Remarks

He did not anticipate the pleasure of addressing the Saints this afternoon. I desire your faith and prayers and attention. ¶

The meetings of the Saints are really feasts of good things. This is really a time of schooling to the Latter-day Israel. In the time of Joseph, the Prophet, there were many scenes of trial, through which the Saints were required to pass. And it seems to be necessary for the establishment of the Church that the people should pass through them. On the very announcement that God had spoken, the powers of evil were aroused, and the youthful Prophet had to contend with them, as best he could. When persecution raged, he called upon a little band of Saints to go to Missouri in the year 1884. This band was called Zion’s Camp, and such has been their appellation to the present time. Ten of their number are still alive on this earth. They have gone behind the veil and are laboring and moving for the cause of this people in the courts above. ¶

After this band had arrived in Missouri, a fearful scourge in the shape of Asiatic cholera broke out among them. Joseph stood among his brethren at that time, as long as he was permitted, until the Lord told him to stand out of the way or to be destroyed. Departure from the way of the Lord, was this time, as always, visited by the Lord’s judgment. Two years after this, the Prophet proclaimed at the time of the organization of the Quorum of the Twelve: “I have seen those who were with us in Zion’s Camp and met their deaths by the scourge of cholera, and if I ever receive a crown as bright as theirs, I shall be satisfied forever afterwards.” This was his testimony concerning the brethren. ¶

The people were afterwards called to pass through persecution, but it is a fact that the Lord at this time was near His people. All the Prophet had to do was to inquire in regard to any line of conduct or doctrine, and he received an answer. The Lord was near to him and to the people. The greater the tribulation, the greater the blessing. In looking over this, I am satisfied that had we not been called to pass through such scenes, we would not have been able to keep the faith, or to obtain the blessings upon our labors, which we have received. When the Saints have obeyed their leaders they have always had manifestations of God’s power in bringing them safely through all difficulties. ¶

After the Saints had left Nauvoo, and the Camp of Israel was located between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, the government requested them to furnish a battalion to go to Mexico and fight the battles of our common country. In the condition of poverty and exile in which the people then were, there was no need of complying with that request. They were utterly destitute, and yet the government made the demand on them to go and protect the interests of the country. Brigham Young, with the eye of a prophet, saw the necessity of yielding obedience, and he said to Col. Allen, you shall have the number required, even if the leading Elders have to go. The wisdom of the Lord, pressed through Brigham Young, was manifested in this answer. It proved that this people was a loyal people, that there was nothing they so much desired as the welfare of their common country. Although ostracized by a few wicked people, they felt confidence in the general Government. They proved that they loved the Constitution for which our fathers had bled and died, and they went cheerfully to defend the interests of the country and to plant the flag of our country on disputed soil. When Brigham Young led his band of pioneers to Utah, he consecrated this land for God, but took possession of it for the general Government. ¶

The first petition formulated and presented was for a railroad to connect us with the eastern states; also for a telegraph line. A state constitution was framed and admission asked into the Union as a state. ¶

The Saints know that this great nation was founded by inspiration of God. However the laws may be perverted, whoever may be the President of the Union or Governor over the States and Territories, whether the judges be wise or unwise, we know that God has His hand over this continent. He has prepared it to be a place of refuge to all the oppressed and downtrodden. ¶

God had a people in this land many hundreds of years ago. The brother of Jared led a colony into it and they became a great nation. But they also grew strong in iniquity and were swept away, for God would have this land inhabited by a righteous people. So with the colony that came here led by father Lehi, 600 years before Christ. They were finally overthrown by their brethren, the Lamanites, who were a numerous people upon the discovery of this country by Columbus. ¶

We believe that Columbus came here through being inspired by God. We know from whence everything that is good comes to this great and goodly land. It comes from God. ¶

The majority of the Saints are from the States, or have been born and raised here, and have learned to love the country’s institutions. Although patriotic, they have been misunderstood and consequently persecuted as they still are. But the time will come when we will be understood. The Gospel is being proclaimed everywhere. Everything is being done to further the cause of God. Many will be faithful and true until the Lord comes to gather his jewels. ¶