| 1102 them, but let them do their own business, and pursue their own course, and if they come across you, cuff their ears and send them over the river; but not too many at a time, lest by cutting off too many branches, you spoil the growth of the seed. It is necessary we should have such things to meet with that we may be made perfect through suffering. Let us, then, love and fear God and keep his commandments.
I do not know that I have explained this eternal life to the mind of every individual so that they can understand. I will try again to do it. Before we were acquainted with this gospel, we knew nothing about eternal principles, for it was not until we became acquainted with it, and embraced it that we had in our possession of eternal life; before that we were ignorant of God, angels, spirits, heaven, and hell; but when we embraced this gospel, we embraced the everlasting covenant, the laws of which gives us a right to the throne of Jehovah, to as many as believe to them gave he power to become the sons God; before they were born they were not sons; but being born we become sons; children; young men, and after that men. It is necessary that men be acquainted with eternal principles, that the seed should be sown, to produce the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear, to accomplish the purpose for which it was sown. If the seed was never sown it could never grow and we shall not reap good seed except good seed shall grow. The everlasting gospel or the everlasting priesthood was not known till the Lord revealed it from the heavens, by the voice of his angel, and when we receive these principles and they abide in us, we shall then have the principles of eternal life. It was small when it first began; but you see the spirit of God has caused it to grow and become a mighty tree, and its branches cover the whole earth. Without the principle of eternal life, the principle of eternal knowledge never could be imparted as a blessing to the human family; and when once the key was turned, when the door was unlocked, and the seed once sown, truth began to grow, and the communication opened between the heavens and the earth, which placed men in a situation to converse with beings that surround the throne of God. The Melchisedek priesthood, holds the keys that unfold the purposes of Jehovah, and drags into day-light the secret of God, the mystery of godliness, as well as the secret abominations of the wicked: Yea, "Life and immortality is brought to light through the gospel." If we can see life and immortality let us hide ourselves under it; make a mantle of it: imbibe it in our spirit; become inoculated with it; and we shall live forever, it will spring up to everlasting life, to eternal glory, and salvation, and whoever is in possession of it; is in possession of salvation, and whoever is in possession of salvation, is in possession of eternal life. It emanated from God; yea, it is God. Do you believe it? what saith the scriptures? Know ye not that Christ dwelleth in you, except ye be reprobates, and in Christ is life, and that life is the light of men; and it shineth in darkness, but the darkness comprehendeth it not; but when it is comprehended, it is life, salvation, and eternal glory.
Is it not a glorious subject to dwell upon; the principles of eternal life, the idea of being in God, of having him about us, to control, sustain, and bless us. I tell you there are glorious themes; themes, that angels delight to dwell upon; and that cheer the hearts of the intelligences around the throne of God; the principles of eternal life with them, is a delightful subject; and you will understand more about it, shortly, after you get more teaching upon the subject. The scriptures could not tell all things, nor never can, because there are times and seasons, laws, principles, and authorities, that regulate, govern, control, and put in order. We have got to come according to order, and not disorder; suffice it to say, then that we understand something of the principle of eternal life. God is in all things. "He is the light that lightens all things; he is in the moon, and the light of the moon, and the power by which it was made. He is also in the sun, and in the light of the sun, and the power by which they are made, and the same light that lighteneth our understanding, even the spirit of the most high God, is in all things, and round about all things, and through all things. To some men God is a consuming fire; but to the saints eternal life, and glory. Let us be patient, and submit to the authorities of God in all things; and be governed by the authority of the eternal priesthood, and you shall understand all things pertaining to your salvation. Trust in God, and the authorities of his church; do not be fearful and unbelieving, for the fearful and unbelieving go outside of the city. Do not be troubled about anything. I should be ashamed of telling any body I was troubled. Talk about your troubles, for God's sake let me never hear it again; talk about peace and the principles of eternal life; about God, angels, &c. We want peace and the fellowship of the spirit of God in our midst, and all will be well. I am surprised to hear any body talk about troubles, poor creatures; you have a little soul. I never had much trouble myself: I have no time to be troubled for taking care of other people; I do not know that
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