It appears proper, at this Fifty-eighth
Semi-annual Conference of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
that an Epistle should be addressed to
the members of the Church, in con-
formity with the custom which has
been observed at the past five General
Conferences.
As some of the Apostles are pre-
vented, by circumstances well known
to the Saints, from appearing in pub-
lic, the Church will naturally look for
some expression from them concern-
ing their feelings and hopes respecting
the work of our God. Especially at the
present time is deep interest felt in the
utterances of the Apostles, because of
the loss which the Church has sus-
tained in the death of PRESIDENT JOHN
TAYLOR. Twice before has the Church
mourned the death of its President,
and each time the event has produced
a profound impression upon its mem
bers. In this instance this sad event
is invested with more significance than
it would have been had it occurred in
the ordinary way. President Taylor
died in exile. For about two years
and a half he had been compelled to
live in seclusion, and to refrain from
all public association with the people
whom he loved more than he did life.
Through his decease the Church is
called the third time to mourn the de-
parture of the man who has stood as
its President and as the Prophet, Seer
and Revelator to this generation. The
experience which the Saints have
gained in passing through these trials
has been of exceeding value to them.
They have learned that God can take
care of his own work, and that they
need not worry nor yield to anxiety or
doubt concerning its management.
After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph there were pretenders who as-
serted that they had the right to take
his place at the head of the Church.
Some were deceived by their preten-
sions, not being familiar with the or-
der of the Priesthood.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
APOSTLES.
For some time before his death the
Prophet Joseph was inspired of the
Lord to anticipate his own departure
from earthly scenes. This was shown
in various ways; but especially in the
great anxiety which he displayed to
bestow upon the Twelve Apostles all
the keys and authority of the Holy
Priesthood which he had received. He
declared in private and in public that
they were equipped and fully qualified,
and that he had rolled the kingdom of
God on to the shoulders of the Twelve
Apostles.
PRESIDENT WOODRUFF'S PERSONAL
TESTIMONY.
I, Wilford Woodruff, being the last
man living in the flesh who was pres-
ent upon that occasion feel it a duty I
owe to the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, to the House of
Israel, and to the whole world to bear
this my last testimony to all nations,
that in the winter of 1843-4, Joseph
Smith, the Prophet of God, called the
Twelve Apostles together in the City
of Nauvoo, and spent many days with
us in giving us our endowments, and
teaching us those glorious principles
which God had revealed to him. And
upon one occasion he stood upon his
feet in our midst for nearly three
hours declaring unto us the great and
last dispensation which God had set
His hand to perform upon the earth in
these last days. The room was filled
as if with consuming fire; the Prophet
was clothed upon with much of the
power of God, and his face shone and
was transparently clear, and he closed
that speech, never-to-be-forgotten in
time or in eternity, with the following
language:
“Brethren, I have had great sorrow
of heart for fear that I might be taken
from the earth with the keys of the
Kingdom of God upon me, without
sealing them upon the heads of other
men. God has sealed upon my head
all the keys of the Kingdom of God
necessary for organizing and build-
ing up of the Church, Zion, and
Kingdom of God upon the earth, and
to prepare the Saints for the coming
of the Son of Man. Now, brethren, I
thank God I have lived to see the day
that I have been enabled to give you
your endowments, and I have now
sealed upon your heads all the powers
of the Aaronic and Melchesidek Priest-
hoods and Apostleship, with all the
keys and powers thereof, which God
has sealed upon me; and I now roll off
all the labor, burden and care of this
Church and Kingdom of God upon
your shoulders, and I now command
you in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ to round up your shoulders, and
bear off this Church and Kingdom of
God before heaven and earth, and be-
fore God, angels and men; and if you
don't do it you will be damned.”
And the same spirit that filled the
room at that time burns in my bosom
while I record this testimony, and the
Prophet of God appointed no one else
but the Twelve Apostles to stand at
the head of the Church and direct its
affairs.
THE PRESIDENCY IN THE APOSTLES.
When the Prophet Joseph had
passed away by foul assassination,
those who possessed the Spirit of God
and were living in close communion
with it, knew the voice of the true
shepherd and were not deceived by the
claims of men who pretended to have
authority. The body of the Church
followed the leadership of those whom
God had chosen, and whom His ser-
vant Joseph had been instructed to
prepare for this great responsibility.
The Twelve Apostles, with President Brigham Young as their head, became
the presiding council of the Church.
The lessons which the Church then
learned in regard to the Priesthood,
and the rights of the Priesthood, have
never been forgotten. When Presi-
dent Young was taken from us, there
was no jar nor division of sentiment
among the Apostles; and among the
people there was scarcely a question as
to where the right of Presidency rest-
ed. President John Taylor took the
position which belonged to him, and
the work of God moved forward with-
out interruption, and with a union and
harmony on the part of all connected
with it, most delightful to wit
ness. He has stood at our head
for nearly ten years, and during that
period he has possessed the gifts and
qualifications which belonged to his
high office and calling. His entire
career is one that can be contemplated
with the utmost satisfaction and pleas-
ure by all who love the truth and ad-
mire integrity in those who are called
to be servants of God. From the time
that he was baptized a member of the
Church until his spirit took its flight
from earth, he never wavered in his ad-
vocacy and defense of the principles of
righteousness. Under all the varied
circumstances through which he and
the people of God were called to pass,
in the midst of the deepest trials and
afflictions, his voice was always raised
in tones of encouragement and hope;
and when the storms were the fiercest,
he rose to the occasion and always
displayed undaunted courage and un-
flinching devotion to the Zion of God.
In the providence of God it fell to his
lot to be with the Prophet Joseph and
Patriarch Hyrum when they were
martyred for the truth, and he mingled
his own blood with theirs. Though
severely wounded on that occasion,
he miraculously escaped death. He
was a man whom the Lord loved.
The evidence of this is to be found in
the fact that He [c]hose him to preside
over His Church at the departure of
His servant Brigham. We feel thank-
ful to God our Eternal Father that we
have been permitted to live with and
enjoy the society of President John
Taylor and be his fellow-laborers.
Our assocation with him and the
Presidents and Apostles who have
gone before him into the spirit world,
we esteem as a great honor. We take
delight in anticipating the rejoicing
that we shall have when we shall be
permitted to mingle in their society.
Once more, the responsibility of
presiding over the Church has fallen
upon the Council of the Twelve
Apostles. The Counselors of Presi-
dent Taylor, Brothers George Q.
Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, being
members of the Council of the Twelve
Apostles at the time they were chosen
to be members of the First Presidency,
have, since his death, taken their places
again as members of that Council.
Fifty-seven years and a half have
elapsed since the Church was organ-
ized. In looking around among those
with whom we associate to-day, how
few there are left of those who, under
the Lord, helped to lay the
foundation of this work and were the
companions of the Prophet in the
early labors connected therewith!
To-day there is but one Apostle left
of those who belonged to the Council
of the Apostles during the lifetime of
the Prophet Joseph, or, indeed, at the
time these valleys were first settled.
The other faithful Apostles who were
ordained under the direction of the
Prophet Joseph have all passed behind
the vail. Since the death of President
Young four have joined him in the
other world, and in the same period
six have been ordained as members
of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.
This gives some idea of the changes
which are occurring, and how rapidly
a new generation is taking an active
part in the building up of Zion.
THE LABORS OF THE APOSTLES.
Those of us who have been at liberty
to travel, have devoted our time to
visiting the various Stakes, and in
meeting with them at their Quarterly
Conferences. Some of us have been
laboring in Mexico, others in Arizona,
besides visiting the Stakes in Idaho
and in Utah. These Quarterly Con-
ferences are attended with excellent
results. The people come together
and receive instructions and coun-
sel upon leading topics, and
much good is derived therefrom.
Though it involves considerable labor
for the Apostles to visit them, yet we
are encouraged in doing so by the ad-
vantages which those visits bring to
the people in keeping them informed
concerning general movements and
counsel. In these labors we have had
much joy and satisfaction, especially
in witnessing the increase of faithful-
ness on the part of the Saints.
THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS.
Though many of the leading men
have been compelled to be absent,
some of them having been incarcer-
ated in prison, the people have, never-
theless, been steadfast, and have
sought with increased dilligence to per-
form their duties. The persecution to
which they have been subjected has
led the people to think and act for
themselves, and not to depend so
much upon others for guidance. This
can not fail to be attended with good
results. It is necessary that all the
members of the Church should exer-
cise their powers of reason and reflec-
tion and thoroughly understand why
they take the course which God points
out. Intelligent obedience on the part
of His Saints is desired by our Father
in heaven. He has given us our agency
to think and act for ourselves,
on our own volition, to obtain a
testimony for ourselves from Him
concerning the truth of the principles
which He teaches, and then be firm
and unshaken in the performance of
all which is necessary for salvation.
We have felt great satisfaction in
witnessing the dignity and courage
which the Saints have exhibited
through the trials of the past three
years. Their conduct has been ad-
mirable. They have displayed great
qualities. The forbearance, patience
and fortitude which they have ex-
hibited are proofs that God has been
with them. Outrages which would
have goaded any other people into acts
of violence have been of frequent oc-
currence. In other communities men
and women would be desperate under
such treatment. But the Lord has
given His people power to control
themselves and peace has been main-
tained. Riots and bloodshed have
been avoided, and even under strong
provocation, when blood was shed, the
community restrained itself. Preju-
dice may prevent our nation and its
rulers from acknowledging, at the
present, how noble the demeanor of
the people has been under
these trying circumstances, and
with the strong provocations
which they have had to indulge in
outbreaks; yet the time will come
when all this will receive its proper
recognition and due credit will be ac-
corded the Latter-day Saints for their
magnanimity and self-control through-
out this entire persecution.
PRIMARY ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.
In the organizations which have
been established among our people in
all our settlements in these moun-
tains, the advancement and training
and benefit of all classes are amply
provided for. Among no people of
whom we know anything have such
provisions been made for the salvation
and care of the members of society of
all ages as among the Latter-day
Saints. If we and our children do not
progress in intelligence and in the
knowledge of all principles pertaining
to life here and the hereafter, it is be-
cause we do not avail ourselves of
those facilities which are placed within
our reach. We have the Primary As-
sociations provided for the benefit of
the young children of our Church, and
their instruction in those simple prin-
ciples which they can understand. We
also have Sunday schools for the
training and education of those of
larger growth. In them they can learn
the doctrines of salvation and the his-
tory of the work of God, and be pre-
pared for greater progress. Then we
have the Young Mens’ and Young
Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Asso-
ciations, which have been organized, as
their names imply, for the development
of the young people of both sexes and
their advancement in every thing that
will qualify them for lives of useful-
ness and honor. But besides these or-
ganizations we have the various coun
cils of the Priesthood, to some office
in which every young man who is
worthy can be ordained. The young
women, as they increase in years, can
also find a sphere of usefulness in the
Relief Societies which have been or-
ganized for the purpose of assisting
the Bishops and Counselers and
Teachers of the Wards in caring for
the poor and relieving the wants of the
suffering and distressed. So that by
means of these organizations, which
are of vast interest to us as a people,
every one from early childhood to ma-
turity, can be led forward step by step,
from one degree of knowledge to an-
other until fully qualified to discharge
all the duties of perfected and honor-
able manhood and womanhood.
So far as we know the sisters who
have charge of the Primary Associa-
tions are doing a most commendable
work in arousing interest in the lit-
tle ones and in teaching them
in simple style those lessons
which are adapted to their under-
standings. We hope that in all our
settlements these associations will re-
ceive the constant care and attention
of our wise and judicious sisters. The
seed sown in the hearts of the children
by the instructions imparted there
will produce in years to come an
abundant harvest that will gladden the
hearts of the Saints who witness it.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS, ETC.
The progress of the Sunday School
cause in Zion continues satisfactory,
though undoubtedly somewhat re-
tarded by the enforced absence from
its labors and associations of so many
brethren and sisters who have in
former years taken an active interest
in its welfare. We notice, with pleas-
ure, the constantly increasing number
of schools, teachers and scholars re-
ported by the officers of the Union and
the evident care taken by the presiding
local authorities in our settlements to
have a Sunday School as one of the
first institutions established. We
are also gratified to learn that
in most of the foreign missions
of the Church Sunday Schools
and Improvement Associations
are being organized wherever
practicable. In Great Britain, in Con-
tinental Europe, in New Zealand, and
in the Sandwich Islands, as also in the
branches scattered throughout the
missions in the United States, these
institutions are found contributing
their influence in instructing and
forming the character of the children
of the Latter-day Saints.
The Mutual Improvement Societies
are also accomplishing great good
throughout our settlements. In connec-
tion with them and the Sunday Schools,
we desire to remind our brethren and
sisters who are engaged in the praise-
worthy labor of fostering these insti-
tutions, that the original design in
organizing Sunday Schools and Im-
provement Societies among us was,
that the children and youth of the
Saints should be made wise in the
principles of the Gospel and their faith
be developed in the revelations of
God. This the officers and teachers
should keep constantly in mind. The
books used should be almost without
exception, the revelations of God as
contained in ancient and modern
Scripture, together with the other
works of the Church. The teachings,
while direct, brief and simple, should
be such as will increase the faith, de-
velop the veneration and love, and
draw out the intelligence of the youth-
ful bearers toward the divine princi-
ples of which by God's grace, we have
been made the custodians. All at-
tempts, however slight, to secularize
these institutions and to change them
so that they will not accomplish the
ends sought for in their creation,
should be discountenanced. The
spirit and teachings of the Gospel
should hold undivided control in all
our ministrations connected with this
cause. In the theological and other
classes all discussions should be
avoided as much as possible on sub-
jects which God in His wisdom has not
yet fully revealed. We know there are
many persons who appear to take more
delight in dwelling upon questions
which are mysterious and cannot very
well, in our present state of knowl-
edge, be answered than they do upon
those subjects which are plain and
simple and essential to present pro-
gress. But the Lord has revealed
so much that we can understand
and that we ought to learn in order to
be useful in the labors devolving upon
us here, that we need not enter into
discussions on subjects which [in] no
way affect our happiness here or eter-
nal salvation hereafter. In our theo-
logical classes, quorum meetings and
other assemblies, therefore, these de-
batable questions need not be dis-
cussed or be dwelt upon to occupy the
time of the members, to the exclusion
of more profitable topics. In the
Primary Associations, the Sunday
schools and the Mutual Improvement
Associations, singing should receive a
large share of attention. Singing ex-
ercises can be made a great attraction
and also a valuable addition to the ed-
ucation of the young. The interest
that is now taken among us in vocal
and instrumental music is a marked
feature of the times, and this taste
finds increasing opportunities for its
development in the facilities which are
now being furnished to all who desire
its cultivation. Instead of having a
select few act as choirs in these
institutions to do the singing for the
whole, the voices of all should
be united in harmonious melody
in giving utterance to the feelings of
their hearts in hymns and songs. This
will increase the pleasure of the meet-
ings, and make all feel that they have
an equal interest in worship and re-
joicing.
THE RELIEF SOCIETIES.
The mission of the Relief Societies
as organized among us, is truly grand
and beneficent. There is no limit to
their labors and usefulness while suf-
fering and want exist in our midst. To
aid the needy by feeding the hungry
and clothing the destitute is distinc-
tively and peculiarly their mission. In
the energetic performance of their
duty human sympathy and divine
mercy are beautifully harmonized. In
extending relief to the poor, the love
of God and of our fellows is clearly
manifest. It is more praiseworthy for
a relief society to be able to say
“There are none in our Ward in need
of food, raiment or shelter,” than to
report thousands of dollars in hand,
while the needs of the poor are un-
supplied.
These societies have done a vast
amount of good among us, and the
members have been of great service in
assisting the Priesthood in the wards
in caring for the destitute and in sup-
plying the wants of those who have
been in need of help. In these labors
we desire to give them every encour-
agement and to invoke the blessing of
heaven upon them, and all their exer-
tions for the benefit of suffering hu-
manity.
THE CARE OF THE POOR.
As the winter season is approaching,
it is proper that each Bishop and his
Counselors should take the necessary
steps to properly care for the poor
who live in their wards. They should
call the Relief Societies to their aid in
this labor. The reasonable wants of
the poor should be supplied and the
pangs of poverty and destitation
should be averted. God has greatly
blessed us in the fruits of our fields
and gardens, in our flocks and herds,
and in giving us comfortable habita-
tions and means to sustain ourselves,
and we should always remember the
words of the Apostle James: “Pure
religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this, to visit the father-
less and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the
world.” [James 1:27]
While it has always been the
policy of our people to encourage in-
dustry and to repress idleness to every
form, and to expect all persons to
contribute, according to their ability,
to their own support; still there are
many cases where the aged and the in-
firm, or the unfortunate, cannot, with
the utmost exertion and economy, ob-
tain through their own labors suffi-
cient to sustain themselves. It would
be a great evil among us to encourage
any class in living upon the benevo-
lence of the community. No system
of begging should be permitted.
Those able to work should be fur-
nished employment. Persons who are
properly disposed will be glad to ob-
tain it in preference to being fed with
the bread of charity; and all should
be encouraged to labor according to
their strength. This policy, if wisely
pursued will prevent pauperism, de-
velop self exertion and confidence, and
produce self-respect. It is a cause
of great pleasure to think that beg-
gary is unknown throughout our set-
tlements. There is no need for any-
one, however destitute, to publicly
solicit alms. But while this is the
case, the sensitive and those who
shrink from asking aid, who conceal,
in some instances, their poverty,
should be carefully looked after by the
Relief Societies under the direction of
the Bishops of the wards, so that there
may be no individual in any of our
wards suffering for the want of food or
any other article necessary to sustain
or preserve life. The community whose
hearts are open to the cries of distress,
who are ready to administer of the
substance which the Lord gives them
to relieve their fellow creatures, may
always depend upon the favor of the
Lord, for he loves those who are kind
to their fellow-men, and who admin-
ister to their necessities, whose hearts
are tender, and who readily respond to
applications of this character which
are made upon them, or who antici-
pate them by giving freely to the desti-
tute.
FAST OFFERINGS.
In some of our wards there is not
proper care taken in the collection of
the fast offerings of the people. The
first Thursday in the month has been
set apart in the Church as a day of
fasting and of prayer. That day should
be strictly observed. Fast offerings
should be brought with a liberal hand
to the Bishop of each ward, that he
may be prepared to supply those who
are dependent upon the ward for sus-
stenance. Some wards require consid-
erable aid from the Church to help
sustain their poor, because their own
fast offerings do not supply them;
while sometimes in the same Stake
there are other wards where there are
few, if any, dependent poor. Presidents
of Stakes should make arrangements
with the Bishops of the last named
wards to transfer their fast offerings
to the Bishop of some contiguous
ward which has more poor within its
borders than its own fast offerings
will supply. In this way all the peo-
ple can have an equal opportunity of
doing their duty to the poor.
THE LESSONS OF LIBERALITY.
Experience has abundantly proved
that those who are attentive to those
and all other duties required by the
Lord receieve His blessing. God does
bless those who devote themselves
with singleness of purpose to His
work. If proof of this were needed,
one has only to notice the condition of
Elders in the various settlements who
have spent years of their lives upon
missions. Though their home affairs
may have been left to the care of their
wives and children, they are not dis-
tinguished by their poverty from their
fellow-servants who have remained at
home.
We have only to look around us to
satisfy ourselves also, that those who
are generous in contributing to God's
work are favored of the Lord. This
was the experience of ancient Israel,
and it is our experience. Yet in re-
gard to voluntary donations there is
too much carelessness, not withstand-
ing all the precious promises con-
nected therewith. The Saints should
be reminded of the obligation which
rests upon them. Our children, also,
should be taught this duty, that it may
become a fixed habit with them to
punctually attend to these matters.
Those who have strictly observed
these requirements can testify to the
great pleasure and many rewards they
have received from their observance.
This law of liberality appears to be
one of the safeguards which the Lord
has adopted to avert from his people
the evil consequences which follow
the possession of wealth. He has told
us that the riches of the earth are His
to give; but He has warned us to be-
ware of pride, lest we become as the
Nephites of old. We know the ruin is
wrought for them, and we should
spare no precaution to prevent wealth
having a disastrous effect upon us.
Many can endure poverty and be hum-
ble and live near the Lord who cannot
bear riches. They become lifted up in
