The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-09-27

were to apostatize and let any of
their religion be in doubt, they
would get along without the attacks
from the world; but who was pre-
pared 30 make the change? 1t
wasn't plural marriage put away
that they wanted, it was the or
ganiZatiOn. the union of the peo-
Die that was Objectionable it was
the latter that caused mob L. Mis-
souri, in 1882. The people believed
in prophets, apostles, gifts and sol
OD. and the mob drove them out.
In 1888, in Caldwell County, Mo-,
the general Of the eXterminatlng
army told them they must do with
out their bishops and close Organiza-
ton and scatter. The persecution
then did not come on account OF
plural marriage. which at that time
was not thought of. The unpleasant
condition OF affairs in Utah
to-day was due to public
opinion; representatives acting
in the line Of popular clamOr.
God had stretched forth his hand to
perform q work on earth. and the
devil was determined he should not
do it. President Cannon referred to
lifetime, a few years ago, when the
saints were IN supreme control Of
the Territory, when all was peace
and happiness here; when there was
no danger from thieves, virtue was
respected and drunkenness almost
unknown; and compared it with the
condition OF things to-day. He
said the saints might have
been left to enjoy the forbid
ding country, which was worthless
to others. As an evidence Of the
worthless nature of the soil he said
there were not today twenty agrI-
culturists who were not or had not
been MOrmOns. God was with this
work and would make it prevail in
fulfllment Of prediction. The peO-
pie were coming from all quarters
of the globe, testifying in humility
that God has given them n know
ledge Of the truth. The elder was
thankful that his lot had been cast
in this age, when God was doing
such mighty work, The saints
were an ignorant, unlettered peO-
pie, but they were h0nsst-hOn-
est enough to embrace the
truth when they heard it, and
to forsake homes and friends
in obedience to Gods command.
They possess the virtues which
constitute greatness among men.
A united people like those of Utah,
who have IN their hearts the love Of
God and Of each other, cannot be
crushed out by adverse legislation,
They could only be eXterminated,
Elder Cannon did not dread the
legislation by Congress so much as
he did the increase of wealth by the
Saints. FIN one respect he welcomed
the legislation against the Saints,
for it would bind them together and
make them a better people. He sees
the hand Of the Lord in it. He was
overruling all for good. lie would
test all, and if there was a spot in
any one that was not good he would
find it. The Saints expect to be
deemed worthy Of sitting down
with the holy ones, and they would
be gratitied, if they We're faithful.
With them there was much to live
for. With all their faults they have a
love for God which taught them to
overcome the evil in their natures.
God is with them, and notwithstand-
ing the efforts against them they
were happy in the confident belief
that God would protect them. They
rejoice in the blessings they have,
and the knowledge that others will
come if they need them. Elder
Cannon said he was never happier
than now, and he saw nothing in
the outlook to cause alarm.
The choir sang an anthem. and
Elder w. ". Taylor pronounced
the benediction.