I am constantly exercised in my desires for the welfare of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world. My whole
interest is in this Church and for this people. I am proud of this
people when they do right, I am proud of my wives and children when
they honor their God and his Priesthood, and set a good example
before all people. I am proud to see all the officers of this Church
and kingdom lively members in the body of Christ. Brother Brigham has
said that the living oracles or the revelations of the Holy Ghost
should dwell in every man, and in every woman. We are a branch of the
house of Israel, and the Priesthood we hold came from the Father, and
we should be alive like a lively branch of a thrifty tree; for every
branch that bringeth forth fruit the Father purgeth it that it may
bring forth more fruit; and every branch that bringeth not forth fruit
he taketh away. It is necessary that every person should possess the
Spirit of revelation, in order to understand and properly appreciate
the teachings and instructions given to them by the living oracles of
God on earth. Those who are not thus inspired need again to be taught
the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. Were we all thus
inspired we should become one in Christ Jesus; and Jesus says, "Except
ye are one ye are not mine." As long as we are one, and every man
doing his duty before God, we have no cause to fear anything the world
can do against us; but if we are divided, it will be with us as it was
with the people of God of old, he suffered their enemies to come upon
them and overthrow them because of their sins. But there are good men
and good women enough among this community to preserve it, and all
the powers of hell combined cannot overthrow it. The power of
God will preserve us, through our righteousness against any power that
may come against us. It is easy for us to do right. Let us do right
and stop doing anything wrong, cease tattling and lying, and trying
to injure one another by bearing false witness against our neighbor.
Let us guard ourselves against becoming prejudiced against an honest
person, and strive to become honest, upright, and generous, doing as we
would wish to be done by, for we are sons of God and heirs to his
fulness. He has said to his children ask and ye shall receive, seek
and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you. But we
may ask as much as we please if our works do not correspond with our
petitions. Let us be guided by the conclusions of one mind in all our
great movements, operating constantly together on the square of
righteousness and God will bless us forever. Amen.
- Heber C. Kimball