I arise to bear my testimony to the truth of what Elder Lyman has
said this morning. I feel that it has been good to listen to him. The
principles of which he has spoken are the foundation of our happiness;
and unless we build upon what he has been speaking of, we may seek to
all eternity, and not obtain happiness.
All truth comes from God, and he makes it known through his servants;
and this is almost invariably in advance of our knowledge. In the
commencement of our connection with the Church, in our baptism, we
were told that we should receive the gifts and blessings of the
Gospel, if faithful. We did not receive positive proof of it; but as
we advanced, we realized, through obedience, the truth of what was
promised us.
Brother Amasa has instructed us to be faithful—to have confidence in
God, and that in his own way he will benefit us and establish peace.
If we love God, all things will work together for our good.
If we love God, we love the truth, for all truth is from God. We have
got to have this confidence in the Lord and show that we love all
truth; and if our faith is established upon that and upon the
principle upon which he reveals it to us, then we know that all things
will be overruled for our good, our faith, and our happiness, as we
have been told today.
Now, we have knowledge that it is best for us to labor and obtain
cloth ing to keep ourselves warm for the winter. We have been taught
this by our parents. We know that it is best to live by industry. The
Indians do not know this—at least but very few of them do, and none
of them knew it when we first came here: they did not understand that
it was best to labor to make themselves comfortable; but now they are
learning it: they are beginning to learn that it is best to make some
little sacrifice to get clothing and food; and they are improving in
this day by day.
Now, the Gentiles have a knowledge that it is best to labor for
clothing, for food, and to make preparation for winter, and so on; but
when we speak of the knowledge of God, and that it is best to do this
or that because the whisperings of the Spirit say so and so—when it
comes to the servants of God and the things of his kingdom, the
Gentiles do not know so much as the Indians do; hence they act in
accordance with their views and knowledge, and hence they are deprived
of many blessings.
We have derived many blessings from rendering obedience to those
things that were taught us when we first came into the Church; and
those who do not learn these things do not have our experience.
Well, now, as Elder Lyman has remarked, if we love the truth better
than error, and have confidence in the Lord that he has established
his kingdom, and that he will reveal his will, we are happy,
and we shall abide in the truth, precisely as he has told us. If we
have that love for the truth, we shall discard all evil from our
families—we shall discard strife and every malignant feeling that is
contrary to truth.
God has not recommended any mode of procedure that will produce
discord or unpleasantness in our homes; hence we had better leave off
that which will offend God. A man that harbors a malignant, unruly
spirit does not love the truth; and these are the things which cause
men to apostatize. They say, "I will have a little gratification upon
a principle that I know is wrong." Well, this is the foundation of
apostasy; it is the method by which people sacrifice that which would
bring continual peace: they apostatize by sacrificing that which they
know to be right—not that which they do not know, but that which they
do know; and that which they know is truth. Then the Spirit of the
Lord withdraws from them, and they have no relish for the truth,
because they have despised and put away his counsel; they have not
respected his counsels.
I mention these little things because they come under our observation
every day. We have counsel from our Bishops, Teachers, and Presidents.
This is the method through which we receive counsel, and we must
respect the counsel that comes from all these authorities. If we
respect God and his servants, he will respect us; but if we do not
respect him, he will not respect us, because we have no respect for
the truth nor for God. But if we have a respect for God and love his
teachings and his servants, then we shall love the truth; our minds
are open because we are searching for truth; we love it and cherish
it; it is visible in our transactions in life. Well, then, it is our
meat and our drink; it is our food constantly; and we feel to do
everything to benefit mankind—to make people happy.
I have been very much interested myself, and I know that the remarks
made today by Elder Lyman are just what we want. Whatever we have
passed through and whatever we may in future pass through, we shall
say, if we endure to the end, that we know God has overruled all
things for our good. We know now that all will be for our good, and we
are made happy in the enjoyment of the knowledge that God will
overrule everything for our profit and good; and upon no other
principle will it be happiness to us.
It is not to be presumed that we are going to be happy and possess a
fulness of knowledge at once; but events will be continually and
gradually developed that will show us that God will bring to pass
nothing but what will be for our good and for our happiness.
My prayer is that we may have power with God—that we may have
confidence that God will do all for our good; and let us know that he
accepts our actions, and let us be ready to do whatever is required of
us, nothing doubting, and I know that peace will be the result.
I want to make a few observations in relation to the handling of our
guns. There have been three individuals killed through carelessness.
Almost every day I hear guns fired off, and oftentimes they go off in
a direction not intended. Now, be cautious, and let not any accident
of this kind take place in this city. Be careful where you discharge
your guns, for our lives are precious. Many have now been called to
handle guns that never have been used to it. Let such put on a double
guard over themselves, and know that they must not use firearms
carelessly.
The late news from the army is favorable, as it has hitherto
been. I presume that it is well understood; therefore, I will not
repeat it.
Let us live so as to continually secure the favor of God, and I know
that we shall have constant peace and joy. This is my prayer, in the
name of Jesus. Amen.