UNCHANGABLE LOVE OF GOD _______________ DISCOURSE Delivered by President Lorenzo Snow, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, September 18, 1898. Brethren and sisters, I was delighted in listening to the first hymn sung by the choir today in these services. To me the words are full of significance and promise. They are verily true and were indited by the spirit of truth. The writer's name is Kelly. It does not matter whether he was one of our people or not. The spirit of truth is the same wherever it is manifested. I will read two verses, so that those who did not distinguish the words in the singing, may understand what they are: Every human tie may perish. Friend to friend unfaithful prove, Mothers cease their own to cherish, Heaven and earth at last remove; But no changes Can attend Jehovah's love. In the furnace God may prove thee, Thence to bring thee forth more bright, But can never cease to love thee-- Thou art precious in his sight; God is with thee; Thou shalt triumph in his might. This is very encouraging to the Latter-day Saints. It gives the assurance that the love of God can never change towards them. They may be afflicted and pass through numerous trials of a severe character, but these will prove blessings in disguise and bring them out brighter and better than they were before. The people of God are precious in His sight; His love for them will always endure, and in His might and strength and affection, they will triumph and be brought off more than conqueror. They are His children, made in His image and destined through obedience to His laws to become like unto Him. The Apostle John in his First Epistle, says: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is; and every man that has this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (Eph. iii:2). This is a glorious promise. When He appears we are to be like Him in every respect. We shall see him just as he is. He is a pure being, and we must become pure also, in order to be made like unto Him. Jesus when on earth said to His disciples: "Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." This is what we should all strive after. There is no necessity for Latter-day Saints to worry over the things of this world. They will all pass away. Our hearts should be set on things above; to strive after that perfection which was in Christ Jesus, who was perfectly obedient in all things unto the Father, and so obtained His great exaltation and became a pattern unto His brethren. Why should we fret and worry over these temporal things when our destiny is so grand and glorious? If we will cleave unto the Lord, keep His commandments, pattern after His perfections and reach out unto the eternal realities of His heavenly kingdom, all will be well with us and we shall triumph and obtain the victory in the end. It is a matter of great rejoicing and satisfaction to me to behold the unity and brotherly love and perfect oneness of feeling existing with the Twelve and which was manifested a few days ago when they met in council and the First Presidency of the Church was reorganized. Every one of the Apostles expressed himself on that occasion, and they were perfectly agreed; the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them and prompted them in that which was done. It was not expected when they met on that occasion that this result would be accomplished. But the conditions and circumstances surrounding the Church rendered it necessary that something should be done in order that its affairs might be properly conducted, and when it was proposed that the First Presidency should at once be appointed, every one who was present was inspired by the same spirit and it was unanimously decided that this was the right thing to do. We all felt that this was the will of the Lord. There was no dissenting voice. When sustained by my brethren, the Apostles, as President of the Church, I selected as my counselors Presidents George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith and they were unanimously accepted and sustained by the Twelve. I can assure you, my brethren and sisters, that it made me feel very humble. I realize the responsibility that rests upon me and my brethren of the First Presidency, but I know that the blessings of the Lord have attended me in the past in the discharge of duties place upon my shoulders, and I feel assured that the Saints will support us in this position with their faith and their prayers and that the spirit of our calling will rest upon us and make us adequate to every task. I know that the same spirit which I feel also actuates President George Q. Cannon and President Joseph F. Smith, and that if you will be as faithful and united as the First Presidency and Twelve are faithful and united, and will follow us as we follow Christ, all will be well with you. We are determined to perform our duty and to serve the Lord and labor for the benefit of His people and the accomplishment of His work. We are your servants in the Lord and desire your welfare and the welfare of all mankind. The Lord has not chosen the great and learned of the world to perform His work on the earth. It is not those who have been trained and educated in the colleges and seminaries of learning, but humble men devoted to His cause whom He has chosen to take charge of the affairs of His Church, men who are willing to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit, and who will of necessity give the glory unto Him, knowing that of themselves they can do nothing. I can assure you, brethren and sisters, that I had no ambition to assume the responsibility which now rests upon me. If I could have escaped it honorably I should never have been found in my present position. I have never asked for it, nor have I ever asked the assistance of any of my brethren that I might attain to this position, but the Lord revealed to me and to my brethren that this was His will, and I have no disposition to shirk any responsibility nor to decline to occupy any position that the Lord requires me to fill. I have tried to serve Him, to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh and to bring myself with every power and faculty of my nature into complete subservience to His will, so that I might eventually reach the highest glory which it is possible for man to attain. That exalted position was made manifest to me at a very early day. I had a direct revelation of this. It was most perfect and complete. If there ever was a thing revealed to man perfectly, clearly, so that there could be no doubt or dubiety, this was revealed to me, and it came in these words: "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be." This may appear to some minds as something very strange and remarkable, but it is in perfect harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and with His promises. He said: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am sat down with my Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21). The Apostle Paul also taught in this wise: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). This is the high destiny of the sons of God, they who overcome, who are obedient to His commandments, who purify themselves even as He is pure. They are to become like Him; they will see Him as He is; they will behold His face and reign with Him in His glory, becoming like unto Him in every particular. Well, now, brethren and sisters, God has set up His Church and Kingdom on the earth for the benefit and blessing of the human family, to guide them in the way of truth, to prepare them for exaltation in His presence and for His glorious coming and kingdom on the earth. His purposes will be accomplished in spite of all the opposition which may be brought against them by wicked men and the powers of darkness. Everything that stands in the way of this work will be removed. Nothing will be able to withstand His power, but everything that He has decreed will be fully and perfectly accomplished. The love of God for His people will continue and abide and they will triumph in His might. Well, my brethren and sisters, I desire to encourage you in the work of righteousness. I feel to bless you. It is the desire of the First Presidency that you may be blessed. We wish to bear with the people in their weaknesses and frailties. We also desire that you will bear with our weaknesses and infirmities. We want to be forgiving and kind towards the Latter-day Saints. We ask them to be lenient and charitable towards us. The Lord wishes to show leniency towards His children on earth, but He requires of them true repentance when they transgress or fail in any duty. He expects their obedience and that they will endeavor to cast aside all sin, to purify themselves and become indeed His people, His Saints, so that they may be prepared to come into His presence, be made like unto Him in all things and reign with Him in His glory. To accomplish this they must walk in the strait and narrow way, making their lives brighter and better, being filled with faith and charity, which is the pure love of Christ, and attending faithfully to every duty in the Gospel. Well, God bless you all, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. President Lorenzo Snow OPENING ADDRESS. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.1 Brethren and sisters and friends: There are many reflections that arise in my mind as I behold the faces of so many Latter-day Saints here this morning. Sixty-nine years ago the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. How many strange scenes have been witnessed and what wonderful things have been accomplished by the Latter-day Saints since the organization! Prophets and Elders have been martyred while defending the great cause which God established in the interests of the salvation, exaltation and glory of His children whom He has sent upon the earth. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.2 This is a lovely morning. All nature seems to smile upon us. I would like to ask my brethren and sisters, how do you feel? Do we all feel to rejoice in our hearts and to be happy? In view of what has been accomplished, do we feel grateful to our Heavenly Father? Think of the persecutions through which the Saints have passed and the sacrifices we have made from time to time, and yet we are here this morning surrounded by pleasant conditions. Then, what are the glorious prospects before us? After a few years, whatever may have been our experience, we shall stand in the presence of our Father in the future life, having accomplished His purposes while in the world, having made sacrifices in fulfilling that which the Lord has required at our hands from time to time, and we shall look back upon the past with joy and satisfaction. How happy we ought to be under present circumstances, in view of what we have done since we received the Gospel, and how we have been sustained, while some upon our right hand and upon our left have fallen into a state of apostasy. Contemplating the past and glorious prospects of the future, our hearts ought to be filled with joy and thanksgiving to our God this day. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.2 We wish to have a good Conference, and we will, just in proportion as we exercise our faith during the progress of this Conference, so will the blessings of the Almighty rest upon us; and as the speakers address us from day to day we will secure that which will be of vast importance to us. It is not always the lengthy discourse that affords to the Latter-day Saints that which is the most profitable; but in the various discourses delivered we may gather some idea, or some principle may flash upon our understanding which will prove valuable to us afterwards. Our blessings and our success in the past have been in proportion to our efforts and the exercise of our faith. When we contemplate what the Lord has done for us in the past, our present surroundings, and our future prospects, what a blest people we are! I have thought sometimes that one of the greatest virtues the Latter-day Saints could possess is gratitude to our Heavenly Father for that which he has bestowed upon us and the path over which he has led us. It may be that walking along in that path has not always been of the most pleasant character; but we have afterwards discovered that those circumstances which have been very unpleasant have often proved of the highest advantage to us. We should always be pleased with the circumstances that surround us and that which the Lord requires at our hands. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.2 Brethren and sisters, in the name of the Lord I bless you this morning. Let us be faithful and keep the commandments of God. Let us never allow our prospects to become dimmed; let them be fresh before us by day and by night, and I will assure you that if we will do this our growth from day to day and from year to year will be marvelous. We can look back new and we can see that we have advanced. We have not stood still, but we have been moving along and gradually increasing our growth. The child grows from childhood to boyhood, and from boyhood to manhood, with a constant and steady growth; but he cannot tell how or when the growth occurs. He does not realize that he is growing; but by observing the laws of health and being prudent in his course he eventually arrives at manhood. So in reference to ourselves as Latter-day Saints. We grow and increase. We are not aware of it at the moment; but after a year or so we discover that we are, so to speak, away up the hill, nearing the mountain top. We feel that we have faith in the Lord; that His providences are always beneficial; that we are connected with Him; that He is actually our Father, and that he leads us along in life. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.2 We should have before us a strong desire to do good to others. Never mind so much about ourselves. Good will come to us all right if we keep our minds outside of ourselves to. a certain extent, and try to make others happier and draw them a little nearer to the Lord. We have been sent into the world to do good to others; and in doing good to others we do good to ourselves. We should always keep this in view, the husband in reference to his wife, the wife in reference to her husband, the children in reference to their parents, and the parents in reference to their children. There is always opportunity to do good to one another. When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.3 Brethren and sisters, God bless you. Let us have a good Conference; and in order that we may have, let us have a prayerful spirit all the time, and especially when Elders arise here to address you. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.21 I am very much pleased to meet with the brethren and sisters and our friends this morning. We have another beautiful day, like yesterday, and I hope that the Latter-day Saints feel happy. We had an excellent meeting yesterday. The spirit of the Lord was with us greatly; the most excellent ideas and suggestions were made to us by the different speakers; the beauties and glories of what the Lord has accomplished already, and those we anticipate and are sure He will accomplish in the future, were clearly portrayed before us. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.21 If we will be as quiet as we were yesterday and exercise faith we will have just as good a meeting today and the Spirit of the Lord will inspire the speakers. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.22 We have invited the Salt Lake Temple choir to be with us during the remaining part of our conference and it will be called upon occasionally to interest the Latter-day Saints. We think they will be pleased with this opportunity of hearing this choir, which has been employed in the Temple here for about six years. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.22 Brethren and sisters, God bless you and pour out His spirit upon us this day, that we may greatly rejoice, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.51 How to overcome temptation--The Holy Spirit an unerring guide. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.51 I have been very much pleased with what has been said this morning, and also during the whole of this conference, We certainly have had a very excellent time. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.51 It struck me while Brother Young was addressing us that there were two very strong temptations that trouble us from time to time, and which sometimes prevent the spirit of light from giving us the information absolutely necessary for our prosperity. One is, what will people say if I do so and so? If I do these things that are now required of me, what will be said of me? I think that every one, at least most of my brethren and sisters who are now before me, will understand what I mean, from the experiences they have had. Such a consideration has affected almost every one. I know that it was the case with me, when the principles of the Gospel were announced and 1 took them into contemplation. It came to my mind; "what will people say if I receive these doctrines, and it is known that I have become what is called a "Mormon?" When such a temptation as this comes before us it should be laid aside, and not permitted to influence us. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.51 Another temptation is, How much money shall I give? That is a very strong temptation to most of us, I presume. Speaking of tithing as Brother Brigham has, how much of this tithing shall I give? Cannot I reserve a portion to myself? The Lord is very rich and I doubt if He will be troubled at all if I withhold a little for myself; and so a little to oneself is withheld. But that very little that is reserved will trouble that man, if his conscience is like the consciences of most of the Latter-day Saints. It will trouble him more or less in the day time, and also when he thinks of it at night. He does not have that happiness that it is his privilege to enjoy--it goes from him. One of the best things to do under such a temptation as that is to give, so as to be sure, a trifle more than is required; and to think that you have it wholly within yourself to do so. If you do this the temptation is overcome, you have been successful in contending with it; and you are better prepared to battle with the next allurement successfully, though it be stronger than the first. And if you do not then, at some future time you will thank the Lord. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.52 There is a way by which persons can keep their consciences clear before God and man, and that is to preserve within them the spirit of God, which is the spirit of revelation to every man and woman. It will reveal to them, even in the simplest of matters, what they shall do, by making suggestions to them. We should try to learn the nature of this spirit, that we may understand its suggestions, and then we will always be able to do right. This is the grand privilege of every Latter-day Saint. We know that it is our right to have the manifestations of the spirit every day of our lives. Persons come to me very anxious to receive counsel upon some subject or other. They need not come to me always (under some circumstances, of course, it would be highly proper), for the spirit is within them to bring about good and to accomplish the purposes of God. The spirit is in every man and every woman so that they need not walk in the darkness at all. and it is not always necessary for them to come to the president of the Church, or to the Twelve, or to the Elders of Israel, to get counsel; they have it within them; there is a friend that knows just exactly what to say to them. From the time we receive the Gospel, go down into the waters of baptism and have hands laid upon us afterwards for the gift of the Holy Ghost, we have a friend, if we do not drive it from us by doing wrong. That friend is the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, which partakes of the things of God and shows them unto us. This is a grand means that the Lord has provided for us, that we may know the light, and not be groveling continually in the dark. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.52 I wanted to say these few words, as they were suggested to me while Brother Young was addressing us. God bless you, Latter-day Saints, and my friends who are here, who have honest hearts. God bless you and crown you with His Holy Spirit, that you may know that the time has come when the Lord has called a people to prepare for the coming of the Son of God, who shall appear and be in our midst, and teach us the mysteries of the kingdom. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1899, p.52 God bless you and preserve you all in the holy path of righteousness, exaltation and glory, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow OPENING ADDRESS Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 I wish to say a few words at the opening of our conference this morning. I feel myself, and I hope every Latter-day Saint does, very grateful for this beautiful morning and the prospect of good weather while we are convened. I trust that every Latter-day Saint will exercise faith that this beautiful weather may continue during conference. Many people that are here this morning and who will be here during our whole proceedings, have come from a long distance, and some have perhaps made what may be called sacrifices in order to come. I want to say to everyone that it is our privilege to be blessed to such an extent that we will feel perfectly repaid for all the inconvenience that may have resulted to us in coming to this gathering. As Latter-day Saints the Lord has placed us in relation with himself, and in order to carry out the condition that we are in we need His blessing above any other class of people. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 Our prospects are sufficiently grand and glorious to cause us to put forth every exertion that we possibly can, in order to secure the blessings that are before us. Nothing should deter us from the exercise of every power that God has bestowed upon us, to make our salvation and exaltation sure. All men and women who are worthy to be called Latter-day Saints should live hour by hour in such a way that if they should be called suddenly from this life into the next they would be prepared. The preparation should be such that we should not fear to be called away suddenly into the Spirit life. It is our privilege to so live as to have the spirit of light and intelligence to that extent that we shall feel satisfied that all will be well if we should be called away at any hour. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 If we look back at our experience since we received the Gospel, we can see and know that the Lord has blessed us abundantly. If we have been faithful, as we should have been, or if we have not been so faithful as we should have been, but now feel to do right, we have assurances, from our past experience, that everything will be well with us in the future as we tread the path of exaltation and glory, walking in the light of the truth and carefully observing everything that is required of us. If there should be any Latter-day Saints within the sound of my voice that have not reached this assurance in regard to their future, they should not rest satisfied until they have secured it, so that they may know that everything is right with them. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 What I want of the Latter-day Saints is that during this conference, as the Elders shall arise to address us, our faith and our prayers may be exercised for each one who speaks, that he may say such things, and that we may have the spirit to receive such things as shall be beneficial to all. This is our privilege and our duty. We have not come here accidentally; we have come in this conference expecting to receive something that will be advantageous to us. The Latter-day Saints most assuredly need to receive good things. Of ourselves we can do nothing. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 As Jesus said: "Verily, verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." He came into this life to do the will of his Father, and not his own will. Our desire and determination should be the same. When things come up that require an exertion on our part, we should bring our wills into subjection to the will of the Father, and feel to say, what is the will of our Father, whom we are here in the world to serve? Then every act that we perform will be a success. We may not see its success today or tomorrow, nevertheless it will result in success. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 We have received principles of truth, but not in blindness. We do not walk in blindness, but we walk in the light of truth. We know what we are about and what will be the result of our faithfulness. But we should be wise and prudent; we should learn to govern ourselves, to control our passions, and to bring all our faculties and powers into perfect obedience to the mind and will of God, so that these bodies, which God has given to us, may be governed and controlled in all respects as He would wish. The Latter-day Saints, by being wise and prudent, can make this life a tolerably happy one. We need not live in misery; we need not feel that we are sacrificing all the time, but that what we call sacrifices prove a blessing to us, which we would not receive were it not for this experience. Everything that transpires affecting us individually may be made a blessing, and will be a blessing to us if we act wisely and prudently. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 We are not here to fight anybody; we are not here to contend with anybody. We are here to move slowly along, perform the duties that are required at our hands, mind our own business, and let others mind their business or not as they see proper. In this way we shall progress and gain an experience that will be useful to us, not only in this life, but in the life to come. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.2 God bless you, brethren and sisters. May we walk in obedience to the commandments of God continually, and if we do I will assure you that we will receive blessings far greater than we ever anticipated. God bless you, Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 How the Land of Zion shall be Redeemed--The Law of Consecration--The Law of Tithing--Persecutions in the Past and the Cause of Them--Gratifying Effects of Recent Preaching--Not the Business of Saints to Fight their Enemies. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 Brethren and sisters: I wish, as I always do in coming before an audience of Latter-day Saints, your faith and prayers, that I may say such things as will be a comfort and a blessing. A day or two before this conference, in thinking upon what I might wish to say to the Latter-day Saints, it occurred to me that perhaps I had said about enough in reference to the matter of tithing, and that I would not confine myself to that subject, as I have spoken to the Latter-day Saints in conferences of all the large Stakes and also here in Salt Lake City at a Stake Conference. I felt that it might not be necessary to talk upon this subject, but that it would be proper for two of my brethren, who were with me at St. George and since, to talk upon it once more in their lives, and I have so requested them. Now, I feel it my duty to say something still myself in reference to this most important subject of all, under the present condition, that can be laid before the Latter-day Saints. I will read a few verses in the 63rd Section of the Book of D&C, commenting with the 25th verse: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 25. "Behold the land of Zion, I, the Lord, holdeth it in mine own hands; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 26. "Nevertheless, I the Lord, rendereth unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 27. "Wherefore, I the Lord, willeth that you should purchase the lands that you may have the advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 28. "For Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 29. "Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 30. "And if by purchase, behold you are blessed; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.23 31. "And if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.24 We learn from these verses that the Lord determined that the Latter-day Saints could secure the land of Zion only by two ways: One by purchase, the other by the shedding of blood. The Lord also determined that possession of that country should not he gained except by the purchase of the land. It should be bought and paid for by the means furnished by the Latter-day Saints, whether rich or poor. It should be bought as other people buy land. The Lord would not permit them to take possession of the land by force, or by antagonizing the people's interests. The Lord expressly stated that He had no other object in view than that the Latter-day Saints should obtain it upon the principle of purchase. Even if it took every cent they possessed, they should not secure it by the shedding of men's blood. And if you and I ever get any possession upon the land of Zion, it will be by purchase, not by force. This has been the will of the Lord from the beginning. He has never allowed his people to take possession of any property by force. When the Children of Israel were taken from Egyptian bondage and promised an inheritance in what is called the "land flowing with milk and honey," it was not the design of the Lord that they should get possession of that land by force. Upon the banks of the Red Sea, after they had crossed over by the miraculous interposition of providence, he presented to them the same principles of salvation and exaltation as he has presented to us. But they rejected those principles, and then he told them what should be the results of that rejection. He proposed to make them a nation of kings and priests, and there is only one way to do that, and that is through the everlasting Gospel in all its fullness. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.24 He told them that he would send the hornet before them to drive out the people from the land that he proposed to bestow upon them. But, as I have said, they rejected the principles that were Presented to them, and therefore the Lord, through their disobedience. was compelled to give them another law. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.24 We are told in the 29th verse, which I have read: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.24 "Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained (not may not be, or can not be, but shall not be) but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.24 That which I have read from the 63rd Section has been literally fulfilled. The Lord provided a way whereby they could secure the means to purchase that country, namely by the law of consecration. There was no one man in the Church that could have bought that land; there were no two men, or half a dozen men, or a hundred men that could have bought it. The people as a general thing were poor. There were no rich men that received the Gospel in those early days. But by combination and union they could have secured the means to carry out the purposes of the Almighty in regard to the purchase of that country. They failed because of their love for money. In a revelation after this we are told that they failed to give their names as they were commanded. The Lord sent Elders throughout the States, where there were Latter-day Saints to collect means for this purpose, and the people in Jackson County were required to observe the law of consecration. But they failed to do it, and therefore the lands were not secured. The Lord could have sustained the people against the encroachments of their enemies had they placed themselves in a condition where he would have been justified in doing so. But inasmuch as they would not comply with His requirements, the Lord could not sustain them against their enemies. So it will be with us, or with any people whom the Lord calls to comply with His requirements and whom He proposes to confer the highest blessings upon, as He has in reference to us, and as He did in reference to the people in Jackson County. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.24 There having been a failure tn regard to this law of consecration--a failure so serious that it resulted in great misery to the people of God--a few years after that the Lord gave another law for the Saints to observe in place of the law of consecration. It is called the law of tithing. If we look upon this law in its proper light, we will see the importance of it and the danger that will result if we fail to observe it. It would hardly he justice in our Heavenly Father if He were to deal with the Latter-day Saints now in any way different from that in which He dealt with His people in Jackson County. If we find out what resulted from their failure In the law of consecration, we may, I think, very readily and reasonably conclude what will be the result of a failure in reference to this law that has been put before us in place of the law of consecration. I dare say that it seems to some persons who are not in the habit of reflecting much that the Lord is severe under certain circumstances. When we consider what transpired here a few years ago in this beautiful country and the distress that was visited upon the men, women and children, we might think there was some severity about that. The same in reference to what followed a disobedience to this law of consecration in the early days of the Church. The Lord told the Saints who formed that colony in Jackson County what should be the results if they failed to observe the law of consecration. He said: "Ye shall be scourged from city to city and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 I do not wish to speak very long; I do not expect my voice will allow me; but I want to read an extract showing what followed a disobedience of consecration. And in this connection I want you to distinctly understand that the Lord certainly could have preserved the Saints there had they obeyed His will. We will see what followed it for disobedience. We will not follow it for many years from that time, but will take the immediate results of their disobedience to the law of consecration. Then before I get through, I will show you something that I think we can take satisfaction in. It is not all bad that I am going to talk to you this morning. Here is an extract taken from the history of Joseph Smith in the Millennial Star, Vol. 14: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "Friday, November 1, 1833, I left Buffalo, New York, at eight o'clock a. m., and arrived at my house in Kirtland on Monday the 4th, ten a.m., and found my family well, according to the promise of the Lord in the revelation of Oct. 12th, for which I felt to thank my heavenly Father. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "Thursday night, the 31st of October, gave the Saints in Zion abundant proof that no pledge, written or verbal, was longer to be regarded; for on that night., between forty and fifty persons in number, many of whom were armed with guns proceeded against a branch of the Church west of the Big-Blue, and un-roofed, and partly demolished, ten dwelling houses; and in the midst of the shrieks and screams of women and children, whipped and beat in a savage and brutal manner, several of the men; and with their horrid threats frightened women and children into the wilderness. Such of them as could escape, fled for their lives; for. very few of them had arms, neither were they embodied; and they were threatened with death if they made any resistance: such therefore as could not escape by flight, received a pelting by rocks, and a beating with guns, sticks, etc. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "On Friday, the 1st of November, women and children sallied forth from their gloomy retreats, to contemplate with heartrending anguish, the ravages of a ruthless mob, in the mangled bodies of their husbands, and in the destruction of their houses, and some of their furniture. Houseless, and unprotected by the arm of the civil law in Jackson County; the dreary month of November staring them in the face. and loudly proclaiming an inclement season at hand; the continual threats of the mob, that they would drive out every "Mormon" from the country; and the inability of many to remove, because of their poverty. caused an anguish of heart indescribable. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "On Friday night, the 1st of November, a party of the mob proceeded to attack a Branch of the Church at the Prairie, about twelve or fourteen miles from the village. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "Two of their number were sent in advance, as spies, viz: Robert Johnson, and one Harris, armed with two guns and three pistols. They were discovered by some of the Saints, and without the least injury being done to them, said Johnson struck Parley P. Pratt with the breach of his gun, over the head; after which they were taken and detained till morning; which, it was believed, prevented a general attack of the mob that night. In the morning, they were liberated without receiving the least injury. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "The same night (Friday) another party in Independence, commenced stoning houses, breaking down doors and windows, destroying furniture, etc. This night the brick part attached to the dwelling house of A. S. Gilbert, was partly pulled down, and the windows of his dwelling broken in with brick-bats and rocks, while a gentleman stranger lay sick with a fever in his house. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "The same night, three doors of the store of Messrs. Gilbert and Whitney were split open; and after midnight, the goods lay scattered in the streets, such as calicoes, handkerchiefs, shawls, cambrics, etc. An express came from the village after midnight to a party of their men, who had embodied about half a mile from the village for the safety of their lives; stating that the mob were tearing down houses, and scattering the goods of the store in the streets. The main body of the mob fled at the approach of this company. One Richard McCarty was caught in the act of throwing rocks and brick-bats into the doors, while the goods lay strung around him in the streets; and was immediately taken before Samuel Weston, Esq., and a complaint was then made to said Weston, and a warrant requested, that said McCarty might be secured; but said Weston refused to do anything in the case at that time. Said McCarty was then liberated. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.25 "The same night, some of their houses in the village had long poles thrust through the shutters and sashes into the rooms of defenceless women and children, from whence their husbands and fathers had been driven by the dastardly attacks of the mob, which were made by ten, fifteen, or twenty men upon a house at a time. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.26 "Saturday, the second of November, all the families of the Saints in the village moved about half a mile out with most of their goods, and embodied to the number of thirty, for the preservation of life and personal effects. This night a party from the village met a party from the west of the Blue, and made an attack upon a Branch of the Church, located at the Blue, about six miles from the village. Here they tore the roof from one dwelling, and broke open another house, found the owner, David Bennett, sick in bed, whom they beat most inhumanly, swearing they would blow out his brains; and discharged a pistol, the ball of which cut a deep gash across the top of his head. In this skirmish, a young man of the mob was shot in the thigh; but, by which party, remains yet to be determined. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.26 The next day, Sunday, Nov. 3rd, four of the Church, viz., Joshua Lewis, Hiram Page, and two others, were dispatched for Lexington, to see the circuit judge, and obtain a peace warrant. Two called on Squire Silvers, who refused to issue one, on account, as he has declared, of his fears of the mob. This day many of the citizens, professing friendship, advised the Saints to clear from the country as speedily as possible; for the Saturday night affray had enraged the whole country, and they were determined to come out on Monday, and massacre indiscriminately; and, in short, it was proverbial among the mob, that "Monday would be a bloody day." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.26 "Monday came, and a large party of the mob gathered at the Blue, took the ferry boat belonging to the Church, threatened lives, etc. But they soon abandoned the ferry, and went to Wilson's store, about one mile west of the Blue. Word had previously gone to a Branch of the Church, several miles west of the Blue, that the mob were destroying property on the east side of the Blue, and the sufferers there wanted help to preserve their lives and property. Nineteen men volunteered, and started for their assistance; but discovering that fifty or sixty of the mob had gathered at said Wilson's, they turned back. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.26 "At this time two small boys passed on their way to Wilson's, who gave information to the mob, that the "Mormons" were on the road west of them. Between forty and fifty of the mob immediately started with guns in pursuit; after riding two or two and a half miles, they discovered them, when the said company of nineteen immediately dispersed, and fled in different directions. The mob hunted them, turning their horses into a corn field belonging to the Saints--searching their corn fields and houses, threatening women and children that they would pull down their houses and kill them, if they did not tell where the men had fled. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.26 "Thus they were employed, hunting the men, threatening the women, until a company of thirty of the Saints from the prairie, armed with seventeen guns, made their appearance. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.26 "The former company of nineteen had dispersed, and fled, and but one or two of them had returned to take part in the subsequent battle. On the approach of the latter company of thirty men, some of the mob cried, "fire, God damn ye, fire." Two or three guns were then fired by the mob, which were returned by the other party without loss of time. This company is the same that is represented by the mob as having gone forth in the evening of the battle, bearing the olive branch of peace. The mob retreated early after the first fire, leaving some of their horses in Whitmer's corn field, and two of their number, Hugh L. Brazeale and Thomas Linvill, dead on the ground. Thus fell H. L. Brazeale, one who had been heard to say, "with ten fellows, I will wade to my knees in blood, but that I will drive the Mormons from Jackson County." The next morning the corpse of said Brazeale was discovered on the battle ground with a gun by his side. Several were wounded on both sides, but none mortally, except one, Barber, on the part of the Saints, who expired the next day. This battle was fought about sunset, Monday, Nov. the 4th, and the same night, runners were dispatched in every direction under pretence of calling out the militia; spreading as they went every rumor calculated to alarm and excite the unwary; such as, that the "Mormons" had taken Independence, and the Indians had surrounded it, being colleagued together, etc." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 I understand, brethren and sisters, that these matters are not very pleasant to dwell upon; yet they occurred, and the Saints had to meet them. We will have to meet them in the future, if we allow ourselves to be placed in the same condition of disobedience as were the people that colonized Jackson County. We cannot expect anything different. The Lord is the same today as He was yesterday. I present these things to you this morning that you may reflect upon them, and be more ambitious in endeavoring to keep clear of such possibilities. They are only a portion of the sad results that followed disobedience to the law of consecration. The Saints pursued a course whereby the Lord could not justify himself in preserving them upon the land of Zion. It was decreed of the Almighty that that land should be purchased, as I have read to you. I remember one time hearing President Hyde (I think it was) speaking in regard to our going back to Jackson County, and he said that inasmuch as they had abused the Saints and wrested from them some of their possessions, when we went back we would follow the same course toward them. After he had got through, President Young spoke upon this, and he said the Latter-day Saints never would get possession of that land by fighting and destroying life; but we would purchase the land, as the Lord had commanded in the first place. And I will tell you that that land never will be purchased, except it is purchased by the tithing of the Latter-day Saints and their consecrations; never worlds without end, But the Latter- day Saints never will be in that condition of disobedience as were the people that colonized Jackson County. A reformation has taken place during the last few months that is perfectly marvelous. I am amazed at what has been the result of our teachings to the Latter-day Saints upon the principle of tithing. I will read this law of tithing as it is given in Section 119 of the Book of D&C and I ask you brethren to read it when you get home; not only once, but all the time until you understand it thoroughly and distinctly, though it is so simple and plain that one would imagine that reading it once would be sufficient. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "Revelation given through Joseph, the Prophet, at Far West Missouri, July 8th, 1838, in answer to the question, O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of the people for a tithing?" Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 That is a plain request, and the answer is equally as plain. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church of Zion." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 I want to say a word in reference to this surplus property. The Prophet Joseph explained how it should be given. When a person wished to consecrate property, the Bishop and the person desiring to consecrate should determine what was right in the matter, and if they could not agree, it should be left to twelve High Priests to decide, and the Bishop should not be one of the number. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion, and for the Priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my church." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 This Church could not go on unless there was revenue, and this revenue God has provided for. Our temples, in which we receive the highest blessings ever conferred on mortal man, are built through revenue. We never could send the two thousand Elders out into the world to preach the Gospel, as we are now doing, unless there was revenue to do it. It costs tens of thousands of dollars, running into the hundreds of thousands, to send our Elders out to the world year after year. Then there are a thousand other things constantly occurring for which means are required. $40,000 or $50,000 is required yearly to support the poor. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "And after that, those who had thus been tithed, shall pay one tenth of all their interest annually." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 This will be explained to you hereafter, although it is perhaps a little strange that there should be any necessity of explaining it. It is like the school boy, however, when he commences to learn the alphabet. The letter A is pointed out to him by the teacher, and tells him what it is and asks him to please remember it. The next letter, B, is pointed out, and the boy is asked to remember that. The teacher then returns to A. What letter is that? The boy has forgotten and it has to be repeated by the teacher. Will you please remember it now? The boy says, "O yes, I'll remember it." He feels sure that he can remember it now. But when the teacher returns to the letter once more, the boy has forgotten it again. So they go through the alphabet, having to repeat each letter over and over again. It is the same with the Latter-day Saints. We have to talk to them, and keep talking to them. Well, that is our business, so we need not worry about it. The Lord continues: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "And this shall be a standing law unto them for ever, for my Holy Priesthood, saith the Lord." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 That law is just as important and sacred today as when it first came from the Lord. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 No more than the people in Jackson were found worthy to remain in Jackson County. You will be shown probably hereafter that their names shall not be recorded in the book of the law of the Lord, neither the names of their fathers nor the names of their children. If we had time and Bishop Preston could talk to you about this, he would show you that the name of every man, woman and child who pays tithing is recorded and none others. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 "And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law to keep it holy.--" Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.27 No man can keep this law holy unless he pay a conscientious tithing. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.28 "If my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you. And this shall be an ensample unto all the Stakes of Zion." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.28 If some of the Latter-day Saints had not paid tithing our four Temples here never would have been erected, and the judgments and statutes of God pertaining unto exaltation and glory never could have been kept. The first principle of action to the Latter-day Saints is to sanctify the land by keeping this law of tithing and placing themselves in a position where they can receive the ordinances that pertain unto exaltation and glory of our dead. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.28 Now we will turn to the more pleasing part of the subject, and see what the Latter-day Saints have been doing since this matter was brought to theft attention in St. George. In the month of May the Lord manifested to me most clearly that it was my business and the business of the Elders of Israel to go speedily and teach this principle to the Latter-day Saints., because there had been woeful neglect of this law, and the Latter-day Saints should be shown the necessity of observing this law most faithfully, or else the results would not be agreeable to say the least. We have been talking about this since the latter part of May, and it has been a matter of deep consideration and thought as to how much talk would affect the Latter-day Saints. In looking over the books we found that a great many of the Latter-day Saints had not paid one cent of tithing. I was perfectly astonished, for I had no idea that there had been such neglect. But the Saints have been wonderfully awakened, and it is marvelous what they have done in the past few months. I am now going to read to you in regard to the result of our talking to the Saints. We have the greatest pleasure and satisfaction in knowing what the Latter-day Saints are doing now in comparison with what they have done for many years past: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.28 Cash tithing paid in June, 1898................$23,000 " " " " 1899................. 28,700 Increase in 1899.......................................$ 5,700 Cash tithing paid in July, 1898................$17,900 " " " " 1899................. 50,300 Increase in 1899......................................$32,400 Cash tithing paid in August, 1898............$14,800 " " " " 1899............ 37,200 Increase in 1899......................................$22,400 Cash tithing paid in September, 1898......$11,400 " " " " 1899...... 46,700 Increase in 1899......................................$35,300 Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.28 The total paid in these four months last year was $67,700. The total paid the same four months this year, 1899, was $164,900, making an increase of $95,800 for the four months. In October, 1898, $18,000 was paid, and during the six days that are now past of this month $22,000 has been paid. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.29 God bless the Latter-day Saints. I want to have this principle so fixed upon our hearts that we shall never forget it. As I have said more than once, I know that the Lord will forgive the Latter-day Saints for their past negligence in paying tithing, if they will now repent and pay a conscientious tithing from this time on. But it would be woeful to think of the results if the Latter-day Saints had failed to listen to the voice of the servants of the Lord. It is God's truth that the time has now come when He will not look favorably upon our negligence of this principle. I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman and child who has means shall pay one-tenth of their income as a tithing. I beseech you to do this for the time has now come when the Lord is prepared to bestow upon us the choicest blessings. Our enemies are upon our path, and will if possible make us trouble. If we are unfaithful in this matter the same results will follow us as followed the people in Jackson County. It is not our business to fight our enemies. There is no man or woman on the face of the earth, but is our brother or our sister. They are the children of God and we are here to bear and forbear with them in their interest and for the glory of God. It is not our business to destroy life. It is not our business to make war upon our enemies. They should let us alone. I would not say that I could govern and control by passions if a man were to try to take my life. That is another thing altogether. But it is not our business to fight them. They are our brethren and sisters and God have mercy upon them. That should be our prayer. There are thousands of people that are fighting against us who would, if they knew what we know, lay down their weapons and suppress the spirit to contend against us. The time will come when they will know it. It will not be in our day, but it will be in somebody's day here on the earth, or on some other earth. It is our business to do what the Lord requires of us, and tie will protect us. It is very easy for the Lord to protect us and to overrule our enemies' intentions that they may not interfere with our interests. God bless you. Let us observe the law of God. Do not forget what the Lord requires of us today. Be faithful today, and when tomorrow comes we will be the better prepared to be faithful then. So let us continue day after day, and bye and bye we will be relieved of this body of sin and corruption, sorrow, and grief, and we will have another body, exalted and glorified, and we will dwell in the presence of God. We will be there together and talk with one another as we are doing today. God bless you. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.87 then briefly addressed the vast congregation as follows: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1899, p.87 "I wish that I had words to express my astonishment at what I have witnessed during the accomplishment of this program. I feel in my heart to say, God bless the Sunday School Union, and all who have taken part in pushing forward its interests. In all my travels through the world I have never seen anything that delighted me more than that which I have witnessed this evening. Your Superintendent, President George Q. Cannon,--I ask that the Lord will pour His Holy Spirit upon him abundantly in the future, as He has done in the past, in carrying forward the interests of this grand and glorious Sunday school work. Nothing can be shown in the world like that that has been shown tonight. God bless every person who has been engaged in the interests of the Sunday schools--the superintendents, the aids, and everyone that has thus been employed, God bless them. He most assuredly has blessed them, and a success has been accomplished that is certainly wonderful. GOD BLESS THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. Amen." President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.1 My brethren and sisters--I desire a deep interest in your faith and prayers. When I say this I express the feelings, I presume, of every Elder who arises to speak to the Latter-day Saints. So far as giving information and assisting the Latter-day Saints in their faith is concerned, we are dependent on the Spirit of the Lord and, in a measure, the exercise of faith by the people of God. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.1 I am thankful for the blessings that have attended me in my endeavors to forward the interests of the Church and for the prayers and support that I have had from the people, who have listened to the requirements of the Lord and have conformed to them at least to a certain extent. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.1 Seventy years ago this Church was organized with six members. We commenced, so to speak, as an infant. We had our prejudices to combat. Our ignorance troubled us in regard to what the Lord intended to do and what He wanted us to do. Through the blessings of the Lord, however, we managed to move along in our stage of infancy, receiving support from the Lord as He saw proper to give it. We advanced into boyhood, and still we undoubtedly made some mistakes, which did not generally arise from a design to make them, but from a lack of experience. We understand very well, when we reflect back upon our own lives, that we did many foolish things when we were boys, because of our lack of experience and because we had not learned fully to obey the instructions of our fathers and mothers. We could not then comprehend that it was absolutely necessary, for our proper advancement, that we should observe the counsels of our parents. Many of us afterwards learned it, but too late perhaps to correct ourselves. Yet as we advanced the experience of the past materially assisted us to avoid such mistakes as we had made in our boyhood. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.2 It has been so with the Church. Our errors have generally arisen from a lack of comprehending what the Lord required us to do. But now we are pretty well along to manhood; we are seventy years of age, and one would imagine that after a man had lived through his infancy, through his boyhood, and on until he had arrived at the age of seventy years, he would be able, through his long experience, to do a great many things that seemed impossible and in fact were impossible for him to do in his boyhood state. When we examine ourselves, however, we discover that we are still not doing exactly as we ought to do, notwithstanding all our experience. We discern that there are things which we fail to do that the Lord expects us to perform, some of which he required us to do in our boyhood. But we feel thankful and grateful that we are enabled now, through our past experience, to accomplish many things that we could not do in former times and that we are able to escape individual sins that have brought trouble upon us in times past. While we congratulate ourselves in this direction, we certainly ought to feel that we have not yet arrived at perfection. There are many things for us to do yet. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.2 The Lord has prospered us amazingly, and we are doing large things at the present time. We are blessing the people of the world. We are sending well on towards two thousand Elders out into the missionary field, and We learn that they are having very good success; and notwithstanding all the difficulties that seemingly have arisen to make trouble for the Latter-day Saints, we are pleased to find that it has all tended to good. Our Elders in the mission fields tell us that the excitement which has been created and carried on almost universally throughout the United States has caused people to become wonderfully interested to know what Mormonism is, and, in order to get an understanding of our principles, they flock to our meetings. Because of this the Elders feel very grateful. This is what we wish and what there has been a difficulty in accomplishing, that is, in getting the people out to hear what we have to say, so that they might understand what Mormonism really is from those who understand what it is, instead of receiving it from those who understand nothing at all about it, only as they hear stories concerning it. So this is going on all right and will work all right. We ought to be very grateful that this missionary work is being accomplished so successfully by the many Elders that are now in the various missionary fields. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.2 We are also establishing colonies here and there. We are sending many families into Canada. and they are moving along very successfully. We are about to send a hundred families into the Big Horn region, in the State of Wyoming, and Latter-day Saints are moving into other places and building up the country. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.2 Now that we are approaching our seventy-first year, the Lord expects that we will do something--something that will cause the nations to marvel, as what we have done has caused them already to wonder. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.2 Now, Latter-day Saints, how is it with us? We have received the Gospel. We have received the kingdom of God, established on the earth. We have had trouble; we have been persecuted. We were driven from Ohio; we were driven from Missouri; we were driven from Nauvoo; and once we were driven for a time from this beautiful city. Many have lost thousands of dollars; lost their homes and all they had, and some of the brethren have seen their wives and children lay down their lives because of the hardships they had to experience during these changes, these persecutions, these revolutions and these drivings. The people have looked with astonishment at the willingness of the Latter-day Saints to suffer these things. Why do we do this? Why do we adhere to these principles that have caused us at times so much grief and sacrifice? What is it that enables us to endure these persecutions and still rejoice? It is because we have had revelations from the Almighty; because He has spoken to us in our souls and has given to us the Holy Ghost, which is a principle of revelation wherever it exists and is promised to every man, as in the days of the former Apostles, who will believe, repent of his sins and be immersed in water for the remission of them by those who have the authority from the Lord to administer this ordinance. Jesus, when he was among the children of men, said that He would build His Church upon this principle of revelation and the gates of hell should not prevail against it. When He was in Cesareea He asked His disciples "Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?" He had been performing miracles and accomplishing the most astonishing wonders in the midst of the people. What did the people learn from these things and what did they think of Him? As the Apostles replied, some said that He was John the Baptist, risen from the dead; some thought He was one of the former Prophets, while others thought He was Elias. The Savior said to His disciples "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter replied "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." How did he find it out? On the same principle that you and I have found out that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, who, like Noah, was sent into the world to give the people warning before the great burning should occur and to call upon them to repent of their sins. Peter had found it out by the principle of revelation. He had not learned this of man, nor by reading the ancient Scriptures, but the Lord had revealed it unto him. Jesus said unto him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The Church of Christ today is built upon this same principle, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. They did not prevail against us in our infancy; they did not in our boyhood; they did not in our early manhood; and I will assure you they will not now that we are seventy years old. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.3 This Church will stand, because it is upon a firm basis. It is not from man; it is not from the study of the New Testament or the Old Testament; it is not the result of the learning that we received in colleges nor seminaries, but it has come directly from the Lord. The Lord has shown it to us by the revealing principle of the Holy Spirit of light and every man can receive this same spirit. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.3 In the days of Noah the people of that generation had the privilege of knowing whether Noah spoke from the Lord and whether the message that he claimed to have from the Lord was genuine or not. They could have had a revelation for themselves, because he preached the Gospel as you and I now preach it in the world, and they could have known that their salvation depended upon their receiving and obeying this message which Noah delivered unto them. In the days of Jesus it was the same. But no person can know that Jesus is the Son of God, except by revelation. That was the way Peter received it. The Lord is a consistent being. He does not require the people to do that which is improper, nor does he expect of them anything unreasonable. He gives us a knowledge of what we shall do, inasmuch as we are willing to sacrifice our lives rather than go contrary to that knowledge. He opens to us the secrets of the celestial kingdom, and he is constantly communicating to us things that we never knew before. This knowledge and intelligence is growing upon us continually. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.3 Ought we not to be thankful, therefore, today? Every man and woman within the sound of my voice ought to be grateful that circumstances are as favorable as they are. Everything is for us and nothing can prevent our moving forward now in our seventy-first year. There is no power that can prevent us, as there has been none in the past. We have received too much knowledge to be thwarted in our purposes. Those who desire to persecute and overthrow Mormonism, let them go on and do their work; that is for them to do. Our work is to grow in the knowledge of God, to keep the commandments of God, to be faithful and to continue to increase and to become more and more perfect as we advance in years. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.4 God bless you, brethren and sisters. We rejoice to see you here. You have come that you might be blessed that you might get information that will be of service to you and knowledge that will increase your intelligence; and there will be from fifteen to twenty speakers, I am sure that every person who has come here for the purpose of receiving information and being blessed will have the opportunity, through some of the speakers, to get something that will be very valuable to them for the future scenes through which they will be called to pass. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1900, p.4 God bless you, brethren and sisters, and may we have a glorious time and one of the best conferences that we have ever had, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow OPENING ADDRESS Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.1 Glorious prospects of the faithful--Necessity for personal knowledge as to their source--Philosophy of trials--Care exercised in the selection of presiding officers--Examples of of Christ and Job. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.1 Brethren and Sisters, I feel to rejoice greatly in having this opportunity of meeting with you this morning and to deliberate upon all such things and talk about them, as may pertain to our present condition and secure our future prospects. When this Gospel--these principles which we have espoused came to our ears in the different countries and nations where they found us, of course they opened up to us certain prospects that relate to the present time, and to present time matters, of the highest consequence in relation to our temporal salvation; and again, prospects in reference to the future; what should be the outcome of keeping the commandments of God; what should follow; what should be the results when we have accomplished these things that are required of us; what would be the results in the next life. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.1 Now, so far as regards our temporal advantages and our temporal prospects, they certainly must be far superior to any that were before us before this Gospel reached us; before the offer of salvation saluted our. ears. In the days of Noah the Gospel which we have espoused was proclaimed to the people of his generation, and the same prospects as are presented to us were presented to them, temporal advantages, temporal salvation, and spiritual exaltation and glory; and the circumstances were of that character that every person that listened to the voice of Noah could receive clear manifestations, satisfactory knowledge, that what he said came from the Almighty. Now when we received these principles it was clear to us, I presume, that we actually received assurances, the most perfect assurances, that what was said to us, was actually of the Lord, that the parties that brought us these principles were actually inspired from the Most High. The nature and character of the work that each one would necessarily have to perform, the circumstances that would surround us and the trials and temptations to which we had to be exposed, would require a perfect understanding, not through the teachings of these individuals that proclaimed to us these principles, but actual manifestations and assurances that should come from the Lord, either by extraordinary faith or by a perfect reception, physical and spiritual, of the Holy Spirit, a baptism of the Holy Ghost, as was promised in former days to those that should receive the Gospel. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.2 I dare say that the people that are before me this morning have learned that it was an absolute necessity to have a perfect understanding, and an understanding that could only come directly from the Lord. It would not be satisfactory simply to turn over the leaves of the New Testament and to see that these principles were in accordance with those preached by the Apostles of old, but to have this knowledge come directly to themselves from the Lord. Now, I say this in order that if there are any Latter-day Saints, who have not advanced to this knowledge and can not see and understand clearly that they have espoused the principles of salvation and exaltation and glory, and that directly from the Lord, it is time they were about receiving this in formation. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.2 We are not through with our labors yet, although we have got through a great many of them that have been considerable of a trial to us, and temptations, perhaps, have been to some of us of a nature that almost amounted to a disposition to turn away from the principles that we had received. The trials and temptations have been very great to many of our people, and more or less, perhaps, to all of us. The Lord seems to require some proof on our part, something to show that He can depend upon us when He wants us to accomplish certain things in His interest. The reason is that the condition in which we will be placed in the future, as time passes along, as eternity approaches, and as we move forward in eternity and along the line of our existence, we shall be placed in certain conditions that require very great sacrifice in the interests of humanity, in the interests of the Spirit of God, in the interest of His children and our own children, in generations to come, in eternity. Jesus Christ the Son of God was once placed in a condition that it required the highest effort in order to accomplish what was necessary for the salvation of millions of the children of God. It required the highest effort and determination that had to be exercised before the Son of God could pass through the ordeal, the sacrifice that was necessary. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.2 I believe that his Father had educated him, had passed him through scenes that were of a very serious character, of great trials, and he knew just what he could depend upon from the facts that were illustrated and shown by his experience. We place men here from time to time in positions of presidents of Stakes, as Bishops of wards. We are called upon sometimes to take into consideration whom we will place in this Stake or that Stake of Zion to preside over us. Perhaps there are fourteen thousand members, Latter-day Saints, in that Stake, or there may be fifteen or twenty thousand, and the prosperity of the people of that Stake, to a certain extent anyway, depends upon the qualification of that president. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.2 How can we determine in order to make the proper selection? How are we to determine so as to make a wise selection, in placing the responsibilities upon a man that we propose to take this position? The people of the Stake are greatly concerned; they want a good man; they want a wise man; they want a man that by night and by day will think how he can best improve them, make them happy, place them in circumstances that will be agreeable, and advance them. We look around to find a man that we feel has a thorough interest in the people, and that is a wise and a good man, and it is well that we should. That is our business--to look after the interest of the Saints, and to place such men before them to look after their interests as will be faithful in their calling and will be unselfish, and will not spend their time in any other direction than that which pertains to the general advancement of those they are appointed to look after. Is it possible that we sometimes make a mistake and get the wrong man? Well you perhaps should be the judges. But I can tell you one thing, surely, that we use our best efforts to find the proper man. How do we do it? We send somewhere about eighteen hundred missionaries to the nations of the earth. We keep about that number of missionaries in the different nations. We appoint men here at home, we place responsibilities upon them, large responsibilities. We look over the history of these men. Perhaps this man was a Bishop. Well, how did he act and perform his duties as a Bishop? Did he devote himself to the interest of the people of his ward or was he trying to make himself wealthy? Was his mind devoted to saving what he could for himself and in enhancing his own individual interests and that of his wife and children and neglecting the interest of the people of his ward? How is it? We inquire around. We get the history of the man, his past experiences He has had several calls here and there. Did he answer those calls? Was he called as a missionary to leave his wife and his children and go to the nations to be gone two years or three years or four years, as the case may be? And did he go, or did he say: "Oh, no; I would like to go very well, but my circumstances are not quite so pleasing or advantageous as they ought to be under such circumstances in order that I might go; I cannot go and leave my family very well" Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.3 Did he make these excuses, and how has he been all along the path of his life for the past few years or for many years as the case might be? We judge the man not always by his looks or appearance; not always by hearing him. preach a sermon; but we judge him by what he has done or failed to do in the past. That is just the way the Lord intends to do with you or me exactly. We will be judged according to what we have done or what we have failed to have done all along the line of our experiences. When Jesus was placed in a condition where acting in propriety or otherwise confronted him; when he saw before Him the cross and the immediate prospects of being placed upon it and of his undergoing those excruciating tortures that he had seen others experiencing, then his nature failed as it were and he said: Father if it be possible that this experience or this cup pass from me, let it pass. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.3 That is the way he told the Lord. But notwithstanding, he said: If this cannot be done, Thy will be done, and not mine. So he was placed upon the cross and suffered that excruciating torture. Supposing that he had failed, the nations of the earth and the people of the Lord, his sons and daughters, would have failed to be put into the position of having the opportunity that you and I have today. They would have failed for a long time, to say the least. Of course the provisions would have been made and the work of the Almighty would have been proceeded with, but there would have been a halt there. But the Lord knew just what he could depend upon, and therefore, he selected that son of His, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and he has wrought out that great work of redemption for the human family, the living and the dead. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.3 Now brethren and sisters, what have these principles we have espoused done for us? Are you satisfied? I am, perfectly and fully satisfied. I have gone through a great many things that were very unpleasant, far from being agreeable, all along the line, and I do not know how much further or what else will be required of me of this character; but I am satisfied with what the Lord has done for me and what I expect He will do in regard to my temporal affairs, temporal salvation, and also in regard to the future. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.4 My hopes in reference to the future life are supremely grand and glorious, and I try to keep these prospects bright continually; and that is the privilege and the duty of every Latter-day Saint. I suppose I am talking now to some Latter-day Saints that have been sorely tried and they have thought sometimes, perhaps like the Savior felt, that he had no friends, that his friends had all gone; and everything was going wrong, and everything was disagreeable, and his circumstances were continuing to get worse and worse, and those that he depended upon for assistance failed perhaps to render the assistance expected, and all that sort of thing. Likewise everything sometimes becomes dark to us and we almost forget the relationship that we stand in to the Lord and be gin to feel as though it was not what we expected. I wonder if there are a few here within the sound of my voice that have feelings of this kind, like old Job had, for instance. A poor man who wondered why his children were taken from him; why his herds were destroyed and why his houses, his dwelling, went up in flames, and why he was left without anything. He formerly was a very wealthy man, then was left without anything. Well, his friends came about him. They were supposed to be friends. They were friends formerly. They came about him and wanted to show him that these evils came upon him because he had failed to do his duty in the past; because he had committed some sin. That was the kind of ideas that they communicated to him. But there was nothing of the kind. It was not so. They were vastly mistaken. The Lord had a certain position in which He sought to place Job in the future at some future time when years and years had rolled away perhaps, and he wanted to try him. He wanted to educate him so that he would not complain, no matter how illy he thought himself treated by the Lord. That was a glorious trial of Job's. It has come down in history; his experiences and his trials, and it has been a wonderful consolation to the people of the Lord to read the history of his experiences and his trials and how well he passed through them. The religion that we have received, the principles of exaltation and glory that you and I have received, bring upon us persecution, or else they are not those principles which we thought they were. They bring upon us trouble upon the right hand and upon the left, but we should seek to be calm and cool as Job learned to be calm and cool under circumstances of the most unhappy character. We should learn to do this and there are things that are provided for us by which we can learn this. Think now of how much worse you and I might be, and then think of what superior blessings we actually possess. We know that in the future after we have passed through this life, we will then have our wives and our children with us. We will have our bodies glorified, made free from every sickness and distress, and rendered most beautiful. There is nothing more beautiful to look upon than a resurrected man or woman. There is nothing grander that I can imagine that a man can possess than a resurrected body. There is no Latter-day Saint within the sound of my voice but that certainly has this prospect of coming forth in the morning of the first resurrection and being glorified, exalted in the presence of God, having the privilege of talking with our Father as we talk with our earthly father. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.4 What a glorious thing! You will know no prison walls, your friends turning away from you, your being dispossessed of your property, being driven from your home, being cast into prison, being defamed. These things do not hurt you one particle. They do not destroy your prospects, which are still glorious before you. And then we should understand that the Lord has provided, when the days of trouble come upon the nations, a place for you and me, and we will be preserved as Noah was preserved, not in an ark, but we will be preserved by going into these principles of union by which we can accomplish the work of the Lord and surround ourselves with those things that will preserve us from the difficulties that are now coming upon the world, the judgments of the Lord. We can see, as we read in the newspapers, that they are coming upon the nations of the ungodly; and they would have been upon us if we had stayed among the nations, if the Lord had not inclined our ears and brought salvation to us, we would have been as they are. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.5 Brethren and sisters, I feel to say God bless you. Here are my counselors. We are one. We are united. We do not quarrel with each other. We speak well of one another because we ought to do it, and we think we are worthy of being well spoken of by each other. And here we have twelve men sitting in front with us -- Twelve Apostles, There are many of these that you know. You know them from hearing what they have accomplished. You have a personal acquaintance with some of us. Now they are with us heart and soul. We are united together. We do not quarrel with each other. We do not slander one another, but we go where counsel requires and we are heart and soul together. What for? Not to make ourselves rich, not to make ourselves wealthy, but to see what we can accomplish in the interests of the people, and we are laboring continually to see what we can do. We come together every week and we talk about what we can do for the people. What can we do for these forty-two or forty-three Stakes of Zion? Are some of the presiding Elders, some of the presidents of these Stakes, getting too old to administer to the people? Are some of them neglecting their interests? We talk these things over. We study and consider them. We try to ascertain what they are doing and what their feelings are and how they manifest them in the presence of the people. Are they working for themselves? Are they trying to see how much money they can get into this bank or the other, or are they engaged heart and soul in doing what should be done in their respective responsibilities? Well, we are not idle in these things. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.5 You will have a number of speakers here during this conference, you will probably have in the neighborhood of Twenty speeches here. When the brethren arise to speak you should ask the Lord to let them say something that you want to know, that they may suggest something to you that will be of some advantage. If you have any desire to know certain matters that you do not understand, pray that these brethren in their talks may say something that shall enlighten your mind in reference to that which troubles you, and we will have a grand and glorious Conference, a better one than we have ever had before. Strange as it may appear, our last Conference always seems the best, and may this be the case; and you brethren and sisters, let your hearts rise up to the Lord and exercise faith while our brethren are talking to you. We will not be disappointed, and you will not go home, you will not retire from this Conference, without feeling you have been greatly and abundantly blessed. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.23 I want to say just a few words. What I say may not be necessary to a large portion of this audience, but I want the Latter-day Saints to understand and think of the object of their coming together. It is only once in six months that we have such an opportunity as we have today, and I wish to remind the Latter-day Saints that the advantages we receive today or tomorrow, while gathered here, will be according to the spirit that we exercise individually. The Elders may address you here, and yet no particular advantage is secured unless you have the spirit and exercise the faith that it is our privilege to exercise, that we may be blessed to understand such things as may be spoken. We had a beautiful meeting yesterday, and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out greatly upon the Elders who spoke. We wish the same today, and we would like the Latter-day Saints to forget everything outside of the meeting, and try to exercise faith that the speakers may advance such principles as will be most to our service. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.60 The redemption of Zion Many Saints now living will go to Jackson County--Testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and an honorable and moral man--A reformation in progress--Consecration will be established. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.60 Brethren and sisters, I will read a few verses embraced in the sixty-third section of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants: Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning His Saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "Behold, the land of Zion, I, the Lord, holdeth it in mine own hand; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "Nevertheless, I, the Lord, rendereth unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "Wherefore, I, the Lord, willeth that you should purchase the lands that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "For Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "Wherefore, the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "And if by purchase, behold you are blessed; Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 "And if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue; and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 These words were spoken of the Lord to Joseph the Prophet in 1831. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 Now the time is fast approaching when a large portion of the people that I am now addressing will go back to Jackson county. A great many people that are now dwelling in the State of Utah will have this privilege. Whether I, President Cannon, President Smith, or all the brethren of the Twelve will go back I know not. But a large portion of the Latter-day Saints that now dwell in these valleys will go back to Jackson county to build a holy city to the Lord, as was decreed by Jehovah and revealed through Joseph Smith. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 A word or two about Joseph Smith. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 Perhaps there are very few men now living who were so well acquainted with Joseph Smith the Prophet as I was. I was with him oftentimes. I visited him in his family, sat at his table, associated with him under various circumstances, and had private interviews with him for counsel. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God; I know that he was an honorable man, a moral man, and that he had the respect of those who were acquainted with him. The Lord has shown me most clearly and completely that he was a Prophet of God, and that he held the Holy Priesthood and the authority to baptize people for the remission of their sins and to lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, that they might receive a knowledge themselves in relation to these things. I am one that has received from the Lord the strongest revelation concerning the truth of this work. That manifestation was with me powerfully for hours and hours; and whatever circumstances may occur in my life, as long as memory lasts this perfect knowledge will remain with me. I shall never forget the first time I saw Joseph Smith. It was in Father Johnson's house, In the township of Hiram, in the State of Ohio, about twenty-five miles from Kirtland. It was near Father Johnson's where the mob tarred and feathered him. When I saw him he was standing in the doorway. Before him was a small bowery occupied by about a hundred and fifty or two hundred men and women. There for the first time I heard his voice. When I heard his testimony in regard to what the Lord had revealed to him, it seemed to me that he must be an honest man. He talked and looked like an honest man. He was an honest man. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 Through this man, Joseph Smith, the Lord has said to us what I have been reading. As some of the brethren stated in their addresses here, I think that there was need of a reformation among the Latter-day Saints. I believe that that reformation has already commenced. One of the evidences of this to me is that the Latter-day Saints throughout all the Stakes of Zion have done that which they never did before in regard to paying their tithing. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.61 They have paid twice the amount of tithing this year and last year than they paid two years ago. It is wonderful how the Saints have reformed in this duty especially in view of the fact that the Latter-day Saints have always had trouble to reform themselves in money matters. They could not do it in the day in which this revelation was given. Joseph tried to develop them so that they would con form to the law of consecration, which is in advance of the law of tithing, and is a principle which, as sure as I am speaking, you and I will one day have to conform to. When that day comes we will be prepared to go to Zion. We will not take possession of the land of Zion by force. If we should do, it would turn out to us as it did with the people who were upon the land of Zion when this revelation was given. As the Lord here tells us, there are only two ways in which we can come into possession of that land. One way is by purchase, "and if by purchase, behold you are blessed." The other way is by blood, "and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." These are the words of God. They did not come to us today, nor yesterday, nor last year, but they did come to the people of God some years ago. They came to the Latter-day Saints who were upon the land of Zion at that time. I do not know that it would be right to say that they are of more importance to us than they were to them. But there is this about it: The Latter-day Saints in these valleys have had an experience that the Saints then did not have, We have learned that which they did not learn. They were badly persecuted and driven forth from the land of Zion, and as the revelation says. "but few shall stand to receive an inheritance." There are some perhaps within the sound of my voice who will receive an inheritance in Jackson county before they pass into the next life. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.62 I have not heard at any previous conference such talk as has been given to the Latter-day Saints at this conference. It is talk that bears upon it reformation and preparation. When we think of the wonderful reformation that has been accomplished in the matter of tithing, it is a manifestation that a grand preparation is coming. Do you suppose that the Lord would ever send you and me back to Jackson county until He could feel perfectly assured that we would do those things which the people of Jackson county failed to do for lack of experience and faith? Jackson county is the place, the point that we should have continually in view. A brother the other day said that he had a thousand dollars and he was keeping it to purchase land in Jackson county, as soon as it would be proper to do so. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.62 We cannot consider ourselves prepared, however, to go back to Jackson county when we fail to pay our tithing. I do not wish to say very much about tithing, for I think I have said enough. In the settlements that we traveled through coming from St. George, I talked very strongly about it, because I knew it was a command of the Lord that the people should repent and reform from the great neglect that we had all been guilty of more or less. I felt determined about it then with all my heart and soul, and I did not know but that the Saints might think I was going a little too far. To ease their minds upon this I told them that I should never come again to talk to them as I talked at that time. But I said they must do what they had been told if they calculated to be Latter-day Saints. The reformation in this line has been effectual. There are some, I am told, that do not think it is right to pay tithing. That need not surprise anybody. But the great mass of the people are doing well in relation to this. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.62 Let us all exercise faith for the Lord to open the way that we may go back to Jackson county. A short time ago something occurred in this connection that was a little extraordinary. Two men came here--good, honest men, as I have every reason to believe--and to our surprise they wanted to establish a union between the Latter-day Saints and the Josephites. We asked them to explain themselves. They said they had received a revelation that the time had now come to build a Temple in Jackson county, and in order that this might be accomplished, they had felt it was their duty to go to the Josephites. They do not believe in the Josephites any more than we do; but they went there and had a conversation with the president and counsel of the Josephites. It was proposed that they send four of their elders, that we send four of our Elders, and that the Hedrickites (to which body these two men belonged) have four of their elders, and that all these Elders should meet on the land of Zion and see if they could not make some arrangement by which the Temple could be built. Of course, we could see very well that there was no use trying in that direction; but they seemed to have faith that it could be effected. In part these men may have had a manifestation. I believe that they were about right on the point that the time had arrived to build a Temple; at least, the time is arriving when that Temple should be built; but it will not be built by that class of people. It will be built by the Latter-day Saints in connection with the Lamanites. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1900, p.63 God bless you, my brethren and sisters, and let us try and be as perfect as we possibly can be from day to day. No religion has in it such prospects as has the religion of the Latter-day Saints. Nothing was ever introduced to man equal to it in its grand and glorious advantages. We ought to enjoy our religion to such an extent as to be happy most all the time. We should never allow ourselves to get into a position where we cannot secure some happiness. The prospects that have been opened up to us are grand. In the next life we will have our bodies glorified and free from sickness and death. Nothing is so beautiful as a person in a resurrected and glorified condition. There is nothing more lovely than to be in this condition and have our wives and children and friends with us. So long as we are faithful, nothing can prevent us from getting all the enjoyment that can be secured through prospects of this kind. Whether we are in prison, or whether we are in poverty, these prospects are always before us, if we live our religion, Now, brethren and sisters, be faithful, keep the commandments of God, and do not forget the teachings that you have had during the three days of this conference. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.1 OPENING ADDRESS. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.1 Prosperity due to the blessings of God--Our lives immortal and progressive--Glorious Glorious future prospects--Purpose of our earthly existence--Reluctance of the world to receive the truth--Exhortation to faithfulness. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.1 My brethren and sisters and friends. through the assistance of your prayers and the exercise of your faith, we expect that the Lord will bestow upon us His choice blessings during this conference. This work in which you and I are engaged can only prosper and be forwarded through the blessings of God upon our faithful and honest exertions and our determination to accomplish the labors for which we have come into this existence. When we look back upon the experiences through which we have passed, we easily understand that our prosperity has been dependent upon our honest endeavors to accomplish the work of God, to labor in the interest of the people, and to rid ourselves as far as possible of selfishness. This having been so in the past, we can well believe that our future progress will depend upon our determination to do the will of God under all circumstances and the aid which He shall give to us. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.2 You will have the privilege of hearing quite a number of speeches during this conference from the brethren sitting upon the stand, and perhaps from others; and you having come here. no doubt, for the purpose of receiving something that will reward you for the sacrifice which some of you may have made in coming, I hope that you will be well repaid for all the inconveniences which you may have suffered in coming to this conference. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.2 There are many things worthy of our consideration as we move along in the pathway to exaltation and glory. There are some points we may think about that are of superior consequence. In considering ourselves and how we have been organized and what we are doing, we discover that there is immortality connected with us. We are immortal beings. That which dwells in this body of ours is immortal, and will always exist. Our individuality will always continue. Eternities may begin, eternities may end, and still we shall have our individuality. Our identity is insured. We wilt be ourselves, and nobody else. Whatever changes may arise, whatever worlds may be made or pass away, our identity will always remain the same; and we will continue on improving, advancing and increasing in wisdom, intelligence, power and dominion, worlds without end. Our present advancement is simply a starting out, as it were, on this path of immortality. Whatever may have been our past, how long we may have existed before this, or whether there ever was a time when we did not exist, there is one thing sure--our being in the future will never be annihilated, never destroyed. When we look upon the beauties of the world many things that we see and experience are of a grand and glorious nature; they fill us with reverence; we feel and realize their grandeur; and the idea that the time will ever come when we will cease to have these experiences would certainly produce a feeling of sadness in our hearts. But there is no such thing as our passing out of existence. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.2 I feel thankful that the Lord has revealed unto us the glorious prospects which are before us. The Savior once compared the kingdom of God to a man who found a rich treasure in a field, and he went and sold all that he possessed to secure that treasure; and again, like a man seeking valuable pearls, and finding one of immense value he went and sold all that he had to secure that pearl. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.2 Now, the Lord having manifested to the Latter-day Saints this principle of immortality and continuance of advancement, in the past they have shown most clearly and fully that they have been willing to sacrifice whatever they might possess and to go through the most undesirable experiences rather than turn aside from the path of exaltation and glory and give up the hopes God had inspired within them. Having had these grand and glorious prospects, which no language can express, unfolded to our view, we ought to. be the best, the most virtuous and the most self-sacrificing people on the face of the globe. And we certainly are. If it were not for these hopes which the Lord Almighty has inspired us with, if it were not for the revelations of the Lord Jesus in regard to our future, we would be the most unhappy people in the world; all our past sacrifices, all that we have endured, would go as for nothing. The Savior might well compare the kingdom of God to a man that had discovered something for which he was willing to make great sacrifice. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.3 We are in the world for a purpose. We are not here accidentally. We came here because we were willing to come, and because it was the wish of our Father in heaven that we should come. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.3 We undoubtedly saw very clearly that there was no other way for us to secure what the Father had in store for us. We send missionaries among the children of men. When appointed they feel strangely. Their feelings are not always the most pleasurable, either. There are things about a mission which are not altogether agreeable to our young Elders. They realize that they have to sacrifice the pleasures of home, and they understand that they are going among people who will not always feel gratified at what they have to say to them; yet, on the other hand, they feel that they have the seeds of life in their possession, and that if they can find an honest man or woman, the Spirit of the Lord will operate upon their hearts and they will perchance receive this glorious message which they have to deliver. This affords them pleasure and satisfaction. Another thing, they see in this experience a chance for them to secure that which will be of great value to them in their future duties. It is a strange thing that among the thousands of letters which I have received from those who have been called to go upon missions --mostly young men--I do not think of but one case where a refusal was given. Why is this? It is because the spirit of love and of immortality, the Spirit of the Almighty, is upon these young Elders, and they have received manifestations which inspire them to do that which otherwise no inducement could prompt them to do. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.3 We are but a few people compared with the multitudes that dwell upon the face of the earth; and our system of thought is not believed in by many. When we go out into the world and testify of the kingdom of God, and that the fulness of the Gospel has been introduced for the purpose of saving mankind, there are but few who will receive the testimony. It has always been so, strange to say. In the days of Noah very few indeed received the truth which God revealed. In the days of the Son of God very few would receive His testimony. In these days very few receive the testimony that God has revealed His Gospel and has required His servants to declare it to the world. It is strange indeed--and yet perhaps not so strange, when we consider the circumstances. When Jesus lay in the manger, a helpless infant. He knew not that He was the Son of God, and that formerly He created the earth. When the edict of Herod was. issued, He knew nothing of it; He had not power to save Himself; and His father and mother had to take Him and fly into Egypt to preserve Him from the effects of that edict. Well, He grew up to manhood, and during His progress it was revealed unto Him who He was, and for what purpose He was in the world. The glory and power He possessed before He came into the world was made known unto Him. It was not a very pleasurable thing to be placed upon the cross and to suffer the excruciating torture that He bore for hours, in order to accomplish the work for which He had come upon the earth. It has not been with the Latter-day Saints the most delightful thing that could be imagined to suffer as they have suffered--and what for? For the same as Jesus suffered, to a certain extent--for the salvation of the world. And although in this life very many of them may not receive that which we offer to them, the day will come, through the progress of things in eternity, when they will receive it, and they will be thankful that we came into the world and suffered in their interests as we have. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.3 What shall we say about these matters, brethren and sisters? This: Do not falter; continue to do your duty, whatever it may be, whether pleasing or displeasing; be the servants and handmaidens of God to the very utmost. In the past his blessings have been upon us just so far as we have served Him in faithfulness; they will be so in the future. There is no occasion for any man who has the manifestation of the Lord in this line to be discouraged. When our surroundings are not so agreeable as might be wished, think how much worse they might be. Be contented with our conditions. Improve them when opportunity arises, but do not worry about them. If we are poor, and have not as much as our neighbor possesses, do not envy him, and do not worry about it. As I said in the beginning of my remarks, there is an eternity before us, and we shall always be ourselves, and nobody else, and what we do not gain today we will gain tomorrow, or some other time. The antediluvians rejected the word of God; but they were the sons and daughters of God, and He did not reject them, only for a time. After twenty-five hundred years had passed away the Lord revealed himself to them again and gave them another opportunity. Then they no doubt accepted, generally if not altogether, that which they refused in the days of Noah. The people of this generation may not receive our testimony here, but they will receive it at some future time, from us or from some other servants of God. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, April 1901, p.4 Brethren and sisters, God bless you; and I say to you, in the name of the Lord, if you will be faithful in your prayers and in the exercise of your faith, this will be as other conferences have been, the very best--better than that which has preceded it; and we will all be abundantly blessed and filled with the Spirit of God, our faith will be increased, and we will be better prepared to endure what the Lord shall require at our hands. God bless you. Amen. President Lorenzo Snow Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.60 Evidence of advancement-- Responsibilities of stake and ward officers--They must lay lay their duties upon the Twelve Apostles to look after interests of the world--Selection of Second Counselor. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.60 My dear brethren and sisters, it is rather a marvel to me that I venture to, talk to you this afternoon; not but that I have something to say and would really like to have the time and the voice to say it, and perhaps by the exercise of your faith and prayers I may have the voice to address you for a few minutes. I have been delighted to hear-of the spirit that has attended the speakers since this conference opened. It shows to me one glorious fact--that during the last six months the Latter-day Saints have not been idle. When the Elders address this conference and the Spirit is upon them more than it was at the preceding conference, it shows most clearly that there has been an advance on the part of the Latter-day Saints in the performance of their duties. The next conference we have, if the Saints will continue to improve as they have done during the last six months, our Elders will have more of the Spirit, and their addresses will be even more intelligent and more serviceable to you than they have been during this conference. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.60 Brethren and sisters, God bless you. This is what I wanted to say to you. I have had a distressing cold the last eight or ten days, which has made me very hoarse, and I feared that I would not be able to appear at all during this conference. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.60 I want to say a few words in reference to one particular subject. and I do not want what I shall say to be forgotten. It is a matter that concerns all the Saints; you are all interested in it, and especially the Presidents of Stakes, their counselors, the High Councilors, the Bishops and their counselors, and all those who have been appointed to hold certain portions of the Holy Priesthood and to be actively engaged in the various Stakes of Zion. There are now fifty Stakes of Zion and these Stakes are composed of several wards. On an average there are probably seven or eight wards to each Stake. Over each Stake there are a president and two counselors and twelve High Councilors. Then there are Bishops and counselors over the respective wards. And now, what responsibilities rest upon the officials of these fifty Stakes; The dominion of the Latter-day Saints, to a large extent, and the highest and most sacred responsibilities are depending upon these fifty presidents; and there is something to do for each of these authorities that I have mentioned. The most extensive and important responsibilities devolve upon these officials. And although, I doubt not, they have been pretty faithful in the past, they have not been so faithful in some respects, as they ought to have been; they have not realized their sacred responsibilities so much as they might have done. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.61 This Church is now nearly seventy two years of age, and we are not expected to do the work of the days of our youth, but to do greater, larger and more extensive work. The Lord is coming one of these days, and He is interested in the work that you ought to be doing, and anxious to be doing. You ought to do all that you possibly, can, and leave everything in your business affairs that you wisely can do and attend to these matters. The presidents of these fifty Stakes should consider the people in their respective Stakes, in their various dominions. They should regard them as their own family, as their sons and daughters; and take as deep an interest in them as they ought to take in their own wives and children. It should be their thought by day and by night, how and in what way they can be most serviceable to their respective charges. Oh! brethren, do remember these things that I am now talking about; do not forget them. You presidents, when you retire to your rest, you probably can spend half an hour before you go to sleep, and let your thoughts run over your several jurisdictions. See wherein, either physically, financially or spiritually, you can help, and what can be done best in advancing the interests of your official family. These Bishops, however wise and energetic they may think themselves--and the most of them certainly are very wise and energetic--need to be looked after. It is not the duty of the Apostles to look after them. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.61 The Apostles have a work that is in another direction altogether. I want the Presidents of Stakes hereafter to realize that it is their business, not the business of the Apostles; it is the business of the High Priests, the Elders, the Bishops, Priests, Teachers and Deacons to look after these things. Do not lay this duty upon the shoulders of the Apostles. It is not in their line, at least only occasionally. There is a certain channel by and through which the Lord intends to exalt His sons and daughters, to remove wickedness from the earth and to establish righteousness, and that channel is the Priesthood, which God has established and shown clearly the nature and character of the various officers and duties thereof. The Apostles and the Seventies, it is their business by the appointment of the Almighty, to look after the interests of the world. The Seventies and the Twelve Apostles are special witnesses unto the nations of the earth. The business of the High Priests, the Elders and the Bishops is to look after the interests of these various organizations that I have mentioned. You presiding officers of the various Stakes of Zion, the time is coming when you will not have to call and depend so much upon the Twelve Apostles. They will be directed in other channels, and I want you to distinctly understand it; and do not seek to throw responsibilities that belong to you upon these Twelve Apostles and upon the Seventies. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.61 I wanted to say this, and to speak it with energy and in a way that you will not forget it, that you cannot forget it, It is a wonderful responsibility, and the Lord expects it of you. You ought to know how the laws of God are observed in your respective localities-how the Sabbath is kept; whether the young people are swearing, and off at midnight when they ought to be at home; how the parents govern and control them; how far the people are paying their tithing correctly; what they are doing in regard to their meeting houses, their school houses, and their houses of amusement; whether they are expending their time and means too much in these directions, or not enough; and what you can do in helping them along. Look at these things, and everything that pertains to the happiness of your children, the members of this family of yours, see what you can do about it. And the Lord God of Israel will help you in this, because it is just what He wants you to do. It is the duty that He has placed upon you to discharge, and He certainly will help you. But when you take any other course--when you depend upon the Apostles to reform your respective Stakes--you are doing that which you have no business to do. Do it yourselves, you Presidents of Stakes and counselors, you High Councilors, and you Bishops. The High Council should visit all through the Stake which they have charge of in connection with the President and his counselors. It is not the business altogether of the High Council to just wait till some persons come before them and want some little trifle settled. They have got to do something else, more noble and grand than such little matters. Go where you can do good, and be lively in it. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.62 Now, God bless you Latter-day Saints. I am glad to see such a vast Multitude as there is here, and that I understand has been throughout this conference. I repeat, I am so delighted to hear that the Spirit of God has been on the Elders so bountifully as it has, and that they have spoken so well and so wisely to you as they have. I thank you for the faith you have exercised, because when I arose here I did not know that I could speak five words; but now I have said what I wanted to say. A great deal could be enlarged upon this, and the brethren will do so as opportunity serves. Lorenzo Snow, Conference Report, October 1901, p.62 There is still one matter that I might speak of. I am going on pretty fast toward my eighty-eighth year; I will soon be eighty-eight years old; and I have been laboring now for some months with but one counselor--President Joseph F. Smith. I feel as though I wanted a little more help--another counselor; and I have selected one, (through, I believe, the manifestations of the Lord), who, I think, will be energetic and strong, will serve the people, and help me and President Joseph F. Smith along in a proper way; and I hope you will sustain and support him. God bless you. Amen.