WHAT BRIGHAM YOUNG SAID.

It is not only a privilege, but a duty for the Saints to seek unto the Lord their God for wisdom and understanding, to be in possession of the spirit that fills the heavens, until their eyes are anointed and opened to see the world as it really is, to know what it is made for, and why all things are as they are. It is one of the most happifying subjects that can be named, for a person, or people, to have the privilege of gaining wisdom enough while in their mortal tabernacle, to be able to look through the whys and wherefores of the existence of man, like looking through a piece of glass that is perfectly transparent; and understand the design of the Great Maker of this beautiful creation. Let the people do this, and their hearts will be weaned from the world.—Journal of Discourses Vol. I., p. 111.

This people are to the world an object of derision and hatred; to God, of care and pity.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 350.

There is not a person in this community that can bring to mind or mention the time when I exhibited one particle of sorrow or trouble to them. I calculate to carry my own sorrows just as long as I live upon this earth; and when I go to the grave, I expect them all to go there, and sleep with me in silence.—Journal of Discourse, Vol I., p. 31.

If people act from pure motives, though their outward movements may not always be so pleasant as our traditions would prefer, yet God will make those acts result in the best good to the people.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 256.

No man can be exalted unless he be independent.—Journal of Discourses, Vol. I., p. 111.

There are but few of us but what have been honored with as convenient a place for a birth as was Jesus.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 131.

You remember reading in the last book of the New Testament, that in the beginning God cursed the earth; but did He curse all things pertaining to it? No, He did not curse the water, but He blessed it. Pure water is cleansing it serves to purify; and you are aware that the ancient Saints were very tenacious with regard to their purification by water. From the beginning the Lord instituted water for that purpose among others. I do not mean from the beginning of this earth alone; and although we have no immediate concern in inquiring into the organization of other earths that do not come within reach of our investigation, yet I will say that water has been the means of purification in every world that has been organized out of the immensity of matter.—J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 162.

The blood will not be resurrected with the body, being designed only to sustain the life of the present organization. When this is dissolved and we again obtain our bodies by the power of the resurrection, that which we now call the life of the body, and which is formed from the food we eat and the water we drink, will be supplanted by another element; for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.—J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 163.

If we accept salvation on the terms it is offered to us, we have got to be honest in every thought, in our reflections, in our meditations, in our private circles, in our deal, in our declarations, and in every act of our lives, fearless and regardless of every principle of error, of every principle of falsehood that may be presented.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 124.

There is no such thing as a man being truly rich until he has power over death, hell, the grave, and him that hath the power of death, which is the devil.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 271.

All men should study to learn the nature of mankind, and to discern that divinity inherent in them. A spirit and power of research is planted within, yet they remain undeveloped.—J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 1.

I am hated for teaching people the way of life and salvation for teaching them principles that pertain to eternity, by which the Gods were and are, and by which they gain influence and power. Obtain that influence, and you will be hated, despised, and hunted like the roe upon the mountains.—J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 3.

Never accuse a man or a woman of evil, until you find out the cause. Never judge by the outward appearance.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 169.

Do not get so angry that you cannot pray; do not allow yourselves to become so angry that you cannot feed an enemy.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 228.

Do not offend God by not doing as He wants you to.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 236.

If you could crowd an individual or a community into heaven without experience, it would be no enjoyment to them. They must know the opposite; they must know how to contrast, in order to prize and appreciate the comfort and happiness, the joy and the bliss they are actually in possession of.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 294.

We have to learn to submit ourselves to the Lord with all our hearts, with all our affections, wishes, desires, passions, and let Him reign and rule over us and within us, the God of every nation; then He will lead us to victory and glory; otherwise He will not.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 352.

There is only one thing to fear, and that is, that you will not be faithful to the kingdom of God.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 228.

My Christian brethren in the world say it is a piece of folly a species of extreme nonsense, to believe that water will wash away sins. It is no matter to me what they say; it is a commandment of the Lord; there is no mistake in it, it tells for itself. He says, Do thus and so, and your sins shall be washed away. I care not how they are taken away; whether an angel takes them to the Lord to get forgiveness, whether they sink to the bottom of the stream, or float on the top, and be scattered to the four winds; He says, Go into the water and be baptized, and they shall be washed away; which is enough for me.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 239.

When the wicked have power to blow out the sun, that it shines no more; when they have power to bring to a conclusion the operations of the elements, suspend the whole system of nature, and make a footstool of the throne of the Almighty, they may then think to check, Mormonism in its course, and thwart the unalterable purposes of heaven. Men may persecute the people who believe its doctrine, report and publish lies to bring tribulation upon their heads, earth and hell may unite in one grand league against it, and exert their malicious powers to the utmost, but it will stand as firm and immovable in the midst of it all as the pillars of eternity.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 88.

The time will come when the kingdom of God will reign free and independent. There will be a kingdom on the earth that will be controlled upon the same basis, in part, as that of the Government of the United States; and it will govern and protect in their rights the various classes of men, irrespective of their different modes of worship; for the law must go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, and the Lord Jesus will govern every nation and kingdom upon the earth.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 329.

Keep your spirits under the sole control of good spirits, and they will make your tabernacles honorable in the presence of God, angels, and men. If you will always keep your spirits in right subjection, you will be watching all the time, and never suffer yourselves to commit an act that you will be sorry for, and you can see that in all your life you are clear. Do not do anything that you will be sorry for.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 328.

The Lord will not reveal all that we at times wish Him to. If a school master were to undertake to teach a little child algebra, you would call him foolish, would you not? Just so with our Father; He reveals to us as we are prepared to receive.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 330.

The philosophers of the world will concede that the elements of which you and I are composed are eternal, yet they believe that there was a time when there was no God.—J. of D, Vol. I, p. 5.

You will find that this probation is the place to increase upon every little we receive, for the Lord gives line upon line to the children of men. When He reveals the plan of salvation, then is the time to fill up our days with good works.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 5.

When you embark to fill up the end of your creation, never cease to seek to have the Spirit of the Lord rest upon you, that your minds may be peaceable, and as smooth as the summer breezes of heaven. Never cease a day of your life to have the Holy Ghost resting upon you.—J. of D., Vol, I, p. 69.

When I have served my God and my brethren, when I have performed every act required of me, until nothing remains to be done, but to lie down and rest, to seek recreation, then it becomes my lawful privilege, and not before.—Journal of Discourses, Vol. I., p. 112.

If you want to apostatize, apostatize, and behave yourselves.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 84.

The duty of the mother is to watch over her children, and to give them their early education, for impressions received in infancy are lasting. You know, yourselves, by experience, that the impressions you have received in the dawn of your mortal existence, bear, to this day, with the greatest weight upon your mind. It is the experience of people generally that what they imbibe from their mothers in infancy is the most lasting upon the mind through life. This is natural, it is reasonable, it is right. I do not suppose you can find one person among five hundred who does not think his mother to be the best woman that ever lived. This is right, it is planted in the human heart. The child reposes implicit confidence in the mother, you behold in him a natural attachment, no matter what her appearance may be, that makes him think his mother is the best and handsomest mother in the world.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 67.

I never passed John Wesley's church in London without stopping to look at it. Was he a good man? Yes; I suppose him to have been, by all accounts, as good as ever walked on this earth, according to his knowledge. Has he obtained a rest? Yes, and greater than ever entered his mind to expect; and so have thousands of others of the various religious denominations.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 5.

Persecution and hatred by those who love not the truth are a legacy bequeathed by the Savior to all his followers; for He said they should be hated of all men for His name's sake. If we had ceased to be persecuted and hated we might fear; but the prospect is encouraging.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 42.

When I hear persons say that they ought to occupy a station more exalted, than they do, and hide the talents they are in possession of, they have not the true wisdom they ought to have. There is a lack in them, or they would improve upon the talents given.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 162.

Take a course to let the Spirit of God leave your hearts, and every soul of you would apostatize.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 55.

Truth is obeyed when it is loved. Strict obedience to the truth will alone enable people to dwell in the presence of the Almighty.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 55.

When men come into this Church merely through having their judgments convinced, they still must have the Spirit of God bearing witness to their spirits, or they will leave the Church, as sure as they are living beings. The Saints must become one, as Jesus said His disciples should be one. They must have the Spirit testifying to them of the truth, or the light that is in them will become darkness, and they will forsake this kingdom and their religion. I wished to bear this testimony.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 55.

There will not be so many people that will go into that awful place that burns with fire and brimstone, where they sink down, down, down to the bottom of the bottomless pit, as the Christians say, not near so many as the Christian world would have go there. That gives me great joy, notwithstanding all the perils and persecution we have suffered through the wickedness of the wicked. Liars, sorcerers, whoremongers, adulterers, and those that love and make a lie, will be found on the outside of the walls of the city; but they will never get into the bottom of the bottomless pit. Who will go there and become angels of perdition and suffer the wrath of an offended God? Those who sin against the Holy Ghost.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 144.

The eloquence of angels never can convince any person that God lives, and makes truth the habitation of His throne, independent of that eloquence being clothed with the power of the Holy Ghost; in the absence of this, it would be a combination of useless sounds.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 90.

Embrace a doctrine that will purge sin and iniquity from your hearts, and sanctify you before God, and you are right, no matter how others act.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 78.

Every time you kick "Mormonism," you kick it up stairs: you never kick it down stairs. The Lord Almighty so orders it.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 145.

If you want to see the principle of devilism to perfection, hunt among those who have once enjoyed the faith of the holy gospel and then forsaken their religion. We have the best and the worst.—J. of D., Vol. VII,, p. 145.

Darkness and sin were permitted to come on this earth. Man partook of the forbidden fruit in accordance with a plan devised from eternity, that mankind might be brought in contact with the principles and powers of darkness, that they might know the bitter and the sweet, the good and the evil, and be able to discern between light and darkness, to enable them to receive light continually.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p, 158.

I will not say, as do many, that the more I learn the more I am satisfied that I know nothing; for the more I learn the more I discern an eternity of knowledge to improve upon.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 162.

This American continent will be Zion, for it is so spoken of by the prophets. Jerusalem will be rebuilt and will be the place of gathering, and the tribe of Judah will gather there; but this continent of America is the land of Zion.—J. of D., Vol. V., p. 4.

One-third part of the spirits that were prepared for this earth rebelled against Jesus Christ, and were cast down to the earth, and they have been opposed to him from that day to this, with Lucifer at their heard. He is their great General Lucifer, the Son of the Morning, He was once a brilliant and influential character in heaven, and we will know more about him hereafter.—J. of D., Vol. V., p. 55.

It is the man who works hard, who sweats over the rock, and goes to the canyons for lumber, that I count more worthy of good food and dress than I am.—J. of D., Vol. V., p. 99.

Chastisements are grievous when they are received; but if they are received in patience, they will work out salvation for those who cheerfully submit to them.—J. of D., Vol. V., p. 124.

Mourning for the righteous dead springs from the ignorance and weakness that are planted within the mortal tabernacle, the organization of this house for the spirit to dwell in. No matter what pain we suffer, no matter what we pass through, we cling to our mother earth, and dislike to have any of her children leave us. We love to keep together the social family relation that we bear one to another, and do not like to part with each other; but could we have knowledge and see into eternity, if we were perfectly free from the weakness, blindness and lethargy with which we are clothed in the flesh, we should have no disposition to weep or mourn.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 131.

First reform in your moral character and conduct one towards another, so that every man and woman will deal honestly and walk uprightly with one another, and extend the arm of charity and benevolence to each other, as necessity requires. Be moral and strictly honest in every point, before you ask God to reform your spirit.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 61.

If we could see our heavenly Father, we should see a being similar to our earthly parent, with this difference: our Father in heaven is exalted and glorified. He has received His thrones, His principalities and powers, and He sits as a governor, as a monarch, and overrules kingdoms, thrones and dominions that have been bequeathed to Him, and such as we anticipate receiving. While He was in the flesh, as we are, He was as we are.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 54.

When we have done with the flesh, and have departed to the spirit world, you will find that we are independent of those evil spirits. But while you are in the flesh you will suffer by them, and cannot control them, only by your faith in the name of Jesus Christ and by the keys of the eternal priesthood. When the spirit is unlocked from the tabernacle it is as free, pure, holy and independent of them as the sun is of this earth.—J. of D. Vol. IV,, p. 134.

The spirit of every man and woman that gets into the celestial kingdom must overcome the flesh, must war against the flesh until the seeds of sin that are sown in the flesh are brought into subjection to the law of Christ.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p, 197.

Natural philosophy is the plan of salvation, and the plan of salvation is natural philosophy.—J. of D. Vol. IV., p. 203.

There is no spirit but what was pure and holy when it came here from the celestial world. There is no spirit among the human family that was begotten in hell; none that were begotten by angels, or by any inferior being. They were not produced by any being less than our Father in heaven. He is the Father of our spirits, and if we could know, understand and do His will, every soul would be prepared to return back into His presence. And when they get there, they would see that they had formerly lived there for ages; that they had previously been acquainted with every nook and corner, with the palaces, walks and gardens; and they would embrace their Father, and He would embrace them.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 268.

The kingdom of our God that is set upon the earth, does not require men of many words and flaming oratorical talents, to establish truth and righteousness. It is not the many words that accomplish the designs of our Father in heaven; with Him it is the acts of the people more than their words.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 20.

We are placed on this earth to prove whether we are worthy to go into the celestial world, the terrestrial or the telestial, or to hell.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 269.

Serve God according to the best knowledge you have, and lie down and sleep quietly; and when the devil comes along and says, You are not a very good Saint, you might enjoy greater blessings and more of the power of God, and have the vision of your mind opened, if you would live up to your privileges, tell him to leave; that you have long ago forsaken his ranks and enlisted in the army of Jesus, who is your captain, and that you want no more of the devil.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 270.

The spirit of truth will do more to bring persons to light and knowledge than flowery words.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 21.

Many people are unwilling to do one thing for themselves in case of sickness, but ask God to do it all.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 25.

I would rather be chopped to pieces at night, and resurrected in the morning each day throughout a period of three score years and ten, than be deprived of speaking freely, or be afraid of doing so.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 364.

A man never can be a polished scoundrel, until he can figure in polished society. It proves the truth of the saying, that it takes all the revelations of God, and every good principle in the world to make a man perfectly ripe for hell.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 362.

Let the past experience be buried in the land of forgetfulness, if the Lord will; but if this is done at all, it will be by showing kindness towards us in the future. If they wish us to forget the past, let them cease to make and circulate falsehoods about us, and let all the good people of the Government say,—"Let us do this people good for the future, and not try to crush them down all the day long by continuing to persecute them."

If we are here by chance, if we happened to slip into this world from nothing, we shall soon slip out of this world to nothing, hence nothing will remain.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 60.

The devil is just as much opposed to Jesus now as he was when the revolt took place in heaven. And as the devil increases his numbers by getting the people to be wicked, so Jesus Christ increases His numbers and strength by getting the people to be humble and righteous. The human family are going to the polls by and by, and they wish to know which party is going to carry the day.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 38.

If we are a company of poor, ignorant, deluded creatures why do they not show us a better example?—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 365.

If children have sinned against their parents, or husbands against their wives, or wives against their husbands, let them confess their faults one to another and forgive each other, and there let the confession stop; and then let them ask pardon from their God. Confess your sins to whoever you have sinned against, and let it stop there.

If you have committed a sin against the community, confess to them. If you have sinned in your family, confess there.

Confess your sins, iniquities and follies where that confession belongs, and learn to classify your actions.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 79.

Nothing less than the privilege of increasing eternally, in every sense of the word, can satisfy the immortal spirit. If the endless stream of knowledge from the eternal fountain could all be drunk in by organized intelligence, so sure immortality would come to an end, and all eternity be thrown upon the retrograde path.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 350.

God is our Father, and Jesus Christ is our elder brother, and both are our everlasting friends.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 193.

The only true believers are they who prove their belief by their obedience to the requirements of the gospel.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 234.

A flock of sheep consisting of thousands must be clean indeed if some of them are not smutty.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 213.

The gospel of salvation is perfectly calculated to cause division. It strikes at the root of the very existence of mankind in their wickedness, evil designs, passions and wicked calculations. There is no evil among the human family, but at the foundation of which it strikes effectually, and comes in contact with every evil passion that rises in the heart of man. It is opposed to every evil practice of men, and consequently it disturbs them in the wicked courses they are pursuing.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 235.

The God Mr. Baptist believes in is without body, parts or passions. The God that his "brother Mormon" believes in is described in the Bible as being a personage of tabernacle, having eyes to see, for he that made the eye shall he not see? Having ears to hear, for his ears are open to hear the prayers of the righteous. He has limbs that He can walk, for the Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day. He conversed with His children, as in the case of Moses at the fiery bush, and with Abraham on the plains of Mamre. He also ate and drank with Abraham and others. That is, the God the Mormons believe in, but their very religious Christian brethren do not believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, which is the God the Bible sets forth, as an organized corporeal being.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 238.

It is a mistaken idea to suppose that others can prevent me from enjoying the light of God in my soul; all hell cannot hinder me from enjoying Zion in my own heart, if my individual will yields obedience to the requirements and mandates of my heavenly Master.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 311.

Children have all confidence in their mothers; and if mothers would take proper pains, they can instill into the hearts of their children what they please. You will, no doubt, recollect reading, in the Book of Mormon, of two thousand young men, who were brought up to believe that, if they put their whole trust in God, and served Him no power would overcome them. You also recollect reading of them going out to fight, and so bold were they, and so mighty their faith, that it was impossible for their enemies to slay them. This power and faith they obtained through the teachings of their mothers.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 67.

That moment that men seek to build up themselves, in preference to the kingdom of God, and seek to hoard up riches, while the widow and the fatherless, the sick and afflicted around them are in poverty and want, it proves that their hearts are weaned from their God.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 273.

It is as much as we can do to keep the Christians of the nineteenth century from cutting our throats because we differ from them in our religious belief.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 165.

If I could net master my mouth, I would my knees, and make them bend until my mouth would speak.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 164.

All who live according to the best principles in their possession, or that they can understand, will receive peace, glory, comfort, joy, and a crown that will be far beyond what they are anticipating. They will not be lost.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 192.

I will not ask any person to embrace anything that is not in the New Testament until they have asked God if it is true or untrue, who will satisfy them if they ask in faith nothing doubting.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 244.

Do not seek for that which you cannot magnify, but practice upon that which you have in your possession.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 239.

It would be as easy for a gnat to trace the history of man back to his origin as for man to fathom the first cause of all things, lift the veil of eternity, and reveal the mysteries that have been sought after by philosophers from the beginning. What, then, should be the calling and duty of the children of men? Instead of inquiring after the origin of the Gods instead of trying to explore the depths of eternities that have been, that are, and that will be instead of endeavoring to discover the boundaries of boundless space, let them seek to know the object of their present existence, and how to apply, in the most profitable manner for their mutual good and salvation, the intelligence they possess.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 284.

The being whom we call Father was the father of the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He was also His father pertaining to the flesh. Infidels and Christians, make all you can of this statement. The Bible, which all Christians profess to believe, reveals that fact, and it reveals the truth upon that point, and I am a witness of its truth. The apostles who were personally acquainted with Jesus Christ did know and understand what they wrote, and they wrote the truth.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 286.

When the spirit leaves the body it goes into the spirit world, where the spirits of men are classified according to their own wills or pleasure, as men are here, only they are in a more pure and refined state of existence.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p 288.

Salvation is an individual operation. I am the only person that can possibly save myself.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 312.

There is not a truth on earth or in heaven that is not embraced in Mormonism.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 244.

I am here to testify to hundreds of instances of men, women and children being healed by the power of God through the laying on of hands: and many I have seen raised from the gates of death, and brought back from the verge of eternity; and some whose spirits had actually left their bodies, returned again. I testify that I have seen the sick healed by the laying on of hands, according to the promise of the Savior.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 240.

There never was a time when there were not Gods and worlds, and when men were not passing through the same ordeals that we are now passing through. That course has been from all eternity and it is and will be to all eternity.—J. of D, Vol. VII., p. 333.

When you tell me that Father Adam was made as we make adobies, from the earth, you tell me what I deem an idle tale. When you tell me that the beasts of the field were produced in that manner, you are speaking idle words, devoid of meaning. There is no such thing in all the eternities where the Gods dwell; mankind are here because they are the offspring of parents who were first brought here from another planet, and power was given them to propagate their species, and they were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 285.

We will round up our shoulders and bear up the ponderous weight, carry the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth, gather Israel, redeem Zion and continue our operations until we bind Satan, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and no power can hinder it.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 189.

The "Mormon" Elders will tell you that all people must receive this gospel the gospel of Jesus Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins, or they cannot be saved. Let me explain this to you. They cannot go where God and Christ dwell, for that is a kingdom of itself the celestial kingdom. Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions," or kingdoms. They will come forth in the first, second or some other resurrection, if they have not been guilty of the particular sins I have just mentioned; and they will enjoy a kingdom and a glory greater than they had ever anticipated. When we talk about people's being damned, I would like to have all understand that we do not use the term "damnation" in the sense that it is used by the sectarian world. Universal, salvation or redemption is the doctrine of the Bible; but the people do not know how or where to discriminate between truth and error. All those who have done according to the best of their knowledge, whether they are Christians, Pagans, Jews, Mohammedans, or any other class of men that have ever lived upon the earth, that have dealt honestly and justly with their fellow beings, walked uprightly before each other, loved mercy, tried to put down iniquity, and done as far right as they knew how, according to the laws they lived under, no matter what the laws were, will share in a resurrection that will be glorious far beyond the conception of mortals.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 288.

Do you not know that the possession of your property is like a shadow, or the dew of the morning before the noonday sun, that you cannot have any assurance of its control for a single moment? It is the unseen hand of Providence that controls it.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 114.

No person can be a saint, unless he receives the holy gospel, for the purity, justice, holiness, and eternal duration of it.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 114.

I will do the work the Lord has appointed unto me. You do the same and fear not, for the Lord manages the helm of the ship of Zion; and on any other ship I do not wish to be.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 189.

How often to all human appearance, has this kingdom been blotted out from the earth, but the Lord has put His hand over the people, and it has passed through and come out two, three and four times larger than before. Our enemies have kicked us, and cuffed us, and driven us from pillar to post, and we have multiplied and increased the more, until we have become what we are this day.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 191.

The devil has put the whole world on the watch against us. It is impossible for us to make the least move without exciting, if not all the world, at least a considerable portion of it. They are excited at what we do, and strange to relate, they are no less excited at what we do not do.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 189.

Do you suppose that this people will ever see the day that they will rest in perfect security, in hopes of becoming like another people, nation, state, kingdom or society? They never will. Christ and Satan never can be friends. Light and darkness will always remain opposites.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 188.

When evil is present with us, we must overcome it, or be overcome by it. When the devil is in our hearts, tempting us to do that which is wrong, we must resist him, or be led captive by him.—J. of D., Vol, I., p. 92.

The speculation I am after, is to exchange this world, which, in its present state, passes away, for a world that is eternal and unchangeable, for a glorified world filled with eternal riches, for the world that is made an inheritance for the Gods of eternity.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 327.

Do the righteous of this people cause persecution to come upon themselves? No, Do the principles of the gospel create prejudice and persecution against them? No. But it is the disposition of the wicked to oppose the principles of truth and righteousness which causes it.—J. of D., Vol. I. p. 186.

To saint and sinner, believer and unbeliever, I wish here to offer one word of advice and counsel by revealing the mystery that abides with this people called Latter-day Saints; it is the Spirit of the living God that leads them; it is the Spirit of the Almighty that binds them together; it is the influence of the Holy Ghost that makes them love each other like little children; it is the Spirit of Jesus Christ that makes them willing to lay down their lives for the cause of truth, and it was that same Spirit that caused Joseph, our martyred prophet to lay down his life for the testimony of what the Lord revealed to him.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 145.

I have nothing to fear in all the persecutions or hardships I may pass through in connection with this people, but the one thing, and that is to stray from the religion I have embraced and be forsaken by my God. If you or I should see that day, we shall see at once that the world will love its own; and affliction, persecution, death, fire and the sword will cease to follow us.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 144.

Money is not real capital, it bears the title only. True capital is labor and is confined to the laboring classes. They only possess it. It is the bone, sinew, nerve and muscle of man that subdue the earth, make it yield its strength and administer to his varied wants. This power tears down mountains and fills up valleys, builds cities and temples, and paves the streets. In short what is there that yields shelter and comfort to civilized man that is not produced by the strength of his arm making the elements bend to his will.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 254.

Though the enemy had power to kill our prophet, that is, kill his body, did he not accomplish all that was in his heart to accomplish in his day? He did to my certain knowledge, and I have many witnesses here that heard him declare that he had done everything he could do—he had revealed everything that could be revealed at present, he had prepared the way for the people to walk in, and no man or woman should be deprived of going into the presence of the Father and the Son and enjoying an eternal exaltation if they would walk in the path he had pointed out.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 132.

So long as you are able to walk and attend to your business, it is folly to say that you need ardent spirits to keep you alive. The constitution that a person has should be nourished and cherished; and whenever we take anything into the system to force and stimulate it beyond its natural capacity, it shortens life. I am physician enough to know that. When you are tired and think you need a little spirituous liquor, take some bread and butter, or bread and milk, and lie down and rest. Do not labor so hard as to deem it requisite to get half drunk in order to keep up your spirits. If you will follow this counsel, you will be full of life and health, and will increase your intelligence, your joy and comfort.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 337.

All I desire to live for is to see the inhabitants of the earth acknowledge God, bow down to Him, and confess His supremacy, and His righteous covenant. To Him let every knee bow, and every tongue confess, and let all creation say Amen to His wise providences. Let every person declare His allegiance to God, and then live to it, saying, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. As for me, and all I have, it is the Lord's, and shall be dedicated to Him all my days." If this can be done, happiness is here, angels are here, God is here and we are wrapped in the visions of eternity.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 94.

The principle opposite to that of eternal increase from the beginning, leads down to hell; the person decreases, loses his knowledge, tact, talent and ultimately, in a short period of time is lost; he returns to his mother earth, his name is forgotten. But where, O! where is his spirit? I will not now take the time to follow his destiny; but here strong language could be used, for when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed after the termination of the thousand years' rest, He will summon the armies of heaven for the conflict, He will come forth in flaming fire, He will descend to execute the mandates of an incensed God, and amid the thunderings of the wrath of Omnipotence, roll up the heavens as a scroll and destroy death and him that has the power of it. The rebellious will be thrown back into their native element, there to remain myriads of years before their dust will again be revived, before they will be reorganized. Some might argue that this principle would lead to the reorganization of Satan, and all the devils. I say nothing about this only what the Lord says, that when "He comes He will destroy death and him that has the power of it." It cannot be annihilated; you cannot annihilate matter. If you could it would prove there was empty space. If philosophers could annihilate the least conceivable amount of matter, they could then prove there was the minutest vacuum, or empty space but there is not even that much, and it is beyond the power of man to prove that there is any.—J of D., Vol. I., p. 118.

Because of the weakness of human nature, it must crumble to the dust. But in all the revolutions and changes in the existence of men, in the eternal world which they inhabit, and in the knowledge they have obtained as people on the earth, there is no such thing as principle, power, wisdom, knowledge, life, position or anything that can be imagined, that remains stationary they must increase or decrease.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 350.

Men should act upon the principle of righteousness because it is right, and is a principle which they love to cherish and see practiced by all men. They should love mercy because of its benevolence, charity, love, clemency and of all of its lovely attributes, and be inspired thereby to deal justly, fairly, honorably, meting out to others their just deservings.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 119.

Practical religion is what we all need to prepare us to enjoy that which we have in our anticipations that which we hold in our faith. Merely the theory of any religion does people but little good. This is the great failing of Bible Christians, as they are called. They have the theory of the religion of which the Bible testifies, but the practical part they spurn from them.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 341.

All those who wish to possess true riches, desire the riches that will endure. Then look at the subject of salvation where you will find true riches. They are to be found in the principles of the gospel of salvation, and are not to be found anywhere else.—J. of D., Vol. I., p, 269.

Suppose we say there was once a beginning to all things, then we must conclude there will undoubtedly be an end. Can eternity be circumscribed? If it can, there is an end of all wisdom, knowledge, power and glory all will sink into eternal annihilation.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 353.

Which would produce the greatest good to man, to give him his agency and draw a vail over him, or to give him certain blessings and privileges, let him live in a certain degree of light, and enjoy a certain glory, and take his agency from him, compelling him to remain in that position, without any possible chance of progress? I say the greatest good that could be produced by the all-wise Conductor of the universe to His creature, man, was to do just as He has done.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 351.

The Lord does not thank you for your alms, long prayers, sanctimonious speeches and long faces, if you refuse to extend the hand of benevolence and charity to your fellow creatures, and lift them up, and encourage and strengthen the feeble, while they are contending against the current of mortal ills.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 245.

The Holy Ghost takes of the Father and of the Son and shows it to the disciples. It shows them things past, present and to come. It opens the vision of the mind, unlocks the treasures of wisdom, and they begin to understand the things of God; their minds are exalted on high; their conceptions of God and His creations are dignified, and "Hallelujah to God and the Lamb in the highest," is the constant language of their hearts. They comprehend themselves and the great object of their existence. They also comprehend the designs of the wicked ones, and the designs of those who serve him; they comprehend the designs of the Almighty in forming the earth and mankind upon it, and the ultimate purpose of all His creations. It leads them to drink at the fountain of eternal wisdom, justice and truth; they grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ until they see as they are seen, and know as they are known.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 241.

The character of a person is formed through life, to a greater or less extent, by the teachings of the mother. The traits of early impressions that she gives the child, will be characteristic points in his character through every avenue of his mortal existence.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 67.

It is necessary that we should be tried, tempted and buffeted to make us feel the weakness of this mortal flesh.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 359.

Directly behind a frowning Providence oftentimes are concealed the greatest blessings that mankind can desire.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 198.

I am at the defiance of the rulers of the greatest nation on the earth, with the United States all put together, to produce a more loyal people than the Latter-day Saints.—J. of D., Vol. 1., p. 361.

All there is of any worth or value in the world is incorporated in our glorious religion, and designed to exalt the minds of the children of men to a permanent, celestial and eternal station.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 341.

I may have thousands of wealth locked up today, and hold checks for immense sums on the best banking institutions in the world, but have I any surety that I shall be worth a cent tomorrow morning? Not the least. The Lord Almighty can send fire and destruction when He pleases, destroying towns and swallowing up cities in the bellowing earthquake. He can set up kingdoms and make communities wealthy, and bring them to poverty at His pleasure. When He pleases, He can give them wealth, comfort and ease, and on the other hand torment them with poverty, distress and sore afflictions. Who can realize this? All the world ought, and especially the Saints.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 340.

The Lord Almighty can do His own work and no power of man can stay the potency of His wonder-working hand. Men may presume to dictate to the Lord; they come to naught, but His work moves steadily forward.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 198.

When I cannot feed myself through the means God has placed in my power, it is then time enough for Him to exercise His providence in an unusual manner to administer to my wants. But while we can help ourselves, it is our duty to do so. If a saint of God be locked up in prison, by his enemies, to starve to death, it is then time enough for God to interpose, and feed him.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 108.

It has been, and is now, believed by numerous individuals, that the brute creation, by increase in knowledge and wisdom, change their physical or bodily organization, through numerous states of existence, so that the minutest insect, in lapse of time, can take to itself the human form, and visa versa. This is one of the most inconsistent ideas that could be possibly entertained in the mind of man; it is called the transmigration of souls. It is enough for me to know that mankind are made to improve themselves. All creation, visible and invisible, is the workmanship of our God, the Supreme Architect and Ruler of the whole, who organized the world, and created every living thing upon it, to act in its sphere and order. To this end has He ordained all things to increase and multiply. The Lord God Almighty has decreed this principle to be the great governing law of existence, and for that purpose are we formed. Furthermore, if man can understand and receive it, mankind are organized to receive intelligence until they become perfect in the sphere they are appointed to fill, which is far ahead of us at present. When we use the term perfection, it applies to man in his present condition, as well as to heavenly beings. We are now, or may be, as perfect in our sphere as God and angels are in theirs, but the greatest intelligence in existence can continually ascend to greater heights of perfection.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 92.

We read in the Bible, that there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. In the Book of Doctrine and Covenants these glories are called telestial, terrestrial, and celestial, which is the highest. These are worlds, different departments, or mansions, in our Father's house. New those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold sceptres of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 312.

Suppose the devil does tempt you, must you of necessity enter into partnership again with him, open your doors, and bid him welcome to your house, and tell him to reign there? Why do you not reflect, and tell master devil, with all his associates and imps, to be gone, feeling you have served him long enough.—J. of D., Vol. I., p, 323.

If true principles are revealed from heaven to men, and if there are angels, and there is a possibility of their communicating to the human family, always look for an opposite power, an evil power, to give manifestations also; look out for the counterfeit.—J. of D., Vol. VII,, p. 240.

When death is passed, the power of Satan has no more influence over a faithful individual; that spirit is free, and can command the power of Satan. The penalty demanded by the fall has been fully paid; all is accomplished pertaining to it, when the tabernacle of a faithful person is returned to earth. All that was lost is passed away, and that person will again receive his body. When he is in the spirit world, he is free from those contaminating and condemning influences of Satan that we are now subject to. Here our bodies are subject to being killed by our enemies our names to being cast out as evil. We are prosecuted, hated, not beloved; though I presume that we are as much beloved here as the spirits of the saints are in the spirit world by those spirits who hate righteousness. It is the same warfare, but we will have power over them. Those who have passed through the vail have power over the evil spirits to command, and they must obey.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 240.

Oppression, persecution, afflictions, and other trials and privations are necessary as a test to all professing to be Saints, that they may have an opportunity to witness the workings of the power which is opposed to truth and holiness.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 242.

Let the spirit that comes from the eternal world, which at the outset is pure and holy, with the influence God gives to it, master all the passions of the body, and bring it under subjection to the will of Christ. That course makes us Saints.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 243.

Whether a truth be found with professed infidels, or with Universalists, or the Church of Rome, or the Methodists, the Church of England, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Quakers, the Shakers, or any other of the various and numerous different sects and parties, all of whom have more or less truth, it is the business of the Elders of this Church (Jesus, their elder brother, being at their head,) to gather up all the truths in the world pertaining to life and salvation, to the gospel we preach, to mechanism of every kind, to the sciences, and to philosophy, wherever it may be found in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and bring it to Zion. The people upon this earth have a great many errors, and they have also a great many truths. This statement is not only true of the nations termed civilized those who profess to worship the true God, but is equally applicable to pagans of all countries, for in their religious rites and ceremonies may be found a great many truths which we will also gather home to Zion. All truth is for the salvation of the children of men—for their benefit and learning for their furtherance in the principles of divine knowledge.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 283.

The Latter-day Saints understand the Bible as it reads, but the generality of modern Christians disagree with us, and say it needs interpreting. They cannot believe our Lord means what He says in the 16th chapter of Mark, when He tells His Apostles to "go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe," etc. "Now," say they, "we cannot believe that as it is written, but we have a very pretty interpretation which suits us much better than the plain text. And furthermore we have a sweeping argument that will destroy all your system from beginning to end, and prove there is to be no more revelation." Let us look at the passage here referred to. John, while upon the Isle of Patmos, had a revelation which, he wrote, and he concluded the same by saying, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away His part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." When this book, the Bible, was compiled, it was selected by the council of Carthage from a pile of books more than this pulpit could hold, which has been printed, and bound in almost all shapes and sizes, and called the Bible. John's revelation was one of the many books destined by that council to form the Bible. And the saying which we have quoted, and which constitutes the sweeping argument of modern Christians against new revelation, only alludes to this particular book, which was to be kept sacred, as the word of the Lord to John, and not to the whole Bible; nor does it prohibit the Saints in his day, or the Saints in any future time, from getting new revelation for themselves. That is not all; if we turn to the writings of Moses, we find the same sentiment, and almost the same language used. Moses says, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." So if such quotations are given with the intent to shut the heavens, and put an end to all new revelation, then the revelations given to prophets who arose after Moses, and the revelations given to Jesus Christ and His Apostles, including John and his revelation on the Isle of Patmos, all amount to nothing, and are not worthy of our notice. This "sweeping argument," when it is examined, sweeps away rather too much; besides, John's gospel and his epistle to his bretheren were written after he wrote his revelation on the Isle of Patmos; consequently he would destroy his own system; but it sets forth the ignorance and short-sightedness of those who have not the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 242.

Let us dedicate ourselves, our families, our substance, our time, our talents, and everything we have upon the face of this world, with all that will hereafter be entrusted to us, to the Lord our God; let the whole be devoted to the building up of His kingdom upon the earth.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 200.

Teach your families how to control themselves; teach them good and wholesome doctrine, and practice the same in your own lives. This is the place for you to become polished shafts in the quiver of the Almighty.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 47.

When a man is capable of correcting you, and of giving you light, and true doctrine, do not get up an altercation, but submit to be taught like little children, and strive with all your might to understand.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 47.

We believe the New Testament, and consequently, to be consistent, we must believe in new revelation, visions, angels, in all the gilts of the Holy Ghost, and all the promises contained in these books, and believe it about as it reads.—J. of D. Vol. I, p. 242.

The Millennium consists in this every heart in the Church and kingdom of God being united in one; the kingdom increasing to the overcoming of everything opposed to the economy of heaven, and Satan being bound, and having a seal set upon him. All things else will be as they are now, we shall eat, drink, and wear clothing. Let the people be holy, and the earth under their feet will be holy. Let the people be holy and filled with the Spirit of God, and every animal and creeping thing will be filled with peace; the soil of the earth will bring forth in its strength, and the fruits thereof will be meat for man. The more purity that exists, the less is the strife; the more kind we are to our animals, the more will peace in crease, and the savage nature of the brute creation vanish away. If the people will not serve the devil another moment whilst they live, if this congregation is possessed of that spirit and resolution, here in this house is the Millennium. Let the inhabitants of this city be possessed of that spirit, let the people of the territory be possessed of that spirit, and here is the Millennium. Let the whole people of the United States be possessed of that spirit, and here is the Millennium, and so will it spread over all the world.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 203.

The power which belongs to the true riches is gained by pursuing a righteous course, by maintaining an upright deportment towards all men, and especially towards the household of faith, yielding to each other, giving freely of that which the Lord has given to you, thus you can secure to yourselves eternal riches; and gain influence and power over all your friends, as well as your enemies.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 273.

Were I to say to a son, The whole earth is in my hands to dispose of as I will: I can make you the sovereign of the universe—the possessor of the gold, the silver, the mountains, the valleys, the rivers, the lakes the seas, and all that float upon them and that live upon the face of the whole earth; for it is mine to give to you, my son, if you will serve me one month faithfully; I require nothing of you that will give you the least pain! all I require is strict obedience to my law. My son faithfully serves me during twenty-nine days, and on the thirtieth day, for the value of a straw, or for a mess of pottage he sells his right and title to all I had promised him. This comparison falls very far short of showing the loss a Saint sustains when he turns away from his God and his religion.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 133.

As long as the spirit and body hold together, my tongue shall be swift against evil, the Lord Almighty being my helper. Though it may be in "Mormon" Elders, among the people in or out of the Church, if they come in my path where I can chastize them, the Lord Almighty being my helper, my tongue shall be swift against evil; and if evil come, let it come. If for this my body shall fall, let it fall; when they have destroyed the body, then they have no more that they can do; that is the end of their power, and of the power of the devil on this earth; but Jesus Christ has power to destroy both soul and body in hell.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 42.

Were I to make war upon an innocent people, because I had the power to possess myself of their territory, their silver, gold, and other property, and be the cause of slaying, say fifty thousand strong, hale, hearty men, and devolving consequent suffering upon one hundred thousand women and children, who would suffer through privation and want, I am very much more guilty of murder than is the man who kills only one person to obtain his pocket-book.—J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 137.

There is one virtue, attribute, or principle, which, if cherished and practiced by the Saints, would prove salvation to thousands upon thousands. I allude to charity, or love, from which proceed forgiveness, long suffering, kindness, and patience.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 133.

If a man drinks at the fountain of eternal life, he is as happy under the broad canopy of heaven, without a home, as in a palace. This I know by experience. I know that the things of this world, from beginning to end, from the possession of mountains of gold down to a crust of johnycake, makes little or no difference in the happiness of an individual. The things of this world add to our natural comfort, and are necessary to susiain mortal life. We need these comforts to preserve our earthly existence; and many suppose, when they have them in great abundance, that they have all that is needed to make them happy. They are striving continually, and with all their might, for that which does not add one particle to their happiness, though it may not add to their comfort, and perhaps to the length of their lives, if they do not kill themselves in their eagerness to grasp the gilded butterfly. But those things have nothing to do with the spirit, feeling, consolation, light, glory, peace, and joy that pertain to heaven and heavenly things, which is the food of the everlasting spirit within us.—J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 135.

Do not be so full of religion as to look upon every little overt act that others may commit as being the unpardonable sin that will place them beyond the reach cf redemption and the favors of our God.—J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 136.

Our religion teaches us truth, virtue, holiness, faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ. It reveals mysteries; it brings to mind things past and present—unfolding clearly things to come. It is the foundation of mechanism; it is the spirit that gives Intelligence to every living being upon the earth. All true philosophy originates from that fountain from which we draw wisdom, knowledge, truth, and power. What does it teach us? To love God and our fellow creatures, to be compassionate, full of mercy, long-suffering and patient to the froward and to those who are ignorant. There is glory in our religion that no other religion that has ever been established upon the earth, in the absence of the true Priesthood, ever possessed. It is the fountain of all intelligence; it is to bring heaven to earth and exalt earth to heaven, to prepare all intelligence that God has placed in the hearts of the children of men to mingle with that intelligence which dwells in eternity, and to elevate the mind above the trifling and frivolous objects of time, which tend downward to destruction. It frees the mind of man from darkness and ignorance, gives him that intelligence that flows from heaven, and qualifies him to comprehend all things. This is the character of the religion we believe in.—J. of D. Vol. VII., p. 140.

I say shame on that man who will give way to his passions and use the name of God or of Christ to curse his ox or his horse, or any creature which God has made; it is a disgrace to him.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 241.

That a man is willing to die for his religion is no proof of its being true; neither is it proof that a religion is false when one of its votaries apostatizes from it.—J. of D., Vol. VII, p. 140.

I may heap up gold and silver like the mountains; I may gather around me property, goods and chattels, but I could have no glory in that compared with my religion; it is the fountain of light and intelligence; it swallows up the truth contained in all the philosophy of the world, both heathen and Christian; it circumscribes the wisdom of man; it circumscribes all the wisdom and power of the world; it reaches to that within the veil. Its bounds, its circumference, its end, its height and depth are beyond the comprehension of mortals, for it has none.—J., of D., Vol. I., p. 39.

If you have gold and silver, let it not come between you and your duty. J. of D. Vol. I., p. 202.

When the breath leaves the body, your life has not become extinct; your life is still in existence. And when you are in the spirit world, everything there will appear as natural as things now do. Spirits will be familiar with spirits in the spirit world—will converse, behold, and exercise every variety of communication one with another as familiarly and naturally as while here in tabernacles.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 239.

If we are faithful to our religion, when we go into the spirit world, the fallen spirits Lucifer and the third part of the heavenly hosts that came with him, and the spirits of wicked men who have dwelt upon this earth, the whole of them combined will have no influence over our spirits.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 240.

The thrones and kingdoms of earth are frequently changing hands. Adventurers rise up or go forth and establish new governments, and in a few short years they are cast down to give place to more successful powers. All earthly things are changing hands. The gold, the silver, and other property pass from my hands to yours, and from yours to the hands of others. Shame on a people that place their affections upon this changing matter! Love God and the things that change not.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 337.

The child who has his father's razor, or any other article dangerous for him to handle, and about the use of which he has no knowledge, when deprived of it, his trials are equal to ours, according to his capacity. We seldom think of the trials of our little ones when we say to them, you must not have this or that; you must do so and so to receive my smiles and approbation; you must not think for a moment that your judgment, wisdom, experience, and wishes are to be compared with mine. Does not the Father of all living conduct Himself in this wise towards His children? He has revealed to us that He will prepare us for glory, for life eternal,—will preserve our identity forever, if we will be guided by him. But we must be obedient to him, for He understands more than we do. We should destroy ourselves if we were suffered to take our own way; hence we are taught to suffer the Father to point out our path to an eternal duration hereafter, where our present afflictions will appear as flimsy as the shadows of the morning that flee upon the approach of day.—J. of D., Vol. VII., p. 275.

If a man is worth millions of bushels of wheat and corn, he is not wealthy enough to suffer his servant girl to sweep a single kernel of it into the firs; let it be eaten by something, and pass again into the earth, and thus fulfill the purpose for which it grew.—J. of D. Vol. I., p. 253.

The man who lays up his gold and silver, who caches it away in a bank, or in his iron safe, or buries it up in the earth, and comes here, and professes to be a Saint, would tie up the hands of every individual in this kingdom, and make them his servants if he could.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 253.

If I am not smart enough to take care of what the Lord lends me, I am smart enough to hold my tongue about it, until I come across the thief myself.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 255.

When I have gold and silver in my possession, which a thief may steal, or friends borrow, and never pay me back again, or which may take the wings of the morning, and I behold it no more, I only possess the negative of the true riches.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 266.

If this people will do as they are told, will live their religion, walk humbly before their God, and deal justly with each other, we will make you one promise, in the name of Israel's God, that you will never be driven from the mountains.—J. of D., Vol. I., p. 319.

It is folly in the extreme for persons to say that they love God, when they do not love their brethren.—J. of D., Vol. I, p. 297.

Speaking as the world view men and things, in the eyes of the vast majority of mankind, the devil is the greatest gentleman that ever made his appearance on this earth.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 347.

I hope as I grow old, to grow wise. As I advance in years, I hope to advance in the true knowledge of God and godliness. I hope to increase in the power of the Almighty, and in influence to establish peace and righteousness upon the earth, and to bring all the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, even all who will hearken to the principles of righteousness, to a true sense of the knowledge of God and godliness, of themselves, and the relation they sustain to heaven and heavenly beings.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 326.

It would be better if you and I never should have anything pertaining to this world, than to lose the spirit of the gospel and love the world.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p, 342.

The difficulty with the whole world in their divisions and subdivisions, is that they have no more confidence in each other than they have in their God, and that is none at all.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 296.

There never was that necessity; there never has been a time on the face of the earth, from the time that the church went to destruction, and the Priesthood was taked from the earth, that the powers of darkness and the powers of earth and hell were so embittered, and enraged, and incensed against God and godliness on the earth, as they are at the present. And when the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, of wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked, and never until then.—J. of D., Vol. IV., p. 327.