The Life of John Taylor: Third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
History
The Life of John Taylor: Third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saint churches; Taylor, John, 1808-1887
"Our arrival in England was very opportune. * * Before we left [Council
Bluffs], it was revealed to the authorities that the presidency in
England was in transgression, and that it was necessary that some of
the Twelve should proceed immediately to England. * * * When Elder Hyde
and myself were in New York, and Elder Pratt in Boston, we thought it
expedient, rather than to wait two or three days for him, to proceed
immediately to Liverpool. We found on our arrival that we had not come
any too soon. The teachers of the people were under transgression; they
were corrupt: they were acting dishonorably, and dishonestly; stripping
the poor of their last pittance, and yet those wanton profligates
professed that they were doing the will of God, while they, under a
cloak of religion, were reveling in debauchery, drunkenness and fraud!
But they have their reward.
"Many of the Elders were at a loss what to do. They saw that things
were out of order, but how to regulate them they knew not. * * * They
felt a disposition to hope for the best, but it seemed to be hoping
against hope; in fact the whole head was sick and the whole heart
faint; and had it not been that the Saints were in possession of the
eternal principles of truth, and had the testimony of the Spirit,
giving them assurance of the truth and verity of this work, they might
all have made ship-wreck of faith.
"As Elder Pratt and myself journeyed among the churches, we found them
generally doing well, rejoiced to see us, and expressing a willingness
to follow our advice in all things. * * * I would here say a word or
two to the Saints by way of caution. Because you have been deceived
by your former leaders, do not mistrust those [2] you have now, but
let them have your confidence and your prayers. * * * I say again have
confidence in your presidency; neither condemn one man for what another
has done, neither be afraid of him. Give all good men your confidence;
if they betray it, judge them according to that which they have
done--not what they may or may not do. It is a devilish principle to be
jealous of men who have done no wrong, and to withhold our confidence
from those who ought to have our support, merely because it is possible
they may abuse it.
"Now brethren, as I had not time before I left, I must take the liberty
from this side of the ocean, of saying farewell--farewell! and God
bless you for ever and ever, worlds without end. Amen. It is a long
distance to salute you from, as I am now six thousand miles from you,
but I know it will be welcome, for I came more than six thousand miles
to see you, and I had to salute my family from your homes. We have yet
two thousand miles to go to see our families, and part of that through
mobbers, black-legs and murderers, who would gladly take our lives, but
we trust in the God of Israel, that He will take us safely through, and
that we shall arrive in the camp of Israel in peace, and rejoice in
once more meeting our families and friends.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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