Discourse 1847-12-24
W. Woodruff I felt as tho I was in the midst of Mormonism—when we assembled bef[ore], we [h]ad [no more] room—some of the lambs could not find room
in the fold, but now we [have] a liberal room, & I am glad to see them. nobody else in the world could [have] und[erstoo]d of such thing as Mormons, to organize
our meeting until we co[ul]d build a house large enough. Prest Young told us that one object is to see zion, and to examine your sp[irit]
wher you were living in the faith, & to understand our own sp[irit], that we ma[y] stand the scrutiny of all. it stands us all to see
our selves wher we [are] in the light. an[othe]r object is to la[y] busines bef[ore] the conf[erence]. the hrs of our present [citees], emigration next
thing, mailing locations, &c & need [kn]ow no fears if our mind [are] always prep[are]d for bus[iness] of any thing coming that wo[ul]d [FIGURE] [cross] our
path. We [are] like the chil[dren] of Is in the wilderness. We [have] a place sought out where we mean to build a city. let us be prepared
to go to the mountains, o[the]rs to stay here & farm & e[lde]rs go a preaching. if our wills [are] submissive to the L[or]d be on hand, whether to go,
or stay, or go a preaching, if we get so strait as to lean a little one way we ma[y] a[llo]w things to [FIGURE] [cross] our path. We ought to be
lumber[ing] all the da[y] long that the L[or]d ma[y] make vessels of honor of us. The L[or]d has led this ppl all the time, every thing looks
prosperous & comfortable. the Lord [h]as governed all things, & blest us in the family in the garden & his [spirit] [h]as been over you. all will
be rit with us if we will [d]ow right. The council that will be given [yo]u will be good, the L[or]d intends to lead his ppl in a wa[y] that
they ma[y] be blest. the Lord [has] s[ai]d it is his: to a w[orl]d to the wants of his S[ain]ts. We [have] acc[omplishe]d an interesting mission this s[ea]son. I see all
the time the [spirit] & blessings of the L[or]d all the time. Whatever bus. ma[y] be laid bef[ore] you, be ready to act on it. We [are] come to see
your faces & talk & comfort you, & if wrong set you right, & if rit you cant be set right. there is matter enough & business
enough to la[y] bef[ore] you. I feel thankful to meet with you & pra[y] that you ma[y] [have] the sp of the Lord all the time, that you
ma[y] carry out the council given you, & ma[y] the L[or]d bless you for Christ's sake Amen
