The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-06

united. Of course there will be trials,
as there always have been.
But there are dangers he contin-
ued. Division has been threatened
among the people. Doubt has been en-
tertained on a subject upon which there
the priesthood. It would be better
never to have believed than TO fail in
our faith in the priesthood of God.
should as soon think the stars were
going to drop into chaos or that God
would tremble upon his throne as to
think that the priesthood was going
wrong, or that God would permit his
representatives to mislead the people.
Cling to the priesthood; cling TO the
rock of iron, which is the word Of God
delivered by his servants.
L love the Latter-day Saints he
continued. Il would rather die than
see them turn from the truth. When
saw them wavering in their belief
l was grieved to the soul. Has it come
to this? Shall a prophet of God be
restricted so that he cannot counsel
has come to this. People have mani
tested a spirit which showed that they
did not wish the counsel OF the presi-
dency or the twelve This is an awful
thought, and l would not believe it
had L not seen it and heard it. Things
have come to us of the most shock
ing character as to how the people
view the authority of the priesthood.
A REFERENCE To THATCHER.
Zone man has openly denounced the
priesthood, and many of the people
have upheld and sustained him, and l
say that when people do this Christ
will take their authority from them
and they will be overthrown. Any man
who raises his hand against the
priesthood will have the curse of God
upon him unless he regents.
.'All the blessings we enjoy are based
upon the priesthood. Some people be-
lieve that because God has given the
priesthood to men they are sure to
abuse it and to injure the people. No
such instance in the history of the
church can be found, for when men
have sought TO abuse the authority,
God has Withdrawn it from them. Men
have confused priesthood with priest
craft, and have forgotten that the in
fuence of priesthood is always for the
good of the people. Hence Joseph
Smith and Brigham Young were always
great apostles of liberty, and so have
been all their successors. They be-
lieve in the free agency of man, and
fought for that doctrine.
There are great reasons why Satan
should wish to destroy this church. 1t
is a menace to his power, and he has |
tried from the first to overcome it. |
1t was this that led him to kill the
Savior and his apostles. His work is
being undOne by the priesthood of God, /
and it is not to be wondered at that !
he battles against those who carry it. |
There must be more purity in this
state, and this must be done by the |
of the priesthood. This does |
not mean that there should be any in |
and there is nothing in the |
cry that the priesthood has tried to |
interfere. 1t is absurd to think that |
anyone bearing the priesthood should I
be barred from taking any part in state |
affairs. But there is no reason why a |
man having the priesthood should not |
have a hand in the affairs -of the state.
There is a clear distinction between |
the church of Christ and the political |
kingdom, and that is what Joseph |
Smith impressed upon the minds of |
the people. 1t seems that no matter
what the priesthood may say or do. !
there are those who are always ready |
to criticise and complain. Latter-day
Saints have been largely responsible
for this. We have never made cove
nants of which we would fear expo
sure to the world. We do not make |
covenants adverse to the world, but
we have cOvenanted to love one an |
other and all mankind. No man can
Join with the enemies of the people,
however high his authority and not
be condemned before God The people
may as well be warned and understand
this. If the presidency, as watchmen
and guides, do not give warning, God
will place others as leaders of the peo-
ole. There is no use in a presidency
lnless they are men sand are willing
o declare the Lords voice in the face
If all opposition.
Gcd wants a united people There
should be no wrangling or disputation
among the people. If the Saints would
implicitly obey the laws of God Christ !
would come to his people and all the
and would be blessed But the Saints
'ollow every will the wisp, even if
hey have to oppose the priesthood of
God TO do it. God wants the influence
If the priesthood to be strengthened.
The time will come when the Latter
lay Saints will be sought after. and
he brevity of that time will depend
lpon the unity and confidence of the
-atter-day Saints. Our conduct will
stand out in such bold relief that all
viii admire and emulate If we were
low united as we should be. the in
iuence of this state would be more
potent than that of any other
Conference then adjourned until 10
''clock this morning. In the evening a
priesthood meeting was held.
1890
Great Book Free.