To choose life is to choose an eternal existence in an organized
capacity: to refuse life and choose death is to refuse an eternal
existence in an organized capacity, and be contented to become
decomposed, and return again to native element.
Life is an accumulation of every property and principle that is
calculated to enrich, to ennoble, to enlarge, and to increase, in
every particular, the dominion of individual man. To me, life would
signify an extension. I have the privilege of spreading abroad, of
enlarging my borders, of increasing in endless knowledge, wisdom, and
power, and in every gift of God.
To live as I am, without progress, is not life, in fact we may say
that is impossible. There is no such principle in existence, neither
can there be. All organized existence is in progress, either to an
endless advancement in eternal perfections, or back to dissolution.
You may explore all the eternities that have been, were it possible,
then come to that which we now understand according to the principles
of natural philosophy, and where is there an element, an individual
living thing, an organized body, of whatever nature, that continues as
it is? It cannot be found. All things that have come within the
bounds of man's limited knowledge—the things he naturally understands,
teach him, that there is no period, in all the eternities, wherein
organized existence will become stationary, that it cannot advance in
knowledge, wisdom, power, and glory.
-- Brigham Young
