Discourses
of
Brigham Young
SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH
OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
"I am called to preach the Gospel of Life and Salvation."
--_Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p. 11_
-----
Selected and Arranged
By
JOHN A. WIDTSOE
-----
Salt Lake City, Utah
PREFACE
BRIGHAM YOUNG, second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, and first Governor of Utah, was the founder and
chief builder of the Great Intermountain West of the United States of
America. He is recognized as one of the foremost colonizers and empire
builders of all time. His unsurpassed methods of conquering for human
use the Great American Desert, have been adopted to some degree by all
who, since his day, have been engaged in the reclamation and settlement
of unoccupied lands, especially under a low rainfall. Statesmen,
scholars and business men have acclaimed the leadership, organizing
power and sound philosophy which brought social and economic happiness
to the people who were led into the wilderness by Brigham Young. He not
only brought contentment to the people, gathered from many lands, but
he guided the Church over which he presided, until, at his death, it
was larger in numbers and more firmly established than ever before.
The tremendous world significance of the labors of Brigham Young, and
the universal applicability of his methods, under modern conditions,
make it certain that the work he accomplished was not due, primarily,
to the gigantic personality of the man. Rather, the success achieved
must have been due to the possession of a life philosophy of sufficient
depth and extent to meet varying human needs. Another man, of less
dominant personality, armed with the same principles, would have won
success. As he, himself, would say, it was the possession of the Gospel
of Life and Salvation that enabled him and his associates to do the
work so well. In fact, Brigham Young was first a spiritual teacher and
secondly a material leader. The religion that he professed made him the
man that he became; its principles were used in guiding the people in
all their affairs.
Books enough to fill a library have been written about the history,
character and accomplishments of Brigham Young. Few of these books
attempt to analyze the system of doctrine and practice that brought
unbounded success to the Latter-day Saints. Many display such extreme
religious partisanship that even the sympathetic reader can place
no reliance upon their statements. Something harsher might be said
about the large number of books written about Brigham Young and his
times that manifestly aim to secure popularity by appealing to the
sensational and the lurid, at the expense of truth. Even recently, when
the years have given perspective, some writers have set up hypotheses
concerning Brigham Young, and have proceeded to argue the case--as if
that were history! It is amazing that intelligent people, knowing the
high order of accomplishments of the Latter-day Saints, give credence
to the weird and crude stories, appealing to the baser emotions of
mankind, which fill the pages of anti-"Mormon" literature.
In this book Brigham Young is allowed to speak for himself. Excerpts
have been made from his many discourses, and these have been arranged
to show the coherent system of faith which he continuously taught his
people and by which he was enabled to win success for his followers.
The philosophy thus set forth is clear and unmistakable in its purpose.
It reveals Brigham Young as a man who applied the simple principles
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the everyday affairs of men; and who
proved the efficacy, in common life, among common men, of the Gospel of
the Son of God.
This book was made possible because Brigham Young secured stenographic
reports of his addresses. As he traveled among the people, reporters
accompanied him. All that he said was recorded. Practically all of
these discourses (from December 16, 1851 to August 19, 1877) were
published in the Journal of Discourses, which was widely distributed.
The public utterances of few great historical figures have been so
faithfully and fully preserved. Clearly, this mass of material,
covering nearly thirty years of incessant public speaking could not be
presented with any hope of serving the general reader, save in the form
of selections of essential doctrines.
The discourses, from which this volume has been culled, were spoken
extemporaneously. The state papers of Governor Brigham Young, and
the epistles signed by him and his counselors in the Presidency of
the Church, have not been used in this collection. The excerpts here
presented came from his lips under the inspiration, at the moment, of
the Power that guided his life. The corrections for the printer, as
shown by existing manuscripts, were few and of minor consequence. The
discourses are a remarkable self-revelation of the character and moving
impulses of a man who accomplished huge tasks for his generation. It
is marvelous that the enemies of Brigham Young, with this wealth of
material before them, have found so little to use to his disadvantage.
But, a dishonest or insincere man would not have had his public
utterances reported and published all over the world. The consistency
of the views presented, from the first to the last discourse, would
be astounding, were it not for the fact that he clung constantly for
interpretation to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as he had been taught
it by the Prophet Joseph Smith. His devotion to his teacher and
predecessor, the Prophet, is tenderly beautiful.
The school education of Brigham Young was very limited, but his
discourses show a wide knowledge of men and affairs and an excellent
power to use the English language clearly and forcefully. Often, his
simple eloquence rises to great heights. Those who heard him speak
have declared that they were held in tense attention, however long
the address might be. His vivid imagination, dramatic power and
unquestioned sincerity made him a natural orator. He seldom confined
himself to one subject in his discourses. The needs of the day were the
themes about which he wound his teachings.
No liberties have been taken, in this book, with the words of Brigham
Young. In a few instances, errors in language or spelling, which
should have been caught by the printer, have been corrected. All
distinct sentiments, as expressed in the discourses, are represented
by one or more quotations, except such as refer to conditions now no
longer existing. The excerpts are confined to the principles of the
Gospel. The mass of historical and autobiographical detail could not
be included without making this volume too large for popular use. As
it is, severe pruning and elimination have been employed to enable the
inclusion of the message of each of the 363 addresses in the Journal
of Discourses, and the many others printed in the Deseret News, the
Millennial Star and other periodicals. The many summaries of Brigham
Young's discourses, appearing in the Deseret News have not been used.
The excerpts contained in this volume are from verbatim reports. The
figures at the end of each excerpt indicates the volume and page of the
Journal of Discourses.
These discourses are Brigham Young's witness to the existence of God,
the divine mission of Jesus the Christ, the restoration of the Gospel
in its fulness by Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and the possibility of
securing happiness here and hereafter by obedience to the requirements
of the Gospel. This volume is but another testimony that the Lord
continues to speak through his prophets.
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION
The reception of this book far surpassed the hopes of the publishers.
The first edition of fifteen thousand was soon exhausted. The second
edition of ten thousand is the same as the first edition except for
some minor letter corrections.
THE PUBLISHERS.
Feb. 15, 1926.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
THE GOSPEL DEFINED
Composed of Eternal Laws--Embraces all Truth--Increasing Knowledge
of Gospel--Holds Power of Priesthood--The Gospel of Life and
Salvation--Offers Salvation to All--A Guide in Daily Life--A
Fountain of Truth--We Need a Practical Religion--Temporal Labors are
Necessary--We Need a Present Everyday Religion--We Must Learn to
Support Ourselves
CHAPTER II
THE GODHEAD
Our Father in Heaven--Personality and Fatherhood of God--The Son of
God--the Holy Ghost
CHAPTER III
THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN
The Spirit of God--Revelation--Angels--Prayer
CHAPTER IV
PRE-EXISTENCE, THE PLAN OF SALVATION
Time--The Organized Universe--Man and Matter Eternal--Man the
Offspring of God--The Spirit of Man--The Council in Heaven--The Plan of
Salvation
CHAPTER V
FREE AGENCY
Definition of
CHAPTER VI
THE POWER OF EVIL
Lucifer--False Spirits--Priestcraft--Sin and
Wickedness--Temptation--Apostasy
CHAPTER VII
THE LAW OF ETERNAL PROGRESSION
Object of Mortal Life--Man to Endure Forever--The Business of
life--Prepare to Live--Eternal Increase--Blessings are Proportioned to
our Capacity
CHAPTER VIII
THE DESTINY OF MAN
The Gift of Eternal Life--Eternal Increase--The Celestial
World--Opposition to Death
CHAPTER IX
DISPENSATIONS OF THE GOSPEL
The Earth--Adam and Eve--Enoch and Moses--Jesus on Earth--The
Apostasy--The Restoration--The Book of Mormon
CHAPTER X
THE LAST DAYS
Confusion of the Last Days--Ultimate Triumph of Righteousness--Return
to Jackson County--Coming of Christ--The Millennium--Rapid Movements
in the Last Days--Zion--The Land of Zion--The City of Zion--Purpose of
Gathering--The Jews and Jerusalem--The Indians or Lamanites
CHAPTER XI
THE SCRIPTURES
The Bible--the Standard Church Works--The Use of the Scriptures
CHAPTER XII
THE PRIESTHOOD
The Priesthood--The First Presidency--The Apostle and Melchizedek
Priesthood--The Bishop and the Aaronic Priesthood--Church Organization
and Government
CHAPTER XIII
THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL
Importance of the Principles of the Gospel--Need of
Ordinances--Faith--Repentance--Baptism--The Gift of the Holy
Ghost--Healing the Sick
CHAPTER XIV
THE SABBATH; MEETINGS; THE SACRAMENT
How to Spend the Sabbath Day--Worship on Every Day--Preaching and
Listening in Meetings--Testimony Meetings--The Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper
CHAPTER XV
TITHING; THE UNITED ORDER
The Law of Tithing--The Lord has Given All--People Not Compelled to Pay
Tithing--Use of the Tithing--The United Order
CHAPTER XVI
THE WORD OF WISDOM
Moderation--The Word of Wisdom--Live Long--Eating for Health--Living
Out-of-Doors--Exercise and Mental Vigor--Physiological
Differences--Feeding Children--The Giving of the Word of Wisdom
CHAPTER XVII
THE FAMILY
Virtue--Marriage--Do Not Marry Unbelievers--Birth Control--The
Husband--The Wife--Children--Family Life--Importance of Early
Training--Influence of the Mother--Teach Children the Gospel--Parents
Should Teach by Example--Guides for Child Training--Need of Parent
Training
CHAPTER XVIII
SOME WOMANLY DUTIES
The Housewife--Woman's Fashions--Some Duties of the Relief Societies
CHAPTER XIX
OBEDIENCE
Counsel--Obedience--Effect of Obedience--Obedience and Free
Agency----Effects of Disobedience
CHAPTER XX
GRATITUDE, HUMILITY, DEVOTION, LIBERALITY, HONESTY
Gratitude--Humility--Devotion to the Gospel--Give Freely--Be
Honest--Honest in Labor--Consistency and Sincerity
CHAPTER XXI
HAPPINESS AND SOCIAL ENJOYMENTS
Saints Should be Happy--Social Amusements--Dancing--The
Theater--Excursions
CHAPTER XXII
EDUCATION
Knowledge and Intelligence--A Religion of Improvement--Knowledge
to be Sought--Continuous Education--Effects of Education--Educate
Our Children--Establish Schools--What to Study--Religious
Education--Science and Religion--the Body and the Mind--Studies in
Sunday Schools
CHAPTER XXIII
SELF CONTROL
The Will of Man--Self-Control Necessary--Check your Words--Cease your
Anger--Learn to Know Ourselves--Let us Mind our own Business
CHAPTER XXIV
OUR FELLOW-MEN
Love Each Other--Let us be Merciful--Show Charity--Establish
Confidence--Avoid Contention--Do not Deal Judgment--Respect for
Neighbors--Lady and Gentleman Defined--The Negro--The Generous Nature
CHAPTER XXV
UNITY AND CO-OPERATION
Be of One Mind and One Heart--Perfect Oneness will Save a People--Unity
in God's Work, the Strength of Zion--Advantage of Temporal Unity--Unity
Does not Mean Individual Uniformity--the Co-operative Movement
CHAPTER XXVI
THRIFT AND INDUSTRY
Faith and Works--Time Should be Spent Wisely--Labor Indispensable--Let
Nothing go to Waste--We Must be a Self-sustaining People--The Elements
of Wealth are Around Us--Agriculture--Manufacturing--Commerce--Capital
and Labor--Build Good Houses and Beautiful Cities--Accumulate
Property--Debt
CHAPTER XXVII
WEALTH
Wealth Belongs to the Lord--Uncertainty of Temporal Possessions--The
Sin of Covetousness--True Riches--Gold is not Wealth--How to Become
Wealthy--Wealth Must be Used--Wealth Brings Happiness Only When Used
for the Gospel--Some Dangers of Wealth--The Poor
CHAPTER XXVIII
MISSIONARY WORK
The Gospel to be Preached to all Men--Help to Save Every Person--Words
to Departing Missionaries--Advice to Missionaries in the Field--The
Returned Missionary--The Gospel is Preached with Authority--The Spirit,
not Logic or Debate, Makes Converts--Humility and Devotion, the
Essentials--Preach only that which is Known--Hints to Teachers
CHAPTER XXIX
VISIONS, MYSTERIES AND MIRACLES
Visions of a Personal Matter--Leave Alone Mysteries--Providences of
God, all Miracles--Miracles for Believers--Faith not Dependent on
Miracles
CHAPTER XXX
TRIALS AND PERSECUTION
Trials are Necessary--Purpose of Persecution--Persecution May be
Expected--Meet Trials Cheerfully--Cause of Persecution--Disobedience
Causes Persecution--Result of Persecution--Cannot Overtake
Falsehood--Danger of Persecuting the Saints--Persecution Comes from
Efforts of Few
CHAPTER XXXI
POLITICAL GOVERNMENT
Theocratic Government--Republican Government--God and
Governments--Fitness of Rulers--Labor and Politics--Saints and
Politics--The Constitution of U. S. an Inspired Document--The
Saints Will Yet Save the Constitution--Religious Liberty Should be
Observed--Opposed to Corrupt Administrators of Law--The President of
the U. S.--Political Parties--States' Rights--Forebodings of the Civil
War--War--Woman Suffrage
CHAPTER XXXII
DEATH AND RESURRECTION
The Body Must Return to Mother Earth--Man Should Live out His Days--We
Should Not Mourn for the Righteous Dead--Our Identity will be
Preserved--Our Bodies will be Resurrected--Jesus, the First Fruits of
the Resurrection--The Resurrected Body--Resurrection Necessary to Full
Salvation
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE SPIRIT WORLD
All go to the Spirit World--Where is the Spirit World--Labors in the
pet World--Life in the Spirit World
CHAPTER XXXIV
ETERNAL JUDGMENT
Judgment According to Works--Honesty in Action Will Temper
Judgment--Hell Defined--The Second Death--Measure of Human Judgment
CHAPTER XXXV
SALVATION
Universal Salvation--The Way to Salvation--Salvation an Individual
Work--Many Degrees of Salvation--Exaltation Proportioned to
Capacity--The Celestial Kingdom
CHAPTER XXXVI
TEMPLES AND SALVATION FOR THE DEAD
Saints Always Commanded to Build Temples--Temples Indispensable
for Higher Ordinances--Endowments Given in Temples--Vicarious Work
for the Dead in Temples--Who Should Represent the Dead--Saviors on
Mount Zion--Powers of Evil Opposed to Temple Building--The Salt Lake
Temple--Address at the Laying of the Corner Stone of the Salt Lake
Temple--St. George Temple
CHAPTER XXXVII
MAN'S SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND SALVATION
Man Desires Salvation--Humanity Loves Truth and Righteousness--Human
Family Alike in Sentiments--A Variety of Human Gifts--Man's Powers are
Limited--Man Must have Confidence in Himself--Man Always Dependent--We
Must Fight Our Battles--How to Know Oneself--Our Good Character Must be
Cherished--The Need of Leaders--Duty and Responsibility of Man
CHAPTER XXXVIII
TESTIMONY OF THE TRUTH
All Latter-day Saints May Know the Gospel is True--How a Witness of the
Truth is Won--Why Some Men Reject the Gospel--Testimony Not Built Upon
a Man--Joseph Smith a Witness of the Truth--A Duty to Listen to the
Truth
CHAPTER XXXIX
THE CHURCH AND KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH
Israel--The Church and the Kingdom--An Object of the Church--The
Kingdom of God to Develop Gradually--The Effect of the Kingdom of
God--It Will Continue--The Business of Latter-day Saints--Individual
Labor Required in the Kingdom of God--The Kingdom of God or Nothing
CHAPTER XL
SOME EFFECTS OF THE GOSPEL
The Nature of the Gospel--Some of the Effects of the Gospel--His
Personal Joy in the Gospel--Blessings Continued Upon Good
Works--Increasing Blessings--Personal Blessings Upon the People
CHAPTER XLI
JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET
Joseph Smith, a Prophet of God--Joseph Called and Directed by
God--The Development of the Prophet--What Joseph Taught--Results
of the Prophet's Labors--Persecutions of the Prophet--The Prophet
Harassed by Law-suits--Joseph of Good Character--Why the Prophet was
Killed--Joseph's Work in the Spirit World--Nature of the Prophet and
His Family--The Twelve, the Successors of the Prophet--Some Sayings of
the Prophet
CHAPTER XLII
THE SETTLEMENT IN THE WEST
The Journey Across the Plains--The Mormon Battalion--Settlement in the
Great Salt Lake Valley
{1}
Discourses of Brigham Young
CHAPTER I
_THE GOSPEL DEFINED_
_Composed of Eternal Laws_--The Gospel of the Son of God that has
been revealed is a plan or system of laws and ordinances, by strict
obedience to which the people who inhabit this earth are assured that
they may return again into the presence of the Father and the Son.
13:233 [A]
[Footnote A: The numbers at the end of each excerpt refer to the volume
and page of the Journal of Discourses. Where the excerpt occurs thus,
13:233, it means Journal of Discourses, volume 13, page 233.]
The laws of the Gospel are neither more nor less than a few of the
principles of eternity revealed to the people, by which they can return
to heaven from whence they came. We delight in the heavenly law--in
that law that will preserve us to all eternity. 8:208.
The laws and ordinances which the Lord has revealed in these latter
days, are calculated to save all the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve
who have not sinned against the Holy Ghost, for all will be saved in a
kingdom of glory, though it may not be in the celestial kingdom, for
there are many mansions. 15:122. {2}
Our religion is nothing more nor less than the true order of
heaven--the system of laws by which the gods and the angels are
governed. Are they governed by law? Certainly. There is no being in all
the eternities but what is governed by law. Who desires to have liberty
and no law? They who are from beneath. 14:280.
Our religion, in common with everything of which God is the Author, is
a system of law and order. He has instituted laws and ordinances for
the government and benefit of the children of men, to see if they would
obey them and prove themselves worthy of eternal life by the law of the
celestial worlds. This holy Priesthood that we talk about is a perfect
system of government. By obedience to these laws we expect to enter the
celestial kingdom and to be exalted. 14:95.
The principles of truth and goodness, and of eternal lives and the
power of God are from eternity to eternity. The principle of falsehood
and wickedness, the power of the Devil and the power of death are also
from eternity to eternity. These two powers have ever existed and
always will exist in all the eternities that are yet to come. 11:234.
_Embraces All Truth_--Our religion measures, weighs, and
circumscribes all the wisdom in the world--all that God has ever
revealed to man. God has revealed all the truth that is now in the
possession of the world, whether it be scientific or religious. The
whole world are under obligation to him for what they know and enjoy;
they are indebted to him for it all, and I acknowledge him in all
things. 8:162.
I want to say to my friends that we believe in all good. If you can
find a truth in heaven, earth or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We
believe it; it is ours; we claim it. 15:335.
In a word, if "Mormonism" is not my life, I do not know that I have
any. I do not understand anything else, for it embraces everything that
comes within the range of the understanding of man. If it does not
circumscribe everything {3} that is in heaven and on earth, it is not
what it purports to be. 2:123.
Our religion is simply the truth. It is all said in this one
expression--it embraces all truth, wherever found, in all the works of
God and man that are visible or invisible to mortal eye. 10:251.
The Gospel is simple, it is plain.
There is no mystery throughout the whole plan of salvation, only to
those who do not understand. 3:367.
"Mormonism" embraces all truth that is revealed and that is unrevealed,
whether religious, political, scientific, or philosophical. 9:149.
It comprehends all true science known by man, angels, and the gods.
There is one true system and science of life; all else tends to death.
That system emanates from the Fountain of life. 8:70.
True science, true art and true knowledge comprehend all that are in
heaven or on the earth, or in all the eternities. By these all beings
exist, whether they be celestial, terrestial or telestial; or whether
they are from beneath and dwell with the devils among the damned. All
truth is ours. 14:281.
"Where is your code, your particular creed?" says one. It fills
eternity; it is all truth in heaven, on earth or in hell. This is
"Mormonism." It embraces every true science; all true philosophy.
14:280.
The philosophy of the heavens and the earth of the worlds that are,
that were, and that are yet to come into existence, is all in the
Gospel that we have embraced. Every true philosopher, so far as he
understands the principles of truth, has so much of the Gospel, and
so far he is a Latter-day Saint, whether he knows it or not. Our {4}
Father, the great God, is the author of the sciences, he is the great
mechanic, he is the systematizer of all things, he plans and devises
all things, and every particle of knowledge which man has in his
possession is the gift of God, whether they consider it divine, or
whether it is the wisdom of man; it belongs to God, and he has bestowed
it upon us, his children dwelling here upon the earth. 18:359.
A fact is a fact, all truth issues forth from the Fountain of truth,
and the sciences are facts as far as men have proved them. 14:117.
"Mormonism," so-called, embraces every principle pertaining to life
and salvation, for time and eternity. No matter who has it. If the
infidel has got truth it belongs to "Mormonism." The truth and sound
doctrine possessed by the sectarian world, and they have a great
deal, all belongs to this Church. As for their morality, many of them
are, morally, just as good as we are. All that is good, lovely, and
praiseworthy belongs to this Church and Kingdom. "Mormonism" includes
all truth. There is no truth but what belongs to the Gospel. It is
life, eternal life; it is bliss; it is the fulness of all things in the
gods and in the eternities of the gods. 11:375.
We wish to frame, fashion and build after the pattern that God has
revealed; and in doing so we take all the laws, rules, ordinances and
regulations contained in the Scriptures and practice them as far as
possible, and then keep learning and improving until we can live by
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 13:238.
The Lord reveals a little here and a little there, line upon line, and
he will continue to do so until we can reach into eternity and embrace
a fulness of his glory, excellency and power. 13:241. {5}
Truth will endure for ever and for ever, and every man that preaches
the Gospel of salvation may take the old text that some of us took in
the commencement of the building up of the Kingdom of God upon the
earth in the last days. I took truth for my text, salvation for my
subject, and the whole world for my circuit, to go as far as I could
and talk all I could about it. It takes every truth from every sect and
party. What! in a civil capacity also? Yes. All law, all powers, all
kingdoms, and all thrones,--in fine, all things are under the control
of God. 7:148.
When the Gospel of the Son of God is introduced among the children
of men, it comes with light and intelligence, with pure and holy
principles. It embraces all morality, all virtue, all light, all
intelligence, all greatness, and all goodness. It introduces a system
of laws and ordinances and a code of moral rectitude which, if obeyed
by the human family, will lead them back to the presence of God. 11:235.
For me, the plan of salvation must be a system that is pure and holy in
all its points; it must reveal things that no other church or kingdom
can reveal; it must circumscribe the knowledge that is upon the face
of the earth, or it is not from God. Such a plan incorporates every
system of true doctrine on the earth, whether it be ecclesiastical,
moral, philosophical, or civil; it incorporates all good laws that
have been made from the days of Adam until now; it swallows up the
laws of nations, for it exceeds them all in knowledge and purity, it
circumscribes the doctrines of the day, and takes from the right and
the left, and brings all truth together in one system, and leaves the
chaff to be scattered hither and thither. That is the proof to me,
and has been from the beginning, that the {6} principles are pure
and holy; and every person living to them will attain through them
sanctification. 7:148.
I will tell you who the real fanatics are: they are they who
adopt false principles and ideas as facts, and try to establish a
superstructure upon a false foundation. They are the fanatics; and
however ardent and zealous they may be, they may reason or argue on
false premises till doomsday, and the result will be false. 13:271.
_Increasing Knowledge of Gospel_--I want to say that we are for
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; we are pursuing
the path of truth, and by and by we expect to possess a great deal more
than we do now; but to say that we shall ever possess all truth, I
pause; I do not know when. 14:196.
The laws that the Lord has given are not fully perfect, because the
people could not receive them in their perfect fulness; but they can
receive a little here and a little there, a little today and a little
tomorrow, a little more next week, and a little more in advance of
that next year, if they make a wise improvement upon every little they
receive; if they do not, they are left in the shade, and the light
which the Lord reveals will appear darkness to them, and the kingdom
of heaven will travel on and leave them groping. Hence, if we wish to
act upon the fulness of the knowledge that the Lord designs to reveal,
little by little, to the inhabitants of the earth, we must improve upon
every little as it is revealed. 2:314.
We know enough to damn us; and when we know enough for that, we know
enough to save us, if that knowledge is improved upon. 6:198.
_Holds Power of Priesthood_--The Gospel which we preach is the
Gospel of life and salvation. The Church {7} which we represent is the
Church and Kingdom of God, and possesses the only faith by which the
children of men can be brought back into the presence of our Father
and God. The Lord has set his hands to restore all things as in the
beginning, and by the administration of his holy Priesthood, save all
who can be saved, cleanse from the world the consequences of the Fall
and give it to the hands of his Saints.
The Gospel of salvation--the Priesthood of the Son of God--is so
ordered and organized, in the very nature of it, being a portion
of that law of heaven by which worlds are organized, that it is
calculated to enlighten the children of men and give them power to
save themselves. It is of the same nature as the further principles of
eternal existence by which the worlds are and were, and by which they
will endure; and these principles are pure in their nature, from the
fact that they are of God, who is pure; but, without the revelation of
the Spirit of God, no man can understand them. That is the peculiarity
there is about this mysterious work. 7:54.
The power of all truth dwells in the bosom of our Father and God, which
he dispenses to his children as he will, by the means of his eternal
Priesthood. He is enthroned in the light, glory and power of truth.
He has abided the truth, and is thereby exalted, and his power, light
and glory are eternal. The Gospel and the Priesthood are the means he
employs to save and exalt his obedient children to the possession with
him of the same glory and power to be crowned with crowns of glory,
immortality and eternal lives. 9:330.
Now, we say to the people of the nineteenth century, and we speak the
truth and lie not, whosoever believes that {8} Joseph Smith, Junior,
was a Prophet sent of God, and was ordained by him to receive and hold
the keys of the holy Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of
God, and power to build up the Kingdom of God upon the earth, to gather
the House of Israel, to guide all who believe and obey to redemption,
to restore that which has been lost through transgression--whosoever
believes this, believing in the Lord, and obeying his commandments
to the end of their lives, their names shall not be blotted out of
the Lamb's book of life, and they shall receive crowns of glory,
immortality, and eternal life. This is for the nineteenth century, for
the generation of people now living. 12:101.
_The Gospel of Life and Salvation_--We have something more than
morality alone to teach the people. What is it? It is how to redeem the
human family. 19:47.
I will now say to my friends,--and I call you all, and all mankind,
friends, until you have proved yourselves, enemies,--you who do
not belong to this Church, that we have got the Gospel of life and
salvation. I do not say that we have a Gospel, but I say that we have
the definite and only Gospel that ever was or ever will be that will
save the children of men. 12:313.
_It Takes the Whole Man to Make a Saint_--There are no exceptions
in "Mormonism." Learn so to think and direct your acts in every
transaction of life, that we may overcome the evil that is sown within
us. Overcome the inward enemy; then we can overcome the Devil's
kingdom. And while others choose evil principles and build upon a
foundation which leads to destruction, let us build upon the principles
of eternal salvation, as we have striven to do all the day long. 7:66.
The doctrines of salvation are the same now as they {9} were in the
days of Adam, or Elijah, or Jesus, when he was upon the earth. 5:229.
We have brought the doctrine of life and salvation to you, that you may
exchange your low, narrow, contracted, selfish dispositions for the
ennobling Spirit of the Lord, for the Spirit of the Gospel, which gives
joy and peace. If you enjoy that, your food will be sweet to you, your
sleep will be refreshing, and your days will pass away in usefulness.
3:119.
We have as good a right to adopt tenets in our religion as the Church
of England, or the Methodists, or Baptists, or any other denomination
have in theirs. Our doctrine is a Bible doctrine, a patriarchal
doctrine, and is the doctrine of the gods of eternity, and of the
heavens, and was revealed to our fathers on the earth, and will save
the world at last. 2:187.
The revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ are sweeter than honey or the
honeycomb. We can eat, and continue to eat; drink, and continue to
drink. Is there durable satisfaction? Yes. I am in the height of my
enjoyment. All the pleasure and all the joy that can be bestowed upon
a finite being is in the Gospel of salvation, through the Spirit of
revelation, upon the creature--upon the Saint of God--old or young,
male or female. Not that this comparison fully conveys the idea; for
the language of mortals fails to fully portray the joys of the Gospel
of life everlasting. 8:139.
We have the Gospel of life and salvation, to make bad men good and good
men better. We are to preach, exhort expound, continue in our duty,
be fervent in spirit, bearing and forbearing with our brethren, being
filled with love and kindness. 8:130. {10}
There is no freedom anywhere outside the Gospel of salvation. 5:52.
_Offers Salvation to All_--A few here and a few there will receive
the truth, and the Lord will empty the earth of the wickedness that now
dwells upon it. 8:195.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the opening avenue--the open gate in the
road or way from earth to heaven, through which direct revelation comes
to the children of men in their various capacities, according to their
callings and standing in the society in which they live. The Gospel of
salvation is a portion of the law that pertains to the kingdom where
God resides; and the ordinances pertaining to the holy Priesthood are
the means by which the children of men find access to the way of life,
wherein they can extend their travels until they return to the presence
of their Father and God. 8:159.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to continue to
be the sons of God." Instead of receiving the Gospel to become the
sons of God, my language would be--to receive the Gospel that we may
continue to be the sons of God. Are we not all sons of God when we are
born into this world? Old Pharaoh, King of Egypt, was just as much a
son of God as Moses and Aaron were his sons, with this difference--he
rejected the word of the Lord, the true light, and they received it.
For "this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and
men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil."
Then we receive not the Gospel that we may become the sons of God but
that we may remain the sons of God without rebuke. Inasmuch as all had
apostatized, they had to become the sons of God by adoption, still,
originally, all were the sons of God. We receive the Gospel, not that
we {11} may have our names written in the Lamb's book of life, but that
our names may not be blotted out of that book. "For," saith the Lord,
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and
I will not blot out his name out of the book of life." Why? Because
he had overcome through his faithfulness. My doctrine is--that there
never was a son and daughter of Adam and Eve born on this earth whose
names were not already written in the Lamb's book of life, and there
they will remain until their conduct is such that the angel who keeps
the record is authorized to blot them out and record them elsewhere.
12:100-101.
In conversation not long since with a visitor who was about returning
to the Eastern States, said he, "You, as a people, consider that you
are perfect?" "Oh, no;" said I, "not by any means. Let me define to
you. The doctrine that we have embraced is perfect; but when we come to
the people, we have just as many imperfections as you can ask for. We
are not perfect; but the Gospel that we preach is calculated to perfect
the people so that they can obtain a glorious resurrection and enter
into the presence of the Father and the Son." 11:304.
Our motive is to make every man and woman to know just as much as we
do; this is the plan of the Gospel, and this is what I would like to
do. I would like all the Latter-day Saints to come up to this standard,
and know as much as I do, and then just as much more as they can learn,
and if they can get ahead of me, all right. 19:96.
We declare it to all the inhabitants of the earth from the valleys in
the tops of these mountains that we are the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints--not a church but the Church--and we have the
doctrine of life and salvation for all the honest-in-heart in all the
world. 12:173. {12}
This Gospel will save the whole human family; the blood of Jesus will
atone for our sins, if we accept the terms he has laid down; but we
must accept those terms or else it will avail nothing in our behalf.
_A Guide in Daily Life_--I reduce the Gospel to the present time,
circumstances and condition of the people. 10:1.
That system that brings present security and peace is the best to live
by, and the best to die by; it is the best for doing business; it is
the best for making farms, for building cities and temples, and that
system is the law of God. But it requires strict obedience. The rule
of right, and the line which God has drawn for the people to walk
by insures peace, comfort, and happiness now and eternal glory and
exaltation; but nothing short of strict obedience to God's law will do
this. 13:241.
We do not allow ourselves to go into a field to plough without taking
our religion with us; we do not go into an office, behind the counter
to deal out goods, into a counting house with the books, or anywhere to
attend to or transact any business without taking our religion with us.
If we are railroading or on a pleasure trip our God and our religion
must be with us. We are the most religious people in the world; but we
are not so enthusiastic as some are. We have seen plenty of enthusiasm,
but we do not care about it. Said I, "This shouting and singing one's
self away to everlasting bliss, may be all very well in its place, but
this alone is folly to me; my religion is to know the will of God and
do it." 14:118.
With God, and also with those who understand the principles of life
and salvation, the Priesthood, the oracles of truth and the gifts and
callings of God to the children of men, there is no difference in
spiritual and temporal {13} labors--all are one. If I am in the line of
my duty, I am doing the will of God, whether I am preaching, praying,
laboring with my hands for an honorable support; whether I am in the
field, mechanic's shop, or following mercantile business, or wherever
duty calls, I am serving God as much in one place as another; and so it
is with all, each in his place, turn and time. 13:260.
Our religion descends to the whole life of man, although some,
sometimes, say, there is divine law, there is human law, and there are
principles which pertain to our religion and there are principles which
pertain to the philosophy of the world. But let me here say to you,
that the philosophy of the religion of heaven incorporates every truth
that there is in heaven, on earth, or in hell. 15:125.
My mission to the people is to teach them with regard to their
every-day lives. I presume there are many here who have heard me
say, years and years ago, that I cared very little about what will
take place after the Millennium. Elders may preach long discourses
concerning what took place in the days of Adam, what occurred before
the creation, and what will take place thousands of years from now,
talking of things which have occurred or that will occur yet, of which
they are ignorant, feeding the people on wind; but that is not my
method of teaching. My desire is to teach the people what they should
do now, and let the Millennium take care of itself. To teach them to
serve God and to build up his Kingdom is my mission. I have taught
faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on
of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. We are to be taught with
regard to our every-day life in a temporal point of view. 12:228.
Our religion incorporates every act and word of man. {14} No man should
go to merchandising unless he does it in God; no man should go to
farming or any other business unless he does it in the Lord. No man of
council should sit to judge the people but what should judge in the
Lord, that he may righteously and impartially discern between right
and wrong, truth and error, light and darkness, justice and injustice.
Should any legislature sit without the Lord? If it do, sooner or later
it will fall to pieces. No nation ever did live that counseled and
transacted its national affairs without the Lord, but what sooner or
later went to pieces and came to naught. The same is true of all the
nations that now live or ever will live. 13:60.
This Gospel is full of good sense, judgment, discretion and
intelligence. 14:17.
No matter how true and beautiful truth is, you have to take the
passions of the people and mould them to the law of God. 7:55.
_A Fountain of Truth_--The Gospel is a fountain of truth, and
truth is what we are after. We have embraced the truth--namely, the
Gospel of the Son of God. Its first principles are to believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins, then go down into the waters
of baptism for the remission of our sins, and have hands laid upon us
for the reception of the Holy Ghost, which will lead us into all truth?
12.268.
Truth will abide when error passes away. Life will remain when they who
have rejected the words of eternal life are swallowed up in death. I
like the truth because it is true, because it is lovely and delightful,
because it is so glorious in its nature, and so worthy the admiration,
faith and consideration of all intelligent beings in heaven or on the
earth. Should I be hated and my name cast out as {15} evil because I
love the truth? Yes, or the words of Jesus could not be fulfilled, for
he said, "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." He told his
disciples to rejoice evermore and to pray without ceasing when they
were held in derision by their enemies, and to lift up their heads and
rejoice when all men spoke evil of them, for "behold your redemption
draweth nigh." 13:216.
To me it is more rational for an intelligent being to embrace truth,
than it is to mix up a little truth with a great deal of error, or to
embrace all error and undertake to follow a phantom. 13:235.
Some who call themselves Christians are very tenacious with regard to
the Universalians, yet the latter possess many excellent ideas and good
truths. Have the Catholics? Yes, a great many very excellent truths.
Have the Protestants? Yes, from first to last. Has the infidel? Yes, he
has a good deal of truth; and truth is all over the earth. The earth
could not stand but for the light and truth it contains. The people
could not abide were it not that truth holds them. It is the Fountain
of truth that feeds, clothes, and gives light and intelligence to the
inhabitants of the earth, no matter whether they are saints or sinners.
Do you think there is any truth in hell? Yes, a great deal, and where
truth is there we calculate the Lord has a right to be. You will not
find the Lord where there is no truth. 12:70.
If you love the truth you can remember it. 3:358.
Again, what do you love truth for? Is it because you can discover a
beauty in it, because it is congenial to you; or because you think it
will make you a ruler, or a Lord? If you conceive that you will attain
to power upon such a motive, you are much mistaken. It is a trick of
the unseen power, that is abroad amongst the inhabitants of the earth
{16} that leads them astray, binds their minds, and subverts their
understanding.
Suppose that our Father in heaven, our Elder Brother, the risen
Redeemer, the Savior of the world, or any of the gods of eternity
should act upon this principle, to love truth, knowledge, and wisdom,
because they are all powerful, and by the aid of this power they
could send devils to hell, torment the people of the earth, exercise
sovereignty over them, and make them miserable at their pleasure; they
would cease to be Gods; and as fast as they adopted and acted upon
such principles, they would become devils, and be thrust down in the
twinkling of an eye; the extension of their kingdom would cease, and
their Godhead come to an end.
No man can disprove a truth. 8:132.
What do you know on natural principles? I do not say natural
philosophy, because my religion is natural philosophy. You never heard
me preach a doctrine but what has a natural system to it, and, when
understood, is as easy to comprehend as that two and two equal four.
All the revelations of the Lord Almighty to the children of men, and
all revealed doctrines of salvation are upon natural principles, upon
natural philosophy. When I use this term, I use it as synonymous with
the plan of salvation; natural philosophy is the plan of salvation, and
the plan of salvation is natural philosophy. 4:202.
Our doctrine and practice is, and I have made it mine through life--to
receive truth no matter where it comes from. 14:160.
When we demonstrate a truth, we demonstrate a portion of the faith,
law, or power by which all intelligent beings exist, whether in heaven
or on earth, consequently {17} when we have truth in our possession we
have so much of the knowledge of God. I delight in this, because truth
is calculated to sustain itself; it is based upon eternal facts and
will endure, while all else will, sooner or later, perish. 14:115.
All truth is worthy and worth possessing. 19:39.
How easy it is to live by the truth. Did you ever think of it, my
friends? Did you ever think of it, my brethren and sisters? In every
circumstance of life, no matter whether among the humble or lofty,
truth is always the surest guide and the easiest to square our lives
by. 14:76.
Be willing to receive the truth, let it come from whom it may; no
difference, not a particle. Just as soon receive the Gospel from Joseph
Smith as from Peter, who lived in the days of Jesus. Receive it from
one man as soon as another. If God has called an individual and sent
him to preach the Gospel that is enough for me to know; it is no matter
who it is, all I want is to know the truth. 14:136.
All truth is for the salvation of the children of men--for the benefit
and learning--for their furtherance in the principles of divine
knowledge; and divine knowledge is any matter of fact--truth; and all
truth pertains to divinity. 7:284.
_We Need a Practical Religion_--I am preaching to you practical
religion. 13:155.
I am decidedly in favor of practical religion--of everyday useful
life. And if I today attend to what devolves upon me to do, and then
do that which presents itself tomorrow, and so on, when eternity comes
I will be prepared to enter on the things of eternity. But I would not
be prepared for that sphere of action, unless I could manage {18} the
things that are now within my reach. You must all learn to do this. 5:3.
I still feel to urge upon the Latter-day Saints the necessity of a
close application of the principles of the Gospel in our lives, conduct
and words and all that we do; and it requires the whole man, the whole
life to be devoted to improvement in order to come to knowledge of the
truth as it is in Jesus Christ. Herein is the fulness of perfection.
It was couched in the character of our Savior; although but a scanty
portion of it was made manifest to the people, in consequence of their
not being able to receive it. All they were prepared to receive he
gave them. All we are prepared to receive the Lord gives us; all that
the nations of the earth are prepared to receive he imparts unto them.
12:225-226.
On reading carefully the Old and New Testaments we can discover
that the majority of the revelations given to mankind anciently
were in regard to their daily duties; we follow in the same path.
The revelations contained in the Bible and the Book of Mormon are
examples to us, and the book of Doctrine and Covenants contains direct
revelation to this Church; they are a guide to us, and we do not wish
to do them away; we do not want them to become obsolete and to set them
aside. We wish to continue in the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ
day by day, and to have his Spirit with us continually. If we can do
this, we shall no more walk in darkness but we shall walk in the light
of life. 10:284.
If we wish to enjoy the Spirit of Zion, we must live for it. Our
religion is not merely theory; it is a practical religion, to bring
present enjoyment to every heart. 8:33.
At times when I think of addressing you, it occurs to {19} me that
strict sermonizing upon topics pertaining to the distant future, or
reviewing the history of the past, will doubtless please and highly
interest a portion of my hearers; but my judgment and the spirit
of intelligence that is in me teach that, by taking such a course,
the people would not be instructed pertaining to their every-day
duties. For this reason, I do not feel impressed to instruct you on
duties to be performed a hundred years hence, but rather to give
those instructions pertaining to the present, to our daily walk and
conversation, that we may know how to benefit ourselves under the
passing time, and present privileges, and be able to lay a foundation
for future happiness. 3:272.
The work of building up Zion is in every sense a practical work; it is
not a mere theory. A theoretical religion amounts to very little real
good or advantage to any person. To possess an inheritance in Zion or
in Jerusalem only in theory--only in imagination--would be the same as
having no inheritance at all. It is necessary to get a deed of it, to
make an inheritance practical, substantial and profitable. Then let
us not rest contented with a mere theoretical religion, but let it be
practical, self-purifying and self-sustaining, keeping the love of God
within us, walking by every precept, by every law, and by every word
that is given to lead us. 9:284.
The religion of Jesus Christ is a matter-of-fact religion, and taketh
hold of the every-day duties and realities of this life. 1:133.
I am in the hands of the Lord, and never trouble myself about my
salvation, or what the Lord will do with me hereafter. It is for me to
do the will of God today, and when tomorrow comes, to inquire what is
his will concerning {20} me; then do the will of my Father in the work
he has appointed me to do, and that is enough for me. I am serving a
God who will give me all I merit, when I come to receive my reward.
This is what I have always thought; and if I still think so, it is
enough for me. 6:276.
_Temporal Labors are Necessary_--In the mind of God there is no
such a thing as dividing spiritual from temporal, or temporal from
spiritual; for they are one in the Lord. 11:18.
The brethren have been talking about temporal things. We cannot talk
about spiritual things without connecting with them temporal things,
neither can we talk about temporal things without connecting spiritual
things with them. They are inseparably connected. 10:329.
I cannot, however, define any difference between temporal and spiritual
labors. I call it spiritual to accommodate my language to the ideas of
the people. Anything that pertains to the building up of the Lord's
kingdom on earth, whether it be in preaching the Gospel or building
temples to his name, we have been taught to consider a spiritual work,
though it evidently requires the strength of the natural body to
perform it. 2:95.
Be wise: be as wise as the generations of this world. In the days of
Jesus, those who received the kingdom and the spirit of the kingdom
seemed to lose all sight of a temporal salvation; and Jesus said to his
disciples, "The children of this world are wiser in their generations
than the children of light." The children of light did not know how to
sustain themselves; they did not understand how to preserve themselves
and the kingdom with them. 4:343.
If you cannot provide for your natural lives, how can you expect to
have wisdom to obtain eternal lives? God {21} has given you your
existence--your body and spirit, and has blest you with ability,
and thereby laid the foundation of all knowledge, wisdom, and
understanding, and all glory and eternal lives. If you have not
attained ability to provide for your natural wants, and for a wife and
a few children, what have you to do with heavenly things? 8:68.
We cannot even enter the temple when it is built, and perform those
ordinances which lead to spiritual blessings, without performing a
temporal labor. Temporal ordinances must be performed to secure the
spiritual blessings the Great Supreme has in store for his faithful
children. Every act is first a temporal act. The Apostle says, faith
comes by hearing. What should be heard to produce faith? The preaching
of the Word. For that we must have a preacher; and he is not an
invisible spirit, but a temporal, ordinary man like ourselves, and
subject to the same regulations and rules of life. To preach the Gospel
is a temporal labor, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is the
result of a temporal labor. To be baptized is a temporal labor, both to
the person administered to and the administrator. I am a living witness
to the truth of this statement, for I have made my feet sore many a
time, and tired myself out traveling and preaching, that by hearing
the Gospel the people might have faith. The blessings we so earnestly
desire will come to us by performing the manual labor required, and
thus preparing all things necessary to receive the invisible blessings
Jehovah has for his children. 9:240.
There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. All things
are natural, and all are spiritual. Every duty of life, no matter
what it is, every requirement necessary to sustain and exalt man,
is incorporated in the Kingdom of God and in the ordinances of his
house--in the duties God {22} requires of his children. It is all in
the Church and Kingdom of our God. "What! our labor?" Yes. I sometimes
take the liberty of preaching upon economy to this people. Perhaps some
are inclined to think that in so doing I transcend my own duties and
obligations. I do not. I instruct the husbandman how to till his farm,
because I know and I understand the nature of the elements that produce
grain better than he does. I know how he should prepare the elements
for the seed to produce the increase which he desires in the things
necessary to sustain himself and family. It is my duty to instruct
my brethren, if I understand my branch of business better than they
do. If I understand how to make myself comfortable--if I understand
better than others do the organization of the elements God has given
us ability to operate with for our benefit, it is my duty to instruct
them. Here are the elements. They are not made in vain, but are made
for the benefit, comfort, convenience, and happiness of God's children.
The principles of eternity and eternal exaltation are of no use to us,
unless they are brought down to our capacities so that we practice them
in our lives. 4:28.
_We Need a Present, Every-day Religion_--My religion must be with
me from one Monday morning to the next, the year around, or it will not
answer me. 1:338.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is given in the Old and New
Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the book of Doctrine and Covenants, and
in the experience of every true Christian who has lived and still lives
upon the earth, teaches that it is the privilege of every Saint so to
live and walk before their God, as to enjoy the light of the spirit
of truth-from day to day, from week to week, and from year to year,
through their whole lives. Without this privilege {23} in the Gospel,
connected with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, I should be inclined to
believe that the religion that is taught in the Bible and in the
Book of Mormon, would amount to nothing more than a mere phantom--an
imaginary thing. It would be inadequate to satisfy, in any degree, the
mind of man, as it is now organized. 1:233.
Were it not that our bodies have to be fed and clothed, I would propose
that we tarry here a few months, to give all a chance to speak, to
exhort, to pray, to prophesy, to sing, to speak in tongues, or to do
whatsoever the Spirit should manifest unto them. But our work is a work
of the present. The salvation we are seeking is for the present, and
sought correctly, it can be obtained, and be continually enjoyed. If it
continues to-day, it is upon the same principle that it will continue
to-morrow, the next day, the next week, or the next year, and, we might
say, the next eternity. 1:131.
It is present salvation and the present influence of the Holy Ghost
that we need every day to keep us on saving ground. When an individual
refuses to comply with the further requirements of Heaven, then the
sins he had formerly committed return upon his head; his former
righteousness departs from him, and is not accounted to him for
righteousness; but if he had continued in righteousness and obedience
to the requirements of Heaven, he is saved all the time, through
baptism, the laying on of hands, and obeying the commandments of
the Lord and all that is required of him by the heavens--the living
oracles. He is saved now, next week, next year, and continually, and is
prepared for the celestial kingdom of God whenever the time comes for
him to inherit it. 8:124.
There is no life more precious than the present life which {24} we enjoy;
there is no life that is worth any more to us than this life is. It may
be said that an eternal life is worth more. We are in eternity, and
all that we have to do is to take the road that leads into the eternal
lives. Eternal life is an inherent quality of the creature, and nothing
but sin can put a termination to it. The elements in their nature
are as eternal as are the gods. Let us learn, under the guidance and
direction of Heaven, how to use these eternal elements for the building
up, establishment and sending forth, of the Kingdom of God, gathering
up the poor in heart to begin with, and the further things we will
learn as we progress. 10:22.
I wish to urge upon the people the necessity of knowing what to
do with their present life, which pertains more particularly to
temporalities. The very object of our existence here is to handle the
temporal elements of this world and subdue the earth, multiplying those
organisms of plants and animals God has designed shall dwell upon it.
When we have learned to live according to the full value of the life we
now possess, we are prepared for eternal advancement in the scale of
eternal progression--for a more glorious and exalted sphere. 9:168.
Tradition has taught us that the great purpose of religion is to
prepare people to die; that when they have passed through a change
of heart, become converted, then they are ready for glory at any
moment and to dwell with the Father and the Son in the heavens to
all eternity. This is a mistake; for they have to improve, become
substantially changed from bad to good, from sin to holiness, here
or somewhere else, before they are prepared for the society they
anticipate enjoying. They would not be nearly so well prepared for the
society of the sanctified in heaven as a person {25} brought up in the
lowest classes of society would be prepared to present properly and
conduct himself among the highest and most polished grades of mankind.
Those who are counted worthy to dwell with the Father and the Son have
previously received an education fitting them for that society; they
have been made fully acquainted with every pass-word, token and sign
which has enabled them to pass by the porters through the doors into
the celestial kingdom. 10:172.
I want present salvation. I preach, comparatively, but little about the
eternities and Gods, and their wonderful works in eternity; and do not
tell who first made them, nor how they were made; for I know nothing
about that. Life is for us, and it is for us to receive it today, and
not wait for the Millennium. Let us take a course to be saved today,
and, when evening comes, review the acts of the day, repent of our
sins, if we have any to repent of, and say our prayers; then we can lie
down and sleep in peace until the morning, arise with gratitude to God,
commence the labors of another day, and strive to live the whole day to
God and nobody else. 8:124.
_We Must Learn to Support Ourselves_--I am under obligation to
take a course which will sustain life within myself and others, on
rational principles, without any special manifestation from God. 14:111.
I have tried continually to get this people to pursue a course that
will make them self-sustaining, taking care of their poor, the lame,
the halt and the blind, lifting the ignorant from where they have no
opportunity of observing the ways of the world, and of understanding
the common knowledge possessed among the children of men, bringing them
together from the four quarters of the world, and making {26} of them
an intelligent, thrifty and self-sustaining people. 12:195.
My warfare is, and has been for years, to get the people to understand
that if they do not take care of themselves they will not be taken care
of; that if we do not lay the foundation to feed and clothe and shelter
ourselves we shall perish with hunger and with cold; we might also
suffer in the summer season from the direct rays of the sun upon our
naked and unprotected bodies. 10:200.
I see more and more that there are but very few men and women that are
even capable of taking care of themselves temporally. 4:314. {27}