Discourse

It was ever a matter of pleasure to mingle with the Saints in Conference, and speak of the goodness of God. It had been the happy lot of the speaker not to suffer much tribulation. He had grown to manhood since the arrival of the Saints in this part of the world. He had been taught in the principles of the Gospel from infancy and they had become part of his life. The Lord had done him the honor to give him a witness of their correctness and he had looked upon them as above price. When hearing his brethren speak upon them they awakened glorious reflections in his mind. They had been revealed for the benefit of mankind, that they might have an assurance concerning themselves and their approval by their heavenly Father. It was a matter of surprise that so few people understood them. We have, indeed, cause for rejoicing that our minds have been ready to accept of those truths and to direct our minds in accordance with them. The speaker had never been taught by the Elders any principle but had been sustained by the Scripture and by natural laws. If we fully obey them, there is no need of offense against any one. They teach love, forbearance and kindness to all, and the good we can do to our fellows will result in good to us. This is the character of the Gospel. In the heat of controversy we may not be as considerate in relation to the views of others as we should be, but this was no part of the Gospel. When the Elders were sent out they were instructed to be as conservative of the religions of others as possible, and to confine themselves to the declaration of the pure principles of truth as revealed in the system they had espoused. Perhaps this teaching had not been adhered to as closely as it should have been. It was not good to create in the breasts of those to whom we preach the Gospel a feeling of combativeness. There has been no necessity for the Elders to assume a spirit of aggressiveness, but rather to carry the spirit of conciliation and kindness. The faith of the Gospel should be declared in simplicity; faith in God, in His Son Jesus Christ, in baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception or imparting of the Holy Ghost. ¶

Many people had been deceived concerning us. They saw us standing alone, as it were, and many forces operating against us, yet we go on our way unmoved, and they wondered at the spectacle, not knowing whether to attribute the phenomenon to the power of God or some other cause. ¶

Faith was a great governing principle and should actuate us as a people. It should enable the Saints to rely upon the promise of God that if they would keep His commandments He would open a way for them out of every difficulty. We cannot claim as a people that we have been altogether free from the improper feelings that have been exhibited toward us. We have acted sometimes without due consideration for the rights and prerogatives of others. Yet we have been fairly consistent. The Lord had promised that if we took a proper course He would soften the hearts of those who had felt ill-disposed toward us, and thus we would be able to accomplish our mission of salvation in benefiting our fellow-beings. It is to be hoped that this will be the case and that many misunderstandings that have existed will, by the light of calm reason, be dissipated. ¶

The speaker not only rejoiced in the ordinances of the Gospel, but also in the moral law, which made personal purity imperative. There had grown up much laxity in the world in reference to the latter requirement. It was required by the Lord, however, that we walk in the light of moral purity. If we fail to remember the obligations of the Lord in this respect, our condemnation will be the result. The world had drifted from purity of life, and the Lord was calling us back to pioneer the road to a better condition. We should ever keep before us our individual responsibility; by our record shall we be judged. The speaker, in conclusion, bore testimony that Jesus is the Christ, and that the Gospel as revealed anew in this age is true. ¶