Journal of Discourses Volume 13

BY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, 

HIS TWO COUNSELLORS, 
AND THE TWELVE APOSTLES.

REPORTED BY D. W. EVANS AND 
JOHN GRIMSHAW.

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

VOL. XIII

LIVERPOOL:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY 
HORACE S. ELDREDGE, 42, ISLINGTON.

 LONDON:

LATER-DAY SAINTS' BOOK 
DEPOT, 20, BISHOP'S GROVE, ISLINGTON.

1871.[p.iii] 

Preface

Vol. 13,  p.iii
THE Thirteenth Volume of the "Journal" contains discourses upon a
great variety of subjects of interest to all Saints, and is well
worthy of being carefully preserved and frequently referred to for
instruction and encouragement in their endeavors to live by every word
that proceedeth from the mouth of God, through His servants who hold
the Holy Priesthood.

THE PUBLISHER.[p.1] 

Brigham Young, April 7, 1869

Responsibility for Teachings—the Word of 
Wisdom—Co-Operation, Etc.

Remarks By President Brigham Young, Delivered in the 
New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 7, 1869.

(Reported by David W. Evans)

Vol. 13,  p.1
I think I shall not be under the necessity of talking long, as there
has been a great deal said to the people this afternoon. I will
commence by saying to the Latter-day Saints and to all the inhabitants
of the earth that I am responsible for the doctrine I teach; but I am
not responsible for the obedience of the people to that doctrine. My
position in the presence of God, before the Angels and upon the face
of the earth, is that it is easier and more delightful to serve God
than to serve ourselves and the devil.

Vol. 13,  p.1
There has been considerable said this afternoon with regard to
redeeming and building up Zion, the Order of Enoch, &c. I see men and
women in this congregation—only a few of them—who were driven from the
central stake of Zion. Ask them if they had any sorrow or trouble;
then let them look at the beautiful land that the Lord would have
given them if all had been faithful in keeping His commandments, and
had walked before Him as they should; and then ask them with regard to
the blessings they would have received. If they tell you the
sentiments of their minds, they will tell you that the yoke of Jesus
would have been easy and his burden would have been light, and that it
would have been a delightful task to have walked in obedience to his
commands and to have been of one heart and one mind; but through the
selfishness of some, which is idolatry, through their covetousness,
which is the same, and the lustful desire of their minds, they were
cast out and driven from their homes. We have been driven many times;
but each time, if they who professed to be the servants of God had
served Him with an undivided heart, they would have had the privilege
of living in their houses, possessing their lands,[p.2] attending to
their meetings, and spreading abroad on the right and the left,
lengthening the cords of Zion, and strengthening her stakes until the
land had been dedicated to the Gospel of the Son of God. Well, I have
been with the rest and I expect I have been covetous like them, and
probably I am now; but if I am, I wish somebody would tell me wherein.

Vol. 13,  p.2
Brother Pratt, in his discourse, had considerable to say with regard
to the property of the Saints. I would like very much if the time was
now when the Lord would say, "Lay down your substance at the feet of
the bishops," and find out who in this Church would be willing to give
up all. This co-operative movement is only a stepping stone to what is
called the Order of Enoch, but which is in reality the Order of
Heaven. It was revealed to Enoch when he built up his city and
gathered the people together and sanctified them, so that they became
so holy and pure that they could not live among the rest of the people
and the Lord took them away.

Vol. 13,  p.2
Ask any Christian in the world if he thinks the Lord rules and reigns
supreme in heaven, and he will tell you, "Yes." Is it right for the
Lord to reign? "Certainly it is." Ask him if he would delight to live
in a place where one character rules and reigns supreme, and he will
answer, "Yes, if I could go to heaven." Why? "Why, the Lord reigns
there." Just ask the Christian if he knows the Lord, and he will tell
you, "No." Did you ever see him? "No." Can you tell me anything of His
character? "No, only He is something without body, parts, and
passions." One of the apostles says that "God is love, and they who
dwell in God dwell in love." Ask the Christian world if their know
anything about God, and they will tell you they do not. Ask if He has
eyes, and they will say, "No,—yes, He is all eyes." Has he a head?
"Yes, He is all head." Has he ears? "Yes, He is all ears, He is all
mouth, He is all body, and all limbs;" and still without, body, parts,
or passions. Why what do they make of Him? A monster, if He is
anything; that is what they make of Him. Would you like to go to
heaven? "O, yes," says the Christian, "the Lord reigns there." How do
you know you would like the place and the order when you get there? Do
you think you will have your farm and your substance by yourself, and
live in the gratification of your selfish propensities as you now do?
"O, no, we expect to be made pure and holy." Where will you begin to
be pure and holy? If you do not begin here, I do not know where you
will begin. "O," says the Christian, "if we are going to heaven, where
God and angels dwell, and live where one-man power prevails, we should
all be satisfied, I expect." We, Latter-day Saints, say so, too. We
like to see that power manifested by those whom God calls to lead the
people in righteousness, purity, and holiness. This opens up a subject
that I am not going to talk about.

Vol. 13,  p.2
Brother Orson has spoken on the Word of Wisdom. The people have done
pretty well in keeping it for the last year or two. But are they going
to continue, or will they return to their old habits like the dog to
his vomit, or like the sow that is washed, to her wallowing in the
mire? The sale of tobacco, tea, and coffee is increasing in the midst
of this people at the present time. What does this prove? It proves
that, stealthily or openly, the people are eating and drinking that
which is not good for them. Hot drinks, tobacco, and spirits [p.3] are
not good for them. Will the people continue to keep the Word of
Wisdom, or will they become like the brutes in the parable, or, like
fools, return to that which will injure and destroy them? The elders
of Israel have talked a great deal to the people upon the principles
of life and about the course they should pursue to lay a foundation
for health. Let a mother stimulate her system with tobacco, tea,
coffee, or liquor, or suffer herself to hanker after such things at
certain times, and she lays the foundation for the destruction of her
offspring. Do they realize this? No, and in very many instances they
care nothing about it. With all the teachings given to this people I
think they are very much like the rest of the world, or like the dumb
brute beasts that are made to be taken and destroyed. And it almost
seems that the last comparison is the most appropriate, for
intelligence is given us to preserve ourselves, to preserve our health
and prolong our natural lives, preserve our posterity, preserve and
beautify the earth and make it like the Garden of Eden. But what is
the disposition of the people? It is true we are in advance of the
world, but we are only just commencing to learn the things of God. I
know that some say the revelations upon these points are not given by
way of commandment. Very well, but we are commanded to observe every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Vol. 13,  p.3
I cannot say that my family is clear in this respect. They want a
little of this and a little of that that it is not wise to use, and I
suppose it is the same in other families. Every man, I expect,
indulges his wife and children and allows them to take this or that
when he knows it is not the best for them. But we, in and of
ourselves, ought to be independent; every son and daughter in Israel
should say, we will keep the "Word of Wisdom" independent of father,
mother, or any elder in the church; we know what is right and we will
do it. By so doing this people will increase health in their systems,
and the destroying angel, when he comes along, will pass them by. Will
you take this course? I, as the leader and dictator of this people,
feel disgraced when I think they are becoming slothful and negligent
and are returning to their former foolish and useless habits; and,
refusing to hearken to the least counsel, are turning away to the
counsel of the Evil One and doing that which leads to death.

Vol. 13,  p.3
I want to say a few words still further to the people with regard to
their faith in temporal things. If the people called Latter-day Saints
do not become one in temporal things as they are in spiritual things,
they will not redeem and build up the Zion of God upon the earth. This
co-operative movement is a stepping stone. We say to the people, take
advantage of it, it is your privilege. Instead of giving it into the
hands of a few individuals to make their hundreds and thousands, let
the people, generally, enjoy the benefit arising from the sale of
merchandize. I have already told you that this will stop the
operations of many little traders, but it will make them producers as
well as consumers. You will find that if the people unitedly hearken
to the counsel that is given them, it will not be long before the
hats, caps, bonnets, boots and shoes, pants, coats, vests and
underclothing of this entire community will all be made in our midst.
What next? Shall we have to run to London, Paris, or New York for the
fashions? When I see the disposition among the Latter-day Saints to
follow the [p.4] fashions and customs of the world, I think, why do
you stay here? You had better go back again. I am tired of this
everlasting ding-dong about fashions. If I happen to have a coat on
that is not what is called fashionable, some of my wives will be sure
to say, "Husband, or Mr. President, may I give this away;" or, "I wish
it was out of sight, it is not fasbionable." If I were to tell the
truth I should say, who cares for the fashions of the world? I do not;
if I get anything that is comfortable and sits well, and suits my
system, it is all I ask. I do not care who wears a bonnet that is six
feet above the head behind, twelve feet in front, or that sits close
to the crown of her head, or whether it is three straws thrown over
the head with ribbons to them. But to see a people who say, "We are
the teachers of life and salvation," and yet are anxious to follow the
nasty, pernicious fashions of the day, I say it is too insipid to talk
or think about. It is beneath the character of the Latter-day Saints
that they should have no more independence of mind or feeling than to
follow after the grovelling customs and fashions of a poor, miserable,
wicked world. All who do not want to sustain co-operation and fall
into the ranks of improvement, and endeavour to improve themselves by
every good book and then by every principle that has been received
from heaven, had better go back to England, Ireland, France,
Scandinavia, or the Eastern States; we do not care where you go, if
you will only go.

Vol. 13,  p.4
I will take up my text again—I am responsible for the doctrine I
teach. I will say to this people, as I have said ever since I
commenced to lift up my voice to the inhabitants of the earth, I will
read to them out of the Book of Life. If they will hear it, well; if
they will not, I am clear of their blood. I read to the Latter-day
Saints out of the Book of Life, and I can give them lessons that will
lead them back to the presence of God in the celestial kingdom. But
oh, the slothfulness, negligence, and the low, groveling feelings in
the midst of this people are a disgrace to them. Will we improve? Yes,
let us try and redeem the time and commence anew.

Vol. 13,  p.4
Yesterday we explained a little with regard to co-operation; we can
explain just as far as the people wish to hear and know. Those who
rise up against this or any other measure do it because darkness and
the spirit of the Evil One reign within them. There is not a man and
woman in this Church and Kingdom, who is in possession of the Holy
Ghost, but what will lift up their hands to heaven and say, "Blessed
be God, there is somebody to lead and improve the people," when they
contemplate this movement and the results it will work out; and they
who fight against it and feel to murmur are actuated by a spirit from
beneath.

Vol. 13,  p.4
I frequently think of the difference between the power of God and the
power of the devil. To illustrate, here is a structure in which we can
be seated comfortably, protected from the beat of summer or the cold
of winter. Now, it required labour, mechanical skill and ingenuity and
faithfulness and diligence to erect this building, but any poor,
miserable feel or devil can set fire to it and destroy it. That is
just what the devil can do, but he never can build anything. The
difference between God and the devil is that God creates and
organizes, while the whole study of the devil is to destroy. Every one
that follows the evil inclinations of his own natural evil heart, is
going to destruction, and sooner or later he will be no more. I pray
you Latter-day Saints to live your religion. Amen.[p.5] 

Erastus Snow, February 28, 1869

The Axe is Laid to the Root—Exhortation to Faithfulness

Remarks By Elder Erastus Snow, Delivered in 
the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, February 28, 1869.

(Reported by David W. Evans.)

Vol. 13,  p.5
I am requested to occupy a little time this afternoon prior to my
departure for my field of labour in the South, and if I can have your
faith and prayers, I will try to speak upon a few subjects. A certain
very expressive passage of Scripture, contained in the New Testament,
has been passing through my mind since I have been sitting here. I
will repeat it:—

Vol. 13,  p.5
"Now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; therefore every
tree which bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down and cast into
the fire."

Vol. 13,  p.5
This figure of the fruit tree, though spoken in reference to the
followers of the Saviour in his day, is equally as applicable to us as
to those to whom it was addressed. There are many other sayings of the
Saviour of a similar character, applied to the people of God in
reference to the diverse doctrines and teachings of men; also warning
them against false prophets and those who might come to them in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly were ravening wolves. He said to his
disciples, "By their fruits shall ye know them," for every tree that
bears good trait is a good tree; but a corrupt tree did not bring
forth good fruit.

Vol. 13,  p.5
Now this figure of the axe being laid at the root of the tree, and
every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and
east into the fire, being equally as applicable to God's people in
these days as to His people in the days in which it was spoken, is
very impressive, and should be retained in every mind; every heart
should reflect upon it, and every one should inquire, "Am I a subject
for the burning, or am I bearing good fruit?"

Vol. 13,  p.5
To answer these questions satisfactorily we must be instructed in the
things of God, so that we may understand our duties and know what God
requires of us, we must become acquainted with the Kingdom of Heaven
and the fruits thereof.

Vol. 13,  p.5
The people of olden times, to whom this saying of the Saviour was
addressed, were a peculiar people: they and their fathers before them
for many generations had claimed to be the people of God. To their
forefathers God bad sent His prophets, revealed His word, and he had
made His covenant with them, and had blessed them with many blessings.
Yet in the days of the Saviour, as a nation, they had apostatized and
had fallen from their high position; they had become divided into
sects and parties, proud, covetous, self-righteous and very conceited;
and the Saviour pronounced many woes upon them. He illustrated their
condition in a very noted parable concerning a certain vineyard, which
the husbandman [p.6] rented or let out, and then took his journey into
another country. At the proper season the lord of the vineyard sent
his servant to receive his share of the fruit, of the vineyard; but
instead of the men who had leased the vineyard paying up frankly and
faithfully what they had stipulated to pay, they refused to pay at
all, and also cast the servant out of the vineyard. The lord of the
vineyard then sent other servants to seek his share of the fruit of
the vineyard, but they were treated in like manner, some of them being
beaten, whipped, cast out and slain. Last of all the lord of the
vineyard said, "I will send my son; peradventure they will reverence
him and have respect to their agreement, and render to him the fruits
of the vineyard. But, when the son came, the husbandmen said among
themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the
inheritance shall be ours." And they seized the son, cast him out and
slew him. "Now," said the Saviour to the people to whom He addressed
this parable, "what will be done unto these husbandmen? They answered,
"He will miserably destroy those wicked husbandmen, and will let out
his vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in
their seasons." Said the Saviour in effect, "This is a very righteous
judgment; even so shall it be done unto you. I blessed your fathers
and established my covenant with them; sent my prophets and revealed
my word unto you, their children, and have called upon you all the day
long, but you have not brought forth the fruits of the kingdom; you
have rejected and slain my prophets, and lastly, you have rejected the
Son, therefore I say unto you, the kingdom shall be rent from your
hands, and given to another people, who will bring forth the fruits
thereof."

Vol. 13,  p.6
Such was the fate of the Jewish people, because they rejected the
prophets who were sent unto them, and, last of all, the Saviour. The
Saviour revealed himself first to that people, and first established
his church in their midst. He sent his disciples to preach, not to the
Gentiles, but to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." They were
commanded to confine their labours to these; but they to whom he first
sent his disciples did not, as a general thing, listen or obey the
message they delivered to them. There were a goodly number who
believed and were baptized, and from their midst the priesthood with
the Gospel and its ordinances were carried to the Gentile nations, and
the Jews, as a nation, were given over to unbelief and hardness of
heart, their government destroyed, their towns, cities, and provinces
absorbed by surrounding nations, their devoted capital city laid in
ruins, and of their beautiful temple not one stone was left on
another. So complete was the ruin of their chief city that,
subsequently, the very ground upon which it stood was broken up end
ploughed like a field.

Vol. 13,  p.6
The apostles and servants of God who were called to be witnesses of
Jesus went abroad to the surrounding nations, and everywhere baptized
and built up churches, grafting the Gentile nations into the "tame
olive tree." Israel was likened by one of the ancient prophets to a
tame olive tree and the Gentile nations to a wild olive tree. It is
said by the Apostle Paul that the branches of the tame olive tree were
cut off because they were barren and unfruitful, and that the branches
of the wild olive tree were grafted into the [p.7] mother stock and
brought forth good fruit. So it was in the preaching of the Gospel;
the Gentiles accepted with greater freedom and gladness the testimony
of the disciples of Christ. It is not my purpose to enlarge upon the
cause why the Jewish race continued to persecute and hedge up the way
of the disciples and followers of Christ. Through the mercy of God our
Father, salvation came unto many Gentile nations, because they
believed the testimony of Jesus proclaimed to them by his disciples;
and they were baptized into Christ, and became the seed of Abraham by
adoption, while the lineal descendants of Abraham were rejected of God
because of their unbelief. They did not bring forth the fruits of the
kingdom of God, therefore the kingdom was taken from them and given to
another people according as Jesus had predicted.

Vol. 13,  p.7
Now, why was all this? Was it simply because of the sins of their
rulers and chief priests, or was it because of the general corruption,
unbelief, and wickedness of the whole people? I answer, it was not
only the wickedness of their rulers and the corruption and hypocrisy
of their priests, but of the whole people, priests and rulers
included. In the language of one of the prophets, their teachers
taught for hire; their judges judged for reward; their prophets
divined for money, and "my people love to have it so, and what shall
be the end thereof?" The people had lifted themselves up in pride;
they loved gold and silver and precious things, and set up gods whom
they might adore. If they did not actually set up graven images and
gods of wood and stone, they set up teachers and priests like unto
themselves. Their judges and priests took bribes, and their public
servants could be bought with money. They sought honour one of another
and sought set honour which comes from God alone. In short they lived
for the present life only, and did not know how to enjoy it properly,
for the fruit of evil doings is always evil, though it oft-times
appears tempting and alluring to the inexperienced and thoughtless,
and its fruits may be sweet in the mouth, but in the belly they are
invariably bitter. The fruits of righteousness are joy, peace, and
contentment in this life, and life hereafter; while the fruits of
unrighteousness are misery, grief, sorrow, and death. There is nothing
more certain than the saying in Scripture." that the wages of sin is
death." That is as true to-day as it was in the day when it was
spoken. No man or woman can do a wrong thing, whether ignorantly or
with the intent to do wrong, without sooner or later reaping the
bitter fruits of that wrong doing. It is true that the mercy and
loving kindness of God our Father comes to the aid of all who sin
ignorantly, and lightens their punishment because they sinned
ignorantly, and as soon as they were enlightened they turned away and
repented before the Lord in sorrow. It is written that he who knoweth
his master's will and doeth it not shall be beaten with many stripes;
but he who sins ignorantly, though he may do things worthy of many
stripes, shall be beaten with few if he forsakes his evil course when
he understands it, inasmuch as his spirit is not defiled thereby. He
who consents to and approves of a wrong in his heart, or becomes the
alder and abettor of those who do wrong, though he may not be the
personal doer of that wrong, may be more culpable and more deserving
of punishment than the one who is actually guilty, for the latter,
ignorant of the consequences, [p.8] may be influenced by the former,
who knows the results and effects of the wrong done. In such a case
the prompter of the evil would be punished far more severely than he
who actually committed it. It is a consolation to the righteous to
know that God judges not by the sight of the eye, but by the secret
thoughts and intents of the heart. The final judgment of the human
race is deferred to their next estate, that God may judge the spirit
according to the deeds done in the body, His judgment not being passed
upon the body, but upon the spirit, the body having paid the penalty
of its own faults and errors by death. The spirit is held responsible
for the acts done in the body. No spirit can plead, before the bar of
Jehovah, the weakness of the flesh as a justification of sin; the
latter may be urged in palliation, but not in justification. Our
Father is full of mercy, but he cannot look upon sin in any individual
with the least degree of allowance; but every spirit must be held
responsible, and will have to answer at the bar of God, and will there
receive a just and righteous judgment for the deeds done in the body.

Vol. 13,  p.8
But it will be found, in the language of Paul, that some men's sins
have gone to judgment beforehand; others will follow after. In other
words, some men will have their accounts balanced and settled in time,
before the time for the final reckoning arrives, and when that time
comes they will have enough on the credit side of their account to
balance the debtor side, and they will stand square, free, and
accepted; while these whose sins follow them to judgment will have a
long list of accounts unadjusted and a heavy balance against them,
with nothing to set off against it.

Vol. 13,  p.8
What class of beings are they who are so highly favoured as to have
their sins go to judgment before them? Why, they are they who have
repented of their sins, and have ever kept the law of God, and not
been anxious to run in debt again. There are many people who, in both
spiritual and temporal things, as long as they can have an open book
account, are ready to ran up bills. But prudent, wise, and careful men
and women like to have short reckonings and to know pretty often how
they stand and to keep their accounts square. They never lay
themselves down to rest, or rise in the morning, without communing
with their God and learning the position they occupy in His sight. In
our communings with our Father it is our privilege to learn this
lesson, and it is one that every Saint should learn. If we live
continually so as to enjoy the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, it
will hold the mirror before our eyes, and enable us to understand our
positions before God as plainly as we behold our natural faces in the
glass; and if we have been heedless or negligent in the performance of
our duties, it will be presented to our minds, and we will learn our
faults, and if we sincerely repent, the whisperings of the Holy Spirit
will prompt us as to the course we should take to make things right.
If you have slandered, given place to envy or jealousy, or have
indulged in backbiting, evil speaking, fault-finding, criticising, or
have used an evil influence concerning your brother or sister, the
Spirit will say to you, "Go and make that right, ask your friends who
have suffered by your folly to be merciful to you and to let your
fault be buried." You will thus pour in the oil, and, as far as in you
lies, heal the wound you have inflicted. And when you have thus
obtained your brother's forgiveness you can look up to your [p.9]
Father in Heaven and with confidence ask for His forgiveness.

Vol. 13,  p.9
No individual can wrong another without that wrong being thrown back
upon himself. This is just as sure as that your face is reflected in a
camera when the light shines upon it. You go into a photographic
gallery to have your likeness taken; you sit down opposite the camera,
and the effect of the light upon the instrument is to make it reflect
an exact likeness of yourself. It is precisely similar with every evil
action—they exemplify the truth of the well-known maxim that, "curses
come home to roost." This is universally true. No person can, with
impunity, put his fingers in the fire; neither can any person violate
the laws of life and health without suffering pain and sickness in
consequence. Though the Lord is long-suffering and full of loving
kindness, the penalties attending the violations of His laws are sure
to overtake the offender sooner or later, and foolish is the man or
woman who fosters the delusive hope that it will be otherwise.

Vol. 13,  p.9
The foundation and the seeds of dissolution and death are sown in our
tabernacles. The passions of human nature work, ultimately, the
overthrow and dissolution of our bodies; and this is no more true than
that the spirit, in like manner, works out its own dissolution, that
is, whosoever suffers the second death, which is a spiritual death,
suffers that death as the legitimate fruit of his evil doings as
certainly and as naturally as the body suffers death through the
violation of the laws of its own organization. Whether we violate the
laws of our organizations ignorantly or otherwise, the results are the
same. The child who runs innocently into the fire, ignorant of its
power to injure him, is burned just as quick as the grown person who
does. You overload the stomach of a child who knows not the capacity
of his system, and he suffers the consequence just the same as if he
had understood all about it.

Vol. 13,  p.9
The purpose of the Gospel of Christ is to enlighten the mind upon all
these subjects, and inasmuch as we are willing to receive instruction
we, through it, may learn how to prolong our physical existence here,
and how to secure everlasting life in the world to come, or in other
words, to enter upon our third estate, which will be glorious and
immortal; and in which they who are privileged to enter upon it will
be prepared to exercise the highest functions of their existence and
to enlarge, increase, and extend for ever, until, like Abraham of old,
to their increase there shall be no end, and when the stars of the
firmament or the sands of the sea-shore shall be less numerous than
their creations. Incomprehensible as this may be to our finite minds,
it is a faint view of the glories of the third estate. If we would
secure a right to such inestimable blessings, it must be by obedience
to the laws of life which God has revealed to us. If we sin wilfully,
after having been enlightened as to the consequences of our sin, there
remains, says the Apostle Paul, no more sacrifice for sin, but '"a
certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries." But if we err in ignorance, and, after
having been instructed, we repent of our sins, there is a door of
mercy opened for us, and we shall be beaten with few stripes. Such
persons, when they have wronged a brother or sister in ignorance,
will, upon being convinced of it, go straightway and rectify that
wrong. If they have oppressed the hireling in his wages, when they
become convinced of the fact, they have gone straightway [p.10] and
made it right, paying him fourfold if necessary. After pursuing such a
course the Father forgives them. He says if we do not forgive one
another, neither will He forgive us. This principle is laid down in
the Scriptures in that beautiful and simple prayer which Jesus taught
to his disciples—a specimen of honest, childlike brevity and
simplicity. In another place the Saviour says, "Moreover, if thy
brother shall trespass against thee, tell him his fault between thee
and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
If thy brother is not convinced of his wrong doing, do not be
discouraged at the failure to convince him; but try again. Get some
brother, who is filled with faith, love, and charity, to go with you
to use his influence with him, and if you do not succeed in melting
the icicle from your brother's heart, your friend will, at least, be
your witness before the Lord that you have fulfilled your part; and
your unforgiving brother, will be held accountable. Our account is
then settled, inasmuch as we obey the ordinances of the House of
God—the conditions upon which the children of men may find favour with
God. If we have wronged our brother, stolen his property, swindled him
out of it unrighteously, or obtained it without having the means to
pay him for it, we should repent and make restitution, even if we have
to become his servant until he is satisfied, then our Father, who is
the judge between us, will "say it is enough. The same principle will
hold good with regard to any other evil. If we, through covetousness
for filthy lucre, have oppressed the hireling, or have neglected to
relieve the wants of the sick and destitute, the Lord's poor will rise
up in judgment against us. They will say, "I was naked, and ye clothed
me not; I was sick and in prison, and ye visited me not." And Jesus
himself will be the accuser of such. He has said that he will place
such persons at his left hand among the goats, and will say unto them,
"Depart from me, I know you not." Many of them may expostulate and
inquire, "Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a
stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto
thee?" But Jesus will answer, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the
least of these, ye did it not unto me."

Vol. 13,  p.10
There were some anciently who seemed to obtain light enough to
appreciate these sentiments, and who, in accordance with the counsels
of the Saviour, forsook their evil ways and sought to make friends of
the mammon of unrighteousness, and by doing good with their ill-gotten
gains, they, in some measure repaired the wrongs they had done. These
good deeds will stand on the credit side of their accounts.

Vol. 13,  p.10
There is in the human breast a constant tendency to the allurements of
this life. The wants of the present are over forcing themselves upon
our attention; while that which is in the future we are apt to put off
till another day. The cravings of the stomach must be looked after
today; these shivering limbs we must clothe to-day before another
storm. Says one, "I must erect this house over the heads of my wives
and children before next winter." And thus the wants of the present
constantly impel us to action, while things pertaining to eternity are
neglected, forgotten, or laid over till a more convenient opportunity.
This procrastination—"the thief of time"—we should guard against; and
whenever we detect ourselves with an inclination to neglect our duties
to God or each other, and think only of self, [p.11] we should
instantly cheek the uprising of this passion, and should never fail,
when we have it in our power and the opportunity presents itself, to
administer to the wants of the poor and needy; or, what is still
better, devise ways and means which will enable them to administer to
their own necessities. The latter is always preferable. Those who are
the Lord's poor always prefer to provide for their own necessities
than to be dependent upon others. They who are able to provide for
themselves, but would rather have others bear the burdens of life for
them, are not the Lord's poor, they are the devil's poor. They covet
their neighbour's property—his food, house, horse and carriage, and
peradventure his wife. They desire that which he possesses, without
going to and earning them as he has done. It is not he who is most
successful in gathering around him the goods of this life, who is
always the most covetous.

Vol. 13,  p.11
I refer to these things, which have been so often spoken, by way of
reminding us of that which is written, and to which the spirit of the
Lord continually urges attention. Let us then, my brethren and
sisters, beware of pride, test we become like the Nephites of old. it
seems from reading their history that a very few years sufficed for
them to rise from a state of humility, enjoying the favour of God, to
one of haughtiness and pride. There is a continual tendency to this
state of feeling in the human mind. In the days of our humility we
feel after God; but when prosperity comes, too many of us are apt to
forget Him, and to feel that all our wants are supplied. A sister
says, "I have a good husband, who prays for me and my children, and
provides for our wants; he is a guide sufficient for me." She forgets
to pray for herself, or for husband and children. Is she saved because
of her believing and faithful husband? It is true that his prayers,
good works, and the good spirit continually with him, are blessings
thrown around her to aid her in her onward path to glory and
exaltation; but unless she herself improves these favourable
circumstances she, in the end, will sink while he rises. On the other
hand, a sister who is faithful to her God, her covenants, her husband,
children, and friends, who ceases not to call upon the name of the
Lord though her husband may neglect to pray with his family, and to
magnify his calling as a man of God, the day will come when he will
sink, while she will rise and be given to a faithful man. So with
children who, beholding the evil deeds of father and mother, follow
the good counsels of friends who feel after them, and call upon God
continually and do His will, while father and mother perish out of
their sight for ever and ever; God will exalt them and may give them
to good men and women who, perhaps, were never blessed with children.

Vol. 13,  p.11
Those who plant good seed will surely eat the fruit thereof; while
those who neglect to cultivate good seed will surely go down to
perdition; for, in the language of the Scripture I first repeated,
"Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast
into the fire."

Vol. 13,  p.11
May God Almighty bless us, and help us to remember these things, and
to live them as Saints of God should, is my prayer, in the name of
Jesus. Amen.[p.12] 

John Taylor, March 14, 1869

Religious Confliction in the World—
the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Discourse By Elder John Taylor, Delivered in the Old 
Tabernacle Salt Lake City, March 14, 1869.

(Reported by David W. Evans)

Vol. 13,  p.12
We meet together from time to time to hear of things pertaining to the
Kingdom of God on the earth. We have our own peculiar views in
relation to many things that occupy the minds of men, and we have been
in the habit of investigating the principles of the Gospel, and our
minds are more or less occupied with affairs connected with the
welfare of humanity, whether associated with the present life or that
which is to come.

Vol. 13,  p.12
There is a common tendency in the minds of men generally to take very
little trouble in relation to religious matters; and men of all
nations seem more disposed to let others think and act for them in
such matters than to do so for themselves; hence, those who are
disposed to prey upon the credulous, have every opportunity to
accomplish their ends. Another point upon which men do not reflect
much, is the fact that between this and the spirit world there is a
veil drawn, which can only be penetrated through the medium which the
Scriptures unfold. There we are told that "no man can understand the
things of God but by the Spirit of God;" hence, though men may reason
upon natural principles, and speak logically on most of the common
affairs of life, when they attempt to investigate the principles of
religion, and the nature of our relationship to God, they seem to be
at a loss; and not being willing on the one hand to acknowledge their
own weakness, ignorance, and imperfection, nor on the other hand, to
acknowledge the hand of the Almighty, they know not what course to
pursue. On account of these various feelings in the world a great many
errors of every kind have crept in and have led the human mind astray.
The Christian portion of the world are apt to look with contempt upon
what is called the heathen, and wonder how men possessing any degree
of intelligence can be led to worship stocks and stones and gods of
their own making. Yet millions, under the influence of priestcraft do
this, and they think they are right and that they are on the high road
to Heaven. The Christian world, too, feel that it is all right with
them in reference to a future life; in fact, they feel, in respect to
religious matters, about as the Athenians did about the goddess
Diana—that she had descended from Heaven and that all the world knew
it. The various sects of the Christian world—Methodists, Baptists,
Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Church of Rome, and others, no matter
what their peculiar creeds or forms of worship may be—entertain the
idea that they are all on the highway to Heaven. They build
magnificent churches and pay [p.13] thousands of ministers; they are
also very zealous in missionary labours, and contribute largely for
the support of charitable institutions. But it is very few of them who
reflect upon first principles; they do not like to trouble themselves
on such matters.

Vol. 13,  p.13
I have travelled a great deal, and have come in contact with
professors of every creed; but they almost invariably like to assume,
without contradiction, that they are right and that their fathers
before them were. They do not like the idea to be entertained for a
moment that the principles, doctrine, and ordinances they believe in
and obey may be wrong, or that there is any possibility of the whole
so-called Christian church having departed from the faith and
ordinances as laid down in the Gospel by Jesus Christ.

Vol. 13,  p.13
The Methodists, for instance, could not for a moment suppose that John
Wesley was not competent to judge all matters pertaining to salvation.
Wesleyan ministers will hardly permit his doctrines to be questioned;
they must be swallowed without investigation. In fact, I have heard
some of them say that he was a man of such erudition, talent, and
piety that they would not have his doctrines questioned in their
hearing. The Protestant Germans and a great many others are just the
same with regard to Luther; yet in some of his ideas and principles
the great Reformer was as foolish as any other man. The Scotch are a
good deal so with John Knox; they think that he was everything good,
praiseworthy, and amiable, and, in fact, that he was the pink of
perfection. The Roman Catholics will not for a moment admit that they
are not the true church; and theft will maintain that they have held
the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven from the days of Peter until now,
and that they still have the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and have
power to bind on earth and in Heaven, and to loose on earth and in
Heaven. You may ask a great many who have seceded from the Church of
Rome, and you would and that they have similar ideas about their own
infallibility, only they are a little better than those from whom they
seceded; they have made some improvements and are a little nearer the
celestial kingdom.

Vol. 13,  p.13
Feelings of this kind obtain not only among religionists, but also
among philosophers, for some Christian philosophers have brought in
philosophy to their aid in order to prove the truth of the Christian
religion. Paley and Dick, very prominent Christian philosophers, have
examined the works of nature, and have endeavoured to prove that the
God of nature who controlled all these things must be a Being full of
love, intelligence, and power. In their investigations they have
examined the anatomical and visceral systems of man, beasts, birds,
and insects, and have deduced therefrom many arguments which are
interesting and incontrovertible. But when they apply their reasoning
to the Christian religion they swallow it at one gulp without
investigation. Their arguments go to prove the existence of a Supreme
Being, a God; but they do not prove the truth or falsity of the
Christian or any other system of religion—they have nothing at all to
do with them.

Vol. 13,  p.13
People generally are apt to accept the various religious systems of
the day without reasoning or investigation. When I was a little boy I
used to ponder over such things; and I do so still. Finding myself an
inhabitant of the world, surrounded by ten thousand conflicting
opinions on religious subjects, I want to know 'what is truth?' Who
has it in [p.14] his possession? Where shall we find it? If I were
among the heathen, and had been taught to worship an alligator, I
should not think it right to worship a cat; and if it was right to
worship a cat, it would not be to worship a bull; and if a bull, it
would not be to worship a snake; and if a snake, it would not be to
worship a monkey; and if a monkey, it would not be to worship sun,
moon, or stars. Were I among the Christians I would think if the
Baptists are right the Presbyterians are not; if the Presbyterians are
right then the Baptists are not; if the Church of England is right
then the others are wrong; if the Roman Catholics are right then
others are wrong; and if any of the others are right the Roman
Catholics are wrong. I cannot conceive of two ways to go to Heaven and
both right. I cannot think of a God of intelligence, who has created
the whole human family, and who has organized every living thing, and
adapted them to the varied positions which they occupy, being the
author of the confusion that exists in the world in relation to the
forms of worship. But if God is not the author of it, who is? Where
did it come from? I know that men generally are not inclined to
investigate these subjects.

Vol. 13,  p.14
When I was a boy I used to be connected with the Church of England.
Theirs is a pleasant kind of religion. I liked it very well when I was
connected with it. They pay the parson for preaching and pay the clerk
for saying "Amen." No difficulty about the matter, everything moved
along pleasantly. Nobody thought of questioning the parson. They
considered the whole system correct, and that they were all on the way
to Heaven. The Roman Catholics feel a good deal the same way, only
their religion is not quite so easy. They have to do penance
sometimes; if they do wrong they may get absolution, but they have to
pay for it.

Vol. 13,  p.14
In talking with Church of England ministers I have sometimes asked
them where they got their authority from, That is a kind of question
they hardly deem admissible, but they would say, "Well, if we must
confess, we got it from the Roman Catholics." Where did they get it
from? "From Peter." But, unfortunately, you Episcopalians say that the
Roman Catholics are in error. "Yes, they are in error." Well, if that
be the case, how could they confer power upon you? Do not the
Scriptures say if a tree is bad its fruit will be bad? "Oh," say they,
"they might retain their power even if they had lost their virtue."
Oh, indeed; you admit that much. Well, if they had power to bind on
earth and to bind in Heaven, they had power to loose on earth and to
loose in Heaven; and if they had power to give the priesthood they had
power to take it away, and if they cut you off you have no authority.
They do not like to reason upon these things; but I do. I like to know
the "whys" and "wherefores" in all such things, and to understand
their foundation, especially in matters pertaining to man's eternal
welfare. I have generally taken the liberty of applying the word of
God to principles of religion whether taught by the Methodists, Church
of England, Roman Catholics, or any others; and when "Mormonism" was
presented to me my first inquiry was, "Is it Scriptural? Is it
reasonable and philosophical?" This is the principle I would act upon
to-day. No matter how popular the theories or dogmas preached might
be, I would not accept [p.15] them unless they were strictly in
accordance with the Scriptures, reason, and common sense.

Vol. 13,  p.15
I used to be told when investigating religious principles that it was
dangerous to do so, and I had better let them alone; but I did not
think so. I believe it is good to investigate and prove all principles
that come before me. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good,
and reject that which is evil, no matter what guise it may come in. I
think if we, as "Mormons," hold principles that cannot be sustained by
the Scriptures and by good sound reason and philosophy, the quicker we
part with them the better, no matter who believes in them or who does
not. In every principle presented to us, our first inquiry should be,
"Is it true?" "Does it emanate from God?" If He is its Author it can
be sustained just as much as any other truth in natural philosophy; if
false it should be opposed and exposed just as much as any other
error. Hence upon all such matters we wish to go back to first
principles.

Vol. 13,  p.15
If I am a man, where did I come from, and what is the nature of my
existence and being here? I want information on these points, if
anybody can give it. If I had an existence before I came here I want
to know something about it. If there is a God and anybody on the earth
ever knew anything about Him, I want to know something about, Him. If
there are wise, intelligent, and learned men anywhere who can tell me
anything about Him, about my own existence and future destiny, I want
to know it. These desires are reasonable; why should they not be
gratified? You go to the heathen and inquire about God, and they have
thousands of them in every form. Go to the Christians and they have
one God, but he has neither body, parts, nor passions; his presence is
everywhere, but he exists nowhere. They have never heard nor seen him,
and they do not know anybody who ever did, not even their ministers,
whom, they claim, are sent of God. They are equally as ignorant in
relation to their own existence and the ends of their creation. They
say they are going to Heaven, but all they can tell you about it is
that it is beyond the bounds of time and space.

Vol. 13,  p.15
This kind of doctrine does not suit me. I can read in the Scriptures
that men used to converse with God, and that angels conversed with
them; that others had visions and could read the purposes of God as
they were unfolded before them. But come to the present day when,
according to their own account, the most intelligent people that ever
were upon the earth are now in existence, and they know nothing about
God or His purposes. I care nothing about such knowledge and wisdom.
In the language of the old prophet I say, "My soul, enter not thou
into their secret." I want something that is intellectual and true,
and that will bear investigation.

Vol. 13,  p.15
When I turn to the Gospel as taught by Jesus, I find that he sent his
disciples into all the world and commanded them to preach the Gospel
to every creature, saying, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." This Gospel was no
pliant thing, as in this day, that men could receive or refuse as they
pleased, or that they could tinker to suit their own notions; but when
preached, it involved the salvation or damnation of those who heard
it.

Vol. 13,  p.15
When the apostles commenced to preach the Gospel, Jesus said it was
necessary for him to go away, for if he went away he would send them
the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—which [p.16] should call all things to
their remembrance and show them things to come. This was something
very important; a religion that would do this was a religion fit for
immortal men. Why should men, made in the image and after the likeness
of God, be ignorant of themselves, of their pre-existence, and their
future destiny? The religion that Jests came to teach instructs men in
relation to these subjects and puts them in possession of correct
information. Well, then, I do not want to go to any of the old
doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, or to the Episcopalians,
Calvinists, or Lutherans. I want the doctrines that were promulgated
by the disciples of Jesus on the day of Pentecost, through obedience
to which men may gain the power and inspiration that were enjoyed by
them, in accordance with the premises which Jesus had, made. On that
day we read that the disciples began to speak with other tongues as
the Spirit gave them utterance. People from different nations heard
them preach the Gospel in their own tongues, and they marvelled and
thought they were drunken with new wine. Peter told them that it was
not so, "but," said he, "this is that which was spoken by the prophet:
It shall come to pass in the last days that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh, and your old men shall dream dreams, and your young
men shall see visions, and upon my servants and handmaidens I will
pour out my spirit and they shall prophesy." It was the pouring out of
the Spirit of God in fulfilment of this prophecy. It was the
revelation of God to man; it was the introduction of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ; it was the power of the Lord God manifested through
obedience to the Gospel.

Vol. 13,  p.16
When the people saw these wonderful manifestations, they said, "Men
and brethren, what shall we do?" I have often reflected upon this
saying. If men were to ask this question now among the Methodists they
would tell them to come to the mourner's bench and be prayed for. Some
of the other sects would tell them pretty much the same thing. I have
seen operations of this kind take place. When their preachers get
people excited, they get them to the mourner's bench and they commence
praying, and tell the people to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The
mourner may say, "I do believe;" but his only answer will be, "Well,
you must believe." "I do believe," says the mourner again. "Well, you
must believe," is the reply again, and that is about all the minister
or the people know about it. Some will say the believer must be
baptized; but upon the mode of baptism they are very much divided in
opinion. Some say they must be sprinkled; others say the water faust
be poured upon the believer; while others say that immersion is the
correct method. The Methodists are very pliable on this point—they
give a man a chance to have which method he pleases; their ministers
do not know which is right, so they give the sinner the privilege to
take which he likes.

Vol. 13,  p.16
I have reflected upon these matters a good deal. It was very different
in former days. When they asked on the day of Pentecost what they were
to do to be saved, said Peter, "Repent and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and
you shall receive the Holy Ghost." This was the command to all—to the
doctors, lawyers, Pharisees, and pious people, as well as to the
harlot, publicans, and thieves. This was the doctrine of the Apostolic
Church. The question with me is, "If this [p.17] was the true Gospel
1800 years ago, is it not the same to-day?" This is a question I have
often put to priests when I was very young, and they would tell me not
to trouble myself about such things, they were for the consideration
of wiser people. But when I investigated further I found that these
"wiser people" knew nothing about it.

Vol. 13,  p.17
The Methodists, Presbyterians, and others tell us they have the Gospel
and the Holy Ghost. I am glad if they have, but if they have, they
will be able to show the fruits of the Gospel, for it will produce the
same results now as then. Eighteen hundred years ago, if a man sowed
wheat it produced the same as to-day; and if be sowed barley or corn,
he reaped the same, for what a man sows that shall he reap. The animal
called a horse in those days is not a jackass or a mule now, but is a
horse still. Two and two made four then the same as to-day. The Gospel
of Jesus Christ produced certain results then, and it will produce the
same to-day, or it is not the Gospel. This is the way I reason.
"Well," the inquirer may say, "if the Gospel does not exist anywhere
but among you Latter-day Saints, where did you get it from?" We
believe God has spoken. Joseph Smith said an angel came and
administered to him and revealed the Gospel to him as it existed in
former days, and Joseph declares further, that he was ordained by holy
angels, and was commanded to go forth and preach the everlasting
Gospel. I find in reading the Bible that there is a prophecy in
relation to this matter. John says in his revelation, "I saw another
angel flying in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to
preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people, crying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory
to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come, and worship Him that
made the heavens, earth, the seas, and the fountains of water."

Vol. 13,  p.17
What is meant by the everlasting Gospel? I know that some people think
there was no Gospel until Jesus came; but it is a great mistake. Adam,
Noah, Abraham, and Moses had the Gospel; and when Jesus came he came
to offer himself a sacrifice for the sins of the world, and to bring
back the Gospel which the people had lost. "Well," says one, "do yea
mean to affirm that the men you have just named had the Gospel?" I do,
and hence it is called the everlasting Gospel. "How do you know?" Why,
the Scriptures say the Gospel held the keys of the mysteries of the
revelation of God. Now, Adam was in possession of these things; he was
in possession of the spirit of prophecy and revelation. He talked with
God. and it was through the medium of the Gospel he was enabled to do
it. Enoch also conversed with and had revelations from God, and
finally he was not, for God took him. Noah conversed with God, and God
told him to build an ark, and gave him revelations about the size of
it and the kind of animals, he was to introduce into it. And wherever
the Gospel existed there was a knowledge of God. Moses had the Gospel
and so had Abraham, and they communicated with Him from time to time.
And by what medium was this done? It was through the medium of the
Gospel. "Do you mean to affirm," says the objector, "that Moses had
the Gospel?" Yes; let us take the Bible for it; we all believe in
that. In that book we read that "unto us was the Gospel preached as
well as unto them." We are also told that the Gospel was preached to
them, but that it did not profit them, not [p.18] being mixed with
faith in those who heard it, therefore the law was added because of
transgression. Added to what? Why, to the Gospel, which the Scriptures
say Moses preached to the children of Israel. In the New Testament we
read, Gal. 3rd chapter and 8th verse, "For the Scripture, foreseeing
that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
Gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed." It
was through the medium of the Gospel that Abraham obtained these
promises. Now, some people think the law of Moses, as it is called,
was given to the children of Israel as a peculiar kind of a blessing;
but it was a peculiar kind of a curse, added because of transgression.
It was as Peter said—neither they nor their fathers were able to bear
it.

Vol. 13,  p.18
We read also that Jesus came and was a priest for ever after the order
of Melchizedec. Who was Melchizedec? He was the man who blessed
Abraham, the father of the faithful, yet Melchizedec was greater than
Abraham, for verily the lesser is blessed of the greater. For
whereever and whenever the Gospel has existed there has been the
opening of the heavens, revelations and visions given to men; and
wherever the Gospel has not existed there has been no vision, no
revelation, no communication between the heavens and the earth. Hence
that which is called the Gospel in the Christian world is not the
Gospel, but a perversion of it.

Vol. 13,  p.18
When Jesus came he came to do away with the law and to introduce the
Gospel that their fathers had lost because of transgression. After its
restoration by Jesus the same results followed: the heavens were
opened, the purposes of God unfolded, and His power made manifest
among the people.

Vol. 13,  p.18
Joseph Smith's mission was to restore this same Gospel in its fulness.
He brought back the same Gospel that Jesus taught, the same faith and
repentance, the same baptism for the remission of sins, and the same
laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the same Holy
Ghost with all its powers and blessings. This is the doctrine and
these the principles we profess to believe in. We do not profess to
have received our authority from the Church of England or any other
sect: it came directly from God by the ministration of holy angels.
The Gospel that we preach is the everlasting Gospel; it reaches back
into the eternities that are past; it exists in time and it stretches
forward into the eternities to come, and everything connected with it
is eternal. Our marriage relations, for instance, are eternal. Go to
the sects of the day and you will find that time ends their marriage
covenants; they have no idea of continuing their relations hereafter;
they do not believe in anything of the kind. It is true there is a
kind of natural principle in men that leads them to hope it may be so;
but they know nothing about it. Our religion binds men and women for
time and all eternity. This is the religion that Jesus taught—it had
power to bind on earth and to bind in Heaven, and it had power to
loose on earth and to loose in Heaven. We believe in the same
principles, and we expect, in the resurrection, that we shall
associate with our wives and have our children sealed to us by the
power of the holy priesthood, that they may be united with us worlds
without end. The Gospel we preach is like the Melchizedec
priesthood—without beginning of days or end of years.

Vol. 13,  p.19
There is something pleasant in this. I do not want uncertainty [p.19]
about my eternal welfare; I do not want to dream away my existence and
be governed by somebody's ipse dixit in regard to the future; I do not
want to pay a man a few dollars to take care of my soul; I beg the
privilege of doing that myself with the assistance of my brethren in
the priesthood.

Vol. 13,  p.19
Why, these Christians, so called, cannot trust their God in anything.
To show the difference in the workings of their systems and ours I
will refer briefly to my early experience amongst them. When young I
used to attend their missionary meetings. Their preachers would get up
and tell about the dreadful state of the heathen, and in order that
they might be converted, the members of the various religious bodies
used to subscribe thousands and thousands of pounds to send them
abroad and support them while there. I have known them make
mathematical calculations about how many souls a missionary might
convert, and what it would cost to support him during the time he was
doing it; and then they would say if they could have the amounts
collected for missionary purposes duplicated, triplicated, or
increased a thousand times, there might be so many more heathen
converted. Those men would not go out as the apostles did—without
purse or scrip. Jesus commanded them to go so in order to try the
world. And when Joseph Smith sent out his apostles and disciples he
said, Go without purse or scrip. I have travelled thousands and
hundreds of thousands of miles that way; and many of my brethren have
done the same thing. Have we lacked anything necessary? No, never. The
Gospel of Jesus Christ always took good care of me, and to-day I would
rather trust in God under such circumstances than in any of the
princes of the earth. This is the way our religion has spread, and it
has progressed because God has been with and blessed the labours of
His servants; and peace, harmony, and union prevail in our midst. Many
have got angry with us, but that is nothing new; the wicked have
always shown anger when the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been upon the
earth.

Vol. 13,  p.19
Many have tried to stay the progress of the work of God, but it has
continued to roll on in spite of all the opposition with which it has
had to contend. The prophet saw a little stone cut out of the mountain
without hands, and it continued to roll and smote the feet of the
image made of clay, brass, silver, gold, and iron, and it became as
the chaff of the summer threshing floor; but the little stone grew and
increased until it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Vol. 13,  p.19
It will be so with this stone which God has hewn out in these last
days; and though men may combine to stay its progress and may set
themselves in array against the Lord and His anointed, yet He will
come out of His hiding place and will vex such people and nations, and
He will overturn and overturn until Truth shall prevail the wide world
over, and until His kingdom shall reach from the rivers to the ends of
the earth; until all men shall bow to the sceptre of Immanuel; until
the wicked shall be rooted from the earth, and His kingdom shall be
established and given to His Saints to possess for ever and ever.

Vol. 13,  p.20
May God help us to be faithful in the name of Jesus. Amen.[p.20] 

George A. Smith, April 6, 1869

Contributions for Emigrating the Saints—Word of Wisdom

Remarks By President George A. Smith, Delivered in the 
New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 6, 1869.

(Reported by David W. Evans)

Vol. 13,  p.20
I am glad, my brethren and sisters, of meeting with you again in
General Conference. Our Conferences form a peculiar feature in our
history, and the people in all parts of the Territory look forward to
these occasions with far more than ordinary interest, and make
calculations to participate therein.

Vol. 13,  p.20
the past six months have been a period of remarkable interest. There
has been a marked advancement in the progress of the work of the Lord
and a great increase and improvement in the knowledge, sentiments, and
feelings of the Saints since our last Conference, perhaps more so than
in the same space of time at any period in the history of the Church
since its organization. The Saints are becoming more united in their
business relations, and in all their associations for the purpose of
accomplishing the work that is before them, and if the old adage,
"Union is strength," be true, we are certainly growing stronger.

Vol. 13,  p.20
The teachings during this Conference will, as a matter of course, have
a tendency to increase this union, to enlarge the understandings and
judgments of the Saints, and to banish certain antiquated ideas which,
more or less, have been woven into our being, and have formed part of
our existence, enable us to free ourselves from the shackles of
tradition and ignorance and to move forward more effectually in the
discharge of those duties devolving upon us in connection with the
great and glorious work which God has entrusted to our charge. It will
also be necessary for us to take into consideration tire different
points pertaining to the progress of that work.

Vol. 13,  p.20
It was a saying of Joseph Smith, that he taught the people correct
principles and they governed themselves. A feeling has been engendered
and sent abroad that the Latter-day Saints are subject to bondage; but
instead of this being so, they are controlled wholly on the principle
to which I have just referred, as having been enunciated by
Joseph—they are taught correct principles and then govern themselves.
When the elders of Israel have succeeded in informing the minds of the
Saints in relation to any topic pertaining to the work of God in the
last days, they have accomplished a great work, and that work is
followed by a feeling of willingness and obedience to carry out that
principle on the part of the great mass of the Saints.

Vol. 13,  p.20
Last year we made an effort to bring home the Saints froth the Old
World, and a pretty strong emigration was the result. It will be
remembered that when the matter was first agitated, it seemed as if
there was but a small amount of means to be obtained. Many of the
brethren in the wards felt that they could do but little, but they
went to work and [p.21] brought home some five thousand Saints. This
same work is still before us, and appeals to our sympathy, and we
still have occasion to call the attention of each other to the
importance of the work of bringing home to Zion our brethren and
sisters in foreign lands who are deprived of the privileges that we
enjoy because of their inability to gather. An appeal is to be made
from this Conference to the Saints generally throughout the Territory,
to contribute again of their substance to bring home the Saints from
foreign lands.

Vol. 13,  p.21
The facilities for gathering the Saints are far greater than they have
been heretofore. We wish to say to any of those who are already
gathered, who may be indebted to those who are left behind. that they
should remember and discharge their obligations. We also advise the
Saints to write to their friends abroad and inform them how things are
progressing here. I am aware that when the people land here there are
many inconveniences with which they have to contend, and they have to
struggle for a time before they can again make a start in the world;
but they should not, on that account, forget the brethren and sisters
they have left behind, and especially those who may have advanced
means to aid them in emigrating. One of our first great duties should
be to square our accounts and to stand honourably with our
fellow-beings.

Vol. 13,  p.21
Although a great advance has been made within the last two years in
the observance of the "'Word of Wisdom," there is yet room to talk on
that subject. We find that the tobacco trade is still very
considerable in this Territory, and we cannot yet lose sight of the
fact that we are compelled to pay a tribute to the Emperor of China
for tea, and to the Emperor of Brazil for coffee; and there are still
men in Israel who do not seem to realize the importance of observing
the "Word of Wisdom." It is, therefore, necessary to preach, teach,
and exhort, and to enforce upon the Saints the importance of its
observance, for it is preparatory to great blessings which God has in
store for the faithful. The elders will instruct us in relation to
these matters as the Spirit of the Lord may dictate.

Vol. 13,  p.21
It has been my privilege this last month to visit most of the branches
in the southern part of the Territory. At a large portion of those
branches I have attended meetings, and have seen many of the brethren
and sisters, and I feel to testify that in all my travels in Zion, I
have not found a better spirit, a more united determination, or a
warmer feeling with regard to the work of the Lord, and to build up
His kingdom, than I found on this visit. I felt thankful to learn that
our brethren in the cotton country were filled with the spirit and
were zealous for the accomplishment of their work, and that they were
progressing very satisfactorily in the accomplishment of their
mission, or at any rate that portion of them who have taken hold of it
with the zeal which becomes men who are honoured with the privilege of
labouring in any department for the building up of Zion. The testimony
of the work of the Lord in the hearts of the Saints is a living and
abiding testimony. While the work is progressing we must be alive to
the fact, and we must not get behind, we must be faithful, live humble
before the Lord, observe His counsels and laws, not; even forgetting
the principles contained in the "Word of Wisdom." If we take this
course the blessings of life and peace will continue to abide with us,
which may God grant in the name of Jesus. Amen.[p.22] 

Daniel H. Wells, April 7, 1869

Co-Operation—Merchandizing and Productive 
Businesses—Doing the Lord's Will

Remarks By President D. H. Wells, Delivered in the 
New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 7, 1869.

(Reported by David W. Evans)

Vol. 13,  p.22
After our usual custom we have met in a general council of the church
to receive instruction in those things which are necessary for the
government and well-being of the people, and to be instructed in that
which is calculated to promote our best interests. At our Conferences
a general interchange of thought and feeling in the midst of Israel
takes place. At these meetings we receive great blessings; rich
treasures of knowledge and understanding are opened up, and made known
to the people throughout the valleys of the mountains. We come here to
be instructed; we gather from the nations of the earth that we may be
taught in the ways of the Lord and that we may learn to walk in His
paths.

Vol. 13,  p.22
We can see a glorious future before us; we can dwell upon the words of
the holy prophets and picture to ourselves great things in time to
come concerning the beauty and glory of Zion, when she shall be built
up. We can talk of exaltations in the Kingdom of God, of thrones,
dominions principalities, and powers, but how are we going to attain
to these things? It seems as though, when we receive the Gospel and
our hearts are lit up with the spirit of truth, we expect, without any
particular effort on our part, at some time in the future, to attain
to these great excellencies and glories. We are a good deal like
children. We tell them of reading and writing, but they will never be
able to do either, unless they take the trouble to learn. We often
hear it said that if we wish to have a heaven we shall have to create
it for ourselves. There is considerable truth in this. In the days of
Joseph could he have accomplished with this people what can now be
accomplished in the days of Brigham? No; it would have been
impossible. I remember hearing him talk, and seeing his endeavours to
establish merchandizing on a similar footing to that which has been
recently introduced among the Saints; but there were difficulties in
the way.

Vol. 13,  p.22
In those days there was a tendency of feeling that each should share
alike in everything, so much so that it was impossible for any man to
do business in the mercantile line. A good brother who was needy would
think it was selfish if he could not go to a store and get what he
wanted without paying the money for it. It was a good deal so when we
first came here. Let a brother commence the mercantile business, and
the first thing he knew his whole capital stock was credited out to
the brethren. He could not refuse to credit a brother. O, no! if he
did it was said at once that he was selfish and was no friend to the
poor. I have never seen the time when cooperation could have been
established [p.23] in the midst of the people until the present. Some
will doubtless find fault with it now; but we do not expect to be
clear of fault-finders. We have to be instructed; and the Lord has
been merciful and kind. He has sought all the day long to train us in
the way we should go. We never can learn the principles pertaining to
the building up of the Kingdom of God while scattered abroad; hence,
the necessity of gathering together that we may be instructed in the
ways of the Lord.

Vol. 13,  p.23
There is a great tendency among the people to go into the business of
trading, and to shun the more laborious pursuits and avocations of
life. A great many seem to think that trading or merchandizing is more
genteel, and that it is more gentlemanly not to learn some profitable
trade or business. A considerable number who have been engaged in
mercantile pursuits, owing to this change in our system of business,
will no doubt be thrown out of employment; they will have to seek
other avocations. Some persons who possess capital will have to seek
other avenues in which to invest that capital. In a new country like
this there is a variety of ways open to them for its safe and
profitable investment.

Vol. 13,  p.23
A man may invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods and put
them on his shelves, and in his warehouses, and dispose of them again
to other parties; but what does such a man produce or create with his
means that is beneficial to his fallow creatures? Nothing; it is
merely an interchange. It is useful and necessary in its way and
place, and it is all well enough; but sufficient should be dane and no
more than sufficient. Trading is overdone; there are too many employed
in this kind of business; they should seek employment in some other
way, and find other channels for investing their capital that are
better calculated to produce something from the earth, and bring forth
from the elements that which is necessary for the comfort and
well-being of man and beast. Just think how many things could be
raised and manufactured here, that, if we had them to-day, would fetch
very remunerative prices. Butter, for instance, that at the present
time is selling for a dollar and a quarter a pound, in a country like
this should not bring more than twenty-five cents. Cheese the same.
These two articles are imported twelve or fifteen hundred miles, and
then the Territory is not near supplied. Wool and flax, too, might be
raised profitably; not near enough of these is raised; and in these
articles our surplus means might be safely and profitably invested.
There is not near enough grain raised in the Territory. Wheat is
selling to-day at four dollars a bushel, when it should not be more
than half that price, and even then would well remunerate the
producer. It is so with every other article of our own consumption and
that is required for the sustenance of our animals; and the same may
be said of the animals themselves. Stock raising offers a profitable
avenue for the investment of means. Here are many avenues in which
they, who have been overturned in their mercantile pursuits, can
invest their means, which will pay larger profits, and which are far
less liable to fluctuation, because mercantile pursuits are often
subject to great depression through being overdone, or through
scarcity of money and other causes. If a person has a farm his produce
will keep until he can obtain remunerative prior, and he is more free
and independent than the merchant; for the earth being his banker, he
is not called upon to meet his bills and [p.24] obligations by any
particular and specified time, as the merchant is. By turning our
attention in these directions our capital may be safely and profitably
invested, and many who are now but little better than idlers in Israel
might be remuneratively employed.

Vol. 13,  p.24
I should say let every young man, and woman too, learn some way to
procure their own subsistence, and to promote their own independence;
this is incumbent upon all. No person should be above learning some
useful occupation, trade, or business that is calculated to produce
something for his own and the general benefit. Hundreds and thousands
of articles are imported here that might just as well be made in our
midst, and if they were made here it would render us, as a people, a
great deal more independent and comfortable than we are now. That man
only is truly rich who knows how to provide for himself and his
household. I do not care how much means he has in his possession, he
only is independent who has the means of subsistence within himself,
who has the capability of going forth, and, by his own industry,
drawing from the elements those things which are necessary for his own
subsistence.

Vol. 13,  p.24
I remember reading an anecdote of Stephen Girard and of a young man he
had had in his employment a long time, who had received some
encouragement, and had large expectations from him, that when he had
attained his majority he would set him up in business. When that time
arrived, instead of giving the young man a draft for a certain amount
of money, he told him to go and serve an apprenticeship to some useful
trade, by which, in case of a reverse of fortune, he would be enabled
to earn his own subsistence. The young man went and bound himself to a
cooper and learned that trade. In a year's time he went back to his
patron with a barrel of his own make. The old gentleman examined the
barrel, and asked the price he could afford them at, and was told "a
dollar each." Mr. Girard said it was a good article, and worth the
money, and if he could make as good barrels as that for that price, he
had insured to himself a living in any event that, might happen. For
his obedience in going and learning a trade as the old gentleman had
directed him, he was rewarded with a check for twenty-five thousand
dollars to set him up in business.

Vol. 13,  p.24
In case of any reverse of fortune this man had something to fall back
upon. I have always thought this was a very good principle to act
upon. I would like to see all of our young men learn some useful trade
or occupation which would produce for them an honourable living by
their own industry; and if they acquire this in early life, habits of
industry and order become natural.

Vol. 13,  p.24
By industry we thrive; industry, in the mechanical and agricultural
pursuits, is the foundation of our independence, and they who obtain a
livelihood by habits of industry are far more honourable members of
society than they who live by their wits.

Vol. 13,  p.24
I heard recently of a city that the outsiders are endeavouring to
start, called Corinne, which it is said is to be the great city of the
interior West. Who are going there to expend their labour? Can cities
be built without labour? I think not. I have no idea that a great city
will be built in the location designated, unless a different class of
people go there than is to be found in such places generally. I have
no doubt that the soil is rich, and that by industry the elements
necessary for the building up of a great city could be developed. But
[p.25] any person who expects that a large city is going to be reared
without industry and hard labour reckons without his host. There may
be a rush there, for a short time, of speculators, loafers, and
rowdies; but if these are the only classes of people who go there—as
there is good reason to believe—this great city that is to be, like
others of the same class, will soon die out, and the people be
scattered to some other places.

Vol. 13,  p.25
Can men be industrious and follow the various avocations and pursuits
of life and still be servants of God? Yes, such things are conducive
to good morals. It is said that an idle brain is the workshop of the
devil, and it is far more likely to be so than the brain of a person
who is occupied with some useful employment. Can a person work on the
railroad, for instance, and be associated with the wicked without
being contaminated by them? O yes, if he is so disposed. An elder of
Israel should wrap himself as with a mantle, from sin, whether he goes
to preach the Gospel to a wicked world, or whether he goes to labour
among the wicked. Such a man will lose nothing, but he will gain the
esteem even of the wicked themselves, by being faithful and true to
his calling, keeping the commandments of God, and observing the Word
of Wisdom; and no matter what society he may be in he will be
respected, and will be far more likely to be so for the strict
observance of the principles of the religion he professes than he will
be if he does not observe them. I do not know that it is any excuse
for a man to smoke, chew, drink whisky, take the name of God in vain,
swear, or drink tea or coffee because he mingles with those who do
such things. Do you think your associates would respect you the more
for it? No, not a whit; but they would respect you more for not doing
such things. They would have greater confidence in you, and if they
had money they wished to entrust to the care of any one, they would
sooner entrust it to the care of a man who was faithful to the
principles of his religion than to their associates who get drunk,
gamble, swear, and commit every abomination.

Vol. 13,  p.25
This people have been awakened to a sense of their duty in keeping the
Word of Wisdom, yet many of them think it a sufficient excuse for them
to use hot drinks, if they happen to be where others use them; in this
way they are falling back to the use of tobacco, and are smoking their
pipes or cigars, and are drinking tea and coffee or a little whisky
now and again, and are letting those old habits grow on them again.
This is wrong; they should not do it. I mention this in order to stir
up your pure minds by way of remembrance. We should not forget that we
have entered into covenant not to do so. Latter-day Saints should
remember that there is not a day, hour, or moment in which they can
afford to lay aside the armour of righteousness; there is no time but
what the adversary is at their elbows ready to enter in, take hold,
and lead them into forbidden paths. It is and ever has been a struggle
with this people to trample the wickedness of the world under their
feet. It rises before us continually and we are never without it. We
do not expect to be without it in our midst if this is the kingdom of
God. I suppose Jesus had as good an idea of what constituted the
kingdom of God as any of us, and he said it was like a net cast into
the sea which brought forth all kinds both good and bad; therefore let
no one say this cannot be the kingdom of God because there are some
who are not righteous in our midst. Because [p.26] the wicked and
unrighteous are in the world, must we be partakers of their
wickedness? By no means; it is not at all necessary that it should be
so. Let us endeavour to eradicate from our own bosoms all sin. It is
not a matter of enthusiasm, to last for an hour, a day or a week and
then die out; it is in this way that people forget God and do
wickedly. You know that the Scriptures inform us that they who do
wickedly, and all the nations who forget God, shall be turned into
hell. The paths of virtue and truth are the paths of peace. The paths
of union, that the leaders of this people are striving incessantly to
introduce among us, are calculated to create excellence, greatness and
power in our midst. By pursuing these paths we shall grow in every
virtue and excellence until we shall attain to those great glories
that are for the faithful, about which we sing and pray, and the
contemplation of which always lights up our minds with so much joy and
bliss. By faithfully observing the counsels given to us we shall
actually come into possession of these things as naturally as a child,
by constant instruction, comes to attainments in learning. It will be
done by gaining item by item, by living our holy religion day by day,
hour by hour, and all the time.

Vol. 13,  p.26
Blessed is that person, man and woman, who can retain, from youth up,
a good, holy and righteous influence; who have never committed an
overt act, preserving themselves righteously before the Lord in all
good faith and conscience all the days of their lives. I say blessed
are such persons. Persons are liable to be overtaken in liquor; but in
Zion we should be free from these practices to a far greater extent
than in the world. It is to overcame the evils that exist in the world
that the Lord is gathering His Saints together. Why, if every man and
woman who gathers to Zion were determined to follow their own ways,
the state of things that exists in the world would soon be established
here, and the object of the Lord, in gathering His people together,
would be frustrated. Yet there are many people here who cannot see
this; and they feel themselves infringed upon. Why, such persons are
greater than the Saviour of the world in their own estimation! He came
here to do his Father's will, and in his greatest agony he prayed that
the cup might be taken from him, if it wore possible, "Nethertheless,"
he said, "not my will, but Thine be done." His own will was swallowed
up in the will of his Father; and yet we, poor, miserable mortals can
stick up our noses and say, "We will do as we please," if anything is
brought forth by the inspiration of the Almighty that seems to cut our
corners. Are we a band of brethren, standing shoulder to shoulder
under the banner of Emanuel --him who said, "Let not my will, but,
Thine be done?" If we are, we shall walk in the path marked out for us
by the Captain of our salvation. "Oh? says one, "I think I understand,
comprehend, and know better than any one else; I am not going to do as
such a one tells me--my Bishop, President, or some one else in
authority over me; he does not know as much as I do." Perhaps not, the
sequel will show who know most.

Vol. 13,  p.26
If we have a proper conception of the counsels given to us, we shall
never utter such sentiments, or let them have place in our hearts. It
is difficult sometimes to get into our ears and hearts what is
required of us, hence the amount of instruction that has to be given
to the people. It was years and  years before we got [p.27] the people
to take hold of the Word of Wisdom. There have been such things as
reformations in the midst of the people of God, I suppose because of
the proneness of the people to relapse into the ways of the world.
Hence, it becomes necessary every once in a while to arouse Israel to
a sense of their duties, that they may sustain the Kingdom of God.

Vol. 13,  p.27
There are a great many people who cannot see the Kingdom of God,
although the events, long since foretold, which should transpire in
connexion with that Kingdom are actually transpiring before their
eyes. The people of the world are blind, they cannot see the Kingdom;
and a great many Saints, and pretty good at that, who should see the
Kingdom of Heaven in the introduction of a new principle, oftentimes
fail to do so. Is the Word of Wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes. Is
co-operation of the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes. Is union in the midst of
this people of the Kingdom of Heaven? Yes. Is the one-man power, with
which the world find so much fault, and talk about so much, of the
Kingdom of Heaven? Yes, if God is our Father and is at the head of it,
it is. Then why should there be so much dread and fear of the Lord
establishing His government in the world? Did it ever do anybody any
harm? O, no. Did it ever do anybody any good, or is it calculated in
its nature to do anybody any good? Yes, the greatest good. Then why so
much dread and fear of it? Because the people cannot see the Kingdom
of God in it. But is it not very far from them; God is not very far
from them, nor from any of us, and His work is established and is
transpiring right before our face and eyes. The government of God is
being established on the earth, and the world does not know it; yet it
is like a city set on a hill for everybody to gaze upon and
investigate. Yet they treat it as if it were of no moment to them.
Time will show that it is of the utmost importance to them. Let no
person pass it by as an idle tale, for time will disclose that it is
of the utmost importance to every son and daughter of Adam. They had
better, at least, give it a passing notice and investigate it with
honesty of purpose. Our hopes for the present and future, our
happiness and prosperity, and even existence itself, are bound up in
the Kingdom and government of God. What else is there now upon the
face of the earth but what has a tendency to destruction? Look at the
stream of vice and corruption that is flowing on, bearing its votaries
to the gulf of despair. Who can stem the torrent? People can see it,
but can they stop it? No, it bears them along on its surface, and they
are lost for ever. Is it not time that some standard should be erected
on the earth, around which those who are disposed to do right, may
rally, where they will be safe from this great gulf-stream of
destruction? I think it is time, because the Lord has thought so, and
He has commenced His work; He has erected His standard, and is calling
to the people and pointing the way to safety. Not that He or any one
else expects this stream to be checked or stopped in its mad career;
it will bear its onward course until, finally, it finds its depths.
But we may save one here and another there, and so the Lord may get to
Himself a people. It is like being snatched as brands from the
burning. He will bring them to a place where they can be instructed.
This has been the case with us. The Lord has brought us together and
He is seeking to instruct us, that we and our children after us may
escape those great evils which are so prevalent in[p.28] the world. I
need not mention them, they are patent to the eyes of all. The people
have forgotten God; they do not not know His ways, although there are
many well-intentioned people who are seeking to do their duty and are
living in the hope of a blessed reward hereafter. They will obtain it.
They are trying to stem the torrent of evil as far as it is in their
power; but they do not know "the only true and wise God and Jesus
Christ whom He has sent," "whom to know is eternal life;" and another
evil is, they do not try to know Him, or they would investigate and
try to find out God and His Kingdom.

Vol. 13,  p.28
The Lord is not responsible for all the evil of which I have been
speaking, neither for all the diversities of religion in the world. He
created man upright, but man has sought out many inventions. If the
people would seek after the Lord and be content to walk in His ways,
do you think the diversities in regard to religion that now exist
would be known? By no means; we should all come, then, to a unity of
the faith.

Vol. 13,  p.28
The Latter-day Saints have great cause to rejoice, because they are
blessed above all other people. They are learning the ways of the
Lord; and more blessed are they still, if they follow in them. They
are laying a foundation that will stand for ever. There is no
principle of virtue, truth, holiness and righteousness but what is
calculated to exalt man in time and for ever and ever. Those who build
not on these principles are building on sand, and their superstructure
will be washed away when the tempest comes; while they who build on
the rock of truth will be able to withstand all opposition, and they
will eventually obtain that glory and exaltation that the Saints now
talk about.

Vol. 13,  p.28
These principles are true and can be depended upon. God is their
author; He is at the helm. He is our Father and we may come to
exaltation in His presence if we will live for it; and in this earthly
probation we can be co-workers with Him in the establishment of His
kingdom on the earth if we will serve Him and keep His commandments.
We may come to Him on His own platform, on His own terms, but not on
our own. That is the trouble with Christendom, and the world at large.
They are trying to make the Lord's ways correspond with theirs. Why,
they would tear Him to pieces if they could have their wishes carried
out; they would dethrone Jehovah and overturn His power and kingdom.
Could He exist if the world could have their own way? A great many
called Latter-day Saints feel a little the same way; perhaps they do
not know it, but it amounts to no less. I have known people come for
counsel when they bad their own minds made up about the course they
intended to pursue. All they wanted was to receive counsel that
corresponded with their notions. If they received that, all right;
otherwise it would not do. All the world is after is to try to make
the Lord come to their terms; He cannot do it.

Vol. 13,  p.28
It would be well for as, sometimes, if we could see a few of our own
in. consistencies, and what we require of the Lord. the plan of
salvation is amply sufficient to save to the uttermost. How? In our
own way? No, in the way that the Lord has devised. If we are saved in
His Kingdom we shall have to bow to His laws; we cannot be saved
without. He has a right to dictate; He has done so, and it is for us
to do His bidding.

Vol. 13,  p.28
We are blessed in having the living oracles in our midst, and in
having a standard erected around which we [p.29] can rally. The Bible
is good, and we believe in it more than any other people. The Book of
Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants are the word of God, and
they contain many precious gems; every line is full of knowledge,
intelligence, and truth, and is calculated to be a benefit to us; but
yet, above and far beyond all, we have the living oracles in our midst
to tell us what to do to-day. A great portion of the Scripture we have
was the living oracles to the people in the day in which it was given,
and it has become Scripture because it was given by the inspiration of
the Almighty. It was applicable to the day in which it was given. We
have the living oracles in our midst to give us that which is
applicable to our day. Let us make our ways correspond to the Lord's,
for we read that "as high as the heavens are above the earth so are
His ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts." We
are blessed in having His ways made known to us, because He knows
best. He has more knowledge and understanding and greater ability, and
can perform and accomplish more than any other power that exists; and
that people only may be said to be blessed who walk in His ways and do
His bidding.

Vol. 13,  p.29
I feel sometimes as though I had never lived, in reality, until I
became acquainted with the principles of the Gospel; I feel as though
my whole existence had been a waste, In one sense it has. I did not
know how to serve God acceptably in His sight. I did not comprehend
righteousness, neither did I know how to sanctify myself before Him.
We are taught that obedience is better than sacrifice, therefore let
us go to, brethren and sisters, with our heights to serve God and keep
His commandments, so shall we come, finally, to inherit those
blessings which are promised to the faithful, which I pray we may
ultimately attain for Christ's sake, Amen.

Brigham Young, April 8, 1869

Gathering the Saints—Continuous Faithfulness—
Women and Fashions

Remarks By President Brigham Young, Delivered in the 
New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 8, 1869.

(Reported by David W. Evans)

Vol. 13,  p.29
I understand that many of the brethren and sisters in the old country
lent money to their friends now here to assist them to emigrate; quite
a number of letters have been sent, stating that those friends
covenanted before leaving that they would repay that means with the
first money they earned after arriving here, and that they would also
send more than they had borrowed, in order to assist those who had
previously assisted them.[p.30] A number of our elders who have been
from here on missions to England and other countries, have been in the
habit of borrowing money, or of getting it in some way. Some of these
elders, when asked to refund what they had borrowed, have said, "We
did not borrow it, it was a gift to as." I wish to say to such elders,
return the money with interest. If it was a gift, return the gift,
that it may go back and help many instead of one.

Vol. 13,  p.30
I do not wish to spend much time on this subject, I wish to give
instruction, and to tell you my mind with regard to those elders who
have borrowed money from the Saints in Europe. They may pretend to say
that it was given to them to excuse themselves for not repaying it,
but if they do not refund it, they are unworthy of the fellowship of
the Saints, and I ask their bishops to cut every one of them from the
Church, without favour or affection. If the bishops do this, they will
be doing their duty. Disfellowship them, they are not worthy of a
standing in the Church and Kingdom of God.

Vol. 13,  p.30
I wish to ask my brethren, the elders of Israel, to give liberally to
help home our brethren and sisters who are now in bondage in the old
countries. We have not said anything to the people for a long time
with regard to donations. A year ago last fall we commenced a
subscription to bring home the Saints. By the following February the
amount reached, I think, some nine thousand dollars. Our agent left
here about the 27th of February, and about ten days before he started
we gave notice that he was going, and between that time and the time
he left, the nine thousand had swelled to about thirty thousand; and
in the course of three months from then the amount had increased to
seventy-six or seventyseven thousand dollars. With this amount a great
many were helped here who could only rinse part means, some were
brought all the way. The brethren and sisters continued to give
through the summer, and if I recollect rightly, we have now over
thirty thousand dollars in money to help home the poor. Most of this
has been sent to Liverpool, but we have some in this city. Now we wish
the charity of the brethren and sisters to be extended to bring horne
the poor Saints, and perhaps it would be as well for me to commence
the list. I will say to our clerk he may put down two thousand dollars
for Brother Brigham; also one thousand for William H. Hooper, our
delegate in Congress, who told me before he went away that he would
give another thousand. Now we are ready to receive your thousands or
your hundreds, and we will not refuse a five-dollar bill. We got a
great many of them from the sisters last fall, more than the people
would imagine; if the list were read of the sisters who put in five
dollars, ten dollars, and some twenty-five, it would astonish you.
This is a short sermon on this subject. The brethren here from the
settlements throughout the Territory can carry it home, and it will
become generally known.

Vol. 13,  p.30
I have thought of proposing certain conditions in relation to those
who are helped here from abroad; but whether it would be prudent and
consistent to do so, I leave the Latter-day Saints to judge. The
cogitations of my mind on the subject of bringing home the Saints are
somewhat strict. I have thought it would be as well, before helping
the poor to emigrate, to have them covenant that after arriving here
they would be Saints in every sense of the word. Now, to
particularize, I will say that we gather a family here, consisting
[p.31] of father, mother, four, eight, or twelve children, as the case
may be. They are Latter-day Saints; they wish to gather to Zion and to
enjoy all the blessings of Zion; they are anxiously waiting for every
gift and blessing God has in store for the faithful, and to be
numbered with the Church of the Firstborn; but when they reach here,
if we go into their houses, we shall very often find, if they have the
means to do it, that they will perfectly soak their systems with tea
and coffee, and are perhaps chewing tobacco and doing a little
tippling, a little swearing, and so on. This is the way with some who
were gathered last year. Now, whether it is better to leave such
people to die in the faith in their native lands, or to bring them
here to apostatize and deny their Lord and Master, is a question. I
think, if I had the knowledge and the power, I would never gather
another member of the Church who would apostatize; but I have not this
knowledge. I cannot say to a man, you stop and let your family come to
Zion. I cannot say to a woman, you stop where you are, you are in the
faith now, but if you gather you will apostatize; but your husband and
family can gather, they will stick to the faith. I cannot say this, I
have not the power, and hence we see many after they arrive here turn
away from the holy commandments. I do not know but what it would be
perfectly reasonable to make every man and woman, before leaving their
native lands, covenant before God to observe the Word of Wisdom, let
liquor alone, use no language unbecoming a Saint, and, in a word, live
their religion after arriving here. Whether it would be reasonable and
consistent to lay such injunctions on the people before assisting them
to gather I do not know. If we were to say to them, before leaving
their homes, "Now if we gather you home, will you live your religion?"
they would jump up, clap their hands together, shout "hallelujah," and
say, "Yes, we will do anything you require if you will only gather us
to Zion."

Vol. 13,  p.31
Do you not see that I am perfectly tied up? and so are all the elders
of Israel in this respect. We may lay all these injunctions on the
Saints, and some would break them all. All these things are turned
over in my mind, and I look at every side of the question, sound every
principle and behold the people as they are. Well, what is to be done?
I do not know any better way, perhaps, than to gather the Saints and
try to sanctify them after they are gathered together, for when they
are baptized they virtually covenant to observe all these rules. When
we see the course that the Saints, or those professing to be such,
have taken in feeding, clothing and making our enemies rich here in
our midst, it makes me feel that it is time to cease gathering those
who will not be Saints indeed. I know, as well as I know that I am a
living being, that there is not one professing to be a Latter-day
Saint, who has the spirit of his calling, who would not cease this
course as quick as he would draw his hands out of the fire, if he
thoroughly knew and understood that it tends to the overthrow of the
Kingdom of God; and the fact that he helped to sustain the enemies of
the Kingdom of God must be attributed to his ignorance. The people
have eyes, but they see not; they have hearts, but they do not
understand. I will ensure that there are scores, and perhaps hundreds,
looking at me while I am speaking, who think, "Brother Brigham, you
are a fool; we have as good a right to trade with one man as another;
and we will go to what store we [p.32] please, and do what we please
with our means, and we will trade with those who will do the best by
us." Yet there are hundreds who, and in fact the most of the people,
understand the folly of this course, as the experience of the past six
months has proved. During that period we have done wonders in guiding
the minds and the movements of the Latter-day Saints. Still there are
some who seem to have no understanding. I will venture to say they are
the foolish virgins. I was going to say they are like the foolish
virgins; but they are the foolish virgins, and by and by they will
find they have no oil in their vessels, and nothing to prepare them to
go and meet the bridegroom, and they will be found wanting. But so it
is, and we must cultivate the wheat with the tares; the sheep and the
goats have to run together. Here I am thinking of exacting a covenant
from men and women before they are gathered, that they will be Saints
indeed afterwards; but while I have such feelings the question stares
me in the face, how do you know whether they will be or not? You see
men and women here who have been in the Church thirty years, and the
most trifling, frivolous, foolish little circumstance imaginable will
throw them off the track, and they will go to the devil. It is
astonishing, it is marvellous! When I think of these things it recalls
a saying that I have sometimes made, that I do my swearing in the
pulpit, for they make me think that we have those in our midst who
profess to be Latter-day Saints, but who are damned fools. You may say
that is swearing; but they are damned, and the wrath of God is upon
them, just as much as it was in the days of the old apostles. Men and
women would take a very different course if they could see and
understand things as they are. But I will take back the expression "if
they could see and understand." I say they can see and understand, if
they have a mind to cast out of their hearts the love of the world,
the love of riches, and the little frivolous traits of character they
so often manifest. The love of fashion, for instance, which darkens,
beclouds, and casts a shade over the spirits of our sisters. They
cannot have this, and they do not like that, and the next thing anger
creeps into their hearts and they feel revengeful, and "I wish I could
do somebody an injury; I wish I could come up with my husband; I wish
I could do something or other to mar his peace, inasmuch as mine is
marred, because I cannot follow somebody else's fashion." Such little,
trifling, contemptible, frivolous, things cast a dark shade over their
feelings, and the first thing they know they give way to a revengeful,
vindictive, wicked spirit, which leads them to destruction.

Vol. 13,  p.32
Now, I will go back again to my text—whether we should exact the
injunctions I have named of the Saints before gathering, or whether we
should not? I leave it to the people, for I do not care much about it,
for the simple reason that I do not know enough to decide, and yet I
know as much as anybody else. I might pick up this man and that woman,
and this family and that family, and leave others because I might not
think them worthy, when those who are left behind would probably stick
to the faith, while those who are gathered might apostatize. I do not
know how to do any better than we are doing, unless the Lord reveals
it. I will say to the brethren and sisters, we are ready to receive
your donations. Open your hearts and your purse strings. I leave this
matter now for your action. 

Vol. 13,  p.34
I spoke a little here yesterday and [p.33] the day before; but I have
not really said what I wish, and whether I shall be able to answer my
own feelings with regard to our success in our cooperative system of
merchandising I do not know. I want to say to the Latter-day Saints we
have wrought wonders. It was observed here by one of the brethren that
to guide the minds of the people and to govern and control them is a
greater miracle than to raise the dead. That is very true. The Lord
Almighty could resuscitate a corpse lying before us a thousand times
easier than He could control the congregation in this house. He has
the material on hand, and He knows every process, and He could give
life to a lifeless being, with ease, by the elements lie would operate
upon and with. This is a great miracle in our estimation; but it would
be no miracle at all to the Lord, because He knows precisely how to do
it. There is no miracle to any being in the heavens or on the earth,
only to the ignorant. To a man who understands the philosophy of all
the phenomena that transpire, there is no such thing as a miracle. A
great many think there are results without causes; there is no such
thing in existence; there is a cause for every result that ever was or
ever will be, and they are all in the providences and in the work of
the Lord. It would be no particular miracle for the Lord to
resuscitate a person whose breath had left the body. By bringing the
elements to bear on the system, He could make that system breathe
again and live, but to control this people can only be done by
persuasion. We have the privilege of choosing, refusing, acting,
rising up, sitting down, doing this or not doing; we are just as
independent in our sphere as the Gods are in theirs, and our agency is
our own, and we can do as we please. We can govern and control
ourselves, and when we do this by the law of truth it produces life
within us and leads to eternal life; but when we take the opposite
course and yield to principles that tend downward the result is death
and destruction. Now I will make the application, that you and I have
done just as we please. We have traded with whom we please. We shall
do so as far as we can. We cannot all do just as we please, because a
great many times we want to and cannot, and that is what produces
misery, which is called hell. We have done as we please with regard to
trading. We requested the people last Conference in this room to cease
trading with their enemies. Do you see the effects of this? Yes, they
are apparent to every inhabitant of this Territory; they are apparent
to the passer-by, to the transient person and to the world; and the
commercial world has said, "This is the first thing we have ever seen
in the character of you Latter-day Saints, that manifested that you
knew enough to take care of yourselves." It tells also upon our
enemies. Suppose we had not checked this trading with outsiders, and
had not turned the stream into another channel, you would have seen,
perhaps, one hundred merchants in this city now more than last year.
They would have brought their clerks and friends and a great number
who would have operated against us. Not but what there are many here
now, and have been, who have been very gentlemanly and kind; but where
is their friendship? Is there a man who does not belong to this church
who would not vote for a man out of the church for mayor of the city,
and for men who do not belong to the church for aldermen and
councillors? No, there is not one amongst them but what would do this.
And what would they not do? They would not do right and [p.34]
righteously, that is what they would not do. But anything on the face
of this earth to remove power and influence from the Latter-day
Saints, and to remove them from their homes, many of them would do. We
have been able to check this, and it is for our advantage. Many of us
have suffered the loss of all things several times. I have been broken
up five times and left a handsome property, and have taken the
spoiling of my goods just as patiently as I could. I do not want to
see these things enacted again. I know how to avert them. If the
people will hearken to the counsel which God gives through His
servants, they will never experience any such thing again; but if they
will not, they will, perhaps, suffer just as they have heretofore—the
good with the bad, the righteous through the evil deeds of those who
profess to be righteous and are not; the simple, the honest and the
good will have to suffer with the hypocrite and the wicked. I am
thankful to God that the ears of the Latter-day Saints have been open
to hear and their hearts open to receive and act upon good counsel as
far as they have been.

Vol. 13,  p.34
The sisters in our Female Relief Societies have done great good. Can
you tell the amount of good that the mothers and daughters in Israel
are capable of doing? No, it is impossible. And the good they do will
follow them to all eternity. If we get the sisters on our side with
regard to trading in stores, with regard to donations, or with regard
to improvement, we have gained all that we can ask. What do men care
about fashion? You will not find one man in a thousand that cares
anything about it. Men have their business before them, and their care
and attention is occupied with that. You will find that the farmer,
the blacksmith, the carpenter and even the merchant, were it not that
he is compelled to appear decently in society, care nothing about
fashion. They want the dollars and the dimes. The lawyer cares nothing
about fashion, only to gain the feelings of the people and have
influence over them, that he can bring them one against another, so
that he may get their dimes; that is all he cares about fashion. The
doctor cares nothing about fashion. If he can make the people believe
that he knows it all, and that they know nothing, he would as soon
wear a hat with a brim six inches wide, and the crown an inch and a
half high, as he would wear one with the crown six inches high and the
brim an inch and a half wide. He cares no more for fashion than that,
if he can only get the purses of the people, that is all he cares for.
I speak now in general terms, for there are exceptions in every class.
It is the ladies who care for fashion. They are looking continually to
see how this and that lady are dressed. But if we can enlist their
feelings and interests in business matters, then victory is sure. The
mothers and daughters in Israel have better judgment, and they do know
more than females in the world. They do understand the true principles
of comfort, and how to adorn their persons so that they may present an
attractive appearance to their husbands, families, friends and
neighbours; and if we can make them believe this, I reckon that, by
and by, they will begin and make fashions to suit themselves, and will
not be under the necessity of sending to Paris or to the East to find
out the fashions or to find out whether they shall make their Grecian
bends one-half, two-thirds or one-third as large as in New York; or
whether they shall cut a frock so as to show their garters every step
or to drag yards on the ground behind them. I think [p.35] that, after
a while, they will consider that they know a little of something as
well as other people, and if we can enlist their sympathies and
judgments, tastes and abilities with regard to trading, fashion, etc.,
the battle is won.

Vol. 13,  p.35
The sisters have already done much good, and I wish them to continue
and go ahead. Have a Female Relief Society in every ward in the
mountains; and have a Co-operative store in every ward, and let the
people do their own trading. There are some of the brethren around who
have asked me whether they shall trade at the Parent Store or whether
they shall send East for their goods. They cannot see and understand
things; after a while they will. You take the Lehi Co-operative Store,
for instance: Bishop Evans started it there last summer. Suppose he
had sent East for his goods in July; if he had had the same luck that
others have had, they would have been landed about this time, and some
of them by and by, and when they had been operating three months what
would they have made? Nothing. But they came down here and bought
their goods and took them home, only a thirty miles' drive, and put
them on the shelves, and they were soon bought up. They sent to Salt
Lake City about once a week to replenish their store, and when five
months had passed away they struck a balance sheet and every man that
had put in twenty-five dollars—the amount of a share—had, in addition
to that amount, a little over twenty-eight dollars to his credit. Have
any of our city merchants who have traded from here to New York, made
money like this? Not one, and yet the people here have paid one-third
more for their goods than the people had to pay in the Co-operative
Stores. I understand the brethren in Cache Valley are going to send
East for their goods. Well, send for them, and you will get a little
knowledge; but you will buy it; however bought wit is pretty good, if
you do not pay too dear for it.

Vol. 13,  p.35
Recollect that in trading there is great advantage in turning over
your capital often. Suppose the Cooperative Stores were to send to New
York for their goods, they might turn over their capital once a year;
then instead of making anything they would run under.

Vol. 13,  p.35
I want to impress one thing on the minds of the people, which will be
for their advantage if they will hear it. When you start your
Co-operative Store in a ward, you will find the men of capital
stepping forward, and one says, "I will put in ten thousand dollars;"
another says, "I will put in five thousand." But I say to you,
bishops, do not let these men take five thousand, or one thousand, but
call on the brethren and sisters who are poor and tell them to put in
their five dollars or their twenty-five, and let those who have
capital stand back and give the poor the advantage of this quick
trading. This is what I am after and have been all the time. I have
capital, and have offered some to every ward in the country when I
have had a chance. I would take shares in such institutions. I am not
at all afraid; but nobody would let me take any, except in Provo and
in the wholesale store here. I will say to Bishop Woolley, in the 13th
ward, do not let these men with capital take all the shares, but let
the poor have them. I say the same to the 14th ward and to every ward
in the city; and you bishops, tell the man who has five thousand or
two thousand to put in, to stand back, he cannot have it. If your
capital is doubled every three months, it would make him rich too
fast, and he cannot have the [p.36] privilege; we want the poor
brethren and sisters to have the advantage of it. Do you understand
this, bishops and people?

Vol. 13,  p.36
The capitalists may say, "What are we to do with our means?" Go and
build factories and have one, two, or three thousand spindles going.
Send for fifty, a hundred, or a thousand sheep and raise wool. Some of
you go to raising flax and build a factory to manufacture it, and do
not take every advantage and pocket every dollar that is to be made.
You are rich, and I want to turn the stream so as to do good to the
whole community.

Vol. 13,  p.36
I am delighted every time I hear a company say, "We do not want your
capital, we have plenty." I know what to do with mine. I have been the
means, in the hands of God, of starting every woollen and cotton
factory there is in the Territory, and almost every carding machine.
We are going to build a large factory at Provo. Some say we have not
wool to carry on the business. Yes, we have, and we have plenty of
capital. Suppose we send to the States and buy a hundred thousand or
five hundred thousand pounds of wool; we are as well able to do it as
others; or suppose we send to California or Oregon and buy fifty
thousand pounds of wool, and ship it on the railroad and work it up.
Will the people wear it? Yes, just as quick as we get the women to
tell their husbands to wear home-made instead of broadcloth, they will
do it. I would not even wear out the cloth that has been given to me
were it not that my wives and daughters want me. If they were to say,
"Brother Brigham, wear your home-made, we like to see you in it," I
would give away my broadcloth, but to please the dear creatures I wear
almost anything. Only let us get the sisters into this mind, and
home-made clothing will soon become the fashion throughout the
Territory. I had a present sent me the other day of some home-made
linen for a coat, and I calculate to wear it this summer. I wear my
home-made a great deal, but I have not got it on to-day; if I could
only get my wives to say, "Brother Brigham, your home-made is very
nice, and we should like to see you wear it," I should certainly wear
it.

Vol. 13,  p.36
When the first merchants came here I foresaw all that we have passed
through. I knew the foundation was laid for the destruction of this
people if they were fostered here, and I know so to-day. We have
turned the current, and we are controlling it, and the sisters are
helping us. Now, sisters, if you will continue to help us, and will
trade with none but Latter-day Saints, just hold up your hands. [The
vote was unanimous.] Now, I will tell you why we bother you women,
though I acknowledge that if we did not go to see the women they would
come and see us; but we are so anxious to see you that we follow you
up. But the reason why we are so anxious to have you sisters on our
side in regard to these trading matters, is because we know if you
will only say whom you will trade with and with whom you will not
trade, that we shall follow you.

Vol. 13,  p.36
What I have been saying with regard to these ward co-operative stores
doubling their capital once in three months, is for the encouragement
of the poor, and to induce them to invest their little means and do
something for themselves. Here is the 10th and the 5th and 6th wards,
which are looked upon as the poorest wards in the city, though I
believe the bishop of the 3rd ward feels that his ward is the poorest
in the city; but I will venture to say that [p.37] if these wards will
each establish a store and concentrate their influence, they will
double their capital every three months. I know that the 10th ward,
which started with 700 dollars, three weeks afterwards had a thousand
dollars worth of goods paid for and considerable money in the drawer.
Think of that, in that poor little ward, though I will give it the
praise of being one of the best wards in the city. It has one of the
finest bands of music in the city, and they make one of the best
turn-outs when they exhibit themselves.

Vol. 13,  p.37
I have talked long enough. I will turn again to my starting point. Let
us have your money to bring home the poor Saints. I feel also to urge
upon my brethren and sisters to observe every word that the Lord
speaks. Observe the counsel that leads to life, peace, glory and
happiness, but do not observe that which leads to contention, ruin and
destruction. Amen.

George A. Smith, October 8, 1869

Celestial Marriage—Bishops and Deacons Should 
Be Married—Divorce

Remarks By President George A. Smith, Delivered in the 
New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, October 8, 1869.

(Reported by John Grimshaw)

Vol. 13,  p.37
It is a difficult undertaking to address this immense audience. If a
man commences speaking loud, in a short time his voice gives out;
whereas, if he commence rather low, he may raise his voice by degrees,
and be able to sustain himself in speaking some length of time. But
with children crying, a few persons whispering, and some shuffling
their feet, it is indeed a difficult task to make an audience of ten
thousand persons hear. I have listened with pleasure to the
instructions of our brethren from the commencement of our Conference
to the present time. I have rejoiced in their testimonies. I have felt
that the elders are improving in wisdom, in knowledge, in power, and
in understanding; and I rejoice in the privilege, which we have at the
present day, of sending out to our own country a few hundred of the
elders who have had experience—who have lived in Israel long enough to
know, to feel, and to realize the importance of the work in which they
are engaged—to understand its principles and comprehend the way of
life. They can bear testimony to a generation that has nearly grown
from childhood since the death of the Prophet, Joseph Smith.

Vol. 13,  p.37
The Lord said in relation to those who have driven the Saints that lie
would visit "judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing and anguish,
and gnashing of teeth upon their heads [p.38] unto the third and
fourth generation, so long as they repent not and hate me, saith the
Lord your God."

Vol. 13,  p.38
I am a native of Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York—a town
somewhat famous for its literary institutions, its learning and the
religion and morality of its inhabitants. I left there in my youth,
with my father's family, because we had received the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, as revealed through Joseph Smith; and followed with the Saints
through their drivings and trials unto the present day.

Vol. 13,  p.38
I have never seen the occasion, nor let the opportunity slip, from the
time when I first came to a knowledge of the truth of the work of the
Lord in the last days, that I understood it was in my power to do good
for the advancement of this work but what I have used my utmost
endeavours to accomplish that good. I have never failed to bear a
faithful testimony to the work of God, or to carry out to all intents
and purposes, the wishes and designs of the Prophet, Joseph Smith. I
was his kinsman; was familiar with him, though several years his
junior; knew his views, his sentiments, his ways, his designs, and
many of the thoughts of his heart, and I do know that the servants of
God, the Twelve Apostles, upon whom he laid the authority to bear off
the Kingdom of God, and fulfil the work which he had commenced, have
done according to his designs, in every particular, up to the present
time and are continuing to do so. And I know, furthermore, that he
rejoiced in the fact that the law of redemption and Celestial Marriage
was revealed unto the Church in such a manner that it would be out of
the power of earth and hell to destroy it; and that he rejoiced in the
fact that the servants of God were ready prepared, having the keys to
bear off the work he had commenced. Previous to my leaving Potsdam,
there was but one man that I ever heard of in that town who did not
believe the Bible. He proclaimed himself an atheist, and he drowned
himself.

Vol. 13,  p.38
The Latter-day Saints believe the Bible. An agent of the American
Bible Society called on me the other day and wanted to know if we
would aid the Society in circulating the Bible in our Territory? I
replied yes, by all means, for it was the book from which we were
enabled to set forth our doctrines, and especially the doctrine of
plural marriage.

Vol. 13,  p.38
There is an opinion in the breasts of many persons, who suppose that
they believe the Bible, that Christ, when he came, did away with
plural marriage, and that he inaugurated what is termed monogamy; and
there are certain arguments and quotations used to maintain this view
of the subject, one of which is found in Paul's first epistle to
Timothy (3 chap. 2 v.), where Paul says: "A bishop should be
blameless, the husband of one wife." The friends of monogamy render it
in this way: "A bishop should be blameless, the husband of but one
wife." That would imply that any one but a bishop might have more. But
they will say, "We mean a bishop should be blameless, the husband of
one wife only." Well, that would also admit of the construction that
other people might have more than one. I understand it to mean that a
bishop must be a married man.

Vol. 13,  p.38
A short time ago, the Minister from the King of Greece to the United
States called on President Young. I inquired of him in relation to the
religion of his country, and asked him if the clergy were allowed to
marry. It is generally understood that the Roman Catholic clergy are
not allowed to marry.[p.39] How is it with the Greek clergy? "Well,"
said he, "all the clergy marry, except the bishop." I replied, "You
render the saying of Paul differently from what we do. We interpret it
to mean—a bishop should be blameless, the husband of one wife at
least;" and "we construe it," said he, "directly the opposite."

Vol. 13,  p.39
Now this passage does not prove that a man should have but one wife.
It only proves that a bishop should be a married man. The same remark
is made of deacons, that they also should have wives. Another passage
is brought up where the Saviour speaks of divorce. He tells us that it
is very wrong to divorce, and that Moses permitted it because of the
hardness of their (the children of Israel's) hearts. A man should
leave his father and his mother and cleave unto his wife, and they
twain should be one flesh. That is the principal argument raised that
a man should have but one wife.

Vol. 13,  p.39
In the New Testament in various places, certain eminent men are
referred to as patterns of faith, purity, righteousness and piety. For
instance, if you read the epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, the 11th
chapter, you find therein selected those persons "who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped
the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge
of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in
fight, turning to flight the armies of the aliens;" and it is said by
faith Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, and that he conferred upon
them a blessing to the uttermost bounds of the everlasting hills. Who
was Joseph? Why, Joseph was the son of Rachel. And who was Rachel?
Rachel was the second wife of Jacob, a polygamist. Jacob had four
wives, and after he had taken the second (Rachel), she, being barren,
gave a third wife unto her husband that she might bear children unto
him for her; and instead of being displeased with her for giving her
husband another wife, God heard he