It has been very properly remarked that we are becoming a great
people; and there are a great many interests of a temporal, as well as
spiritual nature, that must necessarily be attended to—in fact it had
been so contemplated from the beginning. We talk sometimes of earthly
things: at other times we speak of heavenly things. Sometimes we speak
of things pertaining to time, and at other times of things pertaining
to eternity. We have to do with both or we could not have been here.
And being here it is proper we should come to a right understanding in
regard to the position we occupy; and especially that we should
comprehend our duties relating to our temporal affairs and by acting
truthfully, honorably and conscientiously avoid so much annoyance,
trouble, litigation and difficulty that so frequently exists. In
relation to the Gospel of the Son of God, it gives us information
pertaining to our existence and to our general relationship to God and
to each other, pointing out our various duties and responsibilities.
Associated with it is a priesthood which among other things is to
promulgate the will of God to the ends of the earth; it has taught us
principles pertaining to our future, both in relation to the living
and the dead, relative to the present, past and future. We talk a
great deal about our Gospel, about our spiritual affairs; we have our
church organized according to certain principles associated therewith. We have a priesthood organization, embracing our Stake
organization; we have organizations pertaining to spiritual things, if
you may so call them, and also for temporal things, for we have to do
both with time and with eternity, both with earthly and with heavenly
things, and consequently it is necessary we should be interested in
all. When we reflect upon our position, there is something peculiar
associated with it. At first the Elders of this Church were told to go
forth and preach the Gospel to every creature; then they were
instructed to gather together those who believed. According to the
Scriptures, "I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I
will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine
heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." We are
gathered together; but being gathered together there is something more
than spirituality associated with our existence. We brought our bodies
with us when we came, and we necessarily have to eat and drink and to
have houses to live in, etc.; in fact, we require the common
necessaries of life just as much as any other people. And then, if we
have children, as Bishop Hunter says, "there are none of them born
with shoes and stockings;" but these things have to be provided.
Furthermore, being gathered together, we necessarily form a body
politic, if you please, and we cannot help ourselves if we would; but
we do not want to. We frame laws according to the usage of the nation
we are associated with; for being here and finding ourselves in the
territory of the United States, we necessarily have had to organize a
government which has assumed a territorial form; and that means a
legislature with its enactments and all the various adjuncts of a
government. Laws have to be made, officers must be created to execute
those laws; and we necessarily become an integral part of these United
States, and have to perform all the political functions associated
therewith.
These things naturally flow unto us, and they will continue to grow
and increase, if it be true what the Scriptures say, and if it be true
what many of our brethren have preached to you since the assembling of
this Conference. Then it becomes a matter for us to reflect upon that
we understand our true position, how we can best sustain ourselves
religiously, socially, politically and financially, and among other
lessons learn to produce at home those articles we stand in need of.
We have been brought up in the world, and have imbibed many ideas in
common with mankind generally pertaining to commerce, trade and
manufactures. But we need the inspiration of the Almighty in all of
the affairs of life; for we profess emphatically to be the people of
God, and as it is with us in our religion so it ought to be with our
politics, our trade and manufactures. They ought, in all things, to be
subservient to one grand principle, and that is the acknowledgment of
God and his laws. Permit me here to state that before the revelations
of God to man in these last days, there were no people that had a
correct knowledge of God, that we have any knowledge of, anywhere upon
the earth. All were without prophecy, without revelation, without a
knowledge of the doctrine or ordinances of the Gospel. And to whom are
we indebted for a knowledge of these things? Certainly not to
ourselves, and as assuredly not to any earthly body or system in
existence. We are indebted alone to God for a knowledge of
these things; through His revelations made first by himself and by his
well beloved Son, and then by the ministering of holy angels, by
communication from the heavens to the earth. We are indebted to him
for all the light and intelligence we possess in relation to these
things. What did we know about the first principles of the Gospel?
Nothing. What did we know about the gathering, or about Zion, or about
the ordinances of the Gospel or about the holy priesthood? Nothing at
all. Nor did we know anything about the building of Temples, or about
the mode of administering in them until directed by the Almighty; it
was He who revealed the necessity of the construction of those sacred
edifices and the mode of administering therein. What does the outside
world know about these things? Nothing. And if they had our Temples
they could not administer therein. We are indebted to God alone for
the light and intelligence we have received.
Again in regard to political matters, where is there a nation today,
under the face of the whole heavens that is under the guidance and
direction of the Lord in the management of their public affairs? You
cannot find one. It is true that the founders of this nation, as a
preliminary step for the introduction of more correct principles and
that liberty and the rights of man might be recognized, and that all
men might become equal before the law of the land, had that great
palladium of liberty, the Constitution of the United States, framed.
This was the entering wedge for the introduction of a new era, and in
it were introduced principles for the birth and organization of a new
world. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that "The Constitution of the
United States was given by the inspiration of God." But good, virtuous
and holy principles may be perverted by corrupt and wicked men. The
Lord was opposed by Satan, Jesus had his Judas, and this nation
abounds with traitors who ignore that sacred palladium of liberty and
seek to trample it under foot. Joseph Smith said they would do so, and
that when deserted by all, the elders of Israel would rally around its
shattered fragments and save and preserve it inviolate. But even this,
good as it was, was not a perfect instrument; it was one of those
stepping stones to a future development in the progress of a man to
the intelligence and light, the power and union that God alone can
impart to the human family. And while we acknowledge, as citizens of
the United States, the laws and institutions thereof (which by the way
are very easily complied with), we have a higher law, more noble
principles, ideas that are more elevated and expansive; principles
that reach to the whole human family, and which he will continue to
reveal to us. Does that prevent us from obeying the laws of the land?
Certainly not. But then, is that a perfect system? I do not think that
many of you will say it is, nor do I think that the people of the
United States of any political party will tell you it is. I do not
wish to cast any reflections or refer to any events that have taken
place; I am merely speaking on religious principles, and principles
too in which we as Latter-day Saints are interested. We are united,
then, as a body politic, as an integral part of this Government, and
it becomes our duty to submit to the laws and institutions of that
Government—to all that are constitutional, framed and based
upon correct principles, and not in violation of what the fathers of
the country instituted.
But have we any higher aim than this? We have. Do any object? If so why
should they? Do we in anywise interfere with any man's rights,
Government, or make war upon any parties? No, but we are interested in
the preservation of justice, equality and the rights of man in the
development of peace, the further establishment of correct, more
elevated, refined and exalted principles, in placing ourselves in a
position more in accordance with things as they exist in the heavens,
for the welfare and happiness of the human family. God has given unto
us certain principles which we feel bound to observe. Is there
anything wrong in this? I think not. We have all kinds of institutions
here in the United States and in other nations, such as Odd Fellows,
Free Masons, and others; and they have a right to their ideas and
manner of doing things as long as they observe the laws, and so have
we, and have a right to be protected also in those rights. But to say
we must stand still is a thing not connected with our creed. If others
do not desire to accompany or keep pace with us, we must still go on
under the guidance of the Lord. As was said of ancient Israel, "The
Lord is our God, the Lord is our king, the Lord is our judge; and he
shall rule over us," so we say. We need information and revelation in
regard to our religious matters, we also need information,
intelligence and revelation in regard to our political, social and all
temporal matters. If we humble ourselves and purify ourselves, and
magnify our callings as the Elders of Israel, according to the
Scriptures, we will yet teach the princes of this world wisdom and
their kings know ledge and understanding; for these things that are
spoken of will assuredly come to pass when "out of Zion shall go forth
the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." The purposes of God
shall yet be fulfilled in relation to these matters; God's work will
most assuredly progress, until "the kingdoms of this world shall
become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ, and he will rule for
ever and ever," not in war, not in confusion and strife and
discussions, not in evil and corruption; but in the interests of
humanity, according to the laws of life and in accordance with the
intelligence that dwells in the bosoms of the Gods, and in the
interests of a fallen world.
Now we come to other matters pertaining to our mercantile
associations. I might talk further about our social relations, etc.,
however, these are subjects we hear a good deal about; we are pretty
well informed in relation to them. The information we have pertaining
to our associations with our wives, and wives with their husbands has
been revealed to us by God, and we are striving to carry out those
eternal principles—principles that will exalt us, our progenitors and
our posterity in the celestial kingdom, where we can enjoy the
presence of God and that of the celestial hosts who have gone before.
We come again to our temporal interests. Has the world been our
exemplar with regard to any of these things that I have mentioned? No,
the Lord has been our teacher, He has been our guide and director;
without him we could have accomplished nothing, for we knew no more
naturally than anybody else did.
In relation to temporal things. Are we capable, as Latter-day Saints, of fulfilling our destiny on the earth, and procuring a full
temporal salvation and sustaining ourselves, on temporal principles
without the interposition of the Almighty? I tell you no, we are not,
no more than we are in regard to any other things. We read in the
Scriptures of a time that is coming when there will be a howling among
the merchants in Babylon, for men will not be found to buy their
merchandise. This is in accordance with the prediction of John the
Revelator. And the gold and the silver and the fine linen, etc., in
Babylon will be of no avail. But before that time comes, we as a
people must prepare for those events, that we may be able to live and
sustain ourselves when in the midst of convulsions that by and by will
overtake the nations of the earth, and among others, this nation. The
time that is spoken of is not very far distant. "He that will not take
up his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee to Zion for
safety." And Zion herself must flee to the God of Israel and hide
herself in the shadow of his wing, seeking for his guidance and
direction to lead her in the right path, both as regards spiritual and
temporal affairs; things social and things political, and everything
pertaining to human existence. We are not prepared as a people today
for the accomplishment of this object; we need the interposition and
guidance of the Almighty. It is just as necessary that we be under his
guidance in relation to these matters, as it is in regard to any other
matters. Who made the earth? The same being that made the heavens. Who
made our bodies? The same being that made our souls; and it takes the
"body and the spirit to make the soul of man." We need not arrogate to
ourselves any particular intelligence, whether of mercantile,
manufacturing, chemical or scientific nature, for if there is anything
good or intelligent, it is the Lord who has imparted it, whether man
acknowledge it or not. We want to acknowledge the Lord in all things,
temporal as well as spiritual.
I wish now more directly to touch upon some other principles
associated therewith. Some of us seem to be very much confused in our
minds as to how we shall operate in regard to temporal affairs. We
have brought with us the feelings, views and ideas of the people from
whence we came, which are conflicting, and which tend to
disintegration and division, and lead to covetousness and fraud, which
ought not to have an existence among the Saints of God. We have
advertisements published in our newspapers by the Latter-day Saints
too, things that are infamous, that are untrue, that are a shame and a
disgrace among honorable people, and stand as a living lie. The
community at large should not countenance such things as we see daily
in our papers to attract the attention of the unwary and bring what
they call grists to their mill, in the interest of the individual. We
as a people are not called together to act in individual interests; we
are called together as Saints of God to operate in the interests of
the Zion of God, for the welfare of Israel, and not let ourselves
float along with the balance, and all swim together, or all sink
together. We ought to be governed by principles of union, fellowship
and right feeling, carrying out honorable and upright principles that
should be acknowledged before God, the holy angels and all honorable
men.
Now after speaking so much upon general principles, let me touch upon
some things referred to here about these reports, etc. We have
long talked about the united order and about cooperation; and we have
started in a good deal like some of our little boys when they begin to
run—we have made a great many stumbles in this matter. Little Willie
and Annie often think they can manage things better than Daddy and
Mammy; and we, like them, have assumed to ourselves strength, and the
first thing we know are pulling this way, that way and the other.
Then, have the institutions been exactly right? No, all kinds of
foolishness and all kinds of blunderings have occurred in their
administration. But shall we quit? I think not; that is just what the
devil would like, just what many of our merchants want, and it would
be the very thing that would suit the world, and the devil would laugh
at us. What we want to do is to purge out the things that are wrong,
and correct them and place them upon a correct basis, and then adhere
to them as we would any other part of our religion. In the Church, if
a man lies or swears, or commits adultery, or does anything wrong, we
deal with him according to the laws of the Church. But because men do
wrong, we do not abandon our principles, nor leave the Church, but we
turn such individuals out that will not be righted, and we aim to
adjust all things and place them on a proper basis. Why not do the
same in temporal things? We have, for instance, Zion's Cooperative
Mercantile Institution; it is called the Parent Institution, and it
ought to be the parent of all these institutions and act as a father
and protector and benefactor, doing all it can to promote the welfare
and prosperity of the people. And then the people, on the other hand,
ought to protect it and sustain it by doing their busi ness through
that institution and act prudently, wisely, orderly and unitedly in
regard to these matters, that we may be one; for our revelations tell
us, If we are not one, we are not the Lord's. And if we are not the
Lord's, whose are we?
We talk sometimes about the United Order. I do not propose to read to
you on this occasion from any of the revelations bearing on this
subject, but will quote to you in substance from one of them. The Lord
has told us that those who would not comply with the requirements
connected with this order should have their names erased from the book
of the law of God, and their genealogies must not be found on any
church records or history, their names shall not be found nor the
names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the
book of the Law of God. These words are to us, Latter-day Saints; they
are true and are binding upon us.
Another thing; what did we do when President Young was among us,
urging these things upon us? Did we not enter into covenant by
rebaptism to be subject to the Priesthood in temporal as well as
spiritual things, when we took upon ourselves the obligations of the
United Order? Let me ask you, what do we mean by doing this? Is it a
mere form, a farce, or do we intend to carry out the covenants we
made? I tell you in the name of Israel's God they will be carried out,
and no man can plow around these things, for God has decreed that they
shall be accomplished; and any man who sets himself in opposition to
these principles which God has established, he will root him out; but
the principle itself will not be rooted out, for God will see that it
is accomplished. And in the name of Israel's God we will help
him to do it; and all who feel to do it, say amen. (The large
congregation responded with a loud, "Amen." )
We have started cooperative institutions, and I will touch on a
principle now, showing how they ought to be governed. God has ordained
two priesthoods upon the earth—the Melchizedek and the Aaronic. The
Melchizedek presides more especially over the spiritual affairs of the
Church, and has done in all ages when it has existed upon the earth.
You will find this provided for in the Doctrine and Covenants; you can
hunt it up at your leisure, I do not wish to stop to make the
quotation now. The Aaronic priesthood is presided over by the
presiding bishop. If we had a literal descendant of Aaron he would
have a right to preside over the bishopric, and to operate and manage
and direct these things without the aid of counselors. In the absence
of such men the Lord has directed us to take men from the high
priesthood and set them apart to be bishops to administer in temporal
things. This Aaronic priesthood is an appendage to the Melchizedek
priesthood, and its province is to administer in temporal affairs. One
reason why we want men of this class to administer in temporal things
is because there is a special provision made for it. Nevertheless, a
High Priest that is after the order of Melchizedek may be set apart to
administer in temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the
Spirit of truth. And before a man attempts to administer in Zion in
temporal things, he ought to obtain a knowledge of that spirit of
truth to administer according to the intelligence which that spirit of
truth imparts. Thus we have the Aaronic priest hood in its place; the
Melchizedek priesthood in its place. And in all the various functions
it is necessary to enter into all the various organizations. It is on
one or two particular points that I wish to speak now.
In the first place the Lord requires certain things to be done to meet
his approbation; and everything has to be done under the direction of
the presidency of the Twelve, both temporal things and spiritual
things. The bishops and the presidents of Stakes and all the officers
in the Church of God are subject to this authority and they cannot get
around it. And when any officer of this Church who by virtue of his
calling does things without counseling with the proper authorities of
the Church, he takes upon himself things that he has no right to do,
and such a course cannot be acceptable before God and the Priesthood.
Now then, we come to the bishopric. Ought the bishops to be consulted
in regard to temporal things? Yes, they ought. And as an example, let
me tell you that for the last year Bishop Hunter has associated with
the Council of the Twelve whenever they have met to consider temporal
matters. And I may say we have been pleased to have his company,
because it was his place to understand the position of temporal
things, that we may know his feelings, and counsel with him and he
with us, that everything may be done according to the order and laws
of God, that there may be perfect unanimity. With this view he was
placed as one of the counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust—because the
Trustee-in-Trust thought it belonged to him to hold that position, and
thinks so today. But then, does he preside over the Melchizedek
Priesthood? No, he does not. Who and what is he? A high priest
ordained and set apart to the bishopric. By whom? The Presidency. Does
he control the Presidency? No, he is set apart by them; as bishop he
is an appendage to the higher priesthood, and does not control it. No
man controls it. I remember a remark made on one occasion by Joseph
Smith, in speaking with Bishop Partridge, who was then Bishop. He was
a splendid good man, as Bishop Hunter is. But he got some crooked
ideas into his head; he thought he ought to manage some things
irrespective of Joseph, which caused Joseph to speak rather sharply to
him. Joseph said, I wish you to understand that I am President of this
Church, and I am your president, and I preside over you and all your
affairs. Is that correct doctrine? Yes. It was true then and it is
true today.
Well, it is necessary that we should have an understanding of these
things, that we may make no mistakes in our administration. I want,
then, in all our operations to confer with our bishops. And if this
institution of ours is "Zion's Cooperative," then it should be under
the direction of Zion, under the direction of the Priesthood; and if
it is not "Zion's Cooperative," then it is a living lie. But do we
wish to interfere with them? No, we do not. Do we wish to interrupt
them in any of their operations? No, we want to help them; we want to
unite them and all the people into one, with God at our head, governed
by the holy priesthood. Have they rights? Yes. Do we respect them?
Yes. Have the people rights? Yes. Shall the people be respected in
their rights? Yes, they shall, all the people in all the Stakes; and
while we sustain them they must sustain us; and if they expect to have
our support, they must give us theirs.
Having said so much, I will tell you that I believe sincerely that the
men managing our Cooperative Institution are doing just as well as
they know how. And I will state further, that I don't know of any
persons in this community who know how better than they do. And I have
been now for some time associated with them, and am acquainted with
their proceedings.
There are other principles besides this; we want to learn to
manufacture our own goods. And while on the one hand we use the best
talent and financial ability we can get to attend to our mercantile
institutions; on the other hand, we need to cherish a spirit to
encourage home manufactures of every kind, and we want to get this
institution to help us do it. If we manufacture cloths and boots and
shoes or anything else, we want the institution to dispose of our
goods. If we need encouragement in regard to the introduction of any
manufactures of any kind, we want them to help us, and we have a right
to expect this of them so far as is wise, prudent and legitimate. I
will state that the directors of Z. C. M. I. feel interested in the
very things that I am talking about, and I say it to their credit and
for your satisfaction. I do not think there is an institution in the
United States in a better condition than that is today; and it is
improving all the time, not after any fictitious manner, but on a
solid, firm, reliable basis. Now then, I have proposed to these
brethren, which they quite coincide with, that when they shall be able
to pay a certain amount as dividends on the means invested, after
reserving a sufficient amount to preserve the institution intact
against any sudden emergency that may arise, which is proper
among all wise and intelligent men, that then the profits of the
institution outside of this, should be appropriated for the
development of the home manufactures, the making of machinery, the
introduction of self-sustaining principles and the building up of the
Territory generally, and they acquiesced in this feeling; and I say it
to their honor and credit. And I will tell you again that the Church
has got a large interest in that institution, consequently we wish to
see everything go aright, not on any wild erratic principle, but on a
solid, firm, reliable basis, that can be carried out and that will
elicit the admiration and confidence of all good and honorable men.
Sometimes little difficulties have arisen outside through interested
individuals who have resorted to a good deal of trickery; other times
perhaps from just causes. And I will say too that complaints have been
made that we have not sufficiently sustained our home manufactures. I
will say however that the Institution has stood in a very delicate
position. We have been struggling with the financial crisis that has
cast a gloom over all this nation for the last number of years—since
1873. But we are now getting into a solid, firm position, and when we
declared 3 percent for the six months dividend, it was because the
Institution was able to do so. And when we are able to extend this a
little farther we will be quite willing to do so.
Some of the complaints that have been made against the institution we
have heard; and we have thought best to have a board and refer to that
board any complaints that might be made from any part of the
Territory. This board that has been temporarily organized has given us
these various reports which have been read in your hearing, which
indicate their views and feelings in regard to these things. We wish a
board of that kind to be organized upon a correct basis according to
the order of this Church and Kingdom of God; and then as the people
throughout the Territory send to purchase their goods from them, let
the people that make these purchases be represented; and if there is
anything not straight in their operations let them be made straight.
And this is what this committee is for, that the people may be
protected as well as the Institution.
Then Stake organizations are recommended, with a representative from
each Stake at the general or central board, and it will make it much
more pleasant for the management of that Institution to have a
criticism of that kind. And it will also tend to allay many of these
foolish things which are frequently put in circulation in different
parts of the Territory. The object then, of this Board is that the
people may be represented, and that Zion's Cooperative may also be
properly represented, that it may serve as a balance wheel to adjust
and correct any matters of difficulty that may arise.
I am happy to say that in many parts of the Territory they are
introducing the manufacture of leather and boots and shoes and a
variety of other articles. And suffice it to say that, according to
these reports, the Parent Institution has sustained the manufacturers
of these homemade articles quite liberally; and we want it to be in
that position that everything we use can be bought there. This is,
too, the feeling in relation to this matter. And when we get things
into a proper fix we will pull with a long pull and a strong pull and a pull altogether. We will strive to be one; and if we
cannot go so far as to sustain cooperation in regard to these things,
how in the name of common sense are we ever going into the United
Order? But we will begin with this, and then cooperate in all the
different Stakes, not only in your merchandising, but in your
manufacturing affairs and in your producing affairs; and in everything
it will be the duty of this general Board of Trade to regulate
the interests of the whole community, honestly and faithfully, at
least we will do it according to the best ability we have; and if
there should any mistakes arise, we will try to correct them; if they
are on the part of the people, we will talk to them about it, if on
the part of the institution, we will talk to its management about it.
And we will keep working and operating until we succeed in introducing
and establishing these things that God has desired, and until Zion
shall be a united people and the glory of all the earth.
God bless you and lead you in the path of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.