Since the last time I had the privilege of worshiping in this house I
have had the opportunity, in company with Brother F. M. Lyman, of
making a tour through the Southern wards and Stakes of this Territory,
and I must say, though it was my first visit to several places, that I
have enjoyed my labors exceedingly. I appreciated my association with
the Saints, who are striving in their weakness to establish the
righteousness of God upon the earth. I was treated with the greatest
kindness. It is impossible for us to be associated as we are in a
great work—a work that from the beginning has been opposed by the
world—without feeling the greatest admiration for men and women who
are filled with the spirit of integrity, who manifest a love for God
and for the principles of righteousness, that is surprising in the day
and age in which we live, when righteousness is so unpopular. I had
always been given to understand that I was living in an enlightened
age in the blaze of the Gospel; that we had passed from the dark ages
and living in an enlightened age, among educated people; that the
Gospel of the Son of God was being promulgated in all nations, and
that we had the Bible for a guide, so that we need not be mistaken.
This being the case, it is something very curious—I often think so in
my reflections—that men and women are today in the penitentiary,
doomed to associate with the worst class of villains, because they
believe in God. The same principle that exalted Abraham and made him
the "friend of God," because he believed God and obeyed Him today is
considered a crime: for men and women who manifest that they have the
faith of Abraham by doing the works of Abraham are considered fit
subjects to be placed among murderers and the worst class of
characters. I presume if 50 years ago, any man had said that the time
would come when the doctrine of Christ should be so unpopular that
those who believed God, and who practiced the principles that lead to
endless lives, would be incarcerated in dungeons, he would have been
considered slightly insane. It has been the boast of the nation to
which we are attached, that wherever the glorious flag waved it was a
source of consolation to the people of all nations to know that there
was a spot on earth that was the land of the free and the home
of the brave. With a Constitution that is the admiration of all
nations and peoples, nobody would have ever thought for a moment that
the circumstances that we see today, and the facts that we are in
possession of, would ever be recorded upon the pages of American
history, and they never would have been had the spirit of patriotism
that dwelt in the bosoms of those who consecrated their lives, their
sacred honor, and their all, for the establishment of a spot on earth
that should be indeed the land of the free, and the home of the brave,
been manifested today. No brave man would ever interfere with another
man's religion. It is all that I have. My hope, my joy. Take my
religion away, and I am a beggar of the poorest kind. If I am wrong
show me my wrong: I am open to conviction. I embraced the doctrine
taught by the Latter-day Saints, because I believed that it was true,
and that it promised to me something more than I was in possession of.
The humble man that brought the glad tidings of the restoration of the
Gospel, told me that if I would appeal to God who dwells in the
heavens, and would appeal honestly, He would give me light and
intelligence, and that if I would obey the Gospel I should be put in
possession of knowledge that it was true; that I would learn that
Joseph Smith was no false prophet, but a true prophet sent of God;
that holy angels, holding keys of power and authority, had visited the
earth for the express purpose of restoring the Priesthood of God, that
the Gospel might be taught in power and authority in all nations,
preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man, which is nigh at our
doors. Wishing to be kind to myself; wishing to understand if there
was any truth in all these things, I went where we should all go—to
the throne of grace, and asked God the Eternal Father in the name of
Jesus Christ, that if the testimonies I had heard were true, that I
might have a knowledge of the same; that I was willing to embrace the
Gospel provided that it was true, and it would guarantee the
excellency of knowledge that was promised me if I would seek wisdom at
His hands and obey. I asked that if it was the truth I might know it;
because if any man desired eternal life I did; if any man desired to
serve God I did; if any man desired the remission of his sins I did;
and consequently I went to that source that I would presume all
intelligent men and women would appeal to when a message of the kind
that came unto us through the Prophet Joseph Smith was sounded in our
ears. I obtained that knowledge, and I have endeavored faithfully to
bear my testimony wherever I have been, and under whatever
circumstances I have been placed. And I have never taken any step but
what I have appealed to the same source, believing as I do in the
Gospel of Christ, believing as I do in the Bible, and believing that
James meant what he said when he stated: "If any of you lack wisdom
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him." I went forth in the simplicity of my
heart believing God would answer my prayer. He did so, and from that
day to this I have had, in my associations with the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, a living testimony of the truth of this
work, and the closer I live to the requirements and to the principles
that have been enunciated, and are continually enunciated, by inspired
men, the greater the happi ness and peace I enjoy. Do I wish to
interfere with the rights and privileges of anybody? God forbid. Do I
wish to do anything that would be a reproach to this nation? God
forbid. The course that the Latter-day Saints are taking is an honor
to the nation. It is an honor to this country. That God our Eternal
Father selected men who had been born, and raised on this soil to
usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times. It certainly ought
to be a source of joy to all men who are honest in heart, and who
desire to obtain eternal life, to know that the keys are turned by
which they can obtain the same. But as it was in the days of Christ,
so it is today. The world by wisdom know not God: and the course that
they are taking today in fighting against the principles of
righteousness is a shocking record to make upon the pages of history.
Can a false religion benefit me? Can manmade systems benefit me? Can
I obtain the remission of my sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost,
through uninspired men? I think not. I have no guarantee for that
inside or outside of the lids of the Bible.
In my travels among the Latter-day Saints, circumstances have arisen
that have caused me some reflection, more especially with regard to
prayer. It might not be believed that among the people who profess to
be Latter-day Saints, there are those who neglect prayer. We have had
to ask young men, sometimes, that were Elders and who had been
recommended to be Seventies, if they prayed, and in telling us the
truth, they have stated that they did sometimes. I never should have
doubted for a moment that there was anybody professing to be a
Latter-day Saint who did not pray. I cannot understand it. I was
inducted into the Kingdom of God by prayer, and I have been sustained
by the Almighty Father, by prayer, ever since that day. I do not pray
for form sake: I pray because I earnestly desire to have the
fellowship of the Holy Ghost. I cannot understand how anybody can pray
for form's sake, although I have almost been led to believe that we do
so on a great many times and occasions, and I will give you my reasons
for so thinking. What is the idea, after singing, of one of the
brethren standing up here to open this meeting by prayer? Is he not
our spokesman, the mouthpiece, and should we not, while he utters the
sentences, have those sentences pass through our minds in a prayer as
a congregation, and when he has finished it, endorse the same by
saying "amen." What is the meaning of "amen?" So be it. Well,
I
noticed today that there were few "amens." Why is this? Did we not
endorse the prayer? Did we not sanction it? I should think if we did
we would naturally say "amen" —so let it be. But I will tell you what I
am afraid of—I am afraid of the Latter-day Saints getting into a form
of religion and being no better off than their neighbors, or getting
into the habit of going to meeting and hearing the singing and praying
and the discourse without their having any influence whatever upon our
minds any more than perchance to criticize. I cannot understand how
that kind of a worship can be acceptable to God. If I understand it,
He requires our hearts, and He desires when we pray that we mean what
we say. What is the meaning of prayer? Why, it is to earnestly ask
something that we require with all our hearts. All who are in
fellowship of the Holy Ghost, will ask God for His Spirit to be
in their hearts in all their business relations, even, that they might
not soil their hands, but keep them clean and their hearts pure, that
they might merit His approbation. The Lord Jesus Christ encouraged His
disciples to pray—to pray without ceasing. Upon one occasion He spoke
a parable on this very subject, that men ought always to pray and not
faint. And I think if any people on the face of the earth ought to
pray it certainly should be the Latter-day Saints; for we have no
friends on the earth. All the friendship that we can depend upon is in
God our Eternal Father, who controls the actions of all men, and who
allows men to go to a certain extent, that they may prove before the
heavens their corrupt hearts and what they would do if they were
permitted; that every man through the agency that God has given him,
may manifest himself before God, before the heavens, and before all
mankind, as to the spirit he is of in the record that he makes. The
Savior said there was a certain judge, "which feared not God, neither
regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto
him saying, avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while:
but afterward he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor
regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her,
lest by her continual coming she weary me." This was the parable that
the Lord Jesus gave the people when persuading them "to pray, and not
to faint." "And the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge saith: "And
shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them
speedily. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, shall He find faith on
the earth." We as a people should certainly be a prayerful people, and
I would venture to say that if we were not, if we depended upon our
own strength, the time will come when we will fail. I cannot
understand how in a well ordered house family prayer can be dispensed
with. I cannot understand how it is that men understanding the
responsibility that rests upon them, understanding their own weakness
and insufficiency, understanding the blessing that God our Eternal
Father has promised unto us through our faithfulness, should consider
that they can do without God. Why, it seems to me that in every well
regulated family the head thereof should gather his wives and children
around him and bow at the altar, even the family altar, and offer unto
God thanksgiving and praise for His protecting care and to entreat Him
for His Spirit that we might be led by its counsels that He might not
suffer us to be led into temptation, but that He would deliver us from
evil. And I do not consider that this duty is all the time upon the
head of the house. I consider that his family should take a part in
family prayer. I do not consider it necessary for the man to be the
mouthpiece all the time. I think it is just as acceptable to God our
Eternal Father, for the wife to take her part in prayer, and for the
boys and girls to take their part in the same exercise. It seems to me
there is something very shocking that young men should be allowed to
grow up until they are about twenty years of age and have it to say
that their father never asked them to pray in the family circle. We
expect our wives to be associated with the Relief Societies, and
certainly they should know how to pray. We expect our young men to be
associated with Young Men's Associations, and they certainly should know how to pray. We expect our daughters to be associated with
the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, and they certainly
should know how to pray. We expect our children to be associated with
the Primary Associations, and they certainly should know how to pray.
We do them an injustice when we do not divide up the honors in prayer
in this way. It is requisite that all should take their turn in
prayer, and I do not think it should be done for form's sake. It
should be the expression of glad hearts, understanding the great
blessings that have been conferred upon us through the light and
intelligence of the Gospel, and feeling glad that we are not under the
condemnation of priestcraft, but that we have the privilege of
priesthood; that we are not led by false teachers who have no
authority, and who know not the way of life and salvation, but that
God has given unto us true teachers, inspired by Him, that His people
may learn of His ways and walk in His paths. And I believe in the
counsel of the Savior when He advised His disciples to pray for their
enemies. If there are people on the face of the earth who ought to be
prayed for, it is our enemies. I would pray the Eternal Father that He
would have mercy upon them, that He would enlighten their minds, that
they might understand they were fighting against the truth. I would
plead before Him that they might be prevented from making the dreadful
record that they are making against themselves; I would plead that the
Lord would be merciful unto them, that they might be converted as we
are converted. Who converted us? The Spirit of God. What do we know
only as we are taught of God, and what can they know of the true
faith only as they are taught of God. The Lord Jesus Christ, in His
dying agonies, and the martyr Stephen filled with the Spirit of His
master, said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge! Behold the unbounded love and
charity that were in the breast of the Savior and His servant Stephen.
We should have this same Spirit. It is a most awful thing to die in
one's sins. It is most awful to be classed with those who
misrepresent, who are called in the Bible liars, who are to have their
portion in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
When I think that men of professed intelligence will stoop to such
dishonorable means to bring trouble upon innocent people, I think they
ought to be prayed for that God would have mercy upon them, that He
would convert them from the error of their ways, that they might not
be blotted out from the book of remembrance and become subject to the
second death. I think common humanity should inspire us to pray for
them. They are the children of God, and they are in the image of God,
they are our brethren and sisters, children of the same parent: and it
is a duty we owe to God and to mankind to pray that the Lord may have
mercy upon sinners. I also believe that we should pray for the Chief
Magistrate of this nation. We should pray that He might be inspired of
God, and be a blessing to the nation in his integrity to the
Constitution. I believe we should pray that God might overturn, and
displace the wicked, and put in righteous men who would repeal the
unrighteous acts and laws that have been passed, and thus demonstrate
that they were willing that all mankind should enjoy what they
themselves wish to enjoy—the pursuit of life, liberty, and
happiness. All the happiness that I have is in keeping the
commandments of God. All the happiness that I have has been given unto
me through the new and everlasting covenant, which God has restored to
the earth. And then I believe in secret prayer. I can go and tell my
Father things that I would not want anybody else to know. I can go and
ask His direction when I require it. So can the sisters, who are
entrusted with these bright spirits that have been reserved in the
heavens and foreordained to come down on the earth in the dispensation
of the fullness of times to assist in the establishment of the Kingdom
of God. How are you going to exercise righteous dominion over your
children and teach them correct principles, unless you enjoy the
revelations of God. I cannot understand how a woman can love her
children and not plead before the Almighty, that they may be protected
from all accident, that they may enjoy their senses, that they may be
preserved in the use of their limbs, that they may not meet with any
accident that would disfigure or disable them in the battle of life. I
think all these things arise on common sense principles. When we know
that God lives; when we know that He hears and answers our prayers;
when we know that we are dependent upon Him and upon Him alone; when
we know that we have no friends outside, and that the world is at
enmity with God, is at enmity with us, and with the principles of
righteousness, we should humble ourselves to the dust, and ask God to
be merciful to us and to all mankind.
Then, again, hew can we have faith in the Gospel, unless we have the
Spirit of God. In a revelation that has been given, and that is
frequently quoted, we are told that when we do as the Lord sayeth He
is bound to fulfill; but when we do not we have no promise. And on
another occasion He said that He could not look upon sin with the
slightest degree of allowance. Do we believe this? Do we believe that
all we have, or that we ever expect to have, comes or will come from
God? Do we understand this principle? Do we understand that if we do
not obey the Gospel, that if we do not offer unto the Father the
offering of a broken heart and a contrite spirit, we will not be
accepted of Him? Do we understand that unless we live the principles
that He has revealed from the heavens, that we have no promise of the
future, and then to think it a light thing not to pray. The Lord has
said with regard to the work of the ministry, and the establishment of
His Kingdom on the earth that, "No one can assist in this work, except
he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope and charity,
being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his
care." How is it possible for us to be put in possession of these
inestimable virtues unless we desire them with all our hearts! And how
can we obtain them but by earnest prayer to Him from whence all these
priceless blessings flow? From what other source can we obtain them?
Why, if we thoroughly understand our position, and our entire
dependence upon God our Eternal Father, our prayers would ascend up to
heaven night and day, and they would be mingled with praise and
thanksgiving to God, for the mercies and blessings He has vouchsafed
unto us. If we do not see the necessity of this it is because we are
too ignorant to understand the loving kindness of God, and it is time we should wake up to righteousness and good works, that we
may have wise and understanding hearts. The Lord has indeed been
merciful to us as a people. How marvelously He has protected us! How
marvelously He has blessed us as a people, and how cheerfully He has
poured out His Spirit upon us when we have sought it. It behooves us
to walk in His paths. It is our duty to walk in the light, even as the
beloved Apostle said: "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." The same beloved Apostle said:
"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have
passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that
loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother
is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding
in him."
My brethren and sisters: Let us pray to God our Eternal Father; let us
make ourselves familiar with His Spirit and the impress thereof; let
us, if we have not done so, put our houses in order, remembering that
we are living in perilous times, that we are living in the hour of
God's judgment, that we are on the eve of famine, of pestilence, of
earthquakes; and it behooves every man and woman professing to be
Latter-day Saints to be alive to their duties, to put away all folly,
to live humbly and frugally before God, and to prepare for the
calamities that are coming upon the earth. We have been warned and
forewarned, and I say unto the Latter-day Saints prepare ye, O prepare
ye, for the calamities that are at our doors. Let us cease all
extravagance; let us remember the children entrusted to our care that
they, too, may have something for a day when nothing shall be raised;
let us sanctify ourselves before the Lord, striving to do His will and
keep His commandments, calling upon Him in mighty prayer (remembering
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,") to
have mercy upon His heritage; and that these valleys of the mountains
may indeed and of a truth be the land of the free and the home of the
brave; which blessings I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.