PERSECUTIONS, DUTIES, AND PRIVILEGES OF THE SAINTS

An Address by Elder Daniel H. Wells, to the Children whoformed the Procession on the Anniversary of the Entrance of the Pioneersinto Great Salt Lake Valley, Delivered in the Tabernacle, July 24, 1854.

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Beloved Friends-We are met in commemoration of the important historicalfact, that on the 24th of July, seven years ago, a band of brethren cameto this place, seeking a home, an asylum, where they might rest a whilefrom their arduous and toilsome march, and feel secure from the wrath ofwicked, wreckless, infuriated men, who had, in times past, pursued and huntedthem with relentless fury, and driven them from the abodes of civilization.Directed by the same God who led Moses and the children of Israel out fromthe land of Egypt, they, with our beloved President at their head, locatedin this valley.

This becomes an important fact from its associations, fraught as itis with momentous consequences to us as a people; transplanting us fromthe narrow limits of a single city, to a large territory, in which we arefast becoming a mighty people. We perceive the hand-dealing of a wise andbeneficent God in this, who has said, by the mouth of His Prophet, thatit was "His business to provide for His Saints." This also furnishesa strong illustration of high Heaven's economy, in over-ruling and turningthe wrath of man to its service and praise, and from "seeming ill stilleducing good."

This day, in reality, is the Anniversary of our Birth-day as a freepeople. We may say that it was a bloodless conquest, and yet our path hasnot been strewn with flowers, as witness the parting pang when exhaustedstrength has been laid low in the dust, and bitter tears have only beendried in view of a better future.

We this day rejoice together in union and harmony-in peace and prosperity;and as the sun of gladness has arisen upon our horizon, so may it neveragain become darkened by the mists of sorrow, nor the storms of persecutionbe permitted to obscure its genial rays.

We now possess a country sufficient for our present necessities andpurposes, institutions which we have received from God, through His Prophets,and, under the broad folds of our glorious Constitution, American Freedom.

We now have the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictatesof our own consciences, and no one to disturb, or make us afraid.

What more can we ask? What more can we expect? The balance rests withourselves. If we would be happy, if we would be great, have the knowledgeand wisdom of God, and be prospered, it remains with us to pursue that course,to perform those duties, and to live that life, which shall conspire toproduce those blessings.

The kingdom will advance, and bring with it the treasures of knowledge,wisdom, and power, just so fast as the Lord finds that He has a people ready,willing, and capable of receiving, and bearing it off. If we would hastenthe time for the coming of the Son of Man with power and great glory, wemust increase our diligence, hasten ourselves in the attainment of everyperfection, and by our purity and excellence bring unto ourselves Heaven'sexcellence and purity.

My friends, this is a day of rejoicing with the Saints, and here inthis sacred place of worship, we mingle together, the old and the young,in offering to our God, praise and thanksgiving for His kind mercies andblessings. As we mingle in our amusements and rejoicings, and participatetogether in our celebration of this day, and the realization of our dependenceupon Him who has wrought out our salvation, and brought us to an inheritancein this goodly land, amid scenes of joy and prosperity, it is always wellto remember and acknowledge the kind hand of providence, from whom we receiveevery good and perfect gift.

How can we well express the overflowing gratitude of our hearts to theGiver of all good, for what we this day behold? Thousands of children ina single city, of less than seven years growth, convened under their respectivebanners, each bearing a motto expressive of their views and sentiments,intention and designs; each bosom swelling with pride and gratitude, thatthey too are the children of the Kingdom, unto whom pertain the promisesof God concerning Israel.

My young friends, how shall we reciprocate? What shall we do to advancethe glorious cause of truth, make ourselves useful, and fulfil the measureof our creation upon the earth? I answer, it is for us to be obedient, hearkenunto the counsel of our parents and leaders, to keep the commandments ofGod. It is to qualify ourselves to follow some useful occupation, to beindustrious in acquiring knowledge, and not spend our time in useless visiting,and lounging about in idleness. It is to have every moment devoted to someuseful employment, to serve God, and walk humbly before Him, blameless inall of His ordinances, be true to God and His servants, follow in the dictateof wisdom and experience, be patient and courteous toward each other, bepersevering, virtuous, honest, and faithful-in short, be good, faithfulSaints of the Most High God.

If we do this, we shall always enjoy the blessings of a good conscience,void of offence toward God and man. Let our aim be for God, and an exaltationin His Kingdom, keeping our minds constantly directed to the attainmentof this object; and no matter what may befal [befall] us here below, weshall be safe in the arms of our blessed Redeemer, who said, "Sufferlittle children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is thekingdom of heaven."

Does our Father in heaven view us with approbation this day? Let uslook to it, each one of us, that we do nothing either in thought, word,or deed, neither this, nor any other day but that He can look down uponus with approbation. Let not folly nor wickedness be committed in Israel,lest we be called upon to put away the workers of iniquity from our midst,and thus cleanse Israel from sin and guilt.

Young men and youths, just rising to take a part in the affairs of men,you follow in the precepts of wisdom, and abide in the counsel of truth,you shall have strength according to your day, and the mountain torrentshall not be more fierce to encounter than you, when the enemy shall againmarshal his hosts for battle; the mountain roe shall not be swifter, normore agile in its flight, than you in scaling the mountain height, or leapingthe deep, dark chasm, made by a thousand floods. Nothing shall present abarrier too high, too rugged, or so difficult that you cannot surmount it.

As physical strength shall be given, so shall mental strength and ability,and you will increase and strengthen until you can fathom the deep sciences,and unfold the mysteries of eternity.

To you, also, ye maidens of Israel, is it not an honor to be numberedamong the daughters of Zion? Unto you this invitation extends, to make yourselvesuseful in the drama of life; qualify yourselves also for the part whichmay be allotted you to perform in the Kingdom of our God. Preserve yourselvesin purity and the perfection of every virtue. Let your time be fully occupiedin some useful employment, and although you may not be called upon to encounterthe fierce contest of the world, as your brothers, fathers, or husbands,yet your path shall so closely entwine itself with theirs, as to strengthen,nourish, and sustain them, be a present help in every time of need; andwhen the storm clouds shall lower, and fierce persecution rage, be enabledby united faith and energy to bid defiance to "Mormon" foes, whetherthey come in form of men in hostile array, or the more insidious and stealthymanner of demons from the arch and subtle intriguer, and deceiver of thehuman race.

Yes, fair maidens, if you would have loveliness encircle your brow, andbeauty adorn your forms, let the gems of virtue, truth, and sincerity sparkleyour eyes, and adorn your minds with knowledge and wisdom. Let excellence,goodness, and industry, embellish your lives, and the star of your gloryshall never wane, nor the promised inheritance to dwell among the Gods bewithheld, proving to God and man

"The kindest blessing High Heaven could send; In life a treasure,and in death a friend."

This is an age of progress, and if we would keep pace with the times,we must progress also. The youth of other States, Territories, or Nations,must not outstrip us in the arts and sciences, nor in anything that is calculatedto adorn life and become useful to man.

Situated as we are, so far distant from the emporium of letters and commerce,some may think that this is difficult to avoid; but it is not so. It iseasy not only to keep pace with, but outstrip them even in the race of progress.Our advantages are simply these-we have not the burden of trash and nonsenseto wade through at the beginning, which others have; the mind is thereforemore free to act, and can conceive more real truth and imbibe more realknowledge in a given time; and although we may not yet possess every facilityfor our advancement, still we are more than compensated by the wholesomeinfluence of virtue and religion, rules, regulations, and institutions freedfrom the bigotry, superstitions, dogmas, and follies of ages. We moreoverbreathe the pure mountain air, and drink from the cool mountain stream,and dwell in a lighter and purer atmosphere, not only physically, but sociallyand morally. Are these advantages, and do they contribute to correct thinking?If they are, and if they do, then we have certainly no cause to complain.

If we will only avail ourselves of the opportunities which we possess,take the good, and reject the evil, abide in the light and truth, and applyourselves, we have no fears but that we shall excel. And time will showin regard to our moral and social institutions, which Congress are so oftentrying to legislate about. They are welcome to all of their moral and socialrules and regulations, religious or otherwise; nor do I suppose that weshall try to legislate about them, although we have just about as much rightto, as they have about ours. The argument is opportune; I could not wishfor better illustration for the subject under consideration, than the alreadymuddy and beclouded brains which some of the present Congress exemplifiedupon this very subject. One might suppose that the spirit at least of the3000 clergymen upon the Nebraska and Kansas Bill, had found its way intotheir minds, and left its impression with them. What other item of religiousfaith they will next seek to interfere with, is left for time to determine;but I should expect, that women would be prohibited from marrying, or Shakerismabolished.

Excuse me, my friends, for alluding to such a subject upon an occasionlike this, but the absurdity of undertaking to legislate upon the moralityof our social relations and religious institutions, imperceptibly led meto make a comment upon it.

If it is an indication of a righteous feeling among them, there maybe some small hopes of them yet; but it "smacks rather too much ofthe SULPHUR to be genuine," as the parrot said when the devil taughthim prayers. I hope you will accept of my apology, and I will refrain.

Our Pilgrim Fathers, when they landed on Plymouth Rock, constituteda small band, 'tis true; yet by uniting rich resources with energy and determinedperseverance, witness what it amounted to-New England's rocks and hillswere peopled; large cities sprung into existence, and she sends her sonsand daughters too into every State; they are the first upon the confinesof civilization, exploring the deep forest and wide-spread prairie, stemmingMissouri's flood, and traversing ocean's wide domain. The sons of the PilgrimFathers are everywhere; here to-day are congregated thousands of them, whofeel the same spirit of freedom which emulated them to flee from under theoppressor's rod, and beyond the tyrant's grasp.

Our Pioneers, unlike our Revolutionary Fathers, did not dissolve theirpolitical ties, but more than our Pilgrim Fathers; fled from persecution,and planted their standard like them, free to all to flee unto. Here wehope to preserve American freedom, to ourselves and others, although itwas not preserved to us in the land of our nativity. Here we hope to beprospered and increased in knowledge, wisdom, and power; enabled to preserveour rights, and our liberties, as did our Revolutionary Fathers, when oppressionbecame too onerous, and tyranny ranked too high.

But I forbear. Let us do our duty to ourselves, our country, and ourGod; be vigilant in the preservation of virtue and truth; and leave theevent with the God of Nations, who shutteth and no man can open, and opensand no man can shut.