The President, in his remarks this morning, dropped a sentence like
this—"Let us manfully man the ship Zion." To do this I conceive to be
the duty of the Elders of this Church and kingdom. It is a privilege
which the Almighty has conferred upon us, and one which we should
esteem as the greatest that could be conferred upon us: but do we
realize this fact? Do we realize that the Lord has revealed to us true
knowledge and intelligence—that we have become the happy recipients of
true principles of life and salvation revealed from heaven in our day?
None of us, with our present limited understanding of God and his
dealings with mankind, can realize fully the extent of our present
privileges: but do we understand enough of them to stimulate us to
make the work of God the business of our lives? Is the Lord
about to establish his kingdom, and is he beating about in the world
for recruits to man the ship, and have we enlisted under his banner,
to sail with him, and then do we falter—feel cold and lukewarm? This
question is for each one to answer for himself.
What is this ship Zion—this great work we have undertaken? How can we
do the most good, and how accomplish the work we have undertaken in
the best and most approved way? These are questions we must answer for
ourselves. Are the people of these mountain valleys Israel? If we are,
can we not control and bear rule in a proper manner over all matters
that come under our supervision?
If we have faith, which it is the privilege of all the Saints to have,
can we not exert a powerful influence among the nations of the earth
for our protection and salvation as a people? And may we not be yet
more successful in disseminating the principles of life and salvation
among all nations? That righteousness may be exalted among men by our
efforts, we must nurse and cherish the principles of righteousness in
our midst. Can we rebuke evil and walk it under our feet? We can, if
we have faith as we ought to have it, and have that oneness the
President spoke of this morning. If we have this, we can do all
things, because faith is mighty when concentrated in a oneness of
action. Let Israel arise and frown down evil, and the fear and the
might and the power of the Almighty will burn more and more in the
bosoms of the Saints. How can we serve our master and the cause in
which we have enlisted in the best possible manner? By being perfectly
obedient to those who are placed to preside over us in our various
Wards and settlements, and by living above the power of the law, as
our President has remarked.
Are we ready now to take hold with one heart and with one mind to man
the ship Zion—build a temple for instance? Are you ready, by a skillful
and judicious husbandry of the soil, to bring forth its rich fruits,
and store them up until you are called upon to contribute your stored
wealth, as well as your energies, for the further development and
spread of the power and influence of the kingdom of God? Are the
mechanics ready, should a call be made upon them to go as preachers of
righteousness to the nations, or to engage in any other work that may
be allotted them? I say, Are the Elders of this Church ready to spring
at once into these various avenues, when they shall be opened again,
without a single word of complaint? Are we all willing to devote
ourselves, our interest, and all we possess to the building up of this
cause and kingdom upon the earth?
I believe a great majority of this people are willing to do this; but
I think they might improve in this respect as well as in many others
pertaining to their duties as Saints. I think, if they felt to devote
themselves and all they have, the hands of the President would be
loosed more than they are in many respects, the public works would
begin again, and Israel scattered abroad would begin to flock by tens
of thousands to the gathering place of the Saints; and I think those
who have received benefit from the P. E. Fund Company would strengthen
that company by rolling back into their hands the means they have
expended for them, the treasury of the Lord would be replenished, and
these Gentile stores would be less patronized, and handle less of your
cash.
We have been instructed over and over again how to make ourselves
independent, and these are some of the things that have been told to
us. It is for us to build up the kingdom of God individually,
as well as collectively. Union of effort and feeling—practice as well
as precept, is what is required. Let every man thus do his duty, and
things would be as you would like to see them. Very soon there would
be no necessity for millions of dollars' worth of goods to be brought
across the Plains every year, nor of patronizing those who spend
nothing whatever to build up our cities or improve our country. There
is a lack in this respect in this community—a lack which rests with
ourselves. I think our good friends are beginning to learn that the
people called "Mormons," who should be Saints, are really the people
of this Territory, and have some rights which they would strenuously
preserve from being trampled upon.
By respecting themselves, the Saints would patronize each other as far
as they can do so, instead of patronizing those who stand ready to cut
our throats on the first favorable opportunity.
A few, however, cannot bring about that state of things so desirable
to the many: it requires a union of effort by the whole. The many can
freeze out iniquity from our midst, by simply letting them severely
alone; and they can patronize home manufactures, if they are disposed
to do so, and be united in it. This is of great importance to our
community. Many would like to commence manufacturing useful articles,
if they could be encouraged by the patronage of the people.
We know not how soon we shall be thrown upon our own resources, and I
say, the sooner the better: but I would like to see the day when
Israel will do themselves good of their own will and accord, without
being obliged to do so.
It has been said that the Devil could make the Saints consecrate, when
the Lord could not. The Lord may permit the Devil to do so; but he
does not force any man: he leaves all men to act upon their agency.
We have enlisted to build up the kingdom of God. And who are so blind
as not to see that much of this work depends upon our producing within
ourselves that which we consume? But what is the truth? Why, the very
moment a few goods are brought into the market a little cheaper, you
get them in exchange for your money, and home manufactures are
suspended.
Suppose the gate was shut down upon imported goods for one
twelve-months, you would be in the same situation you were in eighteen
months ago. I wish to impress this strongly upon your minds. Remember
that now is a good time to produce for our own support everything we
can.
Do not suffer your flax to go to waste because goods can be bought
cheaper than you can make them, and do not let your wool waste for the
same cause. Recollect that what you do yourselves is within: it is not
an outward expense. If you are obliged to get some things you cannot
make, unite together and send for them, and buy them where you can get
them the best and cheapest, and not suffer yourselves to be bled to
death by those who have no interest in common with you.
By this procedure, you can plainly see that the temporal interests of
Israel would be consulted, and there would be some means left to build
up a town or a city, and help to gather scattered Israel. This is our
business. All other considerations sink into insignificance in
comparison to our duty of building up the kingdom of God. My mind
continually dwells upon this all-absorbing subject, and I would like
to see Israel wise in regard to these important items.
If those who are engaged in home manufactures were fully patronized, they could afford to sell cheaper. The objection is, they
charge more for home manufactured articles than better articles of the
same kind can be bought for of those who import them: but if they had
your best pay, they could probably produce better and cheaper
articles. Instead of giving them your best pay, you expect them to
take firewood, or some other kind of pay, upon which they cannot
sustain their business, and you take your cash to the stores. That is
an insurmountable difficulty the home manufacturer has to encounter.
Hundreds of articles can be produced among us that are now brought
from the States; and there are those in this community who are skillful
in the manufacture of them. I would like to see those artisans
commence to produce every kind of useful article within their power,
and let the brethren in the different Wards sustain them by freely
giving them their support; and as long as they can produce as good an
article as can be imported here, give them as good a price as you
would give the importer, and in as good pay. I do not care so much
what the price of an article is; but I think it should be manufactured
and sold here a little cheaper than it can be afforded by the
importer.
For instance, to the disgrace of this people, they buy brooms that
have been imported from the States. They can bring them here and sell
them to you from fifty cents to a dollar each. Can they be raised and
made here cheaper than that? They can. Twelve-and-a-half cents per
pound is a permanent tariff on the importation of brooms to this
country, which the home manufacturer has the benefit of; and he can
certainly produce the material almost as cheap as it is produced in
the States. I think, then, we should manufacture and sell this article
cheaper than it can be afforded by the importer. This prin ciple would
be my guide for the price of almost every other article of home
manufacture.
I have dwelt a little longer on this subject than I had intended, but
my mind has been led out upon it; and I acknowledge I think a good
deal about it, for it is an item of vast importance to us to produce
that which we consume.
At our meeting yesterday I was much interested. My heart was full to
overflowing. I felt very humble. I knew the Spirit of the Lord was
with us. I feel so today. When I heard from the congregation how they
felt—how they desire to do right, when I heard them exhorting their
brethren how they might do this and that for the advancement of the
cause of Christ, and to be faithful in the service of the Lord, I felt
there was a good time near at hand for Israel—that the ungrateful
influences that have been around us were mellowing down, that the dark
cloud was beginning to break up, that we were about to be greatly
blessed of the Lord our God, and that he is near unto us. I feel so
today.
"Mormonism" is not a thing of today only, but it is a lifetime work.
Let us take hold of it in the way that we can sustain ourselves and
build up the kingdom of God.
To manufacture the articles we consume is all in the line of our daily
duty. Everything that is necessary for our subsistence as a kingdom,
as families, and as individuals, has to be furnished. We have to live,
and we must have rules, regulations, and authorities. We have to dig,
plough, raise grain, and produce everything we need. While we live,
make rules and regulations, and walk by them, we are building up the
kingdom of God. There is every variety of talent and genius needed,
and there is a place for every man and woman, wherein they can be
useful in build ing up his kingdom. All these ingredients are
necessary.
We want what any other community has that is good and great. We want
to make the desert blossom as a rose, to build up cities, and make
useful and ornamental improvements that will beautify the dwelling
places of the Saints—make them lovely and fit habitations for angels.
Should heavenly messengers be sent to our cities, called Zion, what
have we to show them that is gratifying and pleasing? Become wealthy?
Yes; it is for the inhabitants of Zion to become wealthy, if they only
use their means for the building up of the kingdom of God. We have
done very well in a great many respects, considering the difficulties
we have had to encounter: but the word is—Continue to improve, do
better, and never forget that the building up of the kingdom of God is
the only business we have on hand. I have thought the people are not
aware that the Spirit of the Lord is with them as much as it really
is.
When people are striving to do right all the time, they become
accustomed to its influences, and they are not apt to mark the
progress of their individual improvement as they go along in the
faithful performance of their daily duties. If the visions of our
minds had been opened twelve years ago to see the Saints as they are
situated now in this country, what a vision of remarkable events it
would have been to us! And how few would have believed it! If we
improve in the same ratio ten years to come, and could now see in
vision our situation as a people at the expiration of that time, it
would be to us a most glorious vision, and almost past belief.
We have been greatly and marvelously blessed; but we are sometimes
forgetful of our blessings and of our ability to do a great many good
acts, and too often think there is nothing to do, when there is a
great deal to be done. Thus many have become slack in their duties,
and have made shipwreck of faith so far that they cannot reclaim
themselves. They do not realize that they are living in the blaze of
the glory of God continually.
Let me exhort you to be faithful, prayerful, and humble, that you may
realize the blessings you enjoy, continue to progress in improvement,
and have more abundant blessings poured upon you; for the Lord is
willing to pour out blessings as fast as we are prepared to receive
them.
Let us spring forth when the word is given to perform any and every
duty we are called upon to perform. Let us present a firm and unbroken
phalanx of strength against evil of every description, and be united
in frowning it down.
We pray that righteousness may be exalted. Let us exalt it ourselves;
then the habitations of the Saints will be beautiful in the eyes of
God and angels, although some of them may be homely in the eyes of
men. Let us build up cities, towns, wards, and families, wherein
righteousness shall be exalted; and it will not be a great while
before it will spread over the face of the wide world, and wickedness
will be walked underfoot.
The Latter-day Saints are on a mission to perform this labor, and it
is a great one as well as a glorious one. Let us take hold and do it
manfully, always being mindful of those duties we are called upon
daily to perform.
Let us be faithful to the covenants we have made. We have made them of
our own free will and accord, and have delighted to make them, and
blessed God for the privilege. Shall we, then, utterly disregard
them—walk them under our feet, as it were? Or shall we treasure them
as the most sacred treasure? In the life of the Saint, let
the duty of a Saint be the first and foremost consideration; let the
public interest be his greatest wish, form the burden of his prayers,
and be the chief duty of his life. Let him put away all covetousness,
and be wholly devoted to God and his holy religion.
Let us live our religion today, tomorrow do the same, and so
continue unto the end of our lives; then the purposes of God will
ripen as fast as we can desire them and be prepared for them. This is
my exhortation to the Saints.
For my part, I know I have your prayers and faith. I feel it every day
of my life, and am exceedingly thankful and grateful to God and his
people for this mark of their confidence.
I desire to live to see Zion redeemed, Israel gathered, Jerusalem
built up, and the people of God in all the world sustained by the
manifestations of the omnipotent power of the Almighty. For this I
live: it is more than my meat and drink. The most sacred and cherished
wish of my life is to see Israel prevail and become victorious over
their enemies—to see the mighty power and wisdom of God, as it is
transpiring before our eyes from day to day, more abundantly displayed
in their behalf.
We read with considerable satisfaction how Moses led Israel out of
Egypt across the desert to the land of Palestine; but do we realize
how the Lord and his servant Brigham have led us day by day, month by
month, and year by year, from the beginning to the present day? As I
have said, the manifestations of the mighty power of God and the
marvelous displays of his unsearchable wisdom are so common with us,
that we think but little of them; and so it was with Israel of old.
It became an old story with them when the Lord interposed his power in
their behalf—so much so that, if they did not have miracle after
miracle continually before their eyes, they were ready to backslide
and go into darkness, and earned for themselves the name of being a
stiffnecked generation of people. I hope better things of the
Latter-day Saints.
The Prophets of ancient Israel prophesied evil upon them continually,
because of their hardheartedness and rebellion, when the Lord would
have led them with a gentle hand.
In this generation I do not look for Israel to be scattered on
account of their transgressions, although various chastisements may
be necessary; but I look for Israel to be gathered from every nation,
tongue, and people, to concentrate their energies in building up and
establishing the kingdom of God in the latter days. I look for them to
be humble, obedient, and ready to receive and perform the work of the
Lord, and realize day by day that they are led gently by his hand. It
is their privilege to see these things all the time, and continually
live in the light; for it is a day of light with the faithful, wherein
is no darkness.
I like to see Israel obedient, on hand, and ready to man the ship, and
do anything they shall be called upon to do. Let us realize these
things, my brethren and sisters, and not get into that sing-song style
the world are in. It is for us to keep up with the times.
Let us take hold with our might, and put forth our energies in the
place they are most needed; and there let us work diligently, no
matter in what department, if it is for the good of Israel, whether it
is to plough, sow, reap, dig rocks, rear temples, build cities, preach
the Gospel, or gather Israel.
Do you think the Lord will stop in his work? No; his ship will be
manned, whether we man it or not; and those who stand in the way of the onward progress of this great work will be overthrown and
ridden over.
There is no time or opportunity to stop, for the Lord has undertaken
the work, and he does not look backward, nor stay his hand. If we do
not wish to be removed out of the way, we must be diligent, active,
and energetic in our duty, and respond willingly and at once to any
call that may be made upon us by the servants of the Most High.
Let our minds be active, wide awake, and eager to reach out after
those things that shall best promote the interests of the kingdom of
God. Let us not forget for a moment the mission we are called upon to
perform, and not become dull and sluggish in the performance of our
duties, and think we have no part or lot in the matter. There is need
of every faithful man and woman in this kingdom, and for millions
more; and then, by concentrating all these efforts, it is easy to
understand what a mighty phalanx Israel will present, making the
wicked nations tremble because of their wickedness. There would be a
mighty shaking amongst them, if Israel was only united, firm, and
steadfast to a man.
If the Saints could offer one prayer, with one spirit, to the
Almighty, in behalf of any one measure, I believe that prayer would be
promptly answered in a way that would be felt and realized. If Israel
will pursue this course, it will not be a great while before they will
have things as they want them, not only here but over the face of the
wide world; for the kingdom of God will progress, and the kingdoms of
this world become subservient to its sway.
May the Lord help us to live to his name's glory and honor, and for
his cause and kingdom on the earth! May he help us to build it up and
appreciate the blessings we enjoy—live in the light of truth and
intelligence, that our minds may be filled with it continually! Help
us to frown down wickedness, and walk it underfoot, both at home and
abroad! Help us to send forth the Gospel to all nations, that his
angels may always work with us, which they do and will continue to do
with us who remain at home and with those who go abroad; and kingdoms
and nations will be cast down for the good of his people and the
furtherance of his work! That he may help us to do all he has designed
we shall perform as a people and as individuals, is my prayer, in the
name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Daniel H. Wells