Confidence - Advice to Emigrants - Danger In Prosperity
delivered in the tabernacle September 11, 1853 pg 74-79
"In reality, the inhabitants of the earth do not vary so much in their sentiments as they do in the explaining of them to each other." pg 74
"Men of science and talent in this Church believed - or so they said they believed - honestly, truly, and with all their hearts, that Joseph Smith did not understand anything about temporal matters. They believed he understood spiritual things - that he understood the Spirit of the Lord, and how to build up the spiritual kingdom among men; but when temporal matters were talked of, men were ready to decide at once, that they knew more than the Prophet about such matters; and they did so decide." pg 74
"Are these the feelings of the people at the present time? They are not, but right to the reverse. I could have said then, the same that I could say it now, if Joseph was living - if he could have been believed, and confidence could have been placed in him, with regard to temporal matters, wealth would have been poured into the laps of this people to overflowing." pg 75
-the people didn't have faith in the prophet temporally and things went wrong because of that, the same goes for us, if we are more worried about our money than anything else then we will have problems and many very well fall way
"How is it now? Have the people confidence? They say they have. Are they willing to take counsel? They say they are. As it was observed here this morning, when we wish anything done, the people are ready and willing to raise their hands to accede to the propositions made by their leaders... this whole people are willing to receive counsel, but who of them are willing to carry it out to the very letter? The future will prove that. It is not proven by sitting on your seats and simply raising your hands, as a token, a covenant, a witness to God and Angels that you are ready to take counsel, and also carry it out." pg 75-76
"Consult your own judgments in such matters. Do you think that God would set a man to lead his people, who does not know as much about a picayune or a fine, as about God's spiritual kingdom, or the New Jerusalem?..." pg 76
-it's silly to think that the Lord is to busy for us now, he still loves and cares for us just as much
-you can't say that you believe in the kingdom of God if you're not willing to make sacrifices to help bring it about
"...for when men are thoroughly tried, they are ready to go to any place where they are told to go, and when they are told" pg 76
-new comers to the valley can settle where ever they like, so long as it is walled in for protection
"It is not my general practice to counsel the sisters to disobey their husbands, but my counsel is - obey your husbands; and I am sanguine and most emphatic on that subject. But I never counseled a woman to follow her husband to the devil." pg 77
"Let us be kind to each other, and cultivate the spirit of peace, and seek diligently to know the will of God. How can you know it? In matters pertaining to yourselves as individuals, you can obtain it directly from the Lord, but in matters pertaining to public affairs, His will is ascertained through the proper channel, and may be known by the general counsel that is given you from the proper source." pg 78
"...See that you forget not the Lord your God. If this people will serve Him with all their heart, mind and strength, they have nothing to fear from this time henceforth and forever..."pg 78
"...They are on the high way to wealth; and there is danger in it." pg 78
- all we have comes from Heavenly Father and we need to remember that
"If we receive good, it is of the Lord; then let us serve him, and love him with a true heart." pg 79
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Education delivered in the tabernacle April 8, 1852 pg 66-71
"When we speak upon education, it is not to be understood that it alone consists in a man's learning the letters of the alphabet, in being trained in every branch of scholastic lore, in becoming a proficient in the knowledge of the sciences, and a classical scholar, but also in learning to classify himself and others." pg 66
"...education commences with the mother, and the child in connection. ...It depends a great degree upon the mother, as to what children receive, in early age, of principle of every description, pertaining to all that can be learned by the human family. When will mothers understand this?" pg 66
"If your children do not receive impressions of true piety, virtue, tenderness, and every principle of the Holy Ghost, you may be assured that their sins will not be required at the hands of the father, but of the mother." pg 67
"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." pg 67
-remember how the mothers of the stripling warriors influenced their sons to do good
"The character of a person is formed through life to a greater or less degree, by the teachings of their mother." pg 67
-children shouldn't be neglected while their mothers are off having fun
children also need to be taught to be guided by their fathers as well
"Always keep your minds pure before the Lord." pg 69
-prayers is the way to avoid temptation
"In these circumstances the mind must be centered upon the Lord, and upon His work, continually. 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." pg 69
"Remember it... Let your hearts before the Lord, and never cease to do anything you can for the satisfaction and comfort of your family, that all may enjoy the comforts of the Spirit of the Lord continually. If you do not come to this, your literary attainments will not exceed those of the world." pg 69
"Joseph built on the sure foundation, and, when I build up my superstructure, it shall be upon the same foundation." pg 70
"When a man is full of the light of eternity, then the eye is not the only medium by which he sees, his ear is not the only medium by which he hears, nor the brain the only means by which he understands..." pg 70
"We are at present low, weak, and grovelling in the dark, but we are planted here in weakness for the purpose of exaltation. pg 71
"When we speak upon education, it is not to be understood that it alone consists in a man's learning the letters of the alphabet, in being trained in every branch of scholastic lore, in becoming a proficient in the knowledge of the sciences, and a classical scholar, but also in learning to classify himself and others." pg 66
"...education commences with the mother, and the child in connection. ...It depends a great degree upon the mother, as to what children receive, in early age, of principle of every description, pertaining to all that can be learned by the human family. When will mothers understand this?" pg 66
"If your children do not receive impressions of true piety, virtue, tenderness, and every principle of the Holy Ghost, you may be assured that their sins will not be required at the hands of the father, but of the mother." pg 67
"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." pg 67
-remember how the mothers of the stripling warriors influenced their sons to do good
"The character of a person is formed through life to a greater or less degree, by the teachings of their mother." pg 67
-children shouldn't be neglected while their mothers are off having fun
children also need to be taught to be guided by their fathers as well
"Always keep your minds pure before the Lord." pg 69
-prayers is the way to avoid temptation
"In these circumstances the mind must be centered upon the Lord, and upon His work, continually. 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." pg 69
"Remember it... Let your hearts before the Lord, and never cease to do anything you can for the satisfaction and comfort of your family, that all may enjoy the comforts of the Spirit of the Lord continually. If you do not come to this, your literary attainments will not exceed those of the world." pg 69
"Joseph built on the sure foundation, and, when I build up my superstructure, it shall be upon the same foundation." pg 70
"When a man is full of the light of eternity, then the eye is not the only medium by which he sees, his ear is not the only medium by which he hears, nor the brain the only means by which he understands..." pg 70
"We are at present low, weak, and grovelling in the dark, but we are planted here in weakness for the purpose of exaltation. pg 71
Friday, January 8, 2010
Self-Government - Mysteries - Recreation and Amusements, Not In Themselves Sinful - Tithing - Adam, Our Father and Our God. delivered in the tabernacle April 9, 1852 pg 46-53
"I wish also to urge the necessity of your proceeding on your missions immediately, and full of the spirit, and of going to the place of your destination full of the Holy Ghost..." pg 46
"...live up to the principles you preach, that you may teach also by your example, as well as by precept." pg 46
"Continue to preach, study and learn, by faith and prayer, until your minds and mouths are opened, and you understand most perfectly the love of Christ." pg 46
-it's much easier to teach our principles to others than it is for us to actually live them ourselves
"The greatest mystery a man ever learned, is to know how to control the human mind, and bring every faculty and power of the same in subjection to Jesus Christ; this is the greatest mystery we have to learn while in these tabernacles of clay." pg 46-47
"Here is the place for you to teach the great mysteries to your brethren, because here are those who can correct you." pg 47
"When a man is capable of correcting you, and of giving you light, and true doctrine, do not get up and altercation, but submit to be taught like little children and strive with all your might to understand." pg 47
"Preach the simple, unadorned truth; work out your salvation with diligence, and do that which will guarantee you a warranted deed, an undeniable title to eternal lives." pg 47
"If you feel prayer in you, pray; and if you feel the spirit of preaching in you, preach;..." pg 47
"This is the place for you to become polished shafts in the quiver of the Almighty." pg 47
"I love the society of all good men. And to preach salvation to them." pg 47
"Whatever a man does, let him do it in the name of the Lord - let him work in the name of the Lord, let all his acts through life be in the name of the Lord; and if he wants light and knowledge, let him ask in that name." pg 48
-there is within people and animals even, a love of music and a soothing we receive from that. The lord is responsible for these feelings, they are not unrighteous (please note that music then was also very different from some of the genres of music today)
"I possess nothing but what my heavenly Father has been pleased to give me, or, in other words, He has loaned it to me while I remain here in this mortal flesh." pg 49
"The Lord controls the whole; and in the end you will find He has regulated all things right, for all will be consummated to His glory." pg 49
-we're here to be tested, those who do well and chose the good will be crowned but those who chose the evil will be damned.
"I was trying to think of the place where God is not, but it is impossible, unless you can find empty space; and there I believe He is not." pg 50
-God has a body that is like our bodies, Jesus, God's son has a body, the Holy Ghost is a spirit with no body but is a minister of God's will
"We were made first spiritual, and afterwords temporal." pg 50
-Adam= MICHAEL the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! (I don't know why that's all in caps and italics, I might have summarized what was written and copied it the way it was in the book.)
"The thistle, the thorn, the brier, and the obnoxious weed did not appear until after the earth was cursed. When Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, their bodies became mortal from its affects, and therefore their offspring were mortal." pg 50
-it's very important for the members of the church to pay their tithing, the church cannot care for members in need, etc. if tithing is not being paid. don't just think that the church will get along fine without you
"I wish also to urge the necessity of your proceeding on your missions immediately, and full of the spirit, and of going to the place of your destination full of the Holy Ghost..." pg 46
"...live up to the principles you preach, that you may teach also by your example, as well as by precept." pg 46
"Continue to preach, study and learn, by faith and prayer, until your minds and mouths are opened, and you understand most perfectly the love of Christ." pg 46
-it's much easier to teach our principles to others than it is for us to actually live them ourselves
"The greatest mystery a man ever learned, is to know how to control the human mind, and bring every faculty and power of the same in subjection to Jesus Christ; this is the greatest mystery we have to learn while in these tabernacles of clay." pg 46-47
"Here is the place for you to teach the great mysteries to your brethren, because here are those who can correct you." pg 47
"When a man is capable of correcting you, and of giving you light, and true doctrine, do not get up and altercation, but submit to be taught like little children and strive with all your might to understand." pg 47
"Preach the simple, unadorned truth; work out your salvation with diligence, and do that which will guarantee you a warranted deed, an undeniable title to eternal lives." pg 47
"If you feel prayer in you, pray; and if you feel the spirit of preaching in you, preach;..." pg 47
"This is the place for you to become polished shafts in the quiver of the Almighty." pg 47
"I love the society of all good men. And to preach salvation to them." pg 47
"Whatever a man does, let him do it in the name of the Lord - let him work in the name of the Lord, let all his acts through life be in the name of the Lord; and if he wants light and knowledge, let him ask in that name." pg 48
-there is within people and animals even, a love of music and a soothing we receive from that. The lord is responsible for these feelings, they are not unrighteous (please note that music then was also very different from some of the genres of music today)
"I possess nothing but what my heavenly Father has been pleased to give me, or, in other words, He has loaned it to me while I remain here in this mortal flesh." pg 49
"The Lord controls the whole; and in the end you will find He has regulated all things right, for all will be consummated to His glory." pg 49
-we're here to be tested, those who do well and chose the good will be crowned but those who chose the evil will be damned.
"I was trying to think of the place where God is not, but it is impossible, unless you can find empty space; and there I believe He is not." pg 50
-God has a body that is like our bodies, Jesus, God's son has a body, the Holy Ghost is a spirit with no body but is a minister of God's will
"We were made first spiritual, and afterwords temporal." pg 50
-Adam= MICHAEL the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! (I don't know why that's all in caps and italics, I might have summarized what was written and copied it the way it was in the book.)
"The thistle, the thorn, the brier, and the obnoxious weed did not appear until after the earth was cursed. When Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, their bodies became mortal from its affects, and therefore their offspring were mortal." pg 50
-it's very important for the members of the church to pay their tithing, the church cannot care for members in need, etc. if tithing is not being paid. don't just think that the church will get along fine without you
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Knowledge of the Doctrine of Christ - The Religions of Men, and the Religion of God - Joseph Smith - Persecutions, Etc. delivered in the tebernacle, Salt Lake, July 11, 1852 pg 37-42
"I can bear testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true; and the word of the Lord, whether written or spoken, is true." pg 37
-though lots of people say they know that the doctrine of Jesus Christ are true but the only ones who really know it are the ones who keep his commandments and do his will
"They that do my will, shall know of my doctrine, and they that love me will keep my commandments;" and I will add, "they that know and love me," says Jesus, "will keep my sayings." pg 38
"...there is not that man that hears the sound of my voice this day, that can say that Jesus lives, whether he profess to be his disciple or not; and can say at the same time, that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet of the Lord." pg 38
-the Book of Mormon is absolutely true, think Elder Holland's talk in General Conference October, 2009
[the Bible and the Book of Mormon]"If one be true, both are; and if one be false, both are false." pg 38
-Joseph Smith was a prophet, undeniably
"Permit me to say, that I am proud of my religion. It is the only thing I pride myself in, on the earth." pg 39
"...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... it circumscribes the wisdom of men; 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." pg 39
-other churches can be learned and understood in a few years time but Brigham Young studied very hard for decades only to feel like he was still on the ABC's because God is infinite and you can't learn that all right away
"Is not the earth the Lord', the wheat, the fine flower, the gold, the silver, the earth and all its fullness? Can you imagine to yourselves anything that pertains to this earth that does not belong to its Redeemer?... He is the character I look to, and the one I try to serve to the best of my ability." pg 40
"Joseph Smith was not killed because he was deserving of it, nor because he was a wicked man; but because he was a virtuous man. I know that to be so, as well as I know the sun now shines." pg 40
-even though things came up against Joseph all the time, law suits, etc. he never broke the law, he was wrongfully accused, he kepth the laws.
"For the first day I knew brother Joesph to the day of his death, a better man never lived on the face of this earth." pg 41
" I am in the hands of God, He gave it, and He took it away' and blessed be the name of the Lord." pg 41
"Let the world say what they please, we will glory in our holy religion, and God will we serve." pg 41
"...the Lord Almighty being my helper, my toung shall be swift against evil; and if evil come, let it come. If for this my body shall fall;... that is the end oof their power, and the power of the devil on this earth; but Jesus Christ has power to destroy both soul and body in hell." pg 42
"I can bear testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true; and the word of the Lord, whether written or spoken, is true." pg 37
-though lots of people say they know that the doctrine of Jesus Christ are true but the only ones who really know it are the ones who keep his commandments and do his will
"They that do my will, shall know of my doctrine, and they that love me will keep my commandments;" and I will add, "they that know and love me," says Jesus, "will keep my sayings." pg 38
"...there is not that man that hears the sound of my voice this day, that can say that Jesus lives, whether he profess to be his disciple or not; and can say at the same time, that Joseph Smith was not a Prophet of the Lord." pg 38
-the Book of Mormon is absolutely true, think Elder Holland's talk in General Conference October, 2009
[the Bible and the Book of Mormon]"If one be true, both are; and if one be false, both are false." pg 38
-Joseph Smith was a prophet, undeniably
"Permit me to say, that I am proud of my religion. It is the only thing I pride myself in, on the earth." pg 39
"...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... it circumscribes the wisdom of men; 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." pg 39
-other churches can be learned and understood in a few years time but Brigham Young studied very hard for decades only to feel like he was still on the ABC's because God is infinite and you can't learn that all right away
"Is not the earth the Lord', the wheat, the fine flower, the gold, the silver, the earth and all its fullness? Can you imagine to yourselves anything that pertains to this earth that does not belong to its Redeemer?... He is the character I look to, and the one I try to serve to the best of my ability." pg 40
"Joseph Smith was not killed because he was deserving of it, nor because he was a wicked man; but because he was a virtuous man. I know that to be so, as well as I know the sun now shines." pg 40
-even though things came up against Joseph all the time, law suits, etc. he never broke the law, he was wrongfully accused, he kepth the laws.
"For the first day I knew brother Joesph to the day of his death, a better man never lived on the face of this earth." pg 41
" I am in the hands of God, He gave it, and He took it away' and blessed be the name of the Lord." pg 41
"Let the world say what they please, we will glory in our holy religion, and God will we serve." pg 41
"...the Lord Almighty being my helper, my toung shall be swift against evil; and if evil come, let it come. If for this my body shall fall;... that is the end oof their power, and the power of the devil on this earth; but Jesus Christ has power to destroy both soul and body in hell." pg 42
Friday, November 6, 2009
Recreation And The Proper Use Of It.
delivered at a legislative festival at the Territorial House, Salt Lake, March 4, 1852 pg 28-34
"...with all the talent bestowed upon me, I feel to serve, praise, adore, and acknowledge the Lord our God." pg 28-29
"If there is a heart here this evening that does not chime with every sentiment of righteousness, that heart has no power in this assembly." pg 29
"Now we are met in the capacity of a social community - for what? That our minds may rest, and our bodies receive that recreation which is proper and necessary to keep up an equilibrium, to promote healthy action to the whole system." pg 29
"...as well as the correctness of these principles, all men and women must be their own judge." pg 29
"I am in the best place I ever was during my life, and with the best society. I never saw a community that enjoyed the tranquility and peace that are enjoyed by this people in theses vallies of the mountains." pg 29
-it's good to relax and have fun, if we keep at the grind day after day, it wouldn't take us long to forget the Lord.
"When we have had sufficient recreation for our good, let that suffice. It is all right; then let our minds labor instead of our bodies; and in all our exercised of body and mind, it is good to remember the Lord." pg 30
"From this time, never let us permit ourselves to go one step beyond that which the Lord will own and bless." pg 30
"...and this is the reason why I am fond of these pastimes - they give me a privilege to throw everything off, and shake myself, that my body may exercise and my mind rest. What for? To get strength and be renewed and quickened, and enlivened, and animated, so that my mind may not wear out." pg 30-31
"But when men are brought to labor entirely in the field of intelligence, there are few minds to be found possessing strength enough to bear all things; the mind becomes overcharged, and when this is the case, it begins to wear upon the body, which will sink for the want of proper exercises." pg 31
"What is the use of it, when mercy and kindness are lavished upon the people of God, and to see them falter in their faith, see them grow cold towards the Lord their God, see them slacken their pace?" pg 31
"For heaven's sake, for your own sake, and for the sake of Him who died for us, never let us falter in our duty. While we live, it is our duty to love the Lord with our might, and with all our strength, and with all our souls. This is our duty first and foremost...: pg 32
"And what is the next duty? Love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you would that others should do unto you, cease your contention and bad feelings, your evil speaking and doing." pg 32
-we shouldn't worry about petty arguments, we should live in such a way that after we are dead, we won't be mortified to look back at our actions in this life
"Do you not know that spirits beget spirits, and likeness begets likeness." pg 33
"When you see all the powers of the evil one combine against a community, you may know that is Christ's kingdom. Everything has proved that this is God's kingdom, and I need not say anything more about these two powers." pg 33
"I would be satisfied to live with the saints and angels from this time henceforth." pg 34
delivered at a legislative festival at the Territorial House, Salt Lake, March 4, 1852 pg 28-34
"...with all the talent bestowed upon me, I feel to serve, praise, adore, and acknowledge the Lord our God." pg 28-29
"If there is a heart here this evening that does not chime with every sentiment of righteousness, that heart has no power in this assembly." pg 29
"Now we are met in the capacity of a social community - for what? That our minds may rest, and our bodies receive that recreation which is proper and necessary to keep up an equilibrium, to promote healthy action to the whole system." pg 29
"...as well as the correctness of these principles, all men and women must be their own judge." pg 29
"I am in the best place I ever was during my life, and with the best society. I never saw a community that enjoyed the tranquility and peace that are enjoyed by this people in theses vallies of the mountains." pg 29
-it's good to relax and have fun, if we keep at the grind day after day, it wouldn't take us long to forget the Lord.
"When we have had sufficient recreation for our good, let that suffice. It is all right; then let our minds labor instead of our bodies; and in all our exercised of body and mind, it is good to remember the Lord." pg 30
"From this time, never let us permit ourselves to go one step beyond that which the Lord will own and bless." pg 30
"...and this is the reason why I am fond of these pastimes - they give me a privilege to throw everything off, and shake myself, that my body may exercise and my mind rest. What for? To get strength and be renewed and quickened, and enlivened, and animated, so that my mind may not wear out." pg 30-31
"But when men are brought to labor entirely in the field of intelligence, there are few minds to be found possessing strength enough to bear all things; the mind becomes overcharged, and when this is the case, it begins to wear upon the body, which will sink for the want of proper exercises." pg 31
"What is the use of it, when mercy and kindness are lavished upon the people of God, and to see them falter in their faith, see them grow cold towards the Lord their God, see them slacken their pace?" pg 31
"For heaven's sake, for your own sake, and for the sake of Him who died for us, never let us falter in our duty. While we live, it is our duty to love the Lord with our might, and with all our strength, and with all our souls. This is our duty first and foremost...: pg 32
"And what is the next duty? Love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you would that others should do unto you, cease your contention and bad feelings, your evil speaking and doing." pg 32
-we shouldn't worry about petty arguments, we should live in such a way that after we are dead, we won't be mortified to look back at our actions in this life
"Do you not know that spirits beget spirits, and likeness begets likeness." pg 33
"When you see all the powers of the evil one combine against a community, you may know that is Christ's kingdom. Everything has proved that this is God's kingdom, and I need not say anything more about these two powers." pg 33
"I would be satisfied to live with the saints and angels from this time henceforth." pg 34
I've decided to try my hand at reading the Journal of Discourses, at least in part. It was suggested to me by one of my teachers that a good way to learn more about the church as an institution and as my religion would be to read through the Journal of Discourses one president of the church at a time. The starting place for this is Brigham Young, the journal didn't start until after the saints moved to Utah and by that time Joseph Smith was dead. I started this task earlier in the summer, but got put off it for a while and so before I'd gotten very far the idea came to me that I should be taking notes as I did this so that I could go back and have something to refrence afterwards.
I decided to post my notes from my first attempt, I found I got a lot more out of it than I had the last time I read this particular discourse. I found some really cool stuff and I wanted to share it.
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, Brigham Young
Salvation pg 1-6 delivered in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, January 16, 1853
-just about everyone in their own way is seeking what they believe to be salvation
"The object of a true salvation correctly and minutely understood, changes the course of mankind." pg 2
"How difficult it is to teach the natural man, who comprehends nothing more than that which he sees with the natural eye! How hard it is for him to believe!" pg 2
"If the Lord does not speak from heaven, and touch the eyes of their understanding by His Spirit, who can instruct or guide them to good? who can give them the words of eternal life? It is not in the power of man to do it; but when the Lord gives us His Spirit to a person... they can hear, believe, and be instructed." pg 2-3
Whenever we are disposed to give ourselves perfectly to righteousness, to yield all the powers and faculties of the soul (which is the spirit and the body, and it is there where righteousness dwells); when we are swallowed up in the will of Him who has called us; when we enjoy the peace and the smiles of our Father in Heaven, the things of His Spirit, and all the blessings we are capacitated to receive and improve upon, then are we in Zion, that is Zion." pg 3
"We are the temples of God," pg 3
-we have the opportunity to be Zion, to be temples of the Lord if we could truly love and follow what is set before us, what's holding us back We should be jumping at the opportunity.
"If Elders [or sisters] of Israel use language which is not proper for the lips of a Saint, such Elders [or sisters] are under condemnation, and the wrath of God abides upon them," pg 4
"...but if every heart were set upon doing right, we should have Zion here." pg 4
"...it proves that we can add to our knowledge, wisdom, and strength, and that we can add power to every attribute that God has given us." pg 5
"Let us fill up our days with usefulness, do good to each other and cease from all evil." pg 5
"I wish to impress upon your minds the reality that when the body which is organized for intelligence to dwell in, dies, and returns to it's mother earth, all the feelings, sensibilities, faculties, and powers of the spirit are still alive, they never die, but in the absence of the body are more acute. They are organized for an eternal existence." pg 5
"...we acknowldege the hand of God in all things, all is right, Zion is here, in our own possession." pg 5
-remember to have compassion on others
"I find that I have enough to do to watch myself. It is as much as I can do to get right, deal right and act right." pg 6
"Light cleaves to light, and truth to truth." pg 6
I hope if you enjoy this that you'll try it for yourself, these are the things that really seemed important to me, if you were to read it I'm sure that there would be other things that would jump out at you.
I decided to post my notes from my first attempt, I found I got a lot more out of it than I had the last time I read this particular discourse. I found some really cool stuff and I wanted to share it.
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, Brigham Young
Salvation pg 1-6 delivered in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, January 16, 1853
-just about everyone in their own way is seeking what they believe to be salvation
"The object of a true salvation correctly and minutely understood, changes the course of mankind." pg 2
"How difficult it is to teach the natural man, who comprehends nothing more than that which he sees with the natural eye! How hard it is for him to believe!" pg 2
"If the Lord does not speak from heaven, and touch the eyes of their understanding by His Spirit, who can instruct or guide them to good? who can give them the words of eternal life? It is not in the power of man to do it; but when the Lord gives us His Spirit to a person... they can hear, believe, and be instructed." pg 2-3
Whenever we are disposed to give ourselves perfectly to righteousness, to yield all the powers and faculties of the soul (which is the spirit and the body, and it is there where righteousness dwells); when we are swallowed up in the will of Him who has called us; when we enjoy the peace and the smiles of our Father in Heaven, the things of His Spirit, and all the blessings we are capacitated to receive and improve upon, then are we in Zion, that is Zion." pg 3
"We are the temples of God," pg 3
-we have the opportunity to be Zion, to be temples of the Lord if we could truly love and follow what is set before us, what's holding us back We should be jumping at the opportunity.
"If Elders [or sisters] of Israel use language which is not proper for the lips of a Saint, such Elders [or sisters] are under condemnation, and the wrath of God abides upon them," pg 4
"...but if every heart were set upon doing right, we should have Zion here." pg 4
"...it proves that we can add to our knowledge, wisdom, and strength, and that we can add power to every attribute that God has given us." pg 5
"Let us fill up our days with usefulness, do good to each other and cease from all evil." pg 5
"I wish to impress upon your minds the reality that when the body which is organized for intelligence to dwell in, dies, and returns to it's mother earth, all the feelings, sensibilities, faculties, and powers of the spirit are still alive, they never die, but in the absence of the body are more acute. They are organized for an eternal existence." pg 5
"...we acknowldege the hand of God in all things, all is right, Zion is here, in our own possession." pg 5
-remember to have compassion on others
"I find that I have enough to do to watch myself. It is as much as I can do to get right, deal right and act right." pg 6
"Light cleaves to light, and truth to truth." pg 6
I hope if you enjoy this that you'll try it for yourself, these are the things that really seemed important to me, if you were to read it I'm sure that there would be other things that would jump out at you.
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