AN ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG, DELIVERED AT THECHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF THE PUBLIC HANDS, IN THE CARPENTERS' HALL, GREAT SALTLAKE CITY, DEC. 16, 1851
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Five years ago we were menaced on every side by the cruel persecutionsof our inveterate enemies; hundreds of families, who had been forced fromtheir homes, and compelled to leave behind them their all, were wanderingas exiles in a state of abject destitution: but, by the favor of heaven,we have been enabled to surmount all these difficulties, and can assemblehere to-day in the chamber of these mountains, where there are none to makeus afraid, far from our persecutors, far from the turmoil and confusionof the old world.
Brethren and sisters, has not the Lord poured out His blessings uponyou to surpass all former times? Your barns and presses are filled withfine wheat, and other productions of these valleys; your tables groan underthe abundance of the blessings of the Almighty. Is there room for one complaintor murmur by this people? No! You are full with the blessings of God; youcan sit down and eat and drink until you are satisfied. There are hundredsof thousands in the old world who can say they never did have enough tosatisfy the cravings of nature. There are thousands at this time, who wouldcrawl upon their hands and knees, or travel on foot over the mighty ocean,were there an highway cast up, carrying their little children upon theirbacks, to obtain the blessings that we this day enjoy. That day of peaceand plenty which the Saints have looked for from the commencement of thisChurch, has in a great measure come to pass.
This is a party for the public hands, those who are laboring for thepublic good. I am a public hand, and myself and all I possess belong tothe Lord; all I possess is tithing, from the cap upon my head to the solesof the pumps upon my feet. When my Bishop came to value my property, hewanted to know what he should take my tithing in. I told him to take anythingI had got, for I did not set my heart upon any one thing; my horses, cows,hogs, or any other thing he might take; my mind was not set upon any ofthem. My heart is set upon the work of my God, upon the public good of Hisgreat kingdom. If there be any public hands who feel contrary to this, theyhad better leave and seek to build up themselves; let them try if they canaccomplish any more in that way, then by dedicating themselves to the Lord,in the building up of His works. Those who wish to try this, will meet witha signal disappointment.
Brethren, we are the Lord's, and all we possess; and I have determined,by the help of the Lord and this people, to build Him a house. You may ask,"Will He dwell in it?" He may do just as He pleases; it is notmy prerogative to dictate to the Lord. But we will build Him a house, thatif He pleases to pay us a visit, He may have a place to dwell in, or ifHe should send any of His servants, we may have a suitable accommodationsfor them. I have built myself a house, and the most of you have done thesame, and now shall we not build the Lord a house? (The deep-toned voicesof the public hands answered, "Aye.") I will not interrupt yourenjoyments by saying more, though, on such an interesting occasion as this,much more might be said.
Brethren and sisters, I feel to bless you in the name of the Lord. Amen.