Discourse 1890-04-04 [D-91]

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President Wilford Woodruff said: Sixty years ago, last Sabbath, this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in Fayette, Seneca County, New York. It was organized by the Prophet of God, Joseph Smith. It was organized by the commandments of God—by the revelations of Jesus Christ. Its history is before the world, the heavens and the earth; and I feel myself that

Last edit 6 months ago by mhutch1197
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our hearts should be filled this morning with gratitude and thanksgiving, that we have the privilege again of meeting in an Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. I hope and trust that the hearts of the Saints will be lifted up in prayer to God, that during the time we shall spend together in this capacity, the Spirit and power of God may rest upon the Apostles and Elders who will address us, and upon the Saints themselves who may hear.

I feel very thankful myself that I still have the privilege of meeting in general Conference with the Saints of God. I realize that we are weak instruments in the hands of God who are called to perform this work. The Lord has chosen the weak things of the world from the foundation of the earth, to perform His work in every age and generation of men. I pray that the Apostles and Elders of Israel may be clothed upon with the Spirit and power of God while they address the Latter-day Saints. We want to bear in mind that our strength, our hope and our power is in the hands of God, and not in men. The Lord Himself has stretched forth His hand to establish this Church, His kingdom, His work, His Zion, the gathering together of His people in fulfillment of the revelations of God which have been given to the inhabitants of the earth since the foundation of the world—since the day the old Patriarch, Father Adam, was brought forth, and placed in the Garden of Eden. From that day until now His work has been performed by the inspiration of Almighty God, and not by the power of man. The very things in our history that we have been called to pass through; the scenes which have been enacted have shown, and they show to-day to all heaven and earth, in the warfare, in the opposition, in the labor that are manifested among the sons of men—from the creation of the world till to-day— that this is the work of God. The various persecutions, the efforts which have been manifested against the organization of this Church and kingdom for its overthrow and destruction, should show—and have shown to heaven and earth—that there is a power on earth outside the power of man.

We have no power in ourselves. We never have had in the guidance and direction of this kingdom, only through the interposition of Almighty God. I have never read anywhere, that I know of, of the same power manifested in any dispensation to the children of men, which was manifested to the Prophet of God in the organization of this Church, when the Father and the Son both appeared to the Prophet Joseph in answer to his prayer, and when the Father said, "This is my beloved Son; behold Him; hear ye Him." [##Joseph Smith-History 1:17##] This was an important revelation, which has never been manifested in the same manner in any dispensation of the world, that God has given concerning His work. So in its organization, the Prophet of God was administered to by the angels of heaven. They were his teachers, they were his instructors, and all that he did, and all that he performed from the commencement, from that day to the day of his martyrdom, was by the revelation of Jesus Christ. We ought to understand this, and, as a people, have faith in God, in His revelations, in His promises. We should look forth for the fulfillment of these promises unto us in the day and generation in which we live. They will be fulfilled. The Lord is at work. He has set His hand to accomplish the great dispensation of which all the patriarchs and prophets have spoken since the world began. Therefore let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe in Jesus Christ, believe in the Gospel which has been preached unto us, and keep and fulfill the commandments of God; then all will be right. The Lord will not fail the Latter-day Saints; He will not fail in His work, in the gathering of His people; He will not fail the seed of Abraham; He will not fail the seed of Judah. They will be gathered home to Jerusalem, their holy place. They will receive their city and Temple, and be prepared for the coming of their King.

Zion will arise and prosper. If the Latter-day Saints will but do their duty, there is nothing in the way of our accomplishing all that has been

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promised unto us. I have no fears myself with regard to the outcome and final triumph of the kingdom of God, of the Zion of God, of the Church of God, of the Saints of God. The Lord has already gathered many thousands to these valleys of the mountains, in fulfillment of His promises.

Now, brethren and sisters, let us be thoughtful while in the flesh, and seek to magnify our calling. Let our hearts be set on the building up of the kingdom of God, and none shall fail. With regard to those who may address us during this Conference, I hope that they may all have our prayers, that they may be inspired by the Spirit of God, and preach only those things which are true and faithful.

May God bless us, and pour out His Spirit upon us, that we may have a good time at this Conference. May we enjoy that Spirit, may our hearts be united together, and may we rejoice in those principles which have been revealed for the comfort, salvation, and eternal life of the children of men.

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