Brigham Young

“ Have we yet to endure affliction as we have at the hands of our enemies the ungodly Gentiles? Have we again to see armies here? and again be driven from our homes? Have we to be visited with pestilence, famine, and earthquake? ”

“ My advice to all such persons is—so live daily that all the light of God's Spirit given to you will be preserved in you and increase from day to day, until you become perfect in your sphere as our Father in heaven is perfect. This is my experience. We cannot believe any truth that exists in all the eternities of the Gods that is not embraced in our holy religion, commonly called "Mormonism." It incorporates every truth that has been known, is known, and will be known, in all the eternities past, and in all the eternities to come ”

“ It is disgraceful for a member of this community to turn away from the truth. When a person receives the truth, has a knowledge of the things of God, is instructed with regard to his position relative to the heavens, he knows a great deal; and it is astonishing to me that there is power enough among the wicked on earth and among Devils in hell to turn such a soul away from righteousness. A few in our community seem to be in their glory when they are doing wrong, though this portion is comparatively very small. ”

“ Another has indulged too much in making liquor, and in putting the deadly draught to his neighbour's lips. Another has indulged too much in swearing. Another is troubled because he has indulged in taking the advantage of his neighbour in a trade, and, to make a cent, has cheated the simple and good-hearted who trusted in him. Another has stolen a little, or done this and that wrong; and all are apt to excuse themselves under the plea of the weaknesses of human nature. ”

“ If our hearts are pure we shall never see any of those afflictions poured out upon this people, from this time henceforth; on the contrary, the Lord delights to bless such a people until there is not room to receive more. Still in our afflictions we will not complain, for the Lord has his own way of training his people. How joyful my heart would be if the people would receive the Gospel, if they would understand it as they understand their daily avocations. ”

“ This power is our own individual property, and we shall be brought into judgment for the manner in which we use it, and for all our actions in the flesh. Thirty year's experience has taught me that every moment of my life must be holiness to the Lord, resulting from equity, justice, mercy, and uprightness in all my actions, which is the only course by which I can preserve the Spirit of the Almighty to myself. What is your experience? It is the same as my own. You cannot constantly be sinning a little and repenting, and retain the Spirit of the Lord as your constant companion. ”

“ Now, I come to my own experience and say—there is not an individual here but what has power, and God has given it to him, to drink whisky or let it alone, to swear or not swear to lie or not lie, deceive or not deceive, cheat and take advantage of a neighbour or not do so, slander and backbite a brother or a sister or not. ”

“ When this people can live and never do a wrong knowingly, if they should sin in their ignorance, God will freely forgive that sin, if they are ready to repent when it is made known to them and refrain from it in the future. ”

“ Jesus, in consideration of this, said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal." Let; us bind to heaven all that is near and dear unto us, and if our treasures are there, there also will our affections be. ”

“ We are prone to do wrong, or, as the preacher has recorded:—"Yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead." ”

“ We are merchants, speculators, traders, and love the best end of a bargain. We delight to talk about our neighbours. "Oh, how I delight to go over to such a house to see that sister, she is so sociable, so full of chit-chat, and knows everything that is going on." ”

“ Again, in all the duties and labours pertaining to our mortal existence, let us remember that Paul may plant and Apollos may water, but it is God alone who gives the increase. And how long will it be before we shall learn to take good care of the increase God gives us? ”

“ 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 others enjoy rational amusement in its season. ”

“ When Monday morning breaks upon the eyes of the people, they must be as faithful to God and righteousnes [s] as they are here when partaking of the sacrament, or lose the Spirit of the Lord. We have no permission to sin for one moment. ”

“ My experience up to this time, has been to do as I would that others should do unto me, under like circumstances; and, if I understand myself, there is not a man or woman on the face of this earth that I have dealt with contrary to this rule, and this practice I have continued each day. ”

“ When they are comfortable, well fed, and clothed, have good health, and the society of the just, comparatively speaking they must pinch themselves, or stick pins and needles into themselves, in order to feel happier when the pain has ceased. ”

“ 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. ”