I have not inquired whether there are any cases of difficulty between
brethren or differences in doctrine that should be presented before
the Conference. I have heard of none; consequently I have not given an
opportunity to present any. I do not expect there is any such business
requiring our attention.
We will first present the authorities of the Church; and I sincerely
request the members to act freely and independently in voting—also in
speaking, if it be necessary. There has been no instance in this
Church of a person's being in the least curtailed in the privilege of
speaking his honest sentiments. It cannot be shown in the history of
this people that a man has ever been injured, either in person,
property, or character, for openly expressing, in the proper time and
place, his objections to any man holding authority in this Church, or
for assigning his reasons for such objections. Persons have frequently
ruined their own characters by making false accusations. Some
say they dare not tell their feelings, and feel obliged to remain
silent. They, no doubt, tell the truth. Why do they feel so? This,
probably, arises from some vindictive feelings against a certain man
or men whom they would injure, if they could; and they conclude that
their brethren are like them and would seek their injury, if they
should avail themselves of the privilege of speaking or acting
according to their wicked sentiments and thoughts: therefore they dare
not develop the evil that is within them, lest judgment should be
meted out to them. They know that they have evil designs; they know
that they would bring evil on their brethren, if they had the power;
and fear seizes them: they skulk off, and in the midst of the enemies
of this people they say they are conscience bound—that they are tied
by the influence, power, or authorities of this people. What is it
which thus binds them? It is the power of evil which is in their own
breasts: that is all that in the least abridges them in their
privileges.
When I present the authorities of this Church for the Conference to
vote upon, if there is a member here who honestly and sincerely thinks
that any person whose name is presented should not hold the office he
is appointed to fill, let him speak. I will give full liberty, not to
preach sermons, nor to degrade character, but to briefly state
objections; and at the proper time I will hear the reasons for any
objections that may be advanced. I do not know that I can make a
fairer proffer. I certainly would, if it were reasonable to do so. I
would not permit contention; I would not permit long argument here: I
would appoint another time, and have a day set apart for such things.
But I am perfectly willing to hear a person's objections briefly
stated.
The first name I shall present to you is that of Brigham Young,
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If any
person can say that he should not be sustained in this office, say so.
If there is no objection, as it is usual in the marriage ceremony of
the Church of England, "Let them forever afterwards hold their
peace," and not go sniveling around, saying that you would like to
have a better man, and one who is more capable of leading the Church.
[The names of the authorities and the votes thereon were printed in
the Conference minutes.]
The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have made choice of
George Q. Cannon to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve. He
is pretty generally known by the people. He has been raised in the
Church, and was one of our prominent Elders in the Sandwich Islands.
He went upon that mission when he was quite young. He is also known by
many as the Editor of a paper which he published in California, called
The Western Standard. He is now East, assisting in the transaction of
business and taking charge of this year's emigration. I will present
his name to the congregation to become a member of the Quorum of the
Twelve, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Parley P.
Pratt. If this is pleasing to you, you will be so kind as to vote
accordingly.
[The vote was unanimous.]
As to evil-speaking, I will say that if men will do the will of God
and keep his commandments and do good, they may say what they please
about me.
[The names of persons selected to go on missions were read, and the
President continued his remarks.]
We have at times sent men on missions to get rid of them; but they
have generally come back. Some think it is an imposition upon the world to send such men among them. But which is best—to keep
them here to pollute others, or to send them where pollution is more
prevalent? Ten filthy sheep in a flock of a thousand will so besmear
the whole, that, to the eye of a stranger, they all appear to be
worthless, when nine hundred and ninety of them are as good as can be,
but for the outside smearing by the ten filthy ones. We have tried to
turn the filthy ones out of the flock, but they will not always stay
out. A few such defile, to outward appearance, the whole flock; and we
have it to bear.
I wish the Elders to go and preach the Gospel, instead of begging from
the poor their last picayune. I could say a good many things with
regard to this subject, but I dislike doing so. My feelings are keen
upon this matter. I wish the Elders to go and preach the Gospel, to
bind up the brokenhearted, to hunt up the lame, the halt, the blind,
and the poor among men, and bring them home to Zion. Do they do this?
Not always. My feelings have been sufficiently hurt by a different
course; and if the Elders do not stop it, I do not intend to bear it
much longer. Perhaps some of them may say—"Brother Brigham, I think
our lives and preaching and general deportment will compare very well
with yours." Yes, about as well as white will compare with black,
blue, or red. I ask the people of this Church, Who of you have helped
me in the days of my poverty? Sometimes a brother or a sister has
given me a shilling or a few coppers. The second time I went to
Canada, which was after I was baptized, myself and my brother Joseph
traveled two hundred and fifty miles in snow a foot and a half deep,
with a foot of mud under it. We traveled, preached, and baptized
forty-five in the dead of winter. When we left there, the Saints gave
us five York shillings with which to bear our expenses two hundred and
fifty miles on foot, and one sister gave me a pair of woolen mittens,
two-thirds worn out. I worked with my own hands and supported myself.
I have borrowed money, but where is the man I have refused to pay what
I borrowed of him? If such a man can be found, let him come forward. I
have supported myself and my family, by the help of the Lord and my
good brethren. Some of the brethren have helped me very liberally, for
which I thank them. After I was ordained into the Quorum of the
Twelve, no summer passed in which I did not travel during the summer.
I also traveled during much of each winter. Who supported my family?
God and I. Who found me clothing? The Lord and myself. I had a large
family, and in the States have paid as high as eleven dollars a barrel
for flour.
My business is to save the people, not to oppress, plunder, and
destroy them. It is also the duty of all the Elders to labor to save
the people. Who supported me when I was in England? I was sick and
destitute when I started for England, with not a member of my family
able to bring me a drink of water. When I was able to walk ten or
fifteen yards to a boat, I started. For an overcoat I had a little
bed quilt my wife used to put on a trundle bed. When I landed in
England, I had six shillings. Who administered to me? The Lord,
through good men. The brethren were good and kind to me; but they did
not gather me five pounds in this, and a hundred pounds in that
Conference, and twenty pounds in another Branch. Have our Elders
gathered money in this way? Yes, too often, if not all the time; and I
am sick and tired of it; and if they do not stop it, I will expose
them.
My practice in England, when I went from my office, was to put
a handful of coppers in my pocket to give to the poor. Did I feed
anybody there? Yes, scores. Did I help anybody to America? Yes, to the
last farthing I possessed. By keeping the office and doing business
myself, I had money enough to come home; but brother Heber and brother
Willard borrowed money and helped others. When we arrived home, were
we flush with means? No; we were nearly destitute. I had a little
clothing, and the most of that I gave away to poor brethren. I also
had one sovereign, and, by obtaining fifteen cents more, was able to
buy a barrel of flour. Brother Joseph asked me what I was going to do.
I told him that I did not know, but intended to rest with my family
and friends until we ate it up, and then I would be ready to walk in
the way the Lord should open before me. Joseph would often ask me how
I lived. I told him I did not know—that I did my best, and the Lord
did the rest.
Do men get rich by this everlasting begging? No. Those who do it will
be poor in spirit and in purse. If you desire to be rich, go and
preach the Gospel with a liberal heart, and trust in God to sustain
you. If you cannot by such a course come home with shoes, come with
moccasins; and if you are obliged to come barefooted, tar the bottoms
of your feet: the sand sticking in the tar will form a sole; and thank
God that you have arrived here in that way rather than in carriages.
But no; many of our Elders must come in carriages: they must have
gold, and silver, and fine clothing to enable them to flirt around
with their wives.
Let my wives take care of themselves. "But," says one, "I have
gratified and pampered my wives so long, were I to go away, what would
become of them?" Leave them to plan and provide for themselves.
Will those Elders I am talking to today take the hint? Or will they
follow the practice of too many, and beg, and make that their chief
joy and occupation? If you take the hint, go from here without purse
or scrip, unless the brethren give you something: leave all you can
with your families, and do not beg creation dry. Preach the Gospel,
gather the poor, and bring them home to Zion. Return naked and
barefoot rather than come in carriages procured with money obtained
from the poor and destitute. If the rich give to you, receive it
thankfully. Return with a wheelbarrow or handcart, and bring some of
the honest poor with you. If you do not pursue this course, I shall
conclude that we have made a selection of groveling, worldly-minded
men, whose brains, at least in my estimation, are not as they should
be.