God's Promises Dependent on Keeping Commandments

I am pleased to assemble with the Saints in General Conference, and have enjoyed the remarks thus far made. I desire that the same spirit that was with us this morning may be in the assemblage this afternoon. There is a lack of union among the Saints. There is a disposition among the people to think more of their own interests than those of the work of God. It is our duty to follow the counsel given us by the leaders of the Church—to seek first the Kingdom of God. If we had faith that all God’s promises would be realized if we kept His commandments, surely there would be more practical religious operation among us than there is. If we had faith in the results of paying tithing, or the blessings resulting from keeping the Word of Wisdom, we would be more strict in the observance of these requirements. If we will study the revelations and seek for the light of the Holy Spirit to convince us that the blessings promised will follow obedience, we will be pricked in our hearts. We have set out for an exaltation in the Kingdom of God—the greatest blessing that can be bestowed upon intelligent beings. God has stamped His displeasure upon the idlers. This refers to things both temporal and spiritual. If we expect to gain God’s blessings, there is but one course open to us—that is to walk in obedience to the commandments of the Almighty. Some people think they are not appreciated and are not allowed sufficient scope for usefulness. There is but one person who can curtail an individual’s usefulness and that is himself. In order to progress symmetrically, we must conform to all of the requirements of the Gospel. A man taking another course may develop in any one direction, but when the day of reckoning comes he will be found wanting not having improved all his talents. Some think that if we are keeping merely a portion of the law, all is well. You cannot, in the erection of a building leave any part of the structure out and have it complete. If the saints fulfil the destiny God desires them to reach, they will have to approximate to perfection. Unity should exist in individuals and in families. Unless this be so there cannot be a united condition as a community. Brother Gates spoke about a revelation given on Fishing River, regarding the redemption of Zion. I will read a portion of it: ¶

Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of my afflicted people. ¶

Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church, and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now; ¶

But behold they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them. ¶

And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; ¶

And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself; ¶

And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer. ¶

Now, we are told by the Prophet Joseph that at that early date that Zion could have been redeemed even then, but for the disobedience of the people. The Almighty would never chasten His people if they were obedient. No earthly parent would even do that. The latter chasten their children for their good. So with our Heavenly Father, in relation to His treatment of us. ¶

I find that the Nephites, in olden times on this continent, were more or less in the same position as we are now in. Jacob spoke to the people in his day, in the following language: ¶

And now behold, my brethren, this is the word which I declare unto you, that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, and all manner of precious ores, in the which this land, which is a land of promise unto you, and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully. ¶

And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren, because ye suppose that ye are better than they. ¶

And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you Nay. But he condemneth you; and if ye persist in these things, his judgments must speedily come upon you. ¶

The Lord delights to bless us, and will delight to give us riches if we seek for them, to do with them as directed in the remarks of the Prophet Jacob. If we do not use such things in this way they will be the opposite of a blessing to us. I realize that there are many yet to speak, and it would therefore not be proper for me to continue longer. The speaker bore testimony to the divine origin of the work of God. ¶