In these times, when Israel as a people in these mountains are
reviewing their past lives, and are taking into consideration so
carefully as they now are doing the course of life which they shall
hereafter pursue, it should be the diligent study of the Elders, when
they rise up to speak to the people, to address them by the dictation
of the Holy Ghost upon such subjects and such matters as shall
strengthen them in their faith, increase the energy and power of the
people, and lead them to do good and that which is well-pleasing in
the sight of God. For it is with the people of Israel in the latter
days, as it was in former days, that righteousness has got to exalt
this nation—I mean the nation of Israel; therefore the more diligent
and faithful we are in sustaining the Priesthood and practicing
righteousness, the more rapidly shall we acquire strength from God,
become sanctified from our sins and weaknesses, and become a pure and
strong people in the earth, such as the Lord wishes us to be, that by
us His will may be done on the earth as in heaven.
This people that were not a people have become a people, even the
people of God. They must have the bread of life continually as well as
those who administer unto them in the word of life. We not only need
it who rise up to preach, but every man and woman needs it; they need
it in their families; they need fresh supplies from heaven by the
ministrations of the Holy Ghost daily, hourly, and every moment, to
qualify them for their duties.
Now, in what way can we best promote the favor of God, so that he
will give us the bread of life, so that he will give us strength and
energy, and so that he will empower us, that we may adopt and live by
every word which we hear from our beloved Prophet, and thereby
increase confidence in each other, as he taught us last Sunday. This
should be the design of every man and woman—at least, so it appears
to me.
We have had a most blessed winter in which to acquire knowledge of
ourselves. Indeed, I think that this people can say they never had
such a winter before. The Prophet and Apostles had taught us the
things of the kingdom so fully that we could not seek for more
revelation; but we have been reviewing ourselves and our conduct to
discover wherein we have not lived up to what has been revealed; and
so great have been the apparent deficiencies, that the people have
nearly all realized, when they examined themselves, that there was a
great cause for lack of confidence in themselves and in each other.
This has been a general feeling; and it becomes us to bestir ourselves
and obtain strength by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that we may
overcome every evil propensity, resist the adversary of our souls in
whatever shape he may present himself, and live our religion.
This is not a work that belongs only to the First Presidency,
or to the Twelve, or to any of the Presidents of the Quorums only, but
it belongs to every man and to every woman. If we could feel this and
realize it individually, we certainly should prevail against and
escape from those influences that do tend to impair our confidence in
God and each other: there is no doubt of it. It had become so that
iniquity could be found dwelling among us, passing in our streets, and
stalking forth rampant in our midst, almost without a frown, and
unrebuked. So extensive had this become, that those who had not
committed sins had become partakers of the influence and of the spirit
of those who had, and this because they had not been swift to rebuke
and disfellowship sin and sinners. The righteous had become partakers
of other men's crimes; hence this sleepy, deadening, and damning
influence among us, because we have not put sin away from us as
diligently and faithfully as we should have done.
This winter the people have been looking at this, and they have got to
see themselves in a different light to what they ever have before.
Shall it be so in the future? Let the Saints determine it shall not;
and when men and women see in themselves or in their neighbors the
workings of sin and iniquity, let them rebuke it at once, and thereby
put an end to transgression.
We have got to purge out all ungodliness from our own souls, and we
have to help others to do it also; and especially, if I may be allowed
to make any distinction, it should be the business of the Bishops,
because they have the oversight of the people in a Ward capacity, and
they can have an eye through the Church which many of the Presidents
of Quorums cannot have. When a man rises in the morning and calls upon
God to qualify and strengthen him for the duties and warfare of the
day, he should go out with a determination to carry that feeling of
hostility to sin with him, and not only war the good warfare himself,
but be able to help his neighbor to do battle also.
Some people deal honestly because they are watched and are obliged to;
but a truly honest man will do right because he loves righteousness
and honesty the best. These things indicate greater things. It is said
a straw will show the way the wind blows. If a man is willing to be
dishonest, or to do anything or permit anything that will bring
mischief upon you in your absence, your interests would not be safe in
his hands. That spirit will lead him to persuade your wives and
children away from you, when you are dead, if he can, or to let
someone else do it unrebuked; and upon the same principle the spread of
good and great things are made to depend and to bring their
consequences.
We do see and hear occasionally instances of the kind where men take
measures and endeavor to rob the dead. This awful dishonesty in
eternal things is the fruit of dishonesty in smaller matters. If men
will do honestly in small things, and perform their duties as servants
of God to each other, they will by-and-by be honored for their acts,
and vast responsibilities will be laid upon them with safety; but if
men in this Church will be dishonest in the smaller matters of
everyday life, they will soon be overthrown thereby; and so it is with
every species of unrighteousness. Then let all be diligent to cleanse
themselves of all that is evil upon its first appearance.
When men go to the canyon for wood or lumber, those that have this
difficult labor to perform should take with them a rich portion of
the Holy Spirit; and they should realize that they have it to
enable them to live their religion there—that God protects them in
the canyons as well as any other place: and let them take all their
religion with them that they carry to or from this Tabernacle. If
they find that the elements are changed from what they are in the city
or in this Tabernacle, let them know that they require more of the
Gospel. Do not leave your religion at the mouth of the canyon, or with
the gatekeeper; do not leave it with your wagon; but take your
religion and the Spirit of your God with you clear up to where you get
your wood. It will help you to keep your axe sharp: you will not be so
likely to get hurt yourself, or to lose your bowpins, chains, or axe.
Your cattle will be more kindly; for you will not beat them so much,
and they will do more work for you. You will not be so likely to break
down your wagon; but you will be able to do a better day's work,
bring home a better load, and to feel more thankful for it.
If you find a man there that is swearing and profaning the name of the
Lord, remember that you are an Elder in Israel, and that you are
authorized to call him to an account. If you find a man that will
blaspheme the name of the Lord, do not forget to remind him that the
Lord whose name he blasphemes gave him strength to go there, and that
He caused the trees to grow, and has permitted him to go and help
himself to the timber; and inform him that he should do it decently
and without blaspheming the name of the Giver. If you cannot influence
him with these importunities, and if you cannot prevail upon him to do
right, as an Elder in Israel lay hands upon him, and do it as one
having authority; and if you will do this, you will cause the name of
God to be honored in the canyons. I mean that you should lay hands on
as ministers of God—as those who have authority to talk to men in the
canyon, and thereby give them to understand that they shall not
blaspheme the name of God in your presence. If you will do this, I
tell you the Holy Ghost will rest upon you and enable you to ferret
out iniquity—to honor the truth and the priesthood which you hold.
I talk to you Elders who want to perfect holiness in the fear of the
Lord. If you will do this you will soon have more confidence in
yourselves; your neighbors will have confidence in you, and will find
out that you are preachers of righteousness. The man whom you rebuke
will also learn that he must stop blaspheming and swearing in your
presence. This is one of the subjects that the Elders of Israel should
feel themselves called upon to act in. It is not only so in relation
to the brethren who hold the Priesthood, but it is so with every right,
good-meaning man; and it is that man whom the Lord will love; for
while you are doing this you are honoring God. If you will talk to
and labor with them in this manner, you will bring about much
salvation; and should you have to administer the whole ordinance, they
will bless you for it, and God will bless you.
We have to rebuke iniquity whenever it is presented before us; and if
we have not already commenced, we should begin, one and all, to
sanctify the name of the Lord our God in these valleys. How are we
going to do this while we allow blaspheming, and swearing, and all
manner of wickedness to go on in our midst? Let no man of God suppose
that he has not authority to oppose sin. Suppose Phinehas had said, "I
am not Moses, nor Aaron, nor Caleb, nor Joshua, and I am not called to
rebuke sin in Israel," he would not have secured to himself the
"covenant of peace;" but because he rose up and slew the adulterer,
God sealed the priesthood upon him and his seed forever. The
Lord will seal blessings upon you if you are jealous for the honor of
His name and are valiant for righteousness and truth. His Spirit will
strengthen you in body and in spirit. This is life.
I tell you, brethren, we have been too careless in these matters, and
because of this we have been partakers of other men's sins. All are
called upon to divest themselves of sin, and then to aid their
neighbors, if need be.
It is not only in going to the canyons, in going to the fields to plow
and to sow, that the Lord desires this people to rise up and put
iniquity away from them, but in everything with which we have to do.
It is by works of righteousness that we shall become a holy and happy
people whose God is the Lord, while sinners will find our society too
uncomfortable to dwell in. If we thus live our religion, we shall have
confidence in ourselves, in each other, and in our God.
I do not wish to talk much or long; but I feel like calling upon the
men in the Priesthood, and upon men that have not received any
ordination, and also the women, and requesting them not to hear the
name of God, or of his servants, or the doctrines of the Gospel
blasphemed with impunity, but to sanctify the name of the Lord in this
city, in this Territory, and in all Israel; for this is the way that
this people will become sanctified.
Brethren, may the Lord enlighten our minds, that we may see our duty
and do it, and that we may also assist others to walk in the way of
life, become ministers of righteousness and saviors in his kingdom.
This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- Franklin D. Richards