Remarks

The truths to which we had listened would save and exalt us if we adopted them. What this people have accomplished under the blessing of God is marvelous. The Lord is ready to bless the Saints still further if they are ready to accept of what he has to proffer. We have to grapple with spiritual and temporal questions. ¶

We witness disunion growing among the nations. There is an increasing element and disposition toward a disruption of organized society. The spirit of destruction is abroad, and bitter disputes between labor and capital are multiplying. We have been led to expect such things. There are duties in a temporal capacity devolving upon us. We have not been visited by the evils rife elsewhere, but unless we are careful we may be confronted by them. In this country we may expect that greater differences than have heretofore existed will make their appearance. We must be prepared to meet and cure them. The Lord has said it was not given that one man should be above another. He has told the Saints that if they were not united in temporal things, they could not attain to spiritual excellence. We have been paying too much attention to the accumulation of wealth, and not so much as was needful to duties that are higher. The speaker then dwelt for some time upon those revelations contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants in reference to the temporal affairs of the Saints. The principles they inculcate were of a nature to exalt the poor and humble the rich, and produce other equitable results. He expected to see these laws and principles established among the Saints and he understood that the Zion of God would be built by that divine system. ¶

The work of God requires the whole-hearted devotion of its adherents. It involves the sacrifice of all things deemed valuable in this life, if necessary. If we are divided against ourselves, we cannot, according to a principle enunciated by the Savior, stand, but must fall. If we are united however, we cannot be moved. We have looked to human aid for a way to escape from present troubles. It would, however, be provided by the power of God. If we rely upon human help we will be disappointed. In God lies our only refuge and hope. If we trust in him every cloud will disappear, and the Saints will return to Zion where the Temple, upon which the glory of God is to rest will be reared. The Saints should be governed by the law of God, written upon their hearts. That law will not and does not conflict with the principles of the glorious Constitution of our common country. ¶