Journal of Discourses Volume 10

DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG,

HIS TWO COUNSELLORS,
THE TWELVE APOSTLES, AND OTHERS.

REPORTED BY G. D. WATT AND J. V. LONG,

AND HUMBLY DEDICATED TO THE LATTER-DAY 
SAINTS IN ALL THE WORLD.

VOL. X.

LIVERPOOL:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY DANIEL H WELLS, 42, ISLINGTON.

LONDON:

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' BOOK DEPOT, 30, FLORENCE 
STREET, ISLINGTON.

1865.[p.iii] 

Preface

Vol. 10,  p.iii
We have the satisfaction of again presenting to the Saints and the
public another Volume of the Journal of Discourses.

Vol. 10,  p.iii
The present Number completes the tenth Volume, and we expect it will
prove as interesting and instructive as the former have done. It would
be a work of supererogation to pen a preface upon the writings or
sermons of the First Presidency or the Twelve Apostles, they speak for
themselves; but, we can only say that as every day seems to increase
the prosperity of Zion, and crown with success the labors of the
Servants of God, the present Volume, containing as it does many
discourses on Temporal and Spiritual improvements, the development of
the Work, &c., ought to prove a valuable acquisition to all those who
love the truth, and long for the redemption of scattered Israel.

THE PUBLISHER.[p.1] 

Brigham Young, September 28, 1862

Eternal Existence of Man—Foreknowledge and Predestination 

Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
made in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, September 28, 1862.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.1
We have had a very interesting journey to the southern settlements. In
twenty-five days we have travelled nearly eight hundred miles, held
thirty meetings, and spoken to thousands and thousands of Saints. I am
somewhat fatigued, and would like to be excused from speaking long
to-day.

Vol. 10,  p.1
My heart is full of blessings for the people; I feel to bear them
continually in my prayers before my Father in heaven.

Vol. 10,  p.1
I trust we shall be benefited by the discourse we have just heard from
Elder Amasa M. Lyman. We should seek to understand and know the
principles he has advanced, striving continually to know the things of
God for ourselves. All the works of mankind amount to but little,
unless they are performed in the name of the Lord and under the
direction of his Spirit. Let every man seek to learn the things of God
by the revelations of Jesus Christ to himself. The Gospel we have been
heating this morning I am seeking continually to understand. I reduce
the Gospel to the present time, circumstances and condition of the
people, and I can say truly, that the longer I live, and the more
experience I gain, the more I see the weakness of humanity. We are but
children, and are far from being capable of beholding the great things
of eternity.

Vol. 10,  p.1
As far as we can compare eternal things with earthly things that lie
within the scope of our understanding, so far we can understand them.
We can think of the greatest earthly wealth, grandeur, magnificence
and power that it is possible for mortals to attain, and somewhat
understand how great a blessing it would be to be entitled to the
possession of all this throughout eternity; but, to be told that there
never was a time When there did not exist an earth like this, peopled
with men and women as this is, is a declaration that reaches far
beyond the limits of our comprehension. No man can comprehend that
there never was a time when there did not exist an enemy to God, that
there never was a beginning to the order of creation in which we find
ourselves situated. Who can comprehend [p.2] the duration of time? To
return to our friends after an absence of some time and greet them
with a glad heart, to mingle our mutual joy, happiness and
congratulations, is one of the sweetest phases of human bliss, and
were we told that there never would be a time when this heaven of
happiness cannot be enjoyed, we could partially understand it; we only
understand it so far as we are capable of appreciating the co-mingling
of kindred joys at the reunion of parted friends. The present is that
portion of time that more particularly concerns us, and the greatest
and most important labour we have to perform is to cultivate
ourselves. That man may knew his fellow creatures, it is necessary
that he should first know himself. When he thoroughly knows himself,
he measureably knows God, whom to know is eternal life.

Vol. 10,  p.2
We have been hearing that Jesus Christ is our elder Brother. Yes, he
is one of us, flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, and became a
partaker with us of all that is earthly. He also inherited a greater
portion of the divine nature than we can possess in this life. He was
the Son of our heavenly Father, as we are the sons of our earthly
fathers. God is the Father of our spirits, which are clothed upon by
fleshly bodies, begotten for us by our earthly fathers. Jesus is our
elder Brother spirit clothed upon with an earthly body begotten by the
Father of our spirits.

Vol. 10,  p.2
Our heavenly Father delights in his good children, he delights
continually to bless them, yea, "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." All
are equally his children. We are all the children of our common
Father, who has placed us on the earth to prove ourselves, to govern,
control, educate and sanctify ourselves, body and spirit, unto him,
according to his will and pleasure. When all that class of spirits
designed to take bodies upon this earth have done so, then will come
the winding-up scene of this particular department of the works of God
on this earth. It is his will that we should prepare ourselves to
build up his kingdom, gather the house of Israel, redeem and build up
Zion and Jerusalem, revolutionize the world, and bring back that which
has been lost through the fall.

Vol. 10,  p.2
The inhabitants of the earth are ignorant of the way to secure their
present and future happiness, but, if we are faithful, we shall see
the time when we can speak to the understandings of the people. It is
now very difficult to do that. Their minds are closed against every
conviction that would lead to their present and eternal welfare. They
take the downward road. This is very lamentable. Let all who call
themselves Latter-day Saints walk in the path that points to eternal
life. I mourn and lament when any of my brethren come to me and
confess that they have been guilty of this or that crime, especially
when I learn that they have been in the Church for years. We are yet
subject to sin, and more or less give way to it; and in so doing we
more or less disgrace the Priesthood and the high vocation to which we
are called. Latter-day Saints should live their religion, as they
would that. their neighbors should live it. If I delight to see my
brother walk in the path of obedience, let me pursue the same path,
saying come, brethren and sisters, walk as I walk, and follow Christ
as I follow him. Were this the case, but few could be found who would
raise their voices against the kingdom of God upon the earth.

Vol. 10,  p.2
To say that sin is necessary is an unusual saying. Sin is in the
wrold, but it is not necessary that we should sin, because sin is in
the world; but, to the contrary, it is necessary that [p.3] we should
resist sin, and for this purpose is sin necessary. Sin exists in all
the eternities. Sin is co-eternal with righteousness, for it must
needs be that there is an opposition in all things.

Vol. 10,  p.3
I exhort the Latter-day Saints to live their religion and learn to
take care of themselves. The elements with which we are surrounded are
as eternal as we are, and are loaded with supplies of every kind for
the comfort and happiness of the human race. It is designed by the
Great Architect of the universe that our bodily wants shall be
supplied from the elements, and by judicious and well-directed labour
and a reasonable amount of industry, the wealth of food, clothing and
shelter can be obtained by all.

Vol. 10,  p.3
It has been supposed that wealth gives power. In a depraved state of
society, in a certain sense it does, if opening a wide field for
unrighteous monopolies, by which the poor are robbed and oppressed and
the wealthy are more enriched, is power. In a depraved state of
society money can buy positions and titles, can cover up a multitude
of incapabilities, can open wide the gates of fashionable society to
the lowest and most depraved of human beings; it divides society into
castes without any reference to goodness, virtue or truth. It is made
to pander to the most brutal passions of the human soul; it is made to
subvert every wholesome law of God and man, and to trample down every
sacred bond that should tie society together in a national, municipal,
domestic and every other relationship. Wealth thus used is used out of
its legitimate channel. If a man wishes to stamp an honorable fame
upon the tablets of eternity, he can do so only by living a holy and
virtuous life. While stations, emoluments, sceptres, thrones, or any
honor this world can give, do not in the sight of God raise the
possessor above the standing of the poor, humble, hungry supplicant
for bread at his gate. God is cognizant of the acts of all men, and
dictates the results thereof to his glory, to the salvation of his
people, and to the interests of his kingdom on the face of all the
earth. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them
shall not fall on the ground without your Father's notice; but the
very hairs on your head are numbered."

Vol. 10,  p.3
There cannot be a more truthful saying than that this people do not
yet fully know how to take care of themselves, and hence they expose
themselves to many unnecessary sufferings and inconveniences. After we
have smoothed the path through this life all in our power, by
accumulating ,around us all the common creature comforts, and done all
in our power to make those who depend upon us happy and comfortable,
still, there is enough of trial to sufficiently prove to God and the
faithful ones, whether we will be true to him and to our holy
religion, or false to him and to our best interests. Let God be first
in our thoughts when we awake in the morning, and let our actions
through each day reflect honor on ourselves, credit on the cause of
God, and secure to us the confidence and good-will of all good and
holy beings. While we should be diligent and industrious, filling
every moment of our time to some advantage and profit to ourselves and
others, we should not sutter a covetous and grasping spirit to take
possession of us. It is lamentable to see the ignorance manifested by
many of this people in that respect, for no man who possesses the
wealth of wisdom would worship the wealth of mammon. Let the people
build good houses, plant good vineyards and orchards, make good roads,
build beautiful cities in which may be found magnificent edifices for
the convenience of the public, handsome streets skirted [p.4] with
shade trees, fountains of water, crystal streams, and every tree,
shrub and flower that will flourish in this climate, to make our
mountain home a paradise and our hearts wells of gratitude to the God
of Joseph, enjoying it all with thankful hearts, saying constantly,
"not mine but thy will be done, O Father."

Vol. 10,  p.4
The earth must be redeemed, and it and all that have dwelt upon it be
brought back into the presence of God, for all have suffered more or
less by the sin that has entered into the world. This is indeed a
great work, and our God has given us the privilege of taking part in
it; then let us prepare ourselves for this stupendous undertaking by
seeking above all things to understand the things of God, by seeking
studiously to understand ourselves, remembering that no man can know
himself without so far knowing God. There is no mystery in the Gospel
of salvation for those who are heirs of salvation, and they can
readily comprehend the truth in many places of the Bible where the
language does not do justice to the principles designed to be set
forth.

Vol. 10,  p.4
Brother Amasa M. Lyman, this morning, quoted the following passage,
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many
brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, he also called, and whom
he called them he also justified: and whom he justified them he also
glorified." The Apostle understood full well the principles here
advanced, but it would have filled volumes to have written them out in
full as they were revealed from God by the power and gift of the Holy
Spirit. God foreknows all, and has predestinated all who believe the
truth to the possession of eternal life, and this in short is all
there is of it. He foreknew Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and placed him
upon the throne of Egypt for the express purpose of showing forth his
power to Israel, and to the wicked nations of the Gentiles. The Lord
hardened Pharaoh's heart in the same way that he hardeneth the hearts
of his enemies at the present day, after they have rejected the
testimony of his servants and oppressed his elect.

Vol. 10,  p.4
The Lord has led this people out of bondage with a high hand and an
outstretched arm. No man acquainted with the history of this people is
ignorant of the almighty power of God that has been manifested in the
organization, growth and present condition of the Church, though they
may be unable naturally to account for it. and the more we grow and
prosper, the more our enemies are angry with us. They are angry with
us because we told them, thirty years ago, that Calamity would come
upon tiffs nation. Their anger still increases, while they are
drinking of the bitter cup; and at the same time the Saints are
increasing in numbers, in faith, in hope, in wealth and in power. I
have talked with men who professed to be gentlemen and dispensers of
life and salvation to the people, who, Pharoah-like, declared that
they would rather be damned than believe that Joseph Smith was a true
Prophet of God. I promised them they should have their choice. Who is
to blame for this? Moses was not to blame because Pharaoh's heart
became more and more hard. He was not to blame because an overwhelming
destruction came upon that devoted army. Neither is God, Jesus Christ,
Joseph Smith, myself, or the Apostles and Prophets of this last
dispensation to blame for the unbelief of this nation, and for the
dark and lowering tempest that now threatens to overthrow them with a
terrible destruction. Still, as Pharaoh's heart became harder and
harder, so will it be with the persecutors of God's people and
purposes in [p.5] the latter times, until they are utterly destroyed.

Vol. 10,  p.5
Not only did God foreknow the wicked and predestinate them, but he
also foreknew the righteous and predestinated them; he knew that they
would be conformed to the image of his Son and live according to the
words of Christ, while he knew that the wicked would not fulfil the
terms requisite to be conformed to the image of his Son, but would do
the works of the Devil whom they would list to serve. It is written
that God knows all thinks and has all power. He has the rule and
command of this earth, and is the Father of all the human beings that
have lived, do live and will live upon it. If any of his children
become heirs to all things, they in their turn can say, by-and-bye,
that they know all things, and they will be called Supreme, Almighty,
King of kings, and Lord of lords. All this and more that cannot enter
into our hearts to conceive is promised to the faithful, and are but
so many stages in that ceaseless progression of eternal lives. This
will not detract anything from the glory and might of our heavenly
Father, for he will still remain our Father, and we shall still be
subject to him, and as we progress, in glory and power it the more
enhances the glory and power of our heavenly Father. This principle
holds good in either state, whether mortal or immortal; "For unto us a
child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of his government and peace there shall be no end; upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish
it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever."
There will be no end to the increase of the faithful. What a pleasing
thought! We shall enjoy each other's society in purity, in holiness
and in the power of God, and no time will ever come when we may not
enjoy this. Such great happiness is beyond the comprehension of
mortals.

Vol. 10,  p.5
There never was a time when man did not exist, and there never will be
time when he will cease to exist. Eternity is without confines, and
all things animate and inanimate have their existence in it. The
Priesthood of God, that was given to the ancients and is given to men
in the latter-days, as co-equal in duration with eternity—is without
beginning of days or end of life. It is unchangeable in its system of
government and its Gospel of salvation. It gives to Gods and angels
their supremacy and power, and offers wealth, influence, posterity,
exaltations, power, glory, kingdoms and thrones, ceaseless in their
duration, to all who will accept them on the terms upon which they are
offered.

Vol. 10,  p.5
It is very pleasing to dwell upon the glory to be revealed in the
future, but while our thoughts are thus occupied we should not fail to
give our attention to our present wants and necessities. Do we know
how to procure the means for our present subsistence? Have we learned
how to handle the things of this life in the name of Israel's God to
his glory, for the building up of his kingdom, for the bringing forth
of his Zion, for the redemption of the earth, for the establishment of
everlasting righteousness, and for the endless happiness of those who
will thus be made happy? I am satisfied that there are hundreds of
people in this community who would starve to death, if they were not
continually told how to obtain the means of subsistence. Do they know
how to cultivate the earth and draw from its bosom beauty and
embellishment? No; they would do no more towards this than the [p.6]
Indians do, unless some person not only tells them how, but also shows
them by his own works. How many of the ladies present have made the
ribbons they wear? How many of them have made the bonnets and hats
they wear? The time is at hand when you must make them or do without
them.

Vol. 10,  p.6
I love to see the human form and the human face adorned, but let our
adorning be the workmanship of our hands, from the elements with which
we are constantly surrounded. I love beauty whether adorned or
unadorned. I love chaste and refined manners, especially when they are
founded upon virtue. The etiquette that is of the world is not after
God and godliness. It bears upon it a false gloss; it has not for its
purpose the happiness of mankind. The etiquette which is after God is
to make my brother or my sister as happy as I am, if they will accept
of it. It is to teach men how to rise from a state of degradation to
an honourable standing in the society of the just.

Vol. 10,  p.6
In the days of the Apostles it was written, "And all that believed
were together and had all things common; and sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men as every man had need. and they
continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart, &c." This was all right in the Apostles, to show a certain
principle that was hereafter to be acted upon. It does not require
more than common enlightenment to discover that such an order of
things, if persisted in, would result in poverty, hunger, nakedness
and destitution. I say to my brethren and sisters, come let us learn
how to gather around us from the elements an abundance of every
comfort of life, and convert them to our wants and happiness, filling
our storehouses with wheat, wine and oil, filling our wardrobes with
woollen cloth and fine linen, with silks and satins of the finest
quality and patterns from the looms of Deseret, going onward and
upward until the whole earth is filled with the glory of God. Let us
not remain ignorant with the ignorant, but let us show the ignorant
how to be wise.

Vol. 10,  p.6
I am constantly trying to teach the people how to extract from the
elements the means for their present comfort and independence, and how
to first become perfectly obedient to the Gospel of Christ, and then
children will be obedient to their parents, and in the Church and
kingdom of God every person will learn to act in his order and
station, and wisdom will take up her abode with us. Let fathers be
willing to be taught by the Holy Priesthood, then let them in all
mildness, by example and precept, teach their families; and let wives
be one with their husbands in this labor of salvation, that the rising
generation may be a better class of people than is the present.

Vol. 10,  p.6
I have promised the people South, that if they will cultivate the
ground and ask the blessings of God upon it, the desert shall blossom
as a rose, pools of living water shall spring up on the parched
ground, and the wilderness shall become glad. The Lord has planted the
feet of the Saints in the most forbidding portion of the earth,
apparently, that he may see what they will do with it. I may
confidently, say that no other people on the earth could live here and
make themselves comfortable. If we settle on these desert and parched
plains, upon the sides of these rugged and sterile mountains, and
cultivate the earth, praying the blessing of God upon our labors, he
will make this country as fruitful as any other portion of the earth.
May the Lord bless the people. Amen.[p.7] 

Daniel H. Wells, October 26, 1862

Enjoyment of Liberty Under the Kingdom of God 

Remarks by President DANIEL H. WELLS, 
made in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, October 26, 1862.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.7
The Gospel of salvation is interesting to me, to you, and should be to
all the world, for by it we are to be judged. This test will be put to
all. The principles of life and salvation the Gospel offers to us,
which if we neglect will be brought up against us in a day to come.
The light of truth has been revealed by the Savior, and through the
mercy of the Lord he has sent forth his servants to proclaim this
Gospel to all nations. What for? To injure them? No; but to bless
them. The time has come in this age of the world when God has set
himself to take the rule and the power of the earth into his own
hands. He has sent forth Joseph, and Hyrum, and Brigham, and Heber,
and Jedediah, and Willard, and Daniel, and the Twelve Apostles and the
other authorities of the Holy Priesthood which is established upon the
earth. The communication has been opened up between the heavens and
the earth. He has sent forth a message to all nations, saying, "Fear
God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment has. come." It
has been proclaimed to the world by faithful men for many years—it has
been sounded in the by-ways and highways, in city and hamlet, and in
the nooks and corners of the earth; and, in a coming day the people
will be judged by it, because it has been sent forth by the direct
counsel of Heaven.

Vol. 10,  p.7
It is our duty to sustain the principles of truth, virtue and
integrity, and every principle that has been revealed from the
Almighty to his children on the earth. If it is the duty of one man to
do this, it is the duty of every man to do the same; and every man
will be found wanting unless he obeys this Heavenly message. How shall
we do it when we are compassed about by all the powers of earth and
hell to overcome, overthrow and destroy us? By cleaving to the Lord of
hosts, who is mighty to save, and by cleaving to those holy principles
of life and power which he has revealed. The more the floods of
iniquity surge up against us, the closer let us cling to those
principles, for they will bear us off victoriously to exaltation and
glory in this world and in the worlds to come. The same principles
have, exalted our Father and our God to his present state of glory and
power, and they will exalt you and me and all who will abide them in
the scale of human existence and eternal progression. They are the
same principles which have been revealed in the latter days for the
salvation of mankind, and for their exaltation to the presence of God
the Father in heaven. They have always existed, and always will
continue to exist. They will abide after the refuge of lies has been
swept away. It is not now as it has been in days and years gone by.
The kingdom is now established; it is upon the earth never again to be
prevailed against or to be overcome by sin and iniquity.

Vol. 10,  p.8
All men have their volition, and [p.8] are responsible to God alone
for it. As the kingdom of God grows and becomes mighty upon the earth,
laws will be given suited to the condition of the children of men, in
their respective governments and nationalities, according to their
views and principles. The supreme law of the world will be the law of
God, and all people will choose to obey or disobey as they list. All
will be governed according to their circumstances and the principles
which will be revealed from time to time for their best good. This is
not the work of a day, but of eternity—it is without beginning of days
or end of years.

Vol. 10,  p.8
I feel gratified that I live in this day and age of the world; I am
thankful for this privilege. "Would you not have preferred to live in
the days of Jesus?" says one. No, nor in the days of Moses, nor in the
days of Noah. Had I lived in Noah's days I might have been drowned in
the great flood. I prefer to live now—to-day—in the days of Brigham
and Heber, and in the days of the great Prophet Joseph and Hyrum,
although they did not stay long with us. They are not far away from
us, neither is the Lord. Brigham is here, Heber and Daniel are here,
and the Twelve Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ are here, and the
organization of the Church and kingdom of God is here, with the Holy
Priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God; and this is the
great chain which opens up a communication between the heavens and the
earth, and in it there is safety; and through it truth will prevail
over the face of the whole earth, and by its power the kingdom of God
will be established upon the earth no more to be prevailed against.
What matters it to us who speaks in anger against it? The truth is all
the same, no matter who walks it under their feet. The eternal
principles of salvation and exaltation are the same, no matter who
does despite to them.

Vol. 10,  p.8
In trying to injure the truth, and impede it in its progress, they
only injure themselves,. and will bring upon themselves swift
destruction and a righteous judgment according as it shall be ordered
by our Father in heaven. God is merciful and forbearing. Can we
forbear as well as he can? We can, although we are far from being as
good as he is. If he can forbear many years with a man who will not
say grace over his meat, or bend his knee to his God in acknowledgment
of his mercy, we surely can bear a little with the infirmities of our
brethren, and the ignorance of the ungodly world.

Vol. 10,  p.8
As a people and community we have borne much; and all we have ever
asked of any people or government has been our rights in common with
the rest of mankind; but these they seek to withhold from us, which
they have no right to do, hence they are under condemnation, and we
shall go free. We believe and worship as we choose, and live under a
Government that guarantees unto us that right. Inasmuch as they do not
give us those rights, they violate one of the holiest and most sacred
provisions of the Constitution of our country, and destruction will be
the consequence. The fathers of the revolution fought and bled to
secure this holy right to their children so long as the world should
last or the Government continue. We are therefore bold in declaring
our principles, and in defending our rights. There are countries in
the world where imprisonment would be the penalty of the free
expression of principles and rights; but they do not live under and
enjoy the blessings of the Constitution which we live under. Yet even
in this free country some have sought to deprive us of the free
enjoyment of the privileges granted unto us in the Constitution [p.9]
of our country, and they will have to pay the penalty for so doing,
for they trample under foot the Constitution that grants to them their
own liberties, and thus subvert their own liberties, which it becomes
them as well as us to preserve inviolate. It becomes us to cleave to
God and our holy religion, trusting in him because in him there is
power—in him there is strength; and if we remain faithful, we shall
come off victorious, and walk under our feet every principle that is
calculated to destroy, and rear the standard of truth and
righteousness in the world in spite of hell and all the hosts thereof.
Let us be encouraged, and go steadily on in the performance of our
duties, cultivating the earth, and bringing from the elements all we
need for our sustenance that we may be free and independent, so far as
we can, by depending on our own resources with which the Lord has
abundantly blessed us. We are greatly blessed in that the Lord has
planted our feet in these quiet valleys from those who sought our
destruction; while he has brought an overwhelming destruction on them,
he has brought safety to us. We can see his wisdom, and his mighty
hand manifested in this. Let us henceforth put our trust in that arm
which has been so prominently made bare in saving the righteous. May
God add his blessing. Amen.

Wilford Woodruff, July 27, 1862

Fulfilment of Prophecy—Power 
of the Gospel—Consistency of Its Principles 

Discourse by Elder WILFORD WOODRUFF, 
delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, July 27, 1862.

Reported By J. V. Long

Vol. 10,  p.9
Brother Taylor gave us a very interesting discourse this morning upon
the first principles of the Gospel, contrasting them with the religion
of the Christian world, showing the authority by which they
administered in different ages the ordinances of religion according to
the traditions of their fathers. He remarked that the Elders of this
Church went forth as the Apostles did in the days of the Savior,
promising to the people, on conditions of obedience, the gift of the
Holy Ghost; and he remarked that no other people would do that,
because they do not possess the authority to do it.

Vol. 10,  p.9
I do not know that I can spend the few moments that I may speak here,
better than to read a little on the authority that we have for
pursuing this course. This portion that [p.10] I am going to read, is
the word of the Lord to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, as well as to the whole world:—

Vol. 10,  p.10
"Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of Him who dwells
on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say, hearken
ye people from afar, and ye that are upon the islands of the sea,
listen together; for verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and
there is none to escape, and there is no eye that shall not see,
neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be
penetrated: and the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for
their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret
acts shall be revealed; and the voice of warning shall be unto all
people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these
last days, and they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the
Lord have commanded them.

Vol. 10,  p.10
"Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and
my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them
to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth: wherefore, fear and
tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall
be fulfilled. And verily, I say unto you, that they who go forth,
bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is
power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and
rebellious; yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath
of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure; unto the
day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to
his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he
has measured to his fellow-man.

Vol. 10,  p.10
"Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that
all that will hear may hear: prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is
to come, for the Lord is nigh; and the anger of tire Lord is kindled,
and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the
inhabitants of the earth; and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed.
and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord,
neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of
the Prophets and Apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; for
they have strayed from mine ordinances, and they have broken mine
everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord, to establish his
righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the
image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and
whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish
in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.

Vol. 10,  p.10
"Wherefore I, the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon
the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith,
jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; and
also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these
things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which
was written by the Prophets; the weak things of the world shall come
forth and break down the mighty and strong ones; that man should not
counsel his fellow-man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that
every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of
the world; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine
everlasting covenant might be established; that the fulness of my
Gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of
the world, and before kings and rulers.

Vol. 10,  p.11
"Behold, I am God and have [p.11] spoken it: these commandments are of
me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the
manner of their language, that they might come to understanding, and
inasmuch as they erred it might be made known: and inasmuch as they
sought wisdom they might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned
they might be chastened, that they might repent: and inasmuch as they
were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and
receive knowledge from time to time: and after having received the
record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, jun., might
have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God,
the Book of Mormon; and also those to whom these commandments were
given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to
bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and
living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the
Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not
individually, for I, the Lord, cannot look upon sin with the least
degree of allowance; nevertheless, he that repents and does the
commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; and he that repents not,
from him shall be taken even the light which he has received, for my
Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Vol. 10,  p.11
"And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, I the
Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no
respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day
speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace
shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his
own dominion, and also the Lord shall have power over his Saints, and
shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon
Idumea, or the world.

Vol. 10,  p.11
"Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the
prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

Vol. 10,  p.11
"What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not
myself: and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall
not pass away, but all shall be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice
or by the voice of my servants, it is the same; for behold and lo, the
Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true,
and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen."—[See Doc. & Cov., pages
65-68.]

Vol. 10,  p.11
What do you think of that revelation, brethren? Does this look like a
Yankee scheme, or something made up to cheat somebody? No, this is the
word of the Lord; it is a sermon of itself. The Lord has sustained
that revelation from that day to the present, and that is the reason
why brother Taylor and the Elders of this Church go forth declaring
the words of life, and they know that they have not taken this honor
upon themselves, but that they were called of God as was Aaron. I do
not care how illiterate an Elder in this Church is, if he has been
faithful to his calling; it is a matter I care but little about if a
man can neither read or write, if he has been called and ordained to
the Priesthood in this Church and kingdom by Joseph Smith, or any of
those ordained by him to that Priesthood which was given unto the
Prophet by Peter, James and John, who by commandment came and ordained
him to the Melchisedec Priesthood. John the Baptist held the Aaronic
Priesthood, and the authority commenced there, and by those men that
held the keys of the kingdom of God in former dispensations. It is
that authority that has inspired this; it is this that has inspired
the Elders of Israel from [p.12] the commencement to the present day.

Vol. 10,  p.12
Why should the Elders and people now think it strange that those
messengers who have gone forth, shouldering their knapsacks and
travelling thousands of miles to preach the Gospel, should be the
especial objects of his favor?  The Almighty has proven them all the
day long, and he has been with them, and in fact there has never been
any portion of the Priesthood officiating in sacred ordinances but God
has been with them. In this revelation the Lord calls upon his
servants, and says, "I, the Lord, am willing to make this known to the
children of men, that I have called my servant Joseph, that the world
may be left without excuse."

Vol. 10,  p.12
Joseph Smith knew just as well as the Lord knew that he was called of
God, and that he was called to perform a work for the redemption of
man. Has he ever disappointed anybody when he has made a promise to
them? Has he ever disappointed a Prophet or lawgiver in any age of the
world? No, never. But he has declared that the heavens and the earth
shall pass away, but his word shall never pass away, but that it shall
all be fulfilled. It is just so in our day. All the words which the
Lord has spoken through his servants will be fulfilled to the very
letter, whether those words are in reference to the salvation of the
righteous or the condemnation of the wicked. Christ had his mind upon
this point when he said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my
words shall not pass away."—Matthew xxiv, 35. Again, it is written,
"For I will hasten my word to perform it;" and when the Lord spake
through Isaiah upon this subject he said. "So shall my word be that
goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not returns unto me void, but it
shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it." The Elders go forth to preach the Gospel to
the nations of the earth, knowing that the Lord will back up their
word by the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.

Vol. 10,  p.12
There is but one Gospel, neither will there be any other for the
salvation of this, nor of any other world that we know of; but this we
do know that tiffs Gospel preached in any age of the world will
produce the same effect.) We also know that any man who receives this
Priesthood, and is faithful thereunto, will receive the same blessings
and power in any and every age of the world. On this account and for
this reason, Utah—the valleys of Deseret are being filled with the
children of men. The Almighty has sent his servants to preach the
Gospel; they have not gone upon their own authority: had they done so,
they might have called upon the inhabitants of the earth fill
doomsday, and they would not have been successful, but this land would
still have been a desert, occupied only by Indians and wild beasts.
But the hand of God was with us, and hence we had no fear of telling
the people our message, and now there are tens of thousands who know
the truth as well as we do, for they have embraced the Gospel and
received this testimony for themselves. There never was a man that
embraced this Gospel, but has received this testimony of the truth, if
he has done so in sincerity and in truth. The Lord has always been
ready to redeem his promise, and in giving that testimony which was
necessary for the establishing of them in the most holy faith.

Vol. 10,  p.12
The Lord has sustained us as a people in all places and under all
circumstances. We have gone forth as sheep among wolves; among a
people full of tradition and superstition, and we have had all these
things to cope with in our administrations among [p.13] the people,
but the Lord was with us wherever we went, backing up our words by the
testimony and power of the Holy Ghost, and the people to whom we
administered received the same testimony as had been given unto us.

Vol. 10,  p.13
We are beginning to realize that the things which the Lord has
promised unto us thirty years ago are now being fulfilled to the very
letter. Is there much peace in the world of mankind? No, there is not:
peace is fast being taken from the children of men. We are at peace in
Utah, but let me tell you that the Lord has foretold by the
revelations of Jesus Christ all these things that are now fulfilling
before our eyes.

Vol. 10,  p.13
I copied a revelation more than twenty-five years ago, in which it is
stated that war should be in the south and in the north, and that
nation after nation would become embroiled in the tumult and
excitement, until war should be poured out upon the whole earth, and
that this war would commence at the rebellion of South Carolina, and
that times should be such that every man who did not flee to Zion
would have to take up the sword against his neighbor or against his
brother. These things are beginning to be made manifest, but the end
is not yet; but it will come, and that too much sooner than the world
of mankind anticipate, and all those things spoken by the mouths of
his Prophets will be fulfilled.

Vol. 10,  p.13
We are gathering together here for certain purposes understood and in
the mind of the Lord, one of which is that we may be sanctified and
prepared. for the great work of the future. We have carried this work
to the various nations of the earth, and the people to whom we have
preached have thought of us saying that there was no other Gospel than
that which we bad to proclaim, as was clearly and demonstratively set
forth to-day. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect in all its parts.
The words of the Psalmist David will apply to our religion, where he
says:—"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the
testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of
the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord
is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous
altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine
gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."

Vol. 10,  p.13
According to the vision of John the Revelator, there are to be "six
hundred, threescore and six" false sects of religion: how many of
these already exist is a matter of dispute among theologists, but I
suppose that the number is nearly complete. Let me now ask if you
think things look or indicate that these contending creeds are all of
God. It is certainly not like the order carried out in the days of
Christ and his Apostles. It is much more like the confusion of the
Pharisees, Essenes, Herodians, Sadducees and Stoics, for they had
different creeds, principles and notions by which they were governed,
and it is just so now with the sectarian world. It is composed of
every sect and party that profess religion upon the lace of the earth.
But the honest in heart will be gathered out of all these creeds and
systems and be brought home to Zion.

Vol. 10,  p.13
There have been thousands of men and women who have listened to the
preaching of the Elders of this Church, who have not embraced it for
fear of their good name; and there have been many clergymen who have
listened attentively to the Elders of Israel, and they have spent days
and nights in meditating upon the things of God, and studying what to
[p.14] do, realizing within themselves that if they received this
testimony they would be dishonored in the eyes of the world. They fear
becoming a hiss and a by-word among the children of men in this
generation. Hence the majority of them have rejected it.

Vol. 10,  p.14
Many celebrated men have investigated this subject, and far more of
them have had fears that it was true than that it Was false. I visited
folks in Long Island in 1837; I talked with one minister named Newton,
in fact I stayed with him some twelve days and preached the Gospel to
him. He attended meetings, and finally became so that he could neither
eat, drink, nor sleep, he was so troubled about the Gospel; but
instead of embracing it, sent after a minister who lived on the south
side of the island for the purpose of having me put down or silenced.
I persevered and soon baptized most of the members of Mr. Newton's
church. Mr. Douglass, a Methodist minister of the south side of the
island came, stayed a short time and then returned. I followed him
home and succeeded in baptizing most of his church; and instead of
these men getting any honor by opposing me they were both brought into
disgrace. They lost their religion, their church and members, and were
really disgraced. When I was there last, one of them was in the
Penitentiary for one of the worst crimes that a man can be guilty of,
except murder, and the other was travelling the streets peddling small
articles for his bread. The chastening hand of the Lord will always
follow those that oppose the truth of Heaven as revealed through the
Prophet of God. This is in accordance with the experience of all our
Elders. The Holy Ghost has been with them to back up their words, and
I can say for all that, we have not done a thing but it has been
backed up by the power of the Almighty, so far as we have labored for
the upbuilding of the kingdom of God.

Vol. 10,  p.14
In regard to holding office in the Priesthood, I can truly say that I
never asked any man for any office in this Church, and I believe I
never asked the Lord but once, and my asking the Lord came about in
this way. I went up to Missouri in Zion's camp; I saw the Prophet
every day, and I knew he was a Prophet of God. About this time I had a
great anxiety to preach the Gospel; this desire increased upon me, and
I finally resolved to ask the Lord to open my way, so I went down into
a hickory grove and prayed, during which I asked him to give me the
privilege to preach the Gospel. I prayed fervently to the Almighty to
give me the privilege of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and
when I got through praying I started for the place from whence I came,
and I had not walked more than about forty rods before I met a High
Priest, and the first thing he said to me was, "It is the will of the
Lord that you go and preach the Gospel." I told him I was ready and
willing to do anything the Lord required of me; I was therefore
ordained a Priest and sent to labor in Arkansas.

Vol. 10,  p.14
I will now name a circumstance which I have never named in public
before. I went into Arkansas, travelled a hundred miles out of my way
to see a man that had embraced the Gospel some time before I went
there. He was full of wrath and indignation when I went in; he railed
against Joseph Smith, Bishop Partridge and Father Morley. The Lord
showed me the night before that I had enemies in that town. I talked
over my feelings with the brother who accompanied me, and he wanted to
leave the town, but I said no, I would not go away, for I wanted to
see what the Lord wanted of me. All the people were mad with rage, and
we [p.15] could not get anybody to preach to; in fact they were all
full of rage till they were mad with it. For some time I could not see
my way clearly, but we finally called upon an old man named Hubbard,
and engaged to go and clear timber. During the short time that we were
employed at that the Lord sent me three times to visit that old
apostate, and each time when I went there I could only bear testimony
to him of the truth of the Gospel. When I went the third time he
followed me out of the house as full of wrath as the Devil, and he had
not followed me more than about eight rods When he fell dead at my
feet. This is a short story and a very singular one.

Vol. 10,  p.15
At that time I had not power to lay on hands for the gift of the Holy
Ghost, only holding the Aaronic Priesthood, but the Lord sustained me
and his work just as well as if I had been an Apostle. We baptized
father Hubbard and his wife, after which we went on our way rejoicing.
The Lord has fed and sustained his servants, and manifested his power
according to circumstances, and so he will continue to do through life
to all that are faithful and true to their covenants.

Vol. 10,  p.15
When the United States sent an army to this land for our destruction,
the Lord had his eye upon us for good and he delivered us from all our
enemies. The wicked have designed our destruction from the first
organization of this Church and kingdom, but our leaders have been
inspired by the gift and power of God. Who frustrated that army in
their design? The Lord our God; and now the judgments that have come
upon the nation in consequence of their treatment to this people, are
a sore vexation to them, but it is the hand-dealing of the Almighty
and we cannot help it. Every Elder in this Church who lives his
religion knows that this which is now transpiring is according to the
mind and forshadowings of the Holy Spirit, and those out of the Church
may know if they will. If persons will believe the Bible, the Book of
Doctrines and Covenants, and the Book of Mormon, they can therein
learn the fate of the world, for it is there pointed out in great
plainness. Who can stay this war that is devastating the whole nation
both North and South? No human hand; it is out of the power of man,
excepting by the repentance of the whole nation, for they have shed
the blood of the Prophets, driven this Church and people from their
midst, yes, the very people that hold the keys of salvation for the
world they have banished from their midst, they have turned those keys
that will seal their condemnation, and for this the Lord our God has
taken peace out of their midst. Will there ever be any more peace
among them? No, not until the earth is drenched with the blood of the
inhabitants thereof. When the spirit of the Gospel leaves any people
it leaves them in a worse condition than it found them, the spirit of
ferocity, darkness and war will take hold of that people, and the time
will come when every man that does not take his sword against his
neighbor will have to go to Zion for safety.

Vol. 10,  p.15
These things sound strange in the ears of our neighbors of the nation
with which we are connected, but let me tell you they are strictly
true. Remember Christ's words in regard to the temple, viz., "There
shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown
down."—Matthew xxiv., 2. The Lord Jesus Christ is as truthful now as
he was then, and no power can stay his hand. Have we any fears of the
consequences of what will transpire? No, we have not, for we know that
God is at the helm.[p.16] 

Vol. 10,  p.16
When this kingdom commenced it was like a mustard seed, very small,
but the Lord has sustained it and he will continue to control it to
the end of time. Although peace is being taken from the earth yet this
kingdom will thrive and prosper until every kingdom and government
shall be broken to pieces, and every power shall be subject to the God
of heaven.

Vol. 10,  p.16
Here are Elders who are faithful and true who have preached the Gospel
from Maine to Texas, and from the Atlantic to California, and the
warning voice has been lifted in Europe and in the Islands of the Sea,
and thousands have embraced it and been made to rejoice in the truth.

Vol. 10,  p.16
We know that this work is of God, and that it will roll forth and
prosper though all the world oppose. War is only one of the troubles
that the United States are going to receive; and I can further
testify, that there is no nation that will escape the judgment's of
the Almighty. There is no ear but what has to be penetrated with the
sound of the Gospel of Christ; and by-and-by the Elders of Israel will
be taken from those nations where they are now preaching, and there
will be another set of Missionaries sent amongst the people; there
will be the voice of lightning, the noise of war, and of all those
judgments which have been enumerated and prophesied of since the
beginning of time, and they will go forth among the nations until the
land is cleansed from the abominations that now reign upon the face of
the earth.

Vol. 10,  p.16
When this Gospel was first proclaimed to the world, darkness covered
the earth; and wherever this doctrine is preached by those having
authority and it is rejected, that people become more dark than they
were before, and go blindly along like the ox to the slaughter, and
they will sooner or later be overtaken by the judgments of the
Almighty.

Vol. 10,  p.16
This is the nature of our testimony, brethren and sisters, we know
that this work is true; we also know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet
of God, and the Bible could not have been fulfilled unless the Lord
had raised up Prophets to declare the everlasting Gospel unto the
children of men; he never could have brought his judgments upon the
nations until he had raised up those Prophets who were ordained to
come and warn the world. The Lord is now doing this work of warning,
first by his servants and then by his judgments. In speaking of the
kingdom of God I will here remark, that it is always alike, or in
other words it is always governed by the same laws, by Apostles and
Prophets, and you cannot have a Church of Christ without these
officers; there never was such a church since the beginning of the
world. If any person will show me a people that were acknowledged of
God, who did not have Prophets to lead them, I will confess that to be
something which I have not found.

Vol. 10,  p.16
Paul says, speaking of the Church of Christ, "And he gave some
Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors
and Teachers." Then, in another part of the writings of the same
Apostle, he shows that with such an organization one part cannot say
to the other "I have no need of thee," but that all are necessary in
the Church of Christ. It is just so with the gifts and graces of the
Gospel. A great many of you have seen men without some of their limbs,
and just as quick as I come to a man who has lost an arm I see it. I
remember once seeing a man in London without any legs, dragging along
as best he could, and of course it was very inconvenient for him to
travel: but I will tell you one thing which I never did see, I never
saw any man going around without any head. A man can live without arms
[p.17] or without legs, but he cannot without a head, and it is
precisely so with the Church of Christ; one is just as impossible as
the other. No other order has been manifested in this our day. We have
a Prophet to lead and govern this people; we also have pastors and
teachers, the Holy Ghost and the revelations of Jesus Christ right
from heaven unto us, and we are realizing every day the fulfilment of
these things that are promised to the faithful.

Vol. 10,  p.17
Brethren and sisters, we ought to be truly thankful to our Father and
God, for he has been merciful to us, he has bestowed upon us his
Spirit so that our ears have been opened to hear and our hearts to
understand and to rejoice in the good things of the kingdom of God.
And how lamentable it is that so few in the present generation have
embraced the fulness of the Gospel, perhaps not one in ten thousand
have received the truth. The Jews have suffered long and grievously
for their rebellion, and they will continue to suffer for some time
yet, but woe unto the Gentiles when they reject the light that is
offered, for when that stone, which is spoken of in Scripture, falls
upon them they cannot escape the crushing power thereof, it will grind
them to powder.

Vol. 10,  p.17
Let us be faithful, serve our God and trust in him, and then, through
the influence of his Spirit we shall know the signs of the times, and
be prepared and made meet for our Master's use.

Vol. 10,  p.17
I ask that this may be our portion, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brigham Young, October 6, 1862

Never Ending Character of a Saints' 
Mission Organization of the Kingdom of God

Discourse by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 6, 1862.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.17
We have opened our Conference to present before the congregation such
principles and doctrines and to transact such business as may be
necessary for the instruction and edification of the Saints and the
advancement of the cause of truth.

Vol. 10,  p.17
It has been remarked by some of the Missionaries who have lately
returned, that though they had arrived at home, they did not consider
their missions at an end. When persons become subjects of the kingdom
of God they enter upon a mission that will never end. They may turn
away from the holy commandments, and forsake the kingdom, but so long
as they remain faithful so long will their missions as advocates for
God and his righteousness be continued. [p.18] There may be intervals
of rest, of relaxation from the more arduous duties of their missions,
but in such times they are not by any means to consider their missions
ended. Christ will not cease his labors pertaining to this earth until
it is redeemed and sanctified ready to be presented spot, less to the
Father.

Vol. 10,  p.18
Luke records the words of Christ as follows:—"But rather seek ye the
kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew
records the saving still fuller:—"But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto
you." Jesus Christ did not exhort his followers to seek something they
could not find, something that was not within their reach. He did not
exhort them to ascend up to heaven to bring the kingdom down, nor to
descend into the deep to bring it up, but he came to establish that
kingdom, and it was nigh unto them. I would say to the Latter-day
Saints, seek to know that the kingdom of God has been organized in our
own time. When this kingdom is organized in any age, the Spirit of it
dwells in the hearts of the faithful, while its visible department
exists among the people, with laws, ordinances, helps, governments,
officers, administrators, and every other appendage necessary for its
complete operation to the attainment of the end in view. Seek to know
that the kingdom of God is organized upon the earth, and be sure to
know that you have an interest, in that kingdom, and enjoy the Spirit
of it day by day, for this is, or ought to be, nearer to our hearts
than all earthly considerations. This privilege is within the reach of
all, when the Gospel is proclaimed to them. When men truly and
heartily repent, and make manifest to the heavens that their
repentance is genuine by obedience to the requirements made known to
them through the laws of the Gospel, then are they entitled to the
administration of salvation, and no power can withhold the good Spirit
from them. Cornelius is an instance of this. The Holy Ghost fell on
him and his household, through their faith and earnest repentance,
before they were baptized.

Vol. 10,  p.18
That we may understand things as they are, and thereby learn to
sanctify ourselves before the Lord our God, it is essentially
necessary that we practically bye our religion. Every true believer of
this Gospel is anxious to gather to the home of the Saints. I think I
am safe in saying, that if there was a highway cast up flora England
to the shores of the continent of America, there are men who would be
willing to measure the ground with their bodies to reach this place.
Even this does not tell their anxiety to be here; it must be seen in
the spirit, to know it as it really is. We are agreed in gathering the
Saints, as well as in the initiatory ordinances of the Gospel of
peace.

Vol. 10,  p.18
It may be said that the tug of trials has commenced when the Saints
begin to cross the plains to this place. This temporal duty puts all
their spiritual attainments to the test. Them are but few persons who
thoroughly understand how to organize and lead a company across the
plains, and in this alone arises many inconveniences and trials to the
immigrants. How many hearts are prepared to meet the difficulties,
privations, trials and labors to be encountered on the plains, without
murmuring and complaining? I should think but few. To believe the
Gospel and embrace it, to believe all that is written in the Bible,
Book of Mormon and Book of Doctrine and Covenants, is but a small
matter compared with giving up comfortable homes, friends and
relatives, being tossed upon the boisterous ocean, confined [p.19] in
narrow limits, and being jostled in railway cars, exposed to the
insults and ridicule of rude and wicked persons that always assemble
on the public highways, and suffering the hardships and privations
incident to travelling over the plains.

Vol. 10,  p.19
I wish the people not to lose sight of one thing: that every day's
labor, every moment's toil, every prayer and exertion which they make
points to the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth. Let us
seek daily to know that the kingdom of God is established among us,
according to the pattern in the heavens. Under this knowledge our
actions will constantly point in the right direction, and every move
we make will enhance the interests of the general cause. When this
kingdom is established in its two-fold capacity—spiritually and
temporally—then it is given unto us to know how to secure everything
else that is necessary to enjoy on the earth. But it is our duty first
to seek to know that the kingdom of God is established and organized
upon the earth, that we have an interest in it, that that interest
above all others is the nearest and dearest to our hearts, as our
present and eternal welfare is embraced in it, and that we possess the
Spirit of this kingdom and enjoy it day by day.

Vol. 10,  p.19
Remarks have been made relating to the Saints travelling in
independent companies. When an independent company undertakes to
travel across the plains, they are generally too independent for their
own safety and good. There never was and never will be a people in
heaven nor on earth, in time nor in eternity, that can be considered
truly and entirely independent of counsel and direction. Our
independent companies entertain the same mistaken views of
independence as people generally do of the independence of a
Republican Government. Man in his ignorance is impatient of control,
and when he finds himself from under its influence he supposes that he
is then independent, or, in other words, that he is a free man.
Independence so viewed and so employed, either individually or
collectively, religiously or politically must open a wide arena of
action for all the evil, selfish and malignant qualities of depraved
men, introducing distraction into every ramification of society,
destroying confidence, checking the onward progress of industry and
universal prosperity, and bringing in famine, pestilence and
destruction everywhere. An independent company of immigrants can
appoint their own captain to guide them across the plains, and they
can also dispute every act of his for their good. They can find fault
with him for camping too soon or too late; for camping in this, that
or the other place; and if he offers them good advice, reject it
because they are iudependent and free, as they suppose. Individual
self-government lies at the root of all true and effective government,
whether in heaven or on earth. Those who govern should be wiser and
better than the governed, that the lesser may be blessed of the
greater. Were this so, then the people would willingly repose their
dearest interests to the trusts of their rulers or leaders, and with a
feeling of pleasure bow to and carry out to the letter their
instructions and conclusions on all matters that pertained to the
general good.  this will apply to great kingdoms and mighty nations,
to small companies of immigrants crossing the plains, or to the home
circle. A Republican Government in the hands of a wicked people must
terminate in woe to that people, but in the hands of the righteous it
is everlasting, while its power reaches to heaven.

Vol. 10,  p.20
I had the pleasure of leading the first company of Saints to these
[p.20] valleys, assisted by a few of my brethren. In this business we
have had a good experience.

Vol. 10,  p.20
I will here take the liberty of relating a little of my first career
in "Mormonism." In 1834, brother Joseph Smith the Prophet, started
with a company from the State of Ohio, picking up others as he passed
through various States on his route until he arrived in Missouri. We
had grumblers in that camp. We had to be troubled with uneasy, unruly
and discontented spirits. This was the first time we had ever
travelled in the capacity of a large company, and it was my first
experience in that mode of travelling. Brother Joseph led, counselled
and guided the company, and contended against those unruly, evil
disposed persons. When we arrived in Missouri, the Lord spoke to his
servant Joseph and said, "I have accepted your offering," and we had
the privilege to return again. On my return many friends asked me what
profit there was in calling men from their labor to go up to Missouri
and then return, without apparently accomplishing anything. "Who has
it benefited?" asked they. "If the Lord did command it to be done what
object had he in view in doing sow I was then comparatively ignorant,
to what I am now, in regard to the spirits and actions of mankind But
I then learned that those persons who asked me such questions were
weak in the faith and, like a faulty column in an edifice, could not
bear up under the burden designed to rest upon them. This has since
proved to be the case. I wish this fact to sink into your hearts, that
when men or women have doubts, they also have fear; and when they have
fear they are in danger of what? Of themselves. Want of confidence is
the parent of moral imbecility and intellectual weakness. Hear it, ye
Saints, that man or woman that is crowned with crowns of glory,
immortality and eternal lives will never be heard to grumble or
complain. I told those brethren that I was well paid—paid with heavy
interest—yea that my measure was filled to overflowing with the
knowledge that I had received by travelling with the Prophet. When
companies are led across the plains by inexperienced persons,
especially independent companies, they are very apt to break into
pieces, to divide up into fragments, become weakened, and thus expose
themselves to the influences of death and destruction.

Vol. 10,  p.20
I sometimes think that I would be willing to give anything, to do
almost anything in reason, to see one fully organized Branch of this
kingdom—one fully organized Ward. "But," says one, "I had supposed
that the kingdom of God was organized long ago." So it it is, in one
sense; and again, in another sense it, is not. Wheresoever this Gospel
has been preached and people have received it, the spiritual kingdom
is set up and organized, but is Zion organized? No. Is there even in
this Territory a fully organized Ward? Not one. It may be asked, "Why
do you not fully organize the Church?" Because the people are
incapable of being organized. I could organize a large Ward who would
be subject to a full organization, by selecting familes from the
different Wards, but at present such a Branch of the Church is not in
existence.

Vol. 10,  p.20
I am satisfied that the mechanical ability of the people of this
Territory will rank with that of any other people, but there is not
one in five hundred that knows how to husband his ability and
economize his labor when he first comes to this new country. They are
for a time like a feather in the wind, until some circumstance occurs
to settle them in some position where they can begin to do something
to provide for themselves. It is not easy to find a [p.21] Bishop that
knows how to settle, in a proper way, the smallest difficulty that may
occur in his Ward. There are but few men that can guide themselves,
and gather around them the comforts and wealth of this life. In the
settlements I passed through during my late visit south, I saw
comparatively. little wisdom manifested in the style and extent of
their improvements. Men who have been in this Church ten, fifteen, and
twenty years, and in this country from the first settlement of it,
possessing flocks of sheep and herds of cattle and horses running upon
the plains, what kind of houses have they? Log hovels and mud buts.
What have they in their houses? Two tin plates, a broken knife, and a
fork with one prong. If a person calls for lodgings, "O yes, you can
stay and welcome. Come wife, bake some potatoes and squash, and roast
some meat, bake some biscuit, and stew a little of that fruit I bought
at the store," and all this the poor woman has to do in one little
bake kettle. A good natured man enough, an easy going sort of person,
and his hair looks as though it had not been cut or combed for years.
After supper you retire to bed, and before morning you are made fully
satisfied that you are a man of feeling. Is such enterprise worthy of
Saints? Is this the way to build up cities and make the earth like the
garden of Eden? Do such people know that the kingdom of God is set up
on the earth? "O yes, I have it in me." You have the spiritual kingdom
within you but there is a literal kingdom to build up.

Vol. 10,  p.21
There are scores of Elders in this Church who can preach, baptize and
lay on hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, that do not know how
to produce a livelihood for them selves, a wife, and one child. It
requires but little experience to do this, and much less do they know
how to build a good house, how to lay out and build up a city, how to
lay the foundations of Zion, &c., &c. Can they lead a company of
Saints cross the plains? They can try, and very likely the company
will break to pieces, unless the power of God is among them. This
gives us a striking proof of the necessity of he people's having faith
and power with the heavens, that if their Bishop tees not know what he
ought, their faith will keep him in the right path and the Spirit of
the Lord will open to the vision of his mind the things hat be should
do. That is the duty of the people.

Vol. 10,  p.21
We have a kingdom to organize, and I say, Seek to know that you have
the kingdom within you and that you are in it. Seek to establish the
kingdom of God upon the earth, for that will give you wisdom to add to
yourselves everything necessary. The Lord will not himself plough our
grounds, sow our grain, and reap it when it is ripe. The man that
understands the kingdom of God will seek to understad the elements in
which he lives, and to know something of his own organization, the
design of it, and the designs of Heaven in it. Is the kingdom of God
in its perfection on the earth? It is not. True, we believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in his ordinances. We believe that the
Lord called Joseph Smith and ordained him an Apostle and Prophet to
this generation, giving him the keys and power of the Holy Priesthood.
We believe in the gathering of the house of Israel in the latter days,
in the redemption of Zion, in the building up and establishment of
Jerusalem, and in the gathering of the Jews from their long
dispersion; in short, we believe all that the ancient Prophets have
spoken, but where is the people that is willing to build up the
visible kingdom of God [p.22] and that is capable of dictating this
great work.

Vol. 10,  p.22
The Lord will make the people willing in the day of his power. This
cannot refer to making the people willing to acknowledge Jesus to be
the Christ; it must refer to something else. Shall we wait until we
are whipped from among the wicked before we are willing to gather out
from among them and flee to Zion? This has been the case with some,
and what are such persons good for when they get to Zion? I do not,
however, wish to disturb anybody's feelings; I am glad to see them
come to a place of safety when they are obliged to; but I would rather
have seen them come in the beginning, when they could have helped to
kill the snakes, build the bridges, make the roads, and manifest their
faith that we could raise fruit, grain and every staple necessary of
life in this country, help to open the kanyons, build the mills, bring
out the lumber and build towns and cities. But we are glad to see them
as they are, and we will do the best we can with them. There are more
coming.

Vol. 10,  p.22
Which will be best eventually, to go to with our might, to build up
the Zion of God on the earth, or wait until we are whipped to it? I
can only broach the subject of building up the kingdom of God as it
must be built up in the latter days; I will leave it for others to
talk upon during the Conference, or not, as they please. I know what I
have to do, and that is to teach this people to appreciate their own
present lives. There is no life more precious than the present life
which we enjoy; there is no life that is worth any more to us than
this life is. It may be said that an eternal life is worth more. We
are in eternity, and all that we have to do is to take the road that
leads into the eternal lives. Eternal life is an inherent quality of
the creature, and nothing but sin can put a termination to it. The
elements in their nature are as eternal as are the Gods. Let us learn,
under the guidance and direction of Heaven how to use these eternal
elements for the building up, establishment and sending forth of the
kingdom of God, gathering up the poor in heart to begin with, and the
further things we will learn as we progress.

Vol. 10,  p.22
Some of you may ask why the Lord did not perfectly organize at least
one Branch of the Church? When a great blessing is bestowed upon a
people, and that blessing is not strictly honored and lived to, in
proportion to the greatness of that blessing, over and above what has
been previously enjoyed, it will be a curse to them. I recollect that
Joseph once said to me, when he was talking upon the principle of the
Lord's raising up seed to himself upon the earth—a royal Priesthood, a
holy nation that can offer sacrifices acceptable to God"Brother
Brigham, it will damn many of the Elders of Israel." There are but few
men in this kingdom that are now worthy of that blessing, yet all who
are in full fellowship must enjoy it.

Vol. 10,  p.22
We will wait patiently until we can get the people to know how to
secure to themselves the comforts of life, good houses, for instance,
and know how to raise fruit as well as bread. the best fruit I ever
saw in any country I saw exhibited in our recent fair. It has been
told the people, from the first of our coating into this country,
there existed in these elements as good material for fruit as can be
found anywhere. Then let us go forth in faith and plant seed in the
ground, and cultivate mother earth and pray over the earth and over
our crops and over all we possess, and the curse will be removed, and
God will restore genialty to the atmosphere and fertility to the soil.

Vol. 10,  p.23
I wish to teach the Elders of this Church how to lead a company across
[p.23] the plains, as well as how to preach the Gospel; to learn them
how to be a Bishop, a father to the people, as well as how to kneel
down and pray, or to rise up and preach. I wish to learn them how to
reconcile the people one to another, how to build cities, how to
beautify and redeem the earth, how to lead and guide this people to
life eternal, how to preside over their families, and how to conduct
themselves in the common avocations of life. I have, all this and more
constantly before me.

Vol. 10,  p.23
Brethren is your Mission ended? No, it is as much upon you here as
when you are out in the distant parts of the earth preaching the
Gospel. Jesus Christ made water into wine by calling together from the
elements the properties of wine. He fed thousands of people with five
loaves and two small fishes by calling the elements together to
compose bread and fish; and he says, "Greater works than these shall
ye do, because I go to the Father." It is our privilege and our duty
to continue to learn, until we shall have wisdom enough to command the
elements as he did, and until the earth is brought back to its
paradisaical state. But we must first redeem ourselves from every root
of bitterness that may be in our nature, striving daily to overcome
the evil that is in the world and in ourselves, sanctifying our hearts
and affections until there shall he nothing abiding in us contrary to
the Holy Ghost in its perfect and full fruition of enjoyment to the
creature.

Vol. 10,  p.23
I think it likely that after a while I may be able to so humble myself
and become like a little child, as to be taught more fully by the
Heavens. Perhaps, when I am eighty years of age, I may be able to talk
with some Being of a higher sphere than this. Moses saw the glory of
God at that age, and held converse with better beings than he had
formerly conversed with. I hope and trust that; by the time I am that
age I shall also be counted worthy to enjoy the same privilege.

Vol. 10,  p.23
I pray you not to forget what I have said to you this morning, but lay
it up in your hearts, and pray that it may bring forth fruit for the
more perfect establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth.
Amen.[p.24] 

Brigham Young, October 6, 1862

Future State of Existence

Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
made in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, Oct. 6, 1862.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.24
I will offer a few remarks in relation to the difference between this
and the next state of existence. The next state of existence is a
spiritual one. The spirit which is now clothed with mortal flesh will
be set free from that encumbrance, and the spirits of Saints will be
free from the power of sin and Satan.

Vol. 10,  p.24
This state is a state of trial, wherein the spirit clothed upon with
flesh labors to sanctify, redeem and save the flesh, that in the
resurrection the spirit and the body may be made eternally one,
through the power of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Vol. 10,  p.24
The next state of existence is the paradisaical state of the spirit, a
state of waiting until the body shall pass through the purification
and refinement given to it by passing through death and the grave;
then cometh the resurrection which bringeth to pass the reunion of the
body and the spirit. "O, how great the plan of our God. For on the
other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirit of the
righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the
spirit and the body are restored to each other again, and all men
become incorruptible and immortal, and they are living souls," &c.

Vol. 10,  p.24
From the state of embryo to the time of birth, and from infancy to
ripe old age, unseen dangers lurk in our path to mar our bodies or to
render our senses inefficient; hence we see the lame, the maimed, the
blind, the deaf, dumb, weak, sickly and so on.

Vol. 10,  p.24
I think it has been taught by some that as we lay our bodies down,
they will so rise again in the resurrection with all the impediments
and imperfections that they had here; and that if a wife does not love
her husband in this state she cannot love him in the next. This is not
so. Those who attain to the blessing of the first or celestial
resurrection will be pure and holy, and perfect in body. Every man and
woman that reaches to this unspeakable attainment will be as beautiful
as the angels that surround the throne of God. If you can, by
faithfulness in this life, obtain the right to come up in the morning
of the resurrection, you need entertain no fears that the wife will be
dissatisfied with her husband, or the husband with the wife; for those
of the first resurrection will he free from sin and from the
consequences and power of sin. This body "is sown in corruption, it is
raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;
it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural
body, it is raised a spiritual body." "And, as we have borne the image
of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

Vol. 10,  p.24
God has done his part towards putting us in possession of celestial
glory and happiness, by providing the means whereby we may [p.25]
attain to it; and if ever we possess it, we must do so by conforming
to the means provided. God has given the children of men dominion over
the earth and over all things that pertain to it, and has commanded
them to subdue it, and to sanctify themselves before him, and also to
sanctify and beautify the earth by their industry, and by their wisdom
and skill which cometh from God. Learn, for instance, how to yoke
together a pair of oxen, how to manage and drive them across the
plains, how to get timber from the kanyons, how to make brick, and how
to hew stone and bring them into shape and position to please the eye
and create comfort and happiness for the Saints. These are some of the
mysteries of the kingdom. To receive the Gospel and believe and enjoy
it in the spirit, is the simplest part of the work the Latter-day
Saints have to learn and perform.

Vol. 10,  p.25
God has made man lord of all things here below, and it is the labor of
man to bring all things unto subjection to God, by first subjecting
himself to the will of God, and then subjecting all things over which
he has control, in their time and order. The will of God is eternal
life to his people and to all they control.

Vol. 10,  p.25
May God bless you. Amen.

Brigham Young, June 8, 1862

Design of the Lord in Gathering Together His 
People Wisdom and Economy in Domestic Affairs

Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, June 8, 1862.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.25
The miracles wrought in the days of Moses for the deliverance of the
children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, as they are recorded in the
Old Testament, appear to be wonderful displays of the power of God. I
need not here rehearse the history of the children of Israel, with
which the majority of this congregation are well acquainted, but I
wish to say that if all instances where the power of God has been
displayed through the Elders of this Church were written, we should
find that as great and wonderful, miracles have been wrought among
this people as have been wrought among any people in any age of the
world, and yet this Church is only in its infancy. The children of
Israel, it is written, were brought out of Egypt with an high hand and
an outstretched arm, to inherit a land flowing with milk and honey; we
have assembled in these distant valleys for the trial of our faith.
They were delivered out of a [p.26] dreadful bondage, leaving none
behind; we have willingly sold and otherwise left our possessions, at
the same time leaving friends, parents, companions, &c., behind. The
distance to their land of promise was but a few miles from the country
of their bondage, while a great many of this people have traversed
over one-half of the globe to reach the valleys of Utah.

Vol. 10,  p.26
Brother Goddard spoke this morning in relation to the words of the
Lord pertaining to the saving of paper rags. His remarks were amusing,
and had he coupled some of the ancient revelations and sayings,
recorded as the Lord's, with his remarks concerning paper rags, those
remarks would have been still more amusing; such for instance, as "If
a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on
the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs, and the dam sitting
upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the
young; but thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young
to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong
thy days." Again, "Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass
together." Again, "Thou shall make thee fringes upon the four quarters
of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself," &c., &c. Seeing many
such instances as these in the Bible, we cannot marvel at a man's
talking about paper rags in a religious meeting, and saying that it is
the word of the Lord or at least the word of wisdom that we should
save our rags.

Vol. 10,  p.26
Let us realize one fact in addition to the great miracles that have
ever been exhibited among God's people. From the beginning of the
world to this time, when the Lord has gathered together a people to be
a chosen people to him, he has always begun to educate them by
instructing them in the little things pertaining to life, which he
never does when his people remain mixed with the wicked. Before the
Lord, through Moses, called upon the children of Israel to leave
Egypt, he had no such instructions for them as we have quoted; he had
nothing to say to them about governing themselves, nor about driving
out their enemies before them, nor taking a course to sustain
themselves: in fact, they were far below this people in the scale of
independence and civilized life. In righteousness this people far
excel the ancient Israelites; indeed, I would not wish to compare the
righteousness of the children of Israel with the righteousness of the
Latter-day Saints, for multitudes of the Latter-day Saints will enter
into the rest of the Lord, but only two persons out of the hosts of
Israel were permitted to do so.

Vol. 10,  p.26
While the meek of the earth remain scattered among the wicked, the
Elders of this Church can go forth with the Old and New Testament in
their hands, and show what the Lord is going to do in the latter days,
the great miracles he will perform, the gathering of his people, the
saving of his Saints, the building up of Zion, the redeeming of the
house of Israel, the establishing of the ]New Jerusalem, the bringing
back of the ten tribes, and the consuming of their enemies before
them, overthrowing kingdoms, &c., &c., and this is proclaimed to both
Saint. and sinner. But when the people of God are gathered out to one
place, they are then taught the so-called little things that pertain
to every day life, which they cannot be taught while they are in a
scattered condition. Many come here under a mistaken impression; they
think they are gathered to this place to be told how people live in
heaven, to receive a minute description of the inhabitants of heaven,
to be told how they associate [p.27] together, whether they live in
cities, of what the houses are built, what kind of architecture
prevails there, how the cities are laid out, and how the heaven of
heavens is built, who dwells there, where the inhabitants came from,
their stature and complexion, whether God is a personage of tabernacle
or not, what means for locomotion he uses when he visits his friends,
what he eats for breakfast, how often he changes his clothes, what
style of clothing he wears, of what kind of material it is made,
whether they have winter and summer in heaven, seed time and harvest,
&c., &c. But no, my brethren, this is not what you have come here for;
the Lord has called the people together expressly to teach them the
things which pertain to this world and to this life, that they may
know how to honor the life he has given them here. 

Vol. 10,  p.27
The inhabitants of the earth are ignorant with regard to the design of
their being; they are as ignorant in this respect as the wild animals
that roam over the plains. They may be very religious, but the
religion that is popular in the world now is entirely another thing
from the ways of the Lord. Many of their traditions are good, and many
of the people possess much good moral religion; I may say, so far as
morality goes, that they are just as good as people can be, but they
are not taught how to govern and control themselves, they are not
taught the worth of their present life. The whole drift, labor, and
exertions of the priests of the day among the people are to prepare
them to die. I never had such a mission given to me, nor received such
a calling from the heavens; I have been called to preach life, and not
death. It is my business to teach mankind how to live, how to honor
their present existence, how to treat their bodies so as to live to a
good old age on the earth, and have power to do good and not evil all
their days, and be ready to enter into the rest prepared for the
Saints.

Vol. 10,  p.27
Almost any Elder in this Church can preach the Gospel, if he is humble
before God; he can tell all that the wicked would need to hear from
the Old and New Testament. Many of the Elders are scholars, and when
they preach we expect to hear almost a Bible and a half preached
before they get through; they can carry you through the historical
portions, repeat the sayings of the old prophets, dilate largely upon
the doctrinal portions of the New Testament, guage the morality of the
present age by repeating verbatim the moral lessons of the Savior, are
at home among the beasts of the Apocalypse and the prophetical heads
and horns of Daniel, are thoroughly posted in the time, times, and
half-a-time, know the contents of all the vials, when they will be
poured out, can deliniate to a nicety the different parts of Daniel's
metal image—in a word, they are paragons in Bible lore, butt if you
ask them whether they know how to raise potatoes to feed their wives
and children, their answer is "No." Do you know how to raise grain for
your bread? "No." Do you know how to raise watermelons? "No." Do you
know how to raise pigs for your meat? "No." Do you know how to raise
chickens? "No." Do you love to eat them? "Yes." Do you know how to
raise calves? "No." You may give them a cow and calf, and two years
will not pass before they have neither cow nor calf. Do you know how
to improve your fruit? "No." and thus they live without trying to
produce for themselves these necessaries and comforts of life.
Finally, what do you know? "Why, we know that we must prepare to die."
There are people who have been in this city twelve years, and [p.28]
have not planted in their gardens a single fruit tree. The Lord wishes
us to know how to provide for ourselves all tilings necessary for our
comfort in bread, fruit, and clothing.

Vol. 10,  p.28
Sisters, do you know how to make wollen cloth, linen cloth, or cotton
cloth? Probably a few of you do. Almost any female can, knit a
stocking, for this seems to be their employment when they sit down to
rest. Children are taught to knit, but the majority never progress any
further than this in the art of manufacturing. In addition to this,
needlework is generally understood by the female portion of the
community, but as a general thing what do they know about making
cloth? Very little. They need to be taught; yet they know as much
about these matters as the children of Israel did. They also need to
be taught, when their husbands bring into the house a hundred weight
of flour, not to throw it out of the door; and when they make bread of
it to make it light, palatable, and healthy, instead of making cakes
as indigestible as a whetstone, that when your husbands come from work
and your children from school they may have bread to eat that will sit
easy on their stomachs. Many husbands are made sick and many children
are sent to an untimely grave through eating badly prepared food, the
result of ignorance or carelessness.

Vol. 10,  p.28
This is the place to become acquainted with this knowledge. It is for
the husband to learn how to gather around his family the comforts of
life, how to control his passions and temper, and how to command the
respect, not only of his fatally but of all his brethren, sisters and
friends. It is the calling of the wife and mother to know what to do
with everything that is brought into the house, laboring to make her
home desirable to her husband and children, making herself an Eve in
the midst of a little paradise of her own creating, securing her
husband's love and confidence, and tying her offspring to herself,
with a love that is stronger than death, for an everlasting
inheritance. There is a saying that a wife so disposed can throw out
of the window with a teaspoon more than her husband can throw into the
door with a shovel. I am sorry to say that this is too much the case.
A good housewife disposes of her cooking utensils, dusters, towels,
floorcloths, barrels, buckets, &c:, in a neat, cleanly, and
labor-saving manner. A good mechanic has a place for every tool, and
when he has done using a tool it is returned to its place as by magic,
without any apparent effort. I have watched our mechanics here, and,
take them first and last, their ways, if not strewed to strangers, are
strewed to nonsense. A good farmer takes care of his implements of
husbandry. Instead of leaving them scattered all over the farm, they
are carefully gathered together, properly cleaned and greased to
defend them from rust, and put in a safe place until they are wanted.

Vol. 10,  p.28
There are very few of our farmers that know how to prepare the ground
and plant the seed in a way to secure a ready germination and quick
growth. I told my farmers this spring how to prepare the ground for
sugar-cane, and to plant the seed three-fourths of an inch deep. I
waited ten days for the plants to show themselves, when I found the
seed was put away six inches below the surface, and I thought well
laid away from the frost of the winter of 1862-3. It is now beginning
to show itself, five weeks since it was planted.

Vol. 10,  p.28
I would that people knew more than they do about these important
matters, but we are where we can be taught. Will the people be taught?
Will they cheerfully receive instruction [p.29] and profit by it? I
hire the best gardeners I can find, and they are ignorant of their
business; they scarcely know one apple from another or one fruit tree
from another. If I spend five hundred dollars to have a strawberry-bed
made, I may perhaps get a quart or two of the fruit; I may safely say
that I shall not receive enough fruit to half cover the outlay. I can
instruct any man how to improve seedling fruit, and have it as good as
the imported kinds. The best fruit that ever grew will deteriorate
under bad management and neglect. I advise farmers and gardeners to
understand their business and make it profitable; also to mechanics
would I give the same advice. and I would advise the sisters not only
to save their paper rags, but to learn how to properly and profitably
dispose of new cloth when they get it.

Vol. 10,  p.29
Cleanliness and neatness of person are desirable and good to see, but
this may be carried to an extreme that is both tiresome and expensive;
there is a class that is more nice than wise. Nothing less than linen
pocket-handkerchiefs by the dozen will answer for some of our ladies.
"Husband, don't get me less than three dozen handkerchiefs, for I must
have from three to half-a-dozen a-day, it is so nice to be clean."
When they have used a handkerchief twice or three times, it is thrown
into the wash-tub to be rubbed to pieces and wasted away. In this way
you get no good of your money; the article is not worn out in service,
but it is washed out. Then, when you hang and pin your clothes on the
clothesline, they are left to be whipped to pieces in a high wind, and
are more used up in one operation of this kind than if they had been
worn three months. It is useless for husbands to suggest to them the
expediency of taking the clothes in, for they will let them remain
notwithstanding, and be worn out. Go into the kitchens of these very
nice, neat wives who can nurse a pocket-handkerchief to a charm and
apply it to their nasal protuberances with such refined grace, and you
hear Sally asking Sue for the dishcloth. "Where is the dishcloth?" It
is found stuffed into a mouse-hole, or Jim has just come in from the
kanyon and is washing his feet with it. Then there is an outcry for
the knife they cut meat with. "Where is the butcher knife?" Billy has
had it out of doors, and has left it in a neighboring ditch. They may
have bread and meat, a bread knife and a meat knife, but neither of
these articles has a recognized home in the house, and you are just as
likely to find them in one place as another. "Where is the bag of
flour?" "I don't know; I think I saw it under the stairs this morning
when I was rummaging about." It is at last found stuck in a dirty
corner, with dirty clothes thrown over it, and perforated with
mouse-holes. The bread pan is lost; the rolling-pin and board cannot
be found, and when the board is found it has been converted into a
checker-board, and then used in the chicken-coop; and when the broom
is wanted little Jack is astride of it in the street, deliberately
walking through a mud hole. Instead of their houses being houses where
order and economy reign, confusion, disorder, and waste prevail.

Vol. 10,  p.29
Some of our professed good housekeepers, in my opinion, come far short
of really deserving that character, at least I should think so, were I
permitted to see them cook breakfast. There are potatoes to boil,
bread to bake, meat to cook, and fruit in stew. Perhaps the first
thing that is done is to put the tea to steeping, then fry the meat,
then prepare the potatoes for boiling, and about the time the potatoes
are done the bread must be [p.30] mixed; while the bread is baking the
tea is spoiling, the meat and potatoes are getting cold and unfit to
eat; when the bread is ready, as likely as not the fruit is forgotten,
and a great effort has to be made to prepare the fruit; much bustle,
contusion, labor, and time have been expended to get the food ready,
and when it is served up the tea is not worth drinking, the potatoes
are tough, watery, and cold, the meat is dry, hard, and unpalatable,
the biscuits are baked too much on the outside and not enough in the
inside, while the fruit is only half cooked; and taking it altogether,
it would be better for the stomach to reject such a meal of victuals,
if there existed a prospect. of dining upon a more wholesome and
better prepared meal at noon.

Vol. 10,  p.30
We have been gathered together in these valleys to be taught. We must
first learn to control ourselves before we can think to control our
fellow creatures. The Lord has given extensive lines of operation to
both Saint and sinner, but when he gathers his family he expects them
to first master these so-called little things; he wishes us to learn
to live with each other, and to surround ourselves with all the common
necessaries and comforts of life. Until this is done we are unprepared
to receive the greater blessings, for if we had them now we should not
know what to do with them. It is our business to live, to learn how to
preserve our lives, and labor to make the earth into a Garden of Eden;
unless we do this, we are unworthy to possess eternal life. "And he
said unto him, Well, thou good servant, because thou hast been
faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." He
that is not faithful in the things of this world, who will commit unto
him the things which pertain to eternity? 

Vol. 10,  p.30
All things belong to the Lord, and we belong to the Lord, and if we
are faithful until we have passed the ordeal and proved ourselves
worthy before the heavens to receive our crowns, then we shall receive
a deed of that which the Lord gives to us. Until then, that which we
hold we hold only as stewards for the Lord. It is our privilege to
grow and increase continually, to receive knowledge upon knowledge,
and prepare to enter upon the higher duties of eternal life. We thus
proceed from one step to another until we merge info immortality. We
do not become another kind of beings in passing through the
resurrection, but we are more refined through the application of the
laws of the Gospel to our lives and passing through the grave. The
grave will take away every deformity from the mortal organisms of the
faithful, and they will be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.

Vol. 10,  p.30
We have how space to prove ourselves worthy to receive the glory that
God has in store for the faithful, but we have to learn the little
things first. We are brought here expressly, in the first place, to
raise potatoes, grain, fruit, wool, flax, and every other necessary
and mortal comfort we can produce in this climate. Some of our Elders
will preach until they preach the people blind, and will die in their
ignorance and go to hell, unless they learn what their lives are worth
and how to preserve them. I am speaking to the Saints. If we do not
learn what God has brought us here for, and the nature of the mission
he has given us, we may preach the Bible until we are blind and old as
Methusela, and die and be damned at last. It is our duty to learn how
to govern ourselves, and how to conduct ourselves pleasingly in the
sight of heaven towards our friends, families, and neighbors, building
up cities and towns, opening farms, [p.31] planting vineyards and
orchards, and improving our country, until finally, we shall be ready
to rule.

Vol. 10,  p.31
May God bless the faithful, and overthrow the wicked and ungodly, and
establish his kingdom no more to be thrown down is my daily prayer.
Amen.

Orson Hyde, April 7, 1862

Bishops and Presidents

Remarks by Elder ORSON HYDE, 
made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, April 7, 1862.

Reported By J. V. Long

Vol. 10,  p.31
Brethren and sisters, I have been highly edified this morning, as I
presume you all have, and I doubt not but the seed has fallen upon
good ground, and when we return to our homes we shall feel sensibly
that the seed sown has done good.

Vol. 10,  p.31
It has been in my mind to remark that the office of both President and
Bishop are in our President, and therefore he has the undoubted right
to place those two offices on one man, or to ordain two separate men
as he may see proper. There may possibly arise circumstances that may
appear to cause the authority of the two to conflict, and thus to be
incompatible one with the other, but this is only on account of the
ignorance of the people. We ought so to live as all to be capable of
being Presidents and Bishops, for there is certainly ample room for us
all to do all the good we can; but I have thought in the present state
of our limited knowledge it would be better to dispense with the
office of President in the country settlements. I am happy to inform
you that I have never heard of any feeling of difficulty between the
President and Bishop at Spanish Fork. Brother Young did not know of a
single exception to the rule, but I am informed by all parties that
these brethren have never conflicted. [President B. Young: I wish I
had never heard anything to the contrary.] My reason for desiring to
have this matter brought here was to have the duties of Bishops and
Presidents defined, thinking that probably the result of the
investigation would be the abolishing of the office of President for
the present in the country Branches, and I can truly say that I feel
thankful, brethren and sisters, for what I have heard, and I can say
with regard to the people in the region where I have labored there is
a good degree of union there among the people. In fact, I rejoice to
say that there is no schism in that region; we have no difficulty
there with our High Priests, none with our Seventies, only what we
have been enabled to arrange. A good feeling exists there, and I am
[p.32] glad and happy to know that there is an increase of good
feeling with the people of Sanpete. I feel thankful that when the
people from all quarters meet here the spirit and the atmosphere seem
to bear witness to what I have said.

Vol. 10,  p.32
Well, brethren and sisters, I have spoken before, and I do not wish to
occupy much time at the present, but the spirit that is here is good,
and all things that have been done feel like a balm to my soul.

Vol. 10,  p.32
God bless you all. Amen.

Brigham Young, April 8, 1832

Forming a State Constitution—Raising Agricultural 
Products—True Riches

Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, April 8, 1832.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.32
I wish to inform all the inhabitants of the Territory of Utah, Jew and
Gentile, bond and free, male and female, black and white, red,
copper-colered and yellow, that, in organizing a State Government, we
shall not infringe in the least upon the Constitution of our country,
upon any principle contained in the Declaration of Independence, nor
upon any constitutional law that has been enacted by the Congress of
the United States. Will this step bring upon us the disapprobation of
the Government of the United States? That is not for me to say; it
will be as God may direct.

Vol. 10,  p.32
As the kingdom of God rises and advances upon the earth, so will the
power of Satan increase to impede its progress until God shall purge
that power from the earth, and so give the Saints the victory, that
they can bear off his kingdom triumphantly in spite of the powers of
Satan and wicked men. But so far as the power of Satan extends, just
so far will be seen his operations to overthrow all righteousness.
There is nothing that would so soon weaken my hope and discourage me
as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive
no more persecution from them because they are one with them. In such
an event, we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its
blessings, privileges and aids to exaltations, principalities and
powers in the eternities of the Gods.

Vol. 10,  p.32
I can say with confidence, if we will live so as to enjoy the
revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ to ourselves day by day,
overcoming every passion, feeling and desire that has been sown in our
nature through the fall, overcoming all that is contrary to the law of
Heaven and the principles of salvation that is purchased by Jesus.
Christ for us, which is the plan of God has devised to exalt the human
[p.33] family to immortality and eternal lives, if we will let that
Spirit and power of God reign within us; we shall never be afflicted
more than we can bear, and that is as far as I can promise.

Vol. 10,  p.33
We have seen the power and wisdom that have been displayed by our
enemies since we have been in these mountains, which has all amounted
to but little toward accomplishing what they desired. No more will be
accomplished than has been.

Vol. 10,  p.33
Brother Orson Pratt's remarks on the powers of the Congress of the
United States are strictly correct. It is well known that the Congress
of the United States has no power granted in the Constitution to
organize a Territorial Government, and every power that is not named
in the Constitution for Congress to act upon is reserved the people.
But Congress assumes powers that does not belong to it, and if it
continues to do so, soon the last vestige of the free, independent,
Republican and Democratic Government we have enjoyed will be merged in
a military despotism, if there is anything left.

Vol. 10,  p.33
Our Government is at present engaged in an expensive war. It has been
supposed that the South would soon be subjugated, that they would
yield the point and submit. They will not, and the war has scarcely
commenced.

Vol. 10,  p.33
The slave States do not as yet appear to be whipped or conquered. Both
North and South are in the hands of the Lord, and so are we.

Vol. 10,  p.33
Let us from this time strive more diligently to overcome our own evil
passions. We may talk about Priesthood, about power and authority,
about blessings and exaltations, about the kingdom of God upon the
earth, about gathering the house of Israel, about redeeming Zion and
enjoying its fulness, about preparing for the coming of the Son of Man
and enjoying celestial glory with him, but all this is vain if we do
not sanctify ourselves before God, and sanctify the Lord our God in
our hearts. We wish you fully to comprehend this; and when you go from
this Conference, we do not wish to hear of contentions. and as soon as
Elders have wisdom sufficient to magnify their calling and Priesthood,
we will give to every Branch, no matter how small the Ward, both a
Bishop and a President.

Vol. 10,  p.33
It is our privilege and duty to sanctify our own hearts. Perhaps I
have as much acknowledgment to make as anybody for sometimes suffering
my feelings to be a little ruffled. I cannot say that I felt entirely
free from vexations at remarks made, by one of the speakers this
morning, upon the impurity of seeds in our Territory. Notwithstanding
so much has been said upon that subject, there does not seem to be
care enough in the heads of Israel to provide even for themselves, to
say nothing about setting a proper example to the people. If it were
left to such men, there never would be a grain of pure sugar cane seed
in the country. Where is your care for Israel? You will preach the
spiritual things of the kingdom, and let your bodies and the bodies of
the people go into the grave. Before you preach to a starving man to
arise and be baptized, first carry him some bread and wine; first
unlock his prison house and let him go free. Is there a Bishop in this
Territory that knows whether there is a particle of pure cabbage seed
in the Territory, or in his Ward? whether there is a bushel of pure
buck-wheat, or California barley? whether there is a peck of clean,
pure flaxseed, &c. Bishops, how much flaxseed is going to be sown in
your respective Wards this season? "Don't know." How much wheat, oats
and barley? "Don't know. I have a little speculation on hand, and I
wish to provide for my own family, for the convenience and [p.34]
comfort of my own household, for this I esteem to be my first duty."

Vol. 10,  p.34
There was a Bishop in Far West, who, as Trustee-in-trust, held the
property of the Church; no other man had the means he had to help the
poor Saints. I tried to get my voice to his ears for days, and could
not. At last I accosted him and said:—"Bishop, what are you going to
do toward helping the poor Saints out of the State of Missouri, as we
agreed?" He was irritated in a moment. I supposed that he thought it
was none of my business, but I knew that it, was, and calculated to
attend to it. He did not speak good naturedly, although naturally a
mild-tempered man. At last he said, "I am going to take my family and
leave the State, and the people may take care of themselves." Many of
our Bishops feel like that; they will plant their potatoes, take care
of their calves and themselves, and the people may go to the devil for
ought they care.

Vol. 10,  p.34
I, perhaps, ought not to find fault about such things; but why not my
brethren of the Twelve take an interest in such matters, and not leave
everything of that kind for me and my Counsellors to attend to?

Vol. 10,  p.34
I ask the Agricultural and Manufacturing Society of this Territory, if
they have one ounce of pure cabbage seed on hand, or know who has. It
is doubtful whether an affirmative answer could be given to this
question. But if you have a few excellent peaches, or a basket of
choice apples give them to eat, they will be as proud as a little boy
with a new top, and boast long and loud about what nice things we have
in this Territory. I cannot complain of the vigilance of the tasting
committee, but what do they do for the benefit of the people? To eat
the people's fruit and praise them for raising it, calling them
"beloved brethren, and won't you bring us in a little more next fall?"
&c., may be well enough, but what does this Society do? What do the
Twelve and the First Presidency do in teaching this people to sustain
themselves? We all take care of ourselves, do we not? Is that all? No.
There is not a thing my eye is not upon, that will enhance the welfare
of this people. Who imported the first carding-machine to this
country, and the only good ones that have been brought here? Who
imported the nail-machines, the paper-machine, steam-engines land
other valuable machinery? I use everything I can rake and scrape
together for the interest of this people. I only need a little food
and a small amount of clothing, and as for the rest the people are
welcome to it.

Vol. 10,  p.34
I wish the other brethren to look after the welfare of the people, as
well as myself. I do not wish to again hear any of the leaders of
Israel complain that there is not any pure sugarcane seed, flaxseed,
cotton seed, &c., in the country, but I wish them to be fully informed
as to where pure seeds of all kinds can be had, and as to what is
going on among the people in every part of each Ward or district; and
then I want to inform the Bishops, and direct their tongues to speak
and their hands to act. I wish this particulary to apply to those who
preside where the First Presidency do not go.

Vol. 10,  p.34
The Agricultural Society ought to make arrangements to have and keep
on hand the best varieties of all kinds of garden seeds, the best
varieties of fruits, of grain, and every useful product of the soil,
that all may be able to procure the purest and best seeds, scions,
fruit and shade trees, shrubbery, &c. Brother T. W. Ellerbeck and a
few others have done considerable in introducing several valuable
varieties of fruits and seeds.

Vol. 10,  p.34
Brother Lorenzo Snow says, that the Lord will bless my brethren and
sisters. He says that all the mules [p.35] in the Territory can not
haul away the gold that is concealed in these mountains. Riches do not
consist of gold and silver. It may be said that with them we can buy
all the comforts we need for the body. That may be so under certain
circumstances; still gold and silver are merely a convenient means of
exchange. Earthly riches are concealed in the elements God has given
to man, and the essence of wealth is power to organize flora these
elements every comfort and convenience of life for our sustenance
here, and for eternal existence hereafter. The possession of all the
gold and silver in the world would not satisfy the cravings of the
immortal soul of man. The gift of the Holy Spirit of the Lord alone
can produce a good, wholesome, contented mind. Instead of looking for
gold and silver, look to the heavens and try to learn wisdom until you
can organize the native elements for your benefit; then, and not until
then, will you begin to possess the true riches. All the riches,
wealth, glory and happiness that we shall ever possess in heaven will
be possessed on and around this earth when it is brought up into the
presence of God in a sanctified and glorified state; and the
sanctified ones who enter through the gate and pass the sentinel into
the New Jerusalem, and into the presence of the Father and the Son,
are the ones who will inherit the new heavens and the new earth in the
presence of God, for here is the eternity, the glory and the power.
When We possess all things, it will he when we possess power to
organize the native elements that fill the immensity of space,
bringing forth and organizing, bringing forth and organizing, again
and again, dealing out the providence of God, dictating, guiding and
directing the kingdoms that will be made for ever and for ever. This
is eternal riches—it is eternal life.

Vol. 10,  p.35
"What, did Jesus mean, when he said, Lay up treasures in heaven, &c.
What mortal ever went there to lay up treasures? Is there an
apartment, a business house there, a Dr. and Cr. account, &c.?" Ask
the Lord yourselves, what he meant by that expression, and if you have
the Spirit of Christ, you will find out the truth. I think that the
Savior referred particularly to laying up in pure and sanctified
bodies, holy principles that belong to the heavens, until we are
brought back into the presence of the Father, and we, with the earth
upon which we stand, are cleansed and sanctified beyond the power of
Satan.

Vol. 10,  p.35
I will now say that we wish to go on with the Temple this year; we
shall also send out teams to bring home the poor, send Missionaries to
the nations, &c., &c. If the hearts of this people are right, if they
are filled with faith in God; if they act with an eye single to his
glory and the building up of his kingdom on the earth, they will lock
up their teams, secure their seed grain and farming utensils, will
look and live for rain, for water in abundance to irrigate their
lands, for sunshine, for day and night and everything, that will give
us a fruitful season this coming summer. What will you do with the
increase of your fields? Will you strew it to strangers? Some complain
at the hand of Jehovah for giving them wheat. I have heard it said,
"It is a curse to us; it annoys me to see so much wheat." There never
has been a land, from the days of Adam until now, that has been
blessed more than this land has been blessed by our Father in heaven;
and it will still be blessed more and more, if we are faithful and
humble, and thankful to God for the wheat and the corn, the oats, the
fruit, the vegetables, the cattle and everything he bestows upon us,
and try to [p.36] use them for the building up of his kingdom on the
earth.

Vol. 10,  p.36
There will be no lack of teams for doing our work, if we will go to
with our mights to bring the poor Saints here and to build this
Temple. There will be teams to bring us the rock from the quarries;
and let the young men come and learn to cut stone. I wish to hurry the
building of the Temple, for I would like to have it completed before
we are called to more important duties.

Vol. 10,  p.36
God bless the righteous. Amen.

John Taylor, April 27, 1862

Power Accompanying the Faithful Elders

Remarks by Elder JOHN TAYLOR, 
delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, April 27, 1862.

Reported By J. V. Long

Vol. 10,  p.36
I have felt very much interested, as doubtless you all have, in the
remarks which we have heard from those brethren who have addressed us
this morning, and who are going abroad to proclaim the everlasting
Gospel of peace. I never see the Elders go forth on missions to preach
the Gospel, but I consider that they are going forth to take part in
one of the greatest works ever committed to the human family.

Vol. 10,  p.36
Whatever their feelings may be, they go forth as the angels of mercy
bearing the precious seeds of the Gospel, and they shall be the means
of bringing many from darkness to light, from error and superstition
to life, light, truth and intelligence, and finally, to exaltation in
the celestial kingdom of our God.

Vol. 10,  p.36
When these brethren go forth, it may be a new work to them, but they
will have to combat the errors of ages, to contend with the prejudices
which they themselves stated to you held such a powerful influence
over them; they will also have to preach to and reason with men who
have no regard for truth, much less for the religion which we have
embraced, yet these Elders go forth as the sent messengers of the Lord
Jesus Christ. They go to proclaim that God has established his work
upon the earth, that he has spoken from the heavens, and that the
visions of the Almighty have been opened to our view; the light of
ages is being revealed to the servants of the Most High, the darkness
which has enshrouded the world for ages is being dispersed, and these
chosen Elders of Israel are sent forth to proclaim these glad tidings
of Salvation to the dark and benighted nations of the earth. I
consider it a great privilege for any man to be set apart to so
honorable, so praiseworthy and so important a mission; and I am glad
to find that these brethren who [p.37] have spoken to us this morning
feel the importance of the mission in which they are soon to be
engaged. They go forth and they shall come back rejoicing, bearing
precious sheaves with them, and they will bless the name of the God of
Israel, that they have had the privilege of taking a part in warning
this generation.

Vol. 10,  p.37
As regards the circumstances of their families, it is proper and
correct that men should have some feelings for those they have left at
home. It is true there ought to be sympathy and some care for those
with whom they have been immediately associated; yet their families as
well as our families, and all of us and our affairs, are in the hands
of God, and, inasmuch as they go forth putting their trust in the
living God all will be peace, and they will find peace and contentment
from this time forth until they return, inasmuch as they will magnify
their callings and lean upon their God. In this is their safety, in
order that they may be enabled to bear a faithful testimony to the
world among whom they may travel to deliver their message of warning
and of glad tidings of great joy to the honest in heart.

Vol. 10,  p.37
There was one remark made by brother Shearman that would be a lesson
to any man going on a mission. If they possess the principles of
intelligence and truth, there will be a power and an influence
manifested in and accompanying all their words, and it will be just as
he felt when he went to brother Spencer's, he was convinced that
brother Spencer was sincere, and believed him to be a man of God. If
you go forth with the same sincerity it will manifest itself to
others. Just so with brother Richard Attwood, he first heard the
Gospel preached in an unknown language, a tongue that he did not
understand, and yet he knew there was a power accompanying the man who
was preaching, and that power accorded with his own feelings and
spirit, and if we live as we should there will be a halo around us
continually, and wherever we go, if there is a spark of sincerity in
men's bosoms they will know that whether "this man is a sinner or not,
the power of God is with him?" They will know, whether they know that
the doctrine is true or not, that the influence is good, and that
whether they have much language or little they have the Spirit of God
with them, and it will accompany every faithful Elder of Israel. and
if there are sheep they will hear, because, says Jesus, "My sheep hear
my voice, and they follow me, but a stranger they will not follow."

Vol. 10,  p.37
I feel to bless these brethren in the name of the Lord, and I would
say to them, brethren, be faithful and true to your missions, to God
and to his work, preserve inviolate your integrity and not a hair of
your heads shall perish; your families shall be comfortable and happy
during your absence.

Vol. 10,  p.38
Brethren, God bless you all, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.[p.38] 

Brigham Young, March 9, 1862

Constitutional Powers of the Congress of the United States—
Growth of the Kingdom of God

Remarks by President BRIGHAM YOUNG, 
made in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, March 9, 1862.

Reported By G. D. Watt

Vol. 10,  p.38
I am very much gratified with what I have heard from our brethren
today. I think they have spoken well. I have been interested and
instructed.

Vol. 10,  p.38
As I have often told you, I am unable to draw the dividing line
between the spiritual and the temporal. We set apart one day in the
week for the purpose of meeting together to administer the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper, and to speak upon things which pertain to
building up the kingdom of God on the earth. This is our business—this
labor is upon us—and I do not know that we have anything else to do,
for it comprehends the whole existence of man. Thus far we have been
successful in this great work; in it we have been blessed, and in it
we delight to be blessed.

Vol. 10,  p.38
Every person is seeking after happiness, and all persons pursue a
course that seems to them to lead to the possession of happiness; when
they pursue an opposite course to that they are fully aware of it. The
most profligate and wicked person is always ready to acknowledge, when
willing to tell the truth, that he knows that he does wrong and is not
happy in doing so; and that, if he ever enjoys happiness, he must
cease to do evil and learn to do well. We wish to obtain happiness; we
wish to obtain our rights.

Vol. 10,  p.38
In regard to our political rights, I will ask, have we ever seen a
day, since Joseph found the plates from which was taken the Book of
Mormon until this day, in which the Christian, the moral and the
political world, or any other portion of the inhabitants of the earth,
ever gave to Joseph Smith and his brethren one blessing that they
could possibly keep from them? They have withheld every favor, every
blessing, every accommodation that was possible for them to hold from
the Latter-day Saints. Yet every move they have made has actually
tended to sustain, build up, strengthen and increase the very power
they were trying to destroy. They have tried to destroy the truth, to
hinder the increase of the Latter-day Saints, to lessen their numbers,
rob them of their location and homes, and last of all drive them from
what is called civilization. But the results of all these acts,
instead of accomplishing what they desired, have given the Latter-day
Saints territory and comparative independence. All the evil they have
sought to bring upon us the Lord, through his inscrutable providence,
has converted into blessings for his people.

Vol. 10,  p.38
We are infinitely more blessed by the persecutions and injustice we
have suffered, than we could have been if we had remained in our
habitations from which we have been driven—than if we had been
suffered to occupy our farms, gardens, stores, mills, machinery and
everything we had in our former possessions. Had we not been
persecuted, we would [p.39] now be in the midst at the wars and
bloodshed that are desolating the nation, instead of where we are,
comfortably located in our peaceful dwellings in these silent, far off
mountains and valleys. Instead of seeing my brethren comfortably
seated around me to-day, many of them would be found in the front
ranks on the battle field. I realize the blessings of God in our
present safety. We are greatly blessed, greatly favored and greatly
exalted, while our enemies, who sought to destroy us, are being
humbled.

Vol. 10,  p.39
We want our political rights, and they are here within our reach; we
need not go to California, Oregon, Washington Territory, Nebraska,
Missouri, nor New York to obtain them. The people are here, and they
possess rights. We have a right to labor, to accumulate food and
clothing, to gather the various products of the earth to cut the
timber and saw it into boards, to make adobies and quarry rock and
build habitations, and then we have a right to inhabit them. We have a
right to drink of the water that flows from the mountains, and we have
a right to get up in the morning when we are sufficiently rested. We
have a right to go to the kanyons after wood, or to harness our teams
and go on a visit to Davis, Utah, or any other county. We have also a
right to assemble, as we did a short time ago, in the capacity of a
mass meeting, and we have a right to say that we will have laws, rules
and regulations for the public good, and officers and adjudicators of
the laws. It is our right to frame our own laws, and to elect our own
officers to administer them.

Vol. 10,  p.39
We were told this morning, that some brethren prayed but did not
believe they would receive an answer. I do not find fault with them
for this, but I say, pray on until you can make yourselves believe
that your prayers will be fully answered according to that which is
best for you to receive. Self-argument is the most effectual argument
that can be used. Let each person argue himself into the belief that
God will grant to him his request in righteousness. Some people are
naturally of a doubtful mind, and have to contend continually against
unbelief.

Vol. 10,  p.39
The enemies of God and truth do not love us any better this year than
they did last year, nor will their love for us increase in the year
that is to come. They would dethrone the Almighty, and would have
destroyed Joseph Smith, when he had not three men to stand by him, had
they the power to do so; and they would blot out every vestige of this
kingdom if they could. The body may be destroyed, but the spirit still
lives.

Vol. 10,  p.39
According to the Constitution of our Government, we have rights in
common with our fellow-countrymen. We have a right to settle in any
unoccupied and unclaimed part of the public domain owned by our
Government, where the machinery of the Government has not extended,
and there govern and control ourselves according to re