I will read, this afternoon, a few verses of the revelation commencing
on page 345 of the new edition of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants:
"1. Verily I say unto you who have assembled together that you may
learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—
"2. Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my
people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might
have been redeemed even now.
"3. But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things
which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil,
and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor
and afflicted among them;
"4. And are not united according to the union required by the law of
the celestial kingdom;
"5. And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the
law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto
myself.
"6. And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience,
if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer."
I wish to remind my brethren and sisters, in the first place, that we
are dependent for our information and intelligence upon the Spirit of
God, which may be in us, if properly cultivated, a spirit of
inspiration, of revelation, to make manifest clearly to our
understanding the mind and will of God, teaching our duties and
obligations, and what is required at our hands. And, on occasions of
this kind, when we are assembled together to learn the will of God, it
is of importance that we exercise faith, and have the spirit of
prayer, that the Lord will cause something to be said that will
instruct, and give us such information and knowledge as will be of use
and service in our daily walk and under the circumstances that
surround us.
We need assistance. We are liable to do that which will lead us into
trouble and darkness, and those things which will not tend to our
good, but with the assistance of that comforter which the Lord has
promised his Saints, if we are careful to listen to its whisperings,
and understand the nature of its language, we may avoid much trouble
and serious difficulty.
We are told in these verses which I have read, that the Saints in
former days were driven from the land of their possessions because
they lacked that union which was necessary for their safety and
salvation, and to preserve them upon this land which the Lord designed
to give them for an inheritance. They were not united
according to the union which was required by the celestial law. And we
are told here that Zion cannot be built up upon any other principle or
foundation. This is the subject that concerns every Latter-day Saint,
and is well worthy of deep reflection, and we should seek the spirit
of inspiration, that we may understand it properly, and how it may,
perhaps, effect us in our present situation.
There are principles which are revealed for the good of the people of
God, and clearly manifest in the revelations which have been given;
but in consequence of not being more persevering and industrious, we
neglect to receive the advantages which they are designed to confer,
and we think, perhaps, that it is not necessary to exert ourselves to
find out what God requires at our hands, or in other words, to search
out the principles which God has revealed, upon which we can receive
very important blessings. There are revealed, plainly and clearly,
principles which are calculated to exalt the Latter-day Saints, and
preserve them from much trouble and vexation, yet, through lack of
perseverance on our part to learn and conform to them, we fail to
receive the blessings that are connected with obedience to them. These
principles of union, which the Latter-day Saints in former times
ignored, and in consequence of disobedience to them, were driven from
Missouri, are called by different names—United Order, Order of Enoch,
the principles of Union of the Celestial Law, etc. When we search the
revelations of God in regard to them, we see that wherever the Gospel
of the Son of God has been revealed in its fulness, the principles of
the United Order were made manifest, and required to be observed. The
system of union, or the Order of Enoch, which God has taken so much
pains to reveal and make manifest, has been, and is, for the purpose
of uniting the Latter-day Saints, the people of God, and preparing
them for exaltation in his celestial kingdom, and also for the purpose
of preparing them here on this earth to live together as brethren,
that they may become one in all matters that pertain to their worldly
affairs, as well as their spiritual interests, that they may become
one—one in their efforts, one in their interests—so that there shall
be no poor found in the midst of the Latter-day Saints, and no moneyed
aristocracy in the midst of the people of God, but that there should
be a union, an equality. Before this Church was organized, in April,
1830, there were given revelations touching the United Order; and from
the day the first revelation was given in regard to these principles,
there have been given a great number of revelations making the
principle of the United Order very plain to the understanding of those
who wish to comprehend them. The principles and system have been
pointed out in various revelations very distinctly, so that the Saints
might not err. The Lord has shown us that he considered this order no
small matter, but a subject of vast importance; so much so, in fact,
that he has pronounced severe penalties on those who disobey its
principles, and promised most important blessings to those who receive
it and conform to its requirements. Doc. and Cov., page 327, 276, 258,
264.
The Latter-day Saints, no doubt, have made very great improvement, and
advanced considerably beyond the point the Saints reached when they
were in Missouri, and were chastened in consequence of their
not having conformed to the principles of union, as required; but when
we see these sacred principles disregarded, to a certain extent, so
much as they are, we wonder why it is so, and how it is that they are
so much neglected, so much ignored—principles of such vast importance
to our exaltation and glory, and for our safety, and on account of
disobedience to which the Lord could not sustain and defend his people
in the State of Missouri, but suffered them to be overcome and
expelled by their enemies.
The Lord, when he counseled that Jackson County should be purchased by
the Saints, was very strict in regard to the manner in which they
should observe the principles of union; and he called one of his
servants, and told him that he would make him an example in regard to
what would be required of those who should go up to the land of
Missouri to receive their inheritance. That was Martin Harris. (Doc. &
Cov., sec. 58, page 203, verses 35 and 36.) The Lord said: "It is
wisdom in me that my servant Martin Harris should be an example unto
the church, in laying his moneys before the Bishop of the church. And
also, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land to
receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as
the law directs."
Now, here is one of the first principles of the United Order, and it
was made and ordained a law by every person, and everyone was
required to observe it, who should be privileged to go to the land of
Missouri to receive an inheritance. But this, I think, will apply, not
only to those who should go to the land of Missouri, but to the people
of God in every land. Wherever there is a people of God, the
principles of the United Order are applicable, if they would receive
and obey them. Some have thought that the United Order was to be kept
only by the people who should go up to the land of Missouri. Now this,
I believe, is incorrect. It would seem very singular that the
Latter-day Saints, when they receive the Gospel, should not have the
privilege of uniting themselves, according to the principles of the
celestial law, and that Jackson County should be the only place where
this law might be observed. I shall not have time to pursue this
subject so particularly as I would wish, I will simply refer to some
revelations in regard to the matter.
In Kirtland, Ohio, there was a United Order established under the
direct influence and instructions of Joseph Smith. He received
revelations from the Lord in regard to this subject. And there was not
only a United Order established in Kirtland, but there was also a
United command of God to be established in a locality about fifteen or
twenty miles from Kirtland, in a town called Thompson. And the Lord
gave his servant, Edward Partridge, the first Bishop of this Church,
revelations and important instructions in reference to organizing a
Branch of the Church into the United Order in that township. And
Edward Partridge needed these instructions, because it might well be
understood that he, of himself, would not be able to understand the
mind and will of God touching what was required according to the
principles of the celestial law. Therefore, the Lord told him it was
necessary that he should receive instructions in these principles. And
he gave him instructions, and told him that it was necessary that the
people should be organized there according to his law,
otherwise they should be cut off. And he told him, furthermore, that
it was their privilege to be organized according to the celestial law,
that they might be united upon those principles. And also, in this
revelation, he told Edward Partridge that he should have the privilege
of organizing, for this was an example unto him, in all other places,
in all other churches. So it was not confined to any particular
locality, to Kirtland, nor to Thompson, nor to Jackson County; but in
that revelation it was told the Bishop that this should be an example
unto him in organizing in all Churches. So that wherever Edward
Partridge should find a Church, he would have the privilege of
organizing them according to the United Order, the Celestial Law, or
the Order of Enoch.
Now, we might ask ourselves, would it be supposable that there could
be any transgression or that we would offend God in ascertaining what
the United Order is, and then conforming ourselves to its
requirements, as near as possible?
In the days of the Prophet Ezra, the Jewish nation, for many years,
had been in captivity, and in transgression, and been permitted to be
destroyed, and driven from their locations by their enemies. Well,
Ezra, on a certain occasion, saw proper to bring them together and
build Jerusalem that had been thrown down. The Lord aided him in this
work; and after they had been successful in building the walls, they
commenced reading the laws and revelations of God; and they found that
the people were in great transgression, and in disobedience to a very
important and sacred law, and that was in regard to their
intermarriages with aliens. They discovered that there had been a law
given in the days of Moses, that they should not give their daughters
to the sons of aliens, neither should they take the daughters of
aliens to their sons. Well, when Ezra made this discovery, and found
that the people had been intermarrying to quite an extent, he was in
consternation. He sat down, plucked the hair from his head, and his
beard from his face, and rent his garments; and called upon his God to
forgive the people. Well, finally, the prophets, and chief men were
called together and had a consultation; and then the people were
called together, and they had a very grievous time in making the thing
right wherein they had transgressed this holy law; and however
unpleasant the requirements were in regard to making this right, it
was considered absolutely important to have the blessings of God, and
be approved of him. Now, I do not say, when we come back again to our
subject, the principles of the United Order, that this might be our
position with reference to our obedience to it. But I would say this,
however, that if these principles of the United Order were so
important in former days, and the Lord by some thirteen revelations or
more, has made them manifest to his Saints, and the results of
disobedience were such as we see, why should we not consider them of
some importance at the present time? And would the Lord find fault
with the people, if the Latter-day Saints would strive with all their
hearts to conform to them? And would we not feel ourselves better
prepared to go back and build up Jackson County, the Center Stake of
Zion? Would we expect to go back unless we complied with the law in
all things, and in consequence of disobedience to which, the people
were expelled from that country?
It is argued by some that when the principle of tithing came in, it superseded the principles of the United Order. The law of Moses
was given to be a schoolmaster, to bring the people to a knowledge
of the Son of God, and induce them to obey the principles of the
fulness of the Gospel. The higher law was given to the children of
Israel when they were first delivered from Egyptian bondage, but in
consequence of their disobedience, the Gospel in its fulness was
withdrawn, and the law of carnal commandments was added. Now, do you
imagine that there would have been any wrong if the people wanted to
find the principles of the higher law and obey them as near as
circumstances would admit? Do you suppose it would have been wrong to
search out the fulness of the Gospel, while living under the Mosaic
law? But, in the Book of Mormon we find this point more fully
illustrated. We find that the inhabitants of this continent had a
knowledge of the fulness of the everlasting Gospel and were baptized
for the remission of sins, many generations before Jesus came into the
world. We find that Alma was baptized in the waters of Mormon, and
some four hundred and fifty other individuals. Alma, by his energy and
perseverance, had discovered the fulness of the Gospel and obtained
revelations from the Lord, and the privilege of observing the Gospel
in all its fulness and blessings. Do you think the Lord was angry with
them? They were under the Mosaic law, and yet considered it a blessing
to observe the higher law.
Now I will say in regard to the matter of tithing, I think that law
was given to the Latter-day Saints, one object being to prepare them
for, and conduct them to, the United Order, that they might not fall
into the same error as the people who were driven from the State of
Missouri, but gradually be inducted into these higher principles.
There is nothing more elevating to ourselves and pleasing to God than
those things that pertain to the accomplishment of a brotherhood. Wise
men, for centuries, have sought to bring this about, but without
success. They had not the ability, the wisdom, the intelligence, nor
the authority, to bring the people up to that standard, that they
could become a united brotherhood. All their efforts were ineffectual.
But the Lord will be successful; and he will prepare the Latter-day
Saints that these principles will be in their hearts when they go back
to Jackson County. Remember, while the Gospel in its fulness was
observed by Alma and his brethren, and by many thousands in different
ages of the world, they lived under the Mosaic Law, and cannot the
Latter-day Saints under the law of tithing, observe the fulness of the
gospel? If we allow that we are under the principle of the law of
tithing, is there any harm in our complying with the principles of the
United Order?
I am aware that it is unpleasant in the ears of some individuals, to
hear about the principles of the United Order, but take the Latter-day
Saints, generally speaking, throughout the various settlements of this
Territory, their hearts seem to be drawn out in reference to this
principle. When President Young first came into these mountain
valleys, he was impressed with the importance of this principle, and
he took the first steps for the accomplishment of this union. There
are hundreds and thousands of individuals that came into these valleys
at that time, who conformed to the first principles of this union.
There are many of us that consecrated all that we possessed, and this
is the first step in regard to the United Order. It is very possible
that there may have been some neglect in carrying forward this
principle, as, perhaps, we might have done. This I would not say
particularly, but there may have been fault in us, in this matter in
not carrying out what we commenced. In things that pertain to
celestial glory there can be no forced operations. We must do
according as the Spirit of the Lord operates upon our understandings
and feelings. We cannot be crowded into matters, however great might
be the blessing attending such procedure. We cannot be forced into
living a celestial law; we must do this ourselves, of our own free
will. And whatever we do in regard to the principles of the United
Order, we must do it because we desire to do it. Some of us are
practicing in the spirit of the United Order, doing more than the law
of tithing requires. We are not confined to the law of tithing. We
have advanced to that point that we feel to soar above this law. Now,
we have thousands and tens of thousands, and I might say millions of
dollars, that have been appropriated by the Latter-day Saints in
various directions. We have appropriated tens of thousands of dollars
for the gathering of the poor and the building of tabernacles, and for
many other things that might be mentioned. When we do this, we act up
to one of the principles that pertain to this United Order.
The Lord, in Kirtland, established a United Order. He called certain
individuals, and united them by revelation, and told them how to
proceed; and every man who would subscribe fully to the United Order
will proceed in the same manner. He told those people and the Church
afar off, to listen and hearken to what he required of men in this
Order, and of every man who belonged to the Church of the living
God—that all that they received above what was necessary for the
support of their families, was to be put in the Lord's storehouse, for
the benefit of the whole Church. This is what is required of every man
in his stewardship. And this is a law that is required to be observed
by every man who belongs to the Church of the living God. [Book Doc.
and Cov., p. 234.] Now, this is one of the main features of the
United Order. We are not going to stop here, in these valleys of the
mountains. Many of us expect to go forth and build up the Center Stake
of Zion; but before we are called, we must understand these things,
and conform to them more practically than many of us do at the present
time.
We are told in one of these revelations that it is necessary that we
should be equal. If we are not equal in temporal things, we cannot
be equal in spiritual things. Men on whom God has bestowed
financiering ability are the men that are wanted at this time—that God
wants, and whom he would wish to call to step forth in the
accomplishment of this great union. Now we call men at our conferences
and send them forth to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth.
They go forth in the strength and power of God, depending upon the
Holy Spirit, to assist in the accomplishment of the work. In regard to
the building up the kingdom of God here at home, persons who have the
ability are the ones who should step forward in things that would lead
the Latter-day Saints to this union. It would be of more value to them
than all the things of earth. The blessings of God upon them in time
and eternity would well repay them to step forth and labor for the
Zion of God. We are told that the priesthood is not called to work for
money, but to establish Zion. What a lovely thing it would be if there
was a Zion now, as in the days of Enoch! That there would be
peace in our midst and no necessity for a man to contend and tread
upon the toes of another to attain a better position, and advance
himself ahead of his neighbor. And there should be no unjust
competition in matters that belong to the Latter-day Saints. That
which creates division among us pertaining to our temporal interests
should not be. The Lord considered this union a matter of importance,
and he uses strong expressions in reference to it. Speaking in regard
to those who should disobey the principles of the United Order after
receiving it, the Lord says, "I have decreed in my heart that any man
among you that shall break the covenant by which you are bound, he
shall be trodden down by whomsoever I will." And he says, in
regard to some parties who turned away from this principle, "I have
cursed them with a sore and grievous curse." He says in another
revelation, showing the sacredness of this order, "Therefore a
commandment I give unto you, and he who breaketh it shall lose his standing
in the church, and be turned over to the buffeting of Satan." [p.
258.] These are severe penalties, but it is in consequence of his
desire to prepare a people for celestial glory. Now, shall we say that
these matters do not pertain to us, and that we shall leave them until
we go back to Jackson County? I have sometimes thought that if the
Latter-day Saints did not open their eyes and attend to these things
very strictly, we should hardly escape these afflictions, but be
persecuted as were our brethren in Missouri. After the instructions we
have received during the last forty years, shall we say that we cannot
conform to these principles? Shall we say that we shall ignore these
glorious principles that pertain to this exalted brotherhood?
Now, we are trying to do something in Brigham City in the direction
to this order; but there seems to be the greatest difficulty with
ourselves, when we come to these temporal affairs. Our old ideas of
things have a wonderful influence over us, that it seems a difficult
matter to break the crust, and conform wholly to the requirements of
the United Order. We have arrived at certain points of union in our
city; but I do not wish to speak about our affairs there in any spirit
of boasting, for when I consider the sacredness of these principles,
and the importance of them, I feel my insufficiency and unworthiness.
To engage in this labor seems to be a great and sacred undertaking.
President Young used to say, "Why, up there in Brigham City Brother
Snow has led the people along, and got them into the United Order
without their knowing it." But I can see many things that we are very
short of accomplishing. We have not entered into the fulness of the
principles of the United Order, but we talk about them, and many of us
try to conform to them, and get the spirit of them in our hearts. Now
we number about three thousand souls, and we have moved along so far
as this—I presume it is a little further than you have in Ogden—there
is but one store in our city where imported goods are bought, and this
belongs to the people. Now that is considered towards a union in a
people of three thousand, to be agreed to do their trading in one
place—that there should be one mercantile establishment. Now, you have
more than one store in Ogden. Then, we have united a little further;
we have but one tannery in our city of a population of three thousand.
We have but one shoemakers' establishment—an association of
shoemakers, consisting of about thirty persons. There is no competition in this business. I suppose you have more than one in
Ogden; but you are a greater people than we are, several times over.
They all purchase their boots and shoes at this industrial department,
and thus the men engaged in this business are sustained by the people,
according to their covenants; and there are no other shoemakers in
that locality. Well, we have united together on another point, that
is, in a woolen factory and sheepherd. We met with a loss of some
fifty thousand dollars in the burning of our factory, and the
destruction of our crops by the grasshoppers. There are no rich people
in Brigham City, but the people, through their union, have erected
another building, much better than the one destroyed. We expect to
have the factory in operation about the first of July. This shows some
proof of the advancement of the people. This achievement is not in
consequence of the people there having money; but this work—this
amazing work, as I consider it—has been accomplished in consequence of
the advancement that the people have made in this union. Well we have
but one blacksmith shop in that city; some twelve or fifteen work in
this establishment, and the people sustain them in their operations.
Those engaged in the various branches of labor feel confident that the
people will patronize them, and carry out what they have agreed in
this particular, and they do not trouble themselves about any other
employment, or business. There is but one furniture shop in Brigham
City, and the people sustain those engaged in that business. I suppose
you have more than one. There is but one tin shop, and it is
patronized by all the people of Brigham City. There is but one
lumbering department there, and the people sustain the parties who are
employed in that business. Some eighty or one hundred persons are
engaged during the lumbering season. The mills are owned by the
people, and there is no competition. There is but one millinery shop
in that city, and it is sustained by the people. You have more than
one here; perhaps you ought to have. There is but one tailor's shop in
Brigham City, and the people employed in that business are patronized
by the whole people. I might mention a great many other businesses,
but will leave that subject now.
Now, for the people in Ogden and the people in other settlements, it
would be a good thing to unite together to supply themselves with
their clothing, food, furniture, building materials, and with
everything that pertains to their comfort and convenience, without
being under the necessity of employing, or using, those things that
are imported. You have a great many wide-awake, financiering men in
Ogden, very intelligent men, who are full of wisdom and stir, and have
the principles of the Gospel in them. You are ahead of the people of
Brigham City in this respect, but we are ahead of you in some other
respects. In proportion as a man possesses a knowledge over his
brethren, we should be more anxious to accomplish good for Zion; and
he should be the one to set a proper example for the union of the
people. I believe if the Latter-day Saints would go forward and
establish the United Order in their midst more than they do, the Lord
would more abundantly sustain and bless us, and provide remedies
against the evils to which we are exposed—persecution and difficulties
from outside, that we will not talk about today.
The sisters here in Ogden are accomplishing considerable in regard to
the United Order. They are uniting themselves together to do a
great work. I do not know but what they, in connection with others,
will be, more or less, the salvation of Zion; and it is a good thing
for them to persevere, and for some of the brethren to follow their
good example in this respect.
A great deal might be said in regard to the principles of the United
Order, that I do not feel to talk about this afternoon, but I do feel
to urge on those brethren who have the means and are in circumstances,
to search out the mind and will of God in regard to these matters, and
let us try to build up Zion. Zion is the pure in heart. Zion cannot be
built up except on the principles of union required by the celestial
law. It is high time for us to enter into these things. It is more
pleasant and agreeable for the Latter-day Saints to enter into this
work and build up Zion, than to build up ourselves and have this great
competition which is destroying us. Now let things go on in our midst
in our Gentile fashion, and you would see an aristocracy growing
amongst us, whose language to the poor would be, "we do not require
your company; we are going to have things very fine; we are quite busy
now, please call some other time." You would have classes established
here, some very poor and some very rich. Now, the Lord is not going to
have anything of that kind. There has to be an equality; and we have
to observe these principles that are designed to give everyone the
privilege of gathering around him the comforts and conveniences of
life. The Lord, in his economy in spiritual things, has fixed that
every man, according to his perseverance and faithfulness, will
receive exaltation and glory in the eternal worlds—a fulness of the
Priesthood, and a fulness of the glory of God. This is the economy of
God's system by which men and women can be exalted spiritually. The
same with regard to temporal affairs. We should establish the
principles of the United Order, that give every man a chance to
receive these temporal blessings. I do not say that it would be proper
to give a man just baptized the fulness of the Priesthood at once.
Neither would it be right to give a man who has just come from the
old country the home and possessions of him who has been here and
labored and toiled for years to accumulate them. It would not be right
for the possessor to step out of his house, and let the one who has
never labored and toiled go in and take his place; but this man who
has got the blessings of God around him, should be willing to
sacrifice a portion of his surplus means to establish some industry,
that this poor man can work and obtain a good remuneration for his
labor, that he can see comfort and convenience before him, by
persevering as he has done who has been thus blessed. This is the
spirit and aim of the United Order, and that we should endeavor to
establish. We should employ our surplus means in a manner that the
poor can have employment and see before them a competence and the
conveniences of life, so that they may not be dependent upon their
neighbors. Where is the man who wants to be dependent upon his
neighbors or the Tithing Office? No! He is a man, and is the image of
God, and wants to gather the means around him, by his own, individual
exertions. Blessed of God, are we, who have surplus means, and we
should be willing to employ those means whereby such individuals may
have, as before mentioned. The United Order is not French Communism.
It is not required of those who possess the means of living to expend those means among those who know nothing about taking care of
and preserving them. But let no man be oppressed and placed in
circumstances where he cannot reach forth and help himself.
Well, I wanted to say a few things by way of suggestion to the
brethren. May God bless his people in Ogden. Take the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants, trace the subject of the United Order, and you will
find it explained fully. And there need not be any difficulty in
regard to what is required at our hands.
May we so live as to be worthy of a standing in the presence of God.
Amen.