I am pleased to have the opportunity of listening to our brethren who
have just returned. It is always interesting to hear from those who
have been absent, with whom we have been acquainted for years. It is
pleasing to listen to their views and ideas pertaining to us as a peo ple, as contrasted with those of others. In regard to the
opinions of men, I would say, however, although we are desirous of
pursuing a proper and correct course—it is to us a matter of very
little moment what their opinions may be concerning us. The truths of
God in every age of the world have been opposed by a certain class of
men. That they should be so at the present time is nothing remarkable
or strange. And furthermore our trust is not in man but in the Lord.
It is to Him that we are indebted for any light, any truth, any
intelligence that has been communicated unto us. We have not received
our religion, the doctrines that we profess, the ordinances that we
administer in, nor any knowledge that we have of God, or the things of
God, from the world, neither from its divines, its scientists, its
philosophers, nor from any class of men in existence. We have received
them not of man, nor by man, but through the revelations of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and consequently we are dependent upon Him for our
guidance and direction; and while we wish to treat all men with
respect, all authorities and all men holding positions under
government, at the same time we feel that our strength, our power, our
might, and our sustenance does not exist with them, but the Lord, and
that we are dependent upon Him alone.
In speaking of our Priesthood, we knew nothing about it till God
revealed it. In speaking of our doctrines we knew nothing about them
till God revealed them. And furthermore, in speaking of the ordinances
we administer in, whether for the living or the dead, we knew nothing
about them till God revealed them; nor did the world, nor do they
today. Concerning our temples, what do the world know about them?
Nothing. If they had them built today for them they do not know how
to administer in them, nor what they are for. The world generally is
in darkness. God has revealed the Gospel to enlighten the world, and
He has sent us forth not to be taught of the world, but to be their
teachers and to show them the paths of light and life, and for this
purpose He has organized His Church, His kingdom and His Priesthood;
for this purpose He has stretched out His hand to protect us in the
valleys of the mountains.
In regard to the position in which we are situated here, what have the
world had to do with it? What have those people had to do with it that
are so very much interested in our welfare as Brother Cannon has
remarked? If they think they can benefit the world, it is very wise
that they should go and try as we have done, show the same zeal,
interest and welfare for mankind that we have done, travel the
thousands and hundreds of thousands of miles without purse or scrip
for the benefit of mankind that we have done, and then we will believe
them a little quicker. But there are a great many men who think it
much easier to tear down than to build up; much easier to oppose good
principles than it is to establish and maintain them. All this,
however, makes very little difference to us. We care very little about
such things. We are engaged in a work in which God has set his hand,
and we shall continue to do it, and another thing, there are no
persons on this side of heaven or hell that can prevent it. They have
tried and they will try, but will be frustrated, for God has set his
hand to accomplish a certain work, and that work will be done, and by
the help of the Lord, we will try and help Him to do it. The
main thing we have to attend to is ourselves, to our morals, to our
religion, to the training of our children, to the cultivation of our
lots, to making our homes pleasant and agreeable, to promoting the
welfare of the human family, that is, all that will permit us to do
so. Whom do we interfere with? Whom do we calumniate? Whose religious
rights are interfered with by us? They have their churches here. They
are not molested; I hope not; I do not hear of it; I hope they are
not, for our opinion is that we ought to treat all men aright,
believing that matters of religion are matters of conscience. Our
opinion is that we ought to treat our government aright, and be loyal,
patriotic, just, honorable and law-abiding, honoring all good
principles, sustaining all honorable men, and thus endeavor to promote
peace, union, and happiness among mankind. Our motto is, "Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will to ward men." If
people do not offer us that, we cannot help it. It is because they do
not know any better. In the meantime, however, we will pursue the even
tenor of our way. Let us be virtuous, honest, true and faithful. Let
us treat one another aright, and God will bless us. We will serve the
Lord and obey his laws, and Zion will roll forth, the kingdom of God
will progress and no power can stop it. The things that have been
spoken of by the Prophets will all be fulfilled. The knowledge of God
will grow and increase, while the wicked will be rooted out, until
"the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and
of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever," when liars,
hypocrites, deceivers and corrupt men will be destroyed and swept away
as with a besom of destruction.
May God help us to be faithful and true to our trust, that we may be
saved in His kingdom, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.