[George Q. Cannon]
... I wished to speak to them as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not as citizens of the United States. The action which had been taken by the Convention was a very important one. The Constitution which they had framed met with the approval of President Taylor. The thing to be considered was, how to get the question properly before the people, so that when they are called upon to vote for this Constitution, they may poll their full strength. It will have to be explained to them and they will have to be assured and satisfied that in voting for this they do not offend their Maker [the proposed constitution prohibits polygamy]. It was <is> not necessary to enter into details concerning this question. It should be sufficient for every Latter-day Saint to know that this action is approved by the First Presidency and is not contrary to God's commands; ... It would devolve upon the brethren present to explain their action when they go to their respective homes, and they should be careful and discreet in their utterances. The questions should not be agitated in public. All the talking should be done privately – to the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops, and other leading men. ... I told the brethren that if they would do their best in this matter, the Lord would bless them, and He would bring relief to His people. Men might plot and scheme against us; but their efforts and schemes would fail. God will give us light every step we take, and He will bring us salvation and deliverance.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
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