The instructions, faith, revelations, and Scriptures that have been
given from the earliest ages to the present—all the past that has come
within my notice—all that is now transpiring among the nations of the
earth, so far as we can see and understand—all the privileges that men
can enjoy, that are allotted to the intelligent beings now before me,
with the rest of mankind, and much more than all this, continually
occupy my mind, feelings, sympathies, and judgment. We enjoy the
greatest blessings and privileges of any people we are acquainted
with.
What causes this people to do as they do? It is written, "But there is
a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them
understanding." It is a spirit that causes this people to do what they
do—to leave their native countries, to leave their fathers and
mothers, brethren and sisters, and take up their line of march and
travel thousands of miles to this distant country; and then, when
selected for missions, to again leave their fathers, mothers, and
friends, and travel back to their native lands, or to some other
place, wherever they are appointed to go. We cannot behold that spirit
and influence with our natural eyes. The results alone are known.
What causes the inhabitants of the earth to do as they do—those who do
not believe in the Christian religion? You remember that a few years
ago Mr. Sutter, in California, hired some of our brethren, who had been
in the Mormon Battalion, to dig a millrace, in which they found gold.
The news spread rapidly; and now, in the States, how many places you
can find forsaken! Good farms, mechanic shops, stores, and other good
situations for men to live in and make themselves comfortable, are
deserted, having been sold or mortgaged for a few hundred dollars with
which to go and get gold. Then try to number the widows and orphans
who have been left in a state of destitution; then count the bones
that are bleaching on the prairies between the frontiers of the
Eastern States and California, and is not this conduct as great a
mystery as it is to see our Elders do as they do? There is also a
spirit that prompts this craving for gold.
There is a spirit that prompts the nations to prepare for war,
desolation, and bloodshed—to waste each other away. Do they realize
it? No—no more than a wicked man realizes the propriety of an Elder's
taking his line of march to Europe to preach the Gospel. The Spirit of
the Gospel that is in the hearts of believers prompts them to do as
they do, and the spirit of the enemy that is in the wicked prompts
them to do as they do and is it not a mystery? Verily we can say that
man is a mystery to himself—that he does not understand himself. When
he understands himself, he will understand much about his Creator—his
Father and God.
The greatest desire in the bosom of our Father Adam, or in his
faithful children who are coworkers with God our Father in
heaven, is to save the inhabitants of the earth. Many spirits have
gone forth into the world—very many, as also the Holy Spirit of the
Gospel to lead this people and all the human family, who will receive
it, back into the presence of our Father and God. It has been the
greatest desire of the faithful to see their relatives and friends
follow that good Spirit, that they may return to the presence of their
Father and God.
Brother Hooper has stated that he has charity. Every good man has; but
there are only a few men on the earth who understand the charity that
fills the bosom of our Savior. We should have charity; we should do
all we can to reclaim the lost sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, and
bring them back to be saved in the presence of our Father and God. If
we do this, our charity will extend to the utmost extent that it is
designed for the charity of God to extend in the midst of this people.
But I have no love or charity for a wicked and corrupt scoundrel, who
commits iniquity with his eyes wide open, though I pity and regret the
condition of the human family in their ignorance. They would come to
the light, but for one thing—their deeds are evil, and they do not
mean to have them reproved. They would be rebuked, and they will not
bear it; and so they pass on, and will, until they are punished.
May God bless the righteous and sustain his cause. He will do so. The
wicked cannot do anything against the truth. Every move they make to
crush the kingdom of God will be attended with the signal blessings of
the Almighty for its further extension and ultimate triumph. All their
efforts will result in the overthrow of sin and iniquity, and the
increase of righteousness and the kingdom of God upon the earth, until
"the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of
his Christ." "Shall we see this in the flesh?" Yes. "Before we
receive
new bodies?" I do not know, though I expect to see all this in the
flesh. Whether in this or in a new body, God being my helper, I shall
contend for the righteousness of God and the rights of his Saints, and
contend manfully, until we gain possession of our relatives, friends,
neighbors, country, the nations of the earth, and the earth, to
purify it and prepare it for the habitation of angels. That is our
business. May the Lord help us to accomplish this purpose!
Amen.