would not like to infringe upon any man's
rights. If we do the Lord will hold us accountable in the day of
judgment. He causes the sun to rise upon the evil and the good, and
sendeth rain upon the just and on the unjust. And as the Lord dealeth
will all the children of men, so should we deal with each other. I
have detained you longer than I expected. My prayer is that the Lord
will bless you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Charles C. Rich