The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-01-20

The usual services were held in the
Tabernacle on Sunday afternoon, COM
mencing with the choir singing the
hymn:
''The time is nigh, that happy time.
That great, expected, blessed day"
Elder Thomas F. Howells offered the
opening prayer, and the choir sang an
other hymn:
How sweet communion is on earth
| With those who We realized the birth
The sacrament was administered by
the priesthood of the Sixth Ward.
ELDER ABRAHAM H. CANNON addressed
the congregation, and said | am pleased
! TO meet with my brethren and sisters
| for the purpose of worshiping God. 1t
is q glorious privilege afforded to US in
these very peculiar times. The religion
/ we believe in, is one that existed in for
mer times and was preached by our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when He
was upon the earth. 1t has been re-
| yealed again in thee the last days; and
its first principles are faith, repentance,
| babtism, and the reception of the Holy
Ghost. After rendering obedience to
these we are in a position to progress TO
further knowledge of the laws of
God. The Prophet Joseph Smith was
much surprised, in his youthful inno-
cence, when, in answer to his prayers,
God told him that none of the existant
religious faiths were the true gospel OF
Sesus Christ. 1t was revealed to him
that, if he would maintain faithful i'll
his integrity, God would make him the
humble instrument of restoring the true
Gospel TO men and thereby prove a
blessing to all mankind. He did not
dare to assume the authority OF preach
ing the Gospel until appointed by divine
authority. And the message he offered
the world met with opposition and in
suit, until wicked men took away his life
and Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the
Nineteenth Century, sealed his testi-
mony with his blood. The Saints, after
his death, continued to suffer persecu'
ton until they started westward, COM
ing 10 this part of the country, in the
vain hope of finding a place where
they could worship God in peace.
The trials of subjugating a new
and uninvitingly sterile country hav-
ing been passed through, we are now
experiencing trials of another kind.
We have been told years ago, that
time of publication would come, and
already we can see an illustration of
the five wise and FIVE foolish virgins.
Some are lacking the OIL in their lamps,
and it will require all the strength and
faith we possess TO continue to be faith
full. I pray that God will bless contin-
ually all who are endeavoring to i've
right; 1 ask this in the name OF Jesus
Christ.
, ELDER HENRY W. NAIsBITT said the
numerous attendance TO day is another
testimony to the progress of the faith
of the Latter-dsy Saints, as referred to
by brother Cannon, exemplifies the ig
norauce that prevails in the world OF
the obligations, We as Saints have
entered into. One Of the most formid-
able sources OF opposition against the
Saints has come from the clergy. Those
who are engaged in the work of the
ministry have been our most per
sistent opponents The reasons for
this opposition, the key Of the
continued efforts to iDjure US, Is
found in the fact that we have the true
and everlasting gospel OF Jesus Christ:
its power and authority is invested in
our priesthood. We can find nothing
in the character, social position, or cir
cumstanceS, surrounding the life OF the
Prophet Joseph Smith, 10 warrant the
bitter opposition that his declarations
caused Judging it from natural view.
But the message he bore vas blow of
the greatest importance, aimed against
every thing that had not emanated from
God. 1t was theeaAiug in question OF
the belief OF millions, the practices of
centuries and ages. II WIS the exposing
OF the inconsistencies OF the various
catechisns and creeds of those who
have assumed TO De the priests of the
people. To the religious world it APP
peared almost as SacrIlege to assert
that they were gone astray, and to ask
them to return to the worship OF the
only true and living God. 1t was this
that provoked the hatred and opposition
of those whose calling was thereby en-
dangered We assert that God is not
myth, but has body parts and pas
sions. can eat and drink, and does con-
verse and communicate His will to His
children now upon the earth. The
rebel against these ideas,
and the majority OF the people;
in their ignorance and lncre.
dul;ty have followed the bidding OF
their ministers. The majority OF man
kIQu 90 not ike 10 De tOlu OF tuell lduIt-'
The Gospel calls IN question the honesty |
Of the motives of the ministers OF rell- |
gion. Understanding then these facts |
can we wonder at the bitter hatred |
which the Gospel of Jesus Christ-as re-
vealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith
as called forth from the so-called min
sters of the Gospel. But to persons OF
ordinary intelligence who come to re-
alize tina: their own eternal salvation Is
dependent upon the Gospel, the neces-
sity is soon understood OF continuous re:
Felation from God and of restoration OF
he glorious Gospel plan. Opposition to
the Latter-Gay Saints is natural re-
suit of our having the true gospel OF
Jesus Christ. The power of evil exists
Satan is constantly urging mankind to
ppose the truth. Knowing this, We
eharitably remember that frequently
they know not what they do, many,
very many opposing the Saints lgnor-
antly. Hence our Elders labor faith
July in endeayoring TO explain to man.
KIND what is the message We have re-
ceIyed. We have 10 contend earnestly
and continually TO enable US to main
ain the faith that has been delivered 10
he Saints.
The choir sang. "The Seer with solo
" Joseph r. Morgan, and Elder ROBERT