page_0003

2,000 miles, besides the labors per-
formed while here in building a fort,
laying out the city, and exploring the
adjacent valleys.

I wish to say a few words to the
members of the Sabbath Schools, and
to all who are assembled in this Taber-
nacle to-day to celebrate the arrival
of the pioneers into this valley. It is
not wisdom for us to occupy your time
with a long address upon an occasion
of this kind; but I have referred to a
few incidents of our peculiar journey
into this barren desert, that you can
keep in mind the toil, the care, and
the hardships which your fathers en-
dured in laying the foundation of the
Zion of our God which is to be estab-
lished in the mountains of Israel in
fulfillment of the blessings the old
Patriarch, Jacob, pronounced upon
his posterity that should be fulfilled
in the valleys of the everlasting hills
in the latter days; and upon the
heads of the rising generation of the
Latter-day Saints rests the responsi-
bility of building up the kingdom of
God upon the foundations which their
fathers have laid. And also of build-
ing up a State in which shall dwell
virtue, temperance, industry, frugality,
and honesty; a State which will do
honor to the American Government,
where wholesome laws shall be ad-
ministered in equity and justice to all
of its citizens according to the letter
and spirit of the Constitution given
by inspiration of Almighty God to
our forefathers.

I feel to say to our children, honor
your father and your mother and your
God, that your days may be long and
prosperous in these valleys of the
mountains which the Lord your God
hath given unto you.

That God may bless you all, and
enable you to fulfill the object of your
creation here on earth to the satisfac-
tion of yourselves and your Creator,
is the earnest desire of your friend
and brother,

WILFORD WOODRUFF.