Do not treat these doctrines indifferently, nor carelessly throw them aside. Should they be true, the message is of the utmost importance to you. Surrounded with so many proofs, the faith of the Latter-day Saints should demand your further investigation.
Books, tracts, and sermons, in great numbers, and within easy reach, are at your command. Read, listen, investigate! Thousands have done so before, and bear testimony to having received a knowledge of the divine truth, as herein presented.
I part from you with the words of the poet true as any to be found:
"Know this, that every soul is free,
To choose his life and what he'll be,
For this eternal truth is given,
That God will force no man to heaven."He'll call, persuade, direct aright—
Bless him with wisdom, love, and light—
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind."Freedom and reason make us men;
Take these away, what are we then?
Mere animals, and just as well
The beasts may think of heaven or hell."
APPENDIX.
WHAT BRIGHAM YOUNG SAID.
It is not only a privilege, but a duty for the Saints to seek unto the Lord their God for wisdom and understanding, to be in possession of the spirit that fills the heavens, until their eyes are anointed and opened to see the world as it really is, to know what it is made for, and why all things are as they are. It is one of the most happifying subjects that can be named, for a person, or people, to have the privilege of gaining wisdom enough while in their mortal tabernacle, to be able to look through the whys and wherefores of the existence of man, like looking through a piece of glass that is perfectly transparent; and understand the design of the Great Maker of this beautiful creation. Let the people do this, and their hearts will be weaned from the world.—Journal of Discourses Vol. I., p. 111.
This people are to the world an object of derision and hatred; to God, of care and pity.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 350.
There is not a person in this community that can bring to mind or mention the time when I exhibited one particle of sorrow or trouble to them. I calculate to carry my own sorrows just as long as I live upon this earth; and when I go to the grave, I expect them all to go there, and sleep with me in silence.—Journal of Discourse, Vol I., p. 31.
If people act from pure motives, though their outward movements may not always be so pleasant as our traditions would prefer, yet God will make those acts result in the best good to the people.—J. of D. Vol. V., p. 256.