History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

A MORMON REVIVAL. 541
fully, to dedicate themselves and their substance to
the Lord, to set their families in order, to purify their
houses, their persons, and their lands. 45
At the bowery in Salt Lake City, on the morning
of the 21st, the day being a sabbath, Brigham declared
that he would no longer dwell among a people
filled with contention, covetousness, pride, and iniquity.
Unless they put away their sins a separation must
take place, and the righteous be forever parted from
the ungodly. At the beginning of his discourse he
requested that all who desired to obey the Lord
Jesus and live to his glory, denying themselves of
worldly lusts, would signify their intention by rising
to their feet. As a matter of course, the entire congregation
responded. He then asked if there was a
man among them who knew how to handle this world's
goods without setting his heart upon them, using and
distributing them only to the glory of God, that that
man w T ould stand up. There was no response. " I tell
you," he said, "that this people will not be suffered
to walk as they have walked, to do as they have done,
to live as they have lived." He was followed by
Jedediah M. Grant who declared that there were
some among them who, having received the priesthood,
dishonored their cause by committing adultery, and
every other abomination under heaven.
For many weeks the reformation was preached at
the bowery and the tabernacle, the saints being ordered
to renew their covenants, and many of them
were rebaptized by the elders under the direction of
Grant, who, on one occasion, remained so long in the
water that he contracted the disease of which he died
toward the close of the year. 46
Meetings held by the
home missionaries throughout the territory were
crowded, and full and frank confession was made, followed
in most instances by amendment. Some bene-
45 For proceedings of conference, see Deseret News, Sept. 24, 1856. 'Saints,
live your religion,' was the text of a sermon delivered by Brigham at the
tabernacle.
16 For a description of his obsequies, see Deseret News. Dec. 10, 1856.