CONCLUSION.
Kind reader, a word before we separate: if you are not a member of
what is commonly called the Mormon Church, having read the foregoing
pages, you must certainly acknowledge that you know more concerning its
doctrines, from a Mormon standpoint, than you ever knew before.
We have tried to present to you, in a plain and very simple manner,
some of the first principles of our faith, the true gospel of Jesus
Christ. What do you think of them? Will they, or will they not, stand
scrutiny? It is left with you to answer, and as God has blessed you
with free agency, it is your privilege to judge and decide.
Do not treat these doctrines indifferently, nor carelessly throw them
aside. Should they be true, the message is of the utmost importance to
you. Surrounded with so many proofs, the faith of the Latter-day Saints
should demand your further investigation.
Books, tracts, and sermons, in great numbers, and within easy reach,
are at your command. Read, listen, investigate! Thousands have done so
before, and bear testimony to having received a knowledge of the divine
truth, as herein presented.
I part from you with the words of the poet true as any to be found:
"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--
Bless him with wisdom, love, and light--
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.
"Freedom and reason make us men;
Take these away, what are we then?
Mere animals, and just as well
The beasts may think of heaven or hell."
APPENDIX.
WHAT BRIGHAM YOUNG SAID.
It is not only a privilege, but a duty for the Saints to seek unto the
Lord their God for wisdom and understanding, to be in possession of the
spirit that fills the heavens, until their eyes are anointed and opened
to see the world as it really is, to know what it is made for, and why
all things are as they are. It is one of the most happifying subjects
that can be named, for a person, or people, to have the privilege of
gaining wisdom enough while in their mortal tabernacle, to be able to
look through the whys and wherefores of the existence of man, like
looking through a piece of glass that is perfectly transparent; and
understand the design of the Great Maker of this beautiful creation.
Let the people do this, and their hearts will be weaned from the
world.--Journal of Discourses Vol. I., p. 111.
This people are to the world an object of derision and hatred; to God,
of care and pity.--J. of D. Vol. V., p. 350.
There is not a person in this community that can bring to mind or
mention the time when I exhibited one particle of sorrow or trouble to
them. I calculate to carry my own sorrows just as long as I live upon
this earth; and when I go to the grave, I expect them all to go there,
and sleep with me in silence.--Journal of Discourse, Vol I., p. 31.
If people act from pure motives, though their outward movements may not
always be so pleasant as our traditions would prefer, yet God will make
those acts result in the best good to the people.--J. of D. Vol. V., p.
256.
No man can be exalted unless he be independent.--Journal of Discourses,
Vol. I., p. 111.
There are but few of us but what have been honored with as convenient a
place for a birth as was Jesus.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 131.
You remember reading in the last book of the New Testament, that
in the beginning God cursed the earth; but did He curse all things
pertaining to it? No, He did not curse the water, but He blessed
it. Pure water is cleansing it serves to purify; and you are aware
that the ancient Saints were very tenacious with regard to their
purification by water. From the beginning the Lord instituted water for
that purpose among others. I do not mean from the beginning of this
earth alone; and although we have no immediate concern in inquiring
into the organization of other earths that do not come within reach
of our investigation, yet I will say that water has been the means
of purification in every world that has been organized out of the
immensity of matter.--J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 162.
The blood will not be resurrected with the body, being designed only to
sustain the life of the present organization. When this is dissolved
and we again obtain our bodies by the power of the resurrection, that
which we now call the life of the body, and which is formed from the
food we eat and the water we drink, will be supplanted by another
element; for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.--J. of
D. Vol. VII., p. 163.
If we accept salvation on the terms it is offered to us, we have got to
be honest in every thought, in our reflections, in our meditations, in
our private circles, in our deal, in our declarations, and in every act
of our lives, fearless and regardless of every principle of error, of
every principle of falsehood that may be presented.--J. of D. Vol. V.,
p. 124.
There is no such thing as a man being truly rich until he has power
over death, hell, the grave, and him that hath the power of death,
which is the devil.--J. of D. Vol. I., p. 271.
All men should study to learn the nature of mankind, and to discern
that divinity inherent in them. A spirit and power of research is
planted within, yet they remain undeveloped.--J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 1.
I am hated for teaching people the way of life and salvation for
teaching them principles that pertain to eternity, by which the Gods
were and are, and by which they gain influence and power. Obtain that
influence, and you will be hated, despised, and hunted like the roe
upon the mountains.--J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 3.
Never accuse a man or a woman of evil, until you find out the cause.
Never judge by the outward appearance.--J. of D. Vol. V., p. 169.
Do not get so angry that you cannot pray; do not allow yourselves to
become so angry that you cannot feed an enemy.--J. of D. Vol. V., p.
228.
Do not offend God by not doing as He wants you to.--J. of D. Vol. V.,
p. 236.
If you could crowd an individual or a community into heaven without
experience, it would be no enjoyment to them. They must know the
opposite; they must know how to contrast, in order to prize and
appreciate the comfort and happiness, the joy and the bliss they are
actually in possession of.--J. of D. Vol. V., p. 294.
We have to learn to submit ourselves to the Lord with all our hearts,
with all our affections, wishes, desires, passions, and let Him reign
and rule over us and within us, the God of every nation; then He will
lead us to victory and glory; otherwise He will not.--J. of D. Vol. V.,
p. 352.
There is only one thing to fear, and that is, that you will not be
faithful to the kingdom of God.--J. of D. Vol. V., p. 228.
My Christian brethren in the world say it is a piece of folly a species
of extreme nonsense, to believe that water will wash away sins. It is
no matter to me what they say; it is a commandment of the Lord; there
is no mistake in it, it tells for itself. He says, Do thus and so, and
your sins shall be washed away. I care not how they are taken away;
whether an angel takes them to the Lord to get forgiveness, whether
they sink to the bottom of the stream, or float on the top, and be
scattered to the four winds; He says, _Go into the water_ and be
baptized, and they shall be washed away; which is enough for me.--J. of
D. Vol. I., p. 239.
When the wicked have power to blow out the sun, that it shines no more;
when they have power to bring to a conclusion the operations of the
elements, suspend the whole system of nature, and make a footstool of
the throne of the Almighty, _they may then think to check, Mormonism
in its course_, and thwart the unalterable purposes of heaven. Men may
persecute the people who believe its doctrine, report and publish lies
to bring tribulation upon their heads, earth and hell may unite in
one grand league against it, and exert their malicious powers to the
utmost, but it will stand as firm and immovable in the midst of it all
as the pillars of eternity.--J. of D. Vol. I., p. 88.
The time will come when the kingdom of God will reign free and
independent. There will be a kingdom on the earth that will be
controlled upon the same basis, in part, as that of the Government
of the United States; and it will govern and protect in their rights
the various classes of men, irrespective of their different modes of
worship; for the law must go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem, and the Lord Jesus will govern every nation and kingdom
upon the earth.--J. of D. Vol. V., p. 329.
Keep your spirits under the sole control of good spirits, and they will
make your tabernacles honorable in the presence of God, angels, and
men. If you will always keep your spirits in right subjection, you will
be watching all the time, and never suffer yourselves to commit an act
that you will be sorry for, and you can see that in all your life you
are clear. Do not do anything that you will be sorry for.--J. of D.
Vol. V., p. 328.
The Lord will not reveal all that we at times wish Him to. If a school
master were to undertake to teach a little child algebra, you would
call him foolish, would you not? Just so with our Father; He reveals to
us as we are prepared to receive.--J. of D. Vol. V., p. 330.
The philosophers of the world will concede that the elements of which
you and I are composed are eternal, yet they believe that there was a
time when there was no God.--J. of D, Vol. I, p. 5.
You will find that this probation is the place to increase upon every
little we receive, for the Lord gives line upon line to the children of
men. When He reveals the plan of salvation, then is the time to fill up
our days with good works.--J. of D., Vol. I, p. 5.
When you embark to fill up the end of your creation, never cease to
seek to have the Spirit of the Lord rest upon you, that your minds may
be peaceable, and as smooth as the summer breezes of heaven. Never
cease a day of your life to have the Holy Ghost resting upon you.--J.
of D., Vol, I, p. 69.
When I have served my God and my brethren, when I have performed every
act required of me, _until nothing remains to be done, but to lie down
and rest_, to seek recreation, then it becomes my lawful privilege, and
not before.--Journal of Discourses, Vol. I., p. 112.
If you want to apostatize, apostatize, and behave yourselves.--J. of
D., Vol. I, p. 84.
The duty of the mother is to watch over her children, and to give
them their early education, for impressions received in infancy are
lasting. You know, yourselves, by experience, that the impressions
you have received in the dawn of your mortal existence, bear, to this
day, with the greatest weight upon your mind. It is the experience of
people generally that what they imbibe from their mothers in infancy
is the most lasting upon the mind through life. This is natural, it is
reasonable, it is right. I do not suppose you can find one person among
five hundred who does not think his mother to be the best woman that
ever lived. This is right, it is planted in the human heart. The child
reposes implicit confidence in the mother, you behold in him a natural
attachment, no matter what her appearance may be, that makes him think
his mother is the best and handsomest mother in the world.--J. of D.,
Vol. I, p. 67.
I never passed John Wesley's church in London without stopping to
look at it. Was he a good man? Yes; I suppose him to have been, by
all accounts, as good as ever walked on this earth, according to his
knowledge. Has he obtained a rest? Yes, and greater than ever entered
his mind to expect; and so have thousands of others of the various
religious denominations.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 5.
Persecution and hatred by those who love not the truth are a legacy
bequeathed by the Savior to all his followers; for He said they
should be hated of all men for His name's sake. If we had ceased
to be persecuted and hated we might fear; but the prospect is
encouraging.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 42.
When I hear persons say that they ought to occupy a station more
exalted, than they do, and hide the talents they are in possession of,
they have not the true wisdom they ought to have. There is a lack in
them, or they would improve upon the talents given.--J. of D., Vol.
VII., p. 162.
Take a course to let the Spirit of God leave your hearts, and every
soul of you would apostatize.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 55.
Truth is obeyed when it is loved. Strict obedience to the truth will
alone enable people to dwell in the presence of the Almighty.--J. of
D., Vol. VII., p. 55.
When men come into this Church merely through having their judgments
convinced, they still must have the Spirit of God bearing witness to
their spirits, or they will leave the Church, as sure as they are
living beings. The Saints must become one, as Jesus said His disciples
should be one. They must have the Spirit testifying to them of the
truth, or the light that is in them will become darkness, and they
will forsake this kingdom and their religion. I wished to bear this
testimony.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 55.
There will not be so many people that will go into that awful place
that burns with fire and brimstone, where they sink down, down, down to
the bottom of the bottomless pit, as the Christians say, not near so
many as the Christian world would have go there. That gives me great
joy, notwithstanding all the perils and persecution we have suffered
through the wickedness of the wicked. Liars, sorcerers, whoremongers,
adulterers, and those that love and make a lie, will be found on the
outside of the walls of the city; but they will never get into the
bottom of the bottomless pit. Who will go there and become angels
of perdition and suffer the wrath of an offended God? Those who sin
against the Holy Ghost.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 144.
The eloquence of angels never can convince any person that God lives,
and makes truth the habitation of His throne, independent of that
eloquence being clothed with the power of the Holy Ghost; in the
absence of this, it would be a combination of useless sounds.--J. of
D., Vol. I., p. 90.
Embrace a doctrine that will purge sin and iniquity from your hearts,
and sanctify you before God, and you are right, no matter how others
act.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 78.
Every time you kick "Mormonism," you kick it up stairs: you never kick
it down stairs. The Lord Almighty so orders it.--J. of D., Vol. VII.,
p. 145.
If you want to see the principle of devilism to perfection, hunt among
those who have once enjoyed the faith of the holy gospel and then
forsaken their religion. We have the best and the worst.--J. of D.,
Vol. VII,, p. 145.
Darkness and sin were permitted to come on this earth. Man partook of
the forbidden fruit in accordance with a plan devised from eternity,
that mankind might be brought in contact with the principles and powers
of darkness, that they might know the bitter and the sweet, the good
and the evil, and be able to discern between light and darkness, to
enable them to receive light continually.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p, 158.
I will not say, as do many, that the more I learn the more I am
satisfied that I know nothing; for the more I learn the more I discern
an eternity of knowledge to improve upon.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 162.
This American continent will be Zion, for it is so spoken of by the
prophets. Jerusalem will be rebuilt and will be the place of gathering,
and the tribe of Judah will gather there; but this continent of America
is the land of Zion.--J. of D., Vol. V., p. 4.
One-third part of the spirits that were prepared for this earth
rebelled against Jesus Christ, and were cast down to the earth, and
they have been opposed to him from that day to this, with Lucifer at
their heard. He is their great General Lucifer, the Son of the Morning,
He was once a brilliant and influential character in heaven, and we
will know more about him hereafter.--J. of D., Vol. V., p. 55.
It is the man who works hard, who sweats over the rock, and goes to the
canyons for lumber, that I count more worthy of good food and dress
than I am.--J. of D., Vol. V., p. 99.
Chastisements are grievous when they are received; but if they are
received in patience, they will work out salvation for those who
cheerfully submit to them.--J. of D., Vol. V., p. 124.
Mourning for the righteous dead springs from the ignorance and weakness
that are planted within the mortal tabernacle, the organization of
this house for the spirit to dwell in. No matter what pain we suffer,
no matter what we pass through, we cling to our mother earth, and
dislike to have any of her children leave us. We love to keep together
the social family relation that we bear one to another, and do not
like to part with each other; but could we have knowledge and see into
eternity, if we were perfectly free from the weakness, blindness and
lethargy with which we are clothed in the flesh, we should have no
disposition to weep or mourn.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 131.
First reform in your moral character and conduct one towards another,
so that every man and woman will deal honestly and walk uprightly with
one another, and extend the arm of charity and benevolence to each
other, as necessity requires. Be moral and strictly honest in every
point, before you ask God to reform your spirit.--J. of D., Vol. IV.,
p. 61.
If we could see our heavenly Father, we should see a being similar
to our earthly parent, with this difference: our Father in heaven is
exalted and glorified. He has received His thrones, His principalities
and powers, and He sits as a governor, as a monarch, and overrules
kingdoms, thrones and dominions that have been bequeathed to Him, and
such as we anticipate receiving. While He was in the flesh, as we are,
He was as we are.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 54.
When we have done with the flesh, and have departed to the spirit
world, you will find that we are independent of those evil spirits. But
while you are in the flesh you will suffer by them, and cannot control
them, only by your faith in the name of Jesus Christ and by the keys of
the eternal priesthood. When the spirit is unlocked from the tabernacle
it is as free, pure, holy and independent of them as the sun is of this
earth.--J. of D. Vol. IV,, p. 134.
The spirit of every man and woman that gets into the celestial kingdom
must overcome the flesh, must war against the flesh until the seeds of
sin that are sown in the flesh are brought into subjection to the law
of Christ.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p, 197.
Natural philosophy is the plan of salvation, and the plan of salvation
is natural philosophy.--J. of D. Vol. IV., p. 203.
There is no spirit but what was pure and holy when it came here from
the celestial world. There is no spirit among the human family that
was begotten in hell; none that were begotten by angels, or by any
inferior being. They were not produced by any being less than our
Father in heaven. He is the Father of our spirits, and if we could
know, understand and do His will, every soul would be prepared to
return back into His presence. And when they get there, they would see
that they had formerly lived there for ages; that they had previously
been acquainted with every nook and corner, with the palaces, walks
and gardens; and they would embrace their Father, and He would embrace
them.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 268.
The kingdom of our God that is set upon the earth, does not require men
of many words and flaming oratorical talents, to establish truth and
righteousness. It is not the many words that accomplish the designs of
our Father in heaven; with Him it is the acts of the people more than
their words.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 20.
We are placed on this earth to prove whether we are worthy to go into
the celestial world, the terrestrial or the telestial, or to hell.--J.
of D., Vol. IV., p. 269.
Serve God according to the best knowledge you have, and lie down and
sleep quietly; and when the devil comes along and says, You are not
a very good Saint, you might enjoy greater blessings and more of the
power of God, and have the vision of your mind opened, if you would
live up to your privileges, tell him to leave; that you have long ago
forsaken his ranks and enlisted in the army of Jesus, who is your
captain, and that you want no more of the devil.--J. of D., Vol. IV.,
p. 270.
The spirit of truth will do more to bring persons to light and
knowledge than flowery words.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 21.
Many people are unwilling to do one thing for themselves in case of
sickness, but ask God to do it all.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 25.
I would rather be chopped to pieces at night, and resurrected in the
morning each day throughout a period of three score years and ten, than
be deprived of speaking freely, or be afraid of doing so.--J. of D.,
Vol. I., p. 364.
A man never can be a polished scoundrel, until he can figure in
polished society. It proves the truth of the saying, that it takes all
the revelations of God, and every good principle in the world to make a
man perfectly ripe for hell.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 362.
Let the past experience be buried in the land of forgetfulness, if the
Lord will; but if this is done at all, it will be by showing kindness
towards us in the future. If they wish us to forget the past, let them
cease to make and circulate falsehoods about us, and let all the good
people of the Government say,--"_Let us do this people good for the
future, and not try to crush them down all the day long by continuing
to persecute them_."
If we are here by chance, if we happened to slip into this world from
nothing, we shall soon slip out of this world to nothing, hence nothing
will remain.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 60.
The devil is just as much opposed to Jesus now as he was when the
revolt took place in heaven. And as the devil increases his numbers by
getting the people to be wicked, so Jesus Christ increases His numbers
and strength by getting the people to be humble and righteous. The
human family are going to the polls by and by, and they wish to know
which party is going to carry the day.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 38.
If we are a company of poor, ignorant, deluded creatures why do they
not show us a better example?--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 365.
If children have sinned against their parents, or husbands against
their wives, or wives against their husbands, let them confess their
faults one to another and forgive each other, and there let the
confession stop; and then let them ask pardon from their God. Confess
your sins to whoever you have sinned against, and let it stop there.
If you have committed a sin against the community, confess to them. If
you have sinned in your family, confess there.
Confess your sins, iniquities and follies where that confession
belongs, and learn to classify your actions.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 79.
Nothing less than the privilege of increasing eternally, in every
sense of the word, can satisfy the immortal spirit. If the endless
stream of knowledge from the eternal fountain could all be drunk in by
organized intelligence, so sure immortality would come to an end, and
all eternity be thrown upon the retrograde path.--J. of D., Vol. I., p.
350.
God is our Father, and Jesus Christ is our elder brother, and both are
our everlasting friends.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 193.
The only true believers are they who prove their belief by their
obedience to the requirements of the gospel.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 234.
A flock of sheep consisting of thousands must be clean indeed if some
of them are not smutty.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 213.
The gospel of salvation is perfectly calculated to cause division.
It strikes at the root of the very existence of mankind in their
wickedness, evil designs, passions and wicked calculations. There is
no evil among the human family, but at the foundation of which it
strikes effectually, and comes in contact with every evil passion that
rises in the heart of man. It is opposed to every evil practice of
men, and consequently it disturbs them in the wicked courses they are
pursuing.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 235.
The God Mr. Baptist believes in is without body, parts or passions. The
God that his "brother Mormon" believes in is described in the Bible
as being a personage of tabernacle, having eyes to see, for he that
made the eye shall he not see? Having ears to hear, for his ears are
open to hear the prayers of the righteous. He has limbs that He can
walk, for the Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day. He
conversed with His children, as in the case of Moses at the fiery bush,
and with Abraham on the plains of Mamre. He also ate and drank with
Abraham and others. That is, the God the Mormons believe in, but their
very religious Christian brethren do not believe in the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, which is the God the Bible sets forth, as an organized
corporeal being.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 238.
It is a mistaken idea to suppose that others can prevent me from
enjoying the light of God in my soul; all hell cannot hinder me from
enjoying Zion in my own heart, if my individual will yields obedience
to the requirements and mandates of my heavenly Master.--J. of D., Vol.
I., p. 311.
Children have all confidence in their mothers; and if mothers would
take proper pains, they can instill into the hearts of their children
what they please. You will, no doubt, recollect reading, in the Book
of Mormon, of two thousand young men, who were brought up to believe
that, if they put their whole trust in God, and served Him no power
would overcome them. You also recollect reading of them going out to
fight, and so bold were they, and so mighty their faith, that it was
impossible for their enemies to slay them. This power and faith they
obtained through the teachings of their mothers.--J. of D., Vol. I., p.
67.
That moment that men seek to build up themselves, in preference to the
kingdom of God, and seek to hoard up riches, while the widow and the
fatherless, the sick and afflicted around them are in poverty and want,
it proves that their hearts are weaned from their God.--J. of D., Vol.
I., p. 273.
It is as much as we can do to keep the Christians of the nineteenth
century from cutting our throats because we differ from them in our
religious belief.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 165.
If I could net master my mouth, I would my knees, and make them bend
until my mouth would speak.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 164.
All who live according to the best principles in their possession, or
that they can understand, will receive peace, glory, comfort, joy, and
a crown that will be far beyond what they are anticipating. They will
not be lost.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 192.
I will not ask any person to embrace anything that is not in the New
Testament until they have asked God if it is true or untrue, who will
satisfy them if they ask in faith nothing doubting.--J. of D., Vol. I.,
p. 244.
Do not seek for that which you cannot magnify, but practice upon that
which you have in your possession.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 239.
It would be as easy for a gnat to trace the history of man back to his
origin as for man to fathom the first cause of all things, lift the
veil of eternity, and reveal the mysteries that have been sought after
by philosophers from the beginning. What, then, should be the calling
and duty of the children of men? Instead of inquiring after the origin
of the Gods instead of trying to explore the depths of eternities
that have been, that are, and that will be instead of endeavoring to
discover the boundaries of boundless space, let them seek to know
the object of their present existence, and how to apply, in the most
profitable manner for their mutual good and salvation, the intelligence
they possess.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 284.
The being whom we call Father was the father of the spirit of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and He was also His father pertaining to the flesh.
Infidels and Christians, make all you can of this statement. The Bible,
which all Christians profess to believe, reveals that fact, and it
reveals the truth upon that point, and I am a witness of its truth. The
apostles who were personally acquainted with Jesus Christ did know and
understand what they wrote, and they wrote the truth.--J. of D., Vol.
VII., p. 286.
When the spirit leaves the body it goes into the spirit world, where
the spirits of men are classified according to their own wills or
pleasure, as men are here, only they are in a more pure and refined
state of existence.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p 288.
Salvation is an individual operation. I am the only person that can
possibly save myself.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 312.
There is _not a truth on earth or in heaven that is not embraced in
Mormonism_.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 244.
I am here to testify to hundreds of instances of men, women and
children being healed by the power of God through the laying on of
hands: and many I have seen raised from the gates of death, and brought
back from the verge of eternity; and some whose spirits had actually
left their bodies, returned again. I testify that I have seen the sick
healed by the laying on of hands, according to the promise of the
Savior.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 240.
There never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds, and when
men were not passing through the same ordeals that we are now passing
through. That course has been from all eternity and it is and will be
to all eternity.--J. of D, Vol. VII., p. 333.
When you tell me that Father Adam was made as we make adobies, from the
earth, you tell me what I deem an idle tale. When you tell me that the
beasts of the field were produced in that manner, you are speaking idle
words, devoid of meaning. There is no such thing in all the eternities
where the Gods dwell; mankind are here because they are the offspring
of parents who were first brought here from another planet, and power
was given them to propagate their species, and they were commanded to
multiply and replenish the earth.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 285.
We will round up our shoulders and bear up the ponderous weight, carry
the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth, gather Israel, redeem
Zion and continue our operations until we bind Satan, and the kingdoms
of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and no
power can hinder it.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 189.
The "Mormon" Elders will tell you that all people must receive this
gospel the gospel of Jesus Christ, and be baptized for the remission
of sins, or they cannot be saved. Let me explain this to you. They
cannot go where God and Christ dwell, for that is a kingdom of itself
the celestial kingdom. Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many
mansions," or kingdoms. They will come forth in the first, second or
some other resurrection, if they have not been guilty of the particular
sins I have just mentioned; and they will enjoy a kingdom and a glory
greater than they had ever anticipated. When we talk about people's
being damned, I would like to have all understand that we do not use
the term "damnation" in the sense that it is used by the sectarian
world. Universal, salvation or redemption is the doctrine of the Bible;
but the people do not know how or where to discriminate between truth
and error. All those who have done according to the best of their
knowledge, whether they are Christians, Pagans, Jews, Mohammedans, or
any other class of men that have ever lived upon the earth, that have
dealt honestly and justly with their fellow beings, walked uprightly
before each other, loved mercy, tried to put down iniquity, and done as
far right as they knew how, according to the laws they lived under, no
matter what the laws were, will share in a resurrection that will be
glorious far beyond the conception of mortals.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p.
288.
Do you not know that the possession of your property is like a shadow,
or the dew of the morning before the noonday sun, that you cannot have
any assurance of its control for a single moment? It is the unseen hand
of Providence that controls it.--J. of D. Vol. I., p. 114.
No person can be a saint, unless he receives the holy gospel, for the
purity, justice, holiness, and eternal duration of it.--J. of D. Vol.
I., p. 114.
I will do the work the Lord has appointed unto me. You do the same and
fear not, for the Lord manages the helm of the ship of Zion; and on any
other ship I do not wish to be.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 189.
How often to all human appearance, has this kingdom been blotted out
from the earth, but the Lord has put His hand over the people, and it
has passed through and come out two, three and four times larger than
before. Our enemies have kicked us, and cuffed us, and driven us from
pillar to post, and we have multiplied and increased the more, until we
have become what we are this day.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 191.
The devil has put the whole world on the watch against us. It is
impossible for us to make the least move without exciting, if not all
the world, at least a considerable portion of it. They are excited at
what we do, and strange to relate, they are no less excited at what we
do not do.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 189.
Do you suppose that this people will ever see the day that they will
rest in perfect security, in hopes of becoming like another people,
nation, state, kingdom or society? They never will. Christ and
Satan never can be friends. Light and darkness will always remain
opposites.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 188.
When evil is present with us, we must overcome it, or be overcome by
it. When the devil is in our hearts, tempting us to do that which is
wrong, we must resist him, or be led captive by him.--J. of D., Vol,
I., p. 92.
The speculation I am after, is to exchange this world, which, in
its present state, passes away, for a world that is eternal and
unchangeable, for a glorified world filled with eternal riches, for the
world that is made an inheritance for the Gods of eternity.--J. of D.,
Vol. I., p. 327.
Do the righteous of this people cause persecution to come upon
themselves? No, Do the principles of the gospel create prejudice and
persecution against them? No. But it is the disposition of the wicked
to oppose the principles of truth and righteousness which causes
it.--J. of D., Vol. I. p. 186.
To saint and sinner, believer and unbeliever, I wish here to offer one
word of advice and counsel by revealing the mystery that abides with
this people called Latter-day Saints; it is the Spirit of the living
God that leads them; it is the Spirit of the Almighty that binds them
together; it is the influence of the Holy Ghost that makes them love
each other like little children; it is the Spirit of Jesus Christ that
makes them willing to lay down their lives for the cause of truth, and
it was that same Spirit that caused Joseph, our martyred prophet to lay
down his life for the testimony of what the Lord revealed to him.--J.
of D., Vol. I., p. 145.
I have nothing to fear in all the persecutions or hardships I may pass
through in connection with this people, but the one thing, and that is
to stray from the religion I have embraced and be forsaken by my God.
If you or I should see that day, we shall see at once that the world
will love its own; and affliction, persecution, death, fire and the
sword will cease to follow us.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 144.
Money is not real capital, it bears the title only. True capital is
labor and is confined to the laboring classes. They only possess it. It
is the bone, sinew, nerve and muscle of man that subdue the earth, make
it yield its strength and administer to his varied wants. This power
tears down mountains and fills up valleys, builds cities and temples,
and paves the streets. In short what is there that yields shelter and
comfort to civilized man that is not produced by the strength of his
arm making the elements bend to his will.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 254.
Though the enemy had power to kill our _prophet_, that is, _kill his
body_, did he not accomplish all that was in _his heart_ to accomplish
in _his day_? He did to my certain knowledge, and I have many witnesses
here that heard him declare that he had done everything he could do--he
had revealed everything that could be revealed at _present_, he had
prepared the way for the people to walk in, and no man or woman should
be deprived of going into the presence of the Father and the Son and
enjoying an eternal exaltation if they would _walk in the path he had
pointed out_.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 132.
So long as you are able to walk and attend to your business, it is
folly to say that you need ardent spirits to keep you alive. The
constitution that a person has should be nourished and cherished; and
whenever we take anything into the system to force and stimulate it
beyond its natural capacity, it shortens life. I am physician enough to
know that. When you are tired and think you need a little spirituous
liquor, take some bread and butter, or bread and milk, and lie down and
rest. Do not labor so hard as to deem it requisite to get half drunk
in order to keep up your spirits. If you will follow this counsel, you
will be full of life and health, and will increase your intelligence,
your joy and comfort.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 337.
All I desire to live for is to see the inhabitants of the earth
acknowledge God, bow down to Him, and confess His supremacy, and
His righteous covenant. To Him let every knee bow, and every tongue
confess, and let all creation say Amen to His wise providences. Let
every person declare His allegiance to God, and then live to it,
saying, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. _As for me,
and all I have, it is the Lord's, and shall be dedicated to Him all my
days_." If this can be done, happiness is here, angels are here, God is
here and we are wrapped in the visions of eternity.--J. of D., Vol. I.,
p. 94.
The principle opposite to that of eternal increase from the beginning,
leads down to hell; the person decreases, loses his knowledge, tact,
talent and ultimately, in a short period of time is lost; he returns
to his mother earth, his name is forgotten. But where, O! where is his
spirit? I will not now take the time to follow his destiny; but here
strong language _could_ be used, for when the Lord Jesus Christ shall
be revealed after the termination of the thousand years' rest, He will
summon the armies of heaven for the conflict, He will come forth in
flaming fire, He will descend to execute the mandates of an incensed
God, and amid the thunderings of the wrath of Omnipotence, roll up the
heavens as a scroll and destroy death and him that has the power of it.
The rebellious will be thrown back into their native element, there to
remain myriads of years before their dust will again be revived, before
they will be reorganized. Some might argue that this principle would
lead to the reorganization of Satan, and all the devils. I say nothing
about this only what the Lord says, that when "He comes He will destroy
_death_ and him that has the power of it." It cannot be annihilated;
you cannot annihilate matter. If you could it would prove there was
empty space. If philosophers could annihilate the least conceivable
amount of matter, they could then prove there was the minutest vacuum,
or _empty space_ but there is not even that much, and it is beyond the
power of man to prove that there is any.--J of D., Vol. I., p. 118.
Because of the weakness of human nature, it must crumble to the dust.
But in all the revolutions and changes in the existence of men, in
the eternal world which they inhabit, and in the knowledge they have
obtained as people on the earth, there is no such thing as principle,
power, wisdom, knowledge, life, position or anything that can be
imagined, that remains stationary they must increase or decrease.--J.
of D., Vol. I., p. 350.
Men should act upon the principle of righteousness because it is right,
and is a principle which they love to cherish and see practiced by all
men. They should love mercy because of its benevolence, charity, love,
clemency and of all of its lovely attributes, and be inspired thereby
to deal justly, fairly, honorably, meting out to others their just
deservings.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 119.
Practical religion is what we all need to prepare us to enjoy that
which we have in our anticipations that which we hold in our faith.
Merely the theory of any religion does people but little good. This
is the great failing of Bible Christians, as they are called. They
have the theory of the religion of which the Bible testifies, but the
practical part they spurn from them.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 341.
All those who wish to possess true riches, desire the riches that will
endure. Then look at the subject of salvation where you will find
true riches. They are to be found in the principles of the gospel of
salvation, and are not to be found anywhere else.--J. of D., Vol. I.,
p, 269.
Suppose we say there was once a beginning to all things, then we
must conclude there will undoubtedly be an end. Can eternity be
circumscribed? If it can, there is an end of all wisdom, knowledge,
power and glory all will sink into eternal annihilation.--J. of D.,
Vol. I., p. 353.
Which would produce the greatest good to man, to give him his agency
and draw a vail over him, or to give him certain blessings and
privileges, let him live in a certain degree of light, and enjoy a
certain glory, and take his agency from him, compelling him to remain
in that position, without any possible chance of progress? I say the
greatest good that could be produced by the all-wise Conductor of the
universe to His creature, man, was to do just as He has done.--J. of
D., Vol. I., p. 351.
The Lord does not thank you for your alms, long prayers, sanctimonious
speeches and long faces, if you refuse to extend the hand of
benevolence and charity to your fellow creatures, and lift them up, and
encourage and strengthen the feeble, while they are contending against
the current of mortal ills.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 245.
The Holy Ghost takes of the Father and of the Son and shows it to the
disciples. It shows them things past, present and to come. It opens the
vision of the mind, unlocks the treasures of wisdom, and they begin to
understand the things of God; their minds are exalted on high; their
conceptions of God and His creations are dignified, and "Hallelujah to
God and the Lamb in the highest," is the constant language of their
hearts. They comprehend themselves and the great object of their
existence. They also comprehend the designs of the wicked ones, and
the designs of those who serve him; they comprehend the designs of the
Almighty in forming the earth and mankind upon it, and the ultimate
purpose of all His creations. It leads them to drink at the fountain
of eternal wisdom, justice and truth; they grow in grace and in the
knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ until they see as they
are seen, and know as they are known.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 241.
The character of a person is formed through life, to a greater or less
extent, by the teachings of the mother. The traits of early impressions
that she gives the child, will be characteristic points in his
character through every avenue of his mortal existence.--J. of D., Vol.
I., p. 67.
It is necessary that we should be tried, tempted and buffeted to make
us feel the weakness of this mortal flesh.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 359.
Directly behind a frowning Providence oftentimes are concealed the
greatest blessings that mankind can desire.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 198.
I am at the defiance of the rulers of the greatest nation on the earth,
with the United States all put together, to produce a more loyal people
than the Latter-day Saints.--J. of D., Vol. 1., p. 361.
All there is of any worth or value in the world is incorporated in our
glorious religion, and designed to exalt the minds of the children of
men to a permanent, celestial and eternal station.--J. of D., Vol. I.,
p. 341.
I may have thousands of wealth locked up today, and hold checks for
immense sums on the best banking institutions in the world, but have
I any surety that I shall be worth a cent tomorrow morning? Not the
least. The Lord Almighty can send fire and destruction when He pleases,
destroying towns and swallowing up cities in the bellowing earthquake.
He can set up kingdoms and make communities wealthy, and bring them
to poverty at His pleasure. When He pleases, He can give them wealth,
comfort and ease, and on the other hand torment them with poverty,
distress and sore afflictions. Who can realize this? All the world
ought, and especially the Saints.--J. of D., Vol. I, p. 340.
The Lord Almighty can do His own work and no power of man can stay the
potency of His wonder-working hand. Men may presume to dictate to the
Lord; they come to naught, but His work moves steadily forward.--J. of
D., Vol. I., p. 198.
When I cannot feed myself through the means God has placed in my power,
it is then time enough for Him to exercise His providence in an unusual
manner to administer to my wants. But while we can help ourselves, it
is our duty to do so. If a saint of God be locked up in prison, by
his enemies, to starve to death, it is then time enough for God to
interpose, and feed him.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 108.
It has been, and is now, believed by numerous individuals, that the
brute creation, by increase in knowledge and wisdom, change their
physical or bodily organization, through numerous states of existence,
so that the minutest insect, in lapse of time, can take to itself the
human form, and _visa versa_. This is one of the most inconsistent
ideas that could be possibly entertained in the mind of man; it is
called the transmigration of souls. It is enough for me to know that
mankind are made to improve themselves. All creation, visible and
invisible, is the workmanship of our God, the Supreme Architect and
Ruler of the whole, who organized the world, and created every living
thing upon it, to act in its sphere and order. To this end has He
ordained all things to increase and multiply. The Lord God Almighty has
decreed this principle to be the great governing law of existence, and
for that purpose are we formed. Furthermore, if man can understand and
receive it, mankind are organized to receive intelligence until they
become perfect in the sphere they are appointed to fill, which is far
ahead of us at present. When we use the term perfection, it applies
to man in his present condition, as well as to heavenly beings. We
are now, or may be, as perfect in our _sphere_ as God and angels are
in theirs, but the greatest intelligence in existence can continually
ascend to greater heights of perfection.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 92.
We read in the Bible, that there is one glory of the sun, another
glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. In the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants these glories are called telestial, terrestrial,
and celestial, which is the highest. These are worlds, different
departments, or mansions, in our Father's house. New those men,
or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the
influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another
person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith
upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the
celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be
capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing
of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a
child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter,
or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor
be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They
never can hold sceptres of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial
kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true
independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of
their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right,
though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this
apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer.--J. of D., Vol. I., p.
312.
Suppose the devil does tempt you, must you of necessity enter into
partnership again with him, open your doors, and bid him welcome to
your house, and tell him to reign there? Why do you not reflect, and
tell master devil, with all his associates and imps, to be gone,
feeling you have served him long enough.--J. of D., Vol. I., p, 323.
If true principles are revealed from heaven to men, and if there are
angels, and there is a possibility of their communicating to the human
family, always look for an opposite power, an evil power, to give
manifestations also; look out for the counterfeit.--J. of D., Vol.
VII,, p. 240.
When death is passed, the power of Satan has no more influence over a
faithful individual; that spirit is free, and can command the power of
Satan. The penalty demanded by the fall has been fully paid; all is
accomplished pertaining to it, when the tabernacle of a faithful person
is returned to earth. All that was lost is passed away, and that person
will again receive his body. When he is in the spirit world, he is free
from those contaminating and condemning influences of Satan that we
are now subject to. Here our bodies are subject to being killed by our
enemies our names to being cast out as evil. We are prosecuted, hated,
not beloved; though I presume that we are as much beloved here as the
spirits of the saints are in the spirit world by those spirits who hate
righteousness. It is the same warfare, but we will have power over
them. Those who have passed through the vail have power over the evil
spirits to command, and they must obey.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 240.
Oppression, persecution, afflictions, and other trials and privations
are necessary as a test to all professing to be Saints, that they may
have an opportunity to witness the workings of the power which is
opposed to truth and holiness.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 242.
Let the spirit that comes from the eternal world, which at the outset
is pure and holy, with the influence God gives to it, master all the
passions of the body, and bring it under subjection to the will of
Christ. That course makes us Saints.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 243.
Whether a truth be found with professed infidels, or with
Universalists, or the Church of Rome, or the Methodists, the Church of
England, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Quakers, the Shakers,
or any other of the various and numerous different sects and parties,
all of whom have more or less truth, it is the business of the Elders
of this Church (Jesus, their elder brother, being at their head,) to
gather up all the truths in the world pertaining to life and salvation,
to the gospel we preach, to mechanism of every kind, to the sciences,
and to philosophy, wherever it may be found in every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people, and bring it to Zion. The people upon this earth
have a great many errors, and they have also a great many truths.
This statement is not only true of the nations termed civilized those
who profess to worship the true God, but is equally applicable to
pagans of all countries, for in their religious rites and ceremonies
may be found a great many truths which we will also gather home to
Zion. All truth is for the salvation of the children of men--for their
benefit and learning for their furtherance in the principles of divine
knowledge.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 283.
The Latter-day Saints understand the Bible as it reads, but the
generality of modern Christians disagree with us, and say it needs
interpreting. They cannot believe our Lord means what He says in the
16th chapter of Mark, when He tells His Apostles to "go into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe," etc. "Now,"
say they, "we cannot believe that as it is written, but we have a
very pretty interpretation which suits us much better than the plain
text. And furthermore we have a sweeping argument that will destroy
all your system from beginning to end, and prove there is to be no
more revelation." Let us look at the passage here referred to. John,
while upon the Isle of Patmos, had a revelation which, he wrote, and
he concluded the same by saying, "For I testify unto every man that
heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add
unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written
in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the
book of this prophecy, God shall take away His part out of the book of
life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written
in this book." When this book, the Bible, was compiled, it was selected
by the council of Carthage from a pile of books more than this pulpit
could hold, which has been printed, and bound in almost all shapes and
sizes, and called the Bible. John's revelation was one of the many
books destined by that council to form the Bible. And the saying which
we have quoted, and which constitutes the sweeping argument of modern
Christians against new revelation, only alludes to this particular
book, which was to be kept sacred, as the word of the Lord to John,
and not to the whole Bible; nor does it prohibit the Saints in his
day, or the Saints in any future time, from getting new revelation for
themselves. That is not all; if we turn to the writings of Moses, we
find the same sentiment, and almost the same language used. Moses says,
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye
diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord
your God which I command you." So if such quotations are given with
the intent to shut the heavens, and put an end to all new revelation,
then the revelations given to prophets who arose after Moses, and the
revelations given to Jesus Christ and His Apostles, including John
and his revelation on the Isle of Patmos, all amount to nothing, and
are not worthy of our notice. This "sweeping argument," when it is
examined, sweeps away rather too much; besides, John's gospel and his
epistle to his bretheren were written after he wrote his revelation on
the Isle of Patmos; consequently he would destroy his own system; but
it sets forth the ignorance and short-sightedness of those who have not
the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy.--J. of D. Vol.
I., p. 242.
Let us dedicate ourselves, our families, our substance, our time, our
talents, and everything we have upon the face of this world, with all
that will hereafter be entrusted to us, to the Lord our God; let the
whole be devoted to the building up of His kingdom upon the earth.--J.
of D. Vol. I., p. 200.
Teach your families how to control themselves; teach them good and
wholesome doctrine, and practice the same in your own lives. This
is the place for you to become polished shafts in the quiver of the
Almighty.--J. of D. Vol. I., p. 47.
When a man is capable of correcting you, and of giving you light, and
true doctrine, do not get up an altercation, but submit to be taught
like little children, and strive with all your might to understand.--J.
of D. Vol. I., p. 47.
We believe the New Testament, and consequently, to be consistent, we
must believe in new revelation, visions, angels, in all the gilts of
the Holy Ghost, and all the promises contained in these books, and
believe it about as it reads.--J. of D. Vol. I, p. 242.
The Millennium consists in this every heart in the Church and kingdom
of God being united in one; the kingdom increasing to the overcoming
of everything opposed to the economy of heaven, and Satan being bound,
and having a seal set upon him. All things else will be as they are
now, we shall eat, drink, and wear clothing. Let the people be holy,
and the earth under their feet will be holy. Let the people be holy
and filled with the Spirit of God, and every animal and creeping thing
will be filled with peace; the soil of the earth will bring forth in
its strength, and the fruits thereof will be meat for man. The more
purity that exists, the less is the strife; the more kind we are to
our animals, the more will peace in crease, and the savage nature of
the brute creation vanish away. If the people will not serve the devil
another moment whilst they live, if this congregation is possessed
of that spirit and resolution, here in this house is the Millennium.
Let the inhabitants of this city be possessed of that spirit, let the
people of the territory be possessed of that spirit, and here is the
Millennium. Let the whole people of the United States be possessed of
that spirit, and here is the Millennium, and so will it spread over all
the world.--J. of D. Vol. I., p. 203.
The power which belongs to the true riches is gained by pursuing a
righteous course, by maintaining an upright deportment towards all men,
and especially towards the household of faith, yielding to each other,
giving freely of that which the Lord has given to you, thus you can
secure to yourselves eternal riches; and gain influence and power over
all your friends, as well as your enemies.--J. of D., Vol. I, p. 273.
Were I to say to a son, The whole earth is in my hands to dispose of as
I will: I can make you the sovereign of the universe--the possessor of
the gold, the silver, the mountains, the valleys, the rivers, the lakes
the seas, and all that float upon them and that live upon the face of
the whole earth; for it is mine to give to you, my son, if you will
serve me one month faithfully; I require nothing of you that will give
you the least pain! all I require is strict obedience to my law. My son
faithfully serves me during twenty-nine days, and on the thirtieth day,
for the value of a straw, or for a mess of pottage he sells his right
and title to all I had promised him. This comparison falls very far
short of showing the loss a Saint sustains when he turns away from his
God and his religion.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 133.
As long as the spirit and body hold together, my tongue shall be swift
against evil, the Lord Almighty being my helper. Though it may be in
"Mormon" Elders, among the people in or out of the Church, if they
come in my path where I can chastize them, the Lord Almighty being my
helper, my tongue shall be swift against evil; and if evil come, let
it come. If for this my body shall fall, let it fall; when they have
destroyed the body, then they have no more that they can do; that is
the end of their power, and of the power of the devil on this earth;
but Jesus Christ has power to destroy both soul and body in hell.--J.
of D., Vol. I., p. 42.
Were I to make war upon an innocent people, because I had the power
to possess myself of their territory, their silver, gold, and other
property, and be the cause of slaying, say fifty thousand strong,
hale, hearty men, and devolving consequent suffering upon one hundred
thousand women and children, who would suffer through privation and
want, I am very much more guilty of murder than is the man who kills
only one person to obtain his pocket-book.--J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 137.
There is one virtue, attribute, or principle, which, if cherished
and practiced by the Saints, would prove salvation to thousands
upon thousands. I allude to charity, or love, from which proceed
forgiveness, long suffering, kindness, and patience.--J. of D., Vol.
VII., p. 133.
If a man drinks at the fountain of eternal life, he is as happy under
the broad canopy of heaven, without a home, as in a palace. This
I know by experience. I know that the things of this world, from
beginning to end, from the possession of mountains of gold down to a
crust of johnycake, makes little or no difference in the happiness of
an individual. The things of this world add to our natural comfort,
and are necessary to susiain mortal life. We need these comforts to
preserve our earthly existence; and many suppose, when they have
them in great abundance, that they have all that is needed to make
them happy. They are striving continually, and with all their might,
for that which does not add one particle to their happiness, though
it may not add to their comfort, and perhaps to the length of their
lives, if they do not kill themselves in their eagerness to grasp the
gilded butterfly. But those things have nothing to do with the spirit,
feeling, consolation, light, glory, peace, and joy that pertain to
heaven and heavenly things, which is the food of the everlasting spirit
within us.--J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 135.
Do not be so full of religion as to look upon every little overt act
that others may commit as being the unpardonable sin that will place
them beyond the reach cf redemption and the favors of our God.--J. of
D., Vol. VII, p. 136.
Our religion teaches us truth, virtue, holiness, faith in God and
in His Son Jesus Christ. It reveals mysteries; it brings to mind
things past and present--unfolding clearly things to come. It is the
foundation of mechanism; it is the spirit that gives Intelligence to
every living being upon the earth. All true philosophy originates from
that fountain from which we draw wisdom, knowledge, truth, and power.
What does it teach us? To love God and our fellow creatures, to be
compassionate, full of mercy, long-suffering and patient to the froward
and to those who are ignorant. There is glory in our religion that no
other religion that has ever been established upon the earth, in the
absence of the true Priesthood, ever possessed. It is the fountain of
all intelligence; it is to bring heaven to earth and exalt earth to
heaven, to prepare all intelligence that God has placed in the hearts
of the children of men to mingle with that intelligence which dwells
in eternity, and to elevate the mind above the trifling and frivolous
objects of time, which tend downward to destruction. It frees the mind
of man from darkness and ignorance, gives him that intelligence that
flows from heaven, and qualifies him to comprehend all things. This is
the character of the religion we believe in.--J. of D. Vol. VII., p.
140.
I say _shame_ on that man who will give way to his passions and use the
name of God or of Christ to curse his ox or his horse, or any creature
which God has made; it is a disgrace to him.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 241.
That a man is willing to die for his religion is no proof of its being
true; neither is it proof that a religion is false when one of its
votaries apostatizes from it.--J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 140.
I may heap up gold and silver like the mountains; I may gather
around me property, goods and chattels, but I could have no glory
in that compared with my religion; it is the fountain of light and
intelligence; it swallows up the truth contained in all the philosophy
of the world, both heathen and Christian; it circumscribes the wisdom
of man; it circumscribes all the wisdom and power of the world; it
reaches to that within the veil. Its bounds, its circumference, its
end, its height and depth are beyond the comprehension of mortals, _for
it has none_.--J., of D., Vol. I., p. 39.
If you have gold and silver, let it not come between you and your duty.
J. of D. Vol. I., p. 202.
When the breath leaves the body, your life has not become extinct;
your life is still in existence. And when you are in the spirit world,
everything there will appear as natural as things now do. Spirits
will be familiar with spirits in the spirit world--will converse,
behold, and exercise every variety of communication one with another as
familiarly and naturally as while here in tabernacles.--J. of D., Vol.
VII., p. 239.
If we are faithful to our religion, when we go into the spirit world,
the fallen spirits Lucifer and the third part of the heavenly hosts
that came with him, and the spirits of wicked men who have dwelt upon
this earth, the whole of them combined will have no influence over our
spirits.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 240.
The thrones and kingdoms of earth are frequently changing hands.
Adventurers rise up or go forth and establish new governments, and in
a few short years they are cast down to give place to more successful
powers. All earthly things are changing hands. The gold, the silver,
and other property pass from my hands to yours, and from yours to the
hands of others. Shame on a people that place their affections upon
this changing matter! Love God and the things that change not.--J. of
D., Vol. VII., p. 337.
The child who has his father's razor, or any other article dangerous
for him to handle, and about the use of which he has no knowledge,
when deprived of it, his trials are equal to ours, according to his
capacity. We seldom think of the trials of our little ones when we
say to them, you must not have this or that; you must do so and so to
receive my smiles and approbation; you must not think for a moment
that your judgment, wisdom, experience, and wishes are to be compared
with mine. Does not the Father of all living conduct Himself in this
wise towards His children? He has revealed to us that He will prepare
us for glory, for life eternal,--will preserve our identity forever,
if we will be guided by him. But we must be obedient to him, for He
understands more than we do. We should destroy ourselves if we were
suffered to take our own way; hence we are taught to suffer the Father
to point out our path to an eternal duration hereafter, where our
present afflictions will appear as flimsy as the shadows of the morning
that flee upon the approach of day.--J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 275.
If a man is worth millions of bushels of wheat and corn, he is not
wealthy enough to suffer his servant girl to sweep a single kernel of
it into the firs; let it be eaten by something, and pass again into the
earth, and thus fulfill the purpose for which it grew.--J. of D. Vol.
I., p. 253.
The man who lays up his gold and silver, who caches it away in a bank,
or in his iron safe, or buries it up in the earth, and comes here, and
professes to be a Saint, would tie up the hands of every individual in
this kingdom, and make them his servants if he could.--J. of D., Vol.
I., p. 253.
If I am not smart enough to take care of what the Lord lends me, I am
smart enough to hold my tongue about it, until I come across the thief
myself.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 255.
When I have gold and silver in my possession, which a thief may steal,
or friends borrow, and never pay me back again, or which may take the
wings of the morning, and I behold it no more, I only possess the
negative of the true riches.--J. of D., Vol. I, p. 266.
If this people will do as they are told, will live their religion, walk
humbly before their God, and deal justly with each other, we will make
you one promise, in the name of Israel's God, that you will never be
driven from the mountains.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 319.
It is folly in the extreme for persons to say that they love God, when
they do not love their brethren.--J. of D., Vol. I, p. 297.
Speaking as the world view men and things, in the eyes of the vast
majority of mankind, the devil is the greatest gentleman that ever made
his appearance on this earth.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 347.
I hope as I grow old, to grow wise. As I advance in years, I hope to
advance in the true knowledge of God and godliness. I hope to increase
in the power of the Almighty, and in influence to establish peace and
righteousness upon the earth, and to bring all the sons and daughters
of Adam and Eve, even all who will hearken to the principles of
righteousness, to a true sense of the knowledge of God and godliness,
of themselves, and the relation they sustain to heaven and heavenly
beings.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 326.
It would be better if you and I never should have anything pertaining
to this world, than to lose the spirit of the gospel and love the
world.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p, 342.
The difficulty with the whole world in their divisions and
subdivisions, is that they have no more confidence in each other than
they have in their God, and that is none at all.--J. of D., Vol. IV.,
p. 296.
There never was that necessity; there never has been a time on the face
of the earth, from the time that the church went to destruction, and
the Priesthood was taked from the earth, that the powers of darkness
and the powers of earth and hell were so embittered, and enraged, and
incensed against God and godliness on the earth, as they are at the
present. And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, of
wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be
the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the
wicked, and never until then.--J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 327.
End of Project Gutenberg's Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City, by Ben E. Rich