Discourse

addressed the Conference. Following is a brief synopsis of his remarks: I hope to be able to speak under the influence of the same Spirit as that which animated those who have preceded me. These gatherings result in much good to the Saints who desire to serve the Lord. We should be grounded in the truth. Those who have the Holy Ghost need not err. They walk in the light which comes from our Heavenly Father. We should be more concerned about being prepared for coming events than filled with a desire to hasten them. There are many seductive spirits enticing us into dark and devious ways. The seed of the gospel has been cast abroad, and there will be various yields. Where it has fallen among rocks it will be destroyed by the heat of the sun. The Book of Doctrine and Covenants tells the manner in which many have fallen—they have loved the things of the world and the honors of men. These allurements endanger our hopes of salvation? It is important that we know the Spirit we are following, and manifest the fruits of the Gospel. Notwithstanding the efforts of the enemies of truth, it must be apparent to every observer that the saints are being prospered in the things of the world. In this fact there is danger. I have always considered persecution as necessary. Blessings accrue to us through sacrifice. Happiness comes through being consistent and seeking to do good to the world. I have never known a time when the authorities of the Church were more united than now. The Presidency are one; so are the Twelve. They have sought to lay aside any feeling of jealousy or envy that may have existed, and become united in Christ. I have never known a time when their union was more perfect than it is to-day. ¶

Reference has been made to the coming of the Son of Man. Brother Franklin D. Richards has cited events that must precede that great occurrence. The Book of Doctrine and Covenants says that the Lamanites must be established before the Lord shall come in History. There are 12,000,000 of Lamanites in Mexico and Central America. This shows the magnitude of the work to be done among that race alone. But the Lord can appear on the mountain and in the Temple. He appeared to Joseph in the Kirtland Temple. President Woodruff testified that he had met and communed with Joseph at various times. This is not surprising. I look for a time to come when communications between the visible Church and the Church behind the vail will be common. ¶

Speaking of the year 1891 being eventful, has not 1890 shown many eventful features? Accidents and other catastrophes are multiplying, convulsions of nature are increasing. What causes produce the terrible accidents that are of such frequent occurrence? This is a sermon of nature. Men are becoming more and more reckless of human life, being devoid of natural affection. ¶

Our position as a people is peculiar. But we are seeking to pray for our enemies, and not return evil for evil upon their heads. It is remarkable to what lengths some men will go in their opposition to the Saints, and to attain their own ulterior purposes. There is for instance a man in the north who, when an executive officer, said he had obtained a jury who would convict Jesus Christ if he were placed on trial. That man now asks the suffrages of the people to enable him to obtain a seat in the national legislature. The treatment of the people of Utah is perfectly startling, being subversive of all the grand principles that underlie the institutions of this government. A few years ago a person who believed that the object of the crusade was the robbing of the Saints would have been called a fanatic, yet it is now an accomplished fact. The time will come when our brothers in this nation will understand us better than they do now. When the opportunity presents itself as it shall in the future, for the people of Utah to show their loyalty to the government, they will, I believe, not be found to be behind any of their fellow-countrymen. We shall occupy to our nation the position that Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, stood in towards his brethren. The Lord will not let the labors of the revolutionary fathers fall to the ground. A class of young men will arise in these mountains who will help to rescue the nation in the day of its calamity. They are good and true citizens, although their first allegiance is to God. If we are true to ourselves, our country and our God we shall arise above everything that stands in the way of our development. The day of our calamity is approaching. It is at the doors. Society will soon be convulsed, and those who will not take up the sword against their neighbors will flee to these mountains for safety, and we will receive them, afford them relief, and not treat them as they have treated us. The speaker closed with a testimony to the divine character of the work founded by Joseph Smith, and predicting the final triumph of truth. ¶