It is not very often that I take a text when I attempt to preach; but
I have thought, since I was invited to address you, that I would take
one—two or three, perhaps, this afternoon, and make some remarks upon
them. I generally like to observe passing events, and to notice words
and actions of men—to study their import and bearing upon me and the
community. It is upon some reflections of this kind that I am about to
speak, and from which I shall take my text.
The first is a remark made by President Young. You may call it the
gospel according to St. Young, St. Brigham, or what you please; and I
am not very particular which book you put it in, or how you name it.
In some remarks that he made to the inhabitants of Cache Valley, he
said—"This people will never be driven from this Territory, except
they drive themselves." This is part of my text. Another part is
contained in some remarks made by President Kimball this morning, and
you may call it the gospel according to St. Heber, if you please. It
is something like this—"We can all be happy, if we have a mind and
disposition to labor for it." The next is from some writer—I do not
now remember his name. He says, "Man is the founder of his own
destiny."
Wherever there is a true principle presented, it is well to
investigate, and see how far it is applicable to us. We find here
remarks made and uttered, of the greatest importance to the human
family. We do not realize or appreciate their bearing fully, neither
do we comprehend how far they concern or will affect us or the society
with which we are associated. As intelligent beings, as men possessed
with the spirit of truth, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, as
men who believe that we are acting with reference to eternity, it is
well for us at all times to ponder well the path of our feet, and
understand the position that we occupy on this earth, to know as near
as possible the relationship that we sustain to God, to each other, to
the world, and, as near as we can, the various duties that devolve
upon us to attend to. These are things that we profess more or less to
be governed by. We profess to have a portion of the Spirit of Truth,
and we pray frequently that that Spirit may guide and direct us in our
movements among the children of men. Let us endeavor to be guided by
it in all our business relations, and in our intercourse with each
other, that it may govern all our actions in life.
These are feelings that we often have experienced, and yet how
frequently we depart from that spirit which we possess intuitively,
and the instructions from those who are teaching us the principles of
truth.
Now, there is nothing more true than these sayings that I have repeated over in your hearing. Take into consideration this people, and
the position they occupy. What is it? And who are we? Why, we profess
to be the people of God, and we are the people of God. We profess to
be Saints of the Most High, and this is what we are in reality, or
should be. This does not, of course, apply to those who are not
Saints. We profess that this is the work of God in which we are
engaged, and our profession is strictly correct. When we say this is
the Church and kingdom of God, we believe it and so it is; and it is
the only Church and the only kingdom that he has on this earth in this
generation that we know anything about. We profess to know that God
has revealed his law, that he has restored the holy Priesthood, and
that he is communicating his will to the human family. We profess to
believe that the kingdom of God will overrule and prevail over every
other power and every other form of government and that it will go on
from strength to strength, from power to power, from intelligence to
intelligence, from knowledge to knowledge; and that in the due course
of events, it will rule over the whole earth, until every creature
upon the earth and under the earth and on the sea will be subject to
the law of God, to the kingdom of God, to the dominion of God, and to
the rule of the holy Priesthood.
This is our profession. We believe it: at any rate we profess to
believe it; and if we do not we are hypocrites. We profess, further,
to be the elect of God—set apart, elected, chosen by him to be his
servants to accomplish his work upon the earth—in the first place, to
establish correct principles among ourselves, and then to teach these
principles to others, no matter what they relate to, whether to family
matters, to the state, to a town, a corporation, or a government— no
matter whether they relate to the Government of our own country, our
own family, or a world. We profess to be under that Government. And
further, all our opinions, all our movements, and intercourse with
each other and with the nations of the earth, we believe to be
governed and regulated by the law of God. These are some of our views
and feelings respecting our religion and its influence upon our
actions.
If these things are correct—and they most assuredly are—we are God's
people, and he is bound by everything that is calculated to bind
either man or God. He is bound to take care of his people, if they
take care of themselves. If they honor their calling and
priesthood—if they magnify and do credit to the power and authority
that is conferred upon them—if they do not deviate from correct
principles, God is bound to fulfil all things according to the
obligations that he is under—one of which is to provide for his
Saints. Now, where does the matter rest taking it in connection with
the first part of our text? Where does it necessarily rest? Does it
not rest with God? It does, and he is faithful in his part. Who has
ever known God to depart from correct principles? Come, let me stand
up in his defense, if you please. I never have, and I am well
satisfied that you never did.
There is not a man upon the earth that has put his trust in God, I do
not care what part of the world he has been in, but what can say that
he delivered him. I know that has been the case with me, emphatically
so. I have been satisfied, when in foreign lands and in strange
countries, where I had no access but to the Almighty, that he was on
my side, and I know that he has answered my prayers.
We know that God lives, because we have the things that we ask at his
hands. Taking it then, in this point of view, What is it that
can cause us, as a people, to suffer any difficulty, or trouble, or
privation? It is our own acts, our own corruptions, our own faults and
weaknesses. Did we not have a sample of it this morning in the
President's remarks? He said, "I have, in years gone by, gone almost
shirtless, and I have gone to men who had plenty, but they would not
trust me ten dollars." Well, he was faithful, and they could not
deprive him of that to which he was entitled. They might deprive him
of the necessaries of life, and of those things that would make him
and his family comfortable and happy for the time being; but they
could not put anything between him and the kingdom of God. That being
who had promised to stand by him, and whom he continued to fear,
blessed him temporally and spiritually; he supplied all his wants,
enabled him to feed and administer to those individuals who were so
penurious that they could not trust in God. Is not that a proof of the
position I am taking? It is; and you can see proof after proof and
circumstance after circumstance: I could name many of them.
I have seen those that were proud cast down; I have seen the meek
exalted, and the poor made to rejoice in the Holy One of Israel, and
seen peace and plenty poured into their lap, so that they have been
comfortable and happy, while the other class have been cast
down—become poor and destitute; or, if they have wallowed in luxury,
they have since gone to the Devil.
These are things which, if you will reflect upon them, will produce
good results, if they lead you to conduct and regulate your heart by
the Spirit of truth and the law of God. It is well to study the world
and the overruling hand of God. You will see many pursue the path of
luxury and ease, and neglect their Priest hood and their God, and the
result will be as those mentioned. I speak of this as a general
principle—as one that exists between God and this earth. Man, assisted
by the Lord, is the founder of his own destiny. We do not always see
this principle developed at once. Sometimes the hand of God is
withheld, and he suffers his people to be chastened. At present this
appears hard, and to some it seems urgent; yet it is for their good.
This principle has existed to a great extent among the nations of the
earth. They are raised up and cast down. They come into existence,
grow, flourish, and expand, and are powerful; and by a touch they
crumble, wither, and decay. But the nations know not God; they do not
observe his laws, and have no claim upon his protection. It has been
so from the commencement and it will continue so until the winding-up
scene. It will apply to the human family until the earth shall be
redeemed.
It is true that these things are not always visible to our senses. We
sometimes see the wicked flourish, just as David said he did; but
by-and-by they are cut down. There is no pity in their death, neither
is there that kindly feeling that is manifested for the righteous.
Good men have had to endure affliction, privations, trials, and
sorrow, it is true. Abraham had to pass through afflictions that were
harrowing to his feelings. Men of God have had to wander about in
sheepskins and goatskins, and been considered the scum and
offscourings of society, by men who understood not their relationship
to God. They appeared destitute, but were, in reality, not. They had a
hope that was buoyant, and looked for a city that had foundations,
whose builder and maker is God. Events of a similar kind have
transpired among us. Brother Kimball and others have realized
it, as those did in ancient times. There is no difference between this
latter and former dispensation in this respect. Those who have held
the Melchizedek Priesthood, many of whom had the gifts of the Holy
Ghost, and much of the spirit of prophecy, even where there was no
organization of Priesthood or of the kingdom of God upon the earth,
stood as isolated characters in the world, and maintained their
integrity before God. But we have a kingdom, the pattern of which has
been revealed from the great God, given for our own happiness and
salvation. And with the laying of the foundation of his kingdom on the
earth there is a promise given unto us that the powers of darkness and
all the power of hell combined shall not prevail against this kingdom.
In this respect we differ from all others.
At the time that Jesus lived, the Apostles entertained this hope
respecting the kingdom that he organized; but long before that, it had
been prophesied that a certain power should prevail against the
Saints, and that the kingdom, with its organization, should pass from
the earth; and this all came to pass: but such will never be the case
with this kingdom. Here is the difference between the dispensation of
Jesus and the one in which we live.
The Lord organized this earth for a certain purpose, and placed you
and me upon it, and also millions of beings who came here before us
and passed into another state. He organized it for a certain purpose,
and it will accomplish its design; so also will the human family.
Should I say, then, that God is the arbiter of his own fate?
You will allow me to mix up my texts, I presume; for I do not mean to
take up firstly, secondly, and thirdly; but I mean to use them
wherever I think they will apply.
Is God the arbiter of his own fate? There is no necessity for this;
for God rules and reigns, and controls things at his pleasure. Will
righteous men always be trodden under foot by their enemies? No; for
it is contrary to the design of God: he has given us ability to choose
the good and refuse the evil. We can work iniquity or righteousness,
just as we please; and the Devil has taken advantage of this, and
tried to surround men's minds with such influences as would bring
about their ruin, that he might lead them captive at his will. The
Lord has not bound them, nor controlled them; but the result of their
actions he has controlled, whenever they have taken a course that was
of itself calculated to injure his people.
The Lord says, "The wrath of man shall praise me: and the remainder I
will restrain." He will let mankind pursue happiness in their own way;
and according to their desire, he will let them drink the cup of their
own iniquity in their own way. On the other hand, he has manifested
his goodness, and will continue to do it to all his children. What
does he design to accomplish? The building up of this kingdom upon the
earth, the establishment of righteousness, the driving back of the
Adversary, and the banishing of his Satanic Majesty from the earth. By
this means, the principles of truth will be extended throughout the
length and breadth of the earth, and all will bow to God and his
Christ, and the chosen ones will administer the ordinances of his
house forever and ever.
The Almighty had this object in view long ago: the old Prophets
testified of it in generations that are passed. Job, who was said to
have been a very patient man, spoke of it in his day, and the Apostles
of our Lord talked about the time when Jesus would come to reign upon
the earth. Visions, dreams, and reve lations are multiplied upon
this subject. The Lord is a little more capacious in his views than we
are, and calculates more largely; and things that look very great and
important to us are very small with him.
It is said that a thousand years with us are as one day with the Lord.
He will bring to pass the work which he has designated; and what will
it be? It will be the destruction of the ungodly, and the exaltation
of the Saints to a celestial kingdom and glory. It will be the
resurrection of the dead, and the exaltation of all who have obeyed
him to thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers in worlds that
are prepared for the faithful. Then he will have accomplished his
purposes with regard to this world. Then those men who have suffered
for a long time will feel like old Job, when he said, "I know that my
redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the
earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes
shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
It was by the Spirit of truth and the revelations of God to Job that
enabled him to say, "Though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh
shall I see God."
Father Abraham will come forth in the resurrection of the just. He saw
the day of the Lord and was glad, and he will possess and enjoy all
the blessings promised unto him. He will accomplish all that is
written concerning him and that has been predicted by the Prophets.
The Apostle Stephen prophesied of this, and said, "God promised to
Abraham that he would give him this land, and he will fulfil his
promise." Abraham will inherit that which was promised to him upon
this earth, when he has fulfilled his destiny in other respects; then
the promised land will be awarded to him. I might enumerate many other
circumstances and instances of a similar kind. The Lord called Joseph
Smith to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. As soon as this was done,
the Devil was ready for the opposition, and said, "I shall stand in my
place, and what will Joseph Smith be able to accomplish?" We say that
he will accomplish all that is required of him, despite all
opposition.
One of the ancients said, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall
fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off
from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will
rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Who has been injured by the late crusade of the United States against
us? With one of the best equipped armies that was ever organized in
the United States, they came to crush this people and to wipe us out
of existence, defiant, menacing, threatening, proud and haughty, with
all the parade, the pomp, and circumstance of war: but the Lord put a
hook in their nostrils, stripped them of their glory, left them
shivering in the cold, and fed them on mule's legs. Who has been hurt?
We are still here, and God is controlling matters for our good.
President Young says, "It will continue to be so, if we live our
religion as we understand it, and leave the wicked alone; for those
who are opposing the Church of Christ cannot hurt us, and all such
characters will have their portion in the lake that burns with fire
and brimstone." Then let us gird up our loins and maintain the
principles of truth—do all we can to root out iniquity from our midst,
but let the wicked wallow in the filthiness of their own debaucheries.
We have separated ourselves from the world in which we live; we have been baptized, by immersion in water, for the remission of
sins; we have had hands laid upon us for the gift of the Holy Ghost;
and the question with us now is, Shall we condescend to go again into
the beggarly elements of the world, or shall we continue in obedience
to the law of God? If we do not obey the law which the Lord has given
for our guidance, we shall go down to destruction, and our second
state will be far worse than the first. We are now laying a foundation
for ourselves and our posterity; and what is it that will flash upon
our minds if we turn away from the truth? We shall think of the time
when we thought we were the Saints of God; we shall think of our
associations with this people, and these reflections will greatly
increase our misery.
Are we not the framers of our own destiny? Are we not the arbitrators
of our fate? This is another part of my text, and I argue from it that
it is our privilege to determine our own exaltation or degradation; it
is our privilege to determine our own happiness or misery in the world
to come. What is it that brings happiness now—that makes us so joyous
in our assembling together? It is not wealth; for you may pour wealth,
honor, influ ence, and all the luxuries of this world into the lap of
man; and, destitute of the Spirit of God, he will not be happy, for
that is the only source from which true happiness and comfort can
come.
If I am doing right, I am preparing for thrones, principalities, and
dominions, resolved by the help of God that no man shall rob me of my
crown. With this view of the subject, all the outward circumstances of
this life do not trouble me.
I know it is the case that many men would like to have everything they
can desire or think of; and I used to think, if I were the Lord, I
would give the people everything they wanted—all the money, all the
honor, all the riches, and all the splendor their hearts could
desire; but experience and observation have caused me to change my
mind, for I know that such policy would not be good for the human
family.
The Lord will try this people in all things, that they may be prepared
for celestial glory.
Brethren and sisters, the time to bring our meeting to a close has
come, I will therefore bring my remarks to a close, and pray God to
bless you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.