I listened with very great pleasure to the remarks made this morning
both by President Young and President Kimball, and it always affords
me pleasure to listen to anything that is associated with the kingdom
of God and its interests; and, on the other hand, I feel as ready and
willing to communicate anything that the Lord may have committed unto
me.
[Asked a blessing on the bread.]
In relation to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is something that is
full of importance and information, and is associated with our present
and eternal welfare: it enters into all the ramifications of life
where we can understand it. It is not a sing-song sort of a thing,
such as we hear taught among the sectarians; but there is something
tangible about it: it consists of eternal principles, unfolding light
and intelligence, and is adapted to the nature of man as a mortal and
immortal being—principles that affect us in time and in eternity, in
life, in health, in sickness, in death, and which lead to life
everlasting.
We heard some remarks made this morning upon education—about words
and language, and so forth. In relation to the education of the world
generally, a great amount of it is of very little value, consisting
more of words than ideas; and whilst men are verbose in their speaking
or writing, you have to hunt for ideas or truth like hunting for a
grain of wheat among piles of chaff or rubbish. It is true that a
great amount of it is
really valuable, and it is for us to select the good from the bad.
The education of men ought to be adapted to their positions, both as
temporal and eternal beings. It is well to understand the arts and
sciences; it is well to understand language and history; it is well to
understand agriculture, to be acquainted with mechanics, and to be
instructed in everything that is calculated to promote the happiness,
the well-being, and the comfort of the human family.
That education which but amounts to a little outward appearance and
applies only to a few conveniences of this life is very far short of
that education and intelligence which immortal beings ought to be in
possession of. The education of the present day is generally
misapplied; indeed, men have misapplied the education which they have
received for generations and generations.
The priests in Egypt had mysteries immediately associated with
themselves, and the calculation was to keep their people ignorant of
those things which they knew, that they might govern them the more
readily and that they might reign and tyrannize over them. Among the
various nations in different ages, their sages and wise men held their
intelligence as a secret mystery to be divulged almost or altogether
to their disciples, who generally conveyed it in unknown characters,
symbols, or hieroglyphics. The Egyptians had their priests, the Assyrians their magi and astrologers, the Greeks their
philosophers, and the Jews their wise men, and all more or less
mysterious or cabalistic.
This was a misapplication of information, or that which they might
possess; although, in many instances, the information amounted to
nothing in reality.
The same is applicable, in a great measure, to our lawyers, doctors,
and priests: they make use of terms that nobody can understand but the
initiated. If you study medicine, law, or botany, and many of the
sciences, you must study Latin first, because the doctors and
professors make use of that language to convey their ideas in; and the
calculation is for all except men of science or linguists to be
befogged and bewildered—yes, all except the initiated few who have
been able to bestow the same amount of time as they have in learning
some of the dead languages.
Whom does their learning benefit? Certainly not the multitude. I will
tell you my idea of true intelligence and true eloquence. It is not as
some people do—to take a very small idea and use a great many
grandiloquent words without meaning—something to befog and mystify it
with—something to tickle the ear and please the imagination only: that
is not true intelligence. But it is true intelligence for a man to
take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold
and simplify it so that a child can understand it. I do not care what
words you make use of, if you have the principles and are enabled to
convey those principles to the understandings of men.
It is true, at the same time, that a man who has a good use of
language can present his ideas to better advantage than one who has
not, in some instances, and in some he cannot; for the Lord gives some
men a natural talent and powers of description that others do not
possess and cannot acquire. But the great principle that we have to
come to is the knowledge of God, of the relationship that we sustain
to each other, and of the various duties we have to attend to in the
various spheres of life in which we are called to act as mortal and
immortal, intelligent, eternal beings, in order that we may magnify
our calling and approve ourselves before God and the holy angels: and
if we obtain knowledge of this kind, we shall do well; for this is the
greatest good of the whole: it embraces everything that we want.
In relation to the principles of eternal life, we are told that these
treasures we have in earthen vessels were given of the Lord and
retained in those vessels through our faithfulness.
Now, then, if men, without much of the advantage of what is termed
education in this world, are filled with the Spirit of God, the
revelations of the Holy Ghost, and can comprehend the relationship of
man to God, can know their duties, and can teach a people, a nation,
or a world how they may be saved and obtain thrones, principalities,
powers, and dominions in the eternal worlds—if men can understand
these principles by the gift of the Holy Ghost and the revelations of
the Most High, and are enabled to place them before the people so that
they can comprehend them, then, I say, these are the men of
education—the men of intellect—the men who are calculated to bless and
ennoble the human family. This is the kind of education that we want;
and the more simple those principles can be conveyed the better: they
are more adapted to the wants and intelligence of the human family.
Here is the difference between us at the present time and the
priestcraft and kingcraft and the craft of the various systems among
the nations. They have tended to befog, bewilder, bind down,
and lead the masses into ignorance; but the principles of the Gospel
are calculated to expand the mind, enlarge the heart, unfold the
capacity, and make all men feel their relationship to God and to each
other, that we may be all partakers of the same blessing, that we may
all be intelligent, that we may all be learned in the things of the
kingdom of God, and all be prepared for the celestial inheritance in
the eternal worlds. This is the difference between the system that we
have embraced and the systems of the world—they are of men, this is of
God. Among the Gentiles, they tread upon one another and ride into
power and influence on the ruin of others; and they do not care who
sinks, if they swim. The kingdom of God exalts the good, blesses all,
enlightens all, expands the minds of all, and puts within the reach of
all the blessings of eternity.
Do you repudiate education, then? No—not at all. I appreciate all true
intelligence, whether moral, social, scientific, political, or
philosophical; but I despise the folly that they hang on to it and the
folly that they call education.
What did any of us know as rational, eternal beings, until we were
educated in this Church?
It is true that we are eternal beings; but did we know or understand
anything about the principles of eternal life? Nothing. Yet we have
believed that we were going to live forever. But did we know anything
about where we came from, or what was our origin, or what was the
object of our creation? We did not know anything about where we were
going. We had a dreamy idea of heaven—of a God without body, parts,
and passions—of a heaven beyond the bounds of time and space; and the
hell we believed in was a bottomless pit. We had a dreamy idea of
these things; but what did we know? Was there any authority, religion,
or philosophy that could unravel these mysteries? No, not any.
Then of what practical use is their philosophy or religion to us? It
did not unfold unto us our position; it did not show us how to obtain
eternal life: it could not do it. Of what use was our intelligence as
applied to our position?
How many times have you listened to preaching from a speaker who was
considered quite an eloquent man? He would study his sermons well, and
perhaps write them. They were full of words—the language was eloquent;
but, after all, it was mere verbosity, empty sound, and barren in
ideas. Then you would go away and say, "What an eloquent sermon Mr.
So-and-so preached! He preached the best today I ever heard him. It
was such a treat—so rich, so great, and so deep!" "What was it
about?"
"Oh, it was so deep that I could not understand a word of it," as
brother Brigham says.
"Well, what was it about?" "I do not know; but I heard it, and it was
so deep and so profound that I could not understand it." "But how was
it that you could not understand what he was preaching about, when he
was so eloquent, so refined, and made use of such elegant language?"
Shall I tell you? The man did not know what he was preaching about
himself; and as he could not understand it himself, he could not
explain it to you. How could he lead others to comprehend that which
he did not know himself? These are facts: this is the education of the
world. If you examine the philosophy of France and Germany, and other
parts of the earth, you will find them to be on a par with the
religious world: they are going to ameliorate the condition of mankind
and to perform wonders, according to their professions. If you attempt
to reason with them about their philosophy, like the Paddy's flea,
when you attempt to put your finger on them, they are not there.
[Voice: "All the difference is, there is nothing there."]
All their philosophy is mere chimeras of the brain. I met with so much
of it in those countries that I was sickened with it.
A gentleman came to me in Paris—an Englishman, and, pointing to a
species of very light cake, asked me what it was called. (It is a kind
of bread that is so light that a man can eat all the time and not fill
himself, and you could blow it away with a puff of your breath.) I
told him I did not know what they called it, but I would give it a
name; I will call it fried froth, or philosophy, just which you
please—fried bubbles, or the bubbles of learned men; for it reminded
me of their philosophy.
I believe in the solid bread, and I do not care if it comes in big
chunks; for then it is better than when there is not enough to satisfy
the appetite. Truth and intelligence have a tendency to enlarge the
capacity, to expand the soul, and to show man his real position—his
relationship to himself and to his God, both in relation to the
present and the future, that he may know how to live on the earth and
be prepared to mingle with the Gods in the eternal worlds.
Now, if men will teach me these principles, I do not care what words
they use. If truth comes, tail or head foremost, I am not very
particular.
It is the principles of truth which cement us together and make us act
in union and strength: it is those principles that buoy up our
feelings, animate our souls, and make us feel joyous and jubilant
under all circumstances. It is light, it is truth, it is intelligence,
it comes from and leads to God, exaltation, and celestial glory. We
feel joyous because we have the principles of eternal life within us.
It is because we have partaken at the fountain of life, and know our
rela tionship to the Lord, and have a position in his Church and
kingdom.
Being, then, in possession of the truth—of a knowledge of those
principles which develop the revelations of God, and knowing that he
has given unto us the Holy Priesthood, restored Prophets, Apostles,
and Revelators to give revelation unto his people, therefore have we
confidence in our God and our religion.
And what is that revelation, this order, and this organization for?
They are to enlighten us, to enlarge our minds, to teach us all
principles associated with our present and eternal welfare. This
revelation is the word of God, the eternal truths of heaven, the
everlasting Gospel, the word of life and salvation.
No matter what words are used, it is the principles we are after, and
our religion interests and affects us in all the ramifications of
life: it does not set up God as some austere being that we cannot
approach, but it tells us he is our Father, and that we are his
children, and that he cherishes in his bosom a paternal regard for us;
and we have experienced something of the feelings that exist between
father and son, mother and daughter, parents and children; but we
could not apply that unto our God and consider that he was our Father
before we embraced the Gospel.
We have been taught by the simple principles of the Gospel to go to
our Father who is heaven, and that he will hear us. We have also been
taught that if we, as earthly parents, will not give our children
stones when they ask for bread, and that if we will not give them
scorpions when they ask for fish, God, as our Father, will not give us
one thing when we ask another, but that he feels as much concerned
about our welfare as we possibly can do about that of our children.
This is the way that we now regard our God; but this is not
the way we used to look at him: we used to be all the day long subject
to bondage, through the fear of death. Do we feel anything of that
now? No, we do not: that feeling is taken away. Now we feel that if it
is required of us to die, it is well; if to live, it is well. We feel
that we are eternal beings and have laid hold of eternal life, and
therefore all is well. We feel altogether different to what we did
before we heard this Gospel: it teaches us our duty to each other; it
teaches us to reverence God's name, and not blaspheme it as the
Christians do.
I will tell you how it is in the world. In the world the masses do not
care what the devil they do, if men do not see them; and I am sorry to
say that we also are cursed with a few such scoundrels. They do not
care about God seeing them, for they have not the fear of God before
them, but they have fear of men.
We never ought to do a thing that we would be afraid of God seeing us
do; and if we are not afraid of God seeing us, we should not be afraid
of man seeing us.
Well, then, we are taught our duty to our God by our brethren. And who
are our brethren? The officers and authorities of this Church—the
servants of the living God. Who is President Young? The mouthpiece of
God to this Church and to the world. Has God any other? Yes, lots of
them appointed by him, but he is the head.
[Blessed the sacramental cup.]
Formerly every man used to take his own way: we used to claim a great
many rights, privileges, and immunities that belonged to us
individually. Well, we enjoy many of them yet; but we did not
acknowledge the authority of God, and we could not do it, for the
simple reason that we knew nothing of it.
There was no one to come with "Thus saith the Lord" —no man
that could
go forth and say he was commissioned of Jesus Christ; therefore there
was no authority. There was no umpire—no standard of truth to go to,
to decide any doctrine that you might have in your mind. But now we
have, "Thus saith the Lord God."
Is there any other place under heaven where there is anybody to say,
"Thus saith the Lord?" If there is, I have heard nothing about it; I
have not read nor heard of it, and I am satisfied there is no such
thing.
I suppose there are in the neighborhood of from 1,000,000,000 to
1,200,000,000 of inhabitants upon the earth; and nowhere but in this
place can there be found a man to say, "Thus saith the Lord
God" —nowhere but here, or where those are who have been sent from
here.
Are there men of intelligence in the nations? Yes, as to the world's
intelligence—as to the intelligence associated with the arts and
sciences, natural philosophy, and mechanism, they are as intelligent
as any that can be found, without God. There are also many learned
professional men, princes, statesmen, and potentates. The latter have
the power to govern the nations over which they rule, and yet among
the whole of them not a man can be found that can say, "Thus saith the
Lord God."
Well, if this is the case in relation to them, and if this is the
position of the world, is it not time for the Almighty to interfere? I
speak of them, for many of the thousands who are now before me are
come from the different nations, and they comprehend what I say, and
they know that this is true.
What is our position? Are we not favored ten thousand times more than
any other people under the heavens? Are we not put in a position to
have communication with the Lord? Have we not the principles of life
given unto us from day to day and from week to week? Have we
not the opportunity of hearing the word of the Lord from his chosen
servant—the only mouthpiece to lead the people that he has under the
heavens?
Can we appreciate this and realize our position? Can we really
appreciate our blessings? Do we really feel as we ought to in relation
to these matters? Why, we begin to experience, in part, the riches of
eternity. They begin to be unfolded before we can fully appreciate
them.
We are favored at the present time, but we cannot comprehend our
blessings fully: we can only see in part, comprehend in part, and
shall not fully comprehend until the fulness of the blessings of God
shall be revealed; then we shall be able to appreciate our position,
our relationship to God, and the great blessings we enjoy, as servants
of the Most High.
We are only little children now. This is the way I feel. I feel as a
little child, and I pray to God, O God, expand my mind that I may
understand and comprehend the things of God, and not act the fool, but
be a wise man, and be able to comprehend the blessings that are around
me.
Why, the kingdom of God is established, the Prophet of God and his
servants are among us, and we are now enjoying the very things that
Prophets prophesied of as they looked through the dark vista of ages
unborn and contemplated these blessings that we enjoy.
They told about the time when the kingdom of God would be established
upon the earth, when he would restore the ancient order of things,
when his Spirit would be poured out, when light and revelation would
be communicated, when his purposes would be developed, and when the
little stone would be cut out of the mountain without hands. They saw,
in vision, that a little nucleus here in the moun tains would arise,
and that the mountain of the Lord's house would be established above
the hills, and that all nations should flock to the standard, as doves
to their windows.
They saw the things in visions that we are now doing; they sang and
prophesied and rejoiced at what we have now commenced—the building up
of the kingdom of God.
Well, now, can we really appreciate these things? Do not we often feel
as we did in the Gentile world? We used to say, "I will be damned if I
do not have my own way." I tell you that you will be damned if you do.
But how much of that feeling exists? I could not but think of it when
I heard the remarks of brother Kimball this morning. They led me to
reflect upon this subject. Some of us think we are smart men; some of
us think we know what is for our good as well as our leaders, and that
our judgment is quite as good as theirs; and some feel like saying,
"We will be damned if we submit to them." But you will be damned if
you do not.
Now, I will suppose that you were God, and that you had inspired some
men to go forth and preach the Gospel, to gather the people, to
establish a kingdom upon the earth—that you had got a few together,
and they gathered others; finally, you issued your will and your law
to the people: what would you think if they turned round and said they
would do as they pleased? Says one, "I do not know;" and says another,
"I do not know." Supposing they should say, "We think we understand
better than you do," how would you, as God, regulate the affairs of
the earth? What could you do with a people that would not be obedient
to your law? Just the same as God did with the antediluvians, the
people of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the Jews. If you could not do
anything with them, how could God?
The Presbyterians used to say that people ought to thank God
for the privilege of being damned. But I would not thank anybody for
being damned; but I think, however, that such men as would not submit
to his authority and rule ought to be damned, whether they like it or
not. Nothing but obedience to his law, obedience in families,
obedience to Bishops and to the Priesthood in all its ramifications,
and especially to President Brigham Young as the head, to carry out
his law to the whole people, can accomplish the purposes of God or our
salvation as a people.
If the Lord can have a people to listen to his law, there may be a
chance to establish his kingdom upon the earth: if not, the only way
he can establish his kingdom is to remove them from the earth, or give
up his kingdom until another time; for it is impossible to establish
his kingdom without having a people obedient to him.
What does that obedience imply? Obedience in all things—that the
Twelve should be obedient to the Presidency, the Seventies to the
Twelve, and so on through all the ramifications of the
Priesthood—obedience of wives to husbands, children to parents—and
that a general order of this kind should be established in every
neighborhood, in every house, and in every heart.
Well, this is the feeling that ought to exist; and where this feeling
does not exist the Spirit of God does not exist; and where there is
not a feeling of obedience, the Spirit of God will be withdrawn:
people cannot retain it and be in rebellion against the authorities
and counsels of the church and kingdom of God.
When the kingdom of God is established and his word is listened to,
the spirit of obedience extends through the ramifications of the body
of Christ, even as the sap extends through the trunk of a tree till it
reaches to the ex treme branches and twigs, and to every part of it. It
is just like some of those large streams issuing from the mountains
and dividing into smaller streams until they reach to every field and
garden throughout the city.
Well, now, suppose some of you should say, or suppose a branch should
say, "I want to be independent, and I will not be dependent upon the
larger branches." I ask, how will you help yourselves, except you take
a course to be cut off? And then where will your sap come from? You
will wither and wilt down.
Suppose you undertake to water the garden, and you say that you will
not be dependent upon that larger stream. "It is true," say you, "that
I got my water from that stream; but I will not have anything to do
with it now." Will your vegetation flourish, if you discard the larger
stream from whence you get your water? It will not. So in regard to
the water of life, and so in regard to a tree. Jesus said, "A branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine;" nor can you
do anything without obedience, for the moment you rebel you are in
this position.
If we, as a little company gathered together on the tops of these
mountains, in possession of the great and glorious privileges that we
enjoy—if we cannot magnify our calling and honor the Priesthood
conferred upon us, how do we expect salvation to flow to the world?
How can we expect men to do what we do not do? To listen to and obey
us, if we do not obey our superior officers?
Furthermore, as the servants of God here living in these mountains,
the Lord is determined to try to prove us in every way; and we are, as
it were, just broken loose from the old barren stalk. The old ship is
about being launched, and we are thrown upon God and our own
resources, both in a governmental and a mental capa city. The
Devil will be enraged—the powers of hell let loose upon us.
Now, let me ask how we are going to stand, except we are guided by the
revelations of God? And let me further ask how you are going to get
the revelations of God, except you live your religion and obey those
set over you? Let me further ask, What is the use professing to be the
people of God if we do not live our religion and magnify our calling?
I speak of these things merely for argument's sake. I believe that, so
far as I have seen, the general feeling among this people is to do
right; but I merely speak of them, for it is necessary that we should
have line upon line, precept upon precept: it is necessary that we
should understand our true relationship.
For instance, there is an army coming up here. Can any of you tell
what will be the result, except the proper authorities dictate? Do you
know what will be the best? But suppose we get through with this, and
I suppose that some of you may begin to guess for this year: but can
you for next? Is there a man here that can tell how and where to hide
his family and his grain? Are there any in this congregation who know
anything about it and that give counsel to this people either for
present or coming emergencies? This is bringing things to a focus.
Now, you wise men, or men of education and literary attainments, or
philosophers, speak and display your wisdom. If you cannot, and if we
have not any knowledge in this matter, what next? Why, we have got to
be dependent upon the authority that is over us; and if we cannot
submit, how can we be governed by it?
This principle pervades all, whether in a civil or military capacity
or in any other capacity. We used to have a difference between Church
and State, but it is all one now. Thank God, we have no more temporal
and spiritual! We have got Church and State together, and we used to
talk of baptism and repentance, and we used to whip out sectarian
priests with their own Bible, and we thought that we were tremendous
fellows.
But in what part of the Bible do you find what we are to do this year
or the next? This will be part of a new Bible, for when it takes place
it will be written, and then that will be a Bible, and then the world
will find that we shall have a "Mormon Bible."
Men have been opposed to the Book of Mormon because it was a new
Bible. The poor fools did not know that wherever there was a true
Church there was revelation, and that wherever there was revelation
there was the word of God to man and materials to make Bibles of. We
are all of us now in the harness, and the issue is fast rolling upon
us: it is therefore necessary that we understand our position. We have
all had the opportunity of going away from here; but I do not know
that you can have that opportunity now, for I see a proclamation here,
and you cannot go without permission.
We have no vague theories: you have now to ask leave to go. The time
has come for decisive action; and whether you are called to act in a
religious, civil, or military capacity, it is all in the kingdom of
God and the will of God is to be done upon the earth as angels do it
in heaven.
We are not fit to occupy our places in the kingdom, either as High
Priests, or as Seventies, or as Apostles, or as anything else, except
we are willing and obedient: and the same thing applies to our
families. Then let us seek to submit ourselves to the law of God and
do it.
I do not know but I have talked long enough. God bless you, in the
name of Jesus! Amen.