I am thankful for the opportunity of addressing this large audience,
most of whom, I recognize as my intimate friends and associates, for
whose spiritual, moral, and intellectual advancement and temporal
prosperity, I have labored diligently through a period of over thirty
years, ever since the establishment of its first dwelling or hamlet.
This, I presume, will prove my last opportunity, for some length of
time for addressing you, being now under bonds of six thousand
dollars, to appear next Saturday, the 16th inst., at Ogden, to receive
sentence for cohabiting with my wives—having been pronounced guilty
for the same offense, under three indictments. Undoubtedly my sentence
will embrace the extreme limit the law allows—eighteen months
imprisonment, nine hundred dollars fine, with costs of prosecution
added.
I do not now propose to enter into details respecting the three
trials under those indictments, re sulting in verdicts of guilty,
without one particle of evidence by which to justify such verdicts—the
very singular and extraordinary charge to the jury by Judge Powers—the
urgent appeal of the Prosecuting Attorney, for the jury to assist in
convicting the defendant—the eloquent and forcible arguments of my
counsel—the intense anxiety of Judge Powers and the prosecution to
impress the jury that it was their imperative duty to convict the
defendant, as (in the language of the attorney), "He was a high
official in the Mormon Church, and therefore it was expedient in the
warfare against that Church, that he should be made a victim." All
these matters and proceedings will be recorded, and published to the
world; they will be preserved and handed down as items of history for
the consideration and judgment of future generations.
In passing, I will observe, however, that in the progress of my trial,
and in the outcome, this FACT was demonstrated—it is needless
for a Latter-day Saint, occupying any position of prominence, and
living his religion, to expect justice in the tribunals of this once
boasted land of civil rights and religious liberty; but now, under the
blighting, merciless influence of religious bigotry and sectarian
fanaticism of an apostate Christianity. It is even better to look for
justice in courts under the ruling powers of a moral and honest
infidelity.
I was pronounced guilty of violating the Edmunds law. Previous,
however, to its enactment, my wives (except the one with whom I was
living) having passed the period of maternity, by mutual consent, we
were living in accordance with the requirements of that law, and this,
too, without violating any principle or object embraced in the law of
celestial marriage.
To "multiply," was the first commandment given to our first parents.
Purity in matrimonial intercourse, I always believed, should accompany
that command, and I have always endeavored to observe faithfully its
practice. I married because it was commanded of God, and commenced in
plural marriage. I contracted marriage with four women about the same
time, and with a mutual understanding with each that they were to be
equal—neither was to take or assume the status of a first or legal
wife. Two of them were united to me in the sacred bonds of matrimony
at one and the same time, by the same ceremony. The other two shortly
after, also at one and the same time and in like manner.
Of all the witnesses introduced by the prosecution, the testimony of
each tended directly to establish my innocence. The Prosecuting
Attorney, when addressing the jury, said: "This case of a prominent
leader of the Mormon Church is under investigation—he is one of the
most scholarly and brightest lights, and we require your encouragement
and assistance. The eyes of the nation are now upon you, and as loyal
citizens, from you a verdict of guilty will be expected; and if you
heed this appeal, I can assure you, and predict emphatically, if the
defendant, Mr. Snow, with a few other Mormon leaders can be secured,
it will not be long before a new revelation will follow, calling for a
change in the law of patriarchal marriage."
Last year one thousand sectarian ministers petitioned Congress to
legislate more severely against the "Mormons," and punish them with
greater cruelty; and this has been the cry and watchword of priest and
people throughout the length and breadth of our unhappy country,
arousing and fostering a popular feeling and sentiment that it would
be right, and doing the will of God, to overthrow and destroy this
kingdom which the Prophet Daniel foresaw, and which God has now
established.
For many years past, my heart and feelings have been devoted to the
promotion of your interests—your welfare and happiness; with what
success, you, my friends, are the proper judges. I shall soon depart
from your presence, and submit myself to the officers of the law, and
whether I may be permitted again to address you from this stand, I
cannot say—a matter, however, about which none need have the least
anxiety.
I go to prison with the full assurance that I can serve God and His
purposes—magnify my calling, and prove to the world, my faith
and sincerity in the principles I have taught, during fifty years,
among many nations—that Jesus is the Son of God—that He has revealed
His Priesthood, and the fulness of the ancient Gospel, and established
His Church by revelation.
When I received the Apostleship, I well remember saying to my
brethren, who were present, that very possibly the same sacrifices
would be required of the modern Apostles as were experienced by the
Apostles anciently, including their persecutions and martyrdoms. I
said, in receiving this sacred calling, I felt as though it were
ascending an altar where, perhaps, life itself would be offered. The
Lord has said: "I have decreed in my heart that I will prove you in
all things, whether you will abide in my Covenant even unto death;
for, if ye will not abide in my Covenant, ye are not worthy of me."
Seriously considering all this, I asked myself: Am I willing to accept
these conditions—to so deny myself and suffer for the glory of God,
and to honor and magnify this Apostleship?
God is now feeling after us, and will disclose our secret thoughts. It
would be well to purify and prepare ourselves, and in the language of
the Psalmist, call upon God, saying, "Search me, O God, and know my
heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way
in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
If we succeed in passing through the approaching fiery ordeals with
our fidelity and integrity unimpeached, we may expect at the close of
our trials, a great and mighty outpouring of the Spirit and power of
God—a great endowment upon all who shall have remained true to their
covenants. We must be more eager to cultivate friendly relations with
our neighbors, together with love and affection for our wives and
children that peace may dwell in our households, and confidence in the
midst of the people.
"Fifty millions of people" are said to be calling loudly for the
extermination of the "Mormons." If it be a FACT that our religion is
divine, established of God, there is no cause for alarm, nor even
anxiety or uneasiness. Tens of thousands, through obedience to the
sacred Gospel, know it to be true—a FACT, by immediate revelation to
themselves. Therefore, these "Fifty millions of people," are not
fighting the "Mormons," or their religion, but they are fighting God
and His purposes.
Israel, on the banks of the Red Sea, were God's people—a fact
perfectly known to Moses; and he knew, also, what were the purposes of
God concerning them. Hence, there was no occasion for alarm or anxiety
in view of the overwhelming forces of Pharaoh's army, threatening
immediate annihilation. God's eye was upon Israel—they were there by
His direction—a FACT—a revealed FACT, known to Moses and Aaron, and
doubtless to many others, by direct communication from God. It is
true, they were placed in a frightful situation—naturally, a hopeless
one, from which no human power or ability could extricate them.
Israel was there, not from choice, but by the command of God; and He
had arranged His own program; yet Pharaoh with his armed hosts,
sought to thwart His purposes, and in the end was overthrown and
destroyed; and the result of this ignorance and folly stands recorded
on the page of history as a lesson to all generations.
God established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by
direct revelation; this is a FACT, clearly and distinctly revealed to
thousands. The so-called "Mormon" people, in these valleys, are the
acknowledged people of God, and are here, not by their own choice, but
by immediate command of God. The work and management is the Lord's—not
the people's—they do His bidding, and He, alone, is responsible for
the result.
We have no occasion for fear or cause for trembling—the purpose of God
will be accomplished—what He has recommenced will be consummated though
the combined armies of the earth should rise up and oppose. It is a
FACT that God has spoken, and called latter-day Israel from among the
nations, and planted them in these valleys; therefore this work is
His, and although He may lead us as He did Israel of old, into
seemingly desperate situations, requiring serious sacrifices—the
despoiling of homes—incarceration in prison, and even jeopardizing our
very existence; and yet, it will be but for a moment, as it were, and
then those trials will terminate as did Job's, in an increase of
possessions; and as ancient Israel's, in a kingdom and country—honor,
glory and dominion.
Some of our brethren have queried whether hereafter, they could feel
themselves worthy of full fellowship with Prophets and Saints of old,
who endured trials and persecutions; and with Saints of our own times
who suffered in Kirtland, in Missouri and Illinois. The brethren
referred to have expressed regrets that they had not been associated
in those scenes of suffering. If any of these are present, I will say,
for the consolation of such, you have to wait but a short time and you
will have similar opportunities, to your heart's content. You and I
cannot be made perfect except through suffering: Jesus could not. In
His prayer and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, He foreshadowed the
purifying process necessary in the lives of those whose ambition
prompts them to secure the glory of a celestial kingdom. None should
try to escape by resorting to any compromising measures.
All who journey soon or late,
Must come within the garden gate,
And kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle hard, yet not despair.
It is now proposed to enact laws to govern the "Mormons" in Utah,
similar to those passed in Idaho to afflict our people, viz: "Whoever
claims membership in a church or organization, teaching or practicing
the principles of Patriarchal Marriage, shall be deprived the right to
vote or hold office." Thus we understand the time is at hand when,
whosoever admits he is a Latter-day Saint, must feel the oppressive
grasp of persecution. How many now here, are ready—having oil in their
vessels, and lamps trimmed, and prepared for coming events?
I am not sorry, nor do I regret on account of the near approach of
these fiery ordeals; the Church, no doubt, needs purifying—we have
hypocrites among us—milk-and-water Saints—those professing to be
Saints, but doing nothing to render themselves worthy of membership;
and too many of us have been pursuing worldly gains, rather than
spiritual improvements—have not sought the things of God with that
earnestness which becomes our profession. Trials and afflictions will
cause our hearts to turn towards our Father who has so marvelously
wrought out our redemption and deliverance from Babylon.
I wish to offer a word of caution to my brethren that you may beware,
and commit no grave errors when brought into positions of trial and
temptation. Some, unfortunately, have disregarded this injunction, and
have imprinted a stain upon their character, and a blot upon their
record which cannot be erased in time—perhaps not in eternity. These
are fearful mistakes. Better suffer a thousand deaths than succumb to
the force of persecution by promising to discard a single principle
which God has revealed for our glory and exaltation. Our character, as
Latter-day Saints, should be preserved inviolate, at whatever cost or
sacrifice. Character approved of God is worth securing, even at the
expense of a lifetime of constant self-denial.
While thus living we may look forward far away into the spirit land,
with full assurance that when reaching that happy clime, we shall be
crowned with the sons and daughters of God, and possess the wealth and
glory of a Celestial kingdom.
Apostle Paul in his time, taught the Saints to have the same mind in
them as was in Christ Jesus, who, finding Himself in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Apostle John, on the same
subject says, "When Jesus appears we shall be like Him." "Every one
that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as God is pure."
As man now is, God once was—even the babe of Bethlehem, advancing to
childhood—thence to boyhood, manhood, then to the Godhead. This, then,
is the "mark of the prize of man's high calling in Christ Jesus."
We are the offspring of God, begotten by Him in the spirit world,
where we partook of His nature as children here partake of the
likeness of their parents. Our trials and sufferings give us
experience, and establish within us principles of godliness.
Jesus has, in our day, visited this world, and been seen of men on
different occasions. He appeared on the 3rd day of April, 1836, to the
Prophet Joseph Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, in the Temple at Kirtland,
Ohio. This important visitation is described as follows:
"The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding
were opened."
"We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us;
and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber."
"His eyes were a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like
the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun;
and his voice was as the sound of rushing waters, even the voice of
Jehovah, saying:"
"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was
slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Behold your sins are
forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore lift up your heads
and rejoice."
"Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my
people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my
name."
I now will bring my remarks to a close. In a few days I must leave
family, kind friends and associates with whom I have spent so many
pleasant hours in "The City I love so well" —proceed to
Ogden—receive
my sentence, then retire to private life, within my prison walls, for
"The word of God and testimony of Jesus."
I hope to address you again, many times in this life, though this may
be my last—however this will be, I shall expect to meet you in yonder
world clothed in robes of celestial beauty, amid the glory of the Sons
of God, where grief and suffering shall have ceased—when tears will no
longer moisten your cheeks, and sighs and moans no more be heard; but
where, peace and joy forever reign, in those realms of glory, honor
and immortality.