The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-12-17


Lord, 1t certainly was in this our day
We have every reason to thank him for
sending the gospel. Joseph Smith was
an llliterate man, in worldly education,
but in the knowledge of the ways of
God he was ahead of any man in our
generation, in fl ct he was one of the
greatest prophets that has ever lived
upon this earth. Many of US have as
ISOLATED with him in this life and were
aware of his dOingS, but still we did not
fully understand his teachings. As
Joseph said. MY brethren do not know
me-" God inspired him, or he could not
have established the great work with
which we are connected. The world do
not know US, any more than we knew
jose phi Smith. They do not understand
us or our teachings. We have to make
much advancement both in temporal
and spiritual matters, before we can
fully carry out the purposes of God.
The remarks made this morning were
temporal and practical, and very i'm
pOrtant to LaIter-day Saints. The
teachers legitimate duty is to inquire
into every matter OF our lives Order
and discipline should exist III our fami-
hes; there should be place for every
thing and every thing should be in its
place. The careleSsnesS of our farmers
is evident in the crops they produce. A
change should be made, the PRINCIPLES
of order should be studied. IT is a hard
matter for many to learn these things,
but they are necessary. We should, as
a people, try to improve our temporal
condition. Do not get into debt, and if
you are under any obligations get out
OF debt. We need a good deal of refOr-
nation in ourselves and in our fami-
lies. We are not expecting to be fed
with mamma from heaven, nevertheless,
the hand of God has and will be made
manifest in the progress of this church.
God holds US responsible for the work
committed to our care, both temporal
and spiritual. The manifestations of
the power of God in bringing us into
these valleys were not understood by US
at the time. You now see what has
been fulfilled by our coming here
President Woodruff then related some
interesting instances in his experience,
associated with Joseph Smith and Brig
ham Young, illustrative of the spirit of
inspiration through his servants. The
Lord has said in revelation: { Do not
concern yourself about my work, but 90
forward and do my will.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR said: There
are great many things connected with
the church and kingdom of God that
we are interested in. We are taught ia
things pertaining to our spiritual and
temporal affairs, about matters of time
and of eternity. We are more favored
than any other people on the earth. 1t
is so that We may begin to understand
our relationship with God and His Son,
and the inhabitants of the earth. Our
position is somewhat peculiar. Our re-
foinrtc rNrir,oir,lac
from men, but they emanated from
, God-were given us by revelation. The
| priesthood of the church and all its or
| dinances, with our knowledge of them,
all emanated from God. IL fact, we live
and move in God and from Him we have
our being and existence. All men do not
acknowledge this fact. All things were
made and created by Him who controls
and manipUlateS everything in exis-
tence. Hence we are very dependent
beings. The Almighty has designed
and intended certain things from the
beginning and they will be carried out
II had time this evening, I could show
to you how each man registers or makes
up his record, which will one day be I'M
| folded and made known to those who
| have ears to hear and eyes to see, even
as they are known unto COD. Can God
\ AAO<AA AAobClA anu SA4Ao W q Us e.. ASK
and We shall receive. knock and it shall
be opened unto you, say the scriptures.
/ All men cannot understand these
| things, hence we have infidelity and
Scepticism. II the learning and science
OF the world cannot understand the
things OF God, some men would have us
believe we should deny that which we
know to be true. Geological science does
not agree with the Bible, because
learned men do not understand
the Bible. In regard 20 the work
In which We ire engaged. it en- a
mated from God, il Is the work ofGOd. and
it viii be accomplished by the power
and spirit of God. The church of GOD
cannot be built up and purified only by
the aid and guidance of God. No man
living can accomplish anything to-
wards it without the help and spirit of
God. Who can make any boast OF him.
self and his own power? No one. An
that pertains to the happiness of man
comes from God. We are told that He
IS in all things, through all things. and
around about all things. The earth il
the Lords. He made it. and all things
visible and invisible. Man originated
from God; our spirits came from Him
Then OF course He is interested in ala
flesh, of every nation and Cline. Our
spirits are eternal; we have always un-
derstOOd this. Adam was the son of
God, and we are all his offspring. Man
was created for 4 definite and certain
purpose. Their life is one of probation
and they will be judged for the way in
which they spend this life. Men of all
classes are puzzled about these things, but
they cannot be understood, only by the
help of the spirit of God. Wide is the
way and broad is the road that leadetk
to destruction and many 90 IN thereat.
but narrow is the way and straight is the
gate that lCadeth into eternal life and
few go therein. We are told that MANY
things shall be revealed in the due time
of the Lord. M@ny scenes have yet to &C.
cur in the drama of the world. EnOch
and his brethren were taken away from
the midst of corruption and Yickedness
of men. The deluee occurred and de-
strOyed the wicked, which some would
account as cruelty. Not so; God I'M
derstOOd His purposes and thought it
best to remove them He had a right to
do This and carry out His own will. Did
He sent them to hell? No. they went te
prison as spirits to repent OF their wick
ednesS. The Savior went to preach unto
them. Sub 'eguent to Il e deluge the