Show A IL communication FROM PRESIDENT WOODRUFF to the saints of god dod throughout the world BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS once more in the dispensations of providence we are called to mourn the departure from this life of a friend and brother the prophet seer revelator and president of the church elder john taylor was called to rest on the evening of july 1887 s in sorrow for our loss we your brethren join with you in mourning his departure having foucht the good fight he earned a crown of endless glory and now mingles with joseph and hyrum and briham brigham he hs gone beyond the vail but god is with us still to comfort inspire and direct as heretofore peace be unto you god is at the helm and all is well AS upon two former occasions in our history the duty and responsibility of presiding over and directing the affairs of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints in all the world devolves upon the twelve apostles with the blessi blessing uly of the lord and the falth faith and prayers of his people we hepe to do our duty until we too shall be laid to rest As saints of the the most high while living let us give our hearts to god sanctify ourselves by keeping his commandments have oil in our lamps our houses lia in order and hopefully and prayerfully look forward to the day of deliverance the set time for the accomplishment of which is fast approaching while mourning for the dead and holding his memory sacred let us trust in the god of heaven remember the living unite our hearts ard and earnestly strive for the kedem redemption eption of zion let us not seek occasion tor for offense one against another but forgive each others trespasses trespass es that the H holy oly ghost may be our constant companion and the dometria es of the priesthood distil dastil on our minds like the dews of heaven many are called few are chosen 11 the almighty has revealed in our day the reasons but what a mighty host have wrecked their eternal hopes on those fatal reefs love of the riches of this world the hohols honors and praises praise of men and the exercise of unrighteous dominion let all israel remember that the eternal and everlasting priesthood is bestowed upon us for the purpose alone of administering in the ordinances of life and salvation both for the living and the dead and no man or OB earth can use that priesthood for any other purpose than for the work of the ministry the p perfecting of the saints edifying the body of christ establishing the kingdom of heaven and redeeming rede emina zion if we attempt to use it for unrighteous purposes like lighte lightning Ling from heaven our power sooner or later falls and we fall fail to accomplish the designs of god let us therefore beloved brethren and sisters beware beare of the pride of the world and casting vanity far from us be true to god true to each other and true to the covenants that we have made purging ourselves from iniquity and the workers thereof let us set our faces like flint against sin and wickedness ot of every kind so shall we while patiently following the redeemer Ee deemer eventually gain the victory over flesh hell and the grave we will continue in communication with you as circumstances may require and opportunities port unities be afforded praying the ard L rd god of heaven and earth who holds all men and things in the grasp of his power to comfort com tort cheer and bless bouwe remain your brethren in the gospel covenant WILFORD WOODRUFF la in behalf of the twelve apostles august 1887 |