Discourse 1889-04-08 [D-166]

PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF

said: I feel thankful that I have lived and had the privilege of attending this fifty-ninth annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is nearly fifty years since I was ordained into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Lord has told us while occupying these positions and holding the keys of the Kingdom of God, that whomsoever you bless shall be blessed, and whomsoever you shall curse shall be cursed. I have never seen a moment in my life since I have been a member of this Church and Kingdom when I felt like cursing anybody, and I would not wish to do so unless I was commanded of the Lord. I have had a desire to bless my friends, and at this time, when I have the right and privilege, I feel to bless my brethren, my counselors, my brethren of the Twelve Apostles; and I feel to bless in the name of the Lord also the Patriarchs, Presidents of Stakes, the High Councilors, and those who bear the Holy Priesthood, even the High Priesthood throughout the land of Zion. Likewise the Seventies, Elders of Israel who are called as messengers to the nations of the earth, the Bishopric, the lesser Priesthood, and all the Saints of God who dwell in our midst. I feel to bless the Primary Associations— our little children; I feel to bless the Sabbath schools, the teachers and pupils; the Mutual Improvement Associations, the Relief Societies, and all those organizations which have been established by the hand of God and by His power, His helps in the building up and establishing of the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth. All these I feel to bless in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the holy Priesthood, even so, Amen.

Brother Woodruff then pronounced the benediction.