I am pleased this morning to have the opportunity of meeting with the
Saints in this place. If you will try to be still, I will endeavor to
lay before you a few principles on the subject, concerning which your
President enquired of me a few days ago. It seems that there have
been, somewhere in this Stake, difficulties existing between the
Bishop of a Ward and certain members of his Ward. Failing to arrive at
an amicable settlement, the parties appealed, against the Bishop, to
the High Council. President Peery sent a telegram desiring my answer
to the question—"Whether a High Council had authority to try a
Bishop." I could have answered yes, and I could have answered no, to
that question; but it was a matter that would require some
explanation, and on which the brethren, in many instances, are not
very well informed. I knew it would be almost useless to give an
answer of that kind, without making some little explanation thereto,
because there are some things with which more than one truth is
connected.
If you were to ask me whether I am dressed in woolen clothes or
cotton, I could not give you an answer, in the simple words yes or no,
because part of them are woolen, part of them cotton, and part of them
linen; and I should need time to explain.
There are many questions pertaining to the Priesthood, which cannot be
answered categorically without further explanation, and as this is a
conference, I wish to make a few remarks concerning some of them; but
I do not propose to enter into all the details of these matters; there
would not be time, nor half time, nor a quarter time. I simply propose
to make a few remarks in regard to the question which was asked me by
your President.
I will here read on this subject a passage which people take up
sometimes, without understanding it, and, consequently, when they do
so, they are apt to make quite a number of mistakes. The passage to
which I will refer you, is the 22nd verse of the 68th section, in the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants. After reading it, you would think you
had got the whole answer, but then you might not have it, although you
might think you had.
"And again, no bishop or high priest who shall be set apart for this
ministry shall be tried or condemned for any crime, save it be before
the First Presidency of the church."
Now, does not that look very plain? It does, when apart from the
context, and if we do not exam ine the other parts associated
therewith. I will further read some more pertaining to this matter,
which will be found in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, page 249,
section 68.
"Ver. 14. There remain hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other
bishops to be set apart unto the church, to minister even according to
the first;
"15. Wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and they
shall be appointed by the First Presidency of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, except they be literal descendants of Aaron.
"16. And if they be literal descendants of Aaron, they have a legal
right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of
Aaron;
"17. For the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this
priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same."
Now, I desire to draw your attention to one thing very distinctly,
that you may comprehend—"For the firstborn holds the right of
presidency over this Priesthood." Over what Priesthood? The Bishopric.
There is a Presidency in that Priesthood; and this firstborn of the
literal descendants of Aaron would have a legal right to that
Presidency. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys
of this Priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron, and
the firstborn among his sons. Then, he would have a legal right to
it. I could tell you the reason why, but it would take too long a
time; and these things will be spoken of hereafter more fully. But I
wish to speak of one or two leading principles pertaining to this
subject; and as a High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has
authority to officiate in all the lesser offi ces, he may officiate in
the office of Bishop, when no literal descendant of Aaron can be
found, and it is stated, "And they shall be set apart under the hands
of the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood." To what
authority? To what power? To what calling? To what Bishopric? To the
Presiding Bishopric. This is what is here referred to:
"Ver. 20. And a literal descendant of Aaron, also, must be designated
by this Presidency, and found worthy, and anointed, and ordained under
the hands of this Presidency, otherwise they are not legally
authorized to officiate in their Priesthood.
"21. But, by virtue of the decree concerning their right of the
priesthood descending from father to son, they may claim their
anointing if at any time they can prove their lineage, or do
ascertain it by revelation from the Lord under the hands of the
above named Presidency."
Without that the Presiding Bishop could not be set apart, because
there is where the authority is placed.
"22. And again, no bishop or high priest who shall be set apart for
this ministry shall be tried or condemned for any crime, save it be
before the First Presidency of the church;"
In regard to what ministry? Why the Presidency of the Aaronic
Priesthood. That is what is here spoken of.
"23. And inasmuch as he is found guilty before this Presidency, by
testimony which cannot be impeached, he shall be condemned;
"24. And if he repent he shall be forgiven, according to the
covenants and commandments of the church."
Now, then, I will read you something more on the same subject, which will be found in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, page 383,
section 107.
"Verse 1. There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the
Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
"2. Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because
Melchizedek was such a great High Priest.
"3. Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order
of the Son of God.
"4. But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being,
to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in
ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the
Melchizedek Priesthood.
"5. All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this
priesthood.
"6. But there are two divisions or grand heads—one is the Melchizedek
Priesthood, and the other is the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood.
"7. The office of an elder comes under the priesthood of Melchizedek.
"8. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has
power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of
the world, to administer in spiritual things."
Now here is a principle developed that I wish to call your attention
to, and that is, that it is the especial prerogative of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, and has been "in all ages of the world, to
administer in spiritual things," and to have the right of presidency
in those things.
But then, here is another distinction that I wish to call your
attention to, at the same time, which is found in the next verse:
"9. The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of
Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the
Church" —spiritual or temporal.
But there is a difference between the general authority of the
Melchizedek Priesthood and the one that is designated, which presides
over them all: and that which presides over the whole has the right to
administer in all things. The Aaronic Priesthood is an appendage unto
the Melchizedek Priesthood, and is under its direction
I mention these things that you Bishops, and you Seventies, and you
High Priests, and you Elders, and you High Councilors, and you
Presidents of Stakes and Councilors, may comprehend the position of
things, as here indicated; and, as was said formerly, I think it was
by Paul, "that you may be able to rightly divide the word of truth,
and give to every man his portion in due season." These principles are
written here, and are very plain, if they are understood, but if not
understood, then they are mysterious, and it is required of us to make
ourselves acquainted with the principles inculcated and herein
developed. The things which I have mentioned are plain to the minds of
all intelligent Latter-day Saints, who have studied the Doctrine and
Covenants on these points.
"Verse 10. High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood
have a right to officiate in their own standing, under the direction
of the presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in the
office of an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon,
and member."
That is the reason why, as soon as they possess this Priesthood and
right, if they are appointed to any particular office in the Church,
they have a right to administer in that office.
I will now speak a little upon the High Priesthood. This High
Priesthood, we are told, has held the right of Presidency in all ages
of the world. But there is a difference between the general powers of
the Priesthood, and the particular office and calling to which men are
set apart; and you, when I tell you, will understand it very easily.
For instance the Presidency of the Priesthood, or the Presidency of
the Church, are High Priests. The Twelve are High Priests. The
Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, the High Council of a
Stake, and of all the Stakes, are High Priests. The Bishops are
ordained and set apart through the High Priesthood, and stand in the
same capacity; and thus Bishops and their Counselors are High Priests.
Now, these things you all know. There is nothing mysterious about them.
There is another question associated with this matter. Because a man
is a High Priest, is he an Apostle? No. Because a man is a High
Priest, is he the President of a Stake, or the Counselor to the
President of a Stake? No. Because he is a High Priest, is he a Bishop?
No, not by any means. And so on, in all the various offices. The High
Priesthood holds the authority to administer in those ordinances,
offices, and places, when they are appointed by the proper
authorities, and at no other time; and while they are sustained also
by the people. Now these are the distinctions which I wish to draw,
simply to classify them. And when there is anything said about a High
Priest, you say, "I am High Priest, and if such a man has authority, I
have it!" You have if you have been appointed to it, or you have not
if you have not. You have it if you are appointed to fill the office,
and are properly called and set apart to that office; but unless you
are, you have not got that office, but still you are a High Priest;
and "High Priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a
right to officiate in their own standing under the direction of the
Presidency, in administering spiritual things;" but they must be under
that direction or Presidency. Now here is where the question comes in.
Is it not plain when you look at it? To me it is very distinct and
pointed, and it is to you who are intelligent and have studied these
things. It is not because a man holds a certain class of Priesthood
that he is to administer in all the offices of that Priesthood. He
administers in them only as he is called and set apart for that
purpose. Hence, as you are organized here, you have a Presidency. They
were presented here for you to vote upon, and after that they were set
apart to administer in that office. But supporting Brother Peery and
his counselors had not been called and set apart, would they have a
right to administer in the office of the Presidency? No, they would
not; and you can all see it when you reflect upon it.
Now, then, as we have read, a High Priest, after the order of the
Melchizedek Priesthood, has the right to administer under the
direction of the Presidency, in all spiritual things, and also in the
office of an Elder, Priest, Teacher, Deacon, and member. And in the
following verses we read that:
"11. An elder has a right to officiate in his stead when the high
priest is not present.
"12. The high priest and elder are to administer in spiritual things,
agreeable to the covenants and com mandments of the church; and
they have a right to officiate in all these offices of the church when
there are no higher authorities present.
"13. The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because
it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations.
"14. Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an
appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power
in administering outward ordinances.
"15. The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the
keys or authority of the same." We will read a little further:
"16. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this
priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron."
That is, he has no legal right; but in regard to certain conditions
pertaining to this right, I do not propose to enter into an
investigation this morning.
"Verse 17. But as a high priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has
authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in
the office of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found,
provided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by
the hands of the Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood."
To what power? To hold the keys of this Priesthood, and to preside
over the Aaronic Priesthood.
"Verse 18. The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek
Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the
church—
"19. To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom
of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the
general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the
communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of
the new covenant.
"20. The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is
to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in
outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance
for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.
"21. Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding officers growing
out of, or appointed of or from among those who are ordained to the
several offices in these two priesthoods.
"22. Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests,
chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld
by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of
the Presidency of the Church.
"23. The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve
Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—
thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
"24. And they form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three
presidents previously mentioned.
"25. The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be
especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world—thus
differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.
"26. And they form a quorum equal in authority to that of the Twelve
special witnesses or Apostles just named.
"27. And every decision made by either of these quorums, must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in
each quorum must be agreed to its decisions, in order to make their
decisions of the same power or validity one with the other—
"28. A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it
impossible to be otherwise—
"29. Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the
same blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents
were anciently, who were ordained after the order of Melchizedek, and
were righteous and holy men.
"30. The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made
in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness
and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge,
temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;
"31. Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they
shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord."
Again, we read in the same section, page 389:
"Verse 60. Verily, I say unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts, there must
needs be presiding elders to preside over those who are of the office
of an elder;
"61. And also priests to preside over those who are of the office of a
priest;
"62. And also teachers to preside over those who are of the office of
a teacher, in like manner, and also the deacons—
"63. Wherefore, from deacon to teacher, and from teacher to priest,
and from priest to elder, severally as they are appointed, according
to the covenants and commandments of the church.
"64. Then comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all.
"65. Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the High
Priesthood to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called
President of the High Priesthood of the Church;
"66. Or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High
Priesthood of the Church.
"67. From the same comes the administering of ordinances and blessings
upon the church, by the laying on of the hands.
"68. Wherefore, the office of a bishop is not equal unto it; for the
office of a bishop is in administering all temporal things;
"69. Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood,
unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron;
"70. For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold
the keys of that priesthood."
You see the keys of this Priesthood are specifically mentioned
whenever the Presidency is mentioned; and whenever the rights of the
literal descendants of Aaron are mentioned, it is to hold the keys of
this Priesthood.
"Ver. 71. Nevertheless, a high priest, that is, after the order of
Melchizedek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things,
having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth;
"72. And also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the
church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it
shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of
his counselors, whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of
the church.
"73. This is the duty of a bishop who is not a literal descendant of
Aaron, but has been ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
"74. Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the
inhabitants of Zion, or in a stake of Zion, or in any branch of the
church where he shall be set apart unto this ministry, until the
borders of Zion are enlarged and it becomes necessary to have other
bishops or judges in Zion or elsewhere.
"75. And inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed they shall act
in the same office.
"76. But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the
presidency of this priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act in
the office of bishop independently, without counselors, except in a
case where a President of the High Priesthood, after the order of
Melchizedek is tried, to sit as a judge in Israel.
"77. And the decision of either of these councils, agreeable to the
commandment, which says:
"78. Again, verily, I say unto you, the most important business of the
church, and the most difficult cases of the church, inasmuch as there
is not satisfaction upon the decision of the bishop or judges, it
shall be handed over and carried up unto the council of the church,
before the Presidency of the High Priesthood."
"79. And the Presidency of the council of the High Priesthood shall
have power to call other high priests, even twelve, to assist as
counselors; and thus the Presidency of the High Priesthood and its
counselors shall have power to decide upon testimony according to the
laws of the church."
"80. And after this decision it shall be had in remembrance no more
before the Lord; for this is the highest council of the church of
God, and a final decision upon controversies in spiritual matters."
"81. There is not any person belonging to the church who is exempt
from this council of the church."
"82. And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall
transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council
of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the High
Priesthood;
"83. And their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy
concerning him."
"84. Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of
God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him,
according to truth and righteousness."
I will read you a little more on this subject:
(Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 124, page 431.)
"Ver. 20. And again, verily I say unto you, my servant George Miller
is without guile; he may be trusted because of the integrity of his
heart; and for the love which he has to my testimony I, the Lord, love him.
"21. I therefore say unto you, I seal upon his head the office of a
bishopric, like unto my servant Edward Partridge, that he may receive
the consecrations of mine house, that he may administer blessings upon
the heads of the poor of my people, saith the Lord. Let no man despise
my servant George, for he shall honor me."
I would remark here that Edward Partridge was the first Bishop of the
Church, and that he was appointed at an early day to go to the land of
Zion, and to preside over the Bishopric in that district of country.
He was to purchase lands for the people that should gather there; he was to receive the consecrations of the people when they
should present themselves to him; he was to divide up the inheritances
for the people, and to sit as a common judge in Israel and hence he
held charge, not as the Bishops do here, over a particular Ward, but
over the whole of that district of country in the land of Zion. I
would remark, again, that Bishop Whitney was chosen and set apart as a
Bishop, to manage the affairs in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, and
not only there, but to preside over all affairs associated with that
Bishopric in all of that country, and occupied the position of a
general Bishop, presiding over a large district of country, the same
as Edward Partridge did in Zion. But these are not what we call
presiding Bishops. In the same revelation that George Miller was
called to occupy the place of Edward Partridge, and to hold the same
kind of Bishopric that he held, we find that there was a Presiding
Bishopric appointed.
"141. And again, I say unto you, I give unto you Vinson Knight, Samuel
H. Smith, and Shadrach Roundy, if he will receive it, to preside over
the bishopric."
Now, I have briefly laid before you some ideas pertaining to these
matters. I will explain them a little further. I will say that the
Bishopric is a good deal like the High Priesthood in the position that
it occupies. There have been men who, under the Bishopric, have been
appointed to fill various offices in the Church, and at different
times. I have told you, already, the nature of the office which Bishop
Partridge held, the nature of the office which Bishop Whitney held;
and then there were other men who did not hold the same kind of
Bish opric that they did. For instance, there was Bishop Alanson
Ripley, whom many of you know, who lived back in Nauvoo; and other
Bishops were appointed in some Stakes that were then organized. And as
it requires the direction of the Presidency of the Church to regulate
these general Bishoprics, such as Brother Partridge held, and such as
Brother Whitney held, and also being appointed by the Presidency, they
have a right to be tried and have a hearing before them. But that does
not apply to all Bishops, or to all men who may be placed under
different circumstances. For instance, you have here in this Stake of
Zion, quite a number of Bishops. How far does their authority extend?
It extends to the boundary of each of their respective Bishoprics. No
further. You all know that—over their Wards where they preside, and
not over somebody else's, unless they are appointed to it, which would
be another thing. But without some special appointment, they are
simply appointed to preside over their several Wards, and no one
else's. That is the extent of their authority in the Bishopric. But a
person holding a general Bishopric, the same as Bishop Whitney did, is
different. He had that appointed unto him by revelation, and under the
direction of the Presidency of the Church; and the appointment that
Bishop Partridge held—that was under the direction of the First
Presidency of the Church; and these Bishops would have the right to be
tried by the same power that appointed them and set them apart. Still,
how is it with other Bishops in Stakes; are they under the same
direction? To a certain extent all are under the direction of the
First Presidency; but unless the First Presidency shall otherwise decide, there is authority held by the Presidency in those
several Stakes, to try those Bishops who are under their jurisdiction
in their Stakes and for the High Council, with the Presidency of the
Stake presiding, to call them before them to have a hearing, and
adjudicate those matters. Thus the presidency of Stakes occupy the
same position to their Stakes as Joseph Smith did to the Stake in
Kirtland, the difference being in this, that Joseph Smith, while he
presided over that Stake in a Stake capacity, presided also over all
Stakes and Churches throughout the world, while the Presidents of
Stakes only preside over their several Stakes, and their jurisdiction
does not extend to any others. But if the First Presidency should see
it necessary to interfere, and say, in a case of that kind, that the
case was of such a nature as to require another tribunal; they have a
right to dictate, and manage those matters. But if Presidents of
Stakes and their Counselors and the Bishops fulfil their duties, and
all act in harmony with the First Presidency, then everything goes on
smoothly, and all men can be judged according to the principles laid
down here in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
And there are some few things pertaining to these matters that I will
now speak about; and as this is a conference, it is as good a time to
talk about these doctrinal matters as we shall have. There are a great
many things mixed up with these subjects. Suffice it, however, to say,
that it requires the Presidency of the Church to seek after God in all
of their administrations. Then it behooves the Presidents of Stakes
and their Counselors to be feeling after God, and after the First
Presidency, and be in harmony with them, and to feel that there is
union and harmony and the principles of peace and order prevailing
everywhere. And where these things are carried out on correct
principles, there is harmony throughout all Israel. If these things
are departed from, then come disorders, difficulty and hard feeling.
Now we ought not to allow our feeling to have any place in these
matters. No man has a right to use his priesthood to carry on his own
peculiar ideas, or to set himself up as a standard, with the exception
of the First Presidency, and they have no right to do it unless God be
with them, and sustain them, and they are upheld by the people. And
then it is for Presidents of Stakes to follow after their spirit, and
carry that out just as they would follow after God, and seek for and
obtain light and the spirit of revelation from Him, and thus be
prepared to bless the High Priests, the Bishops, and all men under
their charge.
What is the High Priesthood? Why are you organized as a High
Priesthood? Read the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. What does it say?
It says (Sec. 124, verse 134) "Which ordinance is instituted for the
purpose of qualifying those who shall be appointed standing presidents
or servants over different stakes scattered abroad." It is a kind of
normal school, where they may be taught lessons in the Presidency, and
be prepared to judge and act in the various places which they may be
called to. Do the Priesthood fulfil their calling? No, they do not.
When the Stakes were being organized, we had to call upon Seventies
and Elders, and all classes of men to hold positions which High
Priests should have held. But there are some who talk about being great big High Priests, who, when they should have been called
upon to be Bishops, or Bishops' Counselors, were found to be
incompetent because they had not prepared themselves to occupy these
offices associated with their calling, and been dabbling with the
world and had been led by its influence, instead of being wide awake
and full of the life and power and revelations of God. If they had
magnified their Priesthood, then God would have been with them, and
they would have been selected, until all those places would have been
filled. Then, how is it in regard to the Seventies? Just the same.
According to your statistical report, which has been read, you have in
this Stake 360 Seventies; and how many of them, if they were called
today, are prepared to go to the nations of the earth to preach the
Gospel? You are not prepared to do it any more than the High Priests
were prepared to magnify their calling. The Twelve are commanded first
to call upon the Seventies, but when they do so they frequently find
they with one consent begin to make excuses. I know it is so, if you
do not. Very well, what then? As there are other appendages to the
Melchizedek Priesthood, the Twelve are obliged to call upon the
Elders, and High Priests, and others, to go and perform duties which
should be performed by the Seventies, but which they neglect to do. I
speak of this, shall I say to your shame? I do not like to use hard
words, they do not do any good. I would rather say five hundred
pleasant things than one harsh one; but I want to state truths as they
exist, so that you can comprehend. Now, notwithstanding this being the
case, the work of God cannot stand still. The nations must be warned.
The word of God must go forth, or the Twelve would be held
responsible, if these things were not done; and we have to keep doing
it, doing it!
Now, as a sample of the excuses that men make who are called to go on
missions, I will tell you what people tell me. One man says, "I have
been building a house, and have not got the roof on it." Another
comes, and says, "I have just been entering some land, and I am afraid
I shall be placed in difficulty, if I go; I pray you have me excused."
And one man said he was so engaged in merchandising, and he was so
much interested in the people's welfare, that he was afraid they would
suffer very materially in their temporal interests, if he ceased to
keep store that it would not be well to take him away. Another has
bought five yokes of oxen, and is proving them, and prays to be
excused. And another has married a wife and he cannot go. I will tell
you what I once had to say to President Joseph Young. He had been
calling upon a number of people to go forth on missions. He being the
presiding officer over the First Presidents of Seventies was the party
for us to apply to; but in selecting missionaries they had employed a
system of what might be properly called machine work, as you would go
to work and pick out horses or cattle by their teeth. They had
selected them generally according to age, etc., without inquiring as
to their qualifications, circumstances, etc. Now, we want the spirit
and power attending all of these matters, that we may find out the
true position of things before we can call men. After he had received
a great number of names from the said presidents, there came in a
perfect, stream of excuses to me. They wanted to be excused; and Joseph himself came to me and said, "how are you getting along
with the Seventies?" I said, "If you don't hurry up and get the
balance in, they will all be gone. You had better hurry up." Well, it
is rather a lamentable story to tell. Yet, while we hold this
important Priesthood, it is a sorry way of treating it.
Now, it is for us to look after these things; and they are beginning
to work up into a little order—to do a great deal better; and men are
beginning to realize the importance of their office and calling, and
express a greater desire to magnify it; thus things are beginning to
look a little brighter on that score, as the Twelve have been
attending to these things.
Now, the idea is not that one or a dozen men have to bear off this
kingdom. For what is the Priesthood conferred upon you? Is it to
follow the "devices and desires of your own hearts," as I used to hear
them say in the Church of England when I was a boy? Is it to do that?
I think not. Or were we enlisted to God for time and eternity? I
think we were; and we want to wake up to the responsibilities which
devolve upon us, and honor our calling and magnify our Priesthood.
There are a great many more things which I could talk about in this
connection, but this may suffice at present.
We have a variety of institutions. We have the sisters' societies. I
attended a meeting of one of these a short time before I came here,
and set apart Sisters Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. Young, and Elizabeth Ann
Whitney. We set some of these same sisters apart in Nauvoo, under the
direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, about forty years ago; and they
are doing a good work, and it is for them and their associates to
continue to do right and pursue a proper and correct course. We want
the Relief Societies and the Young Mens' Mutual Improvement Societies
to take hold with a hearty good will. I was pleased to hear the
remarks which were made in relation to the course they are pursuing in
trying to keep the Word of Wisdom. Now, I am not very strenuous about
urging any particular point, but that is a good thing for them to
attend to. We must try to live our religion. We are on the eve of
important events. There are troublous times in advance of us and the
world—such times as the world has not taken it into their hearts to
conceive of. And we need to be united and to operate together in all
of our affairs. Be united as one; and, "if you are not one you are not
mine," saith the Lord. Men who are influenced by Gentiles, and every
corruption that prevails, are not fit to be the Saints of God. You
want to pay your tithing honestly and squarely, or you will find
yourselves outside of the pale of the Church of the Living God. We
have to lay aside our covetousness and our pride, and our ideas which
are wrong, and be united in our political affairs, in our temporal
affairs, under the direction of the Holy Priesthood, and act as a
mighty phalanx under God, in carrying out His purposes here upon the
earth. And all Israel ought to do the same. And then we have our
Cooperative Institutions, and other useful institutions among us.
Well, what shall we do? Sustain them? Yes; and fulfil our covenants
with them as we expect them to fulfil their covenants with us; and let
us be one and act together upon correct principles. Whoever violate
their contracts before God and the Priesthood have to be dealt with
for that, no matter who they are, nor what position they
occupy. We have to act under the direction of the Almighty. I know it
is not popular to serve God, But God has called us to be one; and he
expects us to be one and carry out his purposes, and be obedient to
the laws of Heaven.
May God bless you, and lead you in the paths of life. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.