alphabetical selections from the journal of discourses-a.txt

8/14/2019 Alphabetical selections from the Journal of Discourses-A.txt

1/38

A

AbortionI knew that before I received "Mormonism." I have known of lots of women callingfor a doctor to destroy their children; and there are many of the women in thisenlightened age and in the most popular towns and cities in the Union that takea course to get rid of their children. The whole nation is guilty of it. I am telling the truth. I won't call it infanticide. You know I am famous for callingthings by their names. I have been taught it, and my wife was taught it in our young days, when she got into the family way, to send for a doctor and get rid ofthe child, so as to live with me to gratify lust. It is God's truth, and I knowthe person that did it. This is depopulating the human species; and the curse of God will come upon that man, and upon that woman, and upon those cursed doctors. There is scarcely one of them that is free from the sin. It is just as commonas it is for wheat to grow. Heber C. Kimball (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 5: 91.)

Adam, Creation of, Mortality of, Father Adam, GodYou believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe, though it is supposed that it is so written in the Bible; but it is not, to my understanding. You can write that information to the States, if you pleasethat I havepublicly declared that I do not believe that portion of the Bible as the Christian world do. I never did, and I never want to. What is the reason I do not? Because I have come to understanding, and banished from my mind all the baby stories

my mother taught me when I was a child. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 2: 6 - 7.)

Though we have it in history that our father Adam was made of the dust of this earth, and that he knew nothing about his God previous to being made here, yet itis not so; and when we learn the truth we shall see and understand that he helped to make this world, and was the chief manager in that operation. He was the person who brought the animals and the seeds from other planets to this world, and brought a wife with him and stayed here. You may read and believe what you please as to what is found written in the Bible. Adam was made from the dust of anearth, but not from the dust of this earth. He was made as you and I are made, and no person was ever made upon any other principle. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 319.)

for death passed upon our first parents, Adam and Eve, through their partaking ofthe fruits of the earth, their systems become infected by it, and the blood formed in their veins, and composed of the elements of the earth, which they partook, and these contain the seeds of dissolution and decay. And this blood, circulating in their veins, which was made up of the fruits of the earththose things ofwhich they partookthat formed their flesh, and made the deposits that constitutedtheir muscle, and their bones, arteries and nerves, and every part of the body,became mortal and this circulating fluid in their systems produced friction which ultimately wore out the machinery of their organism, and brought it to decay,that it became no longer tenable for their spirits to inhabit, and death ensued; and this was the decree of the Father, "In the day you partake of this fruit,you shall die." But this death was the death of the mortal, and not the immortal

. Erastus Snow (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' BookDepot, 1854-1886], 19: 272 - 273.)

My next sermon will be to both Saint and sinner. One thing has remained a mystery in this kingdom up to this day. It is in regard to the character of the well-beloved Son of God, upon which subject the Elders of Israel have conflicting views. Our God and Father in heaven, is a being of tabernacle, or, in other words, He has a body, with parts the same as you and I have; and is capable of showing forth His works to organized beings, as, for instance, in the world in which we live, it is the result of the knowledge and infinite wisdom that dwell in His org


2/38

anized body. His son Jesus Christ has become a personage of tabernacle, and hasa body like his father. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the Lord, and issues forth from Himself, and may properly be called God's minister to execute His will in immensity; being called to govern by His influence and power; but He is not aperson of tabernacle as we are, and as our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ are. The question has been, and is often, asked, who it was that begat the Son of the Virgin Mary. The infidel world have concluded that if what the Apostles wroteabout his father and mother be true, and the present marriage discipline acknowledged by Christendom be correct, then Christians must believe that God is the father of an illegitimate son, in the person of Jesus Christ! The infidel fraternity teach that to their disciples. I will tell you how it is. Our Father in Heaven begat all the spirits that ever were, or ever will be, upon this earth; and they were born spirits in the eternal world. Then the Lord by His power and wisdom organized the mortal tabernacle of man. We were made first spiritual, and afterwards temporal. Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saintand sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into itwith a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped tomake and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spokenHE is our FATHER and our GOD, and the only God with whom WE have to do. Every man upon the earth, professing Christians or non-professing, must hear it, and will know it sooner or later. They camehere, organized the raw material, and arranged in their order the herbs of thefield, the trees, the apple, the peach, the plum, the pear, and every other fruit that is desirable and good for man; the seed was brought from another sphere,

and planted in this earth. The thistle, and thorn, the brier, and the obnoxiousweed did not appear until after the earth was cursed. When Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, their bodies became mortal from its effects, and therefore their offspring were mortal. When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family; and when he took a tabernacle, it was begotten by his Father in heaven, after the same manner as the tabernacles of Cain, Abel, and the rest of the sons and daughters ofAdam and Eve; from the fruits of the earth, the first earthly tabernacles were originated by the Father, and so on in succession. I could tell you much more about this; but were I to tell you the whole truth, blasphemy would be nothing to it, in the estimation of the superstitious and over-righteous of mankind. However, I have told you the truth as far as I have gone. I have heard men preach upon

the divinity of Christ, and exhaust all the wisdom they possessed. All Scripturalists, and approved theologians who were considered exemplary for piety and education, have undertaken to expound on this subject, in every age of the Christianera; and after they have done all, they are obliged to conclude by exclaiming "great is the mystery of godliness," and tell nothing. It is true that the earthwas organized by three distinct characters, namely, Eloheim, Yahovah, and Michael, these three forming a quorum, as in all heavenly bodies, and in organizing element, perfectly represented in the Deity, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Again, they will try to tell how the divinity of Jesus is joined to his humanity, andexhaust all their mental faculties, and wind up with this profound language, asdescribing the soul of man, "it is an immaterial substance!" What a learned idea! Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven. Now, let all who m

ay hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation. I have given you a few leading items upon this subject, but a great deal more remains to be told. Now remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. I will repeat a little anecdote. I was in conversation with a certain learned professor upon this subject, when I replied, to this idea"if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children, to be palmed upon the Elders by the people, bringing the Elders into great difficulties." Treasure up these things in your hearts. In the Bible, you hav


3/38

e read the things I have told you to-night; but you have not known what you didread. I have told you no more than you are conversant with; but what do the people in Christendom, with the Bible in their hands, know about this subject? Comparatively nothing. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 1: 50 - 51.)

The whole object of the creation of this world is to exalt the intelligences that are placed upon it, that they may live, endure, and increase for ever and ever. We are not here to quarrel and contend about the things of this world, but weare here to subdue and beautify it. Let every man and woman worship their God with all their heart. Let them pay their devotions and sacrifices to him, the Supreme, and the Author of their existence. Do all the good you can to your fellow-creatures. You are flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. God has created of oneblood all the nations and kingdoms of men that dwell upon all the face of the earth: black, white, copper-coloured, or whatever their colour, customs, or religion, they have all sprung from the same origin; the blood of all is from the sameelement. Adam and Eve are the parents of all pertaining to the flesh, and I would not say that they are not also the parents of our spirits. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886],7: 290 - 291.)

Now follow our fathers further back and take those who first came to the islandof Great Britain, were they the same species of beings as those who came to America? Yes, all acknowledge this; this is upon natural principles. Thus you may co

ntinue and trace the human family back to Adam and Eve, and ask, "are we of thesame species with Adam and Eve?" Yes, every person acknowledges this; this comeswithin the scope of our understanding. But when we arrive at that point, a vailis dropt, and our knowledge is cut off. Were it not so, you could trace back your history to the Father of our spirits in the eternal world. He is a being of the same species as ourselves; He lives as we do, except the difference that we are earthly, and He is heavenly. He has been earthly, and is of precisely the same species of being that we are. Whether Adam is the personage that we should consider our heavenly Father, or not, is considerable of a mystery to a good many.I do not care for one moment how that is; it is no matter whether we are to consider Him our God, or whether His Father, or His Grandfather, for in either casewe are of one species-of one family-and Jesus Christ is also of our species. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Dep

ot, 1854-1886], 4: 217.)

AgencyIt is the design of the Gospel to save this congregation, all the Latter-day Saints, and all the world besides that will believe the testimony of Jesus and become obedient to the Gospel of salvation. And none need to turn round and say, "Ifit is the design of the Lord, I shall be saved;" for its being the will and design of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and of every Saint that ever was or everwill be, that you should be a Saint, will not make you one, contrary to your own choice. All rational beings have an agency of their own; and according to their own choice they will be saved or damned. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses,26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 6: 97.)

The world generally have the idea that when truth comes from God, it comes in such overwhelming power, that mankind are compelled to accept whether they will orno. But this is not the case, it never has been the case. If it were the case man would be deprived of that great privilege that he has received from Godthat is, his agency, without which man would cease to be the being that he is, the child of God. The Almighty has given unto all the inhabitants of the earth their agency. A man can choose to be a wicked man; he can choose to be a devil, so to speak, if he wish. Will God interpose? Yes; but not to take away his agency. He canturn to wickedness, be corrupt, and do everything that is evil and abominable in the sight of God, so long as life is given to him, and God permits him to do i


4/38

t. He will not take away his agency. If He did, we would cease to be independentcreatures with the right to choose. On the other hand, a man can turn to that which is good and holy and pure. He can cherish it, he can seek for it, he can love it. He has that right, he can choose between those two principles. They havebeen placed before us so that we might choose the good and reject the evil, or choose the evil and reject the good. That is the privilege that is given to us. George Q. Cannon (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 22: 370 - 371.)

Amusement, Pastimes, Dancing, TheatreSoon after that we built this Tabernacle. We probably had not the first stick oftimber on the ground before I was besought to build it for dancing in and for theatrical purposes. I said no, to every one that requested me to do that. I toldthem that dancing and theatrical performances were no part of our religion; weare merely permitted to occupy a portion of the time in those amusements, beingvery careful not to grieve the Spirit of the Lord. More or less amusement of that kind suits our organization, but when we come to the things of God, I had rather not have them mixed up with amusement like a dish of sucotash. I like to dance, but do I want to sin? No; rather than sin I would wish never to dance or heara fiddle again while I live. Let that which I would sin in be taken from me, and let me be kept from it from this time henceforth and for ever, no matter whatit is. I like my pastimes and enjoy myself as you do, in amusements wherein we do not sin. Brother E. D. Woolley and myself had some conversation on this subject, and he thought that he would build a house to accommodate social gatherings b

ut could not at that time very well do it, so I built the hall which is called the Social Hall. In it are combined a dancing-room and a small stage for theatrical performances. That is our fun hall, and not a place in which to administer the sacrament. We dedicated it to the purpose for which it was built, and from theday we first met there until now, I would rather see it laid in ashes in a moment than to see it possessed by the wicked. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses,26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 9: 194.)

We amuse and enjoy ourselves a great deal in this Territory, in dancing and in other amusements. I am as fond of amusement as any person, and love to see othersenjoy rational amusement in its season. I have this to comfort me; in all our assemblies for amusement this winter, I have not seen or heard anything that hasseriously annoyed my feelings. The people have been very civil, and have conduct

ed themselves discreetly and as Saints, as far as I know. I have now a request to make of the people, through their Bishops, that during the coming week we bring our dancing parties to a close and prepare to attend to matters of greater importance, as the winter is drawing to a close, and the season for business is approaching. In a few weeks from now, we intend to give the people a few evenings entertainment in our new theatre, which will not be entirely finished; after which, as the spring opens, we shall attend to preparing material for building our Temple, to gathering the poor, to farming and gardening, to building and fencing,&c. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints'Book Depot, 1854-1886], 9: 218.)

AngerThere is a wicked anger, and there is a righteous anger. The Lord does not suffe

r wicked anger to be in his heart; but there is anger in his bosom, and he willhold a controversy with the nations, and will sift them, and no power can stay his hand. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 5: 229.)

Will you live so as to make your calling and election sure? You have a work to do, and it requires a holy life to prepare you to do it. Now I charge you again,and I charge myself not to get angry. Never let anger arise in your hearts. No,Brigham, never let anger arise in your heart, never, never! Although you may becalled upon to chastise and to speak to the people sharply, do not let anger ari


5/38

se in you, no, never! Let us sanctify the Lord God in our hearts and live to hishonor and glory and all is right with us;Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses,26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 14: 156.)

You should never leave your bed chambers until you can get that calm, serene andhappy influence that flows from the presence of the Spirit of God, and that isthe fruit of that Spirit. So during the day you are apt to get disturbed, angryand irritated about something. You should stop, and not allow that influence toprevail or have place in your heart. "Why," says one, "not be angry?" No, not beangry, unless righteously so at some great wrong that ought to be reproved. That is not the anger of which I speak. Some people will get angry with their wives, husband, children or friends, and will justify themselves and think they are perfectly right because they have some spirit which prompts them to say harsh things. I have known people give themselves great credit for their frankness and candor for speaking angrily and improperly. "Why," said they, "it is better to 'spit' it out than to keep it in." I think it is far better to keep it in than to let it out. If you do not speak it, nobody knows how you feel, and certainly theadversary does not get the advantage over you. You do not make a wound. George Q. Cannon (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 15: 376.)

Angels, Ministrations ofThe angels are not fond to descend to this world, because of the coldness of thespirit that reigns in it; they would rather remain in heaven around the throne

of God, among the higher order of intelligences, where they can enjoy life, andpeace, and the communion of the Holy One. When they are sent, they will come; but they are tolerably well advanced among them that overcome. Orson Hyde (Journalof Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 1:126.)

Who are angels? They are sanctified men who once lived upon this earth and heldthe Priesthood just as we do now, and who are co-workers with us. Were there angels along with us on our southern trip? Yes, and I felt as if every hair of my head was filled and quickened with the life-giving power of God. That power was upon brother Brigham, and we were filled with it. Heber C. Kimball (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 10: 237.)

When an angel is appointed to perform a duty, to go to the earth to preach the Gospel, or to do anything for the advancement of his Fathers kingdom in any partof the great domain of heaven, the vision of that angel is opened to see and understand the magnitude of the work that is expected of him to perform, and the grand results which will grow out of it. That is the reason why the angels are ofone heart and of one mind, in their faithfulness and obedience to the requirements of their Father and God. They can desire and ask for nothing that will make them happy, good and great that is withheld from them; and life eternal is theirs. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 11: 15 - 16.)

If, on the other hand, we deny the philosophy or the fact of spiritual communication between the living and those who have died, we deny the very fountain from

which emanated the great truths or principles which were the foundation of boththe ancient and modern Church. Who communicated with Jesus and his disciples onthe holy mount? Moses and Elias, from the invisible world. Who bestowed upon theApostles the commission to preach the Gospel to every creature in all the world? He that had passed the vale of death, and had dwelt in the spirit world, yea,he that had ascended far on high above the realms of death, and far beyond all the principalities and powers of the spirit world, and had entered, and been crowned, in the mansions of immortal flesh. Who communicated with the beloved disciple on the Isle of Patmos, and revealed those sublime truths contained in his prophetic book? He that liveth and was dead, through his angel, who declared to Joh


6/38

nBehold, I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the Prophets, that have thetestimony of Jesus. Who communicated with our great modern Prophet, and revealed through him as a medium, the ancient history of a hemisphere, and the recordsof the ancient dead? Moroni, who had lived upon the earth fourteen hundred yearsbefore. Who ordained Joseph the Prophet, and his fellow-servant, to the preparatory Priesthood, to baptize for remission of sins? John the Baptist, who had been beheaded! Who ordained our first founders to the Apostleship, to hold the keysof the kingdom of God, in these the times of restoration? Peter, James, and John, from the eternal world. Who instructed him in the mysteries of the kingdom, and in all things pertaining to Priesthood, law, philosophy, sacred architecture,ordinances, sealings, anointings, baptisms for the dead, and in the mysteries of the first, second, and third heavens, many of which are unlawful to utter? Angels and spirits from the eternal worlds. Who revealed to him the plan of redemption, and of exaltation for the dead who had died without the Gospel? and the keys and preparations necessary for holy and perpetual converse with Jesus Christ,and with the spirits of just men made perfect, and with the general assembly andChurch of the first-born, in the holy of holies? Those from the dead! AgainHow do the Saints expect the necessary information by which to complete the ministrations for the salvation and exaltation of their friends who have died? By one holding the keys of the oracles of God, as a medium through which the living can hear from the dead. Shall we, then, deny the principle, the philosophy, the fact of communication between worlds? No! verily no! Parley P. Pratt (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 2: 44.)

Now, I assuredly know it to be true that angels are ministering spirits to minister to men who are heirs of salvation. Now, God says, in another part of his word, that he will reason with us. But how will he do this, unless we are submissive like clay in the hands of the potter? He says he will do it before the world,the philosophers, the kings, and the nobles. He says he will do it before all these, if we will be subject to him. We have all been to see a theatrical performance; but you don't see it, except you look. Well, a prompter is there; for sometimes the performers forget their pieces: then the prompter is ready to help themout, as he stands behind the vail. Just so it is with angels. They are not in sight; we do not see them; but in the very hour that we need them they are here as the ministers of the covenant to inspire and guide us aright. I know this, gentlemen, just as well as I know that I am here to-day: I know it by the senses that God has given me. Heber C. Kimball (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London:

Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 7: 167.)

Anti-MormonsWhat is called "Mormonism" by the world is the fulness of the everlasting Gospelthe truth of Godthe only way of salvation for all people to whom it is made knownor in any way declared, and destined to rule the world. While on this branch ofmy subject, allow me to introduce a testimony given me, not long since, under other and peculiar circumstances. Hear it, all ye people! "Mormonism will win itsway through the world, and triumph in the face of any and all opposition. Thereis a God that never sleeps, an eye that never slumbers, and an arm that never becomes feeble. This God is our God, and through our agency he has decreed the triumph of his cause. 'Fear, not little flock; it is your Father's good pleasure togive you the kingdom.' There is no man on earth, no kindred or tongue on earth,

or the whole combined, that raises the hand or voice against the kingdom of Godor its policy as now established, but that will be rejected of God, dishonouredof men, and go to ruin with the wrath of Heaven upon them." Orson Hyde (Journalof Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 8:233.)

In looking over the papers that have been brought from the States, we find thata great proportion of them have been speculating on the cost of exterminating the "Mormons;" and there is one very uncomfortable speculation about it. One of them, in estimating the cost of a war of extermination against the "Mormons," said


7/38

, "We shall have to expend from fifty to a hundred millions, and then we shall have nothing to show for our pay but naked, barren rocks." This is the conditionof affairs; but it is a war of principle, and "Mormonism" must be exterminated,though it is not at all a profitable business. George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 6: 61.)

I lived close by where these plates were found. I knew that Joseph found them, from outward circumstances that transpired at the time. I shall not take time torelate but a little of the delicate, kind, benevolent, Christian-like, I will say anti-Godlike feelings of the priests and of the people who professed Christianity at the time that Joseph organized this Church. The very first thing that wascirculated was this"Did you hear that Joe Smith and his followers got together last night, blew out the light, stripped themselves stark naked, and there they had the holy roll?" This was the story started by the priests in the neighborhoodwhere the plates were found. In the Branch were I lived, we had not met together three times before our beloved, kind, anti-Godlike Baptist priests and peopledeclared that we made a practice of meeting together, stripping stark naked, andthere having the "holy roll." A great many of you do not understand this term.It came from the shaking Quakers. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols.[London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 16: 68.)

Apostates, Reasons for, Beginning of, Personal ApostasyI thought, and say now, what in the name of common sense is there to hang on to,if he does not hang on to the Church? I do not know of anything. You might as w

ell take a lone straw in the midst of the ocean to save yourselves as to think of doing so by the knowledge, power, authority, faith and priesthood of the Christian world, and the heathen world into the bargain. There is nothing but the Gospel to hang on to! Those who leave the Church are like a feather blown to and fro in the air. They know not whither they are going; they do not understand anything about their own existence; their faith, judgment and the operations of theirminds are as unstable as the movements of the feather floating in the air. We have not anything to cling to only faith in the Gospel. Brigham Young (Journal ofDiscourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 15: 136.)

You have known men who, while in the Church, were active, quick and full of intelligence; but after they have left the Church, they have become contracted in th

eir understandings, they have become darkened in their minds, and everything hasbecome a mystery to them, and in regard to the things of God, they have becomelike the rest of the world, who think, hope and pray that such and such things may be so, but they do not know the least about it. This is precisely the position of those who leave this church: they go into the dark, they are not able to judge, conceive or comprehend things as they are. They are like the drunken manhe thinks that everybody is the worse for liquor but himself, and he is the only sober man in the neighborhood. The apostates think that everybody is wrong but themselves. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 16: 66 - 67.)

Oliver Cowdery, previous to his apostacy said to President Joseph Smith: "If I should leave the Church it would break up." Joseph said to Oliver"What, who are yo

u? The Lord is not dependent upon you, the work will roll forth do what you will." Oliver left the Church, and was gone about ten years; then he came back again, to a branch of the Church in meeting on Mosquito Creek, in Potawattamie County, Iowa. The body of the Church had come off here to the west, but there was still remaining there a branch of about fifteen hundred or two thousand people, andwhen he came there he bore his testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon andthe divine mission of the Twelve Apostles, and asked to be received into the Church again, and said that he had never seen in all his life so large a congregation of Saints as the one then assembled. We loved to hear brother Oliver testify,we were blessed with his witness, but when he passed off and went among our ene


8/38

mies he was forgotten, and the work rolled steadily along step by step, so that,ten years after, when he came back to an outside branch, he expressed his astonishment at seeing such a vast body of Saints. Some men in their hours of darkness may feelI have heard of men feeling sothat the work is about done, that the enemies of the Saints have become so powerful, and bring such vast wealth and energyto bear against them that we are all going to be crushed out pretty soon. I will say to such brethren, it is very bad policy for you, because you think the oldship of Zion is going to sink, to jump overboard, for if you jump overboard youare gone anyhow, and the old ship Zion will ride triumphantly through all the storms, and everybody who proves unworthy to remain on board of her and jumps overboard will repent of it when it is too late, as many have done already. GeorgeA. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 17: 200.)

people cannot stay in this Church and practice unrighteousness. I am thankful that God allows those who do not keep his commandments to fall away, so that his Church may be cleansed, and, in this respect, this Church is different from any other that is upon the earth. A man may practice iniquity and do wrong in other churches, and he may cover it up for years, and nobody, or probably but a fewhimself, his God, and a few othersbe aware of this wrong, and he may pass along and nobody ever imagine that there is anything wrong with him. But it is not so in theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsno man can stand in this Church, or retain the Spirit of God and continue in a course of hypocrisy for any length of time. God will tear away the covering of lies and expose the wrong; he will leave

the transgressor to himself, and the strength that he formerly had, which enabled him to stand and maintain his associations with the people of God, will be taken away from him, and he will be left to go down to destruction unless he repents. George Q. Cannon (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 18: 84 - 85.)

Lyman E. Johnson said, at one of our Quorum meetings, after he had apostatized and tried to put Joseph out of the way. Lyman told the truth, He said, "BrethrenI will call you brethrenI will tell you the truth. If I could believe 'Mormonism'it is no matter whether it is true or notbut if I could believe 'Mormonism' as I didwhen I traveled with you and preached, if I possessed the world I would give it.I would give anything, I would suffer my right hand to be cut off, if I could believe it again. Then I was full of joy and gladness. My dreams were pleasant. W

hen I awoke in the morning my spirit was cheerful. I was happy by day and by night, full of peace and joy and thanksgiving. But now it is darkness, pain, sorrow, misery in the extreme. I have never since seen a happy moment.." Lyman E. Johnson belonged to the Quorum of the Twelve; he was the first man called when the Twelve were called; his name was first, Brigham Young's second, and Heber C. Kimball's third. The testimony that he gave of his bitter experience is the testimony that every apostate would give if they would tell the truth. But will they acknowledge it? No, because they do not want to tell the truth. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886],19: 41.)

Whenever you see a man rise up claiming to have received direct revelation fromthe Lord to the Church, independent of the order and channel of the Priesthood,

you may set him down as an impostor. God has not called you to go out to the world to be taught, or to receive revelations through apostates or strangers; but He has called and ordained you and sent you forth to teach and lead people in thepaths of righteousness and salvation. Joseph F. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 24: 190.)

I want to see if I can make some of you apostatize; I will if I can, by teachingsound doctrine and advocating correct principles; for I am tired of men who areeternally gouging their brethren and taking the advantage of them, and at the same time pretending to be Saints until they gain an advantage over this people,


9/38

and then they are ready to leave. I want you to leave nowBrigham Young (Journalof Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 6.)

When any of this people, who believe the Gospel, forsake the duty which they oweto God and His cause, they are at once surrounded by an influence which causesthem to imbibe a dislike to Saints and to the conduct of Saints; they receive afalse spirit, and then the Saints cannot do right in their eyes, the ministers of God cannot preach right nor act right, and soon they wish to leave the societyof the Saints, and that too, as they suppose, with a sanctified heart and life.Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' BookDepot, 1854-1886], 3: 43.)

If you oppose any of the works of God you will cultivate a spirit of apostacy. If you oppose what is called the "spiritual wife doctrine," the Patriarchal Order, which is of God, that course will corrode you with a spirit of apostacy, and you will go overboard; still a great many do so, and strive to justify themselvesin it, but they are not justified of God. Heber C. Kimball (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 125.)

Some are apt now to say, "I don't know anything about this Mormonism, I don't know about the Priesthood." Did you not once know? "I thought I did." Did you notonce know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet? "I thought I did." Did you not once know that this was the kingdom of God set up on the earth? "I thought I did, but

now I find myself deceived." What is the reason? Because they give way to temptation; they may have had great light, knowledge, and understanding, the vision oftheir minds may have been opened and eternity exhibited to their view, but whenthis is closed up, in proportion to the light given to them, so is the darknessthat comes upon them to try them. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 207.)

I said, upon natural principles, that this people had to go to a country that the Gentiles do not desire. I can tell you another thing, when you see any memberof this community wishing to withdraw and go to where there is a beautiful countrywhere it is easy to live, let me tell you that that man will apostatize, or bedriven from his favorite locality: write that down brother George as the word ofthe Almighty. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-da

y Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 210.)

I will give you a key which brother Joseph Smith used to give in Nauvoo. He said, that the very step of apostacy commenced with losing confidence in the leadersof this Church and kingdom, and that whenever you discerned that spirit, you might know that it would lead the possessor of it on the road to apostacy. Heber C. Kimball (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 269.)

You may think that these small matters amount to but little, but sometimes it happens that out of a small matter grows something exceedingly great. For instance, while the Saints were living in Far West, there were two sisters wishing to make cheese, and, neither of them possessing the requisite number of cows, they ag

reed to exchange milk. The wife of Thomas B. Marsh, who was then President of the Twelve Apostles, and sister Harris concluded they would exchange milk, in order to make a little larger cheese than they otherwise could. To be sure to have justice done, it was agreed that they should not save the strippings, but that the milk and strippings should all go together. Small matters to talk about here,to be sure, two women's exchanging milk to make cheese. Mrs. Harris, it appeared, was faithful to the agreement and carried to Mrs. Marsh the milk and strippings, but Mrs. Marsh, wishing to make some extra good cheese, saved a pint of strippings from each cow and sent Mrs. Harris the milk without the strippings. Finally it leaked out that Mrs. Marsh had saved strippings, and it became a matter to


10/38

be settled by the Teachers. They began to examine the matter, and it was provedthat Mrs. Marsh had saved the strippings, and consequently had wronged Mrs. Harris out of that amount. An appeal was taken from the Teacher to the Bishop, and aregular Church trial was had. President Marsh did not consider that the Bishophad done him and his lady justice, for they decided that the strippings were wrongfully saved, and that the woman had violated her covenant. Marsh immediately took an appeal to the High Council, who investigated the question with much patience, and I assure you they were a grave body. Marsh being extremely anxious to maintain the character of his wife, as he was the President of the Twelve Apostles, and a great man in Israel, made a desperate defence, but the High Council finally confirmed the Bishop's decision. Marsh, not being satisfied, took an appealto the First Presidency of the Church, and Joseph and his Counsellors had to sit upon the case, and they approved the decision of the High Council. This littleaffair, you will observe, kicked up a considerable breeze, and Thomas B. Marshthen declared that he would sustain the character of his wife, even if he had togo to hell for it. The then President of the Twelve Apostles, the man who should have been the first to do justice and cause reparation to be made for wrong, committed by any member of his family, took that position, and what next? He wentbefore a magistrate and swore that the "Mormons" were hostile towards the Stateof Missouri. That affidavit brought from the government of Missouri an exterminating order, which drove some 15,000 Saints from their homes and habitations, and some thousands perished through suffering the exposure consequent on this state of affairs. Do you understand what trouble was consequent to the dispute abouta pint of strippings? George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London:

Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 3: 283.)

Let me reduce this to your understandings. Right here, in our midst, many who gather from foreign lands, who have undergone all the toil, labor, and hardship that it is possible for their nature to sustain on their journey, after they arrive in these valleys begin to sink in their spirits, neglect their duties, and ina little time do not know whether "Mormonism" is true or not. Take the same persons and keep them among the wicked, and they will preserve their armor bright, but it has become dull and rusty here; this is the cause of so many leaving thesevalleys. The seas are so calm and the vessel is wafted over them so smoothly, and in a manner so congenial to the feelings of the people, that they forget thatthey are in Zion's ship. This is the main reason of so many leaving for the States, California, and other places. Send those persons among their enemies, among

those who will oppose "Mormonism," among those who will oppose truth, and let them be continually persecuted, and they will know very quickly whether they are"Mormons" or not, for they must go to the one side or the other. But the condition of society here, and the feelings of the people, are so different from thoseof the wicked, that many glide smoothly along, forget their religion and their God, and finally think that this is not the place for them and go away. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 4: 33 - 34.)

It will weaken a person quicker to lose confidence in those who dictate the affairs of God's kingdom on the earth, than to say "I do not know whether there is aGod or not, and I care nothing about Him." A man or woman will not be preparedto be taken by the enemy, and led captive by the devil so quickly for disbelievi

ng in a being they do not know about, as for disbelieving in those whom they doknow. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints'Book Depot, 1854-1886], 4: 298.)

If there are any among this people who should ever apostatize and do as I have done, prepare your backs for a good whipping, if you are such as the Lord loves.But if you will take my advice, you will stand by the authorities; but if you goaway and the Lord loves you as much as he did me, he will whip you back again.Many have said to me, "How is it that a man like you, who understood so much ofthe revelations of God as recorded in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, should


11/38

fall away?" I told them not to feel too secure, but to take heed lest they alsoshould fall; for I had no scruples in my mind as to the possibility of men falling away. I can say, in reference to the Quorum of the Twelve, to which I belonged, that I did not consider myself a whit behind any of them, and I suppose thatothers had the same opinion; but, let no one feel too secure: for, before you think of it, your steps will slide. You will not then think nor feel for a momentas you did before you lost the Spirit of Christ; for when men apostatize, theyare left to grovel in the dark. I have sought diligently to know the Spirit of Christ since I turned my face Zionward, and I believe I have obtained it. I havefrequently wanted to know how my apostacy began, and I have come to the conclusion that I must have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of my heart. The next question is, "How and when did you lose the Spirit?" I became jealous of the Prophet,and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and then, when the Devil began to lead me, it was easy for the carnal mind to rise up, which is anger, jealousy, and wrath. I could feel it within me; I felt angry and wrathful; and the Spirit of the Lord being gone, as the Scriptures say, I was blinded, and I thought I saw a beam in brother Joseph's eye, but it was nothing but a mote, and my own eye was filled withthe beam; but I thought I saw a beam in his, and I wanted to get it out; and, as brother Heber says, I got mad, and I wanted everybody else to be mad. I talkedwith Brother Brigham and Brother Heber, and I wanted them to be mad like myself; and I saw they were not mad, and I got madder still because they were not. Brother Brigham, with a cautious look, said, "Are you the leader of the Church, brother Thomas?" I answered, "No." "Well then," said he, "Why do you not let that a

lone?" Thomas B. Marsh (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 5: 206.)

When brother Thomas thought of returning to the Church, the plurality of wives troubled him a good deal. Look at him. Do you think it need to? I do not; for I doubt whether he could get one wifeI considered brother Marsh a great man; but assoon as I became acquainted with him, I saw that the weakness of the flesh was visibly manifest in him. I saw that he was ignorant and shattered in his understanding, if ever he had good understanding. He manifests the same weakness to-day.Has he the stability of a sound mind? No, and never had. And if he had good sense and judgment, he would not have spoken as he has. He has just said, "I will be faithful, and I will be true to you." He has not wisdom enough to see that hehas betrayed us once, and don't know but what he will again. He has told me that

he would be faithful, and that he would do this and the other; but he don't know what he will do next week or next year. I do not know what I shall do next year; I always speak for the present. But a man that will be once fooled by the Devila man that has not sense to discern between steel grey mixed and iron grey mixed, when one is dyed with logwood and the other with indigo, may be deceived again. You never heard me say that I was going to be true to my God; for I know toomuch of human weakness: but I pray God to preserve me from falling awayto preserve me in the truth. I depend not upon myself; for I know too much of human weakness and of myself, to indulge in such remarks. I derive strength from a superiorsource. I have been drinking from that source for many years; and, as I told youlast sabbath, I have been trying to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And, if we are faithful, we will all be counted worthy to be his disciples. God bless you! Amen. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints'

Book Depot, 1854-1886], 5: 210.)

Take a course to let the Spirit of God leave your hearts, and every soul of youwould apostatize. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 7: 55.)

When you hear a man talk against the authorities of this Church and kingdom, youmay know he is sliding down hill. He does not know what spirit influences him;he is ignorant that he is in the dark; and, unless he retraces his steps quickly, he will go overboard. You may set that down as a fact all the time. Why? Becau


12/38

se, if this is the Church and kingdom of God, and President Young is the elect of God, and his Council and the Twelve and others are the elect of god, and you seek to injure them, you run a great risk, and will be found fighting against God; for Jesus says, "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth mereceiveth him that sent me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me, and he thatrejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me." John Taylor (Journal of Discourses, 26vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 7: 325.)

I preach to the people and reason with them with regard to the dealings of God with the children of men. Many have apostatized because we were driven by our enemies from Missouri, notwithstanding they were taught that we never should be driven, if the people would sanctify themselves, and all the subsequent schooling was necessary to prepare the Latter-day Saints to receive the blessings of the Almighty. We are not prepared to receive his choicest gifts, unless we also have experience to know what to do with them. How many years have the Saints been taught upon these principles, to give them an understanding of the dealings of the Lord with the children of men? When a man begins to find fault, inquiring in regard to this, that, and the other, saying, "Does this or that look as though the Lord dictated it?" you may know that that person has more or less of the spirit of apostasy. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 8: 12.)

Men begin to apostatize by taking to themselves strength, by hearkening to the whisperings of the enemy who leads them astray little by little, until they gathe

r to themselves that which they call the wisdom of man; then they begin to depart from God, and their minds become confused. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 18: 231 - 232.)

I remember Brother Joseph Smith visited myself, Brother Taylor, Brother BrighamYoung and several other missionaries, when we were about to take our mission toEngland. We were sick and afflicted many of us. At the same time we felt to go.The Prophet blessed us as also our wives and families; and I was reading a day or two ago his instructions from my journal. He taught us some very important principles, some of which I here name. Brother Taylor, myself, George A. Smith, John E. Page and others had been called to fill the place of those who had fallen away. Brother Joseph laid before us the cause of those men's turning away from the commandments of God. He hoped we would learn wisdom by what we saw with the ey

e and heard with the ear, and that we would be able to discern the spirits of other men without being compelled to learn by sad experience. He then remarked that any man, any elder in this Church and kingdomwho pursued a course whereby he would ignore or in other words refuse to obey any known law or commandment or dutywhenever a man did this, neglected any duty God required at his hand in attendingmeetings, filling missions or obeying counsel, he laid a foundation to lead himto apostasy and this was the reason those men had fallen. They had misused thepriesthood sealed upon their heads. They had neglected to magnify their callingsas apostles as elders. They had used that priesthood to attempt to build themselves up and to perform some other work besides the building up of the kingdom ofGodI have ever read with a great deal of interest that revelation given to Joseph Smith in answer to his prayer in Liberty jail. I have ever looked upon that revelation of God to that man, considering the few sentences it includes, as conta

ining as much principle as any revelation God ever gave to man. He gave Joseph to understand that he held the priesthood, which priesthood was after the order of God, after the order of Melchisedec, the same priesthood by which God himselfperformed all his works in the heavens and in the earth, and any man who bore that priesthood had the same power. That priesthood had communication with the heavens, power to move the heavens, power to perform the work of the heavens, and wherever any man magnified that calling, God gave his angels charge concerning him and his ministrations were of power and force both in this world and the worldto come; but let that man use that priesthood for any other purpose than the building up of the kingdom of God, for which purpose it was given, and the heavens


13/38

withdraw themselves, the power of the priesthood departs, and he is left to walk in darkness and not in light, and this is the key to apostasy of all men whether in this generation or any other. Wilford Woodruff (Journal of Discourses, 26vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 21: 191.)

Brother Joseph used to counsel us in this wise: "The moment you permit yourselves to lay aside any duty that God calls you to perform, to gratify your own desires; the moment you permit yourselves to become careless, you lay a foundation for apostasy. Be careful; understand you are called to a work, and when God requires you to do that work do it." Another thing he said: "In all your trials, tribulations and sickness, in all your sufferings, even unto death, be careful you don't betray God, be careful you don't betray the priesthood, be careful you don'tapostatize; because if you do, you will be sorry for it." We received a great deal of that kind of counsel, and I have remembered it from that day until the present. Wilford Woodruff (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 21: 284 - 285.)

I know persons who apostatized because they supposed they had reasons; for instance, a certain family, after having travelled a long journey, arrived in Kirtland, and the prophet asked them to stop with him until they could find a place. Sister Emma, in the mean time, asked the old lady if she would have a cup of tea to refresh her after the fatigues of the journey, or a cup of coffee. This wholefamily apostatized because they were invited to take a cup of tea or coffee, after the Word of Wisdom was given. Another family, about the same time, apostatize

d because Joseph Smith came down out of the translating room, where he had beentranslating by the gift and power of God, and commenced playing with his littlechildren. Some such trials as these, you know, had to be encountered. I recollect a gentleman who came from Canada, and who had been a Methodist, and had alwaysbeen in the habit of praying to a God who had no ears, and as a matter of course had to shout and halloo pretty loud to make him hear. Father Johnson asked himto pray in their family worship in the evening, and he got on such a high key,and hallooed so loud that he alarmed the whole village. Among others, Joseph came running out, saying, "What is the matter? I thought by the noise that the heavens and the earth were coming together," and said to the man, "that he ought notto give way to such an enthusiastic spirit, and bray so much like a jackass." Because Joseph said that, the poor man put back to Canada, and apostatized; he thought he would not pray to a God who did not want to be screamed at with all one

's might. George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 2: 214 - 215.)

On the evening after the dedication of the Temple, hundreds of the brethren received the ministering of angels, saw the light and personages of angels, and boretestimony of it. They spake in new tongues, and had a greater manifestation ofthe power of God than that described by Luke on the day of Pentecost. Yet a great portion of the persons who saw these manifestations, in a few years, and someof them in a few weeks, apostatized. George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 2: 215.)

After Alfred Smith was called upon to go on a mission, he would not go, and I knew he would apostatize. Do you suppose that after a man has refused to fulfil hi

s calling, he can retain the spirit of truth, and stand? He can not. They say they believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet raised up to establish the work of the last days, and bring forth the Book of Mormon; and thus they deceive. But if you will examine them you will not find anything but contradiction to every principle of truth. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 1: 84.)

This reminds me of a remark made once in Far West by a man; says he, "I know Joseph Smith is a false Prophet, and that the Book of Mormon and Covenants are false." How do you know it. "Why, says he, if a man commit adultery, he shall aposta


14/38

tize; and I have done it, and have not apostatized." That is a good sample of the intelligence that is manifested by many. Do people think they can commit actsof iniquity, transgress the laws of God, and break their covenants, after beingadmitted to great privileges in the kingdom of God, and retain His Spirit, and aknowledge of His purposes? I tell you, no; but their very conduct and spirit give the lie to their profession all the day long, just as much as this Missouri man's did which I have mentioned. John Taylor (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 1: 372 - 373.)

I recollect many times when brother Joseph, reflecting upon how many would comeinto the Kingdom of God and go out again, would say, "Brethren, I have not apostatized yet, and don't feel like doing so." Many of you, no doubt, can call to mind his words. Joseph had to pray all the time, exercise faith, live his religion, and magnify his calling, to obtain the manifestations of the Lord, and to keephim steadfast in the faith. Do you not know others who had manifestations almost equal to those Joseph had, but who have gone by the board? Martin Harris declared, before God and angels, that he had seen angels. Did he apostatize? Yes, though he says that the Book of Mormon is true. Oliver Cowdery also left the Church, though he never denied the Book of Mormon, not even in the wickedest days he ever saw, and came back into the Church before he died. Brigham Young (Journal ofDiscourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 2: 258.)

But I will pledge myself that if there is a man, woman, or child that wants to g

o back to the States, if they will pay their debts, and not steal anything, theycan go; and if they are poor and honest, we will help them to go. That has beenmy well-known position all the time. Brother Taylor has said that he bantered the United States for a trade, and promised them that if they would send all to Utah that wanted to come, we would send all to the States that wanted to go. We would get our thousands to their one, if they would make that trade. But nothey must keep on lying, howling, and trying to oppress and kill the innocent. When some went away last spring, I told them to go in peace, and they did so. What are they doing now? Many of them are struggling to get back, and the rest are wishingthat they had never left here. It is a kind of dear business to apostatize every year. I would rather stick to the old ship Zion. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 5: 230.)

When pigs are washed in soap-suds, they look clean, and you would think them almost nice enough to live in the house; but no sooner have you washed them that they will go into the nastiest mud-hole they can find and muddy themselves all over from head to foot. Now, do they not look worse than before they were washed? It is just so with you, when you turn from your righteousness; you are worse thanbefore you entered into the Church of Christ. Heber C. Kimball (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 6: 52.)

if you want to see the principle of devilism to perfection, hunt among those whohave once enjoyed the faith of the holy Gospel and then forsaken their religion.We have the best and the worst. Why the worst? Because the Devil prompts men and women of the meanest and lowest grade to embrace the Gospel and get a footholdin the kingdom of God to destroy it. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 v

ols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 7: 145.)

With regard to those who leave us, brother Kimball's comparing it to removing disease from the body is true. Every individual, every family, and every portion of the community that desire to leave this kingdom, the quicker they go the better for us. The sooner such branches are severed, the healthier will be the tree;its roots and stock will become more powerful, and it will spread its branches to the nethermost parts of the earth. Dead branches tend to make the tree sickly,if they are permitted to remain. Let them be cut off, that the healthy branchesmay drink more strength and vigour from the roots of the tree, and the foliage


15/38

of the whole tree be beautiful. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 8: 66.)

The question has often arisen among us, why it is that we do not see more angels, have more visions, that we do not see greater and more manifestations of power. Any of the brethren that were there could have herd testimonies of manifestations in abundanceBut where you find men who have turned away, and have got terribly afflicted with self conceit, you will find those, who, on that occasion and similar occasions, received great and powerful manifestations, and when the spirit came on them it seemed to distort the countenance, and caused them to make tremendous efforts in some instances. Sylvester Smith bore testimony of seeing thehosts of heaven and the horsemen. In his exertion and excitement it seemed as though he would jump through the ceiling. Brother Cannon in speaking on the subject this morning referred to the old adage, soon ripe, soon rotten. God has laid the foundation of his kingdom never to be destroyed, and it appears wisdom in himto develop gradually power and glory and strength. I have always heard it suggested that as the spirit of "Mormonism" gathered together the seed of Abrahammostly the sons of Abraham that are mixed among the nations; that the Holy Spirit falling upon men, who are not of the pure blood, who had the predominance of otherblood in their veins, that the manifestation is greater, and when great manifestations fall on men, great trials immediately follow. I have been conversant withearly Elders, and I am satisfied that a large number of them fell from their positions in the kingdom of God because they yielded to the spirit of adultery; this was the cause of their destruction. George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 2

6 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 11: 10.)

Some of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, who handled the plates and conversed with the angels of God, were afterwards left to doubt and to disbelieve that they had ever seen an angel. One of the Quorum of twelvea young man full of faithand good works, prayed, and the vision of his mind was opened, and the angel ofGod came and laid the plates before him, and he saw and handled them, and saw the angel, and conversed with him as he would with one of his friends; but after all this, he was left to doubt, and plunged into apostacy, and has continue to contend against this work. There are hundreds in a similar condition. Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 7: 164.)

Apostates, Individuals storiesSeveral years ago, about the time of the commencement of the war, Brother Erastus Snow and myself were down in New York City. Spiritualism, at that time, was all the order of the day. Almost all those old members of the Church that had beenin Nauvoo and Kirtland and had apostatized, had fled into New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and throughout the Eastern cities; and in going through any of these cities, if you heard anything about these apostates, you would hear about them being great mediums: there was scarcely a case but what they were spiritual mediums. Some of the worst kind of apostatesapostates who had turned away from everything good, from every principle of righteousness, had become great mediums. Some of them were writing mediums; some of them would work with a table; some would have manifestations in one way and some in another. Orson Pratt (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 13: 70 -

71.)

It was not long until Oliver turned away, but the work continued. God raised upmen from obscurity to step forth and shoulder the burdens, and it was hardly known when and where he went. In about ten years he came back again, came before alocal Conference at Mosquito Creek, Pottawatomie Co., Iowa, Oct., 1848, and acknowledged his faults. He bore testimony of the mission of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and of the truth of the Book of Mormon; he exhorted the Saints to follow theauthority of the Holy Priesthood, which he assured them was with the Twelve Apostles. He said, "When the Saints follow the main channel of the stream, they fin


16/38

d themselves in deep water and always right, pursuing their journey with safety;but when they turned aside into sloughs and bayous, they are left to flounder in the mud and are lost, for the Angel of God said unto Joseph in my hearing thatthis Priesthood shall remain on the earth until the end." George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886],13: 348.)

I recollect when I first began to discern the operation of the spirit of apostacy. A small company of us started for Zion. One of the company (Norman A. Brown)lost a horse. This man had been baptized for the remission of sins, rejoiced inthe light of truth, and started to gather with the Saints; but his horse died. "Now," said he, "is it possible that this is the work of God? If this had been the work of God, my horse would not have died when I was going to Zion." He apostatized, fought against the work of God, and died a miserable, lingering, and unhappy death; and all because of so great a trial as the loss of a horse. Joseph H.Wakefield, who baptized me, after having apostatized from the Church, announcedto the astonished world the fact that, while he was a guest in the house of Joseph Smith, he had absolutely seen the Prophet come down from the room where he was engaged in translating the word of God, and actually go to playing with the children! This convinced him that the Prophet was not a man of God, and that thework was false, which, to me and hundreds of others, he had testified that he knew came from God. He afterwards headed a mob meeting, and took the lead in bringing about a persecution against the Saints in Kirtland and the regions around about. One of the first apostates that published against this work was Ezra Booth.

He published nine letters in the Ohio Star, published at Ravenna, Portage country, in which he used all the arguments and made all the false statements he could; and it was generally believed by our enemies, at the time, that the apostacyand revelations of Ezra Booth would put an utter end to "Mormonism." But the wheel rolled along unabated in its progress. Ezra Booth had been a Methodist preacher; but on a visit to Joseph Smith, he had become convinced of the truth of thework of the Lord by witnessing a miracle. Mrs. Johnson, an aged lady had for several years been afflicted with rheumatism, and for more than a year had not beenable to raise her arm at all. She was healed by the administration of the laying on of hands by the Prophet, and was enabled immediately to raise her hand to her head, comb her hair, or do anything she wished. This convinced him it was thepower of God. He went to preaching the truth, but found, instead of living on the fat of the land, as he did among his Methodist brethren that he had to labour

and toil for the good of Zion, trusting in God, and in the great day of accounts receive his reward; so he apostatized. The next publication which made a prominent show in the world was a book entitled "Mormonism Unveiled," written by Doctor P. Hurlburt. In consequence of improper conduct among females, he was expelled from the Church. He confessed his wickedness to the Council. I was present, and heard him. He promised before God, angels, and men that he would from that time forth live his religion and preserve his integrity, if they would only forgivehim. He wept like a child, and prayed and begged to be forgiven. The Council forgave him; but Joseph told him, "You are not honest in this confession." A few days afterwards he published his renunciation of the work, assigning as a reason,that he deceived that Council, and made them believe his was an honest confession, when he only confessed to see whether the Council had power to discern his spirit. Joseph, however, told him at the time that he was not honest in his confe

ssion. He went to work and got up the "Spaulding story"that famous yarn about the"Manuscript Found." When about to publish this lying fabrication, in several ofhis exciting speeches having threatened the life of Joseph Smith, he was required to give bonds, by the authorities of Ohio, to keep the peace. In consequenceof this, the name of E. D. Howe was substituted as the author, who published itIshall not undertake to detail all of this species of character that have arisen;but there was another by the name of Hawley. He was attacked by a spirit of revelation, somewhere in the State of New York, while he was ploughing; and it tookhim in such a hurry that he had not time to put on his boots, but travelled barefoot to Kirtland, some six hundred miles distant, to warn Joseph that he was a


17/38

fallen Prophet; that God had cut Joseph off, and placed in his stead a man by the name of Noah; and the reason Joseph was cut off was, he had suffered the men to wear cushions on their coat sleeves, and the women to wear caps. He went through the streets of Kirtland with a dismal howl, crying, "Woe, woe to the people."On one occasion, about midnight, Brigham Young went out, and took with him a cowhide, and said to Hawley, "If you don't quit annoying the people with your noise, I will cowhide you;" upon which he concluded he had suffered persecution enough for his master's sake, and shut up his noise. I believe, if you will take thewhole circle of the history of apostates from this church, that in ninety-ninecases out of every hundred you will find that the spirit of adultery or covetousness was the original cause. There was a man named John Smith came into the Church, and was somewhat prominent in the State of Indiana. He preached some little,and was considered quite zealous; but he said he had proved that the Book of Doctrine and Covenants was not true; "For it says," said he, "that if a man shallcommit adultery, and not repent of it, he shall lose the Spirit of God, and shall deny the faith. Now, I have done it, and have not denied the faith; and so I have proved that the revelation in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants is not fromGod." The spirit of blindness had so taken possession of him that he could notsee that when he was proclaiming that the revelations were not true, he was denying the faith. That spirit has such an effect over the human mind as totally toblind them in relation to their own acts and the spirit that governs themAt the breaking up of Far West there was another Prophet appeared. Isaac Russell undertook to lead the Saints into the wilderness. He gathered some twenty followers. The reason why he apostatized was, the commandment required the Twelve Apostles to

take their leave of the Saints on the foundation of the Temple on the twenty-sixth day of April, and it could not be fulfilled because those men were all driven away; but it happened that the Twelve went to that spot, and twenty or thirtySaints recommenced the foundation on the day appointed, held a Conference, and cut off Russell and his followers. He used his influence over a few individuals until they scattered and wasted away. In Nauvoo we had another shower of dust around the Prophet. There was a man by the name of William Law, who was a Counsellor to Joseph Smith, and a man of great gravity. He preached a great deal on the stand in Nauvoo, and told the people they must be punctual and pay their debts; and he repeated it over and over again. Sunday after Sunday he preached punctuality, PUNCTUALITY, PUNCTUALITY. I was then on a mission in England; but when I gothome, I would hear, Sunday after Sunday, these addresses. Thinks I, this is a very righteous fellow; it will be perfectly safe to deal with him; and everybody

thought so. The first time I suspected but what he was as straight as a loon's legat least in relation to his trading, was one day in his mill. Brother Willard Richards and myself met Bishop Smoot, and he offered to bet a barrel of salt thatthe Doctor was heavier than I was. We went into Law's mill to be weighed. I wasweighed on the scales where he weighed wheat into the mill. To my surprise, I did not weigh as much by twelve pounds as usual. I thought this was a curiosity.I saw there was another pair of scales on the other side of the mill where theyweighed out flour. I weighed the Doctor twice, and he weighed me twice on both scales; and I found that if I had been a bag of flour, I should have weighed twelve pounds too much; and, if I had been a bag of wheat, I should not have weighedenough by twelve pounds. The Doctor and myself soon discovered that the gain bythis villainous fraud would supply the mill with wood and hands to tend it. Brother Joseph and I saw brother Law come out of his house one day, and brother Jos

eph said to me, referring to Law, "George, do you know that there is the meanestman in this town?" "Yes," I said, "I know he is, but did not know you thought so." "How did you find it out?" He has two sets of weights in his mill. He also told me something about Law's visit to certain disreputable houses in St. Louis,and gave me to understand that he knew something about Law's hypocrisy and dishonesty in dealing, as well as myself. I only tell this circumstance because he pulled the leading string in putting Joseph Smith to death. When he comes forth, he may expect to find his white robe dyed in the blood of innocence, and he may expect in all time to come to have that stigma upon himIn 1843, when Joseph was taken prisoner in the county of Lee, on a demand from the Governor of Missouri, Wi


18/38

lliam Law turned out and attempted to release him. While near Oquaka, and supposing that Joseph had been smuggled to the river side, and that he was about to becarried to the Mississippi, and put on board the steamer, and hurried away to Missouri, says, he, "They will carry him on board of a boat and get him over theriver; and if the Prophet is carried to Missouri and killed, property in Nauvoowill fall to one-half its present value." His anxiety was about the price of property going down. A few minutes after, when he met Joseph, he went up, threw hisarms around him, and kissed him. He loved him tenderly as long as he kept the price of property up. After the death of Joseph, a number of men appeared, professing to be revelators. The most noted of them, I believe, was James J. Strang. He gathered a few followers around him, and established himself first at Voree, Wisconsin; then he removed to Beaver Island, Lake Michigan. He remained there some length of time; and finally, in some disturbance got up there, he was murdered. His followers clung together longer than any of the other apostates. They wereable to publish a monthly paper, about half the size of the Deseret News, printed in large type and coarsely leaded, in which they advocated James J. Strang asa prophetOliver Cowdery said to the people, when he came to Pottawotamie and requested to be restored to the Church, "Follow the Twelve: they are the men with whom the Priesthood rests. If you follow the main channel of the stream, you willgo right; but if you run into bayou, you will find yourselves among snags." George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 7: 112.)

Apostates, Ezra Booth

The spirit of apostacy was little known, but when these men apostatized they became more violent, more cruel, and manifested a greater spirit of persecution than any other enemies. What seemed singular, Ezra Booth had been brought into theChurch through the manifestation of a miracleHe having formerly been a Methodistminister, commenced preaching the Gospel without purse or scrip, and he did so until he found, (using a common expression,) it did not pay. Under these circumstances he apostatized. While he was in apostacy he searched his cranium for somemeans to justify himself and published a series of lying letters in the Ohio Star, a paper printed in Revenna. These nine letters had been republished several times as evidence against "Mormonism;" and his apostacy culminated in collectinga mob who tarred and feathered Joseph Smith, and inflicted upon his family the loss of one of its number at Hyrum, Portage county, Ohio. Joseph Smith was occupying the room of a house brother Johnson was living in, at the same time; it was

a two story building, had steps in front. The mob surrounded the house, the twins being afflicted with measles, Joseph was lying upon a trundle bed with one ofthem. The mob rushed in, gathered up Joseph while in his bed, took him out in his night clothes, and carried him out on to the top of the steps. Joseph got a foot at liberty and kicked one of the men, and knocked him down off the steps, andthe print of his head and shoulders were visible on the ground in the morning.Warren Waste, who was the strongest man in the western reserve considered himself perfectly able to handle Joseph alone, but when they got hold of him Waste cried out, "do not let him touch the ground, or he will run over the whole of us."Waste suggested in carrying him to cross his legs, for they said that would makeit easier for the Prophet, but that was done in consequence of the severe painit would give to the small of the back. He was daubed with tar, feathered and choked, and aquafortis poured into his mouth. Dr. Dennison had been employed to pe

rform a surgical operation, but he declined when the time came to operate. The liquid they poured into his mouth was so powerful, that it killed the grass wheresome of it had been scattered on the ground. Joseph is reported by the mob to have said, be merciful, when they told him to call upon his God for mercy. They immediately, as he began to pray, heard an alarm which made them think they wereabout to be surprised, and left suddenly. Sidney Rigdon, who resided near by, had been dragged by the heels out of his bed at the same time, and his body stripped and a coat of tar and feathers applied. The next morning he was crazy, his head greatly inflamed and lacerated. Joseph found his way in from the light of thehouse, the mob having abandoned him. While he was engaged in getting off the ta


19/38

r by the applicaton of grease, soap and other materials, Philemon Duzette, the father of our celebrated drummer, came there, and seeing the Prophet in this condition, took it as an evidence of the truth of "Mormonism," and was baptized. These circumstances exposed the life of the child, the measles struck in and causedits death, and the whole of this persecution was got up through the influence of those apostates; and it made it necessary to keep up a constant watch lest some violence should be repeated. George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols.[London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 11: 6 - 7.)

Apostates, HawleyA man from the State of New York by the name of Hawley, stated that while he wasworking in his field, barefoot, the word of the Lord came to him, saying that he should start on the instant, and not stop to put on his shoes. He came six hundred miles to Kirtland, and went to Joseph with the message that he had sufferedJohn Noah, a prophet of God, to be cut off from the Church, and that consequently he had lost his office; and he had also suffered the women to wear caps, andthe men he allowed to wear cushions on their shoulders, and for these heinous sins he was cut off, and this man had come six hundred miles barefooted to bear the terrible message. You might suppose such an adventurer coming among us would be regarded as a madman by all, but at that time several men were ready to listento him; a Bishop's Council was assembled and an investigation had. During the investigation, the subject of women wearing caps and veils and having their headscovered was canvassed, and the Bible ransacked by Oliver Cowdery and others. When the man was expelled from the Church for giving way to the power of false spi

rits, he rose up in a most solemn manner, and proclaimed to the Council that they had chosen darkness instead of light. This man went through the streets of Kirtland in the night crying in a most doleful voice, woe, woe to this people. I understand that brother Brigham, hearing this nonsense and noise in the street, jumped up out of his bed in the night, took with him a cow hide whip into the street, and told that noisy person if he did not stop his noise he would certainly cowhide him, which caused him to cease to annoy the inhabitants with his folly. George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' BookDepot, 1854-1886], 11: 6 - 7.)

Apostates, HurlburtThe first Council I ever attended where the Prophet was present was at the trialof Doctor P. Hurlburt. This occurred in June, 1833. He had been cut off from th

e Church by the Bishop's Council, and a Council of Twelve High Priests, was organized to try the case on appeal. Hurlburt did not deny the charge, but begged tobe forgiven, made every promise that a man could make that he would from that day live a virtuous life. Finally the Council accepted of his confession, and agreed that he might on public confession be restored to the Church againAs soon asthis Council had made this decision upon Hurlburt, Joseph arose, and said to the Council, he is not honest, and what he has promised he will not fulfil; what he has confessed are not the thoughts and intents of his heart, and time will prove it. Hurlburt stated to the Branch in Thompson, Ohio, that he had deceived Joseph Smith's God or the spirit by which he is actuated, I have proved that Council has no wisdom, I told them I was sorry I confessed and they believed it to bean honest confession, I deceived the whole of them and made them restore me to the Church. Hurlburt was the author of that work known by the name of "Mormonism

Unveiled." Booth's letters were reprinted by Hurlburt, who is the author of "TheSpaulding Story," a book which he intended to publish; and in delivering lectures he had said he would wash his hands in Joseph Smith's blood. George A. Smith(Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 11: 8.)

Apostates, Spaulding storyThe Spaulding story in that country was considered so ridiculous, that the bookscould with difficulty be sold at any price; but it has now found its way into the scientific journals of the great world as a true history of the origin of the


20/38

Book of Mormon, when it is very well known that no statement on this earth could be more incorrect or more untrue. Let "Mormonism" be true or false, the Spaulding story from beginning to end is an unmitigated falsehood. Solomon Spaulding was a Presbyterian minister; he entered into the iron trade in Conneaut, Ohio, but failing in business he took a notion to write a novel; he wrote a book calledthe Manuscript Found, he took his work to Pittsburg, to a man by the name of Patterson to get it printed, but he failed and never printed it. It was pretended that it fell into the hands of Sidney Rigdon, and that he converted it into the Book of Mormon, and induced Joseph Smith to publish it; whereas it is very well known that there had no connection ever existed between these parties. In the first place, Spaulding never wrote any such work; in the next place, Spaulding never had anything to do with Patterson, and Sidney Rigdon and him were perfect strangers to each other. The first knowledge that Sidney Rigdon had of Joseph Smithwas when Parley P. Pratt met him in Ohio, and presented him a printed copy of the Book of Mormon; yet all this has found its way into scientific literature, andyou will find it even in the North British Review. George A. Smith (Journal ofDiscourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 11: 9 -10.)

Apostates, SylvesterThere was a prevalent spirit all through the early history of this Church, whichprompted the Elders to suppose that they knew more than the Prophet. Elders would tell you that the prophet was going wrong, men who thought they knew all about this work thirty or forty years some of them before the Lord revealed it, trie

d "to steady the ark." The Church was constantly afflicted with such a class ofmen. I remember well in Zion's Camp, Levi W. Hancock made a fife, from a joint of sweet elder, Sylvester Smith marched his company to the music of that fife. That fife may be considered almost the introduction of martial music among the "Mormons." A dog came out and barked, when Sylvester Smith was going to kill the dog. Joseph said he was a good watch dog, Sylvester became wrathy and threatened;finally Joseph reproved him sharply, showing him that such a spirit would not conquer or control the human family, that he must get rid of it, and predicted that if he did not get rid of it, the day would come when a dog would gnaw his flesh, and he not have the power to resist it. Some months after the return to Kirtland, Sylvester Smith preferred a charge against Joseph the Prophet, for having prophecied lies in the name of the Lord, and undertook to substantiate that charge on the ground that the Prophet had said a dog should bite him, if he did not g

et rid of that spirit, when he had not power to resist. They were three days andparts of nights, with the High Council in Kirtland, in investigating this charge; one person spoke three hours in behalf of the Prophet. Sylvester published aconfession which can be seen in the Church History, acknowledging his fault. TheChurch in Kirtland were few in number compared with the inhabitants of the cityof Ogden. We had High Council upon High Council, Bishop's trial upon Bishop's trial; and labor and toil constantly to settle difficulties and get our minds instructed in principle and doctrine, and in the power that we had to contend with.George A. Smith (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 11: 7.)

Apostasy, KirklandI remember very well in the days of Kirtland, hearing men testify that they knew

this was the work of God, and that they had seen visions of the armies of heaven and the horsemen thereof, as did Gehazi, the servant of the Prophet, and then,in consequence of the failure of a bank, or because some business transaction did not come out in accordance with their expectations or desires, they would apostatize and come to the conclusion that they never knew anything about it, and become infidels. This shows the weakness to which some individuals have been subject. I also remember, in the great apostacy which took place in Kirtland, that those who apostatized considered that all the talent of the Church had left it, and yet the work rolled right along, and, so far

alphabetical selections from the journal of discourses-a.txt

Documents