Discourse 1883-11-04
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
was pleased to have the opportunity
of listening to the many good re-
marks uttered by the speakers. In
referring to the reports made by
the Bishops respecting the secur-
ing of missionary farms, nearly all
reported a difficulty to obtain the
same. He suggested the propriety
of selecting farms above irrigation
limits and sow rye thereon, and thus
secure a product that would be nearly
or quite as valuable as wheat and
thus form a source of support for the
families of missionaries in the field.
He alluded to the antagonism that
is found in the world against the
truth, and remarked that this oppo-
sition existed before Adam was cre-
ated and dwelt here in the flesh. Re-
ferring to the career and treatment
of our Savior, who in the midst of a
cruel and excruciating death, im-
plored the Father to forgive his mur-
derers, for they knew not what they
did. He enjoined upon the Saints,
while their enemies were seeking their
destruction, to emulate the Savior in
his dying agonies to ask the Lord to
forgive them for what they do and
are seeking to do against us, and feel
willing to leave them in the hands of
the Almighty. He spoke of the ne-
cessity of all becoming acquainted
with these things, and exhorted the
young men to study the gospel and
its duties, and touched upon the in-
tricate and perplexing circumstances
that exist among the nations, that
culminate in their destruction.
He was not surprised at the utter-
ances of the priests of the day,
against the Saints, seeking and urg-
ing violent means for their extirpa-
tion. The evil on is their prompter
and abettor, and we could not expect
anything different from them; nev-
ertheless this kingdom will prevail
and overcome all opposing powers.
This is its ultimate destiny. He ex-
horted the Saints to keep all the laws
and commandments of the Lord and
thus entitle themselves to His pro-
tection and blessing. He encour-
aged the Saints to take no heed of
the efforts of the wicked, for oppo-
sition must come, because the Lord
has called us out of the world and as
it hated the Savior so it will the
Saints.
