I have been highly gratified during this Conference in hearing the
teachings which we have heard. I felt (as I always do when hearing of
the greatness and goodness of God, and the great work in which we are
engaged), to rejoice in the blessings of the Almighty. This Gospel is
meat to my soul; it affords me continual pleasure; I contemplate it
with delight. If I had the tongue of an angel, or of the most eloquent
upon the earth it would be my delight to speak of the goodness of God
and of the work he is performing; for it appears very glorious to me.
The building up of Zion and the establishment of the kingdom of God
are to me interesting in the highest degree: the work in which we are
all engaged is a constant solace to my soul.
I was well pleased with what I heard yesterday afternoon in regard to the ox-train telegraph, or whatever you may choose to call
it. Is this the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I am alluding to? It is
because it is in relation to the gathering of Israel, and that which
will accomplish the gathering of Israel is the salvation of the
people; and for this reason I was pleased with what I heard from the
President, and also from Bishop Woolley and Elder J. W. Young. The
President observed that he did not often make a requirement of the
people without giving a reason for it. I thought yesterday that the
reasons were very good, great, and numerous, why he should require the
Saints to furnish two hundred wagons and teams to go to the States
and bring home the poor and meek of the earth.
We hear of the great and glorious things of the kingdom; but when we
go home, do we look about ourselves and look after the interests of
the cause of our Redeemer? Will we receive the teachings which we hear
from this stand? Will we put forth our hands to enable the President
to roll forth this great work? This is for us all to answer and act
upon. Will the Bishops bring forth those wagons and teams, three or
four yoke of oxen to each wagon? If they will, we can then accomplish
much towards bringing the poor to these valleys next year. Will the
Bishops answer this call from Bishop Hunter, and he from the
President? The President is the Lord's mouthpiece, and it seems to me
that he should only have to say to Bishop Hunter, We want two hundred
wagons and teams to go to the Missouri River, and it should be done.
I feel in my heart that this will be done. I believe the brethren will
take an interest in the matter. I feel satisfied that there is cattle
enough in the country, and we can easily do this. We only need to be
united, and the work will be accomplished.
There is another matter of vital importance for us to consider. The
Lord's storehouse is almost empty, and we should see to this, for the
President says he wishes to begin to fill up that house, that in the
spring he may begin to build up the walls of the Temple. To carry on
this work, much means will be needed, and we shall expect that the
Lord's storehouse will be filled up with grain and provisions for the
sustenance of the hands that will be called to work upon the Temple.
We shall expect this to be in the hearts of the people, and that they
will furnish the means to buy cloth, or the clothing ready made; also
the butter, eggs, cheese, beef, and all things necessary for the
brethren that will labor upon the Temple. Let us be gathering things
together this fall and winter, for these are things that are necessary
to help in sustaining this kingdom, and accomplishing and bringing
about the purposes of the Lord.
It is meat and drink to me to see the work of the Lord roll forth and
prosper. I have no doubtful feelings in regard to the glorious future
of the kingdom to which we belong, but I feel assured that all things
that have been spoken concerning it will come to pass. I have no fears
in regard to the blessings promised to the Saints, nor anything that
pertains to the welfare of the kingdom of our God. I shall get all the
blessings I deserve, and in all probability a great many more, for I
have some confidence in the goodness of God, and I think that he will
not only give me all that I deserve, but a great deal more.
I feel to be active and energetic in the discharge of the duties I
have to perform, and not let the time and opportunity pass without
accomplishing those things that are required of me. If we omit
anything that we can do, it is an opportunity let slip that will not
return. In order to get a reward, we should labor to
accomplish a great deal of good, try to do more, and to increase the
knowledge of God; we should strive to increase continually and to be
faithful in all things. We are connected and bound together by a
single motive—by the principles of salvation which we have received;
and why not manifest this in the building up of the kingdom of God,
and thus have an interest in all that pertains to the faithful in
Christ, till we can wield an influence in all things that will promote
the prosperity of Zion? By doing this, the nations will feel the
distant tread of Israel; the nations will know it and feel it. Israel
is on the increase, while the nations are crumbling. We can see it and
feel it.
Then let the people take warning and make friends with their God and
with the people of God. It is for their interest to do so. We should
have no fears as to the final result. It is as the President said this
morning, Zion will be built up, and the laws thereof go forth to all
people; and if we were disposed, we could not hinder it. This is a
cause of offense to many. They are angry because we rejoice in the
things which the Lord reveals unto us. It is for this cause that they
seek to destroy us from the earth, because the Lord through us
forewarns them that he will send his destroying angels to speak to
them in a way that they cannot misunderstand.
We know that if the people had the influence and power, they would
dethrone the Almighty and crucify Jesus again, and that without a
cause; but what do we cry to them about it? We command them to repent
of their sins, and turn unto God with all their hearts, might, mind,
and strength; but they will not hearken.
Brethren, let us be faithful and energetic in the performance of our
duties; let us go forth, conquering and to conquer. Let us draw from
the elements those things that are necessary for our support, to aid
in building up the kingdom of God, doing all things necessary
temporally as well as spiritually, work righteousness, and reject evil
from our midst. If we pursue this course, those that seek to destroy
the people of our God, who seek to tread upon the wine and the oil,
will have no influence nor power; but we shall be enabled to establish
the true principles of righteousness upon the earth.
It is our mission and duty as Saints to do all that lies in our power
to build up the kingdom of our God upon the earth, to overthrow error,
destroy wickedness and iniquity. These are the purposes for which we
are gathered together, and let us be diligent therein. In our own
sphere, let us act well our part as Saints of the Most High God.
This is my exhortation, brethren and sisters, and these are my
feelings upon the subject. While we rejoice in the great and glorious
work of our Heavenly Father, let us be active in the performance of
the duties required of us.
I pray the Almighty to give us health and strength to enable us to
accomplish the work we have before us as fast as it shalt be wisdom
for us to do so, which I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- Daniel H. Wells