Franklin D. Richards

“ All are called upon to divest themselves of sin, and then to aid their neighbours, if need be.
It is not only in going to the kanyons, in going to the fields to plow and to sow, that the Lord desires this people to rise up and put iniquity away from them, but in everything with which we have to do.
It is by works of righteousness that we shall become a holy and happy people whose God is the Lord, while sinners will find our society too uncomfortable to dwell in. If we thus live our religion, we shall have confidence in ourselves, in each other, and in our God. ”

“ For it is with the people of Israel in the latter days, as it was in former days, that righteousness has got to exalt this nation,—I mean the nation of Israel; therefore the more diligent and faithful we are in sustaining the Priesthood and practising righteousness, the more rapidly shall we acquire strength from God, become sanctified from our sins and weaknesses, and become a pure and strong people in the earth, such as the Lord wishes us to be, that by us His will may be done on the earth as in heaven.
This people that were not a people have become a people, even the people of God. ”

“ When a man rises in the morning and calls upon God to qualify and strengthen him for the duties and warfare of the day, he should go out with a determination to carry that feeling of hostility to sin with him, and not only war the good warfare himself, but be able to help his neighbour to do battle also.
Some people deal honestly because they are watched and are obliged to; but a truly honest man will do right because he loves righteousness and honesty the best. ”

“ Do not leave your religion at the mouth of the kanyon, or with the gatekeeper; do not leave it with your waggon; but take your religion and the Spirit of your God with you clear up to where you get your wood. It will help you to keep your axe sharp: you will not be so likely to get hurt yourself, or to lose your bowpins, chains, or axe. Your cattle will be more kindly; for you will not beat them so much, and they will do more work for you. ”

“ When men go to the kanyon for wood or lumber, those that have this difficult labour to perform should take with them a rich portion of the Holy Spirit; and they should realize that they have it to enable them to live their religion there,—that God protects them in the kanyons as well as any other place: and let them take all their religion with them that they carry to or from this Tabernacle. ”

“ If you find a man there that is swearing and profaning the name of the Lord, remember that you are an Elder in Israel, and that you are authorized to call him to an account. If you find a man that will blaspheme the name of the Lord, do not forget to remind him that the Lord whose name he blasphemes gave him strength to go there, and that He caused the trees to grow, and has permitted him to go and help himself to the timber ”

“ If men will do honestly in small things, and perform their duties as servants of God to each other, they will by-and-by be honoured for their acts, and vast responsibilities will be laid upon them with safety ”

“ We have got to purge out all ungodliness from our own souls, and we have to help others to do it also; and especially, if I may be allowed to make any distinction, it should be the business of the Bishops, because they have the oversight of the people in a Ward capacity, and they can have an eye through the Church which many of the Presidents of Quorums cannot have. ”

“ It is said a straw will show the way the wind blows. If a man is willing to be dishonest, or to do anything or permit anything that will bring mischief upon you in your absence, your interests would not be safe in his hands. ”

“ Brethren, may the Lord enlighten our minds, that we may see our duty and do it, and that we may also assist others to walk in the way of life, become ministers of righteousness and saviours in his kingdom. ”

“ This has been a general feeling; and it becomes us to bestir ourselves and obtain strength by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that we may overcome every evil propensity, resist the adversary of our souls in whatever shape he may present himself, and live our religion. ”

“ That spirit will lead him to persuade your wives and children away from you, when you are dead, if he can, or to let some one else do it unrebuked; and upon the same principle the spread of good and great things are made to depend and to bring their consequences.
We do see and hear occasionally instances of the kind where men take measures and endeavour to rob the dead. ”