Brigham Young's sermon on the enemies of Mormondom - 4/6/1873
In my remarks to you I want your eyes, ears, attention and faith. (1)
This is the Forty-third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, and we have assembled together for the purpose of
being benefited. We like to see and hear each other, we like to give
and receive counsel, and we like, above all things, to enjoy the Spirit
of the Lord. In singing, praying, speaking and hearing, and in all
duties devolving upon us upon such occasions as this, the Spirit of the
Lord is the best of all. (2)
I have a great many reflections with regard to the Latter-day Saints
and the work in which they are engaged. I have many reflections in
regard to the world of mankind. We all enjoy the power of sight, but
how differently we look at and comprehend things! And we are very much
like the people who have lived before us. We are a strange and curious
composition - no two alike. Of all the faces before me this afternoon
there are no two alike. We might possibly find those whose judgment
would be pretty much alike on various subjects, still there are no two
whose judgments are precisely the same. Human life is a great stage,
and it contains a very great variety of scenes and scenery, of thought
and action. Some are not very beautiful, others are, and they are
painted with fine colors. We see all this before us, and each and every
person has the privilege of judging for himself, and upon each
different impressions are produced. (3)
I see a large congregation before me this afternoon of people called
Latter-day Saints. If the world of mankind were to give their opinion
concerning us they would use terms I heard frequently this morning -
"enemy," "enemies," "our enemies." These expressions would be
frequently heard from the inhabitants of the earth about the Latter-day
Saints, for the impression has existed and has been growing stronger
for years past, that this strange people - the Latter-day Saints - are
the enemies of mankind. I do not wish to convey the idea that all the
inhabitants of the earth consider this people their enemies, but there
are those who wish to have this impression or belief prevail. I hear
many of the Elders of Israel refer to the outside world as enemies. (4)
I do it myself at certain times and on certain occasions, for certain
deeds wrought by those who wish to destroy the truth from the earth,
for every person who would uproot the truth of God is mine enemy, he
would destroy me if he had the power. (5)
What shall we say of those who desire peace and whose hearts are filled
with good will towards their fellowmen? We say peace to such persons,
and give them ours and God's blessing. (6)
Who is the enemy of mankind? He who wishes to change truth for error
and light for darkness; he who wishes to take peace from a family,
city, state or nation and give the sword in return. He is my enemy, he
is your enemy and the enemy of mankind. (7)
Who is the friend of mankind? He who makes peace between those who are
at enmity, who brings together those who, perhaps, through some
misunderstanding, have been at variance with and lost friendship and
fellowship for each other, and shows them that their ill-will is
without foundation and existed simply because they did not understand
each other. (8)
To illustrate we will suppose that two men come in the same car to this
city. One of them is full of deception and carries false colors. If he
speaks a word that would become a gentleman, it is not because he feels
it, for in his heart he is cursing and damning, and his purpose is to
sow discord and enmity among the people in a neighborhood. He delights
to set the members of one family jarring with each other. He will teach
the youth to believe that such or such persons are their enemies and it
is no harm to burn their houses down, to take their horses, cut their
carriages to pieces, to open the gate of their garden or field and let
somebody's cattle in. Such a person is an enemy of mankind. But the
other one is a friend. If he sees his neighbor's gate open, he shuts
it; if cattle are in a neighbor's field, he tells him of the mischief
that is being done. If he sees a fence down, and there is none of the
family to come and put it up, he gets out of his carriage, or off his
horse, or if he is afoot, he steps to the fence, turns the cattle out,
puts up the fence or shuts the gate and prevents further mischief on
his neighbor's premises. Who is your enemy and mine? He that teaches
language that is unbecoming, that presents falsehood for truth, that
furnishes false premises to build upon instead of true, or that is full
of anger and mischief to his fellow beings. I call no other enemies,
except such characters as I have named. There is no question that many
have done much mischief while in ignorance of what they were doing. I
have no doubt that the soldiers who were commanded to nail the Savior
to the cross did not realize what they were doing. They treated him as
they did the thieves, whom they knew to be worthy of death; but through
prejudice, over-persuasion and much talk by the priest, Scribes,
Pharisees and people, they perhaps supposed they were doing God's
service when they crucified Jesus. But is was an enemy that did it, it
was a bad act, a very heinous crime, it - but I pause. The question may
be asked, What would have been the consequence suppose the Savior had
not been crucified? I can only answer by saying that he was. The
Scriptures say that offences must needs come, but woe to him by whom
they come. But we will resume our subject. Who is the man that is an
enemy to his nation? The one that breeds mischief, prompts strife, and
brings sorrow among the people. (9)
Now to the Latter-day Saints - What are you here for? Can you answer
this question? Many of you can. One brother says, "Why, I came here to
join the Saints." "Where did you come from?" "I lived in Scotland. I
worked in the mines, or in the factory, or in iron works." "What did
you come here for?" "When I heard the Gospel preached I believed it,
and I received a desire to leave my neighbors. I believed the Bible and
the Book of Mormon; I believed that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. My
neighbors said, 'Oh folly, oh fool. There goes a Mormon,' and they
pointed the finger of scorn at me." (10)
This is the spirit of the world, but if there had been no persecution
whatever in the feelings of his neighbors he would have had a desire to
leave his home and old associates to join the Saints, for the Spirit he
received prompted him to do this. Ask a sister, "What are you here
for?" "Why, I came here so that I could live my religion a little
better than I could in Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, France,
Scandinavia," or wherever it might be that she came from. Ask another
man, "What did you gather to these mountains for?" "Well, I think I
came here because of my religion. I used to think I wanted to gather up
with the Saints. I like their society, and when I came up here I really
delighted to be with them." "What are you doing now, brother?" "Well, I
am trying to do about the best I possibly can. Here are a few dollars I
want to pay on Tithing." "Have you paid your Tithing this year?" "No."
"Did you pay it last year?" "No." "Have you not paid Tithing lately?"
"No." "What is the reason?" (11)
"Why, I am after gold and silver, and the riches in these mountains, in
this trade, I am after the world, I am after Babylon." This is the
conduct. I do not ask for words, I do not ask anybody to get up and
declare that their affections are turned away from the holy Gospel of
life and salvation, and turned to the world. Let me see their daily
walk and know their life, and I know what their thoughts and feelings
are. And the sister that comes here for the Gospel's sake, her mind is
so frivolous and easily wrought upon that she is led by every wind and
breeze of fashion that blows through the streets here. "Oh, don't you
see that lady's dress?" "Here, look here, did you see that lady walking
down the street?" "Yes." "What a beautiful dress she has got on! Oh
dear, how I want such a dress!" Go down the street and you can see it;
go up the street and you can see it; go into the workshops, and even
into the kanyons, and you can see it. What of it? Latter-day Saints,
what of it? "Oh, I do love Babylon so well." "I do want a new dress."
"I do want to go into the mines and dig." "I have a claim, and I am
just going into the mountains to dig," says a brother. Another one
says, "I have served the Lord about long enough, and I am going to
serve myself now." This is the way with one here and another there, and
if they have not got Babylon they want to get it. And here comes along
a man who professes to be a Latter-day Saint, and the first you know he
is using the name of the Deity in vain, and it is "curse" this, and
"curse" that, with the name of our Father in heaven attached to it. Is
that according to the faith that we have embraced? Mingle with the
Latter-day Saints, and see them playing on the stage of life, and watch
how some of them will change their colors and their coats, and some
come out in one fashion and some in another, according to the
circumstances in which they are placed. (12)
Here we are assembled in the capacity of a general Conference. Babylon
is in the hearts of the people, that is to say, there is too much of
it. What did you come here for? "Why," says one, "I understood they
were getting rich in Utah, and I thought I would gather up with the
Latter-day Saints and get rich also." Without making many remarks on
this subject, I want to say to every one of those who come up here,
their minds filled with Babylon, and longing for the fashions and
wealth of the world, you may heap up gold and silver, but it will leave
you, or you will leave it, you cannot take it with you, and you will go
down to hell. (13)
Perhaps I may be considered their enemy by some of those called
Latter-day Saints, and by outsiders, for telling them these things.
That is no matter, it is for their life and salvation that I tell them.
If I should see men and women going blindfolded to an awful precipice,
and not hail them and warn them of their danger, I should be guilty,
and perhaps their blood would be found on my skirts. I will say, at
once, not prolonging my remarks or multiplying words, that if my
brethren and sisters do not walk up to the principles of the holy
Gospel of life and salvation, they will be removed out of their places,
and others will be called to occupy them. Elders of Israel, High
Priests, Seventies, High Councilors, Presidents, brethren and sisters,
no matter who, if you have an idea that you are going to take Babylon -
I use this term, because it is well understood that Babylon means
confusion, discord, strife, folly and all the vanities the world
possesses - if you have the idea that you are going to take Babylon in
one hand, and with the other cling to the Savior and drag yourselves
into his presence, you will find yourselves mistaken, for he will drop
you, and you will sink. You may just as well believe this to-day, and
shape your lives accordingly, as to betray yourselves. (14)
There are a great many who say, "Why, yes, I say my prayers, I do not
use the name of the Lord in vain, I do not injure my neighbor." That is
true. How many of the Latter-day Saints live like this? I am pretty
well acquainted with them. I see and understand their feelings by their
works, and I can say that a large majority of the Latter-day Saints are
a good, obedient, faithful, God-fearing, God-loving people, and yet we
fellowship those who are full of iniquity and evil, individuals who are
full of the spirit of anti-Christ. I talk and tell the truth to the
good and to the evil, and I wish to comprehend the whole; and I tell
you to-day that if our minds are not made up to serve God, if we are
not for Christ, and for his kingdom upon the earth; if we are not
willing to devote our time, talents, means, influence and everything
that he has given into our possession, we are not in the way we should
walk. I know that it may be said, and with great propriety, "Why, my
brother, we can not be sanctified in one day, we cannot overcome every
evil and every passion in one day." That is true, but this holy desire
can dwell in the heart of every individual from the time that he or she
is convinced that God reigns, that he is establishing his kingdom on
the earth, that Jesus is our Savior, that the holy Gospel has presented
to us the way of life and salvation, and we believe it and can receive
it with our whole hearts - I say we can have that holy and pure desire
from that moment to the end of our lives, and in possessing this we
have faith and favor before the Lord, and his grace is with us by the
power of his Holy Spirit, and by this we can overcome temptations as we
meet them. This is my experience, that is pretty good proof, is it not?
And I have more evidence than this - this is the experience and
testimony of every Latter-day Saint who has lived his or her religion
since obeying the Gospel. Their testimony will corroborate mine, and
strengthen the faith of all. (15)
I have not preached much to you this winter, and I pause and think. I
was in the stone quarry the other day, and saw the men breaking a large
granite rock. They first drilled the holes so as to break the rock in a
direct line. I saw one man take up his hammer and give a blow. It was
too hard. Said I, "My father taught me in my youth that light knocks
would split great blocks. Tap light next time." The quarryman did this
and pretty soon the rock divided almost as evenly as though it had been
jointed. I wish to make an application of this to this people assembled
here. If I and my brethren had strength, we would meet together here
about one week, to begin with, then go to our work for a few weeks, and
then we would come together again. By continuing this course, I expect
that in about three months we could get the feelings of this people
warmed up like wax before the flame, so that we could get at their
judgment and affections and we could actually mould them over, and make
them realize the work that they are engaged in. But to do it in one day
would be like driving the wedges so fast that you would split the rock
where you would not want it split. Still, many who want to receive the
word can, and I say to all, you and I must be Latter-day Saints or we
are not walking in the path that God has marked out for us. "What do
you mean by the path that God has marked out for us. "What do you mean
by that, brother Brigham? I want to know what you mean by that, I can
not understand it." This is the difficulty, but thank kind heaven, I
have found out in my experience, that learning a, b, c, d, does not
hinder me learning e, f, g. I thank my Creator that the principle is
implanted within us, that we can learn, if it takes a long time, and by
a close application of the ability that God has given us, we can
improve and in time become Saints in very deed. Were it not for this I
should have been discouraged long ago. But I know that we can learn to
be Saints if we are disposed to. Practice your religion to-day, and say
your prayers faithfully. (16)
Says a brother, "I pray in my family sometimes, and sometimes I do not
feel like it, and I do not pray in my family. Sometimes I am in a
hurry, my work is driving me, my cattle are in mischief, and I do not
feel like praying." If I do not feel like praying, and asking my Father
in heaven to give me a morning blessing, and to preserve me and my
family and the good upon the earth through the day, I should say,
"Brigham, get down here, on your knees, bow your body down before the
throne of Him who rules in the heavens, and stay there until you can
feel to supplicate at that throne of grace erected for sinners." "Well,
but I am in a hurry, and my cattle, perhaps, are in mischief and my
work is driving me." I should say, if the cattle are in the corn, "Eat
away;" if they are in the wheat, "Eat away, eat the wheat, we have more
than we can use any how;" and if the children are in mischief and this
wants seeing to, and that wants seeing to, I say, "Kneel down before
the Lord and there stay until this body learns obedience, until my
tongue learns to praise his name, and to ask for the blessing I need." (17)
"Well, but are you not afraid you will come to want?" Bless me, if I
had all the gold and silver on the earth and no prayers, I should be in
greater want than I should be with the prayers and without the gold and
silver. I will make an application of this with regard to the feelings
of the people. It is true that you and I can not learn every thing at
once, but we can learn one thing at once and the one thing above all
others that we should make it our business to learn it to yield strict
obedience to the requirements of heaven, and we can learn that to-day
just as well as any other time, and just as well as to spend a lifetime
in doing it. (18)
Now, Latter-day Saints, do you know what you are here for? You know
there is a field open before us in talking about what we are here for,
why the Lord suffers what we now behold, and why he permits this and
permits that. It is all perfectly reasonable and rational, all
according to his providences and his dealings with the children of men.
I can say to all that you have got to learn this one fact - the Lord
will have a tried people, and if my wife or my daughter can not see and
pass by, as things of naught, the follies of fashion, she has not
learned her duty, she has not learned the spirit of her religion, and
is not in the full enjoyment of the Spirit of God. Fashions are nothing
to me, one way or the other. How long is it since ladies wore bonnets
into which you would have to look with a spyglass if you wished to see
their faces, and then from their faces to the crown of the head. From
this fashion they got to one in which one flower or leaf and five yard
of ribbon made a complete head dress. What of these fashions? They are
nothing here nor there, and by trying we can learn to pass by every
needless fashion, and to stop the use of every needless word, and to
carry ourselves correctly before the Lord. (19)
Now let us consider, are we for the kingdom of heaven? "Oh yes," "Oh
yes," everybody says, "certainly we are." Are we for happiness? Yes,
certainly, the whole world is with us there. There is no person but
what would say, Give me power, give me influence, give me wealth, give
me gold and silver, houses and lands, goods and chattels, tenements,
horses, carriages, friends, families, associations, &c. The whole
world will join in saying, Give us heaven and happiness; but talk to
them about "Mormonism," and they will say, "your doctrine is a
speculation." The cry with regard to brother Joseph was, "He is a money
digger, he is a speculator." Well, how long was it before the whole
world was on his track digging money? It is no disgrace just as soon as
the world commenced digging money, but when there were only a few
accused of it, it was a disgrace. How things are changed! (20)
How differently we look upon our bonnets now! If a lady were to enter
this building wearing an old-fashioned head-dress everybody would be
looking at her. If a lady were to come into this assembly with sixteen
yards of cloth - I am talking extravagantly now to illustrate - in her
two sleeves, and only four in the waist and skirt of her dress, how
ridiculous it would appear, would it not? And yet something very much
like that was once the fashion. (21)
I look at this and make the application. The world would say, "Yes, if
you are going to have happiness, we want some; if you are going to have
gold and silver, look here, we shall come in for a share." Very good,
all right. I used to tell the people - bless your heart, you accuse me
of being in a speculation, and so I am. You cry out that the "Mormon"
leaders are for speculation, for money making. We go in for wealth. I
used to tell the people, and I tell them the same now, I do not go in
for a few millions, I go in for the pile, and I calculate to have it.
"How are you going to get it?" By serving God with all my heart and
being a Saint indeed, and when the earth and its fullness are given
into the hands of the Saints, I shall go in for my share - the whole
pile. I used to say, "Why, brother Joseph is the greatest speculator I
have heard of in modern times - he is going to have the whole earth.
Jesus is coming to earth to reign King of nations, and he is going to
share the gold and silver with his brethren. That is not all - all
things are yours for time and eternity - the heights and depths, the
lengths and breadths, crowns of glory and immortality and eternal lives
are yours." Well, I go in for the pile. (22)
I want to ask, Am I an enemy of mankind? Is a Latter-day Saint an enemy
of mankind? No. I say to the intelligent world, if they did but know
it, we in connection with God, Jesus the Mediator, angels, the good
that are on the earth and the good that have been, are the only friends
of mankind upon the face of the earth. That is a great word to say, and
some may think it is extravagant. They say, "See what our benevolent
societies, our ministers, our kings and our rich people are doing for
the poor, and then say that the Latter-day Saints are the only friends
of mankind." I want to say to all the world that no good or benevolent
act, no act that sustains innocence, virtue and truth and does good to
the human family will go unrewarded of the Creator. Do not be
discouraged. Have they done any good? Yes, a great deal of it. The
christian world have sent forth their missionaries and they have done a
great deal of good, but they could do a great deal more if they had a
mind to. They hedge up the way and try to destroy the little good they
have done by instilling into the hearts of the people the necessity of
dwelling in darkness and remaining in ignorance, and preventing them
from receiving the Gospel. This is their practice, and in this they are
doing injury, but they have done a great deal of good. (23)
What are we hated for? What do men lie about us for, and send forth
their lies to the world right from this place? Are they who do this the
friends of mankind? No, they are their enemies. They plant falsehood in
the hearts of thousands of people. One liar is like a bad king. A
corrupt and wicked king can corrupt a whole nation. One liar can
deceive thousands. They are not the friends of mankind. Why are we
hated? Is our religion obnoxious? Why? "Because of this one man power,
because of the great influence there is in the midst of the people to
unite them together." (24)
Do you not read in your Bibles that except ye are one ye are not the Lord's? (25)
Do you not read in the Bible, that you have had all your lives, that
you must love God with all your hearts, that you must be united, that
you must receive the Gospel of Christ? Do you not read that there is
but one faith, one Lord one baptism, one God and Father of all,
&c.? Certainly you do. Well, we believe these things, but does that
prove that we are the enemies of mankind? (26)
No, it proves that we are their friends. Why do we differ from them,
and why do they differ from us? I can tell it in a few words - it is
simply because we are disposed to believe the truth, and they are
disposed to reject it. They are disposed to live and drink water, if
they can get it, from cisterns that will hold no water. Is there
anybody, do you think who has transgressed the laws of God? Has anybody
ever changed the ordinances of the house of God? Was there ever any
such thing done as to destroy the principles pertaining to the
ordinances of the house of God? Why, yes, in ancient days. (27)
Well, we know the reason why, we know why they did it - they hewed to
themselves cisterns that would hold no water. Do we, as Christians,
teach the Gospel according to Saint Mark, St. John, St. Luke, Matthew,
Paul, Peter and James and the rest of the apostles and the disciples of
the Lord? Do we teach the same doctrine as the Christian world? No, we
do not. (28) Do we teach the same doctrine as the Christian world? No, we do not. (29) Do we teach the same doctrine as Jesus and his Apostles? Yes, we preach the same Gospel. (30)
How many modes of baptism have the so-called Christian world? I do not
know how many. One is by immersion, or being buried in the water.
Another it to get down on your knees and have water poured on the head;
another is to stand up and have water poured on the head; another is to
have somebody dip his fingers in water and touch the forehead with it;
another is to plunge face foremost, and how many more modes of baptism
there are I do not know. How many there are who say that all these are
outward ordinances and that they are non-essential? Did God ever say
this? No. Jesus? No. Any of the Apostles ever say anything of the kind?
No, they did not. (31)
Has any man in modern times received a revelation from heaven, doing
away with the ordinances of the house of God? No, only false
revelations; and we ask the simple question, If our doctrine is not
true, and if there is no necessity for the ordinances of the house of
God, will you not be pleased to tell us the name of the man who
received, and the place where he received a revelation from God doing
away with his own ordinances, and declaring that all miracles were to
cease? &c. It is true that we differ from the Christian world in
our faith in regard to these things. (32)
Does this prove that we are their enemies? No, it proves that we are
their friends. We believe in doctrines that they do not believe in, and
we disbelieve in some fanciful ideas that they profess to hold as
doctrine. For instance they hold that God is an imaginary being. They
cannot tell where nor how he lives, nor anything concerning his
character, whether he is material or immaterial; but, like many of the
most eminent divines, who have spread it through their pages for the
people to read, they have come to the conclusion that the centre of God
is everywhere and his circumference nowhere - one of the most vain
ideas that could be conceived by any intelligent being. (33)
Then what is their idea of the soul of man? That it is an immaterial
substance. Who ever heard of such a thing? Ask any true philosopher if
he can explain the meaning of an "immaterial substance." It is like the
centre of a being everywhere and his circumference nowhere, or like
being seated on the top of a topless throne. These are self-confounding
expressions, and there is no meaning to any of them. (34)
We differ from them in our ideas of God. We know that he is a Being – a
man - with all the component parts of an intelligent being - head,
hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, cheek bones, forehead, chin, body, lower
limbs; that he eats, drinks, talks, lives and has a being, and has a
residence, and his presence fills immensity as far as you and I know. (35)
We differ with them, for we know that the Lord has sent forth his laws,
commandments and ordinances to the children of men, and requires them
to be strictly obeyed, and we do not wish to transgress those laws, but
to keep them. We do not wish to change his ordinances, but to observe
them; we do not wish to break the everlasting covenant, but to keep
that with our fathers, with Jesus, with our Father in heaven, with holy
angels, and to live according to them. We differ with them in the
tenets of religion, we cannot help it. We would not believe
"Mormonism," as it is called, if it were not for one thing. I never
would have believed it if it had not been for one simple thing. What do
you think that is? It is true. I believed it because of that. What a
strange idea! If it had not been true I would not have believed it, but
being true I happened to believe it. (36)
Now there is quite a difference between me and the man who stands up to
teach the people what he says is the way of life and salvation, and who
has transgressed every law that God ever gave, who has changed every
one of the ordinances of his house, and broken every covenant that he
has made with the children of men. What do you know, Mr. Divine, about
glory, exaltation, happiness and eternal lives? I will answer for him,
and say, nothing at all. What do you know about God? Nothing at all.
What do you know about his dwelling-place? Nothing at all. What about
his person? Nothing at all. Pardon me for making these expressions, but
look on this stage which I brought before the congregation - the human
family acting and bringing out what they have behind the scenes. What a
spectacle it presents! (37)
Are we the enemies of mankind? No, we are their only friends, and we
calculate to hang on until we save the last son and daughter of Adam
and Eve that can receive salvation. We calculate to be co-workers with
Jesus, our Savior, until the last man and woman that can be saved is
placed in the kingdom or mansion prepared for them, and none will be
lost or turned away except those who sin against the Holy Ghost. What
do you think of it? An enemy of mankind! Shame on the expression! and
shame on those who give utterance to it when speaking of the Latter-day
Saints. We have the oracles, the law and the commandments; we have all
the laws or ordinances necessary to reach and take hold of our fathers,
mothers, grandfathers and those who have lived before us, and to bring
them up to eternal life. What divine teaches this doctrine? If there is
no resurrection, says Paul, why then are ye baptized for the dead? It
is the only expression that alludes to the doctrine of baptism for the
dead in the New Testament, but it is true. We have this law, we have
the ordinances. We have a knowledge of the covenants necessary to reach
and pick up the last man and woman that has lived on the earth, and we
calculate to preach the Gospel to the living until the line is drawn
and Jesus comes to reign King of nations as he does King of Saints, and
the separation is made. But until then the wheat and the tares will
grow together. We are together now, the wheat and the tares are here. (38)
Now let us see your wheat heads bow down as though you were fully ripe
or preparing to be so, your whole hearts and labors for the kingdom of
God. (39)
The wicked may flourish for awhile like a green bay tree, but by and by
they will be cut down, and the righteous will go forth and inherit the
kingdom, which may God grant to be our happy lot for Jesus' sake. Amen.
(40)
1) Faith in a false prophet based in Utah is misplaced faith.
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying
always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of
your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for
you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of
the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and
is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you
heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from
Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ
on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:3-8.
2) Evidence of the Holy Spirit will be manifested by a testimony for Jesus Christ.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of
Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from
the beginning.” John 15:26-27.
3) False leaders will focus on the outward appearance while God looks on the heart.
For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity
to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast
in appearance and not in heart. 2 Corinthians 5:12.
4) Violent Mormon religious fanatics considered all non-Mormons as enemies.
I know the cause of the various languages and customs among the people,
and the reason of the variation in our appearance, and the difference
in the intelligence given to the children of men; and after all, I feel
very ignorant, when I scan the wide field there is for improvement; and
I know that this community are ignorant, and are not what they should
be. I also know that if the enemies of truth will let us alone, as
barbarous as we are, we will soon show them the most peaceable,
right-loving, and law-abiding community in the wide world. Sermon
delivered by Brigham Young on March 4, 1860.
5) Jesus Christ is the truth of God not a bogus church based in Utah.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.
6) Peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ is the only enduring peace.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. Romans 5:1-2.
7) Mormons who have been enemies of non-Mormons have not been blessed by God.
One great blessing the Lord wishes to pour upon this people is that
they may return to Jackson county Missouri, and establish the
centre-stake of Zion. If our enemies do not cease their oppression upon
this people, as sure as the Lord lives it will not be many days before
we will occupy that land and there build up a Temple to the Lord.
Sermon delivered by Brigham Young on April 6, 1862.
8) God is a friend to mankind.
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.
9) Brigham Young was an enemy of God since he was focused on worldly things.
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as
you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly,
and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
Philippians 3:17-19.
10) The Christian Gospel has nothing to do with Joseph Smith and the BOM.
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.
11) The Christian Gospel has nothing to do with tithing to a bogus church based in Utah.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from
faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17.
12) Brigham Young never practiced what he preached about worldly goods.
During the 1860s, in order to assure self-sufficiency and at the same
time provide fine clothing for his wives and daughters, Brigham
attempted to start a silk industry. For that purpose he imported
mulberry trees and silkworms from France. There were a number of such
trees in his orchard and a small cocoonery. Trees were also planted on
his Forest Farm, and a large cocoonery with a capacity of two
million silkworms was maintained. A convert from northern Italy,
Susanna Gaudin Cardon, gave instruction in spinning and making silk,
and a number of silk dresses, blouses, scarves, hats, and other items
of wearing apparel were made by the family. Brigham Young: American
Moses, page 333.
13) Brigham Young must be in hell according to his own words.
The Lion House was built in 1856 by Brigham Young in Salt Lake City,
Utah to accommodate his family of approximately 27 women and 56
children. Truman O. Angell, Brigham Young's brother-in-law, who
designed the Salt Lake City Temple was also involved in the design of
this home, which got its name from the statue of a lion over the front
entrance, made by William Ward. The house is situated at 63 East South
Temple, near the corner of South Temple and State Street just one block
east of Temple Square. It is adjacent to Young's other official
residence, the Beehive House. Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
14) Christian salvation has nothing to do with “gathering” or moving to Utah.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.
15) The Christian testimony has nothing to do with being a slave for a bogus church based in Utah.
He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who
does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed
the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony:
that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who
has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you
may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:10-13.
16) The path of God does not involve religiously directed “good” works.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have
been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7.
17) Being a Mormon makes you an enemy of God.
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from
your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not
have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet
you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the
world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the
world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4.
18) Religious cults make their members fearful and unloving.
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in
the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There
is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear
involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:17-19.
19) Brigham Young never practiced what he preached about worldly goods.
Brooks did not join the cult of personality that had grown up around
Brigham Young. Instead she “held a lifelong grudge against him for
having sent her ancestors into an impoverished exile on the ragged edge
of the Mormon empire,” a not uncommon perspective among descendants of
southern Utah’s hardscrabble pioneers. More than most of her
contemporaries, Brooks recognized Young’s human failings and was
especially aware of his callous treatment of his most loyal followers,
which generated a deep anger. Brook’s favorite story told how Brigham
Young’s daughter visited St. George to tell the poverty-stricken women
there they must retrench. After the lavishly dressed women spoke, one
of the sisters asked, “What do you want us to retrench from, the bread
or the molasses?” Blood of the Prophets, page 352.
20) Joseph Smith was arrested and convicted of fraud not mining.
In 1826, Joseph Smith was brought to trial and convicted of fraudulent
activity with a “peep stone.” It was proven in court that Joseph Smith
on numerous occasions took money in exchange for his “seer” abilities.
Ashamed of Joseph, page 51.
21) 19th century Mormon greed knew no decency or boundaries.
The loot included “the clothing stripped from the corpses, bloody and
with bits of flesh in it, shredded by the bullets from the persons of
the poor creatures who wore it.” The property was taken to Cedar City
and the bloodstained clothing lay “in the cellar of the tithing office
(an official building)” for about three weeks, and its smell still
lingered in 1859. Eventually the property was sold at public auction.
Blood of the Prophets, page 173.
22) There were no limits to the greed of Brigham Young.
Young had made a remarkable confession in July 1857. “I do not profess
to be very good,” the prophet admitted. “I will try to take care of
number one, and if it is wicked for me to try to preserve myself, I
shall persist in it; for I am intending to take care of myself.” Blood
of the Prophets, page 176.
23) Mormon hate of Missourians before any problems occurred is still canonized in their scripture.
And thus, even as I have said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble
yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the
land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies.
Doctrines and Covenants 52:42, June 7, 1831.
24) Mormons have always been liars about their church history.
During a speech from the portico of the Townsend House on West Temple
Street on October 3, 1869, Colfax (Vice-President of the United States)
was repeatedly interrupted by “Port Rockwell, a Mormon ruffian in
liquor,” who shouted, “I never killed anyone who didn’t need killing.”
Life of Schuyler Colfax, page 342.
25) Christians will be united in their love for God not united into a cult based in Utah.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in
Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in
Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may
believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21.
26) The LDS church is an enemy of mankind due to its lies and deception.
Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and
sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into
it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him.
He helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the
Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! About whom holy men have written and
spoken - HE is our FATHER and our GOD, and the only God with whom WE
have to do. Sermon delivered by Brigham Young on April 9, 1852.
27) The wrath of God was upon foolish Brigham Young.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown
it to them. 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 1:18-23.
28) Mormons are not Christians and never have been.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for
Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He
is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18.
29) Mormons are not Christians and never have been.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However,
for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe
on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and
ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:15-17.
30) Mormons are not Christians and never have been.
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach
Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks
foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ
the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
31) Baptism is not the Christian gospel.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17.
32) The Christian message was foolishness to Brigham Young the disputer of his time.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is
written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing
the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the
scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:18-20.
33) Mormons are not Christians and never have been.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he
looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath
of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Hebrews
11:24-27.
34) Foolish Brigham Young confused the body as being the soul of mankind.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your
whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
35) Mormons are not Christians and never have been.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such
to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship
in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24.
36) Faithless Mormons are not Christians and never have been.
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith
in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith
came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which
would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring
us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has
come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:22-25.
37) Wicked Brigham Young never knew the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you
also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of
the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter
3:17-18.
38) Wicked Brigham Young never knew the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the
law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus
Christ. John 1:16-17.
39) The kingdom of God should never be confused with a bogus church based in Utah.
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would
come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with
observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed,
the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21.
40) Salvation into the kingdom of God is centered on Jesus Christ alone.
“Therefore let it be known to you
that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear
it!” And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute
among themselves.
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 28:28-31.