Discourse 1892-10-09 [D-49]

THE DESERET WEEKLY.

PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF was the first speaker. The following is a brief synopsis of his discourse:

He commenced by stating, that he desired the faith and prayers of the Saints, because nobody could occupy the position he now had profitably to the hearers, without being guided by the Holy Spirit. There were a few thoughts on his mind which he would endeavor to lay before the Conference. In the first place he would bear his witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed in these latter days, and he did so fully aware of the fact that he was responsible before the Almighty as to the testimony he gave. The Saints were witnesses before the world and accountable for what they said, but the world would be responsible if it rejected the testimony. The speaker knew that this work was of God and had been established through His power. During almost sixty years he had been connected with the Church and held the holy Priesthood and during that time he had traveled much abroad and at home laboring for the spread of the Gospel. He had seen numerous manifestations of the power of the Almighty. The gifts formerly possessed by the Saints he had seen exercised in this Church. The Holy Spirit was given to those who complied with the requirements of the Gospel. Hence the speaker knew that Joseph was a Prophet of God and that this Church was the work of God.

Concerning revelation, President Woodruff said the Saints were not without that divine gift. There were many men and women in these valleys who were filled with inspiration, and the Apostles, when they spoke to the people by the Holy Spirit, were revelators. The kingdom of God could not exist without revelations. We might, however, feel that we wanted more revelations than we had, to better understand our position and to accomplish the work we were called to perform. From the time of Adam to the present hour no one could be found who ever preached and administered in the ordinances of the Gospel without having the holy Priesthood. All that Moses and his successors did, and even the work done by our Savior, was done by the power of the Priesthood. This the speaker illustrated by reference to the life and death of our Savior.

Christ came in the meridian of time to the Jewish nation, but that people did not receive Him. He lived long enough to teach the gospel and organize His church. But after this work was done, He gave Himself up to death and was crucified by His enemies, for whom He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." [##Luke 23:34##] He had previously chosen twelve Apostles to be His witnesses. These were taken not from the prominent men of the nation but from the lowly and humble, who were willing to be taught by Him and to do His will. Something similar had taken place in our age. The Lord had established a dispensation. This was not for one nation only, but for both Gentiles and Jews.

The dispensation in which the first Apostles lived was not permanent. After the time of the Apostles the Priesthood was taken away, the Church was led into the wilderness, where she remained until the time of the restoration. But the last dispensation was different from the previous ones. It was established never to be overthrown, in fulfillment of prophecies given in previous dispensations. In the sacred Scriptures the history of our work is already written. There never was a more important or a greater dispensation.

Joseph Smith was an illiterate young man, but he was called upon to perform this great work, and he had revelations given to him that were greater than any we read of given to other prophets. The speaker had traveled with him for thousands of miles, and had been an eye witness to the mighty works he had performed, and he could therefore not doubt his divine mission. He had seen him, by the power of God, heal the sick and do other marvelous works, and the Spirit of God rested upon him until his martyrdom. The Church had therefore been organized by the power of God, with all the gifts and graces that belonged thereto. A great foundation had been laid. The Saints were here, gathered by the power of God. Our history was known to the world, and it was comforting to know that the work that we have to do had already been foreshadowed thousands of years ago by holy prophets. Even the place in which we now dwell was the one where God wants us to be. This is the place where the city and temple of God should be built. What God has foretold has come true.

Concerning the duties of the Saints, the speaker said it now was incumbent upon us to go forth and warn the inhabitants of the earth of the judgments to come. For this we were reserved in the spirit world and had now come forth upon the earth in these days. There was a great responsibility resting upon us in regard to this. The Prophets Joseph and Hyrum laid the foundation of this work and received the crown of martyrs. But on us the responsibility rested to continue the work and warn the world.

Speaking of the revelation relating to the redemption of the dead, President Woodruff said this was a most comforting doctrine. Through it we were taught how the principles of salvation could be extended beyond the veil and reach our progenitors. He wished that all the Saints might have their understandings opened to this great truth. It was a matter to be thankful for that we had already been able to build three temples in this Territory, and we should be diligent in completing the one now being erected in this city. Our dead did not look to the sectarian world but to us for the performance of the ordinances connected with their salvation. A vast host of enemies were arrayed against this work, but the Lord would sustain us and hold His hand over us until the work was done and all His plans and purposes accomplished.

The speaker then took up the subject of home industries, and said that he would endorse the remarks made on this subject during the Conference. The Saints were here to build up Zion.

With regard to the future, President Woodruff said, the rising generation would stand up and carry this work onward by the power of God. The right element was there. Our sons, as a general rule, would not forsake their God nor their fathers and mothers. Some of them might go astray, but there would be found among them those who could by the power of God carry out this work. In his early life the speaker had often read about Prophets and Apostles and other holy men and he had wished to live to see one, and when he heard the Gospel he felt that his desire had been granted. He would therefore admonish the young to give themselves up to the work of God.

He felt to bless the Saints with all his heart. He would bless his brethren of the Apostles and say there was unity among them. He rejoiced in contemplating the work of God in these last days. It was such a work as was never heard of before.

The speaker closed his remarks by stating that he was glad that he was alive yet. He knew he was sustained by the prayers of tens of thousands of righteous men and women. He wished that the Saints might be faithful and true and kind to each other and that God's blessings might rest abundantly upon them.