Discourse by Elder Lorenzo Snow, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake
City, January 14, 1872.--Progression.--The Fatherhood of God.--The
perfect man.--The gifts of the Spirit.--His testimony.
I take pleasure, this afternoon, in making a few remarks to the
Latter-day Saints, as well as to any strangers who may be present. I
never designed to be a preacher; it was only a sense of positive duty
that induced me to occupy the position as a preacher of the Gospel. An
understanding, given through the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ,
of the principles that we, the Latter-day Saints, have espoused, has
induced me to travel through the world, bearing testimony of those
things which I do assuredly know pertaining to the Gospel of life and
salvation revealed in this our day.
The relation that we sustain to the Lord our God, and the blessings
and privileges to be acquired through the system of life which we have
received, are worthy of our deepest consideration; and it is no less
necessary that we understand the duties, the performance of which
is requisite on our part, for the attainment of those blessings and
privileges, and to keep ourselves in the path on which we may secure
the highest advantages which the system of religion we have received
is, in its nature, capable of giving.
The relationship which we sustain to God our Father, as well as to the
world at large, if properly understood and appreciated, is calculated
to waken us up to the performance of the duties required of us as
Latter-day Saints. We ought to understand that we have espoused a
system of religion that is calculated in its nature to increase within
us wisdom and knowledge--that we have entered upon a path that is
progressive--that will increase physical, spiritual and intellectual
advantages and everything pertaining to our own happiness and the
well-being of the world at large.
We believe that we are the offspring of our Father in heaven, and that
we possess in our spiritual organizations the same capabilities, powers
and faculties that our Father possesses, although in an infantile
state, requiring to pass through a certain course or ordeal by which
they will be developed and improved, according to the heed we give to
the principles we have received. We believe that God is no respecter
of persons, but that He confers blessings upon all His children, in
proportion to the light they have, or in proportion as they proceed
according to the light and knowledge they possess, in the different
circumstances of life that may surround them.
We believe that the spirit which enlightens the human family proceeds
from the presence of the Almighty; that it spreads throughout all
space, that it is the light and life of all things, and that every
honest heart possesses it in proportion to his virtue, integrity and
his desire to know the truth and do good to his fellow men.
We see the providences of God in all things; we see them in raising up
different communities and establishments in the world, for the general
and universal benefit of mankind; we see the providences of God in
raising up a Luther, a John Wesley; we see the providences of God in
all the Christian organizations and communities; we trace the hand
of the Almighty in framing the constitution of our land, and believe
that the Lord raised up men purposely for the accomplishment of this
object--raised them up and inspired them to frame the Constitution of
the United States.
We trace the hand of God, His Spirit, His workings upon and among all
classes of people, whether Christian or heathen; that His providences
may be carried out, and that His designs, formed before the morning
stars sang together, or the foundations of the earth were laid, may be
fulfilled. He slackens not His hand, He does not relinquish His designs
nor His purposes, but His work is one eternal round. We trace the hand
of the Almighty, and we see His Spirit moving in all communities for
their good--restraining and encouraging, establishing governments and
nations, inspiring men to take a course that shall most advance His
purposes, until the set time shall come when He shall work more fully
and effectually for the accomplishment of His designs; and when sorrow,
wickedness, bitter disappointment, vexation, distress and poverty shall
cease and be no more known, and the salvation and happiness of His
children be secured; when the earth shall be rolled back in pristine
purity, into its primeval orbit, and the inhabitants thereof dwell upon
it in perfect peace and righteousness.
If there is any class of people in the world that has reason to
be liberal and generous towards their fellow creatures, it is the
Latter-day Saints; and that our liberality and generosity are not shown
more than they are, is in consequence of the pressure of circumstances
with which we are surrounded, restraining us from the exercise thereof;
but we expect to be hereafter in situations when we will have the
privilege and opportunity of doing as we desire in this respect.
However, in regard to this, whether circumstances shall so change or
not, we know that we are in possession of a system of progression. We
might speak in reference to the increase of knowledge to individuals
who receive and obey the doctrines we teach; but that which is
most interesting to us is the progression of the Latter-day Saints
themselves in the system we have received.
Our faith, views and the principles we have obeyed, all coincide
perfectly with those of former-day Saints, which we find recorded
in the Bible. Were ministers of the present day to stand in their
pulpits and announce doctrines in reference to the progression of
Saints, as they were preached in former days, the doctrines would be
considered at least very startling, and a committee of investigation
would undoubtedly be required at once, by their congregations, to
ascertain whether or not they had seceded from their previously avowed
principles. For instance, let a Methodist, Presbyterian or Baptist
minister arise in his pulpit and suggest to his congregation, as Paul
did on a certain occasion: "Let this same mind be in you which is also
in Christ Jesus, who, having the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God," it would be a startling announcement; so also
would the doctrine of John, the Revelator, on a certain occasion, when
he says: "Now are we the sons of God: it does not appear what we shall
be, but we know that when He (Christ) shall appear, we shall be like
Him, for we shall see Him as He is; and every man that has this hope in
him purifies himself even as God is pure." That would be a startling
announcement of doctrine. Did any one present, acquainted with the
Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian or Episcopalian societies, ever hear
suggestions or doctrines like these? I never did, and I was well
acquainted formerly with these societies. "Let this same mind be in you
which was in Christ Jesus, who, finding Himself in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God;" and, "He that has this
hope in him purifies himself even as God is pure;" and again, "When He
shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
We were born in the image of God our Father; He begat us like unto
Himself. There is the nature of Deity in the composition of our
spiritual organization. In our spiritual birth, our Father transmitted
to us the capabilities, powers and faculties which He possessed, as
much so as the child on its mother's bosom possesses, although in an
undeveloped state, the faculties, powers and susceptibilities of its
parent.
"Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers," we are told,
were, in former days in the church, "for the perfecting of the Saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
until we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto the perfect man." What is meant by this--"the
perfect man?" And again, "Unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ." A system was known in those days, through which
a Saint could become perfect in the Lord Jesus--a system by which
Saints could advance in the knowledge of the things of God--to an
understanding of His purposes, of their own natures and characters, of
their relationship to the Almighty, and of the ordeals necessary for
them to pass through, that they might be perfected as the Son of God
was perfected.
This system, taught by Christ and His Apostles, was not at that time
first introduced; it was known ages before--it was established before
the foundations of the earth were laid. I will now quote a passage from
the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which will be found on page 85,
section 4, paragraph 6:
"He that receiveth me (saith the Lord), receiveth my Father, and he
that receiveth my Father, receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore,
all that my Father hath shall be given unto him; and this is according
to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the Priesthood. Therefore,
all who receive the Priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my
Father, which He cannot break, neither can it be moved; but whoso
breaketh this covenant, after he hath received it, and altogether
turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor
in the world to come."
This is a revelation given to the Latter-day Saints, and so far as
respects its provisions in reference to those who receive it, it is
precisely in keeping with those passages I have quoted from the New
Testament. They were the burden of the teachings of the Apostles in
former days; but were they presented now to the Christian world by
their ministers and teachers, they would be considered blasphemy. This
system was known to Adam after he was expelled from the Garden of Eden;
it was well known to Noah, and he preached it to the antediluvians one
hundred and twenty years; it was also known in the days of Moses--he
preached it to the Israelites, on the banks of the Red Sea. "I would
not have you ignorant," says the Apostle, in reference to this point,
"how that our fathers all passed through the sea--were all under the
cloud, all ate of the same spiritual meat, all drank the same spiritual
drink, for they drank of that spiritual rock which followed them, and
that rock was Christ."
It is evident from this that the Gospel of life was known and practiced
there; but we are told that in consequence of wickedness and unbelief,
the Gospel was taken from the people in the time of Moses, because
it did not profit them, and instead thereof a system called the
"schoolmaster to bring them to Christ" was introduced. On account
of their wickedness and hardness of heart, they refused to avail
themselves of the privileges within their reach; for when the Lord
proposed to come down into their midst and talk with them face to face,
as He did with Moses, they requested Moses to officiate for them and
speak with the Lord; and being filled with unbelief and unwillingness
to become acquainted with God, their Father, the Gospel and all its
privileges were withdrawn. Thus we see this Gospel has been introduced
at various times into the world. It was known to the Prophets; they
understood plainly and distinctly that Jesus was the Lamb slain from
the foundation of the world, and that in due season He would manifest
Himself to the children of men--that He would die for their sins and
be crucified, in order to complete the plan of salvation. The Prophets
had the Gospel and its advantages; and the Holy Spirit, that is ever
connected with it, was poured out upon them in fulness.
There was a certain blessing connected with obedience to the
Gospel--the gift of the Holy Ghost. When people received the ordinances
of the Gospel, they were promised that they should receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. The Savior, who undoubtedly knew best about the nature
and character of this gift, said it should lead all who received it
into all truth, and show them things to come. It should do more than
that Spirit which proceeds from God, filling the immensity of space
and enlightening every man that comes into the world; the Holy Ghost
should lead into all truth and show them things to come. Furthermore,
in speaking of its effects, the Apostle says: "The Spirit is given
to every man to profit withal. To one is given faith." Not a common,
ordinary faith to which some people pretend at the present day; but
a faith which enables its possessors to be sawn asunder--to be cast
into dens of lions, fiery furnaces, and to undergo tortures of every
description. This was the kind of faith the Holy Ghost conferred
upon those who possessed it, enabling them to stand in the midst of
every difficulty, defy every opposition, and even sacrifice life, if
necessary, for the cause they had espoused. There was an omnipotent,
inspiring power in this faith, given by the Almighty through the Holy
Ghost, which no other principle could communicate.
To one was given faith, to another knowledge; not that which is gained
by reading books merely, but knowledge from the Eternal Father. A
self-inspiring principle was conferred on them, which was tangible,
giving them a knowledge of the cause they had espoused. They knew by
revelation from God that the Gospel they had obeyed was true; it was
revealed to them in a manner they could not dispute, and they knew for
themselves. They were then established upon the rock of revelation.
There is a great difference between the possession of the Holy Ghost,
and the mere possession of the Spirit of God. All honest-hearted
people, who are living according to the best light they have received,
have the Spirit of God. All Christian churches have it, _i. e_.,
those who seek truth and righteousness. The Baptists, if they are
honest, have it; so have the Methodists and Presbyterians; so also
have all Christians and also heathen nations. Go to China, and all
honest-hearted people there have the Spirit of God; in fact, we are
told that this is "the light that lighteth every man that cometh into
the world." But to say that all have the Holy Ghost--the gift that was
promised to those who obeyed the Gospel--is incorrect.
We can trace the providences of God in raising up certain individuals
to establish religious organizations, and we see in these the workings
of the Spirit of God for the general interest of the human family. We
look upon George Washington, the father of our country, as an inspired
instrument of the Almighty; we can see the all-inspiring Spirit
operating upon him and his co-workers in resisting oppression, and
in establishing thirteen colonies as a confederacy; and then again,
the workings of the same Spirit upon those men who established the
Constitution of the United States. In a revelation contained in the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says: "And for this purpose
have I established the constitution of this land, by the hands of wise
men, whom I raised up unto this very purpose." We see the hand of the
Lord in these things. The Christian churches will not acknowledge these
spiritual operations, which we most firmly believe, in regard to the
workings of Providence and the operations of the Spirit of the Lord
upon the hearts of the human family.
We now most conspicuously see the hand of the Almighty in establishing
a kingdom spoken of in ages long past by Daniel, the Prophet--a kingdom
which shall grow and spread until it fills the whole earth: when light
and intelligence will be so generally diffused that it shall no longer
be necessary for any man to say to his fellows, "Know ye the Lord,"
but all shall know Him, from the least unto the greatest. And when the
Spirit of the Lord shall be poured out upon all flesh to such a degree
that the sons and the daughters shall prophesy, the old men shall
dream dreams, the young men shall see visions, and when there shall be
nothing to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain of the Lord.
We have seen what has been promised, and what suggestions made and
encouragement given in relation to our progression, as contemplated
by the Prophets, expressed in their writings in the Old and New
Testaments. We see what God in His revelations direct has said to us;
and we might bring up passage after passage from the New Testament,
Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and the Book of Mormon, in regard
to the progression and happiness of His people. But there are other
considerations connected with this to which I will call your attention.
The revelations of the Lord given to us say that all things shall be
given to those who receive the Priesthood; but in connection with this
promise are certain obligations which have to be fulfilled on our part.
That same God and Father who tells us what great blessings await the
faithful, says: "Whoso layeth down his life for my cause and for my
name's sake shall receive it again, even life eternal; therefore, fear
not your enemies, for I, the Lord, have decreed in my heart that I will
prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even
unto death, for he that will not abide in my covenant is not worthy of
me."
Here on one hand are promised those extraordinary and wonderful
blessings; and on the other, if we renounce the doctrine we have
received, or if we are unwilling to stand up to the point, even of
death, in fulfilling the will of our Father in the accomplishment of
His work, we shall be counted unworthy of the promised blessings.
Now you take a man, no matter from what country, if he be a man of
integrity, when he receives a knowledge of the truth, he will stand
to that knowledge; you cannot force it from him by imprisonment, or
by taking away his property or destroying every earthly source of his
happiness. Do what you will to annoy and oppress him, he will still
stand firm in his adherence to the principles he knows are true.
When the Gospel reached us in the different nations whence we came, the
Spirit of the Lord gave us convictions of its truth, and in the honesty
of our hearts we received it and its blessings, otherwise we would have
remained at our several homes. We were promised by the several Elders
who proclaimed the Gospel unto us, that if we would do the will of God,
if we would obey the Gospel, we should receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost; they said, as Peter said on the day of Pentecost, "Repent and
be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of your sins, and you
shall receive the Holy Ghost." Then when they spoke of the operations
of the Holy Ghost, they described them as Jesus, Paul, John and the
Saints who received it testified in regard to it from the effects it
produced upon them. Therefore, when the Gospel was received under
circumstances of this nature, those who were its recipients expected
superior and extraordinary blessings--blessings they could not reach
in any other religious society. They were promised such blessings as
all other religious denominations said did not exist and could not be
received. They would acknowledge that such blessings had formerly been
received through the Gospel, but could not be imparted now.
Hence, if those who obeyed the Gospel, as taught by the Elders of this
Church, did not receive the blessings promised, why do I see them
before me here to-day by thousands? Why, when traveling through the
length and breadth of this country, do I see people who have gathered,
comparatively, from almost every nation under the sun? If they received
not the fulfilment of what was promised, why are they here in this
Territory? In these valleys of the mountains? They had better stayed
at home. It is the most inconsistent thing imaginable to suppose that
people after being deceived should leave their country, homes and
friends and cross the wide ocean and vast deserts into a land of which
they knew nothing.
When Abraham was commanded to leave his home and kindred he obeyed the
mandate of the Most High, and the fact that thousands are now here,
settled through this long strip of country, over hills, valleys and
mountains, proves that they have followed the example of the "father of
the faithful," they have shown by their acts that they have received
the all-inspiring power of the Holy Ghost which was promised them,
which revealed to them that the Lord had fulfilled the prophecy of
His servant Daniel, that without hands He had cut a stone from the
mountains, and that it had commenced to move, and roll, and would
continue on its course until it had fulfilled the destiny predicted by
the Prophet.
If the people here have not received the knowledge promised in
connection with their obedience to the Gospel, they are acting most
inconsistently; for they are perpetuating upon their children,
their children's children, and upon future generations, a system
that is entirely false--binding a yoke of tradition upon them, with
consequences beyond the power of language to describe. And more than
this, they are guilty of the most gross offence before the Almighty,
for they are not only injuring themselves, but they are laying a
foundation to destroy the happiness of unborn generations.
But the fact that the work still continues and increases, and that
the last words of the dying Saints to their children and friends are,
"I know by the revelations of God that this work is true," is strong
presumptive proof of its absolute truth.
If you Saints here do not know this work is of God, it is your duty to
rise up and declare you have been deceived, acknowledge that the Spirit
of God has not been given you, and that the declaration of the Elder
who promised it is entirely false; and thus try to correct the error
which you have been guilty of propagating. At once leave the "Mormon"
Church, and you would resume a position that would be more consistent:
then get a testimony from on high that some other church possesses
the system of salvation--get a testimony that the Book of Mormon and
Book of Doctrine and Covenants are spurious, and just the moment you
get that testimony, where are you? Where are the words of the Apostle
Peter? "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, and you shall receive
the Holy Ghost." Where are the words of the Lord Jesus? He says, "It
(the Holy Ghost) shall lead you into all truth, and show you things to
come." Where are the words of the Apostle Paul? "Let this same mind
be in you which was in Christ Jesus, who, finding himself in the the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." Where are
the words of John? "We know that we are the sons of God, and it does
not appear what we shall be, but we know that when He (Jesus) shall
appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is: and every
man that hath this mind in him, purifies himself, even as God is pure."
Throw these doctrines aside; let them pass and go to a Presbyterian,
Methodist, Baptist, Quaker or Shaker, then where is your Bible, and of
what account?
I testify before this assembly, as I have testified before the people
throughout the different States of the Union, and throughout England,
Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Switzerland and France, that God
Almighty, through my obedience to the Gospel of Jesus, has revealed to
me, tangibly, that this is the work of God--that this is His Gospel,
and that this is His kingdom which Daniel prophesied should be set up
in the last days. I prophesy that any man who will be humble before the
Lord--any man who will, with child-like simplicity, be baptized for
the remission of his sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost, which shall
lead him into all truth, and show him things to come: he shall receive
a knowledge from God that His kingdom has been established in these
latter days; and that it shall never be thrown down, or be left to
another people.
In saying this, I say no more than every man could say, and has said,
who had a dispensation of the Gospel. I would not have traveled over
the face of the earth, as I have for the last thirty-five years,
unless God had revealed this unto me. I have already said, nothing but
absolute duty ever prompted me to travel and preach this Gospel; but I
received a dispensation from the Most High, and I could say, and do say
now, as the Apostle Paul said: "I received not this Gospel from man,
but I received it by revelation from God." I say that any man who will
humble himself before God, and be immersed in water (after repentance)
for the remission of his sins, shall receive, through the laying on of
hands, the Holy Ghost. Can I give him this? No. I, as a messenger of
the Lord, to whom authority has been delegated, administer immersion
for the remission of sins--I simply immerse him in water, having
authority so to do. I simply lay my hands upon him for the reception
of the Holy Ghost; then God, from His holy presence, acknowledges my
authority--acknowledges that I am His messenger, and confers the Holy
Ghost upon the individual. This is the Gospel; this is what constitutes
a man a savior of life unto life, as Jesus told His disciples they were.
Talk about this kingdom being destroyed! Talk about, reason upon, lay
plans here and there, by the combined wisdom of governments, to destroy
the kingdom of God! Why, you might as well try to pluck the stars from
the firmament, or the moon and the sun from their orbits! It can never
be accomplished, for it is the work of the great I AM. I advise every
man who has a disposition to put forth his hand against this work to
hold on and consider. Take the advice of Gamaliel, the lawyer. Said he:
"If this is the work of God, ye can do nothing against it; if it is
not, it will come to nought."
Well, now, they say that the "Mormons" are fanatical. If so, it is very
good fanaticism. We have philosophy, science, truth, the power of God
and the testimony of good men on our side. I can select twelve men,
with whom I have been acquainted during the last twenty-five, thirty
or thirty-five years: I have known them under varied circumstances, in
which their hearts have been proved, their feelings tried, and their
honesty and integrity tested. Have I confidence in these men? I have
just as much as I have when I read in the New Testament about Twelve
Apostles. I know nothing about Peter, James, or the other Apostles,
but these men I know something about--I have seen their honor and
integrity tried under various circumstances in life. Have I not a right
to believe their testimony? Most assuredly I have, and I will prophesy
of them--No, excuse me, I am not in the habit of prophesying: I will
say here, that in generations to come, the doings of these men will
be read--the account of their labors in preaching the Gospel to the
nations of the earth--what they have suffered for the cause of God;
the imprisonment, contumely, drivings from Ohio, Missouri, Jackson,
and the northern counties of Missouri, and from Illinois, and how
they have passed through all this and almost everything in the shape
of suffering that can be imagined; and have still adhered to, and
borne their testimony to the the truth. Their works will be read, and
in generations to come, people will have just as much confidence in
these men as Christians (so called) now profess to have in the Twelve
Apostles whose doings are recorded in the New Testament. They are just
as good men, we have every reason to believe.
As to the truth of what the Apostles, whom we read of in the New
Testament, said, I know nothing, only what I experience, through
having observed the same system they preached. They received the
blessings pertaining to it, so have I received what they promised
should be conferred upon those who, in their day, received that
system. Therefore, we who have received a like experience are the only
witnesses to the truth of what those Apostles said; we are the only
witnesses of the truth in respect to what Jesus said. Jesus said, "He
that will do the will of my Father, shall know of the doctrine." We are
witnesses that Jesus told the truth.
The Apostles said that those who receive the Gospel by baptism for
the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost. We are witnesses
that they told the truth. Can the Methodist or Presbyterian ministers
witness to these facts? No: they know nothing about them. They received
their diplomas and endowments at college--they trust in the wisdom
of man--to the knowledge of science; we trust in the power of the
Almighty. Perhaps it may be said to us: "For ye see your calling,
brethren; how that not many wise men, after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things
of the world to confound the things that are mighty; and base things
of the world, and things that are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and
things which are not, to bring to nought things that are."
Well, I do not feel materially concerned about anything that regards
the advancement and prosperity of the kingdom of God. It is a matter
that I have not contrived, nor my brethren: it is the Lord's affair.
Thus far He has done this work. We never came to these valleys through
our own designs and wishes: the Lord our God brought us here, and when
He wants us to leave, we shall be better prepared to go than we were
to come. We simply do what our Heavenly Father commands. God loves
His offspring, the human family. His design is not simply to create
happiness for the few called Latter-day Saints. The aim and scheme
He is now carrying out is for universal salvation--not only for the
salvation of the Latter-day Saints, but for the salvation of every man
and woman on the face of the earth: for those also in the spirit world,
and for those who may hereafter come upon the earth. It is for the
salvation of every son and daughter of Adam. They are the offspring of
the Almighty; He loves them all, and His plans are for the salvation of
the whole, and He will bring all up into that position in which they
will be as comfortable and as happy as they are willing to be.
Our mission is to the world, and not simply to carry the Gospel to the
people, but to establish plans and lay foundations for their temporal
salvation. Our object is as much for the temporal as for the spiritual
salvation of the people. The time is approaching when the nations will
be broken up, on account of their wickedness. The Latter-day Saints
are not going to war against them--they will destroy themselves with
their immorality and abominations. They will quarrel and contend one
with another, State with State, and nation with nation, until they
are broken up; and thousands, tens and hundreds of thousands, will,
undoubtedly, come for protection at the hands of the servants of God,
as much so as in the days of Joseph in Egypt, when he was called upon
to devise a plan for the salvation of the house of Israel.
We have received revelations, and, accordingly, we are here in these
mountain vales, and we are going to stay. We shall cultivate our farms
and lay a foundation for a time when the nations shall be broken up.
Multitudes will then flee to these valleys of the mountains for safety,
and we shall extend protection to them. You may say, "Shall you require
them to be baptized and become Latter-day Saints?" Not by any means.
I often meet gentlemen from different portions of the Union. I never
offer them my religious views, unless they seek them. I am not anxious
to push my religious views upon any man. I will do them all the good
I can. If a gentleman comes into my neighborhood, a stranger, I will
say, will you have something to eat? Is there anything I can do for
you? I am not anxious to make a "Mormon" of him--not by any means; we
extend the hand of charity just as far as people are willing we should;
but when, as I said at the commencement, people are crowding upon
us--those who are determined to destroy us--who have not the principles
of humanity in their bosoms, we cannot exercise the charity in their
behalf that we desire.
We expect to do good; it is our duty as the servants and ministers of
God upon the earth to do good to His offspring. This is our mission,
and it is as much our duty to do good to those who do not receive the
Gospel, as it is to do good to ourselves; and God will give us the
opportunity, just in accordance to our desires, despite the efforts of
evil-minded men. Our duty is to save, not to destroy; and as we improve
and advance, and develop the attributes of Deity within us, God will
remove from our path the impediments which obstruct our progress, and
the bitter branches, as they increase and manifest themselves, will,
one after another, be removed, until the people of God have all the
opportunities they can desire to do good to the world. God bless you,
my brethren and friends.--_Journal of Discourses_.