| 372 see the high handed oppression of Brighamism in Utah; their names are well known in England as defenders of the faith, and Bro. S. and L. as presidents of conferences. Bro. Squires has since joined the Reorganization and is holding meetings in his own hired house. I asked the presiding elder of North Ogden to allow me to announce a meeting to give it publicity in his audience, and he said no, we don't want any more business done here to-day. In Ogden Valley I got the privilege of the schoolhouse once, but I could not get it the second time. I have also been to Provo and Springville, but could not procure any house at Springville to hold meetings in. At Provo I procured a private house and baptized four, and many more are with us in faith; and I saw a brother a few days since who told me that he was present when the martyred prophet blessed Bro. Joseph and predicted that he should be a prophet, seer, and revelator. Our cause is onward with intense rapidity to the spiritual beholder, while Utah begins now to witness the joys of gospel blessings and that peace in the Holy Ghost as was enjoyed in the days of the first Joseph. Oh! the deep feelings of regret, remorse, shame, and sorrow, that are felt by the innocent-hearted ones of this Territory, who have been beguiled into this heathenish, soul-destroying, murderous, blasphemy, polygamy! But, brethren and sisters, many thousands have been led into it were as honest, virtuous, and pure in their intentions as the infant babe is unconscious of evil, by that seductive spirit that was to characterize the departing from the faith in the latter times, and by those unscrupulous men who were 'speaking lies in hypocrisy' and were 'lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.' 'For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.' And surely these Scriptures are having their most marked and literal fulfillment here.
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