The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-03-14


Elder James a. Watson then offered
pray CT, after which the choir sang:
Again we meet around the board
OF Jesds Our redeeming Lord.
With faith in mis- atoning blood,
Our only access unto GOD. |
ELpER GREER, of Spanish Fork, hav-
ing been called upon to address the
said that although he had
been a member of the church for many
years, he had not much experience in
preaching the gospel. He had during
his life, however, with ssed many things
which gave him joy and satisfaction.
The Latter-day SAINTS were often crit
ioised by the world, and he ofter4
wondered many times why this should
be, seeing they possessed the principles
taught by the Savior and His first
apostles. TIE speaker could we'll re-
member the time of his own baptism,
which took place when be was years
of age. Even ct that time
he comprehended the Importance
of taking that step and he
never hsd occasion to regret it. At
that time 1t was suppo ed that Joseph
Smith was an impostor, and that Nor
mopism would soon b" eXtinguished
from the earth. False reports had gone
abroad regarding the elders, but these
| things only provoked many to inVesti-
gate their principles; and the result has
been that thousands can bear testimony
that the work was no imposition.
Slace then, many OF their leaders, such
as Kimball, HYDE, Richards and others,
| had passed away, but the work of God
| has made great progress and is still
Advancing. notwithstanding the OPP
position which the Saints had to
encounter, there was more free
dom to be found in their
midst than amongst those CT any other
| religious denomination on the face of
thu earth. There is no other people
who have accomplished so much under
such adverse circum stances and coming
in contact with the prejudices of the
| world. Everything seemed uninVitiDg
| to them when crossing the plains under
such difficulties and coming TO the val
ievs of the mountains-a thousand
miles from civilization. But the people
of God gradually increased in number
until to-day they are the envy CT man
KIM. 1bclI unity ShN1Co Wy bhO
world. Why is this? 1t is because the
Latter day Saints are led by the
spirit of inspiration. Elder Greer.
continuing in his remarks, said:
| have had the honor of filing every
position from a policeman to legis-
iator can ask of no other freedom
of thought than what have enjoyed in
nv life. We have a respect for the ma
ton in which we live. We love the
laws of our country. We have been
taught to revere them. We are taught
so to-cay. True, there are differences
of opinion with regard to some points of
our religion. At the same time, we are
entitled to those privileges that are
given to the rest of mankind.
We want nothing more and nothing
| less. It seems that man is prone to
prevent his fellowman from enjoying
| that freedom which naturally belongs
70 him. We know that God has estab-
fished His kingdom upon the earth.
| We know tina our leaders are led by in
| spiration. know we have truth on our
side, We are led by the principles of
truth and virtue. Thsre is not
one principle taught which does
not elevate mankind. l feel thank
! full TO have the privilege of
living in the midst of this people, and OF
uniting myself and my labors with
them. The Latter-day Saints are mis-
understood. We are supposed to be
anita gonistic to the government. The
| Territorial form of government has
been organic after the form of our
neighboring States and Territories. We
have adopted laws in accordance with
the Constitution. The Latter day Saints
| m RI TlorCQRntd cd
| nv those who have been sent amongst
them as judges. There have been many
exceptions, however, amongst these
officers; but they have come almostin-
yariably prejudiced and ignorant of this
people. Notwithstanding these things
God has made Himself manifest in our
behalf. He has pursued His work. The
Young and rising generation receive a
testimony of this work, and there
lis no power on earth that
can prevent this. Is it wrong
that a man should become acquainted
with the principles of Righteousness
This seems to an age OF inhdellty.
It seems to be an age in which art and
scif nee claim to take the lead. Our re-
Ilig,on does not conflict with science, but
we do not believe that everything be-
Longs to chance. In the early history
of this latter-day work Mormonisnl
was to be swept away. We have heard
our enemies say that they are
to obtain the rule over this people.
| The same has always been said regard
ing this church. Ii the Latter-day
Saints would obey the gospel anc
render obedience to its requirement:
God would manifest himself towards
them. When we gathered in an early
day great many said We were foolish
to gather, and that We would return
from this land, as no people could liv'
here. But by the blessing of Almighty
God. look at the contrast. We hav,
good schools both secular anc
religious. We have communion will
our Heavenly Father. We are not Gu
off from these blessings. / know. tina
God is with this people, and He will
continue to be with them if We will oDl.
do that which is right. This work can
not be destroyed by persecution, i'm
prisonment, or by taking away the live
of our brethren. In closing his re
marks, Elder Greer said that he appre
ciated his conditions in being
amongst the people of God, and wa
thankful that God had preserved