I am not much in the habit of taking texts, especially of late years,
and more especially since the commencement of the reformation.
However, this afternoon, I think I will take a text, as a subject for
the few remarks that I may make on this occasion, and that one was
presented to me this morning when in conversation with brother
Kimball, and that text is embraced in one word, which is Union.
I expect that a great deal might be said on this subject, and probably
a great deal has been said, but more may yet be said, and that which
intimately concerns us at the present time. If we would rightly
understand things as they are, a more inte resting subject could not be
introduced at the present time, and it embraces a great deal more than
what we should be enabled to say in one hour, or in one day. Unless we
go into the practice of paying more attention and more regard to the
interests of others, we shall not get along as a people, near so well
as, perhaps, many of us have been anticipating.
In the Gentile world, where the Gospel first reached us, our manner of
training, our habits and our education, all went to influence our
minds to look after self, and never to let our contemplations or
meditations go beyond that which pertained to ourselves. In making any
exertion that would in any way tend to benefit our selves, to exalt ourselves, and assist us in amassing riches, or in gathering
information that would confirm or aid in the bringing about this
object, we considered we were doing first-rate, for that was the
object of life with us.
We then depended upon ourselves almost entirely, and thought that we
should have means around us, gathered for the purpose of securing
ourselves from the evils that we found we were continually exposed to,
in regard to poverty and in regard to the lack of friends. We were all
looking within ourselves, we regarded our own dear selves in all our
meditations, and directed all our exertions for our own individual
benefit. This is what our parents taught us to a great extent, and it
mattered, with us, but very little, how or what course was pursued if
we could gain those things we desired, if we could secure to ourselves
those things which were necessary for our own comfort, and for our own
individual temporal convenience.
This is the education of the world, and this is the way they are
taught, this is one reason we have so much difficulty in acting upon
the principles of union. Then it should not seem so very strange that
the same feelings that were in the minds of the people around us, that
were instilled into us by traditions, should linger around us at the
present time, and become a blind or a barrier against receiving those
blessings and privileges that we might otherwise receive, and be
injurious to us when we receive the Gospel and endeavor to become
Saints of God.
I can discover that these things have extended and spread themselves
in the feelings and hearts of the Saints pretty extensively, and they
act very powerfully in hindering the Saints from obtaining the
blessings and privileges which it is their right to receive. Until
these feelings are re moved, we shall be liable to be baffled in regard
to the blessings that are promised to the people of God.
We talk considerably in regard to the principle of loving our
neighbors as well as we love ourselves; we talk about it, and we
sometimes think about it, but how much do we really enter into the
spirit of these things, and see that the difficulty lies within
ourselves. We must understand that we have got to act upon certain
principles by which we can bind ourselves together as a people, to
bind our feelings together that we may become one, and this never can
be accomplished unless certain things are done, and things that
require an exertion on our part. How would you go to work to bind
yourselves together? How would a man go to work to unite himself with
his neighbor? If two men were associated together who had never been
acquainted, how would they go to work to secure each other's
friendship, attachment, and affection one towards another? Why
something would have to be done, and that not by one party only, but
would have to be done by one as well as by the other. It would not
answer for one to do the business alone; it would not do for one to
answer those feelings and do the work himself, but in order to become
as one in their sentiments and affection, the action of both would be
requisite.
Now it is so ordered and so arranged, that we are dependent, in a
great measure, one upon another. For instance, take us as a people, we
are dependent upon a being that is above us to secure our peace, our
happiness, our glory, and exaltation; we are individually dependent
upon the exertions of an individual who is above ourselves.
For instance, we are all dependent upon Jesus Christ, upon his coming
into the world to open the way whereby we might secure peace,
happiness, and exaltation. And had he not made these
exertions, we never could have been secured in these blessings and
privileges which are guaranteed unto us in the Gospel, through the
mediation of Jesus Christ, for he made the necessary exertions.
In order to accomplish the gathering of Israel out of Egyptian
bondage, there had to be something done to liberate them from their
thralldom, and this something had to be done by a higher power, by an
individual that had more wisdom, more intelligence, more
understanding, and more power and means within his hands for the
purpose of securing those blessings which they needed. They never
could have got out from their difficulties nor from their bondage,
unless this power had been exerted by one who had more intelligence,
more knowledge, more information in relation to the means of their
deliverance.
It is just so in a thousand other cases, there has to be a power
exercised for the benefit of the people, there has to be exertions
made, and they never can receive the blessings and privileges that are
for them, unless those exertions were made by an individual possessing
more knowledge, more wisdom, and greater power than themselves.
Jesus, on a certain occasion, speaking to Peter, said to him, "Simon
Peter, lovest thou me?" He answered that he did. Well, then, replied
Jesus, "feed my sheep." Jesus interrogated him again, saying, "Simon
Peter, lovest thou me?" Peter answered, "I do, Lord." Jesus said unto
him. "Feed my lambs." In this case we perceive there was an exertion
to be made for the benefit of those that had not that power and
information, but this alone is not sufficient.
Had Moses, for instance, having done all that he did, had he delivered
Israel from Egyptian bondage, and having done all that he could and
all that mortal man could do for their redemption, having done all in
his power, and been willing to lay down his life and to sacrifice
everything that he had to accomplish that work, would he have secured
the people to himself, and have brought about that union which was so
necessary, without any exertion on their part? No, most assuredly it
would not have been accomplished, for there had to be a return, an
exertion on their part, in order to secure that union and that love,
and to secure that fellowship between them and him, which it was
necessary should exist, and so it is in reference to Jesus Christ,
though he has sacrificed himself and laid the plan for the redemption
of the people, yet unless the people labor to obtain that union
between him and them, their salvation never will be accomplished. Thus
we see that something has to be done by each party, in order to
secure each other's friendship, and to bind us together as a
community.
Now, let an individual possess information and intelligence, and let
that individual be one who holds the Holy Priesthood, a man who has
been in the Church for years and years, let him be one that is filled
with knowledge and understanding, and let him go to work and look
about him, or in other words, let him consider there are others around
him that are less favored than himself, and that they are not all so
strong, nor so forward in the blessings and graces of the Gospel as he
is. Let him reflect that those around him desire the intelligence and
blessings that God has given him through his greater experience in the
things of the kingdom; then begin to impart that information to those
around him, and to communicate his strength to those that are weak,
and shadow forth his light to those who are in darkness. Then, so far as regards himself he is doing that which is necessary for
him to do to secure their good feelings and affections to himself.
But let him take the opposite course, and think of improving his own
dear self, and that there is only himself to be saved, that all he has
to accomplish is to secure life and salvation for himself, and only
think of his own sins, to reform himself, and to take care of himself.
A man who takes this course is going upon a principle that will always
keep him bound up and contracted in his feelings and contracted in his
views, and will never accomplish the thing that is desired.
As, for instance, you let an individual keep his ideas and knowledge
to himself in going on to acquire any information in relation to any
particular branch of study or business, will he ever accomplish the
thing that is required?
A great many pursue this course in reference to their mechanical
skill, but this is not the right way.
In pursuing any kind of study, a man has to continue to work, and
after going through one course, he has to go through again, and keep
at work in order to make himself master of them, and he never will
master them near so well as by communicating his information while
engaged in gaining it. Let him go to work and gather up his friends,
and endeavor to give them the same knowledge that he has received,
and he then begins to find himself being enlightened upon those things
which he never would have known unless by pursuing that course of
teaching, and imparting the information he is in possession of unto
others. Anyone that has been a schoolteacher will understand me well
upon this point.
So you perceive that he who indulges in this narrow contracted kind of
feeling, instead of benefiting himself in keeping the knowledge he
possesses within himself, he is the loser in considering that by
keeping all he has received to himself he would be exalted in spirit,
in knowledge, and intelligence.
Let a man remember that there are others that are in darkness and that
have not advanced so far in knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence, and
let him impart that knowledge, intelligence, and power unto his
friends and brethren, inasmuch as he is farther advanced than they
are, and by so doing he will soon discover that his mind will expand,
and that light and knowledge which he had gained would increase and
multiply more rapidly.
I have heard brother Kimball state that when he was very much
downhearted, he would find somebody worse than himself, and endeavor
to comfort him up, and by so doing he would comfort himself, and
increase in spirit and in life. It is upon this principle that I am
speaking.
If you want to secure the friendship and affections of our friends, go
to work and comfort them with that light which you have received,
remembering those blessings came down from God, and that by doing this
you are only doing what every man should do.
Those of you who have got the Priesthood, go and make friends among
the individuals by whom you are surrounded; or select one and try to
start his feelings, his faith, his circumstances, and his mind, and
try to enlighten them, and if they are sinners, endeavor to save them
from their sins, and bring them from their bondage in which they are
placed, to participate in the light and liberty which you participate
in, for in this way you can do good through the information which the
Lord has imparted to you. In this way you will discover that their
minds will be drawn out towards you, and their affections will be
gained and centered upon you.
In order that this thing may be accomplished, and in order
that those blessings which are necessary may be secured, and that the
feelings and faith that we want as a people may be secured to us, we
have to go to work individually and more anxiously, more ambitiously
than we have done before to bind each other's feelings together.
Now, for instance, take a shepherd who has charge of a large flock of
sheep; he goes into his field, and his flock hasten to gather around
him, and follow after him. How is this accomplished? The shepherd has
gone from day to day, and from time to time, with plenty of salt, and
they discover that he has it with him every time he makes his
appearance, and that he has those things that are necessary to supply
their wants. They learn by experience, that he has looked after their
welfare, and they appreciate his kindness; it is a good deal so among
men.
If you will allow me to carry out the figure, though perhaps it may
not apply quite so well as some other, but it is the one now upon my
mind. You let the President of your settlement, or the Bishop, or
President Brigham Young, for instance, continue to administer
incessantly among this people, and let them do all that individuals
will call upon them to do; they will be worn down, and as brother
Kimball was speaking, unless there is something done by the people as
a return for that which is done by those men, there never will be a
perfect people, but will be very far off from perfection. And it is
still more so in regard to the cultivation of that feeling which is
necessary for us to have one for another.
In regard to the shepherd's flock of sheep, what do they do in
reference to making a return for the good that is done to them? Is it
sufficient for them to return one tenth part of their wool, which,
would be a very great source of benefit, providing they only give
that? If one of them could speak and say we will give you one tenth
part of our wool for the purpose of manifesting unto you our
gratitude, would not that be a very good and proper acknowledgement?
But they do more than this, they do as brother Kimball was speaking,
they put everything into the reservoir, they return their entire
fleece. This secures a very good feeling in the shepherd or in the
bosom of the farmer towards the sheep that he had been administering
to, and they find themselves, after the next year comes round, in
possession of a great abundance.
Well, I was thinking of these things as brother Kimball was speaking
this morning. If the people had confidence in the things which are
taught, and if they would let their minds expand, and throw in their
substance for the establishment of Zion and the extension of the
kingdom of God, they would learn that it is the very principle upon
which they would receive stores of those things which they are after.
But there is a fearfulness in the minds of the people, they are afraid
to trust their substance in the hands of the Lord, but if we expect
acts of kindness and affection; if we understand our true position,
and want to secure the affections of the Almighty and all good men, so
that they will be bound to us, we have got do something that will
secure to us those affections, and other manifestations of that
kindness which we have previously participated in.
If individuals would look upon this principle as they should look upon
it, view it in its proper light, they would take much more pains than
they do, for they would see the necessity of binding the feelings of
their brethren together, they would see and understand the importance
of this more than they do at the present time, and they would
enter into the spirit of it. We might carry this principle into
families, and illustrate upon it quite largely.
For instance, if you ever secure a union in any family in Zion, if you
ever secure that heavenly union which is necessary to exist there, you
have got to bind that family together in one, and there has got to be
the Spirit of the Lord in the head of that family, and he should
possess that light and that intelligence, which, if carried out in the
daily life and conduct of those individuals, will prove the salvation
of that family, for he holds their salvation in his hands.
He goes to work, and associates his feelings and affections with
theirs as far as lies in his power, and endeavors to secure all those
things that are necessary for their comfort and welfare, and they, on
the other part, have got to turn round and manifest the same feeling,
the same kindness, and the same disposition, and to the utmost of
their ability manifest feelings of gratitude for the blessings which
they receive.
This is necessary, that there may be a oneness of feeling, or oneness
of sentiment and a corresponding affection, that they being one, may
be bound together in this way. Now, it is just the same in regard to
ourselves as neighbors, as Saints of God, as individuals that hold
the Priesthood, and that have traveled in the light of truth, and got
the power of God upon them, and who know what salvation is.
The things of God have been revealed to this people, that they may go
to work and obtain more faith and more confidence in God than any
other people upon the face of the whole earth. We have to eat, drink,
and clothe ourselves, as well as other people, but in gaining these
things we should regard sacredly each other's rights. When two
individuals are bound together, as they eventually must be if they
ever stand in the presence of God, rather than to take a course to
injure each other's feelings, when they are united as they should be
and as they will be, they would sooner have a limb severed from their
body, they would sooner suffer anything that could be executed upon
them than to disturb or hurt each other's feelings. There would be the
same love that existed between David and Jonathan. Before David would
do anything to disturb the feelings of Jonathan, he would have
suffered a hundredfold of trouble to come upon himself. I think we
sometimes pass by those things which are of such great importance. I
often think of the little anecdote that is recorded in the Bible about
the sons of the prophets. On a certain occasion, when the sons of the
Prophets were cutting timber, it appears that the axe fell off the
handle into the water, and it seemed there was a great disturbance in
the feelings of the young Prophets. Why, says one, master, the axe was
borrowed, and it seems there was quite an anxiety about the axe on
account of its being borrowed property. I have thought that had the
circumstance transpired in these days the expression would have been
on this wise, "O, it is no matter, master, the axe was borrowed." But
in those days they had feelings in regard to their neighbors, and in
consequence of this the power of God could be manifested for the
purpose of raising the axe from the bottom of the water. Thus we see
they had feelings of interest for the welfare of their neighbors and
friends as well as for themselves.
Now an individual, in order to secure the highest and greatest
blessings to himself, in order to secure the approbation of the
Almighty, and in order to continually improve in the things
pertaining to righteousness, he must do all things to the best
advantage. Let him go to work and be willing to sacrifice for the
benefit of his friends. If he wants to build himself up, the best
principle he can do it upon is to build up his friends. This is the
same principle I wish to refer your minds to in relation to the master
who wished to make himself perfect in those sciences which he had
partially studied, and he did it by communicating to his scholars that
information which he had obtained, and he did it again and again, and
by teaching them he improved himself.
You, brethren, that are going forward in any undertaking, and that
want to get rich, and that want to make large farms, to get many
wives, and to extend your household and your popularity, you make up
your minds to make your wives comfortable, to feed and clothe your
children, and do those things that are required of you. But while you
are engaged in this, let your minds be expanded to comprehend and look
after the interest of your friends that are around you, and where it
is in your power to secure benefits to you friends do so, and in so
doing, you will find that those things which you need will come into
your hands quicker than if you labor entirely to secure them to
yourselves, independent of regarding the interests of your friends. I
know this is a good and important principle.
Now if a man has been blessed of the Lord, and has got information
from the eternal world, has been endowed with much grace and knowledge
from on high, and is one to whom the Lord has imparted many great and
glorious blessings, when he comes in contact with his friends that are
around him and that have not had this advantage and this experience,
if they in their arrangements should run across his track, let him
exercise those godly feel ings which will tend to secure their
confidence and goodwill. And just so far as he exercises them above
that of his fellows, he exhibits the education that he has received in
the principles of righteousness, and just in proportion as a person
does this to those that are ignorant around him, just in that
proportion will he secure the good feelings of those individuals; it
cannot do otherwise. Peradventure in a future day, when through the
mercy of the Lord that darkness is taken away, and they receive the
knowledge that you have, they will discover that you have acted upon
the principles of mercy and salvation, and in consequence of that you
secure their good feelings, their faith, their prayers, and their
confidence; this is upon natural principles. You will find that
wherever you exhibit a feeling of brotherly love, you secure that
brotherly friendship and kindness which is so desirable. I can refer
you to your own experience in this; I can think of a thousand
instances of the kind. I can think of thousands of instances where
brother Brigham and brother Heber imparted to me certain knowledge and
blessings, under certain circumstances then surrounding me; I remember
them, they are fresh in my memory, and those acts have secured a
feeling in my bosom that never could have been there had not those
acts of kindness created it. You take the same course, and so far as
you have exercised yourself in the Priesthood, and secured the
blessings and knowledge of your Priesthood, you may work for your
friends upon the same principle, and if you consider the circumstances
by which they are surrounded, and act so far as may be consistent with
your calling, and if they have got the spirit that is wrong, and that
you perceive would lead to apostasy, go to work and see what they
want, and see what por tion of information you can impart to
them. If they want those things that are good, and you see that
through their misfortune and weakness they have got into darkness, try
to get that spirit from them, and you will discover when they have
overcome the evils of their nature, and secured their salvation, you
will find that you have bound their feelings to you in such a way they
never will be severed, and when you need a manifestation of
friendship, you will always find a friend in time of need. Now this
can be done, but not without some self-sacrifice. We have just got to
feel, brethren, that there are other people besides ourselves; we have
got to look into the hearts and feelings of others, and become more
godly than what we are now.
We should be bound together and act like David and Jonathan as the
heart of one, and sooner let our arm be severed from our bodies than
injure each other. What a mighty people we would be if we were in this
condition, and we have got to go into it, however little feelings of
friendship we may have in exercise at the present time. I can just
tell you that the day will come when we must become united in this way
if we ever see the presence of God. We shall have to learn to love our
neighbors as we love ourselves. We must go into this, however far we
are from it at the present time, yet no matter, we must learn these
principles and establish them in our bosoms. Now this I can see
clearly, and that is the reason why I talk about these matters in the
style in which I do, for I wish to plant them in the minds of the
Saints, and to have these things among their everyday feelings. I see
that some of the Saints are laying a foundation to destroy the
confidence of their brethren. If a person will allow himself to fall
into temptation of this kind because others do, and to transgress the
law of right, to come in contact with things that pertain to the
rights of his brethren, and trample upon the interest of his brethren,
he may see the day that he will repent in sorrow, and not have
forgiveness as soon as he would like.
Now let a person trample upon the interests of brother Brigham, while
he is endeavoring to do him good, would he not find that his
confidence in God is departing? A man that would do this, would just
as soon trample upon the rights of the Lord, for he is doing this, and
the man that will trample upon the rights of his brethren, no matter
who they are, he will trample upon the rights of any man, if he can do
it and get along without being particularly punished. If in our
movements and dealings with each other we are seriously tempted in
these matters, we have got to know that it is our business to learn to
secure the peace and happiness of those that are around us, and never
take a course to trample upon the feelings and rights of our
neighbors. Let a man go and trample upon the rights of a brother, and
how long would it take him to destroy that feeling of confidence that
had heretofore existed between them? And when once destroyed, how long
will it take to establish that feeling which once existed between
them? It will take a great while. This is what we have to place our
eye upon; I feel it so; in all our thinking, in all our movements, and
in our secret meditations, we want to let our minds reflect upon the
interests of all around; and to consider that they have rights and
privileges as well as ourselves; we ought to have this firmly
established in our minds.
Now you take a man that is continually looking after the interests of
the people around him, and let him feel to bless anything and all
things that belongs to his brethren, and he will in this way
establish happiness in himself and around him. Let a man take the
opposite course, and instead of blessing and laboring for the benefit
of others, find fault and pull down, will he make the same
improvement? Assuredly he will not.
I think the people are very good, and that they feel first-rate
towards brother Brigham and the general authorities of the Church,
they feel to bless them all the time. At the same time they do not
feel in the way I think they might feel; but they feel like blessing,
and actually do have a first-rate good feeling, especially when filled
with the good Spirit as they have been of late. They have not been
accustomed to make any sacrifice of a temporal character, and I think
they do not feel in this way as they might, if they had more
understanding. They feel to bless all around them, and their feelings
of kindness are first-rate. Now this is a very good thing, but a
person that can take all his temporal substance that is valuable,
comfortable, happifying, and nice, and take of that substance for the
purpose of benefiting another, that is the way I should think a man
could show that he is establishing those principles in himself. If we
feel that it is our duty to go to work more ambitiously than what we
have done to secure confidence, we will proceed, if it is in our
power, to yield temporal blessings and favors, to secure the
friendship of those around us. In this way, and in no other, can we be
bound together, and manifest that we have a kind and brotherly
feeling. We must exhibit this feeling by our works, and instead of
shaking a person by the hand, and saying, God bless you, my good
fellow, and the next day pay no regard to what we have previously
said, but trample upon his best feelings and sever them from us.
I feel that if we secure to ourselves the blessings and privileges of
this reformation, we must also try to secure something for the
interests of those that are around us, for there is a self-sacrifice
to be made for the interests of those with whom we are associated. We
see this in the Savior, and in brother Joseph, and we see it in our
President. Jesus, brother Joseph, and brother Brigham have always been
willing to sacrifice all they possess for the good of the people; that
is what gives brother Brigham power with God and power with the
people, it is the self-sacrificing feeling that he is all the time
exhibiting. It is so with others, just in proportion as they are
willing to sacrifice for others, so they get God in them, and the
blessings of the eternal worlds are upon them, and they are the ones
that will secure not only the rights of this world, but will secure
the blessings of eternity. Just in proportion as you women, you wives,
sacrifice one for another, just in that proportion you will advance in
the things of God. Now if you want to get heaven within you, and to
get into heaven, you want to pursue that course that angels do who are
in heaven. If you want to know how you are to increase, I will tell
you, it is by getting godliness within you.
Let angels be here, do you suppose that they would enjoy themselves
here? They would until they felt disposed to leave. Well just so
individuals can enjoy heaven around them in all places. We have got to
go to work and do this; we must go to work and establish heaven upon
this earth, notwithstanding the evils that are around us, the devils
that are around us, and notwithstanding the wickedness that exists,
still we have got to go to work and establish heaven upon this earth.
A person never can enjoy heaven until he learns how to get it, and to
act upon its principles. Now you take some individuals, and you refer back to the circumstances that surrounded them twenty years
ago, when they were living in log huts, when they had a certain amount
of joy, of peace, of happiness at that time, though things were
uncomfortable. Now they may have secured comfortable circumstances and
temporal means that would administer to their temporal wants and
necessities, but if they have not secured friends, the good feelings
of their brethren, they are unhappy, and more so than they were twenty
years ago.
I do not feel to occupy more of the time today, but may the Lord
bless you brethren and sisters, and may you think of these things, and
may we love each other, and live so to exalt ourselves as far as the
Lord shall give us wisdom and ability, and secure confidence with each
other, which may the Lord grant for Christ's sake. Amen.