surprised when attending one of our latest Sunday School conventions
on learning that in some wards in the Church only once or twice in
each year are opportunities given to the children of the Saints to be
baptized. We hold the opinion that in every stake of Zion there should
be opportunity for baptism every day of every month and every month
in every year, for we believe that it is an admirable practice where
parents, in conformity with the revelations of God, have taught their
children in the first principles of the gospel--faith, repentance
and baptism, to have them baptized on their birthdays, when they
arrive at the age of eight years. This practice has many advantages.
In the first place, when a child is baptized on his birthday, he has
no difficulty in remembering the day when that sacred ordinance was
performed in his case. Again, it prevents the tendency manifested
by some people to delay and postpone duties that are always best
performed in their proper time and season. When once a child has passed
the eight-year mark, there appears no particular necessity for the
immediate performance of the ordinance, and the parents are apt to put
it off from day to day and from week to week, until months have passed
over, and the matter is not attended to. Should it so happen that in
this interval the child is taken by the Lord, then this rite has to
be performed in his behalf after his departure from our midst. How
much better it is that the child have the opportunity of doing this
all-important work for himself or herself!--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Vol.
40, p. 337, June 1, 1905.
THROUGH ATONEMENT SINS ARE WASHED AWAY. When we commit sin, it is
necessary that we repent of it and make restitution as far as lies in
our power. When we cannot make restitution for the wrong we have done,
then we must apply for the grace and mercy of God to cleanse us from
that iniquity.
{121} Men cannot forgive their own sins; they cannot cleanse themselves
from the consequences of their sins. Men can stop sinning and can do
right in the future, and so far their acts are acceptable before the
Lord and worthy of consideration. But who shall repair the wrongs they
have done to themselves and to others, which it seems impossible for
them to repair themselves? By the atonement of Jesus Christ the sins of
the repentant shall be washed away; though they be crimson they shall
be made white as wool. This is the promise given to you. We who have
not paid our tithing in the past, and are therefore under obligations
to the Lord, which we are not in position to discharge, the Lord
requires that no longer at our hands, but will forgive us for the past
if we will observe this law honestly in the future. That is generous
and kind, and I feel grateful for it.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1899, p. 42.
CONDITIONS FOR BAPTISM. No person can be properly baptized unless he
has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and has repented of his sins,
with a repentance that need not be repented of. But faith comes by
hearing the word of God. This implies that the candidate must be
taught. Efficient teaching and preparation must precede the ordinance,
so that the candidate may have a proper appreciation and conception
of its purposes. The call to baptism, in the mission of our Savior,
was always preceded by instructions in the doctrines which he
taught.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 14, p. 266.
THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL. As Latter-day Saints we have every
reason to rejoice in the gospel, and in the testimony we have received
concerning its truth. I repeat, we have reason to rejoice and to be
exceeding glad, for we possess the testimony of Jesus, the spirit of
prophecy, which the people of the world know nothing about, nor can
they, without obedience to the gospel.
Jesus thoroughly understood this matter, and fully explained {122} it
when he said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God." On first reflection, it would seem that anything so clear,
reasonable and tangible could be easily made plain to the understanding
of all men. Hence the feeling that has prompted many of the Latter-day
Saints to believe, after their minds have been enlightened by the
Spirit of God--everything being made so plain and clear to them, that
they had only to tell their friends and kindred what they had learned
and they would gladly receive it. But how disappointed, after they had
presented to them the truths of heaven in simplicity and plainness,
to hear them say, "We cannot see it!" or, "We do not believe it!" or
perhaps bitterly oppose it, which is by far the most common practice
of the world. They cannot understand it. Why? Because, as Jesus has
said no man can see the kingdom except he is born again. You may preach
the gospel to the people but unless they humble themselves as little
children before the Lord, acknowledging their dependence upon him
for light and wisdom, they cannot see or sense it, although you may
preach to them in as great plainness as it is possible for the truth
to be conveyed from one person to another. And should any believe
your testimony it would only be belief. They would not see as you
see--nor comprehend it, as you do--until they yield obedience to the
requirements of the gospel, and through the remission of their sins
receive the Holy Ghost. Then they, too, can see as you see, for they
have the same spirit; then will they love the truth as you do, and may
wonder why they could not comprehend it before or why it is that there
can be anybody with common intelligence that cannot understand truth so
plain and forcible.
First, then, it is necessary to have faith in God, faith being the
first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all
righteousness.
Faith in God is to believe that he is, and "that he is the only
supreme Governor and independent Being, in whom all fulness {123} and
perfection and every good gift and principle dwell independently," and
in whom the faith of all other rational beings must centre for life and
salvation; and further, that he is the great Creator of all things,
that he is omnipotent, omniscient, and by his works and the power of
his Spirit omnipresent.
Not only is it necessary to have faith in God, but also in Jesus
Christ, his Son, the Savior of mankind and the Mediator of the New
Covenant; and in the Holy Ghost, who bears record of the Father and the
Son, "the same in all ages and forever."
Having this faith, it becomes necessary to repent. Repent of what? Of
every sin of which we may have been guilty. How shall we repent of
these sins? Does repentance consist of sorrow for wrong doing? Yes,
but is this all? By no means. True repentance only is acceptable to
God, nothing short of it will answer the purpose. Then what is true
repentance? True repentance is not only sorrow for sins, and humble
penitence and contrition before God, but it involves the necessity of
turning away from them, a discontinuance of all evil practices and
deeds, a thorough reformation of life, a vital change from evil to
good, from vice to virtue, from darkness to light. Not only so, but to
make restitution, so far as it is possible, for all the wrongs we have
done, to pay our debts, and restore to God and man their rights--that
which is due to them from us. This is true repentance, and the exercise
of the will and all the powers of body and mind is demanded, to
complete this glorious work of repentance; then God will accept it.
Having thus repented, the next thing requisite is baptism, which is an
essential principle of the gospel--no man can enter into the gospel
covenant without it. It is the door of the Church of Christ, we cannot
get in there in any other way, for Christ bath said it. "Sprinkling,"
or "pouring," is not baptism. Baptism means immersion in water, and
{124} is to be administered by one having authority, in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptism without divine
authority is not valid. It is a symbol of the burial and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, and must be done in the likeness thereof, by one
commissioned of God, in the manner prescribed, otherwise it is illegal
and will not be accepted by him, nor will it effect a remission of
sins, the object for which it is designed, but whosoever hath faith,
truly repents and is "buried with Christ in baptism," by one having
divine authority, shall receive a remission of sins, and is entitled to
the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
Only those who are commissioned of Jesus Christ have authority or
power to bestow this gift. The office of the Holy Ghost is to bear
record of Christ, or to testify of him, and confirm the believer in
the truth, by bringing to his recollection things that have passed,
and showing or revealing to the mind things present and to come. "But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in
my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." "He will guide you into
all truth." Thus, without the aid of the Holy Ghost no man can know the
will of God, or that Jesus is the Christ--the Redeemer of the world,
or that the course he pursues, the work he performs, or his faith, are
acceptable to God, and such as will secure to him the gift of eternal
life, the greatest of all gifts. (John 14:26; 6:13.)
"But," says an objector, "have we not the Bible, and are not the Holy
Scriptures able to make us wise unto salvation?" Yes, provided we obey
them. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works." The "good works" are the great desideratum. The
Bible itself is but the dead letter, it is {125} the Spirit that giveth
life. The way to obtain the Spirit is that which is here marked out so
plainly in the Scriptures. There is no other. Obedience, therefore,
to these principles is absolutely necessary, in order to obtain the
salvation and exaltation brought to light through the gospel.
As to the question of authority, nearly everything depends upon it.
No ordinance can be performed to the acceptance of God without divine
authority. No matter how fervently men may believe or pray, unless
they are endowed with divine authority they can only act in their own
name, and not legally nor acceptably in the name of Jesus Christ, in
whose name all these things must be done. Some suppose this authority
may be derived from the Bible, but nothing could be more absurd.
The Bible is but a book containing the writings of inspired men,
"profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness," as such we hold it is sacred; but the Spirit, power
and authority by which it is written cannot be found within its lids,
nor derived from it. "For prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
If by reading and believing the Bible this authority could be obtained,
all who read the Bible and believed it would have it--one equally with
another. I have read the Bible, and I have as good reason for believing
it as any other man, and do believe it with all my heart; but this does
not give me authority to teach men in the name of the Lord, nor to
officiate in the sacred ordinances of the gospel. Were the Scriptures
the only source of knowledge, we would be without knowledge for
ourselves, and would have to rest our hopes of salvation upon a simple
belief in the testimonies and sayings of others. This will not do for
me; I must know for myself, and if I act as a teacher of these things,
I must be clothed with the same light, knowledge and authority as those
were who acted in a similar calling anciently. Else how could I declare
{126} the truth and bear testimony as they did? What right would I
have to say, "thus saith the Lord," and call upon man to repent and be
baptized in the name of the Lord? or, that "This Jesus hath God raised
up [from the dead], whereof we all [the apostles] are witnesses?" And,
therefore, let all men "know assuredly that God hath made that same
Jesus," who was crucified, "both Lord and Christ." No man, without the
Holy Ghost, as enjoyed by the ancient apostles can know these things,
therefore cannot declare them by authority, nor teach and prepare
mankind for the salvation of God. God Almighty is the only source from
whence this knowledge, power and authority can be obtained, and that
through the operations of the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures may serve as
a guide to lead us to God, and hence to the possession of all things
necessary to life and salvation, but they can do no more.
Having profited by this example, and done the works commanded by
both Christ and his apostles, ancient and modern, I am happy of the
privilege to declare to the inhabitants of the earth that I have
received this testimony and witness for myself. I do know that these
things are true. Jesus, my Redeemer, lives, and God hath made him both
Lord and Christ. To know and to worship the true God, in the name of
Jesus--in spirit and in truth--is the duty of man. To aid and qualify
him for this service is the duty and office of the Holy Ghost. Man may
fail through faltering and unfaithfulness, but the Spirit of God will
never fail, nor abandon the faithful disciple. I can say as one who
has tried the experiment--for it may be called an experiment to the
beginner--that all who will take the course and accept the doctrine
thus marked out will, through faithfulness, become acquainted with the
truth, and shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or of man,
and will rejoice in it as all good, faithful Latter-day Saints do.
Here is an ordinance which we are now administering, {127} the
Sacrament of the Lord's supper; it is a principle of the gospel, one as
necessary to be observed by all believers, as any other ordinance of
the gospel. What is the object of it? It is that we may keep in mind
continually the Son of God who has redeemed us from eternal death,
and brought us to life again through the power of the gospel. Before
the coming of Christ to the earth, this was borne in mind by the
inhabitants of the earth to whom the gospel was preached, by another
ordinance which was a type of the great sacrifice that should take
place in the meridian of time. Hence, Adam, after he was cast out of
the garden, was commanded to offer sacrifices to God; by this act, he
and all who participated in the offerings of sacrifices, were reminded
of the Savior who should come to redeem them from death which, were
it not for the atonement wrought out by him, would forever exclude
them from dwelling in the presence of God again. But in his coming and
death, this commandment was fulfilled; and he instituted the Supper
and commanded his followers to partake of this in all time to come, in
order that they may remember him, bearing in mind that he had redeemed
them, also that they had covenanted to keep his commandments and to
walk with him in the regeneration. Hence it is necessary to partake of
the Sacrament, as a witness to him that we do remember him, are willing
to keep the commandments he has given us, that we may have his Spirit
to be with us always--even to the end, and also that we may continue in
the forgiveness of sins.
In various dispensations there are various differences in regard
to certain requirements of the gospel. For instance, in the day of
Noah, when he preached the gospel to the antediluvian world, he was
given a special commandment to build an ark, that in case the people
would reject him and the message sent unto him, that himself and all
who believed on him might be saved from the destruction that awaited
them. In this dispensation there is a principle {128} or commandment
peculiar to it. What is that? It is the gathering of the people unto
one place. The gathering of this people is as necessary to be observed
by believers, as faith, repentance, baptism, or any other ordinance.
It is an essential part of the gospel of this dispensation, as much so
as the necessity of building an ark by Noah, for his deliverance, was
a part of the gospel of his dispensation. Then the world was destroyed
by a flood, now it is to be destroyed by war, pestilence, famine,
earthquake, storms and tempest, the sea rolling beyond its bounds,
malarious vapors, vermin, disease and by fire and the lightnings of
God's wrath poured out for destruction upon Babylon. The cry of the
angel unto the righteous of this dispensation is, "Come out of her, my
people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not
of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4.)
We believe also in the principle of direct revelation from God to man.
This is a part of the gospel, but it is not peculiar to this
dispensation. It is common in all ages and dispensations of the gospel.
The gospel cannot be administered, nor the Church of God continue to
exist, without it. Christ is the head of his Church and not man, and
the connection can only be maintained upon the principle of direct and
continuous revelation. It is not a hereditary principle, it cannot be
banded down from father to son, nor from generation to generation,
but is a living, vital principle to be enjoyed on certain conditions
only, namely--through absolute faith in God and obedience to his laws
and commandments. The moment this principle is cut off, that moment
the Church is adrift, being severed from its ever-living head. In this
condition it cannot continue, but must cease to be the Church of God
and, like the ship at sea without captain, compass or rudder, is afloat
at the mercy of the storms and the waves of ever contending human
passions, and worldly interests, pride and folly, finally to be wrecked
upon the strand of priestcraft and superstition. The religious {129}
world is in this condition today, ripening for the great destruction
which awaits them, but there is an ark prepared for such as are worthy
of eternal life, in the gathering of the Saints to the chambers of the
Almighty, where they shall be preserved until the indignation of God is
passed.
Marriage is also a principle or ordinance of the gospel, most vital to
the happiness of mankind, however unimportant it may seem, or lightly
regarded by many. There is no superfluous or unnecessary principle in
the plan of life, but there is no principle of greater importance or
more essential to the happiness of man--not only here, but especially
hereafter, than that of marriage. Yet all are necessary. What good
would it be to one to be baptized and receive not the Holy Ghost? And
suppose he went a little further and received the Holy Ghost, thereby
obtaining the testimony of Jesus, and then stopped at that, what good
would it do him? None whatever, but would add to his condemnation, for
it would be as burying his talent in the earth. To secure the fulness
of the blessings we must receive the fulness of the gospel. Yet men
will be judged and rewarded according to their works. "To him that
knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Those who
receive a part of the gospel with light and knowledge to comprehend
other principles, and yet do not obey them, will come under this law;
hence, condemnation will be added unto such, and that which they did
receive may be taken from them and added to those who are more worthy.
Obedience is a requirement of heaven, and is therefore a principle of
the gospel. Are all required to be obedient? Yes, all. What, against
their will? O, no, not by any means. There is no power given to man,
nor means lawful, to be used to compel men to obey the will of God,
against their wish, except persuasion and good advice, but there is a
penalty attached to disobedience, which all must suffer who will not
obey the obvious truths or laws of heaven. I believe in the sentiment
of the poet:
{130} "Know this, that every soul is free
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is given,
That God will force no man to heaven.
"He'll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind."
Is it a difficult task to obey the gospel? No. It is an easy matter
to those who possess the spirit of it. Most of this congregation
can testify that the gospel "yoke is easy, and the burden light."
Those who have embraced it will be judged according to their works
therein, whether they be good or evil. To such as are untrue to their
covenants it may be said, by and by, "Depart from me!" In vain will
they plead their former good works and faith. Why? Because the race
is not to the swift nor the battle always to the strong, but to him
that endures faithful to the end. We must save ourselves from this
untoward generation. It is a continual labor, but the strength of
the righteous will be sufficient for their day. Jesus said, "In my
Father's house are many mansions." There is a glory, or mansion, of
which the sun is typical, another of which the moon is typical, and
still another like unto the stars, and in this latter the condition
of its occupants will differ as the stars differ in appearance. Every
man will receive according to his works and knowledge. "These are they
who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas. These are they who say
they are some of one and some of another--some of Christ and some of
John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and
some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch; but received not the gospel, neither
the testimony of Jesus." (Doc. and Cov. 76:100-101.) Thus, impartial
justice will be meted out unto all, and none will be lost but the sons
of perdition.--_Journal of Discourses,_ Vol. 14, p. 266.
{131}
CHAPTER VIII
THE CHURCH AND THE MAN
THE CHURCH IN ADVANCE OF ITS MEMBERS. "The modern 'Mormon' is far in
advance of 'Mormonism'." The very reverse of this statement is the
truth. "Mormonism" is far in advance of the modern or any other class
of "Mormons." For not one member of the Church in one hundred, and
perhaps not a single member in the whole Church is able to reach the
high standards of faith, virtue, honor and truth inculcated in the
gospel of Jesus Christ.--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Vol. 41, p. 144, March
1, 1906.
THE GOSPEL THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. The religion which we have
espoused is not a Sunday religion; it is not a mere profession; it is
a most--I was going to say--a most terrible reality--and I believe
I would be justified in using that expression, because it savors of
life unto life or of death unto death. If it is, and pardon me for
using that expression, if it is what we profess it to be, what we have
embraced it for, what we believe it to be as members of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is the most important thing in
the world to us, and the results to us in this world and in the world
to come will depend upon our integrity to the truth and our consistency
in observing its precepts, in abiding by its principles, and its
requirements.--_Apr. C. R.,_ 1916, p. 2.
PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT IS HELP TO THE CHURCH. Whoever will labor
for his own welfare, for his own salvation and upbuilding in the
knowledge of those principles which draw men nearer to God and make
them more like unto him, fitting them better for the performance of
the duties required at their hands, is in like manner building up the
Church.--_Apr. C. R.,_ 1914, p. 2.
{132} COVENANTS OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Among the covenants are
these, that they will cease from sin and from all unrighteousness; that
they will work righteousness in their lives; that they will abstain
from the use of intoxicants, from the use of strong drinks of every
description, from the use of tobacco, from every vile thing, and from
extremes in every phase of life; that they will not take the name
of God in vain; that they will not bear false witness against their
neighbor; that they will seek to love their neighbors as themselves;
to carry out the golden rule of the Lord, do unto others as they would
that others should do unto them. These principles are involved in the
covenants that the people have made in the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, and it is expected that the officers and presiding
authorities in the Church shall see to it that the members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will keep these covenants
that they have made with the Lord, and that they will observe these
principles and adapt them to their lives and carry them out, that they
may be indeed the salt of the earth; not salt that has lost its savor
and is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the foot
of men, but salt that has its savor and that is wholesome; that the
people of God may be a light unto this generation and unto the world;
that men may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in
heaven; and that, notwithstanding enemies who are filled with the
spirit of persecution and who say all manner of evil things against
the Latter-day Saints, those who have entered into the covenant of the
gospel, will keep the commandments of the Lord, will obey the dictates
of the Spirit of the Lord unto them, will work righteousness in the
earth, and will go right on in the path that Almighty God has marked
out for them to pursue, fulfilling and accomplishing his will and his
purposes concerning them in the latter day.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1904, pp. 4,
5.
{133} A PRIVILEGE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHURCH. I esteem it a great
privilege to be permitted to live and be associated with my brethren
and sisters in the great cause in which we are engaged. Personally,
I have nothing but this cause to live for, for the rest of my life.
It has been very much, almost entirely, the object of life with me,
ever since my childhood; and I am very thankful that I have had the
privilege of being connected with the missionary work of the Church,
and I hope and trust that I may be able to continue in this ministry
the remainder of my days. I feel in my heart that there is nothing
greater for me, or for any other man living than to be identified with
the cause of truth, and I verily believe that we are engaged in the
cause of truth, and not error.--_Apr. C. R.,_ 1912, p. 2.
WORTH OF A STANDING IN THE CHURCH. My standing in the Church is worth
to me more than this life--ten thousand times. For in this I have life
everlasting. In this I have the glorious promise of the association
of my loved ones throughout all eternity. In obedience to this work,
in the gospel of Jesus Christ, I shall gather around me my family, my
children, my children's children, until they become as numerous as the
seed of Abraham, or as countless as the sands upon the seashore. For
this is my right and privilege, and the right and privilege of every
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who holds the
priesthood and will magnify it in the sight of God. Without it, there
is death and desolation--disintegration and disinheritance; without
it there may be a chance to become a ministering spirit, a servant
unto servants throughout the endless ages, but in this gospel there
is a chance to become a son of God, in the image and likeness of the
Father and of his Only Begotten Son in the flesh. I would rather take
my boys and my girls to the grave, while they are innocent, than to see
them entrapped in the wickedness, the unbelief {134} and the spirit of
apostasy so prevalent in the world, and be led away from the gospel of
salvation.--_Apr. C. R.,_ 1912, pp. 136, 137.
IMPORTANCE OF HAVING NAMES ON CHURCH RECORDS. Some people may not
care very much whether their names are recorded or not but this comes
from ignorance of the consequences. If their names are not recorded
they will not only be cut off from the assistance which they would be
entitled to from the Church, if they needed it, but they will be cut
off from the ordinances of the house of God; they will be cut asunder
from their dead and from their fathers who have been faithful, or from
those who shall come after them who shall be faithful, and they will be
appointed their portion with the unbelievers, where there is weeping
and gnashing of teeth. It means that you will be cut off from your
fathers and mothers, from your husbands, your wives, your children, and
that you shall have no portion or lot or inheritance in the kingdom
of God, both in time and in eternity. It has a very serious and
far-reaching effect.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1899, p. 47.
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
is good enough for me and my family, and I have no time nor means to
associate myself with organizations that are not of this Church and
which have simply for their objective the laying up of something for my
wife to have after I am dead. I cannot afford to do it for this reason:
the Lord has seen fit to give me from day to day just sufficient for
my needs, and if I were to join these associations for the purpose
of looking after the future of my family, I would be compelled to
neglect paying my tithing, and present duties, because I would not have
means enough to pay my tithing and my dues for these associations.
We have known members of the Church, who, when they were asked why
they did not pay their tithing, confessed that they were associated
with organizations of one kind and another, {135} wherein they were
compelled to pay weekly or monthly certain sums of money; they had
been associated with these institutions for a number of years, and had
put quite a lot of money in them; and now, if they did not continue
to pay their dues they would lose all they had put in, then in case
of death their families would lose the premium. From this you can see
they are in bondage to these secret organizations, and if they want
to pay tithing they cannot do it. Well, if they do not, they will be
among those whose names will not be found recorded in the books of the
law of the Lord and who will not have inheritance in the Zion of God.
Furthermore, we have called some of these men to go on missions, but
they could not go to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth.
Why? Because they belonged to certain secret associations, and they
were compelled to be at work all the time in order to pay their dues,
or they would lose what they had put in them.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1899, p.
40.
SECRET SOCIETIES. It is a well known truth that the counsel of the
First Presidency of the Church, in all cases, has been and is against
our brethren joining secret organizations for any purpose whatsoever,
and that wherever any of them have already joined, they have been and
are counseled to withdraw themselves from such organizations, as soon
as circumstances permit and wisdom dictates. In taking this position,
there has not been, neither is it intended that there shall be, any
controversy with the societies, and with their aims and objects. The
merits of the various orders are not considered at all; their aims may
be ever so worthy and their objects ever so commendable. That matter
does not enter into the discussion, so far as a member of our Church is
concerned.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and is a power unto salvation,
temporal and spiritual. A man who complies in every respect therewith
has everything that any society can {136} offer, with countless truths
and consolations added: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The Church is divinely organized, and in that organization there is
provision for the development and practice of every virtue known, every
charity revealed. For this reason and for its promise of eternal life
and glory, the gospel, and the Church divinely established for its
promulgation, should be nearer and dearer to a follower of Christ than
all other things. "No man can serve two masters; for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and
despise the other. Ye can not serve God and Mammon."
The members of our Church who have faith to heed the advice of the
authorities thereof, will not ally themselves, under any pretense,
with any organization not instituted by the Lord for the building up
of Zion. Neither will they, for any consideration, allow themselves
to imbibe the spirit of the world, or be tempted to lose their faith,
which will be the result with those who divide their interests,
devoting some to other organizations. This is the testimony of those
who have joined and who have later withdrawn. Nothing can be permitted
in the members that is calculated to bring division and weakness to
the Church, yet those who have been led to join other institutions
should not be dealt with harshly, but should be made to understand the
position of the Church, and where it is so understood, they should
shape their affairs for withdrawal, in humility and repentance, from
that which threatens their standing.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 6, p.
305, February, 1903.
GOSSIP. The "Mormon" creed: "Mind your own business," is a good motto
for young people to adopt who wish to succeed, and who wish to make
the best use of their time and lives. And when I say young people, it
includes as well aged and middle aged men and women.
{137} Let it be remembered that nothing is quite so contemptible as
idle gossip. Byron said a good thing when he put into the mouth of Don
Juan these words:
"In fact there's nothing makes me so much grieve
As that abominable tittle-tattle,
Which is the cud eschewed by human cattle."
How idle to go about whispering mysterious words here and there--words
often without foundation in fact, but uttered with injurious intent,
and perhaps with the idea of creating for the whisperer some imaginary
respect, because of his supposed possession of special knowledge. But
such action seldom bodes good, or sets upon the round of human lips
sentiments of appreciation for the excellent, the beautiful, and the
true, in a brother, neighbor, or friend. Such gossip and meddling
constantly hold to view the defects of its subjects, and the scandals
that are born fly as upon the wings of eagles. To be thus engaged
is a positive injury, also, to the person so employed, because, by
constantly holding the defects of others in his own mind, he ruins his
own ability to see and appreciate the virtues of his fellows, thus
stifling his nobler self.
It is so very much better for a person to strive to develop himself by
observing all the good points he can find in others, than to strangle
the growth of his better self by cherishing a fault-finding, sullen,
and intermeddling spirit. The scriptures support this thought. The
great Psalmist says in substance in the fifteenth psalm: "He that
backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor,
nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor, shall abide in the
tabernacle of the Lord, and never be moved." To abide in the tabernacle
of the Lord is to enjoy his Holy Spirit. Now, he that taketh up a
reproach against his neighbor is in great danger of losing the Spirit
of the Lord. {138} "But my neighbor has done this, that or the other
that is forbidden by the law of the Church, or good usage, why should
I not set him right?" says one. Let that one ask himself: "Is it my
business?" The answer will suggest itself: If it is not my business,
let me be wise enough to mind my own business. For "he that refraineth
his lips is wise, and he that uttereth a slander is a fool;" and,
further, the Lord declares through the Psalmist: "Whoso privily
slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off."
Let it be the aim of the Saints to cultivate the spirit of generosity
and good-will, such as was exemplified in the life of Christ, and
proclaimed when the angels heralded abroad the message: "Peace on
earth, to men good will," and which has been reiterated in the modern
restoration of the gospel. Watch constantly for that which is worthy
and noble in your fellowman. It makes a person better to see and speak
of good in his neighbor; while there is unbounded delight in observing
the effect that a few words of appreciation and encouragement have upon
men, women, and children with whom we associate. Let those try it who
really wish to get the genuine sweets out of life.
The meddler, the gossip, the fault-finder, on the other hand, soon ruin
their own capacity for observing the better side of human nature; and,
not finding it in others, search in vain for its influence in their own
souls.
There is a wonderful field in the organizations of the Church for the
cultivation of all the virtues of the human heart. It is the business
of every officer and member of the Church, and of her associations and
organizations, to lead out in doing good; to stand first in serviceable
practices in the gospel's atmosphere of sunshine and peace; to lift up
and not cast down; to encourage and not to repress; to dispense joy,
and to drown sorrow; to refrain their lips from slander and backbiting,
and, by sweet temper and kind words, to unfold the better side of human
nature; to mind {139} their own business, and not to unduly criticise,
and not to find fault, nor to delight in tale-bearing, scandal, envy,
and gossip.
This advice heeded, our social ethics would soon show wonderful
improvement; happiness, beauty of disposition, love, and moral
cleanliness, would increase among the Saints; the Spirit of God
would delight to dwell in their midst, and the best qualities of the
people would unfold and develop like the rose in the warm sunshine of
June.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 6, p. 388, March, 1903.
WE WANT TO BE KNOWN AS WE ARE. We want to be known as we are. We want
to be seen in our true light. We want the world to become acquainted
with us. We want them to learn our doctrine, to understand our faith,
our purposes, and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. We would like them to know something about the
origin of this work, but we desire that they shall see this work in the
true spirit of it, and the only way this can be brought about is by the
inquiring intelligent world coming in contact with us--those indeed who
are disposed to love truth and righteousness, and whose eyes are not
so blinded that they can not see the truth when it is presented before
them.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1908, p. 3.
TREATMENT OF THOSE WILL NOT OBEY THE LAW OF THE CHURCH. It has occurred
to me somewhat in this way: that the body of the Church is likened to
the body of a man, and you know men do sometimes get their systems
a little deranged--that is to say, sometimes they are flea-bitten.
Fleas bite them and mosquitoes bite them and cause little swellings
to rise on their face and hands. Sometimes they have boils upon them,
and carbuncles, sebaceous tumors and other excrescences, that only
need the application of the lance to get out the humor from them or to
excise them from the body, or cut them off and let them go, so that
the body may be cleansed from their poisonous effect. {140} It is so
with the Church. From time to time there are characters who become a
law unto themselves and they follow the bent of their own "sweet will"
until they get themselves into a condition mentally and spiritually
that they become a menace to the body ecclesiastic. In other words,
they become like a boil, tumor, or carbuncle on the body, you have
to call in the surgeon to apply the knife to cut them out that the
body may be cleansed from them; and this has been the case from the
beginning.--_Apr. C. R.,_ 1905, p. 5.
LATTER-DAY SAINTS MUST BE THINKERS AND WORKERS. To be Latter-day Saints
men and women must be thinkers and workers; they must be men and women
who weigh matters in their minds; men and women who consider carefully
their course of life and the principles that they have espoused. Men
cannot be faithful Latter-day Saints unless they study and understand,
to some extent at least, the principles of the gospel that they have
received. When you hear people, who profess to be Latter-day Saints,
running off on tangents, on foolish notions and one-horse, cranky
ideas, things that are obviously opposed to reason and to good sense,
opposed to principles of righteousness and to the word of the Lord that
has been revealed to men, you should know at once that they have not
studied the principles of the gospel, and do not know very much about
the gospel. When people understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will
see them walking straightforward, according to the word of the Lord and
the law of God, strictly in accordance with that which is consistent,
just, righteous, and in every sense acceptable to the Lord who only
accepts of that which is right and pleasing in his sight; for only that
which is right is pleasing unto him.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 14, 1910,
p. 72.
THE IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH UNCHANGED. We have a double guide and a
double assurance in reaching our correct conclusions concerning the
perfect identity of the {141} Church now and the Church in the days of
its first prophet. The spirit of loyalty and devotion, together with
love for the work of building up Zion, characterize the Saints, while
the devil rages now in the same manner that he did then. The spirit,
on both sides of the controversy, is so identical that it is hard to
imagine that any thoughtful Latter-day Saint can be deceived over the
situation as it exists today.
By their fruits ye shall know them. The devil caused men to rage over
the Nauvoo House, the building of the Nauvoo Temple, the Prophet's
Nauvoo brick store, and the material prosperity of the Saints in that
beautiful city on the banks of the Mississippi; he causes men to rave
over so-called "commercialism" today. Envy was rampant then. It is just
as deadly now.--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Vol. 40, p. 497, August 15, 1905.
NO CLASSES OR NATIONALITIES IN THE CHURCH. The brotherhood and common
interests in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are among
the great characteristics of our faith, and whatever, therefore, tends
to establish class distinction either in society or nationalities
should be discouraged in every way possible. God is no respecter of
persons, neither does he glorify one class to the disadvantage of
another.
A striking peculiarity of the Saints gathered from all parts of the
earth is that they are almost universally of the blood of Ephraim.
If they have received the Holy Ghost they are of one spirit, so that
whatever creates a discord in the spirit and unity of the Saints is of
evil origin. The Spirit of God never begets strife, nor does it set up
and insist on distinctions among those who have been its recipients.
There has been in some people's minds the thought that this or that
nationality was entitled to certain recognition because of its
large numbers or prominence in certain respects. The affairs of the
Church are not carried on with {142} respect to what is good or bad
policy--there is no policy in the Church, but that of wisdom and
truth, and everyone of its members should thoroughly understand that
distinctions both in classes and nationalities are odious and out of
harmony with the discipline and spirit of Church government. If a man
of one or another nationality is honored by any important call, it is
because of the spirit in the man, and not because of his nationality,
and the Saints may be certain that when any man makes a demand for
recognition it is an assumption on his part, and is not in harmony with
the life and spirit of our Master.--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Vol. 37, p.
658, November 1, 1902.
NO NEUTRALS IN THE CHURCH. In Christ's Church we cannot be neutral or
inert. We must either progress or retrograde. It is necessary for the
Latter-day Saints to keep pushing on in order that they may keep their
faith alive and their spirits quickened to the performance of their
duties. Let us remember that we are engaged in God's work--and when
I say God's work, I mean that we are engaged in the work which the
Almighty has instituted in the earth for our salvation individually.
Every man should be laboring for his own good and as far as possible
for the good of others. There is no such thing in the science of life
as a man laboring exclusively for himself. We are not intended to
be alone in time nor in eternity. Each individual is a unit in the
household of faith, and each unit must feel his or her proportion of
the responsibility that devolves upon the whole. Each individual must
be diligent in performing his duty. By doing this, and keeping himself
pure and unspotted from the world, he assists others to keep themselves
pure and unspotted. For instance, a man who is faithful in observing
the Sabbath day and in attending to the duties of that day will at
least set an example unto all with whom he is associated. The man who
is prayerful before the {143} Lord will set an example before all
others who see and know his conduct. The man who is honest in dealing
with his neighbor will set an example for good. Those who do this are
genuine representatives of Zion; they are the children of God indeed
and of a truth, and there rests with them the spirit of light and the
love of God. They are in a saved condition, and will continue to be in
a saved condition so long as they continue to observe the principles
of the gospel. It is useless for us to mourn over the evils that we
ourselves have caused, unless by repentance we may make restitution for
the evils we have done. It is a terrible thing for men and women to
allow themselves to go so far in the neglect of duty that evils will
result from their misconduct which they will be powerless thereafter to
eradicate or to make restitution for.--_Sermon,_ Sunday, June 12, 1898.
DON'T HAVE RELIGIOUS HOBBIES. Brethren and sisters, don't have hobbies.
Hobbies are dangerous in the Church of Christ. They are dangerous
because they give undue prominence to certain principles or ideas
to the detriment and dwarfing of others just as important, just as
binding, just as saving as the favored doctrines or commandments.
Hobbies give to those who encourage them a false aspect of the gospel
of the Redeemer; they distort and place out of harmony its principles
and teachings. The point of view is unnatural. Every principle and
practice revealed from God is essential to man's salvation, and to
place any one of them unduly in front, hiding and dimming all others is
unwise and dangerous; it jeopardizes our salvation, for it darkens our
minds and beclouds our understandings. Such a view, no matter to what
point directed, narrows the vision, weakens the spiritual perception,
and darkens the mind, the result of which is that the person thus
afflicted with this perversity and contraction of mental vision places
himself in a position to be tempted of the evil {144} one, or through
dimness of sight or distortion of vision, to misjudge his brethren and
give way to the spirit of apostasy. He is not square before the Lord.
We have noticed this difficulty: that Saints with hobbies are prone to
judge and condemn their brethren and sisters who are not so zealous in
the one particular direction of their pet theory as they are. The man
with the Word of Wisdom only in his brain, is apt to find unmeasured
fault with every other member of the Church who entertains liberal
ideas as to the importance of other doctrines of the gospel.
There is another phase of this difficulty--the man with a hobby is
apt to assume an "I am holier than thou" position, to feel puffed up
and conceited, and to look with distrust, if with no severer feeling,
on his brethren and sisters who do not so perfectly live that one
particular law. This feeling hurts his fellow-servants and offends the
Lord. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a
fall."--(Prov. 16-18.)
There are some great truths in the plan of redemption that are
fundamental. They cannot be ignored; none others can be placed before
them. The fatherhood of God, the efficacy of the atonement of our Lord
and Savior, the restoration of the gospel in these latter days, must
be accepted with our whole hearts. We cannot compensate for a lack of
faith in these essential doctrines by the most absolute abstinence from
things unhealthful, by the rigid payment of tithing on our "anise and
cummin," or by the observance of any other outward ordinance. Baptism
itself without faith in God avails nothing.--_Juvenile Instructor,_
Vol. 37, pp. 176-177, March, 1902.
WEALTH DOES NOT BRING CHURCH FAVORS. The idea should never gain ground
that the rich man in the Church is entitled to any more consideration
than the humblest {145} member. Men of superior virtues and powers,
whether those virtues and powers be represented in the ability to gain
wealth, to acquire education, or to display genius and wisdom, will
always occupy a commanding place in the social, the business, and
religious world.
It is one thing, however, to respect wealth and its powers, and quite
another to become mere sycophants to it. Neither the Church, nor its
blessings nor favors, have ever been, from its organization, submissive
to or purchasable by the mammon of this world. No man need to hope that
he can buy the gifts of God. Those who attempt to buy the treasures of
heaven will perish, and their wealth will perish with them. Wealth may
wield an undue influence and gain prestige in society, even though its
possessor may be greatly wanting in moral worthiness. And being a power
in itself, may be a danger through the opportunities for corruption
and seduction. Those, therefore, who have listened to the fallacious
arguments of the advantages of wealth and its power, independent of
virtue, have in store for them a great disappointment if they act upon
any such false theories.
The trouble is, that young men are very apt to mistake a friendly
and cordial greeting to those in possession of wealth for a genuine
friendship and sincere confidence. The unworthy rich should be as
much the object of our pity as the unworthy poor. Those who imagine
that wealth may be substituted for virtue are certainly doomed to
disappointment; and yet men sometimes foolishly and enviously suggest
that the highest social recommendation and religious standing as well
as the sincere friendship of the pure in heart are subject to the
command of the mammon of unrighteousness.
The money offered by Simon the sorcerer to the apostles for the
gifts they possessed was spurned by them, and a curse was pronounced
both upon him and his wealth. (See {146} Acts 8:14-23)_--Juvenile
Instructor,_ Vol. 40, pp. 593, 594, October 1, 1905.
THE GOSPEL CAUSES DISTURBANCE. In truth the gospel is carrying us
against the stream of passing humanity. We get in the way of purely
human affairs and disturb the current of life in many ways and in many
places. People who are comfortably located and well provided for, do
not like to be disturbed. It angers them, and they would settle things
once for all in the most drastic manner. The effects of certain causes
are so unlike anything we have ever known that we are not safe in
making philosophy our guide; much less are we safe in making those our
guide who have some sort of selfish philosophy which they are anxious
that others should follow. Those who defend us, do so not infrequently
with an apologetic air. The Saints are never safe in following the
protests and counsels of those who would have us ever and always in
harmony with the world. We have our particular mission to perform;
and that we may perform it in consonance with divine purposes, we are
running counter to the ways of man. We are made unpopular. The contempt
of the world is on us, and we are the unloved child among the peoples
of the earth.
"HAVING DONE ALL, STAND."
There are people who are courageous in doing all they can to bring
about certain results. They will combat evils and resist the wrongs
that are inflicted upon them and upon others; but when they have been
defeated, when they see a just cause suffer, and evilly disposed
men triumphant, they give up. What is the use? That is the question
uppermost in their minds. They see wicked men apparently successful.
They see men of evil repute honored by their fellowmen until they are
almost persuaded that fate has her rewards for wrong doing. With them,
what appears to be a lost cause inspires no hope. It is lost, they say,
and we shall have to make the best of it, and {147} let it go. They are
at heart discouraged. Some almost question the purposes of Providence.
They have the courage of men who are brave at heart, but they have not
the courage of faith.
How different it was with Paul! He had labored fearlessly, he had
delivered a divine message, he had resisted the enemy, and they
apparently triumphed over him. He was taken prisoner and subjected
to humiliating treatment by the administrators of the law. He was in
bonds, and death awaited him, but he was still courageous. His was
the courage of faith. Read these stirring words of his sent to the
Ephesians, recorded in Ephesians 6:13, sent when most men would have
thought their cause lost: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done
all, to stand."
After we have done all we could do for the cause of truth, and
withstood the evil that men have brought upon us, and we have been
overwhelmed by their wrongs, it is still our duty to stand. We cannot
give up; we must not lie down. Great causes are not won in a single
generation. To stand firm in the face of overwhelming opposition, when
you have done all you can, is the courage of faith. The courage of
faith is the courage of progress. Men who possess that divine quality
go on; they are not permitted to stand still if they would. They are
not simply the creatures of their own power and wisdom; they are
instrumentalities of a higher law and a divine purpose.
Others would quit, they would avoid trouble. When it comes, it is to
them most unfortunate. It is really too bad. In their minds, it might
have been avoided. They want to square themselves with the World.
The decree of the world has gone forth, why withstand it? "We have
withstood evil," they say, "and it has overwhelmed us. Why stand
longer?" Such men read history, if at all, only as they make it;
they cannot see the hand of God in the affairs of {148} men, because
they see only with the eye of man and not with the eye of faith. All
resistance is gone out of them--they have left God out of the question.
They have not put on his whole armor. Without it they are loaded down
with fear and apprehension, and they sink. To such men everything that
brings trouble seems necessary. As Saints of God, it is our duty "to
stand," even when we are overwhelmed by evil.
"And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and
cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth
forth out of the mouth of God;
"For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon
precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith;
"And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake shall
find it again, even life eternal;
"Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my
heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether
you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found
worthy;
"For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me."
(Doc. and Cov. 98:11-15).--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Aug. 15, 1904, Vol.
39, pp. 496, 497.
NOT NATURALLY RELIGIOUS. Some people persist in saying on occasion that
they are not naturally religious. Do they mean by this that attending
meetings, taking part in ward worship, teaching and preaching, are
not congenial to them? Or, do they mean more? Perhaps the moral
restrictions governing an active worker in the Church are not congenial
to them. They reason that it is better to make no pretensions than to
make more than one can live up to; and so they excuse themselves by
declaring they are naturally not religious.
But religion is not outward show and pretense, and {149} being
religious does not altogether consist in compliance with outward forms,
even when these are the ordinances of the gospel. Neither is it an
unfailing sign that a person is conscientious who takes an active part
in organizations of the Church. Evil men may use these for selfish and
wicked purposes. I have known men who joined our organizations for such
ends, and men who have been baptized who never repented.
Then what is religion? James declares: "Pure religion and undefiled
before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows
in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
This may be interpreted as meaning that a person who is religious is
thoughtful to the unfortunate, and has an inner spirit that prompts to
deeds of kindness and to the leading of a blameless life; who is just,
truthful; who does not, as Paul says, think more highly of himself
than he ought to think; who is affectionate, patient in tribulation,
diligent, cheerful, fervent in spirit, hospitable, merciful; and who
abhors evil and cleaves to that which is good. The possession of such a
spirit and feeling is a true sign that a person is naturally religious.
The Church's outward ordinances and requirements are but necessary--yet
they are necessary--aids to the inner spiritual life. 'The Church
itself, the organization, meetings, ordinances, requirements, are only
helps, but very necessary helps, to the practice of true religion
--schoolmasters to direct us in the way of eternal light and truth.
Young men, do not say that you are not naturally religious, and so
make that an excuse for evil deeds and forbidden acts, and for not
identifying yourselves with the organizations of the Church, and by
such course perhaps smothering the Spirit of God within you, possessed
as a birthright, or received through the servants of the Lord by
the imposition of hands. Be rather religious both in appearance and
in reality, remembering what true religion means. {150} Even as the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, so is the possession of
the knowledge that you love purity, righteousness, honesty, justice and
well-doing, an indisputable evidence that you are naturally religious.
Search your hearts, and you will find deep down that you possess this
knowledge. Then encourage its growth and development to the gaining
of your own salvation. The Church and its quorums and organizations
will help you, and the living, loving God will add his bounteous
blessings.--_Improvement Era,_ 1905-6, Vol. 9, pp. 493-495.
STRIVE TO BE AS BROAD AS THE GOSPEL. The gospel of Jesus Christ,
properly taught and understood, inculcates broadness, force, and power.
It makes intellectually broad and valiant men. It gives to men good,
sound judgment in affairs temporal as well as spiritual. There are
reasons why it is worth a young man's while to embrace it. Outside of
the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Latter-day Saints, and
sometimes within the fold, we frequently look about us and see people
who incline to extremes, who are fanatical. We may be sure that this
class of people do not understand the gospel. They have forgotten, if
they ever knew, that it is very unwise to take a fragment of truth and
treat it as if it were the whole thing.
While the first principles of the gospel, faith in God, repentance,
baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the
reception of the Holy Ghost, the healing of the sick, the resurrection,
and for that matter, all the revealed principles of the gospel of
Christ are necessary and essential in the plan of salvation, it is
neither good policy nor sound doctrine to take any one of these, single
it out from the whole plan of gospel truth, make it a special hobby,
and depend upon it for our salvation and progress, either in this world
or in the world to come. They are all necessary.
It should be the desire of the Latter-day Saints to become {151} as
big and broad as the gospel which has been divinely revealed to them.
They should, therefore, hold themselves open to the acceptance of
all the truths of the gospel that have been revealed, that are now
being revealed, and that will be revealed hereafter, and adopt them
in the conduct of their daily lives. By honorable and upright living,
by obedience to the commandments of God, and by the aid of the Holy
Spirit, we shall place ourselves in a position to work out our own
salvation here and hereafter, "with fear and trembling," it may be, but
with absolute certainty.
This is a work that makes every soul who engages in it big and broad.
It is a life-work worth the while of every man in the world.--_
Improvement Era,_ 1911-12, Vol. 15, pp. 843-845.
SEARCH AND YE SHALL FIND. The fact is that every principle of healing,
every principle of the power of the Holy Ghost, and of God, which have
been manifested to the Saints in all ages, have been bestowed upon the
Latter-day Saints. There is no principle, there is no blessing, there
is no advantage, there is no truth in any other religious society or
organization, which is not included in the gospel of Jesus Christ as
taught by Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and after him by the leaders and
elders of this Church; but it requires some effort on our part, some
exertion, some devotion, to learn of and to enjoy these things. If we
neglect them, we are, of course, not the recipients of the blessings
that follow effort, and that come from a thorough understanding
of these principles. Hence it is that others may come in among us
and advocate their ideas which, though not comparing with ours in
plainness, instruction, and truth, are yet listened to by people who
are made to believe that all these things are new, and not contained in
the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Latter-day Saints. This is
a fearful fallacy, and one that should be guarded against by everyone
who loves the gospel.
{152} In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be found
to a greater extent than in any other church, the principles of life
and salvation; and if we search them out of our literature and learn
them for ourselves, have them confirmed by the Spirit, by right living,
and make them a part of ourselves, we shall find greater comfort and
richer blessings greater treasures of everlasting life than in any
other teachings that may be given to us by any other organization upon
the earth.--_Improvement Era,_ May, 1909, Vol. 12, p. 561.
THE SPIRIT OF RELIGION. A serious time will come in every life. There
is a parting of the ways. What you indulge in will lead you up or down.
I have no hesitancy in declaring in the name of the Lord that the
spirit which leads you to complain that you are bored in attending the
worshiping assemblies of the Saints has led or will lead you astray;
and, on the other hand, that the young people who cultivate the true
spirit of worship, and find happiness and pleasure in the associations
of the Saints, and who care enough for God and religion to support
the Church and attend the meetings, are the people whose moral and
spiritual influence will control public sentiment and govern the state
and nation. In any conflict with indifference and the spirit of worldly
pleasure, moral influence and religious earnestness will always conquer
and rule.--_Improvement Era,_ October, 1903, Vol. 6, p. 944.
THE MEANING OF SUCCESS. There are daily evidences of a growing tendency
among the masses of the civilized world to regard success in life
purely from the standpoint of material advancement. The man who has
a beautiful home and a large income is looked upon as a successful
man. People are constantly talking about the winners of fortune in the
contest for wealth. Men who are successful in obtaining the honors
bestowed by their fellowmen are envied as among the most fortunate.
Everywhere men hear the word {153} success dwelt upon as if success
were defined in a word, and as if the highest ambition of men and women
was the advancement of some worldly ambition.
All this rage about success simply indicates the gross materialism
of the age in which we live. Here is what a State Commissioner of
Education says to a graduating class: "You need not expect that people
will stand aside because you have come. They are going to crowd you,
and you will have to crowd them. They will leave you behind unless you
leave them behind." The meaning of such talk is that to be successful
you must take advantage of your fellowmen; you must crowd them out and
leave them behind; and all because if you do not take advantage of them
they will take advantage of you.
After all, what is success, and who are competent to judge? The great
masses who lived in the days of Jesus would have said that his life was
a stupendous failure, that his life and teachings ended in inglorious
defeat. Even his disciples were disappointed in his death; and their
efforts to perpetuate his name and teachings were covered with ignominy
and contempt. It was centuries before the success of his life became
apparent to the world. We can easily comprehend, therefore, how it has
taken centuries to accomplish achievements that were set in motion by
some obscure or despised personage. The triumph, therefore, of Jesus
would have been looked upon by his generation as one of the paradoxes
of history.
When the Prophet Joseph Smith was slain, his enemies rejoiced in what
they considered the inglorious ending of his life. They were sure that
all he had done would end with him, and so they could pronounce his
life a burlesque and a failure. It will be seen from these instances
that the contemporaries of a man are not always competent to say
whether his life has been a success or a failure. A sound {154}
judgment must await future generations, perhaps future centuries.
If your neighbor today is a poor widow who rears, amid the greatest
struggles and in unbearable poverty, three or four or half a dozen
children, Perhaps no one would say of her life that it was a success,
and yet there may be in her offspring the embryo of future greatness,
future generations may cover her motherhood with glory.
After all, one's success must be determined more by the eternal (as
well as the present) needs of man, than by temporary standards which
men erect in pursuance of the spirit of the age in which they live.
Certainly nothing is more fatal to our well being than the notion that
our present and eternal welfare is founded upon the wealth and honors
of this world.
The great truth enunciated by the Savior seems very generally to be
lost sight of in this generation, that it will profit a man nothing
though he should gain the whole world, if he lose his own soul.
The standard of success as declared by the word of God, is the
salvation of the soul. The greatest gift of God is eternal
life.--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Sept. 15, 1904, Vol. 39, pp. 561-562.
WHAT IS TO BECOME OF SUCH AS ME. That there are many good people in
the world who believe the principles of the gospel as taught by the
Latter-day Saints and yet, through circumstances and environment, are
not prepared publicly to accept the same, is evidenced by the following
extract from a letter written by a reverend gentleman:
"What is to become of such as I, who believe this about you, and yet
are tied and bound by circumstances such as mine? Here I have been a
minister for fifty-five years. I cannot change now if I would."
In answer to the question, "What is to become of such {155} as me?"
let it be said that every person will receive his just reward for the
good he may do and for his every act. But let it be remembered that
all blessings which we shall receive, either here or hereafter, must
come to us as a result of our obedience to the laws of God upon which
these blessings are predicated. Our friend will not be forgotten for
the kindness he has extended to the work and the servants of the Lord,
but will be remembered of him and rewarded for his faith and for every
good deed and word. But there are many blessings that result from
obeying the ordinances of the gospel, and acknowledging the priesthood
authorized of the Father and restored to the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, that cannot be obtained until the person is willing
to comply with the ordinances and keep the commandments revealed in
our day for the salvation of mankind. The true searcher will see and
understand this truth and act upon it, either in this world or in the
world to come, and not until then, of course, may he claim all the
blessings. The earlier he accepts, the earlier will he obtain the
blessings, and if he neglects to accept the laws in this world, knowing
them to be true, it is reasonable to suppose that disadvantages will
result that will cause him deep regret.--_Improvement Era,_ 1912-13,
Vol. 16, pp. 70-72.
REST FOR THE PEACEABLE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. I desire to call the
attention of the Latter-day Saints to the words of the Prophet Moroni,
who says, in speaking of his father's instructions to the ancient
saints upon this continent:
"Wherefore I would speak unto you that are of the Church, that are the
peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient
hope, by which we can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time
henceforth, until ye shall rest with him in heaven."
This is a very significant passage. The rest here referred {156} to
is not physical rest, for there is no such thing as physical rest in
the Church of Jesus Christ. Reference is made to the spiritual rest
and peace which are born from a settled conviction of the truth in the
minds of men. We may thus enter into the rest of the Lord today, by
coming to an understanding of the truths of the gospel. No people is
more entitled to this rest--this peace of the spirit--than are members
of the Church. It is true that not all are unsettled. Not all need to
seek this rest, for there are many who now possess it, whose minds
have become satisfied, and who have set their eyes upon the mark of
their high calling with an invincible determination in their hearts
to be steadfast in the truth, and who are treading in humility and
righteousness the path marked out for the Saints who are complacent
followers of Jesus Christ. But there are many who, not having reached
this point of determined conviction, are driven about by every wind
of doctrine, thus being ill at ease, unsettled, restless. These are
they who are discouraged over incidents that occur in the Church,
and in the nation, and in the turmoils of men and associations. They
harbor a feeling of suspicion, unrest, uncertainty. Their thoughts are
disturbed, and they become excited with the least change, like one at
sea who has lost his bearings.
Where would you have people go who are unsettled in the truth? The
answer is plain. They will not find satisfaction in the doctrines of
Men. Let them seek for it in the written word of God; let them pray
to him in their secret chambers, where no human ear can hear, and in
their closets petition for light; let them obey the doctrines of Jesus,
and they will immediately begin to grow in the knowledge of the truth.
This course will bring peace to their souls, joy to their hearts, and
a settled conviction which no change can disturb. They may be well
assured {157} that "he that heareth in secret will reward them openly."
Let them seek for strength from the Source of all strength, and he will
provide spiritual contentment, a rest which is incomparable with the
physical rest that cometh after toil. All who seek have a right to, and
may enter into, the rest of God, here upon the earth, from this time
forth, now, today; and when earth-life is finished, they shall also
enjoy his rest in heaven.
I know that Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, that he is the
Redeemer of the world, that he was raised from the dead; and that as
he arose, so shall every soul bearing the image of God arise from the
dead and be judged according to his works, be they good or evil. In the
never-ending eternities of our Father in heaven, the righteous shall
rejoice, while the association and love of their families and friends
shall glorify them through the ages that are to come. Joy and rest
unspeakable will be their reward.
These are some of the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ which
the Latter-day Saints believe. I don't wish for anything better; I
desire to be satisfied in these, and to possess that peace and joy
which spring from the contemplation of the opportunities and truths
that are embraced in this gospel. Were I to seek for other truths,
where would I go? Not to man. I must know for myself, from the source
which provides these blessings and gifts; but what more would I ask for
than a knowledge of the resurrection, that I shall be made whole of
my sins and become perfect in Christ Jesus, through obedience to his
gospel? Is any doctrine more reasonable and more compatible with free
agency than this? It is true that ancient philosophers taught us many
morals, but where, in all the philosophy of the world, have we better
teachings than in the gospel of Christ which has been revealed to us,
and which we hold and are {158} made partakers of? No doctrine was ever
as perfect as that of Jesus. Christ perfected every principle that had
hitherto been taught by the philosophers of the world; he has revealed
to us the way of salvation, from the beginning, and through all the
meanderings of this life to never-ending exaltation and glory in his
kingdom, and to a newness of life therein. He has taught us that man is
a dual being, the offspring of God, and that the body and the spirit,
blended in one immortal soul, is eventually to stand in the presence of
its Maker, and see as it is seen, and know as it is known. Whenever the
Lord speaks to man, he speaks to his immortal soul, and satisfaction
and unsurpassing peace and joy come to all who listen.
Happy is the man, indeed, who can receive this soul-satisfying
testimony, and be at rest, and seek for no other road to peace than
by the doctrines of Jesus Christ. His gospel teaches us to love our
fellowmen, to do to others as we would have others do to us, to be
just, to be merciful, to be forgiving, and to perform every good
act calculated to enlarge the soul of man. His perfected philosophy
teaches also that it is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong, and
to pray for our enemies and for those who despitefully use us. There
are no other gospels or systems of philosophy that bear these marks of
divinity and immortality. You may hunt the philosophies of the world in
vain for any code of ethics that insures the peace and rest that may be
found in his comprehensive, yet simple, gospel.
To the young man or the young woman who is at a loss to know what to
do, among all the various teachings that are extant in the world, I
would say: Search the Scriptures, seek God in prayer, and then read
the doctrines that have been proclaimed by Christ in his sermon on the
mount, as found in Matthew, and as reiterated to the ancient {159}
saints upon this continent (III Nephi). Having studied these splendid
standards, and searched deeply the significance of these matchless
sentiments, you may defy the philosophies of the world, or any of
its ethics to produce their equal. The wisdom of men is not to be
compared with them. They lead to the rest of the peaceable followers
of Christ, and enable mankind to become perfect as he is perfect. No
other philosopher has ever said as Jesus said, "Come unto me." From the
beginning of the world until the present time, no other philosopher
has ever cried unto the people such words of love, nor guaranteed and
declared power within himself to save. "Come unto me, all ye that labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," is his call to all the
sons and daughters of men.
The Latter-day Saints have answered the call, and thousands thereby
have found rest and peace surpassing all understanding; and this
notwithstanding the outward, fiery ordeals, the turmoil and the strife,
through which they have passed. They rest in the knowledge that no man
could declare or teach such doctrine; it is the truth of God.
I thank our Father that I have come to a knowledge of this truth,
that I know that Jesus is the Christ, in whom alone there is rest
and salvation. As God lives, they are deceived who follow men and
their philosophies; but happy are they who enter into the rest of the
peaceable followers of Christ, obtaining sufficient hope from this
time henceforth until they shall rest with him in heaven. They depend
completely upon the saving power of his gospel, and are therefore at
rest in all the tumult of mind and public agitation which besets their
way.--_Improvement Era,_ 1903-4, Vol. 7, pp. 714-18.
HARMONY. As to harmony, with special reference to the understanding
that the Latter-day Saints should have of it, as affecting the
membership of the Church, or as subsisting {160} in the quorums of
the priesthood, I would say that the harmony that is sought to be
established among the Saints, and in the membership of the respective
quorums is a harmony that comes from seeing eye to eye in all things;
from understanding things alike; a harmony that is born of perfect
knowledge, perfect honesty, perfect unselfishness, perfect love. This
is the harmony the Church would inculcate among its members, and such
the elements from which she would have it arise.
It is with harmony as it is with all the ideals of the gospel. The
Saints and elders of the Church may fail in perfect attainment of
them, in this life, but they may approximate them. While that is
true respecting all the details of the gospel, and as true of the
perfect harmony we seek to attain as of other ideal conditions, yet we
recognize the fact that a certain degree of harmony is essential in
the Church as a working principle. This degree of harmony, essential
in the Church, among the members and in the quorums of the priesthood,
is neither hard to understand nor difficult of attainment. Neither
is it a new principle, nor peculiar to the Church of the Latter-day
Saints. It is as old as the society of men. It is common to all men
working in community--to parliaments, congresses, conventions, boards,
bureaucracies, and conferences of all descriptions. In the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this essential harmony consists
of such union or agreement as is necessary to the accomplishment of
the purposes of the organization. These purposes, in the main, are
accomplished through the several councils of the priesthood, and
through the conferences of the Church; hence, the work is done by the
combined actions of groups of individuals, and of necessity must be by
their agreement or consent. With men of varying intelligence, judgment,
and temperament, of course it follows that in the consideration of
a given matter there will be a variety of views entertained, and
discussion of the {161} subject will nearly always develop a variety
of opinions. All this, by the way, is not detrimental to the quality
of any purposed action, since the greater the variety in temperament
and training, of those in conference, the more varied will be the
viewpoints from which the subject in question is considered, until
it is likely to be presented in almost every conceivable light, and
its strength as well as its weakness developed, resulting in the best
possible judgment being formed of it. It is these considerations
which doubtless led to the aphorism, "In the midst of counsel there
is wisdom." It will sometimes happen, of course, in the experiences
of councils or conferences, that all present may not be brought to
perfect agreement, with reference to the proposed action; but upon
submission of the question to an expression of judgment, it is found
that a majority of those having the right to decide a given matter
determine it in a certain way. And now the question arises, what shall
be the course of those who are in the minority, those not in the
agreement perfectly with the decision? Shall they go from the council
or conference and contend for their views against the decision rendered
and be rebellious and stubborn in adhering to their own judgment, as
against the judgment of the majority of the council or conference who
had the right to determine what the action should be? The right answer,
I think, is obvious. The judgment of the majority must stand. If it
is the action of the council or conference having the final word upon
the subject, it becomes the decreed action, the rule or law, and must
be maintained as such until greater knowledge or changed circumstances
shall cause those who rightfully established such decision to modify or
abolish it.
Of course, if a member or members of the minority regard the action
of the majority as a violation of some fundamental principle, or
subversive of the inherent rights of men, against which they conceive
it to be a matter of conscience {162} to enter protest or absolute
repudiation, I understand it is their right to so proceed; but this,
let it be understood, would be revolutionary, it would be rebellion,
and if persisted in, could only end in such persons voluntarily
withdrawing, or being severed from the organization. They cannot hope
to be retained in a fellowship and enjoy the rights and privileges of
the Church, and at the same time be making war upon its decisions or
its rules and policy. But no power on earth, certainly no power in the
Church, can prevent men dissatisfied with the Church, from absolutely
withdrawing from it; and such is the disfavor with which the Church
is regarded by the world that such withdrawals would in most cases be
rewarded by the applause of the world. Or, if the dissatisfaction of
the member be only with the quorum or council of the priesthood with
which he is connected, he would be at liberty to withdraw from that
quorum or council, and still retain his membership in the Church. On
the other hand, the harmony which I spoke of as being essential to
the Church certainly demands that' the Church shall not tolerate, and
indeed, if the life of the organization persists, it cannot tolerate
such internal conflicts as those just alluded to, as they would lead
to confusion, anarchy, disruption, and final abolishment of the
organization.
There is one other element to be considered in this matter of harmony,
as a doctrine of the Church, which may not operate in other community
efforts of men; and that is, the living presence and effective force
of the Holy Spirit. That Spirit, it must be remembered, is, by way of
preeminence, called "The Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the
Father." He teaches all things; and brings to the remembrance of the
Saints all the instructions of the Master. He guides into all truth,
and as in all truth there is unity or harmony, so, it is believed
that if the Saints are in possession of this Spirit, the harmony in
the Church of Christ will {163} be superior to the harmony that can
be looked for or hoped for, in any other organization whatsoever. And
because the Saints have free access to the Holy Spirit, and may walk
within his light and fellowship and possess the intelligence which he
is able to impart, a stricter harmony among the Saints may be insisted
upon than in any other organization of men whatsoever. For the same
reason, lack of harmony may be more severely censured and persistent
opposition and rebellion more justly denounced and swiftly punished.
In all things, however, patience and charity must be exercised--and no
less in seeking the perfect harmony we hope for, than in other things.
The present state of imperfect knowledge, the struggle it is for all
men to live on those spiritual heights where they may be in communion
with God, must be taken into account and due allowance made for human
weakness and imperfection. So that, while the existence of that degree
of harmony essential as a working principle in the Church must always
be imperatively demanded, beyond that, the Church, in the manner of
harmony, may well afford to exercise forbearance and charity towards
all its members until the day of more perfect knowledge shall arise
upon the Saints; a day when, through a wider effusion and a deeper
penetration of the Holy Spirit they may be brought to stand in perfect
harmony with each other and with God.--_Improvement Era,_ 1904-5, Vol.
8, pp. 209-215.
CHARACTER, METTLE, AND MISSION OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. We do not look
for absolute perfection in man. Mortal man is not capable of being
absolutely perfect. Nevertheless, it is given to us to be as perfect
in the sphere in which we are called to be and to act, as it is for
the Father in heaven to be pure and righteous in the more exalted
sphere in which he acts. We will find in the scriptures the words of
the Savior himself to his disciples, in which he required that they
should be perfect, even as their Father {164} in heaven is perfect;
that they should be righteous, even as he is righteous. I do not expect
that we can be as perfect as Christ, that we can be as righteous as
God. But I believe that we can strive for that perfection with the
intelligence that we possess, and the knowledge that we have of the
principles of life and salvation. The duty of the Latter-day Saints,
and the paramount duty of those who are leaders in this work of mutual
improvement in the Church, is to inculcate in the hearts of the young
people these principles of righteousness, of purity of life, of honor,
of uprightness and of humility withal, that we may be humble before God
and acknowledge his hand in all things. According to his revelations,
he is displeased with those who will not acknowledge his hand in all
things. When we look at the imperfections of our fellow beings, some of
the inclinations of those with whom we are intimately associated in the
various organizations of the Church, and discern in them their natural
proneness to evil, to sinfulness, to a disregard of sacred things, and
sometimes their inclination to disregard and treat lightly, if not with
contempt, those things which should be more sacred than life itself, it
makes the task seem almost discouraging, and it seems impossible for us
to accomplish that which we have in view, and to perform the mission
that we have undertaken to our own satisfaction and the acceptance of
the Lord.
But what shall we do? Shall we quit because there are those with whom
we come in contact who are not willing to rise to the standard to
which we seek to exalt them? No! Someone has said that the Lord hates
a quitter, and there should be no such thing as quitting when we put
our hands to the plow to save men, to save souls, to exalt mankind,
to inculcate principles of righteousness and establish them in the
hearts of those with whom we are associated, both by precept and by
example. There must be no such thing as being discouraged. We may fail
over and over again, {165} but if we do, it is in individual cases.
Under certain conditions and circumstances, we may fail to accomplish
the object we have in view with reference to this individual or the
other individual, or a number of individuals that we are seeking to
benefit, to uplift, to purify, to get into their hearts the principles
of justice, of righteousness, of virtue and of honor, that would fit
them to inherit the kingdom of God; to associate with angels, should
they come to visit the earth. If you fail, never mind. Go right on; try
it again; try it somewhere else. Never say quit. Do not say it cannot
be done. Failure is a word that should be unknown to all the workers
in the Sunday Schools, in the Mutual Improvement Associations, in our
Primary Associations, in the quorums of Priesthood, as well as in all
the organizations of the Church everywhere. The word "fail" ought to
be expunged from our language and our thoughts. We do not fail when we
seek to benefit the erring, and they will not listen to us. We will get
the reward for all the good we do. We will get the reward for all the
good we desire to do, and labor to do, though we fail to accomplish
it, for we will be judged according to our works and our intent and
purposes. The victim of evil, or sin, the one whom we seek to benefit,
but who will not yield to our endeavors to benefit him, may fail, but
we who try to uplift him will not fail, if we do not quit.
If we continue to try, failing, as it were, or missing one mark, should
not discourage us; but we should fly to another, keep on in the work,
keep on doing, patiently, determinedly doing our duty, seeking to
accomplish the purpose we have in view.
It is the duty of the Latter-day Saints, the duty of those auxiliary
organizations of the Church, all and each of them, to teach to the
children that are brought within our influence and care the divinity
of the mission of Joseph Smith, the prophet. Do not forget it. Do
not let him perish out of your thoughts and minds. Remember that the
Lord God {166} raised him to lay the foundations of this work, and
the Lord did what has been done through him, and we see the results
of it. Men may scoff at Joseph Smith and at his mission, just as they
scoffed at the Savior and his mission. They may ridicule and make
light of and condemn the mission of the Christ, and yet with all their
condemnation, their scoffing, their ridicule, their contempt and
murderous persecution of the Saints of former days, God's name, the
name of the lowly Nazarene--he that had not where to lay his head,
he that was scoffed at, abused, insulted, persecuted and driven into
concealment and into exile, time and again, because they sought his
life; he that was charged with doing good, by the power of Satan; he
that was charged with violating the Sabbath day, because he permitted
his disciples to gather ears of corn and eat them on the Sabbath; he
that was called a friend of publicans and sinners, he that was called
a friend of winebibbers, and all this sort of thing; and at last was
crucified, mocked, crowned with thorns, spat upon, smitten and abused
until he was lifted upon the cross, as they shouted: "Now, if thou be
the Son of God, come down!"--even the thieves crucified with him mocked
and ridiculed him, and asked him, if he were Christ to come down and
also deliver them--all this happened to Jesus, the Son of God; but what
is the result? Look at the so-called Christian world today. Never has
there been a name brought to the intelligence of the human race since
the foundations of the world that has accomplished so much, that has
been revered and honored so much as the name of Jesus Christ--once so
hated and persecuted and crucified. The day will come--and it is not
far distant, either--when the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith will
be coupled with the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God,
as his representative, as his agent whom he chose, ordained and set
apart to lay anew the foundations of the Church of God in the world,
which is indeed the Church of Jesus Christ, possessing {167} all the
powers of the gospel, all the rites and privileges, the authority of
the Holy Priesthood, and every principle necessary to fit and qualify
both the living and the dead to inherit eternal life, and to attain
to exaltation in the kingdom of God. The day will come when you and I
will not be the only ones who will believe this, by a great deal; but
there will be millions of people, living and dead, who will proclaim
this truth. This gospel revealed by the Prophet Joseph is already being
preached to the spirits in prison, to those who have passed away from
this stage of action into the spirit world without the knowledge of
the gospel. Joseph Smith is preaching the gospel to them, so is Hyrum
Smith, so is Brigham Young, and so are all the faithful apostles who
lived in this dispensation, under the administration of the Prophet
Joseph. They are there, having carried with them from here the holy
Priesthood which they received under the hands and by the authority of
the Prophet Joseph Smith. With that authority, conferred upon them in
the flesh, they are preaching the gospel to the spirits in prison, as
Christ directed when his body lay in the tomb, and he went to proclaim
liberty to the captives, and to open the prison doors to them that
were bound. Not only are these engaged in that work, but hundreds and
thousands of others. The elders who have died in the mission field
have not finished their missions, but they are continuing them in the
spirit world. Possibly the Lord saw it necessary or proper to call them
hence, as he did. I am not going to question that thought, at least,
not dispute it. I leave it in the hands of God, for I believe that
all these things will be overruled for good, for the Lord will suffer
nothing to go to his people in the world that he will not overrule
eventually for their greater good.--_Improvement Era,_ October, 1910,
Vol. 13, pp. 1053-1061.
{168}
CHAPTER IX
PRIESTHOOD
GOD IS AT THE HELM. We are living in a momentous age. The Lord is
hastening his work. He is at the helm; there is no mortal man at the
helm of this work. It is true, the Lord uses such instruments as will
be obedient to his commandments and laws to assist in accomplishing
his purposes in the earth. He has chosen those who, at least, have
shown a willingness and a disposition to obey him and keep his laws,
and who seek to work righteousness and carry out the purposes of the
Lord.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1906, pp. 3, 4.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND PRIESTHOOD. The
priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God.
Every man ordained to any degree of the priesthood, has this authority
delegated to him.
But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall
be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after
the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the
_keys_ of the priesthood. In their fulness, the keys are held by only
one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may
delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that
person holds the keys of that particular labor. Thus, the president
of a temple, the president of a stake, the bishop of a ward, the
president of a mission, the president of a quorum, each holds the keys
of the {169} labors performed in that particular body or locality. His
priesthood is not increased by this special appointment, for a seventy
who presides over a mission has no more priesthood than a seventy who
labors under his direction; and the president of an elders' quorum,
for example, has no more priesthood than any member of that quorum.
But he holds the power of directing the official labors performed
in the mission or the quorum, or in other words, the _keys_ of that
division of that work. So it is throughout all the ramifications of
the priesthood--a distinction must be carefully made between the
general authority, and the directing of the labors performed by that
authority.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 4, p. 230, January, 1901.
CONFERRING THE PRIESTHOOD. The revelation in section 107, Doctrine and
Covenants, verses 1, 5, 6, 7, 21 clearly points out that the Priesthood
is a general authority or qualification, with certain offices or
authorities appended thereto. Consequently the conferring of the
priesthood should precede and accompany ordination to office, unless
it be possessed by previous bestowal and ordination. Surely a man
cannot possess an appendage to the Priesthood without possessing the
priesthood itself, which he cannot obtain unless it be authoritatively
conferred upon him.
Take, for instance, the office of a deacon: the person ordained should
have the Aaronic Priesthood conferred upon him in connection with his
ordination. He cannot receive a portion or fragment of the Aaronic
priesthood, because that would be acting on the idea that either or
both of the (Melchizedek and Aaronic) Priesthoods were subject to
subdivision, which is contrary to the revelation.
In ordaining those who have not yet received the Aaronic Priesthood, to
any office therein, the words of John the Baptist to Joseph Smith, Jr.,
and Oliver Cowdery, would be appropriate to immediately precede the act
of ordination. They are:
"Upon you my fellow servants [servant], in the name of Messiah, I
confer the Priesthood of Aaron."
Of course, it would not necessarily follow that these exact words
should be used, but the language should be consistent with the act of
conferring the Aaronic Priesthood.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 4, p. 394,
March, 1901.
AN AUTHORITATIVE DECLARATION. The Church of {170} Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is no partisan Church. It is not a sect. It is _The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints_. It is the only one today
existing in the world that can and does legitimately bear the name of
Jesus Christ and his divine authority. I make this declaration in all
simplicity and honesty before you and before all the world, bitter as
the truth may seem to those who are opposed and who have no reason for
that opposition. It is nevertheless true and will remain true until he
who has a right to rule among the nations of the earth and among the
individual children of God throughout the world shall come and take the
reins of government and receive the bride that shall be prepared for
the coming of the Bridegroom.
Many of our great writers have recently been querying and wondering
where the divine authority exists today to command in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, so that it will be
in effect and acceptable at the throne of the Eternal Father. I will
announce here and now, presumptuous as it may seem to be to those who
know not the truth, that the divine authority of Almighty God, to
speak in the name of the Father and the Son, is here in the midst of
these everlasting hills, in the midst of this intermountain region,
and it will abide and will continue, for God is its source, and God
is the power by which it has been maintained against all opposition
in the world up to the present, and by which it will continue to
progress and grow and increase on the earth until it shall cover the
earth from sea to sea. This is my testimony to you, my brethren and
sisters, and I have a fulness of joy and satisfaction in being able
to declare this without regard to, or fear of, all the adversaries of
the truth.--This declaration was made on the 88th anniversary of the
organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April
6, 1918.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 21, p. 639.
{171} THE CHURCH NOT MAN-MADE. We believe in God, the Father of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Father
of our spirits. We believe in him without reserve, we accept him in
our heart, in our religious faith, in our very being. We know that he
loves us, and we accept him as the Father of our spirits and the Father
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We believe in the Lord Jesus and
in his divine, saving mission into the world, and in the redemption,
the marvelous, glorious redemption, that he wrought for the salvation
of men. We believe in him, and this constitutes the foundation of our
faith. He is the foundation and chief cornerstone of our religion. We
are his by adoption, by being buried with Christ in baptism, by being
born of the water and of the spirit anew into the world, through the
ordinances of the gospel of Christ, and we are thereby God's children,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ through our adoption and
faith.
One of our brethren who spoke today gave out the idea that he knew who
was to lead the Church. I also know who will lead this Church, and
I tell you that it will be no man who will lead the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints; I don't care in what time nor in what
generation. No _man_ will lead God's people nor his work. God may
choose men and make them instruments in his hands for accomplishing
his purposes, but the glory and honor and power will be due to the
Father, in whom rests the wisdom and the might to lead his people and
take care of his Zion. I am not leading tile Church of Jesus Christ,
nor the Latter-day Saints, and I want this distinctly understood. No
man does. Joseph did not do it; Brigham did not do it; neither did John
Taylor. Neither did Wilford Woodruff, nor Lorenzo Snow; and Joseph F.
Smith, least of them all, is not leading the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, and will not lead it. They were instruments in
God's hands in accomplishing what they did. God did it through them.
{172} The honor and glory is due to the Lord and not to them. We are
only instruments whom God may choose and use to do his work. All that
we can do we should do to strengthen them in the midst of weaknesses,
in the great calling to which they are called. But remember that God
leads the work. It is his. It is not man's work. If it had been the
work of Joseph Smith, or of Brigham Young, or of John Taylor, Wilford
Woodruff, or Lorenzo Snow, it would not have endured the tests to which
it has been subjected; it would have been brought to naught long ago.
But if it had been merely the work of men, it never would have been
subjected to such tests, for the whole world has been arrayed against
it. If it had been the work of Brigham Young or Joseph Smith, with such
determined opposition as it has met with, it would have come to naught.
But it was not theirs; it was God's work. Thank God for that. It is the
power of God unto salvation, and I want my boys and girls to take my
testimony upon this point. And yet, while we give the honor and glory
unto the Lord God Almighty for the accomplishment of his purposes, let
us not altogether despise the instrument that he chooses to accomplish
the work by. We do not worship him; we worship God, and we call upon
his holy name, as we have been directed in the gospel, in the name of
his Son. We call for mercy in the name of Jesus; we ask for blessings
in the name of Jesus. We are baptized in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Ghost. We are initiated into the Church and
Kingdom of God in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Ghost, and we worship the Father. We seek to obey the Son and follow in
his footsteps. He will lead--no man will ever lead--his Church. If the
time or condition should ever come to pass that a man, possessing human
weaknesses, shall lead the Church, woe be to the Church, for it will
then become like the churches of the world, man-made, and man-led, and
{173} have no power of God or of life eternal and salvation connected
with it, only the wisdom, the judgment and intelligence of man. I pity
the world, because this is their condition.
WHAT IS THE PRIESTHOOD? It is nothing more nor less than the power
of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the
salvation of the human family, in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Ghost, and act legitimately; not assuming that authority,
nor borrowing it from generations that are dead and gone, but authority
that has been given in this day in which we live by ministering angels
and spirits from above, direct from the presence of Almighty God, who
have come to the earth in our day and restored the Priesthood to the
children of men, by which they may baptize for the remission of sins
and lay on hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and by which they
can remit sin, with the sanction and blessing of Almighty God. It is
the same power and priesthood that was committed to the disciples of
Christ while he was upon the earth, that whatsoever they should bind
on earth should be bound in heaven, and that whatsoever they should
loose on earth should be loosed in heaven, and whosoever they blessed
should be blessed, and if they cursed, in the spirit of righteousness
and meekness before God, God would confirm that curse; but men are
not called upon to curse mankind; that is not our mission; it is our
mission to preach righteousness to them. It is our business to love and
to bless them, and to redeem them from the fall and from the wickedness
of the world. This is our mission and our special calling. God will
curse and will exercise his judgment in those matters. "Vengeance is
mine," saith the Lord, "and I will repay." We are perfectly willing to
leave vengeance in the hands of God and let him judge between us and
our enemies, and let him reward them according to his own wisdom and
mercy.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1904, p. 5.
{174} THE PRIESTHOOD--DEFINITION, PURPOSE AND POWER. What I mean by
the Holy Priesthood is that authority which God has delegated to man,
by which he may speak the will of God as if the angels were here to
speak it themselves; by which men are empowered to bind on earth and
it shall be bound in heaven, and to loose on earth and it shall be
loosed in heaven; by which the words of man, spoken in the exercise
of that power, become the word of the Lord, and the law of God unto
the people, scripture, and divine commands. It is therefore not good
that the Latter-day Saints and the children of the Latter-day Saints
should treat lightly this sacred principle of authority which has been
revealed from the heavens in the dispensation in which we live. It is
the authority by which the Lord Almighty governs his people, and by
which, in time to come, he will govern the nations of the world. It is
sacred, and it must be held sacred by the people. It should be honored
and respected by them, in whomsoever it is held, and in whomsoever
responsibility is placed in the Church. The young men and women and
the people generally should hold this principle and recognize it as
something that is sacred, and that cannot be trifled with nor spoken
lightly of with impunity. Disregard of this authority leads to darkness
and to apostasy, and severance from all the rights and privileges
of the house of God; for it is by virtue of this authority that the
ordinances of the gospel are performed throughout the world and in
every sacred place, and without it they cannot be performed. Those also
who hold this authority should honor it in themselves. They should live
so as to be worthy of the authority vested in them and worthy of the
gifts that have been bestowed upon them.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1901, p. 2.
MISSION OF THE PRIESTHOOD. We can make no advancement only upon the
principles of eternal truth. In proportion as we become established
upon the foundation of these principles which have been revealed from
the heavens {175} in the latter days, and determine to accomplish the
purposes of the Lord, will we progress, and the Lord will all the more
exalt and magnify us before the world and make us to assume our real
position and standing in the midst of the earth. We have been looked
upon as interlopers, as fanatics, as believers in a false religion;
we have been regarded with contempt, and treated despicably; we have
been driven from our homes, maligned and spoken evil of everywhere,
until the people of the world have come to believe that we are the
offscouring of the earth and scarcely fit to live. There are thousands
and thousands of innocent people in the world whose minds have become
so darkened by the slanderous reports that have gone forth concerning
us, that they would feel they were doing God's service to deprive
a member of this Church of life, or of liberty, or the pursuit of
happiness, if they could do it.
The Lord designs to change this condition of things, and to make us
known to the world in our true light--as true worshipers of God, as
those who have become the children of God by repentance; and by the law
of adoption have become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ;
and that our mission in this world is to do good, to put down iniquity
under our feet, to exalt righteousness, purity, and holiness in the
hearts of the people, and to establish in the minds of our children,
above all other things, a love for God and his word, that shall be in
them as a fountain of light, strength, faith and power, leading them
on from childhood to old age, and making them firm believers in the
word of the Lord, in the restored gospel and priesthood, and in the
establishment of Zion, no more to be thrown down or given to another
people. If there is anything that I desire above another in this world,
it is that my children shall become established in this knowledge and
faith, so that they can never be turned aside from it.--_Oct. C. R.,_
1901, p. 70.
{176} WHAT ARE THE KEYS OF THE PRIESTHOOD? The priesthood that we hold
is of the greatest importance, because it is the authority and power of
God. It is authority from heaven that has been restored to men upon the
earth in the latter days, through the ministration of angels from God,
who came with authority to bestow this power and this priesthood upon
men.
I say that the priesthood which is the agency of our heavenly Father
holds the keys of the ministering of angels. What is a key? It is the
right or privilege which belongs to and comes with the priesthood, to
have communication with God. Is not that a key? Most decidedly. We
may not enjoy the blessings, or key, very much, but the key is in the
priesthood. It is the right to enjoy the blessing of communication
with the heavens, and the privilege and authority to administer in
the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to preach the gospel of
repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. That
is a key. You who hold the priesthood have the key or the authority,
the right, the power or privilege to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ,
which is the gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the
remission of sins--a mighty important thing, I tell you. There isn't
a minister of any church upon all of God's footstool today, so far as
we know, except in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
who has the keys or the authority to enjoy the ministration of angels.
There isn't one of them that possesses that priesthood. But here we
ordain boys who are scarcely in their teens, some of them, to that
priesthood which holds the keys of the ministering of angels and of
the gospel of repentance and baptism by immersion for the remission of
sin. There is not a minister anywhere else in the world, I repeat, who
possesses these keys, or this priesthood or power, or that right. Why?
Because they have not received the gospel, nor have they received that
priesthood {177} by the laying on of hands by those having authority to
confer it.--_Improvement Era,_ Vol. 14, December, 1910, p. 176.
SANCTITY OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE PRIESTHOOD. There appears to be,
among some of our people, an inadequate conception of the sanctity
attending certain of the ordinances of the Holy Priesthood. True, the
ministrations of those in authority among us are not attended with the
pomp and worldly ceremony that characterize the procedure in other
churches so-called, but the fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is in possession of the priesthood is sufficient to
make any and every ordinance administered by due authority within the
Church an event of supreme importance. In performing any such ordinance
the one who officiates speaks and acts, not of himself and of his
personal authority, but by virtue of his ordination and appointment as
a representative of the powers of heaven. We do not set apart bishops
and other officers in the Church, with the show and ceremony of a gala
day, as do certain sectarians, nor do we make the ordinance of baptism
a spectacular display; but the simplicity of the order established in
the Church of Christ ought rather to add to than take from the sacred
character of the several ordinances.
An illustration of the fact that many do not understand the full
sanctity of certain ordinances is found in the desire some evince to
have them repeated. Until within a few years, it was a very general
custom in the Church to allow a repetition of the baptismal rite to
adults before they enter the temples. This custom, first established by
due authority, and for good cause (see _Articles of Faith,_ by Talmage,
144-148) finally came to be regarded by many members of the Church
as essential, and indeed, "re-baptism" was generally looked upon,
though wrongly, as separate and different from the first ordinance
of the gospel--by which alone one may gain entrance to the Church of
Christ. But the most hurtful feature of this misunderstanding was the
disposition {178} of some to look upon the repeated baptisms as a sure
means of securing forgiveness of sins from time to time, and this
might easily have led to the thought that one may sin with comparative
impunity if he were baptized at frequent intervals. This condition
has been changed in the Church, and at the present time only those
who, having been admitted to the fold of Christ by baptism, afterwards
stray therefrom, or are disfellowshiped or excommunicated by due
process of the Church courts, are considered as fit subjects to receive
a repetition of the initiatory ordinance. These remarks, it must be
understood, have no reference to the baptisms and other ordinances
performed in the temples.--_Juvenile Instructor,_ Vol. 38, p. 18,
January, 1903.
ON CHURCH GOVERNMENT. We are governed by law, because we love one
another, and are actuated by long-suffering and charity, and good will;
and our whole organization is based upon the idea of self-control; the
principle of give and take, and of rather being willing to suffer wrong
than to do wrong. Our message is peace on earth and good will towards
men; love, charity and forgiveness, which should actuate all associated
with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ours is a Church
where law is dominant, but the law is the law of love. There are rules
which should be observed, and will be observed if we have the spirit
of the work in our hearts; and if we have not the spirit with us, we
have only the form of godliness which is without strength. It is the
Spirit which leads us to the performance of our duties. There are many
who know this gospel to be true, but have not the least particle of the
Spirit, and therefore are found arrayed against it, and take no part
with the people, simply because they have not the Spirit.
The priesthood after the order of the Son of God is the ruling,
presiding authority in the Church. It is divided into its various
parts--the Melchizedek and the Aaronic--and {179} all the quorums or
councils are organized in the Church, each with special duties and
special callings; not clashing with one another, but all harmonious and
united. In other words, there is no government in the Church of Jesus
Christ separate and apart, above, or outside of the holy priesthood
or its authority. We have our Relief Societies, Mutual Improvement
Associations, Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, and we may
organize, if we choose, associations for self-protection and self-help
among ourselves, not subject to our enemies, but for our good and the
good of our people, but these organizations are not quorums or councils
of the priesthood, but are auxiliary to, and under it; organized by
virtue of the holy priesthood. They are not outside of, nor above it,
nor beyond its reach. They acknowledge the principle of the priesthood.
Wherever they are they always exist with the view of accomplishing some
good; some soul's salvation, temporal or spiritual.
When we have a Relief Society, it is thus organized. It has
its president and other officers, for the complete and perfect
accomplishment of the purposes of its organization. When it meets it
proceeds as an independent organization, always mindful of the fact it
is such, by virtue of the authority of the holy priesthood which God
has instituted. If the president of the stake comes into a meeting of
the Relief Society, the sisters, through their president, would at once
pay deference to him, would consult and advise with him, and receive
directions from the presiding head. That head is the bishop of the
ward, the president in the stake, the presidency of the Church, in all
the Church. The Young Ladies' and Young Men's Associations, the Primary
Associations and the Sunday Schools are the same. All are under the
same head, and the same rules apply to each.