Epistle to the Saints

Dear Brethren and Sisters: ¶

Six months have passed away since we last had the pleasure of addressing you through our General Epistle, and we find ourselves face to face with the Fifty-sixth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church in this dispensation. The past six months have been very fruitful in events in which all of us have been deeply interested. The season has been a healthful one; no sickness worthy of note has affected our people unpleasantly. The summer has been both unusually dry and hot, and many of the crops have not yielded as good a return as usual. Nevertheless our land is still filled with plenty, and man and beast have sufficient to supply their wants. ¶

Persecution and its effects. ¶

Our enemies during the past half year have not slackened their activity in the work of persecution. If there has been any difference, it has been pursued with greater vindictiveness and more flagrant disregard of law and justice than at any time previous. Those who have been compelled to endure the penalties inflicted upon them have submitted, in nearly every instance, with a cheerful equanimity and fortitude that must have won the admiration of heaven and of all just men. That which has been accomplished furnishes but little cause for gratification to those who have been engaged in the inhuman task of persecuting a people for the practice of their religion. There have been but few persons in all who have been tried and convicted who have felt sufficiently terrified at the prospect of punishment to express a willingness to accept the rulings of the court instead of the law of God, as the guide for their consciences. ¶

The faith of the Latter-day Saints seems to grow stronger from these efforts to destroy it; and men, women and children who have been living in the practice of the requirements of their religion feel more determined than ever to maintain their integrity and to do all that the Lord requires at their hands with cheerful willingness, whatever may be the consequences from a worldly point of view. ¶

This persecution is not without its effects upon those who have made a pretense of being faithful members of the Church. Iniquity is being brought to light. The wrongdoer is being made to feel, in a most remarkable manner, that his sin will find him out; and the evidence that God is pleading with and awakening the consciences of those who have been living in sin is frequently furnished to us. There have been many violations of the law of God practiced among us which have been hidden from the public gaze. The trials through which we are passing have the effect of causing these evils to be brought to light. It seems as though the Lord is tearing the covering, not only from the nations of the earth, but from the Latter-day Saints; and the time is not far distant—in fact, it has reached us already in part—when the sinner in Zion shall tremble, and fear shall seize upon the hypocrite. ¶

The Purification of Zion. ¶

So far as we can learn there is an increased disposition on the part of the faithful officers of the Church to do all in their power to cleanse the Wards and Stakes in their charge from those who will not conform to the requirements of the Gospel. Greater strictness is being shown, and the Saints who have the love of the truth within them feel that the time has come to put away their follies and their sins far from them and to conform to a higher standard of righteousness. The great, crying sin of this generation is lasciviousness in its various forms. Satan, knowing how powerful an agency this is in corrupting men and women, and in driving the Spirit from them, and bringing them under condemnation before the Lord, uses it to the greatest extent possible. It requires an incessant warfare to check its spread and to prevent the people of God from becoming its victims. No people who practice or countenance these sins can be accepted of the Lord or find favor in His sight. His anger will fall upon them unless they thoroughly and heartily repent of every such evil. When we take into consideration the teachings we have received upon this subject, the holy covenants into which we have entered, and the professions which we make, unchastity should have no existence among us. It is sorrowful to contemplate that Satan finds those among us who are willing to yield to his temptations, and thus bring misery upon themselves and all connected with them. We solemnly call, as we have done so often before, upon all the officers of the Church to set their faces like flint against practices of this character. Those who indulge in them must be dealt with according to the laws of God, and they must be made to feel that if they do indulge in this wickedness they cannot have the fellowship of the Saints nor a standing in the Church of Christ. If men and women would only profit by the experience of those who have fallen, they would resist the allurements of sin and walk in the path of righteousness. “The wages of sin is death.” The misery which it brings upon the guilty, and upon all connected with them, furnishes some idea of the dreadful condition of the wicked who die in their sins and do not obtain the forgiveness of their God. O! that men and women could be warned, and that they would turn to the Lord and seek unto Him, humble themselves before Him, put away their sins, and obtain His Holy Spirit to be their guide and their companion, then no matter what the circumstances might be in which they were placed, they would have the peace of heaven, the joy of the Holy Ghost, and a conscience void of offence towards God and man! And this is the condition in which every Latter-day Saint should live. ¶

Prophecy Fulfilled by the Situation. ¶

The circumstances which surround us, though in many respects painful and trying, are not such as to discourage the faithful Saint. We have been taught to expect just such scenes as these through which we are passing, or, at least, just such opposition as we now have to contend with. What we now behold is in direct fulfilment of the predictions of God’s servants to us in this generation, and unless these events take place His word could not be fulfilled. ¶

Not only have the Prophets in our day spoken about the events which should take place in connection with the latter-day work and the opposition it would have to contend with, but the Prophets of old foretold with accuracy and minuteness that the people of God should be few and their dominions should be small, because of the wickedness of the “the great whore” which should make war against them. But notwithstanding that the multitudes of the earth should fight against the Church of the Lamb of God, the power of God would descend upon the Saints and upon His covenant people; and they should be harmed with righteousness and with the power of God and great glory. The scenes in which we are now taking part were known to men of God by the spirit of revelation, thousands of years ago. But while they predicted the troubles and difficulties with which the people of God would have to contend in the last days, in every instance they broke out in language of encouragement respecting the result of the struggle and predicted the complete triumph of God’s kingdom over all the opposing powers of evil. Therefore, in this contest which is forced upon us we do not wage a defense that is hopeless. The God of heaven is on our side. He has made promises to Zion which cannot fail. He is mightier than all of earth’s hosts, and by His wonderful providence can bring to pass, in His own way, the fulfilment of all the words of His inspired servants. Upon this foundation we can rest secure. No weapon that is formed against Zion can prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against her in judgment shall be condemned. Our enemies gloat over the prospect of our destruction. Even those who feel inclined to be friendly can see no prospect for our deliverance except by the abandonment of our religion. But it is better for us to die than to abandon our God! We cannot do this without throwing away all hope respecting the future and the great eternity that awaits us. We know that there is no faithful Latter-day Saint who feels for one moment like yielding to the demands of the wicked. Our religion is given to us from our God. We have received it by the revelations of Jesus to us. When all the world was in darkness and struggling and contending about doctrines and ordinances, He condescended to restore the Everlasting Priesthood from the heavens and His Gospel in its purity and fulness and power. We were left no longer to grope in the dark and to follow the traditions of our fathers or the false teachings of uninspired men. The path of salvation was plainly marked before us, confirmed to us by the unerring testimony of God’s Holy Spirit. Our souls, in walking in that path, have been filled with ineffable joy and peace. While others who have rejected the truth have been apprehensive and fearful concerning the events that were taking place and that were likely to take place, we have had a peace, a satisfaction of mind, and a contentment that have made our position unique. God has given unto us the fruits of His Gospel in great abundance. We behold them in our family organizations. We behold them in our Wards, and in our Stakes, and in our entire Church. His blessing has visibly rested upon us, and His power has been displayed in our behalf. Every faithful Latter-day Saint has rejoiced in the abundance of the gifts of the Spirit which He has bestowed; and no promise that was made to the ancient Saints, or that has been made to us, upon the condition of our faithfully obeying the Gospel, has been withheld from us. We have been a people greatly blessed of the Lord, and our hearts should swell with gratitude and thanksgiving to our God for His abundant mercies. ¶

Should Bear Each Others Burdens ¶

We again call upon the Presidents of Stakes and the Bishops of Wards to look carefully after the wants of all who are within their jurisdiction and stand in need of assistance. Especially should the families of those who are in prison, or who have been compelled to flee, or who are upon missions, be tenderly cared for. They need both aid and sympathy. Those upon whom the heavy hand of persecution does not personally rest should be willing to share the burdens of their afflicted brethren and sisters, by contributing to the comfort and sustenance of those who are deprived of the society and guidance of husbands and fathers for righteousness’ sake. By so doing they will lay up treasures in heaven, and share the reward for these trials. The weight of this persecution falls upon the women and children. Deprived of the presence and support of their husbands and fathers, upon whom they have been accustomed to rely, they are comparatively helpless and naturally a prey to deep anxiety. The care and training of the children thus bereaved devolves upon their mothers, whose burden is made doubly heavy to bear. The Teachers should be particularly diligent in visiting such families, and in watching over their welfare. Thus the hands of the mothers should be strengthened, the young encouraged, the wayward admonished, and the heroic example of the heads of those households held up for admiration; and everything possible should be done to make their situation tolerable and pleasant. In this way we can bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ, and witness to our God and to the world, that though we may not personally suffer persecution, our sympathy and faith are with those who are afflicted for adherence to their religion, and that we are ready and willing to do our part and manifest our devotion to the cause of Christ. ¶

Judicial Perversion and Oppression. ¶

The District Courts of Utah still pursue their extreme, vindictive and unrelenting course. The law is perverted, not justly administered; the object appears to be, not the maintenance of social purity nor the rectification of alleged evil, but the oppression and distress of individuals because of their religious position. The Latter-day Saints are under the most sacred obligations to do the will of God. At the same time they wish to obey every valid law of the land. But by the strained interpretation and the unwarrantable application of the Edmunds Act, men are made offenders because of their religious scruples, and rendered criminals when they are not fairly amendable to the law. Defendants who, according to the evidence, have only lived with one wife, are “presumed” to have cohabited with another wife, and thus are convicted of “cohabiting with more than one woman,” when the presumption is obliterated by the proof. ¶

In other cases when parties, in their desire to observe the requirements of the Edmunds Act, have privately agreed to the voluntary relinquishment of association as husband and wife, the husband has not escaped the vengeance of the law. Though there are numbers of instances where such parties have honestly endeavored to live within the law, yet whenever indictments have been found, husbands have almost invariably been convicted and sentenced to the full penalties of fine and imprisonment. We take this opportunity of recording our high appreciation of the spirit of self sacrifice which has been manifested by our sisters throughout the entire crusade. They have shown a fortitude, a courage, a devotion and love which must be the admiration of posterity. They have not faltered in their devotion to the principles of righteousness, have not shrunk from the consequences attending obedience to God’s law, and have been a source of strength and encouragement to their sons, their husbands and their fathers. There are numerous instances which have come to our knowledge of wives offering to make the most heroic sacrifices to save their husbands from the penalties of the law. ¶

Contrary to the jurisprudence of centuries, legal wives are compelled under threats of imprisonment, to testify against their lawful husbands and disclose family secrets that should never be bared to the public eye. This is a gross violation of the law under which they act, and oppose to recognized public polity and family rights. And by the system of “segregation” an offense which, according to the law, is punishable at the utmost extent by six months’ imprisonment and a fine of $300 is multiplied into many offenses and the full sentence inflicted for each fraction of that offense. ¶

The plan of finding several indictments for the one offense have been discarded and the scheme adopted of making several counts in the one indictment. The number of these counts is not regulated by law, but is left to the arbitrary disposition of a grand jury selected from the class in hostility to the defendants, and usually subject and pliant to the will of an extremely bitter and unscrupulous Prosecuting Attorney. The petit juries empaneled for the trial of persons thus indicted, are also picked out for their known antagonism to the society to which the accused belong. And in almost every instance they find verdicts as requested by the Prosecuting Attorney, oblivious of the exculpatory portions of the evidence. Juries are thus selected, not only for the trial of cases under the Edmunds law, which permits challenges of “Mormons,” but by the open venire process strong anti-“Mormon” are chosen to try “Mormons” accused of offenses not included in the Edmunds act, and thus again is the law perverted and prostituted to work oppression and injustice. The Courts, as a rule, decide on questions of law and procedure as desired by the District Attorney and ignore the request of defendant’s counsel for legal instructions to the trial jury. Thus the victims marked for the sacrifice on the altar of hate, are, humanly speaking, entirely at the mercy of their persecutors. ¶

Another new step in the progress of this iniquity is the rule, recently enforced, of compelling persons charged with violations of the Edmunds act to plead guilty or else have their families forced upon the witness stand, to be plied with shameful questions concerning the most private acts and relations of their husbands and fathers. Children of tender years are compelled to give evidence on subject unsuited to their immature minds, and to become the instruments of their parents’ incarceration. Formerly defendants were permitted to plead not guilty and then go upon the stand and testify against themselves, declaring the facts and leaving the result with the jury and the court. By this means a conscientious man who did not consider himself guilty of crime, could explain his position, and meet the issue without doing violence to his convictions. But this poor consolation is now denied by the malevolent District Attorney. The unfortunate defendant must do violence to some extent to his conscience by pleading guilty, or suffer the anguish of witnessing the tortures of his wives and children when subject to the legal rack of a brutal cross-examination, in which no regard is shown for a wife’s affection or a daughter’s love, the sensitive shrinking of a virtuous woman from exposure of her marital associations, or a child’s tearful aversion to disclosing the secrets of home for the conviction of a father. Such proceedings prove that the object is not the vindication of the law but the promotion of human suffering, providing the victims are members of the “Mormon” Church. Many of the objects of this malevolence are aged men who have passed the allotted three score years and ten, who have contracted no new marital obligations, but are engaged in caring for their families as honor and righteousness dictate. The heartless severity with which such defendants are pursued is, also evidence that the object is not the public benefit but the wreaking of vengeance upon members of a Church. ¶

Another indignity which has been heaped upon the heads of Latter-day Saints in the charge of perjury which the reckless District Attorney has publicly but not legally made. Witnesses who have been compelled to testify against their dearest friends, when answering “I do not know,” to questions concerning matters of which they were not cognizant, have been insulted and abused and branded with perjury. All evidence they disclose which suits him he uses as undeniable truth before a commissioner or a jury but everything elicited from the same witnesses that does not suit his purpose he denounces as perjury. And he has the hardihood to claim that this crime is taught and encouraged by the “Mormon” Church. The refutation of this atrocious calumny is found in the standards of Church doctrine, and in the fact that the brethren who are now lingering in prison for declining to repudiate their wives, have been sent there, in nearly every instance, through their own testimony or the testimony of their families. And it is well known that every one of them could have escaped the penalties of the law if they would but promise to obey the law, in future, as construed by the courts. It would have been easy to make the promise and avoid imprisonment. But their regard for their word was such that they would not make a promise which they did not intend to keep, so they accepted a loathsome prison and pecuniary loss in preference to the appearance of falsehood. It may seem to those who do not understand the situation that the requirement of future obedience to the law is but reasonable and that every good citizen should make this agreement. But an explanation of the facts will speedily dissipate this conclusion. Obedience to the law as construed by the courts, would be difficult of comprehension if the numerous and diverse definition of the law were considered. But according to the latest rulings, a promise to obey the law signifies an agreement to violate the most solemn covenants of marital fidelity that mortals can make with each other and their God. It means the utter repudiation of loving wives and the separation either of the father and some of his children or of the mother and her children. It is a promise not to visit, go to the same place of worship or amusement, or recognize, associate with, or even call on when sick or dying, or when her child is sick or dying, the plural wife who has been faithful in all things. It means dishonor, treachery, cruelty and cowardice. It places not the law but a gross and wicked perversion of the law, above the revealed will of God and the noblest promptings of the human heart. It is a promise that no true Latter-day Saint can make and that no humane being would demand. ¶

Thus the legal difficulties that surround the Saints are not so much the effects of a special and partial law aimed at a feature of their religion as of the wicked and absurd constructions of that law and its improper and unprecedented administration, prompted by malice, inspired by Satan and intended to crush out a system of religion which cannot be overcome by truth, reason and the agencies of enlightened humanity. ¶

Retaliation Depreciated. ¶

Before leaving this uninviting subject we desire to say to the Latter-day Saints, that though we are suffering so acutely from the inhumanity of our fellow men, we must not descend in the slightest degree to acts that would savor of retaliation, or in the least seek to curtail any man in his individual rights. We wish it fully understood by the Saints and by all the world that we have a profound respect for all wholesome and constitutional laws. We are the firm and unequivocal advocates of law and order, and of every principle associated with human freedom, and though we regard the Edmunds Act, in its provisions and its administration, as ex post facto, cruel, oppressive and unconstitutional, yet we are not contending against it in our own interests alone, but we are also fighting the battle of civil and religious liberty, and of freedom of conscience in behalf of our common humanity and in the interest of every people. We feel assured that, as the founding of these United States formed an epoch in the history of human liberty, so this action of ours will have due weight in restraining the tendency to intolerance and oppression that to-day uprears its head to stay the progress of human freedom. We say, as Elder Parley P. Pratt very forcibly expresses it in one of his poetical effusions: ¶

“Come ye Christian sects, and Pagan, ¶

Pope and Protestant and Priest, ¶

Worshippers of God or Dagon, ¶

Come ye to fair freedom’s feast. ¶

Come ye sons of doubt and wonder-- ¶

Indian, Moslem, Greek and Jew, ¶

All your shackles burst asunder; ¶

Freedom’s banner waves for you.” ¶

The Refuge of Lies. ¶

Probably at no period in the world’s history has Satan had such power over the hearts of the children of men as he appears to wield at the present. He has flooded the earth with lies, endeavoring by means of these deceptions to retard the work of God, to destroy its influence, and to make victims of its believers, especially those who have the authority to administer the ordinances of the Gospel. A more striking illustration of his power in this respect has not been furnished us than was witnessed at the meetings which were attended by some of the members of the Grand Army of the Republic who were passing through here. It would be incredible to believe that people could be so deceived by the false statements which were made to them by our enemies who reside here, had it not been witnessed. The most abominable falsehoods, which could be disproved with the greatest ease, were told with an unblushing effrontery that was Satanic; and though many of the visitors had opportunities of seeing for themselves, and of mingling with the people, some went away fully imbued with the idea that the Latter-day Saints ought to be exterminated from the face of the earth. But to the credit of humanity be it said, others became thoroughly disgusted with the proceedings, and denounced unsparingly the folly and wrong of condemning a people affording so many evidences of the qualities that go to make excellent citizens, from the one-side statements of their avowed enemies. ¶

The course of the former class is an illustration of the malignant power of falsehood wielded by Satan in other directions and places. If lies could overwhelm the work of God, we should be completely crushed under their weight. It is this great influence upon which Satan depends to thwart the purposes of God and check the spread of truth; and, unfortunately for the world, it appears willing to drink in his spirit and to believe his fabrications. It is this that arouses mobs and causes them to indulge in acts of violence and hostility against unoffending servants of God, and that has incited them to shed the blood of innocent men in the most cruel and barbarous manner. ¶

By means of this incessant stream of falsehood which is continually being sent forth, the rulers of our nation are urged to adopt the most extreme measures against us. It appears vain to point to our works, to show what we have done in reclaiming this land from its original sterility, and building up a grand commonwealth in these mountains—a commonwealth rich in all the elements of greatness, lightly taxed, free from debt, with peace and union prevailing to an unparalleled extent throughout all these mountains where Latter-day Saints reside. It is in vain that we point to our frugality, our temperance, our comparative freedom from crime, and the peace and good order which exist wherever we are in the majority. All these evidences of thrift and virtue go for nothing, and the National Legislature feels that it is under the necessity of devising schemes to take away from us the rights we have inherited, and which belong to us as a free people, and to bring us into bondage to those who malign us, and who would take delight in destroying us. ¶

Efforts to Procure Proscriptive Legislation. ¶

Every effort possible was made during this last session of Congress to secure legislation of the most proscriptive and sweeping character against the Latter-day Saints. Not only was it the design to reach persons who believed in and practiced plural marriage, but our enemies went so far as to propose the complete annihilation of every political right belonging to those who were free from the charge of polygamy, and whose only crime was that they were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Congress adjourned without acting upon this measure. Already we hear the notes of preparation for a renewal of the campaign against us. Filled with anger at their non-success at the last session, our opponents are preparing for the onslaught at the coming session of Congress, and we are threatened with vengeance of the most dreadful description. ¶

But in this, as in all other circumstances and conditions, our trust is in God. This is His work. He has thus far taken care of it and preserved it, and has delivered us from the many plots which have been framed against us. It has progressed thus far only by His power, and not by the power of man. Whatever glory there is connected with the establishment and progress of this great work is due entirely to Him. Man’s wisdom, education, shrewdness, wealth and ability have not been the factors that have produced success; but it has been the blessing, the power, and the overruling providence of our God. We have had to trust in the past in the midst of unnumbered foes; we must trust Him in the future against the terrible odds that are pitted against His work and His Gospel. We know, and can boldly testify to the Latter-day Saints, and to the whole world, that the Lord hath founded Zion, and that no power beneath the Celestial Kingdom can prevail against it. ¶

But those who fight against it will share the fate of all who have ever fought against it. Who is there that has prospered in his warfare against Zion? Who can point to the laurels which have been won in fighting the work of God? What man or what nation has gained credit and glory in the earth for successes achieved over the feeble Latter-day Saints? We have seen generation after generation of our opposers pass, one after another, into cold oblivion. They have strutted their brief hour upon the stage, appearing to think that they were accomplishing wonders. But they have passed away, and the memory of their deeds only lives in our historical archives. So it will be with those who now occupy so large a portion of public attention as crusaders against the Saints, and who imagine themselves to be such doughty heroes. ¶

The Spirit of Scandal. ¶

Not only has Satan sent forth his lies outside our society, but he uses his influence in this direction among us. The tendency in our settlements and cities to listen to and believe in every wild and slanderous rumor which may be put in circulation is to be deeply deplored. No matter how unfounded and destitute of even the semblance of truth such reports may be, there are those among us so silly and credulous as to readily believe them. The injury that is thus wrought is not easily measured. Many of the evils from which we have suffered have been greatly aggravated by this disposition on the part of some who call themselves Latter-day Saints. The man who frames a lie is a great sinner; but the one who loves a lie, and who circulates a lie after it is told, is also under condemnation. Many stories go from mouth to mouth concerning the truth of which those who repeat them know nothing. But it seems as though the constant repetition of a falsehood impresses many people as though it were a fact. Where Latter-day Saints, so-called, are found telling that which is untrue, they should be called to an account. It is written that whosever loveth and maketh a lie shall not be permitted to enter into the Holy City, nor to have a right to the tree of life, but they are to be without, with dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers and idolaters. The Lord has said, “He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” Latter-day Saints should be warned upon these points that they may not grieve the Spirit of the Lord, nor do injury to their friends and neighbors, by indulging in this pernicious habit of repeating and attaching credence to every slander and false rumor that may be put in circulation. But every one should be careful, when they hear a story about their brethren and sisters to refrain from repeating it until they know it to be true, and then not to do so in a way to injure the person about whom it is told. The reputation of our neighbors and the members of our Church should be as dear to us as our own, and we should carefully avoid doing anything to another or saying anything to another that we would not wish to be done or said about ourselves. We testify that those who give way to this influence, who take delight in reading lies which are published about us in papers circulated in our midst or outside of our Territory, who delight in listening to the false and malicious representations which are made concerning the servants and people of God or His work, or who themselves gossip about and aid in the dissemination of these things to the injury of their fellows, will, unless they speedily repent, lose the Spirit of God and the power to discern between truth and falsehood, and between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. Their own minds will become so darkened by the spirit of falsehood that the Spirit of God will cease to have power with them and will flee from them. ¶

Sabbath-Breaking and Recreation Mania. ¶

Among the sins unto which some who are called Saints have been betrayed is Sabbath-breaking and over indulgence in useless pleasure. “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” But it is the Lord’s day and should be spent as he directs. We are not left to the doubts and queries which enter into the polemics of sectaries on this important matter. We have the word of the Lord upon it, direct. He has declared to us through His Prophet: ¶

“And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” ¶

“And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; ¶

For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and pay thy devotions to the Most High; ¶

Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times; ¶

But remember that on this the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblation and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord. ¶

And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.” ¶

These commandments of the Lord do not admit of Sunday excursions to the lake or the cañons or other places any more than manual labor. That day will be held sacred to the service and worship of God by every true Latter-day Saint. Those who desecrate it reject the word of the Lord and will not be held guiltless. We admonish all members of the Church to obey this commandment and the officers of the Church to see that it is not broken with impunity. ¶

The mania for recreations of various kinds which has seized upon many of the people is harmful in several ways. It unfits them for the regular duties of life. It renders them restless and impatient of proper restraint. It obstructs business. It tends to contract habits of dissipation. It throws our young folks into the company of persons whose society should be shunned. It cultivates worldliness. It conduces to many evils, and the spirit of purity, temperance, holiness and peace will not abide in resorts such as have been established for the purpose of enticing Saints into folly. Many thousands of dollars have been worse than wasted during the past summer on excessive amusements and sometimes unseemly diversions. The influential men and women of the Church should discountenance this evil, and with all wisdom and prudence endeavor to check it and prevent its increase among the Saints. ¶

We have no disposition to deprive either young or old to proper amusement. It is necessary to perfect health and rational enjoyment. It should be provided by those who have the watchcare of the people, especially for the young, and conducted without sinfulness and without excess. But in these times of trial and distress to many, is it seemly to indulge in frequent and hilarious junketings and to act as though we disregarded the afflictions of our brethren and sisters who are placed in difficulty and jeopardy? When most of our leaders are in exile, when good men are thrust into prison, when many families are plunged into grief at the enforced absence of those who are dear to them, when the cords of oppression are being drawn more tightly and the small liberties remaining to us are being gradually taken away, when our enemies are forging fetters for our feet and planning for our utter destruction, and when Satan is working with all his forces to weaken our ranks by leading the Saints into sin, is it a time to waste our days in useless pleasure and spend our nights in noisy revels? Rather, should we not humble ourselves before the Lord and seek by faith and devotion to good works to obtain power that we may prevail against our foes? We do not believe in long-faced sadness or the piety that consists in a sanctified appearance. There is no need for drooping heads or a sad countenance. A cheerful spirit should be cultivated and hearts should be gladdened by words of cheer. But these are serious times and the sorrows of the afflicted and the carousings of the thoughtless seem utterly incongruous when all profess to be brethren and sisters. Let unseemly levity be abandoned and let the solemnities of eternity rest down upon those who are called the Saints of the Most High God. ¶

Sacred Vicarious Work. ¶

Notwithstanding the violent and unabating opposition which is arrayed against us the work of ministering in the ordinances of the Lord’s House continues, and the blessing of the Heavens still follows these administrations. As we have so long expected and so frequently been warned, Satan rages as he views his domain trenched upon, his captives delivered, and the souls of men wrenched from his grasp by the labors of the living for the dead in and through those sacred ordinances that belong alone to the Gospel of the Son of God, administered in holy places by His chosen servants and handmaidens. And it must not surprise us if the rage of the arch-enemy of mankind increases and his emissaries grow more relentless and cruel, more brutal and inhuman in their efforts to stay this work, as the number of temples increases and the thousands of Israel go in thereto to minister the ordinances of salvation for their ancestors and departed friend. We further rejoice that the work of erecting the Salt Lake and Manti Temples goes steadily forward, and that the latter is nearing its completion with all the rapidity that could reasonably be expected when we consider the condition of the Church and the people and the difficulties under which they labor. ¶

Training the Young. ¶

It is pleasing to notice the increased feeling of anxiety on the part of the Saints to have their children educated in schools where the doctrines of the Gospel and the precious records which God has given us can be taught and read. Our children should be indoctrinated in the principles of the Gospel from their earliest childhood. They should be made familiar with the contents of the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. These should be their chief text books, and everything should be done to establish and promote in their hearts genuine faith in God, in His Gospel and its ordinances, and in His works. But under our common school system this is not possible. In Salt Lake City, we understand, an effort is now being made to establish a school of this character, and, we are informed, the prospect for its success if very encouraging. The Brigham Young Academy, at Provo and the Brigham Young College, at Logan, are both doing excellent work in this direction and should be patronized and sustained by the Latter-day Saints. In no direction can we invest the means God has given us to better advantage than in the training of our children in the principles of righteousness and in laying the foundation in their hearts of that pure faith which is restored to the earth. We would like to see schools of this character, independent of the District School system, started in all places where it is possible. ¶

Sacredness of the Family Relation. ¶

The life of a saint is not simply a personal perfecting, it is also a factor in the entire scheme of earth’s redemption. No one can be saved alone, by himself or herself, unassisted by or unassisting others. The weight of our influence must be either for good or harm, be an aid or an injury to the work of human regeneration, and as we assume responsibilities, form ties, enter into covenants, beget children, accumulate families, so does the weight of our influence increase, so does its extent broaden and deepen. The Scriptures inform us that God created this earth as a habitation for man and he placed man on it that he might have joy, a joy that is to be eternal. To accomplish these purposes, the preparatory one of peopling the earth, and the ultimate one of man’s eternal happiness, He, the Creator, established marriage, and commanded those he first placed here on earth to be fruitful and multiply. This institution he regulated by strict laws given through his servants to His people in their various dispensations; and His Son, our Savior, emphasized these commandments by most unequivocal teachings with regard to the sacredness of the marriage covenant, and of the sinfulness of divorce for other than the most grave departures from the spirit and intent of that covenant. In this is wisdom, for the experience of the world, in all its ages, proves that where lax ideas exist with regard to marriage and divorce, more especially where those ideas find expression in lax legislation there we discover peoples and nations whose code of morals is inferior, and where sexual irregularities and sins increase, until that righteousness, which has been so truthfully said “exalteth a nation,” ceases to have an existence in their midst. To a people who believe as we do, that true marriage was divinely instituted for the multiplication of mankind, and is not a union for time alone, but reaches into the eternities, the disruption of families by divorce is an evil of no ordinary character, not only bearing a harvest of sorrow and suffering in this life, but also having a far reaching influence into the world beyond the grave, and possibly involving others in the ruin who had no voice in the separation or power to avert its occurrence. For this reason the Latter-day Saints of all people should be most loath to sunder sacred ties once formed, and most determinedly opposed to the severance of unions made in holy places in God’s appointed way, for light and trivial causes; and the efforts of Teachers and Bishops in their labors amongst families where differences, attention or quarrels exist, should always be to effect reconciliation, promote union, inspire mutual forbearance and increase love. Only when every kindly counsel and ministration fall should that last resort, a divorce, be permitted. And in such cases those who have received of the sealing power of the Church should also be separated by the same authority that bound them together; until this is done new alliances are sinful. ¶

Self-Murder Denounced. ¶

There is another evil that is growing amongst the peoples of the world that is not unfelt amidst the Latter-day Saints. It is the crime of self-murder. Suicide should be made odious among the people of God, it should be emphasized as a deadly sin, and no undue feelings of tenderness towards the unfortunate dead, or of sympathy towards the living bereaved, should prevent us denouncing it as a crime against God and humanity, against the Creator and the creature. It is true that the exact enormity of the act is not defined with minute detail in the Holy Scriptures, or the limits of its punishment given; but to believers in the God whom we worship it has always been regarded as a sin of great magnitude; and in many countries especial pains have been taken to discourage it, by refusal to bury in consecrated ground, by indignities offered to the lifeless remains, or by such lack of funeral observances as would produce a peculiar and horrifying effect upon the survivors. Now, while not advocating measure of this description, we do not think that the same laudations and panegyrics should be pronounced over the self-murderer as are so freely uttered over the faithful Saint who has gone to his eternal rest. There is a difference in their death, and that difference should be impressed upon the living, unless the deceased, at the time of the rash act, was in such a mental condition as not to be wholly responsible for his actions; but again, if this condition be the result of sin, of departure from God’s laws, then the unfortunate one, like the inebriate, is not altogether free from the responsibility of acts committed while in this state of mental derangement; if he is not censurable for the act itself, he is for the causes that induced it. In such cases the mantle of charity must not be stretched so widely, in our desire to protect our erring friends, as to reflect dishonor on the work of God, or contempt for the principles of the everlasting Gospel. There is an unfortunate tendency in the natures of many to palliate sins by which they are not personally injured, but we must not forget that such palliation frequently increases the original wrong, and brings discredit on the Church and dishonor to the name and work of our blessed Redeemer; in other words, to save the feelings of our friends we are willing to crucify afresh the Lord of life and glory. ¶

Missionary Operations. ¶

The reports of our Elders engaged in missionary labors in foreign lands are far from discouraging, when we consider the tempest of misrepresentation and abuse that has flooded the lands of civilization with regard to ourselves, our objects and our methods of evangelization, as well as the prejudices that have to be overcome and the persecution which has to be met by those who have sufficient moral courage and stamina to obey so unpopular a doctrine as the fullness of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet were the results even less encouraging than they are, we have still imposed upon us the duty of warning the peoples of the earth of the judgments of Almighty God, which in his own due time must surely come. The divine injunction given to the servants of God in former dispensations and reaffirmed in this, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,” has never been abrogated nor annulled; and our duty to carry the Gospel’s warning voice to all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples, to the Gentiles first and then to the House of Israel, still remains unchanged. ¶

Prominent Brethren. ¶

President Woodruff and the members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles still continue in the active performance of the duties appertaining to their Priesthood and calling, occasionally hampered, it may be, in certain directions by the unrelenting attacks of our persecutors. Almost without exception they have enjoyed good health, while the more aged ones, including Elder Lorenzo Snow, in prison, have been blessed with a vigor and with powers of endurance remarkable for men of their years. Brother Lorenzo Snow bears his unjust imprisonment with much fortitude and patience and is a source of great comfort and strength to his fellow-prisoners, deprived of liberty for their obedience to the requirements of God’s law. ¶

President Joseph F. Smith continues to send us words of faith and encouragement, of patience and brave endurance, and, so far as his position and surroundings will admit, he is zealously furthering the interests of God’s holy Church and Kingdom. ¶

Miscellaneous Matters. ¶

We hear favorable reports of the good done by our Sunday Schools, Primaries, Improvement Associations and Relief Societies, and we feel to abundantly bless the brethren and sisters who so diligently and faithfully labor therein for the instruction of our youth and the benefit of the poor. We desire to encourage all engaged in these duties to continue with unabated zeal and disinterestedness in these labors of love and mercy, that the institutions under their charge may rise to yet greater heights of excellence and usefulness, and the scope of their influence for good in the midst of the Saints continually increase, and upon parents we urge the wisdom and desirableness of fostering by their faith, influence and example these admirable institutions for the benefit of their children. ¶

In consequence of the unusually dry summer the crops have not been so abundant as in some former seasons. Although the yield of wheat is comparatively small it commands but a low price in the market. Wisdom and economy suggest that our farmers should not be anxious to make immediate sales. Every kernel of wheat is precious. It should be stored carefully for future use, in such a manner as to preserve it from destructive insects and the action of the elements. The warnings which have been given to Israel on this point were not uttered in vain, as coming time will abundantly establish. Let no grain be wasted nor thrown heedlessly upon a depressed market to continue the depression and fritter away the fruits of arduous toil. ¶

Preparations should be made for the proper care of stock during the approaching winter. Too many animals are permitted to perish for the lack of food and shelter. After the Lord has blessed the flocks and herds of His people, it is sinful to allow them to wander on the bleak prairies or snow-covered benches to die of cold or starvation. Unless provided with shelter from storm and inclement weather loose stock should be gathered up and sent to warmer localities for winter range. ¶

The wool crop of the past season has been very large and sheep-owners have made fair profits on their products. But domestic economy recoils at the spectacle of 7,000,000 pounds of wool being shipped out of the Territory to be returned in the shape of inferior cloth, and be purchased at high prices by woolgrowers and others. Factories among our own people should utilize the whole of this product, employing hands that are now idle to manufacture honest goods, and thus retain in the Territory much money that goes to build up industries afar off. Our home factories are turning out most excellent articles at reasonable prices; these should be purchased in preference to foreign made goods, because they are more durable and because home industries ought to be patronized. ¶

On the same principles and for the same reasons the hides and pelts which are now shipped away to be brought back manufactured into articles that can be made in this Territory, ought to be retained and worked up for home use. Factories for this purpose, carefully conducted, would soon return fair profits, while the whole community would share in the resultant benefits. ¶

Conclusion. ¶

In conclusion, we say to the Latter-day Saints: Put your trust in God, as you ever have done. He will not fail you. Continue to live in strict conformity to His Gospel. Humble yourselves before Him in mighty faith and prayer. Confess your sins one to another; and go to your God and confess to Him, and obtain His forgiveness therefor. Live in close communion with the Holy Ghost, that it may be your constant companion, and that through its heavenly influence you may be prepared for every coming event. The Lord is holding a controversy with the nations, and He has said “after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes. ¶

And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea, heaving themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion; and surely men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.” Already His words upon this subject are being fulfilled. The elements are joining their voices with the voices of His Elders in testimony of the near approach of the end. And woe! to the people or the nation that fight against Zion, for, as we have often had occasion to say, God will fight against them. His wrath will be poured out upon them. Babylon will fall, and the refuge of lies will be swept away; and truth and righteousness will cover the earth as with a flood, in fulfilment of the words of the Prophets. Greater signs will appear in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, bearing awful testimony of the near approach of that great day when our Redeemer will be revealed from heaven in power and in great glory. ¶

With continued prayers for your safety, and for your prosperity in the work of God, and with the most earnest desires that every man, woman and child will be faithful to the trust which God has reposed in us, we remain ¶

Your brethren and fellow servants, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon ¶

Of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ¶