DESERET NEWS WEEKLY. TRUTH AND LIBERTY. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE DESERET NEWS COMPANY. CHARLES W. PENROSE, EDITOR. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1883. FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE. PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF Said we need the spirit of the Lord in every capacity we are called to act in, whether in preaching or administering in the ordinances of the Gospel. Governments which are a benefit to mankind, acknowl- edged and protected the rights of their citizens. Men are recognized in their lauded possessions. Why should not the rights of God who is the Creator of all be acknowledged? There have been some of His children who have been willing to acknowledge the rule of God, but such cases have been comparatively few. Many wars were fought prior to the supremacy of Rome, for the political power, but since that time rivers of blood have been shed in the name of religion. The Lord has raised up many men to accomplish His purposes, though they them- selves might not have been aware of this. Even the warriors of the ages have been raised up by Him. When a people became wicked and corrupt, the Lord chastised them. This has been particularly illustrat- ed in the people whom the Lord has chosen as His own, kingdoms having been raised up to chastise His people for their transgressions. Then the Lord smote those who had afflicted His people in their turn. There never have been as many im- portant revelations given at any pre- vious time as in our day; all the keys and blessings of every dispen- sation have been restored through the Prophet Joseph, who was a lit- eral descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt. Many of the Saints now living were personally acquainted with Joseph Smith, and can testify to the truth of his testimony and the validity of his calling. The setting up of this king- dom and its ultimate triumph were shown in a dream to Nebuchadnez- zar, and the interpretation was given to Daniel. We are living in the time referred to, and there never was a kingdom of as great im- portance as the one we are now lab- oring to establish. Joseph Smith labored in the ministry fourteen years, and received during that time all the keys, ordinances and Priest- hood that have ever been upon the earth, and then, after passing faith- fully through a life of trial and per- secution for the Gospel's sake, he sealed his testimony with his blood, but he left the Church, the King- dom, the Zion of God, and the au- thority to continue the work he be- gan. The principles of good and evil are placed before us that we may choose which we prefer. But we should realize that God and His power are greater than Satan and the power of evil. God will estab- lish His kingdom and will accom- plish all that has been predicted by the holy prophets. God did not create this earth and people it for the Devil to posses and rule over. He will build up His own kingdom and redeem Israel, the Jews, and His Saints. It requires a great deal of faith and labor on the part of those whom the Lord has raised up and gathered here to accomplish this, but God has raised up and will raise up men and people to accomplish His work. Men were known and called to positions of prominence. The Saints are of Eph- raim and are called to build up the latter-day Zion. Though there seemed to be a scarcity of those who were on the Lord's side, yet when the Gospel was sent forth it attract- ed the honest from all nations. From the beginning this work has con- tinued to grow and it becomes more and more difficult for the wicked to prevail as time passes. Brother Joseph F. Smith has remarked, the only time Satan had any chance to overturn this work was on the day it was organized. This kingdom had been set up never more to be thrown down, but will continue to progress until Zion shall be built up and be come the glory and beauty of the whole earth. The Saints have been tried and proven even unto death, and if they are not willing to do this they will not be worthy to associate with those who made these sacri- fices anciently. Jesus laid down His life for the truth, His Apostles with one exception died violent deaths. Many of this people have lost their lives in this cause. He is satisfied with their integrity in this regard. Nor do I believe that this people will be required to shed the blood of the wicked, but the Lord will fight our battles and cause the wicked to slay the wicked, that the hands of this people may not be stained with the blood of their fellowmen, but the [S]aints will go forth and labor in the Tem- ples. Ever since the principle of patriarchal marriage has been published to the world this people have continued to prevail, and if we will keep the commandments of God He will take care of us. All of the laws and ordinances of the Gos- pel are eternal in their nature and all the righteous acts of the Holy Priesthood are recognized in heaven. We should be careful how we use our positions. We should not complain of a man called to preside over us. While God sustains him I am wil- ling to do so. I can assure the Saints of one thing—that the Lord will not allow any man who pre- sides over this Church to lead this people astray. I know that God is with President Taylor and his Coun- selors, and is leading them right. I would sustain a man in any position no matter what his youth or age just as long as the Lord sustains him. There is more union among the leading authorities now than there was in our early history and this principle is spreading abroad. We should sustain those over us in every position, and all be careful to sus- tain each other. The powers of the Priesthood can only be exercised in righteousness and cannot be used to pull down or oppress our brethren. This has been illustrated among this people in times that are past. We must beware of jealousy and prejudice. We should be careful to observe the laws and command- ments of God. Let us labor in the temples for the redemption of the living and dead, let us avoid bicker- ings and fault finding. Let us keep God's commandments, pay our tith- ing and perform all our duties. Let us remember our prayers, for they as- cend into the ears of the Lord, and he will be with this people and they will accomplish all that has been prophesied concerning them. Those who were the pioneers in this cause are passing away, but others are be- ing raised up to fill their places. I feel to warn all people to beware of they way they deal with this people; for those who rise up against them shall not prevail, but will [be] broken and scattered, while Zion will roll forth and fill the whole earth. It therefore behooves us to observe all the laws and or- dinances of the Gospel, and the Lord will not forget His promises. We will build these temples and complete them and attend to the work to be done therein, fill up these vallies of the mountains and attend to the duties required of us. We are making a record and will have to meet it, when we go to the other side of the veil. May God help us to be faithful and true to the end.