Mormon History
Brigham Young's Sermon on Mormons Becoming Communists - 4/7/1869
I think I shall not be under the necessity of talking long, as there
has been a great deal said to the people this afternoon. I will
commence by saying to the Latter-day Saints and to all the inhabitants
of the earth that I am responsible for the doctrine I teach; (1)
but I am not responsible for the obedience of the people to that
doctrine. My position in the presence of God, before the Angels and
upon the face of the earth, is that it is easier and more delightful to
serve God than to serve ourselves and the devil.
There has been considerable said this afternoon with regard to
redeeming and building up Zion, the Order of Enoch, &c. I see men
and women in this congregation-only a few of them-who were driven from
the central stake of Zion. Ask them if they had any sorrow or trouble;
then let them look at the beautiful land that the Lord would have given
them if all had been faithful in keeping His commandments, and had
walked before Him as they should; and then ask them with regard to the
blessings they would have received. If they tell you the sentiments of
their minds, they will tell you that the yoke of Jesus would have been
easy and his burden would have been light, and that it would have been
a delightful task to have walked in obedience to his commands and to
have been of one heart and one mind; but through the selfishness of
some, which is idolatry, through their covetousness, which is the same,
and the lustful desire of their minds, they were cast out and driven
from their homes. We have been driven many times; but each time, if
they who professed to be the servants of God had served Him with an
undivided heart, they would have had the privilege of living in their
houses, possessing their lands, attending to their meetings, and
spreading abroad on the right and the left, lengthening the cords of
Zion, and strengthening her stakes until the land had been dedicated to
the Gospel of the Son of God. Well, I have been with the rest and I
expect I have been covetous like them, and probably I am now; but if I
am, I wish somebody would tell me wherein. (2)
Brother Pratt, in his discourse, had considerable to say with regard to
the property of the Saints. I would like very much if the time was now
when the Lord would say, "Lay down your substance at the feet of the
bishops," and find out who in this Church would be willing to give up
all. This co-operative movement is only a stepping stone to what is
called the Order of Enoch, but which is in reality the Order of Heaven.
It was revealed to Enoch when he built up his city and gathered the
people together and sanctified them, so that they became so holy and
pure that they could not live among the rest of the people and the Lord
took them away. (3)
Ask any Christian in the world if he thinks the Lord rules and reigns
supreme in heaven, and he will tell you, "Yes." Is it right for the
Lord to reign? "Certainly it is." Ask him if he would delight to live
in a place where one character rules and reigns supreme, and he will
answer, "Yes, if I could go to heaven." Why? "Why, the Lord reigns
there." Just ask the Christian if he knows the Lord, and he will tell
you, "No." Did you ever see him? "No." Can you tell me anything of His
character? "No, only He is something without body, parts, and
passions." One of the apostles says that "God is love, and they who
dwell in God dwell in love." Ask the Christian world if they know
anything about God, and they will tell you they do not. Ask if He has
eyes, and they will say, "No,-yes, He is all eyes." Has he a head?
"Yes, He is all head." Has he ears? "Yes, He is all ears, He is all
mouth, He is all body, and all limbs;" and still without body, parts,
or passions. Why what do they make of Him? A monster, if He is
anything; that is what they make of Him. Would you like to go to
heaven? "O, yes," says the Christian, "the Lord reigns there." How do
you know you would like the place and the order when you get there? Do
you think you will have your farm and your substance by yourself, and
live in the gratification of your selfish propensities as you now do?
"O, no, we expect to be made pure and holy." Where will you begin to be
pure and holy? If you do not begin here, I do not know where you will
begin. "O," says the Christian, "if we are going to heaven, where God
and angels dwell, and live where one-man power prevails, we should all
be satisfied, I expect." We, Latter-day Saints, say so, too. We like to
see that power manifested by those whom God calls to lead the people in
righteousness, purity, and holiness. This opens up a subject that I am
not going to talk about. (4)
Brother Orson has spoken on the Word of Wisdom. The people have done
pretty well in keeping it for the last year or two. But are they going
to continue, or will they return to their old habits like the dog to
his vomit, or like the sow that is washed, to her wallowing in the
mire? The sale of tobacco, tea, and coffee is increasing in the midst
of this people at the present time. What does this prove? It proves
that, stealthily or openly, the people are eating and drinking that
which is not good for them. Hot drinks, tobacco, and spirits are not
good for them. Will the people continue to keep the Word of Wisdom, or
will they become like the brutes in the parable, or, like fools, return
to that which will injure and destroy them? The elders of Israel have
talked a great deal to the people upon the principles of life and about
the course they should pursue to lay a foundation for health. Let a
mother stimulate her system with tobacco, tea, coffee, or liquor, or
suffer herself to hanker after such things at certain times, and she
lays the foundation for the destruction of her offspring. Do they
realize this? No, and in very many instances they care nothing about
it. With all the teachings given to this people I think they are very
much like the rest of the world, or like the dumb brute beasts that are
made to be taken and destroyed. And it almost seems that the last
comparison is the most appropriate, for intelligence is given us to
preserve ourselves, to preserve our health and prolong our natural
lives, preserve our posterity, preserve and beautify the earth and make
it like the Garden of Eden. But what is the disposition of the people?
It is true we are in advance of the world, but we are only just
commencing to learn the things of God. I know that some say the
revelations upon these points are not given by way of commandment. Very
well, but we are commanded to observe every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God. (5)
I cannot say that my family is clear in this respect. They want a
little of this and a little of that that is not wise to use, and I
suppose it is the same in other families. Every man, I expect, indulges
his wife and children and allows them to take this or that when he
knows it is not the best for them. But we, in and of ourselves, ought
to be independent; every son and daughter in Israel should say, we will
keep the "Word of Wisdom" independent of father, mother, or any elder
in the church; we know what is right and we will do it. By so doing
this people will increase health in their systems, and the destroying
angel, when he comes along, will pass them by. (6)
Will you take this course? I, as the leader and dictator of this
people, feel disgraced when I think they are becoming slothful and
negligent and are returning to their former foolish and useless habits;
and, refusing to hearken to the least counsel, are turning away to the
counsel of the Evil One and doing that which leads to death. (7)
I want to say a few words still further to the people with regard to
their faith in temporal things. If the people called Latter-day Saints
do not become one in temporal things as they are in spiritual things,
they will not redeem and build up the Zion of God upon the earth. This
co-operative movement is a stepping stone. We say to the people, take
advantage of it, it is your privilege. Instead of giving it into the
hands of a few individuals to make their hundreds and thousands, let
the people, generally, enjoy the benefit arising from the sale of
merchandize. I have already told you that this will stop the operations
of many little traders, but it will make them producers as well as
consumers. You will find that if the people unitedly hearken to the
counsel that is given them, it will not be long before the hats, caps,
bonnets, boots and shoes, pants, coats, vests and underclothing of this
entire community will all be made in our midst. What next? Shall we
have to run to London, Paris, or New York for the fashions? When I see
the disposition among the Latter-day Saints to follow the fashions and
customs of the world, I think, why do you stay here? You had better go
back again. I am tired of this everlasting ding-dong about fashions. If
I happen to have a coat on that is not what is called fashionable, some
of my wives will be sure to say, "Husband, or Mr. President, may I give
this away;" or, "I wish it was out of sight, it is not fashionable." If
I were to tell the truth I should say, who cares for the fashions of
the world? I do not; if I get anything that is comfortable and sits
well, and suits my system, it is all I ask. I do not care who wears a
bonnet that is six feet above the head behind, twelve feet in front, or
that sits close to the crown of her head, or whether it is three straws
thrown over the head with ribbons to them. But to see a people who say,
"We are the teachers of life and salvation," and yet are anxious to
follow the nasty, pernicious fashions of the day, I say it is too
insipid to talk or think about. (8)
It is beneath the character of the Latter-day Saints that they should
have no more independence of mind or feeling than to follow after the
grovelling customs and fashions of a poor, miserable, wicked world. All
who do not want to sustain co-operations and fall into the ranks of
improvement, and endeavour to improve themselves by every good book and
then by every principle that has been received from heaven, had better
go back to England, Ireland, France, Scandinavia, or the Eastern
States; we do not care where you go, if you will only go. (9)
I will take up my text again-I am responsible for the doctrine I teach.
I will say to this people, as I have said ever since I commenced to
lift up my voice to the inhabitants of the earth, I will read to them
out of the Book of Life. If they will hear it, well; if they will not,
I am clear of their blood. I read to the Latter-day Saints out of the
Book of Life, and I can give them lessons that will lead them back to
the presence of God in the celestial kingdom. But oh, the slothfulness,
negligence, and the low, groveling feelings in the midst of this people
are a disgrace to them. Will we improve? Yes, let us try and redeem the
time and commence anew. (10)
Yesterday we explained a little with regard to co-operation; we can
explain just as far as the people wish to hear and know. Those who rise
up against this or any other measure do it because darkness and the
spirit of the Evil One reign within them. There is not a man and woman
in this Church and Kingdom, who is in possession of the Holy Ghost, but
what will lift up their hands to heaven and say, "Blessed be God, there
is somebody to lead and improve the people," when they contemplate this
movement and the results it will work out; and they who fight against
it and feel to murmur are actuated by a spirit from beneath. (11)
I frequently think of the difference between the power of God and the
power of the devil. To illustrate, here is a structure in which we can
be seated comfortably, protected from the heat of summer or the cold of
winter. Now, it required labour, mechanical skill and ingenuity and
faithfulness and diligence to erect this building, but any poor,
miserable fool or devil can set fire to it and destroy it. That is just
what the devil can do, but he never can build anything. The difference
between God and the devil is that God creates and organizes, while the
whole study of the devil is to destroy. Every one that follows the evil
inclinations of his own natural evil heart is going to destruction, and
sooner or later he will be no more. I pray you Latter-day Saints to
live your religion. Amen. (12)
1) Overweight Brigham Young deceived simple-minded Mormons who were mostly foreigners.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses,
contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those
who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly,
and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the
simple. Romans 16:17-18
2) The Christian Gospel is not about building up the Mormon kingdom in Utah.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to
you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you
are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I
also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then
by the twelve. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
3) Mormons were to practice communism where Brigham Young and the Mormon hierarchy were the benefactors.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the United Order (also called the
United Order of Enoch) was one of several 19th century church
collectivist programs. Early versions of the Order beginning in 1831
attempted to implement the Law of Consecration, a form of Christian
communism, modeled after the New Testament church which had "all things
in common". These early versions ended after a few years. Later
versions within Mormonism, primarily in the Utah Territory, implemented
less-ambitious cooperative programs, many of which were very
successful. The Order's full name invoked the city of Enoch, described
in Latter Day Saint scripture as having such a virtuous and undefiled
people that God had taken it to heaven. Like the United Order
established by Joseph Smith, Young's experiment with the United Order
was short-lived. By the time of Brigham Young's death in 1877, most of
these United Orders had failed. Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
4) Brigham Young misrepresented Orthodox Christianity and he actually became a foolish pagan.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His
eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because,
although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were
thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts
were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed
the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible
man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans
1:20-23.
5) The Mormon "Words of Wisdom" doctrine is actually a demon doctrine.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart
from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of
demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared
with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from
foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who
believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and
nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is
sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-5.
6) The Mormon "Words of Wisdom" doctrine does not come from a Christian perspective.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a
city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you
do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is
even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this
or that.” James 4:13-15.
7) Brigham Young the dictator should never be confused with true Christian leadership.
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone
desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Then
He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He
had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of
these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me,
receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:35-37.
8) Brigham Young was trying to isolate Mormons from the outside world.
A cult leader seeks to isolate his followers from outsiders. In the
name of pastoring or shepherding or protecting the flock, he seeks to
ensure that his followers will only hear the cult leader’s propaganda.
Cult Isolation Techniques.
9) Christians are to reach out to the rest of the world and not be isolated.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20.
10) Brigham Young never taught the Christian Kingdom of God.
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received
all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the
things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one
forbidding him. Acts 28:30-31.
11) The Christian Kingdom of God has nothing to do with physical necessities.
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean
of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it
is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you
are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one
for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as
evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves
Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans
14:14-18.
12) God is love and
His purpose is the salvation of people who have placed their faith in
Jesus Christ and not in the words of Brigham Young.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16.