The Church of Jesus Christ has had a vast amount of teaching,
especially of late. We have had a great deal of good counsel and
instruction in this Conference; the truth has been simplified,
doctrine elucidated and made plain to our understandings through the
revelations of Jesus Christ, and I really feel that we have great
cause to rejoice. There is one truth that becomes still more evident
to my mind, and I think to the minds of this people generally, and
that is the importance and necessity of our being governed and
controlled day by day by the revelations of God. Now, we may take the
Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, and we may read
them through, and every other revelation that has been given to us,
and they would scarcely be sufficient to guide us twenty-four hours.
We have only an outline of our duties written; we are to be guided by
the living oracles. The ten commandments are very good, and the great
and glorious principles pertaining to the redemption of man, the
revelations pertaining to events that are past and to the things of
the mysterious and unborn future, and there are also many choice and
precious things relating to the redemption of man, to the present and
future greatness of the Saints; but where can we find one revelation
that tells us that we should raise three hundred teams, or twelve
hundred yoke of cattle, to bring up the poor from the Missouri River.
We have been informed by the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ that
there should be a Temple built in Jackson County; but has there been a
revelation to tell us how long or how high it should be? No, we have
got to be governed by the mind and will of God, and this must be
apparent to this people; it shows itself more and more. President
Young tells us that the living oracles should be our guide, that, in
fact, we should have the living oracles within us always. Every man
and woman has the privilege of being baptized, but it is not the
privilege of every man to lead the Church. It is my privilege to have
revelation to know truth from error, and I should also have power to
cast out devils and to heal the sick, if I magnify my calling; and not
only these gifts, but tongues, interpretation of tongues, and the
spirit of prophecy, and of course that is revelation.
It is the privilege of every man and woman in this kingdom to enjoy
the spirit of prophecy, which is the Spirit of God; and to the
faithful it reveals such things as are necessary for their comfort and
consolation, and to guide them in their daily duties.
I can say that I rejoice before this people and before the Lord our
God, in the great blessings which he has poured out upon us; I
rejoice that he is carefully watching over his kingdom and people, and
it is manifest unto us. There has never been a time when a
doctrine has been presented to us by the servants of God that has
appeared new or mysterious, but what the Spirit of God has been ready
to bear testimony to the truth of the same. When there have been cases
of contention to know who was the biggest man, the Spirit of God has
always made known who was in the wrong, and this is a great blessing
unto us, one of the greatest that ever was given unto the children of
men, to be able to discern the right from the wrong in all cases that
may come under our observation. We can perform this work that is given
unto us to do, for we know how to take the first step, and then we
gradually advance as we are inspired from one degree to another; and
if we have that portion of the Spirit of God which it is our privilege
to enjoy, and magnify our calling, we shall have that testimony we
ought to have within us when any new doctrine is brought forth, or old
doctrine more fully explained. In this way we shall profit by the
preaching of our brethren, and be able to treasure up the principles
of eternal life, and we should be ready at all times to carry out the
principles that are revealed to our Presidents and Bishops from time
to time, as they receive the word of the Lord from the President of
the whole Church. For instance, a certain number of wagons and teams
are called for, and we should understand that whenever a Bishop wants
anything for the public good, that we should be on hand to do what is
wanted. President Young requires nothing but what the Lord requires of
him and manifests unto him; and I know that if we carry out those
principles that are brought forth by our President and leader, we
shall be blessed in so doing.
This is the way I view our position as a people upon the earth, in the
dispensation of the fulness of times. We are truly engaged in a great
and mighty work, one that is sustained by the Almighty. It is like the
mustard seed which grows from a small particle to a large tree. The
commencement of this Church was very small, but it is now grown into a
mighty kingdom. No matter what our station and callings are when those
who are over us rise up and call upon us to do anything, we should be
ever ready to respond when, for instance, we are instructed to stop
selling whiskey, or drinking it, we ought to do it, and then our minds
will be enlightened by partaking of the Spirit of God, and the spirit
and power of our high and holy callings will rest upon us when we
listen to that instruction that is given, and carry it out. This
kingdom has got to rise up and take its stand in majesty, in strength
and power among the nations, and all that the Lord has promised will
be realized.
Our President has frequently told us that we cannot separate the
temporal from the spiritual, but they must go hand in hand together,
and so it is, and so must we act in reference to building up the
Church and kingdom of God.
We should foresee the evil, and then foreseeing it we should hide
ourselves, and preserve ourselves in purity and holiness. Our
President has tried from the beginning to instruct us in these things,
and we should listen to the counsel that is given unto us. You have
all heard President Young give instructions to the Elders from time to
time, and point out the course that we should pursue in order to
sustain ourselves. We should all strive to so manage our grain as to
turn it to the best account. We have had counsel in regard to this
matter, but how slow we are to carry it out. I have sometimes
marveled at the course that has been pursued in regard to the
duties that devolve upon us.
Let us lay these things to heart, and profit by those instructions,
and if we do, we will bring forth fruit abundantly. Let us be of one
heart and one mind, in all things.
I rejoice to meet here in this Conference with my brethren and
sisters, and I esteem it as a great privilege. I have been associated
with this Church ever since the year 1833, and I have been looking
over the Quorum of the Twelve, today, and reflecting that in our
first acquaintance, we were mere boys together, while now, most of us
are beginning to have gray locks. The time is passing rapidly along,
and the purposes of the Lord are fast hastening forward. If we will do
our duty I know that God will sustain us and bring us off conquerors;
and he will open the way whereby we can be delivered from our enemies,
and there will be room for us to spread out. The Gospel of Jesus
Christ will spread and do good, and it will prove a blessing to the
children of men. The Almighty requires his servants to maintain their
integrity in righteousness and truth. We are called upon to build a
Temple to the name of the God of Israel, and let us try to do our
duty; let us lay these things to heart, and return home from this
Conference refreshed with the Spirit of the Lord, and let us do those
things that are of benefit to us, and the settlements where we live.
God is merciful to us, and if we do our duty, we shall be blessed. We
have been informed that the heavens are full of blessings for the
faithful. We have not yet arrived at the fulness, but we are
progressing in the great work of the dispensation of the fulness of
times; and I pray that the Almighty will give us power to overcome and
do his will, which I ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.