Remarks

I hope that the same Spirit that has inspired the speakers in this conference may be granted unto me while I shall address you. ¶

With regard to the Mexican Mission, my field of labor, I wish to say that we are as successful as could be expected. Some of our settlements require more colonists; especially is this the case in Sonora. Getting out the water and putting it on the land requires some good solid bone and muscle. We need good pioneers, men that are practical workers, and who are able to subdue the elements; for in the establishment of settlements, as well as in the preaching of the Gospel, it requires men of nerve and determination. Every organization in the Mexican Mission, I am happy to say, is complete. There is a presidency, there are two patriarchs, a high council, bishops, and teachers, relief societies, young men’s and young ladies’ mutual improvement associations, primaries, Sabbath schools and day schools. We have all the difficulties to meet that are incident to the formation of new settlements. Our aged brethren, who helped to lay the foundation of this territory, know the obstacles that they had to contend with, and those who have been favored with experience in opening new settlements, in making the barren places “blossom like the rose,” know what a glorious work it is to be engaged in, and fully understand the necessity of hard labor as well as of patience, faith, hope and sterling integrity. ¶

I have been wonderfully impressed at this conference with the necessity for all of repentance. I think the Saints who have listened to the burning words that have been uttered by the inspired words that have been uttered by the inspired servants of God realize that our Heavenly Father requires us to repent and to turn unto Him with full purpose of heart if we desire to prosper in the land. The promise was made many years ago to the ancient inhabitants who dwelt upon this continent that those who would serve God and keep His commandments should prosper in the land. And this is the word of the Lord to us today. We are told that if we desire to be a prosperous people we much be a God-fearing people; that we must not be hearers of the word alone, but doers of it also. I tell our little children in our Sabbath schools that the reason we are here in this state of probation, is for the purpose of making a good record, the record of a well-spent life, and that the foundation of such a life is laid in our youth. As we lay the foundation, so are we likely to build upon it. Although we make every allowance for the exuberance of youth, if our children desire to be successful in this life they must not lay the foundation in bad habits. It is easier to resist these habits in youth than it is in after life. It is so satisfactory to men and women to have the record of a well-spent life. There cannot be true liberty without virtue. Chastity, purity of thought and holiness of life alone can produce peace and lasting happiness. Under the influence and power of the Spirit of God we realize our own weakness, our own nothingness, and how dependent we are upon our Heavenly Father for everything that we enjoy or ever expect to enjoy. I have thought what must be the feelings of men in the Church who are under the baneful influences arising from the use of tobacco, intoxicants or from other bad habits? What excuse can be given? What can we say to our file leaders; what can we say to the Lord Jesus Christ, in justification of anything of the kind? Let me ask my brethren, if there are any here under those influences, have you any faith? Do you not believe in God? Do you not believe that it is by His grace that we are able to overcome? Overcome what? Our bad dispositions, our bad habits, our evil propensities. Is not this promised to us in its most literal sense? Our Father hath said, “Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” Unto whom does he say so? To the sinner. When we go and preach the Gospel we carry these glad tidings of great joy, and what are the conditions required? That we shall cease to do evil. Is it not evil to set a bad example in the midst of Israel? Is it not evil to be under the influence of pernicious habits? Is it not time that we should repent and that we should call unto the Lord that He would give us power over our bad habits, and enable us to set a godly example in the midst of Israel? My fellow laborers, I can assure you that you will have the faith and the prayers of the Presidency and the Twelve Apostles that God will give you grace, to overcome and put away all your evils. My feelings of compassion go forth to men under these baneful influences. When I was engaged in business in this city, a friend of min on one occasion came to me for some tobacco, and he said to me, “Brother George, I would give all that I possess if I could overcome this baneful habit.” A good sister, purchasing tobacco for her husband said, “Brother Teasdale, we are obliged to have tobacco, for there is no living in the house with the man unless he has his tobacco.” In either case was the man a bad man? No, each was a faithful laborer in his sphere. God had gathered them from the islands of the sea. They knew that the gospel was true. But they had not the strength of character to overcome this habit. One was a friend of mine, that I had known when I was traveling and preaching the Gospel. He and his family would give the best that they had to the servants of God, and would turn out of their beds that the Elders might have a comfortable place to lay their heads, treating them as they would our divine Master. Do you not think that I have tender compassion for such men? I have. They are my fellow laborers. They are men whom the Lord has thought fit to gather and whose grace is able to give them strength to overcome all evil habits. ¶

A powerful influence rested upon the servants of God while speaking yesterday on the Word of Wisdom and the necessity of paying tithing. What was the word of the Lord to Israel? It was, Repent, O ye, my people, put away all your pernicious habits, sanctify yourselves before the Lord, and prepare for His kingdom and coming. The question is, will we do it? Will I do it? It comes to me as to every individual member of the Church. Will the boys and the young men say, “As for me, I am going to prepare myself for the Kingdom of God and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” O, my young brethren, that you would be wise, and that while these habits are yet new to you you would rise in the dignity of the children of Zion, born heirs of the everlasting covenant, and say, “As for me, by the grace of God, I will put away every bad habit, and will separate myself from evil companions and examples.” If we want prosperity, if we want to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth, let us hearken to the word of the Lord, and with broken hearts and contrite spirits let us call upon Him in mighty prayer, and ask him to deliver us from our besetting sins. And, as I have said, for our encouragement we have the prayers of the faith of the authorities of the Church, who speak as they are moved upon by the Spirit of God. The Lord knows their hearts; He knows they are touched with the infirmities of the people, and they plead before Him to have mercy upon His heritage. Oh! that we would rise up in the dignity of our calling and plead before the God of Israel, and no longer feel, “I cannot do it,” but say, “I will , by the grace of God.” It is only by His grace that we are enabled to do anything. What have we but what the Lord has given us? We are so self-sufficient sometimes, in our own estimation, we think we are wonderful financiers, if we are successful, and sometimes sit in judgment upon those who are not so fortunate. I do not consider that this is a right spirit. Should we not acknowledge the hand of our Heavenly Father in all things? ¶

We talk about financial pressure. There never was a time when we ought to be more strict in the payment of our tithing than now. You that are in financial difficulties, I say unto you, that if you will pay your tithing honestly and act acceptably before the Lord, and your offerings for the poor, God will deliver you from your financial difficulties. If you doubt it, try it. “Prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” That is the word of the Lord to the people. The question is, will we do it? The Lord will have our hearts or nothing. If He has our hearts, then He will have everything that we possess. He has given us all that we enjoy today. May I ask you what you expect to enjoy in the future that you do not look to our Heavenly Father to bestow? I do not know anything that I have but what the Lord has given me and it belongs to Him. I am merely a steward, and there is nothing I look forward to in the future but I expect to receive from His hands. I acknowledge His hand in all things to the best of my endeavor. And I know it is the mind and will of the Lord that the people should repent. These were my feelings under the inspiration of the Spirit that rested upon those who have addressed us. They direct our labors; we strive to be their faithful servants and sustain them in their positions. We do not merely hold up our hands at Conference, and covenant with Almighty God to sustain them as Prophets, Seers and Revelators, and as the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and then go on the street corners and sit in harsh judgment upon them and their doings. That is not the way to sustain the Presidency. That is not keeping our covenants. We have covenanted to sustain them, and if we want to understand what they are doing, let us have faith to ask the Lord to open our eyes, that we may see and thus be in harmony with Him and His servants. That is what I want. I want to be in harmony with the Spirit of the Lord. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” How can we sit in judgment? By what right and authority? Are we living our religion? Are we keeping the commandments of God? Is there greater light and intelligence given to us than to them? One would sometimes think so, to hear the unfortunate reflections of men who love to sit in judgment upon others. It would be a thousand times better for us if we would sit in judgment upon ourselves, and criticize our own weaknesses and our own nothingness. ¶

I pray God that He will have compassion upon us, and upon His heritage, and give my brethren power to overcome all their bad habits and to be exemplary men in the midst of Israel. This is my prayer, and it is the prayer of my beloved fellow laborers. They plead for the heritage of God. Who could listen to the discourse of President Lorenzo Snow yesterday and not feel his littleness? How unworthy we are to dream of attaining to the heights of glory and excellency he portrayed as being promised unto us in the Gospel of the Redeemer. Shall we be an ungrateful people, or shall we be determined, by the grace of God, to do His will and keep His commandments? Oh! my brethren and sisters, as I desire to be saved, as I desire your salvation, and that we should not only be associated together here in the establishment of His righteousness upon the earth, but that we shall be associated together throughout the countless ages of eternity in the presence of our Father—as these are my feelings, I do entreat you, I entreat myself, to be reconciled to God and accept of eternal conditions. I know how we feel when we are in meeting. I know when we are under the droppings of the sanctuary, when the burning influence of the Spirit of God is in our very bones, we feel that we will never again be guilty of doing a wrong thing; but when we get outside, and in the battle of life, and under the pernicious influences that lead to destruction, we weaken, and we are guilty of wrong-doing. That old pipe cannot be laid aside; that cigarette is bound to be smoked. “I shall have a headache all day if I don’t take a cup of tea.” “I shall never survive, if I don’t take my coffee. That is the feeling we have, and we justify ourselves in it. What is the philosophy of tea and coffee drinking? Why do we take it? Well, it’s a warm drink, and it is comforting to us. What do you want to send to China for? What do you want to send to Mexico and the islands of the sea for? Why do you not take some native barley and roast it, and take your warm drink? Why do you not take some native herbs and make your own tea, if you are obliged to have the warm drink? If you cannot drink cold water and cold milk, take it warm. I say this especially to these aged brethren and sisters. An aged sister said to me the other day: “It will never do; I can’t drink any more tea or coffee. What’s the matter? Why, it was under the influence and power of the Spirit of God that was upon my brethren in their addresses that conviction came to her heart, and to a great many others that were present. ¶

Now, I say, be kind to yourselves, be wise in your day and generation. Be careful and do not put yourselves in bondage. What you do, do when you are converted, and when you are converted, convert your brethren. I am reminded of an incident that occurred while I was traveling in London. Going to a sister’s house to tea, in company with some of the brethren, we sat down and had warm milk and water, and she did not drink any tea. You know it is common in England to drink tea, just as common as it is to drink coffee in the States, and I said to her, “Good sister, don’t you drink tea?” She said, “No, Brother Teasdale.” I said, “How is that?” “Well,” She said, “I see that the Elders who visit me never drink tea, they always drink water or warm water and milk, and I thought that if they could do without it, I could.” “Well,” I said, “what has been the result? Do you feel as well since you have given up the habit of drinking tea?” “Oh, Bro. Teasdale,” she said, “I feel a great deal better, for while I was drinking tea, I was subject to nervousness and was low spirited, but since I have quit, I have been another woman.” We can overcome these habits if we want to. I was raised on tea and coffee, like the rest of the English; but the Lord has delivered me, insomuch that I cannot take any credit to myself for not drinking tea or coffee, simply because I do not want it. I have no desire for it now, consequently I cannot say that there is any particular credit to me. I can bear my testimony, however, that God has delivered me from bad habits through faith and prayer. Hence I can say to my beloved brethren and sisters that there is a God in Israel who hearts and answers prayer, and if it is the desire of our hearts to keep His commandments, He will help us to do it. I am a living testimony of this, and that is the reason I say to you who are under these influences, ask the Lord for strength to resist them and He will deliver you. I heard of an old gentleman who came into this country at the time when they used to bring the emigration by teams. He had lived in Scotland and had been addicted there to snuffing, and that practice has just as much influence over a person as anything. When he came to the point in Emigration canyon where he could see the city (not such a delightful looking city as it is today by any means), he quietly took a pinch of snuff, then laid down his box, walked away from it and never touched snuff afterwards. There are men who have had the tobacco habit born and bred in them. They commenced it as children. They came into this Church, they understood the Word of Wisdom, the requirements of the servants of God, and in order that they might be clean men they have been able, by the grace of God, to overcome this habit and put it away, insomuch that today it is repulsive to them. ¶

I say this in encouragement to any that are under these baneful influences. God bless you, my beloved brethren, who are subject to these habits. God bless you and deliver you from your trouble, for I know it is a curse to you. You feel ashamed of yourself, especially when you come into the society of the servants of God, and you hear the word of the Lord that you should not be guilty of these things. You feel humiliated to the dust and wish you could overcome it, and I have pointed out the way. I say unto you, go in faith to your Heavenly Father, and ask Him for the promise and He will deliver you from all evil. I am sorry when I see little boys smoking cigarettes. I wish they would be more kind to themselves. It is through the pernicious example of their elders. They think it manly to smoke. It is manly to overcome bad habits; it is manly to resist evil and to do right; it is manly to be meek; to be gentle, and to overcome our bad dispositions. Do you not believe these principles? I am thoroughly converted to them, and I have been converted by the power of God’s Spirit. He has delivered me, and I know that He has delivered my brethren. Sometimes we get over harsh towards those who are not yet delivered. As God has been merciful to us in delivering us from pernicious habits, so I plead that the same kindness may be extended to my fellow laborers. ¶

Brethren and sisters, I am happy beyond expression to be with you and to be your humble servant and fellow-laborer in the glorious cause of the Redeemer. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that by faith and prayer miracles can be wrought, not only to the healing of the sick, but to the overcoming of our bad propensities. I know that Joseph Smith was a true servant of the Son of God, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided over by Presidents Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, is the Church of the living God. I bear this solemn testimony to you, and rejoice that I have the privilege. You may ask me how I now it. I have had an experience of over forty years in it. I have seen the power of God manifested. I have seen the signs follow the believer. Above all, I have had the witness of the Holy Spirit. No matter what course I may take in the future, though I may be overcome and fall away, it will invalidate this testimony, for I testify in solemnity that God has spoken from the Heavens, He has established His Church upon the earth, and blessed are they who have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to comprehend the glorious principles of this everlasting Gospel. ¶

I wish to testify that I am in harmony with the First Presidency and the Apostles, and that I strive, in my weak way, to magnify my calling and to fulfil the individual mission that our heavenly Father has given unto me. May He give us all grace to accomplish the missions that He has given unto us. We have come many miles to hear the word of the Lord, and I am well repaid, if I do not hear another word, for my long journey and the difficulties and fatigues thereof. I suppose there is not a man or woman that has come to Conference but that feels to say, “Glory be to the God of Israel, who hath spoken in these days, who feeds us with the bread of life, and who teaches us of His ways that we may walk in His paths.” That we may have the understanding heart and grace to overcome and endure unto the end in His kingdom is my earnest prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ¶