Show A WORD OF WARNING TUB spirit of discord is not of bod d neither is the tee spirit of discon att the influence that comes from jle ove tends to harmony and unity fad fills the soul with satisfaction and peace it is the spirit of prodoc tao on and life its opposite which cors aties from beneath promotes strife and divi sift contention and rebel lion n and nd spreads destruction and woe roe it is the spirit of dissolution imd d death the he people who have made a gar deba uen out of tiie the desert in these mounds tal have accomplished a good work h the blessings of heaven have e attended their earthly labors creace has crowned their efforts thae ne elements have been pregnant with VICO fertility the waters have brokel wrev out in dry places and the lourae thereof has been augmented as the population has become greater prosperity has smiled upon them like the clear sunshine and joy and gladness have been found in their habitations where the praises of god have been sounded and the voice of prayer has ascended in the morning and in the evening in the process of time strangers attracted by the opportunities to acquire property created by the saints who preceded them have gradually settled down in their midst and obtained possession of lands which mormons cormons Mor mons were willing to turn over to thern them for money these persons have brought with them the spirit of the world as well as its ways and customs its vices and its ambitions they have also set their hearts upon obtaining control of this territory and its people to accomplish this a large number of them will stop at nothing that appears safe for them to attempt success in small things naturally emboldens them to attempt greater things their purpose is to divide us and by that means to conquer us we are approaching ng a crisis the very atmosphere seems to bear a warning of it the calamities of various kinds that are overtaking the world are indications of its advent the spirit that is working in the midst of the saints leading to worldliness recklessness excess of pleasure disregard of good counsel and of solemn obligations the disposition to contend and complain and believe evil reports and accuse others of wrong motives the readiness exhibited to be swayed ayin by invective and censure instead of wisdom and principle by sound rather than sense to be captious resentful faultfinding and opinionated and the lethargy in regard to many important things spiritual social and political all mark the approach of troublous times when all things that can be shaken will be shaken and only those that cannot be shaken will remain 11 the people of god have been forewarned of this and that which is to come should not take them unawares but who are the wise that will wih see and hearken and be prepared to stand in holy places and be not amov moved ed 11 when the lord shall shake terribly the world Is it not time that all who are cared called by the name of saints sainte should examine themselves and see what spirit they are of look at the history of the people called of god in former ages note the causes that led to their downfall and see me if similar influences are not now oper abing among us tending to td the same end we do not wish to act the alarmist we do not believe that there will be any failure of the prime object for which the saints gathered to this favored spot but we cannot close our eyes to the he ephs that have been gaining ground nor fail to sound a warning when we see troublous times ahead A great change is needed in the course of many professed latter day saints and it ought to be bd commenced at once when any who are called by that name are so blind that they cannot discern the difference between the purpose of their friends and the intent of their enemies nor behold nor bor appreciate the dividing line between the two hostile elements it la Is a sign that sidan satan has had power to befog their vision and that they are upon very dangerous ground it is absolutely necessary that thia the saints should be united in sentiment feeling and action that they cultivate kindness brotherhood forbearance charity and peace contention is not of god litigation is contrary to the gospel law revenge is of the devil faultfinding fault finding brings ilis discontent content and leads to quarrelling and misery indifference to the good of others carelessness as to the public welfare slothfulness in the performance of duty are incompatible with the obligations of a saint and indicative of a lack of the divine spirit in these times every man and woman who has come out of the world should be as a city set upon a hill and an example of the effects wrought by the truths revealed from heaven friends we should all all be promoters of union contentment pacification and faith let us not drink in of the spirit of the world let us not pattern after their ways let us not surrender ourselves as a prey to their designs let us not complain against god or man because of ef drouth or other trials let us stand by one another and maintain our civil and religious rights let us perform our civil and religious duties let all lethargy indifference and careless carelessness be swept wide aside and as a band of brethren and sisters let us rise to the position to which we have beon been called and be saints in very deed then shall the evils of the age anse us by the trials of the times only make us brighter and stronger and aind the assaults of our enemies leave us as more waited united and determined powerful and prepared and all the dlf faculties which arise shall turn for our benefit our ity and our permanent happiness happi nesb nem |