Discourse

We have been greatly blessed during this conference. The Spirit of the Lord has been poured out upon the speakers and hearers. I feel my inability to say anything particularly instructive unless by the dictations of the Holy Spirit. I feel also that you cannot anticipate any teachings that will do you good unless you have the same Spirit, which it is your privilege to possess. So far as the past is concerned, since our assembling together, the Lord has been as favorable to us as on any similar occasion. It is wonderful to contemplate the progress of the church since its organization, sixty years ago tomorrow. Have the Saints made progress as rapidly as that exhibited by those similarly called of God in past ages, during the same length of time? It is interesting to contemplate and estimate the abilities we have received from the Lord to continue prosperous notwithstanding the opposing forces that have been brought to bear upon us. No external power can prevent us from attaining to the high destiny marked out for us on the condition of faithfulness. We did not lay out the path to salvation for ourselves. It was delineated by God before the earth was organized. The Lord has seen fit to make known the path. It depends upon ourselves as to whether we continue to travel on that road which leads to celestial glory. We need not trouble about the future. Some people express the opinion that the Saints shall go into captivity, by the process of disfranchisement. I do not know whether this will be the case or not. If the Lord had manifested that this would be so, I would not say anything about it, as it would not be wisdom. If we had been made acquainted with the trials through which we have already passed we would have been discouraged. As it is our experience has increased our faith. So in regard to our future. It is wisely obscured from our view. I know what my trials have been; I know not what they will be. On every emergency the Lord has given me needed succor. For this I feel thankful. I have never seen the day when I was discouraged, as I could always see glorious blessings ahead. When we speak of future troubles of this Church, we may be sure it will never be placed in a condition when the members cannot receive the highest blessings of the Almighty, according to the demands of circumstances. ¶

Six hundred years before Christ the Jews became wicked. Their kings, princes and people were given to idolatry. This offended God being contrary to his mind and law. They even went so far as to burn their children as offerings. The Lord told them that their city should be destroyed and they be led into captivity to remain in that condition 70 years. But God did not desert them. He said he would not make an end of them but they should be punished and an end would be made of those who afflicted them. In their captivity they progressed. They built houses and cultivated the soil. Indeed there never was a time when the Israelites had greater prophets than during their captivity. Not, for instance, the works of the Prophet Daniel and those of the three Hebrew children, whose marvelous deliverance has been handed down to us. As it has been so it shall be. In every situation the Latter-day Saints can approach God and receive blessings until they reach a fulness of glory. One singular feature about the captivity was that King Nebuchadnezzar was converted. He was convinced that there was no God but the God of Israel. After Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had been delivered the King sent forth an edict to the effect that the God of these men should be respected. Those who refused to obey this commandment should be punished by having their houses destroyed. ¶

History frequently repeats itself. The Latter-day Saints are accused of many things of which they are innocent. They will yet be understood and their labors appreciated throughout this land. Should the rulers take it into their heads that the Saints have been badly used by being deprived of their liberties without reason or just cause, and should they take a different course than that now pursued, it would be a remarkable thing. What God has done He will do again. He has promised to soften the hearts of the people from time to time, as may answer the consummation of His great purposes. The Lord will not make an end of the people He has called and chosen, but will make an end of the nations of the wicked. ¶

The testimonies that have been borne that the kingdom of God shall not pass from the hands of the Saints or be given to another people are true. They are borne of the Spirit of God. This work is built on a sure foundation, being founded on the rock of ages. How can such testimonies be overcome, seeing that they are fact? Can they be confuted? Can any people say that it has been revealed to them from the eternal worlds that these testimonies are not true? They cannot. They do not profess to be in possession of such information. No matter who are lost by the way and make shipwreck of their faith, the Church will go on. ¶

God bless the Latter-day Saints, that His Spirit may be poured out upon us, that we may obtain crowns of glory and dwell in the presence of God. ¶