Opening Remarks

It is very delightful that we find ourselves this morning so comfortably situated. The good people of Provo have diligently labored to provide a place for us to meet in; but it is very apparent that the same class of circumstances attends us here, that has followed us during all the progress of our growth, which may be expressed in scripture phrase, “The place is too strait for us.” The elements seem to be kindly favorable for our assembling together. ¶

When we contemplate the condition of God’s people and their existence on the earth, I do not know that there ever was a day where we had more sound reason to be glad—to rejoice and to praise the Lord, than we have this morning. ¶

It is true, we have experienced times when a greater degree of liberty has been enjoyed by the Latter-day Saints, when the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve Apostles, and Elders of the various quorums of the Church, could meet in General Conference without fear of molestation; being free to come, to go, and to move at will among the people. But it is a question whether, so great liberty as we have had, could be extended to us always, with the best results, as touching our present and eternal welfare. ¶

It is a fact shown in history and declared in holy writ that they who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. There does not appear to be anything uncertain or ambiguous about that manner of speech. Therefore, where we have things pretty much our own way, we may well question whether we are living as near to the Lord as we should do. But while we cannot and do not court opposition, we have to meet it by reason of the fact that error is hostile to truth, and that the adversary of truth is cognizant of the fact that the Lord has chosen to establish His Church on the earth for the last time. And our mission is “peace on earth, and good will to all men,” if they will but receive it; but if they will not receive the truth, then the other saying of the Savior become applicable: “I come not to send peace, but a sword.” “Father shall be arrayed against the son, and the mother against the daughter,” etc., and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. ¶

It is just as necessary and important that we should test the truth of these sayings, as any of the more peaceful and happifying promises. All are necessary to complete the programme of our existence, our growth and increase upon the earth. ¶

We have seasons of great outward prosperity and also those of apparent adversity—when everything appears to be at a standstill and even dead; nature itself, declares it to be a necessary condition. After the husbandman has sown his grain, nursed its growth and harvested the crop, behold, the sere and yellow leaf of autumn comes, the winter frosts freeze up the streams and all nature appears sombre and sorrowful—quite a different state of things to that which was going on during the summer. ¶

It is as necessary for us to have cloudy weather and rainy weather, as it is that we should have sunshine, in order to bring about the objects of creation, the purposes of nature, and the best interests of the human family. Seeing it is so in temporal things, it is strange that it should be the same, or even more so in spiritual things? No, brethren, it is as necessary that we should have difficulties to contend with, in order to make intelligent provision for our spiritual concerns, as it is that we should have the winter frosts and stormy weather to enable us to make discreet provision for our temporal necessities. ¶

Then let us, as Saints, learn to look upon the conditions which Providence permits to attend us, as for our greatest good; and acknowledge His hand in all things. ¶

The Lord has been pleased to say to us in His revelations, that no man is under condemnation who keeps His commandments and acknowledges His hand in all things. It, doubtless, taxes our ingenuity, our judgment, and our discernment many times when things operate against us, especially as they, to all human appearance, have been doing of late; but, behold, our vision becomes more clear, and we see things as they are; and we accept the adverse state of things as being conducive to our greatest possible good and blessing. And by thus acknowledging the hand of God, we prepare ourselves through a living and abiding faith in Him, to reap the blessings which He, in His wisdom, designs to bestow upon us; and that we, when we shall have lived out the days allotted to us, may have great cause to rejoice in contemplating the fact that we have been faithful and true through evil, as well as through good report, and thus proven ourselves worthy of the society of the former-day Saints who were tried and proven in their day, as we are tried and proven in ours. ¶

I deeply regret, with all of you, no doubt, that we cannot have the Presidency with us; but it does not seem to be permissible at the present time. We therefore, accept the situation, make the best of it, and, I trust, seek more diligently to the Lord for the light of His Spirit to guide us. ¶

The last news we had from our venerable and worthy President, which was quite recent, his health was good. His spirit is devoted continually to the interest of the people and his labors are bestowed in that direction day by day. I would say to the Saints, be of good cheer. Let your prayers ascend continually in behalf of the authorities of the Church wherever they are. And although we may be taunted with being “underground,” let me assure you, it is a condition that has been incident to the people of God in former ages of the world. It would seem that the spirit of the Infernal knew when the Savior was about to come into the world, and at once instituted a plan to destroy Him by inspiring Herod to kill all the male children. The scheme was devised and was being carried out by the government and highest authorities in the land; but did His friends leave him to be sacrificed and His life taken that they might be considered good, law-abiding citizens, and the purposes of Jehovah to be frustrated? Not at all. When His mother was able to travel, Joseph was commanded in a dream to take a trip on the “underground railroad,” if you please, and he did so. They started out and traveled until they reached Egypt, where they remained “underground” until the angel again ministered unto them, informing them that they might now return, as they who sought the child’s life were dead. Cannot we manage to stand it whether it be “underground” or above ground, as circumstances permit or require, and not consider that there is anything particularly new or strange imposed upon us either? ¶

A great many curious things have transpired since the creation of the world, in order that the righteous might have an existence on the earth; and, doubtless, many more singular events may yet transpire than heretofore. ¶

I do not see any occasion for our knees to knock together, our heads to droop, our hearts to feel heavy, or our faces to look sad. Let every man and woman put on the armor of righteousness and live so near to the Lord that His Spirit shall be with them; and their faces will glisten with joy, because the silent triumphs of truth will be manifest to them continually, and we shall rejoice more and more until the perfect day. ¶

It is a blessed privilege we enjoy to come together in the capacity of a general conference. Let us be glad and rejoice, seeking the blessing of God upon us, that our services may be conducted in a way that shall be according to His mind and will; that instructions may be given unto us that shall be edifying and profitable to all. ¶

If the Saints shall be of one heart and mind, I will venture to say that there will be dispensed unto us that which will furnish edification and spiritual food to every soul that has come hungry, expecting to be fed. I wish to impress upon the minds of the Saints that if all is not just as well as we would like to have it, our enemies can do no more than our heavenly Father permits them to do. He has undertaken a work in which He has said that He will make wisdom of the wise to perish, and the understanding of the prudent He will bring to naught. We know He has done so in times that are past; we have every reason to believe that He will carry on His work to a successful completion, triumph over all the works of darkness, and prepare the earth for the reign of peace, the time which the Saints, ancient and modern, are all looking forward to, with anticipations of eternal joy. The dawn of that day has come; the light of heaven has begun to shine upon the benighted earth; the morning of the great millennium has begun to be seen; its light is tinging the horizon through all the clouds of persecution which lower about us, and we should be making the necessary preparations for the great work while the day lasts; the work which not only pertains to ourselves who are living, but our friends who are dead as well. ¶

If we will but purify ourselves by disfellowshipping sin from among us, and so live as to render ourselves acceptable unto God, He will hasten His work, and will bring it about in His own way and according to the counsels of His own will by cutting it short in righteousness. ¶