I will say to my brethren and sisters that I
count it a blessing and a privilege to occupy a
few moments this morning in bearing my testimo-
ny and expressing my feelings to you; and I hope
what little I may say may be dictated by the Ho-
ly Spirit, for I have lived long enough in this
world to know that I can neither edify myself
nor the children of men without the Holy Spirit.
I have a few thoughts upon my mind which I
wish to present. Since I have attended this con-
ference I have listened attentively to the teach-
ings, counsels, reproof, corrections, testimonies
and subjects which have been given to us by the
servants of God.
It brings to mind the days before I heard 'Mor-
monism.' I have spent hours and days and
nights, among the rocks and in the forest, praying
to Almighty God to enlighten my mind and lead
me in the paths of rectitude and duty and that he
would let me live to behold a people he could
own, who did receive the revelations of Jesus
Christ, the gospel, the principles and covenants
which the ancients received and enjoyed.
The lord revealed to me that I should have this
privilege, and I have lived to see the kingdom of
God set up; it is before me to-day, in this taber-
nacle, and all the blessings of the priesthood, and
all the covenants and all the power necessary to
lead a people into salvation is here to-day.
I want to say in answer to my feelings, that as
I realize the kingdom of God is here, I realize
also that we have a leader to it. We live in a
great and important day and generation, we live
in the midst of the mighty work of God, in a
time when he has stretched out his hand to accom-
plish that great and mighty work in fulfillment of
the word of God written in the volume of reve-
lation which points to our day.
Any man who has a particle of the Spirit of
God can see that there was great things to trans-
pire in our day. We are in our alphabet, there
are but a few of the works of Almighty God
that have yet been declared in our ears in com-
parison to that which is to come. No man is
qualified to stand at the head of the house of
Israel to carry out the great purposes of our God
unless he is inspired by the Almighty all the time.
We have such men at our head; Joseph Smith
was of that class; from his childhood, or from
the time the angel rent the vail of eternity and
showed him the record of Ephraim until the day
of his death he was led by the hand of God. No
man had any business to say unto him, why dost
thou so? He was a shaft in the hand of the Al-
mighty.
It is not less so now with President Young,
who stands at the head of this people, for he does
point out the way in which this people should
walk. Who is going to take hold of the Ark and
steady it for him? No man; President Young
has the right to make use of my name or yours
before the people by way of correction; it is not
our business to call him to an account for it; he
has a right to correct, reprove and guide us, and
has had to do so all the day long, and he has been a
father to this people continually. I have been
acquainted with him and traveled with him for
many years; and I will say I have felt many a
time to thank God that he has given to us fath-
ers as leaders and teachers who have been filled
with mercy and compassion, and with words of
eternal life.
I have wondered many a time in my life how I
have passed along so smoothly as I have. I have
felt that I have been worthy of correction in a
good many things; yet I desire to pursue a course
whereby I may become justified. I have my
weaknesses, errors and follies, and can see them
by the light of the Holy Spirit.
There is nothing I have ever done in my life
that was wrong but what I have been sorry for.
I know President Young is endowed with the
power of God and so do you know it, and I
know he can discover weaknesses in many of us
and he corrects us for our good. The reproofs of
a friend are far better than the kisses of enemy.
With regard to correcting the Twelve or any
body else, I am glad when we are corrected to
see the brethren kiss the rod. We have to learn
to build up this kingdom before we are prepared
as polished shafts in the hands of the Lord to
stand up and magnify our calling as Apostles of
Jesus Christ. There is nothing that President
Young brings forth for this people to carry out
but we are all interested in, whether we under-
stand it or not.
Should I, or any man in the kingdom of God
feel for a moment to object to President Young's
handling or controlling gold or wealth for his own
benefit or the rolling of the kingdom? No, we
should not. I wish he had his millions, for he has
clearly manifested before our eyes from the be-
gining until now his talents and gifts as a finan-
cier; and we all know he has been profitable to
the Church and kingdom of God, to Zion and
this whole people. It matters not to me whether
it is in build a Temple, establishing a Carrying
Company or anything else that is presented for
the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord
and the building up of his kingdom and the gath-
ering of Israel, we are equally interested in it
and should go to with our might and carry out
the work assigned us.
Many things will be made manifest unto us
and our labors will have to extend through many
channels, ways and means before the way is pre-
pared for the coming of the Son of Man.
I feel thankful to God that his hand is over us.
He has guided, controlled and delivered us from
the hands of our enemies.
We may thank the Lord that we have a man
among us who has got the Holy Ghost enough to
reprove sin whether among his wives or his best
friends or worst enemies. What would become
of this people were it not so? We would go to
hell. No man can govern his steps, control his
life, correct his errors if there is not somebody
inspired by the power of God to lead in this
matter.
There is a just cause many times for reproof
and correction, and it is a good sign to me when
we are reproved; it shows there are redeeming
qualities in this people. When President Young
wants anything of us, I care not what, let us re-
spond to his request. We have to build up this
kingdom by union and faithfully following those
men set to lead us, or else we will be scattered;
the blessings of God will be taken from us if we
take any other course.
The Presidency in their remarks here have re-
fered to the hatred of the wicked against us.—
Jesus says, ‘I have chosen you out of the world
therefore the world hate you. If you were of
the world the world would love its own, but be-
cause I have chosen you out of the world, there-
fore the world hate you.’ [John 15:19]
Look at the world; they are divided on every
point; there is hardly two men or women united in
matters of government or religion. Send an Elder
of this Church to proclaim to them the gospel of
Jesus Christ and you will see the devils in hell
united with the priests and people of christen-
dom to oppose him. They know they are wick-
ed and weltering in their own corruptions and
abominations. But here comes a man to pro-
claim to them the word of God—why do they
oppose him? Because he has the testimony of
Jesus Christ and is sent of God. Do the world
believe we have a false religion, that we are de-
ceivers, and have not the true faith? No, they
are afraid that what we preach is too true; they
are afraid of our union in the valleys of the
mountains; it has more terror in it to the kings of
the earth than any other subject that has been re-
vealed to man in this generation. They are afraid
God is with this people; that he controls them.
The same feeling exists among the nations now
as anciently, when the Jews said He (Jesus) will
take away our place and nation if he is let alone.
This should be a testimony to all the world when
they see the spirit of division increasing upon
almost every subject. They cannot unite upon
any subject only in opposing the Latter Day
Saints.
I feel to say to my brethren and sisters, let us
make up our minds to do right, and let our union
increase, and truly follow the men God has set to
lead us. There is where our salvation lies.
Some of us have been in a measure reproved
and corrected; well, what of it, no doubt we de-
served all we have got and more; we should not
boast over each other because one man is reproved
to-day; you may receive the rod of chastisement
to-morrow.
Let us prepare ourselves so that in whatsoever
we are corrected we may be passive in the hands
of the servants of God and thank the Lord; for
whom the Lord loves he chastens and scourges
every son and daughter he receives.
When I get through, if I can only find myself
associated with the Twelve Apostles of the Lat-
ter Day Saints and with this people, I will be
satisfied. If I can steer my way through this
life and have a place with you, it is all I will
ask.
I pray the Lord to bless you and me, and more
particularly the Presidency of this church, and
clothe them with the power of God and with sal-
vation, that their hearts may be filled with joy,
light and truth. And may this people rise up and
humble themselves before the Lord and take the
counsel that is given to them that we may be well
educated in the things of God, and be obedient
children in treasuring up their teachings and in
carrying them out, that we may be saved in the
kingdom of God; which is my prayer in the name
of Jesus: Amen.
REMARKS
By Elder Wilford Woodruff, Bowery, April 8
1857.
I will say to my brethren and sisters that I
count it a blessing and a privilege to occupy a
few moments this morning in bearing my testimony and expressing my feelings to you; and I hope
what little I may say may be dictated by the Holy Spirit, for I have lived long enough in this
world to know that I can neither edify myself
nor the children of men without the Holy Spirit.
I have a few thoughts upon my mind which I
wish to present. Since I have attended this conference I have listened attentively to the teachings, counsels, reproof, corrections, testimonies
and subjects which have been given to us by the
servants of God.
It brings to mind the days before I heard 'Mormonism.' I have spent hours and days and
nights, among the rocks and in the forest, praying
to Almighty God to enlighten my mind and lead
me in the paths of rectitude and duty and that he
would let me live to behold a people he could
own, who did receive the revelations of Jesus
Christ, the gospel, the principles and covenants
which the ancients received and enjoyed.
The lord revealed to me that I should have this
privilege, and I have lived to see the kingdom of
God set up; it is before me today, in this tabernacle, and all the blessings of the priesthood, and
all the covenants and all the power necessary to
lead a people into salvation is here to-day.
I want to say in answer to my feelings, that as
I realize the kingdom of God is here, I realize
also that we have a leader to it. We live in a
great and important day and generation, we live
in the midst of the almighty work of God, in a
time when he has stretched out his hand to accomplish that great and mighty work in fulfilment of
the word of God written in the volume of revelation which points to our day.
Any man who has a particle of the Spirit of
God can see that there was great things to transpire in our day. We are in our alphabet: there
are but a few of the works of Almighty God
that have yet been declared in our ears in comparison to that which is to come. No man is
qualified to stand at the head of the house of
Israel to carry out the great purposes of our God
unless he is inspired by the Almighty all the time.
We have such men at our head; Joseph Smith
was of that class; From his childhood, or from
the time the angel rent the vail of eternity and
showed him the record of Ephraim until the day
of his death, he was led by the hand of God. No
man had any business to say unto him, why dost
thou so? He was a shaft in the hand of the Almighty.
It is not less so now with President Young,
who stands at the head of this people, for he does
point out the way in which this people should
walk. Who is going to take hold of the Ark and
steady it for him? No man; President Young
has the right to make use of my name or yours
before the people by way of correction; it is not
our business to call him to an account for it; he
has a right to correct, reprove and guide us, and
he has had to do so all the day long, and he has been a
father to this people continually. I have been
acquainted with him and traveled with him for
many years; and I will say I have felt many a
time to thank God that he has given to us fathers as leaders and teachers who have been filled
with mercy and compassion, and with the words of
eternal life.
I have wondered many a time in my life how I
have passed along so smoothly as I have. I have
felt that I have been worthy of correction in a
good many things; yet I desire to pursue a course
whereby I may become justified. I have my
weaknesses, errors and follies, and can see them
by the light of the Holy Spirit.
There is nothing I have ever done in my life
that was wrong but what I have been sorry for.
I know President Young is endowed with the
power of God and so do you know it, and I
know he can discover weaknesses in many of us
and he corrects us for our good. The reproofs of
a friend are far better than the kisses of an enemy.
With regard to correcting the Twelve or any
body else, I am glad when we are corrected
to see the brethren kiss the rod. We have to learn
to build up this kingdom before we are prepared
as polished shafts in the hands of the Lord to
stand up and magnify our calling as Apostles of
Jesus Christ. There is nothing that President
Young brings forth for this people to carry out
but we are all interested in, whether we understand it or not.
Should I, or any man in the kingdom of God
feel for a moment to object to President Young's
handling or controlling gold or wealth for his own
benefit or the rolling of the kingdom? No, we
should not. I wish he had his millions, for he has
clearly manifested before our eyes from the beginning until now his talents and gifts as a financier; and we all know he has been profitable to
the Church and kingdom of God, to Zion and
this whole people. It matters not to me whether
it is in build a Temple, establishing a Carrying
Company or anything else that is presented for
the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord
and the building up of his kingdom and the gathering of Israel, we are equally interested in it
and should go to with our might and carry out
the work assigned us.
Many things will be made manifest unto us
and our labors will have to extend through many
channels, ways and means before the way is prepared for the coming of the Son of Man.
I feel thankful to God that his hand is over us.
He has guided, controlled and delivered us from
the hands of our enemies.
We may thank the Lord that we have a man
among us who has got the Holy Ghost enough to
reprove sin whether among his wives or his best
friends or worst enemies. What would become
of this people were it not so? We would go to
hell. No man can govern his steps, control his
life, and correct his errors, if there is not somebody
inspired by the power of God to lead in this
matter.
There is a just cause many times for reproof
and correction, and it is a good sign to me when
we are reproved; It shows there are redeeming
qualities in this people. When President Young
wants anything of us, I care not what, let us respond to his request. We have to build up this
kingdom by union and faithfully following those
men set to lead us, or else we will be scattered;
The blessings of God will be taken from us, if we
take any other course.
The Presidency in their remarks here have referred to the hatred of the wicked against us.—
Jesus says, ‘I have chosen you out of the world
therefore the world hate you. If you were of
the world, the world would love its own, but because I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hate you.’
Look at the world; they are divided on every
point; there is hardly two men or women united in
matters of government or religion. Send an Elder
of this Church to proclaim to them the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and you will see the devils in hell
united with the priests and people of christendom to oppose him. They know they are wicked and weltering in their own corruptions and
abominations. But here comes a man to proclaim to them the word of God—why do they
oppose him? Because he has the testimony of
Jesus Christ, and is sent of God. Do the world
believe we have a false religion, that we are deceivers, and have not the true faith? No, they
are afraid that what we preach is too true; they
are afraid of our union in the Valleys of the
mountains; it has more terror in it to the kings of
the earth than any other subject that has been revealed to man in this generation. They are afraid
God is with this people; that he controls them.
The same feeling exists among the nations now
as anciently, when the Jews said He (Jesus) will
take away our place and nation if he is let alone.
This should be a testimony to all the world when
they see the spirit of division increasing upon
almost every subject. They cannot unite upon
any subject only in opposing the Latter Day
Saints.
I feel to say to my brethren and sisters, let us
make up our minds to do right, and let our union
increase, and truly follow the men God has set to
lead us. There is where our salvation lies.
Some of us have been in a measure reproved
and corrected; well, what of it? no doubt we deserved all we have got and more; we should not
boast over each other because one man is reproved
to-day; you may receive the rod of chastisement
to-morrow.
Let us prepare ourselves so that in whatsoever
we are corrected we may be passive in the hands
of the servants of God and thank the Lord; for
whom the Lord loves he chastens and scourges
every son and daughter he receives.
When I get through, if I can only find myself
associated with the Twelve Apostles of the Latter Day Saints and with this people, I will be
satisfied. If I can steer my way through this
life, and have a place with you, it is all I will
ask.
I pray the Lord to bless you and me, and more
particularly the Presidency of this church, and
clothe them with the power of God and with salvation, that their hearts may be filled with joy,
light and truth. And may this people rise up and
humble themselves before the Lord and take the
counsel that is given to them that we may be well
educated in the things of God, and be obedient
children in treasuring up their teachings and in
carrying them out, that we may be saved in the
kingdom of God; which is my prayer in the name
of Jesus: Amen.
