The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-12-10
DIVINE SERVICES.

At Thy feet we humbly DOW
Prayer by Bishop John Tingey
Choir sang another hymn:
oh. my Father thou that dwellest,
In that high and glorious place.
The Sacrament was then administered
by the priesthood of the Eleventh Ward.
President Geo. Q. Cannon, after read
ing the first fourteen verses Of the 24th
chapter OF the gospel according to st
Matthew. said: have read portion OF
this chapter to call your attention to
the predictions of the Son of God con-
corning the last days and the clrcum-
stances that should surround this peo-
pIe at His second coming. Great desires
have been manifested by the people of
this world to know and understand the
time and events Of His second coming.
Some have gone so far as to predict
the exact date, but revelation tells Us
that the hour and the day of His coming
no man knoWeth We are, however, as
sured that the hOur'Of His judgment is
at hand. For The last fifty-fOur years the
Elders of this church have been COM
manded to testify to the children of
men and prepare them for the coming
of our Lord and Saviour. - have
called upon the people TO gather out
unto this land. that they may fully
qualify themselves in readiness for HIS
appearance We have been told that
the hour is near at hand and received
evidences in the fulhllment,of many
predictions, which were promised
should happen before the end should
come. The restoration of the pure Cos
pei of Jesus Christ, in all its fullneSS,
is one great evidence. That gospel is to
be preached to all the world and to-
every man in his own tongue. The
signs and gifts among the believers is
another evidence, promised to follow
obedience to the gospel; and of these
gifts you are host of living witnesses.
Representatives of many and afar off
nations, are present here this afternoon,
who have received a testimony not
given by man, but by the living and
Eternal God The spirit that burned
within you, prompted you to gather unto !
this land and leave the homes of your |
forefathers, with all the associations of /
kindred and friends. And thus is God /
fulfilling HIS promises and predictions
Another fulfllment of the scriptures l |
have read, is that, "Then shall they
deliver you up TO be afflicted, and shall
Kill yOu> and We shall be hated of all
nations for my names sake" Arenot
those who oppose US doing this to-day?
notwithstanding we are, In all our
settlements, enIeavOring to live in
peace, love and quietude, and setting
examples Of purity, vet our enemies
continue TO perSecute us. In and of
ourselves we have no need of lawyers
to attend TO litigation. The laws of
God seek TO avoid all strife and conten-
ton. u IN tnneSs, blasphemy, quarrel!
ing, adultery, Seductions, Sabbath !
breaking, etc, are not known among
true Latter-day- SAINTS. We are far from :
being perfect, nevertheless We enjoy an
immunity from sin, which is unpar-
a!Ieled IN any other community, of our
circumstance, upon the face of this
earth. And yet We are prosecuted
hated and deSpised by every nation
The hatred that exists towards US is
remarkable, and vet it was one of the !
most striking evidences of the trNth of
that which we believe in. 1t is not for
our wlckedness. Oh no, our bitterest
are those who Will acknowledge
our honesty and integrity. We are
training up our children in the fear of g.,
God and in the faith of the true gospel
and this is the head OF our offending.
1t is not because we Cypress and destroy {
women in satisfying. vile lust. Why, L
We who have lost our politi- f
cal franchise, our right to vote, d
could regain these rights if we would Il
prostitute ourselves and discard our d
wives, whom We have married IN right q
eOusneSS. 1t is because we make
religion of our association with the ;
opposite sex, that we are prosecuted. l
have been told this by members of Con-
gress. We are endeavoring to be fol-
lowers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as
He promised, are hated of all men for
His sake. Who our insignifcance in /
number would lead US to pass practically il
unnOticed by the rest of the world, were F
1t not for the fact that we are endeavor-
ing to serve the true and living God.
When we crossed the sterile plains and
came to Utah, we hoped to come here
to live in peace and quietness Sending Y
our missionaries abroad to warn the v
people and extend to them the blessings
of the gospel, has been the extent of
our wrong doing. A holy desire to s.
benefit our fellow man, to do good to all. n,
that they might be blessed with US. al
Such endeavOrS sheUld entitie us to be Al
lefr alone IN peace, TO enjoy our faith W
and religion. Not 80. the same rentIess Al
persecution folio ved us across the
plains, and has sought to destroy us,
and deprive us of our liberties. I do
not wish to harrow up your
feelings, bat only to call your attention
10 the fact that we are enduring that
which God has promised should be the
lot of all those who serve Him What =
we need, is the grace of our Father that
we may endure ia patience the persecu-
tiOns that are brought to bear against
is in endeavoring to do the will of God
The laws and purposes of God cannot
De changed: His truths are imperiSb
able; and He has said that His work 6
shall stand forever All the opposition
{ experiences will only accelerate it,
progress. Shame and ignominy will
overcome those who oppose it, We -
ave had many instances of this. of
hen who have fought against this work. -
Ad then passed down into oblivion. :
'here is only one thing that can iniure
IS and that i our own sins No one, W
ut ourselves can prevent us from OBJ x
aiming salvation. There are some ~
ractices being INDUCED in amongst 49,.
S, that viii condemn those who in -
ulge in and permit them Sabbath
-eaking, Or lnkenneSS. fOrnicarion and
asphemy caanVt be count enaneed BY
ne Saints of God 1t is the duty of the
shOps and prie thood TO cleanse and
urify the church Of every evil. If we
i'll live pure and holy lives we can q