Appeal for Burden Bearers
13
and as the result go down into the grave, and his labors be lost to the
cause of God; or he can now be released, while he has some strength
left, and last longer, and his labors be more efficient.”
I will now copy from a testimony given in 1859: “In my last vision
I was shown that the Lord would have my husband give himself more
to the study of the Scriptures, that he may be qualified to labor more
effectually in word and doctrine, both in speaking and in writing. I saw
that in the past we had exhausted our energies through much anxiety
and care to bring the church into a right position. Such wearing labor
in various places, bearing the burdens of the church, is not required;
for the church should bear their own burdens. Our work is to instruct
them in God’s word, to urge upon them the necessity of experimental
religion, and to define as clearly as possible the correct position in
regard to the truth. God would have us raise our voices in the great
congregation upon points of present truth which are of vital importance.
These should be presented with clearness and with decision, and should
also be written out, that the silent messengers may bring them before
the people everywhere. A more thorough consecration to the essential
work is required on our part; we must be earnest to live in the light of
God’s countenance. If our minds were less occupied with the trials
of the church they would be more free to be exercised upon Bible
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subjects; and a closer application to Bible truth would accustom the
mind to run in that channel, and we would thus be better qualified for
the important work devolving upon us.
“I was shown that God did not lay upon us such heavy burdens
as we have borne in the past. It is our duty to talk to the church and
show them the necessity of working for themselves. They have been
carried too much. The reason why we should not be required to take
upon ourselves heavy burdens and engage in perplexing labor is that
the Lord has work of another character for us to perform. He would
not have us exhaust our physical and mental energies, but hold them in
reserve, that upon special occasions, whenever help is actually needed,
our voices may be heard.
“I saw that important moves would be made, in which our influence
would be demanded to lead out; that influences would arise, and errors
would occasionally be brought into the church, and that then our
influence would be required. But if exhausted by previous labors, we
would not possess that calm judgment, discretion, and self-control