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Conference Reports of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

OnsL (HundtetL Jwsurfj^-mrdlv SEMI-ANNUAL

conffHtnct OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Held in the Tabernacle

Salt Lake City,

Odtobsth, 9, 10, and, 11, 1959

With Report of Discourses

Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Salt Lake City, Utah

The One Hundred Twenty-ninth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The One Hundred Twenty-Ninth the Tabernacle Grounds by means of Semi-Annual Conference of the Church amplifying equipment. of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The proceedings of the General convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake Priesthood meeting were broadcast in City, Utah, Friday, Saturday, and Sun- the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall day, October 9, 10, and 11, 1959. over public address systems, and by di- The general sessions of the Confer- rect wire over a public address system ence were held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 to members of the Priesthood in other p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and assemblies throughout the United States the General Priesthood meeting was and in Canada. held in the Tabernacle Saturday evening, President David O. McKay presided, October 10, at 7:00. and conducted the services at each of The proceedings of the general ses- the sessions of the Conference, includ- sions were broadcast and telecast over ing the General Priesthood meeting. Station KSL and KSL-TV at Salt Lake A full report of Columbia Broadcast- City, and by arrangement through KSL ing System's Tabernacle Choir and the following stations made available Organ broadcast is also included in this to their listening or viewing audiences record, as is also a full account of Colum- one or more of the six general sessions: bia's Church of the Air program. (See In Utah: KSVC at Richfield, KSUB pages 126 to 130.) at Cedar City, KVEL at Vernal, KVNU Elder was Clerk of at Logan, KDXU at St. George. the Conference. In : KRXK at Rexburg, KID and KID-TV at Idaho Falls, KBOI and General Authorities of the Church KBOI-TV at Boise, KPST at Preston, Present KBRV at Soda Springs, and KLIX-TV at Twin Falls. The First Presidency: David O.

In Colorado: KREX at Grand Junc- McKay, J. Reuben Clark, Jr.,* Henry tion, KBTV at Denver. D. Moyle.** In California: KSRO at Santa Rosa, The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: KRDG and KVIP-TV at Redding, , ***, Spencer W. KEEN and KNTV at San Jose, KTVU- Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, Mark E. TV at Oakland, KTTV at Los Angeles, Peterson, Delbert L. Stapley, ****, KERO-TV at Bakersfield, KOVR-TV at LeGrand Richards, Richard L. Evans, Stockton. George Q. Morris, Hugh B. Brown, In Oregon: KKID at Pendleton, Howard W. Hunter.***** KGW-TV at Portland. Patriarch to the Church: Eldred G. In Arizona: KPHO and KPHO-TV Smith. at Phoenix, KCLS at Flagstaff, KVWM Assistants to the Twelve Apostles: at Show Low, KGUN-TV at Tucson. , EIRay L. Christiansen, In New Mexico: KRSN at Los Alamos. John Longden, Sterling W. Sill, Gordon In Texas: KWFT at Wichita Falls. B. Hinckley, Henry D. Taylor, William

In Washington: KTNT-TV at Ta- J. Critchlow, Jr., Alvin R. Dyer. coma, KHQ-TV at Spokane. The First Council of the Seventy: In Nevada: KLRJ-TV at Las Vegas. Levi Edgar Young, Antoine R. Ivins, All general sessions of the Conference Seymour Dilworth Young, Milton R. were broadcast in the Assembly Hall on Hunter, Bruce R. McConkie, Marion D. Temple Square, in Barratt Hall (60 Hanks, Albert Theodore Tuttle. North Main Street), over a loudspeak- Presiding Bishopric: Joseph L. Wirth- ing system and by television. Thousands, lin, Thorpe B. Isaacson, and Carl W. in addition, listened to the services on Buehner. 2 GENERAL CONFERENCE

General Officers and Other Stake, and Ward officers of Auxiliary Authorities Present Associations, etc., from all parts of the Church. Church Historian and Recorder: Joseph Fielding Smith, and as assistants, *President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. was sustained as A. William Lund and Preston Nibley. first counselor in the First Presidency, succeeding in this position President who Members of the General Welfare Com- passed away. mittee, Church Welfare Program. **Henry D. Moyle was sustained as second coun- selor in the First Presidency, succeeding in this Members of the Church Board of position President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., who was Education and Administrator Church sustained as first counselor. of Education, Directors As- ***Elder Harold B. Lee was visiting missions in Board and South America. sociate Directors of Institutes, and ****Elder Marion G. Romney was visiting missions Seminary Instructors. in Europe. *****Elder Howard W. Hunter was sustained as a Presidents of Stakes and their Coun- member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling selors, Presidents of Temples, Patriarchs, the vacancy caused by the selection of Elder Henry D. Moyle to serve as second counselor in the First High Priests, Seventies, Elders, General, Presidency. FIRST DAY MORNING MEETING

The opening session of the Conference Brother Joseph Anderson is Clerk of convened in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake the Conference. For the convenience City, Utah, Friday, October 9 at 10:00 of those who are unable to enter the a.m., with President David O. McKay building, the Tabernacle being filled presiding, and conducting the exercises so far as we can see, every seat being of the meeting. occupied, we announce that these serv- The choral music for this Conference ices and all general sessions of the session was furnished by the Relief So- Conference will be broadcast in the ciety Singing Mothers of the Jordan Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall by Valley Region, Sister Florence Jepperson television. The general sessions of this Madsen conducting, and Frank W. Asper Conference will be broadcast as a public at the organ. service over television and radio sta- President McKay opened the Confer- tions throughout the west—over 21 ence with the following introductory radio stations and 17 television stations. remarks: The names of these stations have already been announced to the television and radio audiences. To the owners and President David O. McKay: managers of these various stations we wish to express our sincere appreciation. This is the opening session of the to a survey that was made One Hundred Twenty-Ninth Semi- According the other day, it is possible that one Annual Conference of the Church of million people will hear and see the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We proceedings of this Conference through are convened in the historic Salt Lake television. This figure is Tabernacle on Temple Square. All the radio and based on the ratio of each city carrying General Authorities of the Church are the Conference, the number of here in attendance excepting Elder Har- and viewers per city. old B. Lee and Elder Marion G. Romney. Elder Lee is in South America officiating To the large audience assembled in at the organization of two new mis- the Tabernacle, to the overflow meet- sions—the Andes Mission and the ings in the Assembly Hall, Barratt Hall, Brazilian South Mission. Elder Rom- to the untold thousands comprising the ney is making an official visit to the television and radio audience, in behalf European Missions, during which visit of the First Presidency and Council of he has organized the new South German the Twelve and other General Authori- Mission. Brother Benson will be here ties, we bid you a hearty welcome. tomorrow. He is not present this morn- Please remember than any important ing as he has been traveling in Europe. messages that come to us for persons We have here a cable from El- attending the sessions of this Confer- der Romney from Munich, Germany: ence will be announced at the dismissal "Dear President McKay and Brethren: of the meetings over the public address As General Conference approaches our system on the grounds. thoughts are with you. We with the We are favored this morning in hav- 35,000 Saints and missionaries in the ing the Singing Mothers British Mission, French, European and from the Jordan Valley Region. They German-speaking missions, look to you will furnish music for the sessions of for sustaining inspiration, so may the the Conference today. It is a joy to Lord bless and direct you. Marion have these mothers present this morning. Romney." These beautiful flowers which you I have a cablegram from the Brazilian see arranged on the rostrum and pulpit Mission at Sao Paulo: "The Saints and have come from Hawaii, and are sent missionaries of the Brazilian Mission with the love and greetings of the mem- join in prayers for an inspired Confer- bers of the Church in the Oahu Stake. ence." We express appreciation and thanks to GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day the members of Oahu. Our thoughts The Relief Society Singing Mothers and best wishes throughout the Confer- sang "Open Our Eyes, O Loving and ence will be with them as we enjoy the Compassionate Jesus." fragrance and beauty of these blooms Elder Wilford W. Richards offered the from Hawaii. invocation. We note also the presence of promi- H. Aldous Dixon, Congress- nent men: President David O. McKay: man; David S. King, Congressman; our Governor, George Dewey Clyde; LaMont The invocation was just offered by Toronto, Secretary of State; Adiel F. Elder Wilford W. Richards, until re- Stewart, Mayor of Salt Lake City; Cap- cently director of the Institute of Religion tain Russell H. Blood, United States at Logan, Utah. The Relief Society Naval Hospital; his son, Russell M. of Singing Mothers will now sing, "Go Washington, D. and others G; un- Ye Forth With My Word," conducted doubtedly, not been able whom we have by Florence Jepperson Madsen. to observe from the rostrum. With these we have our stake presidencies, bishoprics of wards, other and Singing by the Singing Mothers, "Go stake officers, to all of we extend whom Ye Forth With My Word." a hearty welcome and prayers that we shall have indeed a spiritual feast to- gether. President David O. McKay: The music, as already announced, will be furnished for this session by the As I said, we are favored with having Relief Society Singing Mothers of the Singing Mothers under the direction Jordan Valley Region, Florence Jepper- of Sister Madsen at our Conference this son Madsen conducting, and Elder morning. I want to say we are blessed, Frank W. Asper at the organ. and I am sure you will all agree with We shall begin this session by the me. Truly the Lord said, "The song Relief Society Singing Mothers singing, of the righteous is a prayer unto me." "Open Our Eyes, O Loving and Com- We are inspired with the beautiful passionate Jesus." The opening prayer singing of these, our mothers. will be offered by Elder Wilford W. Our first speaker this morning will be Richards, until recently director of the David O. McKay. He will be followed Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion by Elder A. Theodore Tuttle of the at at Logan, Utah. First Council of the Seventy.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

"I charge thee therefore before God," Those are among the last words writ- Paul wrote to Timothy, "and the Lord ten by Paul to his son in the faith, Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick Timothy, who was ordained bishop of and the dead at his appearing and his the Ephesians. When Paul wrote those kingdom; words, he was a prisoner under Nero. "Preach the word; be instant in season, Two charges were pressed against him: out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort one, that he had conspired, so it was with all longsuffering and doctrine. alleged by Nero's partisans, to set fire "For the time will come when they to Rome; second, he was accused of will not endure sound doctrine; but after introducing a novel and unlawful re- their own lusts shall they heap to them- ligion. That was Paul's second im- selves teachers, having itching ears; prisonment. Many of his friends had "And they shall turn away their ears left him. Demas, who had been in the from the truth, and shall be turned Church, had forsaken him and gone unto fables. home. Alexander, the coppersmith, an "But watch thou in all things, endure apostate, had testified against him; but afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, Luke remained by his side. make full proof of thy ministry." (II Evidently Peter, Paul, and other lead- Timothy 4:1-5.) ers of the Church were troubled in their : —

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 5 day by apostate groups even as leaders with one leading educator who said, and today are troubled by apostates who I quote: "Unless the spiritual problem usurp authority, misinterpret scripture, is solved, civilization will fail; indeed and preach false doctrine. In the spirit we already have a foretaste of that fail- of charity perhaps we should say, ure in many parts of the world: troubled by apostates who are mentally "The Nazi creed presents a new ill. conception of civilization. It is the sup- It seems that every age in the world position, advanced with fanatical zeal, has been afflicted with just such apos- that civilization consists primarily in tates and such perverted truth, and with material achievements, and can reach incorrigible youth, degenerate groups, its goal without ethical considerations. who make every age seem worse than It accents power, authority, and obedi- those which preceded it. For example, ence; denies human equality and the listen to this: "The world is passing worth of the individual." through troublous times. Young people of today think of nothing but them- The False Teachings of Communism selves. They have no reverence for In their false teachings the Com- parents or old age. They are impatient munists accept the doctrine of Marx, of all restraint. They talk as if they who denies the existence of God, and alone know everything. As for girls, repudiates man's immortality. Second, they are forward, immodest, and un- they deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, womanly in speech, behavior, and and of course, his resurrection. They dress." No, that was not for today challenge the free agency of man. that was written in 1274 A.D.—685 years ago! In that first sentence that I read from Here is another: "President Frederick Paul to Timothy, Paul declares the C. Perry of Hamilton College, expressing existence of God, and we shall see how distrust of gloomsters who view the authoritatively he supports that. He world with alarm, has cited these writ- declares the divinity of Jesus Christ, and ings taken from an Assyrian tablet dated the reality of his resurrection. I read 2800 B.C. as proof that political proph- again what he said to Timothy, and ecy for a dismal future has always been this is almost his farewell message to prevalent: that boy, "I charge thee therefore before " 'The earth is degenerating in these God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who latter days. There are signs that the shall judge the quick and the dead at world is speedily coming to an end. his appearing and his kingdom." Bribery and corruption abound. The (II Timothy 4:1.) children no longer obey their parents. The United States recently enter- Every man wants to write a book, and tained the leading man of the ideology it is evident that the end of the world is that denies the God, Jesus Christ, and speedily approaching.' " That was writ- the right of free agency and dignity ten 2800 B.C.! of man. Even while he was here we Well, the era through which we are could hear echoing his own words: passing is no exception. On the flyleaf "We remain the atheist that we have of the book, The Naked Communist, always been; we are doing as much by W. Cleon Skousen, we find this quo- as we can to liberate those people who tation, (and I admonish everybody to are still under the spell of this re- read that excellent book of Chief ligious opiate." Those are his words. Skousen's) He said further: "Those who expect us "The conflict between communism to abandon communism will have to and freedom is the problem of our time. wait until a shrimp learns to whistle." It overshadows all other problems. This A number of years ago, Lord Balfour, conflict mirrors our age, its toils, its ten- Prime Minister of Great Britain, de- sions, its troubles, and its tasks. On the livered a lecture in the McEwen Hall of outcome of this conflict depends the the University of Edinburgh on the sub- future of mankind." ject, "The Moral Values Which Unite Elaborating that statement, I should the Nations." In an interesting and say that the most urgent problem of convincing manner, Lord Balfour pre- our day is a spiritual problem. I agree sented the following fundamental ties GENERAL CONFERENCE

Friday, October 9 First Day

that unite the different nations of the essential to it, and would unite men in world: one great brotherhood." Others behold him as the "one perfect 1. Common Knowledge. character—the peerless personality of 2. Common Commercial Interest. history," but deny his divinity. Mil- 3. The Intercourse of Diplomatic Re- lions accept him as the Great Teacher, lationship. whose teachings, however, are not ap- 4. The Bonds of Human Friendship. plicable to modern social conditions. A few—O how few!—of the approximately The audience greeted his masterful two billion inhabitants of the —globe, address with a great outburst of applause. accept him for what he really is "the As the presiding officer arose to express Only Begotten of the Father; who came his appreciation and that of the audi- into the world, even Jesus, to be cruci- ence, a Japanese student, who was doing fied for the world, and to bear the sins graduate work at the University of of the world, and to sanctify the world, Edinburgh stood up, and leaning over and to cleanse it from all unrighteous- the balcony, said, "But, Mr. Balfour, ness." what about Jesus Christ?" Today civilized nations are sitting on mountain of explosives, accumulated Mr. Robert E. Spear, to whom Pro- a in of Christ's teachings. Let fessor Lang related this incident, writes: defiance and greed "One could have heard a pin drop in the heat of hatred, suspicion, become a little more intense, and there the hall. Everyone felt at once the will international explosion justice of the rebuke. The leading be such an as will greatly retard, if not forcibly statesman of the greatest Christian em- drive midst of mankind, the pire in the world had been dealing with from the hoped-for peace heralded the heaven- the different ties that are to unite by mankind, and had omitted the one ly hosts when Christ as a babe was born in Bethlehem. fundamental and essential bond. And Prove it as a fact, and it is, that Christ everyone felt, too, the dramatic element did appear after death as a glorified in the situation—that the reminder of resurrected Being, and you have the his forgetfulness had come from a far- question "If away non-Christian land." answer to the of the ages: a man die, shall he live again?" Let "Preach the word," Paul admonishes us look at the deep significance of the ". Timothy. What "word"? That . . testimony of the disciples of Jesus, which Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, may be better understood when we and hath brought life and immortality realize that with Jesus' death the apostles to light through the gospel." (Ibid., were stricken with gloom. When he 1:10.) Those words were named in that was crucified, their hopes all but died. letter. Let us consider that. That his death was a reality to the "Behold the man," said Pontius Pilate, disciples is shown in their intense grief, Roman governor of Judea, as Jesus, in the statement of Thomas, in the mockingly bedecked with a purple robe, moral perplexity of Peter, and in the his hair platted with a crown of thorns, evident preparations for a permanent stood before the mob who cried, "Crucify burial of their Master. Notwithstanding him; crucify him!" the assurance of Christ, often repeated As on the occasion of that historic during the two and a half years he was trial, so through the ages men have be- with them, that he would return to held Christ from different viewpoints. them after death, the apostles seemed not Some who reject him as venomously as to have accepted, or at least not compre- did the rabble, see in him and in his hended the statement as a literal fact. disciples "investors of a Christian moral What was it, we ask the world, that system that has undermined and sapped suddenly changed these disciples to the vigor of the European world." Others confident, fearless, heroic preachers of with clearer insight, begotten by expe- the gospel of Jesus Christ? It was a rience, behold him as the originator of revelation that Christ had risen from a system that "promotes industry, hon- the grave, his promises had been kept, esty, truth, purity, and kindness, a sys- his Messianic fulfilled. "The tem that upholds law, favors liberty; is final and absolute seal of genuineness PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 7

had been put on all his claims, and the of the gospel. To the proclaiming of indelible stamp of a divine authority this truth he devoted his life, and if upon all his teachings. The gloom of tradition can be relied upon, he sealed death had been banished by the glorious his testimony with his blood. light of the presence of the risen, glori- fied Lord and Savior." Testimony of Luke On the evidence of these unprejudiced, The text we read said that Luke stood unexpected, incredulous witnesses the by Paul's side at the jail. It was not resurrection has its impregnable founda- long after that before Paul, according to tion. There was one young man among tradition, was beheaded. Luke was a them. I do not know whether we know physician. He spent many years of his about his life, but I like to think of him life studying about this man, Jesus, who as a sort of independent thinker, not was crucified. He experienced the dark- paying much attention to his mother's ness that spread over that country when religion—his mother had joined the Jesus was crucified. According to all Christian Church, but he did not pay trustworthy testimony we have the gos- much attention to it until he was dis- pel of Luke as it came from his own turbed one night by his mother's voice hand. In chapter 24 Luke testifies to asking him to rise quickly, "don't stop the divine message: "Why seek ye the to dress, throw a cloak around your body living among the dead? and rush to Gethsemane and tell Jesus "He is not here, but is risen." (Luke that Judas and soldiers are coming to 24:5-6.) arrest him." I think that young man With equal assurance as to their ac- who fled naked from the men who curacy we can accept his statement and snatched the sheet from his body, was witness in regard to Peter's and Paul's John Mark, the author of one of the and other apostles' testimony regarding four Gospels. We know he did join the the resurrection. "To whom also he Church, later, and that he labored with [Christ] shewed himself alive after his Peter. We know that Paul, in that passion by many infallible proofs, being letter to Timothy, said: "Bring Mark seen of them forty days, and speaking with you. He is profitable to bur min- of the things pertaining to the kingdom istry, and let us hear his testimony." of God." (Acts 1:3.) (See II Timothy 4:11.) We know he Who can doubt Luke's absolute con- went on a mission to the northern part fidence in the reality of the risen Re- of Africa, and you travelers today can deemer? Contrast his testimony, his life, walk over ruins built to his memory. with that of upstarts who deny the ex- istence of God and laugh at the claims Testimony of Mark of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. It is true that neither Mark nor Luke We have no evidence that Mark joined testify as to having personally seen the the Church while the Savior was on the Risen Lord, and therefore some urge earth. Undoubtedly the Savior was in that their recorded testimonies cannot Mark's home. At any rate we are justi- be taken as firsthand evidence. That fied in assuming that he was acquainted they do not so testify, and yet were with the Master. Mark does not himself convinced that others did see him, shows recount any appearance of the Risen how incontrovertible was the evidence Lord, but he testifies that the Lord would among the apostles and other disciples meet his disciples. From Mark we hear that the resurrection was a reality. the glorious proclamation of the first empty tomb in all the world. For the Testimony of Paul first time in history the words "Here lies" were supplanted by the divine Fortunately, however, there is a docu- message, "He is risen." No one can ment which does give the personal testi- doubt that Mark was not convinced in mony of an eyewitness, a witness to his soul of the reality of the empty an appearance of Jesus after his death tomb, and if my inference is right, he and burial. This personal testimony also knew about the trial, the humiliation corroborates the testimony not only of to which Jesus was subjected, and the these two men, Mark and Luke, but of crucifixion, and he became a minister others also. I have in mind Saul, a 8 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day

Jew of Tarsus, educated at the feet of sion on earth. Other great religious Gamaliel, a strict Pharisee, and before leaders among the nations of the world his conversion a bitter persecutor of all since history began have taught virtue, who believed in Jesus of Nazareth. And temperance, self-control, service, obedi- there is a quotation from the oldest au- ence to righteousness and duty; some thentic document in existence relating have taught a belief in one supreme ruler or testifying to the resurrection of and in a hereafter; but only Christ broke Christ, in which we find Saul's (Paul's) the seal of the grave and revealed death words, sent back to people who had as the door to immortality and eternal joined the Church, whom he loved and life. who loved him, saying: If Christ lived after death, so shall "For I delivered unto you first of all men, each one taking his place in the that which I also received, how that next world for which he is best fitted. Christ died for our sins according to the Since love is as eternal as life, the mes- scriptures; sage of the resurrection is the most com- "And that he was buried, and that he forting, the most glorifying ever given rose again the third day according to to man; for when death takes a loved the scriptures: one from us, we can look with assurance "And that he was seen of Cephas, into the open grave and say, "He is not then of the twelve: here; he will rise again." "After that, he was seen of above five My dear fellow workers, it is just as hundred brethren at once; of whom the easy for me to accept as a divine truth greater part remain unto this present, the fact that Christ preached to the but some are fallen asleep. spirits in prison while his body lay in "After that, he was seen of James; the tomb as it is for me to look at you then of all the apostles. from this pulpit. It is true! It is just "And last of all he was seen of me as easy for me to realize—and note this— also, as of one born out of due time. that one may so live that he may re- "For I am the least of the apostles, ceive impressions and direct messages that am not meet to be called an apostle, through divine inspiration. The veil is because I persecuted the church of God." thin between those who hold the priest- (I Cor. 15:3-9.) hood and divine messengers on the other side of the veil. Testimony Modern Revelation of Let us say today as Paul wrote to In addition to the ancient apostles, Timothy: "Preach the word ... do the we have the testimony of the Prophet work of an evangelist, make full proof who gives in an unequivo- of thy ministry." (II Timothy 4:2, 5.) ". cal description the following stirring . . The Lord is God, and beside testimony in relation to his first vision: him there is no Savior. ". . . When the light rested upon me "Great is his wisdom, marvelous are

I saw two Personages . . . standing above his ways, and the extent of his doings me in the air. One of them spake unto none can find out. me, calling me by name, and said, point- "His purposes fail not, neither are ing to the other—This is My Beloved there any who can stay his hand. Son. Hear Him!" (P. of G. P., Joseph "From eternity to eternity he is the Smith 2:17.) These words were spoken same, and his years never fail. nearly two thousand years after the "For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, events to which I have already called am merciful and gracious unto those your attention! who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in The Latter-day Saint Belief truth unto the end. Thus, my dear fellow workers and "Great shall be their reward and my friends in the world, the Church eternal shall be their glory." (D&C 76:1- of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 6.) stands with Peter, with Paul, with God help us in this age so threatened James, and with all the other apostles with an ideology of benighted people in accepting the resurrection, not only of disbelief in God our Father and in as being literally true, but also as the his Son Jesus Christ and in the restored consummation of Christ's divine mis- gospel through those divine Personages, a —

ELDER ALBERT THEODORE TUTTLE

to preach the Word and to be true to President David O. McKay: our callings no matter what or where they may be, I pray in the name of Elder A. Theodore Tuttle of the First Jesus Christ. Amen. Council of Seventy will now speak to us. ELDER ALBERT THEODORE TUTTLE

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My dear brothers and sisters, my testi- then above all, the thing of prime im- mony this morning is that the soul- portance was the knowledge of a gospel stirring message that we have heard has plan of salvation that gives meaning come from the Lord; that his speaker and purpose, direction and worth, to was the officially chosen servant to speak life—a gospel plan that raises the child- to the world today, President David O. birth process from a purely physical McKay. Historically, this has always thing to a partnership with our Father been the mission of a prophet—not so in heaven in keeping his first command- much to foretell as to forthtell. I trust ment, and in bringing h'is spiritual that many besides the group in this children to tabernacle in temporal congregation will have borne upon their bodies. souls the same testimony that this mes- I was grateful for the knowledge that sage comes from the Lord through the our family ties, sealed by the Holy Lord's servant. Priesthood of the Lord and based upon Within the past week we have had an obedience in righteousness to his com- experience in our home that has caused mandments, would continue throughout me some serious reflection. We have eternity. I was grateful for the knowl- been blessed with our sixth child— edge that love, as President McKay sweet little girl. Last Sunday morning mentioned, will endure forever, and that I was called to the hospital about those things that matter most will sur- 4:00 a.m. As I was driving there I vive and have meaning not only in this noticed that in my haste I had forgotten sphere, but in others also. my wallet. I thought for a moment Now, as I pay tribute to my wonderful that I should return and get it, and wife, I pay tribute to another group of then I thought, "I haven't time." Later, women in this Church. I looked into I stood by the bedside of my companion their faces as I came to the pulpit this and observed the processes that are morning. These are the wives of the normal and natural in childbirth. When General Authorities. I think all of us in a moment of anguish a poignant cry know that at least once a week they share of pain escaped her lips, that wallet their husbands with all of the Church didn't seem very important. always two days, sometimes three, oft- Now, I am not trying to depreciate a times more. For the wives there is no wallet, nor the temporal security that compliment on a fine talk after the it symbolizes, for I think it is necessary, conference, no thanks for some question and that the Lord intends by prudence answered, for some help given, ofttimes that we have sufficient of the world's not even a thought. However, few of goods. However, I think there is some- these Brethren could serve as well with- thing purifying that comes into the heart out the quiet, sustaining, invisible, yet of a father when he stands by the side real strength that comes from the com- of his wife during the processes of child- panionship of a good wife. The women's birth, and I thought of the real values work is in the home with their children of life. The things that took on the or grandchildren, sustaining their com- most significance were life itself and its panions, serving in the Church and purpose. community, and sharing their husbands The wallet was not of most value. with the rest of the Church. Although Life and the life of a loved one was. their work has an everydayness about it, The family and its choice relationships it requires as much service and dedica- assumed their proper importance. The tion as other kinds of work. love that exists between a husband and Then, as I go about in the wards and a wife, how precious it became! And stakes, I find literally thousands of wives 10 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day who do the same thing, who give serv- as he strives to earn his salvation and ice, even sacrifice, in permitting their to serve his fellow men. husbands who hold the , to go I know that God lives, that Jesus to countless meetings and give thou- Christ is his Son; that he lives, that he sands of hours of service to their fellow directs this Church and his prophets men. here on this earth. I am grateful for Surely Milton must have been think- the Church organization that gives us ing of such as these as he penned these a medium of service to mankind and words in the sonnet on his blindness: growth for ourselves. May each of us "They also serve who only stand and in our own contribution find satisfaction wait." I am humbled by the great serv- and joy in service to our fellow men ice that is given in this Church by these and to our Lord, I humbly ask in the women, of whom this great Singing name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Mother's Chorus is but symbolic. I would pay my respects, too, to one other group in the Church—the unsung President David O. McKay: and unheralded. Without their efforts The Choir and Congregation will the work of this Church would come to now join in singing, "Now Let Us Re- a standstill. These are the office per- joice," conducted by Sister Florence sonnel, the secretaries, the office man- Jepperson Madsen. After the singing agers, the custodians, the department we shall hear from Elder William heads, the clerks, the stenographers, the J. Critchlow, Jr. operators—all who give so unstintedly of their time and service in the Church Office Building, and elsewhere, because The congregation joined with the of their spirit of dedication and devotion Singing Mothers in singing the hymn, to this work. "Now Let Us Rejoice in the Day of I humbly pray that the Lord will Salvation." bless his children who serve him. I am grateful beyond expression for a Church that is organized by the Lord Jesus President David O. McKay: Christ, that permits, even obligates, his children to serve in his cause, a Church Elder William J. Critchlow, Jr., As- in which the lay members not only sistant to the Council of the Twelve, participate, but lead, a Church in which will now speak to us. He will be fol- each one of us can find expression for lowed by Elder Mark E. Petersen of the his talents and growth in his character Council of the Twelve.

ELDER WILLIAM J. CRITCHLOW, JR.

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

President McKay, my brothers, sisters gardens, gay with tropical luxuriance. and friends: On an almost deserted thoroughfare President McKay, setting me apart I saw the markets of rich merchants and one year ago, charged me: "to be a the stands of oriental trades people. special witness to the name of Christ Approaching a merchant, I inquired in all the world." I shall use my few if he knew the whereabouts of the man minutes pursuing the business of that of Galilee, named Jesus. For a moment charge. he just stared at me; then said, "Where In fancy, I made a pilgrimage back have you been? Look at this deserted through nineteen centuries of time to street. Only minutes ago he came this Palestine. I went to seek the man of way going west, and all the customers Galilee called Jesus. I fancied I was followed him. I would have followed, in that fabulous city of Tiberius on the too, had I someone to watch my mer- shore of the Sea of Galilee where I chandise." observed, along the water's edge, miles I overtook the multitude before it of palaces and fashionable residences settled on a little hill. Fortunately, I surrounded by palm groves and rich found myself near him with sitting ELDER WILLIAM }. CRITCHLOW, JR. 11 space for some of you out there who, "And why take ye thought for rai- in fancy, will stretch your imagination ment? Consider the lilies of the field, one thousand nine hundred years back how they grow; they toil not, neither do into the past. Come quickly. He is they spin: speaking: "Even Solomon in all his glory was

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for not arrayed like one of these. . . . theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they and his righteousness, and all these shall be comforted. things shall be added unto you. . . . "Blessed are the meek: for they shall "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, inherit the earth." (See Matt, chapters and ye shall find; knock, and it shall 5-7 for Sermon on the Mount.) be opened unto you." He pauses, and arises from his sitting You priesthood fathers would bless position upon a large rock as if to survey your wives and children if you would the multitude. gather them around you and read to He is tall in stature, perfectly formed them the full text of the great Sermon without spot or blemish. He wears a on the Mount. Do it soon. It is the tunic and an outer robe. Sandals are greatest speech ever delivered from the on his feet. lips of men. It is the most widely circu- He settles back upon the rock and lated speech ever heard among men. It speaks: has been printed in thousands of books "Blessed are they which do hunger and uttered by thousands of speakers and thirst after righteousness: for they from thousands of pulpits to millions shall be filled. of people. "Blessed are the merciful: for they Another time, when he sought seclu- shall obtain mercy. sion, he went into a desert place to be "Blessed are the pure in heart: for away from the crowds. The multitude they shall see God." found him, and he received them. And I find it difficult to concentrate on when the day began to wear away, he fishes, what he is saying, just for gazing at gathered up five loaves and two him. blessed them, and fed five thousand feeding, His brow is smooth. people. After the there re- His complexion is clear. mained twelve baskets of fragments. His eyes are blue. Another time he fed four thousand, His hair is long. after blessing seven loaves and a few His beard is brown like his hair. fishes. His every feature is perfect. The feeding of these thousands was His motions are graceful. only one of the many kinds of miracles His voice is soft and low.* he performed. Listen to him: "After this manner He cleansed the leper; into therefore pray ye: Our Father which —turned water wine; art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. —stilled the wind; "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be —calmed the waves; walked on the water; done in earth, as it is in heaven. — ." —healed the sick and the halt; "Give us this day. . . cast out evil spirits; Need I repeat more of it? — "Lay up not for yourselves treasures —returned sight to the blind; restored life the dead. upon earth, where moth and rust doth — to corrupt, and where thieves break through Words of his deeds spread throughout and steal; the countryside, even to Greece and "But lay up for yourselves treasures Rome, and when it was time for the in heaven, where neither moth nor rust Feast of the Passover, Jerusalem was doth corrupt, and where thieves do not crowded with people from far and near break through nor steal; who had come to see this marvelous man of Galilee. And they were not "For where your treasure is, there will disappointed. Down from the Mount your heart be also. . . . of Olives and through the streets of °This pen picture is by a Roman trader who, Jerusalem he came, riding a little don- on the old silk road to China, paused in Palestine. key. — —

12 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day His path was strewn with flowers, Some thirty years before his ministry palm branches, and the robes of friends began, Mary, his mother, laden with who watched his entry and who sang: child and in the throes of her travail, "Hosanna to the Son of David: had just arrived at Bethlehem. "Blessed is he that cometh in the Hers had been a long four-or-five day name of the Lord: journey on the back of a little donkey, "Hosanna in the highest." (See Mark when she was not afoot. When she 11:9-10.) arrived, there was no place for her at Witnessing the procession, I fancy, the inn where she had expected to stay, were two slaves, filled with rabid and no one round about would give her curiosity. space to stay. So a bed of clean straw "Who is he?" asked one of the other. was hastily made for her in a manger "I don't know," was the reply. in a nearby stable. "Is he a king?" There, Jesus of Nazareth was born. "No, he's not a king." The dumb animals tethered there were "Well, is he crazy?" the first to hear the infant cry. "No—he's not crazy." "And there were in the same country "Then who is he?" shepherds abiding in the field, keeping "I don't know—he's not a king—he's watch over their flock by night. something greater than a king." "And lo, the angel of the Lord came Not all who watched his triumphal upon them, and the glory of the Lord entry into Jerusalem were his friends. shone round about them: and they were Members of the Jewish Sanhedrin, dis- sore afraid. turbed by Jesus' miracles and preaching, "And the angel said unto them, Fear and definitely alarmed by his growing not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings popularity with the people, plotted as of great joy, which shall be to all peo- they watched, for his arrest—even for ple. his death. Not many hours later they "For unto you is born this day in the bribed one of his apostles with thirty city of David a Saviour, which is Christ pieces of silver to betray him. After a the Lord. trial of mockery, held informally, ir- "And this shall be a sign unto you; regularly, and illegally during the night Ye shall find the babe wrapped in while his friends, the people, slept, he swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." was scourged, then led to a place called (Luke 2:8-12.) Calvary where he was nailed to a cross. And there in the manger the shep- Among his last words were, "Father, herds found him. forgive them; for they know not what Later wise men from the East brought they do." (Luke 23:34.) the babe gifts of gold, frankincense, and The morrow was the Sabbath of the myrrh. Lord their God. Lest his presence on If Jesus had come, as these wise men, the cross desecrate that holy day, his riding on a camel, bearing gold, frankin- body was hurriedly removed and laid cense, and myrrh, with a crown on his away in a borrowed tomb where it lay head, he undoubtedly would have been for three days. accepted—king of the Jews. His coming had been long awaited, Resurrected, he tarried off and on with so his disciples for forty days. but they could not accept one, born humbly and lowly in a stable. One day, as he walked with his He came—born away from home, in disciples on a lonely road, he paused to obscurity. bless them and then in their presence He preached—the clearest, most sim- he ascended heavenward. As he disap- ple, teacher of profound truth that ever peared a heavenly messenger announced: came among men. ". . . Ye men of Galilee, why stand He healed ye gazing into heaven? this same Jesus, He called followers about him—even which is taken up from you into heaven, apostles. shall so come in like manner as ye have He suffered—betrayed, denied, and seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11.) deserted. Whence came this Jesus of Nazareth He died—a horrible death upon a this man of Galilee? cross. —

ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 13

He was resurrected—after three days Caesars, emperors, kings of all ages that in a tomb. have come and gone are but ghosts upon He lives. a printed page. Their legions dust He will return again. upon the land; their proud armadas Listen; these words are his: rust upon an ocean floor." "I am from above. "But this one solitary life, surpasses I came down from heaven. all in power. Its influence is the one All power is given unto me. remaining hope of future years." I am the light. In a Roman court, nearly two thou- Ask in my name. sand years ago, the skeptic Pontius Come unto me, all ye that labour Pilate demanded of Jesus: "Art thou a and are heavy laden, and I will give king?" you rest. Jesus answered: "To this end was I I am the way. born, and for this cause came I into the Keep my commandments. world, that I should bear witness unto I am the Lord of the Sabbath. the truth." I am greater than the . The perplexed Pilate muttered: "What I am the life. is truth?" (John 18:37-38.) I am the resurrection and the life. The truth, my brothers and sisters I am the truth. and friends is,—and I say it in all Heaven and earth shall pass away, solemnity—it is my witness: Jesus, but my words shall not pass away. the man of Galilee, is Christ, the Son of I will rise from the dead. the Living God. He that hath seen me hath seen the Pilate spoke again: "What shall I do Father. with this man?" Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye What he did is history. Now twenty say well for so I am." centuries later—what will you, my lis- "I know," said the woman at the tening brothers, sisters and friends, do well, "that Messias cometh, which is with this man? called Christ." — Speaking for myself, I have accepted Jesus answered "I that speak unto him as the Son of God. thee am he." (John 4:25-26.) — He is the living Son of the Living When Caiaphas shouted ". . . tell us God—that is my testimony—my wit- whether thou be the Christ, the Son of ness—and I declare it boldly, yet God." humbly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus answered—"Thou hast said." Amen. (Matt 26:63-64.) "Nearly two thousand years have passed and none has reigned, or served, President David O. McKay: or dreamed who has so touched and moulded human life. He is the ideal He to whom we have just listened

the example—the greatest unalterable, is Elder William J. Critchlow, Jr., As- wholesome, growing influence in a sistant to the Council of the Twelve. world of biood and tears. Books, on his We shall now hear from Elder Mark E. life fill libraries; the name of Pharaohs, Petersen of the Council of the Twelve.

ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

With you, my brothers and sisters, I testimony he is the prophet, seer, and have been very deeply impressed by the revelator of the Almighty for us today, conference session this morning. I do and I testify to you that if we follow in not know when I have been so deeply his footsteps and accept his teachings the touched by the words of a prophet of Lord will bless us and prosper us and God as I have been this morning by guide us throughout our days. the remarkable address of our President. And I have been so deeply touched, I love this President. He is the prophet with you, by these other two addresses of Almighty God. I bear you my solemn that we heard. I am so grateful for 14 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day these testimonies pertaining to the In the September 6, 1959 issue of Savior of the world. I love Jesus Christ. Parade magazine there appeared an I love him as my Redeemer and my article with pictures discussing this Savior. I know that you love him like- problem. It was entitled, "Married wise, but I know that our love for him Teen-agers." One of the pictures showed is interpreted strictly in terms of our a 17-year-old mother of triplets. The service to him. "He that hath my com- article discussed conditions in Dallas, mandments, and keepeth them, he it is Texas, and reported that in the schools that loveth me." (John 14:21.) So said of that city there are 480 married chil- the Savior. dren: 459 in senior high schools; 12 in I would like to talk with you today junior high schools; and 9 in elementary in a projection of some of the ideas schools. presented to us by President McKay. The Family Service Society of San These words that he gave us, that we Bernardino County in California re- must be preachers of the Word, and ports that from the year 1940 to 1958 be evangelists for the Lord, are so filled the number of marriages involving two with meaning for us all. I hope each teen-agers increased twelve times, and one of us will take these words to heart. the marriages involving one teen-ager Each one of us is a minister. Each one increased six times. The average age is evangelist for Christ. Where of us an of these children is 17 for girls and is your ministry? 18 for boys, but many of them involve I like to talk with you about would 13, 14, and 15 year-old girls, and 14, children, your ministry among your own 15, and 16 year-old boys. because you are ministers of the Lord The U.S. News & World Report for unto your children, and if you will do December 12, 1958 reports that there your duty by your children, you will be are child mothers, some married and as saviors on Mount Zion to them. But some not, in twenty-two of the twenty- if you fail in your responsibility in serv- three high schools in the city of Wash- ing the Lord pertaining to your children, ington, D. C, as well as in four of the they may go astray, and the Lord has elementary schools of that city. said that their sins shall be upon the heads of the parents. The Associated Press, in a nationally published article written out of A few days ago I received a letter. It Wash- ington Roger Greene, dated August 9 is like some other letters I have received, by this all-time and I would like to read a part of this of year, reports: "An record letter to you. It comes from a mother. of babies born out of wedlock—more off She says: "I have a daughter who is than 200,000 a year—has set a new 15. Her boy friend is 16. They storm of controversy over ebbing stand- have been going steady for over a year. ards of American morality. . . . Latest We have just now learned that they are figures show the rate of such births per in serious trouble. For the first few 1,000 unmarried females has tripled in months of their friendship they dated the last two decades, with a particularly only occasionally. Then they decided alarming rise among teen-age girls. . . . to 'go steady.' That was the beginning 5,000 illegitimate babies are born each of their trouble. It seemed they were year to girls under 15. . . . A tragic by- always in each other's company. Now product is that at least 20,000 young my little 15-year-old girl is soon to unwed mothers sell their babies on the become a mother, and we are all just 'black market' annually, with price tags broken-hearted." ranging from $1,500 to $3,000." This letter is typical of a nation-wide Life magazine recently carried an problem, one which has become of major article on this trend toward child mar- concern to both federal and local offi- riages resulting from the present dating cials, and which poses a difficult situa- tendencies of American children. After tion for school executives in many parts showing what leads up to these tragic of the nation. It is a situation which is marriages, the article discussed the di- forcing an increasing number of young vorces which result. It quoted Judge people into child marriages and child Willard Gatling of Charlotte, North divorces, with broken hearts and broken Carolina on the subject. Said the lives, and the problem is a growing one. judge: "Teen-age marriage has almost " —

ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 15

no possibility of succeeding. Ninety said: "Promiscuity, illegitimacy, heart- percent are total failures." break, and misery are all that the en- The fact is that neither the boy nor lightened era has brought us. Let's put the girl at this tender age is in any way an end to them." prepared for marriage. The boy and girl But how can we put an end to them? want what they think is the fun, but In order to do so we must see the prob- they do not want the responsibility. lem clearly. To help us in our study Said one youngster quoted in Life maga- permit me to ask some pointed questions zine: "I'm a party boy. I just ain't cut of you as parents. out to be married." 1. How early should young people What are the reasons for these early date? Do you think it is wise for 12 child marriages? Why do we have so and 13 and 14 year-old children to date? many of these adolescent tragedies? Let 2. Should schools or other public or- me list a few of the reasons. ganizations sponsor dances for early 1. Early dating. Unfortunately this teens and require that only couples early dating is often encouraged by par- come? Should schoolteachers force early ents, school officials, and occasionally dating upon these youngsters? By what by some church groups. Children are right do they exclude children from actually urged at times to date when school-sponsored socials because they or they are but 11, 12, and 13 years of age. their parents oppose dating at this early 2. Early dating soon grows into early age? steady dating. Some go steady at 13 3. At what age should girls begin and 14, while many do so at 15 and 16. wearing lipstick and dressing and acting 3. Steady dating is encouraged by like grown-ups? At 12 or 13, or even steady dancing, where one boy dances younger? This may seem like a trivial with one girl all evening. thing, but does not the early use of lip- 4. Early steady dating demands the stick mean an early invitation to dating, use of automobiles. In North Carolina, and does not early dating so often lead where one study was conducted it was to early tragedy? learned that many ninth grade girls, 4. Should little boys and girls kiss and 13 and 14 years old, dated only boys neck? The youngsters themselves should with cars, and many of those boys were think carefully about that question. They under 16, which is the legal driving may kid themselves into thinking that age. One 13-year-old boy said, "I asked early necking is a sign that they have a girl of my age for a date. She asked now grown up. But is it? In reality it me if I drove a car. I said no. 'Well,' is but the first step to the more serious she said, 'come back and ask me when and tragic petting which drags so many you do.' 13, 14, 15, and 16 year-old children 5. Early steady dating and the free down into a loss of virtue and into forced use of automobiles by children lead to marriages or illegal operations. early intimacies and immorality. Said 5. When should young people begin one girl who was asked about this sub- going steady? Should it be while they ject: "We loved each other so much, are yet in junior and senior high school? and we were together just all the time. Or should steady dating be reserved for And there's not much to do, you know the time when young people are actually the drive-in movies, and the movies considering marriage, and are old downtown, and that's about all. So enough to consider it sensibly and after you've seen all the movies, you realistically, and are capable of carry- just park the car and if you're in love ing on the responsibilities of marriage? well, that's it." 6. After their first ruinous experience 6. Early intimacies bring early child in child marriage and child divorce, do marriages. the young people consider that in the 7. Child marriages bring on divorce, future they might desire a good mar- as Judge Gatling said, in ninety percent riage, a permanent one, with a respect- of the cases. able and well-established partner? And Writing in Better Homes and Gardens do they consider that when they come magazine recently, Howard Williams to that age, the good fellows and the discussed the great moral breakdown of desirable girls may not wish to marry the so-called "enlightened era," and someone else's castoff? 16 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day What are some of the remedies for fifteen chief causes of juvenile de- this situation? First and foremost I linquency, and said: believe that it lies in large part in the "A boy or a girl under 21 has no busi- parents' assuming their proper role as ness owning a car, period. These young guardians of their children. Parents people simply don't have the sense of need not forever be slaves to the philos- moral and social responsibility that ophy that they must obey their children should go hand in hand with the owner- in every whim. Parents must assume ship of an automobile. the position of leadership in the family. "Now I don't mean by this that it is They must make the basic decisions of wrong for properly licensed boys or girls family life and not leave these decisions to drive the family car under effective

to the spoiled children of the household. parental supervision. . . . But the key In an article in a recent issue of This to the automobile problem is proper Week magazine, under the caption, adult supervision—and this is difficult, "Don't Let Them Grow up Too Fast," indeed, when the juvenile himself owns the author referred to a study made in the car. Youngsters who buy automo- North Carolina, where parents got to- biles legitimately are faced with the gether to slow down early dating and constant drain of buying gas and main- early marriage in that state. The par- taining the car, a problem that too many ents formed a league to do so. The of them solve with a syphon hose or article said: "The kids themselves ap- money stolen from home. A large per- prove of the slow-down program. They centage of the sex offenses can also be don't want to be pushed into adult- traced directly to juvenile ownership hood. And far from resenting clearcut of cars." rules and regulations they appre- Parents must be exemplary themselves. ciate guidance and discipline. How can they expect their children to "One 14 year-old girl said: 'Since my respect them if they themselves are not parents joined the league, they've begun respectable, or if they themselves are telling me what I can do and what I not obedient to law and order? How can't do, and frankly, it's a big load off can parents expect their children to ac- my mind. And anyway, isn't that what cept their discipline if the parents refuse parents are for?'" to discipline themselves? Parents must screen the playmates and And then parents, as adult citizens dating partners of their children. Par- and taxpayers, must express themselves on school problems affect ents must decide when the child is old which their enough to date. Parents must provide own children. They must become vocal active chaperonage for early social activities and members of parent-teacher of their children. Parents must make groups and other organizations which certain that their children have a proper can sway opinion and policy with respect to conception of true values, moral, eco- the social life of their children at nomic, and religious. school. Parents must co-operate with law and enforcement officers in their It is an interesting thing that studies efforts to preserve law and order in their made in the Family Service Agency of communities. San Bernardino showed that among di- Parents must develop good character vorcees forty-three percent never went in their children, a love of righteousness, to church at all; thirty-five percent went faith, a respect for other people, and occasionally; and only twenty-two per- they must help their children to over- cent attended church with any regular- come selfishness, and to live for the ity. future, and not for the momentary lusts Parents must decide on the use of or so-called pleasures of today. the family car by their youngsters. In Does it seem that I lay too much upon this connection they must be obedient the parents? Not when you realize that to the law, and not permit their chil- the parents hold the key to the situation. dren to drive until they reach legal age. The engaged They might also have in mind the the Institute of Social Research of the paragraph about automobiles contained University of Michigan to make a study in an article by Jacob M. Braude, circuit of adolescent young people. That study court judge in Chicago, who listed the showed that the vast majority of young ELDER MARK E. PETERSEN 17 people—ninety-four percent—desire and or her from the temptation and degrada- expect that their parents will provide tion that usually accompanies early and leadership for them and give them steady dating? Are you willing to do guidance; ninety-five percent said they for your child what the Lord asks you are willing to take parents' rule on what to do, to rear that child as a faithful time to come in at night; eighty-seven Latter-day Saint, a good citizen, and give percent are willing to accept their par- him an opportunity to work out his fu- ents' advice pertaining to money; sev- ture successfully? enty-six percent accept their parents' You as parents hold the key to the guidance in personal problems; sixty-two situation. You are the custodians and percent accept their parents' advice on the guardians of your own children. If how to act when out in a crowd; ninety you do not guard and protect and rear percent believe that when parents make them, who will? rules, those rules are for the benefit of I humbly and earnestly pray that we the youngsters, and not for the con- will assume the responsibility which is venience of the parents. ours, and love our children well enough But the survey also showed a tragic to train them and guide them, and give note—the parents do not live up to the to them the leadership and direction expectations of the youngsters. They which most young people expect of their fail to provide the leadership their own parents, and this is my humble and children expect of them. earnest prayer, in the name of the Lord When the study endeavored to find Jesus Christ. Amen. out how many parents plan family activities to include the children, it was President David O. McKay: discovered that only seventeen percent provide such activities regularly; sixty He to whom we have just listened is percent only occasionally; and twenty- Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Council two percent not at all. of the Twelve. The Relief Society Sing- All of this points up the wisdom of ing Mothers will now favor us with, the Lord in laying upon the parents the "Incline Your Ear and Come Unto Me," responsibility of rearing and training conducted, as announced, by Sister their own children, and adding that if Florence Jepperson Madsen. The clos- they fail to do so, the sin be upon the ing prayer will be offered by Elder head of the parents. Carroll William Smith, president of Now I ask you—do you want an early the Klamath Stake, after which this child marriage for your youngster, with Conference will stand adjourned until only a ten percent chance of that mar- two o'clock this afternoon. The Singing riage being successful? Do you want to Mothers will again be with us. take the chance on immorality that forcefully confronts you if you permit your child to date early, and especially The Singing Mothers sang the selec- if you permit the child to date steadily? tion, "Incline Your Ear and Come Unto Are you willing to assume the full Me." guardianship of your own child, and Elder Carroll William Smith, presi- protect that child from its own whims dent of the Klamath Stake, offered the and the whims of others? closing prayer. Are you willing to stand at the cross- Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock roads with your child and protect him p.m. FIRST DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

Conference reconvened Friday after- ing, "Lord, Hear Our Prayer." The noon, October 9, at 2:00 p.m. opening prayer will be offered by Elder President David O. McKay presided, Zelph Y. Erekson, formerly president of and conducted the services. the Australian Mission. The Relief Society Singing Mothers of the Jordan Valley Region, with Florence Jepperson Madsen conducting, provided The Singing Mothers sang "Lord, Hear the choral music for this session. Elder Our Prayer." Frank W. Asper was at the organ. Elder Zelph Y. Erekson, formerly president of the Australian Mission, of- fered the opening prayer. President David O. McKay:

Members of the Church are convened President David O. McKay: in the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City in the second session of The Relief Society Singing Mothers the One Hundred Twenty-Ninth Semi- will now favor us with, "Come, Ye Annual Conference of the Church. This Blessed of My Father," conducted by session of the Conference will be broad- Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen, after cast as a public service over the televi- which President Joseph Fielding Smith sion and radio stations throughout the will speak to us. west. These services are also being broadcast in the Assembly and in Barratt Hall by television. Singing by the Singing Mothers, We are favored again this afternoon "Come, Ye Blessed of My Father." by the persence of the Relief Society Singing Mothers of the Jordan Valley President David O. McKay: Region, with Florence Jepperson Mad- sen conducting, and Elder Frank W. President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Asper at the organ. Council of the Twelve will be our first We shall begin these services by the speaker. He will be followed by Elder Relief Society Singing Mothers render- Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the Twelve.

PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

To stand before this great body, mem- presiding officers, together from all parts bers of the Church, mostly priesthood, of the Church. But, brethren, I do not is something that creates in my soul a know what we would do if this privilege feeling of awe and of responsibility. I should be withdrawn from us. I have trust that I may have the guidance of wondered what, in the days of Peter, the Spirit of the Lord in the words that James, and John and following, the I may utter. I am very grateful for condition might have been if they could what was said in our meeting this have met quarterly and semi-annually morning by our President and those who in conferences. Perhaps the apostasy followed after him. I am sure that we would have been postponed, if not al- have been edified in the remarks that together avoided. But those privileges have been made, and I feel my de- were not theirs. pendence upon the Spirit of the Lord to I think I feel the importance of these aid me in saying something that might gatherings, and the bringing together be profitable on this occasion. the men who hold the priesthood par- There may be some who wonder why ticularly, to receive counsel, to be en- we hold general conference twice a couraged, and to return to their stakes year, bring our people, particularly the renewed in their spirits. We can reach —

PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH 19 our people today better than they could children before that age are redeemed, anciently. We have many facilities that should they die, without any act upon they did not have, and our people are their part. One of the most wicked naturally under present conditions, doctrines ever taught in this world was drawn closer together than they were in that little children were born in sin, former days. contaminated, and have to be cleansed And now, my good brethren and sis- from that sin for which they themselves ters, what is our duty? To keep the were not responsible. Little children commandments of God. And we are were innocent in the beginning, the Lord instructed to do that in our quarterly says, and by his decree until they reach conferences, in our general conferences, the age of accountability they are free and in all the meetings that are held in from sin, but from that age on they are the various stakes and wards of Zion. under the necessity of baptism for the Even as it is, there are conditions arising remission of sins, and entrance into the which should cause us to be alert, on Church and kingdom of God. our guard, diligent, persevering in the Now, we are promised that when we keeping of the commandments of the are baptized, if we are true and faithful, Lord, and in instructing the members we will have the guidance of the Holy of the Church. By all means, this is Ghost. What is the purpose of it? To needed. Satan is not dead. teach us, to direct us, to bear witness I think frequently of the words of the to us of the saving principles of the gos- Lord to John when he said that Satan pel of Jesus Christ. Every child old raged because "he knoweth, that he enough to be baptized, and who is bap- hath but a short time." (Rev. 12:12.) tized, is entitled to the guidance of the And he is more active today, perhaps, Holy Ghost. I have heard people say than ever before in the history of the that a little child eight years of age world. His emissaries get among the could not understand. I know better Latter-day Saints. Some of them are than that. I had a testimony of this very cunning and crafty. Some of them truth when I was eight years old, coming at one time had the light and under- through the Holy Ghost. I have had it standing of the gospel but have lost it. ever since. They come among our Latter-day Saints, We are commanded also to bring up and if we are not prepared by our faith, our children in light and truth, to teach by our obedience, and knowledge of the them the fundamental principles of the gospel, many of us stand in danger of gospel, so that when they grow older being led astray. they will understand, and have a knowl- The Prophet Joseph Smith made the edge of the gospel, a testimony of its statement that a man cannot be saved truth, and be prepared to resist the in ignorance. When he said man, he persuasions and doctrines and teachings meant mankind. Ignorance of what? of those who would destroy that belief. Of the saving principles of the gospel I am grateful for our Primary organiza- of Jesus Christ. Now we are taught tions and our Sunday Schools, and the faith in God our Father and in his Son other organizations of the Church, but Jesus Christ. We are taught to study, brethren and sisters, the Lord has not make ourselves familiar with his life placed all the responsibility upon our when he was upon the face of the earth, auxiliary organizations, nor upon the why he came, the nature of his work, bishops of wards to teach the children of how it concerns us, to prepare ourselves Zion the gospel of Jesus Christ. That by our study and by our faith to stand should be taught them in their homes. worthy before him in the keeping of his As we travel from stake to stake, we commandments. discover in many places that children We read in the Doctrine and Cove- who are eight years of age, nine years nants where the Lord says that all those of age, even older sometimes, have not who repent and are baptized are to re- been baptized. Why? Who has ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the neglected this? We cannot blame the laying on of hands. Now we baptize child, but somebody is at fault. When our children at the age of eight years a child gets to be nine or ten or eleven that is the age that the Lord has desig- or more years of age and has not been nated as the age of accountability. Little baptized a member of this Church, then 20 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day someone's at fault. Primarily, I would "Yes," he said, "I can accept some of say that fault is in the home. But the them," but he could not accept all of fault is not altogether in the home. The the doctrines that had come through fault rests with those who have charge the revelations of our Father in heaven in the wards of looking after the inter- and his Son Jesus Christ to the Church. ests of the young, and the bishops who After we got through with the con- are to look after all the members of the versation, and I had a long conversation Church. No child should be permitted with him, he said, "Now, I am going to go unbaptized after he or she reaches to ask you one favor. Please do not take the eighth year, and when there is that any step to have me excommunicated." kind of neglect someone is responsible. I said, "Why do you want to stay in Bring up your children, my brethren the Church when you are opposing its and sisters, in light and truth. Teach doctrines?" them by example. Fathers and mothers He said, "I will tell you why. I was have to set the example. They cannot raised in the Church, and my friends say to their children, "You follow the are members of the Church. I have few teachings of the Church, but in our associations outside of the Church. If lives we are going to make exceptions." I should be excommunicated that means It cannot be done, not properly. You that I should be cut off from all com- parents, set the example. There should munication, all fellowship with the peo- be unity in the home, and if there is ple with whom I am now associating, unity in the home, then there is likely and I do not want that to happen. So to be unity in the Church. But we please do not take any steps to have begin in the home. me excommunicated." Now, the gospel of Jesus Christ is I thought there was some hope for the means of our salvation and exalta- him so I did not take any such step, but tion. I have often wondered why some I did talk to him kindly and try to get members of the Church were members him to see the folly of his ways, to of the Church, because they do not live repent, and when he went to the classes, in accordance with the principles of and he could go to the classes, he should eternal truth. There is only one reason not go with that spirit of defiance or for membership in this Church, as I opposition to the doctrines which the understand it, and that is as a means of others believed. I said, "If you don't receiving salvation and exaltation in the believe them, then keep still and see celestial kingdom of God. If that is not if you cannot get the Spirit of the Lord our aim then why are we in the Church? so that you can accept them." I know a man who went to school Well, he is dead now. I do not know when I went to school, we played to- whether he repented or not, but breth- gether, went to school together. When ren, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most he grew to be a man he went East and vital thing in all the world to us. We became a scientist. He came back, and should so live that we can accept every then he began to create a great deal of word that proceedeth forth from the disturbance in the Sunday School classes, mouth of God, and that is a command- questioning the revelations that had ment from him. been given through the Prophet Joseph Now if we have the right spirit, that Smith. This came to my attention is what we are going to do. If there is when one of the members of that class any doctrine or principle connected with came to me and said, "This brother the teachings of the Church that we comes to our class, and he is just a do not understand, then let us get on disturbance." As I was well acquainted our knees. Let us go before the Lord with him, I made it my duty to get hold in the spirit of prayer, of humility, and of him, and I asked him why he did ask that our minds might be enlightened those things; and was disturbing the that we may understand. This Church members of the class. is not teaching false doctrine. All the "Well," he said, "I cannot accept all revelations given to the Prophet Joseph of the revelations that were given to the Smith are absolutely true. They are Prophet Joseph Smith." given for our salvation, for our knowl- "Are there any of them that you can edge, for our understanding, that we accept?" may draw nearer and nearer to our ELDER ALVIN R. DYER 21

Father in heaven, and be found worthy President David O. McKay: before him and eventually have the privilege of coming into his presence, President Joseph Fielding Smith of the there to be crowned as sons and daugh- Council of the Twelve has just spoken ters of God, receiving the fulness of his to us. He will be followed by Elder kingdom. Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the Twelve. The Lord bless you, my good brethren and sisters, I pray in the name of Jesus Brother Dyer will be followed by Elder Christ. Amen. Hanks.

ELDER ALVIN R. DYER

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My dear brothers and sisters, I feel it government which has no superior upon is a great privilege to be in your presence earth ... to deny such a man a wonder- here today, in the presence of my Breth- ful power over the human heart and ren, and to be under the inspiration and intellect is absurd. Only fanatical leadership of our Prophet and those who prejudice can ignore it. However, he are associated with him in the Presi- may be accounted for by the reasoning dency of the Church, and I have felt mind, Joseph Smith, the Mormon here this day the power and the inspira- Prophet, was one of the wonders of his tion of the Spirit as it has been mani- time." (George Wharton James.) fested in what has been said. One of the great distinguishing char- A number of years ago there was a acteristics of the Latter-day Saint people noted historian sent to Salt Lake City, is that they are governed by revelations to study the customs and the way of from God, and whether people come into living of the Latter-day Saints. He re- our midst, or whether we go out into mained here many years among our the world, this characteristic remains a people and published a book in the year distinguishing factor. of 1922 telling of his findings. I should I recall that some few years ago in like to read a paragraph or two from one of the communities of Oklahoma a what he said about our people. He minister, in an effort to discredit the never knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. effects of our missionary work, in that He could only tell of his work by the area had an article placed in a daily results as it was manifest among the newspaper, from which I quote a part. people who were guided by the revela- He said: "The first thing that you should tions from God which their prophet had know is that these missionaries are a received. I quote: part of a church that claims to have a "Who can explain Joseph Smith? revelation and a prophet." What are the 'revelations from God'? How well he placed the facts. Yet What is their test? Is it not beyond all it seems rather strange that a Christian reason that a lad, born of poor parents, minister would make such a statement devoid of any save the commonest edu- in derision, for revelation and the proph- cation, too poor to buy books, should ets have ever been a part of God's plan have accomplished what he did in less to convey commandments and teachings than forty years, unless there was some of righteousness unto his children. There great reason for it? are others, like this minister, who feel "Let anyone, even a literary genius, that we have no right to receive revela- after forty years of life, try to write a tion, but if we do not receive revelation companion volume to the Book of Mor- for the guidance and direction of the mon, and then almost daily for a num- true Church of Jesus Christ, then we ber of years give out 'revelations' that do not have the oracles of God, and if internally harmonize one with another, we do not have the oracles of God, then at the same time formulate a system of we are not the people of God. doctrine for a Church, introduce many But this is not the fact, for over and new principles, resuscitate extinct priest- over again God has revealed his will hoods, and formulate a system of Church unto this, his people, through his serv- 22 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day

ants, the prophets. In the first section But, upon that occasion when he an- of the Doctrine and Covenants, which nounced to them for the first time that is a book of revelations given through he was the Son of God and that he the Prophet Joseph Smith unto the would reveal unto them the mind and Latter-day Saints, the Lord has said: will of the Father, that he was the living "Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the bread sent down from heaven, they calamity which should come upon the turned and walked no more with him, inhabitants of the earth, called upon my seeing the people turn from him because servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake of revelation, he turned to his disciples unto him from heaven, and gave him and said, "Will ye go away also?"—but commandments." (D&C 1:17.) his nearest disciples led by Peter, did These commandments are revelations not leave him, for they accepted his from God which provide the laws and revelations; gone, however, were the ordinances of the gospel, and by obedi- crowds of people who had followed him ence to them will exalt man in the on the shores of Galilee and the hillsides presence of our Heavenly Father. The of Judea. From that day forth, save for Prophet Jacob, one of the Book of Mor- his closest disciples, he walked alone. mon prophets, speaks of the need of Unfortunately, in the early days of revelation in this manner. He says: the Church not all of the Latter-day "Behold, great and marvelous are the Saints accepted the revelations. I sup- works of the Lord. How unsearchable pose that as each revelation was given are the depths of the mysteries of him; to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and it was and it is impossible that man should find made known unto the people, just that out all his ways. And no man knoweth many more of the weak Saints rebelled of his ways save it be revealed unto him; and turned away from the Church. This wherefore, brethren, despise not the became one of the great problems to our revelations of God." (Jacob 4:8.) people in the days of Kirtland and Again Moroni, another Book of Mor- Missouri, for some of the members and mon prophet, speaks of those who would leaders alike opposed and did all that deny revelation. they could to prevent the coming forth "And again I speak unto you who of further revelation, and the progress deny the revelations of God, and say of the Church. that they are done away, that there are The Prophet Joseph Smith, speaking no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, of this at Far West, had this to say: nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, "Many men will say I will never for- and the interpretation of tongues; sake you, but will stand by you at all times, but the teach "Behold I say unto you, he that de- moment you them nieth these things knoweth not the gospel some of the revelations (mysteries) of the of Christ; yea, he has not read the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens and are to revealed scriptures; if so, he does not understand be them. to the children of men when they are prepared for them, they will be the first "For do we not read that God is the to stone you and put you to death." same yesterday, today, and forever, and The Prophet continued in this very in him there is no variableness neither significant meeting to make this further shadow of changing?" (Mormon 9:7-9.) statement: "Would to God, brethren, I The revelations from are great God a could tell you who I am! would to God expediency in leading man unto eternal I could tell you what I know! but you life and exaltation. in Yet every age, would call it blasphemy, and there are where God's will has been expressed men on this stand who would want to his people, there unto have been those take my life." Continuing further, he who have failed to obey and who have said, "When God offers a blessing, or in some instances rebelled against the knowledge to a man, and he refuses to revealed word of God. receive it, he will be damned." Thus This was true with the greatest of all by the implied remarks of the Prophet, prophets, Christ the Lord. Early in his the rebellion of the weak Saints in the ministry multitudes of people followed days of Kirtland and Missouri con- him everywhere, for he blessed them, tinued, yes, even unto the days of Nau- raised their dead, and fed their hunger. voo. They seemed, unfortunately, not —

ELDER ALVIN R. DYER 23 to understand the things of God, which and at Liberty, Missouri, in 1839, and had been revealed. when we find that perhaps two thirds When the work of the Prophet Joseph of the elders who hold the Melchizedek Smith was completed, when he had Priesthood, are found not to be in their received the keys, powers, and ordi- priesthood meetings each Sunday morn- nances, and had conferred them upon ing, we realize the need of greater ad- the heads of the Quorum of the Twelve, herence to this instruction. Would we when he realized and sensed that the say that those who are not fully living time had come when he would give his in accordance with this revelation are life for his work, he seemed to speak, perhaps opposing the divine will of our upon occasion, more emphatically than Heavenly Father as it is expressed ever before with regard to the truth of through his prophets? the revelations which he received, indi- There is the revelation given on tith- cating that there were those within the ing and offerings at Far West, Missouri, Church then who opposed and did not in 1838. Would you say, my brethren accept all the revelations which God had and sisters, that a man, especially one given through him. These were his who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, words upon the memorable occasion of and who does not pay an honest tithing one of his last addresses to the Saints. is rebelling against the revelations of "Oh! I beseech you go forward and God? make your calling and election sure What about attendance at Sacrament when did I ever teach anything wrong meeting? I remember as a young man from this stand? When was I ever con- being placed in a bishopric, and of being founded? I want to triumph in Israel told we ought to achieve twenty percent before I depart hence and am no more attendance at Sacrament meeting. To- seen. I never told you I was perfect day the current average attendance is but there is no error in the revelations thirty-three percent, and yet each Sun- which I have taught." (May 12, 1844.) day finds sixty-seven out of one hundred I have mentioned these things, my of our people not attending their Sacra- brethren and sisters, only in reflection ment meeting. Would you say that to bring it down to us today. Can we this failure to attend, on the part of say, with regard to revelation, in a simi- some, is something of a rebellion against lar sense, that those who fail in the this revelation given at Jackson County, Church today to accept and live fully Missouri, in 1831? the revelations given are somewhat re- bellious perhaps not in the same Then what about the revelation on antagonistic manner which was mani- virtue and the receiving of the Holy Ghost, given in Liberty in fest in the early days, but nevertheless Prison 1839, rebel within themselves against the word when the Prophet revealed to us that if of the Lord. There are some who per- we would have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, our lives haps sense the great value of these God- must be virtu- ous and must live constantly under given truths, yet fail in their appropria- we that influence? Would you say that tion. They will not let go for fear of losing something greatly worth while, those who have evil thoughts and would permit unclean practices to come into but still hold back when it comes to fully accepting the revelations from God. their lives are opposing the will and the revelations of on purity of life? May I consider with you for a few God moments some of the vital revelations There are still other revelations—the given through the Prophet Joseph Smith reiteration of the Ten Commandments and perhaps as we go back to our homes at Kirtland, Ohio, in section 42; the from this great conference of the Church great principle of righteous dominion, we can regenerate in our own thinking in section 121, wherein we are to live the desire to conform more closely to with our fellow men in kindness, in the commandments which the Lord has long-suffering, in meekness, and love required of us through these revealed unfeigned, in the true spirit of brother- writings. I refer to a revelation with hood as becomes a Latter-day Saint; the regard to the magnifying of the priest- revelations on temple work in sections hood found in section 84 and section 124, 127, and 128, given in Nauvoo, 121, given at Kirtland, Ohio, in 1832, Illinois, in 1841 and 1842. 24 GENERAL CONFERENCE

Friday, October 9 First Day

Are we doing all that we can in ac- for our upbuilding and growth within cordance with these revelations, and if the kingdom of God. we are not are we inwardly opposing Would it not be profitable to re- them? My brothers and sisters, you be view the revelations—to learn afresh—to the ones to answer that for yourselves. "know our duty" and then where need- Then there is this last one I will refer ful adjust our lives fully to the laws to, the revelation on harmful indul- and commandments of God? gences—the Word of Wisdom—and we I bear record to the truthfulness of see the manifest desire of many within the revelations given to the Prophet the Church to twist the meaning of this Joseph Smith. In the name of Jesus great revelation, and those who do this, Christ. Amen. are they rebelling against the will of God as they did in the earlier days? President David O. McKay: I bear record to you, my brethren and sisters, that these revelations have been Elder Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the given to us for our enlightenment, for Council of the Twelve, has just spoken our growth, that we may return to the to us. Elder Marion D. Hanks of the presence of our Heavenly Father. They First Council of Seventy will now ad- are a distinguishing characteristic of the dress us. He will be followed by Elder Latter-day Saints. We are to use them John Longden.

ELDER MARION D. HANKS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

I seek only to be able to speak the little children and then of a book pub- truth, to merit the Spirit of the Lord lished recently, written by two of the which will direct me and bless me most accepted, and I think effective, in so doing. I appreciate the wonderful child psychologists of the day, comment- sermons which have been delivered here ing on the age "eight" in the lives of the from the first through Brother Dyer's. young. I sat thinking a moment ago of my "Eight seems to be an age when much sainted father who left his little family that was not comprehended before is and departed this earth more than often easily understood. At that age it thirty-five years ago, how he went into is almost as though a new dimension the missionary field at the call of the has been added to the child's under- Lord through the Brethren, in his late standing." 'teens, carrying copies of the Book of It is remarkable that qualified and Mormon with testimony and conviction, earnest seekers after truth should dis- expressing his deepest assurance of the cover that at age eight a new dimen- validity of the work he represented and sion enters into the life of the child. yet without adequate knowledge, per- The Lord assured us of this when he haps, because he was but a boy and talked of the age of accountability long because much knowledge now available ago. was not had, to defend his viewpoint in Of one thing implicit in both Presi- the eyes of the world. He had but his dent Smith's and Brother Dyer's re- testimony, his faith, and the Book. marks, I would speak for just a few As President Smith spoke I marveled moments. that we have lived long enough and A thoughtful friend phoned this that we live in a time, you and I, when morning to tell me of a book he had just the wise men, the honest men of the received—I had not seen a copy nor is world, are coming to understand some it available in our bookstores yet—a book of the things the Lord has taught us called, 7 Found God in Soviet Russia, through all the years since the estab- in which a man tells of his own experi- lishment of the Church. ences as a prisoner in a concentration As President Smith referred to the age camp in Siberia. of eight and his faith that a youngster He talks of the religious faith that at that age can know, I thought of my permitted people to endure and survive. ELDER MARION D. HANKS 25

He mentions in at least four different be concerned about the one individual places, and this would perhaps be a child of God. satisfying if sorrowful and surprising I heard a statement as I drove toward thing for us to know, that in a concen- University the other tration camp in Siberia there is a little morning from the Talmud, or so it was band of members of the Church of Jesus quoted: "To save one life is like saving Christ of Latter-day Saints, meeting a whole nation." And I began to think faithfully and loyally, unwilling to deny of other statements, including the one or let rest or become indifferent to their from the eighteenth section of the Doc- responsibilities even though to be a trine and Covenants, to which we have member of the Church makes them alluded. I thought of the statement of liable to life imprisonment according Oliver Wendell Holmes, who said, to the book. "Every individual is an omnibus." Do The book notes that these you see the significance and implication insisted on coming together in the name of this? of the Lord—that when they had a few As we have the marvelous blessing of minutes they met to worship God in setting missionaries apart, I can seldom their own way. refrain from thinking of them (and oc- When I think how the Lord must love casionally say it) that in each of them, and look with compassion upon such as in each of us, is wrapped up a heritage individuals, when out of my own experi- and a promise, for each is a distillation ence as a parent I can see how much I of much that has gone before, and be- love my little ones, I can understand yond all that is represented in the indi- (at least within my limitations) what vidual now and of the past, there is also the Lord meant when he talked about the future, because in each of us are the the worth of souls in his sight. And seeds of the future; in each of us there I believe I may understand it more im- is, in fact, the capacity and possibility of pressively and movingly today than I becoming many. have ever understood it before. Could I tell you one story which bears May I read you some words with repetition—and I have had the blessing which all are familiar, and read them in of repeating it in some of the stakes of context of what has been said? the Church. It is the most significant "Remember the worth of souls is great single experience I have ever had, per- in the sight of God; sonally, about the importance of one. It "For behold, the Lord your Redeemer happened long enough ago that I think suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he the individual involved would not be suffered the pain of all men, that all conscious of our noting him, though I men might repent and come unto him." see no harm if he is. (D&C 18:10-11.) A man walked into these grounds and There follows the great statement of into an office in the Bureau of Informa- the joy of the Lord in the soul that re- tion one day long ago. He interrupted a penteth, and this: conversation which was private and "And if it so be that you should labor serious, and did it without apology. He all your days in crying repentance unto was quite an elderly man; he was not this people, and bring, save it be one what you would call an attractive human soul unto me, how great shall be your being. He was unkempt, unshaven; he joy with him in the kingdom of my reeked of alcohol and tobacco. Father!" He walked over to the desk where I And then the marvelous statement sat, pointed his hand in the direction of ". that . . if your joy will be great with the temple, and said, "How do you get

one soul . . . how great will be your in there?" I assumed that he was a joy if you should bring many souls unto tourist, one of the infrequent but occa- me!" (Idem, 15-16.) sional few who do not understand the I have in mind to express my testi- purpose and the reason of temple-going mony about the importance of the one, and who have become affronted because to add my humble witness to the charge they are not taken into the temple, and that has been given every teacher and perhaps had come to complain. parent, every youth-influencing, every I told him as best I could, or began adult-influencing Latter-day Saint, to to, the story of the temple, but had pro- 26 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day ceeded only a little distance when he how many of them are members of the interrupted. He waved me away and Church, and I expect you know the said, "Oh, you don't have to tell me answer, though perhaps not his inter- all that, I know that. I am a Mormon." esting expression. He said, "Huh, ain't "Well," I said, "if you are a member any of them members of the Church. of the Church and you know all of They're a pretty hard lot." this, what is it you want from me?" He This last question: who was it the said, "Frankly, nothing. There isn't bishop's counselor propelled out the door anything you have to give me. I am that morning? Just one boy? Just one? here because my wife insisted on my This one has in his own lifetime be- coming in, but I have fulfilled my er- come, in effect, a multitude, and the rand," and out he went. current has but begun to run, and every- I tried to pick up the threads of the one of them denied, according to his conversation and finish it, and later, as own witness, the love of the gospel and I sat thinking about him and his story, the brotherhood of the Saints, the I looked out the window and saw him warmth and strength and direction of walking by the Joseph and Hyrum the programs of the Church. [Smith] monuments with a younger Oh, I can understand a little more, woman. I went out to talk with them. why the Lord said that one soul was She identified herself as his wife. He precious to him. had been married three times; each I close with a statement Horace Mann previous wife had died after bearing a made. This is well-known also, but large family. worth the repetition. To a man who There are two questions I asked him, questioned Horace Mann's statement at which I think each person here would the dedication of a boy's home or school, do well to hear answered as he an- that if all the work and energy and ef- swered them. I asked, in effect, how fort and money put into this endeavor he had come to his feeling of antagonism had been to save just one boy, it would and indifference. He told me that at have been worth it, and had said to age nineteen he had been ejected from Horace Mann, "You became too ora- a chapel by a bishop's counselor who torical, didn't you? You didn't really had been summoned because of the mean that, did you"—Horace Mann an- boy's trouble-making in class. One swered, "Oh, yes, I meant it. It would thing that had been said, this man re- have all been worth it, if the one were membered for nearly sixty years. As my son." he was thrown out, someone objected. Every son of God is important in his The answer that came from the coun- eyes. Every unbaptized child, unor- selor who had the task in hand was, dained boy, young man who is not in "Ah, let him go, he is just one kid!" the right stage of his priesthood pro- He went, and he never came back, gression, every boy and girl not attending nor was there ever any visiting, never seminary when they can and should, any outpouring or increase of the love every boy and girl not being married in that should follow reproof, according the temple when they could—these are to the Lord. He moved to another area vitally important in the eyes of God and of the land, married, had a family; his should be, in our eyes. wife passed away and he married again, God bless us to understand the infinite his second wife died after bearing a fam- importance of the one, in God's eyes, ily also. He had come to Salt Lake and to do all that we can to fulfil his City at the insistence of his third wife, purposes for them, I pray in the name who, having been taught by the mission- of Jesus Christ. Amen. aries and converted to the principles of the gospel, had brought him here hoping President David O. McKay: that somehow he might be touched—he, the member. He to whom we have just listened is This, also, I would like to report: I Elder Marion D. Hanks of the First asked him how many living descendants Council of Seventy. Elder John Long- he had. He counted them and an- den, Assistant to the Twelve, will now swered, "Fifty-four." I asked him then, speak to us. 27

ELDER JOHN LONGDEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My testimony has been strengthened and to the young people today may I and my faith increased in the glorious say that there is no obsolescence in the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ to teachings of the gospel. As I understand which we have listened today. It does the definition of obsolete it means some- answer the questions: why these general thing that is old-fashioned, that we have conferences, why these quarterly con- outgrown, something that is ancient or ferences, why these conferences— of the antiquated and maybe, in the terms of auxiliary organizations "For the per- modern language, "old stuff" or "for the fecting of the saints, for the work of the birds." ministry, for the edifying of the body of The gospel of Jesus Christ is just as Christ," (Eph. 4:12) until we all come vital and essential today as it was when to a knowledge of the truth. it was instituted in our pre-existent es- I have reminisced as Brother Hanks tate. Jesus Christ is the Author of salva- has been speaking. I am sure he will tion. I know this as I know I am standing pardon me if I make reference to him here today. I have that witness. and his marvelous family. It was my We may be termed peculiar, but that privilege to live in the Nineteenth Ward is nothing new. Whenever there has in the Salt Lake Stake. On October 12, been a dispensation of the gospel of 1921, 1 left for my mission to the Central Jesus Christ in the earth, the followers States. The day after, there came into have been referred to as "a peculiar peo- the home of Brother and Sister Hanks, ple." Moses so declared. Peter and not a small boy—he was rather large, Paul so declared. I would recall the I understand—I was not there, but I words of Peter: have heard—and he was named Marion. "But ye are a chosen generation, a Well, you have seen his works; you have royal priesthood, an holy nation, a pe- felt his spirit. There are others in this culiar people; that ye should shew forth family just as good and just as devoted the praises of him who hath called you to building up the kingdom of God. out of darkness into his marvellous Theirs is an example of a good Latter- light." (I Peter 2:9.) day Saint home, wherein are taught the It is wonderful to bask in the light truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ; of the gospel of Jesus Christ which wherein they gather in humble prayer banishes fear, which banishes confusion and thanksgiving for the blessings and frustrations, and, oh, the need for which have come into their lives; remembering these things today. wherein they are taught the true joys of So I pray that we will acknowledge service to God and our fellow men. My, the hand of God as we have listened to what a contrast to the story he has just his mouthpiece and prophet in his key- related to us. note address to this great conference, There is another anniversary this admonishing us to teach the word. We week—if I may be pardoned for making make no apology for teaching truth, we reference to it—just fifty years ago on the need make no compromise with the 7th of October my father and I arrived philosophies and teachings of men. The in Salt Lake City—a boy of ten, coming only time we are on dangerous ground is to a new world with one purpose in when we pull away from the teachings mind, to be close to the center of the of the Master, for I assure you the Mas- Church and to serve the Lord. ter does not pull away from us. As I am grateful for that father who individuals we are prone to pull away listened to the missionaries some sixty- from him because of things we do and three years ago in England, about two say not in harmony with his teachings. years before I was born, who accepted May we have a desire reburnished in these truths and for about forty-five years our minds and our hearts as we leave was associated with the Scout program this conference, to be more dedicated in of the Church. the service of the Master, putting our I shall ever be grateful for my mem- own homes in order, having family bership in the Church of Jesus Christ, prayer, our individual prayer, paying 28 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day our tithes and offerings, keeping the upon, and see that they feed upon the Word of Wisdom, and being chaste and truths found in the Bible, the Book of benevolent. As I speak of putting our Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, homes in order, I should like to suggest the Pearl of Great Price, the four that we take note of what comes into of the Church. Then the hands of our youth, our own chil- they will not suffer from malnourish- dren. We must make sure they are ment of the Spirit, and we will be fitting not having their minds poisoned by the them to withstand the buffeting of garbage, if you please, that is on many Satan. of newsstands available through the and I bear you my witness and testimony the nation. other channels throughout that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, Time will not permit me to go into the Divine Son of our Heavenly Father, this subject further, I call to but mind a that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet headline which I read just recently as I of God, and that those who have suc- visited one of the stakes in the East and ceeded him as Presidents of this Church it told of this sad story: down to President David O. McKay to- As the story was told, a man, an day, have been and are mouthpieces employee of the city of New York for and prophets of our Lord. some thirty years, a respected employee, I bear you my solemn witness that married, with grown children who were President McKay holds the keys and married, had working with him a young authority, the keys of the kingdom, and man about twenty-five, also married. that the mantle of authority is upon Unknown to their wives, they had been him. I am so thankful for that wit- in the dastardly business of producing ness, and I pray that I may be able to vile film, pornography, and were arrested continue to bear this testimony as the with over $500,000 worth of the filthy Lord permits. I pray his peace and stuff in their possession in one of their blessing upon us humbly, in the name garages. I mention again, they were of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. married men with children of their own, deliberately poisoning the minds of young people, taking advantage of living President David O. McKay: in a land where our forefathers came to Elder Longden, Assistant to the worship God according to the dictates of John Twelve, has just spoken to us. their own conscience, a land built upon freedom and liberty. Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen will I call to mind a statement made by a now lead the Singing Mothers and the minister a couple of weeks ago as the Congregation in singing "O Say, What Premier from Russia visited in the Is Truth?" Elder Milton R. Hunter will United States. He said he hoped that speak to us after the singing. Mr. Khrushchev would come to his ". church . . to see how we worship." How are we worshiping? Are we the The congregation and the Singing followers of Jesus Christ only on the Mothers joined in singing the hymn, Sabbath day, or just when we are in "O Say, What Is Truth?" priesthood meeting, or is it that worship which reflects good and his peace as President David O. McKay: we go forth in our various travels, en- deavors, and walks of life, truly being an Elder Milton R. Hunter of the First influence every day, every hour, every Council of Seventy will now speak to us. minute for good to our fellow men? He will be followed by Elder LeGrand I pray that we as parents will seek to Richards, who will be our concluding know what our children are feeding speaker. —

29

ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My dear brothers and sisters, I humbly They had lost it through wickedness and ask an interest in your faith and prayers apostasy, resulting in the gospel being that the Spirit of God will direct what taken from the earth. They then said I may say. that God had caused the true gospel to The prophets made be restored to earth again, and that in numerous predictions regarding the In- the near future that gospel would be dians, or the Lamanites, promising many brought to our people. Those two mes- great blessings that would come to them sengers said that we would be able to in the latter days. Some of the prophe- recognize the true gospel of Jesus Christ cies regarding the Indians have been when it came, and the sign by which fulfilled; others are being fulfilled; and we would know it would be that young eventually all of the predictions of the men, traveling two by two, would bring holy prophets will come to pass. it to us." I would like this afternoon to tell two A few years passed, and she had marvelous experiences had by the In- grown to womanhood. Finally Mor- dians in Guatemala, Central America. mon missionaries came to Quezalte- These experiences were related to me nango. As she observed them, and while I was visiting that country. listened to them preach, she recalled I toured the Central American Mis- the things that were predicted by the sion in January 1956, in the company of two messengers when she was a girl. President and Sister Edgar Wagner. We She recalled that the bearers of the true were on a train coming from Guate- gospel were to be , traveling mala City to Quirigua, Guatemala. two by two, and these Mormon mission- Riding in the same car with us was a aries completely fitted the predictions. very lovely Indian woman, a Quiche Thereupon she invited them to her home Maya from Quezaltenango, Guatemala. and received the gospel from them. She was accompanied by her husband. This Indian woman bore a very strong President Wagner introduced them to and fervent testimony to me that she me, stating that the Indian woman was knew that these missionaries had the Relief Society president in Quezal- brought her the true gospel of Jesus tenango. I sat in the adjacent seat and Christ. She said: had a conversation with them. The "I know that God sent those two woman told me the following story: strangers, his messengers, to Quezal- "When I was a girl," she said, "a tenango to prepare the hearts and the marvelous thing happened in my home minds of the Quiche Mayas in this part town. One day two strangers came to of the country to receive the gospel of Quezaltenango. They were tall men Jesus Christ. I and a number of others much taller than the Indian men of our of our people who saw those messengers country—and their skin was white in and listened to their predictions are now color. They were handsome men. Their Mormons." clothing differed greatly from that worn I asked her to give me the names of by the Quiche Mayas. Nobody had any other Lamanites who were present when idea as to who they were or whence they the two messengers visited Quezal- came. They just suddenly arrived in tenango. This she did. I had one of the middle of the city and began to the missionaries, the supervising elder, preach to the people. A large group of check with them for the purpose of Indians soon assembled in the street verifying her story. These other In- to listen to the instructions given by dians also gave similar accounts of those these strangers. Many of the things two tall, white strangers visiting Quezal- they told us were predictions of what tenango some years ago. would occur in the future. This past January (1959) I was again "The thing that impressed me most," assigned to tour the Central American she said, "was the statements they made Mission in company with President and regarding our ancestors once having Sister Wagner. Sister Hunter accom- had the true gospel of Jesus Christ. panied me on this tour. 30 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day

Shortly after we arrived in Guate- clothing wore out. They had a scant mala City, President Wagner told us amount of bedding. It was very cold, about some very important events which and the jail was unheated. The care- had occurred in the life of a certain takers of the prison gave them very Cakchiquel Maya man named Daniel little food; in fact, they practically Mich. This good Lamanite or Indian starved to death. And to make matters had joined the Church not long before much worse, Daniel Mich received word our arrival in Guatemala. After be- from his wife that she and the children coming a member of the Church of were practically starved to death. Dur- Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ing the six years' time that he was in just prior to our arrival in the Central hiding and in prison, they had not been American Mission, Brother Mich came able to make a livelihood. to Guatemala City and attended a In desperation, and, of course, in great Sacrament meeting. He bore his testi- grief, Daniel Mich kneeled down and mony at this meeting and told the won- prayed to God, pleading that the Eter- derful story of his experiences which I nal Father would be merciful unto him shall retell to you today. In describing and let him die. He also prayed that Daniel Mich's telling of his experiences the Lord would extend his mercy unto and bearing his testimony, President his wife and children, that they all Wagner said: might soon die. He pleaded with the "The tears rolled down Brother Lord to release him and his family Mich's cheeks. There was not a dry members from the misery and suffering eye in the house. The Spirit of God that they were enduring. was there in great abundance." But God did not let them die. In- The following is Daniel Mich's stead, Daniel Mich had a vision, or a story. He lived in Patzicia, Guatemala, dream, or whatever it might be called. a small town not far from Lake Atitlan. He was going up the side of a steep A few years ago an Indian rebellion mountain on a definitely defined trail. against the government officials, who He came to a place where a side trail were primarily of Spanish blood, took forked off the main trail. A man stood place in Patzicia. The government offi- on the side trail and said, "Follow me." cials decided to put to death all the Daniel Mich replied, "No, I cannot Indians who had participated in this follow you. I must follow this trail rebellion and especially those who in- straight ahead." stigated it. He went some distance farther, and Daniel Mich had taken no part in another man stood on another side trail, the rebellion; however, the government He also said, "Follow me." officials thought he was guilty. The And again Daniel Mich replied, "No, Spirit of God whispered to him and I cannot follow you. I must go straight told him and his brother to flee to the ahead." This experience repeated itself mountains and hide in a certain place. three or four times. If they did not, they would be killed. explained, "Finally I They did as the Spirit instructed. As Daniel Mich there standing they arrived at the hiding place sug- came to the summit, and gested by the Spirit, they lay on a ledge in front of me was a tall, handsome and looked over the precipice. Below man, with beautiful white hair. He them they could see the government had a very kindly and beautiful smile. 'Daniel, follow officials searching for them along the This man said to me, mountainside. me.' I replied, 'I will follow you,' be- I remark, the Spirit A number of Indians were captured cause as made that of God whispered to me and said, 'That at this time and put to death. Daniel " Mich and his brother stayed in seclusion man has the truth.' for two years, but finally they were also Shortly after having this dream or captured. Conditions had changed vision, Daniel Mich and his brother during the two years to the extent that were released from jail. They returned the Mich brothers were not killed but to their home town. Soon thereafter, were thrown into prison. For four long and possibly about a year before I visited years they lay in prison, living under Guatemala, missionaries came to Pat- the most terrible conditions. Their zicia, Brother Mich's home town. They ELDER MILTON R. HUNTER 31 had not been working there long until the gospel. He received all they taught one day the mayor sent for them to with much faith and sincerity. They come to his office. When the mission- taught him only three or four lessons aries arrived, they saw a large crowd when a very important event occurred. of Indians, perhaps 200 or more, col- One day while in the midst of one of lected in front of the mayor's office. As the lessons, one of the missionaries the missionaries approached, according opened his book, and Daniel Mich saw a to the description given by the mission- photograph of a tall, handsome man, aries, "The crowd of Indians opened as with beautiful white hair. the Red Sea opened for the Israelites to Brother Mich immediately and ex- go through. We walked between two citedly exclaimed, "This is the man I It columns of Indians and on into the is he whom I saw!" mayor's office." Of course the missionaries wondered The elders said to the mayor, "You what he was talking about, and so they sent for us?" questioned him. In response he told "Yes, I did," was the reply. them the wonderful story which I have "What do you want?" they asked. just told you good people today. The mayor answered, "I have here in Then Daniel Mich asked, "Who is front of me a petition signed by two this man whose photograph you have in hundred citizens of our community in your book?" which they demand that you young men "His name is David O. McKay," the leave town immediately and that you missionaries replied. "He is the Presi- refrain from teaching your religion any dent of the Church of Jesus Christ of more in our community. Will you go?" Latter-day Saints. He is God's holy "No, we will not go," the missionaries prophet, seer, and revelator upon the replied. "We will not leave this town earth at the present time. He is the until our mission president tells us to man who holds the keys of the kingdom leave." of God and stands as Christ's repre- The elders sat silently in the mayor's sentative in the true Church and the office for several minutes, and then one leader in spreading the true gospel of of them asked, "What do you intend Jesus Christ." to do?" In deep sincerity Daniel Mich re- The mayor replied, "I do not know." plied, "I know that all of the things Thereupon one of the missionaries you have told me are true. I know that suggested that he telephone the governor, you missionaries have the true gospel and perhaps the governor could instruct of Jesus Christ." Then he asked, "Do him. The mayor immediately picked up you know why I invited you to come to the telephone, called the governor, and my home that day as you came out of explained the situation. the mayor's office?" The governor emphatically instructed, "Of course we do not know but would "Let those Mormon missionaries alone. certainly like to know," they replied. They have a right to teach their re- Then Daniel Mich explained, "At ligion in your town or in any other town the time that the tall, handsome man, or city in Guatemala, because we have with beautiful white hair—whom you religious freedom in our country." have told me was President David O. After this favorable solution of the McKay—said to me, 'Daniel, follow problem, the missionaries came out of me,' the Spirit of the Lord whispered the mayor's office. Once again they to me and said, 'This man has the described the crowd, stating that it truth.' The Spirit also said, 'Two young opened as the Red Sea opened for the men will bring you the truth'; and when Israelites. The elders passed between you came into our town recently and those two long lines of Indians. As they began to teach your religion, I became arrived at the edge of the crowd, two curious. I had been watching you and men approached them and said, "Will attempting to find out all about you you come to our homes and talk to that I could. When the citizens of us?" One of the men was Daniel Mich. Patzicia signed the petition to have you The missionaries were happy to ac- thrown out of town and when you cept the invitation. They went to called to see the mayor, I joined the Daniel Mich's home and taught him crowd in front of the mayor's office to 32 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day see what would take place. And now," lives as I know that I am alive. I he said, "all the things that I believed know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior have been verified. I know that David of the world. I know that Joseph Smith O. McKay is a prophet of God. I also is one of the greatest prophets that has know that you have the true religion of been upon the earth. I bear witness that Jesus Christ." the true gospel of our Master was re- These two important stories demon- stored upon the earth through him. strate the fact that the Lord is touching Also, I testify that each of the presidents the hearts of the Lamanites, and they of the Church from Joseph's time to the are receiving the gospel. He is opening present has held the keys of the king- the way for the fulfilment of the prom- dom. Each one, up to and including ises made to the Lamanites or Indians President David O. McKay, was divinely by the Book of Mormon prophets. selected to be the President of the The last meeting of our mission tour Church, each being a prophet, a seer, was held at Chimaltenango, Guatemala, and a revelator. in the evening of January 30, 1959. I feel as Daniel Mich explained, I Missionary work was opened in this am willing to follow President David O. only two years earlier. There McKay at all times and to do anything are four towns in the district, having a that he asks me to do. I pray to God Church membership of 141 people. that I will have the strength, the faith, There were 425 people in attendance and the understanding that I might at the conference, practically all being follow all the things that he tells me to Indians. Based on the Church popula- do, because I know that he will not tion in the district, we had 300 percent tell me to do anything that will be to attendance. Practically every Indian my detriment or to the detriment of the mother was carrying a baby wrapped in people with whom I work. a shawl and tied to her body. Most I also humbly plead with all Latter- of the people were barefoot; they were day Saints that we will have the same humble, God-fearing, faithful people, spirit and testimony that this humble poor in economic goods, but rich in Indian had. May all of us follow at all spirituality and their love for the Lord. times the leadership of President David Brother Daniel Mich from Patzicia O. McKay and do all that he asks us was present. We called on this humble to do. We accept him as God's holy Indian to talk. When I listened to his prophet. If we will follow his leader- testimony for thirty to forty minutes and ship in all things, we will work out our felt the spiritual influence of God which eternal exaltation. May this be our emanated from him, I could understand happy lot, and may our Eternal Father why the Lord loved this humble intelli- bless us with sufficient faith and strength gent, and spiritual-minded Lamanite of character to keep all of his command- enough to give him the marvelous expe- ments always, I humbly pray, in Jesus' riences of which I have told you. I name. Amen. shall always remember our conference at Chimaltenango and the beautiful President David O. McKay: testimony given by Brother Daniel Mich from Patzicia, one of the towns in the Elder Milton R. Hunter of the First Chimaltenango district. I am convinced Council of Seventy has just spoken to that God loves the Lamanite people. us. We will now hear from Elder Now, brothers and sisters, I want to LeGrand Richards of the Council of bear my testimony. I know that God the Twelve. ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I rejoice with you, my brothers and to us this morning by President McKay. sisters, in the privilege of attending this I thank the Lord for my testimony that wonderful conference and listening to I know this work is true, and I know the the testimonies of the servants of the power of God is in it; that this Church Lord, including the great witness borne is built upon the foundation of apostles ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS 33

and prophets, and that Christ our Lord President Petersen, my mission presi- is truly the head of his Church today, dent. It was he who brought the gospel as he has always been. to my father in this land, and there are I have just had the privilege, with my now fifty-seven of us in the Church by wife, by appointment of President virtue of that one conversion." McKay, of touring five of the missions Another young man who was a coun- of Europe—the Danish, the Swedish, selor in the mission presidency in that the Norwegian, the Finnish, and the mission was the seventh son of a con- Netherlands Missions—and Sister Rich- vert from that mission to go back into ards and I appreciate that opportunity the mission field—a wonderful young very, very much. I love missionary man—and he said, "Brother Richards, work. I love the spirit of missionary couldn't I stay another six months?" work. I know the Spirit of the Lord is I said, "No, you had better go home. in the missionary work. You have your military work to get When Jesus was resurrected and sent back of you and your schooling, and his disciples into all the world to preach then you ought to get married, and the gospel to every creature, he said, then you can raise your boys as your "And, lo, I am with you alway, even father did and send them back on mis- unto the end of the world," (Matthew sions, and they will do the rest of your 28:20), indicating that when his king- missionary work for you." dom should be set up in the latter days It was a wonderful thing to be with that he would be with his servants until those missionaries and feel their spirit, the end of the world. And I know that and I thank the Lord for the experiences the Spirit of the Lord is in this great that have been mine. They say the missionary movement. proof of the pudding is in the eating It was our privilege to visit and hear of it, and I nave had the privilege of the testimonies of over five hundred mis- filling four missions and presiding over sionaries, and each one I interviewed two, and touring many of the missions, personally; and if you parents could and I would not want to raise a boy have heard the testimonies of those mis- in this day and generation and not have sionaries, you would have been proud, him go on a mission for his good and, and you would have felt compensated because I think we owe so much to the for the sacrifices you are making to keep world, to share with them the wonderful them in the mission field. Many of truths of the gospel. them bore testimony of their gratitude If you parents could have seen the to their parents for the privilege of glow in their faces when the mission- being in the mission field. Some told of aries would bring their investigators up the financial struggles their parents had to shake our hands, you would not figure had. One boy said that his father was that there was anything in this world out of work when he was called to go, that could compensate and take the but he would not stand in the way of place of the experiences that were theirs. that son of his being an ambassador of The missionaries fast for their investi- eternal truth, and many of them testi- gators. Two of the missionaries fasted fied that their parents had prospered all day that their investigator would not financially as never before while their disappoint them when they had a bap- sons were in the mission field. tismal service arranged for her that Another thing that thrilled me in night up in Trondheim, in the northern their testimonies: Many of them testi- part of Norway. We went out to the fied that their parents and the members bank of a fjord after ten o'clock at night, of their families had become more in- the sun still shining, and what a marvel- terested and active in the Church while ous sight to see the missionaries and their sons were in the mission field, so the sister dressed in white! The mission- that this great missionary program in a ary led her out into the waters of way is like a two-edged sword. It does baptism, and when she came back, my a marvelous work in the mission field, wife said, through the interpreter, "Was and it does a marvelous work here at it cold?" She said, "It's deilig." That home. means, it's beautiful. I do not know One missionary whom I interviewed whether any of you Scandinavians will in Denmark said, "I almost worship recognize that or not, but that was her 34 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day

way of saying it was wonderful. three, but to be safe I will say five per- It was wonderful. It was a wonderful cent) of the people of those lands who thing to witness that baptism. We stood attend church at all of any kind, and there watching it, and many of the then you know how little there can be tourists or the vacationers were watching in their lives really to live for. Some- it and a little sailboat that sailed up times I thought as we went through the fjord because this was out in the those missions that about all they live open. We have no baptismal fonts for was their vacation, because they are there yet. However, they are building great people to have a vacation every a beautiful new chapel and had the summer. I will not take time to go foundation in when we were there. As into detail about that. But they did I looked and watched that beautiful not seem to be looking to eternal life or sight, I thought of the account in the eternal exaltation or eternal compan- Bible where John led the Redeemer of ionship with those whom they love. the world down into the waters of They did not know anything about baptism. He did not take a little water things like that. The newspapers even and sprinkle upon the head of the write articles discussing the fact that Savior. He led him down into the water, there is no God. and we read that when he was baptized I was told that many of the ministers they came up out of the water, and I will openly admit to their members that wondered how Christians could satisfy they do not know whether there is a themselves having a little water God or not. So, you see, they need sprinkled upon their heads instead of the missionaries. They need this won- really being baptized as the Redeemer derful message that we have. of the world was baptized, especially Speaking of the temples, I remind you when they read so many predictions of of when Nicodemus came to Jesus by the prophets and apostles that the day night and said: would come when men would "trans- "Rabbi, we know that thou art a gress the laws and change the ordi- teacher come from God: for no man nances." can do these miracles that thou doest, I visited with quite a number of except God be with him. people who had been to the temple. "Jesus answered and said unto him, They had just had a tour from each Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except of those Scandinavian missions and a man be born again, he cannot see from up in Finland to the temple. the kingdom of God." About one hundred went in each group. And Nicodemus, you will remember, And I want to pay tribute here to you could not understand that, so he said, members of these foreign-speaking "How can a man be born when he groups. I have something to do with is old? can he enter the second time your work. But you have sent money into his mother's womb, and be born?" to these mission presidents to help some And Jesus said: ". of these underprivileged members to go . . Except a man be born of water to the temple. You should see the joy and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into that it brings into their lives! Those the kingdom of God." temples have literally changed the atti- And Nicodemus could not understand tude of the Saints in many respects. and Jesus said, I was visiting with one young man "Art thou a master of Israel, and and his wife who had three children. knowest not these things? They had just returned from the temple "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We in Switzerland, and she said this: speak that we do know and testify that "Brother Richards, we have been mem- we have seen; and ye receive not our bers of the Church for only six years, witness. and we figure we are only six years old. "If I have told you earthly things, and We did not know how to live, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if what to live for, until we found the I tell you of heavenly things?" (John Church." 3:2-5, 10-12.) When you stop to think in those And I have always thought that the lands, according to reports, there are heavenly things that Jesus spoke of were only about five percent (I think it was these wonderful blessings that we re- —

ELDER LEGRAND RICHARDS 35 ceive in the temples of the Lord, and man who was in the government serv- I thank the Lord that temples are reach- ice. He stood erect in uniform. He was ing out to our people in these far-off old enough to be my father. He got lands. down on his knees, took my hand in his, In 1906 I heard President Joseph F. and hugged it and kissed it and bathed Smith make this statement in Rotter- it with his tears, and then I understood dam, Holland: "The day will come what Brother Lund meant when he when temples of the Lord will dot this said, "They will love you." whole land of Europe," and I have lived I tell you, brothers and sisters, we long enough to see two of them there, should be grateful for this great mis- and I tell you it is changing the feeling sionary system that is bringing so much of our people toward the Church to joy, happiness, and peace into the lives know that these glorious blessings are of our people. That little family who coming within their reach. did not know how to live until they As we went to leave the London Tem- had found the Church, and then just ple to come home, one good brother, think of the revelation to them of the who must have been in his sixties, said, marvelous truths of the gospel, eternal "Brother Richards, why couldn't I have duration of the marriage covenant known this thirty years ago? Why they will have their children in the couldn't I have had the joy all these eternal world—and that they can be years of helping to build the kingdom?" exalted in the presence of God, the That is the spirit of this work. There Eternal Father, and his Son, Jesus is not much time left, but I would just Christ! Compare that to what they like to reminisce a moment. When I have in a nation where the people have went on my first mission as a young almost deserted their faith in God. man of nineteen, we were instructed I pray God to bless us all and help by President Anthon H. Lund before us to be worthy of our heritage and to we left for our missions. Among other give freely, and I do want to commend things he said, "Brethren, the people others who have sent money into those will love you. Now don't get lifted missions to help the local young people up in the pride of your hearts and think to fill missions, for they are doing a that they love you because you are better great work. And if any of the rest of than other people. They will love you you are financially able and you would because of your calling and the Spirit like to lay up a few more treasures in of the Lord that you take with you and heaven, I invite you to do the same. the priesthood that you bear." I leave you my blessings and pray I didn't understand too much what God to be with you all, and bear wit- that meant as a boy, but after I filled ness of his truth in the name of the Lord, my first mission there in Holland, I Jesus Christ. Amen. wept more tears a hundred times over as I took the train from Amsterdam to President David O. McKay: Rotterdam than I shed when I said farewell to my loved ones to go to that The Presiding Bishopric of the Church land. will hold a special meeting tonight in I went into one home where I had this building at six o'clock. All stake the privilege of bringing the gospel, and presidencies, bishoprics, members of the little woman, a mother of about stake and ward Aaronic Priesthood com- eight children, looked up into my eyes, mittees are invited to attend. There and the tears rolled down her cheeks, will be an Agricultural Meeting con- clear down the front of her dress, and ducted by the General Welfare Commit- she said, "Brother Richards, it was hard tee in the Assembly Hall tomorrow to see my daughter leave for Zion a at 7:30 a.m. All stake presidents, and few weeks ago, but it is a lot harder to bishops who operate welfare farms, and see you go," and then I knew what all ward and stake welfare representa- Brother Lund meant when he said, tives are invited. "They will love you. They will love He to whom we have just listened is you because of the message that you Elder LeGrand Richards, member of bring to them." the Council of the Twelve. The singing Then I went to say good-bye to a for this session has been furnished by 36 GENERAL CONFERENCE Friday, October 9 First Day the Relief Society Singing Mothers un- sen, and Singing Mothers, we thank you der the direction of Florence Jepperson for the service you have rendered this Madsen, with Elder Frank W. Asper at day. God bless you and keep you as the organ. We have been most fortunate you continue to render your sweet in- to be present or to be listening in dur- fluence upon the lives of men. ing these two sessions at which the The Singing Mothers will now give us, Singing Mothers have furnished such "Send Forth Thy Spirit," and the bene- inspirational music. There is something diction will be offered by Elder D. about our mothers that always touches Arthur Haycock, recently president of a tender spot in our hearts. "She of the Hawaii Mission. Following the whom you speak," said one poet, "my benediction this Conference will be mother, seems as pure and whole as adjourned until ten o'clock tomorrow some serene creation minted in the morning. golden moods of sovereign artists—not a thought, a touch, but pure as lines of green that streak the first white of the "Send Forth Thy Spirit," was rendered snowdrop's inner leaves." And when by the Singing Mothers. you have a group of mothers singing the The closing prayer was offered by songs of Zion under the inspirational Elder D. Arthur Haycock, formerly leadership of this wonderful woman, president of the Hawaii Mission. Sister Madsen, you cannot refrain from having a welling up in your heart of Conference adjourned until 10 o'clock thoughts that seldom come. Sister Mad- a.m., Saturday, October 10, 1959.

SECOND DAY MORNING MEETING

The third session convened in the [The following letter was received Tabernacle at 10 o'clock a.m., Saturday, by the First Presidency from Elder October 10, 1959, with President David Harold B. Lee and his wife, Sister O. McKay conducting the meeting. Fern T. Lee, written from Montevideo, The choral singing for this session was Uruguay. furnished by the Dear Brethren: Choral Society (The Institute of Re- University of Utah ligion and the This is probably the last communi- Strings), Choruses and the Bonneville cation I will be able to have before conducted by David A. Shand, with Roy the convening of the forthcoming M. Darley at the organ. General Conference of the Church. With a sense of the great responsi- President David O. McKay: bility resting upon the First Presi- dency during our great General Members of the Church are convened Conferences, our prayers have been in the Tabernacle on Temple Square for you that you might be sustained in the third session of the One Hundred in strength and with the high spiritual Twenty-Ninth Semi-Annual Conference response necessary to measure to the of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- expectations of the Church and to our day Saints. All members of the General Heavenly Father in the high per- Authorities are present, excepting Elders formance of your personal responsi- Harold B. Lee and Marion G. Romney. bilities. Brother Lee is in South America to offi- Needless to say, we have a longing ciate at the organization of two new to be with you, to participate in the missions, the Andes Mission and the uplift which always comes, not only Brazilian South Mission. Elder Romney from our intimate association with our is officially visiting missions in Europe. brethren of the General Authorities, He has organized also the new South but also from the great outpouring of German Mission. the Spirit which always comes when —

PRESIDENT D /ID O. McKAY 37

the Latter-day Saints meet together officials and also our state and city offi- in General Conference. We have the cials and educational leaders. feeling, however, that our absence This session of Conference will be from General Conference by the ap- broadcast as a public service over tele- pointment of the First Presidency will vision and radio stations throughout the only serve to impress in the minds of West. We appreciate the service that the Church members generally the is being rendered by the owners and great importance of the foreign mis- managers of these various stations. The sions, so important that if necessary names of the stations were announced it justifies the absence of General Au- just prior to the opening of this session. thorities from General Conference in These services are also being broadcast order to give proper attention to the in the Assembly Hall and in Barratt work of these missions. Hall by television. In our humble way, and to the best The singing for this session will be of our abilities therefore, we shall en- furnished by the University of Utah deavor to extend ourselves during this Choral Society made up of the Institute mission tour, and particularly during of Religion and the University of Utah the period of the General Conference, Choruses and the Bonneville Strings, to transmit to the wonderful humble conducted by Elder David A. Shand, Saints who would also like to be at the Roy M. Darley, the Assistant Organist, General Conferences the love and is at the organ. blessing of the First Presidency and to We shall begin these services by the endeavor to instruct them as the Spirit University of Utah Choral Society sing- may direct as you would have us in- ing "The Morning Breaks," under Elder struct them were they permitted to Shand's direction. The opening prayer

be under the sound of your voices in will be offered by Elder J. Earl Lewis, the General Conferences. formerly president of the Canadian Mis- Will you, therefore, extend to our sion. The Chorus will now sing "The fellow workers of the Ceneral Authori- Morning Breaks." ties our affectionate regards and prayers for them as they partcipate in the forthcoming General Conference, The Combined Choruses sang the and to the faithful Saints may we hymn, "The Morning Breaks."

extend our love and blessing as one Elder J. Earl Lewis, formerly presi- of the least of our Father's servants. dent of the Canadian Mission, offered Such an absence as this assignment the invocation. requires only serves to intensify the great privilege of a close bond which President David O. McKay: attendance at such a conference pro- vides. The invocation was just offered by Elder Earl Lewis, formerly president With kindest personal regards and J. assurances of our affectionate and of the Canadian Mission. loyal support in all the proceedings The University of Utah Choral So- ciety the Institute of Religion at the of the Conference as it carries for- — ward, we are your humble servants, University and the University of Utah Choruses and the Bonneville Strings Harold B. and Fern T. Lee will now favor us with "Supplication," under the direction of Elder David A. P.S. have just concluded a con- We Shand, after which Elder Joseph Ander- ference in the great city of Montevideo son, Clerk of the Conference, will read with 675 in attendance.] the changes in stake, ward, and branch organizations since April Conference, We welcome this large audience in 1959, and the obituaries of the Church. the Tabernacle and all who are listening in by radio and television. We express appreciation for the presence of stake The Combined Choruses and Strings presidencies, bishoprics, other Church presented the number, "Supplication." 38 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

Elder Joseph Anderson, Clerk of the Denver West Stake, organized June Conference, then read statistical data: 21, 1959 by division of Denver Stake. East Idaho Falls Stake, organized June CHANGES IN CHURCH OFFICERS 7, 1959 by division of Idaho Falls Stake. TEMPLE, MISSION, STAKE, WARD, Huntington Park Stake, organized AND BRANCH ORGANIZATIONS April 19, 1959 by division of South Los SINCE APRIL CONFERENCE, 1959 Angeles Stake. Indianapolis Stake, organized May 17, 1959 from a part of the Great Lakes TEMPLE PRESIDENTS APPOINTED Mission. Stake, organized August 16, Manti Temple: A. Bent Peterson, to Mojave succeed Lewis R. Anderson. 1959 by division of Bakersfield and San Bernardino Stakes and from a part of the California Mission. MISSIONS NEW ORGANIZED Pocatello Stake, organized April 19, 1959 division of Pocatello Stake. Andes Mission, formerly part of the by West organized April 1959 Argentine and Uruguayan Missions. Sandy Stake, 12, Brazilian South Mission, formerly part by division of Mt. Jordan Stake. of the Brazilian Mission. Torrance Stake, organized May 3, South German Mission, formerly part 1959 by division of Redondo Stake. of the West German Mission. West Covina Stake, organized May 3, 1959 by division of Covina Stake. Whittier Stake, organized April 26, MISSION PRESIDENTS APPOINTED 1959 by division of East Los Angeles Stake. Andes Mission: Vernon Sharp. J. Yakima Stake, organized May 24, 1959 Brazilian South Mission: Asael T. Sorensen. by division of Richland Stake. Danish Mission: Levi B. Thorup, to succeed Holger P. Petersen. STAKE PRESIDENTS APPOINTED East Central States Mission: Frank H. Alberta Stake: Lloyd D. Cahoon, to Brown, to succeed M. Ross Richards. succeed Gordon S. Brewerton. Great Lakes Mission: E. John Carr to Box Elder Stake: O. Dee Lund, to succeed Reuel E. Christensen. succeed Glen M. Bennion. Netherlands Mission: Henry Volker J. Butte Stake: Charles W. Hanna, to to succeed Rulon Sperry. J. succeed Edgar T. Henderson. Northern California Mission: Warren Cheyenne Stake: Archie R. Boyack. E. Pugh, to succeed J. Leonard Love. Clearfield Stake: George Smith Has- Northwestern States Mission: Franklin lam. D. Richards, to succeed Douglas H. Columbia River Stake: Byron V. Driggs. Mumford, to succeed Royle S. Papworth. South German Mission: John A. Covina Stake: Emerson L. Crawley, to Buehner. succeed Elden L. Ord. Southern Far East Mission: Robert S. Denver West Stake: Thomas Lloyd Taylor, to succeed Herald Grant Heaton. Kimball. Swedish Mission: A. Gideon Omer, to East Idaho Falls Stake: Charles P. succeed Harry T. Oscarson. Brizzee. Swiss-Austrian Mission: William S. Farr West Stake: George Albert Wim- Erekson, to succeed Jesse R. Curtis. mer, to succeed Raymond Pace. Tongan Mission: J. Mark Vernon Fresno Stake: Dallas Alma Tueller, Coombs to succeed Fred Stone. W. to succeed Alwyn C. Sessions.

Grand Coulee Stake: Thurn J. Baker,

NEW STAKES ORGANIZED to succeed Elmo J. Bergeson. Huntington Park Stake: Clifford B. Cheyenne Stake, organized June 21, Wright. 1959 from parts of Denver Stake and Idaho Falls Stake: Paul Wendell the Western States Mission. Ahlstrom, to succeed Charles P. Brizzee. Clearfield Stake, organized April 12, Indianapolis Stake: Philip F. Low. 1959 by division of North Davis Stake. Mojave Stake: Sterling A. Johnson. CHANGES IN CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 39

Mt. Jordan Stake: George B. Roden, to Carbon Stake: Dragerton Second succeed Stanley A. Rasmussen. Ward, formed by division of Dragerton Nebo Stake: Reed Jex Money, to suc- Ward. ceed Delphin S. Hiatt. Cheyenne Stake: Scotts Bluff Ward, North Davis Stake: Joseph Cook, to formerly a branch in the Western States succeed George S. Haslam. Mission. North Tooele Stake: Sherman A. Chicago Stake: Logan Square Second Lindholm, to succeed Orlando T. Bar- Ward, formed by division of Logan rus. Square Ward; North Shore Second Ward, Pocatello Stake: Roland K. Hart. formed by division of North Shore Ward. Roosevelt Stake: Paul Murphy, to Cincinnati Stake: Georgetown Ward,

succeed Ezra J. Nixon. formerly Georgetown Branch. Sandy Stake: Stanley A. Rasmussen; Covina Stake: Glendora Second Ward, Marlon S. Bateman, to succeed Stanley formed by division of Glendora and A. Rasmussen. Azusa Wards. Smithfield Stake: Lyle R. Cooley, to Denver Stake: Denver Eighth Ward, succeed J. Byron Ravsten. formerly Derby Branch. South Los Angeles Stake: Harold F. Denver West Stake: Denver Ninth Whittier, to succeed Clifford B. Wright. Ward, formed by division of Denver Southern Arizona Stake: Bruce Melvin Second Ward.

Gibson, to succeed Jared J. Trejo. East Idaho Falls Stake: Idaho Falls Tooele Stake: Howard James Clegg, to Twenty-Fourth Ward, formed by divi- succeed Alex F. Dunn. sion of Idaho Falls Twentieth Ward; Torrance Stake: Roland Earl Gagon. Idaho Falls Twenty-Fifth Ward, formed Weiser Stake: Owen Spencer Jacobs, by division of Idaho Falls Twenty-First to succeed J. Raymond Dewey. Ward. West Covina Stake: Mark Woodrow East Los Angeles Stake: Belvedere Smith. Ward, formerly Ditman Branch. West Pocatello Stake: Willis Richard East Mill Creek Stake: East Mill Creek Ward, to succeed Myron L. Western. Sixth Ward, formed by division of East Whittier Stake: John Collings. Mill Creek Fourth Ward; East Mill Yakima Stake: F. Edgar Johnson. Creek Seventh Ward, formed by division of East Mill Creek Third Ward. STAKE NAMES CHANGED Ensign Stake: East Eighteenth Ward, formed by division of North and South Pocatello Stake, changed to East Poca- Eighteenth Wards; East Twentieth tello Stake. Ward, formed by division of North and South Box Elder Stake, changed to Box South Twentieth Wards. Elder Stake. Hayward Stake: Hayward Third Ward, formed by division of Hayward NEW WARDS ORGANIZED Second and Centerville Wards; San Leandro Second Ward, formed by divi- Auckland Stake: Auckland Seventh sion of San Leandro Ward. Ward, formed by division of Auckland Indianapolis Stake: Bloomington, Co- Second and Third Wards. lumbus, Indianapolis, Indianapolis Sec- Bear River Stake: Curlew Ward, ond, Muncie, Purdue, and Richmond formed by consolidation of Stone and Wards, formerly branches in the Great Snowville Wards; Belmont Ward, Lakes Mission. formed by division of Fielding Ward and Klamath Stake: Klamath Falls Sec- consolidation of Riverside and Plymouth ond Ward, formed by division of Wards. Klamath Falls Ward. Boise Stake: Grand View Ward, form- Lake View Stake: Roy Seventh Ward, erly Grand View Branch. formed by division of Roy Second Ward. Stake: B. Mojave Stake: Barstow and Ridgecrest Y. Campus Twenty-Fifth Ward, formed Wards, formerly Branches in the Cali- from various wards; B. Y. Campus fornia Mission. Twenty-Sixth Ward, formed from Nampa Stake: Nampa Fifth Ward, various wards. formed by division of Nampa Second 1

40 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day Ward; Nampa Sixth Ward, formed by University Eighth Ward, formed by di- division of Nampa Fourth Ward. vision of University Fourth Ward; Nevada Stake: Ely Third Ward, University Ninth Ward, formed from formed by division of Ely First and Sec- various wards. ond Wards. Wells Stake: McKay Second Ward, New Orleans Stake: Jefferson Ward, formed by division of McKay and Water- formed by division of New Orleans loo Wards. Ward. West Boise Stake: Boise Tenth Ward, North Idaho Falls Stake: Idaho Falls formed by division of Boise Third Ward; Twenty-Third Ward, formed by divi- Boise Eleventh Ward, formed by divi- sion of Idaho Falls Seventeenth Ward. sion of Boise Eighth Ward; Eagle Ward, North Rexburg Stake: Rexburg Eighth formerly Eagle Branch. Ward, formed by division of Rexburg West Jordan Stake: West Jordan First Ward. Fourth Ward, formed by division of North Seattle Stake: Everett Second West Jordan Second Ward. Ward, formed by division of Everett West Utah Stake: Sunset Third Ward, Ward; Mount Vernon Ward, formerly formed by division of Provo Eleventh Sedro-Woolley Branch. and Sunset Wards. Oahu Stake: Pearl City Ward, form- West Sharon Stake: Orem Twenty- erly Pearl City Branch; Nanakuli Ward, Second Ward, formed by division of formerly Nanakuli Branch. Orem Fifteenth Ward. Phoenix Stake: Tolleson Ward, form- erly Avondale Branch. WARDS AND BRANCHES Reseda Stake: Canoga Park Second TRANSFERRED Ward, formed by division of Canoga Park Ward. Cheyenne Stake: Cheyenne, Fort Col- Richland Stake: Columbia Basin lins, Laramie and Laramie Second Ward, formerly Columbia Basin Branch; Wards, formerly of Denver Stake;

Connell Ward, formerly C o n n e 1 Scotts Bluff Ward, Greeley and Torring- Branch. ton Branches, formerly of the Western Rigby Stake: Monteview Ward, formed States Mission. by division of Terreton Ward. Clearfield Stake: Clearfield First, Sec- Sandy Stake; Sandy Eighth Ward, ond, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth formed by division of Sandy Seventh Wards, and Anchorage Branch, formerly Ward. of North Davis Stake. Santa Ana Stake: Garden Grove Third Denver West Stake: Denver Second, Ward, formed by division of Garden Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Boulder Grove Second Ward. Wards, formerly of Denver Stake. South Ogden Stake: Ogden Sixtieth East Idaho Falls Stake: Iona, Iona Ward, formed by division of Ogden Second and Lincoln Wards, formerly of Fifty-Eighth Ward. Idaho Falls Stake. Tacoma Stake: Kent Ward, formerly Huntington Park Stake: Bell, May- Kent Branch; Tacoma Sixth Ward, wood, Huntington Park, Walnut Park, formed by division of Tacoma First Grant, Downey First, and Downey Third Ward. Wards, formerly of South Los Angeles Taylorsville Stake: Taylorsville Third Stake. Ward, division of formed by Taylors- Indianapolis Stake: Bloomington, Co- ville Ward; Taylorsville Fourth Ward, lumbus, Indianapolis, Indianapolis Sec- formed division Taylorsville by of Sec- ond, Muncie, Purdue, and Richmond ond Ward. Wards; Anderson, Connersville, and Union Stake: Baker Second Ward, Kokomo Branches, formerly of the Great formed by division of Baker Ward. Lakes Mission. University Stake: University Fifth Mojave Stake: Lancaster, Lancaster Ward, formed by division of University Second, and Palmdale Wards; Edwards, Second Ward. and Mojave Branches, formerly of Bak- Utah State University Stake: Univer- ersfield Stake; Barstow and Ridgecrest sity Seventh Ward, formed by division Wards and Trona Branch, formerly of of University Second and Third Wards; the California Mission; Victorville Ward CHANGES IN CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 41

and Lucerne Valley Branch, formerly Indianapolis Stake: Anderson, Con- of San Bernardino Stake. nersville, and Kokomo Branches, former- North Davis Stake: Clinton Ward, ly branches in the Great Lakes Mission. formerly of Lake View Stake. Lewiston Stake: Colfax Branch. Pocatello Stake: Pocatello First, Mojave Stake: Trona Branch, formerly Third, Tenth, Eleventh, Nineteenth, a branch in the California Mission. and Twentieth Wards, formerly of West New Orleans Stake: Pascagoula Pocatello Stake. Branch, formed by division of Biloxi Sandy Stake: Sandy First, Second, Ward. Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Reno Stake: Quincy Branch, formed Wards, formerly of Mt. Jordan Stake. by division of Greenville Branch. South Los Angeles Stake: Lynwood Reseda Stake: Thousand Oaks Branch. and Lynwood Second Wards, formerly Richland Stake: Benton City Branch, of Long Beach Stake. formed by division of Richland Third Torrance Stake: Lomita, Palos Verdes, Ward. Redondo, San Pedro, Torrance and San Bernardino Stake: Lake Arrow- Wilmington Wards, formerly of Redon- head Branch, formed by division of San do Stake. Bernardino Second Ward. West Covina Stake: Baldwin Park, El Shreveport Stake: Tyler Branch, Monte, El Monte Second, LaPuente, formed by division of Kilgore Branch. LaPuente Second, North El Monte, Washington Stake: Annapolis Branch, and West Covina Wards, formerly of formerly dependent upon Capitol Ward. Covina Stake. Whittier Stake: Whittier First, Second, WARDS AND INDEPENDENT Third, and Fourth Wards, formerly of BRANCHES DISCONTINUED East Los Angeles Stake. Yakima Stake: Sunnyside, Toppenish, Bear River Stake: Riverside and Ply- Yakima, Yakima Second Wards and mouth Wards, membership transferred Prosser Branch, formerly of Richland to Belmont Ward; Stone and Snowville Stake; Ellensburg Ward, formerly of Wards, membership transferred to Cur- Grand Coulee Stake. lew Ward. WARD AND BRANCH NAMES Big Horn Stake: Cowley Second Ward, CHANGED membership transferred to Cowley Ward; The four Lovell Wards were con- Ensign Stake: Eighteenth Ward, solidated into three wards to be known formerly South Eighteenth Ward; as the Lovell, Lovell Second and Lovell Twentieth Ward, formerly South Twen- Third Wards. tieth Ward. East Los Angeles Stake: Belvedere Klamath Stake: Klamath Falls First Ward, membership transferred to East- Ward, formerly Klamath Falls Ward. mont, Montebello, and Alhambra Maricopa Stake: University Ward, Wards. formerly College Ward. Weiser Stake: Cambridge Branch, Farr West Stake: Little Valley Branch, formerly Weiser River Branch. membership transferred to various wards. New Orleans Stake: Darbun Branch, INDEPENDENT BRANCHES membership transferred to Columbia ORGANIZED Ward. San Antonio Stake: San Marcos Albuquerque Stake: Los Lunas Branch, Branch, membership transferred to formed by division of Albuquerque Third various wards. Ward. Shreveport Stake: Kilgore Bakersfield Stake: Tehachapi Branch, Branch, made dependent upon Tyler Branch. formed by division of Mojave Branch. Cheyenne Stake: Greeley and Torring- Tooele Stake: Deseret Branch, mem- ton Branches, formerly branches in the bership transferred to Stockton Ward; Western States Mission. Ophir Branch, membership transferred Denver West Stake: Golden Branch, to Stockton Ward. formed by division of Denver Second Union Stake: Brownlee Branch, mem- Ward. bership transferred to Halfway Branch. 42 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY tion of the General Officers of the Church. President Stephen L Richards, First Counselor in the First Presidency. President Clark, Leonard E. Adams, member of the J. Reuben Jr.: General Church Welfare Committee. My brothers and sisters: May I invoke Gordon S. Brewerton, president of Al- and have the aid and assistance of your berta Stake. faith and prayers. I am indeed grateful to be here with you this morning. The President David O. McKay: blessings, promises, and administrations of the Brethren and the prayers of the Brother Joseph Anderson, Clerk of Saints have brought to me the blessings the Conference, has just read the of the Lord. I am grateful for them. changes in the ward and stake organiza- My recovery has been such, through the tions and the obituaries of the Church blessings of the Lord and the tender since last April. care and nursing of my family, par- President Reuben Clark, of the J. Jr. ticularly my daughters, and the aid and First Presidency, will now present for care and solicitude of my physician, who your consideration and action, the Gen- says that my recovery is miraculous. I eral Authorities, General Officers, and give my deep gratitude and thanks. General Auxiliary Officers of the Church We are met this morning to take part for the sustaining vote of this General in one of the great ordinances of the Conference. Church. As I proceed in presenting the We are very thankful to have Presi- Authorities, I shall speak to you mem- dent Clark with us during this Confer- bers of the Church as the Church in ence. Recently he was unwell but Solemn Assembly for this purpose among through the faith and prayers of the others. When you vote, you will vote Saints, and the inspiration of the as the Church, and the promises you Brethren, he is able to attend to his make to support and sustain the Authori- duties at the office and to meet with us ties in their work, will be the vote of and speak to us this morning. After he the Church, not merely your vote as presents the names of the General Au- members. thorities and General Officers he will This is a very solemn and important speak to us. The Lord bless him. occasion, and a very solemn gathering Brother George Q. Morris will be on and ordinance of this Church. I hope hand to speak to us after President we will not forget it, for your action is Clark. We shall now have the presenta- the action of the Church and binds it.

GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH

The First Presidency

David O. McKay, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

J. Reuben Clark, Jr., First Counselor in the First Presidency. Henry D. Moyle, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Joseph Fielding Smith

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Joseph Fielding Smith Marion G. Romney Harold B. Lee LeGrand Richards Spencer W. Kimball Richard L. Evans Ezra Taft Benson George Q. Morris Mark E. Petersen Hugh B. Brown Delbert L. Stapley Howard W. Hunter GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH 43

Patriarch to the Church

Eldred G. Smith

The Counselors in the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles and the Patriarch to the Church as Prophets, Seers and Revel ators.

Assistants to the Twelve

Alma Sonne Gordon B. Hinckley EIRay L. Christiansen Henry D. Taylor

John Longden William T. Critchlow, Jr. Sterling W. Sill Alvin R. Dyer

Trustee-in-Trust

David O. McKay as Trustee-in-Trust for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The First Council of the Seventy

Levi Edgar Young Bruce R. McConkie Antoine R. Ivins Marion D. Hanks Seymour Dilworth Young Albert Theodore Tuttle Milton R. Hunter

Presiding Bishopric

Joseph L. Wirthlin, Presiding Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson, First Counselor Carl W. Buehner, Second Counselor

GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

Church Historian and Recorder

Joseph Fielding Smith, with A. William Lund and Preston Nibley as Assistants.

Church Board of Education

David O. McKay Delbert L. Stapley

J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Marion G. Romney Henry D. Moyle LeGrand Richards Joseph Fielding Smith Richard L. Evans Harold B. Lee George Q. Morris Spencer W. Kimball Hugh B. Brown Ezra Taft Benson Howard W. Hunter Mark E. Petersen

Administrator, Board of Education

Ernest L. Wilkinson

Church Auditing Committee

Orval W. Adams Harold H. Bennett 44 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day Tabernacle Choir

Lester F. Hewlett, President Richard P. Condie, Conductor Jay E. Welch, Assistant Conductor

Organists

Alexander Schreiner Frank W. Asper Roy M. Darley, Assistant CHURCH WELFARE COMMITTEE

Advisers

Harold B. Lee John Longden Delbert L. Stapley Henry D. Taylor Marion G. Romney Antoine R. Ivins

LeGrand Richards . Joseph L. Wirthlin Alma Sonne Thorpe B. Isaacson EIRay L. Christiansen Carl W. Buehner and the General Presidency of Relief Society

General Church Welfare Committee

Marion G. Romney, Chairman Henry D. Taylor, Managing Director

Paul C. Child LeRoy A. Wirthlin Mark B. Garff Walter Stover

J. Leonard Love A. Lewis Elggren William T. Lawrence Donald Ellsworth Lorenzo H. Hatch Casper H. Parker Walter Dansie

GENERAL AUXILIARY OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

Relief Society

Belle Smith Spafford, President Marianne Clark Sharp, First Counselor Louise Wallace Madsen, Second Counselor with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Deseret Sunday School Union

George R. Hill, General Superintendent David Lawrence McKay, First Assistant Superintendent Lynn S. Richards, Second Assistant Superintendent with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association

Joseph T. Bentley, General Superintendent

George Carlos Smith, Jr., First Assistant Superintendent

Marvin J. Ashton, Second Assistant Superintendent with all members of the Board as at present constituted. PRESIDENT /. REUBEN CLARK, JR. 45

Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association

Bertha S. Reeder, President Emily H. Bennett, First Counselor LaRue C. Longden, Second Counselor with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

Primary Association

LaVern W. Parmley, President Arta M. Hale, First Counselor Leone W. Doxey, Second Counselor with all members of the Board as at present constituted.

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: observe, the voting of the Conference of this Church was unanimous in the President McKay, so far as I could affirmative.

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.

First Counselor in the First Presidency

First, I am grateful for your promotion shall be saved; but he that believeth not to First Counselor. I am grateful for shall be damned." (Mark 16:15-16.) your sustaining vote for Brother Moyle, The latter "and is baptized" was added who fills a great need that we had in in our day, for we received the very the First Presidency. He is indomitable same commission. And there was en- in his courage and has only the welfare trusted to us the opening, and the carry- of the Church at heart. ing on, of the Last Dispensation of the But we miss Brother Stephen L Rich- Fulness of Times, and we have been au- ards. We miss his gentleness, his thorized further and commissioned kindness, his wisdom, his experience, thereto, by the ordination and conferring his courtesy, his loyalty to the Church, at the hands of heavenly messengers, the and his great work in connection with Holy Priesthood after the Order of the the missionary service. We miss Presi- Son of God, divided into two, the Mel- dent Richards. chizedek and the Aaronic, that we might I now recall vividly the great address avoid the constant repetition of the name of President McKay, and I endorse all of the Son. that has been said, not only by him in The whole world, when Christ left, that address but by all the Brethren except the Hebrews, on the eastern conti- who have followed. This has been a nent, except the Hebrews and the few great conference, filled to overflowing that Christ left, a few hundred, were with the Spirit of the Lord. pagans, not believing in the God of I am grateful for all this and with Sinai and of course, not believing in the the President's permission, I want to add gospel as did not generally the Hebrew a word or two, more particularly on the nation. We have been fighting for two world condition. thousand years until today, titularly at When Christ came to the earth, there any rate, not quite half of the in- was, so far as I know, only one nation, habitants of the world believe in this the Hebrew nation, that understood and God of Sinai and in the Christ. The worshiped— the true God, the God of other half is pagan who do not accept Sinai "Thou shalt have no other gods God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and before me." (Exodus 20:3.) Jacob, and our God, the God of the He commissioned his apostles: Christian world, but who have some- "Go ye into all the world, and preach thing that is equivalent thereto that the gospel to every creature. satisfies them, but it is pagan. "He that believeth and is baptized But we have this added situation: we 46 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day have the man described by President Elder Benson has recently met a few of McKay and commented upon so well, them. But they live under this Marxian who in effect is the directing head of theory, and one of the elements of that this whole great body of paganism in is the destruction of free agency which their ideology and in their non-belief in was given to the sons of God before the God. I think this is the first time in world was created. Through it there all history when God's people have been was the rebellion in heaven. Through faced with an organized paganism more free agency we climb to the heights that or less guided and directed by one who lead us into exaltation. The Marxian denies God and says he- is unconvertible theology repudiates God. from his atheism. I have a feeling, brothers and sisters, We get the impression that he has that any man or woman who voluntarily in mind that his Marxian ideology, and subjects himself to this pagan ideology, his atheism, shall gain control some- who voluntarily lives within its jurisdic- how and make of all of us the followers tion, who voluntarily under this theory of his doctrines. He preaches peace, I gives up his free agency, has lost his may say, and then he preaches the testimony and is on the road to apostasy. abandonment of certain weapons of war, I cannot bring too strongly that here then he preaches that we go back to in the last days, paganism is under one traditional warfare, where numbers head, and that head is guided by Satan count, he preaches that we shall destroy himself. Please, brethren and sisters our military installations, and if he gets of the Church, keep the home fires of rid of these, I see no end to what he may testimony and knowledge of the gospel try to do. and of God and of Jesus Christ, keep the The whole Western world, the Chris- home fires burning in your homes, in tian, the God-fearing world, with the your priesthood quorums, and all the exceptions that exist in each country rest, for I am sure, one way or another, that follows Marxism, with the excep- we shall have to face dire persecution. tion that exists in Russia, relatively few, I bear my testimony that God lives, but perhaps in good part many, these that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the are the things which we face under his world, the Redeemer of mankind, the direction. first fruits of the resurrection. I bear my Now, let us have no illusions about testimony that the authority of the Holy this, brethren and sisters. The plan is Order of the Priesthood of the Son of really one of exterminating God and God is upon the earth, bestowed through Christianity. Into our hands has been heavenly messengers upon Joseph Smith, placed through divine ordinations the who has given to us the plan of the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the gospel. I bear my testimony that the Son of God. In our hands is the re- powers and authority that were given to sponsibility of carrying forward. Joseph Smith have passed on down We do not have now a united front to through, from President to President, this united paganism. We are still torn until we have now President David O. and divided among many sects. But McKay, who stands by your sustaining the problem we face, if the plans of the vote, as the prophet, seer, and revelator, Marxian paganism are carried out, is our and President of the Church of Jesus extermination. Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that he God has declared that the Lord will possesses all that his predecessors have never take away or give to another people had who have gone before. the authority and the gospel plan which May God bless us all. we have. I want to bring home to every I thank you for the strength that has of one you brethren and sisters of the been mine, and I do it in the name of Church, and to others so far as I may Jesus. Amen. speak, the seriousness of this situation. You cannot mollify an unconvertible, you may not hope that after his ends are President David O. McKay: gained, for any but the treatment he has

administered upon others. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. of the There are good people in Russia. First Presidency has just concluded There are faithful people in Russia. speaking. He also just presented the ELDER GEORGE Q. MORRIS 47

General Authorities, General Officers, please come forward and take your place General Auxiliary Officers of the Church in the Council of the Twelve. for your sustaining vote. We thank you, We shall now hear from Elder George brothers and sisters, for your unanimous Q. Morris of the Council of the Twelve. vote in the affirmative. He will be followed by Elder Bruce R. Brother Howard W. Hunter, will you McConkie.

ELDER GEORGE Q. MORRIS

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My dear brethren and sisters, I am First, what is immortality? In the wholly dependent upon the blessings of 29th section of the Doctrine and Cove- the Lord, and pray that his Holy Spirit nants the Lord said: "And thus did I, may direct me to say that which he the Lord God, appoint unto man the would have me say. days of his probation—that by his Yesterday we heard something about natural death he might be raised in youth marriages, ninety percent of which immortality"—death is the door to im- end in divorce. [See Elder Mark E. mortality—and then the Lord con- Petersen's address.] A very deplorable tinues, "unto eternal life, even as many condition was reported as prevailing in as would believe; some places among some people. I "And they that believe not unto ." should like, if the Lord will bless me eternal damnation. . . (D&C 29:43- to that end, to say something about a 44.) form of marriage that our people, young So through the atonement of Jesus and old, may enter into, one that our Christ immortality comes, and has people should look forward to and be come to every human soul, and will prepared for, and I am persuaded that always come. The Lord also says in because many are not so prepared, the 29th section that the trump should ". there is a lack of proper understanding sound for the resurrection, . . and among parents and children and a lack then shall all the dead awake, for their of proper appreciation of the great im- graves shall be opened, and they shall portance of this marriage that involves come forth—yea, even all." (Ibid., the salvation and eternal life of our 29:26.) This is in agreement with the people. teachings in the New Testament which We speak of salvation, and I am declare: wondering if we know what it means. "Marvel not at this: for the hour is The Lord made this wonderful declara- coming, in the which all that are in tion among the glorious things that he the graves shall hear his voice, has told us: "For behold, this is my "And shall come forth; they that have work and my glory—to bring to pass the done good, unto the resurrection of life; immortality and eternal life of man." and they that have done evil, unto the (Moses 1:39.) resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28- What is eternal life? What is im- 29.) mortality? What is exaltation and sal- So they shall all come forth from the vation? The Lord says: "And this is grave. What then? The Prophet life eternal, that they might know thee Amulek says: "Now, behold, I have the only true God, and Jesus Christ, spoken unto you concerning the death whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3.) of the mortal body, and also concerning The Lord Jesus Christ said, as we have the resurrection of the mortal body. I it in the New Testament: "And as Moses say unto you that this mortal body is lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, raised to an immortal body, that is from even so must the Son of man be lifted death, even from the first death unto UP- life, that they can die no more; their

. . . That whosoever believeth in him spirits uniting with their bodies, never should not perish, but have eternal life." to be divided; thus the whole becoming (Ibid., 3:14-15.) This is understood as spiritual and immortal, that they can salvation through the gospel of Jesus no more see corruption." (Alma 11:45.) Christ This is immortality. It comes to every 48 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

soul, good or bad, believer or non- and an everlasting covenant; and if ye believer. It has already been estab- abide not that covenant, then are ye lished for all the souls of man who ever damned; for no one can reject this have lived or who will live in the covenant and be permitted to enter into future. my glory." (Ibid., 132:4.) Now what is eternal life? In at- Remember that statement—the cove- tempting to discuss this great subject, nant of celestial or heavenly marriage, and the time so short, I thought I might if rejected by us, shuts us out of his bring to you the words of the Lord him- glory. self upon this subject so that you may "For all who will have a blessing ponder them as you may have oppor- at my hands shall abide the law which tunity. The Lord defines eternal life was appointed for that blessing, and the very clearly in the 88th section of the conditions thereof, as were instituted Doctrine and Covenants, fourth verse. from before the foundation of the world. "This Comforter is the promise which "And as pertaining to the new and I give unto you of eternal life, even the everlasting covenant, it was instituted glory of the celestial kingdom"; Then for the fulness of my glory; and he that to make plain that eternal life is the receiveth a fulness thereof must and fulness of the celestial glory, he explains shall abide the law, or he shall be ." further, "Which glory is that of the damned, . . (Ibid., 5-6.) church of the Firstborn, even of God, Now that is as explicit and plain the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ as anything could be, and the fulness his Son—" (D&C 88:4-5.) of God's glory is eternal life, the great- I refer you to section 76:53-70 of the est gift that God can give and that is Doctrine and Covenants, which explains involved in this principle of marriage, in more detail the fulness of the glory as instituted of God by the authority of the celestial kingdom, which the of God, and in being true to the cove- Lord says is eternal life, which he nants of that marriage. ". further confirms when he said, . . if Then the Lord, to explain the princi- you keep my commandments and en- ple more clearly, refers to the ordinary dure to the end you shall have eternal marriage. He says: "And everything life, which gift is the greatest of all the that is in the world, whether it be gifts of God." (Ibid., 14:7.) This then ordained of men, by thrones, or princi- is eternal life. palities, or powers, or things of name, And how shall we obtain eternal life? whatsoever they may be, that are not by Well, only through the gospel of Jesus me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall Christ. There is no other way, and be thrown down, and shall not remain as President Smith emphasized yester- after men are dead, neither in nor after day, the salvation that we are talking the resurrection, saith the Lord your about as servants of God and the people God. of God with this dispensation of the "For whatsoever things remain are by gospel given to us for the world, is me; and whatsoever things are not by exaltation, a fulness of God's gift, eternal me shall be shaken and destroyed. life. "Therefore, if a man marry him a Now, the Lord revealed the glorious wife in the world, and he marry her not principles of the gospel in the Book of by me nor by my word, and he cove- Mormon as restored through the Prophet nant with her so long as he is in the Joseph, and for fourteen years the Lord world and she with him, their cove- revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith nant and marriage are not of force when principles of life and salvation. One they are dead, and when they are out of these revelations is the 132nd section of the world; therefore, they are not of the Doctrine and Covenants, regard- bound by any law when they are out of ing the "new and everlasting covenant the world." (Ibid., 13-15.) of marriage," which is very specific in Then note what follows: "Therefore, its character, and the Lord, in mention- when they are out of the world they ing it and introducing the subject to neither marry nor are given in mar- the Prophet, makes these very striking riage; but are appointed angels in heav- and significant statements: en, which angels are ministering "For behold, I reveal unto you a new servants, to minister for those who are — —

ELDER GEORGE Q. MORRIS 49

worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, them in all things whatsoever my and an eternal weight of glory." (Ibid., servant hath put upon them, in time, 16.) and through all eternity; and shall be The status has changed. The Lord of full force when they are out of the continues, "For these angels did not world; and they shall pass by the an- abide my law; therefore, they cannot be gels, and the gods, which are set there, enlarged, but remain separately and to their exaltation and glory in all singly, without exaltation, in their things, as hath been sealed upon their saved condition, to all eternity; and from heads, which glory shall be a fulness henceforth are not gods, but are angels and a continuation of the seeds forever of God forever and ever." (Ibid., 17.) and ever. They may be saved in the celestial "Then shall they be gods, because kingdom, but they cannot be enlarged, they have no end; therefore shall they and forever and ever they remain a per- be from everlasting to everlasting, be- son of a lower degree—a lower order of cause they continue; then shall they be being, stripped of the greatest power, above all, because all things are subject that of eternal increase. unto them. Then shall they be gods, "For strait is the gate," the Lord con- because they have all power, and the tinues, "and narrow the way that lead- angels are subject unto them. eth unto the exaltation and continuation "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except of the lives, and few there be that find ye abide my law ye cannot attain to it, because ye receive me not in the this glory."

world neither do ye know me. . . . Now I believe that our teachers, our "Broad is the gate, and wide the leaders, and our parents must be taught way that leadeth to the deaths; and and must teach these principles. They many there are that go in thereat, be- are as clear as words can make them, as cause they receive me not, neither do the Lord has explained them. I can- they abide in my law." (Ibid., 22, 25.) not help feeling that many are not Therefore we see that eternal life being properly married because they which God says it is his glory and are not properly taught. It is not honor to bring to mankind is gained by enough to urge temple marriage. They obedience to the law of eternal marriage, must know what temple marriage which is instituted before the founda- means. It is a matter of eternal life tions of the world, to bring about the and exaltation in the presence of God fulness of exaltation. forever and forever. In the 132nd section of the Doctrine I close with a statement of the Prophet and Covenants, verses 19-21, the Lord Joseph Smith: "In the celestial glory explains the covenant and blessings of there are three heavens or degrees; celestial marriage as follows: "And in order to obtain the highest, "And again, verily I say unto you, if a man must enter into this order of the a man marry a wife by my word, which priesthood [meaning the new and ever- is my law, and by the new and ever- lasting covenant of marriage]; lasting covenant, and it is sealed unto "And if he does not, he cannot obtain them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by it. him who is anointed, unto whom I have "He may enter into the other, but appointed this power and the keys of that is the end of his kingdom; he can- this priesthood; and it shall be said not have an increase." (Ibid., 131:1-4.) unto them—Ye shall come forth in the May the Lord help us to awaken our first resurrection; and if it be after youth and the parents, and all of us, the first resurrection, in the next to the need to know what this marriage resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, is, to live worthy of it, to be prepared kingdoms, principalities, and powers, for it, for our youth to enter into it dominions, all heights and depths when they are mature enough, and then shall it be written in the Lamb's trained enough, and for all who have Book of Life, that he shall commit no been married for time only to prepare murder whereby to shed innocent blood, themselves for this glorious covenant and if ye abide in my covenant, and because in this marriage that God has commit no murder whereby to shed instituted there are three parties to it. innocent blood, it shall be done unto God is the principal party, and the 50 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day union is consummated by his power and fulness, and for the full salvation of the his authority, and his promises are at- human soul. tached to that union. If, in it, we are In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. faithful and true to the gospel of Jesus President David O. McKay: Christ, we shall be exalted in his pres- ence dwell forever. and with him Elder George Q. Morris of the Coun- May God give us the power to make cil of the Twelve has just spoken to us. clear to all these glorious revelations, Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the First now available to the world, because Council of Seventy will now address the gospel has been restored in its us.

ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKIE

Of the First Council of the Seventy

May I take as a text these words which David O. McKay at this time. By first were dictated by the Holy Ghost to an gaining a testimony and then by being inspired man in ancient Israel: valiant in testimony, we can be heirs "The law of the Lord is perfect, con- of salvation. verting the soul: the testimony of the But no man can have a testimony of Lord is sure, making wise the simple. this work until he begins to get a knowl- "The statutes of the Lord are right, edge of the gospel. A testimony is based rejoicing the heart: the commandment on knowledge; first a man must learn of the Lord is pure, enlightening the about God and his laws, and then by eyes. obedience to these laws he will gain a ". "The fear of the Lord is clean, endur- testimony. Jesus said, . . My doctrine ing for ever: the judgments of the Lord is not mine, but his that sent me. are true and righteous altogether. "If any man will do his will, he shall "More to be desired are they than gold, know of the doctrine, whether it be of yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also God, or whether I speak of myself." than honey and the honeycomb. (John 7:16-17.) "Moreover by them is thy servant We believe that all members of this warned: and in keeping of them there is Church should be fully and completely great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11.) converted, so much so that they are Now if I may be enlightened by the changed from a natural and fallen state same Spirit that rested upon him who into saints of God, changed into a state wrote these words, I would like to indi- where they have in their hearts desires cate the great compelling necessity, the for righteousness. By following such a overwhelming obligation, that rests up- course they are born again; they are re- on us as members of this great latter-day newed of the Spirit; they are in line for kingdom, to come to a knowledge of eternal salvation. But no one can attain the law of the Lord, to know the doc- unto such a state until he knows the trines of the gospel, to understand the laws that govern the process of being principles, requirements, and ordinances converted. which we must comply with in order We believe that after we join this to be heirs of salvation in the Lord's Church it is incumbent upon us to press kingdom. forward in steadfastness and in devotion, We believe and advocate that every living by every word that proceedetk member of this Church should have a forth from the mouth of God, desiring testimony of the divinity of the work; righteousness, seeking his Spirit, loving that he should know for himself, inde- him with all our hearts, mights, minds, pendent of any other person, that Jesus and strength; and yet we cannot do any Christ is the Son of God, and that salva- of these things until we first learn the tion is in him; that Joseph Smith is the laws which govern them. In the full agent and instrument through whom gospel sense, there is no such thing as the knowledge of salvation has come living a law of which we are ignorant. again in our day; and that the mantle We cannot worship a God of whom we of the Prophet rests upon President know nothing, as far as gaining eternal ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKIE 51 life through that worship is concerned. Now in our day we have the standard And so I think we have the obligation, works of the Church. We have the the great underlying responsibility, to Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine learn the doctrines of the Church so and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great that we will be able to serve in the Price. There are in these four books a kingdom, so that we will be able to carry total of 1579 chapters. I think it would the message of salvation to our Father's not be too much to say that we could other children, and so that we will be with propriety, day in and day out, con- able to live in such a manner as to have sistently, read three chapters in one or peace and joy ourselves, and gain this the other of these works; and if we hope of glorious exaltation and eternal pursued such a course, we would read life of which Brother George Q. Morris all of the Gospels in less than a month. has been speaking. We would read the entire New Testa- We have been commanded to do this ment in three months. We would read very thing. We say, for instance, that the Old Testament in ten months, and no man can be saved in ignorance, and the whole Bible in thirteen months. We we mean in ignorance of Jesus Christ would go through the Book of Mormon and the saving truths of the gospel. We in two and two-thirds months, the Doc- say that men are saved no faster than trine and Covenants in a month and a they gain knowledge, and we mean half, and the Pearl of Great Price in knowledge of God and the principles five days. Taken altogether, we would and doctrines which he has revealed. read all the standard works in less than We say that the glory of God is intelli- eighteen months and be ready to start gence, and we mean that his glory is over again. light and truth—including the revealed Well, it does not seem to me that the light of heaven and the truths of salva- Lord is viewing us any differently from tion. the way he viewed ancient Israel. Our When Moses was finishing his min- whole hearts and souls and our con- istry in ancient Israel, after he had led tinual meditation should be centered on that people through all their travails the gospel and the things of the Lord, in the wilderness, he, being moved upon so that we can work out our salvation by the Spirit, took occasion to summarize and fulfil our missions. By regular, the laws, the statutes, the judgments, systematic study of the standard works the ordinances, the things that they, we can go a long way toward keeping Israel, would be required to do; and in a course that will please the Lord after having so done, he said this: and further our own eternal progression. "And these words, which I command In this way we can gain for ourselves thee this day, shall be in thine heart: peace and satisfaction and happiness in "And thou shalt teach them diligently this life and have a hope of eternal life unto thy children, and shalt talk of in the world to come. them when thou sittest in thine house, In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou President David O. McKay: risest up. "And thou shalt bind them for a sign Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the First upon thine hand, and they shall be as Council of Seventy has just addressed frontlets between thine eyes. us. "And thou shalt write them upon the Professor David A. Shand will now posts of thy house, and on thy gates." lead the congregation and Combined (Deut. 6:6-9.) Choruses and the Bonneville Strings In other words, Moses was command- in singing "Come, O Thou King of ing that Israel should center their Kings." Bishop Carl W. Buehner will souls and hearts upon studying and follow the singing by the congregation. knowing and learning the laws of the Lord so that they would be in the posi- tion and have the ability to live them, The Congregation and the Combined and thus gain salvation and perform Choruses, with Bonneville Strings ac- fully the mission appointed to that companying, sang the hymn, "Come, chosen people. O Thou King of Kings." 52 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day President David O. McKay: siding Bishopric will now address us. He will be followed by Elder Alma Bishop Carl W. Buehner of the Pre- Sonne.

BISHOP CARL W. BUEHNER

Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

My dear brethren and sisters, with said, "How about the message in the you I have enjoyed every moment of song that says, this great conference. I have had a lump in my throat a number of times as " 'The world has need of willing men, I have felt the power and Spirit that Who wear the worker's seal. has been present in these sessions. I Come, help the good work move along. " am very grateful to you for your sustain- Put your shoulder to the wheel.' ing vote which permits me to be with my brethren for six more months. I thought of thousands of our organiza- I should also like to express my grati- tions in all parts of the world, officered tude in the selection of Elder Howard with those willing and able to keep the W. Hunter to become a member of the good work moving along. A tremen- Council of the Twelve and sincerely dous effort to further our Father's pray that the Lord will magnify and business is in progress, and for each of sustain him in this high and holy us to put our shoulder to the wheel calling. would not only increase this effort but I must confess to you that in making also bring in return, happiness, and preparations for these few precious mo- blessings that could be secured from no ments, I conferred with a very choice other source. "Urge everyone to go to friend of mine. He has given me a work in this great cause," said my number of suggestions. He said, "Warn friend. the young people how the evil one, I asked him for one more idea. I had through his power, would like to destroy to admit that he did have wonderful all that is good in them, defame their suggestions. He said, "What this character, undermine their physical world needs is people who go about body, and poison their mind even as the doing good." One of the greatest com- lowly termite can destroy a building." pliments paid to the Savior was given Do you know what a termite is? A by his great disciple, Peter, when among ". termite is an ugly, little ant-like looking other things, he said, and he . . went ." insect, very light in color, that does all about doing good. . . (Acts 10:38.) its work in the dark. If it has to get Then my friend reminded me that in from the earth where it gets its moisture, my travels I had surely observed in- to the area in which it finds the timbers stances and had experiences that illus- in which it works, it builds itself a little trate this very thing. Said he, "Why channel so that it cannot be seen as it not tell the people some of these things?" goes back and forth. It costs citizens of In my mind's eye, I immediately saw this country hundreds of millions of an army of 140,000 men and boys, visit- dollars annually to replace the damage ing among the wards as ward teachers, done to the wood in buildings by these making in excess of three and one-half little destroyers. The exterior of a million visits each year to the homes structure can look beautiful and sound, of the members of the Church. The but because the strength of its timbers good that is being accomplished by has been eaten away by termites, and them and the blessings they are bringing only an outer shell is left standing, it into these homes cannot be measured. can become very dangerous and of little I learned recently that one of these value. "So also can evil influences un- ward teachers had served in excess of dermine us and darken our vision to eighty-two years. It is said that in those the wonderful blessings ahead," my eighty-two years, he missed visiting his friend said. district only four or five times. I heard My friend also gave me this idea: He one of the bishops who presided over BISHOP CARL W. BUEHNER 53 this ward pay a tremendous tribute to learned in Primary that we should not this man. He indicated that if there eat the food that is placed before us until was ever a man alive who went about we thank our Heavenly Father for it." his ward doing good, it was this man. I The father and mother looked at each have learned of some who served for other, wondering what to do, and the over years, and many who have little girl, observing the anxiety in their given sixty years of service as ward eyes, said, "If you are wondering who teachers. I cannot help feeling that they can do this, I can." The little girl asked certainly have been a power and influ- the blessing on the food; her appetite ence for good among the people of the returned; and everything seemed all Church. right until the same situation occurred Only a few days ago in a stake quar- the following evening. The little girl terly conference I heard a young man, just could not eat her dinner, and the who, with his parents, had been living mother, remembering the experience of in the mission field, say that he had the night before, said to her, "You asked the responsibility of visiting three fami- the blessing last night, ask it again lies each month. He, together with his tonight." The little girl said, "Mother, companion, in order to make these visits I can't do it. I learned in Primary that was required to travel 160 miles in one there are some things the Lord does not direction from the place they lived to want us to take into our bodies, and visit two of these families and had to go some of these things are on this table." 130 miles in the opposite direction to When the cups of coffee and the coffee visit the other family, but they did the pot had been removed and disposed of, visiting every month. the little girl asked the blessing on the food, and the family resumed eating. I learned of the dedication of some "You will never know the change that others. While visiting a stake in the came over our home through the teach- Northwest, I learned that there are com- ing of our little Primary child," the munities which become isolated from mother remarked. the rest of the world during the winter An appreciative wife whose husband months. Here some of our members was a very inactive man in the reside. Ward teachers who have the Church related the following experience: responsibility of visiting these families "Through the personal missionary pro- have been so eager to make contact with gram of the priesthood quorum, a fine, them that they have traveled by horse- active man was assigned to contact my back, Jeep, and even used a tractor to husband to see if he could bring him make the visit to be sure that all was back into activity in the Church. This well and to learn whether or not they man faithfully telephoned our home could be of any assistance. Then I every Saturday night, telling my hus- realize that the same thing exists with band that he would call again in the the great Relief Society visiting teachers' morning in the hope that he would be program. They, too, go into the homes ready to go to priesthood meeting with of members every month with probably him. 'It would be a pleasure to let me 140,000 teachers. This makes 280,000 come and take you to meeting with me. teachers visiting among our families, and You just don't know what you are miss- this cannot help being a powerful in- ing,' he said. Each time for twenty fluence for good. weeks, my husband found an excuse, not I heard a story about a little Primary only on Saturday evening but on Sun- child who came from a home where day morning; but on the twenty-first the parents were inactive. The child Sunday morning, my husband came out faithfully attended Primary and appar- of his bedroom all dressed up. Excitedly, ently listened carefully to each lesson. I said to him, 'My heavens, where are One night as the family gathered around you going this morning?' He remarked the dinner table and were ready to par- that in a few moments he would be take of the meal, the little girl suddenly getting a telephone call. 'I have had said, "I can't eat tonight." After care- them for twenty weeks, you know, and I ful questioning by the parents, the will receive one again in a few moments. little girl finally said, "Mother, I have When I tell this man that I am all 54 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day dressed and ready to go to priesthood tal and was so overjoyed when he saw meeting with him, it could be such a what the brethren of his ward had done shock to him that he may not be able to rebuild his burned home that he to come and get me.' " "Well," said his came to the office of the Presiding Bish- wife, "you don't miss the blessings of opric just to thank the Church for the the priesthood in the home until you great welfare program. We were about realize what has been denied you. My to have a meeting with the First Presi- husband will never get over thanking dency and so invited this man and his this man for calling him persistently wife to go downstairs with us and shake until finally he yielded. What it has hands with these brethren. I am sure done for him and our family is tre- no greater thrill will ever come to this mendous." couple than to have this privilege, and I have learned in the last day or two I heard this man say to the First Presi- of many of the great services our serv- dency, "I do not think I could have icemen are lending in the building pro- endured that which has happened to us gram of the Church. As you know, they had it not been for the warmth, the love, are assigned to military camps in all and the blessing of the brethren who parts of the world. In many of these came to my rescue." The day he came areas, buildings will be erected, and to our office, he said, "Fifteen or twenty servicemen will make very substantial masons are there today installing my contributions to those buildings in cash block walls, and by tonight my house and in time. In many instances, they will be up to the square. They told me will not be able to use these buildings that tomorrow that many carpenters when they are completed. They will will be there to place the rafters on the have been transferred to another area. roof, cover them with sheathing, and I I learned yesterday of a man who, with am told by tomorrow night, it will be his family, had decided to take a vaca- shingled, all this done in one day." tion. When all preparations had been There are many instances where made, and because they were in the farmers through illness or accidents have midst of a building program in their not been able to plant their farms in ward, he said to his family, "Well, let's the spring and harvest their crops in just buy a plane ticket for mother so the fall, but their farms were planted she can go and visit her family, and and their crops were harvested because while she is gone, the boys and I will of the love of their quorum members. give our vacation time to the construc- I learned of individuals who sacrificed tion of our chapel." I saw that chapel. for the missionary program. Just one I this and his sons working saw man on or two expressions: one given by a grand- this chapel. I shook hands with each mother who was on her way to the of them. I caught the thrill that came mission field. In bearing her testimony to them. Probably the best vacation the last night the missionaries were in this will ever have will be the one man town, she said, "I would be willing to he gave to assist in building one of scrub floors the rest of my life if my these beautiful chapels in the Church. twelve grandsons could have the won- Many stories of the efficacy of our derful experience of going on a mission." welfare program have been told, and I Could you ask for any greater dedica- I take realize must not too much time tion than this? One other young man to speak about these, but let me tell you said, "My mother is doing janitor work of one case that happened recently. A to sustain me while I am in the mission man and his wife came to our office, field." the man bandaged from his head to his feet, to pay tribute to the work of I feel there are many people in the the welfare program. Fire had struck world who are going about doing good. I this man's home. Two of his children wish all had a desire to do good. were burned to death in the fire; two I want to thank my friend for these others sustained serious burns; and he, thoughts. I hope my friend may also too, was burned practically over the be your friend. My friend is the still entire surface of his body. He had now small voice. He and I have had an recovered sufficiently to leave the hospi- interesting experience on many occa- ELDER ALMA SONNE 55 sions as we have pondered over the work President David O. McKay: of the Church. God bless you, inspire you, and help He to whom we have just listened is you to go about doing good, blessing Bishop Carl W. Buehner of the Pre- our people. I pray for this and bear you siding Bishopric. Our concluding speaker my testimony in the name of Jesus this morning will be Elder Alma Sonne, Christ. Amen. Assistant to the Twelve.

ELDER ALMA SONNE

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brethren and sisters, the good and a Christmas program. On that program fervent prayer offered at the beginning appeared a Jewish musician. He played of this session by President Lewis has a selection on the cello. It was very been answered in blessings upon our good. The presiding officer tried to get heads. I hope the good Spirit will con- him to play another selection, but he tinue with us throughout this service. refused. He said, however, "I will sing I am very happy, and I was delighted a solo, if that will be acceptable." He to hear that President Hunter had been stepped forward, and he sang the song called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum we all love, "The Lord's Prayer," after of the Twelve. President Hunter has which he took his seat in the audience. been for many years a leader in Zion. When the meeting was over, he He has been proved, and I say that a walked up to me and said, and these Church is very fortunate indeed that can are his words, "You will have to get call upon men of his caliber to serve something more practical than the freely and pleasantly in the great posi- Sermon on the Mount if you expect to tion which he now occupies. convert the Jews." I was also very happy this morning I said to him, "Have you ever read to hear the vigor and the strength dem- the Sermon on the Mount?" onstrated by President Clark in his He said, "I must have read it." sermon to us. The Lord has blessed "I hope you have," I suggested, "before him, and I am sure you join with me in you criticize it." And then I said to expressing gratitude for his recovery, him, "You sang a wonderful song to- that his leadership may continue night, 'The Lord's Prayer.' Did it ever amongst us. occur to you that that prayer was a part Yesterday, I was thrilled and greatly of the Sermon on the Mount?" He did uplifted by that masterful sermon de- not seem to realize it. livered by President McKay on the "Now," I said, "Will you tell me one character, the teachings, and the life of single teaching in that sermon which is Jesus Christ, the Lord. I was also not practical. Name one thing in it pleased with his references to the Ser- that cannot be practised and intro- mon on the Mount delivered by the duced into your daily life." He was Savior before a small group of people silent. gathered on the mountainside. That Then I began to repeat for him that sermon has lived for centuries. It has wonderful prayer offered by Jesus as an survived the Dark Ages. It has survived example to his disciples. " "Thy kingdom the Renaissance. It has survived mod- come. Thy will be done in earth, as ern speculations and the conflicts and it is in heaven.' (Matt. 6-7.) Isn't that the contention among nations. a practical aspiration to have?" I said. That sermon will live forever. There He made no reply. is nothing more fundamental in God's Then I repeated this: "'Give us this word than the sermon which the Savior day our daily bread.' Surely, that is gave and which is called the Sermon on practical to a man like you." the Mount. And he said, "Oh, it is very practical." A few years ago I attended a Sacra- I continued, " 'And forgive us our ment meeting in the South London debts, as we forgive our debtors.' We Branch in London. The occasion was are having a lot of trouble with debts "

56 GENERAL C Saturday, October 10 Second Day these days, individual and national. He said, "I believe I have, but it must Don't you think we ought to pray about be covered with dust." it once in a while?" I asked. And now it occurs to me that when "It wouldn't be amiss," he replied. Joseph Smith penned his thirteen Arti- And then I gave him this statement: cles of Faith, he stated in the fourth one

" '. . . deliver us from evil.' Is that not a that the first principle of the gospel is prayerful hope that all of us should faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There have? It refers to the evil that appears may be other kinds of faith, but the in our pathways, evil that frustrates and faith that will lead us on to eternal stultifies us as we go forth in our daily happiness and salvation is faith in the affairs. 'Deliver us from evil,' is a Lord Jesus Christ. plea for strength to resist temptation. May we be true to that sermon, and I called his attention to two or three may we acquit ourselves in such a way other statements in the sermon: "Judge that we may be worthy of an exaltation not, that ye be not judged. in God's kingdom, I pray, in the name "For with what judgment ye judge, of Jesus Christ. Amen. ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to President David O. McKay: you again." At last he was impressed. He said, Elder Alma Sonne, Assistant to the "Oh, if you Christians would honor that Twelve, has just spoken to us. last commandment, 'As you measure out The singing for this session has been to others, it shall be measured back to furnished by the University of Utah you.' Choral Society—the Institute of Religion I said, "Not only the Christians, but and the University of Utah Choruses the Jews as well." and the Bonneville Strings—David A. Then he began to explain if that com- Shand, director. We wish to express mandment were believed today we appreciation for the attendance and the would be living in a different world. inspirational singing rendered by this Fancy someone believing a teaching body of young people. Thank you. which declares, as we measure out to You have inspired us not only by your others, it will be measured back to us. singing, but by the realization, and we There would then be no dishonesty in treasure the thought, that your lives the world. There would be no persecu- conform to the ideals of the Gospel tion. There would be no war. There songs that you are rendering so im- would be no bloodshed. There would pressively. We are happy to welcome be no contentions in our civilized so- you back this afternoon. We thank ciety because the world stands on one of you for your inspiration this morning. the great laws taught by the Lord They will close by singing, "The Vi- Jesus. sion," and the benediction will be offered by Bishop John L. Herrick, I quoted again from the sermon: " formerly president of the Western States 'Ask, and it shall be given you; Mission, after which this Conference seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it will be adjourned until two o'clock. We shall be opened unto you.' Can't you shall now be favored by "The Vision," see the practical thing in that teaching, by the Combined Choruses. my brother? If we desire something, something that is precious, something we need, certainly it will require effort on Singing by the Combined Choruses, our part." "The Vision" by Evan Stephens. My friend left me. He said, "I will Elder John L. Herrick, formerly presi- go home and read the Sermon on the dent of the Western States Mission, of- Mount." fered the closing prayer. I asked, "You have a New Testa- Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock ment?" p.m. —

SECOND DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

The Conference reconvened at 2 We shall begin these services by the o'clock p.m., Saturday, October 10, 1959. Combined Choruses singing, "Though The singing for this session was by Deepening Trials." The opening prayer the University of Utah Choral Society will be offered by Elder Edgar L. Wag- (The Institute of Religion and the Uni- ner, formerly president of the Central versity of Utah Choruses and the Bonne- American Mission. ville Strings), David A. Shand directing, and Alexander Schreiner at the organ. President David O. McKay, who was The Combined Choruses sang the presiding and conducting, made the hymn, "Though Deepening Trials." following introductory remarks: Elder Edgar LeRoy Wagner, formerly president of the Central American Mis- sion, offered invocation. President David O. McKay: the

For the information of those who are President David O. McKay: listening in over radio, or looking at television, we are pleased to announce The invocation was offered by Elder that we are assembled in the great Tab- Edgar L. Wagner, formerly president of ernacle in Salt Lake City on Temple the Central American Mission. The Square in the fourth session of the One University of Utah Choral Society will Hundred Twenty-Ninth Semi-Annual now favor us with, "He Watching Over Conference of the Church. For those Israel," conducted by Professor David who cannot find seats—there are some Shand. After the singing Elder Spencer standing in the doorways—we announce W. Kimball will speak to us. that overflow meetings are being held in the Assembly Hall and in the Barratt Hall, and these services will be broad- Singing by the Combined Choruses, cast at both those places. "He Watching Over Israel." The singing for this afternoon's ses- sion will be furnished by the University President David O. McKay: of Utah Choral Society—the Institute of Religion and the University of Utah Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Choruses, and the Bonneville Strings Council of the Twelve will be our first conducted by Professor David A. Shand, speaker. He will be followed by Patri- with Alexander Schreiner at the organ. arch Eldred G. Smith.

ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My beloved brothers and sisters, it are termed "mestizos," and are called is a delight to welcome into our circle after your countries, for instance: Mexi- our new member, Brother Hunter. He cans in Mexico; Guatemalans in Guate- has our admiration and our affection. mala; Chilianos in Chile. In the few moments at my disposal You Polynesians of the Pacific are I should like to address my remarks to called Samoan or Maori, Tahitian or you, our kinsmen of the isles of the sea Hawaiian, according to your islands. and the Americas. Millions of you have There are probably sixty million of you blood relatively unmixed with Gentile on the two continents and on the Pacific nations. Columbus called you "In- Islands, all related by blood ties. dians," thinking he had reached the The Lord calls you "Lamanites," a East Indies. Millions of you are de- name which has a pleasant ring, for scendants of Spaniards and Indians, and many of the grandest people ever to live 58 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day upon the earth were so called. In a Jacob, and maintained for a long time limited sense, the name signifies the thereafter open vision and clear, un- descendants of Laman and Lemuel, sons obstructed lines of communication with of your first American parent, Lehi; but your Lord. you undoubtedly possess also the blood In the new "promised land" the seeds of the other sons, Sam, Nephi, and Jacob. you brought from Palestine multiplied And you likely have some Jewish blood and brought to you great prosperity on from Mulek, son of Zedekiah, king of the extensive lands you farmed. In Judah. The name "Lamanite" dis- your explorations you found gold, silver, tinguishes you from other peoples. It copper, and iron, and processed brass is not a name of derision or embarrass- and steel. Your factories turned out ment, but one of which to be very proud. machinery and tools for agriculture, You came from Jerusalem in its days architecture, and road building. And of tribulation. You are of royal blood, with those tools you builded cities, such a loved people of the Lord. In your as you knew in Egypt and Palestine, veins flows the blood of prophets and highways which would carry your traf- statesmen; of emperors and kings; apos- fic, and temples after the order of the tles and martyrs. Adam and Enoch world-famed Solomon's Temple. sired you; Noah brought you through Your culture was beyond the imagina- the flood; in the sandals of Abraham tion of moderns. In your prosperity you walked from Ur of the Chaldees to you wore "silks, scarlets, fine-twined your first "promised land"; you climbed linen, and precious clothing." You be- in faith with Isaac to the holy mount jeweled yourselves with ornaments of of sacrifice; and you followed the path gold and silver and other metals, and of hunger to Egypt with your father with precious stones. You were fabu- Jacob, and with Joseph you established, lously wealthy in your day. under the Pharaohs, the first great In the long years of prosperity and known welfare project. righteousness, your wealth graced tem- You are the children of Ephraim and ples and synagogues. You read, quoted, Manasseh, Joseph's sons and of Judah, and lived by the teachings of the books his brother. Your fathers crossed the of Moses and the inspired writings of Jordan River with Joshua, and after the prophets. Your people knew faith centuries' absence you were again in such as has seldom been found upon your first "promised land." the earth. There were years of conflict The Genoese Italian boy, with his and wickedness, but also years of peace three ships from Spain, thought he had and unparalleled goodness. discovered a new world, but he was You produced prophets of stature. thousands of years late. Your people There were your Lehis, Nephis, and were on the shores to welcome Columbus Jacobs; your Almas, Abinadis, and Mor- and his men. Cortez, Pizarro, and their mons. Your Lamanite prophet, Samuel, contemporaries, conquerors, exploiters who prophesied of the Christ, had few found your "old people" already de- peers and perhaps no superiors. Your cadent intellectually, culturally, and scientists and teachers and engineers spiritually, but populous in your wealth were able and efficient, and left notable and poverty. Norwegian Vikings are monuments. said to have discovered this land before Then was the transcendently im- Columbus, but your people were already portant coming of the Lord Jesus Christ scattered from the Arctic to the Antarctic to you. Many of you retain this experi- before there was a Norway or Vikings. ence in your traditions. Your people When your prophet Lehi led you out gathered about their temple en masse of Jerusalem about 600 years B. C, you to hear the words of life from the lips brought with you the best of the culture of their Redeemer, who had so recently of Egypt and Palestine and of the then experienced death, resurrection, and known world; also the written language ascension in the Holy Land, as re- of your fathers and the holy scriptures corded in the New Testament. As they from Adam down to your own time, sat with bated breath and eyes uplifted, these engraved upon brass plates. You he came to them from the clouds of brought with you an absolute knowledge heaven as he had so recently left his of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Saints in Judaea. As they looked into ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL 59

his kindly eyes and wondered about his Yesterday you traveled uncharted wounds, he told them of his birth and oceans, wandered over trackless deserts, life and ministry. He repeated to them lost your high culture, your written the vital and priceless sermons on the tongue, and your knowledge of the true mount, on the Sea of Galilee, in Sa- and Living God. Today you are arising maria, in Jerusalem. He taught them from your long sleep and are stretching, the power of faith, of the battle between yawning, and reaching. Tomorrow you truth and evil. He told them of the will be highly trained, laying out high- voice of God, his Father, at the time ways, constructing bridges, developing of his baptism, and of the special en- cities, building temples, and joining in dowments to Peter, James, and John inspired leadership of the Church of on the Holy Mount of Transfiguration, your Redeemer. when they also heard the voice of God, Historians have written about your the Father. Now Nephite-Lamanite past; poets have sung of your possibili- ears were to hear the same voice of the ties; prophets have predicted your scat- same God, introducing the same Jesus tering and your gathering; and your Christ to them: "Behold my Beloved Lord has permitted you to walk through Son." (3 Nephi 11:7.) the dark chasms of your ancestors' mak- He told them of his Church in Jeru- ing, but has patiently waited for your salem, and displayed to them his hands, awakening, and now smiles on your flo- his feet, his side, torn by nails and rescence, and points the way to your spear at the hands of his own. He glorious future as sons and daughters healed their sick, their lame, their of God. You will arise from your bed blind, as he had in the Holy Land, and of affliction and from your condition of blessed their little children around deprivation if you will accept fully the whom fire came down from heaven to Lord, Jesus Christ, and his total pro- glorify. He called his twelve disciples gram. You will rise to former heights and set them apart to carry on his in culture and education, influence and Church, then ascended into heaven power. You will blossom as the rose again. upon the mountains. Your daughters Your Lamanite ancestors were not will be nurses, teachers, and social more rebellious than their Israelitish workers, and, above all, beloved wives forebears, but their way of life guaran- and full-of-faith mothers of a righteous teed eventual decimation. You had posterity. a rugged history with many tribulations, Your sons will compete in art, litera- but you have a brilliant future. You ture, and medicine, in law, architecture, are a chosen people; your destiny is in etc. They will become professional, in- your own hands, your friends', and the dustrial, and business leaders, and Lord's. You were scattered in the great statesmen of the first order. Together dispersion six centuries before Christ, you and we shall build in the spectacu- and again on this continent in the pre- lar city of New Jerusalem the temple and post-Christian eras, and your more to which our Redeemer will come. complete dispersion came since Colum- Your hands with ours, also those of bus, and the explorers and the colonists. Jacob, will place the foundation stones, Someone has said that "the darkest raise the walls, and roof the magnifi- hour is just before the dawn," and your cent structure. Perhaps your artistic shades of night are giving way to the hands will paint the temple and dawn of a brighter day. Yesterday you decorate it with a master's touch, and roamed the wilderness in feast or famine; together we shall dedicate to our Cre- today you are finding security in educa- ator Lord the most beautiful of all tion and industry; and tomorrow your temples ever built to his name. destiny will be brilliant in self-suffi- Sad have been your experiences of ciency, faith, fearlessness, and power. the last sixteen centuries. From the un- Like the Israelites released from Egyp- excelled righteousness of the post-Chris- tian bondage, you have been promised tian era, your ancestors slipped into an deliverance from your foes of super- apostasy which has brought centuries stition, fear, illiteracy, and from the of suffering and distress to their pos- curses of want and disease and suffer- terity. Fabulously wealthy, they forgot ing. their God. They divided into tribes 60 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day and clans and went to war with each or without anything wherewith to steer ." other, driving and plundering, till the her. . . (Mormon 5:18.) continent was a pulsating war camp. In all this prolonged period of war You had great warriors like Am- and drivings, your immediate ancestors moron, Helaman, and Mormon, who in lost their written language, their high cunning strategy and leadership rivaled culture, and worst of all their knowl- the Cyruses, Alexanders, and Caesars. edge of God and his work. Faith was Your downfall came when your people replaced by fear, language by dialects, walked the way to war. Revenge and history by tradition, and a knowledge hatreds made cold wars flame into hot and understanding of God and his ways shooting ones. Baptismal waters be- by idolatry, even to human sacrifice. came rivers of blood. The parched Your priceless thousand years of history, earth policy was followed, and enemy laboriously engraved on plates of metal, armies surged back and forth across the and the brass plates of the Old Testa- land, tramping down crops, squandering ment, were hidden by your inspired livestock, and changing a stable people prophet-historian in the sacred hill in into nomads. a stone box, to remain undisturbed until When armies march and people fight, a wise Heavenly Father should bring education suffers, art languishes, build- them forth for you, their resting place ings crumble, forests are exploited, known only in heaven. farms return to desert, and orchards In the business of killing human to jungle. Fighting men build tempo- beings, there could be little inclination rary bridges, forts, and towers instead of to face a Creator and a gospel of peace; homes, public buildings, and observa- the many-times restored gospel of Jesus tories. There is neither time nor Christ was lost; and spiritual darkness inclination to carve statues, paint land- enveloped the whole world. scapes, compose music, or record his- When Columbus came, your tribes tory. Communities on the march or in had covered the islands of the Pacific, retreat have no schools nor teachers. and the Americas from Tierra del Fuego Priceless records are destroyed with the to Point Barrow. Every school child buildings and cities which are burned is familiar with that period of history and pillaged. Artists, scholars, writers, when your more recent ancestors were and clergy alike shoulder arms, stalking pushed from the Appalachians to the enemies, and laying siege to cities. Sierras, from the Atlantic to the Plunder replaces honest industry. Cat- Pacific. All know about the four hun- tle, goats, and poultry are devoured by dred year "battle of America," wherein voracious soldiers. Calves, kids, and a disunited multitude of small Indian piglets are eaten as are the seed-corn, tribal nations retreated constantly with and the wheat. Fruit is devoured, and much bloodshed to far corners, and trees are burned for wood. Today's in- then on reservations in areas unwanted. satiable hunger swallows tomorrow's In all this distress your greatest plenty. Armies carry movable tents and miracle was aborning. When you were abandon homes and churches. Temples decimated by war and disease and all fall in ruins and are overgrown by seemed lost, and you were spoken of vegetation. With ever-decreasing flocks as "the vanishing American," then hope to shear, no weaving or knitting is done, discovered a star. The colonist, the and clothes are replaced with short Gentiles, took your lands, your streams, skin girdles, and heads are shaven. your forests, but brought something to Plowshares are turned into swords, you immeasurably more valuable—the and pruning hooks into spears. The Holy Bible with its glorious truths, and manufacture of farm implements is a written language and progressive turned to the making of the scimitar, schools, scientific development, and the ax, and the sword. Life becomes a intellectual progress. sordid existence, bloody, with little pur- Centuries earlier your prophets saw in pose except to survive. vision and foretold the coming of ". Mormon said: . . they are led about Columbus and the colonists, of the by Satan, even as chaff is driven before Revolutionary War, of the creation of the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about the great Gentile nation of the United upon the waves, without sail or anchor, States of America; of your scattering, ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL 61 and, above all, and most important to would bring them forth unto the you now, of the gathering of your people Lamanites in his own due time." (Enos and their restoration. Prophecies ema- 11, 13, 16.) nating from our Lord never fail, and the Many moderns, lay and trained, have oft-predicted miracle of the "marvelous speculated on the origin of the early work and a wonder" was soon at hand. Americans. Your history sets at rest The war brought independence to the that question. Many people have ques- struggling colonies, and a mighty nation tioned the divinity of the Holy Bible. was born with a divinely inspired Con- Your record establishes it as the Word stitution, granting to its people religious of God. Many have denied that Jesus freedom. Early in the nineteenth cen- was the very Son of God. Your record tury preparations were complete for the leaves no doubt. With its companion marvelous miracle. The long-sealed scripture, the Bible, there is proof for heavens opened. God, the Father, came every honest soul that God lives, that down with Jesus Christ, whom he intro- Jesus Christ who was begotten by him is duced to a young modern prophet, the Redeemer, the Savior. It establishes Joseph Smith, saying: "This is my Be- the truth of the exalting gospel which loved Son." (P. of G. P., Joseph Smith now came rapidly from the throne of 2:17.) God to the Prophet, to you and to us. Your Redeemer, who ascended in the Missionaries are now teaching the true clouds in the Holy Land eighteen cen- gospel to you and your children. You turies earlier, and who had soon there- heard today of the organization of the after visited your ancestors on this first Lamanite mission in the southern continent, was now back upon the earth hemisphere—the Andes Mission. for a stay long enough to open a new Your record, the Book of Mormon, dispensation, and charge his new proph- named after one of its chief historians, et with responsibility, and to introduce makes clearer the numerous predictions the successive events which were to be of the Bible. Other plates will have their world-shaking. His visit was brief but seals broken, and additional truths will momentous. The gospel was returning. be revealed. It tells of your brethren, The wondrous work continued. Your the Ten Tribes of Israel, who disap- priceless records, having lain in a vault peared from Babylon into north coun- for centuries, were revealed, Moroni, tries when your people headed west to fourteen centuries dead but now resur- this world. They will return with their rected, led the Prophet to the place. He prophets, and their sacred records will removed the soil, took from the stone be a third witness for Christ. They, box the golden plates, and blessed with the Ten Tribes, you, the Lamanites, and supernatural power gave to you and to the believing of us, also carrying the your contemporaries the English trans- blood of Israel, will jointly build the lation of the miracle book written for city to our God, the New Jerusalem, with you, preserved for you, and dedicated its magnificent temple. The end of to you. time will come; the millennium will be For you there were prayers of numer- ushered in; the Lord, Jesus Christ, will ous prophets, including Nephi: "For I return to lead his people; and the earth pray continually for them by day, and will be renewed and receive its para- mine eyes water my pillow by night." disiacal glory. (2 Nephi 33:3.) My Lamanite brothers and sisters, Enos said: we love you. Our bringing the gospel "... I prayed unto him with many to you is "likened unto their being long strugglings for my brethren the nourished by the gentiles and being

Lamanites . . . [and] that the Lord carried in their arms and upon their God would preserve a record of my shoulders. ..." (1 Nephi 22:8.) Your people . . . that it might be brought God has performed many miracles to forth at some future day unto the get the story written by his prophets, Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might to preserve the records against threats be brought unto salvation." of enemies and the ravages of nature, "And I had faith, and I did cry unto and to get them translated into a lan- God that he would preserve the records; guage you can understand, and bring to and he covenanted with me that he you this second witness of Christ. Your 62 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

Book of Mormon record is as a voice come to you through one channel only, from the dust, messages from the dead, the path of righteousness and faith; warnings from the Lord: else all these promises are but empty, "Return unto me and I will return unfulfilled dreams. unto you, saith the Lord of hosts." (3 May God bless you that you may ac- Nephi 24:7.) cept the truths now revealed to you, I Our Lord cries, "Wo unto him that pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works!" (Ibid., 29:5.) President David O. McKay: You have been preserved to this epochal day, and the gospel is available He to whom you have just listened to you now. Wash your souls in the is Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the blood of the Lamb. Cleanse your lives, Council of the Twelve. Our next study the scriptures, accept the gospel speaker will be Elder Eldred G. Smith, and ordinances. Patriarch to the Church. He will be These predictions can be fulfilled and followed by Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin.

ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH

Patriarch to the Church

My brothers and sisters, I pray that the The Lord has also warned us, saying, Spirit of the Lord will be with me to "For there shall arise false Christs, and give me utterance of the thoughts that false prophets, and shall shew great I have in mind to give in this confer- signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it ence. It is a privilege, that I enjoy very were possible, they shall deceive the much, to meet with many of the new very elect." (Matthew 24:24.) converts of the Church, for many who Also, in referring to the day of the come to me to receive blessings are the judgment, he said, "Many will say to results of our missionary work, and I me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we want to express praise and commenda- not prophesied in thy name? and in thy tion to the missionary work in the name have cast out devils? and in thy Church because I see the results of it. name done many wonderful works? They are good, and I think it is prob- "And then will I profess unto them, ably the cream of the crop that come I never knew you: depart from me, ye to me. that work iniquity." (Ibid., 7:22-23.) I enjoy very much hearing their stories Those who have told these experi- of how they have become members of ences, even miraculous experiences, testi- the Church, the processes they have fy to me that it is not the experiences gone through in overcoming difficulties alone that give them a testimony of the and in receiving a testimony of the divinity of the gospel. True, they divinity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. strengthen their testimony; true, they Many tell miraculous experiences—ex- are experiences that make them think, periences of miraculous healing, exped- cause them to investigate the Church, iences of divine guidance, experiences of but they alone are not the things that assistance to accomplish what otherwise give them a testimony of the gospel. would be impossible—and the Lord has For instance, just recently a woman said to us that "signs shall follow them told me of her experience. She became that believe." very ill. It had been determined that I would like to emphasize the word she had cancer. She had gone through follow just a little bit. He did not say surgery on numerous occasions, until they would precede and be a guide and she had come to a point where the doc- a testimony to us to prove in advance tors had given her up and told her that that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. she did not have months to live, but He said that the signs shall "follow" only weeks. There was no hope for those that believe, and I find this to be her. She was living at home with a the case in the stories that I hear. nurse to take care of her. A neighbor —

ELDER ELDRED G. SMITH 63

called one day. She had a phone near live. Yet she said it was not the experi- her bed so she could answer it, and the ence of healing alone that gave her a neighbor said to her, "Now when the testimony of the gospel. doorbell rings, don't answer it. It is There are other experiences such as just those Mormon missionaries coming Brother Bates from England told me. down the street; so when the doorbell He had been working in the MIA, or rings, just don't answer it. Don't pay youth work, in Manchester, England. A any attention to it." large group of circulars had to be sent So the woman thanked her for her out in the mail in order to have a youth consideration, her kindness. She told conference at a scheduled time. He and her nurse that when the doorbell rang his group worked feverishly together to she was not to answer it; it was just get these circulars in the mail. It those Mormon missionaries and to pay seemed an almost impossible task, but no attention to them. Well, the door- somehow or other they accomplished it. bell rang after a few minutes, and the In order to do so, however, he had spent nurse, from force of habit, opened the all morning at it. He had previously door, then realized that she had been made a business appointment for one told not to. She quickly disposed of the o'clock at a distance which he knew he missionaries. Immediately after, the could not drive in the time he had left. nurse left the house to get some groceries. He had often driven there before, and There came a knock on the door. For the time he had left was but a small some reason or other the missionaries fraction of what he knew it would take had returned. They knocked and got to cover that distance. But he said, "I no answer, so they opened the door and will take care of the Lord's work first, called in. Hearing a response from an and then I will leave it up to the Lord inner room they went on in. The as to how my business works out." woman said the missionaries came and He got into his sports car and drove stood beside her bed and mumbled a that distance as fast as he could in little between themselves something she safety, as he had done many times be- did not understand. Then one of them fore. His appointment was for one said, "Well, it's highly irregular, but o'clock, I think he said. When he drove I guess if you say so it is all right." The through the gates of the establishment, next thing she knew she had been ad- the clock in the tower struck one. He ministered to by these Mormon mission- could not believe it. He said it was aries. impossible. There was something wrong. She said when they took their hands He got out of his car, and the man he off her head she sat up in bed. She got was to meet was waiting for him. He out of bed and went into the kitchen said, "That's what I like about you and got some food from her refrigerator. your punctuality. Right on the stroke Then she excused herself while she of the time you are supposed to be here, dressed. The missionaries made an you are here. That is what I like about appointment to come back at another you." In the course of proceedings the time. When the nurse returned and man gave him an order worth 10,000 saw the woman was up and around, she pounds, without Brother Bates even ask- told her to get back into bed. "No, ing for it, or without his even selling the I'm not going back to bed. I am healed. man on his goods. He said, "That is I am well," the woman said. what the Lord did because I did my The nurse, thinking she was delirious, Church work first. But these experiences called the doctor. The doctor also alone are not what is giving me a testi- ordered her to get back into bed, but mony of the divinity of the gospel." she refused again and said she was well. I could go on with many similar ex- Over a year later, after the doctor had periences. We hear them in our told her she had but weeks to live, she testimony meetings all the time. An came to Salt Lake City and went to instructor in a Sunday School class was the temple, then came to my office for talking about the Book of Mormon. All a blessing. She was very happy, thrilled the members of the class had testified as she had never been before in her life. that they had a testimony of the di- The happiest part of her life has been vinity of the Book of Mormon. They since the doctor told her she couldn't were discussing the three witnesses, and 64 GENERAL C Saturday, October 10 Second Day the eight witnesses—discussing why and waiting and expecting it to come to there were these witnesses. Some said us; we have to reach for it. And after that the reason for them was to give we have reached for it, after we have others a testimony of the divinity of the fulfilled the law by which we may re- Book of Mormon. Then the teacher ceive these blessings, then, through asked the class, "How many here have faith, these signs follow. And these a testimony of the divinity of the Book signs that follow testify to us again that of Mormon because of the three wit- this is God's work; that he is directing nesses?" There was not one who raised his Church here upon the earth. a hand. He said, "What is it, then, that Many may ask, "How do we get these gives you a testimony of the divinity of testimonies?" They come to us through the Book of Mormon or the divinity of experience, yes, by our own efforts. I the gospel of Jesus Christ? It is some- would like to refer to the well-used pas- thing down inside, isn't it? There's sage in the Book of Mormon, the something inside of us that testifies to admonition of Moroni to obtain a testi- us of the truth of the gospel." mony of the divinity of the gospel of Many might explain away these Jesus Christ: miraculous experiences. They might say "And when ye shall receive these that the woman would have been healed things, I would exhort you that ye anyway. They might say that Brother would ask God, the Eternal Father, in Bates got his time mixed up or some the name of Christ, if these things are other way of explaining the distance not true; and if ye shall ask with a he had traveled, which to him was im- sincere heart, with real intent, having possible. But you ask the individual faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of who had the experience—it doesn't make any difference what the other the Holy Ghost. people say, he knows down inside that "And by the power of the Holy Ghost there is something else there that no ye may know the truth of all things." one can take from him. That is the (Moroni 10:4-5.) knowledge, I think, that Brother Bruce We have here the promise that truth McConkie was talking about this and knowledge in all things shall be morning when he said that we have to given unto us if we shall seek in faith, have knowledge to obtain a testimony and if we shall put ourselves in tune of the gospel. It is that knowledge that with the Holy Spirit, that Spirit will comes to us from down inside. speak to us and give us those experiences that will give us knowledge of the gos- We are made up of a spirit and a pel of Jesus Christ. physical body. That spirit body lived in the pre-existence, and that spirit that I testify to you that I know this is the is down inside of us and gives us light gospel of Jesus Christ; that I know that is what prompts us to a knowledge of God lives and Jesus is the Christ; and truth. When we are in tune with the that this gospel which has been re- Spirit of the Lord, that spirit within us stored to us through the Prophet Joseph gives us that knowledge that no one Smith by revelation is the plan of life else can take from us. When we keep and salvation, and the way by which the commandments of the Lord, and we may receive all the blessings of ex- one of the primary purposes of being on altation which have been promised this earth is to learn obedience by our down through the ages, and I testify to experience and to seek the gospel so that you to this end in the name of Jesus we can have as a reward through our Christ. Amen. free agency for having lived the law of the gospel, the many blessings which the President David O. McKay: gospel plan gives us, that spirit within us prompts us and gives us that knowl- Elder Eldred G. Smith, Patriarch to edge. the Church, has just spoken to us. We By that method, the Lord has said: shall now hear from Bishop Joseph L. ". . . seek and ye shall find, knock and Wirthlin, Presiding Bishop of the it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. Church. He will be followed by Elder 7:7.) It does not come by just sitting by EIRay L. Christiansen. —

65

BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN

Presiding Bishop of the Church

My brethren and sisters, it has been was not satisfied. He could not under- a great source of inspiration to have the stand the matter of baptism. He could privilege of attending this wonderful not understand the matter of authority. conference. As I listened yesterday to He could not find it. our prophet, I felt that we were receiving One Saturday evening on retiring to the same direction, the same inspiration, his bed, he made it a matter of prayer. the same guidance, as did the members He asked the Lord if the Church of of the Church two thousand years ago Jesus Christ was upon the earth could when Peter and the apostles stood be- he be directed to it. That night he had fore them periodically and taught them a dream, and in the dream he saw not the gospel. Yesterday we had that Spirit too far from where he lived a road, here. We have had it today. It is the and at the end of it was a little chapel. Spirit of the Lord. Each and every one When he arose Sunday morning, he of us can feel it as we listen to what was so impressed with the dream he is said by our brethren. immediately dressed and went down the It is a marvelous thing to belong to road, and there was the little chapel. the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day In it two men were preaching the gospel Saints and know that there stands at of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who were the head, a prophet who receives from they—two Mormon missionaries! My on high the guidance and the direction grandfather immediately joined the that is necessary for the sons and Church. There was no question about daughters of our Heavenly Father, not it in his mind. only those here, but those all over the I am positively sure that over the world. Our President in the years gone world where individuals have a desire to by has traveled to many lands for the find the true Church, they can find it. purpose of preaching to the people that They may find it in the way of a dream, they can understand the gospel of the or they may find it by the missionaries Lord Jesus Christ and have the privilege who may come to their homes and teach of living it and enjoying all the bless- them the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. ings therein. My grandfather finally made the long I often think that I happen to be a trip to America and came into this area member of the Church, not because I with his family of ten children of which accepted it, but because I was born in my mother was the youngest. It was a the Church, and I assume most of you difficult thing to find the right kind of who are present this afternoon have work. He worked in a coal mine, an membership in the Church because you experience he had never had. He were born in it. On the other hand, labored there for some six months, then we have quite a number of our brethren came to Salt Lake City to get his pay. and sisters who are converts, those who He was paid for three months. He quit had the privilege of receiving the gospel his job and finally settled on a little from the missionaries in various parts farm near Tooele, Utah, but there was of the country. You and I who were no water and that created a problem. born in the Church have received it, As I have read his history he had writ- brethren and sisters, without any great ten day by day, there was difficulty on demands on our part, except that we every hand, but not once did I ever find live the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ my grandfather finding fault or con- and set the proper example to those not demning the Church. When general of our faith. conference was held comparable to this I often think of my two grandfathers one, he used to hitch up his old team, one was born in England and the other and it was an old team, and drive into was born in Switzerland. The one in Salt Lake City, and here he remained for England at the age of twenty-one was four days and attended all of the meet- very anxious to find the Church of the ings. It is marvelous to read of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, he belonged to great inspiration he received hearing another church, a great church, but he the Prophet Brigham Young at that time. —

66 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day When he attended conference, they Joseph Smith and by were the best four days of the whole John the Baptist himself. I humbly pray year, hearing the gospel of the Lord that in your homes where your sons Jesus Christ taught by the prophet. hold the office of deacon, teacher, or Brigham Young was a prophet to him, priest, there is going to be positive as- and is it not a wonderful thing to know, surance that these young men realize brethren and sisters, that from the days that they have the most divine gift of of the Prophet Joseph Smith until the God to his sons. present time, we have a prophet, seer, If we have any difficulty at all in and revelator, so that through the direc- connection with the Aaronic Priesthood, tion of our Heavenly Father, we will where some of them may become in- be guided and directed wherein we will active and not as interested as they receive the blessings that we need. should be, I think it comes about many President Clark told of conditions times because fathers and mothers are that might exist in the world because not giving consideration to the fact that there is a great nation and a government their sons hold the Aaronic Priesthood, which does not teach or permit its peo- the priesthood that was held by John ple to believe that Jesus Christ actually the Baptist. lives and is the Son of God. As Presi- It is a wonderful thing to sit down dent Clark said, some day that may with your son—he may be a deacon, a create difficulties for us. Nevertheless, teacher, or a priest—and say to him, I hope and pray that each and every one "You hold the Aaronic Priesthood. John of us will so live the gospel of the Lord the Baptist held the Aaronic Priesthood. Jesus Christ that when that day of diffi- He was a priest. He baptized Jesus culty comes, we through prayer, faith, Christ." and divine direction from our Heavenly Is it not wonderful to know that your Father will be able to meet our problems son at the age of sixteen may have the and solve them. same privilege of baptizing as did John We have a great responsibility of liv- the Baptist about two thousand years ing the gospel because the world expects ago. It is so impressive, brothers and us to be a different people, which brings sisters, that these young men will come to mind the statement of an individual to the conclusion that holding the who had the privilege of visiting the Los Aaronic Priesthood is the most important Angeles Temple before it was dedicated. gift that God can bestow upon them at This individual said, "The temple is their particular age. So teach them, beautiful. It is a marvelous building, inspire them, and direct them in con- but the Mormons have something that nection with their assignments in the is different." I do not know exactly Aaronic Priesthood work, that when the what that individual had in mind, day comes for them to receive the Mel- whether she thought the temple in and chizedek Priesthood, they are going to of itself was beautiful or something that feel in their own souls, "Now I hold was different, whether she thought we the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ," have the priesthood of the Lord Jesus for the Christ himself is the Great High Christ, or whether or not she was giv- Priest, and everyone of these young men, ing consideration to the fact that we are if worthy, sooner or later is going to doing work for the dead. Nevertheless, have the privilege of holding the office an impression was made upon that indi- of an elder or a seventy or a high priest. vidual. So, in all of our lives, wherever It is most inspiring and encouraging we go, we are going to make an impres- to me as I have the privilege of coming sion on those with whom we come in in contact with these young men who contact. As a people, we are indeed a have a desire to go out and preach the "different" people. gospel, as they may have been called It is a wonderful thing to know that by the President of the Church in con- in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- nection with the bishop of the ward. day Saints, brethren and sisters, the In interviewing them, I always ask choice young men at the age of twelve them the question, "Can you bear testi- may receive the Aaronic Priesthood mony that Joseph Smith actually saw the Aaronic Priesthood, a divine gift the Father and the Son? That is the which was bestowed upon the Prophet statement you will have to make because BISHOP JOSEPH L. WIRTHLIN 67 we stand on that wonderful event as We have a great responsibility, and a Church, that Joseph Smith at the I think of the words of Peter when he age of fourteen actually saw the Father said, speaking to the people: and the Son." "But ye are a chosen generation, a It is most thrilling and inspiring to royal priesthood, an holy nation, a pe- know that these young men at the age culiar people; that ye should shew forth of twenty can say, "Yes, I can bear the praises of him who hath called you testimony that Joseph Smith actually out of darkness into his marvellous saw the Father and the Son." They light." (I Peter 2:9.) should be able to do that, brothers and If we live the gospel of the Lord Jesus sisters, because they have held the Christ, we are "a chosen generation." We Aaronic Priesthood from the age of are a chosen generation because through twelve until the age of twenty when the wonderful revelations that were they receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. given to the Prophet Joseph, we have They should have been taught and the commandments, we have the direc- should have the knowledge that they tion, we have the guidance that is can bear these wonderful testimonies necessary to so live the gospel that we which are so important. indeed are going to be a chosen genera- In the final analysis, this Church is tion. the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And "a royal priesthood"—the Aaronic That is the testimony, brothers and sis- and the Melchizedek—the Aaronic ters, that we ought to bear to our sons, Priesthood coming, as I have already our daughters, and our grandchildren. indicated, when John the Baptist ap- This is the Church which is preparing peared and bestowed it upon Joseph the way for the second coming of Christ. Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Then, That is our responsibility. It is one Peter, James, and John, the apostles of of the most important responsibilities old and the Presidency of the Church that any group of people can have. some eighteen hundred years before, Now with reference to these other na- appeared and bestowed upon Joseph tions that do not have the privilege of Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Mel- hearing or understanding the gospel of chizedek Priesthood. Indeed, might we the Lord Jesus Christ, it is my feeling say, it is a royal priesthood. that some day they will have that op- "An holy nation," of course, an holy portunity. They are going to have that nation, as I understand it, is the Church privilege. Was it not said to whom the of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an holy gospel was to be preached—to every nation, and all of those who have mem- nation, kindred, tongue, and people. bership in the Church of the Lord Jesus Whether or not we will be able to send Christ are in that holy nation as long missionaries into Russia to preach the as they live the gospel. gospel, I do not know, but I do remem- "A peculiar people"—a peculiar people ber President Clark said something because we accept without question about two years ago, and I have never Jesus Christ as the Son of God! A pe- forgotten it. He said that perhaps we will culiar people because we declare to the be able to preach the gospel to the world that God the Father and his Son people of Russia out of Salt Lake City Jesus Christ appeared to that fourteen- over television or radio or something year-old young man and gave him the else. That day will come when the direction and inspiration whereby the Russian people will hear and under- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day stand the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, Saints could again be established upon not only the people of Russia, but also the earth for the benefit, the direction, the millions in China and the millions and the inspiration of all the sons and in India. They are all the sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and ". daughters of our Heavenly Father, and . . that ye should shew forth the I am satisfied that Jesus Christ is just praises of him who hath called you out as anxious that they hear the gospel of darkness into his marvellous light." and enjoy all the same privileges that (Idem.) we have. In some way and at some My testimony to you is this: if my future time, these great events are going grandfather in Switzerland, if my grand- to take place. father in England had not had the 68 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

privilege of hearing and understanding make you free." (John 8:32.) That is the gospel, we as a family, without a the promise and the blessing that each doubt, would still be in the darkness of and every one of us may live and un- the world, but because they accepted the derstand—that we shall know the truth gospel, it is possible now for all of us and the truth shall make us free. to go into the marvelous light of the May the Lord continue to inspire us light of Church, the marvelous Jesus in all of our endeavors, I humbly ask Christ himself. in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. We have a great responsibility of so living the gospel that it will be a great source of inspiration and divine guid- President David O. McKay: ance to all of those with whom we come in contact. Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin, Presiding In the final analysis, as we live the Bishop of the Church, has just addressed gospel, it is a wonderful thing to think us. We shall now hear from Elder of the words of Jesus Christ, "And ye EIRay L. Christiansen, Assistant to the shall know the truth, and the truth shall Twelve.

ELDER ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I humbly pray, my brothers and sis- last we shall be saved in the kingdom ters, that what I say may give encourage- of God." (2 Nephi 28:7-8.) ment and fortitude to someone. We have Is this prediction of Nephi coming to had some marvelous addresses given, pass in our day? Are there those of us some wonderful music, all of which who would justify ourselves in com- should inspire us to go forth and live mitting a little sin? Are there those of better lives. us who would yield to the enticement I believe that each of us needs a and the pressure of acquaintances and spiritual checkup just about as often as associates to "eat, drink, and be merry," we need a physical checkup; that each on certain occasions? Would we, for of us, the young, and the rest of us, instance, when in the company of cer- needs to make an appraisal of himself tain others, forsake principles, propriety, as a member of the Church of Jesus and decency in order to conform with Christ, and as the head of a family, or and be accepted by the group? So- as a member of a family, from time to called social drinking, for example? time to determine the degree of our Would we forsake the high principles fidelity and our allegiance and adher- of conduct which we as a people espouse ence to the accepted rules and doctrines and yield to the unapproved practices of the Church. when we know that to do so weakens One of the ancient prophets of whom one's character, discredits his family Elder Kimball spoke, had this day in name, and will bring sorrow and un- mind—when he said: happiness in place of joy and peace? "Yea, and there shall be many which "We believe in being honest, true, shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in tomorrow we die; . . . doing good to all men. ... If there is "And there shall also be many which anything virtuous, lovely, or of good shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; report or praiseworthy, we seek after nevertheless, fear God—he will justify these things." (Thirteenth Article of in committing a little sin; yea, lie a Faith.) little, take the advantage of one because This being the case—this being our of his words, dig a pit for thy neigh- standard, could it be then that any of bor; there is no harm in this; and do us would lie a little, or take advantage all these things, for tomorrow we die; of one because of his words, perhaps and if it so be that we are guilty, God by misquoting or exaggerating what he will beat us with a few stripes, and at said? Are there any of us who would ELDER ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN 69

figuratively dig a pit for his neighbor, me and my house, we will serve the hoping that he will fall into it? Per- Lord." (Ibid., 15.) haps by taking unfair advantage of Just as Israel in that day had to make him, by shrewd maneuvering, thinking that decision, so must that decision be that as long as one gets away with it made by us today. I must make that that he is a trustworthy and honest man. decision. You must make that decision. "Make of yourself an honest man," For example, in this day of widespread said Carlyle, "and then you may be desecration of the Sabbath, when it is sure that there is one rascal less in the considered merely a part of a week- world." end, and when it is used by many for amusement and pleasure-hunting, shop- Are there any of us who would justify ping, etc., I, do you, serve the Lord ourselves in any of these things, these do by being where we ought to be, doing wrongdoings? If there be, let us repent ought to do, on his holy day? as of today. Farther on, this same great what we Again, friends or acquaintances prophet, Nephi, points out that those when urge the use of tobacco or intoxicating who feel justified in sinning a little, liquor, do yield just to be sociable? being enticed by the vain practices of we If I and house are determined to the world, are placing themselves in a my the Lord in the law of health, position where, he says, "the devil serve there will no yielding to such pres- cheateth their souls, and leadeth them be sures. carefully down to hell." (2 Nephi When marriage is contemplated, will 28:21.) How well put that is, and how true! the plan be a temporary legal arrange- ment where eternal association is The evils and the vanities of the forfeited, or will it be administered ac- world, and the corruption thereof are cording to the ordinances of God; accord- thrust close to our lives. Enticings and ing to his sweet and wonderful way of pressures to depart from the right are making possible a grand family reunion found on every hand. Some of these in the resurrection? That is the question wrongdoings are almost glorified. we must determine when it comes to Realizing this, we must, as Latter-day that occasion, or before it comes to that, Saints, young and old, be firm for that for we must plan ahead of time for that which we know to be right, and in the great episode in our lives. right be steadfast and immovable. Each One other matter—the destroying sin of us must set his own course. Each of unchastity and moral laxity has been household must determine whether its one of the dominant factors in the members will follow the worldly pattern downfall of many proud people and of loose, reckless living, or be obedient many great empires. Among the peo- to the commandments of the Lord. ple today, this same destroyer of happi- When the tribes of ancient Israel in- ness presents a dismal picture for the clined their hearts toward the worship safety and peace of this and future of_ heathen gods, forsaking God-given generations. principles, you remember that Joshua, A few years ago the First Presidency their leader, fearing for his people, issued a warning to the Latter-day Saints ". . . gathered all the tribes of Israel to and to the world generally against this Shechem, and called for the elders of sin. Among other positive statements Israel, and for their heads, and for their they made, they said this: "The doctrine judges, and for their officers; and they of this Church is that sexual sin, the presented themselves before God." illicit sexual relationship of men and (Joshua 24:1.) Then it was that he women stands in its enormity next to pointed out to them what was happen- murder. The Lord has drawn no es- ing among them, and admonished them sential distinction between fornication, to put away their strange gods and their adultery, and harlotry or prostitution. evil ways, and he called upon them to Each has fallen under his solemn and repent, exhorting them to serve the Lord awful condemnation. You youth of God of Israel with sincerity. Then in Zion," they pleaded, "you cannot asso- the majesty of his calling as a prophet, ciate in illicit sex relationship, which is ". he said to them, . . choose you this fornication, and escape the judgments day whom ye will serve; ... but as for and punishments of the Lord which he 70 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day has declared against this sin. The day as honesty, trustworthiness, virtue. Let of reckoning will come just as certainly us turn a deaf ear to the advocates of as night follows day." wrongdoing, and be prepared with A similar warning was given to those Joshua to say, as he did to his people: ". husbands and wives who break the moral . . choose you this day whom ye will laws. Then, by the right they have serve; but as for me and my house, we as leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ, will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15.) spokesman for the Lord himself, they May we so do, I pray humbly, in the gave this solemn warning, along with name of Jesus Christ. Amen. a plea for strict morality: "By virtue of the authority vested in us as the First President David O. McKay: Presidency of the Church, we warn the people of the degradation, the wicked- Elder EIRay L. Christiansen, Assistant ness, the punishments that attend upon to the Twelve, has just concluded speak- unchastity. We urge you to remember ing. The University of Utah Choral the blessings which flow from the living Society, with the Bonneville Strings and of a clean life. We call upon you to the Congregation, will now sing, "We keep, day in and day out, the way of Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet," strict chastity, through which only conducted by Professor David A. Shand. God's blessings can be achieved and re- ceived, and his Spirit abide with you. How glorious it is to him who lives the The University of Utah Combined chaste life. He walks unfearful in the Choruses, accompanied by the Bonne- glare of the noonday sun, for he is with- ville Strings, and the Congregation sang out moral infirmity." the hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God, Now, will we listen to those who For a Prophet." would minimize the seriousness of this transgression and who would have us President David O. McKay: believe that the Lord has changed his mind in regard to it? Will we listen to Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Coun- those who say that chastity is outmoded cil of the Twelve will be our next and old-fashioned? Each of us must speaker. He will be followed by Elder stand for and encourage such principles Henry D. Taylor.

ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My brothers and sisters, I am happy and sustained by him and by the faith- indeed to extend the hand of fellowship ful Church members who, with uplifted to Elder Howard W. Hunter, called this hands before God, angels, and fellow day as a member of the Council of the disciples, agreed to accept and sustain Twelve. I look forward with joyous their leader as prophet, seer, and anticipation to association with him in revel ator. We so sustain our beloved that council. I assure him of my sup- President David O. McKay today. Ac- port and my love and my help. cording to the spirit of truth within me, Today I feel to share with you my I accept him in this high position of witness and humble testimony that this prophet, seer, and revelator with all Church is the true Church of Christ, my heart, and uphold him without established upon the earth in this dis- question and without reservation. I say pensation of God's providence for the to you, my brothers and sisters, that if last time. It was divinely set up by everyone would keep his eyes on the our Lord, and possesses every truth, President of this Church and follow principle, and ordinance for the salva- his example, he would never go wrong. tion and exaltation of those who receive I have that faith and confidence, and and obey its plan of life. so testify to you with full knowledge that I solemnly testify that every President ultimately I must answer to God for of this Church has been called of God, my teachings and personal acts. ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY 71

The members of the Church must, salvation, doing all things with prayer by implicit obedience to gospel princi- and thanksgiving, that ye may not be ples and ordinances, stand firm and seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of true to the faith and not be tossed about devils, or the commandments of men; by every wind of doctrine from deceiv- for some are of men, and others of ing teachers who wrongfully and wil- devils." (D&C 46:7.) fully suggest that the Church in this In all the teachings and prophecies day has gone astray, which claim I of the prophets concerning the estab- humbly testify to you is untrue. Dis- lishment of God's kingdom in the senters from the Church in all ages of Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, the world, influenced by evil design, there is no mention nor indication that have zealously taught deceptive and the Church, when once established, false doctrines and led many unsuspect- would fail or be given to another peo- ing and unthinking souls into the broad ple. That was not true of the Church way of apostasy from the truth. The in the Meridian of Time. The prophets true servants of the Lord have con- before the time of Christ, and the sistently and humbly warned against apostles after, warned and predicted a self-appointed leaders, and have always falling away from the truth and the admonished the Saints to be faithful true Church. and true in keeping the commandments As members of the Church, we must of God, and thus develop faith and always remember that this is the Dis- strength against the powers of evil pensation of the Fulness of Times, or, which are constantly leveled at them. the last of all gospel dispensations, when In the early history of the Church, be- all things are to be gathered together cause the elders did not understand the in Christ before his coming to earth manifestations of different spirits abroad again. The destiny of this Church is which were disturbing the members, the too great and the time too short for so Lord, in answer to prayerful inquiry, important a work to be bounced from warned: one group of people to another. The "Behold, verily I say unto you, that Lord would not have it so and has de- there are many spirits which are false creed the permanency of his latter-day spirits, which have gone forth in the kingdom. earth, deceiving the world." (D&C When John the Revelator, in a vision 50:2.) of important latter-day events, wit- What was true then is true now, and nessed an angel flying in the midst of ever will be until Satan and his evil heaven, having the everlasting gospel hosts are forever bound and shorn of to preach unto them that dwell on the their power to deceive and destroy. The earth, and to every nation, and kindred, ". Prophet Joseph Smith taught, . . Noth- and tongue, and people; he quoted the ". ing is a greater injury to the children angel as saying: . . Fear God, and give of men than to be under the influence glory to him; for the hour of his judg- of a false spirit when they think they ment is come." (Rev. 14:7.) Our era of have the Spirit of God." (Teachings of time is the hour of God's judgment; the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 205.) therefore, this prophecy could not be How true this statement is, and how fulfilled if interruptions were to occur important to know correct Church doc- in the progress and work of the re- trine and procedures to prevent stum- stored kingdom. bling along life's way. It is a great The Prophet Daniel, interpreting blessing and gift to be able to discern King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, in- and choose rightly between truth and formed him that its fulfilment would be error. in the latter days. Then, calling at- To protect the faith of Church mem- tention to the kingdoms that should bers the Lord has revealed: follow that of the king until many "But ye are commanded in all things kingdoms resulted, Daniel declared: to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and "And in the days of these kings shall that which the Spirit testifies unto you the God of heaven set up a kingdom, even so I would that ye should do in which shall never be destroyed: and all holiness of heart, walking uprightly the kingdom shall not be left to other before me, considering the end of your people, but it shall break in pieces and 72 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

consume all these kingdoms, and it shall power and privilege of this Priesthood." stand forever. (Ibid., page 111.) ". . . God," said Daniel, concluding And then a powerful declaration of his interpretation of the king's dream, an eternal principle which the Prophet "hath made known to the king what Joseph Smith said is eternal, undeviat- shall come to pass hereafter: and the ing, and firm as the pillars of heaven: dream is certain, and the interpretation "I will give you one of the Keys of the thereof sure." (Daniel 2:44-45.) mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an Here is prophetic evidence of the eternal principle, that has existed with continuity of God's latter-day kingdom God from all eternity: That man who when established upon the earth. Daniel rises up to condemn others, finding fault emphasized that point dramatically with the Church, saying that they are when he said, "The dream is certain out of the way, while he himself is and the interpretation thereof sure." righteous, then know assuredly, that that The kingdom, prophesied Daniel, is not man is in the high road to apostasy; to be destroyed; it is not to be left to and if he does not repent, will apostatize, other people; and it shall stand forever. as God lives." (Ibid., page 156.) How convincing and certain this decla- How clear and forthright these state- ration is! ments are, and so powerfully and con- The Lord, in a revelation to the vincingly stated that there can be no Prophet Joseph Smith shortly after the doubt of their truth. organization of the Church, made this The Lord gave this instruction and pronouncement: "For behold, the field warning to the elders of his Church, is white already to harvest; and it is the and to all the inhabitants of Zion eleventh hour, and the last time that against those individuals making false I shall call laborers into my vineyard." claims and purporting to receive revela- (D&C 33:3.) tions: "And this shall be a law unto you, that receive Again, the Lord revealed to the Proph- ye not the teachings of any that shall et: "The keys of the kingdom of God come before you as revelations or are committed unto man on the earth, commandments; this and from thence shall the gospel roll "And I give unto you that you not forth unto the ends of the earth, as the may be deceived, that you may know that they are not of stone which is cut out of the mountain me. "For verily I say unto you, that he without hands shall roll forth, until it that is ordained of shall in has filled the whole earth." (Ibid., 65:2.) me come at the gate and be ordained as I have told This latter declaration accords with you before, to teach those revelations and confirms Daniel's interpretation of which you have received and shall re- King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, for the ceive through him whom I have ap- Prophet Daniel spoke of the stone which pointed." (D&C 43:5-7.) was cut without hands which smote the Baptism at the hands of an authorized image and became a great mountain, and servant of God permits a person to come filled the whole earth. in at the gate; and the way prescribed Prophet The Joseph Smith gave this by the Lord, as outlined in the preced- wise counsel, which is a true principle ing quotation, by which those ordained in Church government is and the order can be known and accepted by the of the Holy Priesthood: "I will inform members of his Church is clearly set you that it is contrary to the economy forth in the following revelation: "Again of God for any of member the Church, I say unto you," said the Lord, "that or any one, to receive instruction for it shall not be given to anyone to go those in authority, higher than them- forth to preach my gospel, or to build selves; therefore you will see the im- up my church, except he be ordained propriety of giving heed to them." by some one who has authority, and it (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, is known to the church that he has page 21.) authority and has been regularly or- Again ". he taught: . . revelations of dained by the heads of the church." the mind and will of God to the Church, (Ibid., 42:11.) are to come through the Presidency. As in past ages, men will continue to This is the order of heaven, and the arise to plague the work of God, for this —

ELDER DELBERT L. STAPLEY 73

is the intent of Satan and ever has been subject which could be quoted, but I since the beginning of man on the close with two additional quotations earth. from the revelations of the Lord to the There are infallible guiding princi- Prophet Joseph Smith. The first con- ples found in the revelations and in the cerns the keys of priesthood power com- historical records of the Lord's dealings mitted to the First Presidency and the with his people for their guidance and Twelve of the Church: protection. Here is a very important "For unto you, the Twelve, and those, one given in this last dispensation to the First Presidency, who are appointed the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord with you to be your counselors and your gave it as a guiding admonition to his leaders, is the power of this priesthood people. Said he: given, for the last days and for the "And all things shall be done by last time, in the which is the dispensa- common consent in the church, by much tion of the fulness of times. prayer and faith, for all things you shall "For verily I say unto you, the keys receive by faith." (Ibid., 26:2.) of the dispensation, which ye have If the members of the Church will received, have come down from the follow this counsel and act together in fathers, and last of all, being sent down prayer and true faith, the Holy Ghost from heaven unto you." (D&C 112:30, will not permit them to yield to the 32.) influence of error and false teachings And now the second and concluding of those who seek to overthrow the admonition from the Lord, which also work of God. The great Nephite is a perfect safeguard to the membership prophet, Mosiah, warning his people of this Church: against kingcraft, counseled them con- "Hearken, O ye elders of my church cerning the manner in which judges to whom I have called, behold I give unto govern them should be selected, and you a commandment, that ye shall as- wisely advised: semble yourselves together to agree upon "Now it is not common that the voice my word; of the people desireth anything contrary "And by the prayer of your faith ye to that which is right; but it is common shall receive my law, that ye may know for the lesser part of the people to desire how to govern my church and have all that which is not right; therefore this things right before me. shall ye observe and make it your law "He that receiveth my law and doeth to do your business by the voice of the it, the same is my disciple; and he that people." (Mosiah 29:26.) saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the All wavering and disaffected indi- same is not my disciple, and shall be viduals should remember the safe- cast out from among you." (Ibid., 41:2- guards to faith and testimony given by 3, 5.) the Lord through revelation, and, recog- Wherefore, my brothers and sisters, nizing and working through constituted when assembled together, as today, it channels of priesthood authority, submit is to instruct and edify each other and their views or claims and be willing to thus learn how to act and how to direct abide by the voice of the people, who, the affairs of God's latter-day kingdom. conforming to the above-quoted revela- May I encourage all of you to listen to tion, are to decide the matter after exer- and accept the teachings and counsel cising much faith and prayer. If they of your brethren given in this general would do this before permitting them- conference of the Church. How im- selves to follow a deviating or contrary portant it is for the Saints of the king- course, and manifest the faith to abide dom to be guided aright, knowing that by the voice of the Saints, they would false spirits are abroad in the land to not go astray nor depart from the right deceive, yes, even the very elect of God way, and their souls and those of their if they are not careful in keeping the posterity would, through obedience to commandments and walking in faithful the commandments, be saved in the obedience to God's laws. kingdom of God. God bless you, my brothers and sis- There are many other scriptural ref- ters, that you may walk in obedience erences and revelations, also statements to God's laws. This I humbly pray in by Church leaders, bearing upon this the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 74 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day President David O. McKay: of the Twelve will be the speaker over Columbia Broadcasting System's Church He to whom you have just listened is of the Air Program over KSL tomorrow Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Council at 7:30 a.m. of the Twelve. (To Brother Taylor The singing, as already announced, President McKay said:) I believe we for this session this morning has been will hold you off until morning. Brother furnished by the combined choruses of Stapley's sermon is a good one with the LDS Institute of Religion and the which to close. University of Utah, with the Bonneville The LDS Institute of Religion and Strings, under the direction of Dr. the University of Utah Combined David A. Shand. Alexander Schreiner Choruses will sing, "Hallelujah Chorus," is at the organ. I know you have been conducted by Elder David A. Shand. inspired by the singing of these young The closing prayer will be offered by men and young women, and the in- Elder Fred Wells Stone, formerly presi- strumentation of the Bonneville Strings. dent of the Tongan Mission, after which I do not know how to thank them. It this Conference will be adjourned until has taken a good many hours of prac- 7 o'clock this evening, when the Gen- tice, probably interfered somewhat eral Priesthood Meeting of the Church with your schooling, somewhat with will be held in this Tabernacle. Only examinations, but it is worth it. We those holding the Priesthood are invited want you to know we appreciate your to be present. Persons not holding the presence, Brother Shand and these young Priesthood will kindly refrain from at- people here today. God bless you. May tempting to enter the building. This you find as much joy in future service Priesthood session will not be broad- in the Church and to your fellowmen cast. However, in addition to overflow as you found in the service you have meetings in the Assembly Hall and rendered here, and do as much good as Barratt Hall, the proceedings of the you have done today. Priesthood Meeting will be relayed by These young folks will now sing, closed circuit to members of the Priest- "Hallelujah Chorus," and the closing hood assembled in 204 other Church prayer will be offered by Elder Fred buildings from Coast to Coast and in Wells Stone, formerly president of the Canada. Tongan Mission. The general sessions tomorrow will be broadcast as a public service over tele- vision and radio stations throughout the The Combined Choruses and the West. The Tabernacle Choir Broadcast Bonneville Strings rendered the selec- will be from 8:30 to 9:00 a. m. Those tion, "Hallelujah Chorus." desiring to attend this Broadcast should Fred Stone, formerly president of be in their seats at 8:15 a.m. It is re- W. quested that the audience remain quiet the Tongan Mission, pronounced the during the broadcast. benediction. Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council Conference adjourned until 7:00 p.m.

GENERAL PRIESTHOOD MEETING

The General Priesthood meeting of singing. Alexander Schreiner was at the the Church was held in the great Taber- organ. nacle Saturday evening, October 10, 1959 at 7:00 p.m. President David O. McKay: President David O. McKay presided at this meeting and conducted the exer- This is the fifth session of the Semi- cises. Annual Confernce of the Church of The choral music was furnished by Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. the Men's Chorus of the Tabernacle You will be interested to know that Choir, Richard P. Condie, Conductor of these services are being relayed by the Tabernacle Choir, directing the closed circuit to members of the Priest- BISHOP STANLEY SMITH CHEEVER 75 hood gathered in the Assembly Hall, The Men's Chorus of the Tabernacle Barratt Hall, and in 204 other Church Choir will now sing, "Thou Art Repose," buildings from Coast to Coast and in under the direction of Elder Richard P. Canada. That is in 51 more buildings Condie. than at last April Conference. So we are proud tonight I suppose to have the largest gathering of the Priesthood ever The Men's Chorus sang a selection, assembled in the history of the Church. "Thou Art Repose." The singing during this session will be furnished by the Men's Chorus of the President Tabernacle Choir, with Elder Richard David O. McKay: P. Condie as director and Elder Alex- Thank you. It is inspiring. ander Schreiner at the organ. We shall begin these services by the Among the thousands assembled to- Men's Chorus singing, "Come All Ye night are some service men, 21 of them, Sons of Zion," with Elder Condie con- who have flown in from Fort Sill, ducting. After the singing, Elder Meade, and Stillwater, Oklahoma. We Lawrence T. Lambert, president of the appreciate their presence and commend South Blackfoot Stake, will offer the their spirit and interest in the Church opening prayer. "Come All Ye Sons of and all service men whom they repre- Zion," by the Men's Chorus will now sent, and the great missionary work be sung. which they are doing. We will have more to say during this Confernce. We welcome you and welcome all who are The Men's Chorus sang the hymn, listening and joining in this great "Come All Ye Sons of Zion." Conference. Elder Lawrence T. Lambert, president You who are listening in will be of the South Blackfoot Stake, offered the pleased to know that the Tabernacle is opening prayer. filled beyond capacity, the doorways are filled with members of the Priesthood who are standing to participate in the President David O. McKay: services. We express appreciation for the Tonight the first thing we wish to presence of these members of the represent and to emphasize is the re- Tabernacle Choir,—here on time, in sponsibility and opportunity of the dignified dress, showing the respect ward teacher, and we have invited two they have for the Priesthood, not only bishops to speak to that topic. Our first that, but a willingness to participate speaker will be Bishop Stanley Smith and render service in this great gather- Cheever of Federal Heights Ward, Emi- ing. gration Stake.

BISHOP STANLEY SMITH CHEEVER

Federal Heights Ward, Emigration Stake

My dear brethren of the priesthood, I your faith and prayers that I may de- stand before you tonight in humility and liver a message that may be beneficial with thanksgiving in my heart for the to all of us. opportunity to accept an assignment and This is the most inspirational sight participate in this meeting tonight. I have ever experienced—I wish you Since receiving the call from dear could each share it with me, standing President McKay last Monday, who is before the body of the Priesthood of the our Prophet, Seer, and Revel ator, I as- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day sure you I have had an uneasy week with Saints, the greatest brotherhood in all many butterflies. I feel that the open- the world, each of us here holding the ing prayer was offered in my behalf and Priesthood of God, with power and au- I ask that each of you join with me with thority to watch over the Church. 76 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

In thinking of my assignment and of ourselves, to see how well we are as- ward teaching, I am reminded of the suming this great responsibility. I have first assignment that I received as a ward prepared several questions. Let us an- teacher. I was born and raised in Provo, swer them in our own hearts: the Provo Fifth Ward, and my bishop Are we humble and worthy to assume was Albert Manwaring. In the year the responsibility of ward teaching? 1910 I was a teacher in the Aaronic Do we daily pray to our Heavenly Priesthood. I was given an assignment Father for divine guidance in our duties with my senior companion Jesse Knight. and responsibilities? I am sure many of you present and many Do we truly watch over the member- of you within the sound of my voice, ship of the ward in our district? knew Uncle Jesse, as he was affection- Do we study the message with our ately called. He was a kindly man, junior companion and make thorough generous, thoughtful, and loved by all preparation and invite the family to join who knew him. As you know, he was us in the discussion during the presenta- a man of wealth and charitable to a tion of the message? fault. Do we enter the homes with a friend- Our home was only a block away and ly smile and a radiant happiness, being easy to make contact for our monthly sure to greet each member of the family teaching assignment. It was my pleasure present, not forgetting the younger mem- always, to go to his home, to knock on bers, and strive to call the young ones his door, and be invited in. He was by their first names? never in a hurry. He always would Do we greet them at Church meetings question me as to what I was doing, and social gatherings, on the street and what my plans were for the future, and places of business, and encourage and he would draw me out and try to find invite them to participate in all ward and lead me as to my ambitions, looking functions, both social and spiritual? forward to the years ahead. Do we especially invite them to at- After we visited a little while, we tend the sacrament meeting? would go out on our special assignment Do we inquire about the health and and visit our district. In those days we needs of the family, both spiritual and did not have a regular assigned message temporal and report to the bishop where to give to the ward. We would enter help is needed? the homes and Brother Knight would Do we offer our love and assistance always ask the fathers present to offer in time of stress and sorrow, during sick- prayer before we started our visit and ness and death, and all adversity? started our discussions. After each one Are we charitable and kindly, offer- ing of of those evenings I went home with a only words encouragement and full heart, grateful for the opportunity praise? of the association and grateful to be- Do we remember the oft-spoken words come acquainted with the great ward of Emerson: "What you are thunders teaching program of the Church. so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say." Brothers, I have never forgotten this, If we strive to live up to these stand- and it brings to my mind very keenly ards, our teaching will be successful and the responsibility we have as senior will bring to us many blessings. members or senior companions in our ward teaching teams to the boys of the Here are a few scriptural reference^ Aaronic Priesthood. It is our oppor- giving us instructions in our duties and tunity and our challenge that we give responsibilities as ward teachers. I read them an opportunity to go out with us, from Section 20 of the Doctrine and to feel of our spirit, to feel of their Covenants, verses 53 through 55: spirit, and to ask for participation in "The teacher's duty is to watch over the homes. I am sure each of you is do- the church always, and be with and ing just this in your ward teaching as- strengthen them; signments. "And see that there is no iniquity in As ward teachers, it is our responsi- the church, neither hardness with each bility to watch over the Church, and I other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil feel we should take an inventory of speaking; BISHOP STANLEY SMITH CHEEVER 77

"And see that the church meet together thou knowest that I love thee. He saith often, and also see that all the members unto him, Feed my sheep." do their duty." Even the second time the Savior said I think it is a very important instruc- to Simon Peter, "Feed my sheep." This tion, and I am going to read it for a admonition of the Savior to Peter might second time, with your permission: well be applied to the ward teachers "The teacher's duty is to watch over whose calling it is to go forth among the church always, and be with and the members of the Church in their strengthen them; homes and minister to their spiritual "And see that there is no iniquity and temporal needs. Ward teaching in the church, neither hardness with typifies the concern of the Church for each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor the well-being of our Father's children. evil speaking; It is a means whereby we may in very "And see that the church meet to- deed, feed his sheep, not alone those gether often, and also see that all the who seek us, but those whom we must members do their duty." seek. This contains complete admonition If there is a kind word that should be and instruction covering all of the spoken, may they speak it. If there is a phases and responsibilities that we have soul that needs encouragement, may as ward teachers, and I recommend to they give it. If there is a temporal need each of you, that you read fully the that cannot be met alone, may it be entire Section, the twentieth Section of revealed to them. If there is a need for the Doctrine and Covenants. a testimony to be borne, may the ward Christ, during his mission on earth, teachers bear it. reminded us of the necessity and re- Who should be ward teachers? All sponsibility to those who need to be worthy bearers of the Priesthood should called to repentance and help them to consider it an honor and a privilege to find the way back into the fold. In participate in this function of the Luke, Chapter 15, verse 7, he says: "I Priesthood. There are very few excep- say unto you, that likewise joy shall be tions and bishops should not hesitate in heaven over one sinner that re- to appoint bearers of the Priesthood to penteth, more than over ninety and do ward teaching regardless of the fact nine just persons, which need no re- that they are already engaged in stake pentance." and ward auxiliary organizations and This shows us the need of brotherly Priesthood quorums. Thus we should love and the need of always extending all accept the call and receive the bless- a helping hand. ings that are in store for us. When Jesus showed himself to his I would like to emphasize again the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, follow- responsibility of the senior members to junior companions. ing his resurrection—as you know, the their We know that disciples had been fishing all night and it is difficult to arrange the proper time and day, but with a little planning and had been unable to catch any fish—they had caught nothing, but when the a little patience, this can be arranged, morning came, Jesus, who stood on the and the responsibility actually lies with shore told them to cast in the net on the senior companion. the right side of the ship. They cast Christ told us that we should love the therefore, and drew the net to land full Lord our God with all our heart, might, of fishes. Then Jesus commanded mind, and strength, and our neighbor them to bring the fishes they had as ourselves. How better and where caught and dine with him. When they better could we exemplify and carry out had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, this teaching than by fully and com- "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me pletely accepting our responsibility as more than these? He saith unto him, ward teachers. Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. Ward teaching is a basic principle of He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. our Church. Its purpose is to contact "He saith to him again the second every family in the Church every time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou month of the year, thereby watching me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; over the Church in word and deed and 78 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day reporting to those in authority, where appearance the latter-day Gospel was need be, changes, conditions, and need restored in all its fullness and we are and want. privileged tonight to have this meeting We are here to work out our own presided over by our Prophet, Seer, and salvation and exaltation. Having kept Revelator, President David 0. McKay. our first estate we are now striving to May God's choicest blessings be with keep our second estate and I can think each of us, may we assume our responsi- of no better way to do that than to bilities fully, and may we take from this assume the responsibility to live a life meeting renewed determination more worthy of a ward teacher and to carry nearly to live according to the com- out the duties and responsibilities of a mandments in word and deed, is my ward teacher. humble prayer, in the name of Jesus In closing, I want to leave with you Christ. Amen. my testimony that God lives, that he hears and answers prayers, as he has answered mine many times, that in the President David O. McKay: Sacred Grove, when Joseph Smith the Prophet made his appeal, he was ap- On the same theme we shall now peared to by God the Father and his hear from Bishop Ralph J. Hill of the Son Jesus Christ, and as a result of this Val Verda Ward, South Davis Stake.

BISHOP RALPH J. HILL Val Verda Ward, South Davis Stake

My dear brethren, I have studied and his term, volunteer, although he meant fasted and prayed, and now I must draw to distinguish us from the professional strength from you and from my Father priesthood of his church, and that was in Heaven, from my own testimony of all right. the truthfulness of this gospel, and from I do feel that we can agree with his my knowledge that this call came from appraisal—that upon the backs of the a Prophet of God. I love President brethren who hold the Priesthood of this McKay with all my heart, and sustain Church is the responsibility for ac- him with all my strength. I can feel complishing our Father's purposes in the warmth and kindness in his great this dispensation. soul, supporting me as I approach this From the 20th Section of the Doc- task. trine and Covenants which we have I am encouraged, too, by the assur- already heard read twice this evening, ance that in this Tabernacle and in I am going to read again a couple of assemblies throughout the land are scriptures. This was given to the Church gathered my beloved brethren, with through the Prophet Joseph Smith even whom I share the fellowship of the before the organization of the Church. Priesthood. In some of these assem- We are told that the obligation of the blies, are men with whom I have served Priesthood is to preach, teach, expound, in the stakes of Zion. To these, my exhort, to visit the house of each mem- friends, I especially plead that I may ber, exhorting them to pray vocally and have your faith and prayers with me in secret and attend to all family duties, this evening. to watch over the church always, and Last week I was entertaining a prom- be with and strengthen them, and see inent man from the East who was that there is no iniquity in the Church, visiting our city for the first time. We neither hardness with each other, heard the organ recital, drove up to the neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speak- monument, down to Welfare Square, ing. back to this block, and after an hour he To enable us, the brethren of the felt confident enough to express an Priesthood, to accomplish this in an opinion. He said, "Well, the genius of organized, orderly fashion, we have been this whole thing is this volunteer priest- given the ward teaching program. This hood." I was not sure as to the use of was instituted early in the history of BISHOP RALPH J. HILL 79 the Church, probably during the first the Church. The two brethren in their decade. Elder George Q. Cannon tells nineties who compiled a record of 150 us that the ward teachers settled a con- years of ward teaching between them. troversy between two of the sisters prior This brother in Ogden with 56 years of to 1839. William Cahoon describes his ward teaching, and a perfect record for assignment as a ward teacher at the all that time, and then he became ill home of the Prophet in Nauvoo. In and had to undergo surgery, and during fact, it is difficult to comprehend the the month of his convalescence he tried Church functioning in any dispensation to get out and found that he was too without the ward teaching program. weak, so his people in his district, hear- In Chapter 23 in Mosiah in the Book ing about his condition, came to his of Mormon we learn that teachers were home one by one where the teaching expected to be men of God. I quote: was completed. "And also trust no one to be your Of course, the ward teacher will visit teacher nor your minister, except he be every home in his district monthly. He a man of God, walking in his ways and will attend his report meeting and make keeping his commandments. . . . an accurate report to his district super- "Therefore they did watch over their visor, but this is only the beginning. people, and did nourish them with This is the letter of the law. The con- things pertaining to righteousness." scientious ward teacher will use the visit (Mosiah 23:14, 18.) as a springboard into the lives of people. The ward teacher shares with This sounds like a pretty good descrip- the bishop the responsibility for the tion of a ward teacher. In the ward temporal and spiritual welfare the teaching handbook we learn that the of ward members. The ward teacher's responsibility only responsibility of the ward teacher is begins with this brief monthly visit not imposed by any special call. The which we report for the sake of right of authority to officiate as such the statistics. The responsibility of rests on every bearer of the Priesthood the Priesthood of the ward extends to by virtue of his ordination. Of course, every family, active or inactive, and this is it couldn't be any other way. The one time must take pro- revelations describing the duties of the when we the gram to the members. This includes priesthood is directed to all of us, and over 100,000 families, where the father again in Section 38 of the Doctrine and is either a Senior member or unordained. Covenants we read, "I give unto you a With only a third of commandment, that every man, both our members in Sacrament Meeting, another third elder, priest, teacher, and also member, who probably never get to Sacrament go to with his might, with the labor of Meet- ing, we can see the responsibility his hands, to prepare and accomplish we have to expose this large body of Latter- the things which I have commanded. day Saints to the gospel at least once "And let your preaching be the warn- a month. ing voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness." (D. & C. The ward teacher accepts each in- 38:40-41.) active family as a personal challenge. If of his families is It is interesting to read President some member one of Joseph F. Smith's statement from this working in his yard on Sunday, violat- pulpit nearly 50 years ago. "I am going ing the Word of Wisdom, gambling, or using profane language, he realizes that on 76, and I believe I am older than several of these good men who think it is "the teacher's duty to watch over they have graduated from the duties of the Church always, be with and strengthen see there is the Lesser Priesthood, and I want to them and that iniquity in the Church." send tell them that we are not too old to no We missionaries around the world to find act as teachers—not one of us," said President Smith. There will never come investigators and convert them. The a time to those who hold the Priesthood ward teacher's task is to keep them con- in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- verted and reconvert them when they day Saints when men can say of them- fall away. selves that they have done enough. We President McKay has frequently re- have our faithful examples throughout ferred to ward teachers as stewards, with 80 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day their stewardship extending over every that they might know the solutions to family that lives in the ward. One of the problems of the families within their the opportunities of the ward teacher is district. They go to the roll and rec- found in locating and visiting new fam- ord book and look up the birth dates ilies that move into the ward. If a warm, of every member in each family. They friendly contact can be made in time, want to know if there are children who this may be all that is necessary to bring are ready to be baptized or ordained to a careless, indifferent family back into the Priesthood, or graduated from the full Church activity, and if we neglect Auxiliaries. The president says he ap- to make an immediate contact with our preciates having a young man as a com- new neighbors, the opposite may very panion because he knows more about well be true. boys and girls his own age and their I lived in a ward once where the problems, and the young man's counsel teachers failed for over three months to is respected and appreciated. visit an inactive family who had moved Finally, in this hour of planning and across the street from the meeting house. preparation which precedes their visits, The bishop received a call from the they decide who will conduct the dis- hospital and arrived just in time to cussion and how the lessons will be spend a few moments with an elderly presented to each particular family. lady before she passed away. Then the Then they go forth, prepared to promote tragic story unfolded. A few days after the spirit of good will, to meet the a young couple had purchased their new criticisms of those who find fault, to home, her mother came to visit with defend the Church, uphold its doctrines, them and took seriously ill. Of course and support its leaders, to encourage the daughter should have notified the those who are offended or weak in the bishop, which she did not. faith, to comfort those who mourn or Here was a woman who had been have sorrow, and deliver a message of active all her life, married in the tem- good cheer to the discouraged, the un- ple, a widow with a large family, most fortunate, the aged and the shut-in, and of them living on the Coast, spending if appropriate they will teach their fam- the last 12, lonely unhappy weeks of ilies to pray and leave their blessings her life across the street from our meet- in the homes by praying with them. ing house, and we ward teachers failed Elder Mark E. Petersen has warned to find her. We failed in our steward- us to follow the message, to teach the ship because we were too busy to find simple principles of the gospel. He tells out who lived in that new house on the us to avoid advancing new doctrines, new corner. interpretations, discussing new theories. Incidentally, our ward led the stake on May I quote one paragraph from his the ward teaching report that month, remarks. but this was small comfort to a bishop- "Most of our teachers are wonderful. ric and a ward teaching committee who They teach the truth. They bring about were tormented by the memory of this conversions to minds and hearts of those little mother in her last illness, unable who listen to them, but there are those to even be administered to by the Priest- few teachers who sow seeds of doubt hood. I guess we have all heard the by speculating in unsound doctrine, and story of the Lamanite bishop in South- as they do they 'soften up,' to use the ern Utah who complained that there is army expression, some of their hearers too much 100 percent and not enough who might later be taken over by the ward teaching. apostate teachers who come among us." We know of a former stake president It was two days before Christmas, who describes his ward teaching assign- December 23, 1949. I lived in a ward ment as "the most challenging responsi- with 600 members which covered most bility I ever had." He spends one evening of the downtown area and several resi- each month with his junior companion dential sections in a large city on the preparing the lesson that they will de- West Coast. It was a transient ward, liver to the families in their district, with over ten percent of our members and during this hour of preparation turning over every month, and so the they pray for direction and inspiration ward teacher was indispensable. It was BISHOP RALPH ]. HILL 81

after 10 p.m. when the ward teacher there are little children. You see, in called the home of the bishop and sug- our home, the youngsters' favorite stories gested that he look in on one of his have been based on the experiences of a families. little pioneer kitten, whose family lived Early the next morning I called at the in Kirtland and Nauvoo. He crossed home with the senior companion. The the plains and finally helped settle a father—we will call him Joseph Hunt, little community in Cache Valley, where had injured his back and was unem- their daddy was born. Through the ployed. We met the mother and three experience of this pioneer kitten, we have little girls. There was no sign of Christ- met the prophets, we have mourned mas, but plenty of evidence that Brother with the Saints at Winter Quarters, and Hunt's paychecks had stopped several fought the crickets and fed the Indians. weeks before. Although I was not ac- And over the years we have shared our quainted with the family, we knew from pioneer stories with the families in our the green card that he was a bricklayer district. There are very few ward by trade. I was inspired to suggest to teaching lessons that will not become Brother Hunt that we had a problem interesting and understandable to a in the Church where he could be help- child when seen through the eyes of a ful. A large room in the basement pioneer kitten, and I have been grateful with the furnace located in one end that with these stories I have been able was being used by the MIA as a storage to make friends of the children in my room. There were stage properties, district and in my ward. scenery, and athletic equipment, creat- Our responsibility is to teach all of ing a fire hazard which was worrying the family. Let us find some way to the bishopric. make our message interesting to these little folks. must love them and I explained that we had money to We make them our friends. Stevenson buy the blocks, but no money to pay for could have been writing about the ward the labor for building a wall. Of course, teachers he said, "So long as we Brother Hunt agreed that he was' anxious when love we serve. So long as we are loved to be helpful, so we went to the Church by others I would almost say we are where my first act was to call the Relief indispensable, and no is useless Society president. She completed her man while has a friend." survey of the family's needs while we he Let us use our youth and our energy, made plans to build a wall that would our enthusiasm our strength, in separate the storage room from the and furnace room. obeying this commandment to watch over the Church always. Brethren, we That evening Santa Claus came to the are our brother's keeper. We assumed Joseph P. Hunt family on Queen Anne this assignment when we accepted our Hill. The bishopric brought the food ordination in the Priesthood. It is a and clothing from the storehouse. The responsibility that we cannot delegate ward teachers had taken the responsi- or avoid. It is my testimony to you bility for the tree and the presents and that this gospel is true, that we progress goodies to fill the stockings, and during only as we serve, and that the ward the Christmas Holidays the wall was teaching program of this Church offers completed by Brother Hunt, and it stands man one of his greatest opportunities today as a monument to a pair of ward to be useful to his fellowman. teachers who cared enough to go out In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. two days before Christmas and watch over the Church always. President David O. McKay: I have always felt that the ward teaching assignment carries with it a Thank you, brethren, for your re- responsibility to make friends of the sponses. The congregation will now people who are assigned to us, to demon- sing, with Elder Richard P. Condie strate our love for them by being in- conducting, "Do What Is Right." terested in them, and this includes every member of every family in our report The Congregation and the Men's book. Please excuse a personal refer- Chorus sang the hymn, "Do What Is ence, but I love to teach in homes where Right." —

82 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day President David O. McKay: met, Brother Stephen L Richards was with us, and you will remember the Our next speaker is Brother Henry D. messages he used to give. He is listen- Moyle, second counselor in the First ing in tonight, undoubtedly, joining in Presidency. I think we are fortunate in our appreciation of the instructions that having Brother Moyle in the First Presi- are given by this able counselor, Henry dency of the Church. When we last D. Moyle. The time is his.

PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

My brethren, this is a solemn moment tainly that which we undertake to do for me, I can assure you. I have been is not done for the purpose of being coming to these Saturday evening Priest- praised of men. It is to give us that hood meetings for a good many years solemn deep-seated satisfaction in our all my life—since I was ordained a dea- hearts that we in some small way have con. I was here when President McKay helped to establish the Kingdom of our was called into the Twelve. I was here Heavenly Father here upon this earth when President Richards was called into in these latter days. To this purpose the Twelve. I have come here many we dedicate our lives and all that we times with my father. I have realized have and are, and our constant prayer that the instructions that were given to to our Heavenly Father is that we might the Priesthood by the Brethren on these have added strength, added capacity, occasions were equally good for father added capability to accomplish more and for son. and more in his service. If I have any This is the first call that has come to complaint tonight it would be that the me to address this great body of Priest- days are not long enough. Some of you hood, and I assure you that if I am were here last night when I was sug- able to give you any thoughts this gesting to the bishops that we ought to evening that will be beneficial to the increase the hours of proselyting of our work, we shall have to ascribe the honor stake missionaries, and I said I thought to our Father in Heaven. I am sure we that we ought to strike an average of must all of us feel dependent upon him about 40 hours a week. I, of course, for the guidance, the direction and the misspoke myself—I meant 40 hours a inspiration essential for each one of us month. to have ever present in order to fulfill But I have been thinking about that the calls which are made of us by those incident, and I know many men in this who preside over us in the Priesthood. Church whose time would permit them I have a deep sense of appreciation to live up to the ideal which I spoke for the work of these Brethren who have unintentionally. We have these—I was preceded me, and especially President going to say, eight-hour days—but I Stephen L Richards. For many years suppose nobody works eight hours any past it has been my great pleasure to more, do they? Six times eight would be here and to expect to hear words of be forty-eight, and it seems to me I inspiration and wisdom from him, and heard something about a 40 hour week, I have never been disappointed. We and sometimes weeks that call for lesser miss President Richards, and we con- labor. tinue, as we undertake to carry on, to It may not be entirely a coincidence remember his beloved wife and all of that these shrinking hours of labor re- his posterity, and pray that the blessings quired of us in our daily employment of the Almighty may continue to be should come about coincident with with them, to guide and direct them the tremendous need that we have in the in the footsteps of their illustrious father Church for work in the service of the and husband. Master. This subject of ward teaching We do not need, however, to eulogize that Bishop Cheever and Bishop Hill men who perform their duties and re- have so beautifully discussed with us sponsibilities in the Priesthood. Cer- tonight has at its root the performance PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE 83 of a service, a labor. It is time-consum- that if we started to exercise our Priest- ing, but how tremendously rewarding hood in our relationships with our to know that every month of our lives families, our intimate relationships, we have contacted somebody, made their early in our family history, that our lives happier and better than they other- young men would have become so well wise would have been. assured of the power and the efficacy of

Now, I know one of these bishops the Priesthood held by their fathers, pretty well. He had no more been called that it would become in very deed their into the bishopric than he said to him- principal ambition in life to receive that self and to me and to some others in same Priesthood, and I cannot think of satisfaction the ward, "I wonder if it's necessary for any greater that comes into a young man to ever reach the age of the life of a righteous father than to 20 and not be worthy and ready and himself be worthy when the time ar- willing to go on a mission?" It is little rives, and his son has qualified himself wonder that he has ward teaching in to receive either the Lesser or the Higher his heart, because he could not have Priesthood, to confer that Priesthood hoped for such a result had the homes upon him under the direction of his in which those young men lived not bishop or his stake president. been visited regularly. I want to leave this thought with you this Sometimes I get off on my statistics, evening, brethren. I do not be- but my best knowledge and understand- lieve that any one of us who are re- ing is that since he became bishop there cipients of the Priesthood ever exercise hasn't been a single boy escape, and if that Priesthood in the performance of there have, perchance, been one or two a single ordinance, the performance of a that I do not know about, I still say the single act, in which we invoke the power record is miraculous, and it comes about of our Priesthood, without having in our as a result of work. Everyone of those hearts simultaneously therewith a deep- young men who have gone into the seated, genuine, true testimony of the divinity mission field—and I can speak with of the work in which we are some feeling about this subject because engaged, and a knowledge that God has one of them is my own son—loves his in very deed restored his Priesthood to bishop, and when they come back from the earth, and that we have been the their mission fields, as they do nearly beneficiaries of that great gift. every month, they go to their bishop My thoughts go back at the moment and tell him they are ready to go to to when I was a little boy. I was aw- work in the ward. fully sick, I thought. I do not think

I tell you, brethren, this ward teach- my sickness was very serious. I may ing is basically fundamental. It is the have had a bad case of measles or some- foundation, so to speak, upon which we thing like that, but I was sick, and I can build in any of our Church activi- was miserable, and my father had lived ties, to accomplish any results that are so closely to me that I was just as cer- desirable. Now, we have in the Church tain as that I lived that when my father today about one out of every four young came home and I asked him to admin- men who reach the age of 20 who go ister to me that I would be healed. Do on a mission. I want you bishops to you think a boy can go through that ask yourselves this question: "Where kind of an experience with his father have we failed with reference to the and have his prayers answered, have other three?" That was the plea that his faith justified, and not love that Bishop Isaacson made to you last night father? And even more important than with reference to your Senior Aaronic that, not have a keen realization and Priesthood Group. I am sure that a appreciation of the power that his father bishop should either have that young has by virtue of the Priesthood which man ready to go on a mission, or have has been conferred upon him? I am the satisfaction of knowing that he had sure that from that moment on I lived, exhausted the resources at his command as far as I can review my life in my own in attempting to qualify him therefor. mind, to receive that same Priesthood, We have a tremendous need for mis- to perform that same service in behalf sionaries, and I have a feeling, brethren, of my family when I might be blessed 84 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, Octoher 10 Second Day with one, and I never cease to be grate- I remember one night many years ago ful to the Lord for the almost innumer- in Charleston, West Virginia. We had able instances when I have had the a little group of missionaries there as privilege of exercising my Priesthood we toured the East Central States Mis- outside the family circle in behalf of sion—about 20, as I recall it—and one my brethren and sisters throughout the elder got up and said: "Brother Moyle, Church, and being absolutely con- I have only been on a mission for a scious when I laid my hands upon their year, but every day that I am on my heads that there was a power there mission I have a stronger assurance come making itself manifest in my ministry, to me that as a result of my mission I that would bring about the purposes of will bring my father into the Church. our Heavenly Father here upon this Do you know why I want to bring my earth. father into the Church? It is because I have seen and heard mother pray And so I say if we exercise this Priest- my hood in behalf of our families we cannot for that event to happen as far back as help but have our families grow up to I can remember. I just have a feeling follow in our footsteps, and what father that if, through my diligence, my effort, worthiness as a missionary, spending is there among us that would not have my two years in this mission, I can ac- his son gon on a mission. I have made my this statement many times in the Church complish that result, I will have been able to give my mother that which she in many of your stakes—I have never all else earth, inci- yet been contradicted, I have never yet wants above on and had a case brought to my attention that dentally, make it possible for me to be sealed to my father and my mother, would disprove what I have said—and give to the benefits of the that is this: that the Lord has so blessed and them and prospered the Saints that today we Holy Endowment." are well enough off to send anybody on I would like to charge, if it were pos- a mission that is worthy and willing sible, every Latter-day Saint home to to go, and supplement whenever neces- produce a missionary. It would be easy sary whatever means he and his family to divide the homes in the Church be- may have to keep him on the mission. tween those who are presided over by We are not having missionaries come returned missionaries, and those who home in the middle of their missionary are presided over by men who have not terms because their families have run filled that call. I am sure that the latter out of finances. group have always been anxious, always Now the Lord has blessed us for a just a little disappointed that they did purpose. His blessings have not been not go on a mission themselves. There showered upon us for the purpose of our need be no disappointment in the heart following the ways of the world. Why of any Latter-day Saint father, whether do you think we pay our tithing? Isn't he has been on a mission or not. If I family I not it to put our hearts in tune with the were the head of a and had Spirit of our Heavenly Father, to enter been on a mission, I would devote myself into a partnership with him and dedi- to receive the blessing of a mission cate the other nine tenths to the best through my son. possible use available to bring about I want to say to you tonight, brethren, his purposes, first with the family, and in all solemnity, that we can receive second, with the ward. those blessings if we rear our children to service, I am sure the generosity of the Latter- qualify for that great the great- day Saints knows no bounds. Some peo- est service of all. That is the service to ple say that there are too many calls which the Twelve have been called, and all Assistants Associates. It made upon us, but I never yet, and I their and think I can truthfully say this, in all my is the prime charge that the Savior gave experience in the Church heard anyone his Apostles of old—to go into the world complain about the cost of a mission. and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, There is something about a mission. the gospel of life and salvation, to all Sometimes I think it affects the family the children of our Heavenly Father at home even more than the missionary here upon this earth. himself. I know that God lives. I know that PRESIDENT }. REUBEN CLARK, ]R. 85

the power of the Priesthood is with us, grateful that I have had these years of and I know that there is vested in Presi- opportunity to associate with President dent David O. McKay all the keys of Joseph Fielding Smith and the members the Priesthood. There has flowed into of the Twelve. It was brought rather this dispensation all of the power and sternly to my realization that I was not all of the authority and all of the keys a member of the Twelve any more when and blessings of all other dispensations. my beloved friend, Howard W. Hunter, That we know. And I am sure that you was called to take my place in the brethren will have difficulty in realizing Twelve. I love and respect and revere how deep-seated my gratitude to my him, as I do all of the members of the Heavenly Father is for this testimony, Twelve, and my prayer daily is that with this knowledge that God lives, and that this call which has come to me, the he sustains his mouthpiece upon this Lord may make it possible for me to earth with power and authority to speak stand even closer and be more intimate, in his name every day of his life. and draw greater strength from these I do not know what in the world I Brethren who have sustained and up- could have done to be worthy of this held me all these years as a member of close association with these men whom their Quorum. I revere and idolize. For 53 years Now, I do invoke the blessings of the President McKay has been as dedicated Lord upon us all, and pray that we a man as ever lived upon the face of will constantly unite our faith and the earth to the tasks which have been prayers that the Lord will bless and his, and now I have the privilege of sustain President McKay and President undertaking in my weak way to be of Clark with the health and strength and some assistance to him. vigor and vitality of body and of mind President Clark and I have been and of spirit, which will make it pos- thrown together in our Welfare work sible for them day to day to fulfill the these many years, and I have learned to righteous desires that they have in their love and respect and revere him. I do hearts, the desires that they have to hope and pray that the Lord will bless carry this work on, and this I pray hum- me that my labors may in some small bly in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. measure reflect the deep sense of grati- Amen. tude I have in my heart for this call, and make me capable, qualified, worthy, President David O. McKay: to continue to associate and to counsel

with you, my beloved brethren. I love President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. will the brethren of this Church. I am so now address us.

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.

First Counselor in the First Presidency

My brethren, holders of the Holy the very few minutes that I wish to Priesthood after the Order of the Son speak. of God: I address you as such, I wish to There is a saying that "all roads lead speak to you as such. I have enjoyed to Rome." As Brother Christiansen this meeting. I have enjoyed the breth- pointed out today and made suggestions, ren, the bishops who spoke about ward too many of us seem sometimes to offer teaching. I have enjoyed, of course, this excuse or that excuse or the other Brother Moyle. I paid a brief compli- excuse for not obeying the command- ment to him this morning and likewise ments of the Lord because we will all to President Richards. I shall have to go to the same place, and we know that be brief, because you want to hear that view is held by many of the sec- President McKay and so do I. (laughter) tarian churches of the world. That, so "The audience only laughs when the far as this Priesthood is concerned, is king speaks!" not true, it is an apostate principle. But there are one or two points that I have already suggested that we face I would hope briefly to make to you in perhaps the greatest crisis in the history —

86 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day of the world. These are the "latter days." wounded, many doctors out, perhaps the I have already suggested, following the hospitals gone. What are you going excellent address of President McKay, to do? that the Marxist principles and policy "Silver and gold have I none; but wherever found look to the temporal, such as I have give I thee: In the name not to the spiritual. They exalt the of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and temporal; they belittle the spiritual. walk." You know, I find no place in the Brethren, if you face a situation where Scriptures, the New Testament and there is no nursing available, no doc- otherwise, where the Lord ever prom- tors available, only the Priesthood, are ised that those who followed him would you going to be living so that you can gain wealth. His mission was to the go and in the name of Jesus Christ, bless poor and the lowly. and heal? Do you remember the first great mir- I was reared in a household of faith. In acle performed by the old Apostles? It my father's home we had no doctor in occurred at the Gate Beautiful. There the town. We had none short of Salt was there a man who was born from his Lake City, forty miles away. My father mother's womb with crippled feet. They and my mother reared almost entirely brought him there daily. Peter and their ten children without a doctor John were going in and as they went by time and time again pneumonia, scarlet him, lying there seeking alms, they fever, typhoid, six of us sick at one time looked at him and then they said "Look in bed in the same room with diphtheria. on us." And he looked at them. Then And what did they do? Father and the Peter delivered that great message that elders went to the Lord. That is how brought him before the Sanhedrin, and we lived. performed the first miracle: Read what happened on what is "Silver and gold have I none; but such called the Day of Miracles on the banks as I have give I thee: In the name of of the Mississippi, when the Prophet Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and went out and administered here and walk." there and healed. Joseph sent his He reached his hand, and took him. handkerchief as Paul of old sent hand- The man arose. His ankles straightened. kerchiefs and aprons, and, their faces He leaped for joy. being wiped, the sick were healed. Now, I want to talk a little, just a Now, if you have no doctors, no minute more, to you about that. nurses, none but you and the Lord, you I do not wish to be a croaking raven. Priesthood-bearers, is it not worth living But I am so disturbed by the revelations so that when that time comes, your recently made by this man Khrushchev prayers will be heard, and your sick that a deliberate attempt will be made healed? to conquer the Western world, the May God be with us and help us to Christian world; first, by peaceful means. live as the Priesthood should live. But if they can get us for peace, and I conclude by bearing my testimony then for retiring from Europe, demobil- as I did this morning, but will not re- ization, largely, the destruction of our peat for time, save to say that I know installations for protection, then you God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that will see what he will do. Joseph was a Prophet through whom Now, brethren, I want to urge on you came the Priesthood and the Gospel, this consideration. I have had some that those who succeeded him have had time to reflect recently, and my condi- that same right and that same power tion has been such as to bring home to held today by President David O. me how terrible would be the condition McKay. if I had been deprived of my daughters God give us all this testimony and and of my doctor, and the saving thing give us the strength to live so that if, about it was the prayers of my Brethren when, and as a crisis shall come, we may and of the Church. There is where the be a Church, a community of doctors healing came from. representing the Priesthood, holding the Visualize, if you will, for a moment Priesthood and exercising the great gift what would be the condition if we sud- which filled the work of Jesus, I humbly denly had a bomb landed here, many pray, in the name of Jesus. Amen. 87

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

This is an historic occasion. The out personally how important mission- young men of the Aaronic Priesthood in ary work really is and how much has attendance will remember this, as we to be done yet. Most of these people all shall. do not even know that there is a Father We have just received a report of the in Heaven." attendance as follows: In the Salt Lake "We do our very best, especially over Tabernacle, 7,563; in the Assembly Hall, here to set examples of the Church and Barratt Hall, and grounds, 2,285; in the to live as righteously as we possibly 204 groups reporting in, 38,516; making can; to live the commandments of the a total reported to this moment of Lord and the teachings of our Church; 48,364, every one of whom holds the to give unto all of those desiring to at- Priesthood, which is an authorization to tend our meeting of worship, to let them represent our Father in Heaven in what- partake of the spirit and blessings we ever position or assignment each may be receive at our little group meetings. placed, and to do it authoritatively. "We hope that we have not kept you It is a humbling experience, even to from some important task with the time have the privilege of being one of those spent reading our letter. We just wanted 48,000 men of the Priesthood—a power to write to you to let you know that we in the land and a power never so greatly are always thinking of you and our needed in the history of the world to prayers are with you. We thank you thwart the plans and schemes of the for your time. May God bless and help Adversary as today. God grant that we you in all things you are in need of. may have wisdom and knowledge and Very Humbly Yours, most of all, divine guidance as we per- form our duties assigned to us. (signed) Edwin E. Bigler, Elder are details There a few that we should L. D. S. Group Leader like to mention, and ask for Bishops' the U. S. S. Pine Island cooperation in making more effective (Pacific Ocean) the work. Elder Danny G. Davis, But before so doing, I wish to say a Secretary" word about our servicemen mentioned in the beginning, twenty-one of whom It is not easy for the boys in the serv- flew in to attend this meeting tonight. ice to live up to the ideals of the Priest- I said we should have something more hood, especially if they have been to say. A short time ago we received a tempted before they went into the serv- letter from a group of service boys, a part ice. It is not easy for the Elders who of which I wish to read. They are aboard are in the missionary field, either, the United States steamship "The Pine especially if they have been tempted Island." before they go into the mission field, "On behalf of the group aboard the and I emphasize that exception. U.S.S. Pine Island we would like to Young men and young women who take this time to write to you with hum- grow up through their teens and keep bleness and sincerity in our hearts. . . . themselves unspotted from the world "We a few of the Lord's servants striv- can resist temptation in the field and in ing to do the work that we have to do the service, or wherever they are. It before the second coming of our Lord is not difficult when they meet tempta- Jesus Christ. Through your words, tion. guidance, and leadership and the help But some of our young men and our of our Father in Heaven, and if we live young women fail to live up to the worthy we will be able to do this work standards of the Priesthood and they

is here for . which us to do. . . slip and fall. They ask forgiveness and "We are now touring the Pacific Ocean go into the field and are tempted, and for six months, visiting different lands they are tempted, and they fall again. and people. We learn a lot of the ways It is just as necessary for young men of other people. How they live and and young women to live up to the what they do, their religion. We find principles in their high school training 88 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day here at home, and some of them are in this temptation. He was pleading, narrow in their training and teaching, for the resistance of the Savior had as it is for them to keep themselves pure weakened the Tempter's powers. He and unspotted when they go into the showed him the things of the world. field. "All these things will I give thee, if You cannot tamper with the Evil One. thou wilt fall down and worship me." Resist temptation, resist the Devil and Rising in the majesty of his divinity, he will flee from you. Jesus said: "Get thee hence, Satan: for The Savior on the Mount gave us it is written, Thou shalt worship the the greatest example in all the world Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou and the 48,000 men tonight must ever serve." And the Tempter slunk away; are told that angels and have him in mind as their ideal. Just and we came after the Savior's baptism, he was led administered to the Lord. (Matt. 4:8-11.) up to the mount that is known now as There is your story, young man. Your the Mount of Temptation. I do not weakest point will be the point at which know whether that is where he stood, the Devil tries to tempt you, will try where he fasted for forty days, or not. to win you, and if you have made it But it was on some mount that he weak before you have undertaken to went, and after fasting forty days, the serve the Lord, he will add to that Tempter came to him, so we are told, weakness. Resist him and you will gain and as the Tempter always does, he in strength. He will tempt you in an- struck at him in what the Tempter other point. Resist him and he becomes thought was his weakest point. weaker and you become stronger, until you can say, no matter what your sur- After having fasted, the Tempter roundings may be, "Get thee behind me, thought he would be hungry, and the Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt first temptation, you will remember, worship the Lord thy God, and him only was, "If," and he said it sarcastically, shalt thou serve." (Luke 4:8.) "If thou be the Son of God," referring to the testimony of the Father when— he Now, I mention this because there said, "This is my beloved Son," "If are too many broken hearts in our thou be the Son of God, command that Church, because men, some of whom these stones be made bread." And there hold the Priesthood and prominent posi- is a stone there in that area which is tions, are tempted right wherein they not unlike a Jewish wheat-loaf, so that are weak, and they forget that they have would make the temptation of it ap- made covenants with the Lord and step peal all the stronger. Christ's answer aside from the path of virtue and dis- was: "Man shall not live by bread alone, cretion and will break their wives' but by every word that proceedeth out hearts because of foolish indulgence and of the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:3-4.) because of their yielding. The next temptation quoted scripture We have one of the most sacred cove- also. It was an appeal to vanity, an nants in all the world pertaining to the appeal to gain ascendancy over our fel- happiness of the home, and there are lows: "If thou be the Son of God, cast men within the sound of my voice who thyself down ..." (from a pinnacle of have forgotten how sacred that cove- ". the temple) . . for it is written ..." nant is. The Brethren of the Twelve, (and the Devil can cite scripture for the General Authorities of the Church, ". his purpose) . . for it is written, He the stake authorities, are urging youth shall give his angels charge concerning everywhere to go to the temple to be thee: and in their hands they shall bear married. Don't you go to that temple thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy unless you are ready to accept the cove- foot against a stone." And the answer nants that you make. was, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord Marriage in the temple is one of the (Matt. 4:6-7.) thy God." most beautiful things in all the world. The third temptation was of love, of A couple is led there by love, the divinest wealth and power. The tempter took attribute of the human soul. A young Jesus to a high mountain and showed man looks upon that bride, rightfully, him the things of the world and the who will be the mother of his children, power thereof. He was not sarcastic as being as pure as a snowflake, as spot- PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 89 less as a sunbeam, as worthy of mother- House of God. You have no right to hood as any virgin. And I will tell neglect your wives and go and seek the you that it is a glorious thing for a company of others who seem to be more woman thus to bear the robes and be attractive to you because you are thrown the pride of a young Elder's heart, one with them in daily life, in your business who trusts her to be the head of his affairs, or in Church affairs. This may household. seem general, but while I speak to you, And she trusts him as being as worthy a wife with her tears and her pleadings of fatherhood as she of motherhood, comes to me now, asking, "Won't you and rightfully, too, because on his just say a prayer, won't you offer a shoulders are the robes of the Holy prayer to try to bring my husband back?" Priesthood, testifying to his young bride, Well, she may have been to blame for and to all, that he is as worthy of father- the trouble—she said she was partly to hood as she of motherhood. blame—but I know he was to blame, for And together they stand in the House he is a man who holds the Priesthood of the Lord and testify, covenant before and he has no right to break his cove- him that each will be true to the cove- nants. We have too many divorces in nants they make that day, each keeping the Church, and men, I think we are himself or herself to the other and none to blame for most of them—not all, but else. That is the highest ideal of mar- most of them. riage ever given to man. If those With regard to temple work, bishops, covenants were kept as sacred as sacred be more careful about issuing recom- covenants should be kept, there would mends. First, in the details: Many be fewer broken hearts among wives persons come to the temples with recom- and fewer among the husbands, when mends incompletely prepared, lacking wives forget. A covenant is a sacred essential information, often without in- thing, and a man who is married in dication as to the purpose of the ordi- the temple, has no right to be looking nance. at young women, whether they are in Next: Missionaries not infrequently the choir or in the Relief Society or on come to the Mission Home without the General Board, or doing any of the temple recommends. That should never duties of the Church. You have a cove- be, bishops. Most of them, not having nant to be true to that wife. received their endowments, must go to Brethren of the Priesthood, keep it the temple, and the program at the true, be true to it. Mission Home provides for at least two temple sessions. "It's easy enough to be prudent, Please be careful, bishops and stake nothing tempts When you to stray; presidencies, for we ask that you give without or When within no voice of sin special attention to the correction of Is luring your soul away. these two matters and save much in- But it's only a negative virtue convenience, expense, and time to temple Until it is tried by fire, and general office staff and the people the life And that is worth the honor of of the Church as well. earth, I see that the time is gone and I Is the life that resists desire. must not detain you longer. If you will have your testimonies By the cynic, the sad, the fallen strengthened, to have it revealed to you Who had no strength for the strife, now individually that Christ is aiding The world's highway is cumbered today; you in your work, guiding his Church, They make up the item of life. well the best to do that is to follow But the virtue that conquers passion way the admonition of my brethren who And the sorrow that hides in a smile, have spoken to you tonight doing your It is these that are worth the homage of — earth duty, as President Moyle urged, attend- ing to misionary work, no matter what For we find them but once in a while." the cost may be or how many hours you —Ella Wheeler Wilcox have to spend. I plead with the army assembled to- There is an old saying that "man's night in this Priesthood meeting, to extremity is God's opportunity." You keep true to the covenants made in the remember the story I have told about 90 GENERAL CONFERENCE Saturday, October 10 Second Day

James McMurrin, who had to fill an need this." "Thank you, Brother Rob- appointment in Falkirk, Scotland, on ertson, I need that to get my ticket." Sunday. He was in Burntisland Satur- "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." day night and he had a sixpence or a You brethren in the Church will shilling in his pocket to pay for his boat come against the wall. It seems to be ride across the Leith Walk to Edin- across your path. It may be morally. borough. When that was spent he was You cannot overcome it, or you cannot alone. The only way he could get to get through it, you cannot see. You can Falkirk was by the one train that was walk from here to that wall, having faith then running between Edinborough and that God will give you a ladder, or Glasgow. show you a hidden ladder or an opening, He had an appointment with the and he will do it, if you will walk just Branch in Edinborough from ten to as far as you can in the performance twelve. He filled that appointment. of your duty. No matter what it is or When they asked him to go to lunch, how difficult your duty, do it; walk that he said, "No, thank you, I have to be distance, and then say in all sincerity in Falkirk and I have to take the train and faith, "Father, help me. Open up that leaves at one o'clock"—or there- the way for me. Give me strength to abouts. One by one the Saints bade him do my duty, give me strength to over- goodbye, all but Brother Robertson, who come temptation." was president of the Branch. "Why," God help us as men representing him he said, "Well, if ye canna go hame through the Priesthood, the Holy Priest- with me, I'll gae ye Scotch convoy," and hood, to do our duty and do it well, I together they walked across Princess pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Street down to Waverly Station, and crossed under the glass covered canopy, President David O. McKay: over to the gate from which the train The Men's Chorus of the Tabernacle was to leave. Choir will now sing, "The Lord Bless The only possible way that Brother You and Keep You." Elder Leo Reeve, McMurrin could have kept his appoint- president of the Zion Park Stake, will ment that night was to get that train. offer the closing prayer, after which this He had faith that the Lord would open Conference will be adjourned until ten up his way. He did not ask anyone for o'clock tomorrow morning. a shilling, nor for sixpence, nor for two- Again we thank the Men's Chorus pence, nor for two and six, and as the for their inspirational singing. time approached, Brother Robertson said, The session at ten o'clock Sunday "Well, Brother McMurrin, it is time just morning will be broadcast as a public to get your ticket, so I will say good-bye." service over television and radio stations "Goodbye, Brother Robertson," and throughout the West. The Tabernacle Brother McMurrin was left alone. There Choir broadcast will be from 8:30 to was his extremity. 9:00 in the morning. I will give his words "Father,"— — you Also, Elder Richard L. Evans of the as he gave them to me "Father, I have Council of the Twelve will be the speaker come just as far as I can in fulfilling my on the CBS Church-of-the-Air Program, duty. Open up the way that I may get broadcast over KSL tomorrow morning on this train and go to Falkirk." He had at 7:30. in mind, he said, that the gatekeeper "The Lord Bless You and Keep You," would probably let him go through. He by the Men's Chorus, followed by the did not think of the fact that the gate- benediction, and this great Conference keeper was a Scotchman. He would will be adjourned until ten o'clock to- never do that. What happened? Brother morrow morning. Robertson had just returned to the steps leading up to Princess Street and the The Men's Chorus of the Tabernacle thought came to him, "I wonder if Choir sang the hymn, "The Lord Bless Brother McMurrin has enough money." You and Keep You," following which Quickly retracing his steps, he walked the closing prayer was offered by Elder across the station, pulled out of his Leo Reeve, president of Zion Park Stake. pocket a two and six piece, and said, Conference adjourned until Sunday "Here, Brother McMurrin, perhaps you morning, October 11, at 10:00 o'clock. THIRD DAY MORNING MEETING

(For a full report of the Church of ly president of the Eastern States Mis- the Air and Tabernacle Choir and Organ sion, offered the opening prayer. Broadcasts, see pages 126 to 130.) Conference reconvened Sunday morn- President David O. McKay: ing, October 11, 1959 at 10 o'clock, with President David O. McKay presiding, Elder Theodore C. Jacobsen, formerly and conducting the services. president of the Eastern States Mission, The music for this session of the Con- offered the invocation. The Choir will ference was furnished by the Tabernacle now sing, "Jesus, Name of Wondrous Choir, under the direction of Richard P. Love," Richard P. Condie conducting. Condie. Frank W. Asper was at the Following the singing President Henry organ console. D. Moyle of the First Presidency will address us. President David O. McKay:

The Tabernacle Choir, under the di- Singing by the Choir, "Jesus, Name rection of Richard P. Condie, with of Wondrous Love." Frank W. Asper at the organ, will open these services by singing, "The Lord's President David O. McKay: Prayer." The opening prayer will be offered by Elder Theodore C. Jacobsen, The audience will be interested in formerly president of the Eastern States knowing that this service is being broad- Mission. cast on television and radio stations in many western states during this first hour. President Henry D. Moyle of the The Choir sang "The Lord's Prayer." First Presidency will be our first speaker. (By Robertson) He will be followed by Bishop Thorpe B. Elder Theodore C. Jacobsen, former- Isaacson.

PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

"We believe in God, the Eternal man came also the resurrection of the Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, dead. and in the Holy Ghost." (First Article "For as in Adam all die, even so in of Faith.) Christ shall all be made alive." (I Cor. Upon this article of our faith is the 15:19-22.) Church founded. Jesus Christ, our Lord The atonement of Christ was in turn and Master, is the Son of the Living twofold, as I have said: first, to redeem God. Christ is our Head. His life and man from the fall. It is through this works in mortality had a twofold pur- atonement that man is resurrected from pose in the eternal plan of man: first, the dead that he might gain eternal to redeem man from the fall. Therefore, life in its fulness, that there might be has he been called the Redeemer of a reuniting of the body and the spirit mankind. We believe with Paul of after death. This constitutes the ful- old: ness of man. "If in this life only we have hope in The second purpose of the atonement Christ, we are of all men most miserable. was that we might be resurrected, free "But now is Christ risen from the from our transgressions in mortality, and dead, and become the firstfruits of them not live forever in our sins. Christ also that slept. atoned for all of our individual sins. "For since by man came death, by Thus, we say he took upon himself the —

92 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day sins of the world. John tells us, "For went up straightway out of the water: God so loved the world, that he gave and, lo, the heavens were opened unto his only begotten Son, that whosoever him, and he saw the Spirit of God de- believeth in him should not perish, but scending like a dove, and lighting upon have everlasting life." (John 3:16.) him: We say in our second article of faith: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "We believe that men will be punished This is my beloved Son, in whom I am for their own sins, and not for Adam's well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17.) ". transgression." . . for thus it becometh us to fulfil Thus we see that the atonement of all righteousness." (Ibid., 15.) Christ brings upon us the redemption We next see Christ in the hands of from the dead. We all become fruits the tempter. Thus he taught us by his of the resurrection. Redemption from example to overcome the power of evil. our own sins depends upon us. We are We must all recognize in our lives the not saved from ourselves by grace alone existence of two great powers, and learn as we are from Adam's transgression. To early in life that with the power and understand this simple difference gives inspiration of God we can overcome us the power to differentiate in large and resist and turn aside every evil force. measure truth from error. When we Even his fasting for forty days gave us seek the inspiration of God in answer an understanding of how we can like- to our prayers; he inspires us. We re- wise efficaciously reach the source of pent, and repentance leads us to an power essential for our own progress. appreciation of the laws and ordinances How could the Savior have taught us of God by which man can, through his better how to begin a life of humility own effort, through the exercise of his and of service? own will power, lift himself from sin We next see Christ on the mountain to righteousness. When he does this, teaching his disciples whom he had he is on the way to eternal salvation chosen, and with them other listeners and exaltation in the kingdom of our yes, the multitude—-the principles by Heavenly Father. which men could control their lives, Paul said of Christ: "Though he were and should control them. Out of these a Son, yet learned he obedience by the teachings we have the Sermon on the things which he suffered; Mount. Would that it were understood "And being made perfect, he became by all men! But all men do not under- the author of eternal salvation unto all stand the teachings of Christ. His them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:8-9.) teachings are sufficient to have taught In all things Christ has set us the all who have heard and all who have pattern. For this purpose he came to read or now read that they should all earth. No deviation from his plan can have recognized him as the Son of the be justified or tolerated either in the Living God. judgment or the mercy of God. Further- There were only a relatively few who more, no excuse, no reason, exists why followed him. Too many were steeped all men should not lend obedience in the paganistic practices of the past, thereto, rather than to try to justify too self-satisfied to open their minds themselves in pursuing any other course and their hearts to the truth, even when in life. Christ came to help us work spoken with the conviction and knowl- out our salvation. edge and power of God, made manifest There are two phases of Christ's earth- through his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord ly mission. First, he taught his followers and Master. the plan by example as well as by pre- Time will not permit the enumeration cept. His teachings began with his own of all his teachings. How grateful we baptism in the waters of Jordan at the are that he gave us the Sacrament of hands of John the Baptist by immersion, the Lord's Supper and commanded us and John had theretofore been duly com- to meet frequently and partake of that missioned of the Lord to perform this Sacrament and renew our covenants to ordinance. Could he have emphasized keep his laws and obey his command- the importance of baptism in any better ments, even as we covenanted to do at way? the waters of baptism. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, His second purpose was not finally PRESIDENT HENRY D. MOYLE 93

completed until after his crucifixion and We express our love and devotion to resurrection, just prior to his ascension God for our conversion by proclaiming to heaven, when he charged his apostles his word to others, even as he has given of old to go into all the world and it to us. We spend our lives teaching preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the gospel to each other in the Church, every nation, kindred, tongue, and peo- in our homes, in all our worshiping as- ple, and that they that believed should semblies. We proclaim the truths of the be baptized and thereby bring about gospel to our neighbors and our friends their own salvation. far and near. We fill our missions on "And Jesus came and spake unto them, earth by trying to follow in this respect, saying, All power is given unto me in as in all others, the charge and the exam- heaven and in earth. ple and the teachings of Christ, our "Go ye therefore, and teach all na- Lord. tions, baptizing them in the name of the After Peter and the apostles of old Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy received this commission to preach to Ghost: every nation, we see them next actually "Teaching them to observe all things preaching the gospel, and our first re- whatsoever I have commanded you: and, corded history of their missionary labors lo, I am with you alway, even unto the is recorded thus: end of the world. Amen." (Ibid., 28:18- "And when the day of Pentecost was 20.) fully come, they were all with one ac- Here again he set the great pattern to cord in one place. be followed by his disciples in every "And suddenly there came a sound generation of time. The plan Christ from heaven as of a rushing mighty thus gave us can be stated very simply: wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. We hear the gospel. "And there appeared unto them cloven We repent. tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon We are inspired. each of them. We are converted by that inspiration, "And they were all filled with the the gift of the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost, and began to speak with We accept, and we learn the gospel. other tongues, as the Spirit gave them We teach the gospel to others. utterance. . . . Its divinity is revealed to those who "Therefore let all the house of Israel seek the truth by the gift and power of know assuredly, that God hath made God. That is what is meant by the that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, ". scriptures: . . seek and ye shall find, both Lord and Christ. knock and it shall be opened unto you." "Now when they heard this, they (Ibid., 7:7.) were pricked in their heart, and said We ourselves must act. We must unto Peter and to the rest of the apos- initiate our own search for truth of our tles, Men and brethren, what shall we own free will. Once we do, the Lord do? magnifies us, fills our souls with his Holy "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, Spirit, and leads us on to faith and to and be baptized every one of you in the repentance. When we have received name of Jesus Christ for the remission and understood the word, we accept the of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of gospel and lend obedience thereto. the Holy Ghost. Our third and fourth articles of faith "For the promise is unto you, and to read: "We believe that through the your children, and to all that are afar Atonement of Christ, all mankind may off, even as many as the Lord our God be saved, by obedience to the laws and shall call." (Acts 2:1-4, 36-39.) ordinances of the Gospel." "But those things, which God before "We believe that the first principles had shewed by the mouth of all his and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, prophets, that Christ should suffer, he Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, hath so fulfilled. Repentance; third, Baptism by immer- "Repent ye therefore, and be con- sion for the remission of sins; fourth, verted, that your sins may be blotted Laying on of hands for the gift of the out, when the times of refreshing shall Holy Ghost." come from the presence of the Lord; 94 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day

"And he shall send Jesus Christ, which "And I was with you in weakness, before was preached unto you: and in fear, and in much trembling. "Whom the heaven must receive until "And my speech and my preaching the times of restitution of all things, was not with enticing words of man's which God hath spoken by the mouth wisdom, but in demonstration of the of all his holy prophets since the world Spirit and of power: began. "That your faith should not stand "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, in the wisdom of men, but in the power A prophet shall the Lord your God of God. raise up unto you of your brethren, like "But as it is written, Eye hath not unto me; him shall ye hear in all things seen, nor ear heard, neither have en- whatsoever he shall say unto you. tered into the heart of man, the things "And it shall come to pass, that every which God hath prepared for them soul, which will not hear that prophet, that love him. shall be destroyed from among the peo- "For what man knoweth the things ple." (Ibid., 3:18-23.) of a man, save the spirit of man which "Then Peter, filled with the Holy is in him? even so the things of God Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." people, and elders of Israel, (I Cor. 2:2-5, 9, 11.) "If we this day be examined of the Every convert to the Church today good deed done to the impotent man, has this desire in his heart to tell others by what means he is made whole; what he has found. There is joy in "Be it known unto you all, and to all knowing the truth, and there is joy in the people of Israel, that by the name intuitively sharing it with others. This of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye is the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the crucified, whom God raised from the sure sign of our conversion. Not all of dead, even by him doth this man stand the members of the Church leave their here before you whole. homes to go on missions into the world, "This is the stone which was set at my friends, to bring to you the gospel nought of you builders, which is become in your homes, but within the sphere of the head of the corner." (Ibid., 4:8-11.) their influence our people continue Today, and for the past 130 years of through life to bear their testimony of the existence of the restored Church of the existence of God which gives to them Jesus Christ, the Spirit which prompted that peace which can come alone from Peter and his associates of old has im- our Father in heaven. pelled the elders of the Church of Jesus As elders in Israel today we are Christ of Latter-day Saints to do like- charged with the responsibility of pro- wise. Ever since 1830 we have had in claiming his word to the world and the world young men and women who, crying repentance to the sons and daugh- because of their love of the gospel and ters of our Heavenly Father. Our the witness of its divinity which they brothers and sisters throughout the have received of the Holy Ghost, preach world, those who are listening in, who the gospel in its truth and in its purity. may not be of our number, let us beg of They devote their time and their means you to give our missionaries the oppor- to accomplish this mission, to call all tunity they so earnestly seek to give to people to repentance and to teach the you the simple principles of the gospel plan of life and salvation given us of as taught by Jesus Christ himself. These the Savior. The gospel has been re- missionaries come to you holding the stored to the earth in its fulness, in its priesthood of God. They have received simplicity and purity in this day through his power and authority to preach the the instrumentality of the Prophet gospel and administer in the ordinances Joseph Smith. thereof. They have brought joy to hun- Like Paul of old, they say, and they dreds of thousands in the past. All of say it with pure hearts and clean hands, us here today are here as a result of as they dedicate their lives to their mis- similar labors upon the part of former sionary labors: missionaries. "For I determined not to know any My friends, you cannot afford to turn thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and a deaf ear to the truth, for we declare him crucified. to you in all soberness that God lives —

BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON 95

and has once again spoken from the These prophecies have, in large meas- heavens, once again restored his power ure, been fulfilled. The gospel has been and his priesthood in its pristine restored to the earth. God continues to strength and purity upon those of us magnify those upon whom he has be- whom he has called to carry on his stowed his authority in these latter days work in this, the dispensation of time to serve his people and to guide and in which he has brought together all direct the honest in heart the world that he has given his children in all over into the paths of truth and of right. previous generations of man, all as fore- We declare most solemnly that we have told through his prophets of old. been called of God, and that we proclaim We have the power and the authority his word to the world by virtue of his to confer these same blessings upon all power and authority. We invoke his nations, as the blessings which were blessings upon all mankind, and particu- given by the apostles of old to the na- larly that their hearts might be opened, tions in which they served as mission- their desires might be toward righteous- aries. ness, and that they might lend an ear Daniel tells us: "And in the days of and understand and appreciate the truth these kings shall the God of heaven when it is presented to them by his set up a kingdom, which shall never be duly ordained and constituted servants destroyed: and the kingdom shall not the missionaries of the Church of Jesus be left to other people, but it shall break Christ of Latter-day Saints. in pieces and consume all these king- God bless them, and bless us, and doms, and it shall stand for ever." bless all who lend ear to their teachings, (Daniel 2:44.) we pray humbly this day, in the name John, the Revelator, gave us one of of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. the most beautiful predictions of all of the restoration of the gospel in these latter days, for he said: "And I saw an- President David O. McKay: other angel fly in the midst of heaven, D. First having the everlasting gospel to preach President Henry Moyle of the unto them that dwell on the earth, Presidency of the Church has just spoken and to every nation, and kindred, and to us. We hope that all the television tongue, and people, sets, radios, that were tuned in along "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, the West Coast, in the Northwest, and and give glory to him; for the hour of throughout the nation, heard Presi- Moyle's address. his judgment is come: and worship him dent that made heaven, and earth, and the We shall now hear from Bishop sea, and the fountains of waters." (Rev. Thorpe B. Isaacson of the Presiding 14:6-7.) Bishopric.

BISHOP THORPE B. ISAACSON

First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

President McKay, President Clark, day before, I have thought of the words President Moyle, President Smith, my of Riddle: "Those who know books beloved brothers and sisters, and the know much, but those who know nature radio and television audience: I am very know more, and those who know God grateful for the prayer this morning of have reached the goal of human wis- a wonderful man, former mission presi- dom." dent, Brother Theodore Jacobsen. I know This great choir, I am sure, has up- that the Lord will answer that prayer, lifted us this morning along with thou- and I shall be grateful to you for your sands and perhaps millions who have prayers this morning because I confess heard them. They are a great credit to to you that I feel very humble and very the Church and to the city, to the state weak. and the nation. These choir leaders, the As I have listened to these inspired choir members, and the officers, are, not messages today and yesterday and the just good musicians: They are good 96 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October II Third Day

Latter-day Saints, and they are wonder- Today, if I may, I would like to take ful missionaries. They are devoted. I just one sentence from President have a very choice brother singing in the McKay's beautiful dedicatory prayer of- choir, and I know how deeply devoted fered at the London Temple, and may and what great love he has for this I quote from that one sentence. Speak- organization. May God bless every ing to the Lord, he said: "May we single one of them. express overwhelming gratitude just to I know we have been deeply touched be alive." this morning by the inspiring address I have a personal reason this morning of President Henry D. Moyle. May I for repeating this sentence from Presi- be pardoned if I tell you this morning dent McKay's dedicatory prayer, be- that I thought his humble and yet cause today I am truly grateful just to beautiful address was just like the prayer be alive. A few months ago I became he offered a few days ago in an upper critically ill, and I learned then, as I room of the temple when the General have never learned before, that the line Authorities met there preparatory to between life and mortality and death this great conference. As he spoke to and immortality is very thin indeed. you this morning, he had a prayer in It only takes a few seconds—yes, a very his heart for you, the membership of few seconds—to change from life and the Church, and for our friends not of the mortality to death and immortality, and Church; and as he offered that prayer I saw how close one can get to the pale in the temple, in the true order of of death. I thought I was passing from Erayer, I felt sure our Father in heaven this life to the other, and I am truly ad called him to his present position. grateful to the Lord that he permitted Brother Moyle has no selfish interests. me to live. I fully realized then that I He has lived above selfishness. He will was not prepared or ready for that pass- be a great blessing to the membership ing, and it brought to my mind a few of this Church. Those of our friends words that I have read in a poem that not in the Church, as well as all of us, goes something like this: will sustain him and pray for him in "There is no time that we could set for the great load that he has to carry. The parting. mantle of Presidency has fallen on his Ever our prayer would be," (as mine shoulders. Last night the priesthood was) assembled was deeply blessed as a result "Not yet, dear Lord, not yet, just another of his marvelous address. President day." Moyle will be a great comfort and I realized then more than ever before blessing and assistance to President how dependent we are upon God, our McKay and President Clark, whom he Eternal Father, even for the preserva- dearly loves. tion of our lives. When one faces such A year ago it was the privilege of my a change, and we are all going to face wife and myself to visit many coun- it, when we come close to it, many tries of Europe, and only by coincidence things come to our minds. I wonder we came into countries, missions, if you are ready for that change. I branches, and districts where Brother wonder if you are prepared to change and Sister Moyle had recently visited. from life to death. I believe that we I have never heard anyone speak so can become prepared and ready, and I beautifully as the humble Saints of concluded then that if the Lord would Europe spoke about President and Sister permit me to live longer, I intended to Moyle. I think we will never know the live better so that I could die better. amount of good and the help that he Even though one may not be com- rendered to so many of our humble pletely conscious or aware of what is Saints in far-off countries of Europe. In going on about him, I shall always be many places he spoke to them in their truly, humbly grateful, I hope, more native tongue. How grateful they were grateful than ever before in my life for for his presence. Sister Moyle likewise the blessings and the prayers of my spoke to them. They are dearly loved friends and family and my Brethren. in the far-off countries of Europe. I am more grateful now because I Faith promotes faith, and testimony realize the power of the Holy Priesthood inspires testimony. of God that we have heard so much " — —

BISHOP THOR1 i B. ISAACSON 97 about in this conference, often referred all them also that love his appearing." to as the greatest power on the face of (II Timothy 4:7-8.) the earth. Some of the Brethren, who And as quoted in the last verse of the are prophets and servants of God, came hymn, "Come, Let Us Anew": to my room in the hospital and laid their hands upon my head and anointed "O that each in the day of his coming me with holy consecrated oil, and then may say, said unto me, "By the power of the Holy 'I have fought my way thro' Priesthood, (Brother Moyle just told us I have finished the work thou did'st give about that power) and in the name of me to do.' Jesus Christ, we bless you that you shall O that each from his Lord may receive be well." the glad word: Do you know of any such power as 'Well and faithfully done; that in the world? I bear testimony to Enter into my joy and sit down on my you that the power of the priesthood throne.' is here in the Church. I testify to you that one knows and one feels that influ- That reminds me of a prayer that I ence and that power, and is mindful of read recently, and may I quote: "Your the blessings of the Lord received day is almost done. When the night through the administration of his serv- and the morning meet, it will be an un- ants holding that Holy Priesthood. alterable memory. So let no unkind I am grateful to be alive, and I prom- word, no careless doubting thought, no ised the Lord that I would bear testimony guilty secret, no neglected duty, no wisp of that power and that healing influ- of jealous fog becloud its passing." ence whenever I could have the strength May God grant us the ability to to do so. I thank God, and I hope that change our lives where they need to be you thank God just to be alive. If you changed. I wonder if we are absolutely feel that you are not quite prepared or satisfied with the life we are leading, ready for that change from life to death, with the thoughts we are thinking, and let me urge you now—today—to change with the deeds that we are doing. your life. Remember it only takes a Everyone of us can thank God, our few seconds to change from life unto Heavenly Father, for our very life, and death. Let me urge you to make the may we let God be our confidant necessary adjustments in your life. Yes, everyone of us—that "thy Father which make new resolutions. Turn back, if seeth in secret himself shall reward thee you have reason to believe that you are openly." (Matt. 6:4.) on the wrong road, turn back now. It As we pass from day to day, each isn't too late. day bringing us closer to the time when May I quote from Amulek's testimony we will change from life unto death, in the book of Alma, wherein he states: may we ask: "Heavenly Father, for what "For behold, this life is the time for purpose hast Thou given me this day? men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold To what end do its hours point? Help the day of this life is the day for men me not lightly to dismiss this question. to perform their labors ... for that same Let me not be carried unthinkingly with spirit which doth possess your bodies at the drift of the times. Give me grace the time that ye go out of this life, that to reflect seriously upon the course of same spirit will have power to possess my life, for days are numbered and your body in that eternal world." precious." (Alma 34:32, 34.) May this group here today, and those Repent! Forsake those things that are who listen on the radio and television, wrong so that when the time comes for resolve to live better hereafter so that you to make that change you can say we can die better. May God bless every as Paul said to Timothy: "I have fought single one of you, that you may live as a good fight, I have finished my course, long as you want to live and as long as I have kept the faith: you ought to live. Remember, each day "Henceforth there is laid up for me a of life is so precious we must not let it crown of righteousness, which the Lord, carelessly slip away. the righteous judge, shall give me at I bear testimony to you humbly that that day: and not to me only, but unto God lives, that he is our Father, that 98 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day

Jesus Christ is our beloved Savior and sing, "Redeemer of Israel," Richard P. our Elder Brother. Oh, how grateful Condie conducting. After the singing, we should be for the power and the Elder Henry D. Taylor, Assistant to the blessings of the Holy Priesthood of God Twelve, will address us. that are constantly in our midst today. Oh, how important it is to have the faith and ability to recognize, not only The Congregation and the Tabernacle our blessings, but the source of those Choir joined in singing the hymn, "Re- blessings. deemer of Israel." God bless everyone of you, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. President David O. McKay: President David O. McKay: We will now hear from Elder Henry He to whom we have just listened is D. Taylor, Assistant to the Twelve. He Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson, a member will be followed by Elder Levi Edgar of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. Young of the First Council of the The Choir and Congregation will now Seventy.

ELDER HENRY D. TAYLOR

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

The calling of Brother Moyle to the principles which are unrighteous and First Presidency, and that of President opposed to the will of our Heavenly Hunter to the Council of the Twelve, Father. is added evidence, my brethren and sis- There are two opposing forces oper- ters, that this Church is guided and ating to win the souls of the children directed by revelation and by inspiration. of men—one force for good, and one for These are two wonderful men. I know evil. The Prophet Mormon gave a test the Lord has a great mission for them that may be applied in determining one to perform. from the other, when he said: "Where- We live today, my brethren and sis- fore, all things which are good cometh ters, in a world of unrest and insecurity, of God; and that which is evil cometh where mistrust, suspicion, and disloyalty of the devil; for the devil is an enemy exist between nations as well as among unto God, and fighteth against him

individuals. Loyalty to oneself and to continually, . . . the principles he believes to be true, "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is is a noble virtue. given to every man, that he may know ." In Shakespeare's Hamlet is expressed good from evil; . . (Moroni 7:12, 16.) this impressive thought: "To thine own Through righteous living we may have self be true, And it must follow, as the the companionship of the Holy Spirit, night the day, Thou canst not then be which will assist us in discerning right ." false to any man. . . from wrong, good from evil. Latter-day Saints should be taught Joseph Smith was permitted to be- early in youth the fundamental princi- hold the contrast between the glory of ples of the gospel. These teachings of God and the power of darkness, and the Savior, if observed, will serve as an received this explanation: "All this is anchor and guide throughout life, and shown, the good and the evil, the holy bring happiness to the individual. and impure, the glory of God and the We have been privileged to come to power of darkness, that you may know this earth to be tested and proved, to hereafter the two powers and never be see if we will be loyal and true to the influenced or overcome by that wicked

commandments given by our Heavenly one. . . . You have beheld the power Father. We have the responsibility of of God manifested and the power of being loyal to righteous and correct satan: and you see that there is nothing principles. Satan and his followers are that is desirable in the works of dark- zealous and loyal, but to causes and ness; that they cannot bring happiness; ELDER LEVI EDGAR YOUNG 99 that those who are overcome therewith They believed the words of the Savior are miserable, while on the other hand when he said: "This is my command- the righteous are blessed with peace in ment, That ye love one another, as I the kingdom of God where joy unspeak- have loved you. able surrounds them." (Comprehensive "Greater love hath no man than this, History, vol. 1, page 78.) that a man lay down his life for his The Savior came to earth with a friends." (John 15:12-13.) mission to perform. He was loyal to As we come into your stakes each the confidence and trust placed in him. week to attend quarterly conferences, This was in spite of his awareness of we are deeply impressed with the devo- the magnitude of his mission, including tion, steadfastness, and firmness of you the atonement. As the hour of the be- good people in the wards, stakes, and trayal and his great sacrifice drew near, missions of the Church. We are pleased he entered the Garden of Gethsemane, to observe your love and loyalty for the and in anguish prayed to our Heavenly gospel and for the inspired leaders of ". Father, saying: . . O my Father, if it the Church and of your desire to sustain be possible, let this cup pass from me: them and assist them in building up the nevertheless not as I will, but as thou kingdom of God here upon the earth. wilt." (Matthew 26:39.) To President McKay and the other The Prophet Joseph Smith fully brethren in the First Presidency, I ex- realized the fate that awaited him and press my love, and pledge them my could have undoubtedly escaped martyr- loyalty and support. I sustain them dom by going West beyond the reach with all my heart. of his enemies. Rather, he chose to May we all be blessed with the ability return to Nauvoo and Carthage, being to discern good from evil and have loyal to the Saints he loved so dearly, the courage and desire to be loyal to and who returned his love and affection. those principles which are righteous, Many of his associates pleaded for the I humbly pray in the name of Jesus privilege of accompanying him and his Christ. Amen. brother Hyrum to the jail, aware that death could easily result. and were granted President David O. McKay: this permission, and when the armed mob stormed the jail, they fought val- Elder Henry D. Taylor, to whom you iantly with all their might and strength have just listened, is one of the Assistants to defend the Prophet and Hyrum. John to the Twelve Apostles, and formerly Taylor was seriously wounded in the president of the California Mission. We assault. This display of loyalty and shall now hear from Elder Levi Edgar affection could well impress and inspire Young of the First Council of Seventy. each of us. These men were ready to He will be followed by Elder S. Dilworth give their very lives for those they loved. Young of the same Council.

ELDER LEVI EDGAR YOUNG

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My brethren and sisters, we are all that the Lord had already a place for very glad to assemble in this great con- him in the priesthood. ference of the Church, and oh, the won- Grandfather was a Methodist min- derful messages we have received, and ister. He had become a preacher, going the testimonies that strengthen our through the different parts of western lives. Ohio, then crossing Lake Erie into Can- I wish to say a few words about Presi- ada, holding meetings, preaching the dent Joseph Young. My grandfather Methodist beliefs. Then one morning was chosen by the Prophet Joseph Smith, he was holding a meeting, and he saw and when grandfather met the Prophet his brother, Brigham Young in the for the first time, the Prophet told him audience, and he could not understand 100 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day it at first. Grandfather was the elder wrote the words? Where are they found of the two. After the meeting, Brigham and why were they written? That is walked up to his brother, Joseph, and for us all—the words, when were they said, "Joseph, I have found the gospel. written and why? Come with me." In time, an incentive to learn more will result of our Joseph immediately felt the truth of and more be the study. what his brother said, and taking him The beauty of it is that you are learning by the arm and bidding his congregation for yourself. You become your own good-bye, they made their way back to teacher. Try this exercise every day for Kirtland, Ohio, where Grandfather met a few minutes and you will be surprised the Prophet. He was baptized imme- at the number of noble truths you will diately, and within a few days the learn. The worth of this self-teaching is Seventy organization was made, and the habit of thought and attention it Grandfather found himself in the First stimulates within us. The steadfast Council of the Seventy. He was always pursuit of such an ideal is the truest recreation that we can have, and is the so proud of it. He became a wonderful teacher and went among the people in a road to a personal understanding of the simple childlike manner. He was a gospel. great reader of the Bible and the Book "My brethren and sisters," said Joseph of Mormon, the Doctrine and Cove- Young one time, "if you can learn how nants, and the Pearl of Great Price. He to learn, you have acquired something loved literature, and because of his that will make of you a real teacher. prayers to God, he was able to grasp You have acquired a habit that will not the meaning, and he used to say to the only give you much joy every day, but people: "That is a simple thought, isn't will also strengthen your character and lead daily to greater truths and it?" And the way he said it, the Saints you on life." agreed, and it became known that the more abundant is study, faith gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest in It our own with and thought of today, and yet so great that prayer to God, that gives us strength, that gives us life and light; and there- it becomes simple and pure—an ideal for the person who goes to God and fore we are ready to become more de- prays for understanding. voted readers of the great Church works. Remember the words of Jesus: "Search Grandfather Young passed away in the scriptures; for in them ye think ye 1884, and then his son, Seymour, suc- have eternal life: and they are they ceeded him. It is a story that becomes which testify of me." (John 5:39.) very personal, I realize, but one of the To know Christ is life eternal. To seventies asked if I would say something become like Christ is happiness ever- about Joseph Young in my address. He lasting. know the steps that Jesus was a great reader, and he had come We trod: obedience, devotion, purity, truth- to know the story of Israel, and taught fulness, kindness, resistance of tempta- it to the people. He was a reader of tion, self-sacrifice. It was John Ruskin literature, as I have said, especially Eng- who wrote: lish literature, and just after the Prophet Joseph Smith had asked that some of "He only is advancing in life whose the people learn Greek and Latin, heart is getting softer, whose blood Grandfather was learning those lan- warmer, whose brain quicker, whose guages. spirit is entering into living peace."

I must not take too much time, but And the men who have this life in I will read these few words to you. "To them are the true lords and kings of learn is to bring into your being a the earth. thought that gives strength and a better God bless us in this holy purpose understanding of the power of your own of learning the gospel in its sim- mind." That was what Grandfather plicity, for how true it is th at the greatest used to teach. Go to your Bible again thoughts become simple to our souls and turn to verse or chapter that you and spirits as we approach God by faith have already learned to love, and read and prayer. I pray that we Seventies it again. Pick out some noble lesson; may all become wise and good teachers learn the substance of its thought. Who of the gospel. Amen. ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG 101

President David O. McKay: grandfather as Senior President of the First Council of Seventy. We shall now We have just listened to Elder Levi hear from Elder S. Dilworth Young of Edgar Young, grandson of Joseph Young, the same Council. He will be followed who holds the same position as his by Elder Sterling W. Sill.

ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG

Of the First Council of the Seventy

It seems to me that there have been years of age is the legal limit under two themes in this conference. One is which a child should not drive. Many our love and devotion and our deter- fathers had been beset with importun- mination to serve the Lord Jesus Christ'. ing from their children. Many fathers The other is a great concern for our and mothers had allowed their children children. May I speak briefly on the to drive, even under legal age. second of these two themes? May I I expressed myself quite vehemently quote you a scripture, briefly? on the subject and said I thought it was ". . . inasmuch as parents have chil- wicked, really, for a parent either to

dren in Zion . . . that teach them not set an example of breaking or allow a to understand the doctrine of repentance, child to break the law—not because of faith in Christ the Son of the living that particular law being either good God, and of baptism and the gift of the or bad,—but because the tendency to Holy Ghost by the laying on of the break law would be implanted in that hands, when eight years old, the sin be child, and perhaps sometime he would upon the heads of the parents." (D&C choose to flaunt a law more serious and 68:25.) important. That was quoted twice earlier in this My companion followed me, and this conference. I would like to add that was his solution. He said: "I will tell we should also teach children ethical you how I solved that problem in my living. I believe that the tendency of family. My boy is fourteen and a half the times and the forces of evil around years of age. I took him down to the us are so great that unless we unite on bureau where they issue licenses, told the our objectives, and obtain a program to folks he was sixteen, and got him a which we can expose our children and drivers' license so that he could drive have them unite with us, we can easily legally on the highway." fail in this great project of keeping our Another scripture (this is from Paul): Church. Unity of ideals children in the "Children, obey your parents in the and purposes is hard to achieve. I May Lord: for this is right. illustrate? "Honour thy father and thy mother Many years ago I was invited to a (which is the first commandment with high school to talk to a group of parents promise) that it may be well with thee, who were present on a "leadership week" and thou mayest live long on the earth. basis. It was not connected with Brig- ham Young University but was a local "And ye fathers, provoke not your affair. There was invited to accom- children to wrath: but bring them up pany me, and to take part in this dis- in the nurture and admonition of the cussion, a psychologist from one of our Lord." (Eph. 6:1-4.) colleges. We both went, and I was the I think we might just as well recog- first speaker. I can remember how hard nize the fact that while we parents are I labored to convince these parents that "in for it," so to speak, if I might use a if they wanted to have their children slang term, if we do not teach our chil- obey, they themselves would have to dren, I think the children are equally obey the principles which they espoused. responsible to do a little for themselves One of the subjects they brought up to have respect for their parents, and was the matter of driving cars when to learn to obey their parents. It is a under age. Everybody knows that the two-way thing. If parents are going to state law is clear in this respect—sixteen teach children, the children ought also 102 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day to learn that they must be obedient there stood his boy, sleeping bag slung to their parents. on his back, overcoat on. He said, I have another example. A certain "What's the matter, Son?" man living in my town had a son. The The boy said, "They tried it, Dad, son was invited to join a high school and I fought them off and came home." club. This high school club was one He had walked nine miles in that zero of a number. He wanted to have some weather. After he got warm, the boy social life with the other boys, I suppose, retired. The father went upstairs, and after he talked to his father about stood at the foot of his son's bed, and it decided he would join. After a while said, "You've done well. I am glad there was to be an initiation. you are an obedient son." He went to his father and said, Now, fathers must make decisions. "Father, I need some advice. I have Mothers must make decisions. But so heard in a roundabout way that they must sons and daughters. If the sons do things to you at these initiations. and daughters do not make correct de- What would be your advice to me as cisions, they are more at fault than to what I ought to do?" their fathers and mothers, if their par- The father said to him, "Do not let ents have taught them what is right. A them do anything to you that will in- most important purpose of this Church volve your dignity as my son or as a is to bring up children in righteousness man. Do not let them compromise you and to keep parents righteous also. in your priesthood, in your family, or I bear my witness that President in your good name." McKay is a prophet of the Living God, So he went. The story comes to me and I bear witness also that his great that it was a cold winter's night, and concern, if I might be so bold as to the boys of the club, without chaperon- interpret him, is for the youth of Zion, age, had hired a cabin in the canyon that they might grow in righteousness near our town, and there they prepared and carry the torch of this Church until to initiate their friends. I suppose the it fills the earth. father had an anxious moment or two I humbly pray we may find the right as he sat through the evening, wonder- and the way to do it. In the name of ing what was going to happen. The Jesus Christ. Amen. boy left him and took his sleeping bag and his sleeping equipment, because President David O. McKay: this was to be an all-night affair. The thermometer measured zero during the We have just listened to Elder S. Dil- night. worth Young of the First Council of About two o'clock in the morning the Seventy. Elder Sterling W. Sill, As- father said he heard the front door sistant to the Twelve, will now address open. He got up to see who was enter- us, and he will be followed by Elder ing the house without permission, and Hugh B. Brown.

ELDER STERLING W. SILL

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

Recently a seat companion in an air- That is, when an idea is passed through plane was telling me something about the mind, the mind receives a set of the very interesting science of ballistics. characteristic markings; for example, He pointed out that when a bullet is when one thinks negative thoughts, he shot through a gun barrel, the bullet gets a negative mind. If he thinks de- receives a set of characteristic markings praved thoughts, his mind becomes de- which will forever identify it with the praved. If he thinks damned thoughts, particular gun barrel through which it a damned mind will be the result. Solo- is shot. mon was speaking as a kind of ballistics Our conversation then moved to an- expert when he said, "For as he [a man] ." other set of facts which might be called thinketh in his heart so is he. . . (Prov. mental ballistics or spiritual ballistics. 23:7.) ELDER STERLING W. SILL 103

In the course of our journey we were were an interview with the noblest men obliged to lay over for an hour between of past ages who have written it." planes. During our wait we made an Charles Kingsley once said, "There is examination of the kind of literature nothing more wonderful than a book. that was being distributed through the It may be a message to us from the dead, magazine stand in the airport. We were from human souls we never saw who impressed—as anyone must be impressed, lived perhaps thousands of miles away, with the fact that one of the most serious and yet these little sheets of paper speak problems of our day, whether considered to us, arouse us, teach us, open our from the point of view of the church or hearts and in turn open their hearts to the nation generally, is the very low- us like brothers." grade of ideas which makes up such a "Without books God is silent, justice substantial part of our mental diet. dormant, philosophy lame." William James once said, "The mind John Milton said, "Books are not dead is made up by what it feeds upon." We things but contain a certain potency of would not think of feeding our bodies life in them as active as the soul whose contaminated food, and yet we often progeny they are. They preserve as in feed our minds and our souls with a vial, the purest efficacy of the living contaminated thoughts, and thereby we intellect that bred them." run contaminated emotions through our Of course, the great literature of the hearts, sometimes with fatal results. world centers in the Holy Bible. The One of our most urgent present-day writings of Shakespeare alone contain needs is to houseclean our thinking. some 550 Bible quotations and allusions. Because two opposite thoughts cannot The works of Tennyson have 330 Bible co-exist in the mind at the same moment, references. Emerson's works are filled the best way to get rid of undesirable with Bible ideas, and the New Testa- thoughts is by antidoting them with ment records eighty-nine occasions when good. The best way to get darkness the Master himself quoted from the great out of a room is to fill it with light. The scriptures. best way to kill the negative is to culti- Think of the effect that the Bible has vate the positive, and the best way to had in individual lives. Looking back- improve our lives is to improve our ward we see young Abraham Lincoln thoughts. And one of the best ways to lying before the open fire reading the improve our thoughts is to develop a Bible, and it is easy to follow the Bible love of great literature. influence in his life throughout his en- Young Abraham Lincoln once said, tire career. One Bible passage in the "What I want to know is in books, and mind of another young man by the my best friend is the one who will get name of Joseph Smith helped to change me a book I haven't read." And in one the religious history of the world. • of the most authoritative voices of latter- Or, think of the effect that Bible day scripture the Lord said, "It is im- teaching has had in the rise and fall of possible for a man to be saved in ig- nations. Most of the nations of the past norance." (D&C 131:6.) And it is just have fallen because they have disobeyed as impossible to be saved by reading the divine law. Certainly this will continue kind of sex stories and murder mysteries to be a determining factor in every na- that makes up such a large part of our tional success. contemporary literature. With keen insight Daniel Webster This morning I would like to share once made this prophetic statement, "If with you some quotations having to do we abide by the principles taught in the with the values of great ideas and stimu- Bible, our country will go on prosper- lating ideals as they are made available ing, but if we, or our children, shall to us through good books. Someone has neglect its teachings and its authority, said, "Books are among life's most no one can tell how suddenly some precious possessions. They are the most calamity may overwhelm us and bury remarkable creation of man. Nothing all of our glory in profound obscurity." else that man builds ever lasts. Monu- We inscribe our coins with the motto ments fall, civilizations perish, but books "In God We Trust." At least we ought continue." to know the kind of God we are talking "The perusal of a great book is as it about. 104 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day

It has been pointed out that, "We do man discovers God." Jesus indicated not know what the future holds, but we this same truth when he prayed, "And do know who holds the future." And this is life eternal, that they might know we may be sure that our national pros- thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ perity as well as our individual exalta- whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3.) tion depends upon how well we utilize Think of the advantage that young this great reservoir of spiritual truth. Timothy had over many of our children. ". In our uncertain age we need the great Paul said to Timothy, . . from a child scriptures as never before. thou hast known the holy scriptures, Our problem, of course, is that no which are able to make thee wise unto matter how great our literature may be, salvation through faith which is in even if we have the word of God himself Christ Jesus." Then he said, "All scrip- spoken in our own day, it doesn't help ture is given by inspiration of God, and us very much unless we know what was is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for said and then govern ourselves accord- correction, for instruction in righteous- ingly. ness:" (II Tim. 3:15-16.) The fifth chapter of the book of Moses Think of the profit our lives would recounts how God tried to teach the show if we could absorb the lessons of posterity of Adam to live the principles the great parables, or the philosophy of of the gospel. But Satan came among the Golden Rule, or the spirit of man's them saying, "Believe it not," and many individual responsibility to God, or the believed it not. This same problem has stimulation contained in the doctrine of been plaguing the world ever since. eternal progression. Or, suppose that we One of our great Articles of Faith says, get God's answers to life's great ques- "We believe the Bible to be the word of tions including the one expressed by the God as far as it is translated correctly; rich young ruler when he asked, "Good we also believe the Book of Mormon to Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal be the word of God." But not only is life?" (Luke 18:18.) Satan among us saying, "Believe it not," There are some important "thou shalt he goes much further and also says, nots," in the Bible. The Lord has said "Don't even read it." And readership that there are some things that we just surveys show that most people in and must not do. Most of the Ten Com- out of the Church are following that mandments come in this category. The unfortunate direction. There are very Bible tells us of forbidden fruit, of for- few people who regularly read the Bible bidden ground, of forbidden desires, and with a purpose, and the vast majority forbidden thoughts. As Cecil B. De Mille read it almost not at all. has pointed out, "It is not possible for It was reported that a Sunday School us to break the Ten Commandments, we teacher once asked the members of her can only break ourselves against them." class if they knew what was in the Bible There is a set of what someone has and one little girl held up her hand. called "promissory notes" in the Bible. The teacher said, "All right, Mary Jane, Every commandment has a blessing at- you stand up and tell the class what is tached for faithful performance. But in the Bible." And Mary Jane said, the Lord has said, "I, the Lord am bound "There's a lock of baby's hair in it; when ye do what I say; but when ye do some pressed violets from sister's beau not what I say, ye have no promise." are in it; and some of grandmother's (D&C 82:10.) He said, "I command love letters are in it." We ought to re- and men obey not; I revoke and they re- member that there are some things in ceive not the blessing." {Ibid., 58:32.) the Bible that Mary Jane apparently had That means that all blessings do not never heard about. apply to us individually. Only those First, the doctrines of eternal life are laws apply to us that we actually live; in it. The Bible teaches us about God, for example, the Lord said through our Eternal Father, and what our rela- Malachi, "Bring ye all the tithes into tionship to him ought to be. Lord the storehouse . . . ," then he promised, Calvin was once asked to name the "and prove me now herewith ... if I greatest discovery that had ever been will not open you the windows of made, and he replied, "The greatest heaven, and pour you out a blessing, discovery that is ever made is when a that there shall not be room enough to ELDER STERLING W. SILL 105

receive it." (Mai. 3:10.) But that does stored with worth-while thoughts, beau- not apply to us, unless we pay our tiful expressions, and stimulating ideals. tithing. Or, we may relive the great events of Suppose that we tear out of the Bible the Bible in our own lives. Suppose, those portions which do not apply to for example, that in imagination we us personally. That is, if we do not go and stand upon Mount Sinai where keep the Sabbath day holy, or if we fail to the accompaniment of the lightnings to observe the laws of honesty, chastity, and thunders of that holy mountain temperance, repentance, and baptism; God gave Moses the law. We see the then we had better tear those parts out great prophet as he came down from of the scripture, so we will not deceive the presence of Jehovah with the glory ourselves unnecessarily by imagining of God resting upon him with such that they apply to us. It would be in- intensity that the people could not abide teresting for each of us to find out just his presence. how big our own particular version of Then in a moment we might choose the Bible would be under these cir- to pass over the next 1500 years and go cumstances. Someone was once asked out onto the hills of Judea for the first whether or not he was a Christian and Christmas, and with that angelic com- he said he was, in spots. I suppose that pany celebrate the most important event it is better to be a Christian in spots that ever occurred upon this earth, the than not to be a Christian at all. But birth of the Savior of the world. Then we ought to keep in mind that when suppose that we follow him during those our Christianity comes in spots, then our thirty-three years while he walked the blessings will come in spots also. dusty roads of this earth and try to So far as I know, the most thrilling, learn the lessons that his life teaches. exciting idea there is in the world is One of the most inspiring lines in all that if we choose, we may live every of the scripture was spoken by the mother single one of these great commandments of Jesus at the marriage feast at Cana. of God, and thereby we may make our- She said to the servants, "Whatsoever selves payees on every one of these he sayeth unto you, do it." (John 2:5.) scriptural promissory notes. What an inspiring motto that would There is great inspiration in the Bible. make for our individual lives! Or, sup- Some time we express an important hu- pose that in feeling we go with him into man need by saying, "If only I had the Garden of Gethsemane while under someone to give me a lift occasionally, the burden of our sins he sweat great someone to look up to. Someone to stir drops of blood at every pore. Or, we up my faith and wind up my enthu- might go and stand with uncovered siasm." The greatest need of most of heads and contrite hearts before the up- us is just for some plain, honest-to- lifted cross upon that barren Judean goodness inspiration. When you feel hill, while this thorn-crowned Sufferer such a need, suppose that you turn to paid the last full measure of the price this great volume that someone has of our redemption. How our apprecia- called, "God's Who's Who"; that is, tion would be increased and our lives the scriptures tell of the men who are sanctified by a sympathetic reliving of important to God, and they are the ones these great events which all took place who can best upgrade our lives. Thomas in our interest. We must not blame the Carlyle once said, "You cannot look people of that day alone for putting upon a great man without gaining some- Jesus to death upon the cross. We must thing from him." Certainly you cannot also bear our share of guilt. It was your study the lives of such towering figures sins and mine that made it necessary as Abraham and Moses, Peter and Paul for him to volunteer his own death. But without being uplifted. now the greatest opportunity of our lives Through the Bible we may draw upon is to see to it that his atonement was the accumulated experiences of some of not made in vain. the greatest men who ever lived. A Emerson once touched upon one of consistent student of the scripture gains our greatest present-day dangers when a new power to think, to feel, and to he said, "On the brink of an ocean of enjoy. It is a source of the most exquisite life and truth we are miserably dying. and enduring delight to have one's mind Sometimes we are furthest away when 106 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October II Third Day we are closest by." Think how near thoughts, whereas the greatest oppor- they were who lived contemporaneously tunity of our lives is to read more and with Jesus. He walked among them. study more and believe more and live They heard his teachings. They knew more, that word of God which is still of his miracles, and yet they were so able to make us wise unto salvation. far away. When Satan came among One of the most thrilling accomplish- them saying, "Believe it not," they pro- ments that I can think of, is that as a nounced their own doom upon them- Church and as a nation we may aspire selves by saying, "His blood be upon us to say out of a full understanding, "We and our children." (Matt. 27:25.) And believe the Bible to be the word of so it has been, and so it may be with us. God." May we so order our lives that We are so near. We have the great this great accomplishment may be scriptures. We have the judgment of brought about, I pray in the name of time shining upon the life of Christ. Jesus Christ. Amen. The gospel has been restored in a ful- ness never before known in the world. We have the written testimony of many President David O. McKay: witnesses, both ancient and modern, and yet if we "believe it not" we may He to whom we have just listened is be so far away. Even in this great age Elder Sterling W. Sill, Assistant to the of wonders and enlightenment, Satan Twelve. Elder Hugh B. Brown of the is still inducing us to mark our souls Council of the Twelve, will now address with the contamination of inferior us.

ELDER HUC I B. BROWN

Of the Council of e Twelve Apostles

My brethren and sisters, and I hope closed some minds to truth and made our friends, who are present and who communication impossible. Victor Hugo are listening in, who are not members promised that "A day will come of the Church, will permit me to in- when the only battlefield will be the clude them in that salutation, "brothers market open to commerce and the mind and sisters," because we believe in the open to new ideas." Thank the Lord brotherhood of men under the Father- that day is dawning, at least in our hood of God, and that Fatherhood which western world. As A. Powell Davies is universal. said, "The world is too dangerous for Although I come to this assignment anything but truth, and too small for semiannually, it is always humbling anything but brotherhood." and sometimes almost overwhelming. I should like to enter a plea for But it is reassuring to know that one friendship, understanding, brotherhood, has the sympathy and prayers of this and tolerance, all so badly needed in great congregation and, we hope, the our confused and troubled world. In interest of an even larger audience of one of our Articles of Faith we claim friendly listeners who are attending for ourselves, and freely accord to all conference by means of radio and tele- men, the untrammeled right to worship vision. God according to the dictates of con- We are mindful of the unseen audi- science. ence and prayerfully attempt to assist Intolerance, one of the bitter fruits all who seek a better understanding of of ignorance and bigotry, has plagued some phases of what has been called the world from the beginning and has the "Phenomenon of ." been responsible for much of its sorrow In the past, unfortunately, when and misery. Maurice Samuel, defender discussing basic religious questions, it of the Jews, wrote in The Professor and was more difficult to find common the Fossil: ground of understanding than when "For all peoples, are, alas, in the considering, for instance, science or habit of killing their prophets and philosophy. The prejudice of the past teachers. The English martyred their —

ELDER HUGH B. BROWN 107 protestant teachers (having failed to disapprove of what you say, but will martyr Wycliffe they desecrated his defend to the death your right to say it.' corpse), the French martyred Joan of "Fifth, the tolerance of spiritual sym- Arc, the Bohemian princes betrayed pathy. We may be tolerant because we John Huss. If these do not rank among feel a spiritual comradeship with the the world's greatest, Socrates, put to man whose purpose is fine even if his death by the Athenians, does." proposition is false. When we think of historic intolerance, "Sixth, the tolerance of an enlarged two names come immediately to mind. view of truth. We may be tolerant be- In chronological order, but not in the cause we have come to realize that truth order of importance, they are Socrates of is larger than any one man's conception Athens and Jesus of Nazareth. They, of it, even if we are the one man in of course, cannot be compared, but their question." experiences illustrate the subject. The first three are mean; the last three As we read in "Great Books of the magnificent. Western World," the first named gave The early members of the Mormon to Plato and Aristotle their lofty in- Church were forced to drink to its spiration, and the name of Socrates has bitter dregs from the cup of prejudice come down through the centuries as the and intolerance. They were mobbed, dis- most virtuous man of his time. Yet he possessed of their homes and properties, was convicted of impiety and immoral- beaten, imprisoned, banished, and some ity, and he was condemned to die of them, including their leaders, were mercifully by hemlock. murdered; the main charge against them The second, the only perfect person being that they were unorthodox, dared who ever lived, took upon himself the to question the teachings of other sins of the world and suffered the ig- churches, and claimed new revelation. nominy of crucifixion—to him more John Stuart Mill, in his well-known agonizing than physical pain. He is essay on liberty, said: now, after nearly twenty centuries, "I cannot refrain from adding to these supreme above all others in moral examples of the little account commonly grandeur and to millions is revered as made of human liberty, the language of the Only Begotten Son of God, the downright persecution which breaks out Savior of the world. from the press of this country whenever These two, and many others since it feels called on to notice the remark- their time, were rejected by their con- able phenomenon of Mormonism." temporaries because they dared to ques- Mill further called attention to the tion current belief, were impatient of fact that such persecution, far from the status quo, and pioneered new areas being in any way countenanced by the of thought and teaching. principle of liberty, was a direct infrac- Phillips Brooks reminds us that there tion of that principle and was a mere are different brands of tolerance. He riveting of the chains of one half of the named six as follows: community and an emancipation of the "First, the tolerance of pure indiffer- other from reciprocity of obligation to- ence. We may be tolerant because we ward them. do not care, because the issue at stake History shows that not only indi- does not concern us. viduals and smaller groups, but also "Second, the tolerance of policy. We governments and powerful church or- may be tolerant because we think we ganizations have been guilty of cruel would lose more than we gain by fight- intolerance toward those who differ ing the man or the measure. with them. The alleged universal "Third, the tolerance of helplessness. church resorted to violent acts of in- We may be tolerant because we realize tolerance and went to almost un- that the enemy holds the field and that believable extremes in their attempts to resistance will be futile. enforce adherence to the orthodox view. "Fourth, the tolerance of pure respect By persecution, torture, expulsion, and for man. We may be tolerant because extermination of so-called heretics they we respect even a man's right to think sought to stifle inquiry and investiga- wrong, because we agree with Voltaire tion, as though men could by fire and when he wrote to Helvetius, 'I wholly sword be compelled to profess certain —

108 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day doctrines. The remarkable thing is that same relation to each other as private they who first broke the yoke of that persons among themselves. As John church were themselves unwilling to Locke said long ago: permit differences of religious opinion "If any one of the churches has power as soon as they became established. of treating the other ill, which of them Unbridled power often breeds intoler- is it to whom that power belongs, and ance and leads to tyranny. by what right? It will be answered The Christlike life is always a com- undoubtedly that it is the orthodox bination of earnest, personal conviction church which has the right of authority and generous regard for the other man's over the erroneous and heretical. This opinion. Dedication to and defense of is, he says, in great and specious words truth never require or justify breaking to say just nothing, for every church is the second commandment to love our orthodox to itself. The decision as to fellow men. A divine code was given which is right is a question which be- by revelation for the guidance of all longs to the supreme judge of all men." who exercise authority. Some traditionally orthodox churches "No power or influence can or ought have seemed to be concerned primarily to be maintained by virtue of the priest- with the perpetuation of conventional hood, only by persuasion, by long- beliefs, formulas, rituals, and institu- suffering, by gentleness and meekness, tions. They require meticulous con- and by love unfeigned; formity to traditional modes of belief "By kindness, and pure knowledge, and ceremony. Their chief objective which shall greatly enlarge the soul seems to have been to maintain the without hypocrisy, and without guile status quo. "Reproving betimes with sharpness, But the Church of Jesus Christ, when- when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; ever organized on the earth, whether and then showing forth afterwards an during the brief sojourn of the Savior increase of love toward him whom thou in the Meridian of Time and the subse- hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to quent activities of his apostles, or since be his enemy; the restoration in the fulness of times, "That he may know that thy faithful- has always subjected traditional beliefs ness is stronger than the cords of death." and ritual to searching criticism in the (D&C 121:41-44.) light of continued revelation and ever- However, the Church must not con- increasing knowledge. Its inspired ap- done evil or wrongdoing in the name praisals of human and spiritual values of tolerance. It must not acquiesce or go directly to the core of individual and become an accessory, even by silence, social living here and now with a con- when error and sin are arrayed against stant reminder of the effect of such truth and righteousness. We must be living on the life hereafter. Its latter- on guard against alien ideologies and day organization was preceded by a subtle, subversive concepts, leading to sweeping indictment of sectarianism and immoral conduct and apostasy. When- the creeds of the time and a proclama- ever symptoms of apostasy appear in tion of a new revelation from God. propaganda or conduct, remedial meas- Criticism of traditional beliefs and ures are applied. But when counsel, ritual has often been met by persecu- admonition, and instruction fail, the tion rather than sound argument. Church has a duty to its members to When Jesus was on the earth, he take positive action and either heal or was frequently met with objectors and amputate malignant growths. hecklers who, looking backward, ap- ". The Savior said: . . if thy right pealed to the law of Moses. His char- eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast acteristic forward-looking reply was,

it from thee: for it is profitable for thee "It has been said by them of old . . . but ." that one of thy members should perish, I say unto you. . . In other words, he and not that thy whole body should be spoke with divine authority. He was cast into hell." (Matthew 5:29.) But concerned as we are with the individual, the Church has no jurisdiction outside with the social order, and with estab- its own membership; nor does any lishing the kingdom of God on earth church have jurisdiction over any other. preparatory to the coming of the Various churches stand in much the kingdom of heaven. He invited his ELDER HUGH B. BROWN 109

listeners to put his teachings to the test and not a slave to any man or nation. of actual experience, saying if any man We shall never surrender to the belief would do his will he would know of the that man is a soulless device made doctrine. That is a continuing promise to serve a machine or a state. We be- to all men everywhere. lieve that his freedom is, next to life In the spirit of friendship and brother- itself, his most precious gift. In fact, hood we ask our listeners to consider man is willing to sacrifice his life to prayerfully our message, put our doc- secure and preserve freedom. trines to the test of which Jesus spoke, We believe in the immortality of the and we promise you that you shall know soul; that death is integral to life, a whether our doctrine is of God or merely phase of life, its continuance, not its of men. end; and that men who keep the com- Briefly the message of Mormonism is mandments of God need not fear death, that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and for we shall, as Tennyson said, meet our Jacob is the true God, the Messiah of Pilot face to face when that which drew the New Testament; that the King from out the boundless deep turns again James version of the Holy Bible is in home and we have "Crossed the Bar." fact the word of God and that Jesus of Grant us peace, oh Lord, the peace Nazareth is in fact the Christ; that the which comes from understanding, from prophecies recorded in the Bible con- tolerance and brotherhood, from love cerning the last days are now in the of our fellow men and love of thee, the course of fulfilment; that a new dis- Lord. May thy kingdom come and thy pensation of the gospel has been given will be done on earth as it is in heaven, to men and that the kingdom of God is in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. now divinely organized on earth pre- paratory to the coming of the kingdom President David O. McKay: of heaven. This message, if it be true, and to its truth we humbly testify, is The great declaration and impressive the most important message that has testimony to which you have just lis- come to this world since the resurrection tened was given by Elder Hugh B. and ascension of the Savior of the Brown, a member of the Council of the world. This may seem to some to be Twelve. an extravagant statement but it refers The closing song will be given by to a visit of the same glorified being the Tabernacle Choir, "Crossing the who ascended into heaven with his Bar," part of which was quoted, con- resurrected body in the presence of his ducted by Richard P. Condie. The followers and of angels who promised closing prayer will be offered by Elder he would come again. He appeared to Berkeley L. Bunker, formerly president men in our time preparatory to his prom- of the Southern States Mission, follow- ised second coming when he is to rule ing which this Conference will stand and reign as King of kings and Lord of adjourned until two o'clock this after- lords. noon. We declare that God has intervened Brethren and sisters, in bringing to a in the affairs of men in anticipation of conclusion this sixth session of the One the final struggle against the hosts of Hundred Twenty-Ninth Semi-Annual Hades, the Anti-Christs, who are organ- Conference, we express our sincere ap- ized and marshaled for war against preciation to the owners and managers religion and God and all the principles of the many television and radio stations of freedom, justice, love, and tolerance who have offered their facilities to us for which the Savior died. this morning. We are grateful for this Coupled with this declaration of faith wonderful public service so generously in a personal God and in his nearness extended. Eighteen major cities in the to this world is a re-affirmation of the West have carried the proceedings of Biblical doctrine that man was created this Conference through radio and tele- in the image of God and therefore has vision. According to a survey that has a potential godlike status, with capacity been made, it is estimated that there to live and progress forever. We believe have been about one million people in the essential dignity of man, that he listening in this morning. was intended by his Creator to be free We are grateful also for the attend- 110 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day

ance of all who are present in the Tab- Conference, held here in the Salt Lake ernacle, in the Assembly Hall and Tabernacle, with overflow meetings in Barratt Hall, and in other gatherings the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall. where the Conference is seen and heard. The proceedings were relayed by closed Brother Kimball has handed me the circuit to members of the Priesthood following—we have H. Aldous Dixon, assembled in 204 Church buildings from our Congressman; David S. King, com- Coast to Coast and in Canada, 51 more panion in Congress; our Governor, buildings than we had during the April George Dewey Clyde; our Mayor, Adiel Conference. It was reported at the F. Stewart; educators, Dr. Ernest L. conclusion of our meeting that 48,364 Wilkinson of the Brigham Young Uni- members of the Priesthood were in at- versity; Dr. Homer Durham, Vice-Presi- tendance. dent of the University of Utah, We have here several telegrams from representing President Olpin who is those who were listening stating that absent in Japan now; Dr. Daryl Chase, the transmission was perfect, and that president of the Utah State University; they enjoyed very much the kindness of Dr. John L. Clarke, president of Ricks the General Authorities in making that College; Dr. M. Lynn Bennion, Superin- arrangement. tendent of the public schools here in This morning at 7:30, Elder Richard Salt Lake City; and undoubtedly many L. Evans of the Council of the Twelve others, to all of whom we extend a most was the speaker over CBS Church-of- hearty welcome and I am sure you have the-Air Broadcast on KSL Radio. I been thrilled by the exercises and testi- hope all of you heard his sermon on monies of this day. "Ultimate Objectives." We are pleased, also, to welcome our The singing for this morning's ses- stake presidencies here in such attend- sion has been furnished, as you all ance, and bishoprics of the wards from know, by the Tabernacle Choir, with all over the world, temple presidents, Richard P. Condie directing. We appre- general auxiliary officers. We extend a ciate it and they know it, and we express cordial welcome to all. It is glorious heart-felt appreciation to these men and to meet with you and have you partake women who give so generously of their of the spirit of this great Conference, time and talents and who have brought and to let us partake of your spirit by such honor to themselves and to the your presence. Church in their excellent singing. They The beautiful flowers which you see will conclude this service now with the arranged on the rostrum and pulpit have song, "Crossing the Bar." come from Hawaii. It is a good illus- Elder Berkeley L. Bunker will offer tration of the convenience of transporta- the closing prayer, and we will adjourn tion in this day. They are sent with until two o'clock this afternoon. the love and greetings of the members of the Church in the Oahu Stake. We express appreciation and thanks to them. concluding the Taber- Our thoughts and best wishes through- The number by nacle Choir "Crossing the Bar." out this Conference have been enhanced was by the fragrance and beauty of these Elder Berkeley L. Bunker, formerly flowers. president of the Southern States Mission, We desire to mention the General offered the closing prayer. Priesthood Meeting which was held last Conference adjourned until 2 o'clock evening, the fifth session of the General p.m. THIRD DAY AFTERNOON MEETING

The seventh and concluding session The music for this session will be of the Conference was held in the great rendered by the Tabernacle Choir, with Tabernacle Sunday afternoon, October Richard P. Condie conducting, and 11, at 2 o'clock. Alexander Schreiner at the organ. We President David O. McKay presided, shall begin this service by the Taber- and conducted the services, as he had nacle Choir singing, "Be Still and Know done at all the previous general sessions That I Am God," with Jay E. Welch, of the Conference. Assistant Conductor, directing. The The Tabernacle Choir furnished the opening prayer will be offered by Elder singing for this session of the Confer- Junius M. Jackson, formerly president ence, under the direction of Richard P. of the New England Mission. Condie, assisted by Jay E. Welch, with Alexander Schreiner at the organ con- sole. The Tabernacle Choir sang the an- them, "Be Still and Know That I Am God," with E. Welch, Assistant President David O. McKay: Jay Conductor of the Choir, directing. Members of the Church are convened Elder Junius M. Jackson, formerly in the Tabernacle on Temple Square president of the New England Mission, in Salt Lake City in the concluding offered the invocation. and seventh session of the One Hundred Twenty-Ninth Semi-Annual Conference President David O. McKay: of the Church. For those who are un- able to enter the building, and there Elder Junius M. Jackson, formerly seems to be hundreds, we announce president of the New England Mission, that these services are being broadcast offered the invocation. The Tabernacle in the Assembly Hall and in the Barratt Choir will now sing, "I Know that My Hall over television. Redeemer Lives," conducted by Richard We welcome the service men who P. Condie. After the singing, Elder came yesterday and also the fifty-six Ezra Taft Benson will address us. Marines who came in this morning from El Toro, Camp Pendleton, Cali- fornia. These services are also being broadcast Singing by the Choir, 'I Know That Lives." as a public service by television and My Redeemer radio stations throughout the West. The names of these stations were announced President David O. McKay: to the television and radio audiences at the beginning of the meeting. To the Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Coun- owners and managers of these various cil of the Twelve will be our first speaker stations we again express our sincere this afternoon. He will be followed appreciation for this wonderful public by Elder Antoine R. Ivins of the First service so generously extended. Council of Seventy.

ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My beloved brethren and sisters, Twelve. President Howard W. Hunter humbly and gratefully I approach this can look forward to the sweetest asso- sobering responsibility. First, may I ciation known among men in this say that I welcome and sustain with all world. God bless him. my heart, my good friend and brother With Sister Benson and two of our as a member of the Council of the daughters, I returned to the shores of 112 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day this blessed land last Friday. Two rate, and an increasing number of peo- weeks ago today we spent a glorious Sab- ple are church-affiliated. Our nation bath with the Saints and friends in West is at peace. Berlin. A week ago today we spent an All these things should give a feeling inspiring Sabbath with Saints and of stability, inner assurance, and a sense friends in Helsinki, Finland. of satisfaction, but they do not seem to It is truly good to be home, and it is do so. Discontent among our people, an inspiration and an uplift to attend nationwide, seems to be high. We this great conference. How I wish and view with alarm the ever-rising level pray that everyone of the millions of of public and private debt and the good people, citizens of Russia and threat of inflation. We note with fear other communistic-dominated nations, the increase in crime, juvenile delin- could sit through one of the general quency, alcoholism, drug addiction, and conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ sex offenses. of Latter-day Saints. Sometime I would We pay lip service to the principles like to say more on this subject of embodied in the Declaration of Inde- communism. It would be inappropriate pendence and the Constitution without for me to do so now. I feel a bit like realizing what they are and the danger Alma of old, when he said, "O that I of ignoring them. We demand more were an angel, and could have the wish and more of government, so "govern- of mine heart." (Alma 29:1.) ment grows larger all the while, marking My brethren and sisters, I commend the stampede away from personal re- to you the counsel and the warnings sponsibility which occurs at all levels that have been issued in the instructions of life." We passively contribute to the of President David O. McKay and Presi- spirit and demoralizing philosophy of dent J. Reuben Clark, Jr., on this sub- "something for nothing." ject during this conference. I would add Because sin is rampant and increasing, only one word, a word I which hope I make bold enough to call this nation will we never forget. Any system which to repentance. Only through righteous- denies the existence and of God, power ness is there safety for our beloved which robs men of their God-given free country. There is no other way. agency, and which destroys the basic Today I speak out against one of the institution of the home, is of the evil insidious and rapidly increasing threats one. No true Latter-day Saint can ever against our young people. become a part of any such system. As a Church we have always placed I know there are difficult days ahead, great emphasis on youth. Our young politically, economically, socially, and men, if worthy, receive the priesthood spiritually. But God rules this world. at twelve years of age. We enlist a He is at the helm. May he help us to higher percentage of our young boys in be prepared for any eventuality. scouting than any other group. We We live in a choice land. But we have a comprehensive program, com- live in a time of anxiety—a time when bining Sunday School, Primary, MIA, the basic concepts and values of a free priesthood activities, and weekday sem- society, which we cherish, are being inary classes, to guide the activities of seriously challenged. This challenge is our youth, instil within them a testi- not only from godless, imperial com- mony of the gospel, and help them to munism abroad, but also from danger- grow up to be good citizens and faithful ous ideologies and practices here at members of the Church. Yes, we recog- home. nize full well that our boys and girls, It is true that outwardly everything our young men and women, are our seems prosperous. More people are greatest asset. They are our hope. working at higher wages and enjoying a The youth of today are the trustees better standard of living than ever be- of the future. Sooner than we think fore in the history of our country. More the leadership of the Church and the of our people are enjoying travel, cul- future of our country will rest in their tural and educational opportunities hands. It is our grave obligation to than any time in our history. New help prepare American youth to be churches are being erected at a rapid worthy trustees, to help them fit them- ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 113

selves for their coming responsibilities. ing lists from standard sources. They This is the obligation of every adult get names from high school yearbooks citizen. and classbooks. They set up fake busi- We have confidence in our youth, ness "fronts." A boy sends away for a yes. But we know they face troubled model airplane, a baseball bat, a toy times. They are beset by many tempta- automobile, a stamp collection, often tions—temptations, which, if not new, advertised at bargain prices—and the are certainly more blatant, more preva- muck merchant has his name and ad- lent, than ever before. dress on his list. We know how important it is for our Then the solicitations begin. youth to possess clean minds in healthy The smut dealers last year mailed out ". clean bodies. . . be ye clean, that bear an estimated fifty million sales circu- the vessels of the Lord." (Isaiah 52:11.) lars under the protection of first-class Moral purity is an eternal principle. The mail. Some of these circulars are in Spirit of God "cannot dwell in an un- the form of pseudo-personal letters in clean tabernacle." Purity is life-giving; girl's handwriting, signed with a girl's impurity is deadly. God's holy laws name. cannot be broken with impunity. Great The smut dealers go farther. They nations have fallen when they became even seek to involve our youth as sales- morally corrupt, because the sins of im- men of their trash. One scheme is to morality left their people scarred and sell our youngsters playing cards deco- misshapen creatures who were unable to rated with lewd pictures for perhaps face the challenge of their times. $3.00 a deck—to be resold at 25c or 50c I speak about one aspect of this ques- a card. tion of morality which affects all our Many children fall into the trap of youth. There are forces at work in this ordering obscene material. Traffic with country today which are victimizing children is a major and growing part of many thousands of our youth, under- the filth merchants' business. mining their moral fiber, poisoning their Postal inspectors in New York City minds. There is being spread about in recently raided one dealer in pornog- this land a veritable flood of obscene raphy. They confiscated seventeen photographs, movie films "for private tons of highly obscene printed and showings," filthy books, and so-called filmed materials. They found mailing comics that drip with depravity and lists containing the names of thousands obscenity. of high school graduates taken from Every day some 200,000 circulars are high school yearbooks. flooding our cities and towns, seeking to Some parents are almost frantic be- sell obscenity and filth to the American cause of their inability to keep this un- people. It is a $500,000,000 a year busi- wanted material out of their homes. A ness and growing fast. The sales volume mother in a midwestern state writes to of mail-order obscenity has doubled in the Post Office department as follows: the last five years. "Enclosed you will find the filth that Who are the targets of this drive? has been sent to my son for the past Three-fourths of these circulars are sent year. He is fourteen. Think what this to our youth. Our school children are could do to him, and how many other the targets, our boys and girls, particu- innocent boys and girls he could corrupt larly between the ages of eleven and by passing this literature on to them. sixteen. Can't you do something to stop it?" The United States Post Office depart- Another parent in the East writes: ment estimates that between 700,000 and "Ads like this come to my minor son a million children in American homes at the rate of one or two a week." will receive unsolicited obscene and A lawyer tells how his son answered pornographic literature through the an innocuous appearing ad in a national mails this year. magazine and received a batch of ob- Our boys and girls need not have scene pictures and an order blank for shown any interest in this vile stuff. It more. His name is on the mailing list, is thrust into their hands by racketeers and nearly every week an ad for porno- who go to great lengths to get the graphic material comes in the mail. The names of our children. They buy mail- lawyer says, "My wife and I are beside 114 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day ourselves as to how to stop this flood insatiable curiosity characteristic of of mail." those reaching for maturity inevitably Now, what are the effects of this hunts for something stronger, something material on our youth? with more 'jolt,' something imparting a Juvenile delinquency has become a greater thrill. blot on our country. Gangs roam the "The dealer in pornography is acutely streets of some of our big cities. Arrests aware of this progressive facet; his array of juveniles for major crimes rose about of material to feed this growing hunger ten percent last year. Authorities have is carefully geared to the successive observed on repeated occasions that the stages. Like the peddler of narcotics, obscenity racket is a prime contributor his only interest is to insure that his to the increase in juvenile delinquency. customers are 'hooked.' He knows that FBI figures show that more boys of once they are 'hooked' they will con- eighteen and nineteen are now com- tinue to pay and pay." mitting the heinous crime of rape, than These are some of the direct results males in any other age group. The per- of the smut campaign. There are in- centage of convictions of boys under direct results, too. Our children, our twenty has grown substantially in re- wives, our friends, may be the horrified cent years. victims of criminals who are triggered Now, of course, some people will argue by obscene materials. that many children exposed to these Well, what is the response of the pictures and books never become de- smut publishers and dealers to these linquent. This argument has no merit facts? at all. Your child may be exposed to Their attitude is summed up in some tuberculosis or polio and never contract such sentiment as this: My job is to either disease. Is this a reason for de- make a dollar, not to look out for un- liberately exposing children to infection? stable children or adults. No wonder

Of course not. J. Edgar Hoover has said: It is true that people go wrong for "The activities of the muck merchants many reasons. Children become de- are national in scope. Your child can linquent in part because of such factors easily become one of their victims." as broken homes, drinking parents, in- What are we going to do about it? different parents, and bad companions. Shall we fold our arms, shake our heads But the wish is father of the deed. dismally, and do nothing? Thought precedes action. We cannot Shall we permit organized crime to help being influenced by what we read continue and extend the obscenity racket and what we see. A dirty book, a filthy —already a half billion dollar a year picture, may be the trigger that sets off business—and make it really big and a terrible crime. immeasurably more vicious? Reports from police chiefs and sheriffs Shall we allow more and more of our indicate the tie-up. Here are typical children to be victimized, allow them statements from city officials in Massa- to be "hooked" by this menace to clean chusetts, Colorado, and Pennsylvania: and right living, this threat to moral "Teen-ager criminally assaults 16- purity? year-old girl. Search of his room re- Shall we sit by and watch sex crimes vealed pornographic pictures beneath 50 grow and grow in number and violence? his mattress." Shall we permit these cheap peddlers "Student molesting two teen-age girls of filth to undermine the moral fiber found to have pornographic literature of our youth, the moral strength of our in glove compartment of his car." nation? Let me quote from a report of a Senate subcommittee that has studied this prob- I believe I know what our pioneer lem. The report says in part: forefathers would have answered to these "There is a peculiar resemblance to questions. narcotics addiction in exposure of juve- And I think I know what you and niles to pornography. There is the same other responsible citizens will answer. pattern of progression. Once initiated They would have said, as we say today: into a knowledge of the unnatural, the "Forbid it, Almighty God. We shall impressionable young mind with the not sit by any longer. We shall act in ELDER EZRA TAFT BENSON 115 defense of decency and order and in the in the possession of children and to de- name of our country." termine the origin of such material. Our government is striking with all 4. Join with other parents and teach- the weapons it possesses against the ers in making a special effort to impress obscenity menace. Until last year, pur- upon the community the fact that even veyors of filth had to be prosecuted at children who are never exposed to the the point from which they mailed their obscene material may be victimized by smut. This was a severe handicap to sex criminals. prosecution. Courts, notably in Los 5. Co-operate with the schools in Angeles and New York, where the great taking positive, long-range steps to help bulk of the mail-order business in ob- children develop wholesome interests in scenity originates, handed down soft good literature and art—making it read- rulings on obscenity. Few offenders ily available to them at home, in the were convicted, and these usually paid classroom, through literary and library a small fine and began operating again. clubs, and through student groups. Legislation passed by Congress last 6. Help civic groups bring about the year has now made it possible to prose- establishment of a decent literature com- cute where the mail is received. mittee, broadly representative of the The first case prosecuted under the interested civic organizations in the com- new law was in Boise, Idaho. A man munity. and his wife, who were mailing ex- 7. Get local judges, law enforcement tremely obscene material from the west officers, and representatives of the police coast, were given ten years in jail, plus force to talk before civic groups telling a heavy fine. what they, as guardians of the com- A Virginia man and his wife dealing munity's laws, know of the relationship in obscenity were sentenced to a year between the traffic in obscene literature in the Federal Penitentiary and fined and juvenile delinquency and sex $2,000. In Louisiana, two more dealers crimes. in filth were given a year and eighteen We must defend our youth, in the months in jail respectively. interests of this nation which God has This is a good start. But it is only blessed above all others. We must rise a start. to this task, stand up, and be counted If government is to make full use of on the side of decency. We must show the new legislation, it needs and must by our lives and actions that we possess have the co-operation of all our citizens the virtues that made America great. and especially of all our parents. There will be those who will cry The privacy of the mail is a basic "censorship" and "suppressing of free- American right. It will not be violated. dom of information." To these people The Post Office cannot open first-class there does not seem to be any difference mail even if it is certain the envelope between liberty and license—but there contains obscene material. The Post is a real difference. It is not a denial Office can act only if parents supply of liberty to forbid the sale of narcotics the evidence after the mail has been or alcohol to children, and neither is it delivered. Here is what we as parents a denial of liberty to ban the distribu- can do, what we must do: tion of filthy, obscene, character de- 1. If mail coming to your home is stroying materials. obscene, or solicits the sale of obscene There has developed in this country, materials: save all the material, includ- I am sorry to say, a species of so-called ing the covering envelope; put it "broadmindedness" which tolerates any- promptly in the hands of the local post- thing and everything. It is high time master either personally or by mail. right-thinking citizens showed they are 2. Do not wait for this danger to fed up with such false broadmindedness. strike your home. Join with other par- I, for one, fail to see where this so-called ents, teachers, local law enforcement "tolerance" of evil has made society officers, and civic groups in drawing any better or individuals any happier. public attention to the menace of this We cannot steer a safe course without traffic in filth. a compass. We cannot build an endur- 3. Work closely with teachers in your ing society except on principles of community to detect obscene materials righteousness. 116 GENERAL C Sunday, October 11 Third Day As Dr. Daniel A. Poling recently wrote will be a strong America, a secure in the Christian Herald, "It's time for a America, a prosperous America, a peace- new crusade," a crusade for decency. ful America, a free America, an America The youth of the Church and of that will continue to merit God's bless- America deserve that we parents live ings in the future as it has in the past. up to our responsibilities in this regard. God grant it may be so, I humbly Many centuries ago, a celebrated pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Roman matron, Cornelia, was asked by President David O. McKay: an acquaintance to display her jewels. Cornelia called to her children to step We have just heard Elder Ezra Taft forward. "These are my jewels," she Benson of the Council of the Twelve. said. Elder Antoine R. Ivins of the First Coun- The youth of the Church and of cil of Seventy will now speak to us. America are our jewels. Let us prize He will be followed by Elder Gordon them as they deserve. A clean America B. Hinckley.

ELDER ANTOINE R. IVINS

Of the First Council of the Seventy

My brethren and sisters, you will On Saturday morning, this body ex- pardon me if I say it has been a nervous ercised the privilege of expressing wait. Twenty-eight years ago, at the approval and acceptance of the officers October conference, I was sustained as listed by the Presidency of the Church. one of your Presidents of the seventies It was the voice of the people—President quorum. That means that this is the Clark expressed it, as the Doctrine and fifty-sixth time I have stood here to bear Covenants does, as the common consent my testimony to you. I have to confess of the people. That is basic in the that while I like to bear my testimony, organization of the Church of Jesus the overwhelming sense of responsibility Christ of Latter-day Saints—the voice is almost more than I can stand. I seek of the people. If we are going to meet, therefore, your interest and your faith successfully, the conditions of which we and your prayers that perchance I may have just heard, it must be because the drop a word or two that may be com- voice of the people shall rise up in de- forting to us. fense of honesty, integrity, righteousness, I am happy this afternoon to be one and correct living conditions. I think of you, to be engaged in this wonderful it is within the power of the people to work of the Church. I am especially bring that about once the voice of the happy and grateful this afternoon for people could be so aroused. the privilege of bringing my wife with Then I remember the two years or me to this meeting. Some of you will more I studied the constitution of a na- remember that, just a little more than tion in which I was resident, a constitu- two years ago, reporters came over from tion which was not, as ours, the the Deseret News and asked for a story expression of the body of the people, but they could publish in the event she a constitution which was gathered out would pass away. Through the faith of ours and the French Constitution and and prayers of the Brethren, through her adapted to that nation. It has taken faith and courage, she is still with us, more than a hundred years for those and for the whole time that I have been people to sense the import of their con- one of your servants, she has stood by stitution. my side and traveled with me being a I once heard a man say, "Democracy great help and support and a blessing is not what is written on a piece of to the people with whom I have min- paper. It is the expression of what is istered. For this I am truly thankful. the heart of Our country I am thankful also, regardless of the within men." dangers that threaten us and the unholy came into existence just that way, in conditions that prevail, that I live in that the power is resident in the people this nation. and that every right and every privilege ELDER ANTOINE R. WINS 117

that is given to our officers is a conces- happy by a brother who came to me sion, a direct concession from the people. and told me that his father had recently I remember reading about when in the been able, eager, and willing to gather Magna Charta, the right of kings was his family together with him and have circumscribed in Great Britain, the voice his endowments in the temple. That of the people determined that certain man has been a friend of mine over the things only could be exercised, even by years. Just why he never came along men who claimed that they presided by before, I do not know. I know that I divine right, the divine right of kings. have loved him and honored him and That voice, brethren and sisters, has befriended him in our association over come down to us. It was the voice which the years, and I am happy beyond produced the Constitution of the United expression to realize that he now is States of America, the grandest country assuming a part of his rights in the Mel- in the world, and with all its short- chizedek Priesthood of the Church. comings, and with all the evil that there We have so many of those men, is in it, I believe that it comes the nearest brethren and sisters, who are slow in to being a civil government that is in understanding the advantages of it. If harmony with the principles that govern we could add that hundred thousand in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- men to the number who hold the Mel- day Saints. With us the power is resi- chizedek Priesthod now, there is no ques- dent in the priesthood and in the voice tion but that we could influence, very of the people. If we could bring our greatly, a reduction in these things of priesthood to a proper appreciation of which we have heard. its function, its privilege, we could deter- I do not care to talk a long while this mine these things. Just think that last afternoon, brethren and sisters, but I evening nearly 50,000 holders of the do want to express to you my love and priesthood scattered all over these United appreciation for our leaders and to hope States, heard the proceedings of the that I may always be able to sustain priesthood meeting. If each one of that them and uphold their hands, and may 50,000 persons who heard could rise up I be able yet many years to mingle with in righteous indignation against this you brethren and sisters and do what curse of which we have heard, it would I can to help with the organizations of in a great measure be reduced if not the Church with which we deal. eradicated. [See conference address of May God bless us all, may he Ezra Taft Benson] strengthen us, give us courage, may he I fear, brethren and sisters, that we give us a proper understanding and ap- approach these topics with too much preciation of the source of power in apathy. We hardly realize the power these United States, and the reasons for that there is in the organization which the Constitution, so that we may be will- we have. Even though it be small in ing to support it and sustain it, I pray, in numbers compared to the total popula- the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. tion of the United States, it could exer- cise a tremendous influence, and does, as a matter of fact, for righteousness President David O. McKay: throughout the country. I wish that we could appreciate it, He to whom we have just listened is that we could fully magnify it. Some of Elder Antoine R. Ivins, a member of the us are very late in coming to an under- First Council of Seventy. Elder Gordon standing of our privileges. Just after B. Hinckley, Assistant to the Twelve, the morning meeting I was made very will be our next speaker. 118 GENERAL CONFERENCE

ELDER GORDON B. HINCKLEY

Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles

My dear brethren and sisters, I seek this man who was influenced by the the direction of the Lord that the things Book of Mormon is similar to that of I say may be in harmony with the in- many others of our people. spirational things to which we have Brethren and sisters, if there are listened these past three days. miracles among us, certainly one of This has been a marvelous conference. them is this book. Unbelievers may I have missed one voice. That is the doubt the First Vision and say there voice of President Stephen L Richards. were no witnesses to prove it. Critics His wisdom, his kindly persuasion, his may scorn every divine manifestation unfailing courtesy were always an in- incident to the coming forth of this work spiration to me, and I shall be eternally as being of such an intangible nature grateful to him. as to be unprovable to the pragmatic I rejoice in the appointment of Presi- mind, as if the things of God could be dent Henry D. Moyle as a member of understood other than by the Spirit of the First Presidency. I am grateful for God. They may discount our theology. the opportunity of working under his But they cannot in honesty dismiss the direction in the great missionary pro- Book of Mormon. It is here. They can gram of the Church. I pledge him my feel it. They can read it. They can loyalty and my energy. weigh its substance and its content. I rejoice likewise in the appointment They can witness its influence. of Howard W. Hunter to the Council of Faced with its presence, but unwilling the Twelve. to believe the story of its coming forth, I am satisfied that the Lord guides they have sought an explanation for it, this work. I echo the words of the other than the one given by the Prophet ". Psalmist: . . he that keepeth Israel that it was engraven on golden plates shall neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm by ancient prophet-historians, and that 121:4.) their record was revealed and translated I wish to say a few words in further- by the gift and power of God. ance of the theme set before us by Presi- The Book of Mormon was first printed dent McKay in—the opening address of on a little hand-operated flat-bed press the conference "Preach the Word." I in a backwoods village of New York in have in mind one of the great facilities the year 1830. From that first edition, available to us in carrying forth this while critics have published volume assignment. after volume in an effort to discredit The other day in a stake conference, the Prophet's story, the book has gone I heard an officer of the Air Force stand through one edition after another. From before the group and tell of the circum- English it has been translated into stances surrounding his coming into the thirty-one other languages, and printed Church. He said in substance: in twenty of these. "I had a date with a lovely young While its detractors have called it woman. When I called for her, I noticed blasphemous, the work of a paranoiac, on the table a copy of the Book of Mor- the outpouring of a myth-maker, the re- mon. I had never heard of it before. I sult of a man's environment, the book began to read. I became interested. I has gone forth to change for good the secured a copy of the book and read it lives of men and women in a score of through. nations. What a concourse of the peo- "I had only the traditional idea of ple of the earth we would have if all God and Jesus Christ. I had never of those who have read this book and given serious thought to the matter. been influenced by its message were But as I read this book there came into gathered together in one place. my mind light and understanding of The first edition was comprised of eternal truths, and into my heart a 5,000 volumes. That edition met all testimony that God is our Eternal Father, demands for a number of years. I think and that Jesus is our Savior." you may be interested to know that dur- I am confident that the experience of ing the first nine months of this year, ELDER GORDON B. HINCKLEY 119 more than 350,000 copies were sold in we must have education, while we must English alone. I am satisfied that by have arms, we must also have righteous- the close of the year we shall have sold ness if we are to merit the protection of more than 500,000 copies of the Book of God, as Brother Benson has so eloquently Mormon in various languages, all within indicated here this afternoon. a period of a single year. We now dis- If the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph tribute every three or four days, more Smith was a Prophet of God, for he was copies than were included in the entire the instrument in the hands of God in first edition. bringing to light this testimony of the The same book which converted Brig- divinity of our Lord. ham Young, Willard Richards, Orson If this book is true, David O. McKay is and Parley Pratt, and many others of a prophet, for he holds all of the keys, the early leaders of the Church, is also the gifts, powers, and authority held by converting people in Germany, in the the Prophet Joseph who brought forth British Isles, in Finland, in Japan, in this latter-day work. Tonga, and wherever else and men I repeat, if the Book of Mormon is are reading it prayerfully and women true, the Church is true, for the same with real intent. The promise of authority under which this sacred rec- Moroni, written in his loneliness, fol- ord came to light is present and mani- lowing the destruction of his people, is fest among us today. It is a restoration being fulfilled every day. of the Church set up by the Savior in Each time we encourage a man to Palestine. It is a restoration of the read the Book of Mormon we do him a Church set up by the Savior when he favor. If it prayerfully he reads and with visited this continent as set forth in a sincere desire to know the truth, he this sacred record. will know by the power of the Holy If the Book of Mormon is true, the Ghost that the book is true. And from Bible is true. The Bible is the Testament that knowledge there will flow a con- of the Old World. The Book of Mor- viction of the truth of many other things. mon is the Testament of the New. The For if the Book of Mormon is true, one is the record of Judah, the other is then God lives. Testimony upon testi- the record of Joseph, and they have mony runs through its pages of the come together in the hand of the Lord solemn fact that our Father is real, that in fulfilment of the prophecy of Ezekiel. he is personal, that he loves his children Together they declare the Kingship of and seeks their happiness. the Redeemer of the world, and the If the Book of Mormon is true, then reality of his kingdom. Jesus is the Son of God, the Only Be- gotten of the Father in the flesh, born Here is a voice that has spoken from of Mary, "a virgin most beautiful above the dust with a familiar spirit, and all other virgins," for the book so testi- touched the hearts of men and women fies in a description unexcelled in all in many lands. Those who have read literature. it prayerfully, be they rich or poor, If the Book of Mormon is true, then learned or unlearned, have grown under Jesus is verily our Redeemer, the Savior its power. of the world. The great purpose of its Let me tell you of a letter which we preservation and coming forth, according received a few years ago. A man wrote to its own statement, is "to the convinc- saying in substance: "I am in a federal ing of the Jew and the Gentile that reformatory in Ohio. I recently came Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, across a copy of the Book of Mormon manifesting himself unto all nations." in the prison library. I have read it, (See title page of the Book of Mormon.) and when I read Mormon's— lamentation, If the Book of Mormon is true, then over his fallen people 'O ye fair ones, this land is choice above all other lands, how could ye have departed from the but if it is to remain such the inhabitants ways of the Lord, how could ye have of the land must worship the God of the rejected that Jesus, who stood with open land, the Lord Jesus Christ. The his- arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had tories of two great nations, told with not done this, ye would not have

.' warning in this sacred volume, indicate fallen. . . (Mormon 6:17-18.) When that while we must have science, while I read this I felt that Mormon was 120 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day

talking to me. Can I get a copy of that President David O. McKay: book?" We sent him a copy. He walked in We have just listened to Elder Gordon the office some months later, a changed B. Hinckley, Assistant to the Council man. I am happy to report that a boy of the Twelve. who had stolen gasoline, and then The Choir and Congregation will stolen automobiles, and then done other now sing "How Firm a Foundation," things until finally he was placed in a conducted by Elder Jay E. Welch, As- federal reformatory, was touched by the sistant Choir Conductor. After the spirit of this book, and the report today singing, we shall hear from Elder is that he is now a successful man, re- Howard W. Hunter. habilitated, earning a living honestly for himself and family in a west coast city. and the Such has been the power of this great The Tabernacle Choir Con- the Firm book in the lives of those who have read gregation sang hymn, "How A E. it prayerfully. Foundation," conducted by Jay Welch, Assistant Choir Conductor. I give you my testimony that it is true. That I know by the witness of the Holy Ghost, and that knowledge to me is certain. President David O. McKay: did not write it. Oliver Cowdery did not write it. It is not the Yesterday, it was my privilege to rep- result of a paranoiac or of a dissociated resent the First Presidency and the personality, as some have said. It is not Council of the Twelve, and notify Elder the product of a myth-maker. It is not Howard W. Hunter that he had been the result of the environment of a farm chosen of the Lord to be a special wit- boy who grew up in western New York. ness to the divinity of the love, and the Joseph Smith did not write it. He, the labors, the life and death of Jesus Christ, Prophet of this dispensation, translated the beloved Son of our Father. That the writings of prophets of old under the was the first he knew about his having power of God, to testify in our day. been so chosen. We invite all men everywhere to read Yesterday, you voted unanimously to it. Its witness lies within itself. sustain him as one of the Council of the I so testify. This marvelous record, Twelve. We welcome him this after- preserved over fourteen centuries, has noon to this honored position and pray confirmed my faith in God, in my Re- God to inspire him and to bless him as deemer, in the land in which I live, in he goes forth to declare the divinity of the work of which I am a part. I leave this great work and the Sonship of Him you my witness in the name of Jesus who stands at the head of the Gospel Christ. Amen. of Jesus Christ.

ELDER HOWARD W. HUNTER

Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

I do not know what one should say the Twelve, each individual member of who has been so newly called and that Council, and all of the General sustained, so I will tell you what is in Authorities. my heart this afternoon. Not many of you know me, so per- I love the Church. I want you to haps you would permit me to be just know that I love our great leader, Presi- a little bit personal this afternoon. I dent McKay, and with all my heart have lived most of my life in California, and soul I sustain him as prophet, seer, having been born in Boise, Idaho, and and revelator. And I sustain President having lived there until I was graduated Clark and President Moyle, President from high school. Smith, the President of the Council of I am grateful for a humble home, for ELDER HOWA, D W. HUNTER 121

modest circumstances, for my father and thrill of the gospel and in service to my mother, both of whom reside in others. California. President McKay, I want you to know, It was in California that I met my and all of the membership of the Church companion. We came to the temple to know, that I accept, without reserva- here in Salt Lake City where we were tion, the call which you have made of married and sealed for eternity. We me, and I am willing to devote my life have had three sons, one of whom was and all that I have to this service. Sister called home in infancy. Our second Hunter joins me in this pledge. son, having completed a mission in May I request today your prayers on Australia, is now in his last year at my behalf, for I know that only with Brigham Young University. He mar- the help of my Heavenly Father, can I ried his sweetheart in the temple and meet the challenge and develop those caused us to become grandparents just qualities which distinguish the other a few days ago. Our other son is now members of this council from men of serving in Australia in the mission field. the world. We have been grateful for our home I am grateful. I bear my testimony and the fact that our boys have stayed to you humbly. May we go forward to- close to the program of the Church. gether in righteousness, I humbly pray, My wife has been a sweet and loving in Jesus' name. Amen. companion and has always sustained me in the callings which have come to me. President David O. McKay: I had the privilege of serving as a bishop in the Church for a little more We have just listened to the accept- than six years. I am grateful for the ance testimony from the man who was people of that ward and the lessons they called to fill the vacancy in the Council taught me and the opportunities that of the Twelve, Elder Howard W. came to me. For nearly ten years I have Hunter. served as president of the Pasadena Stake The Tabernacle Choir will favor us in California. Again I am grateful for with "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory those people, for their love and their Of The Coming Of The Lord," con- affection, for their sustaining influence, ducted by Elder Richard P. Condie. The for the counselors that have worked with closing prayer will be offered by Brother me. I am grateful to the Church for Rulon T. Hinckley, patriarch of the all of these things and what it has Emigration Stake. meant to us in our life. The singing, as you know, for this Before I was graduated from law afternoon has been furnished by the school, three boys were born to us. Since members of the Tabernacle Choir, and that time I have been engaged in the we have thrilled with the excellency private practice of law—until yesterday. of their singing. We express apprecia- Somebody asked me yesterday what my tion and gratitude for the public press, plans are, and the only answer I could the reporters' fair and accurate reports give is that I have not yet been told throughout the sessions of this Confer- what my plans are. ence. We appreciate the cooperation of I want you to know that I have a city officials, Police Chief W. Cleon firm, uncompromising conviction that Skousen, and his associates, the traffic God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that officers in their masterful handling of the gospel was restored in this latter the increased traffic on these streets. dispensation by the instrumentality of We express appreciation for the Fire the Prophet Joseph Smith. I have an Department and the Red Cross, stand- abiding conviction of the truthfulness ing ready for any emergency, and there of this fact and that our President, whom have been several. Their prompt atten- we sustained at this conference, holds tion has given relief to those who needed those same keys, powers, and authority. it. We express appreciation to the I do not apologize for the tears that ushers of the Tabernacle who have come to my eyes on this occasion because rendered service early and late in seat- I believe that I face friends, my brethren ing the great audiences. and sisters in the Church, whose hearts Again we express appreciation for the beat the same as mine today, in the radio and television service rendered 122 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day by the various radio and television sta- We have been truly blessed throughout tions here in our own city, and state, this Conference with the best singing and also in other states, named in the that anybody in the world would hear various sessions of our Conference. Be- under these circumstances. Everybody sides the great audiences attending this in this audience, the million who have Conference on Temple Square, a survey listened, will agree that the singing has indicates, as we reported this morning, been of such high order that it may be that one million people have heard and classed as among the best in all the seen the proceedings of this conference world. through radio and television in eighteen Again at the conclusion of our Con- major cities throughout the West. This ference we express appreciation for the figure is based on the ratio of each city beautiful Hawaiian flowers you see carrying the Conference and the num- arranged here on the pulpit. We thank ber of viewers per city. all those who have contributed in any We appreciate those who furnished way to the success and inspiration of this the singing throughout this entire Con- great Conference. The address given ference: First, the Relief Society Singing this morning at 7:30 by Elder Richard L. Mothers from the Jordan Valley Region; Evans, you may hear again this evening second, the Combined Choruses of the over the radio at eight o'clock. Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion Tonight, the Deseret Sunday School and University of Utah, and the Bonne- Union Conference will convene in this ville Strings; third, the Men's Chorus of building at seven o'clock. All Sunday the Tabernacle Choir last night who School workers will wish to be in at- thrilled us with their excellent singing; tendance. The public is cordially in- and today, this great Tabernacle Choir. vited.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY

And now, my brethren and sisters, being, and his real life is the spirit that just a word in parting. inhabits his body. This has truly been a great conference. Ex-President Adams was right, when We have met during a critical time in he was accosted on the streets of Bos- the history of our own great country ton one day and was asked, "How is and the history of the world. I have John Quincy Adams today?" and he been impressed with the answer that answered, as he tottered along with his you have given through the Brethren cane, "John Quincy Adams is well, here and through your acceptance, to thank you, quite well. But the house some of the false ideologies and teach- in which he lives is tottering on its ings that are rampant in the world. One foundations, the windows are shaking, of those is, that man is not a spiritual the roof is leaking, the doors are not being, but that he is just as any other hanging straight, and so on, and I think animal, subject to his passions, subject that John Quincy Adams will have to to his yearnings, desires, and justified in move out of it soon. But John Quincy achieving his ambitions no matter how Adams himself is quite well, I thank you, many others may surfer in that achieve- quite well." He sensed that the real ment. John Quincy Adams was an immortal You have said today and yesterday being, a son of a Father in heaven. and the day before, in your testimonies That is one great truth to which you that man is a dual being—he is physical, have borne testimony in this confer- has his appetites, passions, desires, just ence—that man is spirit, the son of his as any animal has, but he is also a Father, and has within him that which spiritual being, and he knows that to will cause him to yearn and to aspire to subdue the animal instincts is to achieve become dignified as a son of God should advancement in his spiritual realm; that be dignified. The dignity of man, not a man who is subjected to his physical the degradation of man, has been empha- appetites and passions only, who denies sized throughout this conference. any reality of a spirit, is truly of the Another false ideal which has been animal world; that man is a spiritual mentioned as rampant by a small group PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY 123 of men, controlling millions now, is the and thousands who believe that testi- denial of the existence of a Creator, that mony and repudiate the claims of the there is no God. The man who repre- atheists who boast that man is his own sents that group was recently enter- god, and have already poisoned the tained in this nation. Just before he minds of a generation of young men and came he declared over his own signature women. They started this, as some of that he is still an atheist and will con- you will remember, forty years ago, and tinue to be, and will fight religion as during that forty years they have an "opiate" to the human mind. poisoned those young boys and girls with Every man who stood at this pulpit, the thought that there is no God. I think without exception, has borne At the conclusion of this session to- witness that God lives, and he knows day, I wish to emphasize the fact that that he lives. And there has been quoted this great conference has testified to the the evidence of men who have lived hundreds of thousands listening in, and through the ages who have borne that all the world—for these testimonies will same testimony. And they are honorable be printed—that God lives and further- men. They are honest men. They more, that Jesus is his Beloved Son, the would not lie. They sent their written Savior of the world, and those who have messages to people whom they loved, as seen Jesus, who walked with him, who you and I love our loved ones, our testify of him, as I have narrated, heard children, our husbands, and our wives. him say, "he that hath seen me hath Paul sent his letter saying, "For I de- seen the Father." livered unto you first of all that which I You remember during the Last Supper, also received, how that Christ died for Philip said to Jesus, "Lord shew us the our sins according to the scriptures; Father." And his answer was, "Have I "And that he was buried, and that he been so long time with you, and yet hast rose again the third day according to thou not known me, Philip? . . . and the scriptures: how sayest thou then, Shew us the "And that he was seen of Cephas, Father?" (John 14:8-9.) then of the twelve: We have given an answer to the "After that, he was seen of above five world. I think it is glorious. hundred brethren at once; of whom the Furthermore, you have given an an- greater part remain unto this present," swer to the false teachings that man is [as much as to say, "You can see them not a free individual, that he is a crea- and converse with them"] "but some are ture of the state, that the state is supreme, fallen asleep. that the state can tell what you should "After that, he was seen of James; do, what you should not do. Man is a then of all the apostles. spiritual being and has within him as "And last of all he was seen of me a gift from God, his Creator, the power also, as of one born out of due time. of choice. Part of man's divinity, part "For I am the least of the apostles, of his spirit-being, is the power to that am not meet to be called an apostle, choose—the only creature on earth that because I persecuted the church of God." has that power. It is God-given. Men (I Cor. 15:3-9.) who will deny him that, take from him But he bore his testimony and gave part of his divinity. You have answered his life for this testimony and was happy that. Your testimonies are now on in doing it. record. One of the Brethren quoted him today, Another thing—you have borne testi- from his last letter to Timothy: mony throughout this conference to the "I have fought a good fight, I have right of the family, its influence and finished my course, I have kept the fundamental contribution as a unit to faith. the state. The family is the foundation "Henceforth there is laid up for me a of the state and should not be broken crown of righteousness, which the Lord, up. In China where they love their the righteous judge, shall give me at that children and where they train them and day: and not to me only, but unto all teach them to be obedient, where the them also that love his appearing." (II children respect their parents and obey Tim. 4:7-8.) their parents, the family is broken up Thank heaven there are hundreds now, and they have to meet in com- —

124 GENERAL CONFERENCE Sunday, October 11 Third Day munistic groups. They will not stand you take home to him your character, for that very long; they will break away and he will judge you accordingly, and from it. You, during this conference, you will take home to him, if you have have borne testimony to the sacredness been through the temple worthily, your of the family, the father and the mother loved ones. and the children. You have borne testi- Now these are just some of the mony of the responsibility of the father thoughts that came at the conclusion and the mother to train those children of this great conference. in the ways of the Lord, teach them Yours is a great mission. Our thanks baptism and repentance, or the responsi- to God our Father for it. Our member- bility will be "upon the heads of the ship in his Church, and our privilege parents." of association in the brotherhood of Furthermore, you have borne testi- Christ cannot be overstated. Morning, mony to the world that man is not noon, and night, all through our lives living for himself, that his selfish desires our souls are filled with gratitude for should be overcome and controlled, and the blessings that are ours in our asso- he should render service to others. One ciations in the Church of Jesus Christ. of the greatest sayings of Jesus when he It is a glorious opportunity! was among the Twelve during his two- Now, my brethren and sisters, I bless and-a-half years here, was the one that you with increased testimony of God's touched upon that same principle: "He existence, increased testimony of the ." that findeth his life shall lose it. . . divinity of Christ's mission, his life, [that is the selfish part] "and he that his death, his establishing of the gospel; loseth his life for my sake shall find it." with increased testimony of the value (Matt. 10:39.) A paradoxical state- of the individual—oh, how important ment, but oh, how true. You have had and how glorious—how full of signifi- an evidence of it here today when Elder cance are the glorious words, "For be- Hunter said, "I give my life now for the hold, this is my work," said the Lord, service," the same with these other apos- "and my glory-—-to bring to pass the tles, the same with all the General Au- immortality and eternal life of man." thorities of the Church, with all the (Moses 1:39.) Is not that wonderful? congregation, with thousands and hun- What would this old earth be if there dreds of thousands throughout the world were no human beings on earth, even who have accepted the gospel of Jesus if there were no animals—only rocks, Christ. You are willing to lose your the barren shores, the rolling seas—no life—that is, to devote your time and life, no human beings? What a won- your talents and your strength for his derful statement, what a wonderful re- sake; and in so doing you will find your ligious revelation to the human family: life. "This is my work and my glory—to bring I often quote a man who was im- to pass the immortality and eternal pressed with that great principle, who life" of each individual. wrote God help us so to live that we may be found worthy to hear from him the "Supposing today were your last day on whisperings of his Spirit, the whisper- earth, ing of his voice, as he guides us and last mile of the journey you've trod; The warns us and tells us what to do in After all of your efforts, are how much order to come back and help him crown you worth? his glory. How much can you take home to God? That is a wonderful saying of Peter's, possessions silver "Don't count as your the rough old fisherman, when after gold; and two years and more, after he had a leave these behind; Tomorrow you testimony in his heart that God lives, all that is yours to have and to hold And that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he given mankind." Is the service you've wrote to the people over whom he was Anon. presiding and used the phrase, which I wish all of you would think about Quoted from Gospel Ideals, page 58. and cherish, that God has made us That is true, but to you it is not all "partakers of the divine nature." Read that you take home to God, because it in his epistle. —

PRESIDENT D /ID O. McKAY 125

And I hope you brethren, presidents Singing by the Tabernacle Choir, of stakes, bishops of wards, and you "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic." who preside over missions, auxiliaries, Elder Rulon T. Hinckley, patriarch priesthood quorums, will some day ap- of Emigration Stake, offered the bene- preciate, every one of you, just what diction. that means, to be in touch with that Conference adjourned for six months. divine nature through the Holy Ghost. God bless you in your homes. Do not be cross. Be courteous. Have the The Relief Society Singing Mothers same courtesy in your homes that you from the Jordan Valley Region furnished have when you are out in society. the music for the morning and after- Thank your wives, thank your children, noon sessions, Friday, October 10, with say, "if you please," "excuse me," Sister Florence Jepperson Madsen con- those little things which make life ducting. sweet. Let us be kind in our homes. At the Saturday morning and after- The gospel is the spirit of kindness. noon sessions the music was furnished Let us be considerate. Let us be by the University of Utah Choral So- true. "We believe in being honest, true, ciety (The Institute of Religion and the chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in do- University of Utah Choruses and the ing good to all men; ... If there is any- Bonneville Strings), David A. Shand, thing virtuous, lovely, or of good report Director. or praiseworthy, we seek after these The Men's Chorus of the Tabernacle things." Choir furnished the music for the Gen- I pray God to sanctify to our good eral Priesthood meeting Saturday, Octo- and to the good of all who have listened ber 10, with Richard P. Condie in this day and to the Church every- conducting. where, the blessings and testimonies of The music for the Sunday morning this great conference, in the name of and afternoon sessions was furnished Jesus Christ. Amen. by the Choir, Richard P. Condie conducting, assisted by Jay E. Welch. President David O. McKay: Richard P. Condie conducted the singing of the Tabernacle Choir at the We shall now be inspired as the Tab- Tabernacle Choir and Organ broad- ernacle Choir sings "Mine Eyes Have cast. Frank W. Asper was at the organ. Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Accompaniments and interludes on Lord," and the closing prayer will be the organ were played by Alexander offered by Brother Rulon T. Hinckley, Schreiner, Frank W. Asper and Roy M. patriarch of Emigration Stake, following Darley. which this Conference will be adjourned JOSEPH ANDERSON for six months. Clerk of the Conference )

126 CHURCH OF THE AIR

CHURCH OF THE AIR With the music of Dudley Buck, the Tabernacle Choir first presents an an- Columbia Broadcasting System's them with words from an Old Testament Church of the Air was presented at text: "Behold! there shall be a day, 7:30 a.m., Sunday, October 11, 1959. when the watchman upon the mountain The program was as follows: top shall cry aloud: 'arise, ye! get ye up unto Mount Zion, unto the Lord your The Tabernacle Choir, under the God!' Be glad and rejoice! ... I, even direction of Richard P. Condie, furnished ." have redeemed thee! . . "Fear Not Ye, the music for this service, with Alex- Israel." ander Schreiner at the organ. Allen O J. Choir sang: "Fear Not Ye, Jensen was the announcer. (The O Israel."—Buck-Griffity.) Music: and choir: Organ humming Announcer: "The morning breaks; the "Sweet Is the Work." shadows flee; Lo, Zion's standard is un- Announcer: The Church of the Air furled! The dawning of a brighter day, is presented by CBS Radio so that rep- Majestic rises on the world." These resentatives of many faiths may address words of faith and assurance by Parley a nationwide congregation. Today's P. Pratt are sung now by the Taber- service, in connection with the Semi- nacle Choir to the music of George Annual General Conference of the Careless: "The morning breaks, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day shadows flee." Saints, comes to you from the Mormon (The Choir sang: "The Morning Tabernacle on Temple Square, through Breaks."—Careless. the facilities of Station KSL in Salt Lake Announcer: We now hear on this City, Utah. Our speaker is Richard L. Church of the Air Service Richard L. Evans, a member of the Council of the Evans of the Council of the Twelve of Twelve of the Church. Music is by the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Tabernacle Choir, directed by Richard Saints, frequently referred to as the P. Condie, with Alexander Schreiner at Mormon Church. Today's talk is titled: the organ. "The Ultimate Objective."

ELDER RICH EID L. EVANS

Of the Council of e Twelve Apostles

Each year on a day so designated, we Remembered are the words of Robert recall the birth and accomplishment of Browning: Christopher Columbus, a man no doubt inspired of God to do what he did, "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed against all ignorance, against all odds his grasp, and obstacles. He is a symbol, one Or what's a heaven for?" among many, of the difficulties men can endure if they have sufficient faith But his reach should know that he is in an ultimate objective. reaching for something real—or his The heroes of history, and the lives reach will weary of the reaching. of those less known, have proved they Everything has to have a reason, a could endure working and waiting and purpose, an ultimate answer. And for great difficulty and discouragement, if such answers men have searched and there were some purpose, some hope, sought: Why do we live? What are the some reasonable assurance of the ulti- purposes of life? Why did the Creator mate objective. create? Why, indeed, were worlds The long hard journey is not too brought into being? long if "home" is at the other end. But For answer we would have to go back aimlessness would give men little reason to the basic, literal facts of our rela- for lengthening out the effort, without tionship to God, who gave us the op- some assurance, without some real and portunity of life, and who is in fact solid incentive. the Father of us all. CHURCH OF THE AIR 127

"In the beginning," we read in sacred sibilities, with freedom and faith and writ, "God created the heaven and the with a few simple rules to keep, which ." earth. . . (Genesis 1:1.) we call commandments. But for answer we would have to go And as to keeping these command- back before this beginning, with God's ments, we have our choice—our free great plan and purpose: the Gospel, we agency, as it has come to be called. How have come to call it, which we heard could it be otherwise? How could we in the heavens before time began, where grow without it? Who can learn to we were with our Father, the Father of make decisions if someone else always our spirits, and where we agreed to does the deciding? As we have to learn enter mortality to prove ourselves and to let our children learn much for them- learn the lessons of life, and where we selves (after we have given them all were assured our Father would send his the counsel we reasonably can), so our own beloved Firstborn Son to redeem Father in heaven has sent us here with us from death—that Son of whom Paul freedom to decide for ourselves. And to help us to decide, he has given us said, "God . . . hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the standards, advice, laws, rules. And they are not arbitrary, unrealistic rules, but worlds; Who being . . . the express image are simply counsel from a loving Father, of his person, . . . when he had by him- self purged our sins, sat down on the who knows us, who knows our nature. ." It is not his purpose that his children right hand of the Majesty on high. . . (Heb. 1:1-3.) should be unhappy. No father intends to have his children unhappy. And for The whole intent of scripture is one this reason he has given us command- of establishing our relationship with ments for our health and happiness, and God, our Father, and with his Son, our peace and progress and quiet conscience. Savior, and with the eternal plans and In a remarkable commencement ad- purposes for each and all of us, and dress, some months before he left this our relationships to life—and to one life, Mr. Cecil B. DeMille this another also. made moving observation concerning freedom, And what are these plans and pur- and the purpose of life, and the keeping poses? What would a loving Father of the commandments: want for his children? What would "We are too inclined to think of law any father want for his children? Peace as something merely restrictive," he and health and happiness; learning and said, "something hemming us in. progress and improvement; and ever- We sometimes think of law as the opposite lasting life, and everlasting association of liberty. But that is a false concep- with those we love. What less could tion. That is not the way that God's heaven be? What less would a Father inspired prophets and lawgivers looked plan or propose, for those he loves, for upon the law. Law has a twofold those whom he made "in his own purpose. It is meant to govern. It is image"? (Gen. 1:27.) He has declared also meant to educate. . . . his work and his glory "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." "God does not contradict himself. He (Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39.) This did not create man and then, as an is the ultimate objective. This is the afterthought, impose upon him a set of whole purpose of the Gospel he has arbitrary, irritating, restrictive rules. He given. made man free—and then gave him the commandments to keep him free. This makes life meaningful, everlast- ingly so. This is the assurance that gives "We cannot break the Ten Command- incentive—that gives faith in the face ments. We can only break ourselves of all searching uncertainty. This against them—or else, by keeping them, makes life worth all the anguish, all rise through them to the fulness of free- the effort, as we make our way through dom under God. God means us to be free. the world—learning that life is for With divine daring, he gave us learning, that our Father sent us here the power of choice." (Excerpts from for a period of proving, not to lose our the Commencement Address at Brigham way, but with a light within us to lead Young University, May 31, 1957.) us, if we will be led, to our highest pos- In our own day and dispensation, the 128 CHURCH OF THE AIR

Lord has restated the law of cause and that the fulness of the Gospel is again effect, with these words: "There is a on earth with power and authority to law, irrevocably decreed in heaven be- administer in its saving and exalting fore the foundations of this world, upon ordinances. which all blessings are predicated—And There is this certainty of assurance when we obtain any blessing from God, also: that he is willing to reveal his it is by obedience to that law upon mind and will to us today, to guide us, which it is predicated." (Doctrine & to hear and answer prayer, to open his Covenants 130:20-21.) arms to the prayerful and repentant, The commandments are not old- even as he has done in other days. fashioned, out-dated, or merely man- And against the tension and trouble made. They apply to our own as to of our time—against injustice, threats, other ages. And whenever we do any- and force and fear; want and worry; thing basically against them, we pay a discouragement and despondency; un- price—not because someone has said faithfulness and duplicity; and much of so, but because we are what we are, and misunderstanding, and much of in- because we are irrevocably affected by humanity from man to man—against all is blessed assurance of the very laws of life. No matter what this there the someone says, and no matter who would the glorious ultimate objective: of salva- set them aside, there are still heartaches tion for all, as offered by our Savior, and heartbreaks and inescapable conse- and of exaltation for those who will work quences for those who lie and cheat and at it and win it; of justice, of compen- bear false witness; for those who are sation, of the ultimate defeat of evil; of immoral and unfaithful to loved ones; peace and of progress and health and for those who abuse themselves physical- happiness, of everlasting life with sweet ly, who indulge appetites, who acquire reunion with loved ones. harmful habits; for those who set aside And this day we would plead with sure and safe standards, who are coarse all men, the searching and the sorrow- in conduct, and run contrary to the ing, the sick, the discouraged, those commandments, to the basic laws of burdened with sin and unquiet con- life. science; those who feel lost and lone- ly, and those who have lost those they To find peace—the peace within, the love to all we would plead: take peace that passeth understanding—men — courage and faith and assurance, ac- must live in honesty, honoring each cording to the promises and purposes of other, honoring obligations, working Him who is the Father of us all, who is willingly, loving and cherishing loved mindful of us all. ones, serving and considering others, with patience, with virtue, with faith By walking in his ways and keeping and forbearance, with the assurance that his commandments, God grant that all life is for learning, for serving, for re- of us together may move on to the glori- penting, and improving. And God be ous ultimate objective that is offered all thanked for the blessed principle of re- of us—to the highest opportunities of penting and improving, which is a way everlasting life, with our loved ones with that is open to us all. us, always, and forever, in Jesus' name. Amen. There is a Kingdom, and there is a King. And there are requirements for citizenship in the Kingdom—command- (The Choir sang: "How Great the ments, laws, ordinances, and obliga- Wisdom and the Love."—Mclntyre.) tions, and what is required of us for Announcer: The Tabernacle Choir peace in this world, and exaltation in has recalled a sacramental song by Eliza the world to come, is to follow him and R. Snow with the music of Thomas keep his commandments. Mclntyre: "How great the wisdom and We would witness this day that the the Love that filled the courts on high, Lord God lives, and that our Lord and And sent the Savior from above to suffer Savior Jesus Christ, his Divine and only bleed and die." Begotten Son, did redeem us from death, And now, the Tabernacle Choir closes and even now is our advocate with the with the words of Helen A. Dickinson, Father, and sits by his Father's side, and sung in a worshipful setting by D. F. E. ) —

CHOIR AND ORGAN BROADCAST 129

Auber: "O Loving Savior, Slain for us. Organist, first turns on Temple Square O Sacrificial Lamb adored. Now in Thy today to a devotional theme he has ar- presence pure and glorious, we lift our ranged from the music of Franz Josef hearts to Thee, O Lord." Haydn: "Truth Divine." (The Choir sang: "O Loving Saviour." (Organ Selection: "Truth Divine." —Auber-Dickinson. Haydn.) Music: Organ and humming choir: Announcer: And now from Temple "Sweet Is the Work." Square the Tabernacle Choir sings Announcer: Today's service came to Caesar Franck's impressive setting for you from the Mormon Tabernacle on the 150th Psalm: "O Praise Ye The Temple Square, through the facilities of Lord, Praise God in His Temple, O Station KSL in Salt Lake City, Utah. Praise Him for His might, and the great- Our speaker was Richard L. Evans of ness of His wonders. Let everything the Council of the Twelve of the Church that hath breath praise the Lord." of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (The Choir sang: "Praise Ye The Music was by the Tabernacle Choir, Lord."—Franck-Leighter.) directed by Richard P. Condie. Alex- Announcer: Frank Asper at the Tab- ander Schreiner was at the organ. ernacle Organ turns to one of his own organ offerings: "Reflection." SALT LAKE MORMON (Organ Selection: "Reflection."—As- TABERNACLE CHOIR AND ORGAN per.) BROADCAST Announcer: And now from the Choir comes a pleading, fervent sacred song The following broadcast, written and of our Savior: "Abide with me; 'tis announced by Richard L. Evans, and eventide! The day is past and gone; originating with Station KSL, Salt Lake The shadows of the evening fall; The City, Utah, was presented from 8:30 night is coming on! Within my heart to 9:00 a.m. Sunday, October 11, 1959, a welcome guest, Within my home through the courtesy of the Columbia abide; . . . O Savior, stay this night Broadcasting System's network, through- with me; Behold, 'tis eventide." out the United States, parts of Canada, (The Choir sang: "Abide With Me, and through other facilities to several 'Tis Eventide."—Millard.) points overseas. The broadcast was as follows: Announcer: (The organ played, "As the Dew From We have read somewhere in some Heaven Distilling," and on signal the rules of safety the following sentence: Choir and organ broke into the hymn, "Never point a gun at anything you "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain," sing- don't intend to shoot." This is basic ing the words to the end of the second to a whole series of parallel precautions line, and humming to end of verse for essentially summarized in this single announcer's background.) short sentence: "Don't start what you shouldn't do." It applies to habits, Announcer: Once more we welcome to projects and promises, to attitudes and you within these walls with music and obligations, to every threat, to every the spoken word from the Crossroads of temptation, and to every intent. The the West. assumption that we can go a little way The CBS Radio Network and its affili- in the wrong way, that we can sin a this ated stations bring you at hour an- little, lie a little, break the law a little; other presentation from Temple Square that we can be a little unfaithful, a little in Salt Lake City, with Richard P. dishonest; or that we can start many Condie conducting the Tabernacle Choir, things and stop them any time we want Frank Asper, tabernacle organist, and to, whenever and wherever we want to, the spoken word by Richard Evans. without involvement, without hurt or The Choir sings first an anthem from harm, without falsely encouraging others, Ernest Bloch's symphony of America: without being misunderstood, without "America! America! Thy name is in the danger of going farther than we in- my heart." tended to go, is a false and unsafe as- (The Choir sang: "America."—Bloch.) sumption. Those who find themselves Announcer: Frank Asper, Tabernacle in serious or embarrassing situations —

130 CHOIR AND ORGAN BROADCAST

frequently say they didn't intend to do And now with Dr. Asper at the Tab- what they did. And often it is true ernacle Organ we hear a hymn tune that they didn't intend to go so far. by Louis Gottschalk—a sacramental But what is often also true is that they song: "God, Our Father, hear us pray; did entertain the idea, or they did take Send thy grace this holy day; As we the first step: they did make the prob- take of emblems blest, On our Savior's lem possible. Like the man who points love we rest." the gun, they assumed the attitude of (Organ Selection: "God Our Father, intent. Starting is so often easier than Hear Us Pray."—Gottschalk.) stopping. Habits are so often easier to Announcer: In closing the Tabernacle acquire than they are to set aside. Re- Choir recalls a Welsh chorale by R.

lationships are often easier to begin than H. Prichard as arranged by Griffith J. to break off. And we save ourselves Jones, with the words of Charles Wes- much embarrassment, much explana- ley: "Love Divine, all love excelling, tion, much heartache, much danger, Joy of heav'n, to earth come down; Fix much tragedy if we simply don't start in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy

what we shouldn't do. No one should faithful mercies crown . . . Breathe, flaunt any convention, or invite any breathe Thy loving Spirit, into ev'ry flirtation, or tempt any temptation, or troubled breast; Let us all in Thee in-

begin a habit he wouldn't permanently herit, Let us find the promised rest . . . want to have, or begin any relationship Come, Almighty, to deliver, Let us all of life that would be unsafe or unsavory thy life receive; Suddenly return, and ." or unwise to follow through. There is never, Never more thy temples leave . . some scripture on the subject which says: (The Choir sang: "Love Divine." "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Prichard-Jones.) This also could be cited: "For as he Announcer: Again we leave you with- thinketh in his heart, so is he." 2 This in the shadows of the everlasting hills. all points up to the attitude of intent. May peace be with you, this day—and Don't threaten anything you shouldn't always. follow through. Even would we say: This concludes the fifteen hundred Don't think to do anything you shouldn't seventy-third presentation, continuing do. Avoid not only the appearance of the 31st year of this traditional broad- evil, but all invitation to it. In short, cast from the Mormon Tabernacle on avoid the very attitude of intent. If you Temple Square, brought to you by CBS shouldn't, just don't do it. Radio and its affiliated stations, originat- ing with Radio Station KSL in Salt Lake (The Choir sang: "Glorious Things City. Are Sung of Zion."—Daynes.) Richard P. Condie conducted the Tab- Announcer: With the words of Wil- ernacle Choir. Frank Asper was at the liam W. Phelps we have heard the Organ. The Spoken Word by Richard

Choir sing a hymn tune by Joseph J. Evans. Daynes: "Glorious Things Are Sung of In another seven days, at this same Zion." hour, music and the spoken word will be heard again from the Crossroads of *I Thessalonians 5-22. 2Proverbs 23:7. the West. Index

Page

Anderson, Elder Joseph 38 Authorities and Officers Present 1 Authorities and Officers Sustained 42 Benson, Elder Ezra Taft Ill Brown, Elder Hugh B 106 Buehner, Bishop Carl W 52 Changes in Church Organizations 38

Cheever, Bishop Stanley Smith , 75 (General Priesthood Meeting) Choir and Organ Broadcast 129 Christiansen, Elder EIRay L 68 Church of the Air 126

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr 45

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr. 85 (General Priesthood Meeting)

Clark, President J. Reuben, Jr. 42 (Presentation of General Authorities and Officers)

Critchlow, Elder William J., Jr 10 Dyer, Elder Alvin R 21 Evans, Elder Richard L 126 (Church of the Air) First Day—Morning Meeting 3 First Day—Afternoon Meeting 18

General Authorities and Officers Present 1 General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers Sustained 42 General Priesthood Meeting 74 Hanks, Elder Marion D 24

Hill, Bishop Ralph J 78 (General Priesthood Meeting) Hinckley, Elder Gordon B 118 Hunter, Elder Howard W 120 Hunter, Elder Milton R 29 Isaacson, Bishop Thorpe B. 95 Ivins, Elder Antoine R 116 Kimball, Elder Spencer W 57 Longden, Elder John 27 McConkie, Elder Brace R 50 McKay, President David O. 4 (Opening Address) McKay, President David 87 (General Priesthood Meeting) McKay, President David 122 (Closing Address)

McKay, President David O 3, 4, 9, 10, 13, 17, 18, 21, 24, 26, 28, 32, 35, 36, 37, 42, 46, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 62, 64, 68, 70, 74, 75, 78, 81, 82, 85, 87, 90, 91, 95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 106, 109, 111, 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 125. 132 INDEX

Page

Morris, Elder George Q 47 Moyle, President Henry D 91 Moyle, President Henry D 82 (General Priesthood Meeting) Obituaries 42 Petersen, Elder Mark E 13 Presentation of General Authorities and Officers 42 Priesthood Meeting, General 74 Richards, Elder LeGrand 32 Second Day—Morning Meeting 36

Second Day—Afternoon Meeting - 57 Sill, Elder Sterling W 102 Smith, Elder Eldred G 62 Smith, President Joseph Fielding 18 Sonne, Elder Alma 55 Stapley, Elder Delbert L 70 Sustaining of General Authorities, Officers and Auxiliary Officers 42 Tabernacle Choir and Organ Broadcast 129 Taylor, Elder Henry D 98 Third Day—Morning Meeting 91 Third Day— Afternoon Meeting Ill Tuttle, Elder Albert Theodore 9 Wirthlin, Bishop Joseph L 65 Young, Elder Levi Edgar 99 Young, Elder S. Dilworth 101

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