I have been happy in hearing the brethren bear their testimonies
today, and I have a word of consolation and comfort for you.
I hope to live to see the day when the Lord will bring again Zion in
its fulness, when the watchman will see eye to eye. This period of
time is very desirable to every good and faithful person, and I hope
to see it before I lay down this tabernacle to rest.
I can say to the brethren, I do not think that I have ever heard a
more satisfactory testimony from them than I have today. An
observation made by brother George Halliday is true—that if a person
suffers his feelings to rise above the natural level of his capacity,
they will sink in the same ratio. He wished us not to consider him an
enthusiast. I do not know that I have heard a person today that I
thought to be enthusiastic. A firm, unchangeable course of
righteousness through life is what secures to a person true
intelligence. The brethren today have advanced a great many ideas
which are true, manifesting an interesting and instructive variety. I
am highly gratified with the remarks I have heard.
We have very scanty ideas concerning the great plan called the plan of
salvation—the system of doctrine, ideas, and practices that pertain to
all the intelligence that exists in eternity. Very small, minute, and
abstract ideas and principles are given to the children of men in
relation to it, because they can bear but little—a little here and a
little there, as it is written by the Prophet, "line upon line, and
precept upon precept." If you can receive one line today, it may
prepare you to receive another tomorrow pertaining to the things of
God. I am very happy and rejoice much, because I believe that I am now
looking upon men and women who are steadily increasing in knowledge,
firm in their integrity, truthful, and lovers of virtue in their
hearts; though some, as has been observed, give way to temptation, are
overcome by the enemy, and are led away. This we expect. As many as
will be faithful to their calling, and manifest their faith by their
good works, will find that they belong to the elect; and every one
that forsakes his covenants and his God, and turns away from the holy
commandments delivered to him, will find that he belongs to that class
who are reprobates. God has given us ability to do good or evil.
According to certain principles inherent in the organization of the
people, they can believe the truth, or disbelieve it and believe a
lie. They can falsify, or cling to the truth. They can continue to do
good, or forsake it and commence to do evil. Every man is capable of
doing either good or evil: he has his own choice, and will be judged
by his works.
We will see the time when it will be said to us, as written in the New
Testament, "Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee." I partly judged
a man who spoke here today from his own mouth. I have not much to say
about him. Let God be his judge, and yours, and mine. If you wish to
receive and enjoy the favor of our heavenly Father, do his will. If
you wish the fellowship of his Saints, hurt not the wine and the oil,
nor seek to destroy them, as many do. The man I have alluded to has
sought diligently to destroy the oil and the wine—to destroy the
virtue, truth, and holiness of this Gospel. He who lifts his heel
against the Lord and against his anointed will find himself a poor,
pusillanimous, weak instrument in the hands of the Devil to accomplish
his designs.
It is thirty years tomorrow since Joseph Smith organized this Church
with six members. What is it now? Almost every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people that would receive the Gospel have had the
privilege; it has been proffered to them, and thousands and hundreds
of thousands have been baptized into the Church; and the Lord will
call his own out of this people, and will prepare the Zion that is
spoken of for them to dwell in. If we wish to enjoy the Spirit of
Zion, we must live for it. Our religion is not merely theory; it is a
practical religion, to bring present enjoyment to every heart.
A brother on my right told you his experience, that there is no
necessity for taking any man's word for the truth of your religion;
for it is the privilege of all to have the testimony of Jesus—to have
the Spirit of prophecy. I have no greater privilege to enjoy the
Spirit of prophecy than you have. I have no better right to the Holy
Ghost than you. If you will live as you are taught, you will walk in
darkness no more, but will walk in the light of life. I pray that we
may constantly do this: it is my continual prayer. I pray for all whom
I ought to pray for, and as I ought to pray for them. Captain Gibson
says that he would pray for everybody in heaven, earth, and hell. I
love to see men manifest that good feeling; but I will insure that, if
I was in heaven when Satan rebelled, I prayed that Satan might be cast
out. Cast out the dogs and wolves that will feed on the sheep. Cast
all bitterness out of your own hearts—all anger, wrath, strife,
covetousness, and lust, and sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, that
you may enjoy the Holy Ghost, and have that Spirit to be your constant
companion day by day, to lead you into all truth, and then you will
have good doctrine, good feelings, good wives, good children, a good
community; and, finally, you will be Saints in the fullest sense of
the word, but not yet. I believe we shall be Saints, through the grace
of God.
I feel to bless you, to praise you, my brethren, although we are
continually afflicted with more or less foul, mean, low, groveling,
contemptible spirits in our midst. I do not mention names; but I know
where some are now sitting in this house. The Latter-day Saints are
improving. Tomorrow the Church is thirty years old. We have enjoyed
ourselves today; tomorrow let us have much more enjoyment than we
have had today. The constitution of man is such as to be liable to be
driven to extremes. He may be compared to a bark on the ocean, tossed
to and fro by the influences around. Keep your eye on the compass and
steer straightforward, and you cannot sail too fast; but if you get
among the breakers and rocks, your bark may upset. Keep your bark
straight for the port, and there is no danger of your having too much
of the Holy Ghost.
I have hardly heard an incorrect idea advanced today, and I
consider myself a judge in these things. I judge Israel in their
doctrines and conduct, and know whether they are right or wrong. I can
say, to my joy and satisfaction, we are improving. I know that I am,
when I compare my present power of mind to scope in truth and my power
of discrimination with what I possessed twenty, ten, or five
years ago. I am almost astonished at myself, and to see the
im provement there is in the people. But we are yet children, although
we are almost as old as was Jesus when he began to preach. It is our
privilege to continue to grow, and the Lord will protect his people
and save Israel, and all hell cannot help it.
May the Lord God of Israel bless every one of you and his humble
servant who is speaking to you. Amen.