[Brigham Young Sermon] I am thankful for the privilege of meeting with my brethren safely across the streams in as good a condition as we are placed - I am thankful brethren for all that has past - I am not looking to the many houses I have built for my family. I regret them not - I do not desire them - I don't want to exchange all the comforts of what is called civilized life - the riches of the cities with all the treasures. I would not exchange this opportunity for all of them - its not worth talking about. every man can consider what we are going west - we are going to a place secluded entirely from civilization unless we carry it with us - is the object solely to prepare themselves for the coming of the Son of Man, is people who Jesus will own - if it is for any objects to be enjoyed this side of the vail - we could live more where we have come from - if it is to prepare for all the blessings that are on the other side of the vail what sort of persons ought we to be - if it is to hail the saints in the skies as though we had been acquainted with them and be prepared to enjoy the glory, Excellency and power that they enjoy and which over balances all the powers of darkness and if we expect to receive the blessings that others do if we are willing to suffer toil labor wear themselves out for the kingdom of God you are fit to go on - if we are not the persons we are not fit to go to the west - we way as well stay among the Gentiles and be damned - as go over the mountains and be damned there - I can say great peace have we had in our camp - those who travel with me - I did not expect to travel 133 miles without finding 33 grumblers at least. I have not found one. It appears that most of the people really understand the object of this journey - I expect that most of the people really understand the object of this journey - I expect peace, love, and union will increase - the spirit of the gospel will actually increase in our hearts - this is the first time we have been together since we left Winter Quarters. It is a matter of doubt whether we all meet again another Sabbath so as all to meet, we are going for the sake of our religion - the peaches, apples, fine cities, and streets are in the United States, all can be had there - we are going west for our religion - I know Mormonism is true, I am willing to fight, and lay down my life for it - I may be filled with the Spirit of the world after all, if I am not full of the spirit of the gospel - I am fretful and happy - and uncomfortable in my feelings - the Holy Ghost is round about - but is not in me - it ought not to be so - it makes a hard life for every man or woman - it is one of the greatest blessings to be humble - all is well, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. I exhort the brethren and sisters to pray and be humble. I want to journey along in my own private feelings. There are many in this church that believe the work that will be damned because they are evil doers - now let every man and woman do good - establish the principles of righteousness and make all happy - make yourself and everybody around you happy - if a man has no love in him for the principles of righteousness he will be damned. I believe we have peace - no companies ever traveled with so much peace since the days of Enoch until now not even in the children of Israel - if we continue to increase in our faithfulness and peace we shall make a short job of it - it has been a dark and dreary time since the death of Joseph Smith, why the Lord God Almighty let this people, not Joseph Smith, if he is not the leader farewell to Mormonism, I would not give a red cent for it - but the Lord is around about us - his angels are round us, heaven is full of days - don't hurry, be patient all will be right, when Zion is redeemed - Jerusalem rebuilt - you will look back and say it was the work of a moment - God will control the work, let us control ourselves and bring ourselves in subjection to the Lord if we don't hurry too much we shall do it up - if we hurry too much our horse will tire out - don't fret nor hurry nor worry - here's brethren with me who went to the valley - when we did not hurry all went well - we did not know where we were going and did not care we only wanted a thousand mile of sage roots to travel over and every mobber has got to go through the same as we did - and I am glad of it. DJLJ 1:41-43. After singing and Prayer from President Brigham Young, he arose and addressed the assembly. Said that he was truly thankful for the peace and good order that has been observed and manifested by the saints since we have been on this journey. Never has there been a people of the same number since the days of Enoch that has Journeyed under the same circumstances with less murmuring and complaining then this people has, and from the spirit that he has seen manifested, he was inclined to think that the peace, love and union that is in the camps of Israel will continue to increase. He further continued and said that he wanted his brethren to under stand before they advanced any further on their journey in the wilderness. That if it was for the riches, honors, glory, comfort and enjoyment that they expect to receive in this world. They had better have stayed in the state or in their own country, for they could get the apples and peaches and others luxuries as easy about Pittsburgh as they can in the valley, and should any want to return now, he would have them guarded safe back to Winter Quarters. But if it is for the reward of immortality and eternal life beyond the veil, then persevere and live so as to obtain it. He here ventured an assertion that there is hundreds if not thousands in this church who firmly believe Mormonism that have and will leave their homes and follow the church, fight for it, and even lay down their lives for it, and still at last will be damned. You may ask why. The answer is because they do not and will not live so as to have the principles of eternal lives abiding in them continually, springing up like a well of living water, although the life giving principles are round and about them and in the church with the faithful, the preludes of which they at times feel, But because it does not abide with them continually, they have not power to control themselves and consequently they are gov- erned by their own feelings instead of being led by council through the Spirit of the Lord, hence their continual desires to do wrong, to find fault, to murmur and complain and in fine their spirit is wrestles, unhappy and uneasy. They never are satisfied with what is done. They never feel satisfied with their proper place. Envious, always feeling that they could do better. Be careful brethren and do not deceive your selves. Examine the fruits of the spirit and learn obedience'- -- Loup Fork, Nebraska [Thomas Bullock Minutes, LJA; Thomas Bullock—LDS Church Reporter, 1844-56.C, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; GCM, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..; Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 9-12-6, 41-42]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
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