We have had some good instructions, and as far as I have knowledge
they are all true; and obedience to those principles that we have
heard will save every man and woman in this congregation and in the
world, and they will open the gates of hell, and eventually redeem
every man and woman that has not sinned the sin unto death. Many
suppose, and I used to suppose so from what the sectarians taught me,
that people went to hell for good, but I can tell you that there will
be a great many who will go there for evil and not for good.
Captain Smoot's and Captain Willie's companies will arrive this
afternoon, and the Bishops have prepared houses to take them to. A
great many who went out to assist those companies, found their
relatives and friends, and will take them home with them.
It is expected that the people will send in their offerings, and that
the Bishops will report to brother Hunter, their presiding Bishop,
that he may direct the distribution of the provisions and comforts of
life to the newcomers. And it will be necessary to be as careful in
dealing out food to them, as you would be with little children,
otherwise they will be apt to injure themselves by eating vegetables,
&c. Now do you understand me?
Let your offerings be to your Bishops, that they may be able to issue
and control them in wisdom. This word of caution will also apply to
those brethren who take the newcomers into their houses. Give them
what you think they ought to eat, and no more; and have compassion
upon them, and do not kill them with your kindness. A great many are
killed by unkind acts, but this is a case of sympathy, and if you are
not very careful you will injure them instead of doing them good.
I now want to say to the doorkeepers, those who attend to seating the
congregation, let the men, women, and children who come here in season
and take seats keep them; do not drive them away, but let them keep
their seats; let all who come in good season, keep their seats. There
are many children six years old who comprehend and practice what is
here taught, better than many of the grown persons: their intellects
are brighter than those of many of the old men and women, therefore do
not drive up nor drive out the children.
Some women come in here tossing their heads about, with their bonnets
and everything about them all on a wiggle, but go to their homes and
you will often find them as abusive to their parents as the devil can
wish them to be; they come here late and expect that the little
children will be made to leave their seats.
I will illustrate the difference between the temperaments of the old and young, by referring you to the buffaloes on the Plains, as
most of you had a chance to observe their habits. If I wish to
domesticate buffaloes, I will take none but the calves, for I can do
nothing with the old ones, they have become too set in their wild
ways. But I can take the calves and learn them to work and give milk,
and learn them to become domesticated and useful. Amen.
- Heber C. Kimball