Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-05

who fell a victim to ruthless mob
in 1874, predicted that the Latter
day Saints would yet become
great people in the Rocky Noun
aims; and several years before then.
Ia Kirkland, he had told the more In
Innate OF his brethren Of the future
migration westward. Hence the move
fifty years ago was lulfllment OF
prophecy, though It was brought
about by cruel and uniustihable per
seculion OF the Saints.
Slxty.geven years ago ON Wednes-
day, April 6, the Church was organ
Esd in Feyettr, New York, with the
promise through the Prophet Joseph
that 1t would progress ana oe esta6-
lshed, and would DO the preparatory
work Of usherlng in tue millonnisl
reign OF Christ, whose Church 1t is.
And every stop that has been taken
since then, IN the face Of difficulties
that seemed insurmountable, has
been veritiontion Of tho prophetic
power and divine testimony pos
sessed by Joseph Smith, the fret
President ami Prophet Of the Church
OF Jesus Christ Of Latter.day Saints.
The situation of today presents
very different aspect in some respects
to that Of either Of the dates named.
The Church Is the same, engaged In
the same great cause upon which 1t
started oul--the salvation OF the hu'
man family anu the establishment OF
peace, union and love In universal
leIgn upon the earth. But from the
few members that met la FayeLte 1t
has increased to hundreds OF thou
sauds; and from the almost unknown
organization that was beloved
by those who undeTeto9d not Its
genius to be thing OF little moment
and destined coon ~ perish, 1t
has become power In the earth,
the observed of all obFervGrs in every
nation ON the globe. From the band
Of exiles that turned their weary eyes
westward from Winter Quarters, with
an iuvincible faith Ia the divine
mission OF President Joseph Smith,
whose place as presiding officer of the
Church was succeeded 10 by President
Brigham Young, we nov change the
gszs to people firmly and safely
established in the valleys OF the
mountains, covering stretch OF
country reaching from Canada on the
north to Mexico on the south. From
the outset tho faithful Church menu
bersrip had relied on the promises OF
the Almighty through His Prophets,
ana by His Spirit to them individu'
ally, and He has never failed them.
CHANGING at the past and present,
what may be sail of the future Of the
Saintt2 Upon the basis of tulfllment
of prophecy given through Church
leaders, it is that the Church will con-
linue to progress, and ultimately fill
the whole earth; for that prophecy has
been fulfilled in the past, and this
gives positive assurance Of continp-
ance in the came line. There Ia no
change today from the path laid down
at the outset ns the one along which to
travel. The work Of carrying the
Gospel to the nasione, and OF teaching,
II at home, is adhered TO with fitmuess,
and Ia increasing in Intensity with
improving opportunities for perform.
Ing II; the "iron robbie word OF
God, coming through direct revelation
lis the intlexlble rule OF faith. And
thus guided by the word OF the AL
mighty, no danger can come to over
throw the Church or stay lis progress.
II there has been success by the
Mormon paople in their material al.
fairs, II there has bsen success to the
Saints In their Church Matters and
none can dispute that there has been
with each successive era in their HE
tory-then there must BIS success in the
future. The cause lie the same, and
the effects also must he similar. Hence
the reason for increased faith and JOY
among the Saints. What has been
done has required IA mighty zeal and
earnestuess 10 labor; what is yet to do
calls for like requirement, But the
result OF pressing forward under the
same guidance Rnd in tue same spirit
II love, patience, unselfishuess, union
and determination must be- the fulfil