The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-10-11
A NOBLE GRAFTON.
Moses Thatcher on the Prln'
ciple of Government.
urDGE ZANE'S CHRISTIANITY
C,oveIand's Grand Opportunities
Normon's Patriotism-The Event
OF the Recent Conference.

i
noon last. 1t has created a great deal
ii comment, and we have taken pains
n secure it verbatim:
have reioiced very much in the tes-
fmonies which have been borne dur
ing the meetings of this conference, and
thew find in my heart a responsive
chord. do not feel that we are living
in improbable times, and notwith
standing the trials, temptations and in
iustice with which we are surrounded
view the present as times in which the
Lord is teaching to His people very
valuable lessons. 1t has often been as
serted, by our outside friends, that the
union of this people was maintained by
reason of the influence which their
leaders hold over their minds. If this
statement were true and the influence
exercised is unrighteOus, the leaders OF
the people should be removed. But il
the influence which they exercise over
the minds of the people is good, it
ought to be maintained. AS an elder in
Israel, 1 hold the influence which binds
together this people to be the spirit of
God, and that the Almighty, the crea
tor of the heavens and the earth, is not
dependent upon one man or many men,
and that the Lord will demonstrate to
ali the Christian world, that the religion
which is called Mormonism is the reli-
zion of the heart for the masses of the
people who have espoused its cause, and
If, in the experiences of the past few
months and that which is yet in the
future. the Latter-day Saints learn to
rely on Ged, learn to receive for them
selves heavenly communications for the
guidance of their feet, though it may
cost the exile of our leaders or the i'm
prisonment of those who have worked
as their servants, they will have re-
ceiyed that which is of much value;
and although it cost much. it will be
worth more than the cost. We can see
now that the few who have relied upon
others. who have sought the counsel of
their file leaders and have depended
upon that counsel when they can no
longer reach those leaders, they falter
and fall by the way side. l believe that
God intends that every man and every
woman in His church and kingdom
shall exercise the faculties which He
has given them, that in the exercise of
their agency He designs to exalt them
II eternal glory: So long as the people
rely upon their leaders they are not
manifesting that degree of faith, they
are not in a position to think and re-
fleet tor themselves as they should. ]
have known the time of the Presidency
taken up in frivolous matters that ought
never to have gone beyond the family
circle, at least ought not to have gone
beyond the confines of the ward organ
lZatlOn. But times have changed. We
approach not now so easily, the Presi-
dency OF the church. We receive not
with that facility their councils that we
have dOnein the past. And although
we miss their presence much-for this
people love their leaderS-but in their
absence the channel of communication
between the heavens and the earth is
open to this people as it never could
nave been under former circumstances.
Men and women are now learning that
Their prayers can be heard and that if
they are not able to receive the cOun-
sells OF their brethren, they can, IN all
places and under all circumstances, re-
seIYe the cOunSels Of God, their heaven
" Father. Men, communities Of men,
gOVerno Cd, ~2tions, power, and principal
tiles have never been able TO build walls
50 strong, or make iron doors so thick
as to prevent the prayers OF a righteous
man ascending unto his God, hence
every man and every woman who keeps
the commandments of the Lord can
rave light and lamp for their feet,
and those who have oil in their lamps
VIII not be uncertain as TO the course
they should pursue. The revelations of
the Lord will inspire them and direct
them IN the ways of truth and light.
when we reflect on the growth Of gov
eTnmeDtS, upon that which is called
ClVlllzauon, the rights of men and the
liberties which we so much eniov, to
what source do we look as the one from
whence they come? The great govern
Ment OF which we form a paTt-the
most nOeral, the broadest and the deep
eS- IN us foundations the greatest gov
eminent which God has ever smiled
uPoh--.eXcept when lie has administered
according 10 MS own will in the affairs
VI men. 10 whom is due this great
government, and the founding and
the peopllng of it? To men
VINO were willing TO bow in
ooedlence TO the law and the
mandates N of kingIy governments
DO but TO men who were inspired by
OOu, thelr heavenly father, to reach for
ware 10 higher and more grand |
G,i.5,ll-IauQn and liberty. Had the |
1-i6!In FATHERS and others who where |
11IlWlLlng TO bow to the mandates of |
european powers not fed to the land |
oI America, we should have had no |
government like this. 1t was founded |
as government in which the oppressed |
OF every land and cline should find a |
Z resting place. Not Republican 81 /
together. not Democratic wholly. not |
wholly theocratic, not wholly aristo- |
GTauc. but a combination of the whole. |
Il or TINS government in the strictest |
sens: sense Is not Republican government. !
Inc laws OF Republican government !
are enacted by a central power. Was
me United States such a government. |
me laws which govern the citizens OF |
al the states and Territories would be /
enacteq by Congress instead of being /
enacted e by their several Legislatures. IN |
me purest sense democracy consists of /
government in which the people are |
governed by laws enacted with their |
Mutual T5 concent and by their votes.