Brethren and sisters—I feel it a privilege to have a part in the work
of the latter days, and I feel thankful that I have been brought upon
the stage of existence in this period of time. It is a privilege which
you all enjoy as well as myself, and one which we should appreciate
more than we do. When we reflect upon the misery and degradation that
prevail in the world, we ought to highly prize the privilege we enjoy.
I heard one remark in the forenoon that he looked younger than he did
twenty years ago. This brought to my mind what I had heretofore
observed among what we term the world's people. Men and women plod
along in the "even tenor of their way" for fifteen, twenty, or more
years, and become perfectly rusty—as rusty as iron that has been long
exposed to the action of the elements. But let the Spirit of truth
come upon persons and their minds expand, and you at once see a
difference in their countenances. Who among us has not noticed this? I
know that the Spirit of the Lord gives life, and that men grow younger
when they come into this kingdom and live their religion. This is
true, although unbelievers may make sport of it. I know that the
feelings of the righteous are enlivened, their flesh and blood are
quickened, and they become a glorious people; they receive and enjoy
the Spirit of the Lord.
Look at the nations of the earth, and see them plodding along without
improvement in the knowledge of the things of God—without being
touched in their spirits with the life-giving power, and they rust
out; they do not enjoy themselves near so much as do the "Mormons,"
who enjoy themselves a great deal better than any people within my
knowledge; for it is a peculiarity of "Mormonism" that its followers
enjoy themselves. Upon the Plains you can see them dancing and kicking
up their heels. There is not much formal sanctity about them; and in
this particular they are also right; for the Lord loves a cheerful
heart and a buoyant spirit; and those who receive the Spirit of the
Lord are full of life and animation. They are not apt to have the
"blues;" or if at times they do, they do not go into their graves with
that complaint. They are ready to do anything that will subserve the
interests of the kingdom of God and their religion, even though it may
be contrary to their natural feelings. This is one principle that
makes us so different from the world; the "Mormons" know that all is
right, if they carry out the instructions given them.
It is a fact, whether you believe it or not, that this people were
getting into their old sectarian traditions: they were getting so that
they had not time to do scarcely anything to the cause of God, and
they had begun to be very dull and sleepy. It has been with them as
the Lord said in the parable, when the men slept the enemy came
and sowed tares among the wheat.
Now we are livened up again, we feel the lively emotions of the Spirit
of God, and we are ready to do anything that may be counseled by
whoever has the right to counsel. We are ready to walk in the path of
strict obedience. Let us keep right from this time forth, and not go
to sleep again, nor let the enemy sow tares as he did before.
We have no need of being roused from a state of lethargy, if we will
let the Spirit lead us; and the Lord will prosper us; for the man and
the woman that keeps His Spirit is right: with it the people can bring
as much again to pass as they can otherwise. They are stronger in
their minds and in their judgments, and are more capable of gathering
around them the comforts of life for their subsistence. Instead of
"Mormonism" disqualifying us, it qualifies us for all things that
ought to be done. Let us be careful not to allow the enemy to come and
sow tares, but keep alive to the duties enjoined upon us.
I have a few words to say to the Bishops. Much has been said to them,
and I attribute a large share of the improved condition of the people
to their faithful instructions. They have done much; but still there
is one thing more to which I wish to direct their attention. There are
many people who do not know how to set themselves advantageously to
work. We call the Bishops the Fathers of the Wards; and, by the
exercise of a little care and judgment, they can do much towards
putting many of the people in a better way for obtaining a living, and
thereby strengthen their feeble knees. A man lately came to me from
the north who had land and team, but no seed, and wanted to be put in
the way to get a living. I gave him a note to his Bishop. What should
be the duty of that Bishop? He should say, I will find you seed this
spring, and you can pay it back after harvest. In this manner such
individuals may easily be placed in the way for obtaining their own
support.
This Gospel brings the silk weavers, potters, and many other tradesmen
from the old country; and many could form a vessel who have only
learned a single branch of a trade. It often happens, in the
manufacture of earthenware, that one turns the clay, another bakes it,
and another burns it; but neither can operate in the department of
another. Until there are openings here for such mechanics, they labor
under many disadvantages. There are hundreds of such persons in your
Wards; and what does it become you to do in such cases? To take pains
and plan to make their services of some use and profit. The Bishops
and their counselors and assistants should have a wise oversight of
such persons, and devise ways and means for them to raise vegetables
and grain. They should plan some kind of employment that will make
them and their families useful. Put them in a position that will
enable them to procure a subsistence and do good for themselves and
the great cause in which we are engaged. It is a duty that we owe
society to use our influence to build each other up, that we may be
united and become strong and able, and by assisting the poor and
strengthening the feeble, become a people in whom the Lord will have
delight, and assist in bringing to pass His purposes.
Do we realize what these purposes are? Saints who have received the
Gospel and live their religion know, by the vibrations of the heart
and the operations of the Spirit, what they are. The Lord's people
will become exceedingly numerous; they are rising fast; and the
responsibilities of this kingdom will rest upon the sons of
Zion, and He will hasten His work in its time. The day will come in
which the earth will tremble and the nations quake with fear because
of the wickedness of her inhabitants.
We read that Satan shall be bound a thousand years. How is this to be
accomplished? By our becoming so impregnated with the principles of
the Gospel—with the Holy Ghost—that the enemy will have no place in us
or in our families, and shedding forth that influence in our
neighborhoods. The adversary is first to be driven from ourselves,
then from our families, then from our neighbors, next from our
Territory, and eventually from the nations, until he shall find no
place upon the face of the whole earth: then will he not be bound?
Yes, so far as this earth is concerned; and that is the way in which
it is to be done, in my humble opinion. He will be chained to all
intents and purposes when he can have no influence—no power—no
tabernacles into which he can enter: he will then have no place of
entertainment. When he finds that he is cornered that close, will he
not consider himself bound? I think he will, whether he thinks so or
not.
This is a work at which we can all labor; for it is by our united
efforts that Zion will be produced in our own bosoms, in this city, in
our Territory, or anywhere else. If we will do this, and be united as
the heart of one man, we shall banish Satan from our presence, and
eventually from this earth; and this we have to do. If we resist him,
he will flee from us; and you know that the Lord is quick to answer,
if we rightly call upon Him for assistance. We shall be made
exceedingly numerous and strong, and shall be able to build up a
temple to the name of our God.
We are a good people; the Lord loves us, and it will be His delight to
bless us more and more. And the more we are capable of receiving, the
more He will give; for the heavens are ready to drop with blessings:
but we also have a work to perform. We can preach and do much, but we
must do still more than we have done.
If we can banish Satan from our presence, we shall do a good work; for
he it is who steps in and causes bickerings and strife. But if we will
be wide awake, and not let the enemy come in, there will be no
bickerings or strife; and we will be able to move the heavens and the
earth if necessary; we will be able to drive Satan from our midst,
with all the kindred spirits that are seeking our destruction.
Shall we take this course? Or shall we be like the sectarian world,
and suffer ourselves to wither and dry up, and have no strength?
Before us are light and joy, and an entrance into the celestial
kingdom of our God; on the other hand are degradation, poverty, and
misery, such as we know nothing about. Let us be alive to our business;
for it is our business and interest to look to the upbuilding of the
kingdom of God, not only in spiritual, but in temporal matters.
We are constituted to need food and the necessary facilities and
appliances for operating successfully, such as the cattle, horses, and
the various conveniences for carrying on business. They are all the
Lord's, and He will bless us with those things that are for our good
and comfort. If we are faithful we shall increase in the things of
God. The Devil can claim no right to the blessings of the Lord; for
those things belong to the Saints: therefore let us do all we can for
the building up of the kingdom of God, and He will furnish us all we
need; for all belongs to Him. No part of the human family belongs to
the Devil, unless they sell themselves to him. But the Lord cannot
consistently bless us, unless He knows that we will serve Him
and make a good use of what He bestows.
Let us be faithful, alive to our duties, and perform our mission upon
the earth we inhabit, no matter what it is that we have been sent to
do. Let us seek unto the Lord Almighty, and ask for His Spirit to be
with us; and if we are faithful He will give it, for He regardeth
those who are faithful. We read that He giveth liberally to those who
ask of Him, and upbraideth not. Let us not be lazy, but let us ever be
alive to the interests of the kingdom of God, and expend our time and
strength for the interest and benefit of that kingdom; for the Devil
has had the use and benefit of this world nearly long enough.
I feel as though we were all going to do better in future. I feel that
this is the intention of this people; for I see them feel alive to
each other's interests. I saw this manifested last fall; and every
call that is made upon them they feel anxious to comply with to the
utmost. And they feel richer with half the means than they did before,
and they will have means doubled and trebled upon them. I am not
guessing at this, for I know that it is, if we will only use those
means and blessings in the service of our God. If we will entirely
cease serving the Devil, we will be still more obviously better and
richer than any people upon the face of the earth.
Treasure up the words of wisdom that we hear from time to time, and be
cleanly in our persons and in our habitations; for the Holy Ghost will
not dwell in unholy temples. It is an insult to the Holy Spirit for us
to be filthy, and it may be grieved away if we do not observe
cleanliness. Be careful to treasure these things up in your minds.
Keep the commandments of God; do not take His name in vain; do not be
seen loafing about at the corners of the streets, and spending your
time in idleness. When you go to plough and plant, ask God to bless
the ground and the seed, and let us have His blessing on all that we
do, and have our faith centered upon the things that we are called upon
to perform, and we shall be blessed and prospered, and will see the
work of the Almighty roll forth with might and power, even until we
shall redeem Zion and build a temple upon the consecrated spot where
it is said that the glory of God shall rest upon it as a cloud by day,
and a pillar of fire by night.
Are we now prepared for the coming of the Son of Man and for the
resurrection? Do we ever think of this? Brethren and sisters, let us
be faithful, keep our covenants, and press onward until that time
shall come. Important events and duties transpire quite as fast as we
are prepared for them; therefore let us round up our shoulders—gird up
our loins; and if we can bear greater burdens, there is more coming,
and we shall have all that we can do.
If we will not do this, the Lord can raise up a people that will. The
hearts of all men are in His hands; and if we do not appreciate the
blessings given, He will give them to somebody else. Ancient Israel
transgressed, and would not keep the covenants and obey the Lord;
consequently, they could not enter into the promised land. But was it
much trouble to raise up a people that would? No.
May the Lord bless us, and enable us to keep our covenants and be
faithful continually, is my prayer, through Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
- Daniel H. Wells