| 987 this people that they may have power of lungs to speak to them in a manner that they may hear. It is generally the case, when I speak here, it gives me much pain, even the thoughts of it. It strains my lungs, and I know it strains my brethren's lungs, and is killing them very fast. But I feel grateful to my heavenly Father, and thank his name that I have a privelege [privilege] of assembling with you again and with my brethren and sisters. It is a great blessing from the hands of the great God.
I am aware that my brethren, with myself, are enjoying great privileges and blessings at this time, that they formerly were deprived of: therefore, I know it is necessary for us to appreciate these things and the favors and blessings that our heavenly Father is bestowing upon us day by day. I must confess that I am astonished many times, to see the poverty and distress that this people have labored under, diligently to build a place of rest to themselves as a people. Where is there a people more blessed than we are? God is favoring us day by day; and leading our enemies as a horse is led by the reins. For what purpose? In order that he may carry on his work, and erect that building. I presume that the servants of God, for the sake of having that accomplished, would go into the wilderness in this case and wear sheep skins and goat skins for their apparel and live upon bread and water, for the sake of having that building built, (the Temple) and the Nauvoo House. These are my feelings by night and by day. It is uppermost in my mind, and I know it is with my brethren. You are not aware of the feelings that they have in their bosoms on this account. They meet together and have all the time labored, in the night and in the day: in the night to offer up their prayers before God. Many times we do not go to bed until three o'clock in the morning, calling on the Father in the name of Jesus, to protect us, until that house shall be built; and to lead our enemies away, and turn every thing in our favor.
I will mention one thing that we united in prayer for and called upon the Father in the name of Jesus: that our enemies should not have power to come in here, with vexatious writs, for his servants during this court and they have not done it. Is not this a miracle? Yes; and we have asked for rain, and it has rained; and we have asked for God to heal the sick, and he has healed them without an exception: that is he has healed them, or they are mending in an answer to our prayers. Are not these great blessings? Does not this prove that God is with this people? Yes, verily, his name is to be praised, if this people will feel the same interest for the building up of his kingdom, and for the erecting of those houses, his will will be done, and there is no power that can stay them, and when that is done, I am satisfied; I do not care if I go into the wilderness he next day.
But we feel a desire that the Elders, yea, we have a wish that they should not go forth as we have had to, for ten or twelve years, without an endowment; but we want when you go to the nations of the earth, you may have that blessing; for you have go to do all this ere long in obedience to the commandments of God; for you must go to the Islands of the sea, before iong [long], and until that is done we cannot rest day nor night.
I am not speaking these things because I see a neglect. I do not see it; but I know there is a good feeling among this people. This people are willing to do any thing under heaven they are counselled [counseled] to do. There never was a more obedient people on the face of the earth. I love them. My brethren love them. They are willing when the time comes to give their lives for them; but we do not want to give them away foolishly. I suppose some might think we were cowards. I tell you it is not so, and there need not any one call us cowards. Was Joseph a coward? Was Hyrum a coward? No; but if they had gone into the wilderness, a great many would have called them cowards.
They gave themselves up because the people said they were cowards; but they were not. They were willing to stand by their brethren, and if you call us cowards we will do as they do, (if we are a mind to) This is the reason; but if you will call us cowards, so be it; we have not acted the cowardly part yet. We have stood and fought; we have stood our ground and saved the sheep, and none have gone away but goats. Goats have not got any wool; they may give a little milk; but its poor stuff. This is true. Those who have gone away they are goats. We have got the sheep, and they are good sheep; they like the salt that they get from the good shepherd; they know it is good. They huddle together here every Sabbath, and if there is no shepherd here to feed them, they come here, to the stamping ground, because they love to come here. Why? Because they feel so well to get together. That shows they are of one heart and mind.
But what is this in comparison to what it will be ten years from this time. Ten years will not more than pass away, before we will be where the goats can not get, where they will not get, for they will not have any place among us. We will be in a land of peace, where we can worship God without molestation.
Let us go to work and build this house. Roll out your rusty dollars, and your rusty coppers,
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