The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-02-26

disaster ana OlAculLieS. In y IL great
consolat by night and by day in the
midst of the sevsrest trials for us to
know thar this Is the case. l bear tes-
'imony to you In the most solemn man.
me- to-day tn 1t God is with His people
nat Coo is with His work, that God
will bring forth great glory and triumph
for Zion. But We shall have to pass
through trials, sorrows, affections of
various kinds. We shall have to be
tested, tried and proved, that the dross
of cur nature be cleansed. Even Jesus
had to be MADE perfect through suffer
ing. What can We expect? Shall we
expect that cur pathway will be free
from difficulties when the king of glory
had to 60 through Affections and sor-
rows and had to go through sufferings.
Why, it would be an extraordinary ex-
pectation for any follower OF His to in
dulge the suppositiGn that he should
escape these things in view of all that
the Savior of mankind had to endure.
My brethren and sisters, God will
cause everything there is connected
with this work to bring to pass his pur-
posss Now a great many have asked
nae, as l have been asked hundreds of
times by brethren, "When, Brother
George @, will this cease? How long
will this continue? Are we going to be
drowned out by this persecutions Are
we going to be Destroyer" My reply
has been, mo. No. When we emerge
from this trial, as we will, ali these
clouds that now becloud our horizon,
and the darkness that makes things
look gloomy, when they are removed,
we shall enjoy peace and prosperity
and influence such as has never been
felt by US BEFORE" Just as sure as we
live, this is the case.
Now, in the midst of this persecu ton,
do not imagine for one moment that
in vain; for no great cause ever pros
pered or gained influence in the earth
without sacrifices on the part of
those who were its advocates. This
has ever been the case. 1t ever will
be. We are exhibiting qualities whic1
will extort admiration yet from the
world. That which we are suffering,
the oppression and the violence that
We endure, is heard.outside of our own
quarters. Many heart is filled with
anguish. Many tender woman, many
delicate child, has been made to
feel these things in manner that is
indescribable. No man can describe
what the Latter-day Saints have en-
dured during the last three years. No
human being can reveal it. But it is
recorded; and a time will come when
the knowledge of it will come to
light. Going to prison is an easy
thing comparatively speaking, in
going to prison, a man vegetables;
he eats and drinks and sleeps.
l went there l was glad to get into
prison. l had been arrested. l had
been told that | must not surrender
But felt that it was due to the people
of God; and it was due also to His work
that 1 should face the charges that had
been made against me. And when l
had the opportunity of going to prison
1 was glad. felt it would be easier for
my brethren afterwards, and [ testify
to you this day that this has been the
case, not so far as my Imprisonment is
concerned, but that the day should
come when might have the privilege
l have now-the privilege of minister
ing unto my brethren. 1t is an easy
thing for men, but not so easy for the
women and children. 1t is to the
women and children my heart has gone
out. They have gone through this or
deal and have indicated the character
of their sex such as has never been
vindicated in this generation before.
Men nave done this thing and the other
in their moments OF weakness; but to
the praise Of the women of the
there is not an instance that
I can call to memory when
they did not meet the issue boldly with
confidence and entire trust in God
There may be some who have not done
this; but I have not learned of their
names, but have learned of hundreds
of cases were it has been otherwise;
where they have born their difficulties,
where thev have stood up and main
tanned their integrity in hours of trial
and affection. am thankful for this.
The effect has been marked so far as
nv observation has gone. Men never
loved their families with more devotion
than since this persecution has set in.
Women never loved their husbands
and children more than since this peo-
pie were so prosecuted 1t has bound
us closer together in the ties of al
lection.
l have spoken about the trials and
the prosecutions that we have had to
contend with; but in the light of all
these things there is one truth, and that
is that we are the best people, with all
the difficulties to contend with, that
ever lived upon the face of the earth. l
do not believe that such people can be
found anywhere. l do not believe
there is SO much happiness enjoyed by
any community as these Latter-daY
Saints enjoy. The reason of this is
that when they approach the Lord, if
they are in trouble, If they are per-
picked, if they do not know what to do,
He hears and answers their prayers;
and He gives unto them glad hearts.
They ought to have Away cheerful
countenances; they ought to be happy
people; and l believe they are. We
have every reason to be thankful.
Where can we travel on the face of the
earth and see such union and such
love exhibited and enjoyed as you find
among this people? Very many of
those who are outside of US bear testi-
mony to our union. A few days ago
1 read of testimony borne down the
streets that this is the best organized
people upon the face of the earth.
Well, now I have had that testimony
borne unto me by men not of u.s..
remember of very distinguished mem
Der of Congress saying to me-ae was
very much opposed to us-"Mr. Can
non, you have the most magnificent
organization that is to be found On the
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