A discourse delivered by Elder Joshua Grant, jun. at the Conference

My Friends:-As an opportunity presents itself, and I am requested, by my brethren to speak to you, I cheerfully embrace the present opportunity, and address you for the first time from this stand.

You have been entertained during the conference, with many interesting, instructive, and edifying discourses, and it would seem superfluous in me, to attempt to add very much to the remarks already made by many of my senior brethren, who are much more competent than myself, to lay before you the principles of eternal truth; but having been called upon to address you, I embrace the present opportunity with cheerfulness, and feel happy for the privilege that I now enjoy of communicating, as well as being communicated unto, after so long an absence from your midst.

Since I last stood among the saints of the most high God, in this place, I have journeyed in different parts of the United States, to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, my voice has been heard in many towns and villages, far from here, who had not before been made acquainted with the principles of salvation, as made known in these last days, and my labors have not been futile; for the Lord has blest my humble endeavors to propagate the gospel of truth, and I have been an humble instrument in his hands, in bringing some few to a "knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus" who are now rejoicing in the "liberty wherewith Christ has made them free." Although I have travelled [traveled] in different parts, my labors however, have been principally confined to the southern, where, for the last three years, in company with my brother, Elder J. M. Grant, I have travelled [traveled] and raised up a church, consisting of upwards of two hundred members.

In looking at the large concourse of people that now present themselves before me, in this conference, my mind is carried involuntary to other scenes, and I am reminded of the situation of this church, when in its weakness and infancy, which, contrasted with its present numbers, respectability and influence, was "but a drop in the bucket," and brings with renewed force to my mind, the great work in which we are engaged, and that, as God has hitherto put forth his hand to defend his people, in the day of adversity, that, as they have, in their weakness, baffled all the attempts of wicked and designing men, aided by the powers of darkness, to overturn and destroy them; that, as they have hitherto been aided by the arm of omnipotence, and sustained by the power of Israel's King; that, if they still continue humble and faithful, the same power, the same intelligence, the same arm, will yet sustain his own people, bring to pass all the things spoken of by the prophets, gather his elect from the four winds, and crown the saints with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life.

Without any further remarks, by way of preliminaries, allow me a short time to call your attention to the following text, which you will find contained in Matt. xxiv: 14; "And this gospel, of the kingdom, shall be preached in all the world, as a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

These are the words of our blessed Lord, that he spake to his disciples in answer to certain questions which were propounded by them; in relation to his coming, and the end of the world. After entering into many particulars partaining [pertaining] to the events that should transpire in and about Jerusalem, speaking of the calamities that should destroy that city, and bring destruction upon the Jews, he goes on to describe the signs that should precede the coming of the Son of Man, and the end of the world. Among other signs that are referred to by him is that contained in the words of our text, which is one of the greatest and most important, "and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, as a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come."

In all the dispensations of the lord, and in all his dealings with the children of men, he has pursued one uniform, undeviating course, though the earth by revolutions may have changed, and man has been wavering and fluctuating, God has declared concerning himself; "I am the Lord, and I change not" and wherever we can trace the dealings of God with man, we shall find that they have been unchangeable, he has always taught man by revelation. In regard to the gospel, it is a principle that has always existed, in all ages where God has had a pure church; and if the children of Israel were placed under a school master, and the law was added, it "was because of transgression," and not because of the changeableness of God, for he has always pursued one uniform course, to edify, instruct, and give the world a knowledge of his law; and in unfolding the principles of truth to the human family, he never instructed them at random, nor suffered them to go according to their notions, or at the bidding of men; they never wage "a warfare at their own charge" but they were endued with power from on high; wisdom and intelligence was given through the great source of the priesthood, which God has given to regulate the affairs of his kingdom, and thus being endowed

and qualified by the wisdom and intelligence that God has imparted, they were prepared to unfold the gospel of Jesus Christ to a fallen world. If this has been God's way of dealing with the children of men, it naturally follows that it will continue to be, and if the preachers of the gospel in primitive days, were thus called and empowered, it follows as a natural consequence, that it will continue to be, and that as God is immutable, and unchangeable, whenever he calls men in any age of the world, he will qualify, and inspire them, in the same manner. And if they are thus taught, whether in this age, in ages that are past, or that are yet to come, there will be a uniformity in doctrine, and ordinances, they will teach the same things. There have been many who have professed to be called of God; but their doctrines have been diverse, and their ordinances conflicting. The reason of this difference is, that they have not been taught of God, nor inspired from on high; but their learning has been merely scholastic and their wisdom the science of men. Thus situated, it is impossible that they should teach correct principles; for man is finite and fallible, and God is infinite and infallible, and it is impossible for the people of this, or of any other age, to comprehend the Creator without being taught of him.

The disjointed manner in which sectarianism has placed the gospel, renders it extremely ludicrous; one having taken one part, and another another part. Now the ordinances, gifts and powers of the gospel are not one, but many; yet being many, they are not divided, but the one gospel, proceeding from the same spirit One, two, nor three items do not compose the gospel any more than if we were to take two or three leaves out of a book, and call it a book. As it takes all the leaves to make a book perfect, so it requires all the ordinances, gifts, blessings, powers, and priesthood, of the gospel to make it complete. It may, with propriety, be compared to a chain, which, if any link is broken, it destroys the force of the whole. So, in like manner, if one principle of the gospel is destroyed, it renders the whole imperfect. The Savior told his disciples to "teach ALL things whatsoever he had commanded them." Hence this gospel, in all its parts, must be preached to every nation, before the Messiah will come; and men must be inspired, to prepare them for the accomplishment of so great a work.

According to the statement of the "Universal Geography," there are three thousand and twenty six different languages. It must be obvious to every reflecting mind that it is absolutely necessary for the gifts and powers of the gospel to be restored before the gospel can be preached to all of those nations and tongues; and if it is not, the Messiah cannot come, for the preaching of the gospel to all nations is one of the great signs that must take place, preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man.

This brings to our minds forcibly the necessity of the gift of tongues in order that the gospel may be preached unto all nations, in their own tongue; for the best linguist in the world cannot understand more than twenty different languages, or tongues: and if they do not and cannot learn them, it is absolutely necessary that ministers of the gospel should be inspired with the gift of tongues, as the Apostles were on the day of Pentecost, to prepare them for this arduous undertaking. Many, because they possess not those gifts, and not having the honesty to acknowledge the reason of this deficiency, tell us that we have no more need of them; but if they can accomplish this work without the power of God, the fullness of the gospel, and the gift of tongues, they will accomplish more than has been done by the so-called preachers of the gospel for the last seventeen hundred years.

Mr. John Wesley informs us, in his fourteenth sermon, that the reason why these blessings were lost, was because the christians had turned heathens again, and had nothing left but the dead form, without the power-and we presume that if others would open their eyes, they would see the like discrepancies.

I would remark, in regard to the gosple [gospel] being a witness unto all nations, that there is a striking concedence between this and the testimony of our Savior, concerning his disciples: "Ye are my witnesses, as also is the Holy Ghost, that bears witness of me." They were the acknowledged, authorised [authorized] heralds of salvation; to them was given the keys, that they might unlock the kingdom unto others, preach salvation themselves, and ordain others to this authority. They were the only persons who could properly be called witnesses of the Savior, in that day; they have been with our Savior and seen his miracles; they had witnessed his life, death, resurrection, and ascension; they had felt the prints of the nails in his hands, and in his feet; they had seen him transfigured on the mount and ascend into heaven, and after his death and resurrection they saw and conversed with him forty days, and afterwards saw him ascend into heaven, in a cloud. He afterwards appeared unto them, and became their benefactor, instructor, and friend: thus situated and endued with this power, they were certainly, of all men upon the face of the earth, most competent to be his witnesses.

The Holy Ghost was also another witness of

him, and wherever the gospel was preached and believed, that Holy Spirit bore witness, enlightened and comforted; and wherever the pure gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, by proper authority, and believed in and obeyed by the world, it will be productive of the same results.

If this was the kind of testimony that existed in those days, it is absolutely necessary that a principle of the same kind should now exist; that men should be endowed with the same power, possess the same priesthood, administer in the same ordinances, and preach the same things; then the spirit of God will bear testimony to the word preached; it will not come "in word only, but in power, in demonstration of the spirit; and in much assurance."

VINALHAVEN, WALDO Co.,}

MAINE, April 24, 1843.}

The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the counties of Lincoln and Waldo, met in conference on the 15th and 16th inst. Meeting was called to order on the 15th, at 1 o'clock, P. M., by C. C. Pendleton, when Elder Otis Shaw was called to preside, and C. C. Pendleton chosen clerk.

Singing, and prayer by the president.

The following branches, composing the conference, were then represented. President Shaw represented the Vinalhaven branch, consisting of fifty six members, including two elders, one priest, one teacher and one deacon.

Several have moved away since last conference, and three excluded, viz; Wm. Merchant, Polly Merchant, and Margaret Pease.

The St. George branch, including members in Cushing and Friendship, Long Island, were represented by President Shaw, numbering twenty seven members, including one priest, one teacher, and one deacon; seven added by baptism since the last conference. C. C. Pendleton then represented the East Thomaston branch, numbering twenty-five members, including one elder, one priest, one teacher, and one deacon; twelve of the above mentioned were recently baptised [baptized] by Elder Thomas Crockit, and the remainder were formerly members of the Vinalhaven branch. Abijah Pease, priest, represented the Waldo branch, numbering thirty-eight members, including one elder, two priests, and three teachers; a number have moved to Illinois since last conference, two excluded, viz: Wesley and Vincent Richards, and seven added by baptism. Several present bore testimony to the certainty of the renewal of the covenant.

Singing and prayer by Elder J. Pierce.

Adjourned till 6 o'clock.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment, but owing to the severity of the weather, but few assembled. C. C. Pendleton, opened the meeting by prayer, and after addressing the meeting upon the subject of salvation, the time was occupied in mutual prayer and singing.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

Sunday morning, convened at the appointed hour. After singing, prayer by C. C. Pendleton, who proceeded to address the assembly upon the Millenium [Millennium], and the necessary preparation for that day. Additional remarks by Elder J. Pierce and President Shaw.

Adjourned for one hour and a half.

Afternoon, met according to adjournment.-Singing and prayer, by President Shaw. Scripture testimony in proof of the Book of Mormon, by C. C. Pendleton, who urged the necessity of a compliance with the precepts of that book.-Subject continued by Elder Pierce, after which Bread and Wine was administered by Elders Shaw and Pierce.

Adjourned till 7 o'clock.

Met pursuant to adjournment. Singing and prayer by the president. Time devoted to exhortation and prayer.

Resolved, That the minutes of this conference be forwarded to Nauvoo for publication, in the "Times and Seasons." Conference then adjourned, to meet in East Thomaston, on the first Saturday in July, at 10 o'clock, A.M.,

O. SHAW, Prest.

C. C. PENDLETON, Cl'k.

MESSRS. TAYLOR & WOODRUFF:-

Presuming that further information respecting the Lord's work, and other matters, in this region, would not be unwelcome to you, I have thought proper to fill the remainder of this sheet for your disposal, as may be deemed proper. For more than a year and a half, I have endeavored to preach the gospel of Christ, in Waldo and the adjoining counties, as my circumstances have admitted: sometimes blessed with the society of fellow laborers, but mostly alone, and notwithstanding there has not been (through the concerted efforts of the few in these parts,) a general turning unto the Lord, as in many parts of our land, yet the work of the Lord has been steadily onward in the midst of opposition, so that in several counties, there are some found rejoicing in the new and everlasting covenant.

There has been, and now is, a very great stir among the people, on the subject of religion, and it is said of the proceedings as was anciently said of Simon, the Samaritan: "The great power of God." But amongst the great confusion and party strife, the saints have mostly

stood firm and unshaken upon that foundation which wind and rain cannot remove. The doctrines of Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Miller, &c. &c., have been contested with equal warmth, and all have made great acquisitions to their numbers. Fear has seized upon the people and they are gliding down the current of men's opinions, to the destruction awaiting such.-Comparatively, few are willing to leave the paths of popularity and walk in the humble narrow way.

The disciples of Miller are particularly loud against our principles, and some of them stoop to the lowest and most foul slanders, and the prophet whom God has raised up for his glorious work, is surely "taken up in the lips of talkers." The foul and nefarious statements of the vile and perjured Bennet, together with the various falsehoods in circulation, are poured in from all quarters upon the advocates of truth, with untiring diligence, and I have thought as the mighty avalanch [avalanche] increases in magnitude and velocity, as it descends the steep declivity, so falsehood and calumny increase in bulk and momentum, as they recede from their place of coinage.

The unfavorable situations of the few who have been called to the ministry in this region, are such as will deprive them of the privilege of preaching extensively, and a number of experienced elders are much needed here. Will some venture on a mission from the home of the saints, to this state, as formerly? A number of the saints removed west last fall, and many more are making great exertions to procure means for their removal to Nauvoo next fall.

Notwithstanding I gain much, useful and comforting instruction from your very valuable paper, (Times and Seasons,) I feel very desirous of being in your midst, and of receiving oral instruction from those whom God has appointed to lead and instruct his people, Israel.

With respect, I am as ever, yours, &c.,

CALVIN C. PENDLETON