As found in The Millennial Star, June 4th, 1859
Note: gendered terms have been modified in this transcription to be gender-neutral
The words “this life” and “the next life” mystify us a great deal and cloud our understanding of the realities of eternity. Humanity has no “next life”. They have but one life – one continuation of events. If humanity would view their whole existence as one sweep of events linked together, they would see the value of their present surroundings – they would feel more the terrible reality and importance of that part of eternity in which they now move.
This life makes what is called the next life – that is, the fortune, the success, the joy, the influence that we shall possess in it, just as much as a person’s early education and habits decide their standing amongst others in later years.
When people fully realize the oneness of this life with the “next” – when they tear down, by the force of their knowledge of matters, the appearance of division caused by death, it alters the whole tenor of their movements: they act and plan for another and wider range of things. People of this kind, who have reason to believe that their actions are wise and properly worked to agree with the eternal state in which they exist – such people feel that eternal life is in and upon them already: they feel that every present good action is telling for their eternal benefit as much as anything that can transpire beyond the grave. In the confidence they are begetting in their worth, in the affections they are inspiring, and in the stability growing up in their souls, they see around them, rising sure and firm, the foundations of the very glories of eternity. They do not wait the hour of resurrection to come ere they can enter in upon their eternal career. Their eyes have seen it, their hands have handled it, and they have felt it, in degree, and lived in the midst of it already. The common respect which people draw from their fellows, because of their superior conduct or abilities, would make an eternal influence, were it worked upon principles that would cause it to endure. The common kind of love and affection that our actions draw towards us is a portion of the very love and esteem upon which thrones are built in the bosom of eternity. True, it is variable now, and uncertain; but that is because the course we take to secure it is variable and uncertain also. But while it lasts, and to the extent we go into is, it is the same.
Yes – portions of eternal riches are often within our hands, but we know it not. We push them on one side, and think we shall get at the thing by-and-by. People slight the love of spouse and child, instead of laboring to get it firmly fastened to themselves. Instead of seeing in it valuable property – instead of seeing in it stepping-stones to their great salvation, they seek to build up a throne outside of it. From not appreciating the eternal realities of “this life”, they are waiting for materials to come from whence their greatness and happiness are to be worked. They despise the substance and are waiting for the shadow.
Fools that people often are! Well might Jesus say, “The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light!” The children of this world plan to meet the whole of the life or generation they comprehend, whilst the children of light, who should understand the eternal continuance and endless importance of the domestic associations and friendships by which they are surrounded, do not work up these things to our advantage commensurate with our understanding of their value – their eternal advantage to us; and the fact that in the common kind of matters from which we now gain bliss or influence lies our only hope of glory and felicity in future worlds, and that outside of these and similarly familiar sources the universe is barren and desolate for us, and salvation impossible.
It is fearful how some people trample about among portions of eternal wealth and ruthlessly tear up the elements of eternal joy, and yet talk of the eternal glory they expect to get, “if faithful!” – as if God had some good to give them more real than what they now handle! – whilst they are destroying not merely that which they could work into everlasting bliss and power, but destroying that which they hold of the very thing itself. People must return to these slighted riches and possessions and unite them to themselves before it is to late, and see in the members of their family, their associates in the Church and Priesthood, and even in the influence they can righteously acquire outside the Church, the elements of their future exaltation, upon whose united shoulders they must rise. They must bear them up. Will they not, then, if they are wise, win, attract by kindness, or obtain by efforts for their benefit, all the influence and strength that they can yield?
Here is the policy – the broad, deep policy of living in the spirit of Jesus, because it binds and conciliates, draws and adds the strength of others to our own. The policy of controlling our criticising tongues, and judging not, lest we sever from us now, or hereafter beyond the grave, when our unjust criticisms shall come to light, the attachments, the support, the influence among the spirits of people we might have gained. Here is the policy of getting rid of that mean, selfish littleness that leads us to grasp at every chance at enriching ourselves, and causes us to be always trying to get the glory and credit of every little, clever, wise, or successful thing that is done within a mile of us, that it may appear how wondrously thoughtful, how wondrously energetic, how wondrously prudent, or how tremendously smart we are on all points, and crushing our way into notice, no matter whom we shove into the background, so long as our claims are kept in sight! There is all eternity to find us out! And such a person’s little heaps of glory will melt away like heaps of lather. They have not lived to be an eternal person: they have lived for today alone. But on the other hand, when a person, without any show, has generously brought forward another’s claims, resigning their own, – when they have conferred benefits on others, without dragging them all the time into their sight, or everlastingly trying to impress them with the obligations they are under, but blessed them without an effort to be observed, – when such a one is found out, (and it must be the same when they are fount out hereafter,) how Godlike and noble do they seem! How the heart warms towards them! What a disposition crowds upon us to heap everything we possess upon such characters! We cannot bless them enough! Verily, in this principle of action lies one of the keys of power and endless influence. Everyone who aspires to righteous greatness will seize upon it for themselves, make it their own chosen principle and practice, that in them may be reflected their Great God’s course and Spirit. Marching in this track, their enlarged souls will see wider and yet wider openings to improve upon the eternal realities of daily life, and lay a chain of consequences which shall be felt as long as themselves endure.
Let parents reflect on the hopes they have for eternity, and they will see them close to their hands in their children which the Lord has given them. Let them weld the hearts of their children to theirs, so that they can never escape their influence. Let them not trust alone to the ties of flesh and blood. It will not hold their children forever, unless that tie is cemented by confidence and esteem.
Those that would preside over their children as a god must be to them the very god they want to be considered. Parents must make out their godhead, establish their superiority and right to rule deep in the minds of their children, by conferring such obligation, by such a regular course of love, mercy, gentleness, and yet stern attention to the right, that their children shall naturally cleave to and look up to them as the greatest and best of being they are acquainted with. Coming thus before the holy Priesthood, to be sealed for eternity, there will be something to tie together: but when the bands are rotten, who can fasten together? It does not lie within the compass of Jehovah’s power to unite discordant elements – to fasten contempt and coldness together for eternity. Why do not people see this? Who is going to stop them for all eternity, unless the spirit and disposition of a parent – the attractions of a parent – the material to make an endless and immortal head, are there to rest upon and abide by?
Talk about the binding and loosing power! It rests within ourselves. Jehovah’s servants do but stamp and put the seal of office upon it, and make it legal and secure. We must bring to them a prepared document, written in imperishable attachments, growing out of a knowledge of qualities mutually possessed; – we must bring them, in fact, something with the stamping – something that will naturally keep together, or the seal will not be affixed; or, if it is, it will sever the quicker; for that which is unnatural and uncongenial cannot be united or riveted by the power of the holy Priesthood.
Look well, then, O humanity, to the eternal realities abiding around you. If you are acquainted with the elements of endless life, you will see that your salvation is to grow from things now within your grasp. You will see that the joys of it have in a thousand already touched your heart; and exulting in the power you possess of now tasting its realities and now controlling the amount and quality of that which is to come, you will take such a course that the joys and power of that salvation shall endlessly increase.