While the sacrament is passing, I will take the liberty of making a
few remarks.
Some truth has been referred to here, from the stand, with regard to
the congregation. These, my brethren and sisters, are in the habit of
being here one part of the Sabbath, to hear and understand for
themselves. I should be happy to see this house as full every Sabbath
in the afterpart of the day as it is this afternoon. It is a
requirement of the Lord, which is both reasonable and pleasing to all
those who are diligently doing his will. We have a comfortable house
to meet in, where we can preach, sing, pray, exhort, and exercise
ourselves in our several capacities, according to our calling, in the
worship of God.
This is a great blessing. If we can realize it, it is one of the
greatest blessings we can enjoy, to manifest to our Father in
heaven—to witness to him that we do always remember the death and
sufferings of his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent into the world to
redeem the world—to shed his own blood for our sins. If we could
realize it, it is one of the greatest blessings we could enjoy, to
come before the Lord, and before the angels, and before each other, to
witness that we remember that the Lord Jesus Christ has died for us.
This proves to the Father that we remember our covenants, that we love
his Gospel, that we love to keep his commandments, and to honor the
name of the Lord Jesus upon the earth. Let us try to do this. It is a
blessing, a privilege, and a duty we should constantly attend to.
Instead of suffering our labors to occupy the Sabbath—instead of
planning our business to infringe upon the first day of the week, we
should do as little as possible; if it is necessary to cook food, do
so; but even if that could be dispensed with, it would be better. As
to keeping the Sabbath according to the Mosaic law, indeed, I do not;
for it would be almost beyond my power. Still, under the new covenant,
we should remember to preserve holy one day in the week as a day of
rest—as a memorial of the rest of the Lord and the rest of the Saints;
also for our temporal advantage, for it is instituted for the express
purpose of benefiting man. It is written in this book (the
Bible), that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
Sabbath. It is a blessing to him. As little labor as possible should
be done upon that day: it should be set apart as a day of rest, to
assemble together in the place appointed, according to the revelation,
confessing our sins, bringing our tithes and offerings, and presenting
ourselves before the Lord, there to commemorate the death and
sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These are institutions expressly for the benefit of man—not imposed
upon him as by a taskmaster, in the form of a rigid discipline; but
they are bestowed upon him as a blessing, a favor, and a mercy, for
his express benefit. I trust I shall yet see the day when we shall be
so situated, and attain to that knowledge and understanding, that
every man and woman will observe and do their duty strictly—do that
that is required of them—do no evil—when all will be peace and joy,
and the earth be lighted up with the spirit of intelligence. You trust
and hope for the same things; and if we are faithful, that time is
near at hand.
It is true, most of the doctrine we believe comes in contact with all
the prejudices and prepossessed feelings of the Christian world. In
the practical part of our religion we do not differ from them in many
respects. They pray, and so do we; they keep the Sabbath pretty
tolerably well, and so do we; they say they believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ; so do we, and keep his commandments; and they call upon the
Lord, probably, as faithfully. In some of the plain, practical duties
of the Gospel, the religious world are very diligent; but to the
doctrinal parts of the Gospel of salvation they are entire strangers.
In the commencement of the career of brother Joseph Smith, he had all
the influence and talent of the sectarian world that were acquainted
with his doings to cope with; he had them to contend with day and
night. He labored faithfully, though in his youth, and almost
entirely destitute of literary knowledge, with not many advantages of
an earthly nature; yet the truth he revealed triumphed; the principles
he put forth actually circumscribed the religious knowledge of all the
Christian world. Almost every principle and every idea taught in the
Gospel, that the world had preached and written so much about, he
proved they were ignorant of. He taught the people how to have faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ. He also taught them how to repent. This was
new to the world—to be informed that they did not know even how to
repent. He taught them how to embrace the Gospel of salvation, what it
was, and that these doctrines are essentially necessary for the
salvation of the children of men.
There was no person, previous to this, to step forth and say it was
absolutely necessary to observe these doctrines in order to be saved,
and actually substantiate that doctrine from the Bible. No person
could substantiate the doctrine, so as to place the truth of it beyond
doubt and controversy, that it was necessary for a person to believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is well known to this congregation that the whole Christian world
were baffled, and not only baffled, but actually put to shame, upon
true philosophy, and their mouths were closed in silence, by the
infidel so called. It is well known to this congregation that those
who did not believe the Bible—who did not believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ, by good reasoning would overcome and triumph over the whole
Christian world, set them at naught, and hold them in derision.
The case is different now. Do they overcome the Elders of this
Church? They do not; but they are like the frosted grass upon the
prairie before the burning flame. An Elder of Israel overcomes them on
the ground of their own philosophy, and drowns them in the sea of
their own arguments. Could the Christian world do it? No. Brother
Joseph told the people it was necessary to be baptized for the
remission of sins, and proved it by the Bible: he proved it by his
works; he proved it by thousands of witnesses in his day.
He also introduced the doctrine of the laying on of hands for the
reception of the Holy Ghost, and proved it from the Bible, by reason,
by his own and the experience of thousands besides. You Elders of
Israel, do you know whether these doctrines were borne off by you and
others triumphantly? They have been successful among every people,
nation, and kindred, and tongue, wherever they have been proclaimed.
These doctrines are beyond the power of controversy and doubt; no
caviler could confute or present the least argument which would prove
successful in overthrowing the principles taught by the Elders of
Israel.
Brother Joseph introduced a great many new doctrines. It was perfectly
new to this generation, but in truth an old doctrine, to be baptized
for the remission of sins—that it was absolutely necessary; and then
receive the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost,
and many other doctrines, though in reality they are old, yet true,
and new to this benighted generation.
When the Elders first commenced preaching "Mormonism," twenty years
ago, they would take the Bible and prove every item of doctrine to the
people beyond doubt and controversy. What did the priests say to you?
Can you recollect what they said in the different States where this
Gospel was first preached? What arguments were used against your
position and the doctrines you believe? Yes: the priests would halloo
from the pulpit, Joe Smith!—old Joe Smith!! That was their argument,
to begin with. Impostor!—impostor!!—He is deluding the people!!!—he is
deluding the people!!!!—Old Joe Smith, the money digger!—He is a
necromancer!!—He is a fortuneteller!!!—A money digger!!!! Old Joe
Smith!!!!! What a profound argument! There is no answering it. You
know these are the arguments used against the doctrines preached by
the Elders of this Church.
When you introduced the Book of Mormon, the argument used against it
was, It is a deception! Joe Smith!!—Impostor!!! And these are the
arguments that have been urged from beginning to end; but they could
not bring one passage of Scripture or one substantial reason against
the doctrine taught and believed by this Church.
What has been said to you? What has been said to me? If we will preach
this doctrine, the people almost universally will follow us and say,
"Don't mention Joseph Smith—never mention the Book of Mormon or Zion,
and all the people will follow you." I said, It would not do them any
good, if we were to listen to their requirements. What I have received
from the Lord, I have received by Joseph Smith: he was the instrument
made use of. If I drop him, I must drop these principles: they have
not been revealed, declared, or explained by any other man since the
days of the Apostles. If I lay down the Book of Mormon, I shall have
to deny that Joseph is a Prophet; and if I lay down the doctrine and
cease to preach the gathering of Israel and the building up of Zion, I
must lay down the Bible; and consequently, I might as well go home as undertake to preach without these three items.
Did not your hearts used to tremble dreadfully, you old Elders in
Israel, when you had to preach in new places? You would take up the
Bible and quote Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, so as to
surprise the people, and did not mention Joseph Smith. Did it not make
you tremble, when you had to say that Joseph Smith was a Prophet—when
you came to that point, and were obliged either to deny or to own him
before the people?
Some are endowed with more moral courage than others. I know the
spirits in men generally are inclined to weakness and diffidence; and
all men more or less feel their own weakness and inability. The Elders
of Israel especially feel the prejudices of the people bearing down
upon their spirits; but when they once open their mouths and say that
Joseph is a Prophet, such a flood of light at once comes upon them,
that they are ready to ask no odds of all the world. But in preparing
to make this declaration, their hearts tremble and their knees smite
each other, almost like Belshazzar's. After they have once started,
they are independent enough.
I suppose some of you have an experience on this subject. One of our
Elders with whom I was acquainted, after he was baptized, got cornered
up, and was obliged to preach a sermon. He never had been able to say
that he knew Joseph was a Prophet; but he was there in the meeting:
the house was crowded with the congregation; the windows and doors
full of people, and all around on the green waiting to hear a "Mormon"
preacher. There were none there but this one man, and he was called
upon to preach. He thought he would pray and dismiss the meeting. He
never had known that Joseph Smith was a Prophet: that was the lion
that lay in his path; and he could not get by him, nor round about
him, nor dig under him, nor leap over him; and the lion he must meet:
he must say Joseph, for better or worse. As soon as he got "Joseph"
out, "is a Prophet" was the next; and from that, his tongue was
loosened, and he continued talking until near sundown. The Lord pours
out his Spirit upon a man when he testifies that which the Lord gives
him to testify of. From that day to this, he has never been at a loss
to know that Joseph was a Prophet. I assure you, his heart quaked; and
that has been the case with many others.
When brother Joseph revealed the great mystery of being baptized for
the dead, did not a great many of the Elders of Israel think
then—"'Mormonism' cannot endure; it will be overcome." Every item of
doctrine brother Joseph has brought forth had to meet with opposition
from the world. We all know that it comes in contact with sectarian
influence and every other influence that is not direct from God.
When the Elders went forth, the priests supposed they could easily put
them down; but when they undertook to substantiate the doctrine of
baptism for the dead, were the priests successful in confuting their
arguments? No. The doctrine has ridden triumphantly over all
sectarianism (what I mean by sectarianism is false religion); and it
is so far from being put to silence by all the rest of the world, that
it is as popular, wherever you go, as any doctrine taught; it is as
readily and as quickly believed.
You can understand, from the few remarks I make with regard to the
Gospel, that many things which were revealed through Joseph came in
contact with our own prejudices: we did not know how to understand
them. I refer to myself for an instance: I never could be persuaded
that God would send every person to a lake of fire and
brimstone, to be tormented by the Devil, to all eternity, for any
little sin he might commit—which was the doctrine handed down. After
all, my traditions were such, that when the Vision came first to me,
it was directly contrary and opposed to my former education. I said,
Wait a little. I did not reject it; but I could not understand it. I
then could feel what incorrect tradition had done for me. Suppose all
that I have ever heard from my priest and parents—the way they taught
me to read the Bible—had been true, my understanding would be
diametrically opposed to the doctrine revealed in the Vision. I used
to think and pray, to read and think, until I knew and fully
understood it for myself, by the visions of the Holy Spirit. At first
it actually came in contact with my own feelings, though I never could
believe like the mass of the Christian world around me; but I did not
know how nigh I believed, as they did. I found, however, that I was so
nigh, I could shake hands with them any time I wished.
You heard brother Pratt state, this morning, that a revelation would
be read this afternoon, which was given previous to Joseph's death. It
contains a doctrine a small portion of the world is opposed to; but I
can deliver a prophecy upon it. Though that doctrine has not been
practiced by the Elders, this people have believed in it for years.
The original copy of this revelation was burnt up. William Clayton was
the man who wrote it from the mouth of the Prophet. In the meantime,
it was in Bishop Whitney's possession. He wished the privilege to copy
it, which brother Joseph granted. Sister Emma burnt the original. The
reason I mention this is because that the people who did know of the
revelation suppose it is not now in existence.
The revelation will be read to you. The principle spoken upon by
brother Pratt, this morning, we believe in. And I tell you—for I know
it—it will sail over and ride triumphantly above all the prejudice and
priestcraft of the day: it will be fostered and believed in by the
more intelligent portion of the world as one of the best doctrines
ever proclaimed to any people. Your hearts need not beat; you need not
think that a mob is coming here to tread upon the sacred liberty which
the Constitution of our country guarantees unto us, for it will not
be. The world have known, long ago, even in brother Joseph's days,
that he had more wives than one. One of the Senators in Congress knew
it very well. Did he oppose it? No: but he has been our friend all the
day long, especially upon that subject. He said pointedly to his
friends, "If the United States do not adopt that very method—let them
continue as they now are—pursue the precise course they are now
pursuing, and it will come to this—that their generations will not
live until they are 30 years old. They are going to destruction;
disease is spreading so fast among the inhabitants of the United
States, that they are born rotten with it, and in a few years they are
gone." Said he, "Joseph has introduced the best plan for restoring and
establishing strength and long life among men, of any man on the
earth; and the Mormons are a very good and virtuous people."
Many others are of the same mind: they are not ignorant of what we are
doing in our social capacity. They have cried out, "Proclaim it." But
it would not do, a few years ago: everything must come in its time, as
there is a time to all things. I am now ready to proclaim it.
This revelation has been in my possession many years; and who has
known it? None but those who should know it. I keep a patent
lock on my desk, and there does not anything leak out that should not.
It pleases me a little to think how anxious this people are for new
revelation. I wish to ask you a question: Do this people know whether
they have received any revelation since the death of Joseph, as a
people? I can tell you that you receive them continually. I would be
willing the Elders of Israel should understand one principle; and this
I have taught often. This is also taught in the old and new
Scriptures, or, in other words, in the former and latter Scriptures,
the principle is set forth simply, which is this—When a man is called,
as Joseph was, to be a Prophet, he writes his revelations. Joseph
wrote a great many. He would, for instance, give a revelation to a man
to go to Sanpete to labor; he would give revelations touching both
temporal and spiritual things, in the building up of houses and
cities, or in the proclamation of the Gospel to the world—all of
which are necessary for the salvation and exaltation of the people of
the Lord.
Now, brethren, the calling of an Apostle is to build up the kingdom of
God in all the world: it is the Apostle that holds the keys of his
power, and nobody else. If an Apostle magnifies his calling, he is the
word of the Lord to this people all the time, or else he does not
magnify his calling—either one or the other.
If he magnifies his calling, his words are the words of eternal life
and salvation to those who hearken to them, just as much so as any
written revelations contained in these three books (Bible, Book of
Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants). There is nothing contained in
these three books that is any more revelation than the words of an
Apostle that is magnifying his calling.
I want you to understand it. If it was necessary to write them, we
would write all the time. We would rather the people, however, would
live so as to have revelations for themselves, and then do the work we
are called to do: that is enough for us. Can any of you think of any
revelations you have received that are not written? You can.
I preached a short sermon here, yesterday, with regard to exaltation.
I spoke but a few minutes, and brother Pratt brought up the same
subject. It is all connected with the great Gospel sermon; for we can
but notice parts of it, when we undertake to speak to the people.
It is all connected with the exaltation of man, showing how he becomes
exalted to be a king and a Priest—yea, even a God, like his Father in
heaven. Without the doctrine that this revelation reveals, no man on
earth ever could be exalted to be a God. Do you find out now, when you
are exalted, what your work will be yonder? We read in the Scriptures
that Jesus declared he is the First and the Last. It is written again
in this book, by the Prophet Joseph, that he is the First and the
Last—the Last and the First. This principle you see in all the works
of the Lord. When a man commences the work of his exaltation, he
begins at the last thing that will be completed. Our spirits,
thousands of years ago, were first begotten; and at the consummation
of all things, when the Savior has finished his work and presented it
to the Father, he will be crowned.
None of you will receive your crowns of glory, immortality, and
eternal lives before he receives his. He will be crowned first, and
then we shall be crowned, everyone in his order; for the work is
finished, and the spirit is complete in its organization with the
tabernacle. The world is the first to be redeemed, and the people last
to be crowned upon it. I leave these remarks with you, and we
will now have the revelation read.
[Elder Thomas Bullock then read the revelation. See Supplement to Vol.
XV of Millennial Star.]